By the time the last riders were through, she estimated she’d watched the passage of around seven thousand. And at that speed, they would reach the pass in approximately six days.
‘Gods, it’s happening,’ she breathed. She wasn’t due to make another communion until reaching Parve but she couldn’t let that many men surprise the Understone Pass defence. And assuming more were taking the southern trails from the Heartlands, they meant to throw a massive force at eastern Balaia. Shaking her head, she lay down and probed the mana for Styliann.
Chapter 18
The morning began calm. Dawn broke to the sound of people checking horses, stowing equipment and preparing food. The weather was fine and cool, ideal conditions for riding. Nonetheless, there was a storm about to break.
With horses saddled and castle rigged, most of The Raven, old and new, had gathered in the courtyard. Talan was astride his horse.
‘Second thoughts?’ probed Hirad. He was feeling good, strong. A few practice moves with Talan had revealed a dull ache and nothing more. Erienne said the ache would be with him for ever.
‘With every breath I take,’ said Talan.
‘And?’
‘I’m still right to go.’ He shrugged.
‘Where?’
‘Never you mind, barbarian. Least said, least knows, never does find.’
‘What?’
‘My mother used to say it. God knows why, but it sounds right.’
Hirad raised his eyebrows and offered Talan a hand which the other shook. ‘You’ll always be Raven,’ he said. ‘Don’t forget.’
‘Thank you. Gods, Hirad, I—’
‘It’s done, Talan. We wish each other life and luck. It’s all we can do now.’ He smiled. ‘See you in Korina when it’s all over.’
‘Depend on it.’ Talan turned his horse and trotted towards the gates. As he neared the walls, Sol stepped squarely into his path.
‘I think you’d better stop, Talan,’ said Denser, emerging from the house, cat in his arms.
‘What’s up?’ Hirad turned to the Xeteskian.
‘I didn’t really believe he’d go. I was trusting you to change his mind.’
Hirad felt a chill through the warmth of the morning.
‘This is Raven business. It’s his choice,’ he said. ‘It’s his right.’
‘No, it is not,’ said Denser, his voice calm and cold. ‘We cannot take the risk of his capture. He cannot be allowed to leave.’
‘Don’t do this, Denser,’ urged Ilkar.
Denser ignored Ilkar. ‘Reconsider.’
Talon shook his head. ‘No.’
At a signal from his Given, Sol snapped the axe from his back to the ready.
‘Reconsider,’ Denser repeated.
Another shake of the head.
‘You’d kill him?’ Hirad’s face darkened.
Denser shrugged. ‘It’s what Sol does best.’
Hirad didn’t even think about it. He covered the ground to Denser, locked an arm around his neck and pushed a dagger under his chin.
‘Reconsider,’ he grated.
Sol broke towards them, his movement measured, implacable.
‘Not another step, maskman, or this whole thing ends right now.’
The point of Hirad’s dagger drew blood. Sol stopped dead. ‘And don’t even think about a spell. You aren’t quick enough to beat me,’ said Hirad into Denser’s ear. He looked over at Talan. ‘Get out of here.’ Talan nodded his thanks, spurred his horse and galloped away. ‘Like I said, it’s Raven business.’ He released Denser and sheathed his dagger. ‘Now you can either kill me or we can get on with our job.’
‘No purpose would be served by killing you,’ said Denser, rubbing his neck.
‘I thought not. Let’s go then.’
Ilkar let out his breath, paused long enough to glare at Hirad and walked back towards the stables. Thraun and Will disappeared into the house. Erienne was still at the grave of her sons.
Sol moved to stand at Denser’s side, the cat now on the Protector’s shoulder. All three stared at him.
‘What is it? Surprised I care that much?’ Hirad’s anger had not entirely left him. ‘You still don’t understand us, do you, Denser? The few of us that are still alive. And though you are sworn to the Code, until you do, you will never be truly Raven.’
‘No,’ said Denser. ‘I don’t and I’m not, although I’m getting a better picture every day.’ He paused. ‘You would really have killed me?’
‘It’s what I do best.’ Hirad smiled.
‘And handed Balaia and Dawnthief to the Wytch Lords.’
‘I will not let you use that as a weapon to dominate us. You had no right to stop Talan—’
‘I had every r—’
‘It was Raven business!’ snapped Hirad. ‘I won’t repeat myself again. Now I know you’re important and I know we need to keep you alive. But if you pull another trick like that, I will stop you any way I can. And if that means we both die and Balaia with us, so be it.’
Eventually, Denser nodded. ‘But you understand my fears.’
‘Of course. Ilkar shares them. But you should have spoken to us about them. Did you really think we were going to stand by and let your shadow chop down a member of The Raven?’
Denser was silent for a time. He breathed in deeply.
‘In hindsight, no. Look, I wasn’t thinking straight. We’re in a lot of trouble—’
‘Ilkar’s told me.’
‘—and I just saw it as one risk too many.’ He paused. ‘I panicked. I’m sorry.’
‘Then it’s forgotten.’ Hirad accepted Denser’s hand. ‘As long as he realises it was nothing personal.’ He switched his gaze to Sol. Behind the mask, the eyes stared back, betraying no reaction.
‘He will not attempt to harm you unless you threaten my life,’ said Denser.
‘I think we both know how to avoid that, don’t we?’ Hirad turned at a sound from the castle. Will and Thraun trotted out.
‘Fuses are lit,’ said Will. ‘They’ll burn for around four hours. I hope we can find a convenient hill to watch from.’
‘We’ll see what we can do.’ Hirad drew breath. ‘Raven! Mount up, let’s go. The sun won’t stop moving!’ He paused to grab Denser’s arm. ‘You’ll see to Erienne?’ Then he ran to his horse. Minutes later, the hiss and crackle of fuses was the only sound echoing around the stone walls of the Black Wings’ castle.
The Raven rode along the trail from the castle for ten minutes before cutting away up a gentle incline into woodland. The ground was easy but rocks here and there dictated a measure of caution. It was three days’ ride to Dordover; an injury to a horse would add delay and time was something The Raven simply didn’t have to waste.
The first stop, earlier than Denser would have preferred, saw them on the slope of a hillside over three hours from the castle. Though not an ideal viewing point - the castle was partially obscured by both trees and distance - it was the best they could hope for and Will for one was not moving.
‘Something wrong, old friend?’ asked Ilkar.
Hirad looked away from the castle. ‘I was just working out how long it was since I had a drink and I’m not happy with the answer.’
‘It was in the ruins of Septern’s house, wasn’t it?’
Hirad nodded.
‘Travers had a stock,’ said Ilkar.
‘I’d rather drink the contents of my own bladder,’ replied Hirad.
‘Very wise. It made a good antiseptic, though, so Talan said.’
Hirad raised his eyebrows. ‘He’d better be all right,’ he said. ‘I’m going to miss him, I think.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Ilkar.
‘Are you surprised he’s gone?’
‘Surprised and very disappointed. I really thought . . . you know, after four years . . .’