It was the evening after the duel between Sonea and Regin. Just like every evening the magicians gathered in the Night Room, to discuss, gossip and talk with each other. Balkan sat in his usual seat next to Lord Sarrin, and whilst those around him were talking about the duel he let his thoughts travel back to the afternoon. Like everybody else he had been anxious to see how the girl had progressed in the field of magic since she attended university and he couldn't deny that he was impressed with the result of the duel. He had expected that she must have some very good natural skills, as she had been able to release her powers by herself during that memorable Purge. But he certainly hadn't expected her to be that talented. She could become a very good warrior with those skills, he mused but she seemed a little reluctant...

He turned to look at his fellow Higher Magicians, Lord Sarrin and Lady Vinara. I wonder what they're thinking about the girl's performance. As if reading his thoughts, Sarrin voiced his opinion.

"Very impressive. I wonder how strong she can become when her powers are fully schooled and developed."

Vinara nodded in agreement. "Now we definitely know why she was able to break Lord Fergun's shield, and that it was the right choice to accept her to the Guild. She's got extraordinary powers and might become a fine addition to us."

"She'd be a great warrior," Balkan exclaimed. The other two looked at him. "But I don't know, I got the impression she doesn't enjoy fighting that much, therefore I don't expect her to choose this discipline."

The head of the Healers smiled. "Well, I can understand that she doesn't enjoy that discipline too much." Balkan grinned at her. He knew, though she wasn't bad at fighting, Vinara never enjoyed it herself. Though he didn't know exactly why he guessed it was because as a Healer she knew very well what fighting could cause, he himself had once been brought to the Healers Quarters after a lesson in fighting, during which he had been severely injured. The Healer back then obviously seemed to like fighting as much as Vinara seems to. I wonder if I got injured today, would she be my Healer? She's an extraordinary Healer...as well as an extraordinary wo-

"Lord Balkan, are you all right?" The object of his thoughts had bent forwards and watched him closely. Balkan's eyes widened. I've been staring. A blush crept onto his cheeks. "Um, yes, I'm fine."

Sarrin chuckled. The younger man shot him a look and saw that the older magician was eyeing him in with an amused smile. But he could see more in his expression. He knows...

"Well then the two of you. Duty calls, I have to get back to work." The head of the Alchemists rose and made his way to the exit.

Vinara smiled at him and bid him good-night, Balkan following suit. Again her eyes focused on Balkan, she stood up from her seat and sat down in Sarrin's, so she was right next to the warrior.

"Are you sure you're all right?" She repeated her question. This time the answer came out more secure. Vinara nodded, "Fine. But let me reassure you, if there is ever something you need to talk about, I'm here to listen. And, of course, anything you tell me will be treated discreetly."

"I know, thank you my lady", Balkan answered and felt himself again blushing. If she only knew...perhaps I should talk to her, even if she rejected me, she wouldn't hurt me and I might get over it. Yes, old boy, tell her. Be the brave warrior you are!

"Actually there is something you could help me with.", he added.

"Yes?"

"Yes and it is a rather private issue, so perhaps we shouldn't talk about it..."

"Lord Balkan!" The voice of Lord Garrel made him pause. The other warrior was standing before him, bowed his head slightly and looked at him expectantly. Balkan sighed. "What is it? Lady Vinara and I were discussing something!"

"I know my lord, my lady, and I'm really sorry, but it is rather important." He glanced at Vinara in an uneasy way. The Healer chuckled and stood up.

"Perhaps it's time for me to retire as well, this will also give you the chance to discuss this important issue with Lord Garrel", she said with an amused expression. Then she directed Balkan once more, "If you wish to finish our discussion, don't hesitate to come to me! Good-night, my lords." With one last nod she was gone.

Balkan sighed annoyed. "I hope this is really of importance, Lord Garrel!"

Vinara made her way to the Healer Quarters. It was still early in the evening, so she decided to check on the patients and Healers on duty once more.

When she entered the sick wing of the Quarters, she recognized Lady Lyra standing a few metres away in front of an open cabinet. Vinara frowned and went to her.

"Good-evening, Lady Lyra," she greeted the younger woman. "Are you looking for something specific?"

"Lady Vinara! I didn't know you were on duty tonight!" exclaimed the other Healer and bowed her head slightly to show her respect to her Head.

"That's because I'm not on duty at all. I have just retired from the Night Room and decided to check on you all, before heading to my rooms. So, is there anything I can help you with?" She asked indicating to the cabinet.

Lyra furrowed her brows in concentration. "Actually, I was about to get more of the Myk-juice, for Lord Lean. But it looks like the supplies of it are empty."

Vinara raised her brows. "Empty? Are you sure? I thought we refilled them just yesterday." Now she too, searched the cabinet for the said medicine. This is impossible. Lord Lean had come back two days before, from a journey to Lonmar. Obviously he had fallen ill or perhaps the heat hadn't become him, because he was suffering from a brain disease, which was treated with Myk.

"You are right. But how could this happen?"

"I don't know my lady."

"Do you know who else had access to this cabinet today?"

"Well, all the Healers, who were in charge today...Lord Telon, Lady Elwa, Lord Arvon and I." Lyra paused, "But surely you don't think that one of us took the supplies?"

Shaking her head, Vinara reassured the younger woman. "No. I trust you all. Still I'll talk to each of you, I suspect somebody else is the culprit. Have you left cabinet open for a short while or allowed somebody else to take something from it?" She asked in a stern yet friendly tone.

"No. I lock it every time!"

Vinara nodded. "All right, Lyra. Please inform our brewers that we need a new stock of Myk-juice. Meanwhile I allow you to go into my office and take some of it from my personal medicine supplies."

Lyra thanked her, and hurried away.

I wonder who it is, that steals our supplies. Myk-juice was a psychatric-drug, which could leave those who had to take it addicted. That was the reason, why they kept it locked away from free access and only Healers in charge, were allowed to use it on a patient. Perhaps a former patient who had to take it, got addicted, even though we healed him after his treatment. She tried to think of all the patients who had been treated with Myk-juice. Who could it be? Tomorrow I'll ask the others. We will find him. Or her, she added in her mind.

This reminded her of something else, or someone else. When talking about warriors, Balkan always refers to males. Even though there are some females among them. She smiled as she remembered an occasion, at which she pointed that fact out to him. "When there is a time in which more women than men are warriors, I will start referring to them as females!"

Though she had been annoyed, because of the male chauvinism of the Guild, she had to admit that he had a point. Anyway it's not like Balkan is a sexist. On the contrary! He's a noble man, who doesn't differentiate between male or female. That's quite rare amongst men, especially amongst our warriors. I'm glad he's their Head, couldn't imagine working with one of the others.

I remember his predecessor – he WAS a sexist! We had a lot of fights and discussions. But I really can't complain about Balkan. As if agreeing with someone, Vinara nodded to herself. Whilst thinking about the Head of the Warriors she had made her way through the sick-yard and was now continuing to her own rooms.

But then again, there are also plenty of other magicians, who at least stopped discriminating women openly. Lorlen for example, he treated everyone the same – of course you trained him as a Healer! She added smugly. Still, Balkan is different...he's not only intelligent and tolerant etc. but also very...impressive? - Yes, that suit him, impressive! And handsome, of course...Oh this well trained figure of his, I wonder what he looks like without those robes...

Vinara stopped in surprise, then scowled at herself. Stop thinking such things! It wasn't the first time she had such thoughts. Actually they crept into her mind quite often lately and each time she scolded herself for thinking such things. Balkan was a decade younger than her, it wouldn't be appropriate to have such thoughts about him!

She had finally reached her rooms and entered them. Inside, she conjured a dimmed light and focused her mind on getting ready for bed.

Soon, one could see from the outside how the light in her bedroom window went out.