Cage of Destiny

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  She’d spent a good amount of time with Kerdan. Granted, it wasn’t under normal circumstances, and they didn’t interact in public much. Still, she thought she knew who he was. “What are your reservations about him?” After all her father’s talk about the need to marry, here she was willing to do what was best for Emperion, and now Darmik was questioning it.

  Her father smiled. “I didn’t consider Kerdan to be a potential suitor, so I never bothered spying on him.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Maybe you should be the one going with him tonight, not me.”

  “You’re the one who has to marry and live with him. He seems a little rough around the edges. That doesn’t bother you?”

  Was it supposed to? “He was groomed for the military. That’s the Russek way.” And her father, of all people, should know that considering his own upbringing.

  “But not the Emperion way.”

  “If you don’t want me to marry him, just say so.”

  He kissed her forehead and stood. “The union would benefit both kingdoms. Strategically, it makes sense.”

  “But?”

  He rubbed the back of his head. “But that’s the emperor in me speaking. The father in me wants you to marry for love.”

  She stood and hugged him. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For being my father.”

  “You’re welcome. Now get ready while I go and find out what’s going on with Odar. I fear we may have to tie that boy to a tree so he doesn’t do anything stupid.”

  A few minutes later, Kerdan returned with a simple dress. “Where did you get this?” she asked.

  “Larek acquired it when he went to the village.”

  “He’s back?”

  “Hurit and Larek are hiding the horses. They should be here shortly.”

  “And the village is safe for us?”

  “As safe as any Russek village ever is.” A wicked grin spread across his face, making him look dark and foreboding. “Get changed. You’re in for an unforgettable experience.”

  ***

  Wearing a plain brown dress that dragged on the ground, Allyssa walked next to Kerdan. He’d told her not to talk unless necessary since she spoke with a distinctive Emperion accent.

  “What if someone asks me a question?”

  “Frown at them and let me answer.”

  “Are women subordinate to men in Russek?” In Emperion, she could train, shoot a bow, and ride horseback. Such things were not done in Fren where there was a clear distinction between a woman’s duty and a man’s. It had bothered her immensely. Women couldn’t even tend to their own land.

  Kerdan didn’t immediately answer. “In some ways they are, but not in others.”

  “How so?”

  “Our military only allows men to fight. But in villages, women are mostly equal. They work just like men. They do wear dresses and do most of the cooking, though. I’ve never been to Emperion so I’m not sure what you’re used to.”

  “Are women considered weak?” That was her main concern. From what she’d see in Clovek, she didn’t think so.

  “They are not as strong physically as men.” She bristled. “But they are stronger mentally, I think. They give birth and are the heart of the home.”

  His assessment surprised her. “Are they respected?”

  “Yes.”

  They neared the outskirts of the village. The structures were single-story buildings with thatched roofs and small fenced-in farms. The closer they got to the village center, the denser the buildings became. Allyssa and Kerdan turned and walked down a street lined with shops. This village was significantly larger than the last one she encountered. It reminded her of Jontis, the border town.

  “Will people know we’re not from here?” she murmured. Lakeside was so big that she never had to worry about standing out. If she dressed the part, no one paid her any heed.

  “They will. That’s why I had Hurit meet with a family in the village. He acquired the dress you’re wearing and asked the family to spread the word that their relatives—us—are visiting. Hurit paid them well for their help.”

  His foresight always amazed her. That was why it surprised her that Jana managed to evade them earlier today. It didn’t seem like many people outsmarted Kerdan. It was one of the traits she admired most about him.

  “Why are you staring at me?” he asked.

  Bloody hell. She hadn’t meant to stare.

  “Allyssa?”

  “I was just thinking.”

  They walked side by side, not touching. “Having second thoughts?”

  She wasn’t sure if he meant about tonight or marrying him. “Where are we headed?” she asked, avoiding an answer.

  “To that tavern two blocks ahead of us on the right.”

  Not many people were out walking at this late hour. Allyssa shivered, her breath coming out in white puffs. She wished she had a cloak on. However, Kerdan had insisted she not bring one since not many could afford such a luxury.

  “Why is the tavern separated from the other buildings?” Usually taverns were right in the thick of things. This one seemed to be purposefully set aside from everything else.

  Kerdan chuckled, the sound deep and throaty. “All taverns in Russek are situated so. Where are yours at?”

  Glancing at the storefronts around them, she pointed at the store with a sign reading Bakery above it. “The local tavern would be there.”

  “Aren’t there problems?”

  “There’s an occasional brawl.” Nothing serious. Or the City Guard would shut the establishment down.

  “I’m starting to think Emperion and Russek taverns aren’t the same thing.”

  How different could they possibly be? It was a place to eat, drink, and be with friends. The perfect spot to catch local gossip. Wasn’t that why they were going to this one in the first place?

  “Are you ready for this?” He practically bounced on the balls of his feet, a huge smile on his face.

  Why did he look so excited? So eager? “Of course,” she said, wondering what she’d gotten herself into.

  He stretched his neck, tilting his head from side to side, and then swung his arms, loosening them up. When they reached the door, he pushed it open, and Allyssa entered a dimly lit room. Her eyes bulged and her mouth dropped open. What the bloody hell is this? They were essentially in a barn, the floor covered with dirt and hay, the rafters above still exposed. A long bar stretched the entire length of the left side of the huge room. In the center were three rings about twenty feet in diameter. In each ring were two men fighting one another.

  Kerdan grabbed her arm, pulling her to the right, where tables were packed together. The smell of the place was atrocious—a mixture of sweat, hay, and ale. People sat at the bar shoulder to shoulder, stood around the rings, or sat at one of the tables. There was barely any room to maneuver. Is the entire town here?

  “Is this normal?” she asked.

  “Yes.” Kerdan led her around the people.

  Blasted. Why was everyone so tall? Even the women towered over her.

  “Let’s head over there.” Kerdan pointed at a table not far away with eight people sitting around it. There were two empty chairs, not next to one another.

  “It’s taken.” Did he intend to ask the people to move or sit with them? While she liked to consider herself adventurous and not afraid of a challenge, she didn’t want to sit among strangers in this unfamiliar land.

  He glanced down at her, his brows drawn together.

  “In Emperion, we would sit at an empty table. Alone,” she explained.

  “How do you converse with others and hear gossip?”

  “You eavesdrop or start up a conversation at the bar.” She’d expected rowdy dancing, loud music, and heavy drinking, not fighting and socializing. The smell was starting to make her head pound. Was it getting hotter in here?

  “Are you nervous?” Kerdan asked, surprise etching his words.

  “No.” Not nervous—
uncomfortable. There was a difference. Russeks made no sense.

  “How else are you going to understand us if you don’t mingle with the people?”

  She remembered when he’d asked her to spar with his men at the garrison. Afraid he would learn Emperion secrets from her, she’d refused. Now, looking back, she saw the situation differently and realized he’d been trying to help her.

  The room vibrated as cheering erupted for one of the fights. Kerdan put his hands on her shoulders, steering her between the people and to the table. He plopped down on the empty chair. Allyssa headed for the other vacant one when he grabbed her wrist, yanking her back toward him. She fell on his lap, her face going flaming red as all eyes turned to look at her.

  “Well met,” Kerdan said. Everyone grunted in response. “I am Kerdan. This woman is going to be my wife soon. What say you?”

  “Betting on the man in blue,” one of the men answered, nodding toward the center ring.

  “Stakes?” Kerdan asked.

  “Eight to one.”

  No one seemed surprised that Kerdan joined them, nor were they fazed by his behavior. This sort of thing had to be normal then. So… she was sitting on his lap, his hand against her stomach to hold her in place. Not sure what to do, or think or feel for that matter, she remained there and observed her surroundings. Eight men sat at the table; three were covered in dirt, most likely from working in the field. The other two looked as if they’d already been in a fight. There was also a pile of money on the center of the table.

  Kerdan must be a common Russek name since no one seemed to pause when he used it. He didn’t say her name. Because she was a woman? Her name was foreign? Or some other reason? Also, no one else had bothered to introduce themselves. It would take some getting used to these odd Russek ways.

  The men pounded on the table. The fight ended with the man in blue declared the victor. Three men cheered while the rest groaned. The money in the center of the table was divided between the winners.

  “I want in,” Kerdan said as betting for the next round began. He reached in his pocket, pulled out four coins, and tossed them to the man next to him. The man inspected the coins and then added them to the pile in the middle of the table.

  The winner remained in the center ring while the loser left. A new opponent entered. The two men circled one another, both muscular from manual labor, neither appearing to have an advantage.

  “Who are you betting on?” Allyssa whispered.

  Kerdan stiffened and shook his head slightly. How was she supposed to learn about Russek if he wouldn’t let her talk or tell her what was going on? Someone sat in the last empty chair.

  A woman strutted over to their table, placing a jug on it. Each man gave her three coins, while Kerdan gave her six. She set a mug in front of everyone and left. One of the men grabbed the jug, filling each mug with ale.

  “Go ahead,” Kerdan said to her, nodding at one of the mugs in front of them.

  Not wanting to inadvertently offend anyone, she took a sip, trying not to make a face as she drank the strong ale.

  The fight started and people cheered. The man in blue wrapped his beefy arms around his opponent’s neck, flipping him over and ending the fight in less than thirty seconds. Money exchanged hands at each of the tables.

  “You visiting?” one of the men asked Kerdan.

  “Yeah. Only here for another day or two. Then we need to get home.”

  “And where is home?” another asked.

  “North of here up in Parsnip,” Kerdan replied, taking a swig of his ale.

  The man who had recently joined them looked vaguely familiar. Allyssa racked her brain trying to figure out where she’d seen him when it dawned on her—he’d lost the last fight against the man in blue.

  The next round of fighting started. “Seems like Felix is going to be the champion tonight,” the man on Kerdan’s right muttered. The man in blue—Felix—punched his opponent in the nose, and blood splashed across the man’s face. Then Felix spun and elbowed the man in the stomach. He tumbled to the ground, and Felix won the match.

  The money in the center of the table was divvied up to the winners. One of the men got up and left. Allyssa took another small sip of her ale. Cheering erupted as the next round of fighting finished. A man came and sat at their table, and another one left. Money exchanged hands again. The betting made absolutely no sense to Allyssa.

  Kerdan rested his chin on her shoulder. “I’m up next,” he whispered in her ear. “Make sure you don’t talk to anyone. Stay in this area so I can find you after the match.”

  She must have heard him incorrectly. Turning her head so no one could hear her speak, she whispered, “Excuse me?” He was so close her lips almost brushed his.

  “I’m not saying you can’t go anywhere,” he said. “I just want to be able to find you when it’s over.”

  “You’re fighting?”

  “Why else would I sit here?”

  A slew of curse words left her mouth, and Kerdan chuckled.

  “We don’t do this sort of thing in Emperion. How was I supposed to know that sitting here meant you were going to fight?” They were supposed to be keeping a low profile and listening for valuable information. Why would he fight?

  “Oh.” He shrugged and stood, bringing her up with him. “Well, I have to go check in.”

  Kerdan walked away without a backward glance. She stood there awkwardly, not sure what to do. Usually, she had no trouble blending in. However, she felt out of place in this barn-turned-tavern surrounded by fighting Russeks. Allyssa decided to stay put. She was about to sit when the man next to her grabbed the chair, yanking it away from her.

  “There are no other women fighting tonight,” he said.

  “What?” she asked, trying to mimic the Russek accent.

  “If you sit there, you fight,” the man said. “And there ain’t no more women left. You look too thin and frail to fight these men.” He nodded toward the three rings.

  Bloody hell. Kerdan should have warned her. She took one last sip of her drink and then went over to the center ring, pushing her way through the cheering people until she had a clear view. Felix won. Again.

  Kerdan jumped into the ring. He’d taken off his shirt and only had his black pants on. He flexed his muscles as he looked at his opponent, who was about the same height and weight as him. Felix was dripping with sweat, a wild look in his eyes. The two men circled one another, both predators waiting to strike. The people around Allyssa hollered, anticipating blood. Her stomach twisted with nerves. She couldn’t believe Kerdan was doing this.

  The two men continued to circle one another. And then Felix bolted toward Kerdan, knocking him down.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Kerdan flew to the ground, Felix on top of him. Kerdan wrapped his legs around his opponent, flipping him off his body and jumping to his feet.

  Felix laughed. “Finally got myself a fighter!” The two men circled one another again.

  Kerdan swung and punched toward his opponent’s face. Felix leaned to the side, Kerdan’s fist narrowly missing him. Felix threw a punch, but Kerdan blocked it and jabbed Felix’s stomach. Felix swung again. Kerdan ducked, avoiding the blow. They moved so quickly it was hard for Allyssa to see who had the upper hand. Kerdan wrapped his arm under and around Felix’s arm, twisting his body so he was behind him. Felix slammed his elbow into Kerdan’s side, trying to get out of the headlock. Kerdan didn’t hesitate. He kicked the back of Felix’s leg, sending him to his knees. The two men grappled on the ground, rolling on top of one another.

  Kerdan managed to trap Felix in an arm lock. With a little pressure, he could snap Felix’s arm.

  “Do you concede?” Kerdan demanded.

  “No.”

  Kerdan applied more pressure, and Felix screamed.

  “Do you concede?” Kerdan asked again.

  “Yes!”

  Kerdan released him. The man overseeing the match declared Kerdan the winner, and the tavern erupted
with people stomping and hooting. A vicious smile spread across Kerdan’s face as he raised his arms in victory.

  Felix reluctantly left the ring, and the next man entered. Allyssa had no idea how many fights Kerdan had to endure, nor did she care. This was barbaric—fighting for sport. Yet… yet… she had snuck out of the castle to meet Grevik, a commoner, to put criminals in prison. As a princess, she had no business behaving in such a reckless manner. But she did it anyway. For the thrill, the freedom, to help her people. Perhaps this was Kerdan’s way of letting loose, of being himself.

  The next fight began. Kerdan threw the first punch, his opponent easily deflecting it. The man managed to punch Kerdan’s cheek, his head jolting to the side, spit and blood spraying off his skin. Allyssa gripped the rope railing, unable to look away. After a quick succession of punches and blocks, both men flew to the ground. Kerdan managed to be on top, the man below him bucking wildly, trying to throw him off. Kerdan dug his knee into his opponent. A moment later, the man conceded the match.

  The crowd went crazy, everyone screaming for Kerdan.

  A whistle rang out. The tavern quieted down as a woman stood on the bar, holding her hands in the air. “My fellow Russeks,” she bellowed. “Fighting is over, drinking has begun.”

  People all around Allyssa stomped on the floor while hooting and hollering. The room shook from the commotion. Were all taverns in Russek like this one? She had never experienced anything like this before. Several men donned aprons and carried round trays filled with mugs. They walked through the crowd, passing out drinks to those who paid.

  Kerdan came to the edge of the ring and climbed out, three women immediately surrounding him. One had the audacity to wipe his face with her sleeve. Allyssa took a step back. When she was at Odar’s palace in Fren, he’d been callous and uncaring, flaunting other women in front of her. She refused to be treated that way ever again. Turning around, she marched toward the exit. There were so many people packed inside the tavern that she was jostled from side to side.

  And then ran smack dab into Kerdan, her head hitting his bare chest. His hands clasped her shoulders, steadying her. “Where are you going?” he asked, sweat dripping down his face.