Page 18 of Ironhold, Trial Two

It seems that many of the bouts, at least for those gladiators who have already survived a season, are designed to test the abilities they possess. Vex has a bout against multiple opponents, obviously designed to show off his ability to keep multiple daggers flying through the air in different directions. Naia’s first opponent is someone deliberately large and tough, Which is likely to devolve into a drawn-out brawl, where she must absorb and heal damage to be able to continue. Zara’s first fight is marked by waves, as if they are somehow going to find a way to make her fight on water, the element that she can control.

There are three bouts marked up next to my own name. Last season, I was told I got three because the organizers did notthink I would survive for long enough to make it worth them putting in more. But I have showed them that I can do so, so I’m not sure why it’s the same.

“They gave me three bouts again,” I say. “Do they still not think I’m going to live long?”

“Possibly,” Alaric says. “Or maybe they have decided that you are sufficiently rare and unusual in the way you fight that they don't want to overuse you. The crowd will want to see your control over beasts now and again, but if it is overdone, they risk making a hero of you.”

“Worried that Lyra will outshine you?” Zara says.

“Well, she is nearly as good looking as I am,” Alaric says, sweeping a bow in her direction. “Although in this case I suspect it has more with the nature of her powers.”

“They don't want the citizens seeing too much of me because they think I'm a beast whisperer?” I guess.

Alaric nods. “They're happy to see you dying in the arena, but they won't want you getting too popular. Three bouts again, and my guess is that they'll make them tough ones for you. Although I note that they've gone for a beast for the first one.”

The symbol of an animal's head is up there next to my name. There is no clue to what creature I am to fight, though. It is clear that they want that to be a surprise.

My second bout is to be against a gladiator. Which seems more standard, although the name of the gladiator is not there. Perhaps they really don't think I'm going to survive more than my first bout. Maybe they think that everything I achieved in the last season of the games was down to luck. Or maybe they're planning to send the most dangerous beasts they can at me in the first bout, and they don't think I have a chance.

Not knowing which gladiator I stand to face second means that I don't have a chance to prepare for their style of fighting, their choice of weapons, or their powers. Again it seems that thenoble gladiators have an advantage, because they know who they will be facing for the most part. How am I meant to prepare if I do not know what I am preparing for?

The third bout has been left blank. They haven't even told me whether it's going to be a beast, a gladiator or something else.

“This third bout could be anything,” Rowan says.

“It will probably have a beast in it somewhere,” Alaric replies, sounding certain about it.

“You can't possibly know that,” Rowan snaps back.

“Of course I can,” Alaric says, looking amused that anyone would dare to doubt him. “Lyra has shown all of Aetheria that she is a beast whisperer. The people want to see that. They will want to see her blood but they want it to be at the claws of some creature, not just on the point of a sword. They will want the spectacle of it. Whenever we show strengths or weaknesses, the arena takes note.”

He pointedly looks at the board, at the spot where Rowan’s blindfold match is.

“Has it occurred to you that someone who can feel your every movement through the earth is the perfect antidote to your illusions?” Rowan says.

Alaric shrugs. “If they put me against you, I hope you will do your best to make it an interesting fight. And when I beat you, maybe your former mistress will beg mercy for you.”

I can see the anger on Rowan's face. I have to put a hand on his chest to stop him from advancing towards Alaric.

“Don't fight. If you injure each other…”

“Yes, let's not rob the crowd of the entertainment,” Alaric says. “In any case, I must go. I have a visit to the city.”

“To see your mysterious sponsor,” Zara says. “Who is it?”

“Why? Have you all been taking bets?” Alaric asks. He shakes his head. “That is not your concern. He turns his attention backto me. “Prepare for beasts, Lyra. That is what they will send at you, and you must be ready for the worst of them.”

Chapter Ten

“Reach out further!” Lady Elara says. “Feel!”

I'm standing in the ancient temple, reaching out with my powers, trying to sense the animals around. Each of my sessions with Lady Elara seems to proceed in the same way, even as she has been working on different nuances of the skills I possess.

I can feel so many creatures around me, but now I do not reach for all of their minds the way I did before. I know better than to try to split myself between so many consciousnesses, risking tearing my mind apart, and allowing some element of the beasts to control me.

“You must be the one in control,” Lady Elara says. “The goddess was a careful hunter, stalking her prey, understanding it so that she might take it down when she was ready. You must be the same with your magic. And you must not allow yourself to be distracted.”

Even as she says that, something stings my skin and I yelp. I realize that another figure is there, covered by the cowl of their robe, a heavy rope in their hands with a knot at the end. It is that which must have struck me.

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