elmo-doodle: ...hello? *ducks at the various objects being flung at her* I am really really sorry about the delay for this chapter!! My muse decided to take a hike (or maybe I knocked it out of my head when I came off the bike) but I found it again!! I should warn you now though that updates will probably be irregular until I've finished my exams and properly get in to the summer holidays! But please don't worry-- I don't have any intention of abandoning this story! I love The Magician's Guild too much to do that . So, please accept this chapter as a peace offering =]
Warnings: nooooone!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own The Black Magician Trilogy. If I did, Akkarin would be all miiiine!
Chapter Three
For the next two months life continued to change for Sonea. Every morning was spent bent over the toilet, throwing up whatever food she had managed to eat at the dawn-feast. The morning sickness left her miserable for a few hours, where she refused to do anything besides mop about in Rothen's apartments, where she was temporarily living. Akkarin was staying in another of the apartments further along the hall of the Magicians Quarters, but he was over at Rothen's so often, that the older man had instructed Tania to bring meals for three, instead of two.
"Sonea, what are going to do today?" Rothen asked her, over the dawnfeast on a Freeday.
"I'm helping out at the hospital in the slums," Sonea said, smiling. "Lady Vinara has agreed to escort me down since she also wants to see how it's doing."
"I hope you aren't going to do much Healing," Akkarin commented, frowning. "You shouldn't be performing magic as your pregnancy progresses."
Sonea rolled her eyes. "Lady Vinara doesn't see any problem with me Healing others. She has only told me not to Heal myself unless absolutely necessary." She paused and raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm not going to do anything that puts our child at risk," she assured him.
Akkarin nodded, but didn't seem overly satisfied. When they had finished eating, Akkarin stood. "Excuse me. There is someone I must speak to." He kissed Sonea's forehead, nodded to Rothen and left the room.
When the door had closed, Rothen turned to Sonea. "Do you think he is going to speak to Lady Vinara?"
"Of course." She sighed. "I didn't expect him to become so protective of me. It's going to get very annoying soon."
**
"Lady Vinara." Akkarin approached the Healer and nodded at her.
"Lord Akkarin," Vinara responded. "How can I help you?"
Akkarin looked about him to make sure that nobody was close enough to them to hear. "I understand that you are escorting Sonea to the slum-hospital today."
Vinara nodded. "She is very eager to help with any injuries and illnesses, yes. If she is accepted back in to the Guild, I believe she has found her calling."
"Yes, I'm sure that pleases you," Akkarin said, smiling slightly. "She definitely has enthusiasm for helping where it concerns the slums. I wanted to ask a favour of you, Lady Vinara."
"Yes?"
"I appreciate you keeping Sonea's pregnancy a secret from the Guild, and I was hoping that you could do one more thing: I was hoping that you could perhaps discourage Sonea from using too much magic, out of danger of harming our child. I understand that there is no problem with her using her powers to Heal others, but is it not wise to cease exercising that power the further she progresses?"
Vinara gave Akkarin a look that was similar to amusement. "Yes, it is not healthy to use magic after the fourth month through fear of stealing energy away from the new life. But Sonea is very aware of what constitutes as her power and what comes from the life energy inside her."
"Could you maybe give her a warning about the dangers of this?" Akkarin asked.
"None more than what I have already told her," Vinara replied. She looked at Akkarin with understanding. "If you're worried for Sonea's health and the infant's, then I suggest that you discuss this with her. She will no doubt be upset if she finds out that you talked about this behind her back."
Akkarin sighed. "You're right," he agreed.
"Oh, here she comes now."
Akkarin spun around to see Sonea approaching them across the courtyard. When she was in front of them, she bowed to Lady Vinara and then glared at Akkarin. "I am ready to leave, my lady," she said. Then added to him, "We will talk when I get back." She glared at him once more before nodding at Vinara. They set off, leaving a bemused Akkarin standing in their wake.
"I can't believe he did that," Sonea sighed as they walked through the gates of the Magician's Guild. "I mean, I knew he would say something to you, but he should have come to me first."
Vinara nodded. "I told him that," she said, smiling slightly. "He is acting like the over-concerned father."
"I know, and I appreciate it that he's so concerned about me, but this is going to get very tedious very quickly," Sonea huffed, earning a chuckle out of Vinara.
**
Sonea swallowed down her nerves as she stood in front of the Guildhall a week later. Like the last time, there was a guard standing around her, but it was nowhere near as big as it was then. Akkarin stood beside her, conversing quietly with Lorlen (A/N: Yes, he's alive!!) and Lord Balkan. While they stood there, magicians began to file in to the great hall, filling up rather quickly. As she watched, she spotted Rothen and Dannyl approaching the Guildhall. Rothen walked towards the guard surrounding her, and spoke with one of the Warriors. The magician frowned but stepped aside and let them in to the circle. Sonea smiled as they walked over to her.
"Nervous?" Dannyl asked her, grinning.
Sonea managed to laugh, but it came out a little shaky. "A little bit," she lied. "It can't be worse than last time, can it?"
"No," Rothen said, reaching out and laying supportive hand on her shoulder. "The conditions are much different than your previous trial. The Guild doesn't have any proper grounds to accuse you on. Still, I'll do what I can to persuade the other Higher Magicians."
Sonea was able to grin at that. "My own personal guardian in the Highers." Rothen had been appointed as the new Head of Alchemy, following the death of its predecessor. This had automatically put him along with the Higher Magicians. Sonea felt her nerves ease at the knowledge that she had an influential friend in the Highers. And, as an Ambassador, Dannyl also held influence on the other magicians.
"I'd better go in and get a good seat," Dannyl said. "Be a good girl, Sonea, and try not to shock the Guild too much this time." He winked at her and, turning, walked away from them and towards then Guildhall.
Sonea took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She felt Rothen squeeze her shoulder and she gave him a grateful smile. "How are you really feeling?" he asked her.
Sonea closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm scared," she admitted. "More scared than the last time, because now I have someone else I need to protect." As she spoke, she wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach. "I'm worried that the Guild will cast us out again, in to Sachaka... I can't have a baby there..."
"Sonea, please don't worry," Rothen tried to reassure her. "I told you, the circumstances are completely different now-- Akkarin's story has been proven true, as has yours. By breaking the law you both saved our lives. The Guild has to accept that having a Black Magician among them will ensure its safety."
Sonea nodded. "You're right, Rothen. I'm sorry, I just... I feel like..."
Rothen smiled. "Like a mother?" Sonea looked up at him and nodded again. "You'll never be more protective of anything in the world, other than your child. It's instinct. I understand that."
"Yeah," Sonea said, smiling. She felt a hand slip in to hers and turned around to see Akkarin watching her.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his lips curling in to the familiar half-smile.
Sonea nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be." She looked down at their joined hands. "Is this allowed?"
He shrugged. "Lorlen doesn't have a problem with it, but perhaps we should refrain from it. Although, I think we've proven ourselves trustworthy when it comes to obeying the Guild."
"Except for breaking the law about learning Black Magic," Sonea said.
Akkarin chuckled. "Except that," he agreed. "Come on then, let's get this over with."
Sonea turned to smile at Rothen one more time before entering the Guildhall, walking close to Akkarin. Somehow, all her nerves disappeared when she focused on the feel of Akkarin's presence next to her.
Just before they stepped in to the hall, Sonea closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
**
As Rothen followed behind with the other Higher Magicians, he almost smiled from the nostalgia of the scene. He could remember it like it was yesterday-- sitting up in the stands with Dannyl, watching with anxiety as Sonea and Akkarin approached the front of the hall. Many things had changed since them.
The first thing was that he was now one of the Higher Magicians, and he had a bigger role to play in this Hearing. His opinion was now respected and that would prove helpful if he had to fight for Sonea's case. The second, probably less minor thing to have changed was that Sonea and Akkarin were wearing normal clothes instead of robes. And probably the major thing to have changed was that there would be three people standing before the Guild, waiting for judgement.
He tried not to dwell on what might happen to the child should it be born in exile. Although he was convinced that the Guild would not cast them out again, he could not be too sure about the King's opinion, and there was no doubt that he would be present at this meeting.
Rothen felt himself smile as he walked past Sonea and Akkarin as they stood united at the front. Unlike last time, Sonea held herself with confidence that he knew was partly genuine, and she wasn't gazing at the floor. Rothen stood before his seat with the other Higher Magicians on either side of him. The Guildhall became silent.
**
As Sonea stood at the front she could feel the gazes of hundreds of magicians burn in to her back. Some of the Guild had frowned when they saw how close Akkarin and Sonea were to each other, but none of them, not even Lorlen, had dared to asked them to step away from the other. Even if asked politely, Akkarin would not let himself put any more distance between them. As they had walked down the hall, it had calmed Sonea's nerves a bit more when she saw that Dannyl was sitting in the front row, very close to where Sonea and Akkarin were standing.
Once all the magicians had settled in to their seats, Lorlen struck the gong.
"All kneel to King Merin, ruler of Kyralia," Lorlen said. His voice strong and clear in the hall.
As the King entered the hall in his orange robes, Sonea hesitantly dropped to one knee like the rest of the Guild. She felt angry that she and Akkarin had to kneel to the man who had sentenced them to exile. Without them, the Guild would now be non-existent.
Everybody rose once the King had sat down, and the Higher Magicians took their seats. Lorlen remained standing. "We have called this Hearing to reassess judgement of Akkarin of family Delvon, of House Velan, former High Lord of the Magicians' Guild, and Sonea, his former Novice.
"Originally, we had exiled Akkarin and Sonea on the grounds of breaking the Guild laws by the learning of and practising Black Magic. Akkarin had claimed that he was taught the forbidden magic in an attempt to escape from slavery, and was using Black Magic to murder the Ichani slaves." He paused. "After the events that took place a few months ago, we can safely assume that Akkarin was indeed telling the truth about the Sachakan threat, and had he and Sonea not broken another law by returning to Kyralia" --Lorlen's lips almost curved in to a smile at that-- "the Guild would have perished at the hands of the Ichani."
Lorlen paused as the Guild magicians began to murmur, either in agreement or disagreement with Lorlen's statement. He held up his hands for silence.
"We must now hear the judgement of the Higher Magicians."
**
Sonea suppressed a sigh as each of the Higher Magicians stood to express their views. Lord Balkan, Vinara and Rothen all expressed their support for her and Akkarin and their regret of sending them away, which had ultimately resulted in the almost destruction of their city. There was a brief break between each speech in which the Guildhall was filled with murmurs as the magicians discussed with their neighbours.
It was just as Lorlen rose to speak again that Sonea felt a sudden wave of nausea hit her. Oh no, she thought, trying to stop herself from stumbling at the queasiness, instead wrapping one arm around her stomach.
Out of the corner of his eye, Akkarin saw Sonea sway slightly.
"Sonea, what's wrong?" Akkarin mumbled, not taking his eyes off the front of the hall.
Sonea swallowed. "I feel nauseous..." she mumbled back. "I knew I shouldn't have eaten anything this morning..." She took a deep breath and crossed her arms over her stomach, closing her eyes. "I wish I was allowed to Heal myself..."
Akkarin frowned as he turned his head to look at her. She had paled considerably and her forehead was beginning to shine with sweat. "We need to get you outside," Akkarin said, looking up and trying to catch Lorlen's eye. He doubted the Administrator would be wearing the ring, and he couldn't communicate what was wrong without everyone listening in on a mental conversation. Instead, he looked at the Healer among the Higher Magicians. Lady Vinara, he sent.
The Healer looked up at Akkarin, as did every other magician in the Guildhall. She narrowed her eyes at him. Akkarin moved his head round a little and looked at Sonea, before gazing pointedly at Vinara. The older woman's eyes widened. Akkarin watched as she hurried over to Lorlen and muttered a few words. He frowned, but didn't stop her as she hurried along the row of chairs and down towards Sonea.
"Come on, dear," Lady Vinara said, gently taking Sonea by the arm and leading her out of one of the side doors. The door opened directly in to the courtyard.
Sonea only made it as far as one of the trees before she bent over and retched on the ground. Vinara kneeled beside Sonea and held her hair out of her face while also rubbing her back. Sonea groaned in distress as whatever she had managed to eat that morning was emptied out of her stomach. After a few minutes, Sonea leaned back and sat on the grass, resting her head on top of her knees. "I think it's passed," she mumbled.
Lady Vinara nodded. "The morning sickness can be quite unpredictable," she said. "Being nervous about the Hearing would not have helped it, either."
Sonea sighed and nodded. "I think I'm okay now," she said, pushing herself slowly off the ground. "They might think I've tried to run away."
Vinara smiled. "The Guild has more faith in you than that, dear," she said. Sonea looked a little bit doubtful as she wiped the sweat off her forehead. "Are you worried about possibly getting exiled?"
Sonea nodded. "I feel like crying every time I think about my child being born in such a place," she whispered, and tears sprung to her eyes. She quickly rubbed at them to stop herself from getting too worked up.
"I seriously doubt that you and Akkarin will be exiled," Vinara assured her. "You have done too much for the Guild for them to cast you out again. Come, we must return."
They walked back to the door and entered the Guildhall again. The entire Guild stopped talking and stared at her as she walked towards the front of the hall and took her place beside Akkarin again.
"Are you alright?" he whispered.
Sonea nodded. "Morning sickness," she whispered back. "I told you breakfast was a bad idea," she joked. When Akkarin still looked concerned, she added, "I'm fine. Really."
Akkarin nodded, although he didn't look too convinced.
"What did I miss?" Sonea whispered, trying to distract him.
"The King discussed something with Lorlen," Akkarin told her. "I don't know what is was, but I think we're about to find out..."
Sure enough, Lorlen stood up from his seat and the chatter in the hall died down once more. "King Merin has requested to know what Akkarin's reaction would be, should he be exiled again?" Lorlen announced, looking at Akkarin in a way that suggested he wasn't too happy with the King's question.
Akkarin stayed calm and smiled. "I'm afraid to say that I wouldn't take to it too kindly, this time," he said, coolly. There was a murmur of whispers about the hall. "Circumstances are very different this time around." He spoke his next sentence while wrapping an arm around Sonea, and speaking with a casualness that surprised her. "Besides... it would be cruel and inhumane to send a pregnant woman in to exile."
There was an uproar in the Guild, and Lorlen's shocked exclamation of "What?!" was lost among the noise. Sonea looked up at Akkarin, her mouth hanging open in mild horror and the reaction that he had provoked. Akkarin just smiled reassuringly at her and took her hand in his, ignoring the shouts and exclamations that the Guild magicians were making.
Somehow, despite the noise, Sonea heard Dannyl's words perfectly clear. "What did I say to you about shocking the Guild?" he spoke with light humour.
Sonea managed a small smile at that.
elmo-doodle: Sorry if this chapter was a bit... off. I really need to skecth through the books again to get myself reaquainted with the characters. I'll be doing that as soon as my exams are over though! Please review-- I've missed hearing from you =]