Takan's secret herbs
Chapter 1: Depression is elevated.
Disclaimer: The Black Magicians trilogy belongs to Trudi Canavan.
"Master, is something wrong?" asked Takan, eyeing the High Lord of the Magicians guild, who looked more weary and depressed than ever.
" I've just taken care of another problem." he said, rubbing his eyes out of habit. "This one was particulary, careless when it came to heatstrikes. At least seven people lost their lives." said Akkarin, his emotions hidden behind a mask that few could see through.
"I see the lad you asked to help you is working out fine then, master?" asked Takan, taking out a platter filled with several mysterious parcels, flavoured with Takan's own collection of herbs.
"Yes, he is proving exceedingly helpful." said Akkarin. He sighed. "How is Sonea? Has my incal scared the other novices off yet?"
Takan's eyes darkened. "Initially master. However, under the guidance of Regin, they have begun to torment her worse than ever. Apparently he noticed her apparent fear of you." A stranger wouldn't have noticed even the slightest of emotions on the high lords face, but to Takan, he was practically having a breakdown.
"And Lorlen?" asked Akkarin, his face darkening slightly.
" Still maintaining a brave face to the world, but there's among the servants that he's suffered a tremendous set back." said Takan, fearing his master's reaction.
Akkarin's self control was almost lost for a second." I'm struggling to continue with this charade." said Akkarin. " I'm tired of constantly hiding everything. I'm tried of worrying every night that if I fall, everything I care about falls."
Takan bowed his head respectfully. In eight years, his masters resolve had never wavered, but now, in two days, he was being to crack. " Master, perhaps you should take a break. It will be at least a week before the next spy can arrive, and in all likelihood it will be at least a month before the spy does arrive."
Akkarin gave a soft laugh. "I can't go anywhere. Me leaving might resort to Lorlen deciding I have done something drastic, and telling the guild, or if news gets out I had left the guild, certain outcasts may begin to believe that the guild has in fact gotten rid of me for using black magic. No old friend, I need to stay here."
Takan was thinking, and the faint outline of a plan forming in his mind when Sonea suddenly entered the room. She walked oddly, as if her muscles were hurting her. She bowed he head. "Greeting Takan. High Lord."
"Hello Sonea. " said Akkarin. "Did you enjoy your lessons today?"
"Yes, High Lord." she said.
"You were walking as if your muscles have had several spasms." said Akkarin. "Violent ones. The ones that generally occur as a direct result of stun strikes."
" I apologise High Lord, if my walking offended you." said Sonea bluntly. "I merely had a mild cramp."
"Very well." said Akkarin, by way of dismissal. When she left, he turned to Takan. " That is the effect I have. A common slum girl is being tortured every day and she's too scared of me to do anything about it."
Takan bowed his head respectfully. He never did like interrupting monologue's, and this one showed some promise. " Takan, do you remember those herbs we picked on the edge of the village?' aksed Akkarin. "The Happy herbs?"
Takan smiled. " Yes, I believe the people use it as an anti depressant. It certainly worked. Everywhere I looked, smiles."
Akkarin nodded. "The magicians there said he had to expand almost all his efforts into growing the herb. The people seem to need a constant supply of it."
"He assured me it wasn't addictive." said Takan. " Master, I'm sure if I flavour your supper with them, tonight's noble ball may be less, inhumane."
Akkarin nodded. " See that it is done." He rose silently. " If you care to remember the last time you were at the court with me, you will know what I'm up against." Takan nodded. Noble the houses may be, but they suck at light conversation.
The next morning….
"Master, are you awake yet?" asked Takan tentatively.
Akkarin groaned. "Uhh. What happened Takan? Last I remember I was eating the most delicious food you've ever prepared."
"Master, you went to the king's assembly. With your depression noticeably elevated. According to the other servants your were, paranoid and muttering most of the evening, and hit several of the Ambassadors with a soup spoon."
"I see." said Akkarin. "Anything else?"
"Yes, my lord, the head of House Winar came and attempted to convince you to get rid of Sonea and take Regin on as your apprentice." said Takan.
"Well, piss on him." said Akkarin, with feeling.
"That's just it my lord, you did." said Takan. "On a lighter note, you have twenty three more marriage requests."
"Hmm." said Akkarin. "Takan, I fear you should decide if we should continue with the herbs or not. I value my own happiness, but I do not place it above the importance of al Kyralia. You choose."
Takan thought about it. Long and hard. Every day for the past eight years he and Akkarin had suffered for people who didn't even know, let alone care. Yet they had a week, a safe week, in which Akkarin could finally unwind. And Akkarin unwinding, as Takan noted, would be extremely entertaining. Takan allowed himself a grin. "Master, I think, that the advantages of stress relief far outweigh the risks of losing a bit of control. I'll bring you your breakfast in twenty minutes."
Akkarin nodded, and the madness began.
Just the start of a seven part thread of stories that I've recently started writing. I really like the black magicians trilogy, having recently began reading them after I got my hand son some of the books. Anyway, in the next chapter I will write his adventures from Akkarin's point of view, which include him training Sonea in the art of Soup spoon combat, and other disturbed stuff.