“Let him go.”
As Takan stepped away from his captor, Sonea started toward Lorlen. The servant stopped as he reached her, and bowed.
“Take care of my master, Lady Sonea.”
“I’ll do what I can,” she promised.
Her throat was suddenly tight. As she reached Lorlen she turned to watch the servant leave. He bowed to Akkarin, then stepped into the passage. When he had disappeared into the darkness, the panel slid back into place.
Akkarin turned to face Lorlen, then looked down at the table and chairs beside him. The top part of his robes were still draped over the back of a chair. He picked up the black garment and shrugged into it.
“So, Administrator, how can Sonea and I help you in your investigations?”
15
Bad News
Rothen had just donned a fresh set of robes when he heard the door to his rooms open.
“Lord Rothen?” Tania called.
Hearing the urgency in his servant’s voice, he hurried to the bedroom door. Tania was standing in the middle of the room, wringing her hands.
“What is it?” he asked.
She turned to regard him, her expression pained. “The High Lord and Sonea were arrested last night.”
He drew in a breath, and felt hope and relief surge through him. Akkarin arrested at last! The Guild must have discovered his crime—and confronted him—and won!
But why would the Guild arrest Sonea, too?
Why indeed? Excitement withered away and was replaced by a familiar, nagging fear.
“What were they arrested for?” he forced himself to ask.
Tania hesitated. “I only heard it fourth or fifth hand, Rothen. It could be wrong.”
“What for?” he repeated.
She grimaced. “The High Lord was arrested for murdering Lord Jolen and his household, and for learning some kind of magic. Black magic, I think? What is that?”
“The evilest of all magics,” Rothen replied heavily. “But what of Sonea? What was she arrested for?”
Tania spread her hands. “I’m not sure. As his accomplice, perhaps.”
Rothen sat down in one of the guestroom chairs. He took a long, deep breath. The Guild would have to consider the possibility that Sonea was involved. That didn’t mean she was guilty of the charges.
“I didn’t bring any food,” Tania said apologetically. “I knew you’d want to know as soon as possible.”
“Never mind,” he said. “It doesn’t look like I’ll have time to eat this morning, anyway.” He rose and took a step toward the door. “I think I had better have a little chat with Sonea.”
Tania’s smile was strained. “I thought you might. Let me know what she says.”
The young man sitting opposite Dannyl in the carriage was painfully thin. Though Farand had recovered well enough to walk in the week since his poisoning, it would still be some time before he regained his full strength. But he was alive, and very grateful for it.
Dannyl had watched over the young man night and day throughout the voyage. It had been easy enough to hold back sleep and weariness with his Healing powers, but doing so always took a toll. After a week, he felt almost as bad as Farand looked.
The carriage turned into the Guild gates. Farand drew in a quick breath as the University came into view.
“It’s beautiful,” he breathed.
“Yes.” Dannyl smiled and looked out of the window. Three magicians stood at the bottom of the stairs: Administrator Lorlen, Expatriate Administrator Kito and Lady Vinara.
Dannyl felt a little twinge of anxiety and disappointment. He had hoped the High Lord would meet him. But he’ll probably want to discuss everything in private.
The carriage pulled up in front of the stairs, and Dannyl climbed out. As Farand followed, the three Higher Magicians regarded him with wary curiosity.
“Ambassador Dannyl,” Lorlen said. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you, Administrator Lorlen. Administrator Kito, Lady Vinara,” Dannyl replied, inclining his head. “This is Farand of Darellas.”
“Welcome, young Darellas,” Lorlen said. “I’m afraid you will find us somewhat preoccupied with another matter in the next few days. We will make you as comfortable as possible, and deal with your unique situation as soon as this other matter is resolved.”
“Thank you, Administrator,” Farand replied uncertainly.
Lorlen nodded, then turned away and started up the University stairs. Dannyl frowned. There was something odd in Lorlen’s manner. He seemed even more harassed than usual.
“Come with me, Farand,” Vinara said to the young man. She looked at Dannyl and her expression became grim. “Get some sleep, Ambassador. You need to make up for what you’ve lost.”
“Yes, Lady Vinara,” Dannyl agreed. As she led Farand away, he looked at Kito questioningly.
“What is this other matter that Administrator Lorlen spoke of?”
Kito sighed heavily. “Lord Jolen was murdered last night.”
“Murdered?” Dannyl stared at him. “How?”
The magician grimaced. “With black magic.”
Dannyl felt his face grow cold. He glanced at the carriage where the book lay deep within his travel trunk.
“Black magic? Who…?”
“The High Lord has been arrested,” Kito added.
“Akkarin!” Dannyl felt the chill spread through his body. “Not him!”
“I’m afraid so. The evidence is damning. He has agreed to assist with our investigations. There will be a Hearing tomorrow.”
Dannyl barely heard him. Strange coincidences and occurrences were shifting into new places in his mind. He thought of the research Lorlen had asked him to begin, then cease. He thought of Rothen’s sudden interest in the same information—just after Sonea had become Akkarin’s favorite. He thought of what the Dem’s book had revealed. Ancient magic—higher magic—was black magic.
He’d assumed Akkarin’s search had ended without this discovery.
It seemed he was wrong.
Had Lorlen suspected this? Had Rothen? Was this the reason for the research?
And I was going to give that book to Akkarin!
“We will discuss the rogue after the Hearing,” Kito said.
Dannyl blinked, then nodded. “Of course. Well, I had best obey Lady Vinara’s orders.”
The Vindo magician smiled. “Sleep well, then.”
Dannyl nodded, then started toward the Magicians’ Quarters. Sleep? How could he sleep after learning this?
I continued this research with Akkarin’s blessing, and I’ve got a book on black magic in my trunk. Will that be enough for me to appear guilty of the same crimes? I could hide the book. I’m certainly not going to be giving it to Akkarin…or discussing anything with him.
He drew in a quick breath as he realized what this meant for him personally. Who was going to believe Akkarin now, when he explained that Dannyl and Tayend’s relationship was just a ruse to entrap the rebels?
The last time Sonea had been inside the Dome had been during her training for the Challenge. It was a huge, hollow stone sphere, once the practice room of Warriors. The Guild had abandoned it after the Arena had been built, but she had used it while preparing for the fight with Regin so that her lessons would not be observed by him or his supporters. Akkarin had strengthened the walls to ensure she did not damage them. Ironically, his magic was now helping to keep her imprisoned.
Not that she intended to make any escape attempts. She had told Akkarin she would do whatever he instructed. He had said only that they must protect Takan and Lorlen. Then he had exchanged her for Takan. So he had meant for her to be here.
Either that, or he was willing to sacrifice her for the sake of keeping the promise he had made to his servant.
No, she thought, he needs me to back up his story. Takan was too close to Akkarin. Nobody would believe him.
She paced the Dome interior. The plug-like door remained open to allow air into the room. A pair
of magicians stood beyond it, watching her whenever she was alone.
But she hadn’t been alone much. Vinara, Balkan and Sarrin had each questioned her about Akkarin’s activities. She did not want to risk revealing anything before Akkarin was ready, so she had refused to answer. They had eventually given up.
Now that she was alone at last, she found she didn’t like it. She kept wondering where Akkarin was, and if she was doing what he wanted by keeping silent. It was impossible to tell the time, but she guessed it was well past dawn now. She hadn’t slept all night, but she doubted she would have even if there had been a soft bed instead of the sandy floor.
A movement beyond the door caught her eye. Looking up, she felt her heart twist painfully.
Rothen.
He stepped into the Dome, his face lined with worry. As she met his eyes, he tried to smile, and she felt her stomach sink with guilt.
“Sonea,” he said, “how are you?”
She shook her head. “That’s a silly question, Rothen.”
He looked around the Dome and nodded. “Yes. I suppose it is.” He sighed and looked at her again. “They haven’t decided what to do with you yet. Lorlen told me they found books on black magic in your room. Were they planted there by Akkarin or his servant?”
She sighed. “No. I was reading them.”
“Why?”
“To understand my enemy.”
He frowned. “You know that just reading about black magic is a crime.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Yet you read them?”
She met his eyes. “Some risks are worth taking.”
“In the hope that we could use this information to defeat him?”
She looked down. “Not exactly.”
He paused. “Then why, Sonea?”
“I can’t tell you. Not yet.”
Rothen took a step closer. “Why not? What has he told you to make you an accomplice? We’ve found your aunt Jonna and uncle Ranel. They’re safe and well as are their children. Dorrien is alive and well. Is there anyone else you’re protecting?”
She sighed. The whole of Kyralia.
“I can’t tell you, Rothen. Not yet. I don’t know what Akkarin has told anyone, or what he wants me to reveal. It’ll just have to wait until the Hearing.”
Rothen’s eyes flashed with anger. “Since when have you cared about what he wants?”
She held his gaze. “Since I learned the reasons for what he does. But that is his story, not mine. You will understand why, when he tells it.”
He regarded her doubtfully. “I find that hard to believe. But I will try. Is there anything I can do for you?”
She shook her head, then hesitated. Rothen knew that Lorlen had been aware of Akkarin’s crime for more than two years. What would happen if he told the Guild this? She looked up at him.
“Yes,” she said quietly. “Protect Lorlen.”
Savara ran a hand over the sheets and smiled.
“Nice.”
Cery chuckled. “A Thief has to make his guests feel welcome.”
“You are not like other Thieves,” she remarked. “He had a hand in all this, didn’t he?”
“Who?”
“The High Lord.”
Cery humphed in indignation. “Wasn’t all him.”
“No?”
“Part of it was ’cause of Sonea. Faren agreed to hide her from the Guild, but the other Thieves made him turn her in. So some say Faren didn’t honor his side of the deal.”
“So?”
“If I was willing to deal with Faren, other people would too. He helped me out with a few things.”
“So Akkarin had nothing to do with it?”
“Well, a little,” Cery admitted. “Maybe I wouldn’t have had the guts if he hadn’t pushed me. Maybe if he hadn’t given me all the right news about each of the Thieves, so they wouldn’t try to stop me. It’s hard to say no to someone who knows too many of your secrets.”
She looked thoughtful. “Sounds like he had planned this for a long time.”
“That’s what I thought.” Cery shrugged. “When the murderer started to get the other Thieves riled, I offered to find him. They liked that. They didn’t know I’d been onto it for months. They act like it’s funny I haven’t found him, though—but none of them have had any luck either.”
“But you do find them.”
“They think there’s only one.”
“Ah.”
“At least I think they did,” he added.
“And now they know, because the last one was a woman.”
“Probably.”
He looked around the room at the furniture. Quality pieces, but not extravagant. He did not like to think it was all due to Akkarin’s help.
“I’ve tried to make my place in other ways,” he said. “If the market for finding murderers for magicians dries up, I want to stay alive and in business.”
She smiled slyly and ran a finger slowly down the middle of his chest.
“I definitely prefer you alive and in business.”
He caught her hand and pulled her closer. “Do you? What sort of business are you into?”
“Making contact with potential allies,” she said, snaking her arm around him. “Preferably very close contact with one in particular.”
Her kisses were firm and enticing. He felt his heart beginning to race again.
Then someone knocked on the door. He pulled away and grimaced apologetically. “Got to get this.”
She pouted. “Must you?”
He nodded. “Gol wouldn’t knock unless it was important.”
“Better be.”
He rose, pulled on his trousers and a shirt, and slipped out of the room. Gol was pacing Cery’s guestroom, his expression very different from the foolish grin Cery was expecting.
“The High Lord’s been arrested by the Guild,” Gol said. “So’s Sonea.”
Cery stared at his second. “Why?”
“A Guild magician was killed last night. And a whole lot of people in his house. They think the High Lord did it.” He paused. “The whole city knows about it.”
Moving to the nearest chair, Cery sat down. Akkarin arrested? For murder? And Sonea, too? He heard the door of his bedroom open. Savara peered out, now fully dressed. As she met his eyes, she frowned.
“Can you tell me?”
He smiled briefly, amused by her question. “The High Lord’s been arrested. The Guild thinks he murdered a Guild magician last night.”
Her eyes widened. She moved into the room. “When?”
Gol shrugged. “Don’t know. Everyone in this magician’s house was killed too. With some kind of bad magic. Black magic. Yes, that was it.”
She drew in a quick breath. “So it is true, then.”
“What is true?” Cery asked.
“Some of the Ichani claim the Guild do not know high magic and say it is evil. Akkarin uses it, so we thought this could not be true.” She paused. “So that is why he works in secret. I had thought he did not want others to know that his past actions contributed to this situation.”
Cery blinked. “What past actions?”
She looked at him and smiled. “Oh, there is more to your High Lord than you know.”
“How so?”
“That is not for me to say,” she said. “But I can tell you that—”
She stopped at a knock on the wall. Cery nodded to Gol. The big man approached the wall, checked its spy hole, then pulled aside a painting. One of the boys Cery employed for odd jobs peered in.
“There’s a man wants to see you, Ceryni. He gave a big code word, and says he’s got bad news about a friend of yours. Says it’s urgent.”
Cery nodded, then turned to look at Savara. “I better see what this is.”
She shrugged and returned to the bedroom. “I will have a bath, then.”
Turning away, Cery found Gol grinning.
“Get that look off your face,” Cery warned.
“Yes, Ceryni,” the man rep
lied humbly, but the grin remained as he preceded Cery into the passage.
Cery’s office was a short distance away. There were several ways of getting in and out of it. Gol chose the standard route, giving Cery a moment to observe the visitor in the waiting room through a spy hole.
The man was Sachakan, Cery saw with dismay. Then he recognized the coat and his heart skipped.
Why was this man wearing the coat Akkarin had worn the night before?
As the man turned, the coat parted to reveal a Guild servants’ uniform.
“I think I know who this is,” Cery breathed. He moved to the door of his office. “Send him in as soon as I sit down.”
A few minutes later, Cery was seated at his desk. The door to his office opened and the man entered.
“So,” Cery said, “you say you got bad news about a friend of mine.”
“Yes,” the man replied. “I am Takan, servant to the High Lord. He has been arrested for the murder of a Guild magician. He has sent me to assist you.”
“Assist me? How?”
“I can communicate with him by mind,” Takan explained, touching his forehead.
“You’re a magician?”
Takan shook his head. “We have a link, made by him long ago.”
Cery nodded. “Then tell me something only he and I know.”
Takan’s gaze shifted to the distance. “The last time you met, he said he would not bring Sonea with him again.”
“That’s right.”
“He regrets that he could not hold to that.”
“So does Sonea, I’d guess. What’s she been arrested for?”
Takan sighed. “Learning about black magic. They found books in her room.”
“This black magic is…?”
“Forbidden,” Takan said. “She faces expulsion from the Guild.”
“And the High Lord?”
Takan looked genuinely distressed. “He has been charged with murder and using black magic. If they find him guilty of either, the punishment is execution.”
Cery nodded slowly. “When will the Guild decide?”
“They will hold a Hearing tomorrow to examine the evidence and judge whether he is guilty or not.”