The Novice

cope.”

Lorlen nodded. I hope so. “Good night, Osen.”

“Good night, Administrator.”

The University corridor echoed with the young magician’s steps as he strode away. Walking into the Entrance Hall, Lorlen felt a cloud of dread gather around him. He stepped between the enormous doors and stopped at the top of the stairs.

Looking across the front of the gardens, he considered the High Lord’s Residence. He hadn’t been back since the night Akkarin had read his mind. Remembering sent a chill down his spine.

Taking a deep breath, he made himself think of Sonea. For her safety, he must make himself cross the garden and face Akkarin again. The High Lord’s invitation was not to be refused.

Lorlen forced himself to move. After a few steps, he quickened his pace. Better to get it over and done with. At the door to the residence he paused, heart beating quickly, then made himself knock. As always, the door swung inward at the first touch. Seeing that the room was empty, Lorlen sighed with relief. He stepped inside.

In the corner of his eye he saw a movement. A shadow detached itself from the dark rectangle of the right- hand stairway entrance. Akkarin’s black robes rustled quietly as he approached.

Black robes. Black magic. Ironically, black had always been the color of the High Lord. You didn’t have to take it so literally, Lorlen thought.

Akkarin chuckled. “Wine?”

Lorlen shook his head.

“Then sit. Relax.”

Relax? How could he relax? And he resented this friendly familiarity. Lorlen remained standing, and watched Akkarin move to the wine cabinet and pick up a bottle.

“How is Sonea?”

Akkarin’s shoulders lifted. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure where she is exactly. Somewhere in the University, I believe.”

“She’s not here?”

“No.” Akkarin turned and gestured to the chairs. “Sit.”

“Then how do you... you didn’t give her one of these rings?”

“No.” Akkarin took a sip of wine. “I’ve checked on her from time to time. She spent a few days exploring the University, and now that she’s found a few corners to hide in, she fills her time reading books. Adventure stories, from what I can tell.”

Lorlen frowned. He was glad that Akkarin hadn’t forced Sonea to stay in her room for the break, but hearing of her hiding in corners of the University confirmed how frightened and unhappy she must be.

“Are you sure you don’t want any wine? This year’s Anuren dark is very good.”

Lorlen glanced at the bottle, then shook his head. Sighing, he moved to a chair and sat down.

“Taking on her guardianship has not been as troublesome as I had feared,” Akkarin said quietly as he moved to his chair. “It complicates everything, but it is better than the alternative.”

Lorlen closed his eyes and tried not to think what the alternative might be. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then forced himself to meet Akkarin’s eyes.

“Why have you done this, Akkarin? Why black magic?”

Akkarin met his gaze levelly. “Of all people, Lorlen, you are one I wish I could tell. I saw it change how you regard me. If you had thought defeating me was possible, you would have sent the Guild against me. Why didn’t you ask what I was doing when you first learned of it?”

“Because I didn’t know what you would do.”

“After all the years we were friends, you didn’t trust me?”

“After what I saw in Sonea’s mind, I realized I didn’t know you at all.”

Akkarin’s brows rose. “That’s understandable. It is a powerful thing, this belief that black magic is evil.”

“Is it?”

Akkarin frowned, his eyes focusing far beyond the floor. “Yes.”

“Then why practice it?” Lorlen demanded. He held up the hand bearing the ring. “Why this?”

“I cannot tell you. Be assured, I’m not intending to take over the Guild.”

“You don’t have to. You’re already High Lord.”

The corner of Akkarin’s mouth curled up. “I am, aren’t I? Then be assured that I’m not about to destroy the Guild, or anything else you hold dear.” Putting down his glass, he rose and moved to the serving table. Filling another glass, he handed it to Lorlen.

“I will tell you one day, Lorlen. I promise you that.”

Lorlen stared at Akkarin. The dark eyes were steady. Lorlen accepted the glass and reassurance reluctantly.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Akkarin opened his mouth to reply, but stopped at a faint knock from the door. He straightened and narrowed his eyes.

The door swung open. The glow from Akkarin’s globe light barely reached Sonea’s eyes as she stepped inside, head bowed.

“Good evening, Sonea,” Akkarin said smoothly.

She bowed. “Good evening, High Lord, Administrator,” she replied in a quiet voice.

“What did you do today?”

She looked down at the books she was holding to her chest. “Some reading.”

“With the libraries closed, you must have little to choose from. Are there any books you would like to buy?”

“No, High Lord.”

“Other entertainments can be arranged if you wish.”

“No, thank you, High Lord.”

One of Akkarin’s eyebrows rose, and then he waved a hand. “You may go.”

Looking relieved, she hurried to the left-hand staircase. Lorlen felt a pang of guilt and sympathy as he watched her go.

“She must be miserable,” he murmured.

“Hmmm. Her reticence is irritating,” Akkarin said quietly, as if to himself. Moving back to his chair, he retrieved his glass of wine.

“So tell me, have Peakin and Davin resolved their little dispute yet?”

Leaning against the window, Rothen stared at the little square of light on the other side of the gardens. He had seen the slight figure approach the residence a few minutes before. A moment later the light had appeared. Now he was certain that the room behind that window was Sonea’s.

A light tap at the door drew his attention away. Tania walked inside, carrying a jug of water and a small jar. She set them down on the table.

“Lady Indria said you should avoid taking it on an empty stomach,” Tania told him.

“I know,” Rothen replied. “I’ve used it before.” He moved from the window and picked up the jar. The soporific was an innocuous gray, but he had never forgotten how vile it tasted.

“Thank you, Tania. You may go.”

“Sleep well,” she said. Bowing, she moved to the door.

“Wait.” Rothen straightened and regarded his servant carefully. “Would you... can you...?”

She smiled. “I’ll let you know if I overhear anything.”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

After she had left, he sat down and mixed some of the powder in water. Forcing himself to swallow it in one draft, he leaned back and waited for the drug to take effect. The taste brought back a memory of a face he sometimes thought he’d forgotten, and he felt a stab of pain.

Yilara, my wife. Even after all this time I still mourn you. But I suppose I would never forgive myself if I stopped.

He had resolved to always remember his wife as she had been when healthy, not as she had been at the