CHAPTER 26 #2
A horn blew, crisp and clear, rending the air.
Callagh linked her arm with mine again, and we walked onto the arena field together, leaving Kahvrah behind in the archway.
Having her at my side lent me strength. We stopped in the center of the grassy field and stood in wait as the arena filled with people.
The noise was twice as loud as I remembered.
My head pounded in time with their heavy steps.
I gripped her arm tighter and slowed my breathing, trying to steady my racing heart.
Once most were seated, Dane raised a hand and bellowed out a speech of welcome. Just like during my Sun Trial, his voice magnified around the arena, but this time, I recognized it for the magic it was. I wondered what sort of blessing was at work in the arena’s stones.
As Dane’s speech ended, Ell and Wep took to the dais and flanked him.
All three wore ceremonial leathers—Dane and Ell in brown, and only Wep in black—over matching green tunics.
The roaring of the Riht was deafening. Their leaders, each tall, strong, and imposing in their own way, embodied why the Riht were so feared.
They stood together, commanding authority in their unified front.
Dane held up his hands, and the noise died down, leaving my head ringing with hollowness. “We stand before Serae of the Riht, formerly Serae of Cavendaffe, to hear her plea for her right to betrothal. On her behalf, I will speak.”
The crowd murmured. Callagh patted my arm, still linked in hers.
“The lass you see before you did not choose this betrothal. She came to these lands having never met me or my sons. She came here knowing not one word of the language, our customs, or our beliefs. It was I who chose this match for my son and the Riht. It was I who brought her here in our midst and asked for your acceptance. It was I who chose for you a dana born on foreign soil. Now, I plead for you to accept her right to be betrothed to Eldreth.” Dane paused for a breath, allowing that sentiment to sink in.
“But it was Serae who worked every day to become one of us. She has learned our language and our ways. She has been accepted into a ranng”—Dane paused again as cheering from familiar voices rang out—“who are as devoted to her as any. Many of you have already accepted her into your hearts. Today, the rest of you have the opportunity to do the same. Let the rite begin!”
Cheers bellowed through the arena and rumbled underfoot. Callagh gripped my arm tighter. Dane’s next words could scarcely be heard over the tumult.
“Let any who challenge this match, the match I have personally selected for you, come forward!” He turned and dropped onto his throne. The seat at his side remained empty. Ell and Wep stepped back and remained standing, flanking the thrones.
I focused on my breathing. Cries and cheers sounded all around, but no one stepped out onto the arena floor. Seconds stretched to minutes, and still, no one moved.
“What happens if no one comes?” I asked.
Callagh smiled. “I hope we’re about to find out.”
The wait was agonizing, standing still and scanning the crowd over and over again for any sign of movement forward. Without my reálta, I would have passed out from anticipation.
“No one should dare challenge you,” Vaya’la crooned in my mind.
When an age had passed, Dane got to his feet and held up a hand. “I leave one more minute for a change of heart. If none step forward, then the will of the Riht is decided, the rite completed, and the right for betrothal granted.”
“I challenge you, Dane.” Her voice was faint as she rose from her seat and made her way to the field.
Dane frowned deeply and glanced at Wep, who shook his head, wearing a matching frown. Wep crossed his arms and glanced at Ell. Unlike the other men on the dais, Ell was smirking and leaning forward to get a better look.
I didn’t need to look to know who it was.
Within moments, Meralda was striding toward me and Callagh with hatred in her eyes.
When she was ten paces away, she stopped and turned to Dane.
“The Riht would not be best suited to a foreigner, nor would our future dane. I stand for the people of the Riht.” She turned to me.
“I stand against your right for betrothal.”
Another cheer echoed around the arena, but this time, it was accompanied by murmurs.
“Meralda, daughter of Scaya, has stepped forward.” Dane’s voice was low but carried. “What claim do you make? A claim of the heart or a claim of the title?”
“Both.”
Dane turned and barked something at his sons. Both stepped toward him in hushed conversation.
Callagh whispered, “A claim of the heart means she believes she’s more deserving of his love. The title means she believes she’s a better political match.”
My heart sank. “She wants to be dana.”
Callagh nodded.
In truth, neither claim mattered to me. I was the least worthy of Ell’s love, since mine had well and fully been stolen by another.
“Relax your mind. Your tensions run too high, Small One.”
I tried to focus on my breathing while waiting for the three men on the dais to finish.
Whatever they said made Wep’s face flush red with fury.
He gestured sharply at Ell as he spoke, who just smiled back.
I could almost hear the laugh on Ell’s lips when he tried to place a hand on his brother’s shoulder but got shoved away.
Dane stepped between the two, motioning them back to their places.
He returned to the front of the dais, his face a terse mask.
He stroked his braided beard and took his time before speaking.
“Meralda. Your right to challenge the title is accepted. Physical challenges may include dowsae, endurance, or combat. Mental challenges may include knowledge, strategy, or creativity. Name your choice.”
She turned to me with a triumphant smile. “Now is your downfall, weakling,” she spat in a low voice meant for only Callagh and me to hear. To the crowd, she announced, “Combat, Dane. Trial by weapons. Let her show us how well she would be his match.”
“Aye. What weapons would you suggest?”
Meralda smirked. “Let our weaponmaster decide.”
Dane turned to Wep, and they spoke again in hushed tones. This time, Ell did not join in. He smiled and waved and chatted with the people nearest the dais. It took several minutes to come to a decision.
When Wep stepped forward instead of Dane, the crowd cheered for him, more deafening than before, and stamped their feet. He held up a hand for silence, and his eyes met mine. There was something tight in his gaze, but I couldn’t decipher it.
“Bow, staff…and dagger.”
Four words of mercy. He had chosen the weapons I performed best with. He’d given me a chance.
I glanced at Meralda, whose face had gone slack. I opened my second sight and saw the pulses of cyan—shock—accompanied by flickers of scarlet—anger.
Callagh, at my side, was pulsing with bright orange. Fear. She pulled me away before I could say a word. When we reached the side of the arena, she pulled me into the small alcove.
“Where is Kahvrah?” she hissed.
“Here.” Kahvrah came running up with an armful of leathers identical to the ones I’d worn on our dragori mission. “Quickly.”
“What’s happening?” I asked as Callagh began stripping me out of my vest and dress.
“She’s chosen a trial by weapons. You’ll compete with the three Wep selected. Only archery is done against targets. The other two are actual combat, not sparring. Killing is forbidden, but if she gets the chance to stab or break bones, she’ll take it.”
“Oh, fuck me.”
Callagh was tightening leather bracers around my wrists with shaking fingers and tear-stained cheeks, but Kahvrah slapped her aside.
“Go calm yourself.”
We continued together, ensuring all the leathers were properly fitted.
“Keep up your defenses,” she instructed. “Meralda is incredibly well trained, but Wep has selected things that are not her strengths.”
“They’re mine,” I said, voice hollow.
“Good. He wants you to win. Remember his training. All you have to do is defend yourself until Dane calls the halt.”
Back on the field, Meralda was already waiting. She had on leathers that were worn in but not at all worn down. Bracht stood nearby holding two staves. He handed one to me, then one to Meralda. “We wish you luck.” He bowed and took off to the side of the dais.
Dane announced a short reminder of the rules, which were mostly just the ways we weren’t allowed to kill each other.
“Do you agree to these terms?”
“Yes, Dane,” I said.
Meralda took a moment to consider me, then echoed with, “Yes, Dane.”
He stepped back on the dais. “Begin.”
“Let’s see if you can last longer than a minute this time,” she hissed.
“Does it make you feel big, attacking people from behind like a coward?”
A short horn blew, and Meralda lunged. I barely got my staff up in time to deflect the blow aimed straight for my face.
She pivoted through the motion and attacked again at the side of my head.
I ducked and blocked, pivoted, and blocked again.
Her staff turned with each blow, spinning around her head or at her side and coming right back at me.
The pace was impossible. I stood no chance of keeping up.
I focused on protecting my head, where the most damage could be done.
She smacked my knee, and I nearly buckled.
I took another jab to my opposite hip. All I could do was block and deflect.
There was no thinking about attacks of my own.
Then, I started to find my rhythm. I kept up my horizontal and vertical walls. I kept track of my hands so I wouldn’t lose fingers between clashing staves. I kept my feet in motion, never sacrificing my balance.
I can do this, I told myself. I just have to survive.