Chapter Nine: You've Found Her, Haven't You?

It was snowing, yet again. This time, however, it seemed much more persistent. It hadn't let up for hours now, and according to Lord Davin, it wouldn't do so for many days yet. Not that Akkarin took Davin's weather reports with any amount of seriousness. Not that anyone did. Even so, the weather was not certainly not helping the hunt for the missing girl. After all, who is going to volunteer to wander around the dirtiest part of the city for hours on end looking for what might as well be a needle in a haystack in the bitter cold.

Akkarin turned away from his library window and back to his book. Picking it up, he began to read, though not with much enthusiasm. It was the same tome that he had remembered about weeks before when the hunt for Sonea had begun. He wanted to go back through and read it more thoroughly than the first time, to check that there weren't any more hidden surprises that may come at an unprepared Guild. Like Sonea.

Akkarin sighed. She was leading them a merry dance. And now, according to Rothen, she was starting to lose Control. Which of course was always going to happen, but that wasn't a calming thought.

She had better be worth the trouble.

It was then the pain began, once again, in his mind. Wincing, he groped for his chair and sank into it, dropping the book onto the low table beside him. His fingers started kneading his temples of their own accord. When the first pains had assaulted him, they had been like lightning strikes; strong, but brief. This time, it seemed different. More intense. It was like parts of his mind were on fire. But unlike when one accidentally touches a hot surface and can pull one's hand away, Akkarin just had to watch his mind blister. Cursing the wretched slum girl, he wondered what was going on in the city to cause such a reaction. Had they found her? If they had and they had frightened her, that might undo the little Control she had left. He looked out the window again. He couldn't see any flames or smoke, which was a good sign, Suddenly he was grateful for the snow. It would help him keep his promise to Merin and stop the destruction of the city.

He sat like that, sending a constant stream of Healing magic to his mind, for what felt like an age. Then, what was probably only minutes after the first pangs of pain had lanced through his mind, it stopped, like a runner slowing to a halt at the end of a race. Then a…peace settled over his mind. A peace he hadn't felt since the Purge. Like a large blanket had been placed over the burning rubble in his mind. Lifting his head, he realised that the slight magical presence that he had got so used to feeling, bumping against his like fingers running through water, had completely vanished. Not a trace had been left behind. Like a pool of water when the hand has gone. That meant one of two things: the girl's power had all been used up safely, or she was dead. And with her probably all the magicians and civilians in the vicinity.

He heard running footsteps on the stairs, then an urgent knock. He threw some magic at the door so it swung inward.

"You've found her, haven't you?" he said, smoothing his hair back into place, not needing to look up.

"Oh, for goodness sake, can I never surprise you?" Lorlen said breathlessly, clearly both irritated and impressed.

"When you've been experiencing the headaches I have been having for the past few weeks, you would know when they have come to a final stop as they did just now."

Lorlen winced sympathetically. "True."

"So, you found her."

"Yes, I can scare bring myself to believe it."

"Is she still alive?"

"Yes, but apparently it was a close-run thing, according to Rothen."

"Was anyone hurt?"

"Apparently she stabbed Lord Dannyl in the leg in a bid to escape, but I'm assured it's not serious. They're both on their way back now."

"Good. So, it's over." Akkarin looked over at his friend for the first time since he had come in. Lorlen gazed back at him. Then, as one, they both began to chuckle. Then their chuckles turned to full laughter. Lorlen shook his head, and threw himself into the second armchair, still smiling crookedly.

"Well, thank the Eye for that!" he said, leaning back, running his fingers through his hair. "I was honestly beginning to think we never would capture her, and the city would be a heap of ashes at the King's feet."

"Being honest, so was I."

"Really? You never showed it!"

"Me? Show weakness? Please."

But Akkarin was genuinely as relieved as his friend. Whilst he hadn't found in him the same gentle compassion that Rothen and Lorlen had for the girl, that was never his way, after all, he certainly did not wish any harm on her. Or on any of the slum dwellers that might have been caught up in her magic. And that no Ichani slaves had managed to find her, causing havoc in all sorts of ways. He was pleased that the King's greatest treasure, his city, was in one pieces. No, despite what anyone else might believe given all the facts, Akkarin wasn't a monster. Yet.

Lorlen sighed. "Well, I suppose I ought to think nothing less of you," he said. They were quiet for a while, pondering this new stage in the game.

"I think I'm most grateful for the fact that I will not be disturbed during the day and kept up late at night by the little beast anymore," Akkarin said.

Lorlen snorted. Akkarin raised an eyebrow at him.

"My pain amuses you?"

"No, just the idea of you being kept up late at night by a slum girl. I wanted to use the sentence now, as I'll never get to use it again."

Akkarin rolled his eyes. "Being prurient doesn't suit you, Administrator."

Lorlen laughed again, then sobered. "So, what do you think she will… be like?"

"Having never had the pleasure of meeting a teenage slum dweller, I have absolutely no idea."

"She'll probably be very different to the novices her age."

"Which is all to the good, if you ask me."

"What makes you say that?" Lorlen asked curiously. Akkarin considered how to answer.

"What do our novices know of the real world? Of the world beyond…presentations at court and family trees and good breeding. What do any of those things have to do with the real world? This girl will at least know something of what it is to live a normal life. To have to work for your keep, to experience injustice, to feel pain, all those normal, human experiences."

"So are you saying our childhoods weren't…real?"

"I'm saying our childhoods are not representative of the world. Or at least how the world should be."

Lorlen looked at his friend through narrowed eyes. "The world should be like the one this girl experienced, where parents don't have enough money to feed their children?"

"No, that's not what I meant," Akkarin sighed, pondering how best to phrase his meaning. All I mean is that all our novices are far too superior for their own good. I count myself in that number. I knew nothing until my travels. Perhaps we should do more to show them how most people have to live. Perhaps Sonea will be helpful in that regard."

Lorlen nodded slowly. "Perhaps. I only hope that we are able to accept her." He then rose from his chair, somewhat reluctantly in Akkarin's opinion, and smoothed out the creases in his robes. He looked back at his companion.

"So, do you want to see the mighty hunters return with their prize? That's where I'm headed next."

Akkarin considered. "No," he said eventually. "I ought to inform the King personally. I promised him all news relating to Sonea as soon as it was available, and no doubt he will want the full report from his pet High Lord." Akkarin rose also, and gestured that Lorlen should exit before him.

"Very true. Good luck with that, I should think he won't be happy until he knows the story well enough to write a ballad about it," Lorlen smiled over his shoulder. Akkarin only grunted in response. They walked down the stairs together and into the narrow guestroom.

"I heard someone saying in the Night Room the other day that this is the most historic event that has happened in this Guild's history." Lorlen said. "Would you agree with that?"

Akkarin though through the question. "Perhaps," he answered slowly. "I think that depends more on what happens next."

"Hmm," Lorlen frowned. They went through the front door of the Residence and down its familiar front steps, both immediately creating strong shields to protect them from the wind and snow. "So…what does happen next?"

"Obviously we start by teaching her Control. Well, when I say we, I mean Rothen does. I'd rather dance the jig at High Court."

"And then?"

"We see if she wants to stay."

"And then?"

"What did I say a little while back about catching the fish before deciding how to cook it?"

Lorlen gave his friend a speculative look. "That analogy makes it sound like you want to kill the poor girl."

Akkarin chuckled. "Of course not, what I mean to say before we decide the girl's fate from now until she is old and grey, perhaps she ought to have a say in it."

Lorlen nodded. "Of course you're right, as ever, but I would just like things to be…sorted. Decided. There's been so much up in the air over the past few weeks, I'm not sure how much longer I can stand it."

"Oh Lorlen, after all this time as Administrator and you still can't deal with uncertainty. It's quite a talent, really."

"My pain amuses you?" Lorlen said, a half smile playing on his lips.

"Indeed, isn't revenge sweet?"

They had reached the outer side of the gardens by this point. They paused, knowing this was where they would part. Akkarin regarded Lorlen's tired face, pleased to see him looking more relaxed than he had done in weeks.

"Come over later for dinner, once all the essentials have been dealt with," Akkarin suggested. "We need to celebrate, and you deserve the night off- I absolutely insist."

Lorlen nodded. "You know, I actually agree with you this time. Yes, let's celebrate."

Akkarin put a hand to his chest in mock disbelief. "You mean to say the Administrator is going to let the Guild fend for itself for an entire evening, no argument brooked?! Goodness, Lorlen, are you coming down with something?"

Lorlen chuckled. "No, I just need some proper food and access to that excellent wine collection of yours."

"That you shall have. I shall see you at sunset, then? Merin should have asked all the questions he can think of by then."

"Very well, sunset."

The friends then parted. As he began to walk away, Akkarin suddenly realised he hadn't said the thing that was most important to be said to his friend. He paused, and looked over his shoulder.

"Lorlen," Akkarin called.

The Administrator turned back, blue robes flaring about him as he did so.

"Yes?"

Akkarin smiled, the most genuine smile he had given him in a long time. "Well done, Lorlen. Well done."

Lorlen smiled back at his friend, before dashing away into the snow.

Happy Sunday, one and all! Thank you again for reading and reviewing, you are too lovely. To answer a review question I was sent, yes, my plan is to cover all three books….and perhaps beyond. And on that curious note, I shall leave you. Much love you y'all, Cece xoxo