Chapter One – The Trial

"And did you see Lord Andor commit the crime?" Administrator Lorlen turned to Dannyl.

"Yes." Dannyl swallowed. "I did."

"You therefore are a witness?"

"Yes." Dannyl tried to stop himself trembling. He knew what would follow.

"I will perform the read." Administrator Lorlen came to stand in front of Dannyl.

Dannyl took a deep, measured breath and closed his eyes, trying to calm his nerves.

Administrator Lorlen placed his palm on Dannyl's forehead, and entered his mind.

Lorlen found himself in a sunny, airy room with multiple pictures on the wall; this was Dannyl's mind. There were multiple closed doors, which held behind them close-guarded secrets and memories of Dannyl's.

- Here, this is the memory.

- Thank you.

Lorlen entered the memory, and watched it. It did indeed prove that Lord Andor did commit the crime, and was a much more severe crime than they had previously guessed. When all that was left of the memory was fading away, Lord Dannyl's mind violently switched to another memory, much more powerful and important to him.

Dannyl looked down at the scholar. "It's so difficult for me. This feels so natural, and yet it appears so wrong. If the Guild found out what I was doing, then I would lose my status and respect. We have to be careful Tayend." The scholar patted Dannyl on the back.

"Don't worry, Dannyl. We can work this out."

- The scene changed. -

Dannyl was healing Tayend of the knife wound, worry filling his mind. When he read Tayend's mind, he was saddened by it. He pretended not to know. After all, it did not change his view of Tayend.

- The scene changed. -

"So it really isn't a physical problem?" Tayend asked. "They can't sense it?"

"No." Dannyl replied. "There's nothing wrong with us."

- The scene changed -

Dannyl and Tayend were kissing.

The flood of memories stopped abruptly, and Lorlen opened his eyes with a jolt. He saw Lord Dannyl, trembling slightly, with a downcast expression on his face. He pulled his hand from Dannyl's temple and turned to the rows of magicians. "Lord Andor is guilty." He said no more.

Lord Dannyl returned to his bench, his face pale and drawn.

As other matters were dealt with by the Director of the Guild, Administrator Lorlen allowed his mind to wander.

Lord Dannyl was what was known as a 'lad' or a 'gold-mine', and feared it being revealed. He was careful with what he did, and was clearly in love with another man. He did not feel ashamed by his behaviour, seeing it as natural.

Lorlen knew about the rumours about Dannyl's assistant/scholar and his inclinations. The Guild and the Elyne court were under the impression that Dannyl did not know. He thought back to the rumours about Dannyl-the-novice. He sighed. Do I pretend I do not know, or do I confront him about it? Is it really a crime, and so should I remove his post as Ambassador for it? What will the Guild's reaction be? He looked over to the ranks of magicians, and noted Lord Dannyl's face, his head bowed, his expression solemn. I will say nothing. This is his personal matter. Provided it does not affect his work, I will not worry. I need to discuss this with him though.