Page 10 of Ironhold: Trial Five

“So, he must care for you. And doyou care for him, Lyra?”

I hesitate, not because I'm unsureabout my feelings about Alaric, but because I'm unsure what the outcome will beif I admit them to the emperor. I realize, however, that I have no choice. Thisis my one chance to save Alaric’s life. I am in front of the one person who hasthe power to intercede on his behalf. The emperor can snap his fingers, and adozen guards will leap to free Alaric.

“I do,” I admit.

“And yet you don't seem to bepleading for his life.”

“Please, my emperor, let him live.He only acted to defend me against an assassin you sent me back to face.”

“It hardly sounds like pleadingwhen you're blaming me,” Emperor Tiberius says. “Perhaps you aren't seriousabout saving his life.”

I hate that he's toying with melike this, seeing what I will and won't do to try to save Alaric from his fate.

“Please,” I beg. “Just let himlive. I'll do anything you want.”

I know only too well what“anything” could entail. He could make me fight for him or kill for him. Hecould command me to his bed. He could send me against his enemies. Thepossibilities are terrifying, but if it will keep Alaric safe, I will doanything that is required.

The emperor shrugs. “But you are aslave, and I am the emperor. You will do anything I want anyway. I hold yourlife in my hands as easily as his. I could give you a command and you wouldhave to follow it whatever it was. Shall I think of something for you to do toprove it?”

It is all too easy to think of themany ways the emperor might prove the difference in our positions to me. Hecould have me flayed alive on a whim. He could command me to his bed. He couldset me to some menial task and leave me doing it for hours. He is no longer mypatron, but he is still in a position of authority over me.

At least for now. It occurs to methat another season of games in the colosseum is coming up and if I survive it,I will be free. I will be a free citizen of Aetheria, a noble, and the emperorwill not be able to command as much from me. I will have rights as well as justduties.

I'm starting to see the shape ofwhat's happening here. I think I understand some of the game the emperor isplaying.

“You want something,” I say.

The emperor's eyes narrow, with aflicker of anger. “Do not presume to know my mind.”

But I think I do when it comes tothis. I think I understand why all of this is happening the way it is.

“You intervened personally to makesure that Alaric would be given a sentence of execution,” I say, “but it wasn'tcarried out immediately, and it could have been. Itwouldhave been withmost other people.”

“He is noble born, and an examplemust be made.”

“But if that were enough to changethings, he wouldn't be executed at all,” I say. “Instead, you've made sure thatthe threat of death is hanging over him. Hanging over someone you know I careabout.”

I'm starting to see why Alaric hassaid in the past that it is dangerous to be seen to care about anyone inIronhold. That there is always someone trying to use it against us. I justnever dreamed that it would be the emperor.

The emperor smiles. “If you'veworked out that much, then surely you've worked out enough to know that youshould be on your knees, begging to do what I wish.”

He stares at me, and I know he'sserious. I fall to my knees again, staring up at him and pleading as best Ican.

“Please, please spare Alaric. Iknow you have something you want me to do and whatever it is I will do it ifyou will only let him live. Please just don't execute him. Let him go.”

“There. I knew you could begproperly if you tried.” He looks pleased with himself as he gestures to themap. “As I said before, the problem is Aetheria. Specifically how unruly it hasbecome. It seems that there are disturbances almost every day now. I want youto help with that, Lyra.”

“Help how?” I ask.

“You are the favorite gladiator ofthe people at the moment,” the emperor says. “Your presence in the gamesentertains them and keeps them from rising up. But you will only be there forone more set of games. We can't have that.”

“You want… you want me to keepfighting?” I say.

The emperor nods. “Exactly. Youwill fight in the Colosseum until I decide that you have done enough. You willkeep fighting in it past your five seasons. When you do so, you will entertainthe crowd, and you will kill when I command it. You will give them reasons tobe pacified and docile. If you do that, Alaric Blackthorn will live. As long asyou keep living and fighting, he will live a life of luxury here within my ownpalace. If you fail me, I will enact his sentence.”

I realize the trap the emperor haslaid for me and worse, just how little choice I have in the matter. Or rather,Ihavea choice, but it is not one I am willing to make. I could ignorethis offer, could get through my five seasons and leave, but only if I'mwilling to sacrifice Alaric’s life. To watch him executed at the conclusion ofthis season. I'm not. Which means I have only one option.

I bow my head. “I will do what yourequire.”

---