Lorlen ran into the Healer's Quarters as fast as he could, tripping over his own feet on the way and falling flat on his face. With both arms grazed he sped into Lady Vinara's office, completely out of breath.

"Oh My! Lorlen! What happened to you? Oh now sit down and let me have a look." The Healer jumped up from her chair.

Unable to speak, Lorlen shook his head and beckoned for her to follow him. Obviously worried about the state of her pupil and what had caused him to get in such a state she ran after him.

They turned the corner to find Akkarin still lying on the ground, unconscious. Vinara gasped and ran to him, checking if he was breathing.

"Lorlen! What happened?" She gasped.

Regaining the ability to speak Lorlen answered her.

"I'm not sure. He had... a bit of water then ran out of the Foodhall... and just collapsed. He said... your name though so i panicked and... came to find you" He managed to pant out.

"This water, where is it?" She replied.

Lorlen came back a moment later with the water Akkarin had been drinking and watched as Lady Vinara sipped it and then spat it out.

"Lorlen, quickly! Help me get him to the Healer's Quarters!"

The pair struggled to the Healer's Quarters with the boy in their arms. Vinara lay Akkarin down on the bed and put her hands across his chest. She closed her eyes. Seconds later she removed her hands and Akkarin's eyelids flickered.

'You should let him rest. Come back in an hour or so, Lorlen.' Vinara stated.

'But what was wrong with him?' Lorlen couldn't help but ask.

'It is his place to tell you if he chooses to Lorlen, not mine,' the healer whispered as she ushered the novice out.

Sure enough about a hour later Lorlen returned.

'Shouldn't you be in class?' A croaky voice whispered from the bed as he walked in.

'Some things are more important.' Lorlen replied.

'Aww, cute. Seriously Lorlen, thank you.' Akkarin smiled.

'It was nothing, i couldn't have just left you there. What happened anyway?'

'I don't think they meant to do as much damage as they did. It was a joke. The water had sugar in it.'

'Sugar? What can that do?'

'I'm diabetic Lorlen. Idiot.' Akkarin rolled his eyes.

'Oh. Erm... sorry?'

'Don't be. That's how I know Vinara. She looked after me all these years.'

'Makes sense. I have to go.'

'Okay... I should be out by tonight.'

When Lorlen returned to his room, he found Akkarin waiting for him. The pair talked until lights out. The talked about family. For the first time Lorlen got a glimpse at Akkarin's life.

He was an only child and had grown up in Imardin. Occasionally in the summer, his father would take him to the seaside. He was a good swimmer and was unafraid of a challenge.

Lorlen lay awake that night. He couldn't stop thinking about his friend. More specifically about his eyes. It was they way they seemed so innocent even though Akkarin wasn't at all innocent. He missed him when he wasn't there. The feelings scared Lorlen. Alot.

Months passed. The Summer exams came and went. Akkarin came top of their class in everything with Lorlen slightly behind his friend. They had become inseperable over the months and the break seemed daunting to Lorlen. It was in their last class of the term, in an Alchemy class, that the Adminstrator came in and took Akkarin outside the room. Lorlen watched the two stroll in the gardens and saw Yelon asking Akkarin to sit down, before saying something to him and patting Akkarins shoulder. Tears streamed down Akkarin's face.

Lorlen did something he had no intention of doing and that he never did again. He stood up in his seat and ran out of class. Lord Margen yelled after him. He kept running. Administrator Yelon looked up at him as he ran over. He put his arms round Akkarin's shoulders and shushed him. Yelon stood up.

'Lorlen, isn't it?' He asked.

'Yes, Administrator.' Lorlen replied without glancing up.

'A word please.'

'Of course.'

Yelon took Lorlen aside.

'You left class? Well, I guess some things are more important, hey?'

'Yes sir, they are. What's wrong?'

'His parents had an... accident. Their carriage went off a cliff.'

'Were they hurt?'

'They found the bodies this morning.'

Lorlen gasped then ran back over to Akkarin.

'It'll be alright, I promise.' Lorlen whispered.