21. BEWARE THE RAVEN

Toryn watched the campfire imagining tongues of flame bursting from a draylok’s gaping mouth. Shepra’s warm body lay sleeping at his side. He stroked her back, feeling her pain for the loss of her family. How could a dog begin to understand the cruel acts of the Nordleng? He mulled over the contents of Elodi’s message that had arrived at first light. While he was troubled by the news of the Ruuk crossing the Keld, Toryn was relieved to hear the forces of Archonholm had finally mobilized and were heading north. But it was the news Elodi had included of Nyomae’s discovery at Neverdor that intrigued him. Toryn had failed to locate Nyomae in the Song, but now he understood why. Nyomae was preoccupied with her studies. The exact details could not be divulged in the message for fear of interception, but Elodi had hinted Nyomae had made progress. And that was most welcome. A gnawing feeling in Toryn’s gut had plagued him the farther they had ridden into Emryst. But he wondered whether it was due to the proximity of Telamir. Ever since he had seen the tower with the farsight, he knew a power resided within its intricate, twisted structure. Little was known about the towers of Telamir and Syris as none had yet to find a way inside. Their architects and builders had easily surpassed the skills of even the age of Draegelan, and they must have had their reasons to prevent entry. But in his heart, he knew those secrets would be key to the survival of the realms.

Toryn looked to the dark peaks of the Kolossos Mountains just visible against the night sky. If unhindered, by late the following day, he would see the wonder of Telamir with his own eyes. Could the Amayans have entered the tower? Appointed to guard the Amanach, Nyomae believed they could have descended from the elder race of the stones. And now Eryn and her companions had recovered much of their memories, perhaps they could access such places. It would make the perfect hideaway to escape the attention of the Nordleng. And it would explain their absence from the Song if the towers offered protection.

Gundrul chuckled as he sat beside the fire. ‘The lass has taken quite a shine to you.’ He tickled the dog’s ear. ‘Looks like we’ve got ourselves a new recruit.’

Toryn looked down as Shepra lifted her head. ‘Do you have much experience with the Nordleng, Captain?’

His mouth curled. ‘I can’t say I’ve come across them often, but I remember every confrontation. Both skilled and devious. Not a pleasant combination. But can’t say I’ve ever looked one in the eye. Always hooded and showed little of their face.’

‘If I was capable of doing what they did to that family, I’d not want to show mine either.’ Shepra laid down and rested her head on Toryn’s lap. He looked to the twinkling lights of Cafra to the north. ‘The Amayans reckon the numbers of Nordleng are rising. That, or they’re coming south more often these days.’

The captain mumbled. ‘Not good news, eh. But when did we last have something to cheer about?’

Toryn lifted the meat from the fire. ‘Rabbit’s done.’ He pulled off a piece, blew on it, and dropped it beside Shepra. ‘At least Elodi—’

‘That’s Lady Harlyn to you and I, lad. I’m not blind. I can see you two have… something else going on. But all the same.’

‘Yes… yes of course. Well at least Lady Harlyn has taken over from Kernlow.’

Gundrul nodded. ‘Best keep it formal, eh. Can’t get too familiar with those in command… well, not in front of the common soldier.’

Toryn sighed. ‘I suppose it’s—’ Shepra sprang from Toryn’s lap. She sniffed the air and whimpered. He stroked her back. ‘What is it, lass?’ He glanced to Gundrul. ‘I wonder what’s caught her—’ He ducked. The campfires spluttered and died. Toryn clutched his stomach. He yelled through a clenched jaw. ‘We’re under attack!’

Gundrul clambered to his feet and drew his sword. ‘Where from?’ He scanned the nearby trees. ‘Can’t see a thing. Elrik! Lorek! Light the torches.’ The company formed a circle, standing back-to-back. Gundrul paced the perimeter. ‘Toryn? What do you see?’

‘Nothing. Whatever it was has gone.’

But the captain remained wary. ‘Stay ready, lads. I don’t like this one bit.’ Then to Toryn. ‘Nordleng?’

‘No. Worse. Ul-dalak I reckon.’ He looked to the trees. ‘They must have a fast horse. My stomach is easing. They’ve gone, long gone.’

Gundrul grunted. ‘Stand down. Set those torches twenty paces out and keep your eyes open. We’ll have four on watch tonight.’ He placed an arm around Toryn’s shoulders and walked him away from the company. ‘You’re sure it was one of them wykes?’

‘Certain. I’ve met two, and each time my gut turns over.’ Toryn watched the flames take hold as the torches were lit. ‘Are they tracking us?’

‘They’d have to be incredibly lucky to stumble upon us in this wide land. Or… they can find you in this Song of yours.’

Toryn groaned. ‘That could explain it. Unfortunately, I don’t yet know how to locate them. If I could, it would give us more warning next time.’

‘Then the next question is… why are they tracking us? Are they preparing a trap? We don’t need you falling into their hands. We have enough to worry about with three wykes as it is.’

‘Captain.’ Janae approached with a bird on her arm. ‘She’ll be in Archonholm by noon tomorrow at the latest.’ She handed the captain the tiny scroll. ‘Just need your message and I’ll send her on her way.’

Gundrul handed the scroll and pen to Toryn. ‘Perhaps it’s best if you chose the words to inform the good lady. I may have learned some fancy new ones in her presence, but I still can’t claim to be a scribe as such. So, I’ll leave it—’

Toryn froze. Shepra barked. The horses reared and screamed. Gundrul’s lips moved but Toryn heard no words. The flames flickered green. A pain shot through the back of his head. He spun around. But the threat came not from behind, but from above. Toryn staggered back as a hideous, dark shape passed in front of the moon and shot straight at him. He threw himself to the ground as the beast swooped overhead, freezing and fouling the air with a stench that burned Toryn’s throat. He twisted onto his back and saw the grotesque, over-sized outline of a bird resembling a raven. It wheeled, squawking its deadly threat at Toryn. A cloaked figure sat on its back: Uleva. Toryn could see her clearly as the beast circled the company. This time there was no disguise, no tragic, but beautiful face suffering from the injustice of her possession. Uleva’s malicious grin stretched the skin across her large skull, and as the raven veered sharply, her hair flailed as if the very whips of the drayloks lashed out at the night sky.

Toryn stood. Nearby, the horses tore at their tethers but could not escape. The large claws of the bird would quickly kill or maim many, and without them their mission would surely fail. He yelled. ‘Elrik! Get the horses to the trees.’ But he could not be sure his voice carried. Around him, the company laid flat on their faces. He had to act.

Toryn bowed his head and entered the Song. Above, the bird turned, lining up for another dive. Its dark, beady eyes fixed on him. And Toryn knew its name: a corvraak. In the same manner the droog was a corruption of the humble earthworm, the corvraak was a perversion of the noble raven. But the beast despised the open skies. To fly was torture, but the desire to inflict pain on its prey bested its suffering.

The corvraak screeched as it dived. But this time Toryn held his ground. He braced, letting the heat from his stomach spread to his limbs. The company and horses now appeared frozen in time as the monstrous bird loomed large. But it was the creature on its back that demanded his attention. The moon glistened in Uleva’s large eyes. The black orbs shot a glance that would have sent him cowering to his knees not long past. But Toryn drew strength from the Imaari who had gone before him. Uleva cackled, taunting her intended victim. Fool! Do you think you can—? But Toryn met her glare without fear. He felt the presence of Nyomae at his side. Uleva gawped, leaning back to pull her mount out of its dive. The foul air rushed past Toryn as he turned to watch them go. Uleva glanced once more over her shoulder. He knew she sensed his growing power, and she was taken aback. A wry smile crossed his lips. She would not take him so lightly now.

Toryn kept his eyes on the grotesque silhouette as it shrank to an insignificant dot as if swallowed by the moon. He had stated his aim, sending a message to Uleva and her kind. But how would they respond? Had he forced their hand? He turned to those of his company lifting their faces from the ground, staring wide-eyed to the skies. Toryn sensed their terror. If the Five Realms had any chance of winning this war, he and Nyomae had to convince them they could resist.