“Ladies and gentlemen we have our winner: Kai!”
The crowd roars, those who bet on me looking ecstatic, those who bet against looking rueful or angry.I make my way from the ring, donning my tunic once again and going to collect my winnings.As usual, I head to one of the bookmakers.I didn’t get three to one, but the odds on me were still good enough.
There's someone else waiting by the bookmaker, someone I recognize from the meeting in the crypt, and from the colosseum.Domitian Blacksteel, senator of Aetheria, is standing openly in the middle of the crowd, apparently unconcerned about being seen attending this kind of underground fight.
He nods to me as I collect my bag of coins.“Betting on yourself.It's a sign of confidence.”
I shrug.It never occurs to me that I could do anything else.
“Do you know who I am, Kai?”he asks.
“You’re Domitian Blacksteel,” I say, keeping my tone respectful.This is an important man.“You're in the senate.”
“I am,” he says.“And I think I need to talk to you now.Walk with me.”
He puts an arm around my shoulders, guiding me through the crowd.They step aside to let us pass and I don't know if they do so because of me or him.
“I saw you at the meeting,” he says.“You were impressive.”
“It wasn't so hard to drop Glacius,” I reply.
“I'm not talking about Glacius,” he says.“Although he’s angry with you now.Angry enough to actually want to fight you, if you can believe it.I'm talking about the way you got the crowd on your side.You got their attention, the way you've been getting attention in the pits.”
I never thought I’d get compliments from a senator of the city.Especially not on my public speaking.
“And you were impressive here,” Domitian says.“Oh, I know people were booing you at first, but you know what I saw?”
“No,” I admit.
“I saw a thinking fighter, one who understood the weaknesses of his opponent and was prepared to capitalize.In the old days you would have done well in the colosseum.”
That compliment fills me with warmth.
“You’re too kind, my lord,” I say.
He snorts.“I'm no one's lord.Domitian is fine.But I am a man in a position of power.Power that I think I can use to your benefit if you're willing to help me, Kai.”
I frown.“Help you with what, Domitian?”
He smiles.“With all the things we were talking about in the meeting.The Senate is getting ready to vote on bringing back the games, having exhibition bouts to entertain the people.Obviously anybody involved would have to be willing, and I’m told the bouts would be made as safe as possible.”
He sounds as though he isn't entirely happy about that.
“What can I do?”I ask.Does he need something from me to help influence the decision?
“You can fight, Kai,” he says, turning me and holding me at arm’s length so that he can look me in the eyes.“You're a good fighter, but more importantly, you hold the crowd in the palm of your hand.It's a combination that can be hard to find.Which is why I want you to be the face of these new exhibition bouts.We’ll push your name forward, get you good billing on the fight roster.You’ll be the one we push out to meet nobles and show them that these new games aren't just about the old brutes leftover from the last round of fights.You'll be a symbol of the new way we're doing things.”
I try to imagine it.It seems like everything I've ever dreamed of.Domitian Blacksteel is giving me an opportunity to fight in the arena rather than in these pit fights.He's giving me an opportunity to gain fame and respect, maybe even fortune.
And all I have to do is meet a few nobles as well as fight?That's the kind of thing gladiators have always had to do, going through to the receiving rooms and giving the nobility of Aetheria a chance to be seen with those who most embody the city's twin virtues of martial might and magical power.
“So, what do you say, Kai?”Domitian asks.“Will you do it?Will you be the face of the new games?”
I don’t hesitate, even for a second.“There isnothingI want more.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: LYRA
I wait in the rooms outside the senate chamber, as nervous as I might have been before one of my fights.Today’s the day when Marcus will put his proposal before the senate.The same proposal I’ve been helping him craft.
