Disclaimer; The Black Magician Trilogy is owned by Trudi Canavan. I will not profit from this fanfiction. This story contains spoilers to the Black Magician Trilogy and The Magician's Apprentice. If given the choice, Akkarin would not die in Book 3, however, I have to live in mourning the High Lord, instead.
The Tear Stone
A week after Sonea's children took the novice vows, her father returned to Imardin with his younger daughter. A cousin of the deceased High Lord also returned from an expedition, which started nearly twenty years ago, his journey a success, but at the same time, the greatest fear for the Allied Lands is yet to realise. Wilen of Drayn, Sonea's faithful student found himself drawn to her younger sister and followed Lillea of Oren out of the Guild and away from Kyralia to rescue her niece and nephew. Sarlen and Anyea sought to solve the mystery started among the dwells, but instead captured by Duna pirates, who brought them to Arvice, the capital of Sachaka, the tomb of stored stones and the mysterious King of the forgotten Empire…
Prologue
Lorlen
Far beyond the outer wall of Imardin, the blue chalk-pastels melted across the sky while the golden sunrays plucked out the dancing green grass from rhythmic wind. Inside the Eastern Quarter commonly know as the Magicians' Guild of Kyralia, citizens scattered around the University step; stood frozen in witnessing this monumental aftermath historical event. Dust defused everywhere as the bitter wind howled mournfully and echoed Sonea's scream, as she laid bent over the former High Lord Akkarin.
Lorlen willed himself and walked toward Akkarin and Sonea. His eyes moist and runny with tears and his chest constricted tightly. Osen walked beside him with a supporting arm.
Following the attack of the Northern Fort, most magicians believed Akkarin's story and accepted the likelihood that they would die defending Kyralia. Nonetheless, the sight of Akkarin's lifeless body devastated Lorlen. He wanted to charge over and pound upon Akkarin's chest or scream aloud for him to wake. However, Lorlen did not, and only for his weak legs and exhausted body that kept him from flying over to his friend's body.
Lorlen kneed down opposite Sonea, took one of Akkarin's hands and enclosed it in his grip, and there he released his own anguish silent cry. From the edge of his blurry vision magicians, novices, soldiers and civilians all bowed their heads in respect. King Merin too, paid his own salutation with the Higher Magicians.
The silent sea of statues seems lasted an eternity, but eventually the murmurs from beyond the University gate bounced into the Guild wall and citizens slowly took their leaves and sought occupations to refrain from grieving at the devastation surrounded them.
Osen pulled Lorlen to his feet and forced him to move away from the corpse of their former High Lord. Rothen and his son, Dorien attempted the same to Sonea, but she protested and fainted as a result and landed atop Akkarin corpse; obviously already drained of her powers.
"Sonea!" several Magicians cried out worriedly. Vinara directly placed her hand on Sonea wrist and with what little of her recovering power she sent some healing energy to the exiled novice as she sought out for damage and injury. Few magicians grew worried as they witnessed Vinara shock face, which prompted Lorlen memories and thus he recollect his last conversation with Akkarin and the news his friend delivered via the ring. Vinara turned to him questioningly, and Lorlen nodded confirming her supposition. The other magicians frowned at the lack of comprehension to the significant exchange between Vinara and him.
"It a miracle that she's alive, there's no power left to sustain her." Vinara stated, adding that Sonea needs at least twenty-six hours of sleeps if she is to recover and she suspected another two days rest in order to restore her powers to it former level. The Higher Magicians approved hastily that Sonea should returns to her old bedroom in Lord Rothen's apartment as oppose to the Novices' Quarter or the abandoned High Lord residence.
"Thank you Vinara." Lorlen uttered softly, as Osen brought them pass by the Healer. She nodded understandingly, though silently told him that they would approach this topic later.
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Even now, he could see Akkarin sitting on the floor of the Arena - aloof, dignified and self-assured High Lord of the Guild. Everywhere he turns a spectre of Akkarin hover in thus place. The steps before the University main entrance and even in this office chair the same day he learnt of Osen disapproval of the black robed magician.
Why did he not believe his best friend? Sonea did, and she knew little of him and even hated Akkarin for some three years. Lorlen wondered if it would makes any different if he trusted his friend earlier; but off course it would, he could force Akkarin to confess to the Higher Magicians or work something out. Although, perhaps Akkarin was right, the truth would devastate them and changes and uncertainty make people weak and irrational.
He could recall the feeling of what he thought to be his final moments. The pain of being crushed under the rumble, the torrential weight on his shoulder and all over his body, and soon became aware of lightness about his presence as it begins to separate from his corpse. The blackness surrounded him, the life drained from his body, he could hear his motionless heart, he could feel the blood that should mobile throughout his veins and even the giant lump of air lumped and fixed inside his throat. Lorlen did not know how he could face the end, but understanding that his best friend did not betray the Guild gave him courage and peace.
It was not his time, however; he was abruptly pulled back from the blackness with a great force of energy that shoot through his entire being, greater than he could ever imagine. He became conscious of the drumming of his heart, the swift and energetic flow of the blood through his veins, he could hear the working of his lungs where the air carriers exchanged the purify air for spoil ones, and even sense his cells repairing itself. He did not understand what was happening, nor could he time how long the sensation lasted.
As his sight and bearing returns, Osen stood in his vision, and for a moment, he was confused to everything. He found himself in a bedchamber underground and a guest of the Thieves as other magicians gathered around him. When he tried reaching for his magic, nothing but weariness overcame him.
Then Osen explained that Akkarin had healed him after he lost conscious and directed Osen for them to refuge with the Thieves, Lorlen heart filled with gratitude for his friend effort. He learnt that the former High Lord left without ado, but with instruction to keep his presence a secret if they were to defeat the Ichani.
His friend spoke again only once after that, and not many hours later Balkan projected the images of the battle to all those able to see it. Lorlen forgotten his friend request then as he was caught up in the fight. Vinara shock face brought back the four words that stunned him not a day earlier. Please be their Godfather.
A knock came from outside his door, Lorlen turned as Rothen entered the office. The Higher Magicians and few others were meeting to decide Sonea's future, but most importantly possible threats to the Allied Lands in form of powerful Sachakan Black Magicians. The Higher Magicians and he had meet with the King not long after the battle and they briefly discussed the necessary of a black magician within the Guild. Lorlen could barely recollect the meeting, though he could recall hearing the heavy sigh of regrets at Akkarin's death by their sovereign.
Lorlen turned to the window as he rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. Vinara looked at him appraisingly, this must be the first time since Akkarin's death she sees him otherwise grieving. Balkan stop pacing and questioned Rothen on Sonea wellbeing. Rothen replies were negative, predictably. What did they expect? Her guardian died in battle not a week ago and Lorlen doubted a year would be enough to mourn. If they buried Akkarin, Sonea may not recover, which was a good thing when King Merin, surprisingly suggested an ice tomb.
Only, Sonea had made it her unofficial home and have not left Akkarin corpse since. Numerous magicians found her grieving and occasionally crying – a foreign sight to them as they never seen her breakdown. Lorlen tried asking her away twice, but then he did not want to leave the tomb himself once there, and Osen had to evict him.
Osen, when unoccupied with organising the recovery of the city and duties of Administrator, had the official role of guarding him.
"What about Akkarin's books?" he heard Rothen asked.
Balkan shook his head. "Sarrin was unable to learn from them. I have fared no better -"
"Then you must talk to her," Vinara said to the Warrior, "and when you do, you must be able to tell her exactly where she stands with us. We can't ask her to live for our sakes when her future is uncertain."
"I will talk to her." Lorlen offered quietly, and all turned to him surprised. "Akkarin had entrusted her the responsibility to protect Kyralia, I don't think she would abandon her duty." If only he understood this earlier, and that Akkarin choose Sonea because he knew something would happen and he could not be around forever. If only he had force Akkarin confession earlier. If only, there were too many if, and it is useless now.
"Surely Akkarin never told you that?" exclaimed Vinara, the remaining occupants frowned.
"No, but I can guess his reasoning. It is time to tell you the full story." Rothen appeared confused for a second, but quickly recovered, as he comprehended Lorlen's intention.
"Before joining the Guild, a dwell called Cery sneaked Sonea into the ground, while we were roaming the slum searching for her. That night, Sonea witnessed Akkarin taking power from his servant and although she did not understand, his action disturbed her, which only added to her distrust of us magicians. She concluded him to be an assassin." Rothen smiled as others frowned. "I learnt all this when I was elected to perform a truth read during Sonea's guardianship hearing." Vinara gasped while magicians were gobsmacked. Only Rother smiled sympathetically at him as he continued revealing the occurrence of the last three years up to the death of Lord Jolen.
"I should have trusted him, but I kept interpreting his meaning incorrectly. When he said taking on Sonea's guardianship was better than the alternative, I thought the alternative would be a massacre in Imardin. However, now thinking back I think he meant to confess the whole story as his secret has been uncovered.
Once he admitted that black magic was evil, and added that he did not intend to destroy the Guild or anything I hold dear, but again I could not believe him.
Later, when we were following a pattern of murders, and he did not seem to expect it to happen again so soon, I should have seen that he was not the criminal we're looking for. Instead I turned a blind eye and blamed it on his acting, even all those time he tried to telling of me his innocent." Lorlen rested his forehead on him hand, sighed and continued with his tale.
"You should have told us sooner!" Balkan rebuked as soon as Lorlen concluded the story.
"I dare say that would have been worst," remarked Vinara, the rest seem surprised at her words. "If Akkarin was force to reveal his crime, the Ichani would have attacked earlier. Its not right for me to say this, but I'm grateful that he held you two and Sonea hostages, and not only because he knew we would not understand and react foolishly, but also because we would lose had Sonea not fight."
Balkan evidently conceded to the argument, even he could hardly deny for he witnessed Sonea's final heatstrike against their enemy. Garrel shook his head and the other magicians dropped their face, shamed and guilty of their earlier verdict. Lorlen wonder if they ever blamed themselves for the invasion and Akkarin's death as he had countless time.
"I formally request to resign my position as Administrator," said Lorlen, breaking the silent.
Their reaction was instant. "Certainly there is no need." said Vinara clearly put out, "what good would your resignation do?"
"I have misplaced your trust and proven unsuited for the role." Lorlen waited for them to contradict his statement, but they only pause thoughtfully. "Beside, the change will do everyone good." neither warriors argue, Director Jerrik and Lord Telano looked wistful, however Vinara openly disagree. She asked if he was worried for Sonea's wellbeing, to which Rothen frowned, but finally they acquiescent to his request and ask nothing of the obvious private conversion between Vinara and him. They would learn the truth soon enough, thought Lorlen, and with any luck Sonea would gain some consolation to her lost.
*~*~*