Chapter 37
The war council went late into the night as we all tried to reason with Hylos.
But he was insistent. After their holy holiday, he would attack Oakhaven through Thornely.
It was final. Raylik and Nixie insisted on walking me back to my chambers, seemingly uneasy from the way Calypstra was acting toward me.
It was clear: she despised me. But would she really hurt me?
I had my suspicions that she’d drugged me, but Hylos said she wouldn’t have.
But was she so cruel as to kill every single one of Hylos’s prisoners?
And why would she of all people spare Arlo? None of it made sense.
I said my goodbyes to the couple at my door and found Arlo still asleep in my bed. I curled in next to him and faded back to sleep. I would need my rest. War was coming.
One last siren ceremony separated Arlo and me from freedom. After this, there would be their Hydroxia, starting at midnight, when the longest full moon would be the brightest. While the sirens drank, feasted, and mated, we would make our escape.
But first was the Jawro competition. A part of me didn’t wish to attend. I’d rather stay with Arlo and rest. Maybe run through our plan for escaping again. But I needed to get a feel for the atmosphere within Naiadon. Were guards walking about and on edge? Or were people at ease?
I walked with Morvyn through the halls to the armory.
All of Naiadon’s people seemed present, pouring out into the halls and dressed in bright colors.
We turned into the armory, which was filled with vivid sirens in every shade of every color, crackling with anticipation as they filed into the stands that curved against the back wall of the space.
One last ceremony. One more day. I could do this. The cheers and excitement were splendid, though. Reminding me of what people said jousts were like on land, especially the ones my father would hold that I never had the opportunity to attend.
Nixie stood by Raylik both dressed in outfits fit to fight in, red sparring fabric that was thin and tight so no one could get a good hold on them. Their hair both braided in small tight lines against their head, for the same reason. Ready for who ever dared challenge them.
We found Lumina in the stands, a stylus in hand and wax tablet on her lap.
“Lumi, why don’t you just watch for once.” Morvyn chided as we sat on each side of her.
“Someone needs to scribe what happens, or else it will all be forgotten,” Lumina said, looking up at Morvyn. Her golden dress was dazzling against her dark skin.
“I can tell you what will happen. The same thing as every year,” Morvyn scoffed, looking out at the center circle. “Raylik will beat whoever is dumb enough to challenge him, gently but well, as per usual. Someone will foolishly challenge Hylos and be defeated miserably. We all cheer. The end.”
“And I’ll write it all down to ensure it is remembered for years to come.”
“Suit yourself. Elowyn and I will do this thing called enjoying ourselves. You should try it sometime,” he joked, shouldering into her, earning a smile.
I snickered too.
A deep sound blared through the room, siren song booming through the space, echoing off the glass dome that capped the armory. The crowd cheered with it, sending parts of their own music to blend and bind with the sound.
“Here we go,” Morvyn thrilled and whooped with the crowd. Then, his face fell. “And here she comes, my miserable aunt. She wouldn’t shut up about this honor bestowed upon her over dinner the other night,” Morvyn said, rolling his pale eyes.
Elspeth walked before the armory pool. The crowd hushed to hear her speak.
“As the longest living Circle leader in these three great seas,” she said, her voice loud, siren magic sending it cracking on the song.
“Couldn’t get me to admit that with a spear to my head,” Morvyn murmured.
“Shhhh,” Lumina hushed.
Elspeth’s voice cracked through the room. “I will judge the sacred Jawro competition. First, the rules. The aim is simple. Whoever removes the bangle from the other contestant’s ankle is the victor. Step out of the circle and you will be forced to forfeit.”
“That’s not a whole lot of rules,” I whispered to Morvyn.
“Exactly. Leaves lots of room for interpretation. One year, a winner gnawed off the other contestant’s leg to remove the bracelet.”
My stomach churned at the thought.
“Who here wishes to compete first?” Elspeth looked to the crowd, her frozen eyes scanning for takers.
“I do.” Draveen’s voice commanded the regard of the crowd.
“This will be good. I can’t wait to watch Hylos kick his ass,” Morvyn snickered, rubbing his finned hands together.
“Granted. Draveen of Twynox Circle. Tell us who you wish to challenge.” I looked down at Hylos, regal as ever. By the tick in his blue jaw, I saw he was readying to stand and fight Draveen.
“I call a human from the very ship of our rivals.”
The crowd gasped.
My heart dove through the ground. No. Not Arlo. Anyone in the world besides him.
Blood beat through my body. Through my ears. I stood to my feet to get a better look. Praying to the Guardians themselves it would not be Arlo. But he was the only remaining human left.
I scanned the crowd and found Calypstra, who smiled at me. She was behind this.
The doors of the armory opened and a gasp fell from my lips as a child in worn clothes made his way to the center of the Jawro circle, called by Draveen’s lull. A lazy smile was on his face.
Alistar. He was alive. The urge to run out and gather him in my arms was unbearable.
“What is the meaning of this?” Hylos demanded.
“I found this human whelp rummaging about the castle, likely a spy, and I wish to punish him for the crimes of his king,” Draveen answered through a foul smile.
“Who is the boy?” Lumina asked at my side.
“He’s from Arlo’s crew,” I said. Alistar’s face was dirty, his once-bouncing curls plastered to his head with oil and sweat.
Why would Calypstra arrange this?
“There is no honor in fighting a mere child,” Hylos said, baffled.
I was up and stepping through the crowd.
“Elowyn, wait,” Morvyn pleaded, but I ignored him. I had to stop this.
“There is honor in showing all of your loyal subjects how easy it will be for us to destroy the humans upon land. This child is a symbol, great leader,” said Draveen.
“You can’t let him hurt him. He’s just a boy,” I demanded at Hylos’s side. He hardly looked down at me.
I cut Calypstra a hard look. “You did this,” I spat, but she didn’t move, just remained in cool disregard, arms crossed.
“I still say there is no honor in this. You can take the bracelet from him with ease,” Hylos said calmly.
Would Hylos really allow this to happen?
“I plan on taking him apart limb by limb first, with my eyes closed. Tear him to shreds until I find the bangle,” Draveen said.
“No!” The word scorched from my lips.
Hylos cut me a hard look. “Stand down, Elowyn,” he said under his breath.
“Great leader,” Draveen said in a mocking tone, “how can we expect you to fight a war against the human king when you allow his daughter to give orders to you? But I suppose …” Draveen looked to the now-silent crowd.
With a smile showing rows of sharp teeth, he said, “That’s what we should expect from a half-breed. ”
“If you wish to fight a child because that is all you can manage, then go ahead. Fight. I thought you would at least attempt to call upon me, since you question my rule so blatantly. But it seems you’re too afraid,” Hylos said with ease.
A laugh boomed from Draveen. “I would never wish to fight you, my great liege.”
“Fight me,” I yelled, stepping forward toward the monster, looking up at his ghoulish figure, realizing again just how large he truly was.
“I suppose you would be a better example, the daughter of our enemy,” Draveen drawled, a finger tapping his cheek contemplatively.
“I said stand down, Elowyn,” Hylos demanded, alarm sharpening his tone.
“Yes, I suppose I accept your offer to compete,” Draveen said, a smile slicing across his ghastly face and sending a chill down my spine. “After all, you’re a much better adversary than a mere child, isn’t that right, my liege?”
Nixie rushed to my side. “Elowyn, please tell me you have a plan,” she said, fear darkening her usually bright tone.
I fought, fiercely, to steady my ragged breath. This space had belonged to Nixie and me before daybreak, now all these eyes were on me. I pushed down the nausea churning in my gut.
“Plan is,” I swallowed down the fear, “don’t fucking die.”
My eyes fell to Alistar, still sweetly smiling. If I died, at least he would live.
I turned to Nixie. “Take him out of here, ensure he’s safe.”
She shook her head no at me. “I can’t leave you now. I need to be here in case—”
“Please. He has no one in this world, he’s an orphan. Get him out of here and somewhere safe.”
She relented, nodding a yes, then scooped up the small boy in her arms, leaving the armory.
“Enough theatrics,” Elspeth snapped. “Take your places on each side of the pool.”
I nodded in agreement, then walked slowly to the opposite side of the circle, drawing a rush of whispers from the onlookers.
This was not good. There was no way I would win. I was wearing a bloody dress, for Guardians’ sake. At least Draveen was unarmed. Only strength and skill would be our weapons, but I lacked both.
Draveen laughed, then called to the crowd, “Who is ready to watch me destroy the enemy as our king shall destroy her father?”
The crowd only offered a few stray cheers.
His eyes narrowed at me, sharp teeth bared in a repugnant smile.
Elspeth walked with a young female siren who held a glass box in her wake. She went first to Draveen, whose confident smile never faded. She kneeled before him and placed the onyx bangle around his ankle.
She glided around the circle to me and clasped the matching bangle on my ankle too.