“Imagine how bad it’ll be at the stadium.” Noelle worried one of her rings. She looked almost nervous, an expression totally foreign to her usually self-assured attitude.
Eira rested her fingertips lightly on the back of Noelle’s hand. “It’ll be fine. The competitions won’t be won by who gets the loudest cheers.”
“Well put,” Levit praised. “They’ll be won by the strength of your magic, of which Solaris has no peer.”
“Since when were you so nationalistic?” Eira murmured under her breath as Levit turned forward again. She was more and more aware of the eyes and ears that surrounded her. Levit had always been her favorite teacher because, like her, he was fascinated with the world beyond Solaris. He didn’t stare blindly into the blazing sun, but sought to learn and respect the magics and cultures of all nations beyond their borders.
“I thought I was rather inspiring,” Levit said, barely moving his lips.
Eira huffed soft amusement. “Thank you for trying to boost our morale.”
“You’ve had a hard enough time, all of you. Hopefully, at long last, you’ll be able to simply enjoy the tournament.” He gave her a smile, one Eira worked to return. Even after all that had happened, a part of Levit still saw her as his star pupil and a kindred spirit, she could feel it in the warmth he still had forher. He’d done his best for her, in his way. Worried for her. Been there for her.
But he still had no idea about what was to come. In that way, he was just another person who claimed to be in control and have her interests in mind, but would ultimately let her down at best, and abandon her once she’d outlived her usefulness at worst.
“All right, it’s your turn.” One of Lumeria’s knights approached from the courtyard as another carriage pulled up on the other side of the far gate. “Please keep any interactions with the crowds to a minimum—we’re on a tight schedule leading up to the opening ceremonies this afternoon.” He ticked off a few things on a slate tablet as he spoke. “That said, do you have any questions for me at this time?”
“How far is the coliseum from the city?” Eira asked, but what she really wanted to know was how long they would be vulnerable in a carriage. Everyone knew exactly where she was, Ulvarth included. He’d already told her he was coming for her, and if he were smart, he’d strike fast.
“Without these crowds, I’d say about an hour. But the whole city seems to be turning out or trying to get there themselves.” The knight sighed. “I’m hoping within two hours. The coliseum and village couldn’t be built too close to Risen’s sprawl due to space requirements.”
Two hours…though, they were going to have a bunch of eyes on them throughout the entire time. Would Ulvarth try to make a move, now? The elfin competitors’ carriage hadn’t made it that far ahead. They’d all be in a straight line. Easy pickings, one by one.
She inhaled slowly through her nose.
“If the rocking of the carriage will upset you, there is some candied ginger in the door pocket.” The knight misunderstood her hesitation. Yet another shining example of the failure ofthose allegedly in charge. Last night there had been an attack on them all. But Ferro was dead—thanks to her—and everyone seemed to think that no longer made the Pillars a problem.
“Thank you,” Eira forced herself to say, despite her reservations.
“Can we also have some wine for the road?” Noelle fluttered her eyelashes. “It helps settle my stomach, I swear.”
The knight frowned slightly.
“That’s not necessary.” Levit stepped in and turned to them with a smile and shining eyes. Eira hadn’t expected him to be emotional. “You all be well, behave, and fight like the fire of the sun.”
“Thank you, Levit, for all you’ve done for us.” Noelle abandoned her pursuit of wine to give him a warm smile and a squeeze above his elbow.
“We really do appreciate you,” Alyss added.
A sharp whistle buzzed across the front gardens.
“Right, then, this way, please.” The knight strode forward. Noelle was after him, head tall, strides long and even.
Eira lingered for a second, staring at Levit. He held out both his arms and she moved without thought, allowing him to pull her in for a tight embrace. Her own eyes were prickling now. Levit wasn’t perfect, but he had been there—a steady constant when the rest of the caretakers in her world had all but abandoned her. He’d always been on her side, as best he was able, always worried about her.
“You’re going to stun the world. Everyone, near and far, will know your name,” he whispered. “I just know it.”
“Let’s hope that for once it’s in a good way.” Eira pulled away and smiled.
He chuckled. “I have faith in you.”
“At least one of us does.” She gave a slight shrug and turned. Alyss’s hand slid into Eira’s and they stepped into the sunshine together.
Unlike for the elfin, there was no thunderous applause as they made their way through the gardens and out the gate. That had been expected. But what caught Eira off guard was the deafening silence. All the gathered citizenry simply stared.
Eventually, heads began to turn, sharing hasty, hushed whispers.
“That’s her.”
