Ironhold, Trial One (Ironhold #1)

EPILOGUE

The violence of the games might be done, but it turns out that there is still one more parade that we must take part in. One more morning spent marching down into Aetheria, some of us in our armor, others, like Vex and Ravenna, in their noble finery. I note that Alaric chooses to dress more like one of the ordinary gladiators than like his fellow nobles, aside, as usual, for a single trailing piece of cloth in the purple of his house.

None of us has weapons for this part. We are not here to fight, but to be seen.

There are not as many people out to watch this procession as the one at the start of the games, but it has a more joyous note. There are more musicians among the crowd, while priests intone prayers for all of those there, even as acrobats tumble past them.

We do not make our way to the colosseum this time, but to a grand, open space in front of one of the temples of the city. It has the sword and purple corona symbol of the emperors flying above it, and whole rows of white robed priests stand on its steps. There is a grislier side to it too. Bodies that I believe have been taken from the arena dangle on spikes around the temple, as if hanging there as an offering to the gods. If I fall in the colosseum, will my body hang there?

There is another figure waiting there, too. The emperor stands at the top of the steps, flanked by a mixture of soldiers, nobles and priests, who look at him reverently, as if he were some kind of living god, rather than just the ruler of the city and its surrounding empire.

He waits for us to move into position, the crowds of the city standing around us, before he begins to speak.

“In the past days, you have fought in the colosseum for your survival, and for the glory of Aetheria.”

Does he really believe that anyone is fighting for that glory? Maybe some of the nobles. Maybe Alaric. The rest of us either have no choice, like me, or believe it is the best way to get fame and position, like Ravenna.

“Aetheria is built on strength,” the emperor says. “On the power of our armies, and on the magic that flows from the stone housed within this temple.”

I look around at the others, trying to gauge their reactions. Alaric stands proud, as if there is nowhere he would rather be. Rowan’s expression is stoic, betraying nothing of what he feels. Ravenna seems to be watching everyone else in turn, possibly trying to understand more about them.

“Most of you have been touched by that magic, or you have found strength without it. The colosseum is where we test that strength, even those sides of it that would not be permitted elsewhere.”

Somehow, I get the feeling that he's looking my way. The emperor is no fool; he has seen what I have done in the colosseum.

“It is only right that you test that strength on our holy days, sacrificing those who are not strong enough to the gods! Remember, when you fight, that you are performing a holy duty. Those who rob the gods of their sacrifices risk their curse.”

Again, that feels as though it is directed my way.

“But you have done them much honor in these past days. You have spilled your blood, given your pain. You have proven yourselves worthy, again and again. In time, some of you will even pass through these trials to become full citizens of Aetheria.”

He dangles that in front of us as a prize, and we all know that it is our only way out. We will fight and die. Our only way out of the arena is through it.

I look around again at the other gladiators. Some, like Vex, are my enemies. Some, like Naia and Zara, are friends. Rowan may well be more than that. As for Alaric, I’m not sure quite what he is to me. I have been taken from my home, thrust into a strange place, forced to fight, to bleed, to kill. I have been thrust into the machinations of nobles, as the object of their betting, their interest, their schemes. Lady Elara seems to want to help me, but I know she will have her own objectives. So much has changed for me, but I know that there is still plenty left for me to do. I will need every scrap of strength and magical power I have if I am to survive, and it will be even more difficult if I am not to let this place change who I am. I will not become the heartless killer they want me to be. I will not give their gods the offerings of blood and death they want.

Whatever happens, I know that the games are just beginning.