“Your encyclopedic knowledge of Meru can really be an alarming thing.” Noelle seemed more impressed than anything else.
Eira took a bit of pride in her memory and continued, “This town is more or less at the halfway point. Even though the river continues, it’s a good place to stop off and restock.”
“Almost like our Crossroads?” Alyss asked.
“This is a far cry from the Crossroads, even built up as it’s been,” Noelle observed.
“Noelle is right. This would be more like the fishing towns at the Finshar Delta or Damacium in the East.”
“Knowledge on Meru is expected…but when did you learn so much about Eastern geography?” Alyss nudged her suggestively. Eira pursed her lips. Alyss deflated quickly. “Sorry.”
“It wasn’t because of Cullen. Those are trade routes for Oparium captains, the ones I grew up speaking to and working odd jobs for before I was old enough to go to the Tower.”
“Ah. I forgot you worked on the docks.”
“Only a little, and it feels like a lifetime ago now.” Eira smiled faintly at the memory of those younger years, the tales of sailors from the freedom of the open seas. How simple things had been then…
They made their way through the bustling town. People crowded the streets, taking note of the arriving carriages. Fortunately, there were no further incidents. Eventually the carriage slowed, crawling past two massive doorways. On each side was one half of a shield with five crowns carved upon it.
“That’s the symbol for the games,” Alyss said.
“How do you know that?” Noelle asked.
“I saw it on one of the documents Levit had this morning.”
“It’s also kind of obvious.Fivecrowns all together. The Tournament ofFiveKingdoms.” Eira grinned at Noelle, who rolled her eyes.
The carriage finally came to a stop and the door swung open. Blinking into the sun, Eira descended to the hard-packed earth of a large, pentagon-shaped, walled-in area. Behind them was the end of the line of carriages—two more coming in. Her gaze swept along the center road that they were all lined up upon. Ahead, other competitors spilled out of their transports, equally eager to stretch their legs. She raised a hand to her forehead, squinting up at the sun burning behind a massive silhouette that dominated the far end.
The coliseum was aptly named because it wascolossal. The elfin hadn’t lied or exaggerated in the slightest during their trainings in the dusty arena back at the city. The coliseum was like a regular arena—oval in shape, with stands rising up from what Eira presumed to be a hollow center, even though she couldn’t see it—but the similarities ended there.
Twenty-five towering flagpoles rose from its upper ring, proudly flying the colors of each of the kingdoms in multiples of five. Archways lined walkways that spun around the outer ring. Its façade was covered in white marble, edged with gold, that glistened so brightly even in the setting sun that it made the structure hard to look at for any length of time.
Alyss let out a low whistle. “Now that, right there, is a thing of storybooks.”
Noelle seemed to be stunned to silence.
“It is impressive,” Eira agreed with ease.
“This way, if you please.” A man wearing a white tabard emblazoned with the same crest as the doors ushered themtoward one of the six wooden buildings. He spoke hastily. “Every nation has its own building in the champions’ square. No nation is permitted to enter another’s building without permission. The building on the right to the far end is the communal hall—there you can take your meals and some of the individual merits will be administered there.”
“Individual merits?” Noelle asked.
“The logistics of the tournament will all become clearer when the games begin soon. There is also a training area in the front, behind the gate, where you first entered—though competitors are encouraged to make this space their own and use it how best suits them. You should be equipped with everything you need for the duration of the games here in the champions’ square. If there is an emergency, you may signal for an attendant.” He motioned to his tabard. Others wearing identical garb were ferrying their trunks from the carriage to the modest house they had come to a stop before. Over the front door was the Solaris sun emblazoned in gold on a white medallion. “Otherwise, please enjoy your first night, and the best of luck in the tournament.” Before he left, he stopped himself with a chuckle and a shake of his head. “Silly me, there’s one more important thing I almost forgot to mention. You’re not permitted to leave these grounds for the duration of the tournament.”
“Pardon?” A cool hand slid its way up Eira’s spine, wrapping around the back of her throat. She could almost hear Ferro whispering in her ear,You’re trapped again, pet.
“What do you mean we can’t leave?” Noelle asked.
“No one will go in or out of the champions’ square for the duration of the tournament, save for attendants handpicked by Lumeria herself to make sure everything runs smoothly and competitors are looked after.” He smiled proudly. “Though none of us will offer any additional help or benefits. All this is toensure the playing field remains level and no competitor has an advantage that’s not a part of the tournament.”
An advantage like Vi and Taavin had tried to give Eira. Perhaps she shouldn’t have been so hasty to refuse. She wondered if they were trying to warn her that she would be trapped. If she had known, she would’ve packed more thoughtfully. She would’ve spent the few hours she’d had left of freedom readying herself.
“Strict. No wonder Levit said he couldn’t stay with us any longer.” Alyss glanced between them.
“We’ll be fine,” Eira said firmly. “We can look after ourselves.” It’s what they’d been doing all along.
“Of course you’ll be fine.” The attendant couldn’t seem to fathom why they wouldn’t be. His forced disregard of the events of the past day couldn’t be more obvious. “There are Lumeria’s guards and staff here to make sure all your basic needs are met. There will be no issues. Now, if there are no other questions?” They shook their heads. “I’ll be off then. Please begin to ready yourselves, for the opening ceremonies will begin within two hours. Good luck.” With a bow, the attendant was gone.
