Flight of the Raven

by Morgan L. Busse

  His face fell. “Yes. But much has not lasted since the birth of the Great Houses. I’m afraid your gift is one of them.”

  Selene pursed her lips together. She could neither tell Cohen, nor wanted to tell him, that her gift still existed. However . . . “How do you speak to the Light?”

  His brow furrowed. “Speak to the Light?”

  “Yes. You said the Light doesn’t speak to you directly, but he does speak to you, correct?”

  A flush crept up Cohen’s cheeks as he ran his hand through his hair again. “Yes. We have many sacred texts passed down by previous monks. Through those the Light speaks to us. And sometimes he speaks directly to the abbot, Father Dominick.”

  Like the priest and the Dark Lady. But there were times her mother was able to speak to the Dark Lady. And Taegis said Damien prayed to the Light. “Can anyone speak to the Light?”

  “The library is open to everyone. But the texts must be handled carefully and can only be read here in the abbey since some are very old.”

  “I understand. But what about actually talking to him? I want to ask him a question.”

  “I see. What is the question? I might know the answer, or Father Dominick might.”

  Selene shook her head. “It’s a private question.”

  “Oh. Well, you could look through our texts.”

  “But how will I know if I’ve received an answer? What if I miss it? Or”—she laced her fingers together on top of the table and leaned forward—“what if he doesn’t answer?” That was what she feared the most: that the Light would have no reason to answer someone like her.

  “He’ll answer. But sometimes his words are as quiet as a soft breeze, and his light like the first rays of dawn. Only those looking for it will find it. You must listen and watch, and quiet your heart within. Then your answer will come.”

  Selene stared at Cohen. Those were profound words coming from the awkward monk. “So listen and wait?”

  “Yes. And study. Come by the abbey whenever you want and read from our library. Perhaps your question was asked by another.”

  Selene nodded. “I will.” She stood up. “Thank you, Cohen.”

  “My pleasure, Lady Selene. I hope you find what you are looking for.”

  “As do I.” She turned to find Karl looking inquisitively at her before he glanced away, his blank façade moving back into place.

  Cohen led the way across the abbey to the outer door. “Farewell, Lady Selene.”

  Selene stepped out into the chilly mist with Karl by her side. “Good-bye, Cohen. Thank you again for seeing me today.”

  The monk bowed his head. “We live to serve the Light and House Maris.”

  Selene turned and started down the path back to Nor Esen and Northwind Castle. Questions once again filled her mind. Who was she? Why was House Ravenwood given the gift of dreamwalking? And who was the Light?

  Cohen had given her ways to find out. And she would do just that.

  17

  Snow fell on the second day of winter. Damien watched as snowflakes collected along the edge of the glass pane, coating the windowsill in white. A fire burned brightly in the fireplace on the other side of his desk. Three long letters lay open on the wooden surface, one each from House Luceras, House Vivek, and House Merek. The first two were inquiries addressed to his steward, asking if he was at Northwind Castle. He had a feeling it was impressed upon the other houses that he, too, had been murdered or defected, and the letters that he had sent when he arrived at Northwind Castle, the ones letting them know he was alive, must have crossed theirs in the air. The last letter, the one from Lady Bryren, gave him the most information.

  Grand Lord Damien,

  More than ever I hope this letter finds you in good health, contrary to what Lady Ragna shared with us when you were discovered missing and Lord Rune and Lady Runa found dead. I might have even believed her explanation, save for the question you asked me the night of the gala about the mysterious murders amongst the lower houses and the death of my father. Because of that, I am sending you this letter and implore you to answer back quickly.

  The entire assembly was in disarray the moment the news broke. Lady Ragna claims the assassination was carried out because of the assembly, that we provoked the empire and the deaths of House Vivek were a warning. Given the way Lady Ragna spoke of what was found, it would seem possible, and I think some present even believed the accusations.

  But how did an assassin enter Rook Castle with all of the security? And why did the empire go after House Vivek? And covertly, no less. This is not how Commander Orion operates. He is not the kind of man to hide behind secrecy and duplicity. Something else is going on. And I believe you disappeared because you know what is happening, not because you ran away or were murdered.

  Please write as soon as possible. Whether the empire was involved or not, Commander Orion will take advantage of this situation and most likely go for the wall near House Vivek. We need to act before it is too late.

  Grand Lady Bryren of House Merek

  Then it was true beyond a shadow of a doubt. Lady Ragna had succeeded in killing Lord Rune and Lady Runa. Damien clenched his hand into a fist. She murdered them in their sleep using her gift, just like Selene said her mother would. Just like Selene herself could.

  His nostrils flared, and he spun around and picked up the letter. Lady Ragna used their deaths and his disappearance to plant seeds of doubt and fear, destroying any unity the seven houses could have achieved and allowing the empire an easy way into their lands.

  And the Dominia Empire would come. Already the empire had sent out scouts. The highwaymen they had caught during their trip here had indeed been from the Dominia Empire, confirmed after Captain Baran interrogated them. And the empire was working with House Ravenwood and House Friere. Even now Commander Orion’s army could be crossing the wall.

  And we are in shambles, unprepared for the onslaught.

  He breathed through his nose, scoured the letter again, then placed it down. No, the empire would not cross yet. It would be foolhardy to invade in the winter, especially since this year was predicted to be especially snowy. There was still time. Very little time, but at least they could formulate a plan.

  Damien sat down and pulled his quill from the jar while reaching for a fresh piece of parchment. “Well, I am definitely alive and well,” he said as he began to write. “And there is no longer a question as to if there will be a war. The real question is, will we be ready to fight?”

  His pen flew across the page, detailing what he could share of Selene’s revelation and the duplicity of House Ravenwood and House Friere, his hand only stopping when a house secret prevented him. At the end of the letter, Damien wrote,

  We need to arrange a meeting. This kind of planning cannot happen through letters and needs to be done in person. Winter will keep the Dominia Empire at bay, but once the last frost melts, war will be upon us. If you are still for signing the treaty, then let us find a central location and determine our course of action. If we do not, then I fear the worst for our people and our lands.

  Grand Lord Damien of House Maris

  He finished all the letters, including one to House Rafel, in hopes of changing Lord Haruk’s mind. He wasn’t optimistic that the elder grand lord would change his position, but there was always a chance. They would need the healers of House Rafel when the war started. If the empire’s previous campaigns were any indication of what was to come, there would be death. So much death.

  Damien rubbed his forehead. Light, what do we do? Can we survive such a war? Or has the time of our demise finally come? He leaned forward and prayed as the fire crackled, warming his body against the cold winter chill.

  As he finished his prayers, his thoughts turned toward Selene. He had been avoiding her ever since she had revealed why House Ravenwood had hidden their gift. The very thought of that conversation made his body tense. And writing these letters didn’t help.

  Damien stared at the fire. But was she re
ally like her mother? Was Selene capable of the same actions as Lady Ragna?

  He didn’t think so.

  Still, the very fact that the Ravenwood gift of dreaming had been used in a way so completely opposite of its intention made him sick. House Maris protected people. House Ravenwood murdered people. How could he resolve the two? They were polar opposites.

  He leaned forward and placed his head in his hands. A headache was coming on behind his eyes. He knew what he needed to do. He needed to talk to her again. No more avoiding her.

  Weeks ago she said she couldn’t kill him. If that was truly the woman she wanted to be, the kind who wanted more from her gift than what her family had offered her, then he should give her that chance. Maybe he could even help her. But he would not know until he asked.

  An hour later, Damien found Selene standing in the second-story hallway, the one that ran the length of the castle with windows that overlooked the sea. Her hand was pressed against the glass as she looked out across the watery expanse. Snow fell gently outside, and he could see her breath collecting on the glass with every exhale. Her black hair matched the cloak around her shoulders.

  “Selene.”

  She slowly turned. He could almost see her shields slam into place. “Damien.”

  A small part of him was surprised that she had used his informal name. “I would like to speak with you.”

  Her body went rigid, but she answered in a clear voice. “As you wish.”

  “Somewhere private.”

  She tilted her head but made no comment.

  He scanned the hall. The best place was his bedchambers. There they would be far away from listening ears so they could speak freely. “Follow me.”

  He walked past her down the hall until he reached the door that led into his room. He pressed down on the latch, then stood back and motioned for her to go first.

  She hesitated for a moment, then entered. Selene glanced over the room before making her way toward the sitting area near the fireplace. The fire from that morning was almost gone, so Damien crouched down, picked up a few logs from the firewood rack, placed them over the embers, and blew across the hot coals until the flames caught.

  He watched as the fire spread, starting with the bark and making its way through the logs, and used the time to figure out where to start the conversation.

  After a moment, he slowly rose and turned. “I’ve been thinking about what you shared, and I have one question.”

  Selene sat in the chair to the right, her hands folded across her lap. “Just one?”

  “Yes. You shared that House Ravenwood has been using their gift of dreaming to steal secrets and kill others.” Her face blanched as his bluntness, but he went on. “However, when you had the chance to kill me, you didn’t. Your words were, ‘I couldn’t do it.’”

  She raised her chin. “Yes.”

  “Then you want nothing to do with House Ravenwood, or your past?”

  She wavered, then looked down. “No matter what, I will always be a Ravenwood, and I will always have my past.”

  Damien rubbed the back of his neck. “What I mean is, who do you want to be? Do you want to follow in your mother’s footsteps? I’ve received letters from the other houses. They confirmed what you and your father said happened: your mother murdered Lord Rune and his sister and lied about their deaths. Is that the kind of woman you want to become?”

  Selene stood to her feet. Her nostrils flared and her hands tightened into two tight fists. “No.”

  Damien felt like all the air had left his body. He sagged against the side of the fireplace and rubbed his face. “I hoped you would say that.”

  “What?”

  He looked over at her. “I had to know. It was eating at me from the inside.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I’ve had two voices warring within me: one said that you were just like your mother. And another that said you were different. What you said the night you woke me and told me I was in danger were not the words of an assassin. They were the words of a woman who wanted to save life, not take it away. But I had to know for sure that is the woman you still want to be.”

  Her hands twisted the fabric of her gown. Her dark eyes were wide as she stared back at him. “It is. I want to find out the real reason I was given the gift of dreaming. I believe there is more to it than I was taught, that there is something good in it.”

  He let out a huge breath. “Then I want to help you. And I believe you can help me. Help all of the houses.” He could see the war of emotions across her face. He had angered her. Perhaps if he’d had more time, he might have found a better way to couch his words, but he no longer wanted to wait. He needed a partner.

  He could see anger give way to confusion as her face furrowed and she looked away. She still gripped her gown with tight fists, but slowly her fingers began to release. He had taken a step of faith to trust her. Now it was her turn to take a step of trust and believe he wanted to help her.

  She let out a shaky breath as her gaze met his. “I would like that. I’ve started searching and have already visited Baris Abbey and talked to Cohen. I’ve read everything I could find, but the answer still eludes me. Who were the Ravenwoods before Rabanna? How did our gift help our people?” She raised a hand and pressed it against her chest. “Who am I?”

  For the first time, Damien was touched by her honest words. He had grown up knowing who he was, what he could do, and how to use his power to help his people. But from what Selene had said, her upbringing had been much different.

  “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t know that you felt that way. I can’t imagine what it is like.” He had been so appalled when she first shared that he hadn’t been able to see past his disgust and spot the hurting woman beneath the mask of words she had used. “And I am sorry too for how I acted when you first told me.”

  “It was understandable. I’m ashamed of my family’s secrets. I want to find a better way for me, for my sisters, and for my people. I want to change. That is why I left with you when you offered me sanctuary in your land. And I saw something inside of you that I hoped might help me.”

  Damien raised an eyebrow. “You did?”

  “Yes, when I walked in your dreams.”

  “What did you see?”

  Her eyes came up and met his. “Your soul.”

  He looked down and touched the area above his heart. “My soul?”

  “Yes. Sometimes we meet the soul of the sleeper when we enter a dreamscape. When I first dreamwalked inside your mind, I saw yours.”

  “You can really see a person’s soul?” His eyes widened. There was more to the Ravenwood gift of dreaming than he had imagined.

  “I can, if it presents itself. The dreamscape is made from your thoughts, consciousness, and memories. And once in a while, the very essence of who you are will appear as well. Your soul.”

  “What do they look like?”

  Selene sat down. “I’ve seen souls as dark as night, and souls surrounded by chains. But yours . . .” She looked out the window. “It was very different.”

  Damien sat down in the other chair. “How?”

  “Your soul is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Heat slowly spread from his neck, up across his cheeks, and to the tips of his ears. He opened his mouth to say more, but his throat was dry.

  She continued to stare out the window. “Your soul is full of light.”

  He looked down again at his chest and pressed a finger against his tunic. His soul . . . “But how?”

  She turned and looked at him. “That’s what I want to know. How are you different? And can others have that light?”

  Damien blinked, his mind going over what Selene had just shared. She could see his soul—his very soul—and it appeared like light. Was it because he followed the Light? That somehow his faith manifested itself? “I . . . I don’t know why I am different, since I’m not sure why my soul looks like that.”

  “I
think it has something to do with the Light.”

  Damien sat back and tugged on his chin. “That could be true. It’s worth looking into.”

  “I hope to find out more from Baris Abbey.”

  “That’s a good place to start. The monks have been studying the Old Ways since before the Great Houses were formed. In fact, Baris Abbey was here long before Northwind Castle.”

  Selene hummed thoughtfully. “Sadly, they didn’t seem to know much about House Ravenwood’s gift—not that I could tell them that it still exists.”

  “Their library is vast. There are rooms upon rooms beneath the abbey. I’m sure there is something there.”

  She looked up. “You think so?”

  Her face—a mixture of hope and apprehension—tugged at him, leaving a fluttery feeling inside his chest. “I believe so. And like I said, I want to help you.” He stood up and held his hand out to her. “In the meantime, I would like to get to know you more, and perhaps ask your advice on working with the other houses. After all, you are the heir to a Great House too.”

  Selene took his hand and stood. She narrowed her eyes and studied him, then seemed to come to a conclusion. “Yes, I would like that. We are married, and I would like to know the kind of man I will be living with for the rest of my life.”

  Damien pursed his lips. He felt the same way.

  18

  What’s happening to me?” Lady Ragna stared down at her palms as if the lines across the surface would answer her question. Her hands looked as they always did. But inside, where her eyes could not see, she could feel it. A change. It was subtle, but it was there, a small trickle. Slowly, her gift was fading.

  She clamped her hands shut and looked up at the portrait of Rabanna Ravenwood that hung above her fireplace. Bloodlines could weaken. It had happened before. Rumors were, House Merek was not the power it used to be, due to the dilution of their blood.

  But how could that be true in her case? The Ravenwood women had carefully protected their line for hundreds of years. Never had there been a change in power from one woman to the next, except when the matriarch died and the next Ravenwood woman took her place as the grand lady.