Текст книги "The Raven Collection"

Автор книги: James Barclay

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Текущая страница: 99 (всего у книги 235 страниц)

With night all but full and Protectors patrolling the house and hidden near the landing beach, tempers had become frayed as the enormity of the task was relayed to them by Darrick.

‘Hirad, you could try and be a little more constructive,’ said Ilkar.

‘But he’s just told us that this house is practically undefendable,’ said Hirad, pointing at Darrick.

‘No,’ said Darrick patiently. ‘What I said was, it wasn’t built to keep people out. It’s a welcoming place, open and friendly. It’s not a fortress and it would take us days to make it into one. What I’m suggesting is, in my opinion, the only possibility that can lead to success. If you have others, please let’s hear them.’

‘You’re the tactics man, you tell me,’ snapped Hirad.

‘I have told you,’ said Darrick quietly.

‘Well tell it to me again in a way that makes me think it isn’t just going to be drawn-out suicide.’

The Unknown shifted in his seat, the scraping noise of his chair entirely deliberate.

‘Night has fallen,’ he said, his voice utterly commanding. ‘We know spies or assassins are going to be crawling all over this house any time now. So let me ask you this, Hirad. Do you have an alternative suggestion?’

‘No, but—’

‘Then shut up. Because we have to agree on positions, then we have to get a few hours rotating rest and then we have to fight all day. If we aren’t cohesive, we’ll be slaughtered very quickly and I have no intention of wasting Erienne’s great work on my leg. Despite your worries, I intend to have more blood on my sword tomorrow than the rest of you put together.

‘And speaking of Erienne, I want her and Denser in a private room guarded by Protectors so they can enjoy what is probably their last night together. You are shortening that night.’ He glared at Hirad until the barbarian leant back, sighing extravagantly and staring into space.

Ilkar watched it all like he had watched it a hundred times before. And he knew what Hirad was doing. So did The Unknown. Just making sure they would do it right. It was just that he was not very good at expressing his concerns.

‘I want us to win this,’ said Hirad. ‘And I’m sorry, Erienne and Denser, but I don’t want this to be your last night because it means we’re all dead tomorrow.’ He pushed away his chair, grabbed his mug and walked over to the water pot, his boots slapping on the stone.

‘You know he’s right, don’t you?’ said Denser from where he sat at one end of the table, with Erienne’s head on his shoulder and his arm about her waist.

‘But we’ve argued this for an hour and there is no better way,’ said The Unknown.

‘And he still needs a little more instruction on tactful conversation, ’ said Ilkar.

That broke the mood, even Hirad chuckling as he refilled his mug. Only Aeb, there because he needed to relay any decisions to his brothers instantly, sat unmoved by everything.

‘Again, then,’ said The Unknown, inviting Darrick to take them once more over the hastily drawn map that was weighted down on the table with various pieces of crockery.

‘Ready, Hirad?’ asked Darrick.

‘Yes, General, sir,’ said Hirad.

‘Come on, let’s concentrate,’ said The Unknown. ‘This is it, now.’

‘All right,’ said Darrick. ‘As I mentioned earlier, we are not establishing our core defensive position until just before dawn. I don’t want any more information than is absolutely necessary getting back to the Dordovans. We’re assuming that they will know the position of the house, its entrances and might infiltrate the building itself, possibly through the orchard. However, Aeb has stationed Protector pairs at every critical entrance and the Al-Drechar have a shifting shield which should detect Cloaked incursion.’

He cleared his throat and leaned over the map.

‘Right, as you know, it is here in the kitchen that we are setting core defence at daybreak. It’s right for a number of reasons. It’s dry and warm for those we’re protecting and from every entrance in, we have a clear field of vision. The only direct way to the outside from here was fortunately blocked when the west wing collapsed and the ventilation windows’ – he pointed up to a line of six horizontal hinged half-lights along the wall opposite the door to the ballroom – ‘are therefore our only truly weak point. Erienne is going to set a ward along the width of the windows before turning in tonight and it should have enough play to last the battle. Am I right?’

‘Yes,’ said Erienne, lifting her head from Denser’s shoulder and brushing hair from her face. ‘It’s an explosive trap, focused outwards to reduce the chance of harming anyone in here. The noise will also act as an alarm.’

‘I should mention that we’re going to black out these windows to stop any passing flying mage looking in,’ said Darrick.

‘You can see them happening by on their way somewhere else, can’t you?’ said Ilkar, his eyes full of humour.

‘Of course,’ said Denser, picking it up. ‘Many’s the time I’ve been out for a flight and come across a desperate last stand by pure chance.’

Darrick rapped the table for attention. ‘But returning to more mundane matters like living through tomorrow, here’s how the rest of it will work. I’ve established three defensive areas based on where I feel the Dordovans will attack. Firstly, the main entrance, the three side wings and the orchard. This is the widest and outwardly the most difficult to defend. However, access to the house itself is limited and fighting will be focused.

‘Should we be breached, the first fallback position is the ballroom with its doorways from the corridors bounding the wings and orchard. The last is the dining room and kitchen area but I anticipate holding them at the ballroom at the very least. Everyone understand so far?’

There were a series of nods around the table.

‘The orchard presents a way to cut us off at the main entrance,’ said Aeb.

‘It does indeed but there can’t be a large incursion into it unless the main entrance or wing areas are breached,’ said Darrick. He pointed at the west wing. ‘Because of the collapse of the west wing and the barricades we’ve added to ensure it is sealed, the only undefended way into the orchard is from above. That means mages only, unless they are carrying soldiers. Whatever, it reduces the possible numbers and makes them vulnerable. Ren has agreed to station herself out there with the three Guild elves able to use bows most effectively. And we have Jevin to thank for providing us with such.’

Hirad had leaned in and Ilkar watched his growing enthusiasm as, at last, he saw the logic behind Darrick’s plan and could see it working.

‘So who goes where, then?’ asked Hirad.

‘Five Protectors will stay in the kitchen at all times,’ said Darrick. ‘The Raven plus Aeb plus six other Protectors will take the front entrance. We can expect spell and sword attack there. It is the widest front and needs the best shielding. Two more Protectors will provide rolling guard in the dining room and ballroom. I don’t anticipate attack through the ballroom roof but I refuse to be surprised by one. A single clever mage is all they would need through there. Similarly, the dining room. We’ve effectively blocked the way in from the small anteroom with heavy cabinets, bramble and rock. Again, the dining room windows and doors are both WardLocked and blocked by a great deal of furniture. Also, as you’ve seen, access to that part of the rear of the house has been made very difficult by one of Lyanna’s tantrums.’ He smiled at Erienne and Denser.

‘We’ve brought our child up well,’ said Denser. ‘Even her tantrums are properly directed.’

‘Finally, I and the remaining ten Protectors will guard the wing doors, act as a reserve and keep watching brief over the orchard,’ said Darrick. ‘Any questions?’

There was silence while they all digested the plan.

‘Communication will be vital, which is why I’ve split the Protectors. I know they’re better in one group but this time I think we have to use their other main advantage.’

‘We agree,’ said Aeb. ‘We will be victorious.’

‘We are one,’ whispered The Unknown.

Ilkar chose to ignore the remark though it sent a shiver through him. All this time and The Unknown still felt compelled to react as a Protector.

‘All this goes into effect after the Dordovans’ inevitable spell barrage?’ he asked.

‘It was the first thing I considered in the defence but it doesn’t affect our defensive areas unless our shield is breached in a critical area,’ said Darrick. ‘The Al-Drechar think they can raise a strong enough shield but it will have limited coverage. No bombardment will be too long because they have finite resources but you can expect it to be fierce and focused. I’ve asked them to cover kitchen, dining room, ballroom, corridors and front entrance if they can. There will be some protection for the wings but the area I’ve described is big enough to keep them guessing and make them cautious.’

‘Any other questions?’ asked The Unknown. Heads shook. ‘Right. Erienne, get that ward up then get away with Denser. Ilkar, bed now. Likewise you, Hirad and Ren. Darrick and I are taking first watch, the Protectors will rotate themselves. I don’t need to tell you to be vigilant and if the Al-Drechar call, then jump. Right, let’s get to it.’

But The Raven didn’t leave immediately. In an unspoken act, they’d all remained seated while the others withdrew, a deep silence covering the kitchen. For some time, they sat with heads bowed, contemplating what was to come and what it meant to them all, but more particularly, to Denser and Erienne.

‘It’s difficult, isn’t it?’ said Erienne. They all looked up at her, still with her head on Denser’s shoulder. ‘We’ve spent time coming to terms with it over the past few days but for you it’s very different and we’ve neglected you. I’m sorry.’

‘Come off it, Erienne,’ said Ilkar. ‘You have nothing to be sorry about. What you’re about to do is something for which mere words of thanks are totally inadequate. It’s a sacrifice so few will ever know of but everyone will benefit from. And I can do nothing but express my admiration on behalf of the whole of Balaia. You’re dying to try and save countless numbers. It’s extraordinary. Just extraordinary.’

He stopped, voice catching. Denser smiled.

‘Thank you,’ he said.

‘But there’s more and we all feel it,’ said The Unknown. ‘Erienne, you’re our friend. You’re Raven. And ultimately, we can’t save you. That hurts more than anything.’ Hirad and Ilkar were both nodding. ‘We’ve been through so much, all of us. And though we’ve lost people before, this is harder than them all.’

Hirad felt their eyes on him. He shrugged and stood up and walked round to her. ‘I don’t have any words. All I know is that we should say goodbye now because there might not be time in the morning.’

He held his arms wide and Erienne launched herself into them, clasping him close, he crushing her as he returned the embrace. Her tears were flowing now and Ilkar could see Hirad fighting against his own. They stayed that way a long time before he released her. She rubbed a hand against his stubble.

‘Great lump,’ she said. ‘You don’t need words.’

‘C’mon,’ said Denser. ‘It’s time for bed.’

Erienne turned to The Unknown and Ilkar in turn, hanging in their embraces and sharing whispered goodbyes with the Big Man. When she stepped away from Ilkar, she looked deep into his eyes.

‘I know you don’t agree with the One,’ she said softly. ‘But look after my little girl, won’t you?’

‘Her and Denser, both,’ said Ilkar. ‘I promise.’

They watched Denser and Erienne leave the kitchen arm in arm before Ilkar spoke again.

‘Come with me you two. There’s something I want you to see.’

They followed him to the store room where Thraun was sleeping, his body shuddering sporadically beneath the warm covers. They gathered over him, seeing the face of the man they thought they’d lost emerging from his wolven side. It was a slow process.

‘What’s wrong?’ asked Hirad.

‘Nothing,’ said Ilkar. ‘I just wanted to remind you both of something. Although we can’t save Erienne, we can save Thraun. He’s Raven too.’

‘Gods but I’ve never stopped to think about it,’ said The Unknown. ‘Ever since I woke up, we’ve been so busy . . . It’s unbelievable, isn’t it? Him being back, I mean.’

He straightened and Ilkar and Hirad turned to face him.

‘Just think about it a moment,’ he continued. ‘What must have been going through his mind as a wolf. Compelled to do things he couldn’t really comprehend but that he knew were right. And he lost his family doing it.’

‘So he turned to us again,’ said Hirad quietly.

‘Yes,’ said The Unknown. ‘Us. Think how he was when Will died. He’ll blame himself for the pack too.’

‘He’s going to take some saving isn’t he?’ said Hirad.

‘But we’ll be there,’ said Ilkar. ‘Together or apart, we’ve proved these last few weeks. The Raven is always there.’

Hirad smiled and Ilkar could see that for the barbarian, there had never been any doubt of it.

The mage assassin swept in low over the island. His companions had landed and moved Cloaked up a path from a hidden landing site not visible from sea level. He had chosen to risk being seen but considered the risk low. Beneath him, he could see and sense a decaying illusion and, ducking through its periphery, saw the sprawling mass of the severely damaged rambling mansion.

In its centre, trees. Around its edges, cleared ground and at its rear, a water-filled rockfall that had been arrested only by the house itself.

There was great power here and something innate told him not to fly any lower. They would be looking for him. Probably on the mana spectrum as well as by sight. So he circled just below the illusion seeing no light or movement. To a casual observer, the house was deserted. Indeed, there was a part of him that wondered if it wasn’t. But there was nowhere else to be on the island.

He swept back over the house one more time, logged possible access points in his mind and flew away back to the flotilla, trusting his sect mages to remain undetected as they carried out more detailed inspection of the terrain.

It wouldn’t be an easy fight but they would win. They had to. Dordovan magic depended on it.

Chapter 38

Sometime in the night, Lyanna had found them and crept in between them without waking either. But there she was when Erienne awoke, arms flung out to the sides and occupying far more of the bed than a small five-year-old should. Denser had moved all the way to the right-hand side and was in danger of falling off the edge while Erienne had moved her body into a curve to accommodate the little girl.

It was an idyllic moment and tears fled briefly down Erienne’s cheeks before she steeled herself, drying her face and moving down in the bed. She propped her head on one hand and stroked Lyanna’s cheeks. There was movement in the house despite the fact it was still dark and Erienne guessed it would soon be time to get up.

Their room was the first in the Guild wing and despite a little damp it had been comfortable enough. Outside, two Protectors had stood vigil and the windows were shuttered and locked, one of Denser’s alarm wards placed across the frame. They hadn’t been disturbed.

Lyanna opened her eyes and smiled blearily at her mother.

‘Good morning, beautiful,’ whispered Erienne.

‘It’s still dark, Mummy.’

‘I know, but there’s going to be lots of danger here today and I do so need you to be a brave girl.’

‘I’ll look after you, Mummy.’

‘Oh darling, I know!’ Erienne crushed her into an embrace and Lyanna clung on. Erienne could feel her agitation and worry. This was no place for a young child and the effect on her of the terrors to come was something Erienne would never have the chance to deal with. But right now, all Lyanna knew was that something was wrong and that everyone around her was feeling a deep tension. It would all make her very uncomfortable and insecure.

A knock on the door surprised her and she jumped, disturbing the moment. Lyanna pulled away and Erienne sat further up, pulling up the sheets to cover her breasts.

‘Come in,’ she said.

The door opened and Nerane came in carrying a tray on which sat two steaming mugs.

‘Sorry to disturb you so early,’ said Nerane. ‘But The Unknown Warrior has asked that you raise yourselves.’

She smiled as she saw the family picture in front of her. Beside Erienne, Denser stirred and rolled over, grunting as he sat up.

‘It seems such a shame to make you move,’ said Nerane. ‘You look perfect together.’

Erienne looked across at the half-asleep Denser. She saw his tousled hair, uncombed beard and his slack mouth open and laughed. ‘Are you sure?’

‘You know what I mean,’ said Nerane. She left the tray on a table near the bed.

‘What else did The Unknown say?’ asked Erienne.

‘The Dordovans are on the beach and spreading through the island. They’ll encircle us soon. The Al-Drechar shield is up and steady, everyone is inside the house and you need to move from here soon because the doors to the wing need to be sealed and blocked.’

‘Did he make you learn all that?’ asked Denser, looking down and noticing his daughter. ‘Oh, hello you.’

‘Hello, Daddy.’

‘At least I know why my back hurts so much,’ said Denser.

‘I don’t think it’s got much to do with Lyanna,’ said Erienne.

Nerane had blushed and was backing towards the door. ‘The Unknown Warrior says that next time he’ll send Hirad to make you get up.’

‘Incentive indeed,’ said Denser. ‘Thank you, Nerane. Tell him it won’t be necessary.’

The old elf left, closing the door quietly behind her. Denser looked deep into Erienne’s eyes and she felt a longing it would have been impossible to deny but for Lyanna between them. He reached out and put a hand to her cheek, which she covered with hers.

‘So this is it, then,’ he said.

‘Yes, I suppose so,’ said Erienne.

He nodded, his lower lip trembling. ‘Just remember how much I love you,’ he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

‘And I’ll love you, wherever I am,’ she replied.

Lyanna squirmed. ‘What’s wrong, Mummy?’

‘Nothing darling, nothing at all.’

Hirad placed the last of the Al-Drechar’s beds in the kitchen, near to the stove to enjoy its heat.

‘So did they get any of the assassins?’ he asked.

‘Three,’ said The Unknown.

‘Good going,’ said Hirad. ‘And no one got inside?’

‘Not that we know. But Ren thought she saw a flyer. We can assume they’ve seen the orchard and know the size of the house. The Al-Drechar said no one touched the shield.’

Hirad sat at the table and drew his blade, honing its edge on a whetstone he’d borrowed from the Guild elves. He felt alive. There was a fight to come, the odds were stacked against them but The Raven were always to be reckoned with.

‘So how long before they attack?’

‘Any time,’ said The Unknown. ‘They aren’t massed yet but it won’t be long. We should get to our places.’

Hirad checked the edge of his sword and, satisfied, stood and sheathed it, automatically checking his daggers were also in their sheaths. The door to the dining room swung open and the Al-Drechar came in, supported by Guild elves.

‘All right, ladies?’ asked Hirad.

Myriell gave him a withering look. ‘I had thought my days in the kitchen well and truly over,’ she said.

‘Well, we’ll try and keep it as brief as possible,’ said Hirad. ‘Then we can talk about my dragons.’

He smiled and waited for them to pass before walking into the ballroom via the dining room, a worry nagging at him. He’d tried to speak with Sha-Kaan but had found his mind closed. Either that or dead. He hoped their rest would save them but he remembered Sha-Kaan’s weary mind the last time they had shared contact and feared the worst. How the Raven could do with their power today.

He shook his head and moved on, The Unknown limping beside him, having checked that the blocked entrances were as secure as they could be. Through the ballroom and down the corridor, the door to the Guild wing opened and Denser appeared, belting on his sword.

‘In your own time,’ said Hirad as he strode past.

‘Ha ha,’ said Denser.

‘I’ll ask the Dordovans to wait for you,’ returned Hirad.

‘If you wouldn’t mind.’

‘Hirad,’ warned The Unknown. ‘Come on.’

They carried on down the corridor. The Protectors were already on station and in the near dark Hirad could pick out one of the elves in the orchard, hidden under a fallen branch that had made an arch with the wall. Further on down the corridor, they found Darrick prowling, his sword as yet sheathed but his face taut with nervous concentration.

‘Morning, General,’ said Hirad, grinning, as they stopped by him.

‘Is he always like this?’ asked Darrick.

‘Always,’ said The Unknown. ‘You get used to it. Sort of.’

‘All ready?’ asked Hirad, feeling he ought to bring himself to order. He felt strangely lightheaded, the thrill of imminent action charging his mind and body. But he knew he couldn’t afford to be unfocused.

‘Just the door to the Guild wing to seal and we’re there. We’ve got a little breathing space, assuming we’re right about the bombardment. ’

‘Should the elves be out in the orchard?’ asked Hirad.

‘The shield bleeds over the near edge of the orchard and it’s a calculated risk we have to take. I can’t afford to be surprised there and I don’t want Dordovans seeing where our defenders are hidden.’

Hirad put out his hand and Darrick shook it warmly, doing likewise with The Unknown.

‘Just shout if you need more bodies,’ said Hirad.

‘And you,’ said Darrick.

The Raven pair moved on, walking as fast as The Unknown could go, across the entrance hall to where Ilkar was already waiting with Aeb and the Protectors.

‘We all ready?’ asked Hirad.

‘Spell shield already up,’ said Ilkar, his voice reflecting his concentration. ‘It’s covering the door.’

‘Good,’ said Hirad. ‘Now where the hell are Denser and Erienne?’

Lyanna sat on a chair at the end of the kitchen table looking awfully small and scared. Erienne was crouching by her, stroking her hair and whispering to her, trying to calm her. Lyanna was clutching her doll and, though she nodded occasionally, Denser could see her eyes darting continually to the Protectors, who stood stock still around the kitchen. He understood her fear.

He walked across to his family, past the sympathetic but slightly unfocused gazes of the Al-Drechar.

‘How’s she doing?’ he asked.

‘Just about all right,’ said Erienne.

Denser leant in and kissed Lyanna’s cheek. ‘You’ll be safest here, you know,’ he said.

‘But I want to be with you,’ complained Lyanna.

‘It’ll be dangerous out there, my sweet,’ said Erienne. ‘You’ll be safer here with Ephy and Clerry and Myra, don’t you think?’

Lyanna looked around the room her little brow furrowed. ‘I don’t like these men. Why have they got masks on? And why don’t they ever say anything?’

Erienne looked to Denser who raised his eyebrows. This was hardly the time to try and explain the Protector calling to a five-year-old.

‘They are special soldiers from where I come from,’ said Denser. ‘Don’t worry about the masks, they wear them to make them better at fighting and they are in here just to look after you.’

Lyanna nodded. ‘All right.’

‘Now listen to me, darling,’ said Erienne. ‘It’s going to be very noisy here and there will be lots of shouting and it will be scary. But you mustn’t try to come and find us because it will be very dangerous for you. We’ll be all right, don’t you worry. Will you be brave for me?’

‘I’ll try,’ said Lyanna.

‘There’s a good girl,’ said Denser. ‘Now if you get too scared, then go and cuddle one of the old ladies. They love you too.’

Lyanna nodded.

There was a crump which echoed through the house.

‘It’s started,’ said Denser. He knelt and hugged his daughter. ‘I’ll see you a little bit later.’

‘Bye Daddy,’ said Lyanna.

Erienne hugged her too. ‘Be a good girl and do what the masked men say, won’t you?’

With a lingering look at their daughter, they left the kitchen and ran to join The Raven.

‘On my order and not before!’ roared Vuldaroq as the solitary FlameOrb soared away to splash against a shield. He turned to Gorstan, who had been the lead mage in Arlen. ‘I want concentrated spells; I want as much of this house destroyed as you can manage but I expect you to stop before you exhaust yourselves if you are getting nowhere.

‘He may have been an idiot to cast early but it was an education, was it not? That was not a shield from any College I’ve ever seen.’

‘Yes, my Lord.’

‘Right. Cast at will. And remember, advise me before the last spells are away. I have an attack to order.’

‘Was that it?’ asked Hirad. ‘I—’

‘Wow,’ said Ilkar, rocking slightly and sensing significant movement in the mana. ‘Here it comes.’

A moment’s silence and then the spells thundered in. Like a herd of giant horses riding across the roof above them, FlameOrbs clattered into the Al-Drechar’s shield. Light flashed all around them, orange, yellow and white sheeting through cracks in the barricades and washing across the orchard behind them. The shield fizzed as it struggled to repel the attack. Hirad hunched reflexively, the barrage of noise hurting his ears despite his hands over them. It was deafening, shuddering the floor beneath his feet and rattling the doors in front and the slate over his head.

He turned to see Erienne and Denser running up and he managed a smile but couldn’t hear what the Xeteskian said to him, shrugging his shoulders and pointing at an ear.

Behind him, Orbs splashed down into the exposed orchard, sending flame scattering across the sodden trees, boiling away water and catching hold, crackling and spitting. Trotting to the barricaded doors, he looked out, saw no other trouble and jogged back, a thumb up in response to The Unknown’s look.

More light and a crunching sound as a spell breached the barrier, thudding into the roof. All eyes looked up anxiously but elsewhere the shield was still holding and the noise right above them subsided as the barrage died away, to be replaced by echoing rumbles to their right.

‘EarthHammer,’ said Denser. ‘They’re attacking the wings.’

Hirad’s ears were ringing from the attack. Behind him, the orchard was blazing in a swathe twenty yards wide and above they could just hear the sound of the one FlameOrb spell, eating at the wood and slate.

The noise increased over the wings. Vibrations rattled under their feet and the sound of a detonation echoed across the hallway, FlameOrbs exploding in enclosed spaces. In the first light of morning, the spell flashes were bright and stark, filling the shadows that still dominated the house.

‘Aeb, alert your brothers and Darrick. They’ll think they have an entry point,’ said The Unknown.

‘Yes,’ said Aeb.

A further flurry of spells smacked across the shield above their heads and then for a few precious moments the world was quiet.

‘Ready Raven,’ said The Unknown. He drew his elven blade and tapped it one-handed on the stone flags at his feet.

Seamlessly, they formed up. The Raven’s favoured chevron in the centre of a semi-circle that sealed the main entrance. Hirad stood to The Unknown’s right, Aeb to his left. Three Protectors stood to either flank and behind knelt the mages.

‘HardShield up,’ said Denser.

‘IceWind ready,’ said Erienne.

The doors shuddered under heavy impact.

‘Spell?’ asked Hirad.

‘No,’ said Ilkar.

Another impact. The doors creaked ominously. Hirad shifted his stance, grip moving on his sword. He could hear shouts outside and the running of feet as the Dordovan soldiers massed. Bring them on, he thought, letting the metronomic sound of The Unknown’s blade flow through him, bringing him the strength it always did.

‘This time,’ said The Unknown.

Third time, the battering-ram of a tree trunk crashed straight through the centre of the doors, sending splinters to bounce off Denser’s HardShield. There was a roar from outside, the trunk was hauled out of the way and in the diminishing gloom Hirad could see a mass of armoured bodies charging his way.

Through the gap flashed arrows and crossbow bolts, again ricocheting off the shield and, hard on their heels, FlameOrbs savaged through the broken entrance, splashing against Ilkar’s spell shield and setting fire to the wood surrounds.

‘Holding,’ said The Unknown, who hadn’t so much as flinched as the spells and missiles came in. ‘Here come the swords.’

And indeed, on the back of another pair of FlameOrbs, they did, pouring up to the doors and through, shouting as they came at the steady Raven line.

‘Erienne, as you will,’ invited The Unknown.

Behind them, Erienne stood. ‘Duck,’ she said.

The warriors did and the IceWind roared over their heads, smashing into the front rank of Dordovans, shouts cut off as they stumbled and fell, faces frozen in fear, fingers and weapons shattering as bodies struck the floor. The charge faltered and The Raven warriors stood.

‘Come on!’ roared Hirad. ‘We’re waiting.’

In they came. The Unknown’s blade tapped, dagger in his left hand. The tapping ceased and The Unknown brought his blade up, left to right, and thrashed it through the guard of the first man, catching him in his upper chest. His blade carried on through the man’s lower jaw, The Unknown’s strength stopping him in his tracks and sending his body backwards, blood spattering all over.

Next to him, Hirad blocked a sword easily, jabbing with a fist as he thrust the attacker back. He stumbled but came on, feinting left and striking right. Hirad blocked again but this time reversed his blade back across the enemy’s chest, seeing it slice through cloth and leather armour. The enemy gasped, staggered to his right and took a Protector axe clean through the top of his head.

The space in front filled with Dordovan soldiers. Left and right the Protectors, wide-spaced and double-weaponed, forged their awesome silent warfare. Aeb, his sword keeping Dordovans from the left side of The Unknown, was devastating with his axe, batting flat-bladed and delivering massive overheads and flank blows. But as the bodies fell, the press increased and The Raven were slowly edged back.

The Unknown caught a sword blow on his dagger and twisted the blade away left, opening up his opponent’s chest. Needing no second chance, the big man plunged his sword through the chain mail, the man falling backwards. Wrenching the blade clear, his hip locked and he lost balance momentarily, stumbling forward, crying out in sudden unexpected pain.