by Auryn Hadley
It was enough. It was just enough for the men to drift apart as they crashed down, but they landed with a sickening thud. Leyli ran. Pushing through the larger men, she wove her way to them, terrified of what she'd find.
"Tristan!" she screamed.
"- Going to fucking rip your gods be damned balls off and shove them up your ass," Tristan was grumbling as he rolled onto his knees. "Your fucking idiot of a brother - "
"Just saved your life," Dario snapped.
They were fine. They were both fine. They were all fine, except Gregori. Leyli grabbed Tristan's arm and caught her brother's eyes. "Losses?"
"My fucking pride," Tristan muttered.
"Suck it up," she ordered. "Secor, I need to know our status."
"One hundred gladiators, thirteen active guards, one Wolf, a prince, and a king. What are we doing, Highness?"
She tilted her head to the gate. "We're waiting for Palino to make his last mistake. He thinks my men will turn on me."
A deep voice laughed behind her. "Your men?" Turning she saw Death smiling, his white teeth stark against his skin. "You think we'll just die for you, little girl? You want us to throw ourselves on trained guards while you take the glory?"
"No. I think you'll fight for you. I think that even if you want to keep hacking at men on the sand until you die, even you know that selling men into the games for their debts is wrong. I think you came to Norihame for a reason." Leyli pointed up. "Is that it? Do you want to do the right thing, or do you just want to kill men over and over until you get too fucking slow?"
"Spoiled little noble girl. Got it all figured out, do you?"
Crush hit him from the side. Hard. "That's my Princess, Death. She stood on these sands. She's fought beside some of us. She bought my debt and sent me to an owner who lets me see my wife."
Tristan surged before him on the other side. "That's my partner. She stood over me when I took a shield to the head. She didn't leave me, she protected me, so they couldn't get a killing blow while I was out. Fight with us, or don't." He pointed toward the cluster of women and non-combatants. "I think your place is over there."
Death looked at her. "And you? What do you say, little girl?"
Leyli smiled at him cruelly. "I think you leave your left leg open, and after I hacked it off below the knee, you wouldn't have much to complain about. My name is Wolf."
The black man nodded at her. "No wonder Rhia refuses to invade again. Your royals have teeth." He turned and raised his voice. "Tore's men to the right. Theodian's to the left. Today, we die for the Wolf!"
Leyli's mouth flopped open. She looked at Tristan to find him grinning. "I told you," he said. "The man just made sure you were worth it. He's yours, Leyli. They're all yours."
"Not all." She turned to the gates before them. In the darkness beyond, Palino's men were gathering. "We know how many there are?"
"Sixty to a hundred," Temotio said, moving to her left. "Problem is they have controls of the gates."
Leyli shrugged. "So? There's forty of us, about, in here. In a few minutes, Theodian and Tore will have the rest out, and the gate behind us is falling."
"Yeah," Dario said. "And I'm pretty sure that..." He pointed at the air where a faint horn could be heard. "Is the Royal Guard. I think my brother got out."
Leyli nodded, her eyes on the gate before her. "Good. That means they're trapped." She raised her voice. "Gladiators! Defend the King. Norihame depends on you. I depend on you." She lifted her sword. "I am you!"
"For the Wolf of Oberhame!" Crush yelled.
Around them, the fighters cheered their agreement. The sound echoed across the sands, bouncing back from the high walls. Leyli set her shield. To her right, Tristan fell into place. To her left stood Temotio. Beside them, the line didn't stop. The thick armor of the Heir's Guard mingled with the bare flesh of the gladiators. None of them matched. None of them cared. They weren't here to look pretty and they sure wouldn't fight that way. They were gladiators, they just wanted to win.
The creak of the gates raising was barely audible over their battle cries.
Chapter 47
Palino's men surged in. Like the professionals they were, the gladiators didn't break. They waited. When the Lanmont soldiers pushed close, as one, the gladiators attacked. It didn't matter that they were out numbered. Gladiators never got the luxury of a fair fight. The odds were always against them.
Leyli stood out in the line, and a cluster of men rushed toward her. What they found was not the delicate Princess they expected. Her shield was a weapon. Her sword filled the gaps. If she couldn't block the shot, she knew Temotio or Tristan would. Blow by blow, she fought back against everything Palino had done. Her rage was spent on the soldiers before her, and they fell just as easily as her opponents in the games.
Steel rang on her shield. Screams rose from her sword. When the press grew too thick, she ducked around Tristan, trading places while he wore them down. The bodies began to pile up. Sadly, not all wore the Lanmont crest.
To her right, a man screamed. Leyli couldn't spare a glance, but she felt the line shift to cover his loss. Behind her came more cries. Each wound, each death, cut her to the bone. These were her men. They were fighting to protect her and her father. Each loss hurt in a way that weapons never could, and she howled. She'd make Palino pay. She'd cut her vengeance from his skin and hang it from the palace walls like a trophy. She'd torture him in ways he couldn't imagine, and then leave him for the gladiators to finish off.
As if her thoughts summoned him, the Domn of Lanmont appeared. In the second row, safely behind his guards, he called orders to his men. Leyli thrust her sword in his direction. "Palino!"
That was all her men needed. The line shifted, pressing toward him, carrying her with it, and she carved a path of blood to her enemy's feet. As their men collided, Palino finally saw her. Leyli was nearly lost in the crush of larger men, but she wanted this over. He'd killed her brother. He'd broken her father's heart. He'd sold her into the games, thinking that she wouldn't survive. Palino made her what she was, and it was only fitting that he pay for it.
She hacked at the man who dared to block her from her target. He swung back, the blow hitting Tristan's sword. Leyli took the chance and thrust, impaling her weapon in his chest. For a moment the man paused, his eyes going wide. They were brown and scared. As he died, he looked at her, knowing the monster who killed him, but she wasn't ready to stop.
"Protect the Domn!" someone called out.
Leyli pushed harder. So close. She was so close. Just one more step and... Her sword smashed against the Lanmont dragon on his shield. Palino met her eyes and swung. Leyli turned, Tristan moving with her. The weapon hit Tristan's shield hard enough to make him grunt. It would have knocked Leyli back. Her cousin was trying to use his size to defeat her, thinking she was just a fragile girl. Unfortunately for him, she had a Lion.
Tristan kept Palino busy, pounding his shield over and over as Leyli moved in. Temotio kept the men at the side busy. On Tristan's other side was Death. For a moment, it was a stalemate, neither side getting ahead, then Leyli saw her chance.
Tristan swiped at Palino's head and he lifted his shield to block it. Leyli crouched down and hacked, her blade glancing off his boot and across his shin. It wasn't much but it was enough. He flinched at the pain and she kicked, following with a hard punch from her shield. The Domn staggered and Death screamed for the men to press in.
This time it was Tristan who kicked at him, hitting Palino in the leg. He dropped, his knee hitting the dirt, and Leyli was on him. The gladiators would take care of the rest, she wanted this. She wanted to know her cousin was destroyed. One kick to the ribs, a hack at his arm, and a lunge put her over his chest. She turned to cut at his sword arm, rendering Palino defenseless, but Tristan's foot landed on it first, pinning him to the ground.
"Lanmont," Leyli called out. "Lay down your arms and live, or fight and die. Your Domn has been defeated!"
"Kill them!" Palino yelle
d.
Leyli kicked him again, this time in a much more sensitive area. "Call off your men, cousin, or I'll cut off your balls before Oberhame and feed them to you."
In the dark halls beneath the arena, men were calling for surrender. It took a moment before Leyli realized it was a demand. While she stood over her cousin, Royal Guards poured through the gates before her. At the sides, more gladiators pressed the last of the Lanmont soldiers onto the sands. Pinned between the King's men and Leyli's, Palino's army had no options.
"Lay down your arms!" Ilario yelled. "Do not harm those who surrendered."
"Like fuck," Death grumbled, kicking a man before him.
Leyli yelled out, "Hold, gladiators. Detain them, but do not kill them unless they fight back." Her eyes never left Palino's. "So? Ready to give up, yet?"
"Why? So you can hang me?"
"No," Leyli assured him. "Hanging is too good. I'm going to try you as a criminal, and then strip you of your title and your lands. When you're convicted, you'll be sent to the games." She tilted her head toward the large black man beside Tristan. "Your first fight will be against him. Only problem? This will be for my entertainment. I'll chain you in the middle of the arena, weaponless, and let him hack at you until the crowd is hoarse from cheering."
Death chuckled. "Oh, I think I like this girl."
Palino tried to crawl backwards, but he was stuck. Leyli shook her head. "Or, if you admit your crimes, we'll be generous. I'll let the King behead you here, before the citizens of Oberhame." She leaned closer. "I mean the ones that just kicked your ass, not the fools in the stands."
"You fucking bitch," Palino grumbled.
"Yeah," Leyli assured him. "I am. That's why the Lion named me the Wolf. Your choice, Palino, but your time is almost up."
A hand dropped onto her shoulder, but Leyli didn't dare break her gaze. The voice, though, belonged to her father. "Child, let him up."
"I gave him a choice, Dad. He has to make a decision."
"You can't torture him."
She cocked her head slightly. "That's where you're wrong. I can. The law will let me. The law makes it so easy to do. Gladiators are just slaves. The laws says they aren't real people, and as a criminal, I can make my dear, sweet cousin fight to amuse me."
"That's what he did to you."
She nodded slightly. "I know. They say two wrongs don't make a right. I know, Dad. But this man killed my brother." She pressed her sword a bit closer. "I don't care what's right."
"Pup," Tristan breathed.
She licked her lips. "You killed Nona and Fiona, my maids. You tried to attack my father! I do not want you around when my children are born."
"They'll all be bastards! There's no way that queer can get you with child."
Tristan moved before Leyli could stop him. His foot swung hard, landing right between Palino's legs. "Don't you dare call an Aravatti a bastard."
Pinned, all Palino could do was yelp at the pain. "Common bastards at that!"
"Next," Tristan warned, "I'll use my sword."
"Choose!" Leyli demanded. "Trial? Or will you admit to treason?"
Ilario pressed between her and Tristan. "Boy, I need to borrow that sword."
Turning his hand, Tristan offered him the hilt without a word. Ilario took it, the blood staining his hand but he didn't flinch. As the gladiators moved back, the King looked at his nephew, his mouth pressed tight together.
"I tried to be good to you, Palino, but you were never happy. You killed Kale. It was witnessed by the Heir of Norihame. I find you guilty of treason. You murdered two innocent women. The evidence is not conclusive. I surrender that judgment to a court of your peers. You attacked both the King and the Heir in public. As witnessed by the free men beside me, I find you guilty of treason. By the law of war, which our country has not invoked in over two decades, I deem your life forfeit for the good of the country and submit my reign to judgment should this decision be challenged."
"No," Palino whimpered.
Leyli sucked in a breath. Her father had just taken the decision out of her hands, or Palino's. If a member of the Sarisona family challenged his judgment her father would be stripped of his crown and she would no longer be in the line of succession. This was why they had wanted a trial. This was why they had tried so hard to get evidence. Leyli knew there were enough witnesses, but the fear still weighed heavy in her gut. After everything Palino had done, who knew what his family was capable of.
Then Ilario lifted the Flame of Oberhame. His sword arm wouldn't go far above his head, but it didn't need to. With a single, hard stroke, the King enacted his vengeance. Palino screamed, the sound halting mid-chord to become a gurgle. When Ilario offered the sword back to Tristan, it was with tears in his eyes.
"Don't let her become a tyrant, boy."
"No, sir," Tristan promised. "I won't stop the Aravatti temper, but she's your daughter."
He looked at her and nodded. "My little girl. You're going to be a great king, Leyli." Then he lifted his arms out, for the attention of the crowd.
In the chaos, the sounds were everywhere. It was easier to block them out than acknowledge them, until they were gone. As Ilario begged for the attention of the soldiers, the gladiators, and the citizens left in the stands above, the silence felt too heavy, as if it pushed on her ears. They'd all seen. They all knew something was happening, but no one knew what.
"People of Oberhame. Citizens of Norihame!" Ilario's voice was schooled to carry. "I was sixteen years old when the crown was placed on my head. I have been proud to be your king, and have tried hard to be fair to all of you, and yet I still failed."
Leyli gasped, pressing her hand to her mouth. "Dad," she hissed.
He smiled at her quickly, but kept going. "These men." He gestured to the gladiators. "Today, they proved themselves to be exemplary. When my nephew tried to rise up in rebellion, it was slaves - men who were convicted to die for our amusement - who stood up, but they didn't do it for me. It's my daughter, Leylani Meridia Aravatti, the Wolf of Oberhame, who has kept peace in Norihame. The very day we announced that her mother was pregnant with her, the Emperor of Rhia agreed to a peace that still lasts. Now, today, it is once again my daughter who found a way to secure peace.
"She grew up as any other girl, secluded and sheltered. Her cousin abducted her and sold her into the games where she proved she is my daughter. An Aravatti, the Princess is both wise and kind, but certainly not weak. Under her reign, I believe that Norihame can only get stronger. And so, today, I am announcing my abdication from the throne. I will step down as King and my daughter will wear the crown."
Her hands were shaking, but Leyli couldn't think of a thing to say. Around her, the gladiators muttered under their breath. Strangely, none of them sounded upset. Above, people were leaning closer, straining to hear the words. Most likely, they were unable to believe what he said. No king had resigned his position in living memory.
"I'm not a young man," Ilario called out. "But I'm still a man, and I want to see my grandchildren and relax my bones. But before I resign, there is one final task that the gods have laid upon me." He turned and gestured to the fighters spread across the sands. "For a display of excellence and valor, above and beyond what is expected, I grant all of you your freedom. Your rudis will be supplied as proof. I grant all of you the rights you deserve as citizens of Norihame."
Tristan chuckled softly, turning to Leyli with a smile. "He can't do that."
"He can," Leyli breathed. "He just could be stripped of his crown for it."
"And Palino?"
She nodded. "I can't be held responsible. It's done, Tristan. There's nothing they can do. Dad made it legal. He made it all legal."
"And I get to see my daughter sit on the throne," Ilario told her before raising his voice again. "I renounce my claim to the title of King, and hereby will be known as simply Lord Ilario Aravatti, royal father. Long live the Queen!"
Crush raised his voice. "May the gods bless the King; long
live the Gladiator Queen!"
That was all it took. Around her, dozens of people took up the cheer, but Leyli didn't care about titles. She grabbed her father and turned him to face her. "Dad? Is this really what you want?"
"Too late now, Leyli, but yes. I want to have a long line of irreputable women in my rooms, find a way to spend time with all four of my children, and see my daughter make me a very proud and, hopefully, very old man. Long live the Gladiator Queen, Leyli. Long live the King of Norihame." Then he hugged her tightly. "I'm so proud of you. Show the world that you're not just my equal, but my better."
Chapter 48
Tore wasn't thrilled to have his entire inventory of gladiators released. Leyli spent much of the evening working with him to find a comfortable solution. Oddly, it was Death who had the answer. With four men behind him, they walked into the small room beneath the stands and dropped into chairs, uninvited.
"I'm staying," he announced, then waved to the others. "Them, too."
"Why?" Leyli asked.
He grinned. "Because someone has to fight, and I'm good at it. You keep this damned country too civilized, and it leaves men like me with nothing to do."
She didn't believe him for a moment, but knew better than to push. With a nod, Leyli turned to Tore. "That's five. I owe you for forty-five gladiators, I believe?"
Tore scratched at his jaw. "Death helps, but without veterans, how am I supposed to keep my business running?"
"Take volunteers," Death said. "The Wolf can give you forty-five years free of taxes to make up for the balance, and we'll build a string of gladiators like the world has never seen."
"Forty-five years?" Leyli snapped. "Are you insane?"
He looked at her with a wink. "Costs you nothing. Makes him able to recover. It's a good deal, Majesty."
Leyli's eyes narrowed slightly. Death had adjusted to her titles a bit too easily. "I think you've talked me into it, but I have one condition."
