‘Why?’ I asked, turning towards Tyron in disappointment. ‘We could have won!’
‘There are too many of them,’ he snapped, and then turned and pulled Ada away from the body of Hob. She struggled against him for a moment, but soon more guards burst into the room; I was seized and forceddown onto my knees. I glanced round and saw the others being dealt with in the same way. Only the inert Thrym, head bowed, sightless eyes staring down, remained standing.
‘Eyes down! Eyes down!’ a guard shouted behind me, and I was cuffed hard on the back of the head.
I stared at the brown carpet, shaking with anger, still holding the cloth firmly against my throbbing ear.
How close had Ada been to destroying Hob? I should not have obeyed Tyron. We might still have won. I felt sick with disappointment and pain.
I heard others being taken out of the room. And then it was my turn. My arms were seized and I dropped the cloth I’d been holding. I was dragged through a series of doors and out into the open area before the Wheel.
Immediately I saw that Tyron had been right. There were far too many guards for us to fight. Squads were lined up outside; rank upon rank of them – three or four hundred armed men. How had they turned out sofast? Who had warned them?
I felt cold inside. It had to be Cyro. Brid should never have asked his permission to hide in the Commonality.
A line of wagons waited nearby, four horses harnessed to each. I was pushed up into the back of one and forced onto a seat. Four armed guards accompanied me, and we set off. Where was I being taken? The guards’barracks on the outskirts of Gindeen? I couldn’t see out of the curtained windows. I wondered what would happen to me when I got there. Was it a crime to attempt to destroy a monster such as Hob?
The Protector! What a joke that was. He and his men should have put an end to Hob and protected the city.
We came to a halt and I was dragged from the wagon. Despite the dark, I could just make out a large grassy area. Directly ahead was a large building. I suddenly recognized its stone walls, its portico with marblepillars. Tyron had told me that it was the only stone building in the city. It was the Protector’s palace.
I was marched across the lawn towards the stone steps that led up to the entrance. More guards stood there, waiting for me. Then I was pushed up the steps, the men bunching about me so closely that they trod on myheels. I couldn’t see Tyron or any of the others. Was I the only one being brought here? All around I saw only hard, hostile faces.
Inside, we crossed a large throne room, the soldiers’ feet echoing as they marched over the marble flags. Then I was thrust through a door at the far end, down wooden steps that suddenly gave way to stone, and weentered another chamber.
Along the walls stood guards armed with both long blades and projectile weapons. Their eyes were hard, their fingers hovering over their triggers as if ready to fire.
Tyron, Wode and Brid were already seated at a long table covered with a purple cloth. But where was Ada? I wondered. The men were staring towards the figure at its head, who was seated in a chair larger and moreornate than the others. He was a solid and imposing man in his early fifties. Although his beard was white, his broad face was unlined and there was not an ounce of fat on his body. His expression was regal, and a faintsmile softened the stern lips. He exuded the gravitas and wisdom of one fitted to rule over men.
I immediately knew that he was the Protector. He radiated authority and presence – it had to be him. He seemed almost too good to be true. Had he been trained for the role?
I was pushed down into the seat next to Tyron. Brid and Wode glanced across the table at me, their eyes flicking to my ruined ear; but Tyron was looking at the Protector.
‘Do you know what you almost did?’ The man’s voice was very deep and it resonated around the room. I felt it through the soles of my boots.
There was a moment’s silence and I was filled with anger. I was going to reply, but then Tyron spoke.
‘We’ve just defeated Hob in the arena,’ he said. ‘We were within moments of destroying all his selves. If you hadn’t interfered, we’d have rid this land of a monster and a tyrant who’s preyed upon innocents forcenturies.’
The Protector shook his head. ‘You were within moments of calling down death upon all the people of this land. Here, within the confines of the Barrier,’ he said, ‘we, the remnants of a defeated and broken humanity,have lived in safety for more than half a millennium. This is a place reserved for us; a place where we are protected; a haven where we are tolerated and allowed to live out our little lives. But you came close to endingthat. You almost broke the Covenant and ended the cycle of life here.’
‘What covenant?’ demanded Tyron.
‘I speak of the Covenant between djinn and mankind. The djinn judged mankind and found us wanting. So they ended our pitiful empire and reaped billions of souls. However, a few humans were set down here withinthe Barrier and given a chance to live. At first they planned to sterilize us and end our race. But they were magnanimous in victory, and permitted us to breed. Still we live – though only on sufferance.’
‘But how, in trying to end Hob’s tyranny, have we broken that Covenant?’ asked Wode, his voice quavering. He suddenly looked older, his brow etched with lines, dark circles under his eyes.
‘The answer should have occurred to you by now. I am human and have been put here to rule you. But I rule alongside another. That other is Hob. We are a dual authority. We are the eyes and ears of the djinn beyondthe Barrier. Do you understand? I am your Protector, but Hob is potentially your Destroyer!’
‘Hob is a rogue djinni. How can he have any authority?’ Tyron asked angrily. ‘How can he be fit to rule alongside you? What kind of ruler kills innocent women and terrorizes a city?’
The Protector smiled at him as if at a naïve child. ‘Long ago, Hob rebelled against higher djinn authority, but rather than being executed for his crime, was imprisoned with us as a punishment. He was also given thetask of sharing the rule of Midgard. The djinn are not like us; they have elevated themselves to the level of gods while we are merely human. You cannot judge them by our standards. A child might pull off an insect’swings in order to amuse itself. So it is with Hob. Who are we to say what he can or cannot do? Some of us must be sacrificed so that the majority may live.’
‘That’s madness!’ Wode said.
‘Yes. It is the madness of the gods,’ said the Protector, his voice hardly more than a whisper.
Tyron shrugged. I couldn’t see his eyes because he was still facing the Protector.
‘What of us? What do you intend now?’ he asked in a voice of resignation.
The Protector held his hands out, palms upwards, and answered. ‘Providing you cooperate, I intend to return you to the routine of your lives. Trigladius combat will continue to be fought in Arena 13. To ensure ourvery survival, things must return to normal as soon as possible. The djinn must see that things are under control within the Barrier. Additionally you will apologize to the Chief Marshal for interfering in his duties. Ifthere is to be a punishment for your transgression, it will not come from me; Hob will inflict it at a time of his choosing.’
‘What of the others?’
‘Those who acted under your orders are also free to return. They also must make a formal apology.’
‘Is that also true of Ada?’ Tyron asked.
‘There is an ancient proverb – “Cursed are the twice-born”. In this case it is very apt. You will not see that foolish, arrogant woman again, and the lac she created will be dismembered and ground into dust. It will be asif they never existed. Only in that way can the balance be restored. Is it agreed?’
Tears came to my eyes at the thought of Ada in the clutches of the Protector’s Guard. Would they kill her? Her second life had been so very short.
Tyron stared at the Protector for a long time before giving a reply. For a moment I thought he would refuse. When it came, it was just a curt nod.
Then we were relea
sed into our misery.
I LOVE KWIN
It is easier to die than to live for ever,
So we must prepare for the worst.
Amabramdata: the Genthai Book of Prophecy
Back at Tyron’s house, Kwin, Teena and Deinon were waiting to greet us. There were tears of joy at our safe return.
‘I thought we’d never see you again!’ Teena sobbed as Tyron embraced both his daughters.
A doctor was called and he attended to my ear, doing the best he could. He cleaned it, then smeared it with an antiseptic cream that also acted as a coagulant. In time, I knew, the pain would go, but I was disfigured.Again I thought of Kwin; it was one further thing that might make me less attractive to her.
After the doctor had gone, we sat down together at the large table in the dining room and Tyron gave an account of what had happened. He began with our arrest and ended with what the Protector had told us.
‘Who would have thought that Hob ruled alongside him!’ Deinon exclaimed. ‘It’s madness.’
Tyron nodded in agreement. ‘Aye, and it explains a lot. I thought the Protector weak for not dealing with Hob for his crimes. Never for a moment did I imagine that they ruled together. Hob rebelled against the otherdjinn and should have been executed. Instead they exiled him here, inflicting him on us!’
Kwin began to sob, and her tears dripped down onto the table. There was silence as Tyron waited for her to compose herself.
‘Poor Ada!’ she said at last. ‘Poor, poor Ada! She didn’t deserve that.’
My own throat tightened with grief for her.
‘Aye, poor Ada,’ echoed Tyron. ‘She was born again into a new life and gave us hope for a while. Little did she know what a truly foul place Midgard is.’
‘How can you bring yourself to apologize to Pyncheon?’ Kwin asked. ‘I’d rather spit in his face.’
‘What choice is there? Leif will have to apologize too, along with all who were taken to the palace. So calm yourself, girl. This is no time to be hot-headed.’
The hour was late, but after Teena had gone to bed Tyron gestured upwards. ‘I want a word with you two upstairs,’ he said, nodding to Kwin and me. ‘I’ve a family problem to sort out. But you get yourself to bed,Deinon. It’s been a difficult day, so you can lie in tomorrow.’
My heart sank at this. No doubt he was going to warn me off Kwin. He didn’t want us to be together.
Tyron led the way up to his study. Soon Kwin and I were seated in the leather chairs facing him. He had a large glass of red wine on the table before him; Kwin and I had water.
It was to me that he addressed his first words. ‘Cast your mind back, boy. Do you remember what Hob said to you that night in his citadel after you drew your blades on him?’ he demanded, staring at me hard.
I remembered it word for word, but my mouth was twisted in anger, and before I could reply, Tyron had spoken for me.
‘Then let me remind you. He said “Whom do you love?” and you replied “Nobody”. Then he said that one day you would learn to love, and then, piece by piece, he would cut away those you loved until only youremained. Not until then would he kill you. Not until then would he take your soul. Do you remember that? So now I ask you again, boy, the same question that Hob asked – whom do you love?’ He sipped his red wine,awaiting my reply.
I knew where this was leading. I had no choice but to follow the route he’d chosen. So I replied carefully, ‘I care for you. You’ve become almost a father to me. I care for your family – Teena, Kwin and yourgrandchild. I care for Deinon – he’s become my friend.’
‘I’ll say it one more time – whom do you love?’
I saw that there was no way I could deny him the truth. ‘I love Kwin,’ I said softly.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw her staring at me. We’d held hands and kissed – that was all. She’d think me a fool to make such a declaration. Was she staring at the ugly scar where my ear used to be? I felt theheat flow into my face.
Then I saw Tyron’s face turn white.
‘Yes!’ he roared, banging his fists down hard so that his glass overturned, spilling the red wine.
I watched it flow across the table and drip onto the floor. It looked like a river of blood. I realized that there was nothing I could say to make him feel better. But then, suddenly, a hand was holding mine. I turnedtowards Kwin. She was smiling at me.
‘And I love Leif!’ she declared to her father.
Tyron nodded and sighed. He stared at me again, ignoring his daughter. ‘Hob will be aware of your feelings for Kwin. He has spies and knows almost everything that goes on in this city. He will know that you foughttogether against the tassels. You will have been seen holding hands. So it’s just a question of how he goes about things. He could defeat you in the arena, then keep your head as he kept poor Kern’s. Then he could snatchKwin and kill her in front of you, thus fulfilling his threat. Or he could snatch her tonight. He could kill and torture us all tonight. Oh, how I wish we’d been cautious and followed my plan rather than Ada’s!’
I remembered my conversation with Hob in the Commonality. Could Tyron be right? Was Kwin in immediate danger because of my feelings for her?
‘Is there no hope?’ I asked.
‘I wish it was different, but for Ada, nothing can be done. Though while we breathe there’s still hope, boy. Still hope for us. The Protector said that he and Hob were a dual authority. He released us. He might be amoderating influence on Hob: he wants things to return to normal. So I think it’s unlikely that we’ll be murdered in our beds tonight. But you’ll be the first target. Hob will visit the Wheel within the month . . . I learned alot from Ada,’ Tyron went on. ‘I have no shatek, so I can’t create sentience, but I can pattern a lac to a very high level – maybe even up to the standard of Gunter.’
‘Ada did that, but it still wasn’t good enough to save Tallus,’ Kwin said, her voice full of fear and bitterness.
‘Leif is ten times the fighter Tallus ever was,’ Tyron said, leaning forward to pat her shoulder in reassurance. ‘I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but it’s the simple truth. As I said, I learned a lot. And though Adaknew patterning, we know combat in Arena 13. I have a wealth of experience in here!’ Tyron said, tapping his forehead. ‘Your father, Math, fought behind a lac without sentience, and he won again and again. We can dothe same. We can buy time until the Trader visits again before the start of the next season. Maybe we can get him to sell us another shatek . . .’
‘If we’re found out, the Protector won’t give us a second chance,’ said Kwin, squeezing my hand again. ‘And what if we win and somehow find a way to destroy Hob? Won’t that just bring down the fury of the djinnon us?’
‘No, Kwin, you’re mistaking my intention. We aren’t going to try to destroy Hob. But we can deal with him. Somehow we have to survive. We can’t change what Hob does outside the arena, but within Arena 13 hemostly keeps to the rules—’
‘He didn’t keep to the rules when I fought him!’ I shouted angrily. ‘He stared into my eyes and my knees grew weak. That’s how he managed to chop off my ear! And what about my father – he made him fight awhole bout in front of his lac! He cheats there as well!’
Tyron stared down at the pool of red wine on his desk. ‘Well, we’ll have to find a way to deal with that. But if we can match him in the arena, if we can defeat him a few times, we might be able to negotiate for ourlives. Hob can never get enough gold. He always bets large sums on himself, so if he loses, his supply of gold will diminish while ours will grow. Don’t look at me like that, girl! What else can we do?’
Tyron looked like a defeated man. I was disappointed. Was that the best that he could come up with? Our optimism of just a few weeks earlier had all but gone. There was no victory over Hob to be won here. Wecould only bargain for our lives. One part of me wanted to flee south and join the Genthai – though their plans were also doomed. And how could I leave Kwin now?
If we followed Tyron’s advice, all we co
uld do was try to survive. There had to be a way to carry the fight to Hob.
One way or another, I was determined to find it.
As Kwin and I left Tyron’s study, I glanced back at him. He was holding his head in his hands, staring down at his desk and looking utterly sad and weary.
I forced myself to smile at Kwin, trying to look cheerful, but she looked grave.
She squeezed my hand. ‘Come to my room now,’ she said. ‘I have a present for you.’
On the small table before the mirror was a basin of water, a pair of scissors and a razor. Kwin pulled up a stool and positioned it in front of the table. ‘Sit down and look into the mirror,’ she whispered.
I gazed at myself, my eyes drawn to the remnants of my ravaged right ear. ‘It’s ugly,’ I said. It was still throbbing with pain.
‘It’s an honourable wound,’ Kwin said. ‘A badge of courage. Think of it in the same way that I regard my scar. I fought a lac face to face and defeated it. I wear the scar proudly. I cut my hair short in order to show itoff. Think how much more you have to be proud of! You defeated Hob in the arena. You should draw attention to it!’
I thought about it, but only for a moment. Why not! ‘Do what you think looks best,’ I told her.
So Kwin went to work on my hair. First she used the scissors and then the razor. When she’d finished, the right half of my head was shaved.
‘It’s a pity I don’t have the Genthai tattoos on the whole of my face,’ I said. ‘Having a shaven head draws attention to the ear, but that right side of my face looks empty.’
Kwin smiled and pointed to the 13 on her own forehead.
‘I should do that?’
‘Why not? It will show what you are – half Genthai warrior and half Arena 13 combatant.’
‘Then maybe I will!’ I smiled.
She looked at me in the mirror. ‘You were magnificent in the arena tonight. Covered in your own blood, you fought him toe to toe. I’d have sacrificed both my ears to have done that. Your father would have been veryproud of you.’
At those words my throat tightened. I was thinking of my father and mother, and how their lives together had ended. But at last I said, ‘Thanks for the present.’