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

The Battle for Imardin

News that the Ichani had reached the outskirts of the capital came just after daybreak. The Thieves Guild had put watchers along all the main roads into Imardin so that the defenders had as much warning as possible. Everything that could be done had been done. Power had been taken from the volunteers. The people who were to dress as magicians to distract the invaders had been given their robes and sent to strategic points to await further orders. As many of the dwells as could be accommodated had been hidden in tunnels and underground rooms, and those that could not were instructed to find shelter as far away from the main city as possible.

Cery had earlier provided his guests with fine black garments, but in addition he had had new robes made for them, also in black. Both Akkarin and Sonea refused at first to take them. As exiled magicians, no longer members of the Guild, they were forbidden to wear robes, but as Cery pointed out, the city was full of non-magicians wearing robes, so two more would make no difference. Eventually, they were persuaded to put them on under ordinary clothes, so they could be revealed at an appropriate time and further discourage the invaders.

Sonea looked over at Akkarin as he discussed last minute instructions with the Thieves' leaders. He looked his usual calm and dignified self, and she was strongly reminded of the mysterious and powerful figure who had been her guardian. Now I understand, she thought, that even then, when I thought I hated him, I was attracted to him. There was something which drew me in, which caused me to irritate and defy him, almost as if I wanted to make him see me as a person, not simply a hostage.

She wondered if her thoughts had somehow escaped because Akkarin suddenly looked over at her quizzically for a moment. She smiled back at him and he resumed his discussions. I am glad it is finally happening because the sooner it starts, the sooner it will be over and our future will lie ahead, with all that means - marriage, freedom, peace and a life together….

Later, Sonea looked back at that early morning and thought to herself that it was the last time things were calm and ordered. As soon as the leaders had dispersed to concentrate on their own tasks, she and Akkarin were caught up in a whirl of events, which seemed to happen with frightening speed. They raced from one part of the city to another, tracking their enemies, defending and attacking as events unfolded. For Sonea, everything was a blur, with no time to think, the only constant being the strong, comforting presence of Akkarin.

The strategy they had agreed seemed to work well. The Thieves managed to isolate and then kill one of the Ichani and Sonea, too, made her first kill without expending too much power. The invaders were harassed and distracted, forced to split up so that they could be picked off. They had no slaves left, so it was hoped they would be forced to use up their strength without the means to replenish it.

The secret of their presence in the city seemed to be well kept. The Ichanis continued to hunt individually, rather than in a pack and were therefore easier to deal with. All that changed, however, when Akkarin and Sonea fought and killed Avala in the tunnels. As she died, a blood gem rolled from her hand, so it was now inevitable that Kariko would realise who was organising the attacks against him. Akkarin was now free to go where he needed to go without worrying about who saw him.

The news that the Ichanis were blowing up buildings in the city was a puzzle at first.

"They will use up their power very quickly if they continue," Sonea said. "I can't imagine what they think they will accomplish."

But Akkarin was thinking hard, "They have a reason, we just need to think what it might be." He was silent for a moment and then exclaimed "Magic – they are destroying the buildings which have magical properties and taking the power from the very stones themselves!"

Sonea gasped "The Guild! The Guild has more power in the buildings that any other in Imardin. They must soon attack that. We must prevent them, otherwise they will be too strong to be defeated."

Akkarin nodded. "We must get to the Guild. They must not be allowed to get to the Arena, the power stored there is enormous and if the Ichanis take that, nothing will be able to stand against them."

It didn't take them long, using the tunnels, to reach Lorlen's office. There, they discarded their ordinary clothes, leaving the black robes revealed. Sonea glanced at Akkarin, once again, the black-robed magician who had taken control of her life. She smiled to herself, So handsome… Akkarin put his fingers under her chin and raised her face so that he could kiss her. The robes suit you too, he sent.

Suddenly, a mental voice blared out.

Akkarin! Akkarin! What a pretty place you have.

"They are here." Sonea said in a flat voice. "Let's put an end to it."

Outside the University building, Akkarin and Sonea waited at the top of the steps as the Ichanis marched through the gates, towards them. Only three were left now, but they were together and would be harder to overcome. Akkarin stood, arms folded, as his enemies moved closer to them. "Remember, Sonea, they must be prevented at all costs from getting to the Arena."

As they drew nearer, Kariko began taunting Akkarin, using mental images from his time as a slave, and listing all the things he would do when he had captured Sonea. Neither Akkarin nor Sonea responded, but concentrated on attacking the three Sachakans.

For the next few minutes, the air was filled with powerful strikes as the five of them exchanged blows. Sonea's mind was completely given over to maintaining their shield while attacking from all directions. It seemed as if nothing would change and they would keep repeating the same actions until their power was depleted. She sensed Akkarin at her side doing the same, shielding and attacking, moving them back and forth to avoid the ground disturbance initiated by Kariko.

The Ichani are weakening, Akkarin sent. Indeed, it seemed as if they were falling back, their shields not as powerful as before. As they advanced, Sonea heard Akkarin give a soft gasp, and he began to fall, pulling her down with him. Sonea looked down and saw with horror blood spreading across Akkarin's robes and the handle of a large knife sticking out of his chest. Her first thought was to Heal him and she started to grasp the knife, but Akkarin stopped her.

"Not yet," he whispered painfully. "There is no time for Healing. If you stop to look after me, we will lose. You must continue the fight, I will hold on. When you have defeated them, you can Heal me. I will give you some of my power…."

Sonea heard mocking laughter coming from the Ichanis and looked up to see them advancing towards them. Akkarin held her hand and she could feel the power flowing into her. Anger filled her as she thought of what they had done and the pain Akkarin must be suffering. She used her anger to direct powerful blows at Kariko, her heart rejoicing as she saw his shield begin to fail until finally he was blasted to the ground and lay still. She turned her power on to the others and the second man was hurled into a nearby tree and crumpled to the ground. Only one left, she thought and concentrated everything on him. It didn't take too long for him to join his companions.

Sonea turned to Akkarin, Now to Heal him! But Akkarin was still on the ground, his hand still grasping hers, his eyes open and unblinking.

Sonea put her arms around him, cradling him against her, kissing his lips, stroking his hair. No! No! Akkarin! Akkarin! Sonea's mind shouted its grief, before turning inward. There was nothing but darkness, but she surged onwards, not accepting that Akkarin was gone. Down, down, she plunged, searching for him, because he must be there. He had to be there. Nothing. She could feel her power beginning to fail, but she would not give up the search. Akkarin! Akkarin!

Then she saw it, far, far below her; a tiny, flickering ember, hardly big enough to cast any light. As she hurtled towards it, she saw it begin to fail, its flickering growing weaker and weaker. With one enormous effort, she sent out the last of her power, visualising it as a net of flame, and saw it encompass the tiny ember. Then all was dark.

I have decided to split off the rest of this story and start a new one as the story line was moving into an AU approach to events after the battle at the Guild.

I hope you will continue to follow events in the new story, A New World.