The Magicians' Guild

You may -'

A knock on the door interrupted him. Rising, he approached the main door and opened it slightly. Knowing that he could easily stop her from escaping, she realized he was deliberately stopping her from seeing the visitor - or was he preventing the visitor from seeing her?

'Yes? Lord Fergun. What can I do for you?'

'I wish to see the girl.'

The voice was smooth and cultured. Sonea started as Tania draped a dining napkin over her lap. The servant frowned at Rothen's back before moving away.

'It is too early for that,' Rothen replied. 'She is ...' He hesitated, then stepped through the door and closed it behind him. From behind the door, Sonea could hear the faint murmur of voices as the discussion continued.

She looked up as Tania approached again, this time holding a platter of sweet cakes. Sonea chose one, and took an experimental sip from the cup in front of her.

A bitter taste filled her mouth and she grimaced. Tania's eyebrows rose, and she nodded toward the drink in Sonea's hand.

'I'd wager that means you don't like sumi,' she said. 'What would you like to drink?'

'Raka,' Sonea replied.

The servant looked genuinely apologetic. 'We don't stock raka here, I'm sorry. Can I get you some pachi juice instead?'

'No, thanks.'

'Water then?'

Sonea gave her an incredulous look.

Tania smiled. 'The water here is clean. Here, I'll get you some.' She returned to the table at the back of the room, filled a glass from a jug and brought it to Sonea.

'Thank you,' Sonea said. Lifting the glass, she was amazed to find the liquid was clear. Not even the tiniest particle floated in it. Taking a sip, she tasted nothing but a faint sweetness.

'See?' Tania said. 'I'll tidy your room now. I'll be gone for a few minutes but if you need anything don't hesitate to call.'

Sonea nodded and listened to the servant's footsteps as she walked away. She smiled as the bedroom door closed. Taking the glass, Sonea gulped the water down and dried the inside quickly with the dining napkin. Stepping quietly to the door, she placed it against the wood and rested her ear on the base.

'... to keep her in there. It is dangerous.'

This voice belonged to the stranger.

'Not until she regains her strength,' Rothen replied. 'Once that happens I can show her how to spend her power safely, as we did yesterday. There is no danger to the building.'

There was a pause. 'Nevertheless, there is no reason to keep her isolated.'

'As I told you, she is easily frightened, and not a little confused. She doesn't need a crowd of magicians telling her the same thing in a dozen different ways.'

'Not a crowd, just myself - and I only wish to make her acquaintance. I'll leave all the teaching to you. Surely there is no harm in that?'

'I understand, but there will be time for that later, when she has gained some confidence.'

'There is no Guild law saying that you can keep her from me, Rothen,' the stranger replied, a warning tone entering his voice.

'No, but I believe most would understand my reasoning for it.'

The stranger sighed. 'I have as much concern for her well-being as you, Rothen, and I have searched for her as long and hard as well. I think many would agree that I have earned a voice in the matter.'

'You will have your opportunity to meet her, Fergun,' Rothen replied.

'When?'

'When she is ready.'

'And only you shall decide that.'

'For now.'

'We'll see about that.'

Silence followed, then the door handle began to turn. Sonea darted back to her seat and spread the napkin over her lap again. As Rothen stepped back into the room, his expression changed from annoyance to good humor.

'Who was that?' Sonea asked.

He shrugged. 'Just someone who wanted to know how you were doing.'

Sonea nodded, then leaned forward to take another sweet cake.

'Why does Tania bow and call me Lady?'

'Oh,' Rothen dropped into his chair and reached for the cup of bitter liquid Tania had left for him. 'All magicians are addressed as Lord or Lady.' He shrugged. 'It's always been that way.'

'But I'm not a magician,' Sonea pointed out.

'Well, she is a bit premature.' Rothen chuckled.

'I think ...' Sonea frowned. 'I think she's afraid of me.'

He frowned at her over the lip of his cup. 'She's just a little nervous of you. Being near a magician who has not learned Control can be dangerous.' He smiled crookedly. 'It seems she's not the only one who's worried. Knowing the dangers better than most, you can imagine how some magicians feel about having you living in their own Quarters. You're not the only one who slept lightly last night.'

Thinking back to her capture, to the broken walls and rubble she had glimpsed before falling unconscious, Sonea shivered. 'How long till you can teach me Control?'

His expression became sober. 'I don't know,' he admitted. 'But don't be concerned. If your powers begin to manifest again, we can use them up as we did before.'

She nodded, but as she looked at the cake she was holding, she felt her stomach clench. Her mouth suddenly seemed too dry for such a sweet thing. Swallowing, she set it aside.

The morning had been murky and dim and by mid-afternoon, heavy clouds hung low and threatening over the city. Everything was shrouded in shadows, as if night had become too impatient to wait for the end of the day. On days like this, the faint glow from the interior walls of the University was more noticeable.

Rothen sighed as, once they were in the University corridor, Dannyl's stride lengthened. He struggled to keep pace, then gave up.

'How strange,' he said to Dannyl's back. 'Your limp appears to have disappeared.'

Dannyl turned, then blinked in surprise as he saw how far Rothen had fallen behind. As he slowed his pace, the slight hesitation in his stride returned.

'Ah, there it is.' Rothen nodded. 'Why the hurry, Dannyl?'

'I just want to get it over with.'

'We're only handing in our reports,' Rothen told him. 'I'll probably end up doing most of the talking.'

'I was the one the High Lord sent off in search of the Thieves,' Dannyl muttered. 'I'll have to answer all his questions.'

'He's only a few years older than you, Dannyl. So is Lorlen, and he doesn't frighten all sense out of you.'

Dannyl opened his mouth to protest, then shut it again and shook his head. They had reached the end of the corridor.

Stepping up to the door of the Administrator's room, Rothen smiled when he heard Dannyl take a deep breath. At Rothen's knock, the door swung inward, revealing a large, sparsely furnished room. A globe light hovered above a desk at the far end, illuminating the dark blue robes of the Administrator.

Lorlen looked up and beckoned to them with his pen.

'Come in, Lord Rothen, Lord Dannyl. Take a seat.'

Rothen looked around the room. No black-robed figure reclined in any of the chairs or lurked in the dim corners. Dannyl let out a long sigh of relief.

Lorlen smiled as they settled into the chairs in front of his desk. Leaning forward, he took the leaves of