Disclaimer: BMT belongs to Trudi Canavan
Suddenly, the peaceful and welcoming library transformed into a tiny boat lost on an angry ocean and the grinning face of Tayend changed into an oversized grim sea leech. Furious waves beat the sides of the vessel making it rock dizzyingly. A bolt of lighting struck across the night sky, a roaring sound of wind made Dannyl roll in discomfort.
A thumping noise continued. Dannyl put his pillow over his face, but there was no returning to sleep now. As his senses focused, he became conscious of some insistent pounding coming from the other room. And the sound of anxious voices. At the door?
"What now!"
Dannyl opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling of his bedroom. He yawned. He couldn't have slept very long. Unwillingly, he rose to his feet and started looking for a dressing gown. His room was messy so it took some time.
"I'm coming!" he shouted before his visitor could destroy his door.
He put on the garment and proceeded to the main door. With a flicker of will he disentangled the magical lock and let the door slide inward.
"Ambassador Dannyl," he winced at the high-pitched voice of the distraught servant.
"Tania? What…?" he stopped talking as she burst into sobs. He patted her arm.
"Rothen disappeared," another voice explained.
Dannyl looked up. Yaldin met his gaze with a frown of worry.
"Disappeared?" he found himself saying. "How is that possible?"
Yaldin hung his head in obvious shame.
"I dozed off," he admitted. "He must have slipped away when I was asleep."
Dannyl frowned.
"Come in," he said, and waved them in. "Make yourselves comfortable while I find some robes," he cast a doubtful look at the clutter in the room before he escaped into his bedroom.
He dressed hurriedly to the accompaniment of Tania's crying and Yaldin's failed attempts at consolation.
"Did you try calling him?" Dannyl asked when he emerged.
Yaldin blinked, and shook his head.
"There's the ban," he reminded him.
Dannyl rolled his eyes at the old magician.
"Wouldn't you say it fits the term 'emergency' exactly?" he asked sarcastically.
Rothen!
As he sent out his call Dannyl became aware of other magicians' minds concentrating on his communication in curiosity and alarm. It appeared that the good manners no longer applied in regards to mental conversations of magicians.
Dannyl? What's wrong?
That was Administrator Lorlen. Waves of concern and anxiety radiated from him.
Rothen is missing.
Lorlen mulled it over for a minute.
Cease the mental communication, please. I shall consult with you after I return. Meanwhile, you should attend to your duties regarding the rebels.
The hearing… Right…
Dannyl opened his eyes and raised his eyebrows.
"Where did Lorlen go?" he asked, his mood darkening.
Yaldin shrugged his shoulders.
"I wouldn't know, would I?"
Of course not. He was out of the loop, just as him. Dannyl tried to collect his thoughts and decide how to proceed next. Lorlen was right, he couldn't set out in search of his former mentor before the rogues were dealt with. It was his duty as Ambassador to stand by Ferrand and his fellow rebels and lend his support and expertise during the proceedings.
Tania sniffed. Dannyl looked at her, and forced a smile onto his face.
"We'll find him, Tania," he assured her. He looked at his elderly friend. "Could Ezrille stay in Rothen's rooms? In case he returns?"
Yaldin nodded.
"Well, then," he sighed. "I'd better go and see Administrator Kito about the hearing, I'll see you later."
The three of them filed into the corridor and Dannyl continued on out of the Magicians' Quarters. He strode into the chilly grounds, his mind filled with thoughts of the new mystery of Rothen's disappearance.
"Ambassador Dannyl," a voice called out.
He looked around seeking its owner. A young man was hurrying towards him from the University. It was the architecture and construction teacher, Lord Larkin. Dannyl met him in half way.
"Yes?" he asked.
"I just wish to inform you that I saw Rothen early this morning," he said.
Dannyl blinked in surprise.
"Where?"
"Here, in the grounds," he shrugged. "I believe he was headed towards the main gates. I'm sorry but I didn't think to stop or question him."
Of course not, Dannyl thought.
"Thank you for informing me," he said, frowning in perplexity. "I will talk to the gate guards, maybe they know something."
Lord Larkin nodded and watched as Dannyl went away in the direction of the gates.
Rothen, he sighed, where were you going…