Page 31 of Ironhold: Trial Five

“The spectral covenant meets in anancient temple of the goddess Deira, beneath the city,” I say. “They will bemeeting tonight.”

“I will need directions to it,” Vexsays.

“I can draw you a map if you get mesomething to write with.”

He nods and leaves the room for aminute or two before coming back with parchment and ink. I draw him his map,describing the way through the tunnels beneath the city. This is a betrayal ofthe beast whisperers, and I know it. They rely on secrecy to stay safe, but Ihave made my choice and must go through with it. I think I have found a waythrough this, but every step now will need to be perfect.

I draw Vex his map. I hand it tohim, and he hurries off, obviously determined to put an end to his competitionfor the empire. It means he's abandoned me with the ink and the parchment, so Itake the time to write a simple note.

Vex is coming for the spectralcovenant. He knows where you are.

I take that note and I cannot riskit with a servant, so I step out into the open air and I call a bird to me. Ihave it take the note in its beak, then guide it in a search for Lady Elara. Ifind her in her box, looking out over the crowd and the empire as if trying tojudge which parts she will keep and which must be destroyed by the beastwhisperers. She looks up as the bird approaches, obviously sensing that I havecontrol of it. I drop the note in front of her, then let my control of the birdfade.

I have talked to two of those Ineed to, but there is still a third, and he is more dangerous than the othersput together. For this one I do not go to a servant, but instead approach aguard.

“I have information I believe theemperor will want to hear,” I say, trying not to show any of the fear I feel atwhat I'm about to do. This is a betrayal on a scale that I cannot justify forany reason other than love. If I did not love Alaric so much I would not beable to do any of this, would not be able to contemplate what I'm about to do.

The guard looks surprised, but I amone of the foremost gladiators of the games, and I have been brought before theemperor many times before. They are used to taking me to him, and in this case,the promise of information is a useful bargaining tool. The guard leads methrough the colosseum to the emperor's box, where Emperor Tiberius is sittingwatching the games from his throne. He looks around as I enter.

“What are you doing here Lyra?” hedemands, as I fall to my knees, the way I am required to in front of him.

“I have information my emperor.But…”

“You want something for it,” hesays, his eyes locking onto mine. He gestures for the guards to leave. Heclearly doesn’t fear being here alone with me. He knows I cannot act againsthim.

“I want you to promise me thatAlaric will never be executed,” I say. “I want you to give him his freedom.”

“What information could possibly beworth that?” the emperor says.

“I can give you the people plottingagainst you,” I say.

A look of interest crosses hisface. “The spectral covenant?”

“Not just them,” I say. “There is agroup of nobles who wish to unseat you for their own reasons. They are planningto meet up with the spectral covenant tonight.”

His look of interest turns into oneof hunger. “Tell me where they will be.”

“First, you need to give meassurances that Alaric will be safe,” I say. “Not just safe for now, butpermanently.”

“You're trying to bargain with me?I could have you taken to a torture chamber and get every scrap of informationfrom your mind.”

“Could you do it in time?” Icounter. “Alaric’s safety.”

The emperor doesn't look happy, buthe nods. “Very well. But I feel I should give you a choice. Tomorrow is to be abattle royale between the gladiators who remain in the games. I could removeyou from that, take away the risk to your life. Alaric is in no immediatedanger. I have been keeping him at my palace. I could give you your life as areward, rather than his.”

It is a cruel choice to give me amoment of deliberate pain to inflict on me. Or it would be if I thought of itas a choice at all.

“Alaric’s safety is more importantto me,” I say.

The emperor looks as though hecannot quite understand that, but he nods again. “As you say. If this worksout, then his life will no longer be on the line. I may even choose to releasehim.”

May. That word makes it clear thatthe emperor plans to do as little as he can, but I have done what I can to keepAlaric safe. More than that, I know where he is being held now.

“Now tell me where and when thespectral covenant and these nobles will meet.”

I tell him. I draw for him the samemap that I drew for Vex, albeit with a few subtle differences. I give him theinformation he will need to send soldiers in to attack those plotting againsthim. I betray Lady Elara, and Vex, all at once.

I just hope it will be enough.

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