Free The Magicians' Guild by Trudi Canavan

skill, dignity and authority, and Akkarin had all of these in abundance. As many had pointed out at the time of Akkarin’s choosing, age mattered little to the role. Important decisions were always made by vote, and the everyday running of the Guild was left to the Guild Administrator.
    While this sounded reasonable, Dannyl suspected that questions about the High Lord’s age still lingered. He had noted that Akkarin now wore his hair in the old fashioned and distinguished style favored by older men—long and tidily knotted at the back of his neck. Lorlen, too, had adopted the style.
    Dannyl turned to regard the Administrator, who was listening to Rothen intently. The High Lord’s closest friend, Lorlen had become the former Guild Administrator’s assistant at Akkarin’s suggestion. When the Administrator retired, two years past, Lorlen had taken his place.
    Lorlen had proven to be well-suited to the position. He was efficient, authoritative, and, most importantly, approachable. It was not an easy role, and Dannyl did not envy Lorlen the long hours involved. Of the two positions, it was the most demanding.
    Lorlen shook his head as Rothen finished his account of their day. “From the descriptions I’ve heard of the slums, I can’t see how we’ll ever find her.” He sighed. “The King has ordered that the Port be opened tomorrow.”
    Fergun frowned. “Already? What if she escapes on a ship?”
    “I doubt if the embargo would have stopped her from leaving Imardin if she really wanted to.” Lorlen looked up at Rothen and smiled wryly. “As Lord Rothen’s former guardian used to say: ‘Kyralia would run itself very well if ruling was declared a crime.’ ”
    Rothen chuckled. “Yes, Lord Margen was a source of many such remarks. I don’t believe we have explored all our options, however. Dannyl pointed out to me this morning that the people who have the best chance of finding this girl are the slum dwellers themselves. I think he’s right.”
    Dannyl stared at his friend. Surely Rothen was not going to reveal their intention to contact the Thieves!
    “Why would they help us?” Lorlen asked.
    Rothen glanced at Dannyl and smiled. “We could offer a reward.”
    Dannyl slowly let out the breath he had been holding.
You should have warned me, old friend!
    “A reward!” Lorlen exclaimed. “Yes, that might work.”
    “An excellent idea,” Fergun agreed. “And we should fine those who hinder us, too.”
    Lorlen gave Fergun a reproachful look. “A reward will be sufficient. Mind you, nothing shall be given until she is found, or the entire population of the slums will claim to have seen her.” He frowned. “Hmm, we’ll also want to discourage people from trying to catch her themselves …”
    “We could post a description of her and terms of the reward at street corners, with a warning that she should not be approached,” Dannyl suggested. “We should encourage people to report sightings of her, too, as they could give us some indication of the areas she frequents.”
    “We could have a map of the slums drawn up so we can keep track of sightings,” Fergun suggested.
    “Hmm, that
would
be useful,” Dannyl said, pretending to be begrudgingly surprised at the suggestion. Remembering the maze of passages and streets, he knew a task like that would keep Fergun out of their way for months. Rothen narrowed his eyes at Dannyl, but said nothing.
    “The posting of a reward,” Lorlen glanced up at Dannyl, “you’ll arrange it?”
    “Tomorrow.” Dannyl inclined his head.
    “I will inform the rest of the searchers of this tomorrow morning,” Lorlen said. He looked up at Rothen and Dannyl and smiled. “Any more ideas?”
    “This girl must have a presence,” the High Lord said quietly. “She is untrained, and would not know how to hide it— or even that she has one. Has anyone looked for it yet?”
    For a moment, all were silent, then Lorlen chuckled ruefully. “I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of