The Magicians' Guild (47 page)

Opening his eyes, Cery’s relief changed to astonishment as he recognized the man standing in the doorway.

“She said he was doing it so that no one will ever think dwells could be magicians,” Cery finished.

The magician narrowed his eyes. “That does sound like Fergun.” As the dark gaze shifted to Cery again, a small frown creased the magician’s brow. “The Hearing is taking place now. I can reveal Fergun’s crimes, but only if I have proof that he is the man you speak of.”

Cery sighed and looked around the room. “I’ve got nothing ‘cept the things he gave me, but he has my knife and tools. If you found them, would that be enough?”

The man shook his head slowly. “No. What I need is in your memories. Will you allow me to read your mind?”

Cery stared at the magician.
Read
his
mind?

He had secrets. Things his father had told him. Things Faren had told him. Things even Faren would have been surprised to know. What if the magician saw them?

But if I don’t let him read my mind, I can’t save Sonea.

He couldn’t let a few musty secrets keep him from saving her—and the magician might not see them, anyway. Swallowing his fear, Cery looked up at the magician.

“Sure. Do it.”

The magician regarded Cery soberly. “It will not harm or hurt. Close your eyes.”

Taking a deep breath, Cery obeyed. He felt fingers touch his temples. At once, he became aware of another mind. It seemed to drift in behind his own, then a voice spoke from … somewhere.

—
Think of the day your friend was captured.

A memory flashed before his eyes. The other mind seemed to catch and steady it. Cery found himself in a snow-filled alley. It was like a vision, clear and yet lacking fine detail. He saw Sonea running away from him, and felt an echo of the fear and despair he had felt as he had hammered against the invisible barrier that had separated them. Turning, he saw a man wearing a cloak, standing behind him.

—
This is the man who captured you ?

—Yes.

—
Show me how.

Once again a memory flashed through his mind, was caught and replayed. He stood outside the Magicians’ building, looking up at Sonea. Fergun appeared. Chased him. Caught him. The blue-robed magician and his companion appeared, took Cery to Sonea. His memory sped on. He was leaving Sonea and walking through the Magicians’ building. Fergun was suggesting they go through the University. They entered the building and travelled down passages.

Then Fergun opened the secret door and forced him through. The blindfold touched his face again, and he heard his own steps as he walked down the underground passage. He faced the cell again, walked inside, heard the door close …

—
When did you see him next?

Memories of the magician’s visits followed. Cery saw himself searched and robbed of his possessions, then relived his failed attack and was healed. He saw Sonea enter the room and heard their conversation over again.

After that, the other mind brushed over his, then seemed to fade away. Cery felt the magician’s fingers lift from his temples. He opened his eyes.

The magician was nodding. “That is more than enough,” he said. “Come with me. We must hurry if we wish to attend the Hearing.”

He turned on his heel and strode out of the room. Following, Cery felt relief rush over him as he stepped out of the cell. He looked back once, then hurried after his rescuer.

The man strode quickly down the passage, forcing Cery into a jog to keep up. The passage met another, then several more. None looked familiar.

They reached a short flight of stairs. The magician climbed these, then bent to stare at the wall. Seeing a small dot of light around the magician’s eye, Cery guessed that there was a spy hole.

“Thanks for helping me,” he offered. “There’s probably nothing a petty thief could offer in return, but if you need anything just ask.”

The magician straightened and turned to regard him soberly.

“Do you know who I am?”

Cery felt his face warm. “Of course. There’s nothing the likes of you would ever need from me. Seemed right to offer, though.”

The ghost of a smile touched the magician’s lips. “Do you truly mean what you said?”

Suddenly uneasy, Cery shifted from foot to foot. “Of course,” he said reluctantly.

The man’s smile became a little more pronounced. “I’m not going to force you to make a bargain with me. No matter what you say, Fergun’s actions must be revealed and punished. Your friend will be free to go, if that is what she wants.” He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But I might contact you some time in the future. I will not ask for anything beyond your abilities, or that will compromise your place with the Thieves. It will be up to you to decide if what I ask is acceptable.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Is that reasonable?”

Cery looked down. What the man was proposing was more than reasonable. He found himself nodding. “It is.”

The magician extended his hand. Taking it, Cery felt a strong grip. He looked into the man’s eyes, and was pleased to see that the dark stare was steady.

“Agreed,” Cery said.

“Agreed,” the magician repeated. He then turned back to the wall. After checking the spy hole again, he grasped a lever and pulled. A panel slid sideways. The magician stepped through, his light following.

Cery hurried after and found himself in a large room. A desk stood at one end, with chairs arranged before it.

“Where am I?”

“In the University,” the man replied, sliding the panel back into place. “Follow me.”

The magician strode across the room and opened a door. Following the man through, Cery found himself in a wide corridor. Two green-robed magicians stopped to stare at him, then looked up at his guide. They blinked in surprise, then inclined their heads respectfully.

Ignoring them, the magician strode to the end of the corridor, Cery following close behind. As they passed through a doorway, Cery looked up and gasped. They had entered a room filled with fantastic spiraling staircases. To one side the doors of the University stood wide open, revealing snow-covered ground and a view of the Inner City. Cery turned full circle, then realized that the magician was already several paces down the corridor.

“Harrin’s never going to believe me,” he muttered as he hurried after him.

“That’s not what happened,” Rothen told her.

Sonea looked away. “I know what I saw,” she answered. “Do you want me to lie?” The words left a bitter taste in her mouth. She swallowed and tried to look puzzled by his statement.

Rothen stared at her, then shook his head. “No, I do not. If it was discovered that you had lied today, many would question if you should be allowed to join the Guild.”

“That’s why I had to do it.”

Rothen signed. “Then that is truly how you remember it?”

“I said that, didn’t I?” Sonea sent him a pleading look. “Don’t make it any harder than it already is, Rothen?”

His expression softened. “All right. Perhaps I missed something that day. It is a shame, but it can’t be helped.” He shook his head. “I will miss our lessons, Sonea. If there’s …”

“Lord Rothen.”

They turned to see Osen walking toward them. Rothen sighed, then walked back to his place. As Fergun started toward her, she smothered a groan.

When Rothen had asked for time to speak with her, Fergun had promptly asked for the same. What did he plan to say? All she wanted now was for the Hearing to be finished and over with.

Fergun gave her a sickly smile as he reached her side.

“Everything going as planned?” he asked.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“Good,” he crooned. “Very good. Your story was convincing, if a little badly spoken. Still, it had a charming honesty.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” she said dryly.

He looked up at the Higher Magicians. “I doubt if they will want to discuss this any longer. They will make their decision soon. After that, I will arrange a room for you in the Novices’ Quarter. You should
smile,
Sonea. We want people to believe you are filled with delight at the prospect of being my novice.”

Sighing, she forced the corners of her mouth upward into what she hoped the distant magicians would take as a smile.

“I’ve had enough of this,” she said between her teeth. “Let’s go back and get it over with.”

His brows rose. “Oh, no. I want my full ten minutes.”

Pressing her lips together, Sonea resolved to avoid saying another word. When he spoke to her again she ignored him. Seeing the flicker of annoyance in his eyes, she found it much easier to smile.

“Lord Fergun?”

She turned to see Lord Osen beckoning. Letting out a sigh of relief, she followed Fergun back to the front of the hall. The room still hummed with voices. Osen lifted his hands.

“Quiet, please.”

Faces turned back to the front and the hall settled into an expectant silence.

In the corner of her eye, Sonea could see Rothen staring at her. She felt another pang of guilt.

“From the accounts given today, we can clearly see that Lord Fergun was the first to recognize Sonea’s abilities,” said Lord Osen. “Does anybody contest this conclusion?”

“I do.”

The voice was deep and strangely familiar, and it echoed from somewhere behind her. Scraping and the rustle of robes filled the hall as all shifted in their seats. Sonea turned around and saw that one of the huge doors was standing slightly open. Two figures were striding down the aisle toward her.

As she recognized the shorter one she gave a cry of joy.

“Cery!”

She took a step forward, then froze as she saw Cery’s companion. Whispered questions drifted to her ears from either side. As the black-robed magician neared, he gave her an appraising look. Disturbed by his gaze, Sonea turned her attention to Cery.

Though pale and dirty, Cery was grinning happily. “He found me and let me out,” he told her. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

Sonea looked questioningly at the black-robed magician. His lips curled into a half smile, but he said nothing. Moving past her, he gave Osen a nod, then started up the stairs between the Higher Magicians. No one protested as he settled into the seat above the Administrator.

“For what reason do you contest this conclusion, High Lord?” Osen asked.

The room seemed to tilt beneath her. She stared at the black-robed magician. This man was no assassin. He was the Guild’s leader.

“Evidence of deception,” the High Lord replied. “The girl has been forced to lie.”

Sonea heard a strangled sound to her right. Turning, she saw that Fergun’s face was white. She felt a flare of triumph and anger and, forgetting the black-robed magician, jabbed her finger at Fergun.

“He made me lie!” she accused. “He said he would kill Cery if I didn’t do what he said.”

From all around came gasps and hisses of surprise. Sonea felt Cery grip her arm tightly. She turned to look at Rothen, and as he met her eyes she knew he understood everything.

“An accusation has been made,” Lady Vinara observed.

The hall quietened. Rothen opened his mouth to speak, then frowned and shook his head.

“Sonea. Do you know the law regarding accusations?” Lord Osen asked.

Sonea drew in a sharp breath as she remembered. “Yes,” she replied, her voice shaking. “A truth read?”

Osen nodded, then turned to face the Higher Magicians. “Who will perform the truth read?”

Silence followed. The Higher Magicians exchanged glances, then looked up at Lorlen. The Administrator nodded and rose from his chair.

“I will perform the truth read.”

As he descended to the floor, Cery pulled on her arm. “What’s he going to do?” he whispered.

“He’s going to read my mind,” she told him.

“Oh,” he said, relaxing. “That’s all.”

Amused, she turned to regard him. “It’s not as easy as you’d think, Cery.”

He shrugged. “It seemed easy enough.”

“Sonea.”

She looked up to see that Lorlen had reached her side.

“See Rothen over there, Cery?” She pointed to Rothen. “He’s a good man. Go stand beside him.”

Cery nodded, then squeezed her arm and moved away. As he reached Rothen’s side, she turned to face Lorlen. The Administrator’s expression was sober.

“You have experienced a sharing of minds while learning Control,” he said. “This will be a little different. I will be wanting to see your memories. It will take a great deal of your concentration to separate what you want to show me from anything else that you think of. To help you, I will prompt you with questions. Are you ready?”

She nodded.

“Close your eyes.”

Obeying, she felt his hands touch the sides of her head.

—
Show me the room that is your mind.

Drawing up the wooden walls and doors, she sent Lorlen an image of the room. She sensed a fleeting amusement.

—
Such a humble abode. Now, open the doors.

Turning to face the double doors, she willed them open. Instead of houses and a street, darkness stretched beyond. A blue-robed figure stood within it.

—
Hello, Sonea.

The image of Lorlen smiled. He strode across the darkness and stopped at the doors. Extending a hand, he nodded to her.

—
Bring me in.

She reached out and took his hand. At her touch, the room seemed to slide under his feet.

—
Don’t be afraid or concerned,
he told her.
I will look at your memories, then I will be gone.
He moved over to a wall.
Show me Fergun.

Focusing on the wall, she created a painting. Within it she placed an image of Fergun’s face.

—
Good. Now show me what he did to make you lie for him.

It took no force of her will to animate the image of Fergun. The painting swelled to fill the wall and changed to show Rothen’s guest room. Fergun strode toward them and placed Cery’s knife on the table in front of her.

I have the owner of this knife locked in a dark little room that nobody here knows of…