'You all right?' he asked.
'I don't know,' she admitted. 'I've slept most of the voyage but my mind is full, like I've been studying non-stop. There's so much to take in. I can't really explain it.'
'Just as long as they aren't hurting you,' said Hirad.
Erienne smiled and placed a hand on his arm. 'No, Hirad, but thank you.'
Behind Erienne, Thraun was standing on the edge of the jetty sniffing the air. Darrick was by him, looking about, before shouldering his pack and wandering off towards the warehouses. Aeb, as always, stood silent and close to Denser and The Unknown, his axe and sword crossed over his back in their snap fastenings.
Another boat nudged against the jetty. Al-Arynaar and TaiGethen jumped out and jogged away to join their brothers and the ClawBound where they were gathering on a rise. Ilkar and Rebraal were with them, the two brothers deep in yet another heated conversation. Hirad watched as one of the Al-Arynaar mages spoke to them briefly, nodded curtly and moved away as if being near Ilkar upset her somehow. More words were exchanged before Ilkar clutched Rebraal in a half-hearted embrace and Ilkar strode over to The Raven, shaking his head.
'Another happy family discussion?' asked Hirad.
'Oh, it's not him,' said Ilkar. 'Not this time. Come on, let's go.'
He cast about for his pack and picked it up off the jetty, throwing Hirad's to him at the same time.
'And are they coming with us?' Hirad jerked a thumb at the elves.
'No,' said Ilkar. 'Come on.' He set off along the rutted wagon trail that cut into the soft earth. 'I presume this is the quickest way to Blackthorne.'
'What's got into him?' asked Denser.
Hirad shrugged. 'Them, I expect.'
The elves were all knelt in prayer, a low murmuring drifting across on the wind. It was going to be a fine if cool afternoon. Hirad felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He'd forgotten what it was to see open land and not be hemmed in by impenetrable forest.
Out in the bay, the Calaian Sun's sails billowed. Jevin was heading for Arlen, hoping to pick up a cargo and news of Xeteskian strength. He'd be returning to the bay in twenty days.
The Raven set off after Ilkar. Simultaneously, the elves stood and headed away north and east, splitting as they went. ClawBound pairs ran alone, TaiGethen trios likewise, with the main body of the Al-Arynaar following.
'Trouble for someone,' said Hirad.
'You're not wrong,' said Darrick. 'Glad we're not in the firing line.'
They caught up with Ilkar quickly and walked in a loose knot around the Julatsan mage, who explained as he pushed on.
'They don't feel they can wait,' he said. 'Not for information from Blackthorne and certainly not for us. I'm just worried they'll run into more trouble than they can cope with.'
'So what were you talking to Rebraal about?' asked Denser.
'I was warning him about the power of Xeteskian magic and what a Protector army can do. Not that he really wanted to listen. I mean they all saw Aeb in action but they don't understand what two hundred at once really means. They've never seen a true college battle line - you know, properly organised cavalry, foot soldiers, mages. They won't know how to handle it.'
'But they're confident all the same?' said Darrick.
Ilkar shrugged. 'It's more the pressure of time. Three TaiGethen died on the voyage. So did four Al-Arynaar, along with a couple of Jevin's crew. You can understand it.'
'But there's a problem,' said The Unknown. 'Or you wouldn't have been so irritated.'
'They still don't think we can help,' said Ilkar. 'They don't understand this place - the politics, the factions, who they can trust - though they think they do. They just assume people will be sympathetic or stand aside because we have a common enemy. I only just managed to persuade one of them to give me her Communion signature.'
'And do you expect to hear from her?' asked Denser.
'No, but she'll be hearing from me. Us. They may not care what they're getting themselves into but I care about the effect it has on what we're trying to do.'
'So what are they planning?' asked The Unknown.
'Well, remember Rebraal and all the Al-Arynaar mages know something of Balaia. They've all spent a lot of time here. ClawBound are going to scout the likely route from Arlen to Xetesk. TaiGethen will be close and will gather any information they can.
'If the Xeteskian force is too big to attack when they first find it, they'll wait for the rest of the elven army and then attack. That's it. No talking, no discussion.'
'Bloody hell,' said Hirad. 'This is going to get messy.'
'Quite,' said Ilkar. 'So we need to get hold of the thumb before the elves launch a war on Xetesk.'
'How?' said Erienne.
'Right now I don't know, but we'd better come up with a plan quickly. I'm rather hoping Blackthorne will be able to provide some good intelligence.'
'May I speak, Master Denser?' Aeb's voice, deep and powerful, rolled over them.
'Of course,' said Denser.
'I am a risk to everything you do,' said Aeb. 'You should dismiss me immediately.'
His voice was neutral but Hirad knew what dismissal meant; the Unknown had been very clear about it. Though not under punishment, Aeb would be bereft of his link to a mage. The demons in the chain linking his body to his soul would torment him until he made it back to Xetesk. If he made it back.
'I can't do that,' said Denser. 'You know why.'
'Recovery of the statue fragment is more important than my discomfort,' said Aeb. 'Xetesk can track all of us through me.'
'Discomfort is an understatement,' said Denser. 'But there's more than that. You're one of us. You're my bodyguard and The Unknown's left-hand defence. The Raven do not send their people away because it's more convenient that way.'
'I could bring about your deaths,' said Aeb. 'This is bigger than The Raven.'
'Nothing is that big.' Hirad locked eyes with the huge Protector. 'Nothing.'
Aeb said nothing in reply, merely switched his gaze back to Denser.
'Master?'
'Subject's closed, Aeb,' said Denser. 'You stay.'
'I understand,' said Aeb, and there was no disguising the relief in his voice.
'What ties us together isn't dissimilar to what binds the Protectors, ' said The Unknown. 'If Denser dismisses you it is a betrayal of us. You do understand that?'
'Yes,' replied Aeb. 'But I also understand the Elfsorrow and what it will do if not checked. I risk that.'
'We'll have a better chance of reclaiming the thumb and returning it to Calaius if you're with us,' said The Unknown. 'The only thing that worries me is Dystran rescinding the Act of Giving.'
'Unlikely at the moment,' said Denser. 'While he thinks he can track us and keep us at a distance, he'll see Aeb as an advantage.'
'What happens if he does rescind it, though?' asked Hirad.
'Well, Aeb would no longer be under my control. He could be assigned to another mage or returned to Xetesk.'
'But I will never fight against The Raven,' said Aeb. 'No Protector will bear arms against Sol.'
'Still, Aeb, you're only a risk if you know exactly what it is we're planning to do, right?' said Denser, a twinkle in his eye.
'Yes,' agreed Aeb.
'I mean it's all very well knowing where we are in Balaia but quite another thing knowing where we're headed, would you agree?'
'Yes.'
'Well, you may not be able to lie but I intend to exercise my imagination to its fullest,' said Denser. 'And clearly you'll have no choice but to report it as the truth.'
'Yes,' said Aeb a third time, and there was the faintest trace of humour in his normally impassive voice.
'Excellent,' said Denser. 'Could be fun, this.'
'Fun, he calls it,' grumbled Ilkar, but there was a smile on his face. 'The whole elven race is under threat and he's about to engage in a game of bluff with the Lord of the Mount of Xetesk.'
The Raven reached Blackthorne late in the afternoon, under escort from a pair of mounted militiamen. Leaving an area of woodland, they were greeted by the sight of a busy vibrant town. Hammering echoed into the sky, the sound of children laughing floated above that of hooves on packed earth, and everywhere columns of smoke spiralled into the cloudy sky from furnaces and cook fires.
Blackthorne had a population of eight to ten thousand, though that number had been significantly swollen by refugees, and there were tented camps on three sides of the town. The rebuilt Blackthorne Castle presided benevolently over the southern end of the town, pennants flying white and blue in the breeze, its pale grey stone washed clean.
Walking through the town behind Blackthorne's horsemen, The Raven's reception was mixed. There was awed recognition, curiosity and shouts of welcome to Hirad as an old friend of the town, but concern because walking with them was a Xeteskian Protector.
Baron Blackthorne had no reservations and welcomed them in his private dining room with flagons of excellent red and white wine, plates of vegetables, bread and cheese. There was some meat but it was obviously in short supply.
His eyes sparkling under his stern dark-haired brow, Blackthorne greeted each one of them in turn, remarking on the return of Darrick, kissing Ren'erei's hand on meeting her for the first time and shaking that of Aeb, though the Protector looked uncomfortable at the touch. Hugging Hirad to him, he ordered wine poured for all his guests and sat them down around his table. Aeb stood behind Denser but accepted a drink.
'Gods, but it's good to see you alive and well,' he said. 'We need some sanity in this country and I can only bring that to a small corner.'
'We've heard plenty of stories about conditions here,' said The Unknown. 'You seem to be bearing up well.'
'Only because I have enough men to defend my resources and the support of my people,' said Blackthorne. 'Elsewhere, it's wild. Gresse and I have been touring but there's little we can do and he's back at Taranspike Castle. It's down to the colleges now and the war is worsening by the day. So what brings you back from your tropical paradise?'
There was a pained silence. Blackthorne sighed and clapped a hand to his forehead. 'Curse my stupid mouth. Erienne, I am sorry. I heard about your daughter.'
'Seems like the whole world has,' said Erienne, voice trembling slightly.
'That's about the size of it,' said Blackthorne. 'And I will say this because you need to know the mood of people outside my lands. The news of her death and the end of the elemental destruction was greeted with joy, not tears. She is not spoken of well, my lady, and neither are you, your husband or much of the mage community.'
'I can see their point,' said Erienne. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eye.
'I, on the other hand, am aware of the full story. It's just a shame that the colleges have determined to compound their stupidity by going to war.'
Denser raised a hand. 'Before you tell us what you know, and we tell you why we're here, Aeb, you should leave. Go beyond earshot. I can hardly lie to you effectively if you've heard everything already, now can I?'
'Master.' Aeb bowed and left, placing his glass on the table.
Blackthorne was frowning.
'It will all become clear, Baron,' said Hirad. 'I think you should recharge your glass. If you think the situation's bad now, just wait till you hear this.'
Into an increasingly stunned atmosphere, first Hirad, then Denser and Ilkar outlined the events on Calaius and Herendeneth and their suspicions and certainties concerning Xeteskian involvement and motivations. Blackthorne didn't touch his wine or food, just stared back at whoever was talking to him. He asked no questions, merely nodded his head to indicate he'd understood. And despite the fire in the grate Hirad fancied he felt the room chill. Not just due to Blackthorne's shock, but because to hear it all again brought the enormity of the situation home to The Raven.
'You've got to get word to Heryst and Vuldaroq,' said Blackthorne into the yawning silence that followed, his voice oddly quiet. 'Xetesk must not be allowed to take possession of either research or artefact.'
'That's why we need your help,' said The Unknown. 'Our clear priority is to recover the thumb fragment. Going to Lystern or Dordover is days out of our way. You're a respected statesman and a supporter of magic. This sort of news might be better coming from you. We're not exactly friends of Vuldaroq's these days.'
Blackthorne rubbed his hands over his face and drained his glass in one long swallow, refilling it himself having dismissed all his servants.
'The situation is very tense. Lystern has formed an alliance of sorts with Dordover, but Dordover, or more specifically Vuldaroq, is the more active partner. As far as I know, Heryst still has a diplomatic team in Xetesk but details are sketchy. He's a man of reason as you know but he's not in a strong position. He's gone the only way he can, blockading lands and defending Julatsa, but it's put him in thrall to Vuldaroq whether he likes it or not. There's no doubt that knowing what you've just told me about Calaius and the elves would be enough to bring Lystern firmly into the war on Dordover's side. But I'm not sure that'll help you, considering in all probability you'll need to get inside Xetesk.'
'On the other hand, as soon as the elves encounter Dordovan or Lysternan forces, the story will be out and we'll have had no chance to mitigate the message,' said The Unknown.
'Indeed,' said Blackthorne. 'Well there's really only one course of action we can take as far as I can see. I reckon it's time I sent a trade delegation to Lystern. Quickly.' He smiled. 'I might even go myself, perhaps try and find time to have an informal talk with Heryst. You lot, on the other hand, need to get towards Xetesk as quietly and as quickly as you can. I think I can spare some horses and trail food though having an elven archer might help you down something a little more appetising.'
'My Lord, I hadn't considered you travelling there yourself,' said The Unknown. 'You're powerful enough to request Heryst communes with your senior mage.'
'Face to face is the only way,' said Blackthorne. 'This is too important for third-party communication.'
'Just make sure you take a mage we can contact,' urged Ilkar. 'If events overtake us, you need to know before you get too close to it all.'
'I'll do that,' said Blackthorne. 'We'll discuss the finer points of travel later but there is something else I need to apprise you of if you're travelling direct to Xetesk.'
'Wouldn't have anything to do with Selik, would it?' asked Hirad.
'Your friend and mine,' said Blackthorne, nodding. 'He paid me an unexpected visit a few days ago. Unexpected and odious. He's getting cocky. Very cocky. And with some reason. He's got considerable support. Desperation does that to people and he's a master at playing on people's fears.'
'But they'll be old men, young boys and farmers,' said Hirad. 'Not exactly battle-hardened.'
'But there will be lots of them. Thousands,' said Blackthorne. He leaned forward. 'This is a warning, Hirad. Don't underestimate him. He's powerful now and most of the mages are too scared to come outside their college walls. He's someone else that needs stopping.'
'Well you're talking to the right man,' said Hirad.
'Later, Hirad, all right?' said The Unknown. 'Let's get this thumb back to the elves first.'
Blackthorne pushed himself to his feet. 'Right, Raven, I'm going to organise you some beds and horses, then we are going to talk further. If we want Balaia back, we've got to do this right.'