The High Lord

with the King many times. Believe me, he would not have made this decision if he did not feel there was no better option.'

'What about Akkarin?' another magician called. 'Why not call him back?'

'The King considers this the wiser path,' Lorlen replied stiffly.

No more questions came. Lorlen nodded.

'You have half an hour to consider. If you wish to nominate someone, please speak to Lord Osen.'

He watched as magicians left their seats and gathered in small groups to discuss the King's order. Some approached Lord Osen directly. The Higher Magicians were uncharacteristically silent. Time seemed to slow. When the half-hour had ended, Lorlen rose and struck the gong beside his seat.

'Please be seated.'

As the magicians returned to their places, Osen climbed the stairs to Lorlen.

'This will be interesting,' Director Jerrik murmured. 'Who do they consider worthy of this dubious honor?'

Osen's shoulders lifted. 'No surprises. They suggest Lord Sarrin, Lord Balkan, Lady Vinara or,' he looked at Lorlen, 'Administrator Lorlen.'

'Me?' Lorlen exclaimed, before he could stop himself.

'Yes.' Osen looked amused. 'You're very popular, you know. One magician suggested that a King's Advisor should take on the burden.'

'Interesting idea.' Balkan chuckled, then quite deliberately looked up at the topmost row of chairs. Lord Mirkan blinked down at him, his face changing from watchfulness to sudden anxiety. 'Let the King face whatever consequences this may lead to.'

'He would find himself a new Advisor within a day,' Vinara said flatly. She looked at Lorlen. 'Let's get this over with, then.'

Lorlen nodded and turned to the Hall. 'Nominations for the role of... black magician are as follows: Lord Sarrin, Lord Balkan, Lady Vinara, and myself.' Surely they won't choose me, he thought. What if they do? 'Nominees will abstain from the vote. Please create your lights.'

Hundreds of globe lights floated up to the ceiling. Lorlen's heart was beating too fast. He kept hearing Osen's comment, repeating in his mind. 'You're very popular, you know.' The possibility that he might lose his position as Ambassador and force himself to learn what Akkarin had admitted was evil magic turned his blood to ice.

'Those in favor of Lord Sarrin, change your lights to purple,' he ordered. 'Those in favor of Lord Balkan, choose red. For Lady Vinara, choose green.' He paused and swallowed. 'For myself, blue.'

Some of the globe lights had begun to take on color before he had finished, as magicians anticipated that Lorlen would suggest the color of each candidate's robes. Slowly, the remaining white globe lights changed.

It's close, Lorlen thought. He started counting...

'Sarrin,' Balkan said.

'Yes, I get that result, too,' Vinara confirmed. 'Though you were their second choice.'

Lorlen breathed a sigh of relief as he realized they were right. He looked down at Sarrin, then felt a pang of sympathy. The old magician looked pale and ill.

'Lord Sarrin will be our defender,' Lorlen announced. Looking closely at the audience, he saw reluctant acceptance on most faces. 'He will relinquish his role as Head of Alchemy and begin learning black magic immediately. I now declare this Meet ended.'

'Wake up, little Sonea.'

Sonea grew aware of her surroundings with a start. She saw with surprise that her horse had stopped. Looking around, she found Dorrien watching her with an odd look on his face. They had pulled up by a road leading to a house, and Akkarin was nowhere to be seen.

'He's gone to get us some food,' Dorrien explained.

She nodded, then yawned and rubbed her face. When she looked at Dorrien again, he was still watching her thoughtfully.

'What are you thinking?' she asked.

He looked away and smiled crookedly. 'I was thinking that I should have kidnapped you from the Guild while I had the chance.'

She felt a familiar pang of guilt. 'The Guild wouldn't have let you. I wouldn't have let you.'

He lifted an eyebrow. 'No?'

'No.' She avoided his eyes. 'It took a lot before I really decided I wanted to stay and learn magic. It would take a lot more to make me change my mind.'

He paused. 'Do you... do you think you would have been tempted?'

She thought back to the day they went to the spring together, and his kiss, and she couldn't help smiling. 'A little. But I hardly knew you, Dorrien. A few weeks isn't enough time to be sure about someone.'

His eyes flickered over her shoulder. She turned to see that Akkarin was riding toward them. With his short beard and simple clothing, she doubted he would be recognized. Anyone looking closely would notice he rode too well, however. She would have to point this out.

'And you're sure now?'

She turned back to Dorrien. 'Yes.'

He let out a long breath, then nodded. Sonea looked at Akkarin again. His expression was grim and hard.

'Though it took a lot to convince him,' she added.

Dorrien made a choking noise. She turned, cursing herself for making such a thoughtless comment, only to have him burst into laughter.

'Poor Akkarin!' he said, shaking his head. He looked at her sideways and shook his head. 'You're going to be a formidable woman one day.'

Sonea stared at him, then felt her face grow hot. She tried to think of a retort, but the words refused to come. Then Akkarin reached them and she gave up.

As he handed her a bread roll, Akkarin looked at her closely. She felt her face warming again. His eyebrows rose, and he looked at Dorrien speculatively. The Healer smiled, tapped his heels against his horse's flank and started forward.

They moved on, eating as they rode. An hour later, they arrived at a small village. She and Akkarin dismounted and handed the reins of their horses to Dorrien, and the Healer left to find fresh mounts.

'So what were you and Dorrien discussing before?' Akkarin asked.

She turned to regard him. 'Discussing?'

'Outside the farmhouse when I was buying the food.'

'Oh. Then. Nothing.'

He smiled and nodded. 'Nothing. Amazing subject, that one. Produces such fascinating reactions in people.'

She regarded him coolly. 'Perhaps it's a polite way of saying it's none of your business.'

'If you say so.'

She felt a flash of irritation at the knowing look on his face. Was she so easy to read? But if I can guess his moods now, he can probably read mine just as easily.

He yawned, then closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he looked more alert. When was the last time we slept? she thought. The morning after we slipped through the Pass. Before then? A few hours' sleep each day. And for the first half of our journey, Akkarin hadn't slept at all...

'You haven't had any more nightmares,' she said suddenly.

Akkarin frowned. 'No.'

'What did you dream about?'

He gave her a sharp look, and she instantly regretted the question.

'Sorry,' she said, 'I shouldn't have asked.'

Akkarin drew in a deep breath. 'No, I should tell you. I dream of events that happened when I was a slave. Mostly events concerning one person.' He paused. 'Dakova's slave girl.'