by Ben Hale
The spider stopped moving the moment he picked it up, and Jack hid it in his hand as he strode toward the staircase that would take him to his cell. When he reached it Nemeth called out to him.
“Only a coward hides like a cur.”
“At least I don’t smell like one,” Jack called back, eliciting muffled laughter. Nemeth scowled at the retort.
Jack ascended and returned to his cell. Only when the door was shut did he open his hand and place the spider on the floor. It brightened and crawled to a wall. With astonishing speed it began to spin a web, the strands forming words. A smile crossed his face as he read the message from Lorelia.
Jack, we managed to escape but Gallow did as well. We believe he departed the city for Margauth to deliver the keys. Six days after the Allegian Trial you are to appear before a tribunal for sentencing. We’ll make our attempt then. Do us a favor and don’t get killed before we can help you escape.
The words shimmered for several seconds before they and the spider disintegrated. Jack’s smile faded with them, his thoughts turning to Nemeth. With four days until the trial and six after, Jack would have to stay alive for ten. But in his gut he knew the truth.
He didn’t have ten days.
Chapter 27: The Allegian Trial
The next day Nemeth made his first attempt. Gathering a group of durans, he approached Jack when he was on the common platform. Prepared for the straightforward approach, Jack used a sling he’d made from threads of clothing to launch a pebble into the guardhouse above. It didn’t do any harm, but it succeeded in drawing a Silver Guard down to take the weapon while a guard shouted at him.
Jack hid a smile as Nemeth scowled and retreated from the spectacle. Jack watched them plot over the next few days but they seemed content to bide their time until after the trial. Jack resisted the urge to taunt him.
The impending Allegian Trial had set the prison into a state of tension, and a pair of Silver Guard began patrolling the common platform to prevent any unrest. The prisoners ignored them while they placed wagers on who would enter.
A trio of durans seemed the most likely to enter the trial, although a handful of others were part of the speculation. Not wanting to miss out on the coin, Jack placed his own bet with Amala, who was one of those taking wagers. She peaked an eyebrow at his choice.
“Are you certain?”
“Always.”
“And how do I collect my winnings when you lose?”
“Contact Arcus,” Jack said. “He’s a moneychanger in Terros that holds some of my funds. When I win you can deliver my winnings to him.”
She grunted in doubt but activated the small light charm. She was a light mage, but her skill was woefully inferior to Lorelia’s. A list appeared on her arm and she used her finger to add Jack’s wager. Then the light faded from her skin and she looked up at him.
“I’d wish you luck,” she said, “but you said you already have it.”
He grinned and strode away, making room for another to place their wager. Then he chose a seat near the staircase to his cell. Nemeth smirked at his choice of position, making it clear he thought Jack was afraid. In reality, it was the only place to sit on the platform.
As the hours ticked by the apprehension among the prisoners increased, heightening the tension to the breaking point. Two of the durans most likely to enter began to argue about their success, and the conflict escalated until one struck the other and threw him over the edge into the Well. It happened so quickly that not even the guards could react, and by the time they descended the duran leader bore a smile on his face.
“Your execution has been ordered, Thock,” the guard said.
“I’ll take my chances in the trial.”
The guard laughed and retreated with the Silver Guard. “Your fate will be the same.”
“I’ll see you in the streets after I gain my freedom,” he called after the guard, but the elf merely laughed again.
Across the platform Thock’s eyes met Jack’s. At nearly seven feet tall the elf towered over the others of his kind, and Jack wondered if he was Jorlan’s brother. Thock had spent his time in the prison with a singular purpose, and his muscled body demonstrated his brutal training. Jack had heard whispers that he’d been a high ranked officer in the dark elf army until his family had reported his brutality. The queen had sent him to the prison for life as a consequence, but the elf had vowed to return and punish his wife for what she’d done to him.
Shortly after the duran’s murder, the prisoners gathered on the side of the platform, all craning to look at the spines of the city. Jack moved to join them and watched a circle of stone descending from the cavern roof of Elsurund. Its placement suggested it could be viewed from nearly everywhere in the city, and its appearance renewed the betting.
“It won’t be long now,” Amala said from next to Jack.
“About time,” he replied. “I hate waiting.”
“You should not be so eager.”
Jack didn’t respond, and watched as it descended just below where they were situated. For the first time he gained a view of the arena used for the Allegian Trial. Several murmured in dismay, but Jack found a smile spreading on his face. Then a shout drew his attention to the guardhouse.
A trio of Silver Guard descended, carrying Captain Sinder to the center of the platform. Dressed in black and green, the captain bore an insignia on his shoulder for the Reaver Guard. He was shorter than the other dark elves, but his demeanor was a shade darker.
“Captain Sinder,” Thock said, and his smile turned mocking. “Do our people still mistake you for a child?” His question elicited a scattering of laughter.
The diminutive elf flushed. “Tell me,” he said, “how many scars do I have to give you before you learn to hold your tongue?” He smiled, but it only darkened his demeanor. “Or perhaps I’m not cutting where it hurts. Your son is of age now, isn’t he? It wouldn’t take much to get him sent here . . .”
Thock stepped forward, his features blackening. A Silver Guard raised a sword to his throat and he came to a halt. The chords on his neck stood out as he spoke.
“When I defeat the black reaver, it’s not my wife I want to torture,” he said. “It’s you.”
Captain Sinder stepped close and looked up at the massive dark elf. “My reaver will cut you to pieces and discard you like trash. And after you are dead I will still torture your son until he joins you with Skorn.”
Amala sidled up to Jack as Thock shouted a retort. “He uses his position to hurt those he thinks are inferior—and we are all inferior.”
“Is he the warden?”
“One rank higher,” Amala said. “He controls the entire prison, and worships the reaver he guards. But he’s more vile than any of us.”
“We’ve met,” Jack said, and smiled when Sinder’s eyes drifted to him. Raising his voice, Jack called out to the captain. “Did you sleep in your reaver bedclothes last night?”
Laughter engulfed the prisoners and Sinder’s features blackened with hatred. “I will see you executed, human,” he said coldly.
“My death won’t end your embarrassment,” Jack said, and began to describe the man’s bedclothes in great detail. Only when a Silver Guard stepped in did he fall silent, but his smile remained.
“Does he really have reaver clothing?” Amala asked as Sinder turned away.
“I was caught stealing from him,” Jack said. “I saw them with my own eyes.”
“Too bad you didn’t succeed,” she said, smiling faintly. “His pride could have used the blow.”
He winked at her. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I suspect he won’t survive the day.”
She raised an eyebrow at his tone but he merely smiled and turned back to the Captain’s speech.
“The Allegian Trial will begin shortly,” Captain Sinder called, turning away from the subdued Thock. “Whosoever wishes to prove their loyalty to the people, step forward now.”
Thock snarled his willingness, and a second du
ran joined him. After a moment’s pause another elf stepped forward as well. Marking the three names, the attendant gestured to the group with a knowing smile on his face.
“Is there anyone else?”
“Me,” Jack said, stepping through the crowd to join the circle.
Nemeth’s eyes bulged at his appearance, causing Jack to smirk and wink at him. “Jack Myst,” he identified himself. “And it’s a name you’ll want to remember.”
Smirking, Captain Sinder grunted and noted the name. Then he gestured to the Silver Guard and one of them flowed around his waist, carrying him into the guard station. The others did the same with the three entries for the trial. As Jack ascended Nemeth stepped into the gap.
“At least I get to watch you die!”
“Enjoy the show!” Jack shouted to him.
“Your arrogance will get you killed, Jack!”
“Not today!”
They reached the guardhouse and the Silver Guard pulled them into a small cell attached to the side. Then the enchanted soldiers turned back into men and took their places, watching through the bars. Jack took the time to appraise his companions.
The unknown of the entries was skinny and betrayed his nervousness with every twitch. He wore the tattoo of murderer on his neck, marking him as a duran. The second resembled Thock and appeared eager for the impending fight. Jack vaguely recalled his name was Corl. The dark elf paced along the bars without taking his eyes off the Silver Guard.
An hour passed, and then two, and finally a soldier appeared and unlocked the door. The Silver Guard ushered them out as Jack followed the soldier up into the spine. A moment later they were led onto a balcony overlooking the trial arena.
Sprawling and uneven, the arena appeared tiny between the gigantic stalactites. Held aloft by shimmering chains, the platform hung near the center of Elsurund. The arena contained buildings, hills, and shallow canyons, becoming a labyrinth of overlooks, twisting pathways, and alcoves. A handful of trees, giant mushrooms and other vegetation were scattered about, as were ponds and other sources of magic.
Swords, axes, and spiked mauls hung throughout the arena. At first Jack assumed they were for the combatants, but many were large enough to suggest they were for the reaver. Then a dark elf stepped onto a balcony on Primok, the spine of the queen. His appearance hushed the crowd.
“Today we have four challengers for the Allegian Trial!”
The voice boomed throughout the city, filling Elsurund and eliciting a surge of noise. Jack stepped to the edge to look up, and found that ledges, balconies, windows, and bridges were lined with spectators. Jack spotted Aranis on a balcony of Kordun, her features twisted in regret. Jack inclined his head to her and smiled, but she looked away. As his crimes were listed to the crowd, a dark elf soldier stepped behind Jack, drawing his attention.
“Your belongings,” he said, handing each of them a parcel.
Jack whistled in appreciation as he recognized his tools, equipment, and weapons within the pouch, and he quickly donned them all. A smile crossed his face as he slid the gauntlet containing his shadowhook onto his wrist. As he tightened the last strap, a dark elf entered.
Dressed in a ceremonial robe of crimson, she unsheathed an odd sword with a channel down the center. She took a step forward and raised it to Thock.
“Step forward.”
He did as requested and stepped within reach of the blade, whereupon she placed the tip against the inside of his elbow. He didn’t flinch as it pierced his flesh.
“The blood of the pledge, willingly given,” she intoned.
Thock’s blood leaked onto the tip of the sword, darkening the weapon.
“The energy of the soul, freely offered.”
When she had sufficient blood she withdrew, touching his elbow to heal the incision.
“The demon within stands to be slain.”
She handed the sword to a Reaver Guard and drew a second blade, repeating the ceremony with each of them. Jack didn’t resist as the blade pierced his arm. Once she had collected the blood of all of them, she departed with the blades that contained the criminals’ blood. Captain Sinder took their place.
“As you know, you must survive until the corin drops or—”
“What’s a corin?” Jack asked.
Sinder frowned in irritation. “You will have about twenty minutes to defend yourself against the reaver. If you survive, your innocence is assured. If you die, your guilt is proven. Any attempt to leave the arena will result in execution by the guards.”
His smile turned smug. “Many choose a merciful death from the Silver Guard over the reaver.”
“Cowards,” Thock said, and spit on the ground.
Captain Sinder turned to Jack, a sneer on his face. “You’re just a cheap thief, so I’ve wagered that you choose death by arrow instead of the reaver. You are going to earn me a significant sum today.”
“I appreciate that,” Jack said.
The captain frowned in confusion. “Why would you appreciate my wager?”
“Because it means you need me to enter the arena.”
“So?”
“So I can do this.”
Jack’s punch sent him reeling, blood cascading from his nose. A Silver Guard was by Jack in an instant, his blade at Jack’s heart. Jack paid it no mind and stabbed a finger at the dark elf growling on the floor.
“I don’t care to be called cheap,” Jack said indignantly.
Captain Sinder trembled in pain and rage. “At least I get to watch you die today.” Another guard helped him to his feet and he retreated, still cradling his broken nose.
Thock turned to Jack, his expression mildly impressed. “I’ve wanted to do that for ages.”
“What’s the consequence for striking a guard?”
“Ten years,” Thock said, and a faint smile crossed his face. “Per blow.”
“I should have hit him again.”
Corl released a rumble of laughter, and looked toward the captain. “Perhaps that’s why he now stands out of reach.”
Across the arena the queen’s attendant finished his speech. Then he gestured across to where Jack stood. The ledge they were on began to push out from the wall, making the fourth criminal squeak in surprise and nearly tumble over the edge. Jack raised an eyebrow at him, wondering what had driven him to enter in the first place. Then a second ledge began to extend towards the arena thirty feet to their left. Jack turned to watch the black reaver pace into view.
With a mane of steel, it resembled an armored lion. Spikes of metal grew across its back, each the length of Jack’s arm. They clanked into the chains that bound it. The bonds were the color of midnight, indicating they had been forged with anti-magic enchantments.
A guard approached the creature’s flank, extending a sword to it. The reaver crashed against the chains, nearly impaling the guard on one of its spikes. As the guard flinched the reaver bit the sword, snapping it in two. It licked the blood from the pieces before casting them aside. They clattered off the stone and fell into the Well of Shadow. It snarled and the spikes brightened.
“Corl,” Sinder snapped, and the dark elf turned. “You’re first.”
A lightbridge appeared and the tall duran dropped into the arena. Alighting on the top of a squat building, he dropped down the steps. Then all eyes turned to the reaver and the chains clacking open. Its snarl of anticipation echoed and re-echoed throughout Elsurund as it leapt into the arena. The queen’s attendant lifted her hand and dropped a small, fluttering object.
“The Allegian Trial has begun!”
Chapter 28: A Thief’s Trial
Corl drew his sword and caught up a crossbow hanging on a wall before disappearing into the labyrinth. The black reaver surged through the corridors and leapt onto the roof, charging across the gaps. The dark elf kept to the exterior and sought to evade it, but the reaver seemed to anticipate the tactic. Exploding through a wall, the beast smashed into the criminal.
The elf screamed and swung his sw
ord, but the weapon bounced off the metal spikes. The reaver ignored the attack and wrapped a massive clawed hand around the elf. Lifting him to his mouth, he tore him in half and tossed the pieces over the edge of the platform, sending him tumbling into the Well of Shadow. Then it rose on its hind legs and turned to the crowd, releasing a roar that shook loose stones from the city’s spines.
The challenge faded into a deafening silence, and then the crowd roared its approval. Baring its metal teeth, the creature leapt back to its pedestal and paced, waiting for the next victim. Awed by the display, Jack turned to make a comment to the next elf attempting the arena. Instead he spotted the skinny elf sprinting back toward the prison, screaming to be put back into his cell.
“There’s always one,” the guard said with a laugh.
Thock grunted in disgust. “Coward.”
“Can you blame him?” Jack asked.
“He’s witnessed the Trial before,” Thock said. “He knew what he’d agreed to.”
“Witnessing a death and facing your own are quite different.”
Thock cast him an appraising look. “He’s still a coward.”
Jack grinned. “Or perhaps he’s smart, and we’re the cowards.”
Thock drew his weapon and stepped to him. “I’m not afraid of the reaver.”
“You’re afraid to admit your fear,” Jack replied, unperturbed by the blade at his gut. “And that makes you a coward.”
“And you aren’t afraid?”
Jack smirked. “The soldier does not fear a battle he’s sure he can win.”
“Then by all means, go first,” Thock said with a sneer. “Show how a human can overcome a challenge that has defied our people for thousands of years.”
“I’ll expect your thanks afterword.”
“Why would I thank you?” he growled.
The lightbridge appeared and Jack started down it. “Because I’m about to save your life,” he called over his shoulder.