Rothen tied the sash of his purple robes, then reached for the cup of sumi on the table. He took a sip and sighed – it was already too cold for his liking. He had taken more time than usual to get out of bed and get dressed. He hadn't slept well, yet again, but there was little he could do about it now. The sumi, though, could be saved. He warmed it up back up with a little magic and took a satisfied gulp.
The cause, as usual, were the countless questions and worries that ran through his head every evening when his teaching day was over. How is Sonea? What is Akkarin up to? Is Lorlen planning anything to expose the High Lord? How can find I way to speak to Sonea?
Rothen was no coward, but he also knew he was neither a particularly powerful magician, nor could he strategise any kind of confrontation with Akkarin. He, like everyone in the Guild, knew little of black magic and what its user could be capable of. Not knowing your enemy was never a good place to strategise from. Even he knew that, despite long forgetting much of his Warrior Skills training.
He had no doubt that the High Lord had the power to make Sonea's life even more miserable if Rothen so much as communicated with her or Lorlen. Anger rose within him at the fact that the Guild was being led by a dangerous, criminal man, and he was powerless to do anything.
Trying to calm his thoughts, he looked out at his favourite view from his sitting room window. The early morning light had tinged the smooth walls of the University a golden pink, and some of the early rising novices were milling about, enjoying the first relatively warm day of spring before the gong rang for their first class.
Rothen was just about to turn away and head out of his rooms when a black-robed figure walked into his line of vision. Rothen took a deep breath to steady his anger, then stepped closer to the window to see what the High Lord was doing.
His heart started pounding faster. He was with a brown robed, dark haired figure that could only be Sonea. It looked like they were walking from the direction of the High Lord's residence towards the University building. They stopped at the entrance, having a conversation. Rothen was too high up to be able to see their facial expressions. Then Sonea turned and headed away, in the direction of the baths. Rothen recalled her habit of rising early and bathing before the start of classes.
As Akkarin continued up the steps of the University and disappeared through the doors, Rothen watched Sonea. A couple of paces later, she turned, looking in the direction Akkarin had gone. She paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, then continued towards the baths.
Rothen turned away from this window, feeling uneasy. Why had they walked together? What was Akkarin doing in the University so early? Why hadn't Sonea bowed to him, and why had she turned around to look back?
He rested a hand on his temple. Stop it, he told himself. Akkarin clearly started a conversation as Sonea was about to leave, and told her to walk with him to his destination as they talked. Probably more commands, tinged with blackmail, Rothen thought darkly. He hoped Sonea had simply forgotten to bow, rather than foolishly trying to test Akkarin's patience. He knew she had a rebellious streak, but he also hoped her intelligence would counter it.
That said, she is used to acting alone, Rothen thought worriedly. This wasn't a case of challenging a double-crossing Thief, and he hoped Sonea could see that. This whole mess is altogether more dangerous – likely even fatal.
With a sigh, he gathered the books he would be using for his morning classes, and headed out of his rooms. Nodding to a few magicians he saw in the corridor, Rothen made his way down the stairs then outside, walking to the University building. There were a few novices around, chatting in groups or going into the dining hall for breakfast.
Rothen made his way to the library. Maybe Lady Tya could fill me in on how Sonea is doing, he thought. He knew Sonea used to spend some evenings stacking shelves for her.
As he rounded a corner, Rothen froze. He saw black robes out of the corner of his eye, and sure enough, heard Akkarin's deep voice in the next moment.
"I am sure there is something you could do, Director," Akkarin said quietly, a hint of command in his tone.
Rothen heard Director Jerrik reply with a touch more respect than he reserved for everyone else. "This could considerably slow down her studies, High Lord. Several of the more advanced Healing techniques require mind-sharing. Practical Warrior Skills sessions also progress to group shielding and striking in the novices' final year, which, as you know, require mental communication between participants."
Rothen pressed his back into the wall, out of the High Lord and University Director's sight. Why is Akkarin interfering in Sonea's studies?
"Mind-sharing is faster pedagogy than explanation and demonstration, true, but only for novices who struggle to visualise and shape their power. Sonea's book learning is mediocre, but we both know she is quick and intuitive in magical practice," Akkarin replied smoothly. "I find it hard to believe that we do not have magicians who could teach these techniques without relying on mind-to-mind communication."
Jerrik sounded slightly flustered in his reply. "Well, n-no – of course, theoretically, it can be done without it, but –"
"Good. I look forward to your suggestions for candidates who could tutor my novice privately without relying on mind-sharing, Director" Akkarin interrupted quietly, a hint of finality in his voice.
Rothen heard the High Lord's footsteps recede down the corridor and stayed where he was, considering what he had just heard. Akkarin clearly did not want to risk the possibility that Sonea's thoughts may accidentally reveal his crime, if she were to have lessons that required tutor and novice to link minds.
And he is selfishly jeopardising Sonea's progress to ensure it, Rothen thought angrily. Maybe that's his very intention – to make sure Sonea's potential remains under close control. The more she progresses in her magical skills and knowledge, the greater a threat to him she becomes.
The gong sounded to mark the start of the morning classes, making Rothen jump. As he walked briskly to his classroom, his mind was going over every possible way of communicating with Sonea. This state of inaction would drive him mad – Rothen knew he at least needed to give something a try.
Then he remembered the lad who was Sonea's friend from the slums – the young man who looked like his namesake, a ceryni. If anyone can get a message to her, surely it's him, Rothen thought.
As always, the door to his residence swung open silently at Akkarin's touch. He stepped inside, sending Takan a mental call through his blood ring to let him know that he was back.
"Welcome, master," Takan said, walking silently down the stairs to greet Akkarin. He hurried to remove the black cloak of fine wool from Akkarin's shoulders, undoing the silver clasp bearing the incal of the High Lord with practiced hands.
"Thank you, Takan," Akkarin said, running a hand through his hair to smooth it back into place. "The meeting at the palace went on longer than planned. By the time we were done, it was too late to visit our friend in the city."
"Did he call for you?" Takan asked, his eyes betraying a hint of worry.
"Not for the reason you think, no. He requested I come by at a convenient time so I could meet the two new assistants he is considering for our… work. He needs me to mind-read them for trustworthiness before we can brief them on their tasks," Akkarin replied, resting a reassuring hand on his servant's shoulder.
Takan nodded, trying to hide his relief, but Akkarin knew his old friend too well. "I know our current strategy is risky, Takan. But it has been working so far," he said quietly.
Akkarin walked over to the cabinet and poured himself a glass of wine from the crystal decanter there.
"Master?" Takan began tentatively, still holding Akkarin's cloak.
"Speak freely, my friend," Akkarin said, sinking into his armchair. He knew better than to ask Takan to stop calling him that, because he wouldn't budge.
Takan hesitated for a moment, then spoke with his eyes decisively avoiding Akkarin's direct gaze. "I still think you should share the truth with another Guild magician. Too much is at stake," he said.
Akkarin sighed. "We've been over this, Takan –"
His servant cut him off by raising his eyes to directly look into his. "There is now a powerful magician who already knows you practice higher magic. And she is loyal to you."
Akkarin's eyes narrowed. He sent out his mind to Takan's via the blood ring but could sense no particular thought besides what Takan had already just said, accompanied by a sense of concern and stubborn determination.
Akkarin's own thoughts went to the memory of Sonea's open bedroom door, the room clearly vacant, as she slept in his bed the morning after their night in his study. Had Takan been up early enough that day to have seen it? It had been a week since, and his servant had betrayed no sign of knowing that the relationship between the High Lord and his novice was altogether changed. But then again, Takan was nothing if not discreet in everything he did.
"She may be naturally powerful, Takan, but we both know she is not fully trained. That could prove a serious liability at the worst possible moment. You know what we are up against," Akkarin replied wearily, trying but failing to sound stern.
"She learns fast. If you told her the truth, you would have a strong ally," Takan said. "And one now devoted to you," he added quietly.
Well that leaves no doubt, Akkarin thought to himself. It was exactly like his old friend to put things delicately, but he knows. There was no judgement in Takan's tone, merely anticipation.
"I am considering it. Rest assured that I am," Akkarin replied, his eyes silently asking for Takan's understanding. His servant nodded once and headed down the stairs in the direction of the kitchen.
The High Lord sat in thought for a while, working through his glass of wine as the purple sky outside slowly grew into a blue-black. As he created a small globelight, Akkarin considered what Takan's suggestion could lead to. At best, Sonea would finally trust him fully, accept his past, and understand the present danger. She would learn quickly and become an indispensible ally in getting rid of the Sachakan slaves that Dakova kept sending into Imardin.
At worst, Akkarin would be putting her in mortal danger, exposing her to a risk she wasn't ready to face.
The thought of what the consequences could be made Akkarin clench his fist. Not again. I cannot allow it to happen again. If Dakova took another woman in my life away from me…
He heard a quiet crunch and realised his grip had snapped the stem of the delicate wine glass in two. He set aside the broken glass and looked at his bleeding palm in surprise. Sending a small amount of magic to heal the cut, Akkarin took a deep breath to steady his mind.
The door to the residence swung open and Sonea walked inside. Her eyes searched for Akkarin in the dim light and relaxed when she noticed he was in his usual armchair. "Hello," she said with a small smile, setting down her back of books.
The corner of Akkarin's mouth curled up in pleasure. "Good evening, Sonea."
He stood up, reaching out his hand to her. Sonea's eyes flickered to the broken wine glass on the table with a touch of concern. She accepted his outstretched hand and looked up at him questioningly.
"Let's eat. There are things we need to discuss," Akkarin said softly, leading them up the stairs.
When Sonea spotted Takan waiting for them in the dining room, she made to pull away her hand from Akkarin's, but he held on tightly. Sonea's eyes widened at the realisation that Akkarin had either told his servant about them, or that Takan had figured it out. Her apprehension melted away, however, when Takan smiled and bowed to her. "Good evening, my Lady."
Sonea's face warmed a little at the address. He always greeted her this way, but somehow tonight it sounded like it carried some new meaning she couldn't quite place. She nodded and smiled. "Good evening, Takan. Thank you for dinner."
Akkarin took his seat at the head of the long table and Sonea noticed her place had been set to his right hand side, rather than at the other end of the table. Takan laid out the last of a single course of dishes, typical of an informal Kyralian meal, then bowed and closed the door behind him. Akkarin fixed his gaze on Sonea.
Her dark eyes returned his gaze steadily, like they were silently inviting him to speak. Akkarin took a deep breath. It is time I told another person this story, he thought to himself. I can decide later how much of her help I could accept without risking her safety. Then he began recounting the day he set off from the gates of Imardin all those years ago.