The High Lord

Different emotions crossed the woman's face. Concern and fear were followed by a crooked smile. 'You sure know how to get yourself into a lot of rub.' She looked around the room. 'They made me wait for hours. I thought I'd be cooking or something, but they told me I had some sort of magical ability, and I should help their magician.'

'Really?' Sonea ushered her aunt to the chair, then moved back to her own seat on the other side of the table. 'I must get my abilities from my mother's side, then. Give me your hand.'

Jonna offered her hand. Sonea took it and sent out her senses. She detected a small source of power. 'Not much. That's why they made you wait. How's Ranel and my little cousins?'

'Kerrel's growing fast. Hania's a crier, but I keep telling myself she'll grow out of it soon. If Ranel knew you were here, he would have come, but he thought he'd be no use because of his limp.'

'I'd love to see him. Perhaps after all this... I'm going to make a little cut on the back of your hand, if that's okay with you.'

Jonna's shoulders lifted. Sonea opened a box on the table and brought out the tiny knife that Cery had given her. He had reasoned that a small blade wouldn't frighten the dwells as much as a larger one. This one was so tiny, it had earned a few laughs.

Sonea nicked the back of Jonna's hand with the knife, then laid a finger over the cut. Like all the previous dwells, Jonna relaxed as Sonea drew energy from her. When Sonea stopped and healed the cut, the woman straightened.

'That felt... very strange,' Jonna said. 'I couldn't move, but I felt so sleepy that I didn't want to.'

Sonea nodded. 'That's what most people say it's like. I'm not sure I could do it if I knew it was unpleasant. Now, tell me what you and Ranel have been doing lately.'

The problems Jonna related seemed wonderfully simple and ordinary. Sonea listened, then told her aunt of everything that had happened since their last meeting, including some of her doubts and fears. At the end of the story, Jonna regarded her speculatively.

'It's hard to believe that the quiet little child I had to raise has grown into such an important person,' she said. 'And you with this Akkarin, the High Lord of the Guild and all.'

'He isn't any more,' Sonea reminded her.

Jonna waved a hand. 'Even so. How sure of him are you? Do you think you'll marry?'

Sonea felt her face heat. 'I... I don't know. I...'

'Would you agree?'

Marriage? Sonea hesitated, then slowly nodded.

'But you haven't talked about it, have you?' Jonna frowned leaned forward. 'You are being careful?' she murmured.

'There are...' Sonea swallowed. 'I know there are ways, with magic, of being sure a woman doesn't... It's one of the advantages of being a magician. Akkarin wouldn't want that.' She felt her face grow hotter. 'Not now, anyway. It wouldn't be wise, with all the fighting.'

Jonna nodded and patted Sonea's hand. 'Of course. Perhaps later, then. When all this is over.'

Sonea smiled. 'Yes. And when I'm ready. Which wouldn't be straightaway.'

The woman sighed. 'It's good to see you, Sonea. It's such a relief knowing you're back.' She sobered. 'But it isn't, too. I wish you were somewhere far away and safe. I wish you didn't have to fight these Sachakans. You... you will be careful?'

'Of course.'

'Don't try anything foolish.'

'I won't. I don't much like the idea of dying, Jonna. That's a strong deterrent against foolishness.'

A knock at the door interrupted them.

'Yes?' Sonea called.

The door opened, and Cery slipped inside carrying a large sack. He was grinning widely.

'Catching up?' he said.

'Did you arrange this?' Sonea asked.

'I might have,' Cery replied slyly.

'Thank you.'

He shrugged. Jonna rose. 'It's late. I must get back to my family,' she said. 'I've been gone too long already.'

Sonea stood and stepped around the table to hug her aunt again. 'Take care of yourself,' she said, 'Give Ranel a kiss for me. And tell him not to say anything about us being here. Not to anyone.'

Jonna nodded, then turned away and left the room.

'That was the last of them,' Cery said. 'I'll take you back to your rooms.'

'What about Akkarin?'

'He's waiting for you there. Come on.'

Moving to a door at the back of the room, he led her out into a corridor. At the end of it they entered a small cupboard. Cery untied a rope hanging from a hole in the roof and as he let it slip through his hands, the floor of the cupboard slowly descended.

'You make a good pair,' Cery said.

Sonea turned to frown at him. 'Me and Jonna?'

He grinned and shook his head. 'You and Akkarin.'

'You think so?'

'I hope so. I'm not sure I like him getting you into all this rub, but he seems just as worried about you surviving it as I am.'

The floor stopped before another door. Cery pushed it open and they stepped into a familiar passage. A few steps later, they were passing the large metal door to his guest rooms. Akkarin sat before a table laden with plates of fresh food, a glass of wine in his hand. Beside him sat Takan.

Akkarin looked up at Sonea and smiled. She noticed that Takan was regarding her closely, and began to wonder what they had been talking about before she arrived.

'Ceryni,' Akkarin said. 'Once again, you've provided for us generously.' He lifted his glass. 'Anuren dark, no less.'

Cery shrugged. 'No expense spared for the city's defenders.'

Sonea sat down and began eating. Though she was hungry, the food sat like stones in her belly and she soon lost her appetite when they began discussing their plans for tomorrow. They had not been talking long before Akkarin stopped and looked at her closely.

'Your power is detectable,' he said quietly. 'I need to teach you to hide it.'

Akkarin held out his hand. As she took it, she felt his presence grow strong at the edge of her mind. She closed her eyes.

- This is what I can sense.

At once she felt the power within him radiating out, like a glowing mist.

- I see it.

- You 're letting power leak through the barrier that surrounds your natural area of magical influence. You need to strengthen the barrier. Like this.

The glow faded to nothing. Concentrating on her own body, she sensed the store of power within her. She hadn't had the opportunity to consider how much strength she had gained from the dwells. She had tried to keep track of the volunteers, but lost count after thirty.

Now she marvelled at the immense power she held, contained by the barrier at her skin. But that barrier was only strong enough to contain her natural level of power. She must use some of the extra magic to strengthen it. Concentrating, she began sending a steady trickle of power to the barrier.

- That's it.

Instead of retreating, Akkarin's mind lingered.

- Look at me.

She opened her eyes. A shiver ran down her spine as she realized she could see and sense him at the same time. His expression was the thoughtful one he always wore when she caught him watching her... and now she knew with certainty what he was thinking of at those times. She felt her face flush, and the corner of his mouth curled upward.