Chapter Forty-Two

 

The arena floor had changed in the few hours they'd been away. Additional pillars had been added in the spaces between the platforms, which had been changed out for smaller versions, leaving an uneven fighting space. The worst part was the spikes driven into the sand, sticking up and making any falls perilous. The crowd was humming with excitement behind them, while the four competitors stared at the new obstacles.

"It'll be worth it for the black diamond," said Valor, cracking his knuckles.

"Not when I knock you onto one," said Sophia.

The promise of a traveling martial arts show that had brought a moment of solidarity between the competitors was absent with so much on the line. Valor and Sophia were called to the arena, leaving Pandora with Noctus. He pulled over his chair, settling next to her as the introductions were given for the first match.

"Our host certainly knows how to make a spectacle," said Noctus.

"He's had plenty of training in the Eternal City."

Noctus chuckled lightly. The crowd was on their feet as the two competitors settled onto the main platform.

"Who do you want to win?" he asked, leaning over.

"I don't care."

"Ahh," said Noctus. "I think we both know Valor's the better warrior."

She raised an eyebrow in his direction. "On that we can agree, but I'm not counting Sophia out. Her anger might carry her when skill alone might not be enough."

"I find anger to be counterproductive," said Noctus.

She stilled as the match began in earnest. Without much room on the main platform and the danger of the spikes if they fell, the two combatants stayed to the middle, testing each other's defenses. When Sophia was knocked to the edge, she retreated by leaping to the uneven poles and finding a new platform.

"Why do you want the black diamond, Lady Saha?"

The way he said her name reminded her that he knew she was an imposter.

"Does it matter? Why do you want it?"

Pandora expected a lighthearted quip, but the way the Brodarian settled into his chair with a heavy sigh suggested deeper motives.

"The wars of Brodaria have been in constant motion for centuries since the Breaking of the Haran. It is our way, our life. To cross blades on the battlefield and feel every cell of your being raging against death is the greatest drug our people have ever known."

Noctus' chin dipped slightly, an epoch of doubt in comparison to his normally bright mood.

"All this changed a few decades ago. I heard rumors for years, but then they came for my kingdom."

"Who?" asked Pandora, leaning forward.

"War has never been about territory, or ownership. We fight to settle disputes, or to test ourselves against superior foes. To improve. To see the haflwyer blooms like a bright wound spreading crimson across the rolling hills. It is our way. It defines us as a people.

"But then I started seeing foreigners in the ranks of my opponents. Black-clad mercenaries carrying seitizak, or forbidden weapons."

He said the word like an insult, the hard consonants coming out as if he were spitting on the ground.

"What weapons?"

"The kind made in your world. The ones that kill fast and without regard to honor. We've known of these weapons for centuries, but chose not to make them. Same with your magics, but at least those we are resistant to. The others, they ripped through our ranks, cutting down warriors without regard to their histories, leaving them honorless in the mud."

Pandora jutted her chin towards the platform. "Titus?"

"No. He seeks easier prey. These mercenaries are ones that come from the Halls, or at least their master does. Blackstone." His hand squeezed to a fist. "Two years ago, I met Marduk Prime on the Onolo Wastes. I'd heard rumors of his conquests. His name was anathema, said with great disdain, and sometimes with a blood curse.

"He refused the ceremony of tea and attacked in the night. I was ready for him, but the seitizak weapons and the ranks of Blackstone mercenaries ripped through our side. My warriors fought valiantly, but we were crushed without the opportunity for asaide. They killed nearly every warrior. I escaped by leaping into the burning mud pits until they'd stopped searching for my body."

The crowd exploded to their feet, and Pandora, having not been watching, thought there might be a winner, but it'd only been a great display of physical ability when Valor had caught himself on a pole after being knocked from a platform. He monkey-climbed back to the top and rejoined the battle with Sophia in earnest. His opponent looked strangely unsteady on her feet, but she was too interested in what Noctus had to say to pay attention further.

"You want the black diamond to protect yourself from their weapons. You seek revenge."

"I seek vengeance."

"You want me to lose so you can retake your empire."

"No," he said. "I would never ask a fellow warrior to give up their rights of battle. But I tell you so that when I win, you understand that your failure was like the haflwyer blooms. They can only happen when the blood of defeat has been spilled."

Pandora leaned close so only Noctus could hear amid the delirious applause.

"I seek vengeance too. I hope you understand."

His serious demeanor broke into a broad smile as he squeezed her shoulder like an old friend. Before he could speak, a change in the arena interrupted his thought as a great collective in-breath locked the entire crowd into stasis. Valor Drux had Sophia by the neck from behind at the edge of the tallest platform. He could drop her off and she'd likely die as she was nearly unconscious. He was trying to get her to concede, but she was fighting through the pain, trying to kick him even as he had her legs trapped. Pandora sensed that if he wasn't in front of a crowd, Sophia would be dead already. He kept up his choke hold until his opponent went limp, and he gently laid her on the platform to rapturous applause.

Noctus winked in her direction as he rose in preparation to take to the arena.

"To glorious battle."