Disclaimer: I do not own these characters – they belong to Trudi Canavan
AlkariaAlkaria hurried back to her room and closed the door. She needed time to herself to think. So that is the famous Sonea, the girl from the slums who has caused so much controversy? Alkaria had been surprised at her poise when she had followed the servant into the guest room and found she was expected to sit, facing the family, more like a criminal on trial than a guest. As she sat down, the black silk of her robes fell in graceful folds to the floor, so that she looked like a statue in black marble, with only her pale face and hands relieving the darkness.
Alkaria had felt an immediate attraction to her so it had been difficult to keep her face expressionless, as required by the family. Sonea had a charming speaking voice, too, with no hint of the common speech of the slums. I suppose the Guild taught her that, and how to conduct herself in company, she thought.Before she arrived, Lady Alechia and Vettin had spent a spiteful few minutes discussing how dreadful it was to think the Guild had been forced to take in a dwell just because she had a little magic. They had sniggered over Sonea's origins and said how badly she would probably behave and how easy it would be to make her uncomfortable.
But it hadn't happened that way. Sonea had remained calm and friendly, despite the best efforts of her parents to disconcert her. She had made her points firmly, yet without appearing over-confident and Alkaria remembered how proudly she had shown Akkarin's ring, when describing their plans to marry. And then, the total contempt in her eyes as she turned to leave, realising just how hostile the family were both to her and to Akkarin, reducing the proud family Delvon, House Velan to something to be despised.
Alkaria laughed to herself. How she longed to make plain her own dislike of the family, but she had never quite dared. Her defiance, apart from a refusal to marry, was confined to little things, which took place when she was away from them. She had never been able to stop her mother's flow of criticisms or her cruel remarks and had learned in time to ignore them.
She thought about Akkarin and what Sonea had revealed about him. Alkaria didn't really know him very well; he was almost ten years older and had left for the Guild when she was quite young. Afterwards, she saw him infrequently, when he came home for special occasions or when the family went to the Guild for particular events. Then he had gone away for years and years, with no word so that they had thought him dead. Once he had become High Lord, he visited even less frequently than before. What she knew of him had been gleaned from listening to her parents, and they didn't seem to care for him very much at all.
For the first time, Alkaria had heard of a different Akkarin, a man who had fought for what he believed in, who had fallen in love with a woman and who had died to protect her and save the city. Alkaria had a romantic streak and she liked this new picture of her brother and wanted to know more.
She went over to her mirror. They always said we looked alike, she thought. She looked at herself closely, trying to see the resemblance, but she wasn't that familiar with her brother's features, so she couldn't really tell. Sonea would be able to tell me, she thought. Perhaps I will go to see her.
But Alkaria knew she wanted to see Sonea again, not to ask about family resemblances, but because she wanted to see her. She wanted to spend time with her, watching her, listening to her and getting to know her better. She also wanted Sonea to like her.
It is a terrible thing, she thought, this overwhelming attraction to women. Men can become lads, and be accepted, as long as they don't parade their inclinations publicly, but women do not have the same freedom. Women like me have to hide away in corners, fumbling in the dark, fearful of discovery.
She remembered the first time she had discovered her true inclinations, she was just fifteen and her mother had launched her into Imardin society with a view to attracting marriage proposals. Alkaria had found the endless round of parties and balls extremely boring and the young men decidedly uninteresting. One evening, after coming home late from a particularly dull party, Alkaria was in a very bad mood, Her servant, Jenna, had undressed her as usual, but instead of giving her the sleeping garments immediately, began to stroke Alkaria's neck and shoulders. One thing led to another and before long, they were both on the bed and Alkaria discovered a whole new interest.
Their relationship lasted for several weeks before her mother dismissed Jenna. Alkaria never found out why, as her mother refused to discuss the matter, and she was too afraid to argue. Since then, Alkaria had had other relationships with women, but it was not easy in Imardin to keep things a secret, so she had to be very careful.
But Sonea was different. For one thing, she is a powerful magician, Alkaria was unsure what that might mean for personal relationships, for another, she was in love with my brother and mourns him. No real hope there for my kind of love. Perhaps I can offer her friendship, encourage her to talk about Akkarin and she will see me as a friend.
Alkaria felt happier now that she had definitely decided to see Sonea again. She took out some writing paper and a pen and composed a short, but friendly note, suggesting that she might call on Sonea at the Guild for a chat.
We may start as friends, but who is to say things won't change, over time, she thought. Perhaps my resemblance to Akkarin might come in handy, after all.
