“Oh no!” cried Ark as a huge raven, claws extended, descended directly toward them. History was repeating itself. He didn’t even have time to send out his thoughts, to try and deflect this too swift, instinctive threat.

As Shiv opened her mouth to scream and Flo put up her arms in defense and Mucum dived toward his girlfriend to protect her, the bird closed in.

Ark shut his eyes, unwilling to see his friend snatched from the branch.

Instead of a scream, there was a flutter of wings, then silence. Ark peeked through his fingers to see a raven balanced on the branchway near the fire pit. It was preening its already glossy black feathers.

“Is this the kind of welcome I receive?”

Four shocked faces took in the figure sliding off the back of the raven. Black clothes and dark skin made the perfect camouflage. It was as if part of the raven had peeled away and come to life.

“Corwenna?” said Ark. He still couldn’t call her Mother. That was a step too far. But why had she left the Ravenwood?

“I think I still have that name!” she replied.

There was an awkward silence between them. But suddenly, Corwenna knew she could not hide behind her usual haughtiness. She bent over and grabbed Ark to hug him tight. “Well done, my Ark!” she whispered for his ears only. “I knew you could do it.”

Ark melted into arms that had held their land together for so long. It felt safe but too, too brief.

A few seconds later, she gently pushed him away and drew herself up to once again become Corwenna, Queen of the Ravens. “I can smell good food in the making. May I join you?”

“You frightened my girl!” said Mucum.

“Ah. Feisty to the last. It could only be you, companion of Arktorious.”

“Yeah. Well. Could’ve let us know you were turnin’ up!”

“I am sorry. So much has happened and there was my feathered family to attend to.”

The ravens had been decimated. It was a dark memory for all of them.

Corwenna put on a brave smile. “But they live and they will breed again, though I miss my Hedd deeply.”

Ark felt the wrench in his guts. When Hedd first plucked him from Petronio, the raven had been an enemy. By the end, he was much more than a respected companion. Ark still wondered what Hedd had meant about meeting again.

“You will find out,” Corwenna whispered in answer to his thoughts.

“Hedd was a good ’un,” said Mucum. “Took some guts to take on that flyin’ machine.”

“Yes!” Corwenna sighed. “It did. By the way, this is Hedd, son of Hedd.”

The bird looked down on them and then locked eyes with Ark. Ark instantly felt the raven’s pain and pride in his father. Ark’s thoughts went out with silent thanks for Hedd’s fatal bravery.