magicians?
'Yes.' She looked up and met his eyes. 'But I need to think about it. I don't know you. I want to check this guardianship thing before I agree to anything.'
He nodded. 'I understand. Think on it, but do not take too long. Rothen has managed to convince Administrator Lorlen that he must keep everyone away from you - to keep the truth from you, no doubt - until you have learned Control. I risk much by defying that decision. I will try to visit again soon, but you must have an answer for me. I may not have a third opportunity.'
'I will.'
Looking at the door, he sighed. 'I had better go. It would do you no good if he found me here with you.'
Moving to the door, he opened it a crack and peered out. Pausing only to give her one last, grim smile, he slipped out. The door clicked shut behind him.
Alone again, Sonea sat and stared at the table, the magician's words running circles in her mind. She could not see any reason for Fergun to lie to her, but she would check every claim he had made: the blocking of powers, guardianship, and his story of broken dreams. By questioning Rothen carefully, she might trick him into confirming much of what Fergun had said.
But not tonight. She was too unnerved by the visit to be able to put on a calm face if Rothen returned. Rising, she entered her bedroom and closed the door.
Chapter 23
Rothen's Friend
'There were no classes today.'
Rothen looked up from the book he was reading. Sonea was leaning on the window sill, a small circle of mist forming on the glass from her breath.
'No,' he replied. 'It's a Freeday. We don't have classes on the last day of the week.'
'What do you do, then?'
He shrugged. 'That depends on the magician. Some visit the races, or pursue other sports and interests. Some visit their families.'
'What about novices?'
'The same, although the older novices usually spend the day studying.'
'And they still have to clear the paths.'
Her eyes were following the progress of something beneath the window. Guessing what it was, Rothen chuckled. 'Clearing the paths is one of many duties they're given during their first year of study. After that, they do chores only as punishment.'
She looked at him, her eyebrows rising. 'Punishment?'
'For childish pranks or being disrespectful to their elders,' he explained. 'They're a bit old for smacking.'
The corner of her mouth twitched, and she looked back out of the window. 'So that's why he looks so grumpy.'
Noting that her fingers were drumming softly on the frame of the window screen, Rothen sighed. For two days she had been learning rapidly, grasping the Control exercises faster than any novice he had taught before. Today, however, her concentration had failed several times. Though she kept it well hidden, showing that her mental discipline had improved, it had been clear that something was on her mind.
At first he had blamed it on himself. He had not told her of Dannyl's visit, believing that the prospect of meeting a stranger would distract her from her lessons. She had sensed that he was keeping something from her, and had become suspicious.
Realizing his error, he told her of the visit.
'I was wondering when I'd meet more of you,' she had said.
'If you don't want visitors tonight, I can tell him to come another time,' he had offered.
She had shaken her head. 'No, I'd like to meet your friend.'
Surprised and pleased by her reaction, he had tried to resume the lessons. She still had trouble keeping her attention on the exercises and he had sensed her frustration and impatience growing. Each time they had taken a break, she had returned to the window to stare outside.
He looked at her again and thought about how long she had been locked in his rooms. It was easy to forget that his living quarters were a prison to her. She must be tired of her surroundings, and was probably bored.
Which made it a good time to introduce her to Dannyl, he decided. The tall magician intimidated those who didn't know him, but his friendly manner usually put them quickly at ease. He hoped she would grow accustomed to Dannyl's company before Lorlen visited.
After that? Watching her drumming fingers, he smiled. He would take her out and show her the Guild.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. Rising, he opened the main door. Dannyl stood outside, looking a little tense.
'You're early,' Rothen noted.
Dannyl's eyes brightened. 'Should I come back later?'
Rothen shook his head. 'No, come in.'
Looking back, Rothen watched Sonea's face as Dannyl stepped into the room. She gave the tall magician an assessing look.
'Dannyl, this is Sonea,' he said.
'Honored to meet you,' Dannyl said, inclining his head.
Sonea nodded. 'And I you.' Her eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile crept over her face. 'I think we've met before.' She looked down. 'How is your leg?''
Dannyl blinked, then his mouth twitched into a half smile. 'Better, thank you.'
Covering his mouth, Rothen tried unsuccessfully to choke back a laugh. Pretending to cough, he waved toward the chairs. 'Sit down. I'll prepare some sumi.'
Sonea left the window and took a seat opposite Dannyl. The pair regarded each other warily. Moving to a side table, Rothen placed the utensils for making sumi onto a tray.
'How are your lessons going?' Dannyl asked.
'Good, I think. What about you?'
'Me?'
'You're teaching Rothen's class, aren't you?'
'Oh. Yes. It's ... challenging. I haven't taught anyone before, so I almost feel as if I've got more to learn than the novices.'
'What do you normally do?'
'Experiments. Small projects, mostly. Sometimes I assist with larger work.'
Rothen carried the tray to the table and sat down. 'Tell her about the thought imprinter,' he suggested.
'Oh, that's just a hobby.' Dannyl waved a hand dismissively. 'Nobody's interested in it.'
'What is it?' Sonea asked.
'A way to transfer images from the mind onto paper.'
Sonea's eyes brightened with interest. 'Can you do that?'
Dannyl accepted a cup of sumi from Rothen. 'No, not yet. Lots of magicians have tried over the centuries, but nobody's been able to find a substance that can hold a picture for long.' He paused to sip the hot drink. 'I've made up a special paper out of the leaves of anivope vines which can hold the image for a few days, but the edges blur and the colors start to lose their intensity after about two hours. Ideally, the picture would be permanent.'
'What would you use them for?'
Dannyl shrugged. 'Identification, for a start. It would have been handy to be able to do this when we were
