The Ambassador’s Mission

Sonea listened closely. It had not been easy persuading him to offer a compromise to the Guild, and even now she was not completely sure if he would. He began by pointing out where the rule had failed, or had been applied unfairly. Then he tackled the reasoning of those opposed to the rule’s abolition. Then he began to paint a picture of a more unified Guild in conclusion. Sonea frowned. He is going to wind this up without even a suggestion that a compromise may be possible.

“If there is to be a rule to prevent magicians and novices from involving themselves with criminal enterprises – and I do think there should be one – then it should be designed to achieve that. What is clear from the cases I have described is that this is not a rule suited for that purpose. It is ineffective and should be abolished.”

I suppose the message is in there, though it’s very subtle, Sonea thought. Now let’s see if Regin keeps his side of our agreement.

As Lord Pendel bowed to the audience and stepped aside, Administrator Osen returned to the front.

“I now call upon Lord Regin to speak for the opposition to the abolition of the rule.”

Regin strode forward. If he was disappointed with Pendel’s effort at suggesting a compromise, he didn’t show it. He turned to face the hall and began to speak.

Knowing what she did about the corruption among the higher-class novices, Sonea could not help admiring how Regin managed to avoid saying anything that would directly reveal who the culprits and victims were. Yet he didn’t shy from claiming such corruption existed, and Sonea heard no more than a few protests from the watching audience of magicians.

I wish I could have given him proof of the permanent effects of roet for magicians. It might have helped us persuade everyone that the rule should be changed, instead of abolished.

As Regin concluded his speech, Sonea felt her heart skip a beat. He hadn’t suggested a compromise. But as he summed up, she realised there was a hint of admission in his words that the rule was ineffective as it stood. A subtle shift in position, but no stronger or weaker than Pendel’s.

Had he anticipated that or did he change tack in response? Or did he have different approaches planned in case of different eventualities? She shook her head. I’m glad it’s not me down there, speaking in his place.

“I now call for ten minutes of discussion,” Osen said. The gong rang out a second time and immediately the hall filled with voices. Sonea turned to watch and listen to the Higher Magicians.

At first none spoke. All seemed hesitant and indecisive. Then High Lord Balkan sighed.

“There is merit in both arguments,” he stated. “Do any of you favour one or the other?”

“I favour keeping the rule,” Lady Vinara said. “These are bad times for relaxing control over magicians. The city is more corrupt than it has ever been, and keeping ourselves immune is more complicated now that we no longer all have similar strengths and weaknesses.”

Sonea resisted a smile. “Strengths and weaknesses.” A clever way of pointing out we have different backgrounds without making one sound better than the other.

“But it is clear the rule is unfair, and we do risk rebellion at the worst, or the loss of much-needed talent at the best,” Lord Peakin argued.

“It is only the application of the rule that is at fault,” Vinara replied.

“I don’t think the lowies will accept a promise we’ll be fairer,” Lord Erayk pointed out. “They need something stronger. A real change.”

“Change sounds like the solution to me,” Lord Peakin said. “Or a clarification. What is an ‘unsavoury character’, after all?” His eyebrows rose and he looked around. “I’d find someone who smells bad unsavoury. That’s hardly justification for punishing a magician.”

There were a few chuckles.

“Black Magician Sonea.”

Sonea felt her heart sink as she recognised Kallen’s voice. She looked past High Lord Balkan at the man.

“Yes, Black Magician Kallen?” she replied.

“You have been meeting with the representatives of both sides. What have you concluded?”

The others were looking at her expectantly now. She paused to consider how to answer.

“I am in favour of the rule being changed. Of removing the reference to ‘unsavoury characters’, which not only eases the restrictions and perceived prejudice against novices and magicians from poorer backgrounds, it strengthens the emphasis on ‘criminals’ as those we don’t want Guild members associating with.”

To her consternation, none of the Higher Magicians looked surprised. Not even Rothen. Clearly they expected me to take this position. I hope that is because it is fairer, not because I grew up in the old slums.

“Even with this change, the weakness of the rule is the ambiguity in what a criminal is, or whether an activity is a crime,” Lord Erayk said.

“The king might not appreciate you calling his laws ‘ambiguous’,” Lord Peakin pointed out, chuckling. “His laws clearly state what is a crime.”