Plenty of the other senators are there, talking to nobles and wealthy individuals.Here and there, I think I see messages and coin pouches changing hands, corruption only just below the surface.How many of those here truly work for the benefit of the people they serve?How many just serve their own interests?
What will it mean for the vote today?
I don’t know.I hope everything will go the way Marcus and I planned.
I can see Alaric moving through the room.I haven’t seen him since he walked out, but now he slips through the crowd smoothly, heading straight for me.He stops just in front of me.
“Vote against it.Whatever he proposes vote against it.”
“Just like that?Those are the first words you say to me?”I reply.
“They’re the ones thatmatter, Lyra,” Alaric says.“The city can’t have the games again.”
“You know I’ve been working on this proposal?”I say.“It will look strange if I don’t vote in favor.”
“It isn’t just the danger of the games themselves,” Alaric says.“It’s what they represent.A first step back towards the old ways.”
“It doesn’t have to be,” I reply.“Marcus has-”
“He’s using you to get what he wants,” Alaric says.He steps back from me.“Vote against, Lyra.”
He slips back into the crowd, giving me no time to argue.I want to go after him as he heads for the public viewing area, but there’s no time.I’m a senator of the Aetherian Republic, dressed in my white toga, and it won’t be long before the vote begins.
I go through into the senate chamber.It’s already packed with people, not just the senators and those attending them but members of the public crammed into the viewing spaces, looking down as if sensing the importance of this day.It will potentially make a huge difference to all of their lives.
Alaric stands among them, while I head to my place in the chamber, taking a seat near Rowan.
He looks around.“We're here today because Senator Marcus has a proposal he wishes to put before us.Senator?”
Marcus stands, looking around the room.“My friends, you all know that I am in favor of bringing back the games to the city.Yes we could keep the colosseum as a historical monument.We could use it as a marketplace or a space to hold civic ceremonies.But none of those things will help the people of the city.You've all heard of the unrest of the past few days and weeks.Many of you will have heard complaints from your constituents that the city is less orderly than it was, less wealthy than it was, less proud of itself.I believe that reopening the Colosseum to some form of gladiatorial games will help to resolve all of those issues.”
“But what form?”Domitian asks.
“It's clear that the people of this city do not want a return to the old days,” Marcus says.“We’re not talking about fights to the death, about slave gladiators brought in from all corners of an empire we no longer have.What I'm proposing is the resumption of exhibition matches, designed to showcase the skills of the men and women who volunteer to be a part of them.They would not be to the death, but merely continued until one side demonstrates clear superiority over the other.”
“And do you think that's really what the people want?”Domitian demands.
“I think it's the best compromise between giving them the spectacle of the games and preserving the lives of those who take part,” Marcus says.“I think it could even work out better, because people would have time to connect with their favorite gladiators, knowing that they won't be killed in the next season of competition.”
“You make it sound as though we should just pander to the most violent impulses of the crowd,” Rowan says.
“Not themostviolent impulses,” Marcus says.“As I said, the fights would not be to the death.Senator Lyra has been working with me on ways to make them safer.But my proposal isn't just about that.A whole economy sprang up around the arena.The days of the games brought massive bursts of spending and betting throughout the city.They provided much-needed moments of stimulus.Without them, Aetheria has been withering.They provided jobs too, to the people who supplied the games with food and armaments, training and beasts.And these days they could provide employment for those who wanted to fight in them.”
“Do you really think any of it will stay that way?”Alaric’s voice echoes around the chamber.“Do any of you think that if you restart the games, they'll stay bloodless?It’s only a matter of time before they become blood soaked again.”
Rowan stands up.“Alaric, you've done much for this city but you're not a member of the senate.You must not speak here unless asked to do so.”
“Rowan, I know you must hate this as much as I do,” Alaric says.“Put a stop to this before it can happen.Once it begins, everything will be back the way it was.”
“Alaric, sit down!”Rowan commands, sending a burst of magic through the stones of the seating, making them shake slightly like we're in an earthquake.“Sit down or I'll be forced to have you removed.”
Alaric glares at him.I wonder if he's going to stay standing, and keep speaking, despite not being allowed to.He looks over at me imploringly.I do my best.
“Would you outline the controls you think should be put in place over these games?”I ask.
Marcus nods.“Gladly.Blunted weapons would be used, and more protective armor.Healers would be on hand in case of accidents.Strict oversight of the senate would be employed, with a committee devoted to the day-to-day running of the arena, and the ability of any senate member to look into any aspect of the games.Where things do not meet those members’ standards they can bring their concerns to the committee or to the full chamber of the senate.I want to make it clear that I have no interest in a slow slide towards the brutal combat of the old days.”
He looks in my direction is he says it but then he glances across at Alaric.It seems clear to me that he’s serious about wanting the games to be safe.
