The High Lord

Lorlen felt his heart sink.

- Could you ask Fergun and the Captain if anyone in the Fort or surrounding locality has noticed anything unusual going on in Sachaka?

- I will ask and tell you his reply tomorrow. He has requested that some magicians remain here in case Akkarin and Sonea try to return.

- Did you explain that it would make no difference?

- No, I didn't want to make them more nervous than they already are.

Lorlen considered the Captain's request.

- I'll leave that decision to Balkan.

- I'll tell him. There was a pause. I must go. The image of a hall with a large open fire and magicians taking seats at a long dining table reached Lorlen's mind. He smiled.

- Enjoy your meal, Osen. Thank you for informing me.

- Thank you for informing me, another voice replied. Lorlen blinked in surprise.

- Who was that? Osen asked.

- I don't know, Lorlen replied. He thought back over their conversation and shivered. If someone was waiting over the border, ready to ambush visitors, then they now knew Akkarin and Sonea were on their way.

Then he considered what might have been discussed by magicians in the last few days and his heart sank even further. We've been fools, Lorlen thought. Not one of us has really considered what it might mean if Akkarin's story is true.

- Balkan, he called.

- Yes?

- Please tell your men that all mental communication must cease from this moment. I will inform the rest of the Guild.

As Osen and Balkan's presence withdrew, Lorlen drew Akkarin's ring out of his pocket. His hands shook as he slipped it over his finger.

- Akkarin?

But silence was his only reply.

21 A Dangerous Road

Ninth day of the fifth month

We were forced to stop this morning when we encountered a landslip that had blocked the road. The servants have spent the day digging, but I fear we will not move on until tomorrow. I have climbed to the top of a hill. The mountains are now a dark line across the horizon. Looking ahead, I see dusty hills continuing to the north. These wastelands seem endless. Now I understand why Kyralian merchants do not often trade with Sachaka. It is an impossible journey, and Riko tells me it is easier for the Sachakans to trade with lands in the northeast. And, of course, they distrust the Guild...

A knock at the door interrupted Rothen. He sighed, lowered the book and willed the door open. Dannyl stepped into the room, his brow creased with a frown.

'Dannyl,' Rothen said, 'would you like some sumi?'

Dannyl closed the door, walked to Rothen's chair, and stared down at him. 'You volunteered to go to Sachaka?'

'Ah.' Rothen closed the book and set it down on the table. 'So they told you.'

'Yes.' Dannyl seemed to struggle for words. 'I want to ask why, but I don't have to. You're going to look for Sonea, aren't you?'

Rothen shrugged. 'In a way.' He gestured to a seat. 'Sit down. Even I feel uncomfortable when you're towering over me like that.'

Dannyl sat down and stared across the table at Rothen.

'I'm surprised the Higher Magicians agreed. They must have realized finding Sonea might become more important to you than discovering if the Ichani exist.'

Rothen smiled. 'Yes, they did consider that. I told them that if there was a choice between saving Sonea and completing the mission, I would choose to save Sonea. They accepted that condition because I have a better chance of persuading her to return - and because I am not the only spy.'

'Why didn't you tell me about this?'

'I only volunteered this morning.'

'But you must have been thinking about it before then.'

'Only since last night. After I watched you dealing with Garrel, I came to the conclusion that you don't really need my help.' Rothen smiled. 'My support, perhaps, but not my help. Sonea, however, does need my help. I've been unable to do anything for her for so long. Now I finally can.'

Dannyl nodded, but he did not look happy. 'What if Akkarin's story is true? What if you walk into a land ruled by black magicians? He said any Guild magician entering Sachaka would be killed.'

Rothen sobered. It was going to be a dangerous mission. He was not a little frightened by the possibility he would encounter the magicians Akkarin had described.

If the Ichani were not real, however, then Akkarin must have had a reason to invent them. Perhaps he'd done so simply to ensure the Guild allowed him to live. Perhaps it had been part of some greater deception. If that were so, he would be anxious to hide the truth. He might be the black magician who killed any Guild magician who entered Sachaka.

But surely he expected the Guild to investigate his claims. By telling them this story, he had ensured they would send spies into Sachaka. Rothen frowned. What if Akkarin had spun the tale so he could hunt down the magicians who entered Sachaka, kill them one by one for their strength?

'Rothen?'

Looking up, Rothen managed a wry smile. 'I know it's going to be dangerous, Dannyl. We're not going to blunder into Sachaka wearing robes and flaunting our magical abilities. We'll do everything we can to remain unnoticed.' He pointed to the book. 'Every record of journeys into Sachaka has been copied for us to study. We'll be questioning merchants and their servants. We're going to be trained by a professional spy, sent by the King, who will teach us to speak and behave like commoners.'

A reluctant smile pulled at Dannyl's mouth. 'Sonea would find that amusing.'

Rothen felt a familiar pang of grief. 'Yes. She would have, once.' He sighed. 'Well then, tell me about your meeting with the Higher Magicians. Did they ask any awkward questions?'

Dannyl blinked at the change of subject. 'A few. I don't think they approve of Tayend, but that was no surprise.'

'No,' Rothen agreed. He considered Dannyl closely. 'But you approve of him.'

'He is a good friend.' Dannyl met Rothen's gaze. There was a hint of defiance in his expression. 'Will I be expected to avoid him now?'

Rothen shrugged. 'You know what the gossips will say if you don't. But you can't let gossips run your life, and Elyne is Elyne. Everyone knows the social rules are different there.'

Dannyl's eyebrows rose slightly. 'Yes. What may be considered prudent here would be considered rude there.'

'Now, did you want a cup of sumi?'

Dannyl smiled and nodded. 'Yes, thank you.'

Standing up, Rothen took a step toward the cabinet where the sumi cups and leaves were kept, then froze.