Page 73 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

“A new crime before he’s finished paying for the last?” Ciro leaned toward me. “I fear your friend will not live long.”

But for the moment, Griffon was allowed to go to Lennon. They embraced only briefly, not daring to turn their backs to anyone inside that arena.

And still, there were games to play…

35

SOME MIRACLES SUCK

The crowd was disappointed. Despite a triple decapitation, there hadn't been nearly enough bloodshed for their taste. And they were eager for more. They had also been poked and prodded and teased by Bain and Dower, so they were eager to see the two brothers humbled.

Ciro waved to the servant who held the tray, and again a drink was brought to him. Again, he did not offer me any. My throat was dry from yelling, and I would have welcomed a drink of water, but I would have refused anything that could dull my senses. I still had no idea how I would defeat my opponent when I didn't even know what my opponent would be. Man? Woman? Dragon? Or another beast? And besides Ciro, was I even capable of killing?

Dower and Bain entered the arena almost eagerly. There was no need for the guards to tell them where to stand or to even escort them. They took their place in the center of the dirt that was generally free of blood and bowed, waving and winking at the crowd, winning cheers and jeers alike.

Ciro leaned close but never took his eyes off the brothers. "I think you will be impressed. I have a surprise guest for your friends. I really cannot believe my luck sometimes. But a few days ago, this fellow purchased a dragon illegally—a DeNoy dragon, mind you—and abused it. That made him ours to punish. I had planned to save him for our quarterly games, but this was just too good to ignore.”

A surprise guest. That meant the brothers would not be expected to fight each other. That was a relief at least, but I could not imagine who the surprise guest might be. And how would Ciro know this mystery person would impress anyone?

I looked at Tearloch and wished I had some way to warn him, to tell him to brace himself. But then again, we were all braced for something mad.

The door that had opened for the bull opened again. Into the light stumbled a tall man who held his arm over his face to block the sun. Like us, he might have been kept in the dark for days. Maybe the brothers could kill him quickly before his eyes adjusted.

He reached the start of the arena floor and stopped.

Due to the jeering mob, Bain and Dower had yet to notice him. They stood with their hands out, clearly waiting for someone to throw them a weapon.

“We have the most delicious surprise for these two brothers,"said the announcer."A criminal we had planned to save for the next Moonless Quarter. But fate has a funny way of twisting here in The Soundless…”

Tearloch shot to his feet, his mouth agape, his eyes on the mystery opponent. A guard stepped forward and tried to force him to sit, but he shook the man off like a fly. Without warning, he vaulted over the wall and onto the arena floor, running not toward the stranger, but toward the brothers.

* * *

Tearloch…

“Listen to me,” Tearloch shouted as he ran toward Bain and Dower. He wanted to get their attention before they noticed. “Whatever he says, don’t believe him. Do you hear me?”

The brothers looked, blinked, then stood dumbfounded, staring at the older brother they never expected to see again.

“He’s not Huxor! For all we know, this is another changeling. They’ve found a way to read our minds. Believe nothing! This is our opponent, that is all.”

Huxor let his arm drop and looked around the arena. He winced and turned his head to the side, away from the sun, so he could see the men before him clearly. Then his mouth fell open and he started forward again without fear.

“Bain! Dower! You came for me! How did you find me? Fates be praised, I thought I’d never see you again!”

Dower took a step forward but Bain held him back. “Hello, Brother. Or should I say Iphocles?”

Huxor halted. He even managed to look disappointed. But anyone with eyes could tell he was only acting. “Forgive me. I was a fool. This power has given me nothing but heartache.” He shrugged and let his hands fall to his sides. “I want my brothers back.” He noticed Tearloch then. “My old friend!”

Tearloch reached for his sword but found only his belt.

Huxor noticed and came no closer. “I do understand. But remember, it wasn’t me who tried to take Minkin for her power. That washim. Remember? I would never harm our own.”

Dower smiled. “You see? It is Huxor!” Again, Bain had to hold him back.

“Even if it is,” Tearloch said, “we cannot trust him. Iphocles is still in there, still in charge. And there’s only one way to get him out.” He turned and shouted toward the bastard that kept Asper at his side. “Give us weapons! We’ll entertain you! But we can’t spill blood without weapons!”

Ciro came to the front of his fancy box and shouted, “Not your fight! Remove yourself and they shall have their weapons!”

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