The High Lord

She stopped sending power. As he released her hands she took a step back. He glanced at Takan, then nodded at her.

'Thank you, Sonea. Now, get some rest. Give Takan a copy of your schedule in the morning so that we can work around your Warrior Skills classes. If you are still willing, we will continue with this tomorrow night.'

Sonea nodded. She took a step toward the door, then stopped and bowed.

'Good night, High Lord.'

His stare was unwavering. 'Good night, Sonea.'

Her heart was pounding again. As she climbed the stairs she realized it was not with fear anymore. It was racing with a strange kind of excitement.

I might not be helping him in the way I expected, she thought, but I am helping.

Then she chuckled ruefully. But I might not be so happy about that when he starts assisting in my Warrior Skills lessons!

10 An Unexpected Adversary

As Rothen waited for the last of his pupils to arrive, he looked out of the window. Longer, warmer days were turning the gardens into a labyrinth of green. Even the gray High Lord's Residence looked welcoming in the bright morning light.

As he watched, the door to the residence opened. He felt his heart skip as Sonea stepped out. It was a late start for her, he realized. According to Tania, she still rose at dawn.

Then a taller figure emerged, and Rothen felt his entire body tense. The folds of Akkarin's black robes were almost gray in the bright sunlight. The High Lord turned to Sonea and spoke. Her lips curled up into a small smile. Then the pair straightened and started toward the University, their expressions sober again. Rothen watched them until they moved out of sight.

Turning away from the window, he shivered. A chill had caught hold of him, and wouldn't let go.

She had smiled at Akkarin.

It had not been a polite, forced smile. Nor an open, unguarded smile. It had been sly and secretive.

No, he told himself. I'm just seeing that which I most fear because it's what I'm always watching for. She was probably smiling to deceive or mollify Akkarin. Or perhaps she had found some comment he made amusing, was enjoying a little joke at his expense...

But what if she hadn't been? What if there's another reason?

'Lord Rothen?'

Turning, he saw that the rest of the class had arrived and were patiently waiting for him to begin. He managed a rueful smile, then moved toward the desk.

He could not charge out of the classroom and demand an explanation from Sonea. No, for now he must put her out of his mind and concentrate on teaching. But later he would consider carefully what he had seen.

And watch her more closely.

As the carriage pulled away, Dannyl strode up to the door of Dem Marane's house and pulled on the bell cord.

He yawned, then drew on a little magic to soothe away weariness. A week had passed since Tayend had shown him the book, and many secret meetings had been held with Ambassador Errend and other Elyne magicians in preparation for this night. Now they would know if their plans would be successful.

Footsteps drew close to the door, then it opened and the master of the house bowed gracefully.

'Ambassador Dannyl. A pleasure to see you again. Please come in.'

'Thank you.' Dannyl stepped inside.

'Where is young Tremmelin?' the Dem asked.

'With his father,' Dannyl replied. 'They had a family matter to discuss. He sends his regards and said to tell you the book is enlightening and he will finish reading it tonight. I know he would much prefer to be talking to you and your friends than dealing with family business.'

Royend nodded and smiled, but his eyes expressed wariness. 'I shall miss his company.'

'How is Farand? No unintended events?' Dannyl asked, letting a hint of anxiousness enter his tone.

'No.' The Dem hesitated. 'One intentional one, however. Being young and impatient, he could not resist trying to do something.'

Dannyl let alarm show in his face. 'What happened?'

'Just another little fire.' The Dem smiled crookedly. 'I had to buy his host another bed.'

'The same hosts as last time?'

'No. Once again, I have moved Farand. I felt it prudent, for all our sakes, to move him away from the city, in case his little accidents grew so dramatic they started to draw unwanted attention.'

Dannyl nodded. 'That was wise, though probably unnecessary. I hope he is not too far away. I can only stay a few hours.'

'No, not far,' the Dem assured him.

They had reached the doorway of the next room. Royend's wife, Kaslie, rose to greet Dannyl.

'Greetings, Ambassador. It is good to see you again. Do you think my brother will learn Control soon?'

'Yes,' Dannyl replied gravely. 'Either tonight, or the next time. It will not be long now.'

She nodded, obviously relieved. 'I can't thank you enough for your help.' She turned to Royend. 'Best be on your way, then, husband.'

There was a note of resentment in her voice. The Dem's mouth twitched into a crooked smile. 'Farand will be safe soon, my dear.'

Her frown only deepened. Dannyl kept his expression politely neutral. Tayend had observed that Kaslie rarely looked happy and sometimes appeared to be annoyed at her husband. He had guessed that she blamed Royend for her brother's situation because he had encouraged the young man to develop his abilities.

The Dem ushered Dannyl out of the house to a waiting carriage. It began to move before they had even settled into their seats. The windows were covered.

'For the protection of Farand's hosts,' the Dem explained. 'I may be willing to allow you to know my identity and residence, but there are others in the group who are less trusting. They have allowed Farand to stay with them only if I take these precautions.' He paused. 'Do you think me a fool for trusting you?'

Dannyl blinked in surprise. He considered the question, then shrugged. 'I expected you to take smaller steps. Arrange a few tests of my honesty, perhaps. But you couldn't; Farand needed help. You took a risk, but I'm sure it was a calculated one.' He chuckled. 'You would have had a few escape routes in place, and probably still have.'

'And you have Tayend to protect.'

'Yes.' Dannyl smiled good-naturedly. 'What I am waiting to discover is whether I will find myself no longer welcome in your house once I have taught Farand Control?'

The Dem laughed quietly. 'You'll just have to wait and find out.'

'And I expect I don't have to remind you of all the wonderful things I could teach Farand, once he has learned Control.'

Royend's gaze brightened. 'Please do.'

For the next hour they discussed uses of magic. Dannyl took care to describe only what was possible, not how it was done, and the Dem was obviously aware he was being deliberately evasive. Finally, the carriage slowed to a stop.

The Dem waited until the door opened, then gestured for Dannyl to exit. It was dark outside, and Dannyl automatically created a globe light. It illuminated a tunnel, the brick walls glistening with moisture.

'Put that out, please,' the Dem requested.