Raven's Shadow (Raven #1)(115)

"It's all right, sir," said Toarsen's familiar voice. "I'll keep you safe."

"The Emperor," managed Tier, falling back to his damaged knees and biting back a moan. Screams were for people who weren't as weary as he was.

There was a series of clanking sounds, battle sounds that ended in a grunt and a thunk. Toarsen, panting a bit, said, "Kissel's with him, and someone cut him loose and gave him a sword. I never knew that Phoran knew how to fight. Never thought" - another thunk and gasp - "someone as fat as he is could move that fast."

"The Masters?" asked Tier. Seated and calmer, he found that his vision was coming back a bit, but not well enough to sort through the chaos of battle. He wiped his good eye with the back of his hand. His hand came away wet, but he could see again.

"I don't see 'em," Toarsen said. "I was watching Avar and his men boil into the room. When I looked back, this place was covered in fighters and I thought I might come up here and bear you company a bit. We've a nice view of the fighting up here - those two boys of yours can surely fight."

Someone in white blundered into the small area of stage that Toarsen was guarding, and he sent the Raptor on his way with a kick that impaled him on a sword held by a man with moon-pale hair.

"Gessa," said the man.

"Anytime," said Toarsen.

"Collarn?" asked Tier, his returning vision allowing him to see that the boy's place was empty.

"Naked as a newborn," said Toarsen cheerfully. "You're not able to get high enough to enjoy the sight, but I can see him from here. Remember all those times you told him that he carries his guard too high?"

"Yes?"

"You should have made him fight naked."

Tier laughed, one short bark, then held his breath and his ribs. "No joking right now," he managed.

Lehr rolled onto the stage and then bounced up and ran over. "Good to see that you're alive, Papa. But I think I speak for us all when I tell you that I'd rather not worry about you again for a while. Parents are supposed to worry about their children, not vice versa. Let me get a look at those chains."

He held the manacles in his hands and closed his eyes. After a moment, the locks clicked open. Lehr grinned at his father's expression.

"I don't know how opening locks ties in with being a Hunter either, though Brewydd explained it to me a dozen times." He sounded pleased with himself. He looked at Toarsen.

"Go ahead," said Toarsen. "I'll stay here."

"Thanks," said Lehr, and he leaped off the edge of the stage.

Having completed the task Hennea had given him, the Guardian took a quick glance around the room. Lehr was fighting at Avar's side and accounting for himself quite well. Just as his gaze found Seraph, she raised her hands and tossed a half dozen men into the air. Obviously she was in no need of immediate protection.

He turned to go to his father, but the Sept of Leheigh's brother was standing over Papa's crumpled form and seemed to be having no trouble fending off attackers. The wizards, who posed more of a threat, had other things on their minds than hurting his father. A double handful of Passerines were doing their best to get onto the stage and attack the Masters - too many of them to allow the wizards' magic to be an effective weapon. The Guardian knew - remembered from other battles fought long ago, before Jes's father's father had been born - that keeping the Passerines away would soon weaken the solsenti wizards too much for them to be a danger to Tier.

Satisfied that they were all safe for the moment, the Guardian jumped off the stage to return to Hennea's side, slipping between fighters who mostly moved out of his way without ever looking at him directly.

The noise of swords clashing and men screaming excited him almost as much as the smell of blood.

A man bumped his arm and the Guardian turned on him with a snarl and a flash of fangs. If the man hadn't retreated, falling backwards over a body on the floor, even Jes could not have held the Guardian back.

Hennea stood alone near the fallen wall. He couldn't tell if her spells to avoid being seen were working on everyone else, or if they were just smart enough to stay away. Mother had told him that spells usually didn't work right on him.

There were two men attacking a boy who was stepping back rapidly to avoid being overrun. The Guardian could see that the boy wouldn't stay away from their blades for much longer. He glanced at Hennea, but she was all right. The Guardian dropped the sword he held and reached for the form of the great cat - he wanted to taste blood, not feel flesh part against steel.

He picked the nearest Raptor and leaped onto his shoulders, driving him down to the floor. As his claws sank deep into meat, the man's pain and fear washed through Jes. The Guardian reveled in the searing sensations, which only raised his bloodlust further.

The other antagonist paused to stare, but the Passerine recovered a little faster and killed his opponent before beating a rapid retreat. Death and the boy's fear fed the battle rage and Jes turned his attention to the man who lay beneath him.

"Jes!"

The great cat halted, his mouth already opened to still the struggles of his prey.

"Jes, come back. I need you!" Hennea sounded frantic.

Her hand touched his tense back. "Jes," she said.

Trembling, fighting, Jes forced the Guardian to step away from the downed man even as the beast roared its thwarted rage.