Lorlen was jerked out his thoughts by Akkarin's voice echoing in his mind when he slipped on the ring. The tone was sardonic.
– Good to have you back, Lorlen. Looking forward to hearing the outcome of your private meeting with the Higher Magicians yesterday.
The Administrator looked around the Day Room uncomfortably, but the three Higher Magicians, and the magicians who held the three lesser roles of Heads of Studies, were all absorbed in their own murmured conversations on one side of a long, rectangular table. Two empty chairs were placed at the centre of the other side.
– I didn't want to be distracted. Besides, you're about to find out yourself, so what difference does a day make? He replied, knowing he wasn't sounding very convincing.
– Rather, you did not want me to know, came Akkarin's reply. No matter. As you said, I'm about to find out. I do hope, whatever the decision, it is not one that we shall all regret.
Lorlen frowned. There was no threat behind the last words: merely a sombre mood, as if there was much the Administrator did not know.
"We are ready. Shall we call them in, Administrator?" asked Lord Balkan, bringing Lorlen's attention back to the Day Room. Lorlen cleared his throat and nodded, sending out a mental call by the usual means, audible to all magicians.
– High Lord Akkarin. Sonea. We are now ready to begin; please enter, Lorlen sent authoritatively.
One half of the large, ornate double doors opened and the High Lord and his novice walked inside at a steady pace, flanked by two Warriors. They took the two seats waiting for them on one side of the long table; seated on the other side and facing them directly were Lorlen, the three Heads of Disciplines, and the three Heads of Studies. Osen sat unobtrusively behind them, taking notes.
"My, quite the gathering. I was told we were being summoned to hear the decision that has been reached, Administrator, but I now see we are to be questioned further," Akkarin said, somehow managing to express his displeasure at all seven magicians in front of him in the politest of terms.
"The Higher Magicians have all agreed that they have some further queries before they finalise their decision," Lorlen replied.
Akkarin raised a dark eyebrow. "I see. Forgive me, but that is not Guild protocol. As its High Lord, I am familiar with them," he said, his half-smile humourless.
"Rest assured this is not a questioning, as such, High Lord" Lord Balkan said. "That, as you point out, would require another Hearing. This is more of a… private discussion. Given the delicate subject matter, we believe this is a more appropriate setting."
Akkarin looked Balkan right in the eyes. Not for the first time, Lorlen sensed that the Head of Warriors was, in a sense, second in the Guild to Akkarin's power and authority. The two always danced politely but assertively around one another when they spoke.
"The public nature of a Hearing has both its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage, for instance, is the majority consensus any decisions require – as opposed to a judgement delivered by a minority, behind closed doors," Akkarin said measuredly.
While he made it sound like a mere observation, the implicit criticism was clear – that he and Sonea were essentially going to be judged privately by the Higher Magicians who, in this case, would not be held accountable to the rest of the Guild.
"All due process shall be followed, High Lord," Lorlen said.
Akkarin inclined his head slightly, clearly unconvinced. Lorlen noticed that Sonea often glanced at Akkarin quickly when she thought nobody's attention was on her, as if seeking his unspoken directive.
"Let's proceed," Lorlen added, nodding to Osen to begin keeping record. Then he turned to Akkarin and Sonea, resting his blue-robed arms on the table and linking his fingers in front of him. "We have called this private meeting of the Higher Magicians today to review the information that came to light during the Hearing that was held this past Firstday. As this information was not directly related to the charges brought against the High Lord Akkarin, the matter was flagged for consideration at a later time. It was stated under oath at the Hearing by both the High Lord and the High Lord's novice that improper relations had taken place."
Lorlen voice was monotonous, but Sonea's jaw clenched. Where was this talk of impropriety when Regin was calling me a slum whore in front of everyone in the Novice's Quarters last year…
She glanced at Akkarin, who gave her a quick but reassuring look that helped her rein in her anger. She breathed deeply and turned to the front to listen to Lorlen.
"High Lord Akkarin, Sonea, do you reconfirm what you both attested to at the Hearing?" Lorlen continued.
"Administrator," Akkarin began softly, his eyes flashing with cool anger. "Moments ago, Lord Balkan assured us we have not been summoned for questioning – and yet this suggests otherwise."
"We have not reached a consensus among ourselves, High Lord, between several courses of action. The purpose of the few questions we must ask today is to determine which one we will take," Lady Vinara replied. Her eyes were stern as always, but honest. Akkarin had always harboured a particular respect for the Head of Healers, who had taught him when he was a novice. He steepled his long, ringed fingers and considered her words, as if he was leading this meeting and a request had been put forth for the High Lord's consideration. Then he bowed his head slightly, accepting the explanation.
"I reconfirm what I said at the Hearing," Akkarin replied smoothly, locking his gaze with Lorlen with the slightest hint of a raised eyebrow.
Lorlen tried not to wince under the High Lord's displeased stare. "Sonea?" He asked.
"I confirm what I said," Sonea answered. It rose a mix of emotions inside her. Relief and pride that Akkarin was admitting, in front of the Higher Magicians, that they were together. Anger that they were being treated as though criminals. Fear about whether their questions would lead, somehow, to black magic, and expose them.
"And how long have these… improper intimacies been going on, Sonea?" Lorlen asked.
Sonea gave Akkarin a quick glance, but he was still staring down Lorlen. "T- Three months," Sonea replied.
"Sonea," Lady Vinara began, almost gently. "You know that a novice is not beholden to obey their guardian if what they ask is unlawful, places the novice in personal danger, or constitutes criminal activity. Did you enter into these relations with the High Lord willingly?" She asked, her blue eyes piercing.
"Yes, Lady Vinara," Sonea frowned, not liking where this was going.
"You can speak freely, Sonea. If a threat has been made, it is safe to divulge it here, now," Vinara added pointedly.
"I was not forced or threatened," Sonea replied, more firmly this time.
Lady Vinara exchanged a quick glance with Lord Balkan and sat back in her chair. Her brusque nod did not quite make her look convinced.
Akkarin, meanwhile, had fully returned to wearing that mask of cool, emotionless authority that Sonea always associated with the times she was Lord Rothen's novice, when she would glimpse the fearful High Lord here and there on the Guild grounds. This mask, Sonea now knew, was Akkarin's temper having reached the stage of icy calculation.
Lord Balkan cleared his throat and addressed Akkarin. "High Lord, you are familiar with the responsibilities of taking on a novice under guardianship?"
"I am, Lord Balkan," Akkarin replied smoothly.
"The novice vows to respect, obey and learn under the direction of their guardian, and the guardian vows to –"
"Guide and champion their novice, answering fealty with honour, mistakes with counsel," Akkarin intoned. "I recall the vow, Lord Balkan," he added with the slightest hint of challenge.
"And would you say you have upheld this vow, High Lord?" Balkan answered, not one to back down easily.
Akkarin's lips thinned in suppressed anger, but his dark gaze remained calm and steady. "Are you suggesting I have abused my guardianship for personal satisfaction?"
Balkan made a gesture with his hands as if to say, oh, not at all, but his eyes snapped back to Akkarin's quickly. "Merely trying to understand what has occurred here," he said, pretending nonchalance.
"A – the High Lord has been an excellent guardian!" Sonea blurt out, unable to withstand the mood in the room. It was clear from the kinds of questions they were directing at them that the Higher Magicians already seemed to have decided that Akkarin had used coercion and Sonea had been the hapless little victim.
"You will have a chance to respond to questions in a moment, Sonea –" Lorlen interjected, but Sonea continued.
"The High Lord has encouraged me in my studies. He has arranged my private tutoring, allowed me use of his library, and…" Sonea glanced at Akkarin quickly, who was watching her speak with an inscrutable expression on his face. "His protection has meant that novices who hate the idea of a dwell among them now think twice before attacking me," she finished grimly.
"Be that as it may, Sonea, these are the kinds of responsibilities a magician accepts when they become a guardian. They are expected of them, and given freely. Excuse my indelicacy, but have you been asked to offer yourself to the High Lord in return?" Lady Vinara spoke again.
"No!"
Lorlen looked at Sonea with kindly eyes. "I'm sure learning of the intimate initiation required of the High Lord's novice came as quite a shock."
Sonea's eyes narrowed. Where is Lorlen going with this?
Akkarin, too, was looking at Lorlen with a raised eyebrow. His nonchalance couldn't quite hide the glint of worry in his eyes, as if Lorlen knew something he could give away.
"I am no advocate of this outdated type of vow," Lorlen continued, still addressing Sonea sympathetically. "We will likely convene next year to review this Guild tradition. Did the High Lord explain to you that this act is not expected beyond the one ceremonial occasion?"
Anger rose within Sonea. Why wasn't anyone listening? All of their questions assumed she was either tricked, misled, or manipulated. Now, Lorlen was implying she was too naive to understand what the ceremony was, and what it wasn't.
"I may have much yet to learn, my Lords and Ladies, but I do have a mind of my own," Sonea said through gritted teeth, trying to keep the anger out of her voice. "I… invited the High Lord's attentions."
There was utter silence in the Day Room. Even Osen's scratching had ceased, the pen poised in the air above his paper.
"And the High Lord did not think to discourage his novice from her… inclination?" Lord Balkan broke the silence quietly, drawing all eyes back to Akkarin. He was clearly determined to single out the High Lord as the accountable party here. Sonea, who had always respected the stoic and reasonable Head of Warriors, now couldn't help but wonder if she had underestimated his personal ambitions.
"Is there a law forbidding consensual relations between two Guild members who are of age?" Akkarin asked, turning towards the Administrator.
Lorlen smoothed the sleeves of his blue robes, clearing his throat in discomfort. "Well… no law, but…"
"But?" Akkarin raised an eyebrow, his silky tone carrying a touch of challenge. He was getting back into his element, holding everyone ransom with that quiet, darkly authoritative aura of his.
Lorlen looked to Lord Balkan with a meaningful gaze, as if asking to be rescued. "The issue at hand," Balkan began, "is not that it's relations between two any two Guild members, but it is a guardian and his novice. The guardianship system is based on merit: it's not there for personal reasons of… attraction… or special favour…"
"You seem to be making the unfounded assumption, Lord Balkan, that my motive for taking on Sonea's guardianship was to get her into my residence, and into my bed. But as Sonea said, our relationship changed two months after my guardianship began." Akkarin's eyebrow raised in mock disbelief. "Is it so unimaginable that I took her on because her magical potential was being shamefully neglected?"
Lord Balkan bristled at the implication that the Guild had failed to treat Sonea fairly. "Not at all – "
"We both also know that it is common practice for magicians to take on the guardianship of novices from their own families or Houses," Akkarin continued. "If that is not 'special favour', then what do you propose it is? Will you be reminding Lord Garrel and Lord Delan that their guardianships over their nephews are too personal?"
Balkan reluctantly fell silent.For a moment, Sonea felt a thrill run down her back at the feeling of her and Akkarin being back in control of the room. He had arguments up his sleeve – this intricate dance of Guild politics was his home ground.
A part of her mind had been worried up until that moment about whether to admit their relationship would embarrass Akkarin in front of the Guild. It filled her with a sudden surge of passion to now be standing together in bold refusal of any wrongdoing, come what may. Every time we face another obstacle together, I know I feel so much more than desire for him.
Sonea could hear Lorlen and Lady Vinara murmuring to one another, but tuned out their deliberations. She thought back to her words to Takan in the underground room a few days ago: "I'd do it all again – joining the Guild, learning black magic, killing in defence, and…loving him." She had been feeling tired, angry and scared after the Higher Magicians had taken Akkarin away to the Arena, but one thing she hadn't been was confused. She meant what she said. He hasn't yet brought up what he heard through Takan's blood gem. Is it because we've had so many things happening since, and he hasn't found a good time? Or is it because he doesn't feel the same way, so he's decided to pretend it didn't happen?
With effort, Sonea pulled her mind away from her anxious thoughts and back to what was happening in the Day Room.
Lady Vinara was talking. "I think we have established, Administrator, that no disciplinary action is needed, given both parties declare it is consensual?"
"Yes, yes," Lorlen said, shuffling the papers in front of him, looking slightly flustered.
"However, to do nothing sets the wrong example for what the Guild still expects of guardians and their novices – mutual trust, appropriate boundaries, and unbiased mentorship," Lady Vinara continued, peering at Akkarin with her hawk-like eyes. The High Lord listened with a neutral expression, but Sonea noticed he was stroking his signet ring with one hand. Is he nervous? Or just in thought?
"Lord Sarrin and I have been looking through previous Administrators' records to find precedents similar to this situation. We have found some courses of actions available to us. All have been enforced by the Guild in its recent past," Lorlen said. "You are both free to choose which course of action you would prefer," he added, looking up to meet Akkarin's piercing black eyes with a meaningful look. "Provided you also accept the consequences of each, naturally."
"Naturally," Akkarin echoed with a polite inclination of the head. Sonea looked between him and the Administrator with wide eyes. We get to choose what happens? This is a good thing, right? Then Sonea's mood sobered as she realised all would probably come with a price.
Lady Vinara cleared her throat and read out from the paper in front of her. "The first precedent we found in the historical records was dated thirty years after the Sachakan War, concerning intimate relations between a magician and a novice. The Guild sought to prevent this magician having undue influence on the novice, who the Guild feared would do her bidding out of infatuation. A proximity shield was applied, preventing them from being in one another's close company."
Whatever this proximity shield is, it doesn't sound good, Sonea thought.
Clearing her throat, Lady Vinara continued. "In the second precedent we found, dated one century after the Sachakan War, the Head of Alchemists and his novice were… discovered in a compromising situation. The novice was constrained to the Guild grounds for two years, and the Head of Alchemists was demoted." Vinara looked approving as she said it, like she personally thought this was a just outcome.
Sonea frowned. It seemed that each option was getting worse.
"And finally," Lady Vinara continued, "In the third precedent we found – dated three centuries after the Sachakan War – the then High Lord, records show, kept a mistress who had some magical ability. He made the Guild pass a law that recognised her as Official Consort to the High Lord. The position came with several restrictions for political reasons. The Consort can never hold high office, such as Higher Magician or Ambassador; they cannot attend court; and the like." Vinara raised an eyebrow. "It seems that position's existence has pretty much been forgotten, but it still stands."
Sonea's heart leapt inside her chest. She hadn't expectedsomething like this one.
"Thank you all for your research," Akkarin replied smoothly, giving nothing away. "Can Sonea and I step outside for a moment to deliberate?"
Lorlen nodded. "Please return in a quarter of an hour with your choice." He looked grim and, strangely, apologetic.
Akkarin nodded and rose from his seat gracefully. Sonea followed, bowing to the Higher Magicians then falling into step behind him. They walked out of the Day Room's large double doors.