Page 38 of Ironhold, Trial Four

“Death! Death! Death!”

But Rowan steps away. It is obvious Vex can't fight anymore, so Rowan throws his sword down into the sand. He has won. The fight is over.

There is a pause before the announcer speaks, and healers run onto the sand. I already know they will be too late for Zara. I let go of my control of the birds, listening from my cell.

“Citizen’s of Aetheria, your victor: Rowan!”

A cheer goes upthat echoes through my chamber. But the announcer keeps going.

“And we also have another moment of victory,” he says. “Because the gladiator Vex has survived this match, he has successfully completed his five seasons in the colosseum. By the grace of the emperor he is declared a champion of the games, and will stand with honoramong the noble citizens ofAetheria!”

Vex? All of this, and Vex is the one who goes free? I sit there in my cell, the unfairness of that washing over me. How, after all of this, isVexthe one who comes out on top?

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

With the games concluded, we returned to Ironhold. Vex and Rowan are carried on carts while the healers work on them. I am no longer held by chains, so I have an easy enough time walking. Crowds along the way cheer our names, but I cannot give them my attention when my thoughts are all on what is happening to Alaric.

“Why didn't you finish him?” I ask Rowan, with a glance across at Vex.

Rowan shakes his head. “I didn't need to when it came to it.”

“He killed Zara. He killed Naia.”

We have lost friends to Vex. Killing him seems as though it would have been revenge. I'm surprised with the vehemence with which I think about Vex. He and Ravennahave made my time at Ironhold almost unbearable at times. Ravenna is dead at my hands, but now… now Vex gets to walk away from it all. He gets to be a champion of the gamesand be lauded by all the other nobles of the city. He will havegood posts and potentially great marriage offers waiting for him, and all because he has killed another of my friends.

Ironhold looms ahead. Our little procession makes it through the gates, and we come to a halt in the practice yard. Lord Darius is waiting for us.

“Once more, the games are ended. Once more, we must honor the fallen.” He slams his fist against his chest and then raises it.

“The fallen!” we all repeat, the sound of the phrase echoing around the fortress. And I do think of the fallen. I think of Zara, I think of Naia. I think of those I've killed. I even think of Callus, who gave Alaric no choice but to kill him to save me. Each time I think about the things I could have done differently, the ways inwhich I might have been able to help. Grief is a heavyweight on my heart, making me feel leaden with it. I cry silent tears for the dead, and not just for them.

My tears are for Alaric too, kept in a cell somewhere, awaiting his fate. A part of me insists that I must do something now to save him, do something to get him free, but I do not know what I can do or even where he is. Not knowing only makes the tears fall faster.

In the middle of it all, it is time for the second part of the ceremony. Lord Darius stands there, concentrating, and now most of us there cry out in pain as burning heatflares across the circular brands on our left shoulders. A line of fire appears across mine, burning a fourth stripeacross the circleto proclaim that I have successfully completedfour seasons within the arena. Rowan has three such stripes.

And, of course, Vex now has five. Lord Darius goes to him, standing beside him.

“Vex is a champion of the colosseum. He has survived five seasons, fought in battles that would make most people cower just to think about them. He has fought with bravery and honor, exhibiting the virtues that the city most values.”

He clasps his hand to Vex’s, then gestures to the open doors of Ironhold.

“Go now, Vex. Your future in the city awaits you.”

Vex bows to him briefly, turning to salute the rest of usas if he is some conquering hero, rather than just someone who was allowedto live by Rowan. The gates shut after him, reminding the rest of us that we are stuck in the fortress prison until such time as we can complete our seasons, or until we die, whichever happens first.

“The rest of you have earned your celebrations. Enjoy them, because soon another season in the arena will be upon you.”

Lord Darius turns and leaves, even as the gladiators cheerin celebration of all they have survived. It isn't long before music startsand wine begins to flow. People start to dance. A few of them start to draw me into that dancing, but I pull away. I might have survived my latest season, but I have no wish to celebrate when Alaric is imprisoned.

While the others spill into the dining hall to feast, I quickly leave the party behind. Rowan goes with me.

“You should get to the healers,” I say.

“I want to make sure you're all right first,” Rowan replies.

I'm not. How could I beafter everything that has happened? I look at Rowan, and there’s still a hint of attraction there butthe surprising thing is that it's not more than that. My thoughts are filled with Alaric, and what might be happening to him in this moment.

“I don't think I am all right,” I say. “Alaric-”

---