The High Lord

He probably still doesn't know. Otherwise he wouldn't have encouraged me to continue my research. He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

'Tayend, I think it's time to tell Errend about the rebels. I may be taking that trip earlier than I thought.'

Sonea's heart beat faster as she approached the High Lord's Residence. All day she had been waiting for this moment. It had been difficult to concentrate during classes, even more difficult to endure Mien's attempts to make her punishment in the library as tedious as possible.

The gray stone building loomed over her in the darkness. She stopped to take one long deep breath and gather her courage, then she walked up to the door and brushed the handle with her fingers. It clicked open and swung inward.

As always, Akkarin was sitting in one of the guestroom chairs. His long fingers were curled around a glass filled with dark red wine.

'Good evening, Sonea. How were your lessons today?'

Her mouth was dry. She swallowed, drew another deep breath, stepped inside, and heard the door close behind her.

'I want to help,' she told him.

His eyebrows lowered, and he stared intently at her. She struggled to hold his gaze, but soon found herself looking at the floor. Silence stretched between them, then in one movement he stood and set the glass aside.

'Very well. Come with me.'

He walked to the door of the stairway leading to the underground room. Opening it, he gestured for her to enter. Her legs were unsteady, but she forced them to move.

As she reached him there was a knock at the main door, and they both froze.

'Go on,' he murmured to her. 'It is Lorlen. I will have Takan deal with him.'

For a moment, she wondered how he knew it was Lorlen. Then understanding came in a flash. The ring Lorlen wore did contain a gem like the one in the spy's tooth.

As she descended the stairs she heard a new set of footsteps in the guestroom above. Akkarin gently closed the stairway door and followed her down. She stopped outside the door to the underground room, then stepped aside as Akkarin reached her. The door opened at a touch of his hand.

The room beyond was dark, but it brightened as two globe lights appeared. She looked at the two tables, the battered old chest, and the bookcases and cupboards. Really, there was nothing threatening in there at all.

Akkarin appeared to be waiting for her to enter. She took a few steps inside, then turned to face him. He looked up at the ceiling and grimaced.

'He's gone. I have something to tell him, but it can wait.'

'Do you... should we do this later?' she ventured, half hoping he would agree.

The look he gave her was so direct, and predatory, she took a step backward.

'No,' he said. 'This is more important.' He crossed his arms, and the corner of his mouth lifted into a half- smile. 'Well then. How do you intend to help me?'

'I... you...' She was suddenly short of breath. 'By learning black magic,' she finally managed.

His smile vanished.

'No.' He uncrossed his arms. 'I cannot teach you that, Sonea.'

She stared at him, astonished. 'Then... then why did you show me the truth? Why did you tell me about the Ichani if you didn't mean for me to join you?'

'I never intended to teach you black magic,' he said firmly. 'I would not have you endanger your future in the Guild. Even if that did not concern me, I would not pass this knowledge on to anyone.'

'Then... how can I help you?'

'I intended...' He hesitated, then sighed and looked away. 'I intended you to be a willing source of power, as Takan is.'

A chill swept through her, but it quickly faded. Of course, she thought. That's what all this was leading to.

'The Ichani may never invade,' he said. 'If you learn black magic you will have risked your future for nothing.'

'It is a risk I'm willing to take,' she replied, her voice small in the large room.

Looking up, he fixed her with a disapproving stare. 'You would so easily break your vow?'

She held his gaze. 'If it was the only way I could protect Kyralia.'

His stare lost its fierceness. She could not name the expression that he wore now.

'Teach her, master.'

They both turned at this new voice. Takan was standing in the doorway of the room, regarding Akkarin intently.

'Teach her,' he repeated. 'You need an ally.'

'No,' Akkarin replied. 'What use is Sonea to me if I do? If I take her strength she is of no use as a black magician. If she is a black magician, who is she going to gather strength from? You? No. You already bear too much of that burden.'

Takan's gaze did not waver. 'Someone needs to know that secret other than you, master. Sonea does not need to use it, only be there to take your place if you die.'

Akkarin returned the servant's stare. For a long time they regarded each other in silence.

'No,' Akkarin said eventually. 'But... I will reconsider if they attack Kyralia.'

'By then it will be too late,' Takan replied quietly. 'They will not attack until they have removed you.'

'He's right,' Sonea interjected, her voice trembling. 'Teach me and use me as a source. I will not use black magic unless I have no other choice.'

He stared at her coldly. 'Do you know what the punishment is for learning and using black magic?'

She hesitated, then shook her head.

'Execution. No other crime earns such a punishment. Just seeking to learn about black magic will have you expelled from the Guild.'

A chill ran over her skin. His mouth twisted into a grim smile.

'But you can make yourself useful to me without committing a crime. There is no law against giving power to another magician. Indeed, you have already been taught to in Warrior Skills classes. The only difference is that I can store the power you give.'

She blinked in surprise. No knife? No cutting of the skin. But, of course, there was no need.

'A night's sleep was all you needed to recover most of your strength after facing Regin and his followers,' he continued. 'We should take care that you do not give too much power if you must tackle Warrior Skills classes the next day, however. And if you do intend to be capable of fighting these spies in my place, then I should take a hand in your training.'

Sonea felt a wave of dizziness sweep over her. Warrior Skills lessons? With Akkarin?

'Are you sure you want to do this?' he asked.

She took yet another deep breath. 'Yes.'

He frowned and considered her. a moment. 'I will take a little of your strength tonight. Tomorrow we will see if you still wish to help.'

He beckoned. 'Give me your hands.'

She walked forward and offered her hands. She shivered as his long fingers linked with hers.

'Send out your power, as you have learned to when channelling power to another in Warrior Skills class.'

Drawing power, she sent it flowing out of her hands. His expression changed slightly as he became conscious of the energy and drew it into himself. She wondered how he stored it. Even though she had been taught how to receive power from other novices, she had always channelled it into strikes or added it to her shield.

'Leave yourself some energy for classes,' he murmured.

She shrugged. 'I barely use any. Not even in Warrior Skills classes.'

'You will soon.' His grip loosened. 'That is enough.'