Free Raven's Hand by James Somers Page A

as you require.”
    She turned to another soldier standing next
to the officer. “See that my belongings, at least all that are
salvageable, are placed into one of the carriages for the trip to
Rainier.”
    “Yes, my lady,” he said.
    The soldier began to depart with several
others in tow before turning again, looking at Celia’s body.
“Ma’am, would you like us to tend to the girl’s body first?”
    Evelyn brushed back her straying strands of
hair, pausing to look at the body. “A waste of our time, young
man,” she replied.
    “Ma’am?”
    “The ravens will tend to the dead,” she said.
“See to my things, at once. We must be on our way.”
    The men looked at one another and then obeyed
the Lady’s wishes. Evelyn did not spare Celia’s body another
glance. She turned toward what was left of her caravan and walked
away.
     
     
     

Blessings and Prophecy
     
    Killian bent low at the waist before
Priestess Shalindra. Even Esmeralda made her best attempt, bowing
her head in respect to the woman. Bright green eyes stared back at
them. Shalindra nodded ever so slightly, but waited for Killian to
begin to speak before suddenly interrupting him.
    “Killian, Son of Radden,” she said. “I have
seen you as you’ve made your journey to the Brine Wood.”
    Killian tried not to smile. “Indeed, my
lady,” he replied respectfully. “My father has sent me with this
sword.” He removed the bundle from Esmeralda’s saddle. “It is his
hope that Eliam will bless the blade with special power.”
    “I know what he hopes,” Shalindra said. “The
blade is meant for the prince of House Rainier.”
    Unsure what to say in reply, Killian simply
nodded in agreement. Her tone remained devoid of emotion, but
something about her words set him on edge. Would she refuse to
bless the blade in Eliam’s name because of the one who commissioned
its creation? He wouldn’t have thought so, but now Killian wasn’t
sure. Something seemed wrong here, but he couldn’t put his finger
on it.
    “Does it trouble your father that such a
Malkind follower as Prince Nathan should receive a blade blessed by
Eliam the Creator?” Shalindra asked, now seeming somewhat
peeved.
    Killian frowned, unsure how to respond.
Finally, he said, “All of the great houses are led by Malkind
worshippers.”
    A hint of a smile played at the corners of
Shalindra’s mouth. There came a twinkle into her eyes. “You’re
right,” she said, “they are.”
    “But you have blessed other weapons my father
has produced,” Killian added quickly.
    “Not I,” Shalindra countered, wagging a
finger at him as though correcting a naughty child.
    “Then Eliam,” Killian replied with a little
agitation now. “Eliam blessed each weapon with special power.
Surely, he knew each one would go to a Malkind follower.”
    She smiled openly now. “He did,” she
confirmed.
    Killian paused, feeling a little exasperated
by this turn of the conversation. “Then I’m afraid I don’t quite
understand your point, mistress.”
    Shalindra nodded approvingly. “You may not be
at your destination yet, Killian Radden-son, but at least you’ve
set your foot on the road.”
    Killian looked at Esmeralda who looked also
at him. He sensed the same bewilderment in her that he felt
himself.
    “What road are you referring to?” Killian
asked.
    “The road to change,” she said, beginning to
walk around among the ancient tumbled stones of the temple. “Do you
believe in Eliam, child?”
    “Of course, I do,” he said reverently.
    Shalindra grinned as she meandered around a
pillar, drawing ever closer to the place where Killian stood beside
Esmeralda. “What do you believe about Eliam?” she asked.
    Killian paused for a moment and then began to
answer with what he had been taught from his youth. “Eliam is the
one true God and the Creator of all things. He is all powerful, all
knowing and present in every place.” When he finished his
recitation, he examined his answer and