Neither looks entirely friendly towards the other, either.It seems clear they aren't allies on the Senate, but in the matter of me becoming one of its members, they're in accord.
“It took a lot to get you onto the senate,” Rowan says.“And this is what senators wear when we’re in the chamber.We can’t have you looking like you don’t belong, even as we try to get you voted in.”
“I thought you’d already arranged for me to be on the senate,” I say, frowning slightly.
"There will still need to be a vote," Marcus says."We've found an empty seat, representing a district in the slums.The people there have already agreed to you, most enthusiastically, as you can imagine, but you still need to be accepted by the Senate."
I look from him to Rowan.“Are there going to be any problems with that?”
Rowan shrugs.“That depends on whether Marcus can deliver the votes he says he can.I have a faction who’ll support me in this, but we’ll need more to be certain.”
"I can deliver the votes," Marcus says, with an easy confidence."Although there were moments when it wasn't easy.Many people on the Senate believe Lyra is just here to be your puppet, Rowan."
Rowan doesn’t look happy about that.“They really think I would put someone onto the senate just because I believe I can control them?”
“Well, youdidcall Lyra here back to the city just to aid you,” Marcus says.“And it’s clear that you want things done your own way, Rowan.”
“Are you accusing me of wanting to be another emperor?”Rowan counters, sounding suddenly angry.
Marcus shakes his head.“Not yet, but take your reaction to the idea of the games being restarted.You tried to shut down all discussion.”
Rowan still looks angry.“You weren’t there in the arena, Marcus.You never had to fight for your life on the sands.You never had to kill someone you thought of as a friend, just because the emperor and the crowd demanded it.”
“You’re right, I never had to do those things,” Marcus agrees, “but as a senator, I’ve had to find ways through increasingly difficult problems in the Republic, trying to balance competing interests, trying to cope with the problems of the city.I might not be a hero of the fight against the emperor, but I’m trying to do my part now.”
He’s keeping his voice reasonable, but I can hear the note in it that seems affronted that Rowan is focusing on his lack of experience.
“Let’s not fight now,” I say.“We’re here to help the city, aren’t we?”
“I just suspect that Marcus has very different ideas of how to do that,” Rowan replies.
How, when the two can barely be in the same room together, do Rowan and Marcus both want me to be a senator of the Republic of Aetheria?Presumably, both think I’ll be able to help their interests within it.So what does each want from me?
Finally, the toga is in place.I've tried to memorize how to put it on, so I won't need a servant with me every time I want to get ready for the Senate.I don't feel comfortable.I'm used to the tight, barely there armor of the arena, designed to protect some vital areas while still allowing the gladiators to suffer wounds.I can't imagine fighting in this outfit, but maybe that's deliberate.By making it harder to fight wearing the outfits of the senators, maybe the republic is trying to emphasize that the Senate exists to resolve problems with words.
“You look amazing,” Marcus said.“There are people who wear the toga elegantly, and others who wear it badly, but I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone wear it as well as you.”
I have a hard time not flushing at the compliment.Rowan shoots the senator a dark look, but nods.“It does suit you, Lyra.”
It’s a long way from anything I would normally choose to wear, but I force myself to stand tall and stride forward, towards the doors to the senate chambers.I want to make a good first impression.
The other senators are on their feet as I walk into the middle of the chamber.Marcus walks with me, resting his hand on my arm, then heading off to the middle of one of the factions there within the senate chamber.I’m sure it’s a deliberate signal, designed to show that I’m someone he approves of.
It’s also a reminder that I’m stepping into a world of politics and subtlety, where problems can be solved or caused with a gesture or a word, where I’ll have to convince people, rather than just fighting them.
Do I really have what it takes to navigate a space like this?To work out who’s on my side and who isn’t?I must.This is my best chance to do something to help the people of Aetheria, to try to resolve its tangled problems and instability.If I can’t do anything here, I’m just one more ex-gladiator with no sway in the city beyond my reputation.
“Senators,” Rowan says.“I present to you Lyra Thornwind, former champion of the colosseum.She has the votes among the people to become a senator of our republic, but now she needs your votes.I ask you to give them to her.”
“And why should we?”Yarrow asks.The female senator looks me over.“Are you trying to bring her in because she’ll give you an extra vote to use against the slums, or just because you’re bedding her, Rowan?”
Rowan’s face flashes with anger, but he seems to have become better at controlling that anger than in the past.He remains as implacable as the stone he can control.
“Neither of those things, Yarrow,” he replies.“And I suspect your objection is based on her potentially becoming a senator for the slums.”
“Iseek to help the people of the city’s outer reaches,” Yarrow replies.
The noble senator, Olivia, laughs.“You mostly help yourself and keep your brothels from being closed.”
