The Magicians' Guild

stronger powers. Weak magicians rarely became guardians at all since, if they claimed a novice with powers less than their own, it only drew attention to their own shortcomings - and the novice's lack of strength.

But the vagrant girl was different. Nobody would care if Fergun's limitations handicapped her learning. As far as most were concerned, she was lucky to have any training at all.

And if he failed, who would blame Fergun? He could always use her origins as an excuse ... and if he neglected her training, nobody would question it...

Rothen shook his head. Now he was starting to think like Dannyl. Fergun was willing to help the girl, which was noble enough in itself. Unlike Rothen, who had been a guardian of two novices already, Fergun had a measure of glory to gain - and there was nothing wrong with that. Lorlen obviously didn't think there was.

Or did he? What had Lorlen said? 'It would cause me no less trouble either way.'

Rothen chuckled as Lorlen's meaning finally came to him. If he was right, then Lorlen believed that letting Fergun win his claim would cause as much trouble as the fight over her guardianship - and that fight was sure to cause him no small amount of trouble.

Which meant that Lorlen had given Rothen a rare indication of his support.

As always, Sonea's guards were silent as they guided her through the passages. Apart from the weeks she had spent in the first hideout, she had been almost constantly on the move since the Purge. The welcome difference now was that she felt no lurking fear of discovery as she travelled.

The lead guard stopped at a door and knocked. A familiar, dark face appeared in the doorway.

'Stay and guard the door,' Faren ordered. 'Come in, Sonea.'

Stepping into the room, her heart leapt as she saw the smaller figure standing behind him.

'Cery!'

He grinned and gave her a quick hug. 'How are you?'

'Well,' she told him. 'You?'

'Happy to see you again.' He searched her face. 'You look better.'

'Haven't come face to face with a magician for, hmm, at least a few days,' she said, looking sidelong at Faren.

The Thief chuckled. 'We do seem to have outwitted them.'

The room was small, but cozy. A generous fire burned within one wall. Faren directed them to chairs. 'Any progress, Sonea?'

She winced. 'No, nothing yet. I try over and over, but it never does what I want it to.' She frowned. 'Though it nearly always does something now. Before it would take a few tries before anything happened.'

Faren leaned back and smiled. 'There, that is progress. Have the books helped?'

She shook her head. 'I don't understand them.'

'Is the scribe not clear?'

'No, it's not that. His reading is fine. It's just, well, there are too many strange words, and some things make no sense.'

Faren nodded. 'If you had more time to study them, perhaps you would find their meaning. I am still looking for more books.' Pursing his lips, he regarded them both speculatively. 'I'm looking into some rumors. It's been said for years that a certain Thief has cultivated a friendship with a man who knows something about magic. I've always thought it was an invention to ensure the rest of us stayed polite but I'm looking into it, regardless.'

'A magician?' Cery asked.

Faren shrugged. 'I don't know. I doubt it. Most likely he is nothing more than a man who performs tricks that appear to be magic. If he has any knowledge of real magic, however, he may be useful. I will tell you when I know more.' He smiled. 'That is all the news I have, but I believe Cery has more.'

Cery nodded. 'Harrin and Donia found your aunt and uncle.'

'They did!' Sonea moved to the edge of her seat. 'Where are they? Are they well? Did they find a good place to stay? Did Harrin-?'

Cery waved his hands. 'Hai! One question at a time!'

Grinning, Sonea leaned toward him eagerly. 'Sorry. Tell me what you know.'

'Well,' he began, 'it seems they didn't get a room where they used to live, but found a better one a few streets away. Ranel's been searching for you every day. They'd heard that the magicians were looking for a girl, but didn't think it could be you.'

He chuckled. 'Jonna said a few things when Harrin told her you'd joined them in the Purge, but then he said what you did. They didn't believe it at first. He told them how we tried to hide you, and about the reward, and that you were being protected by the Thieves. Harrin says they weren't as wild about it as he thought they'd be - not when he explained everything.'

'Did they give him any message for me?'

'They said to tell you to look after yourself, and be careful who you trust.'

'That last bit would be Jonna.' Sonea smiled wistfully. 'It's so good to hear they found a place - and they know I didn't just run off on them.'

'I think Harrin was scared that Jonna might flay him for inviting you to join us in the Purge. He says they're going to keep coming past the inn for news. Got any messages for them?'

'Just that I'm well and safe.' She looked at Faren. 'Will you bring them to see me?'

He frowned. 'Yes, but not until I'm sure it is safe. It's possible - though doubtful - that the magicians know who they are, and will find you through them.'

Sonea drew in a sharp breath. 'What if they do know who they are, and threaten to hurt them if I don't give myself up?'

The Thief smiled. 'I don't think they would. Certainly not publicly. If they tried to do so secretly ... ?' He nodded at Cery. 'We would find a way around it, Sonea. Don't worry about things like that.'

Cery smiled faintly. Surprised by the implied partnership, Sonea looked at her friend closely. His shoulders were tense, and a crease appeared between his brows whenever he looked at Faren. She would not have expected him to be relaxed in the presence of a Thief, but he looked a little too anxious.

She turned to regard the Thief.

'Can Cery and I have some time to talk?' she asked. 'Just us?'

'Of course.' He rose and moved to the door, then looked back. 'Cery, I have something for you when you are done. Nothing urgent. Take your time. See you tomorrow, Sonea.'

'Tomorrow,' she replied, nodding.

When the door had closed behind the Thief, Sonea turned to Cery.

'Am I safe here?' she asked, her voice low.

'For now,' he said.

'And later?'

He shrugged. 'That depends on your magic.'

She felt a stab of alarm. 'What if I never work it out?'

He leaned forward and took her hand. 'You will. You just need to practice. If it was easy, there wouldn't be a Guild, would there? From what I've heard, it takes novices five years before they're good enough to be called 'Lord' so-and-so.'

'Does Faren know this?'

He nodded. 'He'll give you time.'

'Then I'm safe.'

He smiled. 'Yes.'

Sonea sighed. 'What about you?'

'I'm making myself useful.'

She gave him a direct look. 'Making yourself Faren's slave?'

He looked away.

'You don't have to be here,' she told him. 'I'm safe. You said so. Go. Get away before they get their hooks in you.'