The Magicians' Guild

paper that Rothen offered. 'I've been looking forward to reading your reports. I'm sure Lord Dannyl's will be fascinating.'

Dannyl winced but said nothing.

'The High Lord sends his congratulations.' Lorlen's eyes flickered from Rothen's to Dannyl's. 'And I offer mine as well.'

'Then we offer our thanks in return,' Rothen replied.

Lorlen nodded, then smiled crookedly. 'Akkarin is particularly pleased that he can sleep uninterrupted now there are no crude attempts at magic waking him through the night.'

Seeing Dannyl's eyes widen, Rothen smiled. 'I guess there are drawbacks to having such fine senses.'

He tried to imagine the High Lord pacing his rooms at night, cursing the elusive slum girl. The image didn't quite suit the solemn Guild leader. He frowned. How much interest was Akkarin going to take in Sonea now that she had been found?

'Administrator, do you think the High Lord will be wanting to meet Sonea?'

Lorlen shook his head. 'No. His main concern was that we might not find her before her powers became destructive - and the King had started to question our ability to take care of our own.' He smiled at Rothen. 'I think I understand why you are asking. Akkarin can be quite intimidating, especially to the younger novices, and Sonea will be easily frightened.'

'That brings me to another point,' Rothen said, leaning forward. 'She is easily frightened, and also very suspicious of us. It will take time for me to overcome her fear. I'd like to keep her isolated until she has gained some confidence, then begin introducing her to people one at a time.'

'That sounds sensible.'

'Fergun asked to see her this morning.'

'Ah.' Lorlen nodded and drummed his fingers on the table. 'Hmmm. I can see all the arguments he'll use to get his way. I could rule that nobody shall see her until she is ready, but I don't think he'll be satisfied until I specify what 'ready' is, and I've set a date.'

He rose and began to pace back and forth behind his desk. 'The two guardianship claims have complicated matters, too. People accept that, since you have plenty of experience in teaching Control, you should be the one to teach that to her. But if Fergun is excluded from Sonea's early training, people will support Fergun's claim for guardianship out of sympathy.' He paused. 'Can Fergun be one of these people you introduce to her?'

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.

Chapter 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?'