The High Lord

'It will make no difference if you tell us now,' Balkan said: 'They know about Sonea. They have probably guessed that Akkarin is with her, just as we have.'

Dorrien's shoulders slumped.

'Yes, they're here. Five days ago Sonea and Akkarin came through the South Pass. I brought them to the city.'

Balkan frowned. 'Why didn't you send them back to Sachaka?'

'I tried. In fact, they were cooperating when an Ichani attacked us. We barely survived. Then the Fort was attacked. After that, I knew everything Akkarin had said was true.'

'Why didn't you tell anyone about this?' Rothen asked.

'Because if the Guild knew Akkarin was here, the Ichani would read it from the minds of their victims. Akkarin knew he and Sonea had a better chance of killing them one by one, but if the Ichani knew he was here they would stay together.'

Balkan nodded. 'He knew we would be defeated. So what did he—'

A rumble came from the city. Rothen turned and walked toward the Entrance Hall, then glanced back at Balkan.

'Another one. Closer, too. What do you think is happening?'

The Warrior shrugged. 'I don't know.'

A cloud of dust billowed up from somewhere in the Inner Circle.

'We might see better if we go up onto the roof,' Dorrien suggested.

Balkan glanced at Dorrien, then started toward the stairs. 'Come on, then.'

The Warrior led them to the third level, then through the passages to a staircase. A short climb later, they reached the door to the roof. Balkan led them out and to the front of the University. A narrow raised walkway enabled them to see over the facade to the houses of the Inner Circle.

They watched in silence. After a long pause, another boom echoed from the city center and dust billowed up.

'The whole front of that house has fallen,' Dorrien said, pointing.

'So they're destroying houses now,' Rothen said. 'Why waste their power?'

'To draw Akkarin out,' Balkan replied.

'And if destroying the Inner Circle doesn't work, they'll come here,' Dorrien added.

Balkan nodded. 'Then we'd better be ready to leave as soon as they arrive.'

The journey through the tunnels seemed endless. The farther they travelled, the greater Dannyl's amazement. He had passed through passages under the slums, years before, when he had been negotiating with the Thieves for Sonea's release, and had assumed that they extended no farther than the Outer Wall. Now he could see the Thieves had not only dug under the Quarters, but had even tunnelled under the Inner Circle.

He glanced back at his companions. Tayend looked as cheerful as ever. Farand wore an expression of astonishment. The young magician hadn't believed it at first, when Dannyl had returned to the house to tell him that Imardin's underworld had arranged to get them out of the city.

Their guide stopped before a large door guarded by two enormous men. At a word from the guide, one of the guards rapped on the doors. The sound of heavy bolts sliding out of their housings followed, then the doors silently swung open.

A short corridor followed, occupied by more guards. It ended at a second pair of doors. These were unbolted and pushed open to reveal a large, crowded room.

Dannyl gazed around the room, then chuckled. He'd had too many surprises in the last few hours to feel more than a mild amusement now.

The room was full of magicians. A few were lying on makeshift beds, Healers hovering beside them. Some were helping themselves to platters of food on large tables at the center of the room. Others relaxed in comfortable-looking chairs.

So who has survived? Dannyl thought. He looked around and noted that, of the Higher Magicians, only Director Jerrik, Lord Peakin, Lady Vinara and Lord Telano were present. He continued searching, but could not see Rothen anywhere.

Perhaps he didn't make it back to the city, he thought. The brief mental communication between the Ichani and Sonea had filled Dannyl's heart with hope. He had found Tayend, and might still find his mentor alive, too.

Unless Kariko was lying.

Then as a few of the magicians moved away from the food tables, Dannyl saw the richly dressed man sitting at the end of the room, and found he was still capable of being surprised.

So this is where the King got to, he thought. Before he could decide what protocol required in this situation, the monarch looked at Dannyl, nodded once, then turned back to his companion. His expression clearly indicated he didn't want to be interrupted.

The enormous man he was speaking to looked familiar. Dannyl smiled as he realized where he had seen the large man before. This was Gorin, the Thief Dannyl had negotiated with over Sonea's release.

The King talking to Thieves. Dannyl chuckled to himself. Now I've seen everything.

'So,' Tayend said. 'Are you going to introduce me?'

Dannyl glanced at the scholar. 'I guess so. I should start with the Higher Magicians.'

He started toward Lord Peakin. The Alchemist was talking to Davin and Larkin.

'Ambassador,' Peakin said as he saw Dannyl approaching, 'do you have any news?'

'According to my guide, all but three Ichani are dead,' Dannyl replied. He turned to Tayend. 'This is Tayend of Tremmelin, who has been visiting Imar—'

'Have you seen Sonea? Is Akkarin with her?' Davin asked with barely restrained excitement.

'No, I haven't seen her,' Dannyl replied carefully. 'So I wouldn't know if Akkarin is with her.' He glanced at Farand, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. Akkarin had instructed them to keep his presence a secret, and Dannyl wasn't going to reveal anything until he had to.

Davin looked disappointed. 'Then how is it possible that so many Ichani are dead?'

'Perhaps it's just Sonea's work,' Larkin suggested.

The other magicians looked skeptical.

'I know the Thieves killed one on their own,' Tayend said. 'The one called Faren told me about it.'

Peakin shook his head. 'Thieves defeating Ichani. Doesn't that make us look incompetent.'

'Any other news?' Larkin asked.

Dannyl glanced around the room. 'Is Lord Osen here?'

The Alchemists shook their heads.

'Oh.' Dannyl glanced from one magician to another, then sighed. Then they didn't know about Lorlen. 'Then I do have news, but it is not good.'

The storeroom hummed with voices. A small crowd had formed in the last hour. The two Thieves, Ravi and Sevli, had arrived after the news came that the Ichani woman had entered the passages. Soon after, Senfel had recited a short mental communication between the woman, Kariko and Sonea. They had been waiting in tense silence for more news, when Takan announced that Akkarin and Sonea had killed the woman.

Everyone had forgotten the servant's presence, but now that he had reminded them of his link to Akkarin, he was being subjected to a stream of questions he clearly couldn't answer.

Gol caught Cery's eye. He looked sullen and unhappy. Cery knew it was because he had slipped away to visit the Palace alone. He felt a little guilty about that. Gol was supposed to be his protector.

Thinking back to his encounter with the Ichani, Cery considered what might have happened if Gol had been with him. He could have ordered his second to lure the Ichani away. Would he have been able to do so, knowing it would lead to Gol's death? Would Gol have obeyed, or even suggested it? Cery had found Gol to be nothing but loyal, but was he that loyal?

Interesting questions, Cery thought, but I'm glad I didn't have to find out the answers.

Cery frowned. What would Gol think of Savara if he knew what she'd done? They