Disclaimer – I do not own BMT world, it belongs to Trudi Canavan

Sonea's Anger

Akkarin stepped closer to the crowd, scanning it rapidly to see who had called out first. Sonea watched him curiously. Was he trying to read surface thoughts? She had tried with those near to her, but the raw emotions in the air made it particularly difficult, if not impossible.

"Brenin," Akkarin called, effortlessly projecting his voice so that it could be heard clearly despite the noise, "come here and pay your respects."

A stocky Warrior pushed his way to the front of the crowd, his face under the shock of white hair, set in grim lines. Sonea recognised him as one of Balkan's oldest comrades. The High Lord had not been known for his friendships within the Guild, but he and Brenin had been novices together and if anyone could be considered close to Balkan, it was Brenin. The crowd fell silent as the Warrior reached the place where Balkan and Osen lay. He stared down at them for a moment before transferring a searching gaze to Akkarin.

"You killed him." Brenin's voice was flat and it wasn't a question.

Akkarin shook his head, "No, Balkan died protecting the Guild. But it's true, I was unable to save him."

"Why not? You are supposed to be so powerful." There was no emotion in Brenin's voice, as if his grief was so great, it had washed away everything else. For once, Akkarin seemed at a loss. He had been prepared for anger, but the lifelessness of the Warrior's words confused him. As he hesitated, Regin spoke up.

"It is as Akkarin says, Brenin. The High Lord was killed and no one could have prevented it."

Brenin turned his penetrating gaze on the younger Warrior. His scrutiny continued as if he was trying to discover something else behind Regin's words. After a time, he turned back to Akkarin. "Well, that's as may be," he said, "but you should have protected him. It was your duty."

"I know, but the situation was impossible."

Sonea was surprised at Akkarin's admission, it seemed to be out of character. But then again perhaps he didn't want to engage in a public argument which would only inflame the crowd more. Instead he turned to the Fort Commander, "We need a place where the bodies of the High Lord and the Administrator can rest until arrangements can be made for us to return to Imardin."

A curious expression crossed the Commander's face, part surprise and part some other emotion, perhaps quickly stifled anger; he wasn't used to being given orders by a magician, but he refrained from disputing the point. Within minutes, a room had been identified and guards organised to help convey the bodies.

Akkarin turned and smiled at Balkan's friend, "Would you take care of things, Brenin?"

Sonea was close enough to see the flash of surprise in the Warrior's eyes, he had clearly expected Akkarin to take charge. He nodded acceptance and Sonea followed him with her eyes as he gestured to several of Balkan's Warriors who gathered round him for a moment, before following the guards and their burden out of the room.

It was only when he spoke, that she realised Akkarin had come to stand next to her and she couldn't prevent her body from betraying her as she gave an involuntary start. She heard the laugh in his voice as he said, "We need to talk, Jalette. Meet me on the Warriors' Walk in ten minutes."

She had no chance to reply because he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd which had now broken up into smaller groups as magicians discussed the circumstances of the shocking deaths of their leader and his Administrator. She looked around, hoping that Kelda or any of the others hadn't seen the exchange. She didn't feel like fending off Kelda's questions or listening again to her instructions. However, Kelda was nowhere in evidence and she breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief.

The Warriors' Walk, when she reached it, was deserted. The sun was slowly sinking casting long dark shadows across the area. It was still warm, although there was a slight sea breeze blowing softly around the crenulations. She looked out over the calm blue water. It was peaceful and she could see no sign of the Ichani ships. She wondered what had happened to them. Destroyed or driven off? There was no wreckage and no one to ask.

The soft sound of a boot sliding across stone alerted her to the fact she was no longer alone. She turned and watched him come towards her, the Warrior's grace of his movements still able to cause her heart to give a little flutter despite all the years they had been lovers. As he reached her, he smiled and took her hand, raising it to his lips, "Pretty Jalette," he said softly and her heart fluttered again.

She forced herself to take back her hand, as she gave a slightly distant smile, "Lord Akkarin," she murmured as if they had just been introduced at some social event, "You wanted to talk to me."

For a moment, she thought he was going to laugh, but instead he turned to look out over the sea. "What happened here while I was otherwise occupied elsewhere?"

She stood next to him and also stared seaward, at least she didn't have to look at him, in this position. She thought quickly. "It was very confusing. People went to find the High Lord but they couldn't. Then they realised you were missing as well. The two discoveries together created a lot of unease. People were just milling around, asking questions no one could answer."

"What happened to the Ichani ships?"

Her brain refused to invent a suitable story, so she resorted to the truth, "I wondered that myself. I went inside the Fort and when I came back out again later, they had gone. I didn't see or hear anything."

Then she had a moment of inspiration, "Wilden will be able to tell you, he was in charge of your Warriors up here wasn't he?"

This time, Akkarin did laugh, "A good point, Jalette!"

He said nothing more for a while, then asked, "Have you thought any more about joining my Warriors as their Healer?"

She felt the blush rise across her cheeks and used a trickle of magic to reduce its effects. She knew he could tell she was using it, but rather that than having to talk with her face aflame.

"I don't think it would be appropriate," she said, "Your men need a male Healer who understands their particular needs better than I ever could."

He took hold of her arm and pulled her round to face him, "You don't really believe that do you, Jalette? Healers are trained to treat male and female alike. There's no rule which says men must treat men or women only work with women. Besides, you Healed Wilden and the last time I looked, he was a man."

She kept her eyes down, focussing on the belt buckle visible where his robes had parted, "I…I wouldn't be comfortable with that type of work….."

Her words trailed off as he put his fingers under her chin and raised her head until she was looking directly at him. His other hand took hold of hers, stroking her palm with a finger. "What would make you feel uncomfortable, pretty Jalette?"

"Don't keep calling me that!" she said sharply, taking refuge in anger, "I was assigned to treat Wilden because I happened to be there when your messenger came. I never asked for the job and I certainly didn't expect to join your group afterwards. I think you have the wrong idea about me, Lord Akkarin!"

As soon as she started to speak, Akkarin stilled, not taking his eyes from her face. She thought he might try to read her mind, so she used all the techniques she had learned to conceal her real self from him. She struggled to keep her expression under control. She pulled slightly at her hand, but he refused to release his grip. He remained silent, staring intently into her eyes. She forced herself to look back, all the while keeping her thoughts hidden deep behind her defences. This will end soon…

His voice, when it came, was soft, caressing and she could hear clearly the hidden message, "Do I really have the wrong impression of you, Jalette?" He smiled, "I think you are much more complicated than you try to appear. There are hidden depths I want to explore."

She knew she shouldn't say it, but she couldn't resist it, "And your companion, Lord Akkarin? Have you explored all her hidden depths and now need some other woman to charm?"

He released her abruptly and turned away. "You seem fascinated by my companion. Perhaps you should ask yourself why she is not here with me."

"I have asked myself that question, but have failed to find an answer, she replied tartly. "If you have no more questions…..?"

He didn't trouble to turn and face her, but said over his shoulder, "No, that will be all. Rest assured, Jalette, we will talk again."

She left the Warriors' Walk without looking back. It was obvious from his questions that he had no real need to talk to her to find out what had happened. There were his Warriors as well as Wilden who would be able to give him first-hand accounts of events. No, he had asked her to meet him so that he could flirt with her and stir up her feelings. He must know who she really was and he was toying with her. She felt her anger grow. How dare he leave her behind, forcing her to pretend to be someone and something she was not? How dare he try to pretend to be interested in another woman?

By the time she reached her room, her anger was white hot and she realised that if she wasn't careful, she would do something she would later regret. There were one or two others in the room, so she took herself off to the baths. A good long soak would go some way to calming her down, so that when next she saw Akkarin, she would be cool and a much more distant Jalette than of recent days.