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Chapter Five - Prisoners

"I take it you are aware of the problems we are facing?"

Sonea did not, but still she nodded. As she knew Balkan, he would probably explain them again anyway. They were sitting in a Healer's office two doors down from Sonea's patient room for the simple reason that they needed more space for five people than the small room had to offer. Sonea had somehow managed to cross the distance relying on Akkarin's arm and the wall for support but now her leg throbbed painfully and she felt a little dizzy. Nevertheless she tried to follow Balkan's words as closely as she could – if their future would be decided today, she at least wanted to have a say in it, although she suspected that her opinion would not actually make a difference.

Balkan did not disappoint her. "Turn it as you might, both of you have illegally entered Kyralian territory and also used Black Magic on several occasions. I know-" he said and managed to stop Akkarin interrupting him. "That you had very good reasons to do so, and we are all very grateful that you did it, but that, unfortunately, does not change much. There will have to be a trial, at least a hearing to let the Guild decide over your fate. A Meet has been called for the Fourthday next week, and be assured that we are confident you will be forgiven your crimes. All of them," he added, because this time Sonea had already opened her mouth to ask.

She did not remember the crimes they had apparently committed during the Invasion but she did remember very clearly that she and Akkarin had been banned and cast out for the practice of Black Magic only a few months ago - was it three? Or four? How was she supposed to keep the time straight? – and she was not exactly keen on experiencing that again. Although she could not deny that she had been so very happy in Sachaka…

"Until then," Balkan continued with as much authority as he could muster because it seemed he was now coming to the bad news and did not want any interruptions. "It will be best if you two are seen closely guarded and watched. We must at least appear as if we obey our own laws. Rooms in the University have been prepared for you to stay in, that will have to suffice until after the Meet, when we will hopefully be able to try and find other living arrangements. The Warriors outside are going to escort you. Any questions? No? Very well. If you would now…"

"Actually, would you stay for a moment?" Lady Vinara, being one of those women with unquestioned authority, did not even pause. Of the people in the room, the only one who would have dared to contradict her had once been Akkarin, but it was obvious that he would not do so now. Even somebody who did not know him as well as she did would have seen that the former High Lord was no longer quite himself.

"I would like to talk to you about a few things. Alone," she added, since neither Osen nor Balkan seemed inclined to leave the room in the nearer future. The Healer's signature stern look had them out on the corridor within moments, and only when the door had clicked shut behind them, Vinara continued.

"I have declared both of you recovered but don't you think that means you are healthy. You have put your bodies through much more than they can handle, so you will have to face a slow and potentially painful recovery. Akkarin, I have talked to you about this. As for you, Sonea," she said and very badly tried to hide the pity in her eyes. "I am afraid you will have to be very patient with your leg."

Sonea groaned. Patience had never been her greatest strength, and she felt she had been patient enough in the past two months.

"It will take some time, but we are confident that you should not have any permanent problems. Still." Vinara accompanied the word with another stern glance at the dark-haired girl with one hand in a fist in her lap and the other clutching Akkarin's so tightly that her knuckles were white against her pale skin. She, too, had changed.

"You will depend on crutches for possibly a few weeks during which you need to exercise very gently and slowly until your muscles have recovered their old strength. And both of you, sleep, rest, and for goodness' sake, eat properly. You look like ghosts. Understood?"

They nodded. Nobody argued with Lady Vinara because usually nobody stood a chance to win.

"Good. Because if I find that you have not been doing as I say, I will not hesitate to have you dragged back here to the Healers' Quarters, chained to your beds if necessary. Now go."

Dismissed, Sonea and Akkarin went to meet a group of four Warriors who seemed to wear their grim expressions with pride. Sonea examined their faces and was sure that she had seen all of them before, but was unable to recall when and where, let alone their names. One of them might have been part of the group that had escorted her and Akkarin out of Kyralia but she would not have bet any money on it.

A young woman in servants' clothes handed her the crutches and explained how to use them without ever raising her eyes from the floor. The Warriors took Sonea and Akkarin into their midst, and Sonea soon struggled to keep up with their pace. More than once, she had to force herself to ask for a break. She really did not want to show any weakness, but not only did her legs hurt because she had not used them for too long, she was also fighting her very own war with the crutches which seemed to have taken a particular dislike to her.

The walk between the Healers' Quarters and the University had never been short but today it seemed to last forever.

The room was small, the walls painted a creamy white and the only furniture were a chair and a bed. Grey outlines on the paint showed that once, there had been at least three bookshelves and a cupboard, as well as a couple of paintings, but this room served as a prison cell now. Prisoners did not need comfort.

With a sigh of relief and pain alike, Sonea sank down on the bed. The crutches landed on the floor with a hollow sound, and she closed her eyes for a moment. She was exhausted. The walk had cost her far too much energy, and now every bone in her body hurt. With her fingertips she rubbed the aching muscles in her legs, trying to will them to feel normal again. She drew up the smallest spark of Healing power to at least numb the pain a little, but even that little spark felt weird. She had barely used magic in the last two months, mostly because there had been no reason to. Not daring to hamper with the Healers' efforts, she had not tried to treat her own injuries, and if there had been one thing they had not denied her it had been painkillers.

The wall in her back was smooth and cool. Was Akkarin sitting on the other side? Maybe not sitting, pacing seemed much more likely. When their escort had commanded them into the rooms, he had said, "I'll see you in the morning." For some reason, she could not really believe that.

Happy New Year! I know it's been a long time. Throw your stones. And this is also rather short, but I'll hopefully get to some more action in the nearer future. I love you all to bits and would be very grateful for reviews!