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

Rumours

Sonea dropped wearily into a nearby chair, saying a quick thank-you to the Eye for surely she had been under its protection to have made it safely to her room. It was only when she was going back over events during her journey that she realised that she had entered her room without being prevented by a magic lock.

She pondered this for a moment. She remembered setting one when she left and as she had very little power and no magic at the moment, she couldn't have undone one on her return. She got up quickly, the pain in her knees forgotten, and rapidly searched her meagre accommodation. There was no one else there, so who had undone the lock and failed to redo it again?

Not finding a ready answer, she pushed it to the back of her mind and concentrated on getting herself ready to face the Guild. There was a jug of water in her washing area, and the thin film of dust floating on it confirmed it had not been changed recently. She had no choice, however, so she stripped off her garments and washed quickly. She selected clean under-garments from the chest and pulled them on. Clean trousers and shirt followed. They were a little creased, but they would not be visible under her robes. She began to feel better, although her grazes were still painful. There were two black robes hanging behind the door and she shrugged herself into one. She quickly brushed and retied her hair. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Considering all she had gone through in the past few hours, she looked remarkably normal.

Just at that moment, she heard her door open and a cheerful voice said, "How are you today, Sonea?" Then the door closed and footsteps sounded loudly as someone ventured into the room. She didn't recognise the voice and a small icy trickle of fear caused her to shiver. Without her magic, she was almost defenceless. It was years since she had had to rely only on her human skills. There was only one weapon close by. Sonea picked up her jewelled knife and eased herself out of the washing area.

She was confronted by the back of a stocky figure in the centre of the room dressed in green and breathed a sigh of relief, "Lorlen, thank the Eye!"

Lorlen spun round, "You're back," he said unnecessarily, then, noticing her expression, he moved over and put a supporting arm round her shoulders. "Is everything all right?"

She relaxed against him thankfully, mentally thanking the Eye for not only sending a Healer, but choosing Lorlen, someone she could trust. "I'm a bit battered and bruised and really need a Healer," she murmured.

Lorlen straightened and stared at her, his hands resting lightly against her face, "Your power is almost gone," he exclaimed. "What happened?"

"It's too long to go into now," she replied, "but can you Heal me? I must be seen around the Guild as soon as possible. I need to go to the Food Hall for the meal."

She felt the Healing as a warm flow of energy into her tired body. Her knees stopped hurting and she was aware of the lifting of her tiredness. As well as Healing, Lorlen sent some of his power flooding into her magic source. She felt like a tightly furled flower bud warmed by the sun and gradually unwinding its petals. She sighed, almost sorry when Lorlen finished.

"I haven't given you very much, it wouldn't be wise," he said, "but there's enough for you to use Healing if necessary. I don't recommend you try anything difficult, though."

She smiled, "I don't think I could at the moment. What are you doing here?"

Lorlen grinned, "I've been visiting the sick. I thought it would be a good idea, as you were supposedly keeping to your rooms that you should be attended by a Healer. I have been coming here every day and as far as anyone asks, you are making steady but slow progress."

"Did you unlock my door today?"

"Yes, why?"

Sonea explained about the mystery of the unlocked door and Lorlen pulled a face. "I was called to treat one of the servants who had fallen down stairs. I must have left it open. I'm sorry."

"No, I'm glad. I couldn't have opened it myself and if anyone had seen me trying to get in, my secret would have been out – I was wearing servant's clothing."

Sonea told Lorlen most of what had happened while she had been away. She avoided any mention of the task she had been set by Kelda and the uncomfortable feelings it had aroused, or of any of her dealings with Akkarin. She did describe the battle in more detail however, and Lorlen couldn't keep the shock from his face when he learned of the deaths.

"You've had no message, then?" Sonea had been sure that something would have been sent, but Lorlen shook his head. "There's been nothing, but the Heads of Discipline have had some hurried meetings in the last day or so, perhaps they have been told."

Sonea frowned, "Perhaps Akkarin decided it would be best to wait until everyone was back, before letting the news out about Balkan and Osen….but I wonder if that was the right decision."

Lorlen frowned in turn, "Why?"

"When the procession arrives, with the biers and the dead bodies of the two most important people in the Guild, there will be panic."

"But, Sonea, there would be worse panic if the news gets out before Akkarin and the Warriors return. Imagine what would happen when word comes the High Lord has been killed and Akkarin is the highest ranking magician left with the group which is even now marching on the Guild. What would everyone think?"

"That Akkarin had killed them and his next target will be the Guild. Yes, I can see that, but still, it will be very difficult when the others do get back. Let's hope the Heads of Discipline have got a plan. Has Vinara spoken to you about what's going on?"

Lorlen shook his head, "No, I haven't seen much of Vinara. She doesn't want any idea of an association between us to get out, if your impersonation of Jalette becomes known. Vinara is a very good politician, as you well know."

Sonea's previously good opinion of Vinara had been completely altered by her treatment after her capture by the Guild. She doubted she would ever feel the same about the Healers' Leader ever again, but she had to agree with Lorlen. Vinara knew exactly how to play the game, when to get herself involved in something and, more importantly, perhaps, when to keep herself aloof.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Lorlen left and Sonea steeled herself for a trip to the Food Hall. Being seen around the Guild had always been part of her plan, and although she now felt that the events of the battle in Corres Town would successfully divert attention away from her, there was always the thought that if questions were raised about her absence during the time the others were away and reappearance once they returned, then she would be putting Lorlen and Vinara at risk for helping her masquerade as Jalette. So it seemed sensible to continue with her original plan.

She set out at a brisk pace, keeping her eyes straight ahead. She took a more circuitous route than necessary so that more people would see her. She wanted to make sure everyone knew she was in the Guild, before the procession returned. She passed several groups of magicians and one or two people even asked how she was, but most simply stared at her before turning away. She didn't care, as long as they remembered seeing her, that was all that mattered.

The Food Hall was crowded, so Sonea took a long time to find an empty table. Eventually she found one in a corner and sat down. It was the same tasteless stew, watery gravy and hard vegetables she remembered. She wasn't really hungry, but she forced herself to eat a few mouthfuls. She crumbled her roll into the stew to soak up the gravy and swallowed mechanically, barely tasting the food.

"There you are! I'm so pleased to see you up and about again."

Sonea looked up to find Irun smiling at her as she pulled out a chair and sat down. "I was so worried and no one could tell me what was wrong with you. I went to your rooms several times, but you never answered."

"I thought I heard someone at the door once or twice," Sonea lied, "but I felt so ill, I couldn't even get out of bed to investigate. I just tried to sleep as much as possible. A Healer came every day and gave me some sort of potion which he said would cure me but it would take a long time and it did." She hoped her explanation would satisfy Irun.

"Oh, if I'd known you were having a Healer call, I would have come myself," Irun said. "Why didn't you send me a message, I would have come straight away."

Sonea mentally sighed. The last thing she wanted was to get into a long discussion about her supposed illness with Irun, especially now she knew of her links with Kelda and Regin.

"I thought I would be fine, at first. I thought it was only tiredness, but then it got worse. I was lucky someone sent a Healer to my rooms."

Irun frowned, "I wonder who sent a Healer…?"

Frantic to stop the flow of questions, Sonea interrupted, "How have you been? What's been happening while I was ill? Are the High Lord and his party back yet?"

This was successful in diverting Irun who took several minutes to explain what had been happening in recent days. "It seems the High Lord will be back tomorrow, but there are a lot of rumours about what might have happened."

"Rumours, what rumours?" Sonea asked.

Irun laughed prettily, "Oh, you know how it is, someone says something as a joke, then it's taken up and before you know it, all sorts of rumours start flying around." Irun stopped suddenly and looked at Sonea, her expression serious, "There's one particular rumour, but I don't know if I should repeat it…"

"What is it?" Sonea asked impatiently.

Irun dropped her eyes and stared at the table, "Well, it's only a rumour, so you mustn't think it's true, but….but….." Irun looked up and stared intently into Sonea's eyes, "They say that Lord Akkarin is dead!"

Sonea's mouth dropped open in what she hoped was a convincing display of surprise, "What? I don't believe it! Akkarin is a hard man to kill, as the Guild knows. Where did you hear that?"

"Oh, here and there." Irun replied vaguely. "A lot of people believe it to be true. They say the King wished to execute him for returning to Kyralia against the conditions of his banishment and the High Lord took him away so that it could be done privately."

To say that Sonea was surprised was an understatement. She was quite simply astounded. "How could anyone think that when Lord Akkarin has been pardoned and made King's Magician? It defies logic."

Irun put her head close to Sonea's and lowered her voice, "They say the King always intended to execute Lord Akkarin so making him the King's Magician was simply a ruse to prevent any trouble from him when the time came."

Sonea was lost for words, perhaps just as well, as Irun thinking she was overcome with grief, patted her hand, "Don't worry, I'm sure it isn't true," she said, but her tone was unconvincing and Sonea felt a moment's admiration for her act. There was no doubt that Irun's intention was to upset and hurt Sonea, but of course, unlike Sonea, she had no knowledge of what really happened at Corres Fort.

Sonea decided she'd had enough. "What a terrible thing to say!" she exclaimed, raising her voice quite deliberately. "To spread rumours that the King acted in a dishonourable way, why that's almost treason."

Nearby heads began to turn in their direction as people stopped to hear what was being said.

Irun's face paled, "What? I didn't mean to suggest that the King,,,,,er,,,,,,,it was only something someone said and of course it couldn't be true…." she stammered.

"Well, I hope you told whoever it was not to make such dreadful remarks about the King. Everyone knows he is an honourable man. He would be angry and upset to think that Guild magicians were saying such treasonable things about him."

Satisfied that the surrounding diners had heard her remarks, Sonea got to her feet, "Please excuse me, I think I came out too soon. I feel rather unwell."

Irun scrambled to her feet, conscious of the eavesdroppers. "Yes, of course. I'll certainly make sure no one else mentions those particular rumours." Irun stepped in close to Sonea and laid a hand on her arm, "Poor Sonea, I wish I hadn't said anything, but you did ask what had been happening….If there's anything I can do….?"

"No, thank you Irun, but I shall be all right after a rest."

Outside the Food Hall, Sonea drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. To think she had ever considered Irun a possible friend! No doubt if she had spent more time with her, Irun would have let slip a few more hurtful rumours. She briefly toyed with the idea of going on to the Night Room, but decided against it. She had been seen, so that objective had been achieved. There was no point in listening to rumours and gossip which was bound to upset her. She turned towards the Magicians' Quarters and retraced her steps to her room.