A/N: A Black Magician Trilogy fic. My first, and it's big, angsty, and rated M. Inspired by Bucky Covington's song "I'll Walk". The song is NOT the plotline for this story. It's just the inspiration.

TITLE: I'll Walk

SUMMARY: Sonea is injured during a Warrior Training class. When she comes round, they tell her there is nothing the Healers can do. Facing life as a cripple, she enlists the help of her guardian, High Lord Akkarin, to help her walk again.

Ok, I changed one hell of a lot in this story. For a start, Akkarin did NOT die in the battle with the Magicians from Sachaka. He and Sonea did NOT get it together during the exile. Takes place after the end of The High Lord. All events bar Akkarin's death happened OK? Erm…what else? Ah yes. Akkarin is still High Lord, having been given a full reprieve by the King. Sonea has been forgiven and is respected for her role in saving Imardin. So, in summary, Akkarin is still around and there was no relationship. If any questions pop up, don't hesitate to review and ask. Review anyway though! So, here goes…

PS, Lorlen died during the final battle. Rothen took his place.

SoneaPOV

It's half-funny, half-disturbing when novices scatter as I walk towards the High Lords residence. Funny, because a year ago, they wouldn't have bothered to move, they would have made it harder for me to pass. Disturbing, because the reason they scatter is because they are afraid of me. It's been a year. Such a year. The fight for Imardin, The King's reprieve, not just for me, but for Akkarin too. New novices whisper behind their hands as I pass.

"That's her. That's Sonea."

"I thought she'd be bigger, somehow. She doesn't look powerful."

"She's the second most powerful Magician in the Guild. Or she will be, when she graduates."

"I heard she was more powerful than the High Lord. I heard she has magic in her blood."

"Don't be silly. If she was more powerful than the High Lord, they wouldn't bother making her finish her training."

The novices turn in at their classroom, taking their whispers with them. I shake my head. More powerful than Akkarin, indeed! Never. Second most powerful in the Guild. Yes. But never more powerful than him. I enter the Arena with a slight check in my stride. Regin. Damn him. He's probably the only novice in the Guild who still seems to take pleasure in annoying the hell out of me. His family fought the hardest to have not just Akkarin, but me too, executed for the crimes of learning black magic. Both of us have had to vow never, ever to use it again, not unless we are left with no other choice. It won't ever arise now, so it's OK. But it's like Regin wants to prove I can't be trusted. Akkarin would be removed along with me.

"Sonea!" Lord Balkan strides towards me. "The Administrator wants to see you." Rothen is standing just at the edge of the Arena.

"My Lord." I go to him, bow, look up, smile. "Administrator." He smiles back.

"Sonea. You're fighting me today. We can't ask Akkarin, and I'm the closest we can get hold of to an equal opponent."

"Sure?"

"Don't be cheeky, young lady. You've not graduated quite yet."

"Next week."

"Precisely. Go on, go and get ready."

So we fight. I beat him, then Regin wants a fight. I raise one eyebrow. I'm not even breathing hard.

"Regin, perhaps if we let Sonea have a break -" Balkan starts.

"No. He wants a fight, he can have one. I'm fine. I'm ready."

He sends a rain of force strikes at me. I'm barely trying. But I'm concentrating, and that's why I miss it. I don't see it. I don't shield it. But something breaks my shield, knocks me from my feet. Rothen and Balkan run towards me. It's funny. I can see them, but they're unsteady on their feet. I hear someone call my name, see Balkan turn to Regin, who looks horrified. Rothen takes my hand, tells me I'll be fine. I look up at him and smile.

"Rothen, I know I'll be OK."

"Does anything hurt?" Lady Vinara asks. When did she get here?"

"Oh, no."

"Sonea, look at me." I look up at her. "She's going. She'll lose consciousness soon, I expect."

"Lady…"

"What is it Sonea? Are you in pain?"

"Oh, no, Lady. It's just my legs. I can't feel my legs."

I don't remember anything after that.

Pleasereview! love you all, PSV xxx