Chapter 7:

All day Akkarin had been scouring the underground passages for an entry point. But there was nothing out of place. Finally giving up his search, he headed towards a familiar section. The pungent smell of bol lay heavily in the air, and Akkarin knew he was close to his destination. A short man stepped into his pathway looking scared and confused. Akkarin had travelled in the dark to avoid detection and to keep ambiguity, and had removed his outer robes, leaving only his ghostly pale skin showing in the flickering light. "What d'ya want?"

"I am here to see the Thief." The man's eyes widened and he rushed to the nearest door. From that Gol appeared, looking haggard. "Hai! Come in!" He gestured in to the room he half stood within, which had a cosy warmth emanating from it. Akkarin followed him in, wondering why everyone looked on edge. Cery sat at his desk finishing a letter hurriedly, and once finished pushed it aside. "I am glad you are here. I assume you know we had a visitor?"

"I had guessed as he got into the Guild and attacked us."

"He got through your barriers?" Cery gasped.

"I never put them back up last time we met. I was too concerned about Sonea at the time, and I forgot to go back afterwards."

"Well it is good he entered the Residence first. Unfortunately before then he attacked many of us down here and I have had to clear up all the mess before any of the other Thieves get wind of it."

"If there is anything I can do to help, I will." Akkarin said quietly. "I came here to find out how he got in, but it seems I don't need to look any further. Your people should try and be more careful in case this happens again."

"We will. You should go and rest now, you look exhausted." Cery said concerned. Akkarin smiled faintly, then turned to leave. "Before you go," he heard Cery say, so looked at him over his shoulder. Cery hesitated slightly showing a flash of embarrassment "is Sonea ok?" The thought of Sonea made him smile as he answered, "she is fine. I am keeping her safe, like you asked." And with that he made his way back to the Guild.


Sonea awoke for the second time that day aching and feeling groggy. "This time I am going to have a bath." She mumbled to herself. Clambering out of bed, she quickly dressed and tidied her robes, so she didn't look like she had just slept in them. Feeling uneasy, she dreaded going into the guestroom and facing Akkarin again. She did not want to continue from this morning. However, when she did enter, Akkarin was nowhere to be seen. She sighed thankfully and headed outside into the bright sunny day. Instantly, she felt much better, despite still being exhausted magically. She inhaled the sweet scent of the blooming flowers as she walked through the gardens, and wished everyday was like this. "Sonea!" She heard someone call from behind. Lorlen strode towards her, robes fluttering about and a worried expression upon his face.

"Have you seen Akkarin since this morning?"

"No, sorry Administrator. I have been asleep."

"I have called to him but he hasn't answered." He said worriedly.

"Maybe he does not want to be disturbed right now?" She offered. Lorlen didn't look any happier at the situation, but dropped the subject. "Are you feeling any better this afternoon?"

"Much, thank you. It is such a beautiful day. However, I must go, I really need a bath." Lorlen chuckled at her. "I won't keep you any longer then. Good afternoon Sonea."

"Good afternoon, Administrator." She replied.

Akkarin not responding to Lorlen? She thought. I hope he is alright in those tunnels. He can take care of himself. She told herself firmly. So instead went back to admiring the beautiful day.


Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Sonea made her way back towards the Residence. Why am I going back there? She stopped suddenly. So instead she decided to sit outside in the lovely weather. Delving into her robe pocket, she brought out a small book and began to read peacefully. A gentle breeze tousled her hair and made her feel refreshed. Suddenly it changed direction and fluttered back, whisking away her paper bookmark across the floor. As she jumped up to retrieve it, a foot gently stood on the corner, stopping it from flying away. Sonea looked up and was surprised to see Dorrien standing there with a small smile of greeting.

"Good afternoon Sonea." He said light-heartedly.

"Dorrien!" She exclaimed. "Why are you here? I thought you'd be packing to leave."

"I'm leaving early in the morning instead. And I am here to say goodbye," he paused hesitantly, "and I have come to apologise for yesterday." Sonea looked at him in shock. She never expected this, and had actually forgotten about the day before. Dorrien bent down and picked up her bookmark, then sat down beside her, pausing only to place the bookmark between the open pages. Sonea sat back down and closed the book with a soft thump, then slipped it back in her robe pocket.

"I'm sorry about how I acted." He said sighing. "It was really silly of me to act like that and hurt you." He looked down, embarrassed about his actions. "I guess I was too jealous to think straight."

"Jealous? Why were -or are- you jealous?" She asked confused.

"I saw the way you were with Akkarin, and," he paused again "I can tell that you have feelings for him. And could even before I asked you. I just wanted you to be that way with me."

"Dorrien.." She started.

"Sonea, you are such a wonderful person to be with, and I really do want to be with you... But I know you can't, you love him. And I want you to be happy." As he said that, he looked at her fondly, knowing that he had done the right thing. Now he had to move on. Sonea leant over and hugged him tightly, thankful for his apology. Dorrien cherished the moment, and reluctantly hugged her back.

"I'm going to miss you." She said resting against his shoulder. He chuckled at her.

"Miss me? I'm sure you'll find another distraction and forget all about me."

"If I did, you'd come all the way back just to say 'I told you so'!" She joked, letting go of him.

"Would I do something like that?" Dorrien replied cheekily. Sonea looked towards the University, it was now bathed in an orange light as the sun slowly set. The day had passed much quicker than she had wanted."I should probably go now." She heard Dorrien say quietly. "I am having a meal with my father, would you care to join us?"

"I can't," Sonea said reluctantly, "there are things I need to do." Dorrien stood and nodded slightly. "Goodbye, little Sonea." He said sweetly, then headed off towards the Magician's Quarters. What am I doing sat here enjoying myself? I should be at the Residence at least, to make sure there are no more Ichani attacks. Sonea quickly stood up and walked hurriedly back to the Residence, hoping that she was just being to cautious. As she approached, the building sent a shiver down her spine. She had feared and loathed being anywhere near it before and had eagerly gotten away each time, but now she was actually wanting to be in there. Reaching for the door handle, she was surprised when the door didn't swing open as usual. She made herself a modest shield, wary of any attacks. Inside the guestroom, a gloomy shadow hung about. Everything was silent, but her beating heart. She chased it away with a globe light, but an eerie feeling still lingered. Bang. A long noise came from above her. Taking the right hand staircase, she saw that the door to the underground room was still closed. If there was an Ichani here, it'd be a mess here. She reasoned. As she climbed the stairs she heard another small bump, the sound closer this time. Walking down the corridor, she found the noises were coming from the room next to Akkarin's. She opened the door carefully and peered inside, and uttered a short cry as she came across someone. "Takan?" She asked, heart racing from both curiosity and surprise. "Lady Sonea! Please help!" He replied urgently. Takan had managed to get out of bed, but without the use of his arms, he had only made it to the floor. Sonea rushed in and helped him up, then sat him on the bed and joined him. "What's wrong?"

"I need to help him!"

"Help who Takan?"

"M-Akkarin." He said worried.

"What's happened?" Sonea replied, now wishing she'd come back earlier.

"When he went into the tunnels he was exhausted, and a little while ago he stopped talking to me, and won't answer my calls. I fear he has either collapsed or has been injured somewhere." He tried to stand again, but Sonea stopped him.

"Stay here, you need to rest. I will go into the tunnels and find him."

"But you don't know the way."

"I am the only one who can go, you need to stay here. If he is injured I can Heal him." Sonea stood and gave him a wary glance, and hoped he would rest while she was gone.

"Good luck, Lady Sonea." He said as she slipped out the door. I don't even know where to start! He could be anywhere in the maze of tunnels. She said to herself. I just hope he's alright.