busy… It's unbelievable, isn't it? Him being back, I mean.'
He straightened and Ilkar and Hirad turned to face him.
'Just think about it a moment,' he continued. 'What must have been going through his mind as a wolf. Compelled to do things he couldn't really comprehend but that he knew were right. And he lost his family doing it.'
'So he turned to us again,' said Hirad quietly.
'Yes,' said The Unknown. 'Us. Think how he was when Will died. He'll blame himself for the pack too.'
'He's going to take some saving isn't he?' said Hirad.
'But we'll be there,' said Ilkar. 'Together or apart, we've proved these last few weeks. The Raven is always there.'
Hirad smiled and Ilkar could see that for the barbarian, there had never been any doubt of it.
The mage assassin swept in low over the island. His companions had landed and moved Cloaked up a path from a hidden landing site not visible from sea level. He had chosen to risk being seen but considered the risk low. Beneath him, he could see and sense a decaying illusion and, ducking through its periphery, saw the sprawling mass of the severely damaged rambling mansion.
In its centre, trees. Around its edges, cleared ground and at its rear, a water-filled rockfall that had been arrested only by the house itself.
There was great power here and something innate told him not to fly any lower. They would be looking for him. Probably on the mana spectrum as well as by sight. So he circled just below the illusion seeing no light or movement. To a casual observer, the house was deserted. Indeed, there was a part of him that wondered if it wasn't. But there was nowhere else to be on the island.
He swept back over the house one more time, logged possible access points in his mind and flew away back to the flotilla, trusting his sect mages to remain undetected as they carried out more detailed inspection of the terrain.
It wouldn't be an easy fight but they would win. They had to. Dordovan magic depended on it.
Chapter 38
Sometime in the night, Lyanna had found them and crept in between them without waking either. But there she was when Erienne awoke, arms flung out to the sides and occupying far more of the bed than a small five- year-old should. Denser had moved all the way to the right-hand side and was in danger of falling off the edge while Erienne had moved her body into a curve to accommodate the little girl.
It was an idyllic moment and tears fled briefly down Erienne's cheeks before she steeled herself, drying her face and moving down in the bed. She propped her head on one hand and stroked Lyanna's cheeks. There was movement in the house despite the fact it was still dark and Erienne guessed it would soon be time to get up.
Their room was the first in the Guild wing and despite a little damp it had been comfortable enough. Outside, two Protectors had stood vigil and the windows were shuttered and locked, one of Denser's alarm wards placed across the frame. They hadn't been disturbed.
Lyanna opened her eyes and smiled blearily at her mother.
'Good morning, beautiful,' whispered Erienne.
'It's still dark, Mummy.'
T know, but there's going to be lots of danger here today and I do so need you to be a brave girl.'
'I'll look after you, Mummy.'
'Oh darling, I know!' Erienne crushed her into an embrace and Lyanna clung on. Erienne could feel her agitation and worry. This was no place for a young child and the effect on her of the terrors to come was something Erienne would never have the chance to deal with. But right now, all Lyanna knew was that something was wrong
and that everyone around her was feeling a deep tension. It would all make her very uncomfortable and insecure.
A knock on the door surprised her and she jumped, disturbing the moment. Lyanna pulled away and Erienne sat further up, pulling up the sheets to cover her breasts.
'Come in,' she said.
The door opened and Nerane came in carrying a tray on which sat two steaming mugs.
'Sorry to disturb you so early,' said Nerane. 'But The Unknown Warrior has asked that you raise yourselves.'
She smiled as she saw the family picture in front of her. Beside Erienne, Denser stirred and rolled over, grunting as he sat up.
'It seems such a shame to make you move,' said Nerane. 'You look perfect together.'
Erienne looked across at the half-asleep Denser. She saw his tousled hair, uncombed beard and his slack mouth open and laughed. 'Are you sure?'
'You know what I mean,' said Nerane. She left the tray on a table near the bed.
'What else did The Unknown say?' asked Erienne.
'The Dordovans are on the beach and spreading through the island. They'll encircle us soon. The Al-Drechar shield is up and steady, everyone is inside the house and you need to move from here soon because the doors to the wing need to be sealed and blocked.'
'Did he make you learn all that?' asked Denser, looking down and noticing his daughter. 'Oh, hello you.'
'Hello, Daddy.'
'At least I know why my back hurts so much,' said Denser.
T don't think it's got much to do with Lyanna,' said Erienne.
Nerane had blushed and was backing towards the door. 'The Unknown Warrior says that next time he'll send Hirad to make you get up.'
'Incentive indeed,' said Denser. 'Thank you, Nerane. Tell him it won't be necessary.'
The old elf left, closing the door quiedy behind her. Denser looked deep into Erienne's eyes and she felt a longing it would have been impossible to deny but for Lyanna between them. He
reached out and put a hand to her cheek, which she covered with hers.
'So this is it, then,' he said.
'Yes, I suppose so,' said Erienne.
He nodded, his lower lip trembling. 'Just remember how much I love you,' he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
'And I'll love you, wherever I am,' she replied.
Lyanna squirmed. 'What's wrong, Mummy?'
'Nothing darling, nothing at all.'
Hirad placed the last of the Al-Drechar's beds in the kitchen, near to the stove to enjoy its heat.
'So did they get any of the assassins?' he asked.
'Three,' said The Unknown.
'Good going,' said Hirad. 'And no one got inside?'
'Not that we know. But Ren thought she saw a flyer. We can assume they've seen the orchard and know the size of the house. The Al-Drechar said no one touched the shield.'
Hirad sat at the table and drew his blade, honing its edge on a whetstone he'd borrowed from the Guild elves. He felt alive. There was a fight to come, the odds were stacked against them but The Raven were always to be reckoned with.
'So how long before they attack?'
'Any time,' said The Unknown. 'They aren't massed yet but it won't be long. We should get to our places.'
Hirad checked the edge of his sword and, satisfied, stood and sheathed it, automatically checking his daggers were also in their sheaths. The door to the dining room swung open and the Al-Drechar came in, supported by Guild elves.
