A/N: This is an idea that came to me, I swear, about twenty minutes ago, and is part of the reason Blue Diamonds is on hiatus (part of the reason – not all of it, honest!). Do you know why it came to me? Because, if I'm honest, I had a massive crush on Dannyl while reading the first book. Okay, I was in love with him. I admit it. Then my best friend broke it to me that he was gay, and, well – I was very depressed, I must admit. But I still have this massive crush on him. So, this is going to be a total what-if story, and I promise my views on Dannyl won't influence the ending in any way. I do not own Dannyl, the Black Magician trilogy or any of the involved characters except the ones I make up. Though if I did own Dannyl, trust me, he totally would be straight. Just so that I could have him. Hehe. Please review! Set after The High Lord.

"It's only a visit" Dannyl assured Tayend, "I'll be back as soon as I can"

Tayend nodded, trying not to look as sceptical as he felt, "I know. You're an important person who has to occasionally report to the Magician's Guild. Nothing major"

Dannyl laughed, "When you put it like that...wow, I am important!"

Tayend laughed too, and embraced Dannyl quickly. Dannyl looked at him sternly.

"No ogling acrobats while I'm gone" he ordered. Tayend shook his head, grinning.

"Of course not. No falling in love with pretty young ladies while you're back at the guild"

Dannyl raised an eyebrow, "Ladies? Of course not"

They said farewell one last time before Dannyl climbed into the carriage and it drove away, back towards Imardin.

I hate picking novices now, Rothen thought with a sigh, Especially as I know this one will be the last that I teach.

Sonea sat beside him, holding her son Lorkin on her lap. The young boy looked around with interest, his dark eyes wide. He was not yet old enough to understand the process of the new novices' arrivals, but he seemed to be enjoying it all the same.

"It's a shame I can't mentor anyone" Sonea complained, scanning the line of nervous looking novices, "I know who I'd pick"

Rothen looked at her eagerly, "Who? I haven't got any idea who to choose – I just know that I would like to mentor one final novice before I give up at last"

Sonea laughed, "Well, anyone should be a piece of cake, after Dannyl and me"

Rothen nodded in agreement, "Indeed. Well, who shall it be?"

"Do you see that girl there, near the back of the line? The girl with the blonde hair?"

Rothen squinted until he spotted her, "Yes, I see her. She looks a little too old to be a novice. About twenty, would you say?"

"That's not old" said Sonea indignantly, "But yes, she does seem about that age"

"Why her?" Rothen asked, confused, "She's pretty, yes, but why her?"

The girl with the blonde hair looked up, feeling their eyes on her. She blushed, her dark eyes darting quickly back to the floor.

"She seems like she needs some guidance. Look at her, the way she looks so awkward and timid. I think she must be a little shy"

"Shy?" Rothen narrowed his eyes, "No, there's more to it than that, I can tell by the way you were watching her"

Sonea sighed, "Oh, all right then. Did you hear what house she is from?"

"House Velan, wasn't it?" Rothen asked, still bewildered. Sonea gave him a significant look that he failed to understand. She sighed again.

"Yes, house Velan. And what family is she from?"

"Delvon, I think. But you are still talking in riddles to me, Sonea"

Sonea rolled her eyes, but there was sadness in the gesture, "It's Akkarin's house, Rothen, Akkarin's family. That's why I'd choose her"

"Oh. I'm sorry, Sonea" Rothen mumbled guiltily, "I see"

"So, What do you think?" Sonea asked, trying not to sound too keen. Rothen looked at her, then at the girl, who had neared the front of the line. He took a deep breath.

"Oh, alright then. She can't be any more difficult than you and Dannyl"

"I'm not difficult" Dannyl hissed, slipping into a seat behind them, "What have I missed?"

Sonea turned and grinned at him, "I've just helped Rothen pick his final novice"

"Helped?" Rothen muttered, "Ordered, more like. I thought you weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow, Dannyl"

"I couldn't miss the choosing of my final predecessor, could I?" Dannyl joked, "Which one?"

"Aurelia of family Delvon, House Velan, please step forward"

The pretty blonde stepped forward to take her robes and make the vow. She looked around nervously.

"This one" Sonea whispered to Dannyl as they waited for the question.

"Would anyone like to volunteer as Aurelia's mentor?" Administrator Osen asked. Rothen took another deep breath and stood up.

"Yes" he agreed loudly, "I would"

Dannyl looked at the blonde girl and smiled.

"Ah" he said, grinning at Sonea, "That one"

A/N: It will get better, I promise – this is just a sort of preview, so you get the background information ready for the first chapter. I thought I'd better make her blonde as I realised that none of my main characters are blonde – I didn't want to seem biased. It's set about a year after the High Lord, just so you know, so it might be a bit different to what the Epilogue suggests. Please review! xxx