“I was alone for a reason. My people will come for me.”
“Even if they do, they’ll not find you. It’s not as if the slavers record names and log where you go. If anyone has the will to track you down, the slavers’ll know your value. Your friends’ll have to pay a fortune to get you back. I doubt you’re worth it.”
Tam tried to lick the salt from his lips, but his dry tongue only scraped against the cracks. He said, “I am not you.”
“No, you are delusional. At least I accept my fate. I could’ve been torn apart by those lizard monsters, but instead I’ll die at the hands of men.”
“They are monsters, too,” said Tam.
“True, but they’re monsters with the keys,” said Uthey with a shake of his chains.
The grate over their heads was pulled back, and a dark silhouette blocked the sun.
“Yer comin’ out now,” said the man over their heads. “Give us any trouble, and we’ll make sure ya don’t die quickly.”
“Monsters,” Tam muttered.
Yserria blinked as the wind whipped across her face. She looked up at the overcast sky, sighed heavily, and then met the woman’s gaze. “No.”
“But he is a good man, and he speaks Ashaiian. You see? I have taught him. He even has a touch of the talent.”
“I have no desire to claim your son, Matrianera Wolshina.”
Wolshina clasped her hands before her. “I have saved for this day. I will make you a generous offer.”
Malcius said, “Is she offering to pay you to claim her son?”
Yserria scowled at him. “It is a dowry.”
The woman nodded as she pointed to a young man hovering at the edge the encampment. “He is handsome and strong.”
Yserria could not deny the truth of the woman’s words. The man was tall with broad shoulders that supported a well-defined upper body, but he kept his hands in his pockets as he hung his head, only glancing at them occasionally. Looking back at the woman, Yserria said, “Why is he over there? Does he not wish to be claimed?”
The woman fervently shook her head. “No, no! He likes you very much. He is shy. He has difficulty meeting new people, especially a matria of your standing—or is it matrianera?”
Yserria crossed her arms. “It is neither. I am a Knight of Cael, and I have no intention of claiming anyone.”
The woman glanced at Malcius. “But, did you not challenge the echelon for this one?”
Yserria pursed her lips. “Yes, but only because she forced my hand.”
“Thanks for that,” Malcius muttered. “You were perfectly willing to claim Palis.”
Yserria rounded on him. “Palis was worth claiming!”
Malcius clamped his mouth shut, glanced at the matrianera, and then stalked off toward the tent. Yserria’s blood was boiling. She was angry but not at Malcius. She should not have been so rude to him. She knew he was mourning Palis more than she, but he had been haranguing her ever since Palis’s death, and she was tired of the incessant guilt.
Wolshina hesitantly said, “This Palis is another consort?”
As she watched Malcius’s retreating form, Yserria replied, “Palis was his brother. He died protecting me.”
Wolshina glanced at her son. She bit her lip and said, “If you become echelon, will you stay?”
“No, I serve the king as a member of his royal guard. I go where he goes.”
“Then, you will need more protection and someone to keep your house.” The woman nodded in the direction Malcius had gone. “I do not think he will do this for you.”
“I am capable of taking care of myself,” said Yserria.
The woman smiled. “I am sure you are, but everyone needs support.” She moved a little closer and lowered her voice. “My son, he is strong and a hard worker, but … he is not aggressive. He is not a fighter. This is why I think you will be a good match. You do not need a fighter.” Her gaze flicked to the other people who stared out of curiosity but were respectful enough to keep their distance during negotiations. “If he stays here, someone will wish to claim him for champion. He will lose, and he will get killed. Please, I know you are at war, but he will be safer with you than he will be here.”
Yserria schooled her features out of respect for the mother’s plight. “I am sorry for your troubles, but I will not be guilted into making a claim. This is the fourth time someone has approached me with such a request.”
With another pensive glance toward her son, Wolshina said, “I will release him to serve in your household. You need not claim him. Just take him with you.” She subtly crossed her wrists in front of her, a pleading gesture. “Please, I will give you his dowry for his care. He will work hard to earn the rest.”
Yserria frowned and pointed at the man, causing him to glance her way. Their gazes met, and he immediately dropped his head. She said to Wolshina, “As you said, he is a handsome, strong man. He could easily be claimed as consort in a number of houses even if only to breed and care for the young. Why would he wish to become a servant?”
“Of course, he would prefer to be claimed,” she said, “but he would rather become a servant than a champion. Three matrias have already made offers. All three believe he can be trained for combat. He dreads the thought. I beseech you. I know he is only a son, but I love him as if he were my daughter. I wish for him to be happy.”
Again, Yserria looked at the shy, young man with golden hair and tanned skin stretched over taut muscle. “A servant?”
“Yes, a servant,” the woman said hopefully.
“What is his name?”
“His name is Japa. He is twenty-six years old, and he has been formally educated. His skills are in farming and irrigation. He does not have enough talent to be a full mage, but his affinities are for water and earth.”
Yserria sighed. “Very well. If I win my challenge, I will take Japa, as a servant only.”
Tears welled in Wolshina’s eyes, but Yserria could not tell if they were born of joy or sorrow. The woman grabbed her hands and said, “Thank you! You will not regret this, Knight Yserria. Would you like to meet him?”
Yserria glanced at Japa. “Not now. I must remain focused. Should I win the challenge, there will be plenty of time later. Besides, I think you will need time to convince your son.”
“Oh yes, but he will be pleased.” The woman crossed her arms and pressed her forehead to her wrists as she backed away. “We will come to you after your victory. Thank you, again.”
Yserria returned to the tent she begrudgingly shared with Malcius. Ironically, she had fought to keep him with her. The echelon had tried to make him join her party, but Yserria had insisted he stay with her until the challenge was resolved. The echelon acquiesced, and Yserria wondered if the woman regretted making the claim in the first place. The woman could no longer back out, though, without giving up her seat as echelon.
As she entered the tent, Malcius said, “Well, do you have another consort? Are you collecting men, now, like the rest of these Leréshis?”
Yserria lifted her chin. “We have come to an arrangement.”
“Seriously? You are going to buy that woman’s son to-to what? Be your play thing?”
“Lord Malcius!” Her indignation felt less feigned than she had anticipated. In a haughty tone, she said, “That is completely inappropriate. Where is your decorum? Since you are as close to family as I have here, I would expect you to defend my honor, rather than besmirch it.”
Malcius straightened as if remembering himself. “I—You are right. That was uncalled for. I apologize.”
Yserria gave him a cross nod, then smirked. “Japa is to become my servant, not my consort.” She looked at him sweetly and batted her lashes. “Only you have that privilege.”
Malcius clenched his jaw and said, “I hate this place. You are supposed to meet this challenge tomorrow. Have they told you what it will be? Are they not required to give you time to prepare?”
Yserria’s smile fell as her anxiety surged. Her blood soured, her muscles tensed, and her stomach churned. “It is to be a battle.”