I glanced around quickly, making sure no one was watching and weaved a tiny, almost invisible thread of Air. While most Mageia worked on making their magic work on a larger scale, Vlakas and I had been practicing using our magic like scalpels.
The Elusians were primarily focused on pulling as much power from us as they could, so most of the time the way they used our power was more heavy-handed. Like using thick rope versus a suture. This weave was like threading a needle. As Maalik approached Vlakas I twitched my fingers and yanked on the thread of Air.
Maalik stumbled as he reached toward Vlakas, his feet flying out from under him, and the collars went flying across the dirt as he landed on his face.
“You fucking cunt!” he swore, scrambling to his feet. He hauled his fist back to deliver a blow to the nearest Mageia, but it was caught in an iron grasp as Allard moved forward.
“Lord Maalik,” he said, his tone bland. “Let me steady you. The ground here is rather—uneven.”
Maalik jerked his hand from Allard’s grasp.
“Fucking traitor,” he growled at Allard.
“The King doesn’t seem to think so,” Allard whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear.
The Tagmatarches apparently hadn’t heard the whole exchange. He had just seen Maalik fall on his face. Allard made it look like he was helping him to his feet as the Tagmatarches glowered at Maalik from his location on the stage, obviously annoyed at him for interrupting his speech. Maalik glanced at him, then at Allard.
“My apologies for my… clumsiness, Tagmatarches,” he said, the fury in his eyes evident as he glared at the Mageia around him. I struggled to keep the smirk from my face as Maalik’s face grew red with embarrassment. I must not have been successful because his eyes locked on me.
Allard stepped forward, breaking our staring contest and taking the collars from Maalik.
“Allow me to finish for you, my lord,” he said, his voice bland. Maalik was obviously pissed but didn’t have an excuse to argue with the senior soldier, so he just nodded curtly and took his place at the end of the aisle.
I watched out of the corner of my eye as Allard fastened the collar around Vlakas’ neck and held the ends together for the Fire Mageia to seal. Once done, they made quick work of collaring the remaining Machi Thanatos participants.
“These medallions are your trophies. The Hoplite who returns with the most medallions will be named the winner of the event. To be promoted to full Mageia, you must bring back at least three medallions. Be warned, though, Hoplites,” he paused. “The collars around your neck are spelled. They cannot be removed by their wearer. They are only able to be removed upon the death of the bearer. Any attempt at tampering…”
He gestured to the side where a slave had been dragged by a couple of guards. Around his neck was a collar and medallion just like the ones around our necks. With a gesture, the Tagmatarches pushed a button on a small metal device.
Even though I expected it, the explosion that followed made me jump as the body of the slave collapsed to the ground, his head just gone. Blood, brain, and bones spattered Mageia in the front rows. None of the Hoplites reacted. We had seen just as bad, if not worse, during our training. At least his death was quick.
My eyes briefly flickered over the assembled Hoplites. There were only twenty of us. If the Legions of Greece and Rome sent the same number, only a handful would be promoted.
“Several beasts have been released into the arena. Each of these beasts also carries a medallion on their bodies. These medallions count toward your totals.”
The metal warmed around my neck. Good to know we counted right there with the animals to the Elusians.
“As a final test, a creature has been trapped within the Machi. Do not be fooled by its appearance: It may appear human, but it has killed--and eaten--Mageians during every Machi Thanatos in the last two years. Of the two-hundred and fifty Hoplites from the various Legions who have attempted the Machi Thanatos in the last two years, only eleven Mageians have returned to be promoted. This beast is dangerous.”
I heard a few startled gasps from those around me. Of course, we all knew Mageia that had left to attempt the Machi Thanatos in the last few years. To hear that most or all had died was shocking. If you figured there were about sixty Hoplites from each Legion session who attempted the Machi Thanatos and there were four Legions, that was at least two-hundred and forty Mageians killed by this beast. Mageians had never been plentiful, so that was a significant percentage of active Mageians to lose. It was a major blow to Alexandria’s firepower.
“We have determined that the beast has a magic of its own and is able to disguise itself as a human,” the Tagmatarches continued. “We are depending on one of you to bring this beast’s medallion in. It will be worth ten medallions all on its own.”
I saw a few glances amongst the contestants. There was always a particular challenge in each Machi Thanatos that made it unique. I’d never heard of a shape changer being used before.
As the thought occurred to me, my mind went back to the conversation I’d had with the eunuch, Kyris. They had talked about Somatophylakes, and how they were able to take the form of beasts. Allard had told us that one of the beasts might not be our enemy. Could he mean the beast was an Illyrian?
Only one way to find out.
???
The trip to the center of the Machi territory took longer than I had expected.
Mageia were never told the exact location of the Machi Thanatos so we couldn’t plan. The original Arena had been created in Crete by the ancient artificer, Daedalus, to imprison the Minotaur. In his honor, engineers were known as Daedites.
As a child I had heard the Mageia instructors regaling each other with stories of their Machi Thanatos. Some hadbeen in abandoned cities; others in wilderness areas. One had even been in the mountains and contained an area partially submerged by a glacial lake.
Young Mageia soaked up these stories from their elders to increase their own chances of surviving the Machi Thanatos. You never knew what tidbit of information could save your life someday.
