They walked to the stadium, with Taja hurrying after them. Taja’s huffing was so loud that Ambrosia commented. “I think you might be overfeeding Taja.”
“I let her eat as much as she wants.”
“Well, she’s an overeater,” Ambrosia quipped. “Maybe give her controlled portions because she’s fat even for a flurry.”
Ky smiled, watching her pet. She liked her little round body, and found it humorous, that she couldn’t jump with stubby legs. “She’s happy,” Ky shrugged, glad Taja was content.
“Well, young flurries would be a perfect addition to my room. They breed by the dozens, until they can’t gather for their young anymore because it’s too much work! I should buy you another at the market. She wouldn’t be so bored and eat constantly if she had children.”
“She’s content. She rarely leaves the city walls even when Cobaaron tells her to venture out to seek her own kind. But if she ends up pregnant you can have the babies. Taja is enough for me.”
“I’ll ask the merchants to be on the lookout for one,” Ambrosia said.
“You can, but Cobaaron has been checking also.”
“Then I’ll request a black one. They’d have cute babies!”
When they reached the stadium, the few warriors that were near, led them to the king’s box, where Cobaaron, Octavos, Tyrus, and Noxis sat on thrones. They were laughing, and enjoying convivial camaraderie. When they saw them approach, they all stood and their laughter died promptly as if they were caught goofing off. Ky beamed at Cobaaron. His behavior around Noxis was altered, and he was unmistakably radiantly happy. Noxis and Cobaaron were closer again. They even sat next to one another as if nothing had ever torn them apart.
Octavos saw them first, and immediately walked over to Athaya and embraced her. He then peered into the basket snug to Layla who had woken but lay quietly. Athaya wrapped Layla in two blankets and held her so she could look around. Octavos bragged about being the first to have a child, as he watched his wife with puffed-up pride.
“Well, my partner conceived without us deciding,” Cobaaron teased, boasting his feat was better.
“You always have to win.” Octavos chortled, and then added, “But I had the first child, and I had the first girl. You will always come second to me in this. You can’t win no matter what you do. Mark my words; I’ll have the first boy, too.”
Ky glanced to Noxis. He was looking at Ky’s stomach, but when he saw her attention, he turned to leave the king’s box.
“Where are you going?” Cobaaron asked his brother.
“We’re done here. I’ve told you all there is and we’ve let the known contestants see the map. I should go.”
“Let’s all walk to the castle together,” Cobaaron said.
They ascended the rows of seats, and then headed toward the castle. They sauntered in couples, with Noxis behind them. As if Cobaaron knew Noxis was watching Ky, he held her hand. They were in the city center when Cobaaron spun, but his brother was gone.
“He’s acting weird lately,” Octavos said when the group stopped because Cobaaron asked where Noxis went. “One minute he’s chummy and back to his old self, and the next flighty. I don’t get it. He avows he now understands our judgment concerning Ky and has accepted your decision to remain in your union, but he isn’t himself around her.”
“He said he had to go earlier. I should have let him,” Cobaaron replied. “He probably went to a place where he had business.” Ky knew it was a lie, and Cobaaron was covering because Noxis was obviously tortured, watching Cobaaron touch Ky while under dark magic. Ky felt sorry for him. She easily decided to slip Noxis the love potion that was now crumbling his world. Ky wasn’t just wrecking his life, but also Onya’s. Her sister-in-law was losing weight because she grieved, feeling rejected by her new husband.
Ky’s guilt was overwhelming, as she watched Cobaaron. She knew he hated it above anyone else, though he rarely grumbled about it. She didn’t think she could dwell in her remorse much longer and not do anything.
“He probably went to the market to shop for Onya. Cheery Linear is coming up.” Ambrosia supposed when she saw a jewelry shop nearby.
“What is that?” Ky asked.
“It’s a holiday. The entire castle and city will be decorated in blossoms of a linear tree in honor of Lu Lush. Cheery Linear is the day she died, and everyone honors her by giving gifts,” Ambrosia explained.
“Why is it Cheery Linear, if it’s the holiday of her death?” Ky asked.
“I don’t know,” Ambrosia shrugged, “maybe because she brought many lucky women into the world with blessed wombs. That is something to celebrate.” Her answer was a wild guess, but it sounded right.
They left, heading for the castle, without saying another word about Noxis’s absence. Ky was glad. She felt terrible, and she knew she needed to make things right.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ky folded the small parchment and slipped it in her pocket. The letter carried tremendous emotional weight. She solemnly sat on her bed, and wondered if she was doing the right thing. These days she was uncertain what was the right thing, and she worried this was another stupid decision. With a heavy sigh, she prayed for strength and guidance.
The tournament would start in a few hours. Cobaaron asked her to be ready when he came for her; they could go to the stadium together. They planned to arrive early to sit in the king’s box; it was tradition before competitions that participants gather around their leader and share a last meal. The chief, Cobaaron, was to show favor to the warrior he wished to win.
Ky sat on her bed, feeling gloomy, until Cobaaron entered. He took one look at her and asked, “Is everything okay?”
“I don’t like sports that end in death,” Ky said. The statement was true enough, but it wasn’t what bothered her. She hoped he’d believe the excuse, and wouldn’t delve into her mind and discover her real reason.
“It’s not a sport, love,” he disputed softly. “Only warriors will watch because the outcome affects them. The participants’ wives are invited, but only two of us are wed. See? This isn’t a game. The city isn’t coming to watch a death match for entertainment. Traditionally, this is how armies choose a new chief if the former is still alive.” Cobaaron extended his hand and asked if she was ready to leave.
“Yes.”
“I’m more than ready. I’m eager to discharge my obligation as chief.” Cobaaron sighed with relief. “And I’ll honor young Tyrus during the last meal. It’s a way of testing the worthiness of the favorite, because once I announce my choice, the others will seek to kill him first. But I watched him in battle, and I have sparred with him too much to be nervous. He earned the respect of many the day we battled outside King Verellis’s castle, and as he led the warriors here. He will fare well even with the challenges.”
“I believe that. He will win.”
“I’m glad you are confident. I mentioned my certainty because he is our friend, and your best friend’s partner. I don’t want you to worry; he’ll be fine.” Cobaaron lifted her chin. “Don’t be burdened. This will be over very soon.”
“Yes, it will,” Ky agreed. His statement was true in more ways than he realized.
They walked to the stadium together. Though they were early, there was already a small gathering in the king’s box awaiting Cobaaron. Jaman and his group were there. Tyrus was among the crowd, as were several Ky didn’t recognize. They were all tall, strapping men. By the looks of them, Ky wouldn’t have been sure who would win, but she knew Tyrus’s skill enough to not be nervous.
Noxis and Octavos as spectators sat in thrones at the back of the king’s box. The warriors’ tempers were high; none of the men seemed pleased with the other contestants. The men were wary, and she knew several warriors, if not all, were aware Jaman cheated by changing the arena.
When Cobaaron and Ky entered, the warriors all bowed to him in reverence. “Is this everyone who wishes to participate?” Cobaaron asked.
“I heard rumors of
Brutus coming,” Tyrus said when no one else spoke.
“He isn’t here,” Jaman growled.
“Then we will wait,” Cobaaron commanded.
A few minutes passed, but the only person who showed was Ambrosia. The men chuckled, taunting Tyrus, saying he was weak because of his woman. As usual Tyrus was quiet, not caring what the men thought. He didn’t bother with a rebuttal, and kept his eyes on Ambrosia as she came to stand next to Ky. He continued to watch her until she made eye contact.
Her simper was more of a cringe, as Ambrosia gave him an apologetic look. “Let’s sit and watch. My feet hurt,” Ky whispered to Ambrosia.
They took seats behind Octavos and Noxis. Cobaaron spoke casually to the men. The kitchen staff brought hearty soups served in bread bowls and an assortment of fruits and nuts.
A separate loaf of bread was given to Octavos, Noxis, Ambrosia and Ky to dip in broth. Octavos split the loaf before handing half to them. More nervous than hungry, Ky passed on the food. The soup that Noxis held out to her was lumpy and smelled like hash. She shook her head, declining.
“You’re with child. You don’t need to eat?” Noxis asked in concern.
Ky smiled, though she felt guilty. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’m with child, Noxis, and I do need more food. I’m starving!” Ambrosia held out her hands for the bowl. “I’m a nervous eater.”
As Noxis ate, Ky knew she wouldn’t have a better opportunity. Everyone was distracted. The time had come, and she acted before she lost her nerve. Ky removed the letter, and carefully slid it into Noxis’s pocket. Noxis clutched Ky’s hand, but the moment he touched her, he let go. He took the parchment.
“Where are you going?” Octavos asked Noxis.
“I will get something for the woman and her child to eat.” Noxis glanced to Ky.
“Tell the staff. Honestly, Noxis, what is wrong with you? Sit down. She isn’t going to hex you behind your back or she would have done that already. Sit! Cobaaron asked us to be here. It’s an order.”
“We aren’t warriors anymore. I’ll return before the tournament begins.”
Minutes later, Ky realized Noxis wasn’t returning. The warriors ate their meal, and when they couldn’t wait any longer for Brutus, Cobaaron raised his glass in a toast to Tyrus in hopes he would win. The challengers walked to the stadium floor.
Cobaaron sat on his throne and asked Ky to join him now that the king’s box wasn’t crowded. Ambrosia sat next to Ky while Octavos sat on Cobaaron’s other side.
“Did Noxis leave?” Cobaaron whispered to Ky. She nodded.
“He left to get me food because I didn’t eat.”
She was confessed the encounter with his brother, but Cobaaron only heard that she hadn’t eaten. “Love, you need to eat. Are you that stressed about this tournament? You don’t have to be here.”
“I’ll be glad when this is over. Let’s get through the day, and I promise tomorrow I will eat well.” Ky crossed her heart with her finger, and simpered as she patted his hand. Cobaaron raised an eyebrow, unsure what her gesture signified. “It’s an oath…never mind.”
He dropped the topic and they watched the men in the arena. Warriors filled the stadium, eager to see who their next chief would be. There were more spectators than the Odessa Dome could seat. The arena glass covering was strong enough for the men to lie on the arched roof and observe. Not one warrior missed attending, as the fate of Cobaaron’s army was about to be determined.
When the arena was filled to capacity, Cobaaron stood to address the warriors. Everyone listened quietly. “There are no weapons in the tournament. Use a weapon, and you’ll die by your own device. This is a challenge of aptitude! Use only your talent of strength, skill, or cunning. Prove your worth honorably or die. May the best win!”
Cobaaron returned to his seat, and the moment he got comfortable a loud blast signaled the start. The twenty men who stood in the arena suddenly turned on Tyrus.
In a flash, Tyrus spun, and the sand lifted, engulfing the men in a dust storm. Tyrus raised his hands briefly, and then dropped them. His movement seemed to press the sand, because the cloud fell as men toppled.
“He used magic. Isn’t that cheating?” Ky asked, sure it was an unfair advantage.
“No, it’s his talent,” Cobaaron said. “A great warrior could fight and kill a healer. They should have blinded him with the sand and attacked before he had a chance to perform magic. If a warrior cannot kill a healer, then he didn’t have proper training. A chief needs to be the best. Besides, he doesn’t have a wand; that would be considered a weapon. These men have the greatest chance if they gang up on him. The best would strike while he fought another. Let’s see if that happens.”
The sound carried so well that when Tyrus spoke, his voice sounded as if he was close. He stood above the men who lay on the ground, and said, “Before the competition truly begins, I give you fair warning that I’ve dreamt I win. I could kill you now, but I’ll prove I don’t need magic to make chief. If you decide you want to leave the stadium and live, there is no dishonor. Men who know I’m a healer decided to withdraw gracefully. I’m offering to preserve your life.”
Tyrus’s eyes swirled a vibrant hue as he silently performed magic, releasing his hold. The warriors slowly stood and wobbled. They gaped, some with fear. All but six left the stadium.
Cobaaron rushed to the warriors who left, and offered them a seat in the king’s box, showing approval for their bravery.
The warriors still in the arena didn’t wait. The remaining six jumped Tyrus. Ambrosia gasped, and gripped Ky’s hand. Several men blinded Tyrus with glowing sand. He stumbled backward as they piled on and punched him; Jaman tried to break his neck. But the men crowded as they jabbed his ribs, face, and gut until Jaman couldn’t snap Tyrus’s spine. Within seconds, Tyrus was bloody with a broken nose. His eyes swelled to the point that Ky wondered if he could see. Not one man stopped attacking; they were all trying to kill him.
Ky became nervous. Just as Cobaaron said he’d defeat a healer, by blinding him and working together to defeat him, everything was lined up perfectly for someone to strike Tyrus down. Ambrosia squeezed Ky’s hand like a vise.
“Get out of the way!” Jaman bellowed angrily as he jerked a man off Tyrus. The men backed away and started kicking him; Jaman moved in. When Jaman reached for him, Tyrus wrenched him forward. Without warning, Tyrus flipped Jaman on top. The other warriors, companions of Jaman, didn’t stop bashing Tyrus. They struck Jaman as well. Tyrus used Jaman as a human shield, forcing him to take the majority of the blows until Jaman was drenched in blood.
Jaman cursed and then roared threats to his companions, who backed off. Tyrus saw his opening and took it. He hurled Jaman off him, and flipped to his feet.
He didn’t run. Instead, he lunged for the closest warrior, slammed his palm into the man’s elbow, and broke it. He did the same to the other arm, incapacitating him. He didn’t kill him, but let him hunch over before dropping to the ground in pain.
Tyrus rushed the next man, and broke his wrists by jerking them down until they snapped. Another warrior jumped on his back, but Tyrus quickly flipped the attacker, and before the warrior hit the ground, Tyrus pressed his fingers into his eyes, blinding him.
“He’s amazing. Isn’t he?” Ambrosia praised.
He was immediately surrounded. Another warrior struck Tyrus in the temple as he was gouging the warrior’s eyes. Tyrus fell to his side, as he was hit hard in the gut. When the warrior aimed the next blow at his head, Tyrus ensnared his ankle and broke it. The warrior dropped like a stone, but to ensure he couldn’t walk, Tyrus snapped the other ankle.
Another warrior seized Tyrus’s neck, choking him. He squeezed hard, trying to crush Tyrus’s windpipe. Tyrus kicked him hard in the groin, and when the warrior doubled over, Tyrus kneed him in the face. He then slammed his heel into the warrior’s abdomen, knocking him onto another man barreling toward them.
After jumping to his feet, Tyrus charged the
standing warrior. He leaped, laying his body sideways, as he wrapped his legs around the warrior’s waist. When Tyrus dropped, so did his opponent. Before they fell, Tyrus yanked the warrior’s arms from their sockets. The warrior cursed in pain as they fell.
Unexpectedly and with haste, a trap door sprung up only feet from Tyrus. A warrior appeared with two swords. More trap doors sprung up and encircled the remaining men with tall spikes. “Brutus cheats!” a warrior bellowed, and everyone grumbled death threats. That didn’t stop Brutus from sprinting toward Tyrus. In two steps, he was all over Tyrus, swinging his swords.
Tyrus tossed sand into Brutus’s eyes. He rolled out of the way, tripping Brutus. When he fell, Tyrus twisted Brutus’s wrist so the blade pierced his femur, fracturing his thighbone with a loud crunch. As Brutus fell on the weapon, the blade stuck out the other side of his leg, and it remained there as he lay on the ground.
“Is that cheating?” Ky questioned.
“No, contestants need to die by the weapon they use. And Tyrus didn’t touch the iron even though he could’ve used the weapon against him by seizing it. Instead he moved Brutus, which showed skill. He’s fast on his feet, and always thinking. This is crucial for a chief. He is flawless,” Cobaaron boasted.
“I would’ve used his weapons against him, and left him with more than a flesh wound,” Octavos sniggered.
“True, you are not as patient as most,” Cobaaron said, smiling.
“The warriors will not let him live the night if Tyrus doesn’t finish them. Why is he not killing them?”
Jaman and the last warrior circled Tyrus, as he slowly stood. “You mock my friends by injuring them but not taking their lives!” Jaman snarled. “I’ll be damned if I let you disgrace me like that!”
“That is unfortunate, because I was going to ask you to join my army,” Tyrus retorted coolly.
“I’d rather die than be humiliated only to serve you,” Jaman growled.
Jaman and the other warrior lunged for Tyrus. He dodged, spinning away, and punched the warrior in the ribs. The man’s bones poked out of his skin as the loud cracking of ribs reverberated through the air. Jaman knocked the warrior to the ground, used him as a step stool, and lunged for Tyrus.
The Coming Dawn Trilogy Page 85