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The bigger man stepped forward first. With hands as big as a lyre, he slapped his knee, sending a great thwack around the hillside.
The chatter rose sharply. People were suddenly amending bets.
“What happened?” asked Aurelius, to no one in particular.
“Kleio just made a challenge of pure strength,” came a female voice from just behind. “No throws. No pins. Just brute force. The first one to take a knee loses.”
“But won’t that favor the farmer?”
“Of course. But there is a certain purity to the challenge that makes it hard to turn down in a crowd this size. And to defeat a farmer in a battle of pure strength? Why, the victory would be all the sweeter. The bragging rights even greater than winning at the Paliad.”
Aurelius turned to face the speaker.
He almost pissed himself.
It was Zosime.
A dagger tip pressed into his back before he could move. “No, no, Your Excellency, I think we have the perfect view.”
Aurelius did his best to remain cool. “Are you going to slaughter me in full sight of the crowd, Princess?”
The dagger cut through his fabric and pressed to his skin. “Should we find out?”
He held his breath. He was sure she wouldn’t do it. A princess killing a herald with diplomatic immunity in broad daylight?
Impossible.
But as the cold metal scratched at his skin, just one slip from ending it all, he knew he didn’t want to test that belief.
“Do you show all of your guests this level of attention?” he asked, flagging at the realization she had bested him.
“Only those who try to exploit my family.”
“Oh, darling, you must be confused. I am only here to enjoy the charming customs of my new homelan—”
He gasped at the pinprick of pain, followed by the trickle of blood down his back. His whole face went pale. Stars appeared in his vision.
It was only a prick, but for one hideous moment, he thought it was all over.
“And yet, you seem to appear wherever my brother is,” she hissed, right by his ear.
Aurelius gulped, cursing himself for underestimating her. She may not have understood the subtlety of the folio, but she was still a captain of Sisters. A stalker of beasts and a butcherer of bandits.
And he had been too cocky this week. Far too cocky! Asking questions about the prince to all his new noble friends. Assuming she was too dim to figure out what he was up to.
But she has! Or at least, she suspects!
“Your brother?” he said through dry lips, trying to sound as innocent as possible. “Why would I care about him?”
“Perhaps you don’t. And if that’s the case, why don’t we make a deal? Once my brother has stomped that thick lout into the ground, you’ll turn around and leave. You won’t attempt to see or speak to Calix again. Any business you have with my family, you’ll come to me. And if you disobey me, Herald, you’ll find out just how much of your blood I’m willing to spill. Nod if you understand.”
The blade tip twisted sharp against his flesh. Aurelius nodded vigorously.
“Good, now let’s enjoy the match, shall we?”
Back in the ring, Kleio gave a bestial roar and offered his hands—one up over his head, the other by his ribs. After a long pause, Calix returned the knee slap and took the grip.
The crowd roared.
