The Hearing
Chapter 2: The use of black magic
Dannyl's hand was closed around her fingers. "Did you speak the truth?"
"Every answer was truthfully, Dannyl. Neither Akkarin nor I killed Jolen."
Dannyl stepped back, swallowed and looked at Merin. "Sonea has spoken the truth, your majesty."
He stepped forward again and hugged Sonea. "But this was the smaller crime," he whispered in her ear.
"I know, Dannyl," she whispered back.
"The High Lord didn't kill Lord Jolen, Lords, Lady," Merin said to the Higher Magicians.
They all nodded. Lorlen answered. "I believe so, your majesty. But according to the rules of a Hearing we have to ask the opinion of all magicians present." Lorlen stood straight and raised a hand. A small white globe light appeared and floated to the ceiling. The Higher Magicians followed suit and then the other magicians. Soon more than a hundred globe lights filled the Guildhall with brightness.
"Please turn your light to red when you think Akkarin is guilty of murdering Lord Jolen."
Sonea looked aside at Akkarin. He faced the Higher Magicians on the tiered seats. He kept his back to the hall and the majority of the floating globe lights. She looked over her shoulder. Three lights were red, a fourth turned red, then a fifth. She hold her breath. Two of the red light went white again and no new red ones came.
"The Guild judges Akkarin is not guilty of killing Lord Jolen, your majesty," Lorlen said.
Merin was still standing on the floor of the Hall. "Lord Administrator, Lord Balkan, I do guess you now want to address the issue of black magic?"
"That is the next accusation, your majesty."
"Can you tell me what the law is on black magic?"
"It is forbidden, your majesty. Strictly forbidden. The death penalty on even seeking information on black magic," Balkan answered.
Merin nodded with raised eyebrows. "I see… I have to tell you, you miss some details, Lord Balkan."
Balkan breathed deep and looked aside at Lorlen.
"Lord Administrator," Merlin said. "Have you ever read the treaty on black magic between the Guild and the kings of the Allied countries as it was made up five hundred years ago?"
"Your majesty… I… No…" Lorlen swallowed. "I have never heard of this treaty."
Merin turned. "High Lord?"
"I don't think the Guild has knowledge of this treaty. Not any more." Akkarin kept his face blank, but Sonea knew him well, he was completely confused.
"Messy, High Lord."
"Yes, your majesty. I apologize, I never realized such rules must have been written down once."
Merlin shook his head. "The Guild might have lost the written treaty, the palace hasn't. The document has been for five centuries in the King's archive."
"Please tell us, your majesty," Akkarin said with a slight frown.
The king reached in a pocket of his coat and pulled out some folded papers. "I let a clerk write a duplicate. It starts with what Lord Balkan just told us, strictly forbidden. Then: in Sachakan, Kyralia's northern neighbor and old enemy, black magic is common practice. In case of a new war or an invasion, we will need black magic to defend us. For that case the High Lord of the Guild will keep the knowledge of how to use black magic and each High Lord will reveal this knowledge to his successor."
The king looked up from the papers and said: "This must have failed. Sometimes in the last five centuries a High Lord must have died before he could tell the secret to the next High Lord. I read on: In case any threat from Sachakan emerges, either war, an invasion or even a single Sachakan black magician that enters the allied lands, the High Lord will judge what is needed to stop this threat."
Again Merin lowered the papers. "Lords and Lady Higher Magicians, Lord Jolen was not killed by the High Lord, neither by Sonea, but he was killed by black magic. You might not have realized it yet, but that means an unknown black magician was in the streets of Imardin yesterday."
That caused frowning and uncertain looks amongst the Higher Magicians, a buzz through the Guildhall. Sonea glanced at Akkarin. Did this mean he would go free? And what did it mean for her? Would now all blame for illegal use of black magic go to her?
"High Lord?" Merin continued.
"Yes, your majesty?"
"Were you aware of a foreign black magician was in the streets of Imardin?" Merin asked.
"Yes, your majesty. Sonea and I had left the Guilt to search for her."
"Her? A woman. Did you find her? Were is she now?"
Akkarin closed his eyes for a moment, then looked first at Sonea then at Merin before answering: "We found her late in the evening. Too late. But she is dead now, your majesty."
"By too late you mean: after this woman killed Lord Jolen and his household."
Akkarin took a deep breath. "Yes, your majesty."
"She was from Sachakan?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Well, interesting detail, Sonea told us you didn't kill anyone yesterday evening. Which means," Merin turned to Sonea, "you, my girl, must have killed her. Is that correct?"
All Higher Magicians were staring at her. Sonea shivered, cleared her throat and nodded.
"Using black magic. Don't worry, girl," Merin whispered the last sentence to her and than added with his normal voice: "I go on with the treaty. The High Lord will decide how many and which magicians should help him, if needed by learning black magic to defeat the Sachakan black magicians. He should keep the number as low as possible, in order to prevent common knowledge of black magic."
Merin turned a page. "Let me see, here: The High Lord will have an apprentice to assist him performing black magic. And also to keep in mind: A magician that had to learn black magic to stop foreign threats, will from this not suffer any detrimental effects on his career in the Guild. That is basically it. I will leave this duplicate with…" He looked at Akkarin.
"With the Lord Administrator, your majesty. So he can archive it." Akkarin's voice sounded as if he finally relaxed.
"Well, Lords, Lady," Merin addressed the Higher Magicians. "Is there a next accusation?"
"Akkarin has used black magic," Balkan said.
"As you just heard, he had to. A Sachakan woman, a black magician, had just killed in Imardin and he had to stop her."
"He taught Sonea black magic," Lord Sarrin said.
"As I just read for you: the High Lord will judge what is needed and he has an apprentice to assist him."
"But he should have told us, your majesty," Lord Osen said.
"That might be a point," the king acknowledged. "The treaty specifies the High Lord should keep the number of people who know low. Not telling anyone is the lowest possible. But the Higher Magicians need to know to manage the Guild. A conflict of the rules."
"Your majesty," Akkarin said. "Maybe it's best if you make an amendment to the treaty to solve the issue for the future."
Merin nodded, then turned to face the magicians and novices in the Hall. "But both Akkarin and Sonea used black magic in the way the treaty between kings and Guild instructed them to do. Yesterday evening neither of them broke the law while using black magic. Let me make this clear to you all."
"And I…" Osen hesitated. "I want to believe the High Lord, your majesty. But do we have prove there was really a magician from Sachakan in Imardin?"
"My spies in the city have informed me of three earlier Sachakan black magicians that Akkarin did kill. But let us ask. High Lord Akkarin, how did you learned black magic and what can you tell us about these Sachakan magicians coming to Imardin?"
Akkarin nodded and gave Merin a smile. "Thank you for asking, your majesty. It's a long story."
"Then I will take my seat before you start," Merin answered.
After the king had taken his place on the top row of the tiered seats, Akkarin told the story he had told Sonea earlier: how he graduated as magician, grew restless as young magician without much responsibilities in the Guild, his tour through the Allied lands, his visits to the Royal Library in Elyne and how he ended up in wild lands between Elyne and Sachakan. Sonea stared at him while he told about Dakova and Richela. His face was blank and his voice steady, but she know how much pain the memories of Richela were causing him. He went through him killing Dakova, and fleeing back to Kyralia. Sonea studied the faces of the Higher Magicians while Akkarin talked about Kariko and the slaves Kariko had sent to Imardin. Balkan was looking angry, Osen and Lorlen both worried. On Sarrin's face she couldn't see anything. Lady Vinara looked frightened.
"Nine slaves came to Imardin?" the king asked.
"Yes, your majesty," Akkarin answered.
"My spies has only reported three of them. I will have a word with them. Any questions, Lords, Lady?"
"If you permit us, your majesty?" Balkan stood straight. "This is a lot to take in, a lot to process. But…" He looked around. "As Lord Osen said. Well. Do we have proof. I mean, I do believe the High Lord, but this is…" He took a deep breath.
"We will ask Akkarin to acknowledge all he told is true with mental communication," Merin said.
"Your majesty, the dang…" Akkarin started.
"Same as earlier with Sonea," Merin interrupted him. "Just tell Lord Balkan you told the truth, it will take less than a second. My responsibility if you show him too much. But you won't, you haven't made a mistake in all the years you are High Lord."
Balkan slowly descended from the tiered seats, hesitated before he came to Akkarin and then hold up his hand. Akkarin laid the palm of his hand on Balkan's hand. A moment later Balkan stepped back, swallowing, slightly shaking, staring at the floor. Then he looked up. "Akkarin of family Devon of House Velan told the truth during this Hearing." He made a few steps back to his chair, then turned and added: "Please accept my apologies for not believing you, High Lord."
Akkarin made a small bow. "Apologies accepted, Lord Balkan."
"So there is no second charge," Merin said.
The Guildhall was silent for many seconds, magicians looked at each other but none spoke. Sonea surveyed the faces of the Higher Magicians in front of her. Sarrin didn't look happy, Peakin en Jerrik straight angry. Telano and Osen seemed puzzled. Vinara was slowly nodding. To her surprise both Balkan and Lorlen smiled. It was Sarrin that broke the silence. "But majesty, the use of black magic… We can't…"
"We can't sentence two fellow members of the Guild for acting according the law, Lord Sarrin," Balkan answered.
"But it was pure coincidence Akkarin followed the law," Sarrin sputtered.
"I admit, your majesty, Lords, Lady," Akkarin said. "It is indeed pure coincidence I acted as I should have done. I didn't know I was doing so."
"But you did, High Lord," Balkan answered. "And that is all what counts."
"But Lord Balkan, Akkarin and Sonea used black magic," director Jerrik almost shouted.
"A magician that had to learn black magic to stop a threat, will not suffer ill effects from this, or almost those words," Balkan said. "The king just told us."
"You can't mean Akkarin will stay as High Lord," Jerrik said.
"That is what the treaty says," Lorlen supported Balkan. He turned to Merin. "Am I right, your majesty?"
"You are, Lord Administrator," Merin acknowledged.
Again the hall was silent for minutes. It was Akkarin who spoke up: "Nevertheless I ask for a judgement of the Guild, your majesty. If too many magicians don't trust me anymore, I will step aside and resign the post of High Lord."
From the corners of her eyes Sonea looked at him. She did understand, of course. If the magicians didn't trust him, being the High Lord would be painful. But if they wouldn't trust him, what would it mean for her? It did feel as a stone in her stomach, but she kept telling herself he did the right thing.
"Lord Administrator," king Merin said. "What do you advise the Guild to judge?"
"To keep Akkarin as High Lord, your majesty."
"Lord Balkan?"
"The same, your majesty. To keep Akkarin as High Lord."
"Lord Sarrin?"
The Head of the Alchemists took a deep breath, stared at Akkarin before answering: "I need some moments to think this over, your majesty."
"Lady Vinara?"
"I agree with the opinions of Lord Lorlen and Lord Balkan, your majesty. I do trust both Akkarin and Sonea."
"Your majesty," Lord Sarrin said. "I will make the advise unanimous and will agree with the our Lord Administrator and the other Heads of Disciplines."
"Lord Administrator, please ask the Guild," Merin said.
"Lords and Ladies," Lorlen started. "I will ask you to make a globe light and then turn it green if you support Akkarin keeping the post of High Lord…" Before he could finish, Dannyl raised his hand, created a green globe light and let it raise to the ceiling, a moment later Lord Yikmo did the same.
"Thank you," Lorlen said. "Green for keeping Akkarin as High Lord, white if you can't judge and red if you would like to see Akkarin resign as High Lord."
Again more than hundred globe lights went up. The majority started white, although at least two dozen started green. A few turned red, some more turned green. Sonea counted. Ten red, thirty green, forty green. A few changed color. She counted again.
"Eleven red, sixty-four green, thirty-eight white," Lorlen announced. Sonea rolled her eyes. No way she could know for sure the exact numbers, but it was close to her own guess.
"Is that enough, High Lord Akkarin," Merin asked.
"For the moment, yes, your majesty," Akkarin said.
"Then you will stay High Lord of the Guild. Concerning Sonea: I had asked the Guild to accept her as novice, but I know some novices and even some magicians have treated her badly because they see her a slum girl. Let me be clear, such attitude does not please me."
Sonea had to force herself not to look at Regin or Gerrin.
"Since Sonea yesterday evening saved not only Akkarin, but also the Guild and even the whole country, I will adopt her as a daughter in the house Korint and member of the royal family. In any matter of privileges and precedence she should be considered as niece of the king. Lord Administrator. If you close this Hearing, I would like a short private conversation with the High Lord and my niece."
Sonea didn't pay much attention to Lorlen who ended the meeting. Daughter of the House Korint? Whatever that meant. None of the other novices was of that House, she didn't know any magician that was. She noticed many staring at her and lowered her eyes.
"Come, Sonea." It was Akkarin who touched her arm. "His majesty wanted a private conversation with us."
"What?" She looked up. Merin had left, the Higher Magicians descended from the tiered seats, the magicians in the hall were slowly leaving, most of them still glaring in their direction.
"We survived," she whispered.
"Yes. I underestimated Merin." He smiled. "Everyone underestimated our king." He offered her his arm. She put her arm in his arm and followed him to where-ever Merin might be.
"I apologize for all the trouble I have caused, your majesty," Akkarin said as soon as he and Sonea were in a room with the king.
"Apologies accepted," Merin answered. "I'm astonished the Guild didn't have a copy of the treaty. Not anymore."
"It must have been lost, your majesty. I don't think we will be able to find out how and when."
"Not relevant," Merin said. "I asked the two of you here for another reason. I visited both of you before the Hearing."
Akkarin looked at Sonea, Sonea at Akkarin.
"I asked both of you the same last question."
A shock went through Sonea. Merin's last question had be whether she loved Akkarin. And he had asked Akkarin the same?
"You both gave the same answer."
"Majesty," Akkarin stammered. "That is not fair for Sonea."
"What is exactly not fair?"
"I am a black magician."
"So is she."
"I'm thirteen years older."
"Your own father was almost twenty years older than your mother and I remember you told me they were a happy couple."
"Sonea should make her own choice, your majesty," Akkarin said.
"I did, High Lord," Sonea said.
He finally looked at her. She took his hand. "I did, weeks ago."
"I'm your guardian. It will be a scandal," he said.
"Ah," Merin said with a small smile. "But it will not. I adopted Sonea in the Royal House of Korint and as head of the House it is my responsibility to find the right husband for her. If I offer in public the High Lord a daughter of the House of Korint, a niece of your king, it would be an insult if you refuse." Merin raised his hand. "I will give the two of you a few weeks to talk. Make up your minds together." He nodded to them and left.
"Sonea…" Akkarin started. "I can't ask you…"
"You don't have to ask. I already made up my mind." She took his head in her hands, pulled him closer and kissed his lips. "There is something else that bothers me."
"What is it? I will fight everything for you."
"The reactions of the magicians if we face them in a few minutes," she whispered. "How they will look at us."
He closed his eyes and nodded. "Don't you think the same bothers me? Please stay close to me. I need you so we can face them together."