Page 20 of Ironhold: Trial Five

Cesca shrugs. “They’re bothglimmers. Barca is a brute who has just enough power to make his muscles swellto something monstrous. Zax is fast, and he can make small puffs of air to sendsand up at people.”

It's obvious she's done herresearch on this. Neither of our opponents’ talents sound overwhelming but eachhas the potential to give them an edge if we aren't careful. We will need towork together well in order to win.

“So how do you want to do this?” Iask.

“With those long weapons of yours,it makes sense if you herd them, and then I move in to finish them. I can shockpeople pretty well with my talent.”

She holds up her hands, sparks oflightning flying between her fingertips. In the colosseum she uses a long,slender sword which can conduct the lightning along its length. It means thateven a touch from it will let her stun her foes.

Stunning them sounds good to mebecause it means I might have not have to kill them. Not unless the emperorcommands it. But to avoid that, we will have to give him and the crowd a goodshow.

“We should draw the fight out alittle,” I say. “Hit and move. Give the crowd something to cheer for.”

Cesca smiles at that. “Oh, they’llcheer.”

Around us a crowd is alreadycheering, watching the procession as we head to the colosseum. I walk throughthe marching gladiators, drifting away from Cesca for now, determined to seewhat I can of our opponents before the moment comes to fight them.

I'm surprised when Rowan falls intostep by my side. He hasn't been talking to me, so why would he want to be soclose?

“You can’t trust Cesca,” he says tome, keeping his voice low.

“What?” I reply.

“You can't trust her, not today. Ioverheard her and the nobles she was with yesterday.”

I think back to the memory of Cescasitting with the noble couple, then getting up to go to one of the privaterooms with them. I had assumed that she was simply giving herself to them toforge connections.

“They want her to betray you duringthe bout. They think they can make a fortune on the betting, and she's agreed.Of course, she has when they've offered to be her patrons.”

I wince at the truth of that. Cescahas spent her time in Ironhold, latching onto one strong figure after another,trying to find someone who will keep her safe. Perhaps she has decided thatsuitable patrons will make her time easier, or that they will give her a betterlife once she is done here.

Anger and fear mix in me now. Angerat what she has planned. Fear, because I’m not sure if there’s anything I cando to survive it. A part of me wants to walk up to her and smash her to theground, but I know I can’t.

“How did you learn all of this?” Iask.

Rowan shrugs. “They were eager toget Lady Tyra on their side. Nobles seek alliances as quickly as anygladiator.”

And he was by Lady Tyra's side,because she is controlling him now, as surely as the emperor is controlling me.

“Thank you,” I say.

Rowan nods, but then moves awayfrom me. It's clear there's a difference between not wanting to see me killedand having forgiven me for suggesting rebellion to him.

We make our way down to thecolosseum and wait in the spaces beneath it for our matches. I have my weaponsnow, my spear and net, along with my short dagger. I can feel the tensionrising in me as I hear the sounds of battles from outside, the clash of steeland the cries of pain. It is not just the usual nerves before a fight.

My bout was balanced, something Istood a good chance in, perhaps something where I wouldn't have had to show anyof my powers, because I could leave much of the work to Cesca. Now, though, Iwill be facing not just my two opponents but her as well.

When will she attack me? Will sheleave it until our foes are down? That makes the most sense, since it will meanshe doesn't have to fight two gladiators alone, but I will have to watch myback the whole time. And I will have to find a way to survive. I'm not sure Ican do that against three opponents.

“It’s time,” a trainer says, comingto collect me and taking me to the iron gate. Cesca is waiting there, dressedin a few scraps of armor designed to show off her figure as much as to protecther. She holds a slender sword, balanced as lightly as if it is a baton.

Should I confront her with what Iknow? I can't. If I do then my only advantage is gone. She will know that Iknow and adjust her plans accordingly. I can't even go to the trainers with thenews.Thiskind of interference is common enough that it is not punishedharshly.

“I give you your gladiators, Lyraand Cesca!” the announcer says.

We step out onto the sands and Ireach for the eyes of the birds, looking down on the fight as well as throughmy eyes. I use those eyes to scour the stands for Alaric, wanting to see him,wanting to know he is safe.

I see him there in his fine box,surrounded by guards and servants. He is looking out at me with obvious worry.

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