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“I believe black is the Hesperine color of protection,” Cassia said, “symbolizing the shelter of night.”
Perita exchanged a look with her. “Not our funeral, then.”
“Well, at least some of us came equipped for a festive procession,” said the Semna from her litter. “Why didn’t you ladies bring your fancy carriages?”
Perita and Cassia laughed with her attendants, and the knights carrying her smiled.
Cassia couldn’t help feeling safe at the sight of the Stand banners hanging from windows all over the city. There were also colorful banners bearing the constellations of various bloodlines and other emblems whose meanings were still unknown to her. Those must be shows of support for the various athletes who would compete in this week’s events.
“There is House Argyros, home of my bloodline.” Mak pointed over the heads of the crowd at the silver edifice and the grounds beyond it.
Cassia knew Lio’s parents were staying there with the children tonight, and she felt sorry for the sucklings, who must miss all the excitement. Then a shimmer at a high window caught her eye. Suddenly she could see faces there that hadn’t been visible an instant before. None of the other Tenebrans around her seemed to notice.
From the window, Bosko watched the procession go by, his face alight, while Apollon said something to him, perhaps narrating a past adventure. Lio’s mother held Thenie up, but the baby seemed more interested in playing with Komnena’s braids. Zoe beamed right at Cassia and waved.
Cassia dare not draw attention to the child by waving back. Instead, she focused on her delight and let it fill her heart, hoping Zoe would feel her greeting through the Blood Union. Zoe pointed to the banners that hung together below the window—one for the Stand, the other jewel blue and embroidered with the constellation Anastasios. Lio’s family might not be at the events, but they would be rooting for him.
The procession approached a triumphal arch. Scenes carved into its surface told a story. As an armed hoard descended upon a village, one young woman escaped alone on horseback. Cassia recognized her as Lio’s Aunt Lyta. The Guardian of Orthros must have been young and mortal then. She rode through village after village, gathering followers under the shadow of her warding magic. At last she led the fleeing refugees to a Sanctuary where other Hespera worshipers awaited them.
Chrysanthos and Tychon exchanged scornful glances, recalling to Cassia’s mind the Dexion’s comments in the library about there being no victory in retreat. As Lyros had said that night, Chrysanthos really did need to look around him. If he did, he would see the banners that symbolized the lone rider’s protection over her people. He would see the throngs of happy, thriving Hesperines she had led to safety. He would hear their cheers of pride for her favored sons, whose strength ensured the protection of Orthros would continue, and Hespera’s people would never be in danger again.
The procession passed under the arch, and Lyros announced with unmistakable pride, “Welcome to Stewards’ Ward, where we of the Stand work and train, and all Hesperine athletes are welcome to pursue excellence.”
To one side of the avenue, a herd of Orthros Warmbloods of every color roamed in a snowy field, their breaths puffing clouds in the air before their noses. When the procession and the crowds’ voices caught up to them, they sprang into motion, as if they had caught the Hesperines’ excitement. Cassia was no horsewoman, but she watched in breathless wonder as the animals galloped over the snow, their hooves scarcely touching the ground. They were beauty and power in motion, their thick manes and the feathering on their legs like proud martial pennants.
The throngs left the sides of the road and followed in the embassy’s wake. The procession passed stables and paddocks, spacious grounds and training yards, courts and smaller amphitheaters, heading for the landmark they could see ahead of them, a black stone gymnasium built in the round with traditional cornices and ribbed columns.
Cassia didn’t realize just how large it was until they were standing at its entrance. The Stand might be few in number, but they had dramatic ways of showing their strength and their far-reaching impact on Orthros. Mak and Lyros turned their horses to face the embassy.
“On behalf of the Stand,” said Mak, “we invite mortal Tenebrans to set foot in Hippolyta’s Gymnasium for the first time in Orthros’s history.”
Lyros raised a hand to the two statues above them. “In the name of Valor and Honor, we ask that you join us in a celebration of the battle arts.”
Cassia lifted her gaze to the statues. Valor was a strong figure in a breastplate and close-faced helmet, poised to charge into battle. Honor wore only a simple tunic like the Stand and knelt with a bowed head, hand on heart. Hair hung in the statue’s eyes, obscuring the figure’s face. It was impossible to tell if Valor and Honor were male or female, mortal or Hesperine.
Mak and Lyros pivoted their horses again and gestured for the embassy to proceed. With Lio’s Trial brothers on either side, Cassia and the other Tenebrans entered the Stand’s stronghold. The crowd dispersed into the stands, where a large ensemble of Muses were already seated. When Mak and Lyros took the Tenebrans right out onto the sandy floor of the gymnasium, marching music erupted all around them.
For a moment, Cassia thought she had suddenly joined the Hesperines in Blood Union. The song, the voices, the power that filled the gymnasium to its glass rotunda seemed to turn into pure emotion that reverberated through her from head to toe. She had never stood in a structure so vast. The Temple of Anthros at Solorum would look small dropped in the middle of the gymnasium. The sheer space above her head and the weight of stone around her both awed and reassured her.
A powerful instinct made her look to the first row of seats on the opposite side of the gymnasium. There was Lio. Other Hesperines who were also attired to compete filled the rows beside and behind him, but Cassia hardly saw them. She let herself glance down his body. His jewel-blue athletic tunic showed her a great deal, but the railing in front of him blocked her view of his long runner’s legs. When she looked at his face again, he was smiling.
Mak and Lyros halted the embassy before a low dais at the center of the gymnasium, where Lyta and her daughter Arkadia stood waiting in their Stand regalia. Cassia hadn’t seen much of Bosko and Thenie’s mother lately, but looking at Kadi now, she could see what Javed had meant about his Grace enjoying the Summit. There was even more pride than usual in Kadi’s military bearing, and her face was alight with eagerness. She might appear to be all soft, expansive curves, but the mortals now entering her home territory had seen her strength when she had fought for their lives in Martyr’s Pass.
Benedict and Lord Gaius gave each other an uneasy glance, then positioned themselves at the front of the embassy. Cassia stood back, giving Tenebra’s warriors room to dialogue with Orthros’s. She put a hand on Knight’s shoulders, but he halted beside her without her having to say a word, and he maintained his impeccable posture.
From the corner of her eye, she kept watch on the Cordian mages. Chrysanthos and Skleros appeared to disdain the proceedings. Cassia suspected they perceived the greatest value in watching the games like spies in the enemy camp. She could only hope the respect the Hesperines earned from the warriors this week would be worth the calculated risk of revealing some of the Stand’s abilities to the mages.
Lyta smiled at the mortals with a challenge in her eyes. “All are welcome here who enter with valor and honor in their hearts. Within these walls, there is no rank. All stand as equals. Merit must be proved, respect must be earned, and authority can only be won through wisdom, strength, and compassion. All challengers must obey the same rules here, and those who violate any one of them will be cast from our company on the first offense.”
Lord Gaius gave a slight bow. “Let the tournament rules be stated, and in accordance with Tenebran honor, we shall excuse ourselves if we cannot in good conscience agree.”
Lyta gave a respectful nod. “Bow to your opponents when you begin and help them up when you finish. Deal no injury that is beyond healing. Fight only with your own strength, for these are unconditionally forbidden during a match: magic, weapons, and biting.”
Lord Gaius lifted his brows. “I see no reason why we should not comply.”
Benedict cleared his throat and glanced at the mages. “Those rules are amenable to warriors such as ourselves.”
“Then we are agreed.” Lyta swept a hand to indicate the seats behind them, across the gymnasium from the athletes. “We have prepared places of honor for our guests and designed this week’s events with both Hesperines and Tenebrans in mind. You will have many opportunities to be not only observers, but participants.”
