Trudi Canavan - The High Lord

He glanced back at his companions. Tayend looked as cheerful as ever. Farand wore an expression of astonishment. The young magician hadn’t believed it at first, when Dannyl had returned to the house to tell him that Imardin’s underworld had arranged to get them out of the city.

Their guide stopped before a large door guarded by two enormous men. At a word from the guide, one of the guards rapped on the doors. The sound of heavy bolts sliding out of their housings followed, then the doors silently swung open.

A short corridor followed, occupied by more guards. It ended at a second pair of doors. These were unbolted and pushed open to reveal a large, crowded room.

Dannyl gazed around the room, then chuckled. He’d had too many surprises in the last few hours to feel more than a mild amusement now.

The room was full of magicians. A few were lying on makeshift beds, Healers hovering beside them. Some were helping themselves to platters of food on large tables at the center of the room. Others relaxed in comfortable-looking chairs.

So who has survived? Dannyl thought. He looked around and noted that, of the Higher Magicians, only Director Jerrik, Lord Peakin, Lady Vinara and Lord Telano were present. He continued searching, but could not see Rothen anywhere.

Perhaps he didn’t make it back to the city, he thought. The brief mental communication between the Ichani and Sonea had filled Dannyl’s heart with hope. He had found Tayend, and might still find his mentor alive, too.

Unless Kariko was lying.

Then as a few of the magicians moved away from the food tables, Dannyl saw the richly dressed man sitting at the end of the room, and found he was still capable of being surprised.

So this is where the King got to, he thought. Before he could decide what protocol required in this situation, the monarch looked at Dannyl, nodded once, then turned back to his companion. His expression clearly indicated he didn’t want to be interrupted.

The enormous man he was speaking to looked familiar. Dannyl smiled as he realized where he had seen the large man before. This was Gorin, the Thief Dannyl had negotiated with over Sonea’s release.

The King talking to Thieves. Dannyl chuckled to himself. Now I’ve seen everything.

“So,” Tayend said. “Are you going to introduce me?”

Dannyl glanced at the scholar. “I guess so. I should start with the Higher Magicians.”

He started toward Lord Peakin. The Alchemist was talking to Davin and Larkin.

“Ambassador,” Peakin said as he saw Dannyl approaching, “do you have any news?”

“According to my guide, all but three Ichani are dead,” Dannyl replied. He turned to Tayend. “This is Tayend of Tremmelin, who has been visiting Imar—”

“Have you seen Sonea? Is Akkarin with her?” Davin asked with barely restrained excitement.

“No, I haven’t seen her,” Dannyl replied carefully. “So I wouldn’t know if Akkarin is with her.” He glanced at Farand, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. Akkarin had instructed them to keep his presence a secret, and Dannyl wasn’t going to reveal anything until he had to.

Davin looked disappointed. “Then how is it possible that so many Ichani are dead?”

“Perhaps it’s just Sonea’s work,” Larkin suggested.

The other magicians looked skeptical.

“I know the Thieves killed one on their own,” Tayend said. “The one called Faren told me about it.”

Peakin shook his head. “Thieves defeating Ichani. Doesn’t that make us look incompetent.”

“Any other news?” Larkin asked.

Dannyl glanced around the room. “Is Lord Osen here?”

The Alchemists shook their heads.

“Oh.” Dannyl glanced from one magician to another, then sighed. Then they didn’t know about Lorlen. “Then I do have news, but it is not good.”

The storeroom hummed with voices. A small crowd had formed in the last hour. The two Thieves, Ravi and Sevli, had arrived after the news came that the Ichani woman had entered the passages. Soon after, Senfel had recited a short mental communication between the woman, Kariko and Sonea. They had been waiting in tense silence for more news, when Takan announced that Akkarin and Sonea had killed the woman.

Everyone had forgotten the servant’s presence, but now that he had reminded them of his link to Akkarin, he was being subjected to a stream of questions he clearly couldn’t answer.

Gol caught Cery’s eye. He looked sullen and unhappy. Cery knew it was because he had slipped away to visit the Palace alone. He felt a little guilty about that. Gol was supposed to be his protector.

Thinking back to his encounter with the Ichani, Cery considered what might have happened if Gol had been with him. He could have ordered his second to lure the Ichani away. Would he have been able to do so, knowing it would lead to Gol’s death? Would Gol have obeyed, or even suggested it? Cery had found Gol to be nothing but loyal, but was he that loyal?

Interesting questions, Cery thought, but I’m glad I didn’t have to find out the answers.

Cery frowned. What would Gol think of Savara if he knew what she’d done? They had parted outside the Palace gates, and he hadn’t seen her since.

The voices in the room suddenly fell silent. Looking up, Cery saw that Sonea and Akkarin were striding down the room toward them. He stepped forward and grinned.

“Takan just told us you got the woman.”

“Yes,” Akkarin replied. “She carried a blood gem, so Kariko probably knows we are here.”

“And about the passages under the city, too,” Faren added. “We’re not safe down here any longer.”

“Will the other Ichani enter the passages?” Ravi asked.

“Probably,” Akkarin replied. “They will try to find and kill us as quickly as possible.”

Sevli crossed his arms. “They won’t find you. They don’t know the ways, and no one will show them.”

“All they need to do is capture a guide and read his mind to find their way around,” Akkarin reminded him.

The Thieves exchanged glances. “Then we got to send the helpers away,” Cery said. He looked at Akkarin. “I’ll guide you from now on.”

Akkarin nodded in gratitude. “Thank you.”

Sonea looked at Akkarin. “If they come down here, they might split up to corner us. We could use that to our advantage by circling back and attacking them separately.”

“No.” Akkarin shook his head. “Kariko will not risk parting from his allies.” He looked at Faren. “What are the Ichani doing now?”

“Talking,” Faren replied.

“I bet they are,” Senfel rumbled.

“Not any more,” a new voice said.

All turned to regard a messenger hurrying toward them. “They’ve gone back to wrecking buildings.”

Akkarin frowned. “Are you sure?”

The man nodded.

“Do you think they’re trying to get us to come out and stop them?” Sonea asked.

“Maybe,” Akkarin replied.

Akkarin doesn’t know what the Ichani are doing, Cery thought. But I do. He resisted a smile.

“They’re taking the magic from the buildings that have been strengthened with it.”

Akkarin regarded him in surprise. “How did you work that out?”

“I overheard Kariko and two others talking, when I was in the Palace.”

Faren choked. “The Palace? What were you doing there?”

“Just looking around.”

“Just looking around!” Faren repeated, shaking his head.

Akkarin sighed. “This isn’t good,” he muttered.

“How much power will they get?” Sonea asked.

“I’m... not sure. Some houses have more magic in them than others.”

“You could take this magic, too,” Senfel suggested.