Page 17 of Ironhold, Trial Three

“Those plans will change things for all of us,” she promises.

Even if she does so, she stops. The sound of booted feet comes into the room, and she rises, carefully pulling her dress from one shoulder, so that it looks as if much more has been happening in this room than a simple conversation. The rumors that Lady Elara has taken me as a lover protect our true secrets, not giving people a reason to look deeper.

Two soldiers come in, and Lady Elara glares at them.

“I believe the tradition isnotto interrupt nobles when they're alone with gladiators,” she says in a sharp tone. “A few moments later and...”

She leaves the rest to their imagination.

“Apologies my lady,” one of the soldiers says, “but we have been commanded to come here by the emperor himself.” He looks over to me. “The emperor Tiberius requires your presence, Lyra Thornwind.”

Chapter Eleven

Am I about to be punished for my confrontation with Lady Tyra? The thought of that feels like ice in my veins, but still, I have no choice but to go with the guards. They don't explain why the emperor wants me, but then why would they explain anything to a simple gladiator? The emperor has summoned me, and I must go.

Fear builds within me as they lead me along. Have I put myself in danger by intervening with Lady Tyra? Is the emperor about to have me punished for it?

To my surprise they lead me out of the colosseum, walking at either side of me as we all make our way through the streets of the city. The people on the streets look at me and stare in wonder as if some great hero is walking among them.

Not everyone seems so impressed, though.

“Coward! Who wants to see you go through the whole maze without killing anything?”

A man flings a stone at me. I flinch, but one of the soldiers is there, and the stone stops in midair, deflected by some magical force. It's a reminder that, in a city filled with magic, the emperor's guards are as likely as anyone to possess it.

“Move along,” the guard commands the man who threw the stone. “Or do you want to find yourself in the arena with her? Maybe then you will hope that she’s not in a killing mood.”

“Thank you,” I say as we recommence our march.

The guard makes a face. “I didn't do it for you. I did it to keep the emperor’s peace. Now get moving. He wants to see you at once.”

We hurry now, heading through the streets. It's obvious where we're going because the imperial palace lies ahead, behind stone walls and surrounded by beautiful gardens, whichare augmented with illusions and other magic. The water from a fountain flows in impossible shapes before it falls. Creatures with the bodies of peacocks but the heads of cats strut through the grounds. A gardener levitates a stone into place. Even with such menial tasks, magic seems to be involved.

The palace itself is a thing of wonders. It is painted and gilded, banners falling from it, decorated with the imperial insignia of a sword punching into the heart of a purple blaze of magic. The two guards walk me up the steps to it, and into a space that displays wealth beyond anything I could imagine.

There are statues on every side, busts of former emperors displayed on plinths, larger statues of heroes standing freely. The mosaics beneath my feet depict the first emperors founding the city. The furniture looks as though it has been imported from around the world, and much of it is studded with jewels.

The guards take me through the palace, upstairs, to a suite of rooms closed off from the rest with golden double doors, decorated with a battle scene. They open to reveal a large chamber within, and the emperor is seated there on a gilded couch, waiting for me. His eyes follow me as I approach him, flanked by the guards.

“It is customary to kneel in the presence of your emperor, slave,” he says.

A flash of anger flickers through me. Did he bring me all the way from the Colosseum to humiliate me? The guards to either side of me look restless, as if they're only waiting for an opportunity to punish me.

So I do as the emperor commands. I fall to my knees before him, waiting to see what he will do next, and what he wants of me. My heart is beating faster with fear at the thought of the possibilities. I have heard again and again that Emperor Tiberius hates beast whisperers. Perhaps he has decided to kill me at last. I have to force myself to be still, not to rise and run,or try to escape. I know that either of those things will mean that they kill me. I hold still instead and wait.

“You guards may go,” the emperor says. That catches me by surprise. It seems to surprise the guards too, because they hesitate for just a moment. “Go, I said!”

They retreat before the power of the emperor's command, leaving the two of us alone. The emperor stands, moving around me, as if I am some precious specimen to be examined carefully.

“So, you are Lyra, the mistress of beasts.”

“That is what they call me in the arena,” I say.

“And is it untrue? You are a beast whisperer, aren’t you?”

What can I say to that? I can't exactly deny it after all the things I've done in the colosseum. But at the same time, I know that admitting it will put me in greater danger. With no other options, I risk the truth anyway.

“I am,” I say.

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