Trudi Canavan - The Novice

Relieved, Dannyl shrugged apologetically. “I’ve seen him at the library a few times.”

“I’m trying to discourage him,” Tayend said, grimacing, “but he thinks I’m only doing it because I’m keeping up appearances for you.”

Dannyl hesitated. “Am I keeping you from pursuing the one you’re interested in?”

To his surprise, Tayend winced. “No. This person is, ah...”

Hearing footsteps, they looked up and saw Mayrie walking toward them carrying a lantern. From the sound of her steps, she was wearing heavy boots underneath her dress.

“I thought I’d find you here,” she said. “Would either of you like to accompany me on a walk through the vines?”

Dannyl rose. “I would be honored.” He looked at Tayend expectantly, but was disappointed to see that the scholar was shaking his head.

“I’ve drunk too much, sister dear. I’m afraid I’ll step on your toes or tumble into the vines.”

She clucked her tongue disapprovingly. “Then stay where you are, drunkard. Ambassador Dannyl will be more suitable company.” She hooked her arm into Dannyl’s and steered him gently toward the vineyard.

They walked in silence for a hundred paces or so, then turned into the gap between the vines. Mayrie questioned Dannyl about the people he had met at court, and what his opinion of them was. Then, as they reached the end of the row of vines, she gave him a measuring look.

“Tayend has told me much about you,” she said, “though not of your work. I get the impression that is a secret matter.”

“He probably doesn’t want to bore you,” Dannyl replied.

She glanced at him sideways. “If you say so. Tayend has told me everything else, however. I would not have expected a Kyralian magician to be quite so... well, I would not have expected you to remain friends, at least not such comfortable friends.”

“We have quite a reputation for intolerance, it seems.”

She shrugged. “But you are an exception. Tayend told me of the rumors that caused you so much trouble as a novice, and that the incident has given you a greater understanding than most magicians have. I think that has also given him cause to count himself lucky for being born Elyne, too.” She paused. “I hope you do not mind me talking about this?”

Dannyl shook his head and hoped he was managing to look unconcerned. It did make him uneasy, however, listening to someone he had just met talk about his private past in such a matter-of-fact way. But this was Tayend’s sister, he reminded himself. Tayend would not have mentioned anything to her if he didn’t think she could be trusted.

They reached the end of the vineyard. Turning to the left, she started back toward the house along the last row of vines. Looking back at the house, Dannyl noted that the chair Tayend had been sitting in was empty. Mayrie stopped.

“Being Tayend’s sister, I am very protective of him.” She turned to face him, her expression serious and intent. “If you do think of him as a friend, have a care. I suspect he is besotted with you, Dannyl.”

Dannyl blinked in surprise. Me? I’m Tayend’s secret love interest? He looked at the empty chair. No wonder Tayend had been so evasive. He felt... strangely pleased. It’s flattering to be admired by someone, he told himself.

“This is a surprise to you,” Mayrie said.

Dannyl nodded. “I had no idea. Are you sure?”

“More sure than not. I would not have told you, except that I worry for him. Don’t lead him to believe anything of you that isn’t true.”

Dannyl frowned. “Have I?”

“Not that I can tell.” She paused and smiled, but her eyes remained hard. “As I said before, I am very protective of my younger brother. I only wish to warn you—and to let you know that, if I hear that he has been hurt in any way, you may find your stay in Elyne less comfortable than you would like it to be.”

Dannyl regarded her closely. There was a steeliness to her gaze, and he didn’t doubt that what she said was true.

“What would you have me do, Mayrie of Porreni?”

Her face relaxed, and she patted his hand. “Nothing. Just take care. I do like what I’ve seen of you, Ambassador Dannyl.” Taking a step forward, she kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you at the morning meal tomorrow. Good night.”

With that, she turned and walked away toward the house. Dannyl watched her go, then shook his head. Clearly, her purpose for leading him out here had been to give him this warning.

Had Tayend suggested the visit so his sister could access Dannyl? Had he planned for his sister to perceive so much, and reveal it?

“He is completely besotted with you, Dannyl .”

Moving to the seat Tayend had vacated, he sat down. How was this going to change their friendship? He frowned. If Tayend didn’t know his sister had revealed his interest, and Dannyl continued to behave as if he didn’t know, then everything should remain the same.

But I know , he thought. That does change things .

Their friendship depended on how well Dannyl took this news. He considered his feelings. He was surprised, but not dismayed. It even pleased him a little to know someone liked him that much.

Or do I like the idea for other reasons?

Closing his eyes, he pushed that thought away. He had faced those questions before, and their consequences. Tayend was and could only ever be a friend.

The entrances to the secret passages were surprisingly easy to find. Most were located in the inner part of the University, which made sense since the original designers would not have wanted mere novices stumbling upon them. The mechanisms for opening the doors in the wood panelling lay behind paintings and other wall ornaments.

Sonea had started looking for them as soon as her evening class had finished, instead of going to the library. The corridors were quiet, but not completely deserted, which was why she never encountered Regin and his friends at this time. They preferred to wait until after she left the library, when they were sure the University was empty.

Even so, she felt as tense as a bowstring as she moved through the passages. She inspected several of the hidden doors before she drew up the courage to try one. Though it was late, she could not help worrying about being observed. Finally, in a little-used part of the inner passages, she dared to flick the lever behind a painting of a magician holding drawing instruments and a scroll.

The panelling swivelled inward silently, and cold air rushed out to chill her. Thinking back to the night Fergun had blindfolded and led her into the tunnels to meet Cery, she recalled how she had felt this change of temperature.

Looking inside, she saw a dry, narrow passage. She had expected it to be dripping with moisture like the tunnels under the city. The Thieves’ Road was under the level of the river, however; the University was on higher ground—and, of course, there wouldn’t be any moisture up on the third floor.

Worried that someone would see her standing next to the open door, Sonea stepped inside. As she let go of the door it swung shut, plunging the tunnel into darkness. Her heart skipped, then she winced as the globe light she willed into existence flared brighter than she had intended.

Inspecting the passage, she noted that the floor was thick with dust. In the center the dust was thinner where the traffic of feet had scuffed it aside, but her boots had left faint footprints, indicating that no one had come this way for some time. All her doubts evaporated. She would not encounter anyone else in the passages; they were hers to explore. Her very own Thieves’ Road.

She pulled out her plan of the passages and started forward. As she moved along, she found and noted other entrances. The secret ways were restricted to the larger walls of the University, so they were set out in a simple pattern that was easy to remember. Soon she had circled the entire top floor of the building.