I felt a bond the like of which I didn’t think could ever be replaced. It went beyond kinship and love. It was deeper than either though based on both, I suppose. It was something hard to express except to say that it was an utterly binding sense of belonging. No one, I thought, who had not experienced it could understand. And when I was freed, though that was what I wanted desperately, I lost something I assumed was irreplaceable. You might remember how I was in the days after I was released; I don’t know.’
The Unknown stopped to gauge Thraun’s reaction. The shapechanger was staring at him, eyes wide. Whether it was comprehension, remembrance or just plain incredulity that someone was talking to him this way was unfortunately not clear. At least he had Thraun’s attention.
‘The point is that I think you’re in a similar position to me but the effects are keener because you spent five years as a wolf, not just a few days. The wolf pack gave you a similar bond; they laid their trust in you and you in them. You blame yourself for what happened to them both during the hurricane in Thornewood and on the docks in Arlen.
‘And now you’ve reverted to human form you feel like you’re running away. It isn’t so. Like me and the Protectors, part of you will always be with the pack that still runs. Hang on to that, but don’t let it cloud your mind. Remember it and use it.
‘But what I want you to really understand, and I don’t know whether you will, is that there is something that gives what you feel you have lost. It took me an age to realise it but it’s undeniable. The Raven have that bond. Together we are stronger than we could ever be as a mere group of individuals. We make a difference to each other and in whatever we do. And if you look inside yourself, you know that to be true. Do you understand me?’
For a time Thraun did nothing, just continued to stare. There was a single tear on his left cheek and the frown was back, stamped hard on his forehead. But like a trickle of water finding its way gradually down a window, his face cleared and he sat up. He sucked his top lip and breathed in deeply. He made no move to nod or hint that he knew what The Unknown was talking about but it was there in his expression just the same. The Unknown felt he was struggling to communicate in another way.
‘Go on,’ he said. ‘Try to make the words.’
Thraun opened his mouth, his eyes still searching The Unknown’s face, but nothing came save a dry rasp and he snapped his jaws shut angrily.
‘It’s all right. It’ll come. Now listen, because there’s something very important I have to tell you. All right?’
Thraun shrugged and exercised his jaws again.
‘I know you’re frustrated but you’ll get there as long as you have faith. The Raven will be with you. We’re your family always, and we’re your strength any time you need us. And we want you to be with us in whatever comes next, but for that you will have to leave this island.’
Thraun stopped moving.
‘The Raven have to leave here to go back home and help with things there that are badly wrong. We can talk about what’s happening another day, but for now I want you to think about what you’re going to do. To make The Raven complete, we want you to be with us. We are stronger with you and you with us.
‘Do you understand that?’
Thraun was staring at the ground and now drew his legs up to his chest, locking them there with his arms. He rocked backwards and forwards gently.
‘Thraun?’
He didn’t look up but The Unknown thought he saw a fractional nod of the head. It was enough.
‘Good, good. I’ll leave you now to sleep if you want. Think about what I’ve said and let me know in whatever way you can what it is you want to do.’
The Unknown pushed himself to his feet, picked up the lantern and limped back towards the house, suddenly dog-tired and craving the arms of Diera.
Chapter 6
The rainforest was quiet. A sharp downpour had thrashed across the temple an hour before, sending the Al-Arynaar to cover under the broad leaves of a master banyan tree at the southern edge of the temple. Water still fell from the