Heroes' Reward

by Moira J. Moore

  “Lady Aryne,” said Firen. “Perhaps you would like to explain why we are here.”

  “We are being tested on our knowledge of law,” Aryne answered promptly.

  “Correct. And during this test, the contenders may not seek information or any other assistance from others. I suggest all companions take seats to avoid any claims of violation of the rules.”

  There weren’t enough empty seats to allow us to all sit together, so we were sprinkled among the spectators. Taro was beside me, but I still felt vulnerable, especially as we weren’t within an easy distance of any of the doors. If Green’s supporters decided to turn on us, we’d be helpless.

  Barrister Dawkins opened a book, flipping to a particular page. Firen took it from him, referring to it as he said, “Let us begin with the sentences for convictions concerning the pretence of engaging in casting. If you would, Lady Aryne.”

  Aryne answered without hesitation. “The convicted are flogged according to the precise nature of their crime. If one owns any books of casts, they receive a lash for each book. Performance of a spell – ”

  “An alleged spell,” Green interjected loudly.

  Did that count as an error on Aryne’s part?

  Aryne just kept going. “ – brings five lashes. An attempt at a love spell is an extra lash. Damaging someone’s property brings a further ten lashes. Twenty lashes for each instance of collecting, possession, selling, or consumption of human ashes.”

  When I’d first read those laws, it hadn’t occurred to me that there was a huge, gaping hole in the list of offences, because at that time it had never occurred to me that people could use casts to kill each other. Possibly, at that time, few had. But things were different. Why hadn’t murder been added?

  I didn’t think owning books or casting harmless spells should be punished. Murder was another story altogether.

  “Lady Green, if you would please inform us of the ladder of punishments for theft.”

  Green responded just as easily as Aryne had. “A theft on the street is comprised of two crimes, the attack and the theft of the item. A conviction of theft of the item can result in a sentence of fifteen days to four months of labour, depending on the value of the item. The labour can be performed directly for the victim or, if the victim needs no work performed by the perpetrator, the Crown. The attack on the victim can bring a sentence of two to six months, depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries. And, of course, it is possible for the perpetrator to pay a fee to satisfy the needs of the victim and avoid other sanctions.”

  I always thought that loophole, being able to pay a fine to get out of labour and incarceration, was terribly unfair. If some wealthy person committed the theft – on a lark, for example – he would be able to shrug off the consequences with a payment, while those who couldn’t pay suffered terribly. While in prison, they could lose their jobs and be rendered unable to take care of dependents. They could suffer ripple effects that could ultimately destroy more lives than their own. Identical convictions and sentences that had a significantly different impact on the lives of the perpetrators: that was a problem.

  Toss the wealthy in prison, too. That would inspire them to work for true justice. Aryne should work on that once she was Empress.

  Green’s question was much more complex than Aryne’s. She spent considerable time describing the details of different forms of theft and the sentences inflicted for them.

  I wondered at the imbalance and Firen’s motives in creating it. On the one hand, he could be giving Aryne simpler questions to help her along. On the other, Green’s display was much more impressive, and might end up convincing people she really did have a better handle on the law.

  The test went on for hours. It was less boring than watching cooking, slightly, but the length of the challenge had me melting into fatigue, and I didn’t know how Aryne and Green were able to stay sharp. They were given no rest and no refreshment. They weren’t even allowed to sit.

  I was particularly proud of Aryne when Firen asked her to describe a prostitution law and she was able to say it had been struck off the books eight years prior. Remembering something that had been a law but was no longer, that had to be more difficult than remembering laws that were still in effect.

  It was infuriating when, at the conclusion of the test, Ogawa found in favour of Green and the other two reserved judgment.

  Thax and Ovan couldn’t decide between Green and Aryne. While I could sympathise with their difficulty in making a decision, as both of the contenders had answered each question accurately, there were only two days left to the code, and they would be judging each task that would follow. They wouldn’t be given much time for contemplation, so what would a delay accomplish?

  At the end of that long day, we returned to the camp and Druce took Aryne away to bathe and eat and not talk for a while. Everyone else left her alone so her mind could settle in peace.

  In our tent, Taro and I ate soup and I drank coffee to clear my head. We spoke little and Taro looked as tired as I felt. It didn’t make sense. How could sitting and watching other people talk be so exhausting?

  “Can I come in?” Browne called.

  “Of course,” said Taro.

  Browne ducked in, but she didn’t sit. “I think Aryne should take some kyrra powder,” she announced abruptly. “Now hear me out,” she said when I opened my mouth to object. “I’m pretty sure Green has been taking it.”

  Green’s behaviour had appeared a little uncharacteristic. More emotional than usual. Kyrra powder could do that to people. “I think Aryne should strive to appear more honourable than Green,” I said.

  “Kyrra powder isn’t illegal and it’s not against the rules.”

  I sighed, because that was true. It was just that I was hearing that excuse about the rules so often, and it disturbed me.

  “What does Aryne say about it?” Taro asked.

  “I have spoken to her yet.”

  “Why not?”

  Browne looked surprised. “I don’t know. I just … I don’t know.”

  Taro grinned. “We’re not her parents. We don’t have any authority over her.”

  “Everyone thinks you do, you know.”

  “I doubt she does.”

  “You might be in for a surprise.”

  “We have authority over no one,” I reminded her.

  She shrugged. “At the very least, she’ll want your advice. Will you come with me when I talk to her?”

  “Of course.” Except I wasn’t sure how to advise Aryne. I really didn’t like the idea of her using the powder, but she had another test that night to get through, and further tests the next day. She needed to win, and if Green was using the powder already ....

  I hated this, all of these underhanded tactics.

  We found Druce brushing Aryne’s hair, which had always helped Aryne calm down.

  “Lady Aryne,” said Browne. “I have a suggestion.”

  Aryne seemed too tired to speak, merely raising her eyebrows in inquiry.

  “I don’t recommend this easily, without thought, but it’s important to all of us that you’re successful.” Browne hesitated again. It wasn’t like her to draw things out. She was clearly uncomfortable. “I think you should use kyrra powder for the rest of the contest.”

  Aryne didn’t respond immediately. She didn’t look enthusiastic about the idea. This pleased me, that she wasn’t leaping at the possibility of grabbing an advantage that might be considered illegitimate. Or at least dishonourable.

  “I know Green is using it,” Browne continued. “You held your own against her today, but after tonight, I fear you’ll fall behind if she has this advantage over you. You’re younger, you’re stronger, but the kyrra powder will balance that out for Green. Unless you take it, too.”

  Aryne scowled. “I saw what happened to Leavy when she used it. I’ll take it at night and then fall apart in the morning and be unable to perform the rest of the tests. How is this a good idea?”


  “You won’t take just one dose. You’ll have to take it throughout the night and tomorrow, so the effects won’t have a chance to wear off until after the challenge is done. And yes, you’ll feel awful afterwards.”

  Aryne rubbed her face. “What do you think?” she asked Druce.

  “I think you should do it,” Druce answered without hesitation. It surprised me, she was so quick.

  “Shintaro?”

  “I don’t think you have a choice.”

  “Leavy?”

  I hated this so much. “I think you have to.”

  Aryne sighed. “All right.”

  “This is serious,” Browne cautioned.

  “It’s all serious.”

  “Don’t you think you should give it more thought?”

  “Do you have more information to give me?”

  “No.”

  “Then it’s obvious there’s nothing else to be done.”

  Aryne had always been one for making swift decisions.

  I just had to give her one little warning. “It tastes vile.”

  She snickered. “You wouldn’t believe some of the things I’ve eaten.”

  “I’d rather not know.”

  She grinned, and I realised I’d made a mistake.

  After hearing about all the horrible things Aryne had had to resort to eating while on Flatwell, I was nauseated almost to the point of vomiting. And I would never be able to forget her vivid descriptions. “Thanks.”

  “You’re most welcome.”

  Brat.

  Browne gave her the kyrra powder. Aryne grimaced at the taste, despite her vast experiences with foul substances. A short while later, a weird light grew into her eyes, and her frame went rigid.

  The ballroom was the location of the next test. We were allowed to enter only after Aryne identified the components of the test. Once inside, I saw that several articles had been dragged into the room and formed into a large oval. Solid hurdles had been constructed from wood, with rungs built into them. They were portable and would have had no other function, so they’d probably been built just for this occasion.

  Between the hurdles were tables, pushed close to the walls, a person standing at each one.

  In preparation for the test, both Aryne and Green had dressed in form-fitting shirts and trousers, and boots with slightly rippled soles. Their hair was tightly bound into braids to keep it out of their eyes and face. They wore no jewellery.

  They were dressed for movement.

  “If Lady Green would take her place.” Firen pointed at one side of the room. “And if Lady Aryne would take her place there.” The other side of the room.

  This wasn’t a race. It was a test of endurance. They would keep running until someone dropped.

  All of the witnesses were gathered in the centre of the room. Taro and I abused our position as a Pair to elbow our way to the edge so we could get a better view of the events.

  “Begin.”

  They both jogged to the nearest hurdle and started climbing.

  As the hurdles had rungs, Aryne didn’t need her special talents to get over them. They were high, though. Just going up and over and down took effort. And then the contenders jogged to the next one. There were twelve hurdles in all.

  After they’d run about three laps, Firen called out, “Tables,” and both contenders stopped at the nearest table.

  I watched Aryne. The woman behind the table opened a slim book. “I’ll read a passage to you, and you’ll recite it back to me.”

  I smiled. Aryne was excellent as this. And despite the fact that it sounded like the woman had read out an entire page – Seriously? – Aryne rattled it back with thorough confidence. Let’s see Green do that.

  I couldn’t watch Green right then, though. She was in another part of the room, and the crowd obscured my sight.

  Then, Firen said, “Run,” and it began again.

  So they ran and climbed, and occasionally Firen would call for a mind test, apparently at randam.

  I didn’t always get to watch the mind tests, as most took place at tables in other parts of the room. I did notice the contenders’ hands and feet starting to slip on the rungs, and I began to worry that Aryne would fall and crack her head open against the buckled marble floor.

  Once, Green swore loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear. That meant something had gone wrong for her. Excellent.

  As time went by, both contenders moved more slowly and took longer to perform their mind tests. Green started stumbling first, but it wasn’t a whole lot longer before Aryne was barely managing to stay on her feet as well. Their clothing became soaked with sweat, their chests heaving as they gasped for air.

  When they stood before the tables, they trembled. During one mind test in which she was required to put blocks together to form a sphere, Aryne kept dropping the pieces. They clattered loudly against the floor. It sounded ominous.

  It became painful to watch.

  Once Aryne stumbled so badly, she could keep her balance only by putting a hand on the floor. Everyone gasped. I held my breath, wondering if that would be enough to lose the contest, but Firen didn’t say anything, so the gruelling competition continued.

  Every so often, my thoughts would go back to Gifford. I was sure he hadn’t had to endure anything like this. He’d been significantly older than Green, and not nearly as intelligent as either Green or Aryne. I’d wager he’d had to run only a single lap and answer only a single question.

  Green was right in front of us when she tripped over a crack in the floor – or maybe her own feet, it was hard to tell – and landed hard on her front. Only a quick shift of her head allowed her to avoid dashing her jaw against the marble, which might have solved our problems for us.

  She did get the breath knocked out of her, though, and she couldn’t immediately rise to her feet.

  Firen called, “Done!”

  “I’m not done,” she objected, but her voice was weak, and when she tried to stand she fell over again.

  Aryne didn’t stop, not right then. She tilted through another lap just to prove she could, the little wretch.

  Once she finished, she weaved over to us and collapsed into Taro’s arms.

  “Well done, my girl,” he whispered into her ear.

  Then the arbitrators announced their decisions. Lady Ovan and Trader Thax found in favour of Aryne. Ogawa found for Green.

  Green was shocked at the finding, we could all see it. She had lost so definitively and yet had expected to be declared triumphant. Some of the spectators were muttering, and those comments I could hear didn’t reflect well on Green.

  The spectators, who didn’t actually know the steps of the code, realised the show was over for the night and drained out of the room. Chairs were brought in, along with bathing jugs, food, and beverages. Taro and I pulled together a single table with four chairs, while Druce collected a jug of water and a tray of fruit and cheese and bread. There had been beef available, but that was too heavy for Aryne to be eating right then.

  Aryne sat down and put her head in her arms on the table. Druce immediately pulled her up by the shoulders. “You can’t afford to look like you’ve fallen asleep. Drink this.”

  Aryne perked up a little after a mug of water. She perked up even more when Browne gave her another dose of kyrra.

  I watched Green’s party, and she seemed alert. Browne was right. Green was taking kyrra, too.

  The Commissioner, the Premier Pair, and Browne withdrew to another table. Taro pulled a deck of cards from his purse. He shuffled them a couple of times. “The one who loses,” he said as he smoothly dealt the cards, “has to polish my boots. All of them.”

  It was surreal, playing cards in the palace with people who wanted to kill us all over the place. We’d thought playing cards would be a good way to keep Aryne awake through the night. Something restful that gave her something to focus on.

  It didn’t matter what Aryne did, as long as she didn’t sleep.

  “And if
you lose?” I asked. Because he wouldn’t win. Taro was an excellent card player, but for some reason I could always beat him. I could feel when he liked or disliked his hand. I had no reason to believe I could beat Aryne or Druce, though.

  Taro kept his attention directed to his cards. “I will sing in public.”

  Aryne snorted. “That’s a punishment, not a prize.”

  From the way Aryne jolted, I gathered Taro had given her a light kick to her ankle under the table.

  “You deserved that,” Druce muttered as she rearranged her cards.

  Playing cards through the night brought back memories of the first post Taro and I had had, in High Scape. There had been many nights when we had spent our watch in that manner.

  I had almost gotten used to not sleeping through the night, with all the disruption I’d endured through the last several months, but staying awake through the following day, that would be difficult.

  I could have used some kyrra powder myself, but it wasn’t strictly necessary, and I didn’t like what it did to me. I wouldn’t be calm and balanced, and Aryne needed my balance more than my vigour. I drank coffee. It was almost as good.

  The hours passed. Green didn’t fall asleep either, damn it. Her party kept her awake by singing to her. Some of the songs were lullabies. Perhaps they were hoping to lure Aryne to sleep. This didn’t appear eough to overcome the effects of the kyrra, though.

  Eventually, the sun rose, we all ate a light breakfast, and Aryne had another dose of kyrra as the spectators returned, fresh from their full night’s sleep.

  It was time to start the final day.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Over the course of the night, the hurdles had been modified, beams added to make them higher and the rungs inserted farther apart. The tables hadn’t been removed. This test was to run the same exercise, but under harsher conditions: the adjustments to the hurdles, the fact that each contender had to her back strapped the kit of a soldier, and their fatigue. Even with the kyrra, neither of them possessed the vigour they had displayed the day before.