CHAPTER TWELVE
Rowan follows me closely as I make my way through Ironhold, heading in the direction of Alaric’s rooms.
I’m grateful and afraid all at once about that. Grateful, because it means I’m more protected than I would otherwise be against sudden attacks by Callus. Nervous, because I’m not sure how Alaric will react to me and Rowan showing up together at his door.
“I’ll never get used to this section of Ironhold,” Rowan says, as we head into the parts of Ironhold reserved for the noble gladiators. It’s easy to forget sometimes that he doesn’t spend as much time here as me. His friends are all the other enslaved gladiators, or at least those who entered the colosseum to avoid punishment for crimes. The nobles don’t care about him, and he certainly doesn’t spend his time hanging out with them.
This part of the fortress is different. There are still flickering torches, but there are also some stones that glow with magic to provide light. There are suites of rooms, rather than small, individual cells.
And there is the space that is a kind of gallery, filled with statues of gladiators of the past. Rowan wanders into it as we reach it, and I go with him, because I know I can’t go wandering off alone in this place.
“I haven't seen all this before,” Rowan says. “They really do seek to honor gladiators of the past.”
I nod. “The first time I came in here, Vex was here. He said it wasn't a place for me because I didn't know who any of the gladiators were. He knew all of them, of course.”
“What I mean is that all of the talk of honor and glory isn't just a cover to the nobles. They aren't saying that just so that they can justify throwing us in there. Some of them actually believe it. Even Vex, from what you're saying.”
“Alaric seems to believe it too,” I say.
“Why wouldn't I?” Alaric’s voice comes from the doorway. He steps into the gallery space. “After all, I've gained so much glory.”
“But you've also been made to fight people who didn't have a choice about it,” Rowan points out.
“And the arena is filled with corruption,” I say. “So many of the nobles use it as a place just to play gameswith one another. To try to manipulate one another.”
Alaric shrugs. “I'm not saying it's perfect. Just that it's glorious. You must agree with that, or why would you come to look at all the statues? Do you have a favorite, Lyra? Or you just go with whichever catches your eye?”
For a second, I suspect that Alaric isn't talking about the statues. His jealousy has always been hard to ignore.
Alaric advances, and Rowan moves to intercept him. I must leap between the two of them before anything happens, before this turns to violence.
“Valerian,” I say. “My favorite is Valarian. Please, you two… we’re meant to be allies.”
Alaric’s eyes widen in surprise briefly, presumably that I know the name, but I got it from Vex on one of my visits here.
The statue is half hidden by the others. It is of a woman sitting on a pile of slain beasts as if they are a throne. Vex told me the history: that she was a great beast whisperer, but a cruel one, who was able to get beasts to rip out their own throats if she wanted.
Briefly, Alaric looks as though he might still fight with Rowan, but he stops himself. I don’t think it’s just because I gave him an answer to his question. I broke up the moment, but I know that it’s at least partly because he knows that fighting within Ironhold is forbidden.
Both he and Rowan calm themselves with an effort.
“I guess that makes sense,” Alaric says, as if the two of them were never on the verge of violence. “Although if you were to ask people today who the most famous beast whisperer of the colosseum has been, I suspect it might be your name that they say. You have achieved real fame, Lyra. I suspect they don't even say my name in quite such hushed tones.”
“It must be hard for you to admit that you're not as well liked as someone,” Rowan says.
“I console myself with the fact that they hardly say your name at all,” Alaric replies. “Except among certain groups of noble women, wondering which will be the first to bed you. My understanding is that Lady Tyra is trying to persuade them to take bets on it.”
I see Rowan wince at the mention of his former mistress, especially since we all knowthat she still has some leverage over him, since she has his sisters. It's a low blow.
“Lyra, we've found Alaric. I'll leave the two of you alone,” Rowan says. He’s obviously worried that if he stays, there will be a fight.
“You don't need to go,” I insist.
“I do,” Rowan replies. “I really do.”
He turns and leaves Alaric and me alone in the gallery. I look over at Alaric, trying to make it clear I'm not pleased with him and the way he's acting at the moment.
“Did you have to do that?” I say. “To drive Rowan away like that!”
“Well, it means we can be alone,” Alaric says. “Why was he even with you? Were you giving him the tour or just looking for a place to be with him?"
He seems determined to hide everything behind his mask of sarcasm and cynicism. To not show his feelings.
“This is serious, Alaric,” I say. “Rowan was with me because I'm in danger. Do you know what happened in my fight?”
Alaric shakes his head. “I was… I finished my fight and then…”
“You were with your mother,” I say.
“My father wasn't home so I got to spend the day at the family villa,” Alaric replies. He looks worried now. “What happened in your fight?You don't seem injured. Some trick set up by Lord Darius and Lady Selene?”
I shake my head. “They were the ones who saved me.”
“Saved you?” Alaric says. “What do you mean?”
“Callus, the gladiator I fought? He isn't a null. Instead he's some kind of assassin, he drains the life from his victims with a touch. The emperor thinks he's been sent after me.”
“So he's been thrown into a cell or executed?” Alaric says.
I shake my head. “The emperor wants to know who sent him, and for that he's set me the task of finding out.”
“So Callus is here?” Alaric says, sounding as though he can't quite believe it. “And you were with Rowan because… you think that he will attack you anytime he gets a chance?”
“Is it such a shock that someone would want to hurt me?” I say.
“It's not that,” Alaric says. “Is the idea of someone doing it here? You know how things are here. Oh, it’s a violent place, but we can't just attack people outside of bouts. We're punished if we fight.”
“I know,” I point out, because I have been punished for exactly that, even when it wasn't my fault.
“Well if we kill someone outside of the colosseum, that's murder and we are looking at execution.”
“You've killed people for insulting you,” I say.
Alaric shrugs. “That's different. I got them to agree to a duel, and Lord Darius went along with the idea. If I had just killed them in the corridors, noble son or not, I would be on an impaling spike by now.”
The brutal order of this place does not make me feel better. It's just a reminder of how cruel our lives are, how divorced they are from the usual reality of people’s existence in Aetheria. The citizens of the city, the wealthy ones at least, have easy and peaceful lives filled with magic and all the wonders that can provide. We get lives filled with violence and training for violence.
“Rowan doesn't think that Calluswill respect the usual rules,” I say. “With his powers he can make it look as though I've just died in my sleep, or drowned in the baths. No one will be able to provehis part in it, even if they suspect something. It's why I can't be alone.”
“I see that,” Alaric says. “And as much as I hate to say it, Rowan is right about this. Someone must be watching you at all times now. At least until we can work out a way to get Callus out of here.”
He takes my arm, leading me back towards his rooms.
“Alaric, the way things have been going between us, I’m not sure I want to spend the night in your rooms,” I say.
“We can head to yours if you prefer, or I can escort you to someone else,” Alaric says. “But I’m not leaving you alone, Lyra. Nothing needs to happen. Nothing is going to happen. I just need to make sure that you’re safe.”
“ I thought you didn't care what happened to me,” I say.
“If you think that, then you haven't been paying attention,” Alaric says. “The idea of being parted from you… it hurts so much it's distracting me, Lyra. Can you understand that? Can you understand how dangerous that is? This is my final season, so they're going to throw all kinds of things at me. I thought it was better if I tried to build up a wall between us.”
“It isn't better,” I say.
“I know.” Alaric looks crestfallen. “Come on. I'll do everything I can to keep you safe.”