“Why?”
“Because I know who you are.”
“Is this another of your prophesies? Who do you think I am?”
Kai pressed his palms against the wall, then leaned forward until his forehead touched the stucco. “She thinks you're the Auric Harbinger.”
“No, that's not it,” Kemi whispered. “You're the Champion of the Hadgar Steppes, the Warrior Silversmith of Jadeshire, Brother of the Eclipse Spellkeeper, Dragonbound of Serida. You are Tessen Lim, and you will survive today because survival is your only remaining choice.”
The door unlocked, then swung open. A massive Dogfae wearing spike-studded gauntlets glared down upon us. “Playtime's up, itty-bitties. Get your asses off the floor and follow me.”
I stood, then held out my hand to help trembling Kemi to her feet. I beckoned to Lumin. “Come on. Shoulder.”
“Dragon's not going with you. Boss gave new orders.” The Dogfae swished his mouth, then spat at my feet. “Borma, bring in the cage.”
An even larger Dogfae shouldered into the room, a twisted-bar cage in one hand and a hooked rod in the other. He effortlessly scooped hissing, struggling Lumin into the cage and left the room as quickly as he'd arrived.
“I hope you find your way back to Shan,” I whispered. I didn't know where he was being taken, but maybe he had a chance now, and if he had a chance, so did Shan. At least one dragon might have a future. My poor Serida and the silver dragons were more likely to go feral than not.
“Move your asses,” the Dogfae said. He spat again, this time hitting Kai's ankle. “Got a present for you if you come with me.”
Kai and Kemi linked arms and followed the Dogfae. I trailed slightly behind. Even with the soothing spell, every movement was an excruciating effort.
We walked to a closed door at the end of a sunlit hallway, then the Dogfae spun around to look at us. “Good. Still here. Don't go running off. There's nowhere to go.”
Kai grabbed Kemi's hand and held it up to expose the identical tattooing on their wrists. Even in the cell, they kept the inkwork covered by the long sleeves of their tunics so this was the first time I was able to see it clearly. Three parallel lines of runes ran toward a larger symbol. It was a vertical line intersected by three horizontal lines of decreasing length, creating an open triangular shape. The pattern was vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place it.
“Do you know what this symbol means?” Kai asked.
The Dogfae's nose twitched. “Don't know, don't care. You're going to die today so your little skin doodle means nothing.”
“It means we are children of High King Nylian Lightborn. If your people murder us, our father will bring wrath and ruin upon the Fae and all who ally with them.”
“Kid, you're nothing but a desperate little wolly and you're not fooling anyone. You're so full of shit I can smell it. Shit and fear. Mangy, revolting little elf.”
“This isn't going to end well for you,” Kai said.
The Dogfae drew back his hand and struck Kai across the face. Kai stumbled, but remained upright. The Dogfae grunted and said, “Piss off and die, elven scum.”
“Not today.” Kai touched the back of his hand to his swelling cheek and smiled. “Lead onward, my dear captor.”
I'd normally assume his insolence would get us all killed, but we were heading to our deaths anyway, so did it matter? Die in the arena or at the hands of an insulted Dogfae, dead either way.
The Dogfae bared his pointed teeth, rage building in his brown eyes. He yanked on the heavy iron key that hung from a chain around his neck. A growl rose from his throat as he unlocked the door. “I'm gonna enjoy watching you die.”
“Likewise,” Kai said.
“Stop,” Kemi whispered. She leaned hard against Kai's side. “Stop trying to sabotage the only chance we might have.”
“Got no chance, girly. No chance at all. I know what you're up against. Heh. Gonna be so much blood.” The Dogfae opened the door, then grabbed Kai by the shoulders and threw him into the next room. He grinned at Kemi, then nodded toward me and snarled, “You two better behave. Human, I've already claimed your skull. Need a new lamp for my latrine.”
I shrugged and put my arm around stunned Kemi's shoulders to lead her into the room. I couldn't allow him or anyone else to intimidate me or my fear would kill me faster than any blade.
The others were already in the room, crowded around a messy pile of saddlebags and rucksacks. They looked up at me as I approached, worry in their eyes. Six Dogfae guards stood against the walls of the rectangular chamber, their faces stern and tense.
The gauntlet-wearing Dogfae pointed at the pile. “There's your shit. King says you can take whatever you want from it to wear or fight with. That's all you get. Not wasting good weapons on the likes of you all.”
“Where are our horses?” Iefyr asked. Dried blood caked a section of his scalp where the groomers must have nicked him while shearing off his hair. Hiding under Iefyr's elbow was Nador. Her huge brown eyes and bald head made her appear almost more goblin than halfling.
The Dogfae wiped his nose on the hem of his tunic, then shrugged. “Auctioned off, I assume. You've got ten minutes.” He turned around and left the room, locking the door behind him.
I let go of Kemi and sat down next to Ragan, who absently picked at the contents of one of his saddlebags. I touched the back of his hand and said, “I'm sorry. This didn't go as planned.”
Ragan tilted his head and looked at me, tears in his eyes. “No shit. I'd thank you for trying, but now you're in the same gods-damned mess I am. You shouldn't have come here. Should've gone straight to Anthora when you figured out your dragon was moved.”
“Did Rose tell you about that?”
“She told me a lot.” Ragan scratched at his nape, then shook his head. “Damn it all, Tessen. This noble sarding bullshit is gonna get you killed. I love you like you're my own, but damn it, that doesn't mean I want you to die alongside me.”
“Don't really have time to argue with you on the merits of my attempt at saving your life.” I rocked onto my knees and leaned toward the pile. “Anyone seen my sword?”
“Here,” Rose said. She passed it over the pile to me. “Ragan, I have your axe. And that damned magic hatchet, little good it might be.”
“We can use everything we can get our hands on.” Ragan nodded toward Iefyr. “Still got that quiver of shitty arrows? I've got an idea.”
Iefyr tossed an empty rucksack and a cooking pot aside and pulled up the quiver. “Here. What are you thinking?”
“Wooden shafts, right? Hatchet makes wood grow. Couple hits and we've got spears. Nador, is your alchemy bag here?”
Nador sighed, her eyes downcast. “No. I have things tucked here and there, though.”
“Get digging,” Ragan said.
We pulled out jerkins and bracers, daggers and boot knives. Shan and Marita's swords were handed off to the elves, whose sparse gear made it obvious that they had come to the Faelands prepared for diplomacy rather than defense. Their daggers appeared more ornamental than functional and I hoped they were sharp enough to damage whatever the Fae were about to throw at us.
Something warm and musky dropped over my shoulders. I reached up to touch the oily fur of Rose's Owlfae-gifted collar. I tilted my head toward her and asked, “Why is the nasty rat fur on me?”
Rose ran her fingers across the top of my head. “My dear, I'm doing what I can to protect you. Wear the fur. Ignore what it looks like and smells like because that won't matter if they decide to rain fire on us. The collar protects against temperature, remember?”
“But why me? Why don't you wear it and protect yourself? Rose, it's yours and you should wear it. Or Ragan. Put it on Ragan.”
“Shut up and wear the gods-damned rat, Tessen,” Ragan said. He twisted to the side so he could fasten the clasp at my neck, then leaned forward and kissed my brow. “Fight until you can't anymore. Fight until all your enemies are dead and you're left standing victorious. You're no
t gonna die today. Rin and I trained you too well to be defeated by a bunch of self-righteous Fae.” He sat back on his heels and beckoned to Kemi, whose trembling fingers struggled to adjust Marita's leather riding vest. He pulled the laces taut for her, then double-knotted an uneven bow. “Lightborn kid, huh? My mom told me about you. Listen, do me a favor. I'm thinking you two haven't seen battle before, so don't get cocky. Stay between the rest of us. Survive today and get Tessen to Anthora. He's supposed to meet with the Guardian.”
“Guardian isn't in Anthora right now,” Kai said. He swished Shan's sword through the air before placing it into the scabbard on his back. “Hasn't been for a while. Liantor can introduce them, though, if he's cooperative and not busy pretending to be Dad's little pet.”
“Just get him to the Guardian. Daelon Goldtree wanted my boys properly trained.” Ragan narrowed his eyes as he looked around the room. The Dogfae averted their eyes as his gaze landed on each of them. “Where's Lumin?”
“They took him away,” I replied. “I don't know where. I'm just hoping he finds his way to Shan.”
“Yeah, Shan needs him. That kid shouldn't be left to his own devices.”
“Well, he has Marita right now. I think he married her.”
Ragan clicked his tongue. “Good. Dunno that he's good for her, but she's good for him. He's gonna need her.”
A large, paneled door at my left opened and Lord Chancellor Rosnar Dannis slipped into the room. He ground his walking staff into the floor as his eyes darted about in distaste. “Your preparation time is over, gladiators. Now you will entertain us.”
Nador stepped around Iefyr and toward me. Her satchel sat haphazardly on her shoulder and the box of enchanted chocolates was tucked beneath her arm.
“What do you have there, puny wretch?” Rosnar asked. He craned his neck downward, his eyes fixated upon the box.
Nador shuddered and held up the box. “Chocolates. I was going to share them with my friends. One last treat.”
Rosnar snatched the box from her and opened the lid. He smiled, then snapped it shut. “Pysakee chocolate. Too rich a treat for half-breed gladiators. I will enjoy these as I watch you die.”
“Please, no. I just wanted to have one last pleasant thing,” Nador pleaded, her hands outstretched. “Please, Lord Chancellor. One last pleasure before death.”
“I think I will share these with my own friends. They deserve it more than you do.” Rosnar sneered at Rose before spinning toward the door. “Follow me. Guards!”
Nador smirked, then winked at me. She rubbed her nose and whispered, “Enjoy the chocolate, asshole.”
“What was that?” Rosnar asked.
Nador lowered her head and scuffed her boots against the ground. “Sir, I was only lamenting the loss of the gourmet chocolates I spent so much of my hard-earned money on. All I said was that I hope you enjoy them since I won't get to.”
“Oh, they most certainly will be enjoyed, and so will the sight of your foul rodent blood pooling beneath your lifeless body. Follow me, all of you. Your adoring audience is waiting.”
“Too easy,” Nador whispered. She brushed against my shoulder as she stepped forward. “Lose yourself to your skill, Tessen. Don't overthink, just fight. Whatever this is, it's yours to conquer.”
“Ours, Nador. It's ours. We're not going to die today,” I said as I stood. I spoke the lie that my own hopeful mind refused to believe, and it caught itself on the edges of my teeth.
Nador turned around and walked backward so she could watch Iefyr be shoved forward by a Dogfae guard. She exhaled and said, “Iefyr, I love you, but you already know that. You fight your ass off, gorgeous, and you live to find someone to love who loves you at least as much as I do. Get married, make some weird-looking kids, conquer the world. You deserve it.” She spun to forward and grabbed Ragan's hand. “You too, Ragan. You deserve it, too. More than anyone.”
At the insistence of a guard, Rose fell in line behind her father. She held her short sword to the side and said, “Focus now, all of you.”
Rosnar threw back his head and cackled. “Focus won't do you any good, Rosie. You're going to enjoy the show we're about to put on. You lot are the main attraction, but my contribution is spectacular. Oh, I am going to savor every moment of this.”
“I'm ashamed that I used to love you, that I used to want your approval. I wanted to be like you.”
“And how far you fell, child. You are getting exactly what you deserve.”
Kai stumbled to my side. The slap mark on his cheek was already a bruised welt. “No, Lord Chancellor,” he said through rapid, uneven breaths. “No matter what happens today, you are the one who will fall the hardest.”
I was pummeled by the roaring crowd as soon as we passed through a second set of doors and beneath a mosaic archway. Cold sweat dripped down my spine. My mind was calm, but my body threatened mutiny. This was it, either my final moment or the violent segue into the next unwanted phase of my disrupted life. Fight to win, fight to live, and hope that if there were seven left standing in the inevitable high tide of blood, the seven would be us.
Chapter 44
Orange sandstone walls and heavy gates rose from the blood-blackened sand and gravel of the oblong arena pit to meet the twisted bars of an iron cage. The cage completely enclosed the arena pit and rose several yards higher than the topmost of the dozens of levels of spectator seating. The whole of Parandor must have been within the amphitheater, and their cheers and chants were deafening. Directly across from our entrance and just above the sandstone wall sat the royal viewing podium, and high above the podium loomed the glittering spires of the Amberwood Palace.
The Fae King sat on a great bone and amber throne between two slightly smaller Elefae. To the King's left stood several Faeline, including Riddia Dannis and an older woman who bore a striking resemblance to Rose's daughter, Cora. They appeared smug rather than distraught. The Dannis family had come to watch Rose die.
The silver dragons screamed from their perches at the cage apex. They would not be able to join us in the fight. Their desperate calls rose above the suffocating whoops and roars of the crowd as Kemi and Kai appeared beneath the mosaic arch. The dragons scrambled across the bars. They clawed and snapped at the twisted metal, but nothing they could do would bring them any closer to their elves. They could only helplessly watch as we met whatever horrors the Fae were eager to unleash upon us.
Rosnar strode into the arena, his arms held outward in a gesture of welcome. He stepped onto a small, removable platform at the center, then turned around and beckoned the guards. We were shoved forward to the cheers and boos of thousands of Fae. The sound thundered through my bones and threatened to set my joints quaking. Calm now, stay calm. Calm is life, only calm. Straighten shoulders, bolster weak knees, ignore the heart pain, breathe.
Rosnar held up his hand and the crowd fell silent. He pressed a speaking stone against his throat and faced the Fae King. His voice echoed off the sandstone.
“Welcome, Great King Mirabreln. Welcome, honored guests. Welcome, good citizens of Parandor. You have all come here today to witness the execution of the half-Fae abomination, but today is about much more than that. You see, dear friends, the abomination did not trespass into our great land alone. It had allies and protectors, or else it would not have been able to survive this long. Those foolish wretches will fight and die alongside it today.”
The roar of the crowd was loud enough to vibrate the gravel beneath my feet. My shoulders tensed as a shudder threatened to overtake them. I must remain calm, must remain distant. Fear is death and death will not claim me today. I closed my eyes for a moment and let the vibrations soothe my nerves rather than agitate them. Someone grabbed my hand and held tight. Who was next to me? I couldn't remember and it didn't matter. I didn't turn my head to look. I squeezed back and kept my focus on the vibrations.
I opened my eyes in time to watch Rosnar sweep his arm toward us. A Dogfae guard ripped Kai and Kemi from Iefyr's side and drag
ged them forward.
Rosnar returned his attention to the King and said, “First, we have a pair of lying elves. They meddled, and tried to claim status as Anthoran royalty to keep from facing judgment. The dragons climbing the bars above belong to them, and I must apologize to the poor beasts for the impending deaths of their masters, but they are better off unbound. As are we all. Now see these nameless, lying elves, for they will never again be seen beyond this day.”
The crowd booed and growled. Screams of, “Death to the elves!” rose above the clamor. Ahead of me, the twins locked arms and lowered their heads.
Rosnar raised his hand and silence again descended. “Next, I offer to you two allies of the abomination.” The guards shoved Iefyr and Nador forward. “The half-elf Iefyr Sealash and the halfling Nador Underwood chose to plead for the life of their dear abomination, and by doing such, they chose to fall along with it. My friends, enablers of blood crimes are allowed no mercy here. Let that be a lesson to all.”
More boos, more chants, and the dragons screeched above. Then silence, and a steady call of, “Chirp? Chirp? Chirp?”
Lumin was in a hanging cage to the Fae King's left. Restless and distraught, he turned tight circles on the cage floor and occasionally reared up to grab at the bars.
A spiked gauntlet jabbed between my shoulder blades. My turn.
“The four already introduced are petty, lowling criminals, suitable only for entertainment and posthumous art. This next gladiator you may not recognize by name or by pathetic appearance, but you will recognize him by deed. I give you Tessen Lim, the human who single-handedly defeated the great Foxfae champion Morenno Loquar in an honor fight on the Hadgar Steppes. He is an ally of the abomination, and as such his life is forfeit.”
My introduction elicited an enthusiastic mixture of boos and cheers from the arena crowd. The Dogfae guard deposited me next to Kai, who grabbed onto my forearm so tightly I felt my skin bruise.
“Breathe, Kai,” I whispered. “You're hurting me.”
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