Rothen shook his head. “She is observant and quick to pick up people’s feelings. Fergun has little fondness for me. If I am to convince her that we’re all friendly, well-meaning people, then it won’t help if she notices conflict between any of us. Also, she may mistake his determination to see her as an intention to do harm.”
Lorlen regarded him for a moment, then crossed his arms.
“Everyone wants Sonea to learn Control as quickly as possible,” he said. “I don’t think anyone will disagree if I decide that nothing shall distract her from that. How long do you think it will take?”
“I don’t know,” Rothen confessed. “I’ve taught uninterested, easily distracted novices, but I’ve never tried to teach Control to somebody who distrusts magicians as much as she does. It may take several weeks.”
Lorlen returned to his chair. “I can’t give you that much time. I’ll give you two weeks, during which time you can decide who will see her. After that, I will begin visiting every few days to check how close she is to gaining an acceptable level of Control.” He paused and tapped the table-top with a fingernail. “If you can, introduce her to at least one other magician by then. I will tell Fergun that he may see her after she has learned Control, but remember, the longer it takes, the more sympathy he will gain.”
Rothen nodded. “I understand.”
“People will expect the Hearing to occur during the first Meet after she has learned Control.”
“If I can convince her to stay,” Rothen added.
Lorlen frowned. “Do you think she will refuse to join the Guild?”
“It is too early to say,” Rothen replied. “We can’t force her to say the vow.”
Leaning back in his chair, Lorlen regarded Rothen thoughtfully, his brow creased with concern.
“Is she aware of the alternative?”
“Not yet. Since I’m trying to gain her trust, I felt it better to leave that news until later.”
“I understand. Perhaps, if you choose the right moment, it will convince her to stay.” He smiled wryly. “If she leaves, Fergun will be convinced you talked her out of staying just to spite him. Either way, you are facing some tough battles, Rothen.”
Dannyl frowned. “He has a strong claim, then?”
“It is hard to say. Much may depend on the strength of support each of you gain. But I should not speak about it before the Hearing.” Lorlen straightened and looked from Rothen to Dannyl. “I have no more questions. Do either of you have anything else you wish to discuss?”
“No.” Rothen rose and inclined his head. “Thank you, Administrator.”
Once in the corridor, Rothen considered his companion.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Dannyl shrugged. “He wasn’t there.”
“No.” As another magician stepped out into the corridor Dannyl checked his stride, his steps becoming halting. Rothen shook his head. “You are playing up that limp!”
Dannyl looked hurt. “It was a deep cut, Rothen.”
“Not that deep.”
“Lady Vinara said that it would be some days before the stiffness disappeared.”
“She did, did she?”
Dannyl’s brows rose. “And it doesn’t do you any harm if I remind people what we went through to catch that girl.”
Rothen chuckled. “I am most grateful for the sacrifice you are making to your dignity.”
Dannyl made a small noise of disgust. “Well, if Fergun can walk around for a week with a bandage over that tiny cut on his temple, then I can have my limp.”
“I see.” Rothen nodded slowly. “Then it’s all right then.”
They reached the back doors of the University and stopped. The air outside was thick with falling snow. Exchanging mutual looks of dismay, they stepped out into the swirling whiteness and hurried away.
19
Lessons Begin
A week of worsening weather had buried the Guild grounds in a thick layer of snow. Lawns, gardens, and roofs had vanished under a sparkling white blanket. Cozy within the protection of his own magical shield, Dannyl could appreciate the spectacle without enduring the discomfort.
Novices hovered around the University entrance. As he entered the building a trio hurried past him, their cloaks wrapped tightly around their shoulders. Part of the midwinter intake, he surmised. It took several weeks of training before the new novices learned how to ward off the cold.
Climbing the stairs, he found a small group of novices waiting outside the Alchemy room where Rothen taught his classes. Waving them through the door, he started to follow.
“Lord Dannyl.”
Recognizing the voice, Dannyl suppressed a groan. He turned to find Fergun strolling along the corridor toward him, Lord Kerrin at his side.
Stopping a few paces from Dannyl, Fergun eyed the classroom door. “Is that Rothen’s class you’re entering?”
“Yes,” Dannyl replied.
“You’re teaching them?”
“Yes.”
“I see.” Fergun turned away, Kerrin following. In a quiet voice, pitched loud enough for Dannyl to hear, he added, “I’m surprised they allow it.”
“What do you mean?” Kerrin asked, his voice growing fainter as the pair walked away.
“Don’t you remember all the trouble he got into as a novice?”
“Oh, that!” Kerrin laughed, the sound echoing in the corridor. “I suppose he might be a bad influence.”
Gritting his teeth, Dannyl turned away and found Rothen standing in the doorway.
“Rothen!” Dannyl exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“I was just visiting the library.” Rothen’s gaze remained on Fergun’s back. “It amazes me how long you two have kept this grudge going. Are you ever going to leave the past behind you?”
“It’s not a grudge to him,” Dannyl growled. “It’s sport and he enjoys it too much to stop.”
Rothen raised his brows. “Well, if he behaves like a spiteful novice, people will treat his words accordingly.” He smiled as three novices hurried along the corridor and darted through the classroom door. “How are my novices doing?”
Dannyl grimaced. “I don’t know how you cope, Rothen. You’re not going to abandon me to them for long, are you?”
“I don’t know. Weeks. Months, maybe.”
Dannyl groaned. “Do you think Sonea is ready to begin Control lessons yet?”
Rothen shook his head. “No.”
“But it’s been a week already.”
“Only a week.” Rothen sighed. “I doubt she’d trust us if we gave her six months to settle in.” He frowned. “It’s not that she dislikes us as individuals, but that she doesn’t believe the Guild means well—and she won’t until she sees proof. We don’t have time for that. When Lorlen visits, he’ll expect us to have begun lessons already.”
Dannyl grasped his friend’s arm. “For now all you have to do is teach her Control, and for that she only has to trust you, Rothen. You’re a likeable sort. You’ve got her best interests at heart.” He hesitated. “If you can’t tell her, then show her.”
Rothen frowned, then his eyes widened in understanding. “Let her see into my mind?”
“Yes. She will know you’ve been telling her the truth.”
“It’s ... it’s not necessary when teaching Control, but the circumstances are hardly usual.” Rothen frowned.
“There are some things I’ll have to keep her from learning, though...”
“Hide them.” Dannyl smiled. “Now, I have a classroom of your novices waiting, all eager to try out their latest pranks and teacher-torturing antics on me. Lorlen is nothing, I expect to hear you’ve made considerable progress when we meet tonight.”
Rothen chuckled. “Be reasonable to them, and they’ll be reasonable to you, Dannyl.”