Page 19 of Ironhold, Trial Three

Of course, someone with his powers would be able to sense the presence of people around them. He stands, turning to face me.

“I wanted to thank you for what you did back in the arena,” I say.

Vesper shrugs. “It helped me as much as you. One of the downsides of my powers is that I can't really do much alone.”

“I've seen Ravenna control people,” I say. “They say she's made them fall on their own swords in the arena.”

Vesper nods, looking serious. “I imagine she could do that if she wanted. She's very dangerous, although I also suspect she puts some of those stories out herself, because she wants people afraid of her before they even fight her. The more afraid she makes people, the easier it is for her to get in.”

He says it with a note of distaste, as if he doesn't like the way Ravenna uses her powers.

“You disagree with that?” I say. “I thought you had the same powers?”

Vesper smiles slightly. “And do you have the same powers as someone who can just talk to animals? Are the powers of every kineticist or pyromancer the same?”

I take his point. Magic is variable and shifts between one person and another. An archon might have control over the full sweep of magic within their discipline, possibly within multiple disciplines, but someone with a lesser talent is likely to have only a few things they can do. Vex can make objects fly around at will, but he cannot move himself using his magic, and he doesn't seem to be able to control other people directly. Rowan can sense the vibrations of the earth and make it unstable beneath the feet of his opponents, but he cannot raise up grand works of architecture, the way some stone shapers can. It's only naturalthat Vesper would have different abilities to Ravenna even if they both work with the magic of the mind.

“Sorry,” I say because he makes it sound like an insult that I've compared him to Ravenna.

He waves the apology away. “It's not important. But you must understand that Ravenna and I are very different in terms of what we can do. As I said in the maze, my gift is for raising people up and boosting their talents. I can make them feel better in themselves and remove blocks to their progress. I can boost what they can already do.”

“That's an impressive power,” I say. I've felt just how impressive. He made the difference between life and death back in the maze. Until he helped me, I couldn't control any of the shadow cats. Once he did, they all obeyed me.

Vesper shrugs. “Itseemsimpressive, and maybe out there in the world it would be, but in here? I have a few small skills of communication and mind reading that mean I can read an opponent's movements sometimes. That gives me an edge, but mostly, what I can do doesn't help me in a fight. Not alone.”

“You need someone with you,” I say. “An ally. That's when you're strongest, right.”

“But allies are difficult,” Vesper says. “I might not be able to delve into people's thoughts the way Ravenna can, but I can still see enough to know that most of the people around here are ready to betray their allies, are just using them, are prepared to kill them if they're commanded. I came to the conclusion almost as soon as I arrived that it was simply the way of things here.”

“But you still helped me in the maze,” I say.

Vesper shrugs. “Call it mutual interest. Or maybe… you feel different. I know you don't like the killing, not like some of them. And I can feel the power inside you, even if you're cut off from most of it. I get the feeling that you probably wouldn't betray me. I thought it was worth the risk in the maze.”

“It could be worth it through the rest of this too,” I say. “You know the Champions Trials are different from the normal games. For some of the trials, it isn't a case of killing our opponents, just surviving. We can help each other do that.”

“And what if they make us fight?”

“Then we do our best not to kill one another,” I say. “You can see my thoughts, right? You must know I mean this.”

“I can see some of them,” Vesper says. “Like I said, that's not the strongest part of my power, and… maybe it's just the dampener on your wrist, or maybe it's something inherent to beast whisperers, but you aren't the easiest person to read. Or control, I guess. Because I'm sure Ravenna would already have done that if she could.”

I think back to some of the times Ravenna has influenced me. It's undeniable that she can do so, but I've always felt as though I've been able to shrug it off eventually. Maybe I'm not completely vulnerable to her. Or maybe she just doesn’t have as much power as she thinks.

I think about Vesper's power, and how much of a boost it gave me, back in the maze. That was with my dampener. If I'm ever free of it, the combination of the two of us could be formidable.

“I'll think about it,” Vesper says. “Helping you so far has been worthwhile.”

I nod. “That's all I’m asking. I'll leave you to your meditations.”

I leave the chamber, ready to head back to my room. I'm surprised when Alaric is waiting out there in the corridor.

“Alaric, what are you doing here?” I ask him.

“I could ask you the same question,” he says. “I was waiting for you to return, you know. I wanted to make sure you were all right after today. They said the emperor summoned you. I thought you would need me. Instead, I find you here.”

There's an odd note in his voice. It sounds like… jealousy.

“I just came here to talk to Vesper,” I say.

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