Sonea was up early in the morning like always, throwing on her robes, when she heard someone knocking loudly and insistantly on the front door of the residence. She went down the stairs, seeing Lord Balkan entering the room, face grave. Akkarin stood from the chair he seemed to have occupied for reading before.

"High Lord. There's trouble. Last night, Lord Jolen was murdered in his city mansion, along with his family. His corpse was found early this morning by a servant." The High Lord stared at him. Then he answered slowly, "His corpse? But...that would mean..." "Either he was totally exhausted magically when he was attacked – or it was black magic". Balkan nodded gravely. "I have no idea how that could be possible. I already informed Lady Vinara to have a look at him. The other higher Magicians are on their way, too. We will need to investigate thoroughly. I have a coach waiting for us to bring us to Jolen's house."

Akkarin nodded at him. "Then let's go." He turned around to look at Sonea, who was still standing on the stairs, looking shocked. "Don't tell anyone what you heard here, Sonea. We don't want to spread panic. Perhaps there is a simple explanation for all of this." His eyes focused on her for a few seconds, a warning as well as reassurance in them. Then he turned around and followed Balkan out of the residence.

When Sonea left the baths and headed to the university, she already knew that it was too late. People all over the Guild were gossiping about last night's events and Lord Jolen's death, speaking about black magic in hushed voices. Sonea was worried. Was it an Ichani? A slave? If the Guild wanted to investigate further and learned about the Sachakan Black Magicians, would Akkarin be able to keep his knowledge about black magic a secret?

She was not able to concentrate on her classes, apprehension coursing through her. She was glad when the bell finally rang and fled out of the university to the gardens. There, she was stopped by a hand on her arm. "Sonea." "Rothen." Her former mentor looked pale, worry creasing his face. "Did you hear about the murder? Sonea, we have to do something. This is going out of control. Now Akkarin starts to murder Guild Magicians..." Sonea cut him off. "Rothen, listen to me. It was not Akkarin who murdered Lord Jolen." Rothen stared at her. "How would you know? He is dangerous, Sonea. We have to get you away from him..." Sonea cut him off again. Looking sternly in his eyes, she said, "Rothen. You have to trust me in this. It was not Akkarin. I... I know his reasons for using black magic. He is not the dangerous one. He wouldn't hurt anyone. He is keeping us save."

Rothen stared at her, lost. "But..." "Please, Rothen, trust me. Akkarin is not the danger. He is good to me. He wouldn't hurt me. Suspicion was showing on his face. "He didn't implicate you in his dark practices...?". "There were some events, leading Akkarin to tell me of his reasons. He never forced me to do anything. Rothen, please trust me. Everything is ok". That was close enough to the truth, Sonea thought, without having to admit she learned to use black magic. She hoped Rothen would leave it with that.

Rothen sighed and looked gravely at her. Her revelation seemed to have shocked him quite profoundly. "Ok. I trust you. But we have to get you out of there as soon as possible. I don't like this situation one bit. But I will keep quiet for the time being." He hugged her. "Be careful, Sonea." With that, he went back to the university.

Sonea tried to concentrate on her homework, but it seemed impossible. She worried about Akkarin. Sighing, she closed her books and went down to the guest room. She paced the room, then and again looking out of the window. When evening came, Takan entered the room with something to eat. She looked at him. "Have you heard something..." Takan shook his head. "No, I'm sorry Mylady. I am just as worried as you are."

She ate without appetite. She was just finished when the front door opened and a tired-looking Akkarin came in. Sonea jumped up from her seat. "What happened? Are you ok? Is there a new Ichani in the city? Did they suspect you...?"

Akkarin gave her a tired half-smile and sat down on one of the chairs. "Lord Jolen was indeed killed with black magic. It must have been an Ichani or slave. There is no other possibility." He sighed. "Up to now, the Higher Magicians do not suspect me. They are at a loss at who could have murdered Jolen using black magic. Lorlen, however, is another matter. He is convinced I am implicated in this murder and is on the verge on telling the Higher Magicians about me, accepting to sacrifice you in order to stop me from murdering more Guild magicians."

He put his head in his hands. He looked worried. "I have to find a way to stop him..." "So tell him," Sonea said. "You long owe him an explanation. Tell him your reasons, tell him about the Ichanis. He would understand. He would help us to deal with this mess."

Akkarin's face became hard. "No. Why do you think I haven't told Lorlen about everything yet? Even if he would help me. Do you realise what would happen to him if someone found out about me and about Lorlen knowing about my usage of black magic? They would execute him, alongside me! When it comes to you, I can at least tell them I forced you to learn black magic, and that I held you hostage here, so you would be save. But Lorlen... no, I can't risk that."

"And what about you? Who is protecting you?" Sonea looked at him angrily, voice raised. "If Lorlen tells the Higher Magicians about your secret, they would execute you! Even if Lorlen keeps quiet now, he won't help you if the other Higher Magicians become suspicious because you show you know too much about black magic during this investigation! And without you, the Ichanis could invade and no-one could stop them!"

"You would be here to help the Guild" Akkarin said matter-of-factly. "I always was aware of the possibility that they would find out and I would be executed. It is only be a matter of time, even if I am able to get out of this mess now unharmed, the danger will always persist. That's why I taught you everything I know in the first place. You can replace me."

"But I don't want to!" Sonea tried desperately to stop the tears that were forming in her eyes. "I don't want you to die. You can't leave me alone." She looked away from him, embarrassed about her tears that welled in her eyes. Akkarin's face showed surprise. "Sonea... I know you can do without me. You're strong, you will be as able to defend Kyralia from the Ichanis as I am now. You will be fine."

"But I don't want to be without you. You're important to me" she said in a small voice. Akkarin stared at her. "Sonea..." "Please." she said. "Talk to Lorlen. He will help you keep your secret when he knows your reasons. I'm sure of it. As long as your secret is save, neither of you is in any danger. Please. Don't sacrifice yourself only to protect Lorlen. He will understand."

Akkarin examined Sonea's face, which was creased with worry. He sighed. "Alright. I will talk to Lorlen. If he is willing to believe and help me now, I will think of a way to protect him later." He stood.

"Oh, and... High Lord?" Akkarin turned back to Sonea. "Rothen knows I know your secret. He doesn't know what it is about, but I had to tell him so he wouldn't do something foolish. Like Lorlen he thought you murdered Lord Jolen... I had to tell him something. But it's ok. He trusts me. He won't say or do anything for now."

Akkarin didn't look pleased. But he only shook his head and said "Alright. We will have to deal with that later. First, Lorlen." He took a deep breath and went out of the residence to look for Lorlen.