The Raven Collection [Books 1 ~ 7] by James Barclay

Author:James Barclay [James Barclay]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Hachette Littlehampton
Published: 2011-10-20T06:00:00+00:00

Heryst rubbed his hands over his face and leaned back in his chair in the great hall in the tower of Lystern. He seemed to have spent most of his time here in the last few days, meeting senior mages, desperately seeking a solution.

He felt the weight of responsibility bearing him down. In the many clear and frightening moments he experienced when he was alone, he saw himself as the only man truly capable of halting the appalling spiral of the war. But the chances for peace were slipping through his fingers and there was seemingly nothing he could do. His delegation in Xetesk was making no progress and all he heard from Dordover were demands to ally to save Balaia. And they were demands he was finding it increasingly hard to refuse.

‘You’re tired, Heryst,’ said Kayvel, who sat next to him, an unfailing support. ‘You should rest.’

‘It’s not even dark yet,’ he replied. ‘How can I be tired?’

‘It might be something to do with the fact that, to my certain knowledge, you haven’t slept for three days, my Lord,’ chided Kayvel gently. ‘Take an hour. It won’t hurt.’

‘I’m afraid there isn’t time,’ said Heryst.

He could feel war advancing like a virus. The hideous events in Arlen were still so fresh. The spell Xetesk had used was a statement, if any such was still needed, of their intention to crush Dordover. And would they stop? Vuldaroq was sure they would not. Heryst was scared he was right.

The violent clearance of the refugees from the gates of the dark college was another clear message and now there were reports of the fighting moving into college lands. Dordovan and Xeteskian supply hamlets and farmland were being fired, college militias were strung out defending vulnerable lands and the opportunities for conflict were growing by the day. And behind it all was that nagging feeling that Selik and the Black Wings would be the only real beneficiaries if the four colleges were dragged into all-out conflict.

It was time for big decisions.

‘I’m going back to Dordover,’ he said.

‘My Lord?’

‘I want you to contact Rusau in Xetesk, make sure he keeps up the pressure to meet the Lord of the Mount. But mind him to leave the moment he feels he is under threat.’

‘And what will you be saying to Vuldaroq?’

‘That we have to look to protect what is left of the balance of the colleges. That we must despatch forces to the defence of Julatsa and that we must consider a blockade of Xeteskian lands. It may be the only way to force them into negotiation. We all understand what they are trying to do and we cannot let them have free run of everything they need through Arlen. And that includes the return of the mages from Herendeneth. We are not strong enough to take them on alone.’

‘You will ally?’

‘I will take practical steps to ensure Lystern is not destroyed.’

‘Ever the politician.’

‘I have entered alliance with Dordover before. I will not make the mistake of such a formal arrangement again.

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