2. Freeday

Freedays were Lorlen's favourite days. Although for most novices, Freedays were full of work, which Lorlen did not like. Lorlen looked out of the small window in his room with envy as magicians roamed the gardens in the sunshine. Looking back at his notes, he skimmed the properties of the chemicals ready for the test in Lord Margen's class. Novices in the corridor outside his room bantered about, breaking his concentration. Sighing, Lorlen tried to block out the noise, and carried on revising. A polite knock at his door echoes in the room and Lorlen grumbled. He almost didn't answer, but decided against it. In a flurry, he walked to the door and opened it.

"Hi." Akkarin said looking slightly amused.

"Hello." Lorlen replied, confused at why he was at his door.

"I am going to the races. Would you like to come?"

"The races? We have a test to study for!"

"You worry too much!" He said laughing. "Anyway, there is always tonight." Lorlen stared at him amazed. Surely he is just joking around! "Well?" He asked.

"I need to study-"

"Oh no you don't!" Akkarin said, grabbing Lorlen's robes and pulling him out of his room. "Come on." Lorlen tried to protest, but Akkarin just pushed him along with a half smile curling at his lips. Lorlen sighed in defeat and followed him out of the Novices' Quarters towards the front of the University. The day was gloomy and dark, casting deep shadows around them. The University, Arena and Healers' Quarters loomed over them as they passed between them, making Lorlen feel small. As they neared the University entrance, a carriage stopped in wait for them.

"Is anybody else coming?" Lorlen asked.

"No, they are all too busy studying, they wouldn't come along."

"Then why didn't you make one of them come! Why me?"

"I don't know. There's something about you that's interesting." Akkarin replied with a shrug. Me interesting? Lorlen thought. How can he find me interesting? A servant stepped forwards and opened the carriage door and Akkarin nimbly stepped up and inside, with Lorlen after stepping in not so gracefully. "I hate carriages." Lorlen mumbled to himself. Akkarin smiled at him, "you don't travel often then?"

"No. Being the youngest child, I never had to go anywhere important. I rarely went out via carriage."

The scenery outside rolled past gently. Light coloured buildings pierced the sky from all sides and seemed to follow them as they went. As they exited the city, the buildings waned in both height and stability. The poorer area of Imardin shirked away as they approached, and Lorlen looked away. He hated seeing the state of the slums, and the poor people who scratched an existence there. Akkarin seemed indifferent as his gaze flicked outside, but the slight wince said otherwise. I wonder why he hides his true feelings. Lorlen was unsure if he should say anything, but luckily he was interrupted by a new building standing proud. He had never been to the races before – preferring to read – and he'd never been invited before. As they got closer Lorlen couldn't help but grin, and all thoughts about work escaped him. The House Arran had not skimped on the racecourse, and it looked wonderful. Outside carriages stopped to let out their occupants and people flooded inside the grand wooden doors. As they stepped out, Lorlen looked around breathless "this place is outstanding! I have never seen a building like this. Only the Guild rivals this!"

"Have you never been to the racecourse before?" Akkarin asked surprised.

"No, and I have never been asked before either, before today." Lorlen said, then cheekily added "and even then I was dragged here."

"It looks much better inside."

They continued up to the entrance and found some seats nearby, next to a large lady with a thick Elyne accent. Every now and again, she boomed at her young children to behave, deafening Lorlen, who had the pleasure of sitting beside her. "Trust me to be sitting next to her." Lorlen whispered to Akkarin leaning in so no-one would hear.

"Well the woman next to me keeps staring at me, and she has the most gigantic nose I have ever seen!" Lorlen peered up at the woman, and had to clasp his hand over his mouth to stop a spluttered laughter. He peeked back to get another look and was met by an icy stare, so he turned away quickly. Looking down at the racetrack, he saw six horses being led to the start and their riders climbing on to them. Each horse belonged to the most influential Houses, the riders wore their House incal on their back. "Let the races begin!" A man shouted, aided by a magician so that all could hear.

A few hours later, Lorlen found himself face to face with a horse. The races had ended and instead of following everyone to the exit, Akkarin had wandered away from it. He'd slipped past anyone watching and had gotten into the stables. Lorlen had followed, not wanting to be left behind, but also not wanting to get into trouble.

"We really shouldn't be here." Lorlen said uneasily, looking around.

"It's fine. We are only here to see the horses." Akkarin replied leaning against the stable door.

"Watch-"

Clunk. The latch to the door came open. "Oops."

"Close it back up! Quickly!" Akkarin grabbed the bolt and tried to squeeze it back, but it wouldn't go. "It won't go back!"

"Hey you!" A voice shouted. "What are you doing?"

"Ahh!" Akkarin jumped, trying not to look suspicious.

"What are you doing by the horses?" A large man called, walking over to them.

"Nothing. We were just looking."

"Um.. The hor-" Lorlen tried to say.

"This is off limits, you shouldn't be down here." He said sternly.

"Excuse me, but the horse has escaped." Lorlen interrupted. The man glared at him, and Lorlen shrunk back feeling small. "The horse..." He squeaked out.

"Both of you leave now." He shouted at them angrily, and they prompted left in a hurry.

"I can't believe you got us into trouble!" Lorlen muttered on the way out. Akkarin just chuckled in reply. "See now wasn't this better than revising for a test all day."

"Oh no! The test! I forgot about that!" Lorlen cried out.