Periodically, one of Auum’s Tai cell would appear to direct them or run with them. Their faces would betray nothing but Hirad could guess what they were thinking just the same. He smiled to himself. It was true, The Raven weren’t used to running any distance. But they had other strengths and he was determined to make them very apparent.

Now, they were facing the first major risk to the enterprise. Underneath the blanket of heavy cloud, which had just disgorged one heavy shower out of an almost constant mist of fine rain, they sat looking out at the four-hundred-yard wide stretch of open ground that ringed the walls of the Dark College. They had travelled slowly and quietly into the edge of the rough scrub and now all that kept them from a mage with augmented sight was patchy thigh-high grass and the night itself.

A ClawBound panther padded into their circle and nuzzled Thraun before eyeing the rest of The Raven with something verging on contempt and moving to its partner, who squatted next to Rebraal and Auum. Animal and elf gazed deep into each other’s eyes, their silent communication flowing between them. Hirad watched them intently, seeing nothing but the occasional flicker of their eyes. The ClawBound elf, the white half of his painted face unnaturally bright, turned his head to Rebraal and Auum only when he was ready.

Both warriors asked him questions, their elvish rapid and incomprehensible. Mostly, the ClawBound would reply with a nod, shake of the head or a hand gesture. Very occasionally, he would utter a single word, voice rough and unused to speech. And finally, he stood abruptly and led his panther away.

‘So what’s the verdict?’ asked Hirad.

‘There are more guards patrolling the walls than on previous nights,’ said Rebraal. ‘We will not get in without confronting some.’

‘That’s not good,’ said The Unknown. ‘We can’t afford our cover blown until we’re inside the college.’

‘We don’t see a choice,’ said Rebraal. ‘The TaiGethen will handle it. At least then we can ensure silence.’

Auum began to speak, lost his words and asked Rebraal a question which the leader of the Al-Arynaar translated.

‘Denser, your entry point to the college. Does it involve travel near the walls?’

‘It does not,’ said Denser. ‘I’ll show you the best route when we get inside, just like I said. If we die getting in, at least you know where you’re headed. Just as we agreed.’

Rebraal held up his hands. ‘Auum just wanted to know. In that case, our entry into the city being discovered at some point before we reach the college may work in our favour.’

‘You’ve lost me there,’ said Erienne.

‘No, he’s right,’ said Darrick. ‘If they know we’re inside the city but not yet in the college, they’re bound to increase patrols on the streets and strengthen guards around the college walls. Only we aren’t going in the front door and all those men will be outside.’

‘To begin with, at least,’ added Denser.

‘Any advantage we can gain is good enough for me,’ said Hirad. ‘So what’s the plan?’

‘You wait here with me until the TaiGethen have cleared passage to the base of the walls,’ said Rebraal. ‘There’ll be a diversion as well and we’ll make a run. If you get seen and challenged it’s down to you.’

‘And what about you, Rebraal?’ asked Hirad.

The elf shrugged. ‘I’m Ilkar’s brother. I owe it to him to help you get there unharmed.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Believe me, I’d rather not have to. You are putting yourselves in great danger and risking our mission.’

Hirad bridled but The Unknown spoke up quickly.

‘We understand your feelings but we have to do this as much as you do. Those we love are at risk.’

Rebraal nodded. Next to him, Evunn and Duele had come to Auum’s sides. The cell bowed their heads in prayer, acknowledged Rebraal with the briefest of hand contact and ran away into the dark towards the walls of Xetesk.

Hirad sighed. There wasn’t even going to be anything to see. Right now, all he could do was wait.

Auum led his Tai into the thick stalks of the plains grass and dropped immediately to his haunches. Evunn was five yards to his right, Duele the same distance left. The rest of the Tai cells were spread in a loose arc with Auum as the centre point. All had the same brief. Reach the walls unseen, unheard. Once there they were temporarily safe; the outward slope of the walls ensured that. It had made climbing a little more tricky but nothing a TaiGethen elf couldn’t deal with. About certain members of the Al-Arynaar and the Raven, Auum wasn’t quite so sure.

While he wouldn’t normally give chance any credence, Auum confessed to himself that they had been lucky thus far. Tonight was as perfect a night for the raid as they could have wished. Above, the cloud was deep, lowering and unbroken. The rain that fell light but steady added to the gloom and a breeze ruffled the grass around him, further masking his progress from watchful eyes on the walls.

He became still and listened to the sounds around him as he knew his Tai would be doing. He tuned into the low ambient noise that surrounded him; the rustle of the wind through the grass, the movement of animals within it, the buzz of night’s insects. He concentrated on the movement of the grass itself, the waves that spread across it, their frequency and scale.

And then he began to move himself, matching his low crouched steps with the grass, and stopping as it stilled. All the time, his eyes never left the walls as they grew closer, rearing into the sky, bleak and tall. He could see the light from torches and lanterns hung on their parapets or carried by guards. Away to the left, one of the dozens of small guard towers that studded the circumference was lit up by braziers within, luminescence spreading out from the narrow arched windows and the open door, picking out the mist of rain.

The ClawBound had been very accurate in their summation of the extra presence on the walls. He could see lights moving at intervals more regularly than at any other time. There was no doubt that there would have to be an entire stretch cleared to allow them all enough time to lower themselves to the other side and get to the relative safety of the muster point which was an empty house crushed between a bakery and a small disused stable block.

Closing on the base of the walls, Auum slowed still further. His pin-sharp eyes could make out the features on the faces of the guards walking seventy feet above. He could hear snatches of conversation above the susurration of the grass all around his head. And he could smell the stone and the city beyond. It was a mix of age and smoke, cold and fire, life and death. Ahead of him, shapes moved against the dark grey stone. ClawBound. The panthers padded noiselessly up and down the base of the wall, their partners shifted minutely, noses sampling the air, eyes sweeping the grass, watching the TaiGethen approach.

Soon, Auum was standing with them. They had briefly acknowledged his presence. Two of three pairs had set off along the walls, one left, one right. The third remained, the panther now sitting, licking its paws, growling quietly in its throat. Evunn and Duele emerged from the grass.

‘Climb,’ said Auum. ‘You know where the fastenings are.’

Duele moved immediately to the base of the wall. He took the coil of rope from his shoulder and tied one end to his belt. Pausing only to check his route, he began to climb.

Auum watched him go, seeing his sure movements make nonsense of the seemingly smooth surface of the wall. Age had forced small cracks in the stone cladding. Most were covered by moss but Duele’s fingers found them all, digging in and holding firm. His feet did likewise, fine leather boots edging their way into tiny crevices. One toe was enough to give him purchase enough to push further up.