“No, that would be too far.” Eira hoped. “They just want a good show. They came far enough for one.”
“Can all this fighting really lead to peace?” Alyss mused softly.
Eira didn’t know, so she didn’t answer. But she wondered, too. The people seemed more and more feverish with each passing game. Perhaps the increasing external threats—from Carsovia to Ulvarth’s shadowy violence—had them looking for reassurance in their nation’s strength.
“The victor of each individual duel will receive a point for their team. The team with the most points at the end will be declared the winner and awarded the five points for being victorious. Second place will receive four points, and so on,” Lumeria continued.
The sand tubes overtop the royals glistened in the sunlight. Solaris had an early lead. Tied for second place were the Twilight Kingdom and Meru, since they hadn’t participated in yesterday’s game and didn’t lose any points. The draconi and Qwint were in last, having each lost two points for Lavette and Harkor participating in the individual game and losing.
“In the last individual game, Cullen of the Solaris Empire received a reward that offered him an advantage in this game.He will be deciding the matchups for the duels and will make his decision before each one.”
Contrary to Cullen’s previous love from the spectators at the end of the last game, he now seemed like their enemy rather than their golden boy. Most of the crowdbooed or groaned, thrusting out their thumbs and pointing downward to express their disapproval.
Noelle seemed to have the same thought as Eira. “How quickly they turn on you,” she said to Cullen.
“Two days ago, I was just another champion playing hero. Today, I could impact their own competitors’ abilities to win.” He shrugged, as if it didn’t bother him. But Eira was certain it did. Cullen wasn’t accustomed to being unloved. She resisted the urge to reassure him. In front of everyone, nothing could change between them. If not for his honor and hers, if not for managing his father, Lavette…then to keep a smaller target on them both for the Pillars. The last thing Eira needed wasmoreweaknesses for Ulvarth to exploit.
“The duels shall begin shortly.” As Lumeria finished, attendants directed each team to benches set up along the back wall. Each bench sat behind a different ring. Solaris ended up in the center one, opposite the draconi.
“We will need your first three selections for duelists,” an attendant said to Cullen.
Cullen stood, looking out over the other competitors. Eira could see conflict in his eyes as he turned to face them. They’d spent the morning up until the parade into the coliseum figuring out who they wanted to pair up against.
“Which pairs first?” Cullen asked them.
“None of us,” Noelle said before the attendant could get a word in.
“You must tell us without further consultation,” the attendant added hastily. It seemed like they made up the rules for their boons on the spot.
“I thought I could share my advantage with whomever I chose.”
“The details, yes…but the advantage itself is for you alone and the time to decide is now,” the attendant clarified.
The muscles in Cullen’s jaw tensed briefly and relaxed. “The first three matches will be Tentur from the draconi against Evanel from Meru. Varren from Qwint against Kotol of the draconi. And Lop of Qwint against Graff from Twilight.”
Eira was still impressed at how many names Cullen could remember with ease. She’d made it a point to learn as a shadow. But he seemed to know just because of his natural inclination toward statesmanship.
“It will be done.” The attendant bustled off.
“Think they’re going to yell at us if we consult now?” Noelle said under her breath as the other competitors lined up to the rings. “Good job on picking everyone who wasn’t us. I want to see as much magic as I can.”
“Who should we pick next?” Cullen asked without looking their way to avoid drawing the scolding of another attendant. “I’m going to have to put one of us up.”
“I’ll go,” Noelle offered.
“Same,” Alyss said.
“Well I don’t want to be the only one not jumping at the chance.” Eira grinned slightly.
“Didn’t speak up fast enough.” Cullen glanced her way with a slight smile. “Besides, you have the most combat experience out of all of us. You’ll be the last to compete.”
“Says the lordling who grew up learning dueling as part of his noble training.” Noelle made no mention of her own nobility and if it included dueling or not.
“I couldn’t exactly go all out against the empress.” Cullen didn’t sound as confident in his ability to fight as Eira would’ve wanted.
“On the bell, the first duels will commence,” Lumeria announced. “Duelists, step into the arena.”
A bell echoed throughout the coliseum and everyone jumped into movement.
