'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 a.s.sume 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.'

'b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l,' 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 a.s.signed 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 impa.s.sive 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 hors.e.m.e.n, 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.

'G.o.ds, 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 gla.s.s on the table.

Blackthorne was frowning.

'It will all become clear, Baron,' said Hirad. 'I think you should recharge your gla.s.s. 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 gla.s.s 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 c.o.c.ky. Very c.o.c.ky. 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.'

Chapter 37.

Erienne couldn't sleep. The state room she shared with Denser was airy and large, the bed beautifully comfortable. Denser lay quietly beside her but she was unsettled from having spent so much of her time over the last few days exhausted from the continuous training the Al-Drechar had given her.

It had gone on day and night during the sea journey but they'd left her alone for the walk to Blackthorne. They'd known she needed her energy and said they'd be back to help her sleep, but she'd heard nothing and now she felt fearful because without the touch of those she despised to keep her safe she wasn't sure she could control the power that had awakened within her.

She felt gorged with energy and thought of waking Denser before she realised she couldn't channel it physically. It was there in her mind. So instead she lay quietly, trying to still her thoughts as Cleress had taught her, and visualised her mind as a plug that fitted precisely over the well of energy surging in the One ent.i.ty. But every time she tried to force the plug into place, flares of deep brown mana energy escaped. Not dangerous but very uncomfortable, the mana energy sniped at her consciousness and fed on her doubt. She felt as if she were alone with a wild animal, trapped in the cage of her own skull. And then fear swept her. How could she hope to control what she couldn't even understand? The pain grew again, thudding and reverberating.

'Oh, Lyanna,' she whispered, seeing for the first time the edges of the torment that must have gripped her innocent little child.

Yet saying her name brought Erienne renewed determination. Fail now and fail Lyanna. She repeated the words as she fought to calm herself, to see through the fear, and in doing so realised her mistake. She had been seeing the One as a force wholly like mana, the random fuel of magic. But it was something much greater. It drew on everything around it, on the air and the earth as well as mana itself, like it was an integral part of the world, bound into its fabric.

She would have to adjust the way she thought, for while the One could be moulded as mana could, it could not be contained in the same way. It was not inert until channelled, like mana; it was already focussed because it reflected the land and elemental forces around it. That meant its focus would shift wherever she went so her mind would have to do the same to retain control. It would be like continually starting from scratch.

Deciding sleep would be a long time coming, Erienne settled back and tried to examine the One magic that already seethed within her, barely checked but not yet even fully awakened. Tuning her eyes further into the mana spectrum to give her a clearer view, she could see the deep brown of the One, delicate strands upsetting the random flow of the mana around it. Where mana normally flowed through everything, it was repelled by the One yet drawn to it at the same time. Unchecked, she could well imagine the devastation a full awakening of the One would wreak on a defenceless mind and in the world around because as it drew and expelled the mana it gained in intensity.