Chapter 2

Akkarin and Sonea followed Ceryni to the secret meeting place as they travel Sonea was surprised that they are no longer in the tunnel but in a different part of the slum near the marina. She frowned as Akkarin grab her left hand and send 'Sonea what's wrong? You don't look too good.'

Sonea shook her head as she looked around, then back at Ceryni's direction she replied 'Just the thought of this place being destroyed and I don't understand why we are so far from the tunnels and the city. What if the Ichanis…' An overwhelming feeling overcome her as she thought how unusual that this place which was separated by just a wall once bustling with busy market activities and now dead silence.

'Sonea let me remind you again, the guild may think they will be here by tomorrow, but you know that they will take 2 days to arrive as they do not have healing powers so they have to rest for the night. Furthermore with the number of slave they are bringing, they will travel far slower.' Akkarin chilled Sonea.

Sonea lowered her gaze realising that she worries too much as she continued on.

It was about lunch time when they had finally finished the meeting with the thieves and both Sonea and Akkarin were glad and surprised by the help they have been offered. The thieves also promised of not only helped them gain more strength from the dwells but also the fact that they will organise a safe place for the magicians in times of need.

Back in the guest house while Takan was preparing lunch and Ceryni had excused himself to organise some of his 'plans' Sonea looked at Akkarin with a questioning look. "You haven't told me about the conversation with Lorlen, you look different after that."

Akkarin lifted his eyebrow and looked into Sonea's black eyes for a few minutes before a slight smile and related the mental link then he added that he was glad to have rekindled the relationship as that was a big part of his regret for the last 2 years of his life when their friendship turned for the worst.

"Akkarin, I am thinking maybe we can ask Lorlen to try a few things it may not be very effective but at least that may waste their strength and also hopefully kill one or two of them for us. However he may need to get the higher magicians involve." Sonea said after a few moments of silences.

At the same moment Ceryni walked into the dinning room with a very calculative and pleased look.

"Cery, what is it? You looked really happy at a time like this." Sonea eyed Ceryni closely.

Akkarin looked up at Ceryni and noticed that he did not replied Sonea, after a few minutes he asked. "Does your happiness have something to do with the plans that you were asking Takan couple of days ago? I don't believe you are thinking that you can really kill any Ichani without magicians do you?"

With that Sonea's face look worried and stared at Ceryni, "Tell me you did not think of anything as insane as that. You of all people should know how dangerous it is. For crying out loud you have seen how the slaves kill and the Ichanis are hundred times worst."

"Give me some credit Sonea. When have I failed in my plans? I am even a thief now; do you think I am really that bad in my planning or judgment? Since you guess it, I might as well ask you for some advice just to fine tune my plan." Ceryni laughed off waving his right hand with a very dismissive look.

They started to discuss all the methods and place where Ceryni's plan was supposed to take place. Throughout the conversation, Sonea was shaking her head and added that they have to be extremely lucky for the plan to work as all magicians can shield. But Ceryni stood to his ground and explain that at least it is worth a trial.

Akkarin gave a very calculative look on his face and then went deep into his thoughts. Before Sonea could interrupt, Takan came in with lunch and all the crockery and cutlery for their lunch. Akkarin turned to look at Ceryni and Sonea, "Let's have lunch first before we discussed further."

Just before dessert when Takan was clearing the plates Sonea felt a brush on her hand and noticed that Akkarin's fingers were lightly touching her skin. 'Give Ceryni some credit it may work and that will be better for us if not we will be there to protect the people involved.'

Sonea gave a long hard look at Akkarin before nodding her head and started on her dessert. All this time Ceryni was looking at the exchange even though he was not involve just from looking at Sonea's facial expression and the defeated slouch gave him the impression that she has agreed not to go against the idea.

With that Ceryni Got up and said, "Since we have an agreement I will go check if the volunteers are ready and I will let you know the final details of my plan and where we can work together to ensure that all the people are well protected from the so called 'explosion' as you have putted it."

When the door closed Akkarin got up from his seat and headed towards the room. On reaching the door he turned to Sonea with his half smile face, "You coming we have some details to finalize and contact Lorlen before we go."

Sorry for the late update. December had been a crazy month with all the festive and family commitment. I promised to try and have the next chapter update before the end of the month.

Thank you Jaycest for your encouragement and help in some of the information and discussing the logic in some of my plots to come.