The Dawn of the Raven Omnibus 1: Episodes 1-5 Read Online Free PDF

hatred or outrage like the night before, and not like someone who
anticipated a rescue or who was closing in on the consummation of a carefully
laid out plan.  He scanned carefully over her beautiful features.  No, if this
was indeed a trap, she was not giving it away at all.  As he realized that,
indeed, the look in her eyes was fear, he found his stomach becoming
unsettled.  But, of course, regardless of what lay ahead, fear for her was warranted. 
After all, he thought to himself, if there are Gekken it makes sense for her to
be afraid, since she is unarmed and in the cage, and given her woeful
underestimation of his mighty soldiers.  If it were a trap that lay ahead, on
the other hand, maybe she was beginning to sense that the Typhorians might be
overmatched by his men, and that her plan might fail.  And, if they were to
find nothing, and Gekken had been present but had moved on, she might be
fearful that they would execute her because they would call her a liar . . .
    “If there
were Gekken, my lady, even if they have left, I assure you, I really do have
the greatest trackers in the realm.  We will know.”
    Raveena gave him a scornful look, as if the captain’s guess
at what might be worrying her was so far off as to be insulting.
    “You’re
worried I’m afraid you’ll think I’m a liar?”
    The captain paused to choose his words carefully.
    “A liar? 
No.  Well, I have no idea.  I want to believe you Raveena.  I’m just letting
you know, regardless of what awaits us in that clearing, we are quite competent
and will deal with it accordingly.  If it is the Gekken, as you say, we will
defeat them and the threat will be alleviated.  If it is a trap set by your
people, it will fail, and you will return back to the palace with us after we
are victorious and be given a proper execution as decreed by the king.  If
there are no Gekken and no trap, then my men will be able to ascertain the
whereabouts of the Gekken, or whomever it was that you saw, and will get to the
bottom of this.  Regardless, this matter and your fate will all be determined
this day.”  The captain then caught himself.  He reminded himself that there
was still a chance that Raveena was noble.  That she might be telling the
truth, and that, being the revered warrior that she was, if that were the case
she was due better treatment than she had received.  He changed his tone.  “My
lady, if I may say so: I don’t know what awaits us.  I don’t know whether you
really came in peace as you say, or if this is just a sinister trick.  If it
is, I can hardly blame you, considering the war between our kingdoms, and I
admire your courage.  If, on the other hand, your intentions have truly been
honorable, I apologize for the treatment you have received, though I think if
you look at it from our perspective you will see that it is truly necessary. 
My personal wish is that you will be proven true.  It may be the first step
towards peace between our kingdoms, and if so, you are truly to be commended.”
    The beautiful warrior maiden leaned on the bars, and finally
made true eye contact with the captain.
    “Give me a
blade.  Let me out.  When they come, you will need me.”
    The captain quickly regretted his turn of compassion.  So
quickly she had taken it as a sign of weakness, and believed him a fool.
    “Ha.  My
good lady, the only way you will be armed again is if my king chooses so.  It
will not happen on my watch.  I have my orders.  I will conclude what business
awaits us in the clearing and then, regardless of what manner it turns out to
be, we will return to the palace, inform the king of what has transpired, and
he will determine whether or not your sword is to be returned to you, and if
you are to be unshackled and released.”
    “Then I will
die just like the rest of you” said the beauty.
    Captain Vol stared her in the eyes.  They still revealed
nothing, nothing but fear.  She is good, this one, he thought to