Raven Flight Read Online Free PDF Page A

over the pass north of the Race. Gova fell; we could not reach her. Arden perished from cold.”
    A silence, then; heads were bowed all around the firelit chamber.
    “What news could be so urgent that it demanded the sacrifice of two of our finest?” Tali’s voice was tight with what might have been grief or fury. “What news could not wait until the passes were safe to cross?”
    “Tali,” said Regan in an undertone. It was a warning; Tali fell silent, though her anger was a presence in the room.
    “The news is this.” Cian looked straight at his leader. “Lannan Long-Arm will support the rebel cause. He has promised to bring a substantial force to Summerfort and to stand up beside us when we challenge Keldec.” Then, as the rest of us were about to break out into a chorus of amazed congratulations, he added, “There’s a condition. Lannan believes that if our preparations draw out too long, the king will inevitably get word of what we plan. Shouldthat happen, our cause is lost before we can put the final pieces in play. Our whole strategy depends on keeping the plan from Keldec’s knowledge.”
    Regan was frowning. “I understand Lannan’s concerns. We’re working toward putting this in place as soon as we can. Did you offer him the incentives I suggested?”
    “That was discussed, yes. Should we succeed in removing Keldec, Lannan wants a position as regent, or coregent, until the heir comes of age. If as coregent, he wants the power to approve whoever shares the position. He suggested a couple of names.”
    “He knows, I assume, that Keldec is likely to bring magic into play in any confrontation with us?”
    Cian nodded. “He does; and suggested, almost as a jest, that we attempt to harness the support of the Good Folk in order to counter that. At the very least, he said, if our own folk possess canny gifts, we should make use of those. But …” He looked at me.
    “But Lannan does not know—cannot know—that we now have a Caller,” said Fingal. “A Caller gives us an immense advantage.”
    I cleared my throat, not sure if I should speak. These people had just learned of the deaths of two of their own; it seemed no time for a strategic discussion. “But not yet,” I said to Cian. “I have only recently discovered the nature of my canny gift. I need time to learn its wise use. Two years, maybe three—I won’t know how long until I find the people who can teach me. They are all in different parts of Alban.”
    Cian said nothing.
    “Out with it.” Regan fixed his gaze on the traveler. “Lannan has set a limit on how long we can rely on his help, yes? Tell us.”
    “He knows we plan to confront the king at one of the midsummer Gatherings, when the clans are all together in the one place. His ultimatum is this: if we cannot do it by the summer after next, he’ll withdraw his support for the rebellion, and instead step away from both Keldec’s authority and any alliance with the other chieftains of Alban.”
    Horror filled me. The summer after next? How could I possibly be ready in time? There were gasps and murmurs all around the chamber; Brasal uttered an oath.
    “You’re saying that if we can’t do this in a year and a half, the north will secede from the kingdom?” Tali’s voice was hushed with shock.
    “That’s bold,” said Big Don. “Some might say foolishly so.”
    “Lannan has kin in the northern isles,” Milla said. “And his territories are guarded by the mountains; even Keldec’s Enforcers would have trouble sustaining an armed conflict in those parts. Provided his northern kin could supply him, Lannan and his folk could survive without Keldec’s support.”
    “Support!” put in Big Don with a grim smile. “Not the word I’d have used.”
    Nobody else was smiling.
    “The Gathering after next.” Regan spoke calmly, but his face told another story. “I would say that was impossible. But here at Shadowfell we don’t use that word. Neryn, you understand how much