The Magicians' Guild

The High Lord stood in the painting again, this time wearing a black cloak. The servant arrived and she sensed recognition from Lorlen.

- Takan.

It is done, the High Lord said, then removed his cloak to reveal the bloodstained clothes. He looked down at himself in disgust. Did you bring my robes?

At the servant's mumbled answer, the High Lord pulled off the beggar's shirt. Beneath it was the leather belt strapped to his waist and the dagger pouch. He scrubbed himself down, then moved out of sight and returned wearing black robes.

Reaching for the pouch, he removed the glittering dagger and began to wipe it on a towel. At this she sensed surprise and puzzlement from Lorlen. The High Lord looked up at the servant.

The fight has weakened me, he said. I need your strength.

Dropping to one knee, the servant offered his arm. The High Lord ran the blade over the man's skin, then placed a hand over the wound. Sonea felt an echo of the strange fluttering within her head.

- No!

A wave of horror swept over her. Startled by the force of Lorlen's emotions, Sonea's concentration snapped. The painting went black, then disappeared completely.

- It can't be! Not Akkarin!

- What is it? I don't understand. What did he do?

Lorlen seemed to gather his emotions to himself. His image slowly faded to nothing and she realized he had left her mind.

- Do not move or open your eyes. I must think this over before I face him again.

He was silent for several heartbeats, then his presence returned.

- What you have seen is forbidden, he told her. It is what we call black magic. By using it, a magician can take strength from any living creature, human or animal. For Akkarin to be using it is ... is terrible beyond belief. He is powerful - more powerful than any of us... Ah! This must be the reason for his extraordinary strength! If that is so, then he must have been practicing these vile arts before he returned from abroad...

Lorlen paused as he considered this.

- He has broken his vow. He should be stripped of his rank and expelled. If he has used these powers to kill, the penalty is death... but...

Sonea sensed anguish from the magician. Another long silence followed.

- Lorlen ?

He seemed to collect himself again.

- Ah, I am sorry, Sonea. He has been my friend since we were both novices. So many years ... and I had to find this!

When he spoke again there was a cold determination behind his sending.

- We must remove him, but not now. He is too powerful. If we confront him and he fights us, he could easily win - and each killing he made would make him stronger. With his secret revealed and no reason to hide his crime, he could kill indiscriminately. The entire city would be in danger.

Shocked by what he was describing, Sonea shivered.

- Do not fear, Sonea, Lorlen soothed. I will not allow that to happen. We can't confront him until we know we can defeat him. Until then, we must not let anybody know about this. We must prepare in secret. That means you must never speak of this to anybody. Do you understand?

- Yes. But... must you let him remain the Guild's leader?

- Unfortunately, yes. When I know we are strong enough, I will gather all the magicians together. I will have to move quickly, without warning. Until then, only you and I can know of this.

- I understand.

- I know you want to return to the slums, Sonea, and I would not be surprised if this discovery has increased your determination to leave, but I must ask you to stay. We will need all the help we can get when the time comes. Also, I fear that, though I do not like to think it, you may be an attractive victim for him. He knows you have strong powers. You would be a potent source of magic. With your powers blocked, and living out of the sight of those who would recognize the death brought by black magic, you would be the perfect victim. Please, for your sake and ours, stay here with us.

- You want me to live here, right under his nose?

- Yes. You will be safer here.

- If you couldn't find me without the Thieves' help, how would he?

- Akkarin has finer senses than the rest of us. He was first to know when you started using your powers. I fear he would find you easily.

She sensed that he truly feared for her safety. How could she argue with the Administrator of the Guild? If he believed she would be in danger, then she probably was.

She had no choice. She had to stay. To her surprise, she felt no anger or disappointment, only relief. Cery had told her that she should not consider herself a traitor by becoming a magician. She would learn to use her magic, master the skills of Healing, and, perhaps, one day, she would take what she knew and help the people she had left.

And it would be satisfying to thwart those magicians who, like Fergun, believed that dwells should not join the Guild.

- Yes, she sent. I will stay.

- Thank you, Sonea. Then there is one other we must trust with our secret. As your guardian, Rothen may have reason to go into your mind again, particularly when the time comes to teach you Healing. He may see what you have shown me today. You must tell Rothen about Akkarin, and of all that I have said to you today. I know he can be trusted to remain silent.

- I will.

- Good. Now I am going to release you and confirm Fergun's crime. Try not to show any fear of Akkarin. If it helps, don't look at him at all - and keep your thoughts buried deep.

Feeling his hands lift from her temples, she opened her eyes. Lorlen regarded her solemnly, his eyes bright, then his expression smoothed and he turned to face the Higher Magicians.

'She speaks the truth,' he said.

A shocked silence followed Lorlen's words, then the room began to buzz with exclamations and questions. Lorlen lifted a hand and the room fell silent again.

'Lord Fergun imprisoned this young man,' Lorlen gestured toward Cery, 'after he had told me he was going to escort him to the gates. He locked him in a room underneath the Guild, then told Sonea that he would kill her friend if she did not lie at this Hearing to confirm his story. Having won his claim, he intended to force her to break one of our rules, so that she would be publicly expelled.'

'Why?' Lady Vinara hissed.

'From what Sonea understands,' Lorlen answered, 'to dissuade us from offering a place in the Guild to other commoners.'

'She wanted to leave anyway.'

All eyes turned toward Fergun. He stared defiantly at the Higher Magicians.

'I'll admit I got a little carried away,' he said, 'but I only wanted to save the Guild from itself. You would have us welcome thieves and beggars into the Guild, without asking whether we, or the Houses, or even the King we serve, wishes it. It may seem a small thing to let a beggar girl into the Guild, but what will it lead to?' His voice rose. 'Will we let more of them in? Will we become a Guild of Thieves?'

A murmur followed and, looking at the magicians on either side, Sonea saw several heads shaking.

Fergun looked at her and smiled. 'She wanted to have her powers blocked so that she could return home. Ask Lord Rothen. He will not deny it. Ask Administrator Lorlen. I asked her to do nothing that she did not already