‘True,’ agreed Persis affably. ‘But an elephant!’
‘Let’s go to the carriage,’ said Norwin, ‘before I find a club and beat you to death with it.’
Persis laughed and the two men walked across the sand to the western Gladiators’ Gate, on through the darkness of the Sword Room and the Surgeon’s Ward, up the stairs and out once more into the sunshine.
The ‘carriage’ was a converted wagon, drawn by two sway-backed horses. Persis climbed the steps to the rear and sat down. ‘I should have brought my cushion,’ he said, as Norwin moved in alongside him. ‘And didn’t I ask you to hire the gilded bronze chariot from the garrison?’
‘Aye, you did. But Palantes were there before me. Which I thank the Source for, since the cost was obscene.’
‘You should not mention the Source so publicly,’ Persis rebuked him.
Norwin nodded. ‘It was a slip of the tongue. But it hurts me to be so secretive. I sometimes feel that I am betraying the Source by not speaking out, by hiding my faith.’
‘They are burning heretics in Stone,’ whispered Persis. ‘Or casting them into the arena to be torn to death by wild animals. Yours is a perilous religion, my friend. Your faith could kill you.’
‘That’s true. It frightens me sometimes. But last night I went again to listen to the Veiled Lady, and she filled us all with the power of spirit. And she healed a man, Persis. Laid her hands on him, and all his sores vanished. You should come and hear her.’
‘I can think of nothing I would rather do less,’ said Persis. ‘One day soon the priests will come in force to Goriasa. I do not wish to become kindling for their fires. Have you seen Rage today?’ he asked, changing the subject.
‘No, but he’ll be there.’
‘It is to be Vorkas. I had rather hoped the rumours were untrue.’
‘Rage made the decision, not you, Persis. He is his own man.’
‘I fear he is angry with me over Bane.’
‘Rage doesn’t get angry. And, anyway, the news that a Keltoi is fighting a gladiator is already the talk of the city. It should draw in a good crowd.’
Out on the open road the wind was more chilling and Norwin pulled a woollen cap from the pocket of his heavy coat. Tugging it over his balding head he glanced at his master. ‘Bane has more chance of surviving than the man he replaced. And Bane himself was delighted to fight. He is a Keltoi. They live to rush around with swords and butcher one another.’
As they reached the high road the wagon moved more slowly, for the road was packed with people moving towards the Field. From the highest point Persis could see the tents and food stalls below. Already there were more than a thousand people gathered there, most of them crowding the eastern section. ‘There it is!’ said Persis, pointing. ‘There’s the elephant!’
‘I have seen elephants before,’ Norwin told him.
‘It is really big.’
‘That’s a novelty,’ said Norwin. ‘I thought maybe they’d bring one of those famous small elephants.’
Kail Manorian had only ever taken part in two death bouts, the first against a young criminal sentenced to fight in the arena, the second against a fine young gladiator from Circus Poros. Kail still felt a shudder go through him as he recalled that second fight. The man was more skilled, faster, and Kail had seen in his eyes a blazing cruelty and confidence that chilled him to the bone.
The fact that Kail still lived was down to the carelessness of an unnamed circus employee who did not adequately cover with sand the blood from the previous fight. Kail’s opponent had slipped, just as Kail attacked. He literally fell sideways onto Kail’s blade, which lanced up under his chin strap, slicing his jugular. Kail had made an offering to the God of Stone – and walked away from the arena.
Often in the intervening years he had suffered nightmares about the fight. Now, at thirty-seven, he had walked away again. When Rage first told them about the offer from Palantes Kail had volunteered. In part this was to test his courage, but also – if he was being honest with himself – it was because he had believed more of the others would step forward, and Rage would not choose him. But the others had not volunteered in sufficient numbers and Kail had gone home that night in a state bordering on terror.