Ravs Are Rarely Wrong: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol III

by Rachel Ronning

  “I only came to talk,” he said quickly, holding up his hands defensively. “Who else visits you?” he asked again.

  “Ishalla. It’s different though. She usually brings me to her when I am asleep. How did you get here and what are you doing here? I sleep with shields.”

  “Yes, and they were very good ones, too,” he shrugged. “All shields have holes if you know what to look for and how to use what you find. So, Ishalla is taking an interest in you? What has she been teaching you?”

  “This and that,” replied Lucy, evasively. There was no reason he should know. While they talked, she fervently searched for the holes in her shields. She had been unaware she had any. That worried her.

  “Being cautious,” he smiled. “That is good, but unnecessary with me. I have waited for you. There is no need to hide things from me.”

  “That is where our opinions of the situation differ. I feel very much as though I should hide things from you. You have waited in vain. I have no intention of joining you or becoming a Rav.”

  “You researched me? I’m flattered.”

  “Don’t be. Fallon noticed your mark. She thought I should be informed. I’d appreciate it if you removed it,” said Lucy, stiffly.

  “It’s safer for you if it stays,” he declared.

  “I’m willing to take my chances.”

  “So feisty. I’m going to enjoy training you.”

  “Go find someone else.”

  “I’ve never found anyone with as much natural talent as you,” he admitted.

  “Searching will give you something to do in your spare time. Or, you could use that time to defeat the coming invasion of Shadow Weavers,” she returned glibly.

  He glared at her. “You don’t know all you think you know, or even half of what you should know.”

  “Feel free to enlighten me.”

  “Come find me,” he smiled at her again. A slow, enticing smile.

  “Is that all you came here to say? You’re wasting your time.”

  “I came to talk with you about what you are doing in Lerramorre.”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” replied Lucy, stalling for time as she continued to search her shields.

  “I think you do. We aren’t sure what you are doing or how, but you are the only one in the area with the possible abilities to do what seems to be going on. No one in the city has that kind of power. You are the only one with ties to it who would care enough to try something from a distance.”

  “That sounds convoluted.”

  “Do you want to tell me what you are doing?”

  “Not particularly,” said Lucy with a shrug.

  He grinned again, “I want you to know that whatever you did, is working. It’s making a difference. Keep it up.”

  “Thank you for your permission; I intended to.”

  Suddenly, he was no longer sitting in front of her a few yards away. He was kneeling behind her, whispering in her ear, “Come find me.”

  Lucy shivered, and just as fast as he had moved, she was now behind him, a wicked looking dagger held to his throat. It was her dream after all, she should be in control.

  “I have no intention of doing that,” Lucy reiterated.

  “It’s not often I find someone immune to my natural charms,” he chuckled, apparently unperturbed.

  “You don’t have to be immune to venom to recognize a cobra and maintain a safe distance.”

  He moved and was suddenly facing her, her dagger hand clenched in his long fingers. His eyes smoldered. Intoxicating energy exuded from him.

  “There is no safe distance from me,” he said softly.

  “I know,” Lucy whispered. Then, she slammed shut the holes in her shields. He disappeared and she woke up with a gasp.

  “Bad dream?” mumbled Justin, still half asleep.

  “The Rav wanted to talk,” replied Lucy, sitting up in bed and running her fingers through her hair.

  “How did he manage that?” asked Justin, slightly more awake.

  “He found holes in my shields. I closed them.”

  Justin sat up and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder.

  “You okay?”

  “I’ll be fine,” sighed Lucy. “I don’t know very much about him, but he’s smart, devious, and dangerous.”

  “He’s gone now. We can talk to Fallon tomorrow and see if she can help. Try to get some more sleep.”

  Justin fell asleep quickly, but Lucy couldn’t. Her mind was reeling. She stayed awake until it was light enough to sneak out of bed and find Ferra for a workout or Fallon for an explanation. If she failed to find either of them she would be willing to settle for breakfast.

  Chapter 28

  That morning the Elves made a decision. Sort of. They decided the Shadow Weavers were an imminent and deadly threat, agreeing something must be done. They also agreed the other peoples of Kinowenn could not defeat the armies of the Shadow Weavers without their help. However, they did not agree on the extent of that help. The Elves did agree to muster and send a contingent of volunteers to Lerramorre. In the meantime, they would continue to gather information and come to further agreement upon the type and amount of aid to send. Justin thought it best if they left. They had other things to do in preparation for the coming attack. Justin, Lucy, Taran, and Gavin thanked the Elves for their hospitality. Ferra and Tish were staying to help find volunteers, but promised to see them soon.

  As much as Lucy had enjoyed her time with the Elves, it was a relief to her senses to leave. Being constantly bombarded by the beauty around her was wearying. She enjoyed the day’s walk south. They made camp in a clearing between some oak trees. As Taran prepared the evening’s meal, Lucy sat down by the campfire to rub her tired feet. The ground was mossy and comfortable. The smoky smell of the campfire and the muted smell of oak mixed with the comforting aroma of Taran’s stew. As she listened to the campfire crackle and spark, she sent out her senses. It was always a good idea to be aware if anyone was near. Suddenly she smiled.

  “I think we are about to have some company,” she announced.

  “Friendly company?” asked Gavin, reaching towards the sword lying beside him.

  “Good company,” affirmed Lucy.

  “Glad someone is setting wards, shielding, and patrolling,” murmured Taran with a smile as he stirred the stew. Justin glared at him.

  They didn’t have long to wait before even Gavin could hear the firm tread of someone coming.

  “Not terribly quiet is he?” commented Gavin.

  “Dwarves aren’t meant for stealthy movement,” came the gruff reply from the woods. The words were followed by the appearance of Kinda. Allar appeared behind her on silent feet.

  There were greetings and hugs all around. Allar and Kinda joined them for dinner, sharing some of their Dwarven-made goat cheese and, more importantly, some Dwarven-brewed ale. Dwarves were a hearty people. They liked their food and ale that way, too. While they ate, they exchanged stories of their travels. Justin told about their journey through the mists and the coming Shadow Weavers. Kinda related their visits to the Dwarves and Giants. Lucy got the impression Kinda was disappointed in the results of their visits.

  “Although the Dwarves admit a coming threat from the mists could be problematic, they disagree in how involved they should get,” summed up Kinda.

  “That’s the impression we got from the Elves, and that was after proof of the Shadow Weavers’ involvement,” said Taran.

  “Throughout history, potential crisis is generally gaged and acted upon according to the perceived level of threat. Often, not until the last minute, if it involves joining with other races. Everyone wants to keep their homes and families safe and uninvolved until it becomes apparent they will be the next target. Then, they are willing to cooperate sending troops and aid to try to keep the fighting away from themselves,” added Justin, sounding like a textbook.

  “You’d think by now there would be a better way to deal with situat
ions like this,” commented Gavin.

  “Memories are both too long and too short. After banding together for a common cause, relations between races are amiable for a while. They make an attempt to stay in touch and work together. Over a generation or two, as no further threat appears, races, usually starting with the humans, tend to drift apart,” said Justin.

  “That accounts for the short memories,” said Gavin. “What about the long ones?”

  “The Elves remember longer and better. Events are also more personal to them. Instead of it being a great great grandfather who fought, it is the individual himself. He remembers both the war and the slights by the humans that followed. He remembers the loss of friends, comrades, and in some cases, lovers. He is much less inclined to engage in war again, especially if he doesn’t think it will be worth it. The average human probably cannot name ten people who fought or died in the last alliance. The average Elf can name at least ten close friends,” Justin finished. Then, with a glance at Kinda, he added, “It is similar with Dwarves.”

  “Yes. Many might not remember the battle themselves, but many have lost parents, uncles, or grandparents to it. They hear first-hand stories rather than legends from long ago. The Dwarves feel safe in their mountain. They do not wish to get involved in problems outside it.”

  “Should we travel to them now instead?” asked Lucy.

  Justin shook his head. “We need to get to Lerramorre. We need to keep Joss informed and find out what is going on there. He may have heard back from others at this point. We need to coordinate with people who are committed to fight with us before trying to persuade those who will be difficult to convince.”

  “Besides, the Dwarves may not speak with you without a Dwarven introduction,” added Kinda. “I need a break before arguing with them again.”

  Lucy slept poorly but woke ready to travel the next morning. Kinda and Allar were a welcome addition to their group. Lucy enjoyed their company and wanted to catch up more, but she needed to practice her newly acquired skills. She thought it would be an advantage if the group could recognize her as a kestrel, and she could scout ahead. She explained her new ability and melted into her kestrel form. They were impressed. Gavin thought it was cool. Kinda seemed more apprehensive about it. Lucy flew to her shoulder and cocked her head.

  “It’s not that I don’t think this is useful. You must be powerful to be able to do it, but it’s kind of weird,” Kinda answered the unspoken question.

  Lucy flew into the sky. As a bird, she could still communicate with Justin. He led the group, while Lucy flew around and gathered information. Once they were safely in Lerramorre, she hoped she and Justin could do some more serious flying and scouting. It wasn’t long before Justin reported to the group.

  “Lucy says there’s trouble up ahead. A group of ruffians are on either side of the road hiding in the closest trees.”

  “Does she know how many?” asked Gavin. He loosened his sword in his scabbard.

  “Does it matter?” Kinda asked Gavin with a wicked looking grin.

  “Only if we want to make sure we don’t miss any,” he replied.

  Justin shook his head. Those two together could be a bad combination sometime in the near future. They kept riding forward. There was no point in changing direction since it was the way they wanted to go. They had the advantage of knowing where the ambush was.

  “Ridding the woods of a band of ruffians is a worthy way to spend the afternoon,” said Allar conversationally.

  They neared the ambush area. Suddenly, to their right, they heard leaves rustling followed by a thud. On their left, more rustling leaves were followed by a second, third, and fourth thud. They all drew weapons, stood back to back, scanned the tree line, and waited. Then, as no one appeared, Kinda and Gavin went to investigate.

  “We found them,” Kinda said disgusted.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Justin, joining them.

  “They’re asleep,” complained Gavin. “The sounds we heard were them falling out of trees.”

  At this point, a kestrel landed, and shimmered into Lucy.

  “Everyone alright?” she asked.

  “Did you do this?” accused Kinda.

  “Yes, I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

  Kinda snorted in annoyance and walked away.

  “What?” Lucy asked Gavin.

  “They’re asleep,” Gavin reiterated.

  “I know.”

  “We can’t kill them if they are asleep.”

  “You’re mad you didn’t get ambushed?” wondered Lucy. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “We could have handled it. You took away our afternoon’s entertainment.”

  “Find a better hobby,” returned Lucy.

  Lucy looked at Justin with raised eyebrows. He rolled his eyes and shrugged. Lucy shook her head, sighed, and transformed back into a kestrel.

  They arrived back in Lerramorre without incident. They were greeted warmly but without much preamble. They barely had time to properly address Joss before Maya interrupted.

  “I’m so glad you are here!” Maya grabbed Justin and Lucy and dragged them along while talking very fast. “Dulcie is missing. We think we’ve found the men responsible. I can tell when they are lying but that doesn’t mean I can make them tell me the truth or Dulcie’s whereabouts.”

  “You didn’t try a truth serum?” asked Justin trying to keep up with Maya. “Who’s Dulcie?”

  “It’s brewed but it won’t reach full potency until tomorrow. I’m assuming you and Lucy can think of something effective before then. We don’t know how much time she has.”

  Maya was moving and speaking as fast as she could, trying to give them a crash course on the information and events that had happed in their absence. Lucy could sense that she was not only worried about but quite fond of Dulcie. Lucy adjusted her mind set from longing for a hot bath to helping her friend and followed Maya down a level of stairs. Gavin, Kinda, Allar, Taran, and Joss moved quickly behind her, trailed by the ever present Neville and Carr.

  Chapter 29

  Maya led them down to a dungeon. The three men were separated, each in his own cell. It wasn’t as bad a Lucy expected. They were still above water level and at some point in time a forward thinking ruler established a clean dungeon was healthy for the guards as well. There wasn’t water dripping down the walls or rats aplenty. It didn’t smell like mold, nor was it cold and damp. There were sconces with torches on the walls. On some level, it was almost a disappointment. Four men sat at a wooden table in the middle of the wide hallway. They rose and stood at attention when Maya entered. Maya didn’t bother with introductions. She turned to Justin.

  “How do you want to handle this?” Maya asked.

  Lucy tapped Maya on the shoulder, “Can I try something?”

  “Will it work?” asked Maya.

  “If I don’t turn green partway through the explanation it should,” said Lucy.

  Maya turned to Justin with her eyebrows raised.

  “Compulsion takes time, effort, and sometimes leaves a man babbling truthful inanities long before he answers the questions you want him to answer. I don’t mind letting Lucy try something first,” said Justin. “You can’t scry for the girl I suppose?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never met her. I think I saw her once while farseeing Maya, but I don’t remember enough of what she looked like to find her again. I wasn’t concentrating on her. I don’t remember what she felt like either. I might find many girls that look similar until I find the right one. Also, unless someone recognizes her location, it still might not help much. I think I’d like to try something else first. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try to scry for her. If that doesn’t work, you can do your compulsion thing.”

  Maya looked from Justin to Lucy and nodded.

  “Everyone needs to support me and do as I say,” said Lucy. She looked from face to face and everyone nodded, though confusion and curiosity were evident as well. “Bring them all out here and line them up
by the wall.”

  “You want to question them together, Miss Mage?” asked one of the guards.

  “Yes, please, Sam,” said Maya.

  The guards brought out the men and positioned them as Lucy instructed.

  “Hello,” said Lucy brightly with a smile. “You might not know me, so I’ll introduce myself. My name is Lucy. I’m a mage.” To illustrate this point, Lucy let fire appear in her hand. She nonchalantly threw the fireball up and caught it as she continued to speak. “My friend says you know where a girl named Dulcie is. I’d like that information. Anyone want to speak?”

  The men were watching the fireball apprehensively, but shook their heads.

  “I don’t know about you, but I like to learn things. Reading about them doesn’t always do an idea justice or answer all the practical questions. Sam, I need a cauldron, lots of rope, and some rats.”

  “Rats, Miss Mage?” asked Sam.

  “Three should do. I think.” Sam’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline, but he scampered off nonetheless. “See that’s one of the things we can find out. What is the correct number of rats needed?”

  Lucy could feel Maya’s impatience, but kept cool, creating another fireball and tossing the two back and forth in her hands. The men glanced at each other, wondering would happen next. Sam returned.

  “I couldn’t find the rats,” Sam said with concern.

  “What? No rats? This is a castle. No problem; I can make do. Thank you,” said Lucy, taking the cauldron. She walked with it over to the men and held it up to measure it on the one that looked the most nervous, making sure the cauldron would cover his stomach without leaving any gaps. “Perfect, Sam, thank you.” Lucy took a step back and sat on the table, looking seriously at the men.