Heryst chuckled in spite of their situation. The filth, cold, hunger and thirst. ‘Ever the optimist, Renarn. There is little else, I suppose. I think that no matter their overwhelming numbers, they are still wary. They know we can hurt them as we have proved. They are many but finite.’
Heryst beckoned them all to him, but for the guard that stood on the council table and over the mages that gave them their remaining glimmer of hope. He felt a curious elation.
‘My friends,’ he said, and he meant that term with every fibre he possessed. ‘We have held the enemy for so long. We have bought time for those who are stronger and who can damage the demons more severely. We have occupied so many and that has kept them from the souls of others. Never forget what you have achieved. Nothing you have done has been wasted.
‘When next the demons come, we can expect it to be the last time. They have merely gone to report. Those who wish to surrender to them now, you have my blessing. It may be that you will survive with hope for your liberation. All I do know is that there is no hope for you if you stay here.’
Not a single person moved. Heryst nodded.
‘I expected as much. It would be like betrayal, wouldn’t it?’
Murmurs of agreement greeted his words.
‘We want nothing but to stand by you until the end,’ said Arabelle.
‘Then now is the time to make your peace with the Gods if you believe in such and to say goodbye to those you have come to love. There won’t be the opportunity later. I will see you all individually but you know where I must begin.’
Heryst walked to the quiet corner of the chamber. One of the five who lay on makeshift beds there was Kayvel. His old friend and mentor was close to death and that was a blessing. He had lost his sight in the last day and his skin was sallow and cold to the touch. Heryst knelt by him and wiped the mucus from his mouth and nose.
‘You heard what I said?’ he asked, voice gentle and quiet.
‘It was a fitting speech,’ said Kayvel, his voice dry and cracked. ‘You always did pick the right moments.’
‘Then you know why I’m here.’
‘I am honoured to be your first port of call.’
‘Where else would I begin, Kayvel?’
Kayvel grabbed at his sleeve, catching a grip at the second attempt. ‘Then listen to me one last time. You and the remaining mages must leave and leave now. Lystern cannot be allowed to die. Drop the ColdRooms, cast ShadowWings and fly anywhere.’
‘I will not leave my people.’
‘You know I am right,’ said Kayvel, breath rasping in his throat. ‘We have no more time for sentimentality.’
Heryst was silent. Of course Kayvel was right but it was an impossible course to follow. He’d struggled with these people for so long. How could he possibly look down on their deaths from beneath ShadowWings?
The unmistakable rumbling of advancing karron was heard through the shattered windows. It had purpose about it. And in the sky, reavers called and strike-strain chattered. It was beginning. Heryst turned to Kayvel to say his last words.
‘Don’t let them take me,’ said Kayvel. ‘I will not lose my soul.’
‘Whatever your wish,’ said Heryst.
A dull thud resounded through the tower’s foundations. Then another. More. In moments, a constant pounding reverberated across the building. Plaster was dislodged, remaining window glass rattled and timbers squeaked at their joists. The pounding intensified quickly. The council chamber rumbled and shook. Doors rattled in their stays.
‘Dear Gods,’ muttered Heryst.
Kayvel’s grip hadn’t loosened. ‘Do what I say, Heryst. Soon you’ll have no choice.’
Heryst leaned in and kissed the dying man’s forehead. ‘Goodbye, old friend. Don’t worry about me.’
‘Goodbye, my Lord Heryst. It has been an honour to serve you.’
Heryst swept to his feet and looked back into the chamber. The karron were taking the tower apart from the bottom upwards. Arabelle was organising the remnants of the defence. On the table, the guards looked down anxiously on the casting mages. The whole table was vibrating. The mages, all seated, were juddering. It was only a matter of time.
‘Arabelle!’ called Heryst. The chamber shifted violently. ‘Arabelle!’
She shouted more orders and ran over to him. ‘Get ready to go.’
‘Where?’ he asked.
She pointed straight up. ‘You know where. I was listening to Kayvel. We agree with him. We’ll hold them off for long enough.’
Another juddering series of impacts. The tower rocked in its broad foundations.
‘Arabelle, they aren’t going to come up here again. They’re going to bring the tower down.’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘We’re going to distract them. You take the mages.’
The sound of falling stone echoed up the tower. A timber in the roof cracked and crashed to the ground. His people scattered. It fell square on the table, crushing two of the guards.
‘ColdRoom down!’ shouted one of the casting mages. ‘We’re defenceless. ’
Arabelle grabbed Heryst. ‘It has to be now, my Lord. The windows are open, you can cast.’
‘No.’
‘The college must survive. Don’t argue with me.’
Heryst looked past her at all the faces staring back at him. Every one of them was behind Arabelle.
The first reaver appeared at the windows to look inside, checking on the state of the Lysternans. Below, karron took great gouges out of the tower. The floor was cracking. More timbers groaned overhead.
‘Fly well, fly safe,’ she said.
Heryst, the tears forming in his eyes, nodded his thanks and admiration. Arabelle turned to the defenders.
‘To your positions. Go!’
The reaver backed away as the tower shifted and angled. Timbers split and began to fall. Heryst ran to his mages on the table.
‘With me, my mages. ShadowWings and fly.’
Seven. Seven mages. Two more than the flight from Dordover if he did but know it. The casting complete, the Wings at his back, Heryst flew for a shattered window. Below him, the bravest people he had ever known bought him the precious time he needed.
He whispered last words to his friends and flew hard for the clouds.
Arnoan was deep in concentration performing the banishment ritual while the demons tore at the barracks roof and fought the Al-Arynaar. Wesmen warriors had filled waterskins and provided provisions sacks. Now all they could do was wait for the Shaman to be ready.
‘Where does it draw from?’ asked Erienne. ‘I mean, it is magic, isn’t it?’
‘Plainly,’ said Vuldaroq. ‘But there is no mana usage.’
‘It’s a conversation for another time,’ said Dystran. ‘Dear Gods, look at you all. Some last-hope group you make.’
Hirad thought to round on him but stopped. He was right. Hirad himself felt like sleeping for ever and around him none of The Raven were in any better condition. Both Erienne and Denser had to be close to their stamina limits, The Unknown was limping heavily on his bad hip and Thraun, like Hirad, had suffered so many demon cuts he had a constant shiver. Only Ark looked anything like ready. Even Eilaan looked tired. Beside him, the TaiGethen were impossible to gauge. Decked out in their paints, they had completed their prayers and were standing silent, betraying nothing.
‘We’re the only choice you’ve got,’ said Hirad.
‘But even so, the human is right,’ said Auum, breaking his silence. ‘Rebraal, you will fight with the TaiGethen.’
Rebraal all but jumped out of his skin. ‘Auum, my place is here, with the Al-Arynaar. They need their leader.’
‘Tessaya will use them effectively.’ Auum turned to Dystran. ‘See the message is relayed.’
Hirad waited for Rebraal to protest but the elf’s expression was not one of irritation, it was one of honour and pride. He simply nodded and joined them in new prayer.
‘Will you look at that,’ breathed Denser.
‘The gateway is prepared,’ he said. ‘Use it quickly.’ He paused. ‘I think it is traditional for Easterners to wish each other luck. So, good luck.’
‘Thank you.’ The Unknown shouldered his pack. ‘Come on, Raven, no sense in delaying.’
‘Keep in physical contact with one another,’ said Arnoan. ‘Or you will be lost on the journey, scattered about the banished lands.’
Vuldaroq helped Erienne on with her pack. She nodded at him curtly.
‘Could have all been different you know,’ she said. ‘All you had to do was leave me to educate my daughter in my own time.’
Vuldaroq raised his eyebrows. ‘Sad history now.’ He moved away to stand by Dystran. ‘Tell me one other thing. At Triverne Lake when you passed through it. There was no one there?’
‘There had been,’ said Hirad. ‘But whoever they were had been killed by demons. Why, people of yours?’
‘We had to try,’ said Vuldaroq.
‘Try what?’ demanded Dystran.
‘Later, my friend. Much later.’
The Raven gathered in a line two abreast. Behind them were the elves.
‘What happens in here?’ asked Hirad.
‘I don’t know,’ said Arnoan. ‘Often the warrior screams but I suspect that to be more in anticipation of the arrival than the journey. ’
‘I hope you’re right.’
The Unknown spoke. ‘Remember. We’re going somewhere we know nothing about. We don’t even know we’ll be able to breathe. But presuming we can, we first need a place to hole up so Hirad can call in the dragons. I need to know if mages have access to the mana spectrum for casting. Erienne, your condition is vital to us as you know. Don’t keep it a secret. We’re relying on all three of you to tell us where the mana is flowing out because that’s where we’re headed. ’
‘Let’s just hope we appear somewhere relatively close by,’ said Denser.
‘If we don’t we have ShadowWings and we have rope. We can ride dragons.’ The Unknown paused. ‘Are we set?’
He and Hirad locked their arms around each other’s shoulders. Behind them, the other pairs did the same and with free hands grabbed the belt or wrapped around the waist of the person in front.
‘Keep fighting,’ said Hirad. ‘We aren’t doing this for nothing.’
‘Don’t fail us, Raven,’ said Dystran.
‘One thing, Dystran.’ Hirad couldn’t help himself. ‘I have not and will never forgive you for the death of Ilkar and every other elf you sentenced to death when you unleashed the Elfsorrow. So let’s get this straight. I am doing this for him, then for the elves, then for the rest of Balaia. Even Vuldaroq. But not you. Understand?’
‘If it makes you happy.’
Hirad laughed. ‘It’s almost a shame we aren’t coming back. At least then I’d have the opportunity of killing you myself.’
‘Good luck, Raven,’ said Vuldaroq. ‘Make me proud, Erienne.’
‘Don’t push your luck.’
‘Raven! Raven with me!’
Hirad stepped into the gateway.
He felt the drag almost at once. It was like the tide, slow but undeniable. There was an absence of anything and yet it wasn’t dark. A pale light surrounded them. He tried to look in the direction they were being taken but could see nothing. He looked down too. It was the same. He noticed he was moving his legs as if he was walking but there was nothing solid beneath him. He stopped.
‘We all here?’ His voice sounded muffled but at least he could speak.
He heard murmurs and presumed they were assent. He tightened his grip on The Unknown and felt the reassuring tug on his belt that meant Erienne was behind him still. It was an odd sensation. A controlled fall. It was just a pity he couldn’t see the destination. But perhaps stranger than that was the realisation that he wasn’t at all fazed by the experience. His life had been punctuated by extraordinary events. Dimensional travel, links with dragons, speaking with the dead . . . and this was just another. To be endured and remembered.
Abruptly, their path was buffeted. They were flung from side to side and only then did they realise they were within walls.
‘Hold on, Raven!’ he called.
He heard wind whistling outside the confines of the tunnel, as he now thought it to be. And he fancied he could hear the calls of demons but it was probably just his imagination. He fended off the wall once more, feeling it give like taut cloth, and felt a surge of energy through his body. He jerked.
‘Hirad, you all right?’ asked The Unknown, his voice distant despite his proximity.
‘I think so, I . . .’
There was a presence in the tunnel with them. No, two of them. Hirad had the sense that they were floating ahead. He fancied he could see something in the pale light, like shadows of shadows. Indistinct yet with purpose. He felt a warmth, like the touch of one thought lost.
‘Do you see it?’ he shouted. ‘Ahead. Do you see it?’
Clearly, no one did. But the voice was something all of them could hear.
‘You’re going the wrong way, Coldheart. As usual.’
Hirad heard laughter behind him. Erienne closed and hugged him with her free arm. Her lips were at his ear. ‘It’s him. It’s really him.’
Hirad wiped at eyes suddenly brimming with tears. His heart surged in his chest and he was infused with pure elation. He could feel him too. Almost smell him.
‘Where are you, Ilks?’
‘You’re looking straight at me, idiot,’ said Ilkar. ‘I am a little insubstantial as far as you’re concerned but I’m hurt you don’t see me.’
‘A little? I can see a ghosting ahead. Nothing more.’
‘Well, it’ll have to do. I’ve brought a friend. He hasn’t worked out the talking bit yet but I’m showing him. Thanks for sending him, Auum. I wouldn’t be here without him.’
‘I said for you to get somewhere safe,’ said Hirad. ‘This doesn’t seem much like it.’
‘Begging your pardon but I thought dead would be safe. But apparently, the living have screwed that up too.’
‘Xeteskians,’ said Denser.
‘Might have known. Never trust a Xeteskian, eh? That’s why I’m here. Gods, Hirad . . . Raven . . . but we’re in trouble. The enemy are inside. We know the source of their energy but we can’t reach it. So far we can hold them off but they’re growing so fast.’
‘Well, that’s why we’re here,’ said Hirad.
‘I knew you’d come. I knew you’d help. The Raven never leave their own to suffer. But you have to be quick.’
Hirad felt the emotion wash over him. The relief and the love mixed with the fear of threat.
‘Hey, Ilks, we’re going as fast as we can. Haven’t tried this sort of transport before.’
‘And like I say, taking it in the wrong direction. Gods drowning, but I can’t leave you alone for a moment without you taking a wrong turn, Hirad.’
‘Ilkar, if it is you, stop this and tell us what to do. What do you mean wrong direction? We weren’t offered a choice.’
‘Ah, Unknown, although I feel I should call you Sol now. It is me. And believe me, this is as weird for me as it is for you. This isn’t possible, you understand, but for the fact that the fabric of my world is weak and I can feel you enough to be with you. Now you’re here, anyway. Don’t think it’ll last.’
‘And where are we?’ asked Erienne.
‘At the junction of every dimension, or three of them at least. Yours, mine and the demons’. The Wesmen portal sends you to a single point in the demon dimension but you don’t want to go there. They’ll be waiting for you like they have all the lost souls banished there.’
‘So take us where we need to go,’ said Hirad.
‘With you it is alway
s so simple, Coldheart,’ said Ilkar. ‘Lucky really, that your outlook mirrors your intellect.’
‘Dear Gods, but I’ve missed you. Denser is no substitute on the abuse front.’
‘I am peerless,’ said Ilkar. ‘Now listen, all of you. Rebraal, are you there?’
‘You know I am, my brother. I can feel your strength through the touch of our souls.’
‘Yniss provides for us all that which we need in the direst of circumstance.’ Ilkar paused and for one awful moment Hirad thought he was gone. ‘Rebraal, remember to keep hold of the knowledge of the ancients. It will bind you all.’
‘I understand.’
‘What are you talking about?’ asked Hirad.
‘It’s not your concern. Now listen. The path you’re taking will drop you right where they expect you. You don’t want that—’
‘Always the gift for understatement,’ said Hirad.
‘I learned it all from you. Now, we can break the path before you arrive but it’ll be a little rough. It’ll drop you beyond their immediate influence but they’ll sniff your souls or magic quickly and be onto you.’
‘So what’s the catch?’ asked Denser.
‘While I can get you nearer the energy source, I can’t guarantee where exactly you’ll appear.’
‘So long as you land us on something soft,’ said Hirad.
‘I’ll see what I can do.’ Ilkar’s voice was full of doubt.
‘How do you know all this?’ asked The Unknown.
‘Ah well, Duele and I caught a demon and, you know, asked it.’
Hirad laughed. ‘You never change, Ilks.’
‘Yniss did indeed have a greater destiny for you, Duele,’ said Auum. ‘Why did I ever doubt him?’
‘When is all this going to happen?’ asked Thraun.
‘Pretty much right now,’ said Ilkar. ‘It’s been wonderful, my friends, but it’s time to go. I doubt we’ll have this sort of contact again. But hey, Coldheart, you know where to find me.’
‘I’ll drop by as soon as I can.’
‘Not too soon, eh, old son?’
Ilkar was gone and they were falling. The light had changed from its pale tint to a startling blue and it grew in intensity around them. Hirad closed his eyes but it made no difference. He felt suffocated for a moment, a huge weight crushing down on his chest. He fought to breathe but nothing came into his lungs. He tightened his grip on The Unknown, seeking what solace he could from the big man’s presence. Around him he heard screaming and realised it was all of them, the sounds torn unbidden from their mouths. Momentarily, he experienced the sensation of his skin being dragged from his body. The pain was extraordinary. But at least it was brief.
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