Black Magician-02 The Novice

by Trudi Canavan

  The sound of snow crunching under boots told Sonea that the novices behind her were drawing close. She strengthened her shield but, to her surprise, they moved around her to stand behind Regin.

  "Hmmm," Regin continued. "Perhaps I could teach you some of what Lord Balkan has shown me." He glanced at the others and nodded. "Yes, I think you'd find that interesting."

  Sonea's mouth went dry. She had known Regin was taking extra classes in Warrior Skills, but not that he was learning under Balkan, the Head of that discipline. As Regin raised his palms, the other novices moved closer to their leader and placed their hands on his shoulders.

  "Defend yourself," Regin said, mimicking Lord Vorel's commanding tone.

  Throwing more magic into her shield, she blocked the flow of energy that flashed from each of Regin's palms. The strikes were weak, but rapidly grew in force until they were stronger than anything she had faced in the Arena. Surprised, she poured more and more magic into her shield.

  How was this possible? She had fought Regin enough times to know his strength. He had always been much weaker than her. Had he been holding back, just waiting for a moment to surprise her with his real strength?

  Regin's face stretched into an ugly grin, and he took a step toward her. Abruptly, the attack weakened, then stopped as he paused to glare at the others. They hurriedly stretched forward to regain their hold on his shoulder.

  As they touched Regin again, he resumed his attack. She considered what this meant. Obviously the others were lending him their power. She hadn't heard that it was possible, but there was plenty about the Warrior Skills she didn't know— or might have missed during Vorel's long and boring lectures.

  Her senses rang with the magic that filled the air. The snow between them had melted into sizzling puddles. So much power ... the thought of what was being directed at her was appalling, and set her heart racing. If she failed to hold her shield, the consequences would be brief—and fatal. He was taking such a risk ... or was he?

  What if he means to kill me?

  Surely not. He would be expelled from the Guild.

  Yet when she pictured Regin facing the assembled magicians in the Guildhall, she could easily hear what they'd say. An unfortunate accident. He wasn't to blame for her poor skills. Four weeks' work in the library, and don't let it happen again.

  Anger replaced her fear. As she regarded the novices, she saw that they were glancing at each other doubtfully. Regin was no longer grinning, but frowning with concentration. He growled something, and the others protested in reply. Whatever they were doing, it wasn't having the effect they'd expected.

  Was this, then, as strong as they could be when combined? She smiled. She was holding them off easily. He had underestimated her—and if the globe light floating above them was any indication, she still had strength to spare.

  How, then, would this end? She was sure striking back would break their attack. But if they could not defend themselves she might be the one facing the Higher Magicians and exile.

  And if they did manage to shield, they would still continue to hound her all of the way back to the Novices' Quarters. How could she get away from them? She glanced up at the globe light. If she extinguished it, it would take a few minutes for their eyes to grow used to the dark. She could slip away. Unfortunately, she would suffer the same night-blindness ...

  Blindness ... ?

  She smiled. Closing her eyes tightly, she exerted her will. Light flashed brightly behind her eyelids, and she felt the attack falter. When she opened her eyes again the novices were blinking or rubbing their faces.

  "I can't see!" Kano exclaimed.

  It worked! She grinned as Alend swore vehemently and spread his arms out, having nearly lost his balance on the uneven ground. Issle groped about until she found a tree, then grasped it as if she was afraid it would run away.

  Sonea took a step backward. Hearing the crunch of snow, Regin reached out and took a step toward her. His boot landed in the mud created by the melted snow, then slipped sideways. He landed face first in the mire. An exclamation of disgust and frustration burst from him as he struggled to his feet.

  Sonea choked back laughter. A murderous look crossed Regin's face and he leapt up from the ground. Evading his groping hands, Sonea backed away from the novices.

  "Thanks for the lesson, Regin. I never knew you were a man of such vision."

  Chuckling, she turned away and started toward the lights of the University.

  Chapter 16

  The Rule About Accusations

  Rothen was dismantling a delicate construction of tubes, valves, and glass baubles when a voice spoke his name. He looked up to find a young man in servant's clothes, wearing the green sash that marked him as a Healer's messenger, standing in the doorway of the classroom.

  "Yes?" Rothen said.

  "Lady Vinara requests your presence in the Healers' Quarters."

  Rothen's heart skipped. What could Vinara want? Had something happened to Sonea? Had one of Regin's pranks gone too far? Or was it someone else? His old friend, Yaldin? Or Ezrille, his wife?

  "I will be there shortly," he replied.

  The messenger bowed and hurried away. Rothen looked at the novice who had stayed back to assist him. Farind smiled.

  "I'll finish if you want, my lord."

  Rothen nodded. "Very well. Just make sure you dispose of the acid carefully."

  "Of course."

  Hurrying down the corridor, Rothen tried to stop himself from guessing the reason for Vinara's summons. He would know soon enough. The night air was icy cold outside the University, so he surrounded himself with a shield and warmed the air within. Reaching the Healers' Quarters he found Lady Vinara waiting for him in the entrance.

  "You sent for me?" Rothen asked breathlessly.

  Her lips twitched into a faint smile. "There was no need to hurry, Lord Rothen," Vinara told him. "The novices here who claim to be victims of your favorite are not about to expire. Do you know where Sonea is?"

  Victims? What had she done? "Studying in her room, most likely."

  "You haven't seen her this evening?"

  "No." Rothen frowned. "What is this about?"

  "Six novices found their way here an hour ago. They claim that Sonea ambushed them in the forest and blinded them."

  "Blinded them? How?"

  "With a bright light."

  "Oh." Rothen relaxed, but seeing the Healer's grim expression, he grew worried again. "Not permanently?"

  She shook her head. "No. None of their injuries are serious—certainly not bad enough to waste Healers' time on. They will recover."

  "Any injuries other than blindness?"

  "Cuts and bruises from finding their way out of the forest."

  "I see." Rothen nodded slowly. "Would one of these novices be Garrel's favorite, Regin?"

  "Yes." Her lips thinned. "I have heard Sonea has a particular dislike for this boy."

  Rothen gave a short, bitter laugh. "The feeling is mutual, I assure you. May I speak to Regin?"

  "Of course. I will take you to him." Vinara turned and began to walk along the main corridor of the building.

  As Rothen followed, he considered all that Vinara had told him. He didn't believe for a minute that Sonea had ambushed Regin and his friends. More likely they had ambushed her. Something had gone wrong, however.

  They might have blinded themselves so they could blame her for it, but he doubted that had been the case. If they had intended to do so, they would have arranged for others to find and guide them back to the Healers' Quarters. That they hadn't even called for assistance mentally suggested they had hesitated to call attention to their situation.

  Vinara stopped by a door and gestured inside. Looking into the room, Rothen saw a familiar young man in mudstained robes sitting on the edge of a bed. Regin's face was flushed. His fists clenched and unclenched and his eyes burned fiercely at a point far beyond the shoulder of his guardian, Lord Garrel.

  The magician turned to r
egard Rothen and his expression darkened. Ignoring him, Rothen listened instead to Regin, who was just at the end of a long, angry whine.

  "I swear, she was trying to kill us! I know the Guild law. She should be expelled!"

  Rothen glanced at Vinara, then back at the boy, and felt a smile pulling at his lips. If Regin wanted to raise Guild law, then so be it.

  "That's a very serious accusation, Regin," he said quietly. "And it would be most inappropriate for your guardian to confirm the truth of it." He turned to look at the woman beside him. "Perhaps Lady Vinara would suggest someone."

  Vinara blinked, then her eyes twinkled as she realized what Rothen meant.

  "I will perform the truth-read," she said.

  Regin drew in a sharp breath. Looking back to the novice, Rothen was gratified to see the boy had turned white. "No, I didn't mean . . ." he spluttered. "I'm not—"

  "Are you withdrawing your accusation, then?" Rothen said.

  "Yes," Regin gasped. "I withdraw my accusation."

  "So what did happen tonight?"

  "Yes," Vinara said, her voice darkening. "Why did Sonea attack you, as you claim?"

  "Clearly she intended to ensure they could not attend classes for a few days," Garrel replied.

  "I see," Rothen said. "What is going to occur in the next few days that she might want you to be absent from?"

  "I don't know ... I guess she just wanted to hurt us."

  "And so she followed six novices into the forest," Rothen gave Vinara a meaningful look, "certain that she would be able to overcome your combined strength? She must be better at Warrior Skills than her marks indicate."

  Regin's sightless eyes sought his guardian.

  "What were the six of you doing in the forest in the first place?" Vinara asked.

  "We were just... exploring. For fun."

  "Hmmm," she said. "That's not what your friends say."

  Regin opened his mouth, then closed it again. Garrel rose. "My novice has suffered an injury and needs rest. Surely this questioning can wait until he is recovered."

  Rothen hesitated, then decided it was worth the risk. He turned to Vinara. "He's right. We don't need to hear Regin's answers. I'm sure Sonea will submit to a truth-read to prove her innocence."

  "No!" Regin exclaimed.

  Vinara's eyes narrowed. "If she is willing, you cannot prevent it, Regin."

  The novice grimaced, as if tasting something bad. "All right. I'll tell you. We followed her into the forest and played a trick on her. It was nothing dangerous. We were just. . . practicing what we'd learned in class."

  "I see." Vinara's voice was chilly. "Then you had better tell us what this trick was—and bear in mind that Sonea's memory will confirm or deny everything you say."

  Sighing, Sonea marked the page of the book with a slip of paper, then rose to answer the door. She opened it carefully, bracing it with magic in case Regin tried to force his way in. To her surprise, Lord Osen stood in the corridor outside.

  "Forgive the intrusion," Lord Osen said. "Administrator Lorlen wishes you to meet him in his office."

  Sonea stared at him, the warmth draining from her face. A cold dread entered her stomach. The Administrator... she hadn't spoken to him in months. What did he want? Was it anything to do with the High Lord? Had Akkarin discovered that she knew his secret?

  "Don't be concerned," Osen told her, smiling. "He just wants to ask a few questions."

  Stepping out of her room, she followed him out of the Novices' Quarters, across the courtyard, and through the back entrance of the University. Their footsteps echoed in the empty corridor. As he opened the door to the Administrator's office, Sonea drew in a breath. The room was filled with magicians. Some sat in chairs, others were standing. As she stepped inside she realized that most of the Higher Magicans were present.

  Seeing Rothen, she let her breath out in relief. Then she saw Lord Garrel and her heart sank. So this was about her encounter with Regin, then. He must have told a fine tale to stir up the Higher Magicians.

  Rothen smiled and beckoned to her. Feeling ill, she moved to his side.

  "Sonea."

  She turned to face Lorlen, who was sitting behind a large desk. The blue-robed magician's expression was sober.

  "An incident that happened between you and six novices earlier this evening has been brought to our attention. We want you to tell us what happened."

  She looked around the room, then swallowed hard.

  "Lord Kiano took me to the fields for a test. I came back the long way, around the Healers' Quarters. Regin and his friends stopped me in the forest." She hesitated, wondering how she was to avoid saying anything that could be taken as an accusation.

  "Go on," Lorlen said. "Tell us what happened."

  Taking a deep breath, Sonea continued. "Regin said he wanted to show me something he'd learned from Lord Balkan," she glanced toward the red-robed magician, "and then the others put their hands on his shoulders. His strike was stronger than usual and I realized the others were giving him extra power somehow."

  "What did you do?"

  "Shielded."

  "That's all?"

  "I didn't want to strike back. They might not protect themselves well enough."

  "Wise. What happened then?"

  "I still had my globe light so I knew I had power left."

  A sharp intake of breath to her left made her jump. She turned to see Lady Vinara looking at her appraisingly.

  "Go on," Lorlen said.

  "I knew that they wouldn't give up, and I had to get away before they decided to do something else. So to stop them following me I dazzled them with light."

  She could hear many low voices murmuring behind her. Lorlen made a small gesture and they fell silent.

  "A few questions come to mind," he said. "Why did you take the long way back from the fields?"

  "I knew they would be waiting for me," Sonea replied.

  "Who?"

  "Regin and the others."

  "Why would they do that?"

  "They always . . ." She shook her head. "I wish I knew, Administrator."

  Lorlen nodded. He looked to Vinara.

  "Her story matches Regin's."

  Sonea stared at the Healer. "Regin told you that?"

  "Regin accused you of trying to kill them," Rothen explained quietly. "When he realized this meant he must submit to a truth-read, he withdrew his accusation. So I said you would submit to one to prove your innocence. After that, the truth came out."

  She looked at him in surprise. He had suggested someone truth-read her? What if Regin hadn't confessed? Rothen must have been sure Regin would tell the truth once he knew it would be revealed anyway. "So what's this meeting about, then? Why are all the Higher Magicians here?"

  Rothen did not have a chance to reply.

  "Does anybody have questions for Sonea?" Lorlen asked.

  "Yes."

  Lord Sarrin straightened and stepped forward.

  "After this confrontation did you feel tired? Exhausted?"

  Sonea shook her head. "No, my lord."

  "Did you perform any other magic tonight?"

  "No—actually, yes. I put a binding on my door."

  Lord Sarrin pursed his lips and looked at Lord Balkan. The Warrior regarded her speculatively.

  "Have you been practicing Warrior Skills on your own time?" he asked.

  "No, my lord."

  "Have you had any other encounters with novices using this method of combining power before?"

  "No, I'd never heard of it."

  Lord Balkan leaned back into his chair and nodded to the Administrator. Lorlen looked around the room.

  "Any more questions?"

  The magicians looked at each other, then shook then-heads.

  "Then you may go, Sonea."

  She rose and bowed to the magicians. They watched silently as she passed. Only after the door had swung closed did she hear voices in the room, too muffled to be understood.

  She stared at the
door, then slowly began to smile. In trying to cause her trouble, Regin had brought worse on himself. Turning, she made her way back to the Novices' Quarters sure that, for once, no one would bother her on the way.

  "So much power in one so young." Lord Sarrin shook his head. "Only a few have progressed so quickly."

  Lorlen nodded. His own powers had developed rapidly. As had Akkarin's. And they had both been elected to two of the highest positions in the Guild. He could see the dismay in the Higher Magicians' faces as this occurred to them.

  Normally they would be pleased to find such promise in a novice. But Sonea was the slum girl, and she had recently demonstrated her questionable character by stealing a pen. Though Lorlen was prepared to believe this was an isolated incident, perhaps in reaction to the other novices' harassment, other magicians had not been so forgiving.

  "We should not foster any high expectations yet," he said, to reassure them. "She might simply be an early developer, and this is as strong as she will get."

  "She is already stronger than most of her teachers and," Sarrin gestured toward Rothen, "perhaps her own guardian."

  "Is that a problem?" Rothen asked coolly.

  "No." Lorlen smiled. "It has never been in the past. You just need to be cautious."

  "Do we need to raise her a class again?" Jerrik crossed his arms and frowned.

  "It is only her strength that is advanced," Vinara replied. "Not her skills. She still has a great deal to learn."

  "All we need do is warn her teachers," Lorlen said. "They should not test her strength without taking the usual precautions."

  To Lorlen's satisfaction, all the magicians nodded. Regin's actions had revealed more than his own cruel nature.

  He had shown everyone just what Sonea was capable of. Lorlen suspected that Rothen, too, was surprised by just how strong she had proven to be.

  Rothen's attention was on Lord Garrel, however. Regin's guardian had been silent for most of the discussion. Lorlen frowned. They must not forget the seriousness of the incident that had brought them together.