Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) by KateMarie Collins Page A

remnants of the meal were long cold and the sun had set.
                  Barek’s face was a mask in the candlelight, but Arwenna could tell he was ready to kill someone or something. Hoping to distract him, she settled back in her chair and asked, “It’s your turn, now. How did you and Mialee make it out alive?”
                  Barek related their escape and adventures to this point, then paused, “I’m not so sure Senyan’s who we remember any more. I had a dream while we were at that inn in Salsburg. He offered me huge amounts of treasure to walk away from you all and not try to avenge your murders. The Senyan I knew would’ve known better than to ask that.”
                  Y’Dürkie started a bit. “You, too? He did the same vith me.”
                  Arwenna ran a hand through her short hair, almost afraid to voice the thought in her head. “Barek, do you know if Mialee’s been having the same dreams? If he somehow got to her…..” her voice trailed off.
                  Without warning, Barek angrily hurled a goblet at a wall of the tent. Arwenna reached out and placed a calming hand on his arm. “I know, Barek. It’s an awful thought. I don’t think we’re going to have any choice but to destroy Senyan, but we may be able to save her if we’re lucky. A lot will depend on how deep into her the claws go.”
                  “Is there anythink ve can do to break that damn bird’s hold on him?” D’Mitta asked, trying to diffuse the tension at the table.
                  Arwenna glanced at her, her mind lost in thought. “There might be. I was one of the ones they used to cast the binding spell; I may be able to break it. It’s going to take some luck, and some risk, but it’s possible.”
                  “What kind of risk, Arwenna?”  Barek stared at her. “I’d rather do it the old-fashioned way with an axe or one of Lexi’s arrows if I think the risk is too high.”
                  “I need to be within sight of both Senyan and Corse. And the other two that were there that day must be dead or there as well. If we can find some clerics of Hauk, I can draw off of them for any extra power I might need. The hard part will be getting within sight of all of them. It may require my finding a way into their camp.”
                  Y’Dürkie’s fist slammed down on the table. “No, you vill not be doink that. I am villing to bet my life that Bohrs is vith them and I am not lettink him get vithin eyesight of you again!”
                  Barek nodded in agreement, ignoring the sound of protest from Arwenna. “That one is mine. But I’m not willing to let you go in as bait or get anywhere near him either. We’ll do it some other way.”
                  “What other way, Barek?” Arwenna asked softly. “A way that will get thousands killed on both sides? I appreciate the two of you wanting to protect me. And I’m not that thrilled at the idea of getting near that man again myself. But he wasn’t one of the people involved in the binding. If the situation presents itself, I’ll do what I must to break the spell. I’m not planning on running off and surrendering just to get the chance. I only want to keep my eyes open should the situation arise. None of you know what the other two people look like, but I do. I’m just asking that you watch my back during the battle so I can do what I must.” She looked at each of them in turn. “If Hauk is with me, the opportunity will happen before many innocents die.”
                  “You do realize, Arwenna, that you’re going to have to put up with me or Y’Dürkie next to you at all times?” Barek’s tone of voice made it obvious to her that he wouldn’t listen to any argument.               “You’re going to be on a very short leash around us. The fact that you