Roddy could hear the gulls again. The pressure of the air had disappeared, leaving a soft sea breeze that blew around him with a carefree abandon, tousling his hair and reassuring him that a sense of normality had arrived. Except it hadn’t. The remnants of pain throbbing at his temple told him that he had not imagined the build-up of a powerful magic. And Ravan, crouched before him, told him much more.
“Ravan,” he finally whispered.
His companion sighed and Roddy watched him take a long, slow breath before he unfolded his limbs and straightened to stand erect. “Yes,” he answered in a scratchy voice.
“Is it really you?” he asked, staring at the willowy man.
“Yes, but I don’t understand it.”
“Cyrena said you were on a new journey. This must be what she meant.”
Ravan finally opened his lids and regarded the youngster through deep blue eyes. Trails of pain seemed to still tremor through his body. “Yes, but why?”
Roddy shook his head and shrugged. “You still look a bit like your old self.”
Ravan actually laughed but it came out like a squawk. He felt his face. “I’ll have to improve on the qualities of being a man—learning to laugh, for instance.”
Roddy watched him touch his nose. “No beak,” Roddy offered. “Actually, you are very fine and handsome. You look fearsomely strong.”
“I’m also naked,” Ravan replied dryly. “That must be fixed!”
“You can have something of mine,” Roddy said, “but I think you’re too tall.”
“I know where I’ll find clothes.”
“Where?”
“In the hut where Sergius lived. Follow me.”
Roddy hesitated. “Can you change back?”
Ravan shook his head. “If I can, I don’t know how. This way,” he said, pointing. “I hope you have good balance.”
“The best,” Roddy answered and grinned.
“I’m impressed how calm you are with all this death and magic.”
“I’m frightened by it but I feel as though I’m meant to be here. I’m not sure I can bear to look at Sergius, though.”
“We will honor him shortly. For the time being avert your gaze.”
Inside the bare hut, which Roddy noticed Ravan seemed to know his way around, his friend grabbed a blanket and pulled it around him.
“What about clothes?” he asked, wondering why Ravan was sitting down and staring at a bowl in the middle of an otherwise cleared and scrubbed table. “What’s wrong?”
“Roddy, how much do you know about magic? Your own magic, for example?”
“I don’t know that I have any.”
“You do. I can sense it. And Cyrena confirmed it.”
“I know I’m different from the other children, that’s all.”
“Do you trust magic?”
Roddy nodded, keenly aware of his trembling hand.
“Do you believe you can trust me?”
“Cyrena told me I can…and I trust her.”
Ravan tried to smile and Roddy could see he found it difficult, as though he needed time to get used to his new senses and abilities. “I trust her too. So did Sergius. So with Cyrena our common bond, let us here and now pledge trust in each other. I will never do anything to harm you.” He held out his hand straight, palm up.
Gravely, Roddy placed his trembling hand on top; they linked thumbs and then in the Set manner of sealing a bargain, they rotated their hands so that Roddy’s was now on the bottom.
“Done!” Roddy said.
Ravan echoed his sentiment. “Done.”
“Why does that bowl fascinate you?”
“Because I know what it means. Do you see its contents?” Roddy nodded. “That is called firedust. The dust is imbued with a powerful magic, which, when it is cast into a flame, will reveal something. I imagine Sergius has left behind a message for me.”
“And when you burn the dust we can see the message?” Roddy asked, catching on.
“Exactly. It must have taken much of his strength to cast the dust. To my knowledge he has never used it before but he did tell me about it not so long ago.”
“Perhaps he knew his time was coming.”
Ravan nodded sorrowfully. “I wish he could have told me.”
Roddy looked over at the embers in the hearth. “Shall I get the fire going again?”
“Thank you. I’ll find something to wear.”
Both set about their tasks. Roddy immersed himself in rebuilding the small fire, so much so that he was surprised when Ravan finally spoke again.
“Yes, Roddy, I think we can safely say that Sergius knew his time was coming.”
Roddy turned to see his new friend dressed, not in clothes that looked makeshift or belonging to an old man, but that seemed unused, even new. “He had these prepared for you.”
“I never saw Sergius wear any of these items, so I have to assume so. They are new and I think it’s a small note of humor.”
Roddy smiled. “Well, you look good in black.”
Ravan swelled his chest. “It all fits well enough too.”
“You’re moving better and your voice is smoother. I think you’re getting used to your new form.”
“I will miss flying.”
“I would too,” Roddy agreed, his tone sympathetic and almost wistful as he imagined what it might be like to leap into the air and ride the winds. He shook himself free of the thought. “The fire’s ready.”
“Good, stoke those flames. I’m sure Sergius mentioned to me that the higher they burn, the better the result.”
Roddy nodded and tossed more kindling onto the fire. The flames leaped in response. Ravan reached for the bowl.
“Are you supposed to say anything…cast a spell or something?” Roddy asked.
Ravan smiled. “I don’t know any spells. Ready?”
“Go ahead,” Roddy said, sitting back and holding his breath. Ravan picked up the bowl and without hesitation threw its contents into the flames. They blazed purple, spitting and crackling and Roddy smelled a strange but not unpleasant fragrance. He hugged his knees close, utterly fascinated, but not frightened…not now that he had Ravan.
And out of the crackling purple haze he spotted a shape coalescing. As it drew itself together he began to recognize it.
“It’s Sergius,” Ravan confirmed, lowering himself as though weak. He knelt next to Roddy and Roddy could feel his friend trembling.
Sergius shaped himself fully in miniature. Looking out from the glow of purple that surrounded him, his expression was apologetic.
“Ravan, my oldest friend. If you are listening to me now, it means I am dead. I am sorry for that—for leaving you alone, I mean. My death will trigger three events. I have much to tell you, so listen carefully as you can only hear this once. I dreamed that you would bring a visitor and that although you regarded him as a friend, he was actually an enemy to me. This is no fault of yours, Ravan. What ever thoughts may be darkening your soul I beg you to release them. Whoever he is, he meant you no harm and what ever he offered you, he did so in good faith. When he sees me, though, he will recognize me as a danger and he will act accordingly. I hope you found the clothes I left for you? I can’t be sure they’re your size but I have a good feeling they’ll fit. Sergius chuckled, no doubt thinking of the color of the garments, and his amusement made Roddy glance at Ravan, who looked as if his heart was breaking. Roddy leaned closer but Ravan didn’t take his eyes from the image of his old mentor. I wish I could see you. You have been made in Cormoron’s image. Later, you must look at your reflection; I hope you approve. And while I am sure you feel disappointment in me for withholding this secret from you, let me assure you that I didn’t know, Ravan. This was Cyrena’s secret; it was revealed to me in a dream and only in the last few days. I have been dreaming a lot! He smiled gently again. Why is this necessary? He shrugged. I do not know. Perhaps, dear Ravan, she is simply returning you to what you always were…a man. I cannot enlighten you any further. This is your journey.
Sergius paused momentarily and Roddy thought he seemed to take those few heartbeats to gather his thoughts. He straightened, lifted his head and sighed.
And now, here is what you must know. My death will trigger a message to a man far away from here. His name is Corbel de Vis and although you have never seen him, you will know of him. He is the twin brother of Gavriel de Vis. Ten anni ago a baby was born; it was the eve of the invasion of Loethar’s horde and King Brennus knew the child would be killed if found by the barbarian, or would likely perish if he tried to hide it. With his struggles to sire surviving heirs, Brennus was not about to let any child of his die if he could help it. Instead, midway through the queen’s pregnancy, he came to visit me here. He told me he had dreamed of Cyrena and that she had led him to this place. He had experienced this dream repeatedly since the queen had first announced her pregnancy. We talked at length, sharing several pots of dinch, and we agreed that while neither of us knew why we were connected through his dreams, that he would await a sign. The dream seemed too powerful, too repetitive and too much like how Cyrena works for me to ignore its significance. I knew if she was communicating with Brennus, she would find a way to instruct him. And she did, presumably, because while he was dreaming of me, I was dreaming of Corbel de Vis. I didn’t know why or what it signified but I have learned to trust these events, knowing they would show their true meaning in time.
Sure enough, the king must have been given a sign—although I am not privy to what it was—and on the night before Corbel de Vis arrived at this spot, I myself dreamed he would bring a child that needed protection, protection of the most magical kind. I gave it and Corbel de Vis disappeared not long after he arrived, into the sea. He took a Valisar princess into those depths with him, and while I have never seen them again I am aware that a mighty magic occurred that stormy night. I was the channel for the magic that sent this pair to safety, we hope, away from our world.
Sergius paused and smiled softly. I know you have questions, Ravan, but I cannot answer them. I simply have to hope that what I tell you is enough. He nodded. So, to continue, I mentioned that three events will have been set in motion at my death. The first event, as I said, is that Corbel de Vis will have felt my passing as a message to return. How he will do that, I have no idea, but I suspect you, dear Ravan, will be connected with it and I pray to our goddess that you are ready. The second event you are already well and truly aware of. You have transformed into a man. I have only ever known you as a raven so I cannot tell you whether you were originally a man. That is for Cyrena to explain. But you will walk in this mortal form from my death. And, finally, my death will bring Cyrena to you. She can only reach us at times of change in the magical balance of our world and only when those times of change are connected with the Valisars. And be wary, Raven—others will feel the presence of this magic, friends and enemies alike.
Sergius held out his hands, palms up. And so that is all I can tell you, Ravan. Where you go now I do not know, although I suspect you will be guided by outside forces. The princess must return safely to Penraven and she must be guarded, her identity kept secret, particularly from the person who caused my death. He is an enemy now, until balance can be restored…if it can be restored.
Once again Sergius straightened. He sighed. And now, friend, you must burn me. Let my spirit rise, my magic be unleashed. But do not wait. Set me alight and then go. Two horses await you at the village nearby. Ride to where you must. Goodbye, beloved Ravan.
Sergius raised a hand in silent farewell. The flames roared once again, just for a heartbeat, and then died down to their natural color, their guest gone, his image dissipated.
Roddy and Ravan sat in silence for a while. Finally Roddy spoke up. “Cyrena told us to make haste for the mountains.”
“Then that is where we must go,” Ravan agreed, his voice tight. He looked at the boy. “Are you hungry?”
Roddy nodded, trying to quell his enthusiasm.
“Forgive me. Not much of a host, am I? Sergius always had food ready for me. He would not be impressed by me ignoring your needs. I must go down to the beach now. I will take some time alone with Sergius, but please help yourself to any food. There is sweet water in a canister at the back of the hut. Take all you need. I doubt we’ll return here.”
“What about you?”
Ravan shrugged. “Since tasting Greven’s flesh I have not eaten a morsel and curiously I have no hunger now.”
“I watched you do that. Will you explain it to me on our journey?”
“What I can, I will.” Ravan stood. “You may want to pack some food for the journey, but pack only for one.”
“Is it the magic?”
“I suspect so. Also that I am not real.”
Roddy sensed the new man’s grief embedded in his remark. “Ravan, you look and feel real,” he said, touching his arm. “This means you are real…to me you are someone I can count on. If you weren’t real, how could I possibly think that way?”
“I’m glad we met, Roddy.”
The boy’s face creased into the first genuine smile in a long time. His belly grumbled, as if on cue, and they both laughed.
“You see,” Roddy said, delighting in the sound of Ravan’s laughter. “You become more real with every moment.”