CHAPTER 46

THE RESCUE PARTY

Night had fallen. Sonea moved along the outskirt of a forest that surrounded part of the farm. Her muscles ached from the long ride, but she didn´t heal herself. She would need every last bit of her strength.

She kept to the shadows of the trees and slowly advanced on the decrepit building. The window next to the main door stood open. She could see light flickering inside casting gruesome shadows. When she was level with the house she stopped and assessed her situation.

This Iniko did not seem to be as hot-blooded as Kariko had been in his insane quest for revenge. Kariko had only seen his brother´s murderer. His sole aim had been to kill Akkarin and destroy what he valued most – the Guild and the whole of Kyralia.

Sonea shuddered at the thought of what Kariko might have done to her had he known that she had been more than Akkarin´s apprentice. He might have used her as bait, might have forced Akkarin to choose between her life and that of the Guild. Finally, Akkarin´s words made sense to her. You test my loyalties, Sonea.

Thinking about that moment with him made her feel as if a dagger was being plunged straight into her heart. The pain lanced through her whole body sharpening her senses and her determination.

Anger began to replace pain. Sonea leaned her forehead against a tree trunk and concentrated on the feeling of the rough surface beneath her hands. She ran her hands up and down over the wood until she had regained her composure.

Start thinking again, girl, she scolded herself. Akkarin had told her during one of their lessons down in the underground room of his residence that it was essential to know your enemy if you were about to confront him.

'You have to know his weaknesses and aims in order to have control. You have to know how to lure him, play with him, how to provoke him. If you do, you might be able to induce him to make a mistake. Do not rely on your strength alone, even if it seems you are having an advantage. The Ichani are tricksters.'

Allright, I´ll do as you say, Sonea sent to Akkarin´s ghost.

Iniko was cold-blooded and vile. She had not sensed any emotions from him during the projection of his murders. Not a single flicker of remorse or even hate. He had simply done what he had had to do in order to draw out the Guild magicians. He had seemed to be in control the whole time. No, this man would not be carried away by rage or hate when being provoked.

Neither did he nurture a specific hate for her. He simply wanted to remove her from his plate, she guessed. While the other Ichani had more or less shouted their presence in the city, Iniko had remained silent and hidden. He had let Kariko do the dirty work. Now, with Akkarin gone, he had decided to reveal himself. Sonea was sure that the Guild would not have survived a battle with him, but Iniko did not take risks. He had time. So, he wasn´t vain enough to be uncareful.

Sonea shuddered. How should she fight him? She had little strength left. He would easily overcome her. The only possibility to win was to make him touch her and use Healing. But how?

There were only two ways that would happen. He might want to kill her. If that was the case he would cut her after her strength had faded drawing the last bit until she was dead. Or he might want to keep her as bait or as a source of power. Then he would have to let her rest until her strength returned. And that would take until morning. Then the rescue party would arrive and the very battle that she wanted to prevent would start. No, if he decided to let her live she had to find a way to make him touch her earlier. There had to be something she had overlooked. There had to be a way to get to him.

Sonea was uncertain of how to proceed. Should she try to figure out how to do so or should she attack and hope that being with him would show her how to do it?

Iniko!

Balkan, is it? So you have decided to answer at last. How nice. The voice became smooth and deceivingly polite. How might I be of help?

Release the girl and return to Sachaka.

Iniko laughed. A high unpleasant laughter.

I fear I cannot do this, little magician. I really have grown very fond of little Lia – that´s her name, you know – and after she has lost her parents I would be a monster indeed to leave her alone in this big house.

We offer you one last chance, leave Kyralia or we will attack.

How unfortunate. I´m afraid I will have to deny your request and meet you tomorrow morning. Ah…will Sonea be with you, then?

Should you change your mind contact me.

Balkan´s presence drew away.

Sonea´s heart was beating rapidly. They were coming to rescue the girl, Lia. She knew that the Guild couldn´t really be expecting Iniko to withdraw. They might have guessed her destination and found out that she was nearer to the farm than they were. And they might know that she would try to rescue the girl. If so, they had only contacted Iniko to assure her that help was coming. They might be on their way already.

So, the decision had been taken out of her hands. She would have to take the risk that Iniko would kill her rather than keep her. Everything else had to come later.

Sonea grabbed a big stone and threw it against the door. It bounced off with a dull thud. No turning back now, she thought.

Then the door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped outside. His long dark hair was hanging down his back in many elaborate braids. A silver shawl was holding it back from his face. He had a nose that reminded her of a hawk´s beak and his mouth was set in an arrogant smile. His dark eyes searched the surroundings. He wore rich clothes like the other Ichani. He had a light brown skin that was accentuated by two goldrings that he wore in his left ear. His beard was neatly trimmed. At another time, in another situation, she might have thought him good-looking in a strange way.

Her gaze dropped to his hands. In his right hand he held a jewelled dagger. In his gloved right hand.

Sonea did not have time to panic when she discovered that he was wearing gloves. Iniko´s gaze brushed the spot where she was hiding and before she could shrink back into the underwood his first strike flashed towards her.

She threw up a shield and retaliated with a curved heatstrike. Iniko simply shrugged it off.

'Come out, little magician, so that I may see you when I kill you.'

Sonea drew in a deep breath and stepped out of the forest. Iniko´s eyes widened with surprise. Then a terrifyingly satisfied expression settled on his face.

'Now see who we have here – Akkarin´s little apprentice. Let me guess, you ran away in order to sacrifice yourself.' He smirked. 'How very heroic of you. But what will your former mentor think of this, Rothen was his name, right? You naughty girl. You must have ridden hard to be here already. You must be tired –'

The Ichani sent a forcestrike towards her, testing her shield. It wavered but held. 'How very disappointing, I would have thought you stronger.'

The Ichani advanced on her, sending strike after strike. Sonea knew that he was holding back, he didn´t even use his full strength and still her shield began to weaken. She answered with stunstrikes of her own. Let him think she was fighting back in earnest. Let him wear her out. Her only advantage was, that he wouldn´t expect that she meant to loose the fight.

As expected it didn´t take long. Iniko´s last forcestrike broke her shield and slammed her into the ground. She felt blood trickle down her temples. She tried to stand up, but the Ichani kicked her down again.

Then he reached down, gripped her hair and pulled her brutally onto her knees. Iniko moved behind her and twisted her left arm up behind her back. Sonea didn´t resist. Even had she wanted to, she was too exhausted.

If he wants to kill me now, there is nothing I can do.

Iniko was very close to her. He pressed her against his chest and heaved her into a standing position. Sonea shuddered when she realised that she could feel his heart beating calmly and steadily through the thin layers of clothes. He had a strange scent, musky and spicy, but, surprisingly, not unpleasant. This bastard had not even shed a single drop of sweat during their fight.

Iniko slid his right hand around her neck and tilted up her face so that her throat was bared. The feeling of cold metal against her skin told her that he was still holding the knife.

Then he stilled.

Sonea closed her eyes and waited.

The horses´ hooves thundered on the road as the twenty-five magicians gallopped down the main road that led from Imardin to Sheel. Akkarin and Balkan rode at the front. Their red robes were flapping in the wind.

The former High Lord had plaited back his hair and wrapped a dark shawl around it in order to hide it from view. Thus it seemed that his hair was shorter. He didn´t think that Iniko would recognise him immediately since they had never met before, but he wasn´t in the mood to take chances. For the hundreth time he wished they could travel faster.

Let us arrive there before she does, he pleaded. If she does something foolish I will have to smack her for it.

All the Higher Magicians who were not part of the rescue party had provided him with their strength. Some had flinched when he had touched them, but noone had refused to help. Even Lord Garrell, who had arrived soon after the meeting, had offered his hands. Lady Vinara had explained everything to him and he had agreed with their decision.

When they had been two hours from Imardin, they had stopped and Balkan had contacted Iniko. Akkarin hoped that the Ichani would be fooled into believing that they were still at the Guild. He wasn´t sure, however.

This Iniko seemed to be different. Akkarin smiled when he remembered how he had told Sonea once that it was essential to know your enemy. She had been a natural at that. He had thought then that this was because she had grown up in the slums, where it was necessary to be able to read other persons and detect danger in order to survive. Cery had that ability, too.

What he himself had concluded about this Ichani didn´t put his mind at ease. He had not sensed any emotions from him during the projection of his murders. Cold-blooded and pragmatic he had done what he had had to do in order to get their attention. This man would not be provoked easily. Sonea would not have a chance against him. Fear surfaced once more, but he firmly pushed it away again.

They were all relying on him. He needed to stay focused and in control. He pressed his thighs against the horse´s sides urging it to run even faster. It would still take them five hours to get to the farm. He cursed silently. That damned darkness.

They were passing one of the smaller villages when magic hit their minds with full force.

BALKAN, BALKAN, BALKAN!

Akkarin reined in his horse. Chaos ruled for several seconds until all the other magicians had recovered from the attack and had gotten their horses under control again.

Little magicians, thank you for your gift. I really appreciate it, I do. What? Oh, you really have to try harder if you want to reach out to them. Here let me help you.

Waves of shock washed over Akkarin when Iniko´s projection reached his mind. Sonea did not seem to be able to stand unsupported. Her head was twisted back. Her cheeks were bruised and blood ran down the side of her lovely face. Iniko had her in a painful grip. When the Sachakan looked down, Akkarin could see that the Ichani pressed a dagger to her bare throat.

Don´t you dare, you bastard. I am going to tear you limb from limb if you hurt her.

Then the projection ended abruptly. Akkarin´s hands had started shaking with a nearly ungovernable impulse to strike out with mindstrike. To lash at Iniko´s brain and try to smash it. Of course, that would be both foolish while he still had Sonea as his hostage and in vain from this distance.

It took all of his self-control to turn to the Head of Warriors and speak. 'Balkan, threaten him. I don´t care what you say, but make it interesting for him to keep her alive.'

Balkan, my friend. Have you lost your speech?

I am not your friend and I advise you to release our novice immediately.

Your novice? As far as I can remember she was your Guildmaster´s little plaything. Now, what would your great defender say if he was still alive and knew that you had let his apprentice escape?

Balkan looked at Akkarin, his expression thoughtful. He laid a hand on the other man´s arm and a brief mental communication followed.

Akkarin frowned then nodded.'It might work. The Ichani themselves would think that way. Try it.'

Balkan broke the contact and continued his mind communication with Iniko.

Escape? No, we sent her.

What? For the first time there was something like annoyance in the cruel voice.

Yes, you know, she might have finished you off which would have spared us the trouble to come ourselves. Or you might have finished her off which would mean only one of us down. It was a risk worth taking.

So you won´t mind if I kill her?

I do, she is our novice, after all. But we will not trade her life for yours. Tomorrow morning will see you dead whether she is alive to witness it or not.

Do you hear this, they don´t even care about you. Now, what do you say to this?

Again Sonea´s bruised face swam into view. Iniko released her from his grip and pushed her forward. She fell to the ground. Akkarin winced when he say, that Sonea´s clothes were torn and scorched in many places. Dark spots of blood were visible all over her fragile looking body.

'Get up, get up.' Iniko hissed. 'Come on, come on. They will want to hear you say something in return.'

Come on, Sonea, say what I think you will, Akkarin pleaded silently.

The Ichani hoisted her into an upright position then moved in front of her. This way she was looking directly at them through Iniko´s eyes. Just as the Ichani had intended, Akkarin was sure.

Sonea swayed slightly from side to side but managed to stay upright. Then she seemed to draw on the last bit of her strength. Her gaze became focused and she met Iniko´s eyes with a calm and steady stare.

'Good. Now tell them to rescue you, beg them to come to your aid. Tell them how frightened you are, love.'

Sonea´s eyes narrowed in hatred when she spoke through Iniko´s projection. Akkarin heard with pride that her voice did not waver once.

'Don´t come, he´s too strong for you. Tell Rothen, I´m sorry.'

Iniko bared his teeth and growled. 'That was the wrong answer, precious.'

And naughty children deserve to be punished, don´t they, Balkan?

Akkarin clenched his fists around the reins in expectance of what would come. He couldn´t prevent Iniko from hurting her now, but he would make sure that this man would never hurt anyone else again.

Again, Iniko´s projection flooded their minds. 'No,' Rothen exclaimed when Iniko began thrashing Sonea with forcestrike after forcestrike. Again and again the fabric of her shirt was torn as he slashed at her. Soon bloodied streaks appeared on her skin. And finally Iniko attacked her with mindstrike until her eyes rolled up in her head and her body went limp.

That is what will happen to you, little magicians. And I will leave her alive to witness it.

And with that his presence faded.

Akkarin loosened the murderous grip on the reins and brought his horse up to that of Rothen. The older man looked deeply shaken and at the same time more determined than ever. Dorrien joined them. Silently the three men regarded each other. Out of the twenty-five companions they were the only ones who knew exactly what the others´ feelings must be after having witnessed what Iniko had done to Sonea. They didn´t need words to promise each other, that they would do everything in their power to safe her and that, should they fail, the three of them would share their grief and memories to honour her.

At long last the former High Lord turned his horse away again and rode to the front of the group.

'Warriors, you have seen our enemy. You have seen what he has done to one of us. We will ride hard without pause. We will attack and we will win. Should I fail to beat him alone, fight together. Link your powers. Show no mercy, because none will be shown to you.'

Akkarin fixed the group with his dark stare, his features set and comsposed. He held up his right fist and pressed it to his chest. 'For Kyralia.'

'For Kyralia', echoed the Guild magicians repeating their leader´s gesture.

For Kyralia, and for Sonea, Akkarin thought.

Sonea woke to the crying of a child. Her first impulse was to call for her aunt and tell her that her little cousin needed his mother´s attention. Then the memories came back and her eyes snapped open.

She was lying on the floor of the farmhouse. Her head was aching and she felt bruised all over. Pain shot through her body when she moved. The skin on her back was torn from the forcestrikes Iniko had used on her. However, she did not dare to heal herself. She couldn´t give up her only chance of survival. If she did heal herself now, he would know that the wounds hadn´t vanished naturally.

Cautiously she surveyed the room. The Ichani was sitting at the rickety table in front of the fireplace. His feet were placed on a second chair. Anger flared up in her when she saw that he was drinking wine and reading a book. He seemed to be completely at ease. A few hours ago he had slaughtered the owners of this house and now he sat there as if it had belonged to him for years.

Again she heard a faint sobbing. Sonea looked to her right. The farmer´s daughter was huddled on the floor next to her. The child was cradling a battered-looking doll and kept rocking back and forth. Tears filled Sonea´s eyes when she remembered how she had felt the day her mother had died. Lia had lost her whole family.

She crawled over to the little girl and laid a reassuring hand on her arm. The moment she touched her Lia began to scream piercingly. Sonea shrank back holding up her hands to show the child that she meant no harm.

'Shush, Lia. Everything is ok. I won´t hurt you, see? My name is Sonea, I am here to –'

Then she went completely cold when she heard footsteps approaching. In the corner of her eyes she could see a set of boots that halted next to where she kneeled. She looked up to find the Ichani staring at the screaming girl. In his hand he was holding a leather belt. When Lia became aware of him she began to wail even louder.

Iniko looked at her disapprovingly. 'Now, what´s this? I have told you what would happen should you start this racket again, precious, didn´t I?'

Lia burried her head in her arms and pressed herself to the ground, but she didn´t stop screaming. Iniko sighed, made a step towards the trembling girl and started to rise his arm.

'No', Sonea exclaimed before she could stop herself. 'Don´t you dare hurt her, you –'

Iniko whirled around and brought the belt down on her instead. One strong blow. Then he stopped.

'Sonea, darling, what was it you wanted to say?'

Sonea looked up at him defyingly. 'Stop hurting her, you monster.' Another blow hit her.

'I am sorry, darling, I think I misheard you?'

'You know exactly what you heard, bast–'

Two blows followed. More forceful this time.

Sonea smirked. If that son of a bitch thinks he can break me like that, he will be disappointed. I have endured worse.

Iniko was still looming over her, his arm raised. Sonea deliberatly smiled and schooled her voice to a friendly tone. 'As I was saying, Ichani, leave her alone. Tell me, how does it feel to be the looser of the greatest battle in history?'

Iniko didn´t react to that, but neither did he continue striking her. His features were completely controlled and smooth. He locked eyes with her and cocked his head to one side a little, contemplating.

Long seconds ticked by, but Sonea didn´t break the eye contact. She wouldn´t give him this satisfaction. Then she thought of Fergun and how her anger had helped her during their confrontation at the Fort.

Yes, you can kill me, but you will not break my will nor make me beg to you. You are vile and cruel and I detest you. The thought of having to be in one room with you makes me sick. The thought of having to touch you is even worse. I will have to wash for days afterwards.

Some of these thoughts must have shown on her face, because suddenly Iniko grinned maliciously and turned to Lia. No emotion showed when he began thrashing her. Lia´s screams turned to a whimper.

Sonea grabbed Iniko´s arm, but he simply pushed her back, never ceasing his relentless punishment. Sonea tried again, but she wasn´t fully recovered from the magical exhaustion and Iniko had a strong build.

'So that´s what´s a great Sachakan magician is like. You´re a coward turning on small children', Sonea taunted him desperately.

No reaction. Sonea felt tears come to her eyes again. She must find a way to stop him, she must. Next she threw a weak stunstrike at him, but he didn´t even bother to look. He knew, that she had not regained enough power to be threat to him.

Iniko continued to put the belt to the girl´s fragile body. Lia had gone completely quiet. Only her ragged breathing was audible and even that began to fade.

Sonea felt panic envelop her. What could she do to save the girl? She had tried everything. She had attacked him, both with magic and bodily, but he was too strong. He hadn´t reacted to her taunting either. He worked like an automaton, detached and cold.

Suddenly a cold certainty settled over her.

He is going to kill her. He will beat her until she´s dead.

The clear vision of that made her utter a strangled noise. She began to tremble and sank down to the floor. Finally the tears she had held back started streaming down her face. And to her own embarassement she heard herself begging to him.

'No, please, no. Let her live, I beg you. Please, I apologise for calling you names. I was stupid, but please, stop hurting her.'

Iniko stopped and slowly turned around. He fixed her with a cold stare. This time Sonea let her gaze drop to the floor. She remained kneeling, her head down. The Ichani came closer. He pulled up her head and brought his face nearer to hers. Sonea was still sobbing. Iniko´s gloved hands had her face in a brutal grip. He squeezed. Bright pain shot through her temples, but she didn´t move.

Better it´s me than her, Sonea thought. After what seemed to be an eternity the Sachakan magician released her and let her sink to the ground.

He nodded satisfied and said, 'I thought so.' Then he returned to his reading as if nothing had happened.

Sonea pressed her face to the cool floor. She was shaking all over – not only with fear, but with hatred and seering embarassment.

How could I let him do this to me? I didn´t even fight, I just let him hurt me. Why? Because you didn´t have a choice, she told herself. So what, will you let him kill your friends? Will you give up and stand back when he murders Rothen and Dorrien just because he might start hurting her again? No, I have abandoned them once, I won´t do so this time. Think, girl, think! There has to be a way.

Sonea closed her eyes and forced herself to breath evenly. She called up the image of Akkarin, how he had looked like in the morning sun when she had first kissed him. She needed him, now more than ever. She went through image after image. She envisioned him with his long, black hair plastered to his face in the pool. She reached out to his face that smiled back at her in Cery´s rooms. She felt his lips on hers. Strength flowed into her. She felt calm and determined again. Thank you, she thought at him.

She remained lying on the floor. What had she learned about Iniko? Just like she had expected she hadn´t been able to provoke him, at all. Neither had she had any chance to overcome him by force.

She couldn´t win. Maybe she hadn´t overlooked something before. Maybe this was the simple truth.

Her resistance had been met with strikes with the belt. However, he hadn´t seemed satisfied by this. He hadn´t shown any emotion, at all. Thinking back, he hadn´t attacked her until she had tried to stop him from hurting Lia. He hadn´t hurt the girl either until she had started to scream. Then he had only wanted to silence her. He doesn´t enjoy being violent, Sonea thought, surprised by this. Then she understood.

The way he acted had blinded her for what lay underneath. At first sight he looked like a cruel person who enjoyed hurting others. However, it wasn´t the act of violence that gave him satisfaction. He only did what he thought was necessary. He was insane, of course, or inhuman in choosing his methods, but violence wasn´t his aim.

'If you find, that you cannot guess your enemy´s motives, look into yourself. What does he make you feel like? What is your first reaction to him? What image of yourself do you want to present to him?' Akkarin´s voice had been low and intense as always when he had wanted to impress the importance of what he said on her.

Sonea asked herself these very questions. Then her own voice shouted at her.

You will not break my will nor make me beg to you. I detest you.

She looked back at the communications Iniko had had with the Guild. She was certain that she had finally understood her enemy.

If she wanted to win this battle, she would have to stop fighting him. The only thing this distorted man seemed to enjoy was breaking the souls of others, so that they would be as dead inside as he himself.

That was why she was still alive, she guessed. He had thought that if she had to witness the other magicians being tortured it would unhinge her.

Sonea shuddered when she realised what she would have to do. If she wanted to induce him to make a mistake, she would have to offer him something that would satisfy his aim. She would have to offer him something with which to destroy her soul.

It did not take her long to know what she would have to use as bait. Only one thing had nearly destroyed her up til now, only one thing had made her give up the will to live. Her love for Akkarin.

Every memory, every tiny reminder of him made her ache down to the core. He is dead. Lost and gone. Still, she cherished each of these jolts of pain as they made her feel closer to him. One thing especially brought him to life, sometimes. Her body still knew the feeling of his, knew the feeling of his touch, the feeling of his kisses. It was that lingering presence of him that had given her the strength to go about her plan when she had been back at the Guild. Her love for Akkarin was her most intimate secret. The knowledge of what would happen to this reminder of him, if another man touched her against her will, was her greatest fear.

If she wanted Iniko to touch her without his gloves so that she would be able to use Healing, she would have to offer herself to him. Not like a whore, she would have to make him see that this would destroy her entirely, but give him a believable reason for why she did it anyway.

Her heart raced when she stood up and walked over to the fireplace. When Iniko turned to her she kneeled down and prostrated herself on the floor. She remained in this position until the Ichani addressed her.

'You have learned fast, love. What is it you want?'

Sonea flinched at his silky voice and didn´t bother to hide it. She had to stop pretending. He would only believe her, if she showed him true emotions, even if she chose which.

Reluctantly she met his gaze, but quickly looked away again. Then she drew in a deep breath and looked up again, putting an emphasis on how much it cost her to say what she was about to say.

'I…'

'Yes, Sonea?' Sonea winced at that use of her name. He was already too close to her through that. Iniko smiled at her reaction.

'I want to offer you a deal', she whispered, her face flushing. Iniko sat forward in his chair and regarded her interestedly. 'Go on, precious.'

'If you let Lia go I will sleep with you', Sonea spluttered. Before Iniko could react she concentrated on all of the feeling of embarrassment she actually felt so that her face became crimson. Then she stammered, 'I…I do not have much experience, I …have only lain with one man in my life…but…', and at that she sought his gaze with her own eyes opened wide, 'I am sure I would…I would be able to learn to please you, if you let her go.'

Iniko´s gaze had become even more intense. His breathing deepened and she could sense his body tense even from where she sat. He slowly extended one gloved hand. She stiffled the impulse to draw back and let him see the effort it took her.

He let his hand fall back and looked from her to the little girl on the floor at the back of the farm house. He wet his lips and fixed her with a dark stare. The desire in his eyes was now undeniable. But still, he made no move towards her.

He whispered, 'Tell me, little Sonea, who is the man you have been with?'

Sonea did not need to feign the horrified reaction to his question. She closed her eyes and moaned. Then she shook her head.

'Darling, if you want the deal, you will have to tell me.' Iniko´s voice had lost all it´s silkiness. It was rough and hoarse. Sonea felt her stomach clench and bright dots appeared before her eyes.

I am sorry, Akkarin, I do not mean to betray our love, but I cannot see another way. Please, wherever you are, forgive me.

Then she opened her eyes and looked up.

'Akkarin', she said.

Iniko´s mask of cool composure broke and was replaced by an ugly, lecherous sneer. He leaned forward until his face was very close to hers.

'So, he held you as his little bed-companion, too, did he? Tell me, did you agree, or did he force you?'

'I agreed', Sonea admitted reluctantly.

Iniko brushed his hand over her face, the loving caress nearly made her sick up. The Ichani chuckled seeing this.

'Did you love him?'

Sonea hesitated for Iniko´s sake. 'Yes.'

'Ah, do tell me then, was he good?'

Tears sprang into her eyes and this time she did not force herself to answer.

Iniko laughed cruelly. 'My precious, what a pleasant surprise. We have a deal.'

Sonea felt her heart skip when the Ichani pulled off his gloves and reached for her. She had to exert all of her self-control to remain kneeling without grabbing for his wrist and ruin her only chance.

However, she drew back and held out a hand to stop him. Iniko frowned. 'First release Lia', Sonea said.

Iniko snorted. 'Now, tell me, how am I to do this, darling? As you can see she cannot move at all.'

'I know, just put her on my horse and make it go. It will find the next settlement.'

A hint of respect showed on Iniko´s face. 'Well, well, you have thought this through, haven´t you? But if I release her now, who tells me that you will keep your promise?'

Sonea let a spark of her hatred show and said in a controlled voice, 'I always keep my promises.'

After some seconds the Ichani nodded. He walked over to the unconscious girl and lifted her up. Then he turned to Sonea. 'You can watch from the window, but if you set one foot over the doorstep, our deal is finished, did I make myself clear?'

'Yes', Sonea replied.

She watched as the Ichani pushed Lia into the saddle of the white mare that was tethered to the front of the house. Iniko fastened the reins around her little form. Then he clapped the horse on its rump and whistled shrilly. The horse bolted and gallopped away – Lia still on top.

Good luck, Lia. Wish me well.

Iniko watched the horse until it vanished between the trees. Sonea turned away from the window and steeled herself for what would come. She had to make him touch her, so that she would have a good opportunity to get a grip on his wrists.

She choked down the oncoming panic and moved to one of the house´s three beds. She leaned against the wall next to it and opened her blouse at the front.

At that moment Iniko stepped back through the front door, his eyes searching for her. When he saw her standing next to the bed he smiled. He closed the distance between them in a few quick strides. 'Now, your part of the bargain, love.'

Sonea closed her eyes and shrugged out of her blouse. She let it fall to the ground between them. When she opened her eyes again she saw him watching her. He didn´t move. Cold hate bubbled up in her, when she understood what he wanted. He wanted her to make the first move. She would have to be the one to deliver herself into his arms.

She stared at him with unconcealed hatred then she reached out and took hold of his hand, touching him only with her fingertips as if his hand was something foul. Iniko smiled at that. She nearly sent her mind into him then, but like that he would be able to snatch back his hand again before she had a good hold on his heart.

Sonea thought that this was the hardest thing she had ever had to do in her life, when she stepped closer to the man she detested and kissed him.

The moment her lips closed on his Iniko drew her nearer. His right hand came up and cupped around her left breast. Sonea pushed back. Slowly she ran her hands down his arms kissing him fiercely. Her hands encircled his wrists.

'Oh, now see here, I didn´t know you were such a…'

Iniko never had the chance to end this sentence. Sonea struck out with her mind as fast and as hard as she could. She searched for his heart and squeezed. The Ichani gasped and tried to wriggle his arms free of her grip, but she held on for dear life. Finally, he managed to get one arm free. He slapped her fully into the face. Sonea did not loosen her grip, she didn´t even feel the sting of his hand in her face. The only thing she concentrated on was his heart.

And then she felt it slowing.

'You deceiving little minx, I´ll kill you.' Iniko croaked.

Sonea locked eyes with him. She was using up the last bit of the magical power that had returned to her.

'No', she said calmly, 'no, you won´t.'

She twisted one last time. The Sachakan magician hit the floor and remained still, his eyes glazed.

Sonea knew that she had to take his power or she would die, too. Exhaustion washed over her, but she made herself draw his dagger. The knife seemed to weigh a ton. She slashed it over his arm and blood flodded from the wound – some of Iniko´s power leaking out of him through it. She leaned forward to press her hand to the wound, but toppled backwards instead, her sight failing.

I won´t be strong enough to draw the power, I have to get away.

She struggled to her feet and tried to move. Her knees buckled, she hit the bed and fell behind it. With her last strength she pulled the mattress down upon herself then she lost consciousness.

Akkarin´s heart pounded rapidly in his chest. They had nearly reached their destination. The Warriors were lined up in front of him.

'We are nearly there. We will approach the farm from all sides. Balkan, you will contact him then and draw him out. Let him see all of you, he will feel save if he sees our number. He would only become suspicious should I confront him alone. We must lure him away from the house and then cut off his way back. If we fail in that he will use Sonea and Lia as bait.'

Sonea, please, hold out, I´ll be there soon.

'Any questions?'

The Warriors shook their heads. Balkan rode to the front and looked at Akkarin. The former High Lord nodded. 'Lead on.'

They were about to move on when they heard the sound of hooves on the road. At a sign from Balkan, the magicians threw up their shields. Tension grew amongst them. Then a white mare trotted out of the forest, a small person hanging on its back.

'This is Sonea´s horse,' Rothen exclaimed. He jumped of his horse and ran forward. Akkarin tried to hold him back. 'Rothen, wait, this might be a trap.'

Rothen, however, hurried away. 'This is not Sonea', he shouted.

Akkarin wasn´t surprised. The person had been too small, even for Sonea. Rothen took hold of the reins and led the horse into their combined shields. The Alchemist shook his head.

'If am not mistaken, this is Lia, the farmer´s daugther. She is badly wounded.' Anger crept into his voice. 'It looks like she has nearly been beaten to death.'

Balkan moved his horse to Rothen´s side. 'You´re right, Rothen, that´s the girl. But why would he let her go?'

'Maybe he thought she was dead', one of the Warriors suggested. 'No,' Balkan shook his head. 'He wouldn´t have sat her on the horse if he had thought her dead.' 'Or maybe she escaped?'

'It doesn´t matter,' Akkarin interrupted the discussion. 'Sonea is still there with him as far as we know. We will proceed as planned. Now! Raland, you will stay with the girl. The others, follow me.'

The magicians dismounted and walked towards the farm leading the horses to the outskirt of the little forest surrounding the main house. At a sign from Balkan they split up and formed a circle around the building.

The Head of Warriors was about to contact the Ichani when suddenly one part of the house exploded in thousands of splinters of wood and stone. Fire shot out of the windows and then with a deafening roar part of the roof collapsed inward.

A magician had died in there.

'Sonea!' Akkarin threw up a strong shield and ran towards the burning building. Balkan blocked his way. 'Akkarin, this is madness, noone can be alive in there.'

The Black Magician pushed the other man aside. No, he would not accept that. Only if he found her body or her ashes would he believe that she was dead. He was sure that it had been Iniko´s death that had caused the explosion. Sonea could not have regained that much power in such a short time.

Akkarin put all his strength into the shield and ducked through the smoking doorframe. The inside of the farm was ablaze with fire. He pushed out his shield to keep the heat from singeing him. Then he made his way around the main room. He passed a broken fireplace and a wooden object that might have been a table once. Parts of the furniture were strewn all over the room. He stepped on something. It was the burnt head of what might once have been a child´s toy.

Then he came to three beds. Two of those were burning where parts of the roof had fallen down upon them. The third had been smashed to the wall by the force of the explosion, he guessed.

Akkarin searched the floor and felt his heart miss a beat when he saw the blackened surface in form of a body. That was where the magician had died.

Then his eyes fell upon a white hand that held a jewelled dagger. Panic overwhelmed him for several seconds until he could move again.

Please, Sonea, you must be alive.

The hand was protruding from under the damaged bedframe. The bed´s mattress had lessened the impact of the bed when it had collided with the person lying underneath. Smoke was slowly spiraling upward from a little flame that ate away at the mattress.

A loud bang accompanied another part of the roof that rained down upon his shield. Akkarin stumbled. He had to get out of the house, his shield would fail soon and the fresh air within it was nearly spent. The former High Lord lifted up the bed and the mattress with magic and threw them aside.

Relief surged through him when he saw that the hand holding the dagger belonged to Sonea. He hurried over and kneeled down beside her. He quickly touched her forehead and sent his mind into her body. She was alive – completely exhausted and bruised all over, but alive.

A detached part of his mind noted that she didn´t wear her blouse and that her bare skin was covered with streaks and smudges of blood. Akkarin shrugged out of his robes and wrapped her into them. He lifted her into his arms and hurried back to the door. He sent Healing energy into her bruised body.

Tears were running down his cheeks and he couldn´t distinguish between those coming from the smoke and those that were tears of relief.

As the last part of the roof collapsed inward he jumped out of the building.

He nearly bumped into Rothen and Dorrien. When these two saw the bundle in his arms and the smile on his face they began laughing from sheer relief.

They exchanged knowing glances. Then they went back to the waiting magicians, beaming.

Akkarin held Sonea close cherishing the weight in his arms. He pushed her onto his horse then seated himself behind her and cradled her against his chest. The former High Lord leaned forward and whispered into her ear. He was very conscious of the other magicians watching him, but he didn´t care.

'Sonea, you´re safe now. I am alive, do you hear me? Everything will be allright again. Sleep.'

Sonea sighed and relaxed, her head leaning against his shoulder. Akkarin looked up and nodded to the others. 'We can leave.'

The rescue party began the long trip back to Imardin.

Akkarin reached inside the red robes and caressed Sonea´s bruised skin, sending a last trickle of Healing energy into her.

I love you.