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Austri, Lyric and Madigan arrived early in the wagon. My heart had been broken and battered by Revel’s lack of attention, but realizing he wasn’t even planning to say goodbye nearly made me crumple into a fetal position. It was the last stomp on my already shattered heart. No one even mentioned him as I climbed into the wagon.

The mood was somber, and other than talking about the magnificently satisfying ending to the Krakatow, there weren’t many topics to cling to. I was leaving Norvale and my three good friends. It was all too much to bear. Revel had so easily forgotten me, it almost made it easier to leave. How could I possibly have stayed in town and passed him in the street as he canoodled with another woman? It would have been a heartbreak on repeat every time I saw him. At least this way, I could spare myself that perpetual hurt of knowing how easily he had cast me aside. I really was a fool when it came to men and love. I should have stayed in my single, independent-girl lane and never veered into the relationship traffic.

Lyric and I sat in the back. She took my hand and rested her head against my shoulder. “I can’t believe this is happening, Rafi. I wish there was something we could do to help. All those years we watched over you, and now we’re flesh and blood and totally helpless.”

“I think I should step into the fight ring,” Madigan said briskly. “I’d show both the Solamites and the Regnas who the true victors are.”

I smiled up at Madigan. “If I was able to pick my own fighter for this competition, then you’d be first on my list.”

Austri was being unusually quiet. He listened to our conversation but didn’t chime in, which wasn’t at all like him.

Madigan noticed too and elbowed him. “What’s on your mind?”

Austri had been deep in thought and looked at her with surprise, almost as if he hadn’t noticed her sitting next to him. “Me? Nothin’ on my mind at all. Just keepin’ an eye on the road.” With that, he sealed his lips and didn’t say another word. He was acting oddly, but I wasn’t in the state of mind to decipher it.

A cold drizzle began to fall about halfway to the sorcerers’ court. It was the perfect weather for the day. I couldn’t imagine sitting under a pleasant sky waiting for bloodshed that would determine my future. Just like I couldn’t imagine being forced to marry one of the two princes. Lesser of the two evils didn’t even work in this situation. To me, they were both equally unlikable.

“Maybe you could write me, and Omni could circle through town and pick up the note,” Lyric suggested meekly.

“Of course, Lyric, and I’ll expect notes back. You can fill me in on all the town gossip.”

Lyric’s mood lightened some. “That would be fun. There will probably be too much information to share in one note, so I’ll have to send you multiple. I’ll let you know who’s dating who and who is angry at who and—well, heck—there’s one thing I won’t need to tell you.”

“No more Krakatow deaths,” I finished for her.

“Yes, and that’s all because of you, Rafi. I can’t believe all the things that have changed for the better since you arrived. People in town are finally coming to understand the harsh reality that you are being forced to fulfill your fate and marry one of the princes. They are not happy about it.”

“In a way, I feel like I’m letting everyone down. My return to Norvale brought with it uncertainty and danger, yet it was agreed that I should return. I’m glad to at least have provided some help to them⁠—”

Lyric sat bolt upright. “Some help? You returned the Z-drakes to health,” she said loudly enough that both Madigan and Austri shushed her.

“These forests are probably crawling with Solamites and Regnas traveling to the fight to cheer on their side,” Austri hissed. It was going to be a ridiculous spectacle. For the spectators it would just be fun sport; for me, it was the end of my life as I knew it.

I felt sick as we came around the bend and saw the unassuming Tribunal building come into view. Rows of bleacher-style seating had been erected, or possibly conjured, for the spectacle. People were already filling the stands. It seemed the regions had decided on team colors. It was easy to tell which side were Regnas and which were Solamites. They were so very different. The Regnas had come in animal skins with green ribbons tied to their rough fur cloaks. The ribbons against the primitive hides would have been amusing if I’d been in any kind of mood to be amused. The Solamites had taken much more care to coordinate. Their side of the stands was a lush wall of royal blue, and everyone held golden flags. There was no sign of either prince or royal family yet. Three tall, shiny black chairs with silver and green pillows sat at the very top of a platform. A fourth chair, smaller and less fancy, sat next to the three. I could only assume those premier seats were for the three sorcerers and the fourth for their loyal assistant, Coda. Each side of the seating platforms also had the middle rows cleared, and cushions had been placed on the wooden benches for comfort.

“What a show,” Madigan scoffed. “A bunch of fools, the lot of them.”

“They’re just excited they’ve been invited to watch some sport,” Austri said. “Been a while since we had any kind of competition.”

Madigan rolled her eyes. “What sport? No doubt Fenrick will bring Greshun to fight. The big oaf couldn’t reason himself out of a half-circle. He has no strategy. He just throws his massive weight around. Most of his opponents surrender because of his foul breath alone. And I’m sure Granier will bring Kelto or Lerin. They’re his best guards, and Kelto is pretty quick with his magic.” Madigan looked at me. “He can vanish into thin air. Only for seconds, but it gives him a nice advantage. I can’t believe the sorcerers are allowing magic and shapeshifting. Why not make it an actual ‘strength and strategy’ fight? That, I could get excited about.” Madigan said it with enthusiasm, then looked at me as if someone had just slapped her. “Oh shit, Rafi, forget I said any of that. I temporarily forgot the reason for the fight.”

“It’s all right, Madi. I’m working on hardening my shell. I’ve found that’s easier than letting everything distress me.”

Lyric took my hand. “I think we should find a seat before everything is taken.”

Austri and Madigan took the lead. Madigan leaned her head toward Austri and the two exchanged some kind of secret. I was sure they were noting how Revel had lost all interest in me. I hadn’t even seen Omni lately.

The four of us found a neutral spot between the two sides and sat down. Seconds later, a large black carriage drawn by two oxen rolled down the lane. “That’s Prince Fenrick,” Madigan said. “I’ve heard Prince Devlo’s health fails more every day. I’m sure Fenrick is anxious to marry and take the throne.” Madigan tapped herself on the side of the head. “I’m just saying the stupidest shit today. Ignore me.”

I winked at her. The truth was, there was little my three friends could ever do or say to anger me. I owed them so much. I could never repay them for all the years they’d spent encased in wood on my shelf.

Prince Fenrick exited the carriage with his sidekick Gunnar and two other guards. I hadn’t noticed the second carriage behind them until it pulled up parallel with Fenrick’s. The oxen dragging the second cart looked spent, as if they’d just dragged the whole thing up a steep hill. I noticed then that the wheels were not wooden but rather iron or some other kind of metal. The entire vehicle wobbled and shook and appeared to sink lower on its wheels. Two opposing doors opened. A hush fell over the crowd as a massive man emerged after some twisting and turning. He had thick long hair, a bushy beard and tattoos running up and down both arms and his neck. There was even some kind of symbol etched across his wide, flat forehead. I considered Revel to be of extraordinary size, but this man was past anything normal. As he straightened, his head shot past the top of the carriage, and his shoulders spanned the width of the vehicle.

The Regnas went wild when they saw him. They cheered and loudly chanted “Greshun.” Fenrick walked over to talk to his fighter.

“All bulk, no brains,” Madigan muttered. “On top of that, he looks pretty darn flabby. I’ll bet he hasn’t sparred or trained for this at all.”

Austri nodded toward the road. “Here comes the other side.”