It' been a while, but here it is: The next chapter. Hope my grammar and spelling is better than the last time, I really tried to improve.
It was firstday and this was the day that Akkarin had dinner with his novice. Takan had asked his master about a formal two-person dinner for cooking so often that Akkarin had used the opportunity to spend some time with his novice, asking her about her progress with her studies. He knew she hated these dinners, mostly because he was there, but he didn't mind. She would learn quickly enough that he would not hurt her as long as she acted within the rules he had given her. He hoped that she would understand quickly, it wasn't pleasant to eat in such an atmosphere even if a little fear was necessary to keep her and Rothen's silence.
Akkarin put his book aside when he felt Sonea approach. She was punctual he noticed, as she has always been since she found out that he was always waiting for her to arrive, no matter what time it was. Checking Takans progress with their dinner through the blood gem link he opened the door with his magic and rose from his seat. Sonea entered and bowed whithout really looking at him.
"High Lord", she said.
"Sonea. Come upstairs, dinner is ready", he replied, motioning for her to go in front of him.
Everything went as usual, he asked her about her lessons and she answered as much as she needed but no more. But this time was a little different, he noticed but he couldn't point it out. Takan was ready to serve the dessert when she finally looked up at him with a strange expression.
"High Lord I...", she started. "I want to catch up with the winter novices"
Akkarin was surprised at this request, but not to much. Even if she didn't tell him about her problems with the novices, he knew about them. He wasn't ignorant of his novice. In fact having one was more pleasant than he thought.
"Running away from your classmates won't solve your problem with them. Your new classmates could behave similarly too", he answered. He was sure she was aware of it but it took time to think it through properly.
"I won't know until I try," she replied and sighed. "I know that the problem will not go away, but maybe it will get better. I saw them, they are nice to each other and focus mainly on their studies."
"If you really want that you have to work pretty hard"
"I know"
He looked at her and considered her request. It would also mean a lot of work for him, but he didn't mind. He was used to working most of the time, in fact he enjoyed the distraction and exhaustion that gave him the hard work. Of course, he could organize private lessons for any subject, but it would raise suspicion. Something he really couldn't use right now.
„They expect me to give you privat lessons instead of ordering someone to do it. I can't risk raising suspicions", he said. If she was willing, he would allow her to to try. In the end it was an opportunity to make her feel more comfortable. Something like a plan started to form in his mind.
He watched her facial expressions closely, trying to figure out her thoughts. She wasn't surprised, maybe a bit afraid but above all there was something hard in her dark eyes. She was determined to do it. Yes, this was the strong girl he had seen reading her mind.
Her voice sounded strong and confident when she answered: „I've expected something like that. It won't stop me"
He smiled a little. In the end she was clever and stronger than she seemed. She was definitely worth being the High Lords Novice, even if he never had wanted one. Maybe it was destiny she discovered his secret.
„Well, I'm not going to stop you in this case. We will start tomorrow night", he answered.
Lorlen took a deep breath before knocking on the door. It swung open immediately and revealed a familiar picture: Akkarin sitting in his favourite chair, a glass of dark wine on the table, a book in his hands. When he entered the room, he noticed that someone was sitting next to the High Lord and tried to hold up a shield. Lorlen smiled a little, remembering his own problems with it. Her concentration failed when he closed the door behind him, so the shield waved first and then collapsed. She commented with an angry grimace.
"Tomorrow you will show me a Perfect shield", Akkarin said. "Practice the light version until tomorrow, you are dismissed"
"Of Course High Lord. Good night Administrator, High Lord", she responded and bowed.
"Good Night Sonea. Don't practice too long", Lorlen replied, giving her an encouraging smile.
"Good night Sonea," said the High Lord, and Lorlen was certain for a very short time that there was something warm in his eyes.
"So she finally decided to ask you", said Lorlen, taking a seat in his favourite chair across from Akkarin. His friend used his magic to pour him a glass of wine before reaching for his own.
"I should have known you gave her a hint. I was wondering where she got the information from", Akkarin answered.
"How is she doing?", Lorlen asked curiously.
"She's a quick learner, did you see how perfect her shield was before she lost her focus? We started doing this just an hour ago."
"I would have bet you wouldn't teach her yourself. It must be frightening for her"
Akkarin smiled a crooked smile.
"I warned her when she asked me to help her. She is really determined distance herself from Regin. This and her own curiosity and ambition make her overcome her fear. Actually teaching her is much more enjoyable than I thought. Maybe I won't stop giving her extra lessons", Akkarin told him. His words should calm Lorlen's suspicions, but they scared him to death. What was his best friend up to? Did he want to teach her black magic? Making her his source or worse his accomplice? He remembered staying calm. There was nothing he could do if Akkarin decided to act against Sonea, himself or the guild.
"I hope you won't teach her forbidden things", he managed to say in a calm voice as he hoped. His friend looked at him annoyed.
"I am won't teach these things to anyone. It is my burden", he said. "Why don't you trust me anymore, old friend? Even if I now enjoy having Sonea as a novice, it doesn't mean that I would take her again if it wasn't necessary"
Lorlen didn't know how to answer. It was true that he no longer trusts Akkarin. In fact he had made Lord Dannyl his eyes in Elyne, hoping to get some helpful information about Akkarin, by exploring his steps abroad. But why didn't he trust him now? He knew there was a reasons for his actions, but there was something else that he was now loathing.
"You blackmailed a young girl away from someone who took care of her like a father and forced her to be alone."
"She wouldn't have a better standing with Rothen as her guardian. And I'm not going to hurt her or her loved ones if she follows the simple rules I've given her. She is smart enough to know that. But you are not here to talk about my novice, are you?"
Lorlen sighed. It was obvious that Akkarin won't speak about Sonea anymore.
"Actually I wanted you to come into the night room with me. Magicians will be curious about your novice", he answered.
"Let them talk a bit without having me around and tell me what they are talking about. I will join you next week, so they have some time to get used to the fact I am teaching her now", Akkarin answered, reaching out for the bottle to pour himself another glass of Anuren Dark.
"Well, in that case I'll leave you now and answer their questions alone," Lorlen replied, getting up. Good evening high lord "
"Good evening Lorlen"
Lorlen made his way straight from the Residenz to the night hall, preparing to answer the questions he was going to face. He never really thought Akkarin would join him tonight, but he really hoped he would. He was tired of speaking for his best friend, covering his mysterious behavior. But there was nothing he could do about it other than giving up his job, but he never would. It would feel like he was betraying his family. And the guild was his family, he realized. He never liked his house, his real family and he was glad he was accepted to the guild, where he found the best friend someone could ask for. Well, this was before Akkarin decided he needed some adventure and went to write a book about old magic to have a reason for some travels. The man who came back wasn't no longer this best friend, Lorlen realized. He was a stranger: darker, more mysterious, quieter. Lorlen shook his head. He shouldn't think about Akkarin that way. After all he was the same man he had ever loved and admired as a brother.
Taking a deep breath he pushed the thoughts about Akkarin away and entered the Nightroom, preparing himself for the obvious questions. It was a quite busy evening, nearly every seat was occupied by magicians who drank good wine and talked. He looked around, searching for the familiar figures of the Higher Magicians and when he found them he went through the nightroom. He was almost at position, when someone patted him on the shoulder.
"Administrator, could we have a word?", asked Lord Rothen, his worries written all over his face.
"Of course", Lorlen answered, giving him a smile.
"Will he ...", Rothen started, but he didn't finish his sentence. Still, Lorlen knew what he wanted to know.
"We should talk in a more private room", he decided leading the way to the day room. This wasn't a matter to be discussed between the other magicians, even he could create a sound proof barrier.
Reaching the empty room he created a light globe and turned to the alchemist.
"He assured me that he won't teach her about it. She is fine, I saw her today", he answered his question. Rothens shoulders sagged and he sighed in relief.
„I'm really scared he could harm her or worst influence her badly", he murmured.
Lorlen felt strangely offended by the alchemist's suspicions, even he shared them more or less.
"I cannot say anything to make you feel better, can I? Well, actually he shows her how to shield. She is quite good at it and it will come in handy for her", said Lorlen.
"Shielding? I suppose you are right. This Regin won't stop bullying her so shielding is a very useful thing", Rothen answered, looking less worried than before. "Thank you administrator"
They both went back to the crowded night room and Lorlen made finally his way to the Higher Magicians. Surprisingly a familiar black robed man was sitting in his preferred chair, a glass of wine in his hand, whiles listening to something Lady Vinara was saying.
"Ah, Good evening Administrator", Akkarin said when Lorlen arrived. "I've wondered where you have been"
"Good evening. Someone wanted to discuss something in private", he answered, taking a seat next to his friend, wondering why he changed his mind. Normally a 'no' from Akkarin was a 'no'.
He didn't need to wait long for an answer to his question.
"So, what do you say to the news Administrator?", Lord Sarrin, the head of Alchemy, asked. Lorlen frowned.
"You haven't heard, haven't you?", Vinara shouted in surprise, shaking her head in disbelief. "The King ordered us to test the dwell children of magic and to monitor those who have big potential"
Lorlen stared at her for a moment. "That won't work. Why did he order such things? Did you know about it?", he asked giving the High Lord a suspicious look. Why hadn't he said something about it earlier?
"The messenger came just a few minutes after your leaving. You must have seen him. And I don't know the kings thoughts but maybe I encouraged him to such an order accidentally"
The Higher Magicians gave Akkarin a suspicious and questioning look. Lorlen was as confused as the others were. Akkarin gave them a familiar half smile.
"Ah, maybe I should explain this. The King asks me about Sonea regularly. Maybe I was a bit to convincing about her abilities and strength"
That wasn't much of an explanation, but it made sense.
"We nearly didn't find your novice, High Lord. How should we find all the dwell children?", Lord Sarrin asked. "I fear this order can't be fulfilled"
