Even Thraun stopped his circling to stare.

Ren'erei had ducked back behind a raised wooden jetty as riders had thundered past. She had watched, shivering violently, as a short exchange with Selik led to a deployment of the cavalry in what for all the world looked like a defensive formation. The riders weren't Black Wings, they were a College force of some sort. It scarcely mattered, merely adding to her confusion. She pulled herself up and ran hunched along the dockside until she was out of sight behind the fish market.

Moving silently along the wall, she made to jump some sacks of rubbish before seeing the white of flesh. She stopped and stooped. The man was dead, face down in the stinking sludge that filled the guttering designed to take fish offal back into the harbour. It was not a place to lie, dead or alive.

Ren'erei couldn't leave the man there and rolled him over to get a grip under his arms.

'Oh no,' she breathed. It was Donetsk. Grimly, she hefted the heavy body and dragged it slowly from the filth, Donetsk's steel-capped boots scraping over the cobbles, and pulled him on to the shingle slope that led back into the fishers' harbour. Better he be found somewhere clean, come the morning.

Tidying the man's coat, Ren'erei noted the single knife wound in his chest, the lack of any wounds on his face, neck or hands and reflected that he'd not been ready for the attack. There'd been no fight at all. Ren'erei placed two fingers over the wound and uttered a short prayer for peace in the next life. All small gestures, she knew, but the man deserved something as his body chilled and stiffened.

More horses were coming. The noise grew quickly from the east and Ren'erei flattened herself by Donetsk's body to watch. The sound of hooves, clashing metal and men's voices echoed around

the buildings and in the wan light thrown by torches, dark shadows grew as they neared. She recognised the insignia of the Dordovan College as the cavalry galloped by and heard them come to a stop by the Ocean Elm, though whether it was to converse with or confront the others she didn't know. She couldn't afford to wait and find out.

The cold wind would have mostly dried her by now but the rain fell instead. She looked up into the heavy sky, its clouds washing past in violent ill-humour, occasional flashes deep within its banks hinting at worse to come, and prayed for Lyanna's Awakening.

She was at a loss. She picked herself up and ran around the back of the fish market, heading for Centenary Square. There were lights on in almost every house, people woken by the hundreds of horsemen who had descended on the docks. In the Square, others would still be drinking in die late-night taverns. If The Raven were in the town, that would be the place she'd find out.

The Unknown Warrior stepped in front of Darrick's horse as the General broke into a trot towards their position. Hirad was kneeling by Thraun, an arm over the big wolfs neck, half in restraint, half in comfort. The pack was clearly nervous and aggressive because of it. They'd let him lead them but now he'd stopped and they weren't satisfied. Whatever it was they were after, Hirad hadn't led them to it. Not yet.

In front of The Raven, Darrick reined in and immediately dismounted, his horse bucking and twisting. He let go the reins and it bolted away, galloping up a side street and into the dark.

'Gods, I'm glad to see you,' he said.

T wish we could say the same,' said The Unknown. T don't like being locked up.'

'Clearly.' Darrick's smile was grim. 'Look, we can't talk here. They'll be watching,' he said, indicating behind him.

'So?' demanded The Unknown.

'So I've just resigned my commission. Deserted, I think the term is.'

'I beg your pardon?' Hirad spoke and Darrick looked over, seeing him for the first time.

'Gods falling, what the hell is all that?'

'That's Hirad and the wolves you so confidently said killed him,' said Ilkar.

'Useful as jail-breakers, as it turns out,' said Hirad.

'I see.' Hirad watched Darrick get hold of himself. 'Let's get out of sight. I think I can help.'

'You'd better,' said Denser.

The Raven moved. Hirad rose and Thraun followed him with his gaze.

'I can't explain,' said Hirad. 'We're doing everything we can. I just don't know what you want. We're trying to get to Erienne.'

At the mention of the name, Thraun growled. The pack followed The Raven under the eaves of the timber yard, a chorus of voices rising behind them.

'So talk,' said Denser.

T should have listened to you,' said Darrick. 'I'm sorry.'

'Never mind that just now,' said The Unknown. 'We've got big problems and you're not making sense.'

T know. Look, don't question this, just accept it. The Dordovans have made a pact with the Black Wings. I can't do the same so I've left, deserted. My men have to make their own decisions and I think a good proportion, while loyal to me, won't worry about the Black Wing alliance. They want to save their families and their homes like we all do, and this alliance represents the quickest and most obvious way to the child.'

'They have no idea!' exploded Denser. 'These bastards will rip her beating heart out.'

'I know,' said Darrick. 'Gods, I know that now. But we can't try and take Erienne here. They'll kill her and hope to get to Lyanna another way, I'm sure of it. Look, I don't know much of what Dordover is planning but I do know they've chartered that vessel as support.' He pointed the opposite way to the far end berth, where a large ocean going ship lay tied up, lights and movement on its deck. 'It'll be provisioned and ready to sail, I'm sure. After all, the Dordovans have been here two weeks at least.'

'So we take that ship and follow the Elm?' said Hirad.

'I can't see another option,' said Darrick. 'Not immediately. At least this way, we can see how things unfold.'

The Unknown was nodding. T concur. Right, we need a plan fast. I don't think the Dordovans will wait until morning.'

'Well, you're the expert, Unknown,' said Denser.

'And you're still extremely funny,' returned Hirad.

'It's just that I don't see what the point of following them is,' said Denser.

'It's not a question of preference,' said The Unknown. 'We just don't have the opportunity in Arlen. The island, or even being out at sea, will provide that as long as we're ready to go immediately.'

Denser shook his head and was about to speak but the bloom of a spell rose over the harbour yard, its detonation clattering around the docks an instant later. The roar of men and the stamp of hooves followed as cavalry was turned in a hurry. Orders were yelled into the cacophony and the thunder of approaching battle filled the air.

The Unknown looked at Hirad and nodded.

The Protectors had arrived in Arlen.

Ren'erei arrived in Centenary Square to find it alive with Aden's guards. The Earl himself sat astride a large dark brown stallion and he was addressing a growing mob.

'… a peaceful town and sometimes, perversely, we have to fight to keep it that way. Our docks are invaded. All there that we do not recognise are unwelcome and must be expelled. My guard are with me and any of you who feel able are welcome to add to those numbers.'

Ren'erei shook her head. Preaching to the drunk. It was an easy sell if violence was promised and the roar that greeted his words was testament to it. The elf saw some men hurrying towards the docks in ones and twos, doubtless sailors anxious to reach the relative safety of their ships.

She scanned the crowd for The Raven but the blur of faces confused her eyes. The Earl was shouting other orders and his guards were forming up, the mob at their heels, anxious for action. Another shake of the head. Two dozen drunk men and not many more guards against trained mounted cavalry. She only hoped Arlen could talk his way out of a fight when it came to it.