The Novice

by Trudi Canavan

  Lorlen frowned, then his eyes widened slightly and he looked away. He straightened and nodded slowly. “I understand your concern. It must be frightening for her. But if I make a decision that goes against the opinion of the majority, it will draw attention. I do not feel she will be in any greater danger living in the Novices’ Quarters…but I will try to defer the decision as long as possible in the hope that this will blow over, as you believe it will.”

  Rothen nodded. “Thank you.”

  “And,” Lorlen added as an afterthought, “I shall keep a closer eye on this novice, Regin. Troublemakers are a problem that should be addressed long before graduation.”

  “That would be appreciated,” Rothen replied.

  Lorlen rose, and Rothen followed suit. For a moment their eyes met, and Rothen saw a raw, harassed look in Lorlen’s gaze that sent a shiver down his spine. Then Lorlen turned away and started toward the door to the Night Room.

  Once there, they parted, Lorlen moving to his customary chair. As Rothen crossed to his own seat he caught several glances cast in his direction. He kept his expression sober and unconcerned. Yaldin looked up at him questioningly.

  “Nothing of great concern,” Rothen said, dropping into his chair. “Now, where were we? Oh, yes. Being obvious. This is what you looked like…”

  At the sound of the knock on her door, Sonea sighed. She stopped writing and, without turning, called out, “Come in.”

  The door clicked open.

  “There’s someone to see you, Lady Sonea,” Tania said in a strained voice.

  Glancing over her shoulder, Sonea saw that a woman in green robes stood in the doorway of her bedroom. A black sash circled the woman’s waist. Sonea leapt to her feet and bowed quickly.

  “Lady Vinara.”

  Sonea looked at the Head of Healers carefully. It was hard to gauge the Healer’s mood, since Vinara’s expression always seemed to be stern and cold. The woman’s gray eyes seemed steelier than usual.

  “It’s a little late to be studying,” Vinara noted.

  Sonea glanced at her desk. “I’m working to catch up with the winter class.”

  “So I’ve heard.” Vinara gestured at the door, which swung shut. Before it closed, Sonea caught a glimpse of Tania watching anxiously. “I wish to talk to you privately.”

  Sonea indicated that Vinara could take her chair, then perched on the edge of the bed. She watched, her stomach tight with dread, as Vinara sat down and arranged her robes.

  “Are you aware of certain rumors regarding Lord Rothen and yourself?”

  Sonea nodded.

  “I have come here to question you about them. You must be honest with me, Sonea. These are serious matters. Is there any truth in them?”

  “No.”

  “Lord Rothen has not made any improper suggestions?”

  “No.”

  “He’s not…touched you in any way?”

  Sonea felt her face warming. “No. Never. It’s just a stupid rumor. Rothen has never touched me, or me him. It makes me sick to hear them say it.”

  Vinara nodded slowly.

  “I am glad to hear it. Remember, if you have any cause to be afraid, or if you have been coerced in any way, you do not have to stay here. We will help you.”

  Sonea swallowed her anger. “Thank you, but there’s nothing going on here.”

  Vinara’s eyes narrowed. “I must also tell you that, if these rumors were proven to be true, and you were a willing participant, your standing in the Guild would be damaged. At the least, you would lose Rothen’s guardianship.”

  Of course. Regin would love that. It might be what he was aiming for all along. Sonea gritted her teeth. “If it comes to that, Lorlen can truth-read me again.”

  Vinara straightened and looked away. “Let’s hope it does not come to that.” She sniffed. “Well, I am sorry I had to raise these delicate issues with you. You must understand that it is my duty to investigate. If you have anything you wish to discuss, please come and see me.” She rose and regarded Sonea critically. “You are exhausted, young woman. Too much study will make you sick. Get some sleep.”

  Sonea nodded. She watched as Lady Vinara opened the door and glided out, then waited until she heard Tania close the main door to the apartments. Then she turned and pounded her pillow with her fists.

  “I want to kill him!” she growled. “I want to sink him in the Tarali River with rocks tied to his feet so nobody ever finds his body.”

  “Lady Sonea?”

  Hearing the timid voice, Sonea looked up and tossed strands of her messed-up hair out of her eyes. “Yes, Tania?”

  “Wh-who do you want to kill?”

  Sonea threw the pillow back into place. “Regin, of course.”

  “Ah.” Tania sat on the edge of the bed. “You had me worried for a moment. They’ve been questioning me, too. I didn’t believe it, of course, but they told me all these things to watch out for and…well…I…”

  “Don’t worry, Tania,” Sonea sighed. “There’s only one person in the Guild who has ever tried something like that on me.”

  The servant’s eyes widened. “Who?”

  “Regin, of course.”

  Tania scowled. “What did you do?”

  Remembering, Sonea smiled. “Just a little trick I learned from Cery.” Standing up, she began to explain.

  It was late when Lorlen returned to his office in the University. Earlier in the day Lord Osen, his assistant, had brought in a small box of mail. Rifling through, Lorlen had seen a small package from Elyne among the rest of the letters. He had set it aside to read later.

  Brightening his globe light, Lorlen now retrieved the package. He opened it and regarded Dannyl’s elegant writing appreciatively. The young magician’s script was confident and neat. Lorlen settled back in his chair and started reading.

  To Administrator Lorlen.

  I first visited the Great Library a week ago, and have returned each night to continue my research. The Librarian Irand has assigned to me the same scholar who helped the High Lord in his search: Tayend of Tremmelin. This man has an extraordinarily good memory of the High Lord’s visits, and I have made considerable progress.

  According to Tayend, the High Lord carried a journal in which he made notes, copied passages from books, and drew maps. Guided by the scholar, I have read through half of the sources the High Lord consulted, and copied out much that is useful, including everything Tayend remembers the High Lord showing interest in.

  There are several subjects that I could pursue from here, which is how it was for the High Lord as well. Most require a journey to a tomb, temple or library in the Allied Lands. When I have finished reading, I should know all the possibilities the High Lord considered. From there I must choose which one I will pursue.

  To aid in my decision, Tayend visited the wharf, where records have been kept of all arrivals and departures for many years. He found mention of a Lord Akkarin who arrived here over ten years ago, then left some months later for Lonmar, then returned to Capia to take another ship to the Vin Islands, returning again to Capia a month later. There were no further entries.

  Considering the information I have gathered, it is likely that the High Lord visited the Splendid Temple in Lonmar. I have copied out my notes, and included them with this letter.

  Second Guild Ambassador for Elyne, Dannyl.

  Putting the letter down, Lorlen leafed through the notes that followed. They were clear and well-written, describing and piecing together scraps of information from ages before the formation of the Guild. Finally, on the last page, Dannyl had included a small note.

  Found a book describing the Sachakan War written soon after the event. It is remarkable in that it portrays the Guild as the enemy—and it paints an unflattering image indeed! After completing this task I will return to the library to read it through.

  Lorlen smiled. If he’d known Dannyl was this good at research, he would have made use of him earlier. Though Dannyl had not yet unearthed anything t
hat could be used against Akkarin, he had gathered a lot of information in a short time. Lorden’s hopes that something useful would be found had grown stronger.

  No awkward questions had been asked, either. As he’d hoped, Dannyl was sensible enough to keep the matter confidential even though he didn’t know the reason for the secrecy. If Dannyl did discover something that caused him to suspect that Akkarin had learned black magic, Lorlen was sure the young magician would inform him in secret.

  What then? Lorlen pursed his lips, considering. He would probably have to tell Dannyl the truth. But he was confident that the young magician would see the wisdom of avoiding a confrontation with Akkarin until it could be done without risk. Knowing that Rothen and Sonea had agreed to this plan would also help to convince Dannyl to stay silent.

  But it would be better to avoid telling Dannyl the truth for as long as possible. For now, Lorlen would help Dannyl gather as much information as he could. Pulling out a sheet of paper, Lorlen wrote a letter to the First Guild Ambassador. He sealed it carefully, marked the address of the Guild House in Elyne, then placed it in another box on his desk. Lord Osen would arrange for a courier to send it tomorrow.

  Rising, Lorlen stowed Dannyl’s letter and notes in a box that he kept for important documents. He strengthened the magical barrier that prevented others from reaching the contents, then stowed it in a cupboard behind his desk. As he left the room he allowed himself a small smile.

  Akkarin was right when he said I chose the right man for the position of Second Guild Ambassador to Elyne.

  9

  Considering the Future

  “Could you get me a plainer one of these?” Sonea asked, holding up the silver hairbrush.

  “Oh, not that, too?” Tania sighed. “Aren’t you going to take anything nice?”

  “No. Nothing valuable and nothing that I like.”

  “But you’re leaving so much behind—what about a pretty vase? I’ll bring you some flowers now and then. It’ll make the room so much nicer.”

  “I’m used to much worse, Tania. When I work out a way to hide or protect things, I might come and get some books.” Sonea regarded the contents of a box lying on her bed. “That’s it.”

  Tania sighed. She picked up the box and carried it out of the room. Following her, Sonea found Rothen pacing in the guestroom. His brow was furrowed and when he saw her he hurried over and took her hands.

  “I’m sorry about this, Sonea,” he began. “I—”

  “Don’t apologize, Rothen,” she told him. “I know you did what you could. It’s better that I go.”

  “But it’s nonsense. I could—”

  “No.” She gave him a level look. “I have to go. If I don’t, Regin will make sure they find proof. And he still might try, if his aim is to have your guardianship of me removed. Then the teachers can ignore me and I won’t be able to do anything about it.”

  His frown returned. “I hadn’t thought of that,” he growled. “It’s not right that a mere novice should cause us this much trouble.”

  She smiled. “No, but he won’t stop me from getting ahead of him, will he? We’ll keep working.”

  Rothen nodded. “We will.”

  “Then I’ll meet you outside the Magicians’ Library in an hour?”

  “Yes.”

  She squeezed his hands and let them go, then nodded to Tania. The servant lifted the box and carried it to the door. As Sonea stepped into the doorway she looked back and smiled at Rothen.

  “I’ll be fine, Rothen.”

  He managed a thin smile in reply. Turning away, Sonea started down the corridor, Tania at her side.

  The Magicians’ Quarters were unusually busy for a Freeday morning. Sonea ignored the stares of the magicians who passed, knowing the anger she felt would be too hard to hide if she met their gaze. She half heard Tania mutter something about fairness as they started down the stairs, but didn’t ask her to repeat it. She’d had enough of such talk in the last few days.

  She had sounded much braver than she felt, back in Rothen’s rooms. Once in the Novices’ Quarters there would be no escape from Regin. She could lock her room door with magic—Rothen had shown her how—but she was sure Regin would find some way to get at her. And she couldn’t stay in there all the time.

  This was his revenge for her slandering of his House. She should have thrown him on the floor and left it at that. But she’d opened her mouth and insulted him and he wasn’t going to let her get away with it. So much for ignoring him in the hope he’d get bored and leave her alone.

  Now it wasn’t just the novices muttering her name in the corridors. She’d heard enough whispers from magicians to know their opinion of her. None really cared who had started the rumor or why. “Rumors like these should never start in the first place,” as one teacher had put it. Living with Rothen looked suspicious, especially when her past was taken into consideration. As if every woman of the slums was a whore!

  And she’d heard many people asking why she should be treated any differently than the other novices. They had to live in the Novices’ Quarters. So should she.

  Reaching the doors to the Magicians’ Quarters, Sonea started across the courtyard. The stifling heat of midsummer was well past, and the day was pleasantly warm. She could feel a faint heat radiating from the paving stones.

  She had never entered the Novices’ Quarters before. Only once, during the night she and Cery had snuck around the Guild so long ago, had she peeked through the windows and seen the rooms inside. They had been small, plain and undecorated.

  Several groups of novices stood around the entrance. They stopped their conversations to stare at her, some leaning closer together to whisper. She gave them a mild glance as she passed, then stepped through the open doors.

  More novices roamed along the corridor inside, and Sonea resisted the urge to scan for familiar faces. Tania moved to the right of the entrance and knocked on a door.

  As they waited, Sonea watched the novices in the corridor from the corner of her eye. She wondered where Regin was. Surely he’d be present for this little moment of victory.

  The door opened and a thin, sharp-featured Warrior looked down at Sonea. She bowed and considered the mutterings and complaints she’d heard about the Director of the Novices’ Quarters. Ahrind wasn’t liked.

  “So. You’re here,” he said coldly. “Follow me.”

  He strode down the corridor, novices carefully veering out of his path, and stopped at a door not far along. It clicked open to reveal a room as plain and small as the ones she remembered.

  “No changes to the room,” Ahrind said. “No visitors after the evening gong. If you are to be absent for any number of nights, please inform me two days prior to the first evening. The room is to be kept clean and tidy. Make arrangements with the servants as necessary. Am I clear?”

  Sonea nodded. “Yes, my lord.”

  He turned and strode away. Exchanging a glance with Tania, Sonea entered the room and looked around.

  It was slightly bigger than her bedroom had been, containing a bed, a cupboard for her clothes, a desk and some shelves. Moving to the window, she looked out at the Arena and the gardens. Tania set the box down on the bed and began unpacking.

  “I didn’t see that boy,” Tania noted.

  “No. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t watching, or one of his followers.”

  “It’s good that you’re so close to the entrance.”

  Nodding, Sonea took her notebooks, pens and paper out of the box and stowed them in the drawers of the desk. “Ahrind probably wants to keep an eye on me. Make sure I’m not a bad influence.”

  Tania made a rude noise. “The servants don’t like him much. I’d give him no reason to notice me, if I were you. What are you going to do about meals?”

  Sonea shrugged. “I’ll have dinner with Rothen. Otherwise…the Foodhall, I expect. I might be able to slip in, take something, and slip away again before Regin finishes.”

  “I’ll bring you somethin
g to eat here, if you like.”

  “You shouldn’t,” Sonea sighed. “You’ll just make yourself a target.”

  ‘I’ll come with one of the other servants, or get one to drop something off for you. I’m not going to let that boy deprive you of food.”

  “He won’t, Tania,” Sonea assured her. “Now, everything’s unpacked.” She rested her palm over the cupboard door, then over the drawer of the desk. “Everything’s locked. Let’s meet Rothen at the Magicians Library.”

  Smiling, Sonea shooed the servant out of the room, locked the door, and set off for the University.

  “What’s this in my pocket?” Drawing a slip of paper out of his coat, Tayend examined it. “Ah, my notes from my visit to the wharf.” He read them and frowned. “Akkarin was gone for six years, wasn’t he?”

  “Yes,” Dannyl replied.

  “That meant he spent five of them here, after he returned from the Vin Islands.”

  “Unless he travelled overland to somewhere else,” Dannyl pointed out.

  “Where to?” Tayend frowned. “I wish we could ask the family he stayed with, but they’re likely to let Akkarin know someone was asking about him and you seem to want to avoid that.” He drummed his fingers on the railing of the ship.

  Dannyl smiled and turned his face into the wind. He had come to like the scholar since they had begun working together. Tayend had a quick mind and a good memory, and was companionable as well as a good assistant. When Tayend had offered to accompany Dannyl on his journey to Lonmar, Dannyl had been surprised and pleased. He’d asked if Irand would allow it.

  “Oh, I only work here because I want to,” Tayend had replied, clearly amused. “In fact, I don’t work as such. I get the run of the library in exchange for making myself useful to visitors and researchers.”

  When Dannyl had expressed his desire to visit Lonmar and Vin he had been sure that the First Ambassador would disapprove. After all, he’d only been in Elyne a few months. But Errend had been delighted. It seemed that Lorlen had asked him to visit these countries to deal with some ambassadorial matters, and Errend was not at all fond of ship travel. He’d promptly decided that Dannyl would go in his place.