Page 7 of Ironhold, Trial Two

She says it without preamble, catching me slightly off guard. But why else would she be here? She has agreed to teach me more about the powers I possess, about what it means to be a beast whisperer. She has told me it's a dangerous path but that I need help if I am to control those powers.

The thought of that makes a note of fear run through me. I know she is expecting so much from me, and I’m not sure if I can be all she wants me to be. She is going to show me how to use powers I am only just learning that I have, powers I’m told people will hate me for.

“Why is it you’re so interested in teaching me?” I ask. She must have her own reasons, her own agenda. I want to know more about what those things are.

“In part, because I think it’s important to teach others such as myself,” Lady Elara says. “In part, because I think you can be useful.”

“Useful how?” I ask.

“For now, let’s say that people should be able to see one of our kind without fear. In the arena, you can be a hero to them, Lyra.”

A hero? I don’tfeelvery heroic when I’m in there. And it doesn’t feel like that answer is enough.

“And that’s your whole plan?” I ask.

“It’s as much as I’m prepared to tell you for now,” Lady Elara counters. “I’m not obligated to tell you my every thought.”

It’s a reminder that, for all that she’s helping me, our positions are very different.

I nod. “I still have a question, though.”

She cocks her head to one side. “I'm always open to questions, Lyra. Although which ones I can answer is a different matter.”

I hesitate before I ask it. I know that what I am about to ask her for is potentially a lot.

“Why are we doing this here?” I ask.

“What do you mean? Is this room not acceptable in some way?”

Again, it takes me a moment to build up my courage. What if she says no? What if I’m asking too much? What if I anger her just by asking for this part? But Imustask.

“I've heard about nobles being able to take gladiators out as their patrons,” I say. I try to gauge her reaction to the words. “About inviting them into Aetheria.”

“And you're hoping I will do that?” Lady Elara says. Her eyes search my features. “It would only fuel some of the rumors.”

There are many rumors about us. It is impossible to hide the fact that she comes to see me, or that she has requested my presence after some of my bouts. Plenty of people believe that she has taken me as a lover. Others have decided that she wants to be seen with the most outrageous gladiator of the games, the one who refused the emperor's command to kill.

“Do the rumors matter?” I ask. “I thought they kept us safe. And… Ironhold is hardly a private place.”

She seems to consider that. After a few moments, she nods. “You're right. My intention was to bring you into the city anyway when you were ready. Obviously, when I first met you, you had yet to complete your first season, so it wasn't an option. But now… if you are serious about what I have to teach, then perhaps you can be more use to me out in the city.”

My heart sings at the possibility. If she will take me from this place even for a little while, it will give me a chance to see more of Aetheria. Perhaps I might even find a way to eventually escape. A way that will not see me dragged back and killed.

“But you must understand, Lyra, that there are limits to such patronage. The patron guarantees the safe return of the gladiator. Should they escape, the patron is expected to be the one who hunts them down. If that does not happen, the patron islikely to share their fate. Our lives will be in one another's hands. Do you think we can trust one another enough for that, Lyra?”

I feel suddenly ashamed of my thoughts of escape, because I know if I put them into practice I will be endangering her, putting her in a dangerous position at the very least. And I’m sure she will have known exactly what I was envisaging.

I nod.

“Good,” she says. “Now, to our practice. We do not have much time.”

I try to prepare myself, ready for whatever she has to teach.

“How many animals can you feel nearby?” she asks.

I don't entirely understand the question. “Feel them?”

“Yes. When you are close to an animal, you can feel its thoughts and emotions, correct? You connected to them. You feel some ephemeral part of them, and you make contact with it.”

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