“How do you know?”
“Now, now. Let me havesomesecrets.” He winks at me again. “Can I escort you back to your chambers?”
“I can find my own way,” I say, although I’m not completely confident that’s true. I am pleased he asked, though. Adria’s little plan seems to be working in spite of my utter failure to act like I don’t want to kill him.
“His accomplice could still be out there,” says Ronan. There’s a slight edge to his tone, almost like genuine concern.
“And if they are, wouldn’t I be in more danger walking with the king they’re trying to kill than on my own?”
He rolls his eyes, sighing like I’m the most exasperating person he’s ever met. “I’m sending one of my guards, at least.I like the dress, by the way,” he says, looking me up and down appreciatively in a very familiar way just before he shouts, “Stella!”
Around dinner, we hear from a servant that the accomplice was found, and the threat has been neutralized. Larus was thrilled to hear of my personal encounter with the king, though I leave out the part about him knowing of my murderous intent. Even Adria couldn’t help but seem a little interested, although she still clearly hasn’t forgiven me for humiliating her yesterday.
I still don’t mention Soren. I decide to go and try to find him again tomorrow after signing up for the Festival of Sport events that I want to participate in, and then I’ll decide if it’s worth telling the others about.
The Festival of Sport promises to be a great bit of fun if nothing else. There will be events for every magic school and class of fighting, but the event I’m most interested in is archery. Larus didn’t want me to waste too much time on mastering the bow, considering I’m too small and weak to draw one over and over again on the battlefield, but shooting targets requires a lot less stamina, and it’s one of the few martial sports you can practice on your own.
I had a lot of time alone at the castle. I’m really, really good at it.
The next day, I make my way along with pretty much everyone else in the palace to a courtyard where the guards are collecting names on slates. It’s a lovely summer day, and the courtyard itself is undeniably gorgeous, surrounded as it is by elaborately carved columns and archways of red and tan stone. Creeping vines cover nearly every vertical surface inbrightly colored flowers, while low bushes line the walkways in neat hedges. I feel out of place in my Nithyrian leathers while everyone ambles about in their Selaran silks and linen tunics, drifting like petals on the breeze.
I pass by a table for the shadow-born trial. It doesn’t specify exactly what the test will be, and I’m tempted to find out, but I don’t want to draw more attention than necessary to the fact that I’m shadow-born.
Maybe I shouldn’t have blurted it out at the king, then.
Okay, my first couple of days in the palace weren’t my best. But to be fair, I’ve never been in a situation like this before. I’ve never been around nobles outside of Nithyria. I’ve never even been outside of Nithyria, and I’ve been dropped into the viper’s nest that is Ronan’s court.
I’m trying, and that’s what matters. That’s what Larus tells me, at least.
When I finally make it to the front of the line at the archery table, I recognize some of the other names on the list from Larus’s training about the members of the various houses. Most of them fought in the war, so I imagine they’re all pretty good at standing in line and shooting people running at them with swords and fireballs.
But shooting at a bale of hay with a target painted on it from thirty paces in a courtyard? I doubt there’sanyoneon this list who has done that as much as I have.
What else can I do? I glance at the other tables, trying to think strategically. Which events would Ronan compete in? What is most likely to get Ronan’s attention? What will give me the greatest chance to learn more about him?
I idly question the guards collecting names for the javelin throw and equestrian events, taking a look at the sign-up sheets as I do. Ronan’s name doesn’t seem to be on any of the lists. Maybe he won’t compete at all.
On the one hand, that makes sense. Who would be willing to truly give it their best effort against the king?
But on the other hand, maybe Ronan is afraid of what would happen if he failed. I would pay to see that. To watch someone best the God-King himself.
And I notice there isn’t a light-born trial at all, but from what I know, there would have only been two competitors anyway.
After the court has had their chance to sign up, the courtyard will be opened to the common people of Faros as well. Maybe I should wait around to see if Soren shows up. Or the missing shadow-born girl. Vesper? I think that was her name. I did promise I would keep an eye out for her.
I’m about to take a seat to wait for the commoners when I spot someone over at the registration for the trial of the blade. It’s the young woman from the day we met the king, the one with short red hair that Typhon was talking to. Possibly a friend of his, or maybe something more?
It's worth finding out. I head over to the table and hear her speaking to the guards.
“I don’t know why she’s even allowed to compete. She thinks she isn’t Selaran. If you’re not Selaran, why compete in a Selaran festival?”
Is she talking about me? She hasn’t even seen me.
No, I realize, looking at the slate. She’s talking about Adria.
“The tournament is open to all,” says the guard. It’s the friendly guard who gave me directions to the mask seller. I like this one.
“I’m just saying that it shouldn’t be. There aresometypesof people that shouldn’t be here at all.”
