doubt him?
Then, in a flash, the reason came to him.
“Only you can understand why I want to keep her close by my side, Lorlen,” he said in a low voice. “She has enough to fear here already without being sent to live among those who would do her harm, where she might be vulnerable to more than just the other novices.”
Lorlen frowned, then his eyes widened slightly and he looked away. He straightened and nodded slowly. “I understand your concern. It must be frightening for her. But if I make a decision that goes against the opinion of the majority, it will draw attention. I do not feel she will be in any greater danger living in the Novices’ Quarters... but I will try to defer the decision as long as possible in the hope that this will blow over, as you believe it will.”
Rothen nodded. “Thank you.”
“And,” Lorlen added as an afterthought, “I shall keep a closer eye on this novice, Regin. Troublemakers are a problem that should be addressed long before graduation.”
“That would be appreciated,” Rothen replied.
Lorlen rose, and Rothen followed suit. For a moment their eyes met, and Rothen saw a raw, harassed look in Lorlen’s gaze that sent a shiver down his spine. Then Lorlen turned away and started toward the door to the Night Room.
Once there, they parted, Lorlen moving to his customary chair. As Rothen crossed to his own seat he caught several glances cast in his direction. He kept his expression sober and unconcerned. Yaldin looked up at him questioningly.
“Nothing of great concern,” Rothen said, dropping into his chair. “Now, where were we? Oh, yes. Being obvious. This is what you looked like...”
At the sound of the knock on her door, Sonea sighed. She stopped writing and, without turning, called out, “Come in.”
The door clicked open.
“There’s someone to see you, Lady Sonea,” Tania said in a strained voice.
Glancing over her shoulder, Sonea saw that a woman in green robes stood in the doorway of her bedroom. A black sash circled the woman’s waist. Sonea leapt to her feet and bowed quickly.
“Lady Vinara.”
Sonea looked at the Head of Healers carefully. It was hard to gauge the Healer’s mood, since Vinara’s expression always seemed to be stern and cold. The woman’s gray eyes seemed steelier than usual.
“It’s a little late to be studying,” Vinara noted.
Sonea glanced at her desk. “I’m working to catch up with the winter class.”
“So I’ve heard.” Vinara gestured at the door, which swung shut. Before it closed, Sonea caught a glimpse of Tania watching anxiously. “I wish to talk to you privately.”
Sonea indicated that Vinara could take her chair, then perched on the edge of the bed. She watched, her stomach tight with dread, as Vinara sat down and arranged her robes.
“Are you aware of certain rumors regarding Lord Rothen and yourself?”
Sonea nodded.
“I have come here to question you about them. You must be honest with me, Sonea. These are serious matters. Is there any truth in them?”
“No.”
“Lord Rothen has not made any improper suggestions?”
“No.”
“He’s not... touched you in any way?”
Sonea felt her face warming. “No. Never. It’s just a stupid rumor. Rothen has never touched me, or me him. It makes me sick to hear them say it.”
Vinara nodded slowly.
“I am glad to hear it. Remember, if you have any cause to be afraid, or if you have been coerced in any way, you do not have to stay here. We will help you.”
Sonea swallowed her anger. “Thank you, but there’s nothing going on here.”
Vinara’s eyes narrowed. “I must also tell you that, if these rumors were proven to be true, and you were a willing participant, your standing in the Guild would be damaged. At the least, you would lose Rothen’s guardianship.”
Of course. Regin would love that. It might be what he was aiming for all along. Sonea gritted her teeth. “If it comes to that, Lorlen can truth-read me again.”
Vinara straightened and looked away. “Let’s hope it does not come to that.” She sniffed. “Well, I am sorry I had to raise these delicate issues with you. You must understand that it is my duty to investigate. If you have anything you wish to discuss, please come and see me.” She rose and regarded Sonea critically. “You are exhausted, young woman. Too much study will make you sick. Get some sleep.”
Sonea nodded. She watched as Lady Vinara opened the door and glided out, then waited until she heard Tania close the main door to the apartments. Then she turned and pounded her pillow with her fists.
“I want to kill him!” she growled. “I want to sink him in the Tarali River with rocks tied to his feet so nobody ever finds his body.”
“Lady Sonea?”
Hearing the timid voice, Sonea looked up and tossed strands of her messed-up hair out of her eyes. “Yes, Tania?”
“Wh-who do you want to kill?”
Sonea threw the pillow back into place. “Regin, of course.”
“Ah.” Tania sat on the edge of the bed. “You had me worried for a moment. They’ve been questioning me, too. I didn’t believe it, of course, but they told me all these things to watch out for and... well... I...”
“Don’t worry, Tania,” Sonea sighed. “There’s only one person in the Guild who has ever tried something like that on me.”
The servant’s eyes widened. “Who?”
“Regin, of course.”
Tania scowled. “What did you do?”
Remembering, Sonea smiled. “Just a little trick I learned from Cery.” Standing up, she began to explain.
It was late when Lorlen returned to his office in the University. Earlier in the day Lord Osen, his assistant, had brought in a small box of mail. Rifling through, Lorlen had seen a small package from Elyne among the rest of the letters. He had set it aside to read later.
Brightening his globe light, Lorlen now retrieved the package. He opened it and regarded Dannyl’s elegant writing appreciatively. The young magician’s script was confident and neat. Lorlen settled back in his chair and started reading.
