The Ambassador's Mission: Book One of th - By Trudi Canavan Page 0,95

will overlook that,” Regin said.

She crossed her arms. “I’m not going to risk the hospices just so that I can do something that others could do.”

“Lady Vinara and the Healers would never let anyone close the hospices,” Regin assured her.

“But they might stop me working at them,” Sonea countered.

“I doubt it. Even your detractors would have to agree that would be a waste of your talents.”

She stared at Regin for a moment, then looked away. He was being far too complimentary. It made her suspicious. Was he urging her to hunt for the rogue in secret in order to reveal it later? It would gain him nothing, except some sort of petty satisfaction at my downfall.

“When the time comes to explain what we were doing, I will tell all that I advised and helped you,” Rothen said. He looked at Regin. “I’m sure Lord Regin will be happy to do the same.”

“Of course. I’ll put it on paper and sign it if you wish.” There was a slight edge of sarcasm to Regin’s voice. He knows I still don’t trust him, she thought, and felt an unexpected guilt. He hadn’t shown a hint of dishonesty or manipulation when she’d worked with him before.

“People will continue to impose restrictions on you so long as you let them,” Rothen told her. “You have given them no reason to mistrust you these last twenty years. It’s, it’s …”

“Ridiculous,” Regin finished. “I don’t see Kallen asking permission to roam around the city, or you sending your lackeys to follow his every movement.”

“That’s because I don’t have lackeys,” Sonea retorted. “Or the time to do it myself.”

“But if you had either, would you?” Regin asked.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Probably.”

His eyebrows rose. “You think him dangerous?”

“No.” She frowned and looked toward the window. “Not dangerous. But one day his … his thoroughness may do more harm than good.”

“Like now,” Rothen said. “He has you too well caged and cowed to do what you know you are the best person to do: find this rogue and bring her to the Guild.”

She stared at the window. The University lay just outside, and beyond that the city, and a woman who was using magic – possibly to kill. “It will not be like before. Cery said she was older, so she may have many years of using magic behind her. And he suspects she is the Thief Hunter.”

“Then it is even more important that we find her quickly,” Regin said. “Before she shifts from killing criminals to anyone who gets in her way.”

Sonea thought of Cery’s family and shuddered. She may already have done that. She turned from the window and looked from Regin to Rothen. “But if I openly defy the restrictions to my movements, I’ll draw attention and censure before we can find her.”

Rothen smiled. “Then it is not entirely our fault we are forced to work in secret. Still, there is no point taking needless risks. As soon as you find out anything, send messages to the both of us. One of us can investigate if you cannot slip away to do it yourself.”

Sonea looked at Regin, who nodded. A wave of relief washed over her. It was a compromise. Not a perfect compromise, though. Failing to bring the matter to the Higher Magicians might still be frowned upon, but at least she wouldn’t be risking that they’d make a mess of finding the woman themselves. But it did mean Rothen and Regin were going to face disapproval from the Guild when it was revealed that they hadn’t passed the information on, either.

Let’s hope Regin is right, and it’ll be overlooked when they find they’ve got a captured rogue to deal with.

“I had better go,” Regin said. He inclined his head to Sonea. “I will be ready to give my assistance when you require it.” He nodded to Rothen, who returned the gesture, then walked to the door and left the room.

Once he had gone, Sonea sat down and let out a sigh. At least I know the hunt is in the right hands, she thought wryly. I have enough to worry about already, with Lorkin in Sachaka and the hospices full of roet users.

“You look tired,” Rothen told her, moving to the side table to prepare sumi and raka for them both.

“I worked the night shift.”

“You’ve been spending a lot of time at the hospices lately.”

She shrugged. “It gives me something to do.” Then she gave a short laugh. “And now I have