The Raven Collection Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Raven Collection novel. A total of 373 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : James Barclay.The Raven Collection.'Barclay writes with power, pace and a wonderful
James Barclay.The Raven Collection.'Barclay writes with power, pace and a wonderful sense of humour. Better than that, he creates novels you want to read again and again' David Gemmell.'A greathearted book written on a grand scale. An enthr
- 169 And so Rebraal had found him broken but alive.'Meru, talk to me.''Hurts, Rebraal. It hurts.''Of course it hurts. You've come down eighty feet.'Rebraal looked at him, not quite believing what he saw. Mercuun was moving an
- 168 'Mummy!''It's all right, Atyo,' said Avesh, head down and running again, breath heaving painfully into his lungs. 'We'll find her. We'll see her soon.'Right in front of him, a man tripped and fell. Reacting fas
- 167 'To someone who would deny magic to an entire population because of a single rogue, no. It is you who are blind, Selik, you and the monkeys who follow you so slavishly.''Some fight still left, at least,' said Selik to the chuckles of h
- 166 'How long?' Rebraal knew what Mercuun said was true, and knew the rituals must be observed. He felt a chill enter his body and a vision played across his mind of the desecration that could be visited on Aryndeneth in a few short days.'Eight
- 165 Selik swept the hood back, glad for the play of air across his head. He sat down opposite Erskan, who didn't flinch as he took in Selik's smeared left cheek, dead white eye and slack left jaw. He was a middle-aged man grown very old in just two
- 174 Hirad nodded. 'Must be.''Can we? Please?' Ilkar's raised voice caused Kayloor to s.h.i.+ft in his slumber, but he didn't wake and it served as a timely reminder.'Another long day tomorrow,' said The Unknown.'Ye
- 173 'That is not possible,' said Aeb. 'I am the only Protector here. I will attend to myself alone.''Understood. The other thing, Erienne and Denser, is please look after your mana stamina reserves. No matter how hard we try, someone
- 172 Yron blew out his cheeks and swatted at a fly that buzzed around his head. How long before the enemy got here? Should he call up the reserve from the s.h.i.+ps to cover his retreat? How long could he give Erys and Stenys to research? Should he cut his los
- 171 'I'll see what I can do, Captain.' Devun cracked his knuckles for effect.'You're a good man, Devun,' said Selik. 'I'm glad you're with me. The sacrifices are many on the path to righteousness. Get to it.'D
- 164 'We will, of course, respect your wishes,' said Cleress. 'But remember we are dying. And even though you may hate us, you need us. Because the One will awake and only we can shepherd you through the ordeal you must face.''If I cho
- 163 'No we don't. But we're there nonetheless.''And you will go whether I do or not?''Oh, love, it's not a choice I want to make. But we've our lives together for ever and I want us to have a country to live in tha
- 162 The wards hadn't worked as Rebraal had planned. Not enough men had been on the ap.r.o.n, and though the effects had been devastating and perhaps forty were dead, the elves still faced enormous odds.The first FlameWall died away and, heedless of furth
- 161 'Lystern?' he said as if fearing the answer.'Peace brokers with no peace to broker,' said The Unknown. 'They're out of it for now but . . .' He shrugged. They all understood. He turned his attention to Ilkar. The elf had
- 160 The confusion within her made her mind pound all the more.She turned her head to look at Denser. His beard was trimmed, his black hair neat and short, his cheekbones and jaw angled and so attractive. He was looking down at the bed, tears rolling down his
- 159 One of the mages held out his hands towards Hirad. Casting, surely. Caught unable to run and hopelessly outnumbered, Hirad did the only thing he could. He attacked. Yelling to clear his mind, he flew at the mage, fists bunched, braided hair streaming out
- 158 Sytkan waved a hand at the ruins of Arlen. 'Things change,' he said. 'The Dordovans wanted something we were not prepared to give.''Which was?''Their mages in the research party.''And this is the result?'
- 157 'Not far now.'More stragglers came by them as they rode quickly down the street, the park behind them. Ahead, the low warehousing and packed tenements of the Salt Quarter, once heavy with cargo and seafarers, now blazing in countless places and
- 156 But The Unknown stepped in between them, facing his friend.'No, Hirad,' he said. 'The fight is over. It would be murder.'Hirad looked at him, his blood boiling for him to strike the Black Wing down, but The Unknown held his gaze and sp
- 155 He drew his blade, checked its edge and watched. Vuldaroq was talking to one of his mages, who turned and pointed down towards the beach. A birdcall sounded from the left, bow strings thrummed and two of the mages fell, arrows taking both in the eye.Darri
- 154 Was it, h.e.l.l.Ilkar didn't know what possessed him. It was something he'd never even dreamt of attempting before but his subconscious instructed his body without bothering to check with the rational part of his mind. He drew his sword, his onl
- 153 To his right, a spell exploded against the second wing's doors, shattering them, the Protectors who had been standing aside, now turned into the action, blades chopping down and the sounds of dying men echoing into the corridor.There was a thud in fr
- 152 'Yes, I suppose so,' said Erienne.He nodded, his lower lip trembling. 'Just remember how much I love you,' he said, his voice barely above a whisper.'And I'll love you, wherever I am,' she replied.Lyanna squirmed. '
- 151 'No, but-''Then shut up. Because we have to agree on positions, then we have to get a few hours rotating rest and then we have to fight all day. If we aren't cohesive, we'll be slaughtered very quickly and I have no intention of w
- 150 'So I understand,' said Ilkar. 'I'm sorry to rush you but I need to apprise you of our current situation and I also have to understand the condition of you and your sisters.'Ephemere raised a brittle smile. 'I suspect neither
- 149 Ilkar looked into the dining room and could see what had driven them to come here. It was dry. Probably the only room in the house that was. There was a fireplace opposite which still put out residual heat and the windows had been battened shut, shutters
- 148 Denser's heart raced, his mind a fog of excitement and sorrow. Their speed was a joy, rus.h.i.+ng them towards Lyanna, the daughter he hadn't seen in too long but who would cost him the life of Erienne. He looked at her. She sat on his right, on
- 147 'Still, there's little we can do about that now,' said Hirad. 'Tell me, Unknown, what do you think are the biggest problems after what we've been hearing from Ren and Erienne?'The Unknown blew out his cheeks. 'Well, they
- 146 Pa.s.sing the lead vessel, they gained height and banked, turning to attack.Break their formation. Take the masts if you can. Spells will come, pulsed Sha-Kaan.They dived, roaring into the rain-sodden air, each targeting a s.h.i.+p, seeing the fleet begin
- 145 'No it isn't,' she whispered, and there were tears standing in her eyes. 'It's started again.''No, love,' he said, but he already knew it was true.The temperature was falling, the s.h.i.+p was s.h.i.+fting against i
- 144 'Get the others here!' shouted Myriell.She moved into the room, sat on the edge of the bed and clutched the little girl to her, attuning her mind and eyes to the mana spectrum and seeing the horror laid out for her there.Surrounding Aviana was a
- 143 Erienne turned the corner, Hirad right behind. As he slid to turn, a crossbow bolt tore into the flesh of his calf, the impact throwing him from his feet and he fell, hammering into the rail which cracked under the impact. He heard a cheer behind him and
- 142 'Go away, Selik, and let me do my job or you'll be drinking sea water.''I will have you, elf,' said Selik as he turned and gestured his men away. 'Yours is a life borrowing heavily from the death.'The skipper said nothin
- 141 'But it wasn't always the way, was it Captain?' Selik pushed the point of his blade a little closer, the skipper aware that a sudden roll could end his life.'Maintaining exact direction is impossible in these conditions,' he said.
- 140 'And you think I took the wrong way.''Strangely, yes.' Ilkar sighed. 'Still, it's not like you've become different overnight, is it?'Hirad smiled, knowing the gentle chiding was over. 'No. Sorry, Ilks, it'
- 139 'Well, we can r.e.t.a.r.d the healing a little, I suppose, but the spells are already doing their work,' said Ilkar. 'Three days perhaps?' He glanced at Denser, who shrugged and nodded.'Then we'd better get her off that s.h.i
- 138 The ancient elf took one more draw on the pipe and set it down on its stand, where it would be refilled and lit for Myriell in a few moments. She opened her eyes, not having remembered exactly when she closed them and saw two Guild elves standing to her l
- 137 'We have failed him.'Hirad nodded, a sweep of guilt was.h.i.+ng through him. 'We all have.'Yet again Hirad scanned the dockside, its cranes smashed, its warehouses gutted and its walkways and paths swathed in death. It was not a place
- 136 'Ilkar! Now's a good time for something.'The mage didn't respond immediately, then.'s.h.i.+eld down. Crouch, Raven.'The Unknown complied and Ilkar's spell thudded over his head, a ForceCone which smashed into the remnant
- 135 Thraun knew where she was and he called the pack to him, though he knew they were scared enough to flee. They ran through the prey, howling and nipping as they went, sending the scared animals jumping and turning against the wishes of their masters. The p
- 134 Ren'erei had ducked back behind a raised wooden jetty as riders had thundered past. She had watched, s.h.i.+vering violently, as a short exchange with Selik led to a deployment of the cavalry in what for all the world looked like a defensive formatio
- 133 'You can surround them?''Yes, my mage.' Aeb betrayed no reaction though the tactic was clearly the most obvious to employ. It would make the battle swift. They outnumbered the enemy by almost three to two.'But can we justify the a
- 132 'Glad you stopped by,' he said.Hirad nodded. 'All right. Drop your weapons. We need them.' He didn't let up pressure on the mage's neck.There was hesitation. The Unknown hissed in breath and stepped smartly across, hooking a
- 131 'Don't presume to threaten me, elf. You are beaten.' Selik didn't stop moving.'It's not a threat. Without us, you can't navigate your way and you know it. And if Erienne is harmed, we will die before taking you a league
- 130 'I won't be able to see what's beneath me,' she said, sure that Ren wouldn't understand her fear, would think it stupid. 'Please don't make me do this.'The elf fell silent and Erienne could see her thinking hard. A
- 129 Darrick fought to keep his temper. 'My Lord, there is a s.h.i.+p in your harbour. An elven vessel recently arrived.'Arlen nodded. 'The Ocean Elm. Beautiful, isn't she?''You must give me permission to board her immediately.�
- 128 'Very. They don't like my kind.'The man acknowledged the admission. 'Your business,' he said.'Thank you.'He nodded. 'I'll look for you.' He pointed to his eyes with splayed fingers. 'Go carefully.
- 127 'Erienne, they are scouts because they ride horses with both short-sprint speed and long-ride stamina. They wear little armour and carry light weapons. But mostly, they're elves and they know we've seen them.''They're looking
- 126 He took a pace forwards, ignoring his blade, knowing that open aggression could be fatal.'So what is it?' he demanded of them. 'Do something. We're not going anywhere.' His gesture included his horse, who suddenly p.i.s.sed on the
- 125 The docks were under water, as were all of the low-lying areas in the estuary basin. Further up into the centre of Korina, conditions were better but the waters were still rising. The Unknown's house had been in the estuary basin. The contact had no
- 124 'Three. The Guild could manage to put back to sea having rumbled the Dordovan presence. We need to think how to get out to sea and meet them - a.s.suming Denser still can't get in touch with Erienne.'Four. Earl Arlen. He isn't going to
- 123 ' "Just?" In case it's escaped your attention, Denser, those two issues saved Balaia. One knowingly exiling themselves in the process, the other fought at great cost outside the Septern Manse. Unfortunately, it was some time ago, and p
- 122 'No,' said Aviana firmly. 'I can do it. Just pray she keeps quiet through the day too.'Cleress knew what she meant. They couldn't cope with another outburst like this without rest. Ideally, Myriell shouldn't be woken until no
- 121 What he didn't need, with the stubble itching his chin, his eyes red and smarting and still wearing his riding garb, was the mage, Tendjorn, to disagree.'These people need our help,' said Darrick. 'While you were resting, I was walking
- 120 The Unknown nodded. 'If he believes it too, then I guess I'm prepared to. But that doesn't change why I'm here, and don't you forget it. Denser, we'll find her and help her control this. Or rather, you will, if you say so. Il
- 119 Close to, Cleress could see Lyanna's eyes darting from leaf to leaf, her mouth moving, her smile alternately thinning and broadening as if the answers she thought she received to her questions pleased her. Her outstretched arms trembled with the effo
- 118 'So where does that leave Lyanna?' asked Hirad. 'Strikes me your little outline has her surplus to Balaia's requirements.''Yes, Ilkar, perhaps you'd like to put your foot down in one camp or another,' invited The Un
- 117 The man nodded. 'And losing you was not an option we were given,' he said, and as if he'd reminded his colleagues of a forgotten fact, the tension returned.Ilkar chuckled gently. 'Oh, come on. I know Vuldaroq and the Dordovan Quorum ar
- 116 'Oh I have no doubt she'll be fine. It's me I'm worrying about.' She didn't lift her head, letting the white-flecked water fill her eyes.'You'll miss her terribly.''Yes, I will. Let's just find Denser
- 115 'Has the water clogged your ears, Ilkar? I said no.' Hirad slammed his tin cup down on the stone table and stalked to the door of his hut, leaning against its frame and looking out at the dreary night.The rain hadn't stopped and by the time
- 114 'Somewhat? Look at you Ephy, Myra - all of you - taking the pipe in the afternoon, sitting like it takes all of your remaining energy to stay upright. And that illusion above our heads is a liability. Why do you even sustain it?' Erienne felt a
- 113 'So what do you want of us?' Dystran regarded Denser over steepled fingers, affecting a pose of studied contemplation. Denser almost laughed. This Lord of the Mount was a ridiculous figure who had done nothing but engender political instability
- 112 Ephemere glanced up. 'Erienne, you look fl.u.s.tered. Has something happened?'Erienne frowned. The wailing sobs in her head were gone, the screams a distant echo.'I heard-' she began and took a pace forward. 'Lyanna, are you all r
- 111 Chapter 6.Denser had no trouble gaining access to the Dordovan College library despite it being after dark, when the grounds were closed to all but College mages and staff. Indeed, on The Raven's arrival in the city the previous day, Vuldaroq had bee
- 110 'And do what, exactly?' asked Ilkar. 'And that's a serious question. 'Denser regarded him as if he were an imbecile.'Ilkar, they are my family. I have to protect them.''I think we both understand that,' said Th
- 109 Erienne wasn't sure that Lyanna had understood the last question but she nodded anyway.'Good. Good girl,' said Ephemere. 'Is there anything you want to ask us?''No.' Lyanna shook her head and yawned. 'Mummy?'&#
- 108 Lyanna examined her new surroundings for the first time, the flicker of a smile on her anxious face.'This is a nice room,' she said.'It's yours if you want it.''Where's your room?''I'll make sure it's
- 107 If I do it once again, Then the journey soon is done.If I don't move my left foot, Then the right one gets away.If I don't move my right foot, Then just here is where we'll stay.'Repeating the words over and over while they stepped and
- 106 'Good night, darling.' Erienne had turned to go and had heard Lyanna whisper something as she reached the door. She'd turned back but Lyanna wasn't speaking to her. Eyes closed, her daughter was drifting back towards what, G.o.ds willi
- 105 Tomas wiped the bar top and threw the cloth into the wash bucket. 'Well, the old man's going to take his son's advice. See you two around midday.''Good night, Tomas.'' 'Night, Father.''All right,' sai
- 104 'Steady now,' he said. 'Steady now.'He patted the horse's neck and drew his dagger. Its edge was keen and with one quick slash, he cut the carriage reins. Another and the leather binding the yoke dropped away. He kicked the horse&
- 103 The Wesmen had launched arrows, they had made dummy charges and they had taunted, denouncing the courage of the Easterners. But the four-College cavalry, with Blackthorne and Gresse at its head, had faced them down, knowing they could wheel and outdistanc
- 102 Stretched across its surface, the Kaan flew in desperate defensive patterns while flights patrolled further afield, looking to break up attacks before they threatened the rip.Without warning, Sha-Kaan veered away, angling steeply and climbing sharply, a g
- 101 'What if we're forced to break formation?' asked Erienne.'Well, I'll know through Ilkar whether it breaks spell concentration, meaning a restart, and Sha-Kaan knows to bring the formation back together as soon as he can. We have t
- 100 'So what can you do?' asked Hirad.'We can trigger a collapse,' said Ilkar.'Excellent, so no problem!' Hirad clapped his hands together but his confidence drained when he saw Erienne shake her head. 'What?''We c
- 99 The a.s.sa.s.sin nodded. 'We will prepare immediately.' He gestured his companion to follow him from the tent.Darrick turned back to find the eyes of the Barons and his surviving centile Captains wide on him. He shrugged.'What choice do we
- 98 He responded automatically, feeling the axe clash against a Wesman weapon. Placing his sword to block forward he turned his gaze on the wide-eyed enemy who couldn't hope to match his speed. He leaned in, smashed his elbow into the man's face and
- 97 'The Skies go with you, Sha-Kaan,' said Tanis-Veret, his tone enigmatic, thoughtful. 'I will respond to the call from the Naik as I must. But that is all I must do.''As you wish, Tanis-Veret.' He unfurled his wings, barked a
- 96 Aeb struck without looking, feeling his sword bite into a Destrana midriff. The thought had come as he sensed the animal, it was merely direction but it was all he needed. He pulled his axe clear to hammer it through the jaw of a third dog while his sword
- 95 Behind him a dog barked and a harsh voice silenced it. At least there was part of the answer. He dropped the message in the fire and summoned his Captains to issue battle orders.In the light of late afternoon, General Darrick sat around a hastily erected
- 94 The travellers' formation was altered from the day before. While Jatha and his people still led the way, The Raven mages had fallen back to keep talking with Styliann, leaving the Protectors to guard the rear, and Hirad, The Unknown and Thraun lookin
- 93 The floor of the cave was covered in dried leaves. Stacks of wood, metal bowls and plates and four big water b.u.t.ts stood to the left. Woven dried-gra.s.s matting was pulled from its position to the right and spread across the floor to provide comfort f
- 92 'Perhaps the dragons are painted on the ceiling, or something.''You really are hilarious, Coldheart,' snapped Denser. 'I know what I saw.''Then,' said Styliann, the quiet authority of his voice cutting through the s
- 91 The mist was just as Hirad remembered it. Like dust across the sun but this time on a day plagued by showers and a cold wind. The dreary light merely added to the sense of wrong that the ma.s.s of static mana Septern's ailing rip generated.But the we
- 90 Hirad turned to The Unknown as catapult rounds whistled overhead to smash into buildings and the deserted courtyard, warranting hardly a backward glance. The big warrior was staring impa.s.sively out over the sea of Wesmen, calculating their likely chance
- 89 Ilkar shrugged. 'To be honest, I don't see we have much choice. And I'm sure Hirad and The Unknown will see it that way. We have to close the rip first and worry about Styliann's motives later.'Denser nodded. 'In that case, a
- 88 'I just felt it needed saying,' said Denser with a shrug.'It makes no difference what people expect,' said Hirad. 'The Raven do what The Raven have to do. And what we have to do now is rest. I don't want to see any of us on t
- 87 's.h.i.+eld down,' said Ilkar almost immediately. 'Wait. This is no good; they'll overwhelm us if they charge, we need to keep them further back. We need static ForceCones covering every exit to the square. Any mage that can cast, do i
- 86 'Erienne?' asked Hirad.'We're in trouble,' she said. 'The main force of Wesmen from the west of the city has changed direction and are heading this way. Denser thinks they are under the control of the commander and he's
- 85 Unless his reading of the situation was completely c.o.c.k-eyed, General Darrick, Baron Blackthorne and The Raven were all still alive and fighting. And now, unless they could catch him, Styliann would return to Xetesk as a standard for the mages. Tessaya
- 84 'Well?' asked The Unknown. The mage turned to him, moving aside to let two of the town's women a.s.signed to the infirmary make Will comfortable. She was a tall woman, graceful, with long fingers and bobbed grey hair, her face wrinkled by a
- 83 'Sha-Kaan!' shouted Hirad over the tumult in the Cold Room. 'We have to get out. Now!''A little longer,' said the dragon, his voice choked and distant somehow. 'We can win this. We have to.'But Hirad felt them at hi
- 82 A second jolt, followed by a long rumbling through the stone of the corridor, shook dust into the air.'Prepare yourselves,' said Sha-Kaan.Hirad and The Unknown exchanged glances. Inside the Big Man's eyes was an unease Hirad had never seen
- 81 Sha-Kaan looked at Hirad, neck in a 'u' to face him, head and muzzle alone almost as tall as the barbarian.'Well?' he asked.Hirad grinned. 'Take it as a yes, Great Kaan.''Excellent.' The head withdrew. 'Strike
- 80 Hirad climbed to his feet, glancing around. Will was staring wide-eyed at the light, with the remainder of The Raven all stirring, sleep interrupted by an unknown quant.i.ty that bled unease over their resting minds.'Don't be scared, Will, it�
- 79 'And you so young,' she said. 'I might have expected such an utterance from Torvis, but not you. I am pleased you seek so fervently to uphold our traditions and laws.''Though this is not the time to do so,' added Torvis.'
- 78 'I do not feel we need them, do you?'Sha-Kaan inclined his head.'Your trust is welcome and is reciprocated.''Speak, Sha-Kaan, though I think I know your subject.''I will speak plainly. It is my belief that you have allie
- 77 'They have shown us no mercy. You must do the same. Kill them or they will kill you. I want this encampment burned to the ground and the charred earth left as memorial and warning. The East shall not bend the knee to the West. The Colleges shall thri
- 76 'It's easy to be pessimistic,' replied Blackthorne. 'Just look at the mess they've made of this beautiful port.'The two men straightened and looked down the hill towards the Southern Ocean. The whole port was laid out before
- 75 'So be it,' he said. 'So be it.' He stretched full length across the warm wet floor of Wingspread and opened his mind to search for his new Dragonene.It was an hour after noon on a day that had chilled as the sun fled west over the Bla
- 74 'I know.'Chapter 16.With Ilkar, Denser, Erienne and The Unknown reaching the flatter land above the cove, The Raven made headway to the Tri River valley, Thraun shadowing their progress. The landscape in front of them was beautiful, even in the