about their interest. Finally, as the sun began to send long beams of light into the room and he saw others leaving, Dannyl decided he could excuse himself without appearing rude. Once he had extracted himself from the sisters, he started toward the Palace entrance but before he reached it a man stepped out and addressed him.
“Ambassador Dannyl?” The man was thin, his hair cut very short, and his clothes were a dark green that was somber compared to the colors of the rest of the Elyne court.
Dannyl nodded. “Yes?”
“I am Dem Agerralin.” The man bowed. “How was your first day at court?”
The man’s name was familiar, but Dannyl could not remember why. “Pleasant and entertaining, Dem. I have made many new acquaintances.”
“But I see you are on your way home.” Dem Agerralin took a step back. “I will make you late.”
Suddenly Dannyl recalled where he’d heard the name before. Dem Agerralin was the man of “dubious associations” that Errend had spoken of. Dannyl looked closer. The Dem was a man in his middle years, he guessed. There was nothing obviously remarkable about him.
“I am in no hurry,” Dannyl said.
Dem Agerralin smiled. “Ah, that is good. There is a question I wish to ask you, if you will allow me.”
“Of course.”
“It is a private matter.”
Intrigued, Dannyl indicated that the man should continue. The Dem seemed to consider his words, then made an apologetic gesture.
“There is little that escapes the notice of the Elyne court and, as you might have guessed already, we have a fascination for the Guild and magicians. We are all very curious about you.”
“I have noticed.”
“So it should not surprise you that certain rumors have reached us about you.”
A chill prickled Dannyl’s skin. He carefully schooled his expression to one of surprise and puzzlement.
“Rumors?”
“Yes. Old ones, but ones that I and a few others have had cause to recall and reconsider since we learned you were coming to live in Capia. Do not be alarmed, my friend. Such matters are not considered as, ah, taboo here as they are in Kyralia, though it is not always wise to be too public about it. We are all very curious about you, so may I be so bold as to ask if those rumors had any truth to them?”
The man’s tone was hopeful. Dannyl realized that he was staring at the man in disbelief, and forced himself to look away. If a courtier asked such a question in Kyralia, it might start a scandal that could ruin a man’s honor and lower the standing of his House. In response, Dannyl ought to be outraged, and let the Dem know that such questions were inappropriate.
But the anger and bitterness he’d once felt toward Fergun for circulating such rumors had faded since the Warrior had been punished for blackmailing Sonea. And besides, though he had not found himself a wife to forever dispel those lingering suspicions, the Higher Magicians had still chosen him to be a Guild Ambassador.
Dannyl considered how he should reply. He was wary of offending the man. The Elynes must be less reserved than Kyralians, but how much? Ambassador Errend had called Dem Agerralin a man of “dubious associations.” In any case, it would be foolish to make an enemy on his first day at court.
“I see,” Dannyl said slowly. “I think I know the rumor you refer to. It seems I will never shake that one, though it’s been ten - no, fifteen - years since it started. The Guild, as you must know, is a very conservative place, which is why the novice who circulated that rumor knew it would cause me great difficulties with my peers. He was prone to making up all manner of stories about me.”
The man nodded, his shoulders dropping. “I see. Well, please forgive me for bringing up a painful subject. I had noted that the former novice you speak of is now living in the mountains - a fort, I believe. We had wondered about that one as well, since the one who denounces loudest is often most likely...”
Dem Agerralin let his sentence hang as a man drew near. Looking up, Dannyl was surprised to see Tayend approaching. Once again, he was impressed by the scholar’s striking appearance. Dressed in dark blue, his red- blond hair tied back, Tayend looked very much at place in the court. The scholar bowed gracefully, then smiled at them both.
“Ambassador Dannyl, Dem Agerralin.” Tayend inclined his head to both of them. “How are you, Dem?”
“Well,” the man replied. “And you? We haven’t seen you at court for a while, young Tremmelin.”
“Regrettably, my duties at the Great Library keep me away.” Tayend did not sound at all regretful. “I’m afraid I must steal Ambassador Dannyl from you, Dem. There is a matter I need to discuss with him.”
Dem Agerralin glanced at Dannyl, his expression unreadable. “I see. Then I must bid you goodbye, Ambassador.” He bowed, then strolled away.
Tayend waited until the man was out of hearing, then narrowed his eyes at Dannyl. “There’s something you should know about Dem Agerralin.”
Dannyl smiled wryly. “Yes, I think he made it clear what that is.”
“Ah.” Tayend nodded. “And did he bring up the matter of rumors concerning yourself?” As Dannyl frowned in dismay, the scholar nodded. “I thought he would.”
“Is everybody discussing this?”
“No, only a few people in certain circles.”
Dannyl wasn’t sure if he should be relieved at that news. “It’s been years since those accusations were made. I’m surprised they reached the Elyne court at all.”
“You shouldn’t be. The idea that a Kyralian magician might be a lad - which is the polite term here for men like Agerralin - is amusing. But don’t worry. It does sound like the usual name-calling between boys. If I may say so, you’re surprisingly calm, for a Kyralian. I was half afraid you’d blast poor old Agerralin to ashes.”
“I wouldn’t remain Guild Ambassador for long if I did.”
“No, but you don’t even seem angry.”
Again, Dannyl considered how to answer. “When you’ve spent half of your life denying such rumors, you come to sympathize with the kind of person you’re claimed to be. To have inclinations that are unacceptable, and to have to either deny them or undertake elaborate measures to hide them, would be a terrible way to live.”
“That is how it is in Kyralia, but not here,” Tayend said, smiling. “The Elyne court is both awful in its decadence, and wonderful for its freedom. We expect everyone to have a few interesting or eccentric habits. We love gossip, yet we don’t place too much faith in rumors. In fact, we have a saying here: ‘There’s always a bit of truth in each rumor; the trouble is finding out which bit.’ So, when are you coming to the library?”
“Soon,” Dannyl replied.
“I look forward to seeing you there.” Tayend took a step away. “But for now, I have another matter to attend to. Until then, Ambassador Dannyl.” He bowed.
“Until then,” Dannyl replied.
Watching the scholar stride away, Dannyl shook his head. He had gathered rumors and speculation about the Elyne courtiers like little prizes, never thinking that they would be doing the same regarding him. Did the entire court know of the rumor that Fergun had started so many years ago? Knowing that it was still discussed made Dannyl uneasy, but he could only trust that Tayend was right, and the court would not take such stories seriously.
With a sigh, he stepped through the Palace entrance and started down the long staircase to the Guild carriage.
7
The Great Library
Sonea hugged her books closer to her chest. It had been yet another day of constant pranks and insults. The week loomed before her like an endless trial. Only the fifth week, she reminded herself. Five long years stood between now and graduation.
Each day was exhausting. When she wasn’t enduring Regin and the other novices, she was going out of her
