The Traitor Queen (The Traitor Spy Trilogy #3)(17)

CHAPTER 4


PREPARATIONS


A full day had passed since the news of Lorkin’s imprisonment. That alone had made sleeping difficult, but the sudden shift to a daytime routine also did not help. After a restless night, Sonea felt muzzy-headed and had to draw a little magic to soothe away a nagging weariness. But one benefit of her new routine, Sonea discovered, was that when she emerged from her bedroom Lilia was still in the main room, eating a morning meal.

“Black Magician Sonea,” the girl said, clearly surprised to see Sonea.

“Good morning, Lilia,” Sonea replied. “How are you? Did Black Magician Kallen track you down yesterday?”

The girl nodded. “Well. And yes.”

Sonea moved to the side table and began making herself a cup of raka. “How are your lessons going?”

Lilia winced, but then put on a cheerful expression. “Good. I think Black Magician Kallen wishes I was doing better, though. I told him I wasn’t good at Warrior skills, but I don’t think he guessed how ‘not good’ a novice can be.”

Sonea chuckled sympathetically. “I wasn’t very good at them, either.”

The girl’s eyes widened. “You … but you …”

“Won a formal challenge and defeated invading Sachakans. It’s amazing what you can learn when you have to. Still, I did have a wonderful teacher.”

“You won …?” Lilia blinked and straightened. “Which teacher was that?”

Taking her raka to the main table, Sonea sat down and helped herself to a sweet bun from a platter. “Lord Yikmo. He died in the invasion.”

“Oh.” Lilia’s shoulders dropped. Then she looked up again. “A formal challenge?”

Sonea smiled. “A fellow novice who was making life difficult for me.”

“He accepted a challenge from a black magician?”

“It happened before then. I don’t recommend it as a way of dealing with annoying novices. Only as a last resort, and if you’re confident of winning.” She paused as a thought occurred to her. “Are any novices giving you a hard time?”

Lilia shook her head. “No, they ignore me most of the time. That’s fine. I understand why they avoid me. And I have Anyi.”

Sonea felt a pang of sympathy, and gratitude toward Cery for allowing Anyi to visit. “Well, if any of the novices are friendly toward you – properly friendly, not a trick – then don’t turn them away too quickly. You’ll be working with them soon enough.”

“I know.”

Lilia looked resigned, but not unhappy. Finishing the bun and raka, Sonea rose and sighed. “Will you be all right staying here on your own while I’m gone, Lilia?”

The girl looked up. “Of course. With Jonna and Black Magician Kallen looking after me, how could I not be?” She frowned. “You’re the one who is going to be in danger, Black Magician Sonea. You … you will be careful?”

Sonea smiled. “Of course. I have every intention of coming back. After all, I want to see your graduation.” She moved to the door, then paused and looked back. “I won’t be working at the hospices now, so I’ll probably be coming and going a lot. I’ll make sure I knock before entering, in case Anyi has snuck in to see you.”

Lilia nodded. “Thanks.”

Leaving her rooms, Sonea found the Magicians’ Quarters corridor busy with magicians. She returned respectful nods and greetings on her way out. The courtyard outside was crowded with novices and magicians, some making their way to and from the Baths, others heading toward the University, and more than a few simply enjoying the early spring sunshine.

Heads turned toward her as always. There was something about black robes that drew the eye. Not even the white robes of the High Lord or the blue of the Administrator attracted as much attention. Novices might notice and watch them pass, bowing respectfully as they were meant to do to all graduated magicians, but they did not stare and take a step back as they did for Sonea and Kallen.

And every time they do, I remember Akkarin, and how everyone did the same to him, though they didn’t know, as I did, that he practised black magic. He wore black only because it was the colour of the High Lord then, but since it also marked him as the most powerful magician in the Guild I guess that made him as intimidating as a Black Magician is now.

She suppressed a sigh, ignored the stares, and headed toward the University.

Once inside she chose the passage through the centre of the building rather than the main corridors on either side. Stepping out of this into the Great Hall, she looked up at the glass-panelled ceiling three levels up, then at the rough stone of the original Guildhall building standing proudly within the vast room. There won’t be another Meet before I leave, she realised, slowing her steps. This might be the last time I see this place.

She stared at the building, then shook her head and quickened her stride again. Only if everything goes terribly wrong, she amended.

Reaching the end of the Great Hall, she passed through the other end of the central passage then turned into the right-hand side corridor and stopped at the first door. At a tap from her knuckles the door swung inward, and she stepped into Osen’s office.

The Administrator was sitting at his desk, facing two magicians who had turned to regard her. High Lord Balkan inclined his head respectfully and murmured her name, as did Osen. The third magician was becoming more familiar to her.