Chapter 4:
Akkarin sat swirling the wine in his glass. The usually sweet wine had left a bitter taste in his mouth as he remembered the conversation from earlier. Lorlen had visited him, the blue swirl of his robes swishing violently, as he entered frowning. Akkarin had sighed, he knew exactly why Lorlen was there to visit, and it wasn't to drink his expensive wine. Lorlen had adopted his stern Administrator demeanour, and Akkarin couldn't help but laugh at him. Even after two years he still couldn't get used to his best friend being the Administrator of the Guild. Fortunately it was only the exterior of Lorlen which had changed – the inside was still the same, and after a few minutes Lorlen too was laughing.
"You are a bad influence, Akkarin of Delvon."
Akkarin shrugged at him, "I guess it is part of my charm."
"It sure does explain a lot!"
"I can assure you that at times you were worse than me."
"I was not!" Lorlen scoffed. "You were always to blame."
Akkarin smiled at him mischievously, "what about that time you stole that girls-"
"You got me drunk!" He interrupted embarrassed. "Very drunk."
"It was for your own good." Akkarin grinned.
"Anyway," Lorlen said trying hard to change the subject back, "I am sure you know why I am here. And I am sure you also know what I will say."
"Yes, I know. I'll make sure to wear my robes at all time. Now if I ask you not to pursue this, will you do as I say?"
"Just as long as you aren't getting into trouble." Lorlen sighed, "but I would like to know one thing. Why didn't you bring Sonea back to the Guild?"
"I knew others were coming, and I could hardly let anyone else know I was roaming around not in my robes. You were just lucky I was there. She wouldn't have survived much longer."
Lorlen chuckled, "well you have certainly left an impression on her. She wants to meet you to thank you apparently."
"How do you know that?"
He grinned, "Dannyl hinted it. That poor man is so scared of you, I decided to put him at ease. I'm not sure what you have done to him, but he looked high relieved to not have to talk to you."
"I am not sure either.." Akkarin frowned.
"So are you going to visit Sonea? You could even persuade her to stay with that charm of yours."
"I don't know yet. Should I?"
"Well it'd be a shame for her to go back to the slums after this. She has great potential after all, you should know of this, you've seen how much magic she had."
"If she only wants to thank me, then she can do so by letter." He shrugged.
"Don't moan to me when you find her going to extreme lengths to meet with you." Lorlen warned. "In fact I may even help her.." He mused aloud.
"And what benefit would you get out of that?"
"Seeing you squirm." He smiled, "I want to know why you don't want to talk to her."
"I never said I didn't want to talk to her." Akkarin frowned, "you insinuated it."
"Well is it true?"
"No, it is not."
"Then you'll talk to her. Great! I will go and tell Rothen right away." Lorlen said opening the door. "Now was that so hard?" He grinned then exited quickly.
Akkarin had shook his head and chuckled, then filled himself a full glass of wine. But sat staring at it and swished it, instead of drinking it. Sat deep within his brooding reverie. "I don't care what he says. I am not visiting her." He said aloud to himself and nodded. And if he tries to make me then... Akkarin glanced at the wine cabinet and grinned. He can't do so if I am drunk. He quickly drained his glass, and eagerly grabbed the bottle of wine and poured another glass.
When Lorlen returned a few hours later, a strong smell of wine hung in the air, and empty bottles of wine littered the floor. Akkarin sat slumped passed out in his chair.
"Akkarin." He called, but he didn't stir. Lorlen walked closer and called again in his ear.
"Ah!" Akkarin murmured sleepily. "Can't you see I am sleeping."
"Why do you stink of wine?"
"Oh, I had a few... Glasses-"
"Bottles."
"Glasses!" He corrected Lorlen back. "I had a few glasses, from each bottle, a few times." He nodded fervently.
"You knew I would make you visit Sonea and you got yourself drunk?" Lorlen sighed. "Well that won't stop me, drunkard."
"I hardly think you'll introduce me to an easily infulen.. inflien.. influenced young lady." He giggled drunkenly.
"Well I am going to prove you wrong." Lorlen said smugly, "and if I have to drag you all the way, so be it."
"You can't do that! The Guild will question your authority!"
"Would you like to find out?" Lorlen challenged him.
"Fine fine!" Akkarin said standing up swaying, "but I am only doing it to save you from embarrassment." He tried walking to the door, and ended up face first on the floor.
"I think it'll be you who will need saving, my friend." Lorlen grinned.
Akkarin jumped up and brushed his robes down, "what ever do you mean?" He said innocently.
