Disclaimer: I do not own BMT world – it belongs to Trudi Canavan

Takan's Dilemma

Takan didn't understand it at all. It had seemed to be going so well. Day by day, he had seen the relationship between Akkarin and Sonea thaw and the hostility slowly fade into something like a normal relationship between a guardian and novice. Now, they were behaving like Sonea had in the first few days, barely speaking at the few meals they still took together. Sonea had even stopped coming down for breakfast.

Any day now, another message would come from the Thieves and Akkarin would need to destroy another black magician. And he will have to do it alone, Takan thought despairingly.

He had tried to talk to Akkarin, hoping to find out what had gone on that evening, but the High Lord had simply refused to say anything at all. "Sonea and I discussed the matter and nothing has changed," he had said, but Takan didn't believe it was a simple as that. He had seen the girl looking at Akkarin when she thought he wouldn't notice and he would swear that she had been coming round to the idea of joining the fight.

Takan had been a slave and now he was a servant. He was fully aware of his place in Kyralian society. A servant may notice things, but did not comment on them, except to other servants, he thought with some amusement. It was not his place to bang heads together, but he felt like it.

He knew Akkarin well, he had made it his goal to study the man and understand him, so that he could better serve him. He could recite long lists of the High Lord's good qualities, but he also knew there were less positive aspects of his character. He's stubborn like a mule and he can be arrogant, believing most of the time that only he could do something or understand something, he thought. Often, he has been proved right, but I don't think he is right this time!

The girl was another matter. Takan didn't know her well at all, although he liked what he had seen over the past few months. She seemed to be the perfect partner for helping Akkarin with his secret work, a strong magician and one who was not frightened at the thought of dealing with difficult problems. I expect she can be as pig-headed as Akkarin, though, he mused. The question is, which one of them is easier to tackle!

It was early evening and classes were over for the day, but Sonea had not yet returned to the Residence. She had started staying away until the last possible moment again, but Takan knew she was expected for dinner this evening. I must try to talk to her, he thought. Perhaps she will tell me what's happened.

Akkarin was already in the dinning room, when Takan heard the front door of the Residence slam and heard Sonea's footsteps run lightly across the floor and up the stairs. Akkarin looked pointedly at the clock and poured himself another glass of wine. It was his second of the evening, so far, and Takan was disturbed to see just how much he was drinking these days. That's a bad sign, he thought. Akkarin has always liked a glass or two, but these days it's becoming a bottle or two!

The door opened, and Sonea came in.

"Good evening, High Lord," she said. "I'm sorry I'm late."

"Good evening, Sonea, please try to remember the times of meals. The servants have worked hard to prepare the food, we don't want it to be spoiled." His voice was cool and distant.

Sonea pulled a face, but did not reply. She sat down opposite him and stared down at her plate. As Takan held out the serving dish, she took a couple of spoonfuls of the pickled vegetables and plonked them on her plate, where they sat, two small islands in the middle of a large, white sea.

Akkarin served himself sparingly, then looked at his Novice, "How were your lessons today?"

As Takan stood by the serving table, he listened to the painful conversation between them. It's just like the first week! he thought. I'm not letting this go on and if they won't do something, I will!

Eventually, all the courses had been served and Akkarin had finished the bottle of Anuran Dark. Neither had had much of an appetite, so it looked as if the kitchen servants would eat well tonight. Sonea excused herself at the first possible opportunity and Akkarin took himself and a second bottle of Anuran Dark into his study.

That's good, thought Takan. If he drinks that, he won't be interested in sitting in my head, listening to what I say. The blood gem connection could be a nuisance at times, although Takan knew that Akkarin wasn't constantly tuned in. I certainly hope he won't be listening tonight.

As soon as he had finished in the kitchen, Takan went to check on Akkarin. He was still in his study and showed no signs of moving, so Taken went upstairs to Sonea's room. Although it was late, he could see she still had her light on so he tapped on her door.

"Who is it?" her voice sounded wary.

"Takan, my lady. Could I speak with you for a moment?"

The door opened to reveal Sonea, still in her robes, a book in hand. She didn't look particularly pleased to see him, but politely listened as he explained that he needed to talk to her privately. She looked at him strangely for a moment, then motioned him inside and shut the door.

"Did the High Lord send you?" she asked.

"No, my lady, he doesn't know I'm here and I don't intend to tell him either."

Sonea smiled briefly at that. "Well, you'd better tell me what you want."

He paused, "This is not easy for me Lady Sonea, I am a servant and it is not my place to criticise my betters, but the situation between you and the High Lord makes things very difficult. It seemed to me as if you understood the truth of what Lord Akkarin does and why he does it. I thought that would make you want to help him."

She sighed, "Of course I know the truth now and I told him I would do everything I could to help, but he doesn't want me or my help. He only wants my power, nothing else. He expects me to sit in the Residence until required while he does all the difficult things like killing dangerous black magicians."

Takan was beginning to see a possible reason for Akkarin's reaction and he debated with himself whether or not to explain it to Sonea. He decided, that it was important that she understood.

"A number of years ago, Lord Akkarin was fond of a young girl who lived a difficult life, fraught with danger. He wanted to protect her, but in the end he failed and she was killed. It made a great and painful impression on him and I think he wants to protect you from any danger, in case he can't save you if you are both fighting black magicians."

Sonea turned away and went to stare out of the window. She was silent for a few minutes then asked, "You said he was fond of her? Did he have feelings for her?"

"I can say no more, my lady, it would not be right. I feel bad about talking about these things, but I'm more worried that Lord Akkarin will begin to fail, if he is left completely on his own to deal with these assassins."

"I agree, but I can't see what I can do, Takan. I've tried, but the High Lord refuses to teach me anything to do with black magic and unless he does, I can't help him in any fight, I would not be strong enough."

"You need to talk to him again, my lady. I'm sure you could persuade him." Takan didn't know what else to say to her. She seemed distracted but she surprised him with her next question. "Has the High Lord got a lover?"

"A lover, my lady? What has that got to do with it?

"Just answer, has he?"

As Takan stared at her, a faint colour crept into her cheeks. Is that it? Is there something going on between them? No, that's not it at all! There is nothing going on between them, but perhaps one of them thinks there should be!

"No, my lady." He couldn't identify the expression which showed briefly on her face, but he guessed it was something like relief. Yes, she's the one who wants something to be going on, he thought.

"I will try to talk to him again. Is he in the Residence this evening?"

"He is in his study my lady, but if you will take my advice, I wouldn't try to speak to him tonight. He is tired and has drunk quite a bit of wine. Perhaps tomorrow would be better. We can expect another assassin in a few days, so time is running out."

As she went with him to the door she said, "Thank you for talking to me, it can't have been easy. Despite what it looks like or what you might think, I do care what happens and I wouldn't want the High Lord to be badly hurt or killed."

Later, in his room, Takan thought about his conversation with Sonea. He had been very uncomfortable during it, conscious all the time that he was doing something Akkarin would not approve of. He considered what he had learned. Sonea did believe Akkarin and offered to help, but had been refused. It would be typical of Akkarin to refuse help from a woman for fear he couldn't protect her; stupid, and pig-headed perhaps, but also endearing in its way. But Sonea and her feelings that was a surprise. I wonder if Akkarin knows how she feels, he thought. We both thought she disliked him, but perhaps she's a better dissembler than we realised. And what of Akkarin? What does he really think of his Novice?

Just before he fell asleep, Taken sent a fervent prayer to the gods of his childhood, praying that Sonea would be able to persuade Akkarin to teach her black magic so that the evil could be defeated once and for all.