Read Rigante Series 03 - Ravenheart for Free Online Page A

have come together for the kill. This, Kaelin, is what your father and I saw. A proud and massive stag, a right royal beast if ever there was one, upon the hill opposite where we sat. He had a wonderful spread of horn and he stood weary, yet defiant, as a dozen wolves closed in on him. Ah, but it was a sight to see. The bravest of the wolves darted forward, and was tossed high into the air, his body dashed against a tree, his back broken.
    Then the other wolves charged. There was no way for the stag to win. No way. It was finished.'
    'And then came Raven,' prompted Kaelin, excitement in his voice.
    'Hush, boy! 'Tis I who am telling this tale.'
    'I am sorry, Grymauch. Go on, please!'
    'No more interruptions, if you please. As I said, the stag could not win. Yet he fought magnificently, giving no ground. As the wolves closed in something dark came rushing from the undergrowth. At first I could not see what it was, but it charged into the wolves, scattering them. Your father had better eyesight than mine and I had both my eyes then! He said: "By heaven, it is Raven." We had both thought the hound slain in the fight with the treacherous Moidart, but there he was, ripping into the startled wolves. There was blood on his muzzle and two more wolves dead when the others panicked and ran.' Grymauch paused, lost in the memory. Kaelin did not prompt him. The warrior sighed. 'And - for the merest heartbeat -I saw Raven and the stag standing together, looking at one another. Both were bloodied. The forest lord dipped its head towards Raven as if in thanks, though I doubt it was. Then it bounded away into the trees and the hound continued across the hills towards us.
    He had followed the scent, you see, and wanted to be reunited with Lanovar. I saw him stumble twice, but he carried on, more slowly than before. Aye, he was a brave hound, right enough. I swung round to see that your father was in his last moments. My heart was pierced as I watched him then. It has never mended. I held him close. We said nothing. Then the hound reached us, and I saw that he, too, would not survive the night. Musket balls had pierced him deep and he was bleeding badly. He settled down alongside Lanovar, his head on his master's lap. I think they died together. If not, there were only a few heartbeats between.' Jaim fell silent.
    'What about my soul-name?' asked Kaelin.
    'Oh, yes. Forgive me, boy. I was lost in moments past. As we watched the hound attack the wolves Lanovar whispered something. I didn't hear it quite, so I moved alongside him. "Ravenheart," he said. I didn't understand at first. Then he drew in a breath and said: "My son . . . Ravenheart." I knew then, and I promised him I would see that your mother was told that this was to be your soul-name.'
    'Most of my friends don't have soul-names,' said Kaelin.
    'The Varlish fear them. The names hold us to the land and give us pride. The Varlish need to see that pride eaten away, so they claim soul-names are a sign of heresy and paganism. Few parents want to risk a visit by the Knights of the Sacrifice, and then being staked above the fire.'
    'Why do you think Raven rescued the stag?' asked the youth.
    'I don't believe that he did intend to rescue the creature. Raven was a wolfhound. He was born to fight wolves and protect cattle. I think he was just trying to reach Lanovar and the wolves were in his way. Once he came upon them instinct took over. The stag was irrelevant.'
    'I think it was a magical stag,' said Kaelin.
    'Magical? Why would you think that?'
    'Because it brought me my soul-name, and because the Wyrd told me.'
    'Be careful, Kaelin. The Wyrd knows some ancient spells, and she's dangerous to know.'
    Kaelin smiled. 'We are sitting on a hillside waiting to steal the Moidart's prize bull and you tell me the Wyrd is dangerous to know. You are dangerous to know, Uncle.'
    'Aye, well I guess that's true, right enough.'
    Jaim fell silent as a group of men emerged from a thatched building to the north