The High Lord

would not find me a suitable representative of the Guild at all.'

'Ah,' Tayend interjected quietly, 'but is it that you are unsuited to the Guild, or the Guild is unsuited to you?'

Royend chuckled at the comment. 'Yet they offered you a role as Ambassador.'

Dannyl shrugged. 'And it brought me here. I have often wished that the Guild had been formed in a less rigid culture. Differences in viewpoint stimulate debate, which improves understanding. Recently I have had more reason to wish this were so. Tayend has great potential. It is a great pity he cannot develop it simply because Kyralians do not tolerate men of his nature. There are some things I can teach him, without breaking Guild law, but not nearly enough to do his talents justice.'

The Dem's gaze sharpened. 'Have you?'

'No,' Dannyl shook his head, 'but I'm not averse to bending the Guild rules a little for his benefit. I killed a man once to save Tayend's life. Next time I might not be around to help him. I would like to teach him to Heal, but then a line would have been crossed, and I might place him in even greater danger.'

'From the Guild?'

'Yes.'

The Dem smiled. 'Only if they found out. It is a risk, but is it worth taking?'

Dannyl frowned. 'I would not take a risk like that without first planning for the worst. If it should ever be discovered that Tayend has learned magic, he must be able to evade the Guild. He has nobody to turn to but his family and his friends in the library - and I fear they could do little.'

'What about you?'

'There is nothing that frightens the Guild more than a fully trained magician turned rogue. If I disappeared, they would be much more determined to find us both. I would stay in Capia, and do what I could to help Tayend avoid capture.'

'It sounds as if you need others to protect him. People who know how to hide a fugitive.'

Dannyl nodded.

'And what would you be prepared to give in return?'

Narrowing his eyes, Dannyl regarded the man. 'Nothing that could be used to harm others. Not even the Guild. I know Tayend. I would be sure of the intentions of others before I trusted them as I trust him.'

The Dem nodded slowly. 'Of course.'

'So,' Dannyl continued, 'what do you think Tayend's protection would cost?'

Dem Marane picked up the bottle and refilled his glass. 'I can't say for sure. It is an interesting question. I would have to ask some colleagues of mine.'

'Of course,' Dannyl said smoothly. He stood and looked down at the man. 'I look forward to hearing their opinions. I'm afraid we must depart now. Tayend's family is expecting us.'

The Dem stood up and bowed. 'I have enjoyed our conversation, Ambassador Dannyl, Tayend of Tremmelin. I hope we have many more opportunities to further our acquaintance in the future.'

Dannyl inclined his head politely. He paused and passed a hand over the Dem's glass, warming the wine with a little magical heat. Smiling at the Dem's quick intake of breath, he turned away and walked to the door, Tayend following.

As they stepped into the corridor Dannyl looked back. The Dem was holding his glass cupped in both hands, his expression thoughtful.

6 The Spy

As always the door to the High Lord's Residence opened at the slightest touch. Stepping inside, Sonea was relieved and surprised to find only Takan waiting for her. He bowed. 'The High Lord wishes to speak to you, my lady.' Anxiety replaced relief. Was he going to give her another book to read? Would this be the book she dreaded: the one containing information about black magic?

Sonea took a deep breath. 'Then you'd better take me to him.'

'This way,' he said. He turned and started toward the right-hand stairway.

Sonea felt her heart skip a beat. That stairway led down to the underground room where Akkarin performed his secret, forbidden magic. It also, like the left-hand stairway, led up to the top floor, where the library and banquet room lay.

She followed Takan to the door. The stairwell was dark, and she could not see which way he had chosen until she created a globe light.

He was descending to the underground room.

She stopped, her heart racing, and watched him continue down. At the door to the room below, he halted and looked up at her.

'He will not harm you, my lady,' he assured her. Opening the door, he gestured for her to enter.

She stared at him. Of all places in the Guild - in the whole city - this was the one she most feared. She glanced back at the guestroom. I could run. It's not far to the guest room door... 'Come here, Sonea.'

The voice was Akkarin's. It was full of command, and a warning. She thought of Rothen, her aunt Jonna and uncle Ranel and her cousins; their safety depended on her cooperation. She forced herself to move.

Takan stepped aside as she reached the doorway. The underground room looked much as it had the previous times she had seen inside it. Two old, heavy tables had been placed against the left-hand wall. A lantern and a dark bundle of cloth lay on the closest table. Bookcases and cupboards stood against the other walls. Some showed signs of repair, reminding her of the damage the 'assassin' had done. In one corner was an old battered chest. Was this the chest that had contained the books on black magic?

'Good evening, Sonea.'

Akkarin was leaning back against a table, his arms crossed. She bowed. 'High L—'

She blinked in surprise as she realized he was wearing simple, roughly woven clothing. His trousers and coat were shabby, even threadbare in places. 'I have something to show you,' he told her. 'In the city.' She took a step back, instantly wary. 'What?'

'If I told you, you wouldn't believe me. The only way for you to know the truth is for you to see it for yourself.'

She read a challenge in his eyes. Looking at his plain clothes, she recalled him wearing similar ones, covered in blood.

'I'm not sure I want to see your truth.'

His mouth curled up at one corner. 'You've wondered why I do what I do since you first learned of it. Though I will not show you the how, I can show you the why. Someone should know, other than Takan and myself.'

'Why me?'

'That will become clear, in time.' He reached behind and picked up the dark bundle from the table. 'Put this on.' I should refuse to go, she thought. But will he let me? She stared at the bundle in his hands. And if I go, I might learn something that can be used against him later.

And what if he shows me something forbidden? Something that will get me thrown out of the Guild?

If it comes to that, I'll tell them the truth. I took the risk in the hope of saving myself, and the Guild.

She forced herself to approach him and take the bundle. As he let go, it unrolled and she found herself holding a long, black cloak. Taking hold of the clasp, she swung the garment around her shoulders and fastened it.

'Keep your robes well covered,' he instructed. He picked up the lantern and strode toward a wall. A section