Disclaimer: I do not own these characters – they belong to Trudi Canavan

Execution

It was warm and peaceful, lying wrapped in her cloak and Sonea did not want to open her eyes. If she did, she would have to acknowledge the fact that it was light and almost time to start moving again. It was a game she had played as a child, putting off the realities of dwell life by pretending she was still asleep.

She was alone in the bed and wondered where Akkarin had gone. She hadn't heard him get up. I was too deeply asleep after my exertions, she thought, feeling the warm colour flood her face. It's that magician thing which makes it special. That intense feeling when my power and his mingle, creating flares of light and power, which match the tides of pleasure which sweep through our bodies.

She gave up trying to understand it all. Just accept it, girl, she thought. Still keeping her eyes firmly closed, she snuggled down into the bed. Akkarin would be back soon, she was sure, and until he was, she would try to hold on to the memories of the night before.

A little while later, she heard him come into the barn. She turned over, opened her eyes and saw him by the doorway, carrying a brace of birds and some roots. He looked cheerful and had obviously spent some time cleaning his hair and clothing.

"Wake up Sonea, breakfast in about 10 minutes." He sounded cheerful too.

She sat up, pushing her unruly hair back behind her ears. He was already cleaning the birds, so she concentrated on preparing the roots. There were several varieties, so a good meal was in prospect. She found the stone basin from the previous night and went to fetch water.

Half an hour later, all trace of the food had disappeared and they were ready to set off. Their plan was simple, travel through the valley towards the Pass, keeping an eye out for Parika's slaves. Once they had been found, they were to be killed.

"This must sound harsh, Sonea, but it has to be done. Parika will be without a source of strength and so much easier to destroy." Akkarin's expression was serious. Perhaps he thought she had scruples about killing slaves.

She smiled reassuringly at him. "I understand completely. It's kill or be killed, really."

Compared to the harsh terrain they had been used to, moving along the valley bottom was easy travel. The ground was relatively smooth and the trail was generally clear and easy to follow. In some places, vegetation had grown thick alongside the track, sending out tendrils of thorny brambles, which could entwine themselves rapidly around a leg or arm. But, thought Sonea, I prefer this, it's almost like a country walk.

They stopped around midday near an overgrown orchard. There were still a few fruits clinging to the higher branches, so Sonea used a little power to collect them. Added to the nuts and berries Akkarin found, they made a useful meal.

Akkarin wandered away from her and stood still for a few minutes. She supposed he was using magic to search the way ahead. She watched him as he concentrated. The dark beard, which he now wore, considerably changed his appearance and few would recognise their cool, dispassionate High Lord in the young man standing in front of her.

Akkarin came over and dropped down beside her.

"There's a small group of people camped a few miles further on. Their presence is not strong and I can't be sure exactly how many there are, perhaps two or three. I think it's unlikely to be anyone other than the ones we seek. I cannot sense Parika, though. We must hurry."

It was dusk before they reached the end of the valley. The ground was beginning to change as they got closer to the foothills and for the last mile or so, they had been climbing steadily. Akkarin stopped suddenly and motioned Sonea to be quiet. He pointed and she saw traces of smoke rising. It seemed they had found the camp.

Using rocks for cover, they moved forward until they found themselves overlooking a small area of flat ground, in the middle of which a small fire burned. Sitting close to it were two people who were talking quietly.

We need to distract them Akkarin sent.

Sonea heard a clattering, as if small stones had been disturbed, followed by a light which appeared a few feet away from the camp and moved rapidly away. Both slaves sprang to their feet, a look of fear on both their faces. They exchanged a few words, then the woman sat down again, looking anxiously around, while the man crept slowly forward in the direction of the now fading light.

Stay here and see if you can see where the man goes, Akkarin disappeared. Moments later, Sonea saw him reappear a few feet from the woman. She did not see him at first, but then opened her mouth as if to scream. A fierce blast of energy sent her sprawling and she didn't move again.

Sonea watched the man as he tried to follow the glow which led him along a stony path, away from the camp. She lost sight of him as he moved behind a large boulder. She started to go after him, but a hand caught hold of her arm, as Akkarin pulled her back.

We need to get above him, he sent.

They rose in the air, as Akkarin levitated them across the clearing. As long as the slave did not look up, they would not be detected. By now, the light had dwindled until it was barely visible, but the man kept following.

Akkarin set them down slightly ahead and above the man's path, on a small rocky ledge.

Keep still. His face went still as he concentrated. Ahead on the path, the figure of an Ichani appeared and as the man rounded a corner, he saw him and fell to his knees. He began babbling as the figure moved closer to him, before disappearing in a blast of energy, which hit the slave at close range. The man's body toppled over and lay still.

Sonea stared at Akkarin. "Why did you send an illusion?" she asked, puzzled.

Akkarin smiled humourlessly. "The man was wearing a blood ring, so Parika will know what happened. But he didn't see who sent the illusion or who killed his slaves. He may think it is us, but he'll not know for sure. Perhaps there are other Kyralian magicians here he doesn't know about. The more confusing we make the picture for him, the greater the chance of delay before he takes action. This way, we may get over the border before him, with time to plan his destruction."

"The woman saw you", Sonea pointed out.

"She didn't have a blood gem," Akkarin looked around. "We have no time to waste. We must cross the border tonight. I'm afraid you will be very tired before the night is over!"

Sonea soon learned that he had not exaggerated. Although there was now a road of sorts to use, it rose and fell as it made its way to the summit of the mountain. Akkarin set a punishing pace, alternatively sprinting and walking rapidly, with only short stops to allow her to catch her breath. She was sorry they had not been able to take power from the slaves as she was reluctant to use up her reserves by Healing the familiar aches and pains. She supposed that was also the reason for not levitating.

At last, Akkarin stopped and waited for her to catch up. He pointed. There, he sent, Kyralia.

They stood for a moment, looking at the land the other side of the Pass, both, perhaps, remembering the judgement of the Guild and the tearing of their robes. "Never enter my land again," the magicians had said. Now they were about to do just that.

Akkarin looked over at Sonea and smiled, "The King has recalled us. If we are captured, a message to Lorlen would soon confirm that, don't worry, Sonea."

But it wasn't the fear of capture that concerned her. In Kyralia, she and Akkarin had been guardian and novice, with no personal relationship beyond what was necessary. In exile, things had changed. They became lovers, with all that entailed. She could not imagine sleeping alone again, without the comfort of another warm body close to hers, arms holding her close, the sound of another's heartbeat. But she was afraid that things would be different now and distance, once more, would grow between them.

I can't explain that to Akkarin, she thought. We have work to do and he mustn't be distracted.

Akkarin turned her to face him and stared intently into her eyes. He smiled, "I love you, Sonea, nothing will ever change that."

Let that be a warning to you, Sonea thought ruefully. Keep control of your thoughts when travelling with the most formidable reader of minds in the whole of the Allied Lands!

She took his face between her hands, kissed his eyes and the corners of his mouth. "I love you too," she said, "with all my heart." She grinned, "When this is over, perhaps you will teach me to read minds, like you!"