The Raven Coven

by Emma Miles

  She dropped to her knees and would have fallen over onto her side had Heara not caught her. The spirit tore itself free and Dia retched sea-water up from her lungs again and again, gasping for air. Dia could hear the spirit laughing and through her blurred vision she saw Temerran jump across to her rock to stand over her.

  ‘That wasn’t the bargain, spirit!’ he shouted angrily.

  A huge wave crashed over the rock, soaking them all, but the spirit withdrew.

  Temerran quickly knelt. ‘Is she all right?’ he asked Heara. ‘Get her over onto her stomach!’

  Dia vomited again as they tried to lift and turn her, but she finally managed to wheeze air into her burning lungs. She could hear Arrus yelling her name.

  ‘I’m all right,’ she said hoarsely.

  Heara and Temerran still held her firmly, leaning her forward.

  ‘Get me a blanket!’ The Bard’s voice carried easily across the water to the beach. ‘Icante,’ he said quietly. ‘The biggest regret of my life is that I never sailed to the Fulmers in friendship to know you and your people sooner instead of believing the ignorance of tradition. I am your servant, lady, now and always.’

  ‘Did it work?’ she panted.

  Temerran stood and she looked up to see that he was standing with his eyes closed and his arms stretched out wide. ‘Can you not feel it?’ A smile spread across his face and he turned to look down at her, his emerald eyes bright. ‘Life.’

  ***

  They held a celebration on the beach that night, building huge bonfires despite the scarcity of wood on the islands. Any suspicion and animosity between the warriors of the Borrows and the Fulmers seemed to fall away as they shared food and alcohol and Dia wondered how much influence Temerran’s song had had on that. The Borrowmen seemed particularly enthralled by Catya and her wild, bloodthirsty tales. Heara was a little more subdued than usual, both her and Vilnue keeping a careful eye on things. Arrus was doing what he did best, making everyone feel at ease and welcome, forging friendships where once there’d been hate. Dia sat quietly watching, the young warrior, Dorthai, hovering nearby in case of trouble without having had to be asked. She nodded to herself, making up her mind that he would be the one she’d send to replace Worvig in Elden.

  Movement caught her eye and she saw Temerran making his way toward her. He handed her a cup and stood looking out to sea. ‘That is an alcohol made from a plant, a cane, as sweet as honey in the land we sailed to far across the ocean. It might ease your throat.’

  She smiled and nodded, too sore still from the sea-spirit’s petty vengeance to speak much. He almost seemed to read her thoughts when he continued.

  ‘Yes, I’m sad I won’t see such lands again, but there are wonders to be seen here at home as well. Our world is changing.’

  She nodded, taking a sip of the dark liquid in the cup and savouring the soothing burn of its warmth.

  ‘Let’s make sure it changes for the better,’ she whispered.

  ‘Let it be so,’ Temerran replied.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kesta; Covenet of Chem

  Kesta breathed in deeply, savouring the leafy smell and the scent of recent rain. Some of the trees had begun to take on a yellowish hue, and she felt a stab of fear at the thought that the year was waning. Around her the women chattered, the two small children, Perta and Ursaith, running unsteadily across the grass. The palace gardens had become their favourite place to be, a tiny taste of freedom within the safety of the walls. In the six weeks since they’d taken the palace, they’d restored the palace guard to full strength and begun the recovery of the city guard. So far, no other coven had dared attack Navere, but it didn’t leave Kesta feeling any less nervous.

  ‘Kesta, can I ask something?’

  She turned to see young Vilai looking up at her with her pretty brown eyes.

  ‘Of course.’ She frowned, wondering what had made her nervous. Vilai had been the fourth of the women to open up her magic. The first had been Jollen, whose son had been murdered by Cepack. She’d been followed by Rey, one of the oldest of the women, and then Beth who was almost six months pregnant. Only one other had found her power since Vilai, and that was Perta’s mother, Estre. There was still hope for the others, all except tattooed Calayna.

  ‘Why can’t you eat meat?’

  Kesta felt relief at so simple a question. ‘As a walker I feel the emotions of living things, and that includes animals. They feel the same fear, the same pain, the same hope, love and sometimes even humour as a person does. It is hard to kill and eat something you know felt terror at its death, that you know will be mourned and missed by its mate, by its family. It’s hard to kill something whose unique personality you have held inside your own soul.’

  ‘Is it true that Fulmer people …’ Vilai’s pale skin blushed bright red. ‘Is it true they, um, bond with animals?’

  Kesta snorted. ‘I’m sure you’re alluding to something other than ‘bonding!’ No. We don’t. We respect animals, we do our best not to harm them. We see them as our brothers and sisters in this life. Sometimes a walker will make a strong emotional attachment to an animal, an exceptional friendship. It’s discouraged, though. Such a friendship can take an animal away from its natural behaviour, deprive it of its own kind, and a chance to have young. My mother has a particular affinity with birds and, as I discovered quite recently, ravens in particular love her!’

  ‘Is that why we are to become the Raven Coven?’

  Kesta smiled. ‘Almost. We have taken the name from my husband’s home, from his Raven Tower.’

  ‘Will we give the men our gift tonight?’ Vilai asked excitedly.

  ‘Yes, at dinner.’

  A buzz of excitement ran through the women and their chattering ceased. It was a moment before Kesta realised what it was that had excited them. Estre called out to Perta, lifting the toddler onto her hip and bidding her shush. Hidden out of sight by a high hedge, someone was singing. His voice was low, but not gratingly deep, the notes as pure as a well-played flute. Kesta couldn’t make out the words but the harmonic purr of the ‘r’s told her it was a Chemman, the women’s excitement gave away the man.

  ‘Leave him be.’ Kesta shook her head, but little Ursaith ran around the hedge and the singing ceased.

  ‘Hello, little one.’

  Kesta followed the others across the grass toward the seat hidden within the high conifer hedge. She forced a smile at Osun who was staring down at the young child with the bemused look of someone who’d never had much to do with children.

  ‘We’re sorry to disturb you.’ Kesta apologised. She looked around at the other women, none of them looked particularly sorry. She supposed she couldn’t blame them, to them Osun was a hero, a kind and daring man; they didn’t know his past. She didn’t have the heart to tell them, for a start it would destroy their trust and any chance of forming these women into a coven.

  Osun brushed a black curl back from his forehead, glancing around at the women until his blue eyes found Kesta and stayed there as though finding a safe harbour in uncharted seas. She almost laughed. This much female attention was probably completely unknown to a Chemman.

  He cleared his throat. ‘Are your lessons going well?’

  ‘Well enough.’ Kesta frowned. ‘Should you be out here on your own?’

  Osun rubbed at his forehead to hide his eyes. ‘I spent most of my life alone. I haven’t had a moment to myself in six weeks.’

  Kesta’s heart burned in sympathy, but she looked away, unable to meet his eyes. She’d barely had a moment to herself either, but at least she had the sanctuary of the library she shared with Jorrun. ‘See if a fire-spirit will keep an eye on you,’ she chastised. ‘How on earth did you manage to give Cassien the slip?’

  ‘He was sleeping. I sent Jagna on an errand.’

  Kesta’s fists clenched. ‘Jagna should know better, as should you.’

  She realised all the women were watching her, some wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Although they’d b
egun to find the courage to speak to Jorrun and Osun, Kesta’s behaviour and attitude was still somewhat shocking to them. She gave a slight shake of her head.

  ‘I understand, Osun, I really do, but we can’t take risks.’

  His shoulders slumped, and he looked down at the grass for a moment.

  ‘You could maybe walk with us for a while, Lord?’ Vilai spoke up. She was shaking a little and Kesta had to admire her bravery in breaking a lifetime of conditioning.

  Osun nodded and stood up slowly. He glanced at Kesta. ‘I guess that will save me from being told off any more!’

  Vilai giggled, then placed her hand quickly over her mouth. The bruises that had been there when Kesta had first met her had faded, her wrist had been broken by one of Cepack’s men.

  ‘Any news from the city?’ Kesta asked seriously. With most of her time taken up with guarding and training the women she had to rely on Jorrun and Azrael to bring her information.

  ‘The market has been back up and trading under official supervision for a week now and we’ve started to receive more outside traders.’ He walked beside her across the lawn. ‘I’ve had a message from a friend in Margith, Farkle, he advises that as yet the sorcerer, Tembre, hasn’t made an attempt on that Seat.’

  ‘Nothing from Arkoom?’

  ‘Thankfully, no.’ He glanced at her. ‘Although the day will come when we are summoned there to sit at council. Without allies there or our coven trained and stronger, we might as well jump straight in the sea and drown.’

  ‘And if we just ignored such a summons?’

  Osun blew air out through his mouth. ‘We might get away with it for a while, but not attending will alert everyone to the fact we are weak. We can only hope Feren has problems of his own and doesn’t dare call a council yet.’

  ‘So, we are pretty much in a race against time as to who can get the most allies or become the strongest first?’

  ‘Pretty much.’ He brushed some hair back from his face.

  Movement caught Kesta’s eye and she halted, grabbing Osun’s arm. One of the guards was making his way across the lawn, almost running.

  ‘My Lord, Ladies!’ he called out. ‘A ship has come into Navere dock! It flies an Elden flag!’

  Kesta and Osun looked at each other and grinned.

  ‘Get captain Rece to take two dozen men down to the docks and escort the Elden delegation back here,’ Osun ordered.

  ‘At once, Lord.’ The guard bowed.

  A frown settled on Osun’s face as they hurried back into the palace.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Kesta asked him.

  Osun gave a slight shake of his head and glanced at her. ‘Word of this will reach Arkoom. It might push Feren into action.’

  ‘But I thought the whole idea was to show that we had big allies as well as to bring trade and wealth to Navere?’

  ‘It was always a gamble, but then this whole venture is.’

  Captain Rece came hurrying out with several of his men behind him. ‘My Lord, is this a threat?’ he demanded.

  ‘Not at all.’

  Kesta noticed the way Osun changed the tone of his voice, how he used it to reassure as well as convey confidence and authority.

  ‘They were invited here by me,’ Osun went on. ‘They have come to trade and are to be treated as guests.’

  The captain’s eyebrows shot up, but he bowed and hurried on his way. Rece had proved himself an able and trustworthy man, getting his men into order and adapting quickly to his new situation. Some of the guards they’d had to dismiss for mistreatment of the slaves and inability to accept the authority of the women. Kesta had used her magic on nearly twenty guards to demonstrate her power before the palace had finally settled.

  Jorrun was waiting for them in the audience room, his eyes widened on seeing Osun with Kesta and among the palace women. ‘I’ve sent word out to our most loyal traders to get themselves down to the docks,’ he said.

  ‘Good.’ Osun went to the comfortable chair that had replaced their father’s ornate one, but didn’t sit down. ‘I think it’s time we present ourselves as a coven.’

  Jorrun nodded and turned to one of the servants. ‘Could you please bring more chairs in here, enough for all the ladies?’

  The young man gave a nod and darted away.

  ‘What of those of us that have no power?’ Calayna asked, her arms folded across her chest.

  ‘Just because you have no magic, doesn’t mean you have no power,’ Jorrun replied.

  ‘Don’t forget I am ‘bloodless’.’ Osun sat in the chair and regarded the tattooed woman. ‘You all have a right to sit in this coven, if you wish to do so.’

  Kesta suddenly remembered their surprise. ‘Vilai, Jollen, and Rey, please take four guards and go and get that thing we have been working on. Wake Cassien and bring him here also.’

  Vilai’s face lit in delight and the three women almost ran from the room.

  Jorrun’s eyes narrowed but Kesta just grinned at him.

  ‘Is Jagna back yet?’ Osun asked Jorrun who shook his head.

  They were still setting out the chairs to fill out a semi-circle with Osun’s seat at the centre when Vilai and the others returned with Cassien, carrying a large piece of dark-green cloth between them. Kesta stood back, watching Jorrun and Osun’s faces as the ladies worked together to unravel it and take the edges to hold it up as best they could. Osun’s mouth fell open and he glanced at Jorrun, taking a few slow steps toward it. They’d sewn a huge banner, black raven on a green field. The room went quiet, all the women waiting for Osun’s reaction. Jorrun moved closer to Kesta and reached out to squeeze her fingers.

  ‘Thank you,’ he whispered.

  Osun’s hand went to his mouth and he cleared his throat. It was a moment before he spoke. ‘This is amazing, sisters.’

  Kesta drew air in sharply through her mouth. Sisters. She regarded Jorrun, he had tensed his shoulders and was blinking rapidly.

  ‘You like it?’ Vilai asked timidly.

  Osun grinned. ‘I love it! Let’s get it up in the wall before our guests arrive! Cassien, find a hammer and nails, quickly!’

  They had barely settled before Captain Rece strode in to announce that the Eldemen were at the palace. Jagna hurried in just behind him and gave Osun a quick nod before taking a seat. Jorrun had taken the place to Osun’s left and Kesta to his right, Cassien sitting somewhat awkwardly between Estre and Calayna.

  Kesta recognised the man that led the Elden delegation but couldn’t name him until Jorrun did.

  ‘Merkis Teliff, welcome.’

  ‘Thane, good to see you.’ Teliff pursed his lips in a smile.

  ‘I believe you know Osun and my wife, these here are our brothers and sisters of the Raven Coven.’

  Teliff gestured for one of the men with him to come forward. ‘We have letters, and gifts from King Bractius.’

  Kesta sat up straight, her heart beating faster. News from home!

  ‘We thank you,’ Osun replied. ‘There should be Navere traders already on their way to the docks to see what you bring. In the meantime, would you sit and join us for some refreshments and give us news of Elden?’

  ‘We’d be delighted.’ Teliff gave a bow.

  Kesta looked longingly at the chest that contained the letters.

  ‘Jorrun, would you take our correspondence to the library?’ Osun said over his shoulder. ‘I’ll join you shortly.’

  Jorrun touched the back of Kesta’s hand with one finger. ‘Come on.’

  He took the small chest from the Elden warrior and carried it to the library. Kesta bit at her lower lip, holding her breath as he placed it on the table and opened the lid. Paper rustled as he looked through it and he handed her a letter sealed with green wax. As soon as she saw the handwriting, she ripped it open, her eyes devouring her mother’s words. She barely glanced at Jorrun who was uncurling a scroll.

  ‘Is all well in the Fulmers?’ he asked.

  Kesta pulled out a chair, almost missing it
as she sat down, her eyes running over her mother’s words again.

  ‘Kesta?’

  She held up a hand, coming back to the end of the letter. ‘All is well, I think.’ She bit her lower lip again and held out her hand for his. ‘Mother has managed to remove the blood curse from one of the Borrow Islands by forging an alliance with a mysterious bard and a sea-spirit! She implies she is worried about Larissa though, what news of Elden?’

  He frowned, letting go of her fingers to hold his scroll open again. ‘Bractius is vague in his references to Elden’s status, but he does mention something strange. He says he has been plagued by nightmares and wishes I was there to correct them, but that Larissa has recommended rosemary under his pillow.’ He handed her the scroll and she exchanged it for her mother’s letter.

  It was Kesta’s turn to frown as she read through Bractius’ odd message. ‘Is he trying to tell us something?’

  Jorrun shrugged. ‘If he is, I don’t understand his meaning.’ His face broke into a grin and he waved her mother’s letter. ‘This is amazing, Kesta. The Borrows and the Fulmers working together. Hope has been born from my father’s destruction.’

  She stood up, crumpling Bractius’ scroll in her hand as she hugged him fiercely, delighting in his relief and joy. His hand tangled in her hair and they’d been kissing for some time before the discreet cough finally registered in her mind. She untangled herself from Jorrun quickly, turning to see Osun standing in the library, his eyes firmly fixed on the floor. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she straightened her tunic and pushed her hair back from her face.

  ‘My apologies, Osun,’ Jorrun muttered.

  ‘No.’ Osun gave his head a furious shake.

  Kesta drew in a sharp breath, coloured light from the stained-glass window caught the moisture in Osun’s eyes and on his cheek.