Page 34 of Trial of Bronze and Blood
She lowers her voice. “And unless whatever gods might be out there decide to intervene, he won’t last one round in gladiator combat.”
He slumps in his chair, arms relaxed; she bites the inside of her cheek. “You have to give him a chance. He might surprise you.”
“Few could surprise Drusilla, I think,” Cato announces from behind her, taking his own seat across from her. The thorny crown atop his head gleams bronze now, a blue crystal similar to the one around Sabina’s neck embedded at the center—the mourning period for his father must be over. His silk robes boast the deep blue hue many Durevolians wear.A king of the people.
Marcus takes up the milk jug again and pours some into a small cup. “She’s worried about your mortality.”
Cato tosses an orange at Marcus, who catches it easily. “You and my mother would get along, then.”
“And I told her not to underestimate you,” Marcus adds.
“But you’ve given me no basis for that claim.” She tucks her legs underneath her. “Give me a reason—any reason—to think you won’t die in the first round.”
Cato smiles. “This island and its people hold many secrets. When it’s ready, it will show them to you.”
Dru blinks at him. “That’s not an answer?—”
“We have work to do,” Marcus interrupts. “Since you’re so worried about him.”
Grabbing a slice of bread, she rips off a piece. “Fine.”
Knowing full well she’d be a fool to let it go.
Dru spends most of her first full day in Anziano inside the arena, focusing on the third trial to ensure his equitation skills meet her standards. Either he knows how to ride or he doesn’t.
After watching him, she has to admit that he’s better than most riders in the Faithless. But will it be enough for the treachery involved in these blood trials? Those from the northern territories are known across the continent to be great horse lords; their lowliest seamstresses have been taught to ride horses since childhood.
She doesn’t know enough of the people from Anziano to guess at what their strengths and weaknesses might be, but she doubts any of them are stupid enough to go after their own king.
The maze will be easier for Cato, just by the nature of his education. But those from the Imperium capital, Phaedra, are also well-learned scholars.
Puffs of white clouds linger in the bright blue sky, but the intensity of the sun this time of year so far south sets her skin on fire. Her hair doesn’t care much for the bit of moisture clinging to the air, which is why she’s pulled it back at the nape of her neck.
She takes a sip of water from the skin she brought with her asCato trots toward her with his horse beneath him. “Who taught you to ride, your grandmother?”
Cato kicks his heels and gallops past. “Yes, actually. She was an expert rider.”
Dru turns to Marcus standing beside her. “I can’t tell if he’s being serious or not.”
Marcus grins. “If you ask nicely, he’ll show you the painting of her in the royal stables.”
She fights against rolling her eyes. “One more lap, Cato.”
The quietness of the arena soothes her. None of the sounds of the city breach the stone walls except the bell from the temple, which Cato told her rings at regular intervals throughout the day. Enough to be annoying but also helpful when time slips away.
Having suffered three of those intervals watching Cato, she sees improvement from the morning. His confidence grows with each lap around the arena. She hopes it’s enough.
Admittedly, she’s also a bit distracted. She still doesn’t trust the reason behind her being here, and she knows neither he nor Marcus will tell her anything. She’ll have to find out on her own.
“Since we’re here,” Cato breaks into her thoughts as he hands his stableboy the reins to his horse, “I’m going to visit my mother.”
“I’ll come with you,” Marcus offers, then regards Dru.
“I can find my way back,” she cuts him off, a plan forming in her head.
Without waiting for a response, she leaves them to their endeavor and walks back to the palace, hastening once she’s out of sight.
Cato and Marcus both harbor secrets—of that, she has no doubt. And while her oaths demand she trust Marcus, her superior, her training tells her to gather all the information she can.
