UNEASE
Dannyl threaded his way between several groups of magicians towards his usual corner in the Night Room. There was quite a hubbub this evening as members of the Guild tried to find out the latest news.
Loren's earlier message ordering them to stop all mental communication had evidently caused considerable disquiet. No one was too sure why the order had been given and many were very upset at being prevented from easy communication with their family and friends. As he moved through the room, Dannyl picked up bits and pieces of conversations.
"…I have no idea…"
"….never in all my days in the Guild….."
"What right has the Administrator….."
"…must be serious reasons….."
It seemed there was no other topic of conversation this evening. I wonder where Rothen is, Dannyl thought. I do hope he is feeling better. I hope he took the hint and decided to come out of his room for a change. Several of Rothen's friends had expressed their concerns in the last day or so and somehow, they expected Dannyl to do something to cheer him up. What can I do? He's just got to stop blaming himself, that's all.
Dannyl felt a touch on his arm and, turning rapidly, found Rothen smiling at him.
"I thought I'd come and see what all the fuss was about", he said.
Dannyl was relieved to see that his old guardian was looking very much better. The dark circles under his eyes had gone and there was almost a hint of his famous blue-eyed twinkle. They fell silent for a time and tuned in to the conversations. It was clear that most of the magicians were uneasy at the turn of events and, most of all, needed answers.
"Is Lorlen coming tonight?" Dannyl asked. "He's the only one who can clear things up."
"I heard Lord Osen had gone to speak to him," Rothen replied. "Perhaps he can persuade Lorlen to come and join us."
A few minutes later, both men were relieved to see a familiar blue-robed figure enter the Night Room. Lorlen glanced around and then headed for a group of Higher Magicians and Heads of Disciplines. He spoke with them for a time and then looked over to Dannyl's corner.
"Good evening Dannyl, Rothen." Lorlen looked tired as he pulled up a chair. "I'm glad to find you both here, as I wanted to speak to you. I expect you are as eager as the others to know why I have forbidden mental communication. I had a very strange experience just after Balkan reported that Akkarin and Sonea had been put over the border in to Sachaka, an unknown magician's voice joined in, thanking us for the information. I could only assume that it was one of those Ichani Akkarin told us about."
Rothen and Dannyl looked shaken. "An Ichani responded to Balkan's report! How long have they been listening?"
"That's the real question," Lorlen replied. "If they have been able to hear what we say, they know everything. What is worse, they know we have exiled Akkarin and why. They now know we do not use Black Magic and are therefore vulnerable to attack. There is nothing to stop them now."
Rothen stared at Lorlen, "It's worse than that – they know where Akkarin is. They will kill him…..and Sonea!"
Lorlen nodded. "We must all hope Akkarin can avoid the Ichani and protect Sonea.! I am more and more convinced that he was telling the truth and the Guild will rue the day they sent our best hope into exile."
The Administrator rose to his feel, "I must go back to my office and try to catch up on some work. The Higher Magicians will be telling the others the reasons for the ban, so hopefully that will calm things down a bit."
Watching Lorlen make his way to the door, Dannyl grinned humourlessly "Calm things down! Knowing a group of Black Magicians have been listening in to everything we say and now know it is safe to attack us is hardly likely to calm things down!"
Rothen stood up, "I think I'll go back to my rooms now, " he said. "There is a lot to think about."
Dannyl watched him leave and was saddened to see his worried expression. Well, getting him out of his rooms and into the company of others didn't really help very much, he thought.
Lorlen closed the door to his office and used a little magic to lock it. He was not feeling in the mood for company. He walked over to the cupboard and took out a bottle and a glass. He sighed as he sat down and poured the wine. Everywhere he looked there were problems and he had little real idea what to do about them. I need Akkarin to tell me what to do.
The fact that an unknown magician could participate in the Guild's mental communication would appear to be the final proof, if more proof were needed, that Akkarin's story had been true. I should have had faith, I should have confronted him as soon as I read Sonea's mind. We could have worked together. Lorlen's thoughts went round and round and he became angrier and angrier with himself.
What a wonderful thing hindsight is, he thought bitterly. It is all so clear now – Akkarin and I working together to prevent news of the Guild's weakness getting back to Sachaka. No need to involve Sonea. No need for the mess we find ourselves in now. If only I had considered everything properly at the time instead of rushing to the conclusion that Akkarin had gone bad. Did all those years of friendship mean nothing? I knew he had always been honourable. I knew he had always been trustworthy.
But, it was no use crying over spilt milk. Things were as they were and have to be made the best of. My biggest problem is how to encourage the King to see the reality of the situation and to persuade him to make the right decisions. The next biggest problem is where to get some Guild Black Magicians, now the only two we have are likely to captured and killed.
Lorlen fingered the ring in his pocket. He had not put it on for a while, but now felt the need to try again. He slipped it on his finger and closed his eyes in concentration.
Akkarin?
Please answer. There is something important I have to tell you.
Lorlen could sense a presence, just on the edge of his mind again, but this time, it didn't hide itself, but stayed, as if listening.
Akkarin, I have forbidden all mental communication because an unknown magician suddenly joined in Balkan's report from the Fort. They know where you are. Take care old friend.
Lorlen, thank you.
As the presence disappeared, Lorlen breathed a sigh of relief. At least Akkarin had answered and he had been warned. He paused for a moment, Akkarin's mental voice had sounded different, some how. I am not sure what it is, but it is different, he thought. Akkarin's mental voice had always sounded very similar to how the High Lord had appeared in the flesh – cool, dispassionate and controlled. This time, Lorlen detected a warmth and the presence itself seemed more human.
Lorlen laughed. "You are imagining things my boy!" he said out loud. "You will be imagining you hear fairies next. I think it's time to put the wine bottle away!"