Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or places written or recognized in this, they belong to Trudi Canavan. I am not making a profit from this. (If I had owned it, Akkarin would live!)

A/N I'm back with chapter two! Finally figured it out. Please do enjoy! And Review if you wish. :)

Erm, the POVs kinda chop and change throughout this chapter. And it's pretty long. Sorry if it's too much!

ATTENTION. I forgot to mention something crucial in the last A/N when that chapter was first published, and that is that Akkarin and Sonea never met up with Dorrien after exiting Sachaka. Sorry if anyone was confused about his outburst! He does not yet understand… will he ever though?

Enjoy!

Chapter Two: Road To Recovery

Balkan opened the door to the Residence and stood aside as Akkarin stepped into the building, still carrying Sonea bridal-style. Akkarin gazed around the guestroom. There were already signs showing that no-one had been living there for a while; dust was gathering on top of the wine cabinet, and the cushions on his beloved armchair were beginning to sag.

"The Guild have not gotten round to appointing a new High Lord yet," Balkan explained, following Akkarin's gaze. "No-one has been in here since you, ah… left. I suppose it may give you an advantage if you wish to try and reclaim your place."

Akkarin did not reply. He was not going to think about Guild matters until Sonea was completely recovered. The sound of footsteps coming down the staircase reached them. Rothen came into view and he inclined his head in greeting, albeit stiffly when he saw that it was Akkarin holding Sonea.

"Her room is ready. I removed most of the dust and sorted out bed sheets." His voice sounded strained and there was slight leer in his expression.

Akkarin's infamous dark gaze had returned to his face when he looked at Rothen. He quickly climbed the stairs before his expression mirrored Rothen's and made him feel even more hatred. Sonea would be annoyed if I showed Rothen more disrespect… Reaching the top he walked along the hall, and nudged open Sonea's bedchamber door. He created a small globe of light and placed her gently down on the soft mattress of the four-poster bed in the centre of the room, her head resting on a silk-covered pillow. Akkarin stood still for a moment, studying her face in the soft glow of the globe. Her short, curly brown hair had fanned out across the pillow and auburn tints in it shone in the light. Her long eyelashes cast shadows across her pale face. Akkarin's heart thudded.

She's so beautiful. A soft smile appeared on his lips. He reached out a hand and brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind an ear.

Rest well, Sonea love, he sent. He did not know if she would hear him, but he said it all the same.

Reluctantly he turned away from her and headed back downstairs, the door clicking shut behind him.

~.~.~

Lady Vinara was still in disbelief that both Akkarin and Sonea had survived as she hurried toward the Guild. And seemingly with no worse ailments than exhaustion at that! She would not openly admit she had doubts about their abilities… it's not that she was frightened of them, just… cautious. Yes that's it, cautious.

And now they need her expertise. It would be an honour to help them be well again, the saviours and two most powerful magicians of Kyralia…

But… what if… what if I make a mistake? What if I make them more ill? She couldn't help the flow of her thoughts. They'll be unhappy… they'll get angry… then they'll do something to me, something bad. Ban me from healing? Block my powers? … Kill me?

STOP. Vinara shook her head. She couldn't think like this. She knew Sonea. Sonea who had taken an interest in the Healing profession, was always studious and as nice as she could be. Sonea would not harm her if she did something wrong. But Akkarin on the other hand…

Oh Gods, he's frightening. He's terrifying. He will surely do something if I do not do well. And Dorrien, during the conversation, he sounded tense when he mentioned Akkarin. Was Akkarin already in a worse mood and taking it out on others? Wait… of course he would be in a bad mood… his novice is unconscious.

Vinara's entered the Guild through the gates. She looked up from her green robes brushing the ground and her footsteps slowed to a standstill. She was not prepared to see the destruction of the Guild's grounds, something so familiar to her torn up. Her gaze was attracted to a body of colour – purple, green, red and brown robed figures were standing a slight distance away, a stark contrast to the mud coloured mess the grounds were in. Vinara recognized a few, and nodded her head to one – Dorrien. He replied by a slight lift of his chin, his face still holding traces of discontent. Slightly confused, Vinara resumed her walk to the Residence. Her mind dismissed Dorrien's face as she continued to think about what she was about to do.

I am a professional. She thought. What has happened in the city today has been a tragedy, but I cannot let it distract me from the work I must do to help put it to rights. It is silly to be scared of Sonea and Akkarin after what we have faced. I know I can do my job and do it well, and I will heal them, and all others who have been injured in the battle.

Vinara smiled to herself. Her confidence had returned.

~.~.~

When Akkarin arrived at the end of the stairs, a heated discussion between the two other magicians ceased. Balkan looked over to him, carefully schooling his expression. Rothen's expression, however, didn't quite make it – he could still see a curve of distaste on his mouth. Akkarin sighed and leant himself against the doorframe that lead to the dining room, crossing his arms as he did so.

How can I possibly get Rothen to understand… I've taken the only person as close he'll ever get to a daughter away from him, and now I say I love her? He loves her too, and yet I try to place more claim over her than him…

Akkarin instantly felt regret and guilt.

I should never have taken her guardianship. They weren't going to tell anyone, they would have kept quiet and I could have carried on with my work, she would still hate me and I would not have fallen for her.

Still, Akkarin could not help thinking that without her, the Ichani would not have been beaten. He would be dead otherwise, and she… she would be a pleasure slave. Akkarin shuddered and felt his stomach knot at the thought.

Two short knocks rapped on the front door before it swung open and Vinara stepped into the Residence. She must have sensed the icy atmosphere between the other three magicians because she looked to each of them with questioning eyes. She said nothing though, and instead bowed in greeting, closing the door behind her.

"Lady Vinara," Balkan bowed back, "Thank you for coming so soon. Sonea's upstairs in her room."

"I'll tend to her immediately, Lord Balkan. It's so good to see you all alive. I may need someone to assist me with dressing wounds any wounds though."

"I'll go." Akkarin said.

Vinara looked slightly surprised, but even more so when Rothen stepped between them.

"No! I will go."

"Rothen -" Akkarin tried to protest but was immediately interrupted.

"Don't you think you've done enough?"

Akkarin's eyes hardened for a moment but then he simply looked defeated. Vinara looked to Balkan for some explanation but he only shrugged his shoulders. She turned to look at the other two again. Rothen looked strangely triumphant.

"Right… well… Rothen it is then. Let's go."

~.~.~

Rothen was still fuming as he followed Vinara to Sonea's rooms.

I don't even want to think about what he's done to her. It's awful. Is it rape? Rothen shuddered. But if it wasn't forced… that means she consented… and that must mean she likes him. No, she can't like him. She hated him!

But then Rothen remembered the smile she would give Akkarin just before they were caught out. And then he remembered how she refused her kinder judgment to instead be with Akkarin in exile.

She believed his story completely. Either he somehow used magic to make her believe, or his story really is true.

And then, the cherry on the cake, Rothen remembered the kiss she and Akkarin shared before she collapsed which he saw from the roof. As did Dorrien.

Poor Dorrien.

His son was not going to take the revelation easily. Rothen sighed quietly to himself. He didn't know what to think anymore. Everything had happened so quickly. He hadn't even properly spoken to Sonea yet.

Ah, that's what I need. A long talk with Sonea and this will all be sorted out.

They reached Sonea's room. Two globe lights flitted in, just bright enough to see by. Vinara arrived briskly at Sonea's side, Rothen close behind her. Her hand stretched out and hovered a couple of inches over Sonea's forehead, and she closed her eyes as she let her senses out into Sonea's body, checking for internal damage. She suddenly stopped half-way down her face however, when her eyes opened again and she turned to narrow them at Rothen.

"You are so close I can feel your breath on my neck, Rothen."

He looked slightly embarrassed as he took a step back and mumbled an apology. Vinara sighed and she briefly looked around the room.

"Over there, that towel. Could you dampen it and place it on Sonea's head? She has a slight temperature."

Rothen rushed to the other side of the bed, glad to finally feel helpful. Once he wrung the towel out, he neatly folded it and placed it on Sonea's forehead. She stirred a little at the sudden coolness on her face, but fell deep into unconsciousness again just as quickly. Rothen's heart squeezed when he fully realised how ill she looked. He pulled a chair over from her desk and sat carefully watching her as Vinara resumed the examination.

It was almost ten minutes later when he realised Vinara's hands had stopped over the middle of Sonea's stomach, a frown drawing her eyebrows together in confusion, eyes closed. Rothen's eyes shifted from Vinara's hands to Sonea's body and back again.

"Vinara? Is there something wrong?" His voice was cautious, he didn't want to startle her out of her concentration.

"… I'm not sure…" was the mumbled reply.

Although his voice seemed calm, Rothen's mind was turning into a storm. He had a strong sense of déjà vu, like he had seen Vinara standing over someone like that before.

Maybe, when a student hurt themselves? No, none of my students or those I was guardian for have ever been treated by Vinara. A magician then? Someone I visited in the Healer's Quarters… a woman… she was looking fondly at me… Yilara!

He was confused by the conclusion.

Why does this remind me of Yilara? Why was she in the Quarter's? The only time she was there was when she had Dorrien… and for the checkups when Vinara examined her for signs of abnormalities… when Vinara held her hands over her stomach, just like what she was doing now.

Exactly like what she was doing now.

Rothen stood up so quickly the chair fell to the ground with a bang. Vinara jumped at the noise and opened her eyes to find Rothen staring at her hard, a steely look in his eyes.

"What? Rothen? What is it?"

Rothen kept staring at her as his breathing deepened, as if he was furious at something.

"Rothen, please, what's wrong?"

"Is she?"

Confusion appeared in Vinara's eyes.

"Is she what?"

"Don't play games, Vinara! Just tell me – is she?"

"Rothen, I honestly don't understand. Is she what?"

"Is she… pregnant?" The last word was almost spat out in a whisper.

Vinara's face was a mixture of shock at Rothen's tone and confusion. Sonea had no lover, did she? She had never taken interest. Yet Rothen's reaction hinted at it. Seeing Rothen's face again she realised she should give an answer quick.

"No, Rothen, she is not pregnant."

Rothen immediately collapsed back into his chair after picking it up again, letting out the breath he was holding slowly, to calm himself down.

Oh, thank the gods! There is nothing wrong with her. But Rothen suddenly realized his mistake in thinking this. Vinara still looked unsure over something, and she was contemplating Sonea's stomach. Rothen tensed again.

"Vinara… If she's not pregnant… what is wrong with her?"

Vinara did not reply for some time. She put a hand over Sonea once again, shifting it back and forth. Eventually she looked to him, and he felt himself go cold, his stomach twisting at the look of sorrow and pity in her eyes.

"I think… I think she has somehow been cursed."

"Cursed?"

"Yes. There is a… I can't explain. It would be better if you see for yourself."

Rothen rose from the chair shakily and arrived at Vinara's side. She took his hand in hers and placed it over Sonea's stomach, where hers was before.

"Now, expand your senses to her body, and see for yourself."

Rothen did so, and could feel Sonea's slight power in her, but he knew this was not what he was searching for. He concentrated to the area under his hand and gasped in horror. He realised why Vinara couldn't describe it. The image he had in his mind from what he could sense was a scar of blackness embedded in the tissues of her body. It was ugly, and dark, and unnatural.

"Vinara, why haven't you healed it?"

He was looking at her still with traces of horror on his face. Vinara turned her eyes down from his gaze and took a breath.

"I'm so sorry Rothen… I tried to Heal her, but that thing took the power. Took it! It didn't have any effect. I… I think it may have even widened the wound, just a little. I can't risk trying to heal her, in case it gets worse."

Rothen's face paled. His gaze shifted back to Sonea's face.

"It's incurable?"

"I don't know. But if there is an antidote, or some sort of incantation, we must find it. Soon. Her body will try to heal itself – "

"- and her power will just be swallowed up until she is exhausted and… dies." Rothen barely got that word past his lips.

Silence ensued. Tears were slowly falling down Rothen's face.

That it should come to this. After all she has been through, all she has done for this Guild, her life is to come to an end. She's not even twenty! It is not right she should die before me.

Despair and pain filled Rothen's heart. He could only think that the Ichani had somehow done something, or said something that would curse her for killing them or touching something of theirs. How… how could he possibly tell her?

He was brought out of his reverie by the sound of Vinara's voice, but he couldn't make sense of what she was saying. His tears were blurring his vision. Vinara walked round to stand in front of him.

"I am so sorry. I will research this, to see if there is anything I can do. I think this is the fault of the Ichani. We should tell Akkarin, he may have knowledge of what this is."

Rothen reacted to that man's name.

"Akkarin? No! We mustn't tell him. He'll…" Rothen was struggling for an excuse. "He'll… well, he might act without thinking, he might think he has the skill to save her, and just make it worse."

"Rothen, be reasonable. He may be the only person in the Guild with enough skill, knowledge and power to save her!"

"No! He cannot be told!"

Vinara cast a look of disbelief at Rothen. Why would he say that? Akkarin was their best chance! Unless there is another reason. A reason for Rothen to still distrust him.

"Rothen? Is Akkarin Sonea's lover?"

Brief rage appeared in his eyes.

"Yes. That bastard is Sonea's 'lover'." The emphasis on the last word made it clear he didn't think 'lover' was the right term.

"You think… he forced her?" she asked with disgust.

"Who is to say? So far the only part proven true of his story is that the Ichani were going to invade! What about the rest of it? There's no proof that he didn't force black magic on Sonea, no proof he was indeed a slave. We still cannot trust him."

Vinara considered what Rothen said. She didn't want to put Sonea in anymore risk, and what if Akkarin did indeed have bad intentions? She couldn't let a man like that near Sonea. But he did save Kyralia, and Sonea seemed so trusting of him.

"Rothen, I will not tell him… for now. But I fear we will need his help. Perhaps when Sonea wakes, we will discuss this with her. If she asks that Akkarin be told, we should do as she says."

Rothen nodded once and Vinara walked to the door, the examination was finished.

"Thank you, Vinara." Rothen called after her. She inclined her head and walked out of the room.

Rothen turned his gaze back to Sonea's small form. The anger was leaking out of his face to be replaced again with sadness and pain. He didn't think he would recover in the event of her death. Fresh tears welled in his eyes. He closed them and rested his head in his hands.

Why did it have to be Sonea?

A/N And there we have chapter 2! I'm not entirely happy with the way I wrote the ending, but heyho. Hope you enjoyed it!

I should take the chance now to say that there may not be a new chapter before my exams start, so that means you may have to wait for a few weeks. So I'm very sorry in advance, but it will get done sometime!