“Sorry,” I said to Doreena, her wide-eyed look making me embarrassed by my sudden rage. “I can’t breathe in that.”
“It’s either wear a mask or a helm,” she said, twisting her hands together. “You must have your face covered. It’s tradition that opponents meet on even ground, noblemen and peasants alike. They’re only unmasked once they’re dead.”
A cheerful thought.
“Well then, find me a mask that allows me to breathe, because I’m not wearing that. And a helm would be too heavy.”
She nodded. “I will find you something.”
In a short while, she returned with a mask that covered my eyes. It was overly ornate, decorated with red feathers and seed pearls. When I asked her where she’d found it, she blushed a deep shade of pink.
“It’s from a mistress of one of the noblemen,” she said. “She had a secret to keep and I have kept it. She owes me.”
“What kind of secret?” I asked, curious what could cause such a blush.
“It’s not uncommon for nobles to desire a night with the champions. I’m valued for my discretion.”
I smiled, looking at her with new interest. “I do believe I like you, Doreena. You’re a survivor.”
“And so, I hope, are you, my lady.”
As I fell into step with the guards, our booted feet made the rhythm of a battle march that echoed the susurration of blood in my ears. We passed from the castle and into the courtyard and from there, through a tunnel that led into the great arena. The guards left me in the shade of an alcove reserved for those about to fight.
My heart pounded so hard my vision blurred. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths and then forced myself to assess my surroundings.
There were fighters of all kinds: mostly men in ragged clothes and others in steel breastplates, some with gleaming sword hilts above decorated scabbards, some with no weapons at all. There were a few women, though it took me a moment to realize that, as they were broad-shouldered and armored and looked as imposing as the men. I wondered how they’d fought their way here and what their lives had been like to bring them to a place like this.
I’d never seen so many people in one place. The arena was built of ice, the smooth circular walls giving the impression of a huge bowl. Tier after tier of seats grew out of the inner wall, curving around the arena on all sides. The excited noise of a thousand people produced the hum of an immense hive, disconcertingly loud and incoherent.
Balconies jutted out at intervals, holding spectators who were finely dressed, with puffs of frosty air coming from their mouths. Few clouds of frost rose from the folks packed into the regular seats. Apparently the nobility were more likely to have the gift than the common rabble.
As the guards left, they pointed out a woman called Braka, a tall, broad-shouldered warrior with steely gray eyes who was moving from fighter to fighter, sharing pointers and encouragement. Icicles hung from her metal shoulder-guards and clustered over her thick salt-and-pepper hair, which was arranged in a plethora of braids. I gathered she was responsible for training the Frostblood champions, though no such training had been offered to me. Not that I expected it. I clasped my hands behind my back to hide their shaking.
Before I could decide what to do next, or where I should be, a rotund man with short white hair and deep indigo robes stepped into the center of the arena.
“Good people of Fors,” he boomed over the buzz of the crowd. He raised his hands and the noise quieted. “Today, for your edification and enjoyment, we present a variety of fighters, from lowly thieves and traitors to beloved champions. We bring you marvelous beasts, exotic animals from near and far. And as always, we bring you spectacle, entertainment, and feats of strength and daring that will leave you breathless with delight. You honor your king by cheering for his champions and cursing his enemies. May the deaths be honorable and the fights be bloody!”
My legs twitched with the urge to run. I gripped the icy wall, hoping the cold biting into my hand would help focus my mind. Instead, I found myself doubled over, a hand to my stomach, breathing shallowly as I fought to stay upright.