The Rogue (50 page)

“Poor Regin,” she said.

“Yes. But … not for quite the reason you think, I suspect.”

“What do you mean?”

Rothen sighed. “According to rumours, each time she had attempted suicide she did so after he found out about and chased off one of her lovers.”

Sonea winced. “Oh.”

“From the reports I’ve heard, he’s on his way back to Imardin and has asked for rooms in the Guild. He has given his house in Elyne to one daughter, and his Imardin family home to the other.”

“That is one angry man.”

“Indeed.”

Sonea felt a small, somewhat inappropriate and slightly treacherous spark of hope.
Also a man needing something to occupy himself – like a hunt for a rogue.
She hooked her arm around Rothen’s and tugged him back toward the University corridor.

“Are there a lot of married people having troubles at the moment, or does it just appear that way to me?”

“Who else is having troubles in their marriage?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Just … people. As for magicians moving back home, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about. Something that we should be able to achieve without causing offence if we work together.”

To Lilia’s relief, she was being held in a room within the University rather than the airless Dome. It gave her a small measure of hope that the Guild might be more forgiving of her more recent crimes, and that her intention to return to her prison after finding Naki had convinced them that she didn’t need to be given a harsher penalty.

What weakened that hope was the fact she had been told nothing since the Hearing. Servants had brought her food and tended to her needs, but would not speak even when Lilia questioned them. The magicians guarding her door told her to be quiet if she knocked to get their attention.

She had little choice but to think about what Naki had done. Though her heart still ached, it was for a person who hadn’t really existed.

How could she kill her own father? I suppose he wasn’t her real father. He was just the man who married her mother. She told me he didn’t believe her when she said her uncle would have abused her. Was that even true? Maybe it was. I don’t know if he deserved her hate. I guess I’ll never know.

The hurt at being set up and betrayed by Naki was countered by anger. She was tired of being manipulated by people. First Naki, then Lorandra. At least Cery and Anyi had been honest about what they wanted of her. As far as she knew.

I’m not going to be used and deceived by anyone again. People have to prove they are trustworthy before I’ll trust them. At least being locked away means I’ll encounter fewer people to worry about on that score.

Footsteps and voices outside the door drew her attention away from her thoughts. The door opened and Black Magician Sonea entered. Lilia felt her heart soar with hope, only to crash down again as she saw the woman’s expression. She rose and bowed hastily.

“Lilia,” Sonea said. “It seems I must apologise on behalf of the Guild for keeping you ignorant of the events of the last day. The trouble is, we haven’t yet decided what to do with you.”

Lilia looked away. It could not be a good sign if they were struggling to decide. As far as she could see, their choices were to execute or imprison her, and since her powers couldn’t be blocked, the latter would involve keeping two magicians occupied as guards. Permanently.

“I can assure you that nobody is suggesting you face the penalty of death,” Sonea said.

Relief spread through Lilia like the warmth of a heated room after a walk in the winter cold. A gasp escaped her, then she blushed at the unintended show of emotion.

“What we can’t agree on is what to do with you. Some want you back in the Lookout. Others want you back in the Guild.”

Surprised, Lilia looked up.

Sonea smiled wryly. “Under tight restrictions, of course.”

“Of course,” Lilia echoed.

“I am of the latter opinion. Which is why I have arranged for you to stay in my rooms until the decision is made.”

Lilia stared at Sonea in disbelief. She couldn’t decide if this was a good or bad thing. It would be more comfortable and less isolated than this room, and it indicated that the Guild might be willing to trust her not to attempt another escape. But she’d be staying with
Sonea
. A
black magician
.

Which is what I am, too
, she reminded herself.

Even so, all novices found the two black magicians a little scary. She suspected that more than a few graduated magicians did as well. Sonea had
used
black magic. She’d
killed
with it.

Only in defence of Kyralia. Not like Naki has.

Sonea made a small beckoning gesture. “Come on. Let’s get you settled in.”

Not trusting herself to speak, Lilia nodded and followed the black-robed woman out of the room. The two guards eyed Sonea nervously, which did not make Lilia feel any better. She followed obediently through the passages and corridors of the University, out and across the courtyard, and into the Magicians’ Quarters.

In the wide corridor within, they passed two Alchemists. The man and woman nodded to Sonea politely, but their eyes slid to Lilia. She expected disapproval or suspicion. Instead they looked grim and sympathetic.

Only when she reached the top of the stairs did she work out why.

“Naki,” she found herself saying.

Sonea glanced at her. “I have news of her, as well. Come inside first.”

At once a deep dread filled Lilia.
The news isn’t going to be good
, she thought.
I shouldn’t care what’s happened to Naki, after what she did to me.
But she knew that she would.

They paused before a door, which swung inward. Sonea gestured for Lilia to enter first. Stepping through, Lilia took in the simple but luxurious surrounds and realised that someone was standing in front of the guest room chairs. As she recognised who it was, her heart leapt.

“Anyi!”

The young woman smiled, stepped forward and gave Lilia a quick hug. “Lilia,” she said. “I
had
to see how you were doing.” She looked at Sonea. “Have you told her yet?”

Sonea shook her head. “I was about to.” She met Lilia’s gaze, her expression serious and sympathetic. “You were right: the king did not grant Naki a pardon. She was executed late last night.”

Though Lilia had expected it, the news sent a shock through her. She sat down in the closest chair. For a while all she could do was breathe.

Gone. Naki is gone. She was so young. As they say, she was full of potential. Maybe it’s a good thing that her potential wasn’t realised, though. Who knows how many more people she would have killed?

A hand touched her back. She realised that Anyi was sitting beside her. The young woman smiled, but her eyes were full of concern.

“I’ll be all right,” Lilia told her.

“I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Sonea said. She opened the door and slipped out of the room.

Lilia gaped at the door.

“What’s wrong?” Anyi asked.

“She left me here alone.”

“Alone? I’m here.”

Lilia shook her head. “Sorry. I meant unguarded. By magicians.” She narrowed her eyes at Anyi. “Unless there’s something you’re not telling me.”

Anyi laughed. “There’s always something I’m not telling someone. That’s a part of my job. But no, I’m not a magician. Not a shred of magic in me. I got myself tested once, when I was a child. I thought if I could get into the Guild it would be a great way to spite Cery.”

“Spite Cery? Why would getting into the Guild do that?”

A look of surprise and then realisation crossed Anyi’s face, then she cursed and smacked her palm onto her forehead.

“What is it? You just gave something away, didn’t you?” Lilia considered Anyi’s words. “You’ve known Cery since you were a child.” No wonder Anyi was so loyal. Except that she had once wanted to spite him. As if … “He’s your father!”

Letting out a groan, Anyi nodded. “I am clearly much better at being a bodyguard than keeping secrets.”

“What’s the problem with people knowing your father’s a Thief?”

Anyi grimaced. “Skellin had Cery’s second wife and my half-brothers murdered. Well, we think it was him.”

“Oh.” All Lilia’s satisfaction at guessing the truth melted away. “So you’re afraid that, if he finds out you’re Cery’s daughter, he’ll try to kill you, too.”

Anyi shrugged. “He’d kill me anyway if he had the chance, because I’m Cery’s bodyguard. It’s more likely he’d do something to me to hurt or blackmail Cery, if he found out we’re related.”

“Well … your secret’s safe with me. Though if Sonea or Kallen ever read my mind—”

“Sonea knows. Kallen, on the other hand …” Anyi frowned, then regarded Lilia with one eyebrow raised. “I don’t suppose you feel like running away with me? With Cery’s help, I can take you somewhere the Guild will never find you.”

Lilia’s heart flipped over. “No. It’s tempting, but staying is … the right thing to do. I never really cared much about that, but I do now.”

“Even if they put you back in the Lookout? How is that right? It would be a waste.”

“No.” Lilia shook her head. “I broke a law, and my vow. I did it out of stupidity, not malice, but I need to be seen to be punished so that novices like Naki don’t do the things she did.” She shivered. “The last thing the Guild needs is to waste time and magic looking for me when it should be finding Skellin and Lorandra.”

But if I did go
, Lilia suddenly thought,
I could help protect Anyi. And Cery. It would be like returning the favour they gave me …

Anyi nodded slowly. “Well, it’s your decision.” She placed a hand on Lilia’s and squeezed. “I hope they don’t lock you up, because I’ve got rather fond of you. I’d like to see you again.”

Lilia smiled in gratitude. “I’d like to see you again, too.”

A tap at the door drew their attention. Anyi let go of Lilia’s hand and stood up as Sonea entered.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Sonea said. She looked at Anyi. “A rather cryptic message just arrived from Cery.” She handed over a small slip of paper. “I think he wants you to return.”

Anyi read it and nodded. “He wants me to pick up some sweet buns on the way.” Anyi turned back to Lilia and smiled. “Good luck.”

To Lilia’s amusement, Sonea beckoned and took her into a small bedroom, closing the door.

“This is where you’ll sleep,” Sonea told her. She bent to the door, obviously listening. “Cery always has another way of getting into the room than the corridor and I assume Anyi used the same method,” she explained. “I don’t want to know how, in case my mind is ever read.”

Lilia heard a dull thud. It must have been a signal, for Sonea turned the handle and opened the door. The guest room was now empty. Sonea turned to regard Lilia.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes.” Lilia nodded. Though learning of Naki’s execution had been a shock, she felt better than she had expected. Not happy, but accepting of how things had turned out and hopeful that the future would be better.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Thanks. Thanks for letting me stay here.”

Sonea smiled. “Hopefully we’ll have a more permanent home for you soon. In the meantime, make yourself comfortable.”

Lorkin woke with a jolt.

Looking around, he made out his “rescuers” and fellow travel companions in the dim light of the carriage interior. All were asleep. He sighed in relief.

Since he had first joined them, the three Masters had pestered him for stories of his time among the Traitors. He’d refused to answer questions about even the most trivial details of Traitor life, saying that he dare not say anything until he had permission to from Ambassador Dannyl. Fortunately, their continuing attempts to worm something out of him were in a spirit of trying their luck. His silence on the subject was a challenge to them, but they did not want to risk the censure of those higher up in the Sachakan hierarchy – especially not the king.

The three men were determined to take Lorkin back to Arvice as quickly as possible. Lorkin hoped their motive was a desire to be credited with his rescue and safe return, rather than an expectation that the king would be eager to get hold of him and extract information. Master Akami had ordered the slaves to drive the carriage as fast as could be managed without ruining the horses, stopping off to change to fresh ones at estates along the way. The slaves took it in turns to drive, those who were resting binding themselves to the exterior seat at the back of the carriage so that they didn’t fall off while they dozed or slept.

It had grown unpleasantly fragrant in the cabin, not helped by the pungent odour of the hunter’s clothes Lorkin was wearing. They’d insisted he ditch the cape, but when they’d offered him typical Sachakan garb he’d declined, saying it was more appropriate that the next change of clothes he made was into Guild robes.

Looking out of the carriage window, he saw that everywhere was bathed in a pale light. It illuminated walls on either side of the road, and that could only mean one thing.

Arvice! We have reached the city! In just two days and nights.

It seemed incredible, considering how long it had taken him to get from the city to the mountains, but he and Tyvara had been on foot, not in carriages travelling at their fastest, with a change of horses whenever they tired.

“We’re back,” a voice said. Lorkin looked up to see that Master Akami was awake, stretching his arms and legs, and yawning simultaneously. The young Sachakan smiled at Lorkin, then tapped on the roof. “To the Palace,” he said.

Lorkin felt a chill run down his spine.

“Straight to the Palace?” he asked.

Akami nodded. “We should get you delivered as soon as possible.”

“But … I need to go the Guild House first. It would be better if I had a bath and changed into robes before I presented myself to the king.” Lorkin grimaced. “It’s early, and if I were the king I wouldn’t want to be woken up only to be greeted by a filthy Kyralian magician.”