The High Lord (65 page)

“Kariko did. At Calia…” Rothen forced himself to take a breath. “He read my mind and saw Sonea there, then made the gem.” He shuddered. “Since then, I’ve been seeing and… feeling the deaths of everyone he’s killed.”

Balkan’s eyes widened slightly, then he grimaced in sympathy.

“What is a blood stone?” Dorrien asked.

“It enables the maker to see into another’s mind,” Balkan explained. ‘Though Kariko actually made it, it is attuned to Rothen because he used Rothen’s blood.”

Dorrien stared at Rothen. “He captured you. Why didn’t you say?”

“I…” Rothen sighed. “I don’t know.”

“But what he did to you… can you stop yourself seeing these deaths?”

“No, I have no control over it.”

Dorrien’s face was pale. “And if they catch Sonea…”

“Yes.” Rothen looked at his son. “And this is the secret you couldn’t tell us, isn’t it? She’s here and so is Akkarin.”

Dorrien opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked from Rothen to Balkan uncertainly.

“It will make no difference if you tell us now,” Balkan said: “They know about Sonea. They have probably guessed that Akkarin is with her, just as we have.”

Dorrien’s shoulders slumped.

“Yes, they’re here. Five days ago Sonea and Akkarin came through the South Pass. I brought them to the city.”

Balkan frowned. “Why didn’t you send them back to Sachaka?”

“I tried. In fact, they were cooperating when an Ichani attacked us. We barely survived. Then the Fort was attacked. After that, I knew everything Akkarin had said was true.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone about this?” Rothen asked.

“Because if the Guild knew Akkarin was here, the Ichani would read it from the minds of their victims. Akkarin knew he and Sonea had a better chance of killing them one by one, but if the Ichani knew he was here they would stay together.”

Balkan nodded. “He knew we would be defeated. So what did he—”

A rumble came from the city. Rothen turned and walked toward the Entrance Hall, then glanced back at Balkan.

“Another one. Closer, too. What do you think is happening?”

The Warrior shrugged. “I don’t know.”

A cloud of dust billowed up from somewhere in the Inner Circle.

“We might see better if we go up onto the roof,” Dorrien suggested.

Balkan glanced at Dorrien, then started toward the stairs. “Come on, then.”

The Warrior led them to the third level, then through the passages to a staircase. A short climb later, they reached the door to the roof. Balkan led them out and to the front of the University. A narrow raised walkway enabled them to see over the facade to the houses of the Inner Circle.

They watched in silence. After a long pause, another boom echoed from the city center and dust billowed up.

“The whole front of that house has fallen,” Dorrien said, pointing.

“So they’re destroying houses now,” Rothen said. “Why waste their power?”

‘To draw Akkarin out,” Balkan replied.

“And if destroying the Inner Circle doesn’t work, they’ll come here,” Dorrien added.

Balkan nodded. “Then we’d better be ready to leave as soon as they arrive.”

The journey through the tunnels seemed endless. The farther they travelled, the greater Dannyl’s amazement. He had passed through passages under the slums, years before, when he had been negotiating with the Thieves for Sonea’s release, and had assumed that they extended no farther than the Outer Wall. Now he could see the Thieves had not only dug under the Quarters, but had even tunnelled under the Inner Circle.

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.

Akkarin winced.

“I’m sure the owners won’t mind if their homes are used to defend the city,” Cery added.

“They’ve wrecked a lot of them,” Ravi said. “Not every building in the Inner City is magically enhanced. There can’t be many left.”

“But they haven’t been to the Guild yet,” Senfel pointed out.

Akkarin looked pained. “The University. It’s not the only magically enhanced structure in the Guild, but it contains more power than any other in the city.”

Sonea sucked in a breath. “No, it doesn’t. The Arena has got to be stronger.”

Senfel and Akkarin exchanged grave looks. The old magician cursed vehemently.

“Exactly,” Akkarin agreed.

Cery looked at the three magicians. “That’s bad, isn’t it?”

“Oh, yes,” Sonea replied. “The barrier around the Arena is strengthened by several magicians every month. It has to be strong enough to withstand stray magic from Warrior training sessions—some of them quite vigorous.”

“We have to stop the Ichani taking that power,” Akkarin said. “If they do, we may as well hand the city over to them.”

“We take that power ourselves?” Sonea asked.

“If we must.”

Sonea hesitated. “And then… confront them?”

His eyes rose to meet hers. “Yes.”

“Are we strong enough?”

“We have taken power from four Ichani, if we include Parika. We have used little of our own, and we have taken strength from the volunteers.”

“And you could again,” Senfel reminded them. “It is nearly a day since you tapped their reserves. They will have recovered most of their strength.”

“And there are only three Ichani left,” Faren pointed out.

Akkarin straightened. “Yes, I think it is time to face them.”

Sonea went a little pale, but nodded in agreement. “Looks like it.”

The group fell silent, then Ravi cleared his throat.

“Well, then,” he said. “I had best get you to our volunteers as quickly as possible.”

Akkarin nodded. As the Thief turned toward the door, Cery looked at Sonea closely. He caught her arm.

“This is it, then. Are you scared?”

She shrugged. “A little. Mostly relieved.”

“Relieved?”

“Yes. Finally we’ll fight them properly, with no poison, traps, or even black magic.”

“It’s fine wanting a fair fight, so long as they fight the same,” Cery said. “Just be careful. I won’t relax until this is all over, and I know you’re all right.”

She smiled, squeezed his hand, then turned to follow Akkarin out of the room.

For the last hour, messengers had reported that the Ichani were slowly making their way toward the Guild, destroying houses as they went. Sonea and Akkarin had hurried to the volunteers, who had dealt with their swift visit with admirable tolerance and courage, then raced back to the Inner Circle. During the journey Sonea had burned with impatience, but as she stepped through the secret door into Lorlen’s office she began to wish the journey hadn’t passed so quickly. Suddenly her knees were weak, her hands were shaking, and she could not help feeling there must be something they had forgotten to do.