The hall was immediately abuzz with conversation. Several magicians stood up from their seats to make their way over to colleagues and friends in the crowd to discuss what had been said so far.

Lorlen frowned. He hadn't expected this particular secret of Akkarin's to come out at this Hearing – and much less that Sonea herself would expose it. The news had quite distracted everyone from the matter at hand; which seemed very convenient for Akkarin.

He would have to make sure the line of questioning returned to the matter of the criminal charges fast. The High Lord and his novice having an intimate relationship was no doubt going to be a scandal, but it was not what they were here to investigate.

– We should indeed return to the matter at hand. Lorlen jumped to hear Akkarin's voice in his head through the ring. He looked at him closely, but Akkarin was eyeing the floor thoughtfully.

I don't know what to believe anymore, Akkarin. Is this true? Or did you instruct her to present this alibi to cover yourself? I'd like to think even you wouldn't throw Sonea's reputation away just to escape what will probably be a minor punishment.

Akkarin continued looking at the floor, and Lorlen wondered if he had heard his thought at all. But then the High Lord's shoulders raised and fell in what looked like a sigh.

– Sonea's decisions have been her own. Both during this Hearing, and before it. Was that a touch of pride he sensed through the ring?

Lorlen was by now familiar enough with how cryptic Akkarin could be, and he didn't expect anything clearer than that. His answer could mean Sonea wasn't coerced into a relationship, or that she wasn't coerced into lying for him today. Lorlen sighed in annoyance.

He noticed Lord Rothen approach Sonea out of the corner of his eye with a hurt look on his face. He seemed to be entreating with Sonea to look at him and talk to him, but Sonea's lips barely moved as he gave Rothen short answers. Everything about her posture looked like she wanted their encounter to end.

Lorlen rang the gong to signal the Hearing was restarting. It took a while for the buzz of conversation to die down and for all magicians to take their seats again.

"I call on the High Lord Akkarin," he said. The total silence in the Guildhall suggested this was the moment many were waiting for.

Akkarin stood straight and dignified, looking at him calmly in expectation of the first question.

"High Lord, are you at all acquainted with any member of the criminal group of Imardin who call themselves the Thieves?"

"I am," Akkarin replied steadily.

"In what capacity?"

"I employ several informants throughout the city, who provide me with updates vital to the protection of the Guild and the King. It is part of my duties as High Lord to be kept well-informed of the activities of the city's underworld, for our security."

Are you telling the truth?

There was no response via the ring. It looked like Lorlen would be getting the same answers as everyone else present.

"Do you have any evidence that you have employed these informants?"

"Yes. Their pay is met by the King, and the necessary documentation can be produced by his Advisers upon the request of the higher magicians or yourself."

Some brief murmurs filled the hall. Lorlen glanced up at the King's Adviser. Lord Solten peered down at him with pursed lips, giving no indication of a yes or a no. Lorlen assumed it may be too public a setting for him to confirm or deny this.

"Did you go into the city the night before last?"

Akkarin paused, throwing the quickest of glances in the direction of Sonea. Sonea's black eyes were unblinkingly focused on him. Lorlen wondered if she had a hidden ring, too, through which Akkarin was relaying her instructions.

"I did not," he finally replied.

There were a few sounds of disbelief in the audience. Sonea schooled her facial expression very quickly, but Lorlen thought for a split second he glimpsed relief in it.

"Do you deny the veracity of Captain Barran's account, then?"

"I have reason to believe that, on occasion, I have been impersonated by a rogue magician loose in the city. My informants have been reporting to me on the recent murders, and given me cause to suspect that some Thieves hold the belief that I am the rogue's real target," Akkarin's gaze didn't falter, and he sounded very convincing.

But then again, Lorlen thought bitterly, he had skilfully managed to keep his practice of black magic even from me, his best friend, for years. "A number of possibilities may explain what Captain Barran saw," Akkarin continued. "The rogue may be impersonating me to evade scrutiny and sow distrust of the Guild. Less likely, but still to be considered, is that one or more Thieves are impersonating me to draw the rogue into a trap and attempt to kill him."

"If the murderer is a rogue magician – which has not yet been determined – why would the Thieves risk a suicide mission?"

"The murders are harming their business dealings, and destroying their reputation among the dwells, who often look to them for protection. One or two may be desperate or confident enough to try their hand at ending the problem. A magician can still be killed by a sudden and fatal blow too quick to Heal from, like a collapsing building, if caught unawares and not sheilding."

Lorlen glanced up at the high magicians, who looked thoughtful. They all knew that the murders bore unmistakable signs of magic, which lent some weight to Akkarin's words. After all, anyone could get black robes made, and they wouldn't have to match the High Lord's perfectly to pass as him in the dark.

"If you did not enter the city the night before last, High Lord, where were you during the events Captain Barran described?" Lord Balkan spoke.

It was the longest pause Akkarin had taken before answering a question. Then he looked straight ahead with that mask of calm authority on his face.

"My novice has already answered that question," he stated.

A fury of whispers fluttered through the hall. Lorlen was irritated that the magicians seemed more fixated on this part of the morning's revelations. He couldn't help but feel this was an excellent distraction from what, deep down, he believed: that it had been Akkarin that Barran had seen, but why and to what purpose, Lorlen didn't know. And now it looked like Akkarin had successfully planted seeds of reasonable doubt.

"Sonea and yourself spent the entirety of the night before last in your bedroom, is that correct?" Balkan stressed the point.

"That is correct."

Lorlen suddenly saw what was happening. To throw in a secret relationship made Akkarin's account all the more convincing. Why make up an alibi that would do such reputational damage to them both, if it weren't the truth? Three steps ahead as always, Akkarin, Lorlen thought bitterly. Give them one truth and a lie.

He looked up at Balkan who shook his head to indicate he had no further questions at this time. Lorlen had to ring the gong to get order in the Guildhall.

"This Hearing has been called to judge whether High Lord Akkarin is guilty of the charge of aiding and abetting criminals," he amplified his voice to remind the congegration of the task at hand. "Are there any further questions from the higher magicians on this account?" Lorlen asked, looking up at the dias.

"Have you had contact with a Thief for any purpose other than the security of the Guild?"

"No," Akkarin replied emphatically. And yes, Lorlen, that is the truth, he added suddenly, his voice ringing clear in Lorlen's mind, in answer to his earlier unanswered question.

"Captain Barran, can you present any further evidence that the black-robed figure you observed was, beyond dispute, the High Lord himself?"

The Captain frowned thoughtfully, but Lorlen knew he was an honest man. "I did not observe anything that could help me differentiate beyond doubt whether it was the High Lord himself, or a highly skilled imposter."

"And your men?"

"None have been in the close presence of the High Lord as I have, so they would not be able to verify a likeness."

"This Hearing will now adjourn for five minutes to discuss a verdict," Lorlen concluded. He was relieved nothing had led to the reveal that he had long known of Akkarin's black magic but had kept silent about it. Yet at the same time, he was irritated at how Akkarin, yet again, had emerged unscathed from what Lorlen had hoped would be a demotion, or a strict observation placed upon the High Lord's movements.

He walked up the short flight of stairs to where the higher magicians were in discussion.

"… the necessary documentation. I would suggest we revisit the matter then, unless all looks in order," Balkan was saying.

"I agree. The evidence is too weak to support a demotion. If Akkarin's contacts are paid by the Palace, this legitimises his dealings under Kyralian law," Lady Vinara said.

"It is hard, however, to know what takes place exactly in these meetings and whether they are strictly for the information exchange endorsed by the King," Lorlen pointed out. He could already feel the way the higher magicians were leaning, and felt it was too easy a way out.

"Be that as it may," wheezed Lord Sarrin, "the Guild's judgement cannot override the King's, in this or any other matter. The subordination of the Guild to the Crown in all matters ensures magicians do not use their power to influence the politics of the Allied Lands."

Lorlen suppressed a snort. As if that stopped magicians from continuing to promote the interests of their own families and Houses. But even Lorlen had to agree that, without binding the Guild to the laws of Kyralia, the King would constantly see them as a potential threat to their rule, and the kings of the Allied Lands would not send their novices to the Guild incase they were held hostage. Akkarin had, essentially, made himself out to be a responsible High Lord, having to make distasteful associations to safeguard the Guild and the King's law. Which he told me mind-to-mind is the truth, but what part of it, and how much?

"Then we have agreed?" Lady Vinara asked. "The charges are dismissed, pending us verifying Akkarin's claim through the Palace records?" Lord Balkan, Lord Sarrin and the Adviser all nodded.

"And what of… the other matter?" She asked.

"The Hearing was not intended for the purpose of investigating a possible novice-guardian relationship," Balkan pointed out. "But it cannot go unaddressed."

"Can we remove Sonea from the High Lord's residence?" Vinara asked Lorlen.

The Administrator frowned. "I thought of the same, but the consequences could be greater than impropriety. Sonea's magical knowledge is now at fifth-year level, and as you know, she has the privileges of free magic usage in and out of the Guild grounds. Placing her back in the Novice's Quarters would essentially place her in a position of power over her peers."

Vinara sighed. "I cannot pretend to hide that I am at a loss about this, Administrator. On the one hand, Sonea is one of my most promising future Healers, and de-instating her privileges, like my private tutoring, would impede her progress. On the other, allowing her to continue living in the High Lord's residence as his novice would essentially be our tacit approval of this impropriety."

"Might I have a word?"

Lorlen turned around to see Lord Rothen had approached them. "You may, Lord Rothen."

"I believe Sonea may have been forced into this by the High Lord," he said, his face slightly pink with controlled anger.

"Do you have any evidence to suggest this, Lord Rothen?" Lady Vinara asked. "As accusation of sexual coercion is a serious disciplinary matter."

"As you know, I settled Sonea into the Guild, and I was her guardian until last year," Rothen said defensively. "Sonea has never liked the High Lord, and she was distressed when he claimed her as his novice. She did not take on the role willingly."

"We cannot put forth charges based on impressions that are a year old, Lord Rothen," Lord Balkan said matter-of-factly.

"But she hates the High Lord! She…" Lorlen's eyes flashed dangerously as he looked at Rothen, his back to the higher magicians so they wouldn't see. Tread carefully, Rothen… Now is not the time…

Lady Vinara sighed. "I have worked with many young women in my time, Lord Rothen. It wouldn't be the first time that heightened feelings of enmity can turn into their opposite when people end up in prolonged contact with one another."

"If that is all, Lord Rothen?" Lorlen asked pointedly. Rothen looked like he may insist, but the expectant gazes of the higher magicians wavered his resolve. He remained a shade of pink, but he bowed and went back down the dias steps.

"We need to bring this Hearing to a conclusion, Administrator. Might I suggest we declare that we will investigate Guild protocol on this relationship further and give our recommended course of action at a later date?"

Lorlen nodded. "I agree, Lord Balkan." He turned and stepped back down to face the Guildhall. Sonea was still looking at Akkarin intently, as if waiting for him to glance in her direction. Akkarin remained still and intimidating as always, waiting patiently for the deliberations to end.

After he rang the gong for the final time, silence descended. "It is time to judge whether Akkarin of family Delvon, of House Velan, High Lord of the Magicians' Guild, is guilty of aiding and abetting criminals."

Lorlen held out a hand. A globe light appeared above it, then floated up to the ceiling. The other Higher Magicians followed suit, then hundreds more globe lights floated up from the rest of the magicians, and the Guildhall was filled with brightness.

A few of the globes slowly turned red, but most remained white.

"This gathering judges High Lord Akkarin innocent of the charge brought against him," Lorlen declared. "Should documents fail to verify that he received royal approval for his contact with the Thieves, this case will be reopened."

Lorlen looked around at the pairs of eyes still waiting, expectantly, for what he knew they would have to address. This will be too vague to please most of them, but address it we must, he thought.

"Furthermore, the higher magicians will investigate Guild protocol with regards to the intimate relations declared between the High Lord Akkarin and his novice Sonea, and announce our recommended course of action at a later date. This Hearing is ended."

As the hustle and bustle of magicians filing out of the rows and towards the doors of the Guildhall commenced, some magicians were nodding, and others were making expressions of disapproval. Lorlen noticed Sonea leap to her feet and try to make her way towards Akkarin, but Akkarin had a clear path down the corridor of the Guildhall before she could get out of her row of seats. He strode ahead fast, black robes billowing around him, getting out of the University ahead of all others.