The High Lord

'I'll do what I can,' she promised.

Her throat was suddenly tight. As she reached Lorlen she turned to watch the servant leave. He bowed to Akkarin, then stepped into the passage. When he had disappeared into the darkness, the panel slid back into place.

Akkarin turned to face Lorlen, then looked down at the table and chairs beside him. The top part of his robes were still draped over the back of a chair. He picked up the black garment and shrugged into it.

'So, Administrator, how can Sonea and I help you in your investigations?'

15 Bad News

Rothen had just donned a fresh set of robes when he heard the door to his rooms open.

'Lord Rothen?' Tania called.

Hearing the urgency in his servant's voice, he hurried to the bedroom door. Tania was standing in the middle of the room, wringing her hands.

'What is it?' he asked.

She turned to regard him, her expression pained. 'The High Lord and Sonea were arrested last night.'

He drew in a breath, and felt hope and relief surge through him. Akkarin arrested at last! The Guild must have discovered his crime - and confronted him - and won!

But why would the Guild arrest Sonea, too?

Why indeed? Excitement withered away and was replaced by a familiar, nagging fear.

'What were they arrested for?' he forced himself to ask.

Tania hesitated. 'I only heard it fourth or fifth hand, Rothen. It could be wrong.'

'What for?' he repeated.

She grimaced. 'The High Lord was arrested for murdering Lord Jolen and his household, and for learning some kind of magic. Black magic, I think? What is that?'

'The evilest of all magics,' Rothen replied heavily. 'But what of Sonea? What was she arrested for?'

Tania spread her hands. 'I'm not sure. As his accomplice, perhaps.'

Rothen sat down in one of the guestroom chairs. He took a long, deep breath. The Guild would have to consider the possibility that Sonea was involved. That didn't mean she was guilty of the charges.

'I didn't bring any food,' Tania said apologetically. 'I knew you'd want to know as soon as possible.'

'Never mind,' he said. 'It doesn't look like I'll have time to eat this morning, anyway.' He rose and took a step toward the door. 'I think I had better have a little chat with Sonea.'

Tania's smile was strained. 'I thought you might. Let me know what she says.'

The young man sitting opposite Dannyl in the carriage was painfully thin. Though Farand had recovered well enough to walk in the week since his poisoning, it would still be some time before he regained his full strength. But he was alive, and very grateful for it.

Dannyl had watched over the young man night and day throughout the voyage. It had been easy enough to hold back sleep and weariness with his Healing powers, but doing so always took a toll. After a week, he felt almost as bad as Farand looked.

The carriage turned into the Guild gates. Farand drew in a quick breath as the University came into view.

'It's beautiful,' he breathed.

'Yes.' Dannyl smiled and looked out of the window. Three magicians stood at the bottom of the stairs: Administrator Lorlen, Expatriate Administrator Kito and Lady Vinara.

Dannyl felt a little twinge of anxiety and disappointment. He had hoped the High Lord would meet him. But he'll probably want to discuss everything in private.

The carriage pulled up in front of the stairs, and Dannyl climbed out. As Farand followed, the three Higher Magicians regarded him with wary curiosity.

'Ambassador Dannyl,' Lorlen said. 'Welcome back.'

'Thank you, Administrator Lorlen. Administrator Kito, Lady Vinara,' Dannyl replied, inclining his head. 'This is Farand of Darellas.'

'Welcome, young Darellas,' Lorlen said. 'I'm afraid you will find us somewhat preoccupied with another matter in the next few days. We will make you as comfortable as possible, and deal with your unique situation as soon as this other matter is resolved.'

'Thank you, Administrator,' Farand replied uncertainly.

Lorlen nodded, then turned away and started up the University stairs. Dannyl frowned. There was something odd in Lorlen's manner. He seemed even more harassed than usual.

'Come with me, Farand,' Vinara said to the young man. She looked at Dannyl and her expression became grim. 'Get some sleep, Ambassador. You need to make up for what you've lost.'

'Yes, Lady Vinara,' Dannyl agreed. As she led Farand away, he looked at Kito questioningly.

'What is this other matter that Administrator Lorlen spoke of?'

Kito sighed heavily. 'Lord Jolen was murdered last night.'

'Murdered?' Dannyl stared at him. 'How?'

The magician grimaced. 'With black magic.'

Dannyl felt his face grow cold. He glanced at the carriage where the book lay deep within his travel trunk.

'Black magic? Who...?'

'The High Lord has been arrested,' Kito added.

'Akkarin!' Dannyl felt the chill spread through his body. 'Not him!'

'I'm afraid so. The evidence is damning. He has agreed to assist with our investigations. There will be a Hearing tomorrow.'

Dannyl barely heard him. Strange coincidences and occurrences were shifting into new places in his mind. He thought of the research Lorlen had asked him to begin, then cease. He thought of Rothen's sudden interest in the same information - just after Sonea had become Akkarin's favorite. He thought of what the Dem's book had revealed. Ancient magic - higher magic - was black magic.

He'd assumed Akkarin's search had ended without this discovery.

It seemed he was wrong.

Had Lorlen suspected this? Had Rothen? Was this the reason for the research?

And I was going to give that book to Akkarin!

'We will discuss the rogue after the Hearing,' Kito said.

Dannyl blinked, then nodded. 'Of course. Well, I had best obey Lady Vinara's orders.'

The Vindo magician smiled. 'Sleep well, then.'

Dannyl nodded, then started toward the Magicians' Quarters. Sleep? How could he sleep after learning this?

I continued this research with Akkarin's blessing, and I've got a book on black magic in my trunk. Will that be enough for me to appear guilty of the same crimes? I could hide the book. I'm certainly not going to be giving it to Akkarin... or discussing anything with him.

He drew in a quick breath as he realized what this meant for him personally. Who was going to believe Akkarin now, when he explained that Dannyl and Tayend's relationship was just a ruse to entrap the rebels?

The last time Sonea had been inside the Dome had been during her training for the Challenge. It was a huge, hollow stone sphere, once the practice room of Warriors. The Guild had abandoned it after the Arena had been built, but she had used it while preparing for the fight with Regin so that her lessons would not be observed by him or his supporters. Akkarin had strengthened the walls to ensure she did not damage them. Ironically, his magic was now helping to keep her imprisoned.