And here's the next one! Don't get used to this speed of updating though, I fear the chapters will come more slowely from here on...
It was already late, and the university grounds were quiet. A quick look through the blood gem told Akkarin that Lorlen was not yet asleep, but pacing in his office. Heading towards the Administrator's office, he thought back at the conversation with Sonea. She was so worried... worried about me. Does that mean she cares about me? He snorted. That's only what I wish it to be. Obviously she doesn't hate me anymore, but that doesn't mean she feels for me now. I have to be thankful that she at least sees me as a friend. And she would be worried for all of her friends... nothing special about that. Akkarin shook his head to get these thoughts out of his mind. I have to concentrate on Lorlen. I take a great risk in telling him. But if I don't, he'll do something stupid and implicate the Higher Magicians. He paused. I will have to tell him everything, including Sonea learning black magic, to show him I trust him. Any more secrets just would make him only more wary. It is a gamble. But Sonea is right, I need to trust Lorlen. He had reached the door to the Administrator's office. Taking a deep breath, he entered without knocking.
"Lorlen." "High Lord." Lorlens face became ashen, and he took a step backwards. He is afraid of me, Akkarinrealised with a pang of sadness. He held up the palms of his hands as if in defence. "I won't do you any harm, Lorlen. Stay calm. I'm not here to threaten you. In fact, I came here to make a confession. To finally tell you why I am using black magic. And to answer your question, no, I didn't murder Lord Jolen."
Lorlen looked at him, still wary. "Why should I trust you? How do I know you tell the truth?" he asked. Akkarin sighed deeply and sat down on one of the chairs. "It is up to you to believe me. The only thing I want is for you to listen to me first. Make your own judgement. I will try to proof my story as best as I can, but I can't allow you to read my mind. You would learn how to use black magic, and I can't risk that." As an afterthought he added, "Take off the blood ring, so you can think what you like without having to fear my reaction. Go on." Lorlen nodded slowly, pulling the ring off his finger. He seemed a little less anxious now. Sitting down on another chair facing Akkarin, he said, "tell me, then."
Akkarin took another deep breath and looked straight into Lorlen's eyes. "It started when I left the university seven years ago..."
Back in her room, Sonea sat on her bed, a book on her lap. But she couldn't concentrate on reading, her thoughts went back to her talk with Akkarin. What did possess me to let him see my feelings for him? He will think I'm an emotionally unstable, infatuated teen! She sighed. But I had to tell him my concerns, make him see that he mustn't risk his life. He's too important for the Guild and Kyralia. And I really don't want to lose him. He has to tell Lorlen to be safe. Lorlen will understand.
She again pondered again over her feelings for the High Lord. I am really falling in love with him. How did that happen? Not so long ago, I used to hate him. But now... every time he is near, I feel happy and save. Despite his usual cool and aloof demeanour, he lets me see other, gentler sides of him more and more often. And I like that very much. She shook her head to herself. But there is no way this could work. He is my guardian, he sees nothing more than a novice in me. A friend, perhaps. But nothing more. And besides, the rules of the Guild are unanimous. Nothing can happen anyway.
Her thoughts then shifted to Akkarin's talk with Lorlen. How is it going? I hope Lorlen will help us. He has to! Decidingto wait for Akkarin's return, she tried to concentrate on her book once more.
When Akkarin was finished, they both sat in silence. Lorlen looked struck. The story he just heard, the expression of pain on the High Lord's face as he recounted his time in Sachaka and the sight of Akkarin's forearms crisscrossed with scars were still sending shivers down his spine.
"I believe you," he said at last. "I don't agree with your methods to keep Sonea, Rothen and me quiet, and I certainly don't agree with you implicating Sonea even more in all this mess. Teaching her black magic! How could you? You are out of your mind!" he shook his head angrily.
"But I believe what you told me. Your time in Sachaka, the Ichani..." He shook his head again. "I don't see how you could have invented all that."
Akkarin closed his eyes shortly in relief. "I'm sorry I had to do this to you, Lorlen. I saw no other way." He sighed tiredly. "And concerning Sonea, she is quite stubborn and determined, and she has sense of justice. I needed someone I could train to replace me if needed. She already knew half of it, so who better?" He mentioned neither his own fears about implicating Sonea which still lingered in the back of his mind, nor the other reason he let her in on his secret: that he desperately wanted her to trust him and think well of him.
Lorlen still looked skeptical but didn't comment further on it. "So you think it was an Ichani or one of their slaves who killed Lord Jolen?" "Yes. I can't imagine any other possibility. I already contacted the thieves to watch out for any new Sachakans in Imardin, but they haven't found one yet. This is a completely different tactic than the one they used up to now. I wonder what the Ichani aim to achieve with Jolen's murder - other than to expose me with it."
Lorlen looked thoughtful. "So what now? I won't tell the Highter Magician of your secret - yet. But what if the Ichani will continue to murder other Guild Magicians? We have to inform the other High Magicians and the King about this threat. But that will expose you – and risk your execution."
Akkarin rubbed his forehead and sighed. "I'm not sure what to do yet. I don't want to risk exposure – not only for my sake, but for Sonea's and your's. But we will have to warn the Guild of the Ichani threat. Perhaps the present situation can be used to our advantage. I have to think." He eyed Lorlen closely. "Will you help me?"
A small smile crept on Lorlen's face. "I am used to drag you out of the mess you manoeuvred yourself into since our novice days – I won't stop with it now." Akkarin rewarded the Administrator with a thankful smile. Then his face turned serious again. "Thank you Lorlen. I'm sorry I put you through all this." He hesitated. "I miss our friendship. I hope I will be able to make you trust me again."
"I hope so, too."