Page 51 of Healer to the Ash King
I’m fairly sure every would-be royal bride is thinking the same thing. Today’s challenge takes place in an enormous open field, ringed by a tall fence of thick metal bars. The bars are set wide enough for a person to slip out through them, but not wide enough foranything elseto escape.
Anything else like the thirteen monsters locked in thirteen cages at the far end of the field.
I’ve seen beasts like these in a book before. They’re rare, denizens of an older world, creatures who now haunt the caves of the south-eastern mountains. They are called ollpheists.
Their blunted skulls sweep back low, with barely any space for their miniscule brains. They look eyeless from this distance. Their faces are blank and featureless except for their wide, fanged mouths which stretch upward at the corners in a perpetual, horrifying smile. Spikes of bone protrude from their elbows, knees, hips and spines. One of them even has a ring of spikes on its stomach. Some of them stand two-legged, claws outstretched, while others remain on all fours, pawing the turf. A serrated tail whips from the hindquarters of each shaggy beast.
I’m glad to be far away from the ollpheists, standing just behind the row of women. The Favored are not in gowns today; they’re dressed for activity, or perhaps for battle. Morani wears a jaunty suit of black leather, the perfect complement to her spiked black hair. Leslynne’s creamy skin and soft curves are protected by armor whose metal plates gleam in the afternoon light. Diaza’s freckled face is half covered by goggles to protect her eyes, and she wears glossy brown leather.
I scan the rest of them: Teagan with her red braid and light chainmail, Khloe in white leather, Sabre in a bulky armored vest with her huge biceps bare. Adalasia, her lean dark arms banded with scarlet wrapping, her hands covered with metal-knuckled gloves. Samay, in black from head to toe. Vanas, thickly clad in padded armor. Axley, in silver armor as uncompromising as her sharp face, flanked by the three other women who tend to shadow her.
None of the Favored were allowed to bring weapons onto the field, and the crowd sitting in the stands seems keenly, rapaciously aware of this fact. They lean forward on their wooden benches and shout for their favorites, which might be encouraging if any contestant could actually discern her name amid the tumultuous roar.
The audience is hoping for bloodshed, craving the violence of the spectacle. And blood they will have. But it’s my job to see that the wounds are not fatal.
The Ash King walks out onto the field, surrounded by guards, and halts before the line of the Favored. I’m strangely panicked about him being there, exposed to possible attacks from the Undoing. There are three rings of security fences around this area, and everyone coming and going is checked for weapons—but still. Someone might have slipped a weapon through. And I can’t forget what Rince said—that the Undoing has someone on the inside, possibly even a contestant.
I can’t imagine any of the women I know being one of the rebels. They are all members of the privileged class. What motive would they have to end the King and destroy the monarchy?
“For this challenge,” says the King’s herald, “The Favored will learn to handle and subdue an ollpheist.”
The crowd gasps and murmurs, and several of the women grow visibly more tense.
Subdue? Not kill?
The Ash King steps forward. “Any Queen of mine must have the ability to defuse dangerous situations and handle volatile people without resorting to violence. That is why you have no weapons with which to face these beasts. But you will have help.” He lifts his hand, and thirteen people walk out onto the field, each clad in padded armor similar to Vanas’s gear.
“These are the ollpheists’ trainers,” the King continues. “They teach the beasts to respond to simple commands. They will explain how to handle the creatures, and you will be given several minutes to practice.”
He sweeps the line of women with unmerciful eyes. “One at a time, you will stand in the field while the ollipheist you practiced with is released. An ollpheist’s first instinct will be to kill you and eat you, but if you’ve paid attention during practice, you’ll know what to do. You must maintain control of your ollpheist until that hourglass is empty.” He points to a platform where a servant stands beside an enormous hourglass filled with crimson sand. “If you cannot handle your beast and your life is threatened, you may defend yourself. But extra points will be given to those who maintain control. Anyone who steps through the fence and leaves the ring before time is up will be sent home.”
This is even more dangerous and ridiculous than I thought. Those horrible monsters havetrainers? I shudder.
“Excuse me, Healer?”
I turn to the servant who spoke. “Yes?”
“The King said you’re to ride this horse during the challenge. He’s a strong, fast fellow, and doesn’t spook around monsters.” The boy offers me the reins of a tall, burly stallion.
“Thank you.” I take the reins and mount. It’s a relief to know that I won’t be on the ground during this exercise. I’ll be able to move around the ring where I’m needed, and I’ll be up high, which is better for visibility and safety. But I’m still not happy about being in this field with thirteen savage monsters and thirteen vulnerable human bodies, even if the girls are being tested one at a time.
I was wrong about the noble women being soft. Most of them are physically stronger than I expected. But despite the strength and training they may have, they’re weaponless, and no match for these toothy creatures. Why would the Ash King do this?
He’s walking along the line, greeting each of the Favored with the cool elegance that’s so typical of him in a public setting. He is warmest to Khloe and Teagan, and I’m sure the other girls notice.
To his credit, he seems to have calmed the fears of the contestants during his personal time with them. They aren’t terrified of his very presence like they were on the first day.
When he reaches the end of the line, he walks up to me. I’m in the unusual position of being taller than him, thanks to my horse’s height, and I can’t help enjoying the fact.
“You’re smiling?” His mouth twitches at the corner. “Not terrified?”
“Oh, I’m terrified. For myself, and for them. But I like being up here on high, while you are—” I catch myself, remembering the guards nearby. “You look magnificent today, your Majesty.”
“I do, rather.” He stretches out his arms, the breeze ruffling his flame-colored cloak and the wide sleeves of his shirt.
His vanity piques me a little, even though I encouraged it. “This is a deadly challenge, my Lord.” I let a tinge of rebuke enter my tone, and the guard nearest me bristles, clenching his fist.
The Ash King quiets him with a sharp gesture, still holding my gaze. “As I said, any Queen of mine must be able to calm volatile people. They must know how to deal with monsters.”
