Page 16 of Ironhold, Trial Four

“I feel… tired,” I say. “So very tired. It feels like he's sucked the life out of me.”

“And that is exactly what he has done,” the emperor says. “Another minute, and there wouldn't have been much left of you.”

He says that as if he were watching the bout, when in fact he only arrived in his box afterwards.

“I'm told that there will be no lasting effects,” he says. “Once you rest, you will be as you were. At least until he tries again.”

“He has been targeting me,” I say. It is a horrifying reality. “He was talking about all the beast whisperers he's killed. Andhe disguised his talent because he knew he would be given a fight against one of the better gladiators.”

“I agree,” the emperor says, with a nod.

It makes senseof some of the looks that Callus has been shooting my way, in any case. It has been obvious that he hates me, although I don't know why.

“The question is why he would give himself to Ironhold just to get to you,” the emperor says.

“And how could he guarantee that he would fight me?” I ask. “What he’d been given a different bout? What if he'd been killed before he could get to me?”

“My guess is he would simply have won the boutin whatever way he could and then attempted to kill you in Ironhold,” the emperor says. “Have you been alone with him there?”

I shake my head.

“Then he hasn't had a chanceto attack you like this. The question is who sent him.”

“Whosenthim?” I say echoing his words.

“The man has the skills of an assassin,” the emperor says. “And he has placed himself in great danger to get to you. My assumption is that someone sent him. The question is who.”

“You could have the arch magistrateread his mind,” I point out.

The emperor shakes his head. “I have assumptions and suspicions. That is not enough to make me set Selene on someone. And if he resisted… well he's a free man, so there are limits to what we could do. Which is why I'm letting him stay.”

“I don’t understand,” I say.

The emperor sighs. “You are more interesting when you haven't just been drained of most of your life. Try to keep up. I do not know who sent an assassin after you. I do know that there are plots around my empire, and it may be that someone is trying to send a message now that it's knownthat I am your new patron. I want you to find out who sent him. That is why I am leaving him in Ironhold. Have I stated it simply enough for you?”

Evenas drained as I am, I can see the potential danger in that.

“And when he tries to kill me again?” I say.

The emperor shrugs. “You will need to be ready for that.”

I hesitate. This is a command from the emperor and so I don't really have a choice about it but this may be my one chance togain a concession from him. He wants me to find out what's going on, so maybe I can get something in return.

“If I do this, will you send troops to protect my village from bandits?” I ask. “It is being pillaged. People are being killed.”

The emperor looks surprised, then briefly angry, then thoughtful.

“I could have you punished just for trying to extort something from mefor your aid,” he says. “But it's a bold move, and that means I'm inclined to agree.”

“You're going to send the troops?” I say.

“This time. Just don't make a habit of asking me for favors. I'm an emperor. You are a conscripted gladiator. I don't need to make deals when I can simply give commands.”

“Yes my emperor,” I say, bowing my head so he doesn't see my smile. I have achieved something herethat might actually protect my village. In return, I will be in danger but, with Callus in Ironhold, I was going to be in danger anyway.

I need to find out who sent him and why he's attacking me. Maybe if I find those answers I'll be able to find a way to stop him.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

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