Page 33 of Ironhold, Trial Two

“Part of the reason I limited you is so that people won't work out just how powerful you are, Lyra,” she says. “They know that you have command over beasts, and that's enough to make them hate you, but for now, the emperor assumes that you will be killed in the games. He assumes that he will never make it through your five seasons. He is content to work within the restrictions of the games, rather than risk being seen interfering in something the citizens view as holy. If he knew your full power, he would throw everything he has at killing you, regardless of what that would mean for him.”

“You're saying that as if I'm something special,” I say.

“Do you know the categories of magical potential within Aetheria?” Lady Elara asks.

I nod. I know them vaguely. They range from nulls, with no magic at all, through the glimmers who represent so much of the population of the city, up through adepts with skill in one talent, mages who have true command, all the way up to archons.

“Well,” Lady Elara says. “I believe you could have as much potential as any beast whisperer who has ever lived. I believe you have it in you to be an archon.”

Those words shock me, making me stand and stare at her. Does she really believe that, or is it just another game?

“I still don't know if I can trust you,” I say.

Lady Elara nods, “I know. Just follow me.”

She leads the way to the temple. I'm surprised to find that there are others there waiting for us, dressed in their robes, the hoods up so that we cannot see their faces. She pulls my hood down, along with her own, stepping up to the front under the statue.

“My friends,” she says. “Some of you will have seen what Lyra was able to achieve in the Colosseum. I had to restrict her power so they would not see her as a threat, but I hope you understand her potential now.”

“She has power,” a woman says. She steps forward. “I will admit that much. And you believe that she should be allowed among us?”

“I do,” Lady Elara says.

The other woman pulls down her hood, revealing bright blonde hair and deep blue eyes. Some of the others around me gasp. Clearly, they were expecting her to maintain her disguise.

“Then let that be the case,” she says. “I was there, I saw the possibilities. I am Methisa, and I welcome you to the spectral covenant, Lyra.”

“There should be a vote,” a man near the back growls. And it is a growl, his voice almost bestial.

“Then let us vote,” Methisa says. “Although she's seen my face now, so we all know what that means.”

“Methisa,” Lady Elara warns.

Methisa smiles, and it is not kind. “It's our way, Elara. And you've tried to force her into our ranks. So we will do this. We will have the vote. If we are agreed, she will be one of us.”

“And if you're not?” I ask.

“Then you die,” the man with the growling voice says. “We can't have you revealing our secrets.”

Sudden fear fills me. Again, it seems that Lady Elara has brought me into the middle of something without explaining what's going on.

She steps forward, glaring at Methisa. It's obvious that she didn't want this, and equally obvious that there's some kind of internal wrangling going on between the two of them. I'm just the one caught up in it.

“Very well,” she says. “If you're going to force the issue, let me be clear. In Lyra, we have a chance to show the city that beast whisperers are more than just dangerous savages. If you have been to the Colosseum, you will know how many people chant her name. You will know that they are growing to love her. She is powerful, but more than that, she could be a symbol. She could become a champion in the arena, and Tiberius will be forced to make her a citizen, a noble. He will be forced to acknowledge a beast whisperer.”

“Is that all?” Methisa asks.

“No, it is not,” Lady Elara says, give her a hard look. “Because, as someone the people will grow to love, Lyra will be in a position of influence. They will look to her, and she will be able to reveal the worst excesses of Tiberius's rule. That will give us the influence we need to change things. Perhaps to remove him completely. But only if she is one of us. Kill her now, and you waste all of that. So choose. Who is in favor and who is against?”

Around me, the roped figures start to move. Some move towards me, and I tense, wondering if they are coming forward to kill me. Some move away from me. When Methisa joins them,I realize that is the group of those who do not think I should be there.

The process takes a minute or more before everyone is in position. I try to count the figures. Are there more on our side or on theirs? I'm not sure, and Lady Elara doesn’t seem certain either. Finally, though, she smiles.

“It seems we have it, Methisa,” she says. “It seems Lyra will be one of us.”

Methisa bows, although she doesn't look happy about it. “As you say. I just hope we won't come to regret this.”

“Come now,” Lady Elara says. “Let us welcome her, all of us.”

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