The Rogue

magicians only so that they could defend the Guild against invasion. Kallen’s removal of Naki’s power was a practical measure, little different to what he and Sonea did for dying magicians to ensure they passed away without their remaining magic causing any destruction.

A foolish anxiety slipped into Sonea’s mind. Did they think I couldn’t or wouldn’t do it? Did they think I couldn’t be trusted?

Oh, be quiet, she told herself.

The meeting finished soon after. Rothen joined Sonea as she left the office.

“Going to the hospice tonight?” he asked.

They walked into the entrance hall and stopped at the open doors of the University. They both gazed out at the forest, which was dusted in snow.

“I don’t know,” Sonea replied. “I didn’t sleep today. I could go back to my rooms, but that won’t achieve anything. I could go to the hospice, but I suspect I’ll be … a bit too distracted.”

He hummed. “I think we’ll all be, until the deed is done.”

“And for some time after. How long has it been since the Guild had to execute a member – or former one?”

He shrugged. “A long time. Long enough I’d have to look it up in a history book.”

Sonea glanced behind them. The entry hall was empty, the Higher Magicians having all left now.

“I admit that I’m relieved at their choice of executioners,” she murmured. “Though it will still be hard on Kallen to be there and take part. He’s never … he’s inexperienced.”

“Many feel they have asked a lot of you already,” Rothen replied quietly. “They feel guilty about Lorkin.”

She turned to meet his gaze. They should feel guilty about sending Lorkin off to Sachaka, she thought triumphantly, but not without bitterness. Rothen’s eyes were steady and hinted at more. She wondered how often the Higher Magicians discussed her.

“Is this why they haven’t expelled Lorkin from the Guild officially yet?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Or is it they’re afraid of what I’d say and do if they did?”

Rothen chuckled. “That, too.” His expression became serious. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you some sad news – about someone else, not Lorkin.”

“What is it?”

“Regin’s wife tried to kill herself.”

“Oh! That’s terrible.”

“Apparently she’s been attempting to for years. This is the first time it’s been, well, unavoidably public. There had been rumours, but …” Rothen grimaced. “I didn’t like to pay much attention to them.”

“Poor Regin,” she said.

“Yes. But … not for quite the reason you think, I suspect.”

“What do you mean?”

Rothen sighed. “According to rumours, each time she had attempted suicide she did so after he found out about and chased off one of her lovers.”

Sonea winced. “Oh.”

“From the reports I’ve heard, he’s on his way back to Imardin and has asked for rooms in the Guild. He has given his house in Elyne to one daughter, and his Imardin family home to the other.”

“That is one angry man.”

“Indeed.”

Sonea felt a small, somewhat inappropriate and slightly treacherous spark of hope. Also a man needing something to occupy himself – like a hunt for a rogue. She hooked her arm around Rothen’s and tugged him back toward the University corridor.

“Are there a lot of married people having troubles at the moment, or does it just appear that way to me?”

“Who else is having troubles in their marriage?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Just … people. As for magicians moving back home, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about. Something that we should be able to achieve without causing offence if we work together.”

CHAPTER 28 A WELCOME RETURN

To Lilia’s relief, she was being held in a room within the University rather than the airless Dome. It gave her a small measure of hope that the Guild might be more forgiving of her more recent crimes, and that her intention to return to her prison after finding Naki had convinced them that she didn’t need to be given a harsher penalty.

What weakened that hope was the fact she had been told nothing since the Hearing. Servants had brought her food and tended to her needs, but would not speak even when Lilia questioned them. The magicians guarding her door told her to be quiet if she knocked to get their attention.

She had little choice but to think about what Naki had done. Though her heart still ached, it was for a person who hadn’t really existed.

How could she kill her own father? I suppose he wasn’t her real father. He was just the man who married her mother. She told me he didn’t believe her when she said her uncle would have abused her. Was that even true? Maybe it was. I don’t know if he deserved her hate. I guess I’ll never know.

The hurt at being set up and betrayed by Naki was countered by anger. She was tired of being manipulated by people. First Naki, then Lorandra. At least Cery and Anyi had been honest about what they wanted of her. As far as she knew.

I’m not going to be used and deceived by anyone again. People have to prove they are trustworthy before I’ll trust them. At least being locked away means I’ll encounter fewer people to worry about on that score.

Footsteps and voices outside the door drew her attention away from her thoughts. The door opened and Black Magician Sonea entered. Lilia felt her heart soar with hope, only to crash down again as she saw the woman’s expression. She rose and bowed hastily.

“Lilia,” Sonea said. “It seems I must apologise on behalf of the Guild for keeping you ignorant of the events of the last day. The trouble is, we haven’t yet decided what to do with you.”

Lilia looked away. It could not be a good sign if they were struggling to decide. As far as she could see, their choices were to execute or imprison her, and since her powers couldn’t be blocked, the latter would involve keeping two magicians occupied as guards. Permanently.

“I can assure you that nobody is suggesting you face the penalty of death,” Sonea said.

Relief spread through Lilia like the warmth of a heated room after a walk in the winter cold. A gasp escaped her, then she blushed at the unintended show of emotion.

“What we can’t agree on is what to do with you. Some want you back in the Lookout. Others want you back in the Guild.”

Surprised, Lilia looked up.

Sonea smiled wryly. “Under tight restrictions, of course.”

“Of course,” Lilia echoed.

“I am of the latter opinion. Which is why I have arranged for you to stay in my rooms until the decision is made.”

Lilia stared at Sonea in disbelief. She couldn’t decide if this was a good or bad thing. It would be more comfortable and less isolated than this room, and it indicated that the Guild might be willing to trust her not to