'Raven, let's step it up!' ordered The Unknown. 'Denser, Spell-Shield; Hirad, come take your charge back. Thraun, you're with me. Erienne, stand down, we'll take what comes through here.'

The room beyond was proofed against sound from without. It was to protect both those inside and those in the cells awaiting their fate. Not that a condemned of Darrick's calibre would cry out for mercy. But even he would wish to enjoy his last moments in peace. The Raven, though, had no intention of letting these moments be his last.

The Unknown drew his sword.

'Everyone inside signed up to Darrick's sentence. Kill if you have to.'

'Unknown, the Code.' Hirad had his sword drawn but he was uneasy.

The Code: to kill but never murder. It had guided The Raven for more than fifteen years. Raised them above mere mercenaries. Earned them a respect they had never abused. Made them legend.

'They would murder an innocent man,' said The Unknown. 'A Raven man. They forfeit their right to life within the Code. But remember. Only if you have to. The Gods know we need everyone we can get for the fight against Xetesk.'

'I don't understand,' said Heryst.

'No,' said Hirad. 'You don't.' He turned and faced the door. 'Raven. Time to take our man back.'

It wasn't a cell door. Thraun and The Unknown shouldered it simultaneously, the timbers cracking under the sudden, brutal force. Denser followed them as they tumbled in, scattering wood and heavy drapes, his SpellShield covering them. Behind them came Hirad and Heryst, the Lord Elder Mage bowed and humiliated.

Thraun rolled to a crouch and sprang at two soldiers standing opposite the door. Neither had a weapon drawn. The Unknown moved smoothly to his feet. To his left, two mages from the law council sat behind a table. Darrick sat in a plain, hard-backed chair to the right, writing in a book. He was flanked by guards who dragged swords from scabbards and paced towards The Unknown. Across the room, Thraun clattered his fist into the face of one soldier, stood and threw the other man at die advancing guards, a growl escaping his lips.

The Unknown put his sword's point to the neck of a still seated law council mage.

'Enough,' he said into Thraun's echoes.

The standing guards lowered their swords, taking in The Raven, Heryst and dieir senseless comrades.

Darrick completed his thought, scanning the words he had just written before looking up, a rare smile edging over his features. He closed his book.

‘Iwas wondering when you'd get here,' he said, standing up and straightening his shirt.

'Not even you can be that cool,' said Hirad.

Darrick grinned. 'Well, I must admit, I feel you cut it a little fine.'

'And we're not out yet,' said The Unknown. He took in the room, its dark candles on tall iron stands, die dark drapes hanging from every wall, the chill in the air. Every bit an execution chamber. His gaze came back to rest on the law mages. 'Let's get these men into cells. Weapons stay here.' He pushed the point of his blade a little harder. 'My Lord Simmac, if you'd be so kind.'

'You will all die for this,' he sputtered.

The Unknown sighed. ‘Idoubt that, Simmac. What we will do is rejoin the fight against Xetesk. We've already lost two days. Time you saw the bigger picture, little man.'

Thraun picked up unconscious soldiers by their jerkin collars, one in either powerful fist and dragged them from the execution chamber. He moved at a loping run, the men's boots rattling across the stone flags. Denser encouraged the two remaining guards down the corridor with a meaningful wave of his sword, and The Unknown ushered die law mages along right behind him.

The Raven worked fast, splitting die soldiers and mages between cells, Darrick helping Thraun clear the corridor of men, both still and stirring, With a set of keys taken from a guard, the cells were locked down one after anotiier but before locking die final cell door on Simmac, The Unknown paused.

‘Iknow you can break this door down in a heartbeat. That's why Heryst is coming witii us. Any noise from down here and he dies. You do understand me, don't you?'

The Raven set off at a run› taking the stairs at speed and reaching ground level to find the pair of guards still down under Denser and Erienne's spells. From the main door, there came the sounds of furious activity and heavy impacts. But the door was still holding.

'They're getting close,' said Denser.

The Unknown saw the slight shake of Heryst's head as he turned to face them.

'So, mighty Raven,' he said. 'I've been waiting for this. Escape through that angry mob of loyal Lysternans is going to be a challenge.'

'Yes,' agreed Denser.

‘Ican't wait to find out how you plan to get away. I can hardly be a shield for all of you.' He smiled, enjoying himself a little.

'Oh, Heryst,' said Denser. 'You've been out of the game too long.'

‘Ibeg your pardon?'

Denser indicated the wall opposite the main barracks door. 'The stables are this way and we have no intention of using the door.'

'I-'

'Watch and learn,' said Darrick, voice cold. 'Like I did.'

'Stand away,' said Denser.

'No,' said Erienne. 'Let me do it.'

'Can you?' he asked.

She nodded. 'I'd better, I think. Quieter my way.'

Heryst's eyes had narrowed in confused suspicion once more. The Unknown ignored him.

'Don't take on too much.'

But Erienne was already lost inside her mind, standing absolutely still, facing the wall, her arms by her sides. The Unknown watched her in profile, mesmerised by the movement of her lips, the narrowing of her eye and the rapid movement of its pupil. A wind blew through the guard room, ruffling papers and blowing through clothing. Heat, like the summer sun bursting through cloud, surrounded them. Smoke poured from the wall, which cracked and moved. A glowing red line, rough but shaped like a doorway, etched and burned in the stones. Beneath the red line, stone became dust, dropping to the floor with a sound like spilled grain, leaving an opening into the night.

The Unknown gasped, feeling the power surging through the elements around him. He glanced at Heryst. The Lord Elder Mage's face was taut, his eyes wide. Erienne swayed and fell into Denser's arms.

He looked down at his wife then back at the opening she had created.

'Bloody hell,' he breathed.

'Not seen that sort of thing for a while,. then?' asked Hirad.

'Hirad,' said Denser. 'No one has seen or done that sort of thing on Balaia for hundreds of years.'

Hirad shivered and glanced at Thraun and Darrick who moved carefully over to the smoking opening which overlooked the stables and paddocks beyond. Outside, the way was clear and quiet but the sounds of the crowd filtered round the sides of the building.

'We should go,' said Darrick. 'Quickly.'

'Come on, Heryst,' said Hirad. 'We need you to order the gates opened.'

Heryst made no move. 'We never close our gates,' he said vaguely.

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts, his gaze tearing from Erienne to The Unknown.

'She possesses it,' he said. 'Everyone will want her and what she carries.'

'Not if they don't know,' said The Unknown.

Heryst gestured behind him. The sounds of spells impacting the door to counter Denser's WardLock had ceased.

‘Ifelt it. So did Denser and every mage in this college. The Gods only know how far the ripples will spread through the spectrum. We all know what it means. It was no college-based casting because there was so much more involved than mere mana. The Nightchild told us that much.'

'But her identity need not be known,' said The Unknown.

'The connection will be made.' Heryst shrugged. 'She will be safer here. You all will.'

'Except Darrick,' said Erienne weakly.

She was still clinging on to Denser. Her face was white and drawn and she was shivering.