She looked down at the tiny bloodstain on her hand and felt a chill rush over her.
I have just used black magic, she thought. There is no turning back. Not now. Not ever.
Takan was regarding her closely. “Any regrets, Lady Sonea?”
She drew in a deep breath, then let it out. “Not as many as I would have if the Guild was destroyed and I could have prevented it. But I... I hope I will never have to use this.” She smiled crookedly and looked at Akkarin. “That would mean the High Lord had died, and I only recently stopped wishing that that would happen.”
Akkarin’s eyebrows rose. Then Takan let out a bark of laughter.
“I like this one, master,” he said. “You chose well when you took on her guardianship.”
Akkarin snorted quietly and uncrossed his arms. “You know very well I didn’t choose anything, Takan.” He approached the table and regarded the items on it.
“Now, Sonea, I want you to examine each of these living things on the table and consider how the skill I have taught you may be applied to them. Then I have some more books for you to read.”
12
The Price of Keeping Deadly Secrets
Rising from his bed, Rothen slid aside one of his window screens and sighed. A faint light brightened one side of the sky. Dawn was close, and he was wide awake already.
He looked at the High Lord’s Residence lurking at the edge of the forest. Soon Sonea would rise and make her way to the Baths.
He had watched her closely over the last week. Though he hadn’t seen her with Akkarin again, something in her manner had definitely changed.
There was a new confidence in the way she walked. At midbreak, she would sit in the garden and study, giving him an opportunity to watch her from the University windows. During the last week she had been easily distracted. She would often stop and look around at the Guild with a frown of concern or worry. Occasionally she would stare at nothing, her expression grim. At these times she looked so grown up he barely recognized her.
But it was when she gazed at the High Lord’s Residence that she gave him the most reason to fear. There was such a thoughtful look on her face at these times, but it was what was lacking in her expression that scared him most. There was no dislike or fear in it.
He shivered. How could she regard Akkarin’s house without showing at least some discomfort? She had before. Why not now?
Rothen drummed his fingers on the windowsill. For a year and a half he had obeyed Akkarin’s order to stay away from Sonea. The only times he had spoken to her had been in situations where, because others were watching, it would have seemed strange if he didn’t.
I’ve been cooperative for so long. Surely he won’t harm her if I try to speak to her alone just once.
The sky was a little lighter now. The gardens were growing clearer. All he had to do was go down there and catch her on the way to the Baths.
He turned from the window and began to dress. Only when he reached his door did he pause and reconsider. A few questions, he thought. That’s all. He probably won’t even notice us.
The Magicians’ Quarters corridor was empty and silent. Rothen’s boots rapped out a quick rhythm as he hurried down the stairs to the exit. He entered the courtyard and turned toward the gardens.
He chose to wait in one of the little garden rooms next to the main path. It was well hidden from the High Lord’s Residence. Most of the garden was visible from the top floor of the University, but it was too early for any magicians to be roaming about up there.
Half an hour later he heard light footsteps approaching. He glimpsed her through the trees and sighed in relief. She was late, but was still following her routine. Then his heart began to race. What if she refused to talk to him? He rose and reached the entrance of the garden room just as she passed the entrance.
“Sonea.”
She jumped, then turned to stare at him.
“Rothen!” she whispered. “What are you doing out here this early in the morning?”
“Trying to catch you, of course.”
She almost smiled, then a familiar wariness returned to her expression and she glanced up at the University.
“Why?”
“I want to know how you’re getting along.”
Her shoulders lifted. “Well enough. It’s been a long time. I’ve got used to it—and good at avoiding him.”
“You spend every evening there now.”
Her gaze wavered. “Yes.” She hesitated, then smiled faintly. “It’s good to know you’re keeping an eye on me, Rothen.”
“Not as closely as I’d like.” Rothen took a deep breath. “I have to ask you something. Is he... has he made you do anything you don’t want to, Sonea?”
She blinked, then frowned and looked down. “No. Other than becoming his favorite and studying so hard.”
He waited until she looked up to meet his gaze again. There was something about the way her mouth was set that was familiar. It had been so long, but it reminded him how she...
... how she almost smiles when she’s telling the truth, but knows it’s not the full truth!
He quickly reconsidered his question. “Has he asked you to do anything I would not want you to?”
Her mouth quirked up at one corner again. “No, Rothen. He hasn’t.”
Rothen nodded, though her answer hadn’t reassured him. He could not keep reshaping his question over and over. Perhaps Ezrille is right, he thought. Perhaps I am worrying too much.
Sonea smiled sadly. “I keep waiting for something bad to happen, too,” she said, “but every day I’m learning more. If it ever comes to a fight, I won’t be that easy to defeat.” She glanced in the direction of the High Lord’s Residence, then took a step away from him. “But let’s not give anyone reason to start one yet.”
“No,” he agreed. “Be careful, Sonea.”
“I will.” She turned to walk away, then hesitated and looked over her shoulder. “You take care of yourself too, Rothen. Don’t worry about me. Well, don’t worry too much anyway.”
He managed a smile. Watching her walk away, he shook his head and sighed. She asked the impossible.
Reaching the center of the Arena, Sonea noted the low position of the sun. It had been a long day, but soon classes would be over. Just this last bout to go.
She waited as the novices Balkan had chosen took their places. A ring of twelve formed around her, like the points of a compass. She turned a full circle, meeting the eyes of each in turn. They returned her stare confidently, no doubt reassured by their numbers. She wished she was feeling as sure of herself. Her adversaries were all from Fourth and Fifth Year classes, and most of them favored the Warrior Skills discipline.
“Begin,” Balkan called.
All twelve novices attacked at once. Sonea threw up a strong shield and sent out a spray of forcestrikes in return. The novices combined their shields into one.
This would not happen if they were Ichani. She frowned as she remembered Akkarin’s lessons.
“The Ichani don’t fight well together. They have battled and distrusted each other for years. Few know how to channel power to another, to construct a barrier with the power of several magicians, or to fight cooperatively.”
Hopefully, she would never have to fight any Ichani. She would only need to face their spies, and then only if Akkarin died. Unless this latest one—the woman—was an Ichani. But Akkarin would deal with her.
“These spies have a deep fear of Guild magicians, despite what Kariko tells them. When they kill, it is carefully planned and carried out so that they do not attract the Guild’s attention. They strengthen themselves slowly. If you face one, and you are prepared, you should be able to defeat him quickly and quietly.”