Trudi Canavan - The Novice

“You’re being too obvious, Yaldin.”

The old man frowned. “Obvious? What do you mean?”

“When you—”

“Lord Rothen?”

Startled, Rothen looked up to find Administrator Lorlen standing beside his chair.

“Yes, Administrator?”

“I would like to speak to you in private.”

Glancing about, Rothen noted that several magicians standing nearby were eyeing Lorlen expectantly. Yaldin frowned, but said nothing.

“Of course,” Rothen replied. He rose and followed Lorlen across the room to a small door. It swung open at Lorlen’s approach, and they stepped through into the Banquet Room.

The room was dark. A globe light flared above the Administrator’s head and floated up to illuminate a large table. Lorlen moved to one of the chairs. Taking a seat next to the Administrator, Rothen braced himself for the conversation he had been dreading.

Lorlen glanced at Rothen, then let his eyes slide to the table. He sighed and his expression became grim.

“Are you aware of the rumors circulating about you and Sonea?”

Rothen nodded. “I am.”

“No doubt Yaldin has told you.”

“And Sonea.”

“Sonea?” Lorlen’s eyebrows rose.

“Yes,” Rothen said. “She told me four weeks ago that one of her fellow novices had invented the rumor, and she was concerned people would believe it. I told her not to worry. Gossip has a lifespan, that speculation eventually becomes old news, and is forgotten.”

“Hmmm.” Lorlen frowned. “Rumors like this are not dismissed as lightly as you may hope. Several magicians have come to me to express their concerns. They feel it is not proper for any magician to have a young woman living in their rooms.”

“Moving her will do nothing to disprove the rumor.”

Lorlen nodded. “That is true. Nevertheless, it would prevent further speculation that could be quite harmful to you both. In retrospect, Sonea should have moved to the Novices’ Quarters when she began classes.” He looked at Rothen directly. “Not to prevent what the rumors suggest, but to prevent rumors beginning at all. Nobody believes anything untoward has occurred between you and Sonea.”

“Then why move her at all?” Rothen spread his hands. “She will still spend time with me in my rooms, in study or simply for the evening meal. If we give in now, how long will it be before others question the intent behind every moment we spend together?” He shook his head. “Leave things as they are, and those who are foolish enough to give this gossip credence will be assured that no evidence of improper conduct has been found.”

A wry smile curled Lorlen’s mouth. “You are confident, Rothen. What does Sonea think?”

“This rumor has upset her, of course, but she believes that it will be forgotten when she is no longer the target of Garrel’s favorite.”

“When—if—she reaches the winter intake?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think she will reach the higher class and manage to stay there?”

“Easily.” Rothen smiled, not bothering to conceal his pride. “She is a fast learner, and quite determined. The last thing she’ll want to do is slip back down to Regin’s class.”

Lorlen nodded, then looked at Rothen closely. “I don’t share your optimism about this rumor, Rothen. Your arguments against moving her have some merit, but if you are wrong, the situation could grow much worse. I believe she should be moved, for her own sake.”

Rothen frowned at the Administrator. Surely Lorlen did not think that Rothen would bed a novice, particularly a girl less than a third his age? Lorlen’s gaze was level and hard, however, and Rothen realized with a shock that the magician had actually considered the possibility.

Lorlen couldn’t believe this of him! How could he even think about it? When had Rothen given Lorlen cause to doubt him?

Then, in a flash, the reason came to him. It is because of Akkarin, he thought. If I had learned that my closest and oldest friend was practicing the evilest of magic, I would be reassessing my presumptions about everyone I knew . Taking a deep breath, Rothen considered his next words carefully.

“Only you can understand why I want to keep her close by my side, Lorlen,” he said in a low voice. “She has enough to fear here already without being sent to live among those who would do her harm, where she might be vulnerable to more than just the other novices.”

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.”