A/N: Hey there, here it is, chappie 10. It was really, really difficult to write...let´s see what you make of it! I hope you´ll get what Regin tries to do here...and that it´s not unbelievable or OOC. I am not that sure about this one, so reviews are very, very welcome.
MoonMyst, thanks for your beta-magic once again
BTW, a lot of people faved 'The Black Magicians´Fate`and the sequel in these last few weeks! Thanks *blush* I feel honoured!
AND, check out my forum topic: Funny Moments in TBM-Trilogy, it will be fun!
Hugs
s-phil
Go, Regin, go!
CHAPTER 10
Different kinds of lessons
Sonea felt awkward when Regin settled in the seat next to her − she still wasn´t used to him. She certainly wasn´t prepared for what happened then. Lord Ralind had not entered yet, so the novices were free to speak amongst each other. Regin suddenly leaned over and whispered in her ear. It took her a moment to understand what he was saying, because she was so shocked at this nearly intimate contact.
"So, what do you say?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well, will you come?"
In some hidden recess of her mind she dug up some of the words he had said. Tea, select few, Regin´s Rooms. Somehow those simple words still did not produce any coherent thoughts in her head or offered any tangible meaning. Sonea looked at him the confusion and maybe even mistrust showing in her face.
"Sonea, it´s only an invitation to a tea party. I promised to make it up to you and a Winar always honours his vows."
Sonea´s head started spinning even more. So, she had heard him right. Well, he had been behaving decently in the last few weeks. Then again, this was Regin. Could she trust him? He never did anything without some hidden motivation. He was cunning and sly. And what exactly did he mean by select few? This sounded too much like House-pride in her ears. And why would he include her in this circle of people deigned worthy to be in his presence? She was not a coward, if necessary she could pin each and everyone of them to the wall with her magic. She was curious. However, all her inner instincts warned her not to fall for this trap. She wanted to find out what Regin was playing at, but was it worth the risk? Just because she perceived a change in him and found she respected his role in the war did not mean that he would not try to re-establish his 'superiority' by some foolish prank, did it?
She narrowed her eyes at the other novice. "A tea party, Regin? Why would I want to join you and your friends." She put a little emphasis on the last word showing him how she regarded his companions to be more of a faithful bunch of dogs trailing after him than what she would consider a true friend, such as her Cery for example. Also she planned to test the waters by this little jibe. Let him swallow this one and see how he reacted to it. For some brief seconds his face clouded over and he seemed to ready himself for some snide retort. With a visible effort he then fought back a narrow smile onto his face.
"There is no need for insults, Sonea. I merely wish to get to know you better."
"Why, Regin, I am touched. Here I thought you knew all that was important already. I am the meddling, worthless slum girl after all. I was under the impression that the circumstances of my birth had sufficed before."
Regin actually flinched and seemed to change tactic. He deliberately looked into her eyes and held them. Then he drew in a deep breath and released it again. "Sonea, I´ll apologise again, if need be. I... I was certainly wrong in treating you like I did prior to the war. However –"
Sonea snorted derisively and turned away. She didn´t need to hear his petty excuses. He had judged her simply by her lower birth and treated her accordingly. That was unforgivably ignorant and rude. A hand closed around her arm and turned her back.
"Unhand me this instant, Regin, or I swear –"
He held up his hands and sighed. "Sonea, will you let me finish a sentence before ripping out my guts, please. This is kind of impolite, you know, interrupting people." Sonea felt anger surge into her. She flashed a very dark look at the other novice imagining Akkarin doing this. She seemed to have given a fairly good imitation as the blond-haired young man lowered his eyes.
"You´re not making that any easier for me, are you?" he whispered barely audible. "Well, maybe I was wrong to presume. I shouldn´t have...well, no matter. Sorry for bothering you. You have every right to distrust me, I guess." With that Regin turned away and looked down at his hand, a chagrined expression on his handsome features.
Sonea waited and stole some glances at him from under her lowered lashes. His distress appeared to be genuine, but you never knew with Regin. His first smile at her had appeared to be genuine, too, after all. Still that had been nearly five years and most especially a war ago, maybe he had changed? Why am I feeling guilty for treating him like he deserves? Ah, but that was the rub, wasn´t it? Didn´t she make the very same mistake she was accusing him of? Treating him like an enemy without really trying to find out who he was or who he had become? She had been taught that people deserved second chances and that it was the right thing to access them by their deeds rather than their words.
This, however, was exactly where the problem arose. Regin had surely conducted himself miserably towards her before the war. However, during the fight he had been heroic and courageous. And afterwards? Afterwards he had been faithful to his words indeed. Could one be changed this much through what they had lived through? Of course, look at yourself! You were the one who wanted to end her life...you of all people should know the great impact war can have. There, her conscience seemed to have decided that she was to do the reckless thing.
She turned to Regin and pretending they hadn´t been uncomfortably silent the last five minutes she said, "Well, yes, I guess."
Regin stared at her uncomprehendingly. "I beg your pardon?"
"Well, yes, I am going to come to this meeting."
At that his face lit up and he smiled at her and even went so far as to incline his head in this noble-greets-noble fashion. "This is a great pleasure indeed that you will grace my rooms with your presence tonight."
Ok, this was definitely overdone. Was he out of his mind? Surely he didn´t believe she would fall for such slick words or expect them from him? She raised her eyebrow in a near perfect imitation of her husband. And the blond boy chuckled.
"Sorry, Sonea, that is what Nobles say when such an invitation is extended, you should get used to it. Actually, your response should be something like 'The pleasure is all mine and it is you who grace me with this kind invitation' Oh and you can add my Lord or my Lady if you wish."
"Yes, well, thanks for this lecture, Regin. So, when will I be expected?"
"Will five o´clock in the afternoon be agreeable with you?"
"Yes."
"Five o´clock will be perfectly agreeable, thank you."
"Regin!"
"Sonea?"
"You do not need to repeat my replies back at me all the time. I think we have already agreed that five o´clock will be when this little meeting of yours will take place. So stop being an impertinent jerk for a moment so that I don´t regret my decision after only ten seconds."
"Tea party."
"Whatever."
At that moment Lord Ralind swept into the room and saved them from further talk. The Alchemist was beaming at his class, excitement oozing of him as he leaned against the desk in front of the class.
"Novices, the High Lord has decided that we as the most advanced class will take part in the rebuilding of the City. This is a great honour and equally grave challenge. I expect each and everyone of you to put the greatest effort in learning the necessary skills and conducting yourselves favourably in public. I will not tolerate accidents or even mishaps due to clumsiness or foolishness, do you understand?"
Sonea frowned. Akkarin had not told her about this beforehand. It galled her that he did not share information like this with her. This was not highly sensitive information either, so she had to assume that he just hadn´t thought about telling her or had not thought it important enough. Well, it would not help to fret about this now, but she decided to talk to him about it later. Along with the other novices she echoed "Yes, my Lord."
"Good. Now, the next hour will be dedicated to applying what you have learned from books into practice. The moulding of glass is very complicated and requires utmost concentration and dedication. Glass is very valuable –" And here the Alchemist paused for dramatic effect and let his piercing gaze wander over each of the novices. "As such, I expect you to pay very close attention to my demonstration."
Sonea thought that if Lord Ralind used any more superlatives and cautious words she would be tempted to blow up her sample just to annoy him, but quickly realised how childish these thoughts really were. When the magician went to a shelf at the far end of the room to retrieve the glass-samples Regin smirked and leaned over.
"I am going to blow up my sample if he goes on like that."
Sonea looked at him, taken aback. This had come far too close for her liking. She immediately put up her stern and reprimanding face. "Oh please, Regin. That is a very immature idea, don´t you agree? But of course if you should mess up, your family would not be bothered too much by providing a replacement."
Regin´s face clouded over. However, to Sonea´s immense annoyance he remained calm. "Why do you have to misunderstand everything I say, Sonea? I was just trying to joke, you know? I am well aware that glass is very valuable, even for my family. By the way, if you decide to insult a noble, especially his family, at least say something witty. If it is considered an intelligent jibe you might even get appreciation for it."
"You are doing it again!"
"I do apologise most sincerely. Would you enlighten me as to what exactly I am 'doing again'?"
"Well, talking about nobles. I am not interested in them, really."
"Is that so? Ah, well, seems it´s just a habit of mine."
Sonea´s retort was interrupted by the footsteps of the Alchemist who carefully levitated a box full of glass cubes in front of him. He pulled one of the samples out of the box and faced the class again.
"Now, about the moulding of glass. First you will familiarise yourself with the texture and structure of this material. Close your eyes and concentrate on the material in my hand and then you do this." Lord Ralind projected a series of complicated steps into their heads. He let them see and feel his own perception of the process thereby enabling them to follow his instructions later. With their eyes closed the novices witnessed through their teacher´s eyes how the glass cube suddenly took on a greater heat and slowly started to melt. The Alchemist let the material revolve around itself in lazy circles thus creating a ball of molten glass. Then he slowly added some spins and turns and the material began to stretch. Sonea was fascinated. This was very advanced magic and required a lot of concentration. It reminded her of the creating of blood gems. She smiled. She would do well, she was certain of that. She realised that Lord Ralind never ceased to heat the glass during the process of forming it. He coaxed it into a flat and oval form by continually spinning and stretching and heating it. After about ten minutes the magician had created a flat disc of glass the width of a dinner plate.
—Now pay attention to the cooling process. It is important not to hurry this last step or the glass will break or split and such damage cannot be repaired again.
The Alchemist continued to work the glass, this time not heating it, but weaving flows of air and water around it. Sonea noticed that he kept it rotating until only the slightest glow remained in the glass. Then he let it hover in the air and seconds later the glass was completely smooth and cool. "Open your eyes."
The novices obeyed and found themselves looking at the approximation of a round glass window. Sonea was impressed. There was not a single flaw in the material. Lord Ralind definitely knew what he was doing. Excited murmurs rose. It seemed that she was not the only one to appreciate the work of precise magic.
"Now, it´s your turn. Please come forward and take one piece of glass each. I want you to pay very close attention. No one starts the moulding process before I say so without suffering the dearest consequences. Understood?"
The novices formed a line in front of the box of glass cubes. Regin had reached the desk first and already turned around when Sonea made to stand at the end of the queue. "Allow me." The blond magician smiled at her and handed her a glass cube.
Sonea looked down at the piece of glass in her hand. In the past she would have expected him to have tampered with the material so that she would not be able to perform correctly. The habit of checking for hidden traps with him was hard to break, especially today, since he seemed so determined to push his newfound friendliness on her.
Regin had seen her hesitation it seemed. He pouted. "Don´t you trust me?"
She wouldn´t deign this with an answer. She simply raised her eyebrow again, but accepted the glass cube and went back to their seats. She heard a low chuckle from behind her. Regin actually had a very nice laugh she thought, but immediately pushed that thought aside. It would not do to drop defences that easily.
"Has everyone got their materials? Yes? Progress!"
The next hour, Sonea´s whole attention was focused on the challenge at hand. She realised that this process was even more demanding than the making of the blood gems. It needed less magical power, but it was more intricate and complicated. Sweat started to appear on more than one forehead. About forty minutes into the lesson Sonea was the first to accomplish a perfectly shaped imitation of the glass window the teacher had created.
"Well done, Sonea, well done." She glowed with pride. Lord Ralind did not praise lightly. As expected, Regin followed soon after. They were the most talented and strongest magicians in this class after all. One after the other their classmates finished their works. Not all were flawless, but all in all the Alchemist seemed to be satisfied with the class´s performance. He walked through the aisles and looked at the different pieces of moulded glass then he returned to the front of the room.
"Novices, I will now appoint each of you to different tasks. Only those who have managed to mould their glass adequately will be allowed to work with this material. The others will work on stones and wood. Sonea, Regin you will work together with Lord Balkan at the House of Family Rihan. Potil, Issle you will accompany Lady Elania..."
Lord Ralind continued to name pairs of novices and their tasks. Sonea, however, did not listen. Great, she had had to be stuck with Regin for the rest of the morning and maybe even afternoon. Bad luck. She watched Regin, but if he thought along the same lines he did not let anything show. He simply sat there and looked attentive. Sonea turned away and missed the self-satisfied smirk on Regin´s face.
"...so, now that you have all been appointed to your tasks I would ask you to go down to the entrance of the Guild. The other magicians will be waiting there for you. Do not dawdle."
Soon after, Regin and Sonea stood next to Lord Balkan, who did not look surprised about the fact that these two novices had been selected to work with him on the new glass windows of Family Rihan. "Come along", he grumbled, and the three magicians set off to the destroyed parts of the City.
~TBMD ~
Lord Balkan was having one of those overly high-scheduled weeks. Apart from staying on as Head of his Warriors he had been appointed the task to work with Lord Senfel in order to find, enlist and train the volunteers the Thief Ceryni had promised.
This young man had been a surprise. After his courageous and maybe reckless involvement in bringing Akkarin back to power Balkan had gotten to know him as a resourceful, respectful and yet very independent working partner. However, there was a dark and haunted look in his eyes sometimes and a steely determination that showed that this boy-man had grown up in circumstances that had not spoiled him – far from it. This boy – no, man really - knew how to survive and how to fight and had no qualms using every convenient method. This did not mean, however, that he was disloyal or immoral. Quite the opposite, Ceryni of the Thieves had a very fine sense of honour.
Lord Senfel, now this man had been the second surprise. If Balkan had had expected a kind of worn-down, repentant old man he would have been sorely mistaken, he knew. So he hadn´t. Then again, he certainly had not imagined meeting a magician who had the audacity to refer to him as 'boy'. With the resourceful stubbornness of old people, Lord Senfel had insisted on referring to him that way. Balkan had growled under his breath. He was certain that Senfel had addressed Akkarin with the utmost respect, title and all. Apart from that Senfel had proven to be very helpful. He was the perfect messenger, joining both the Magicians´world and that of the Thieves. Still they had not gotten as far with their selecting as he would have liked. The High Lord expected him to start training the next week. He hoped once Akkarin returned from court he would bring good news, but doubted it.
Sonea, Regin and Lord Balkan were nearing the destroyed part of the City. House Rihan had been one of the most magically enhanced buildings in the Inner Circle and had been laid to dust early in the battle. They came to a street that was blocked by large chunks of stone and wood. "We have to clear the street so that the helpers will be able to pass with their wagons", he ordered.
The two novices obeyed immediately. Regin stepped forward, but was not fast enough. Sonea had already started to move large parts of the obstruction to the side.
Balkan smiled indulgently. So, these two still had not solved their quarrels, had they? They were still trying to outdo each other. Well, good for him. He needed two disciplined minds for the task of creating the new glass windows for Family Rihan. They were direct family to the King, after all. He stepped through the gap the novices had created and nearly stumbled over a small rock when Regin spoke.
"Sonea, I must say that I am very impressed with your proficiency. I have never seen any novice using his - or her – magic that accurately. You managed to use precisely the amount of energy needed for the task without wasting any for show. I bow my head to that display of skill."
Lord Balkan frowned and watched the two brown-clad magicians from under his lowered eyelashes. Did the young Winar try to taunt the High Lord´s wife? If so, was he expected to intervene? Or would that be seen as a slight to Sonea, assuming she would not be able to defend herself? His eyes widened as he took in Regin´s face. He was looking at Sonea with an open and genuine expression. Balkan could not detect any insincerity. He knew, however, that this boy was most skilled at lying to your face. That did not change the fact that he was trying to be friendly, though. What was Regin of Winar playing at? And how would Sonea react? Balkan shifted his attention to the girl – young woman – and found a fleeting succession of emotions cross her face. First shock, then the predictable fury, then – after seeing the expression on Regin´s face – confusion and then a tentative smile.
A smile? Sonea, the slum girl had just smiled at Regin, the noble show-off? What on earth was going on here?
"Regin, you´re laying it on a bit thick again. I already told you I am not interested in this stilted noble-like flattering."
Again? Regin had flattered her before?
"That was not a compliment, Sonea. I merely stated a fact. 'Your hair shines like the waves of black silk in the morning sun', that would be a compliment."
"Wha...?"
"As for talking like that, I already told you that is how I speak and you should get used to it."
At that, the High Lord´s wife rolled her eyes in a very undignified manner and proceeded to Balkan´s side. "My Lord, where is the house of Family Rihan located?"
Lord Balkan pointed down the street. "Down there on the left, Sonea." She nodded and headed in that direction. Balkan turned and saw Regin smiling, looking at her retreating back. When he realised that Balkan was watching him he quickly averted his eyes and looked down, but not before the older magician spotted a patch of red suffusing his cheeks. That was getting more and more interesting.
Balkan decided to keep an eye on this recent development. Maybe he should tell the High Lord about this? No, he had not really witnessed anything untoward or dangerous, had he? It was just a feeling that Regin was up to something. He could not disturb the High Lord just because he had a feeling. "Well, Regin? Are you going to stand there all day or shall we proceed?"
"Yes, my Lord. I apologise." Lord Balkan nodded and both men followed the tracks Sonea had left in the dust.
Yes, this was going to be a very interesting morning. Lord Balkan´s mood lightened a bit.