King’s Wrath

‘How did you meet up with Ravan?’

Gavriel could see that Roddy was trying his utmost to answer clearly and concisely. ‘I met him,’ he frowned. ‘Well, I first saw him in a small woodland on the edge of our village but we first spoke at the cliff edge after the death of Sergius.’

Gavriel sighed with confusion. ‘All right, let’s go back to the fire. I’m curious, Roddy, as to how you escaped death if you ran into a burning barn.’

‘I told you I was healed.’

‘Healed of burns?’ Gavriel asked archly.

The boy nodded. ‘So was poor Clovis.’

‘Clovis?’ Leo wondered.

‘He was the man who ran into the barn after me. I have to lie down.’

‘We have travelled a long way,’ Ravan said. ‘Sleep, Roddy. I will explain everything. I haven’t mentioned this to Roddy but Clovis was also at the palace,’ Ravan remarked, surprising Gavriel. ‘He was one of two Vested chosen by Freath as part of a bargain made between Freath and Loethar. Clovis wasn’t very powerful.’ Ravan shrugged. ‘My understanding is that he could predict rough weather on the seas or which provisions to stock up on, that sort of thing. But he couldn’t wield his magic against anyone, not like I suspect Kirin Felt could.’

‘Felt?’ Leo narrowed his eyes. ‘Wait a moment. Felt! Isn’t that the man Lily has gone away with? I’m pretty sure that’s the name Tern used. Lily was meant just to keep him under observation but she ended up pretending to be his wife so she could stay close.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Tell me, how empowered is this Kirin Felt?’

‘I really couldn’t say,’ Ravan answered. ‘He hid his ability from Loethar and Stracker.’

‘Ah, now we have it,’ Leo said. He still looked pale, but he stood to pace. ‘I wonder just how powerful he is.’ He swung around to face Ravan. ‘Do you know what an aegis is?’

Gavriel felt a spike of uncertainty run through him. Where was Leo going with this? He was getting too obsessed with the idea of his ageis for Gavriel’s comfort.

But before he could say anything, Roddy seemed to crumple beside Ravan. ‘My apology, I must be excused.’

‘Are you feeling faint, Roddy?’ Ravan asked.

‘Come with me,’ Roddy choked out. ‘I don’t feel well.’

Ravan looked to Leo, who shrugged his permission. The two newcomers walked away; Roddy seeming to be doubled up, as though preparing to retch, Ravan was rubbing the boy’s back.

Gavriel frowned after them.

‘Don’t worry, they’re not going anywhere,’ Leo remarked. ‘Do you trust their story?’

‘It’s almost too remarkable not to. Why would anyone lie about something like being a bird? And he knows too much not to be that awful raven.’

Leo gave a helpless gesture with his hand. ‘I’m glad we didn’t kill him. He might be helpful to us. He certainly seems keen to tell us all that he knows. Look, they’re coming back.’

Gavriel nodded absently, watching the pair approach again, Roddy still clearing his throat. ‘Better?’ he asked Roddy.

The boy didn’t answer. He looked pale, weary.

‘You were telling us about Felt,’ Leo continued. ‘I think he may be an aegis. Do you know what that is?’

‘The legendary champion of the Valisars,’ Ravan responded. ‘One born secretly for each child, who must be found and bonded. You want to find and bond Kirin Felt?’ Ravan asked, surprised.

‘Exactly! I need protection now, more than ever. An aegis offers the only true protection I can count on.’

Gavriel felt his stomach drop.

‘No offence to you, Gav,’ Leo said over his shoulder without looking at him.

‘None taken,’ Gavriel lied.

‘I think we should go after Felt,’ Leo threw at Gavriel, ‘especially now that Faris is onto us.’

Gavriel blinked in confusion but Leo wasn’t waiting for an answer; he had suddenly swivelled around and levelled his sword at Ravan. The man and boy stood, both looking daunted but not, Gavriel noted, especially surprised.

Leo noted it too.

‘You know my next question,’ he accused.

‘And let me answer it, highness,’ Ravan replied carefully. ‘I am not an aegis and Roddy —’

‘How can I be sure?’

Ravan thought about this. The boy looked terrified, ready to flee. ‘You can’t. But I doubt very much that we’d have risked walking into your midst.’

Leo regarded Ravan without speaking. In the silence, Roddy sank to the ground, holding his head between his knees.

Gavriel held his breath but his old friend finally lowered the sword. ‘You’re right,’ Leo admitted and rubbed at his head. He looked ill too. ‘You wouldn’t have risked it. But we now know we have Faris and potentially Felt. Felt won’t know we’re coming so he’s the better option.’

Gavriel’s already diminishing tolerance gave up. ‘Leo, this is —’

The king raised his hand. ‘So why did you come here?’ he suddenly challenged the pair before him.

Ravan glanced down at Roddy. Again Gavriel sensed, rather than understood, the slight tension between the pair. The man was, he was sure, deferring to the child. ‘In a way, your majesty, it does involve the question of an aegis.’

‘What?’ Gavriel and Leo said together, both astonished.

Ravan took a moment to gather his thoughts. ‘Actually, it’s Roddy who should tell this.’ He glanced again at the child and nodded. ‘He was there from the beginning. But he doesn’t look to be in any shape to talk right now.’

‘What’s wrong with him?’ Leo demanded.

‘He’s been through a great deal. I suppose he’s tired, relieved, frightened. Perhaps I should tell you what I know.’

‘Go ahead,’ Leo suggested.

Ravan nodded. ‘After Clovis and Roddy were saved from the fire, returned from death, both Roddy and I witnessed a man being bonded. That’s one of the reasons that Clovis is dead.’

Leo sat down again. Gavriel remained standing but stepped a little closer, not sure where Ravan was going.

‘The man who was bonded is called Greven,’ Ravan continued.

‘Wait! Was this man a leper?’ Leo interrupted.