The Rogue

He knew what he’d like to talk about, but with Tayend present he couldn’t speak of what he hoped to learn on this journey in case the Elyne didn’t know of the storestone.

Then Achati gestured toward the shore.

“See that building? That’s one of the few mansions over two hundred years old not built in the Sachakan style. It was built by …”

Dannyl let out a silent sigh of relief. Thank you, Achati, he thought. Though I think you’ve just condemned yourself to filling in silences with facts and history for the rest of the trip, at least it’s a solution to days of awkward silence.

Lilia had always assumed that imprisonment was meant to, among other things, give someone nothing to do but think about their crime.

I don’t think it’s working for me, she mused. Oh, I’ve spent plenty of time regretting learning black magic and feeling a fool about it. But I’ve spent a lot more thinking about Naki, and that feels a lot worse.

Even when she tried to think of something else, in particular whether Lord Leiden’s murderer had been found yet, she knew she was really worrying about Naki.

Since the Guild had not found any proof that she had killed Leiden, she had decided that she couldn’t have. She hoped, for Naki’s sake, that someone discovered who had. If Leiden’s murderer is found, surely someone will come and tell me. It wouldn’t make any difference to her punishment, since that was for learning black magic, but at least Naki would stop hating her. Black Magician Sonea would tell me, she thought. It would be even better if Naki did. Maybe she’ll make regular visits … no, best not get my hopes up. Ten years is a long time. But if she loves me like I love her, surely she’ll visit.

She’d tried to turn her thoughts to happier ones, but something always turned them sour. It was like when they were at the brazier house and she’d imagined someone was looking at them. Her mind always managed to shift to gloomier matters.

At times she sought distraction, and walked around the room, putting her ear to the side door. Occasionally, she could hear the other woman, humming to herself.

Returning once more to the window, beside which she’d pulled up a chair, she leaned on the sill. At least the view outside changed occasionally, even if it was just a bird flying over the treetops, or the angle of the shadows as the hours slowly passed. She was growing increasingly sick of the sight of her room.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. She sat up straight and turned to stare at the main door. She could see part of a face in the window, then it vanished. The lock clattered. The door opened.

Welor entered carrying a tray. But I’m not even hungry …

“A good evening to you, Lady Lilia,” he said, placing the tray on the dining table. “Your meal – and I have something else I promised.”

He took two hard rectangular objects out from where they were wedged between his arm and his side. Her heart leapt as she recognised what they were. Books!

She was on her feet and hurrying forward before she realised it. He grinned as she took them from him.

“They’re from the Guards’ library,” Welor told her. “Maybe not as interesting as books on magic, but there are some exciting stories in them.”

She read the titles and felt her heart sink a little. Battles of the Vin Fleet before the Alliance was imprinted in tiny letters across one cover, and Strategies for Effective Control of Crowds During Processions and Events was surrounded by an elaborately decorated frame on the other. She looked up at Welor, saw that he was watching her expectantly, and hoped her dis appointment didn’t show.

“Thank you,” she said.

“It’s all I could get my hands on,” he explained. “Until I have a day off.”

“It’s more than I should ever expect,” she told him, looking down.

“Well … we are supposed to make sure you’re comfortable.” He shrugged. “If you like those, I can get more. Or maybe … my wife likes those romantic adventures. I don’t know if they’re to your taste, but I’m sure she’d let you borrow them.”

Lilia smiled. “I could give them a try. If she thinks they’re good.”

He grinned. “She likes them a lot.” He stood a little straighter. “Well, best eat before it gets cold.”

He made a sketchy bow and left.

Since there was nobody to offend by reading at dinner, Lilia examined the first book as she ate. The introduction was long and dry, and the first chapter not much better. She wasn’t sure whether to be impressed that Welor had read and enjoyed such a challenging book, or not. Not all men who joined the Guard could read, and those of the classes who could afford an education but resorted to a career in the Guard usually did so because they weren’t smart enough for higher-paid jobs.

Perhaps Welor is an exception. Perhaps he likes being in the Guard. She pursed her lips in thought. But how then did he end up with the lowly job of prison guard?

It was a mystery she would have to unravel. Or maybe it wasn’t much of a mystery; maybe being reduced to living in a smaller world only made it seem so.

Finishing the meal, she picked up the books and headed toward the window, but as she passed the side door she heard three sharp taps.

She froze, then turned to look at the door. Her heart beat four … five times, and then the taps came again.

This is crazy. The slightest sound from outside and I’m all jumpy. Moving toward the door, she bent and put her ear to it.

“Don’t be fooled by what he says about the wife. He likes you.”

Lilia leapt backwards and stared at the door. She felt a flash of anger and moved back again.

“You think he’s lying? That he hasn’t got a wife?”

A low noise, muffled by the door, came from the other room. Possibly a chuckle.

“Maybe not. Or maybe he’s telling you about her to make you trust him.”

“Surely he’d tell me about her to make sure I didn’t get the wrong idea.”

“Wrong idea about what?”

“About him doing favours for me. Being nice.”

“Maybe. But you watch out. If he starts telling you how lonely he is, don’t be surprised if he wants something in return for those favours.”

Lilia pulled away from the door a little. Did this woman have something to gain from Lilia not trusting Welor?

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Just trying to help. You’re young. You’ve never been a prisoner before. You want to feel safe, but you shouldn’t let that desire blind you to the dangers of your situation.”

Lilia considered that. Though it made her feel uneasy, what the woman had said made sense. I’ve already got too comfortable in this place, and it’s only been two days!

“My name is Lorandra,” the voice said.

Leaning forward, Lilia rested her head on the door. “Mine is Lilia.”

“I’m here because foreign magicians have to join the Guild or not use magic,” Lorandra said. “I didn’t see why I should have to join if I didn’t want to.”

Though Lilia already knew why the woman was locked away, suddenly it seemed a little unfair. Why should a foreign magician have to join the Guild? Maybe if this woman hadn’t been forced to choose between the Guild and hiding, she would not have got mixed up with Thieves.

“Why are you here?” Lorandra asked. “If you don’t mind telling.”

“I’m here because I learned black magic – but we were just being silly and I didn’t expect what I was doing to work.”