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Lio knew he wasn’t the only one eavesdropping, for at the mention of the potion, Javed withdrew a vial from his robes and held it up for the Tenebrans to see.
“Esteemed guests,” the healer invited, “allow me to recall to your minds that to ensure a fair fight, our warriors will drink this potion so that they match you in strength. This is Sunfire Poison, distilled from Anthros’s fire and sunsword. Your own experts can verify the authenticity and potency of my mixture. Semna, Master Skleros, would you do the honors?”
Skleros gave a laugh. “I’ll own to the title of expert in poisons. But I’ll not lift a finger to prove a Hesperine right.”
“Will you raise your fists to prove your skill?” Kadi called.
The necromancer’s scars smiled at her. “I have already proved my skill against Hesperines.”
It was all Lio could do not to charge to the front of the dais spouting diplomacy. He doubted any good could come of his bold cousin antagonizing the Gift Collector, but Kadi was master here.
“We have a challenger who taunts before battle!” Glancing around at the spectators, Kadi lifted a hand to indicate Skleros. “After a boast like that, you must back your words with action, Master Skleros. You heard the rules. In Hippolyta’s Gymnasium, respect must be earned.”
“I do not fight by any rules,” said Skleros.
“Then I must disqualify you,” Aunt Lyta announced. “No one who so blatantly disregards the rules of the tournament can be allowed to compete.”
“Excellent.” The necromancer sat back in his chair. “I have no patience with sportsmanship.”
“You may take my word on the potion.” Somehow the Semna’s frail voice carried without difficulty through the gymnasium.
Lio felt a flash of magic in the air that reminded him of his visit to the Temple of Kyria.
“The potion is genuine,” the Semna said. “Our boys will be safe if they enter the competition.”
Javed bowed to her. “My gratitude, Semna.”
She nodded, and the other Tenebrans continued to mutter amongst themselves. Until Lord Severin stood.
Lord Severin bowed in Lyros’s direction. “Steward Lysandros, in the name of my life debt to you, I will answer your challenge. It will be an honor to meet in man-to-man combat the skills that spared me.”
Lio could have raised a banner in his Trial brother’s honor.
Lyros bowed to Lord Severin. “I have no doubt you would have fought bravely in that battle, had the heart hunters not robbed you of that opportunity with their dishonorable tactics. Let us make that right. I look forward to seeing your true skill.”
Benedict was frowning so deeply in concentration, Lio thought the storm in the knight’s aura must break at any moment. Suddenly it did. Benedict got to his feet.
“Let it never be said that I left Segetia’s lady to defend our honor alone. Steward Telemakhos, I will answer your challenge.”
That earned Benedict claps on the back. “Segetia versus the bull!” called his comrades. Cassia stamped her feet with them, and Lio showed his support with a round of Hesperine applause.
Mak grinned and bowed to Benedict. “My respect. Let us both honor our families with a battle.”
Worry crept up on Lio when he noticed Chrysanthos and Tychon exchanging glances. The muscular apprentice rose from his seat.
“Apprentice Tychon,” Aunt Lyta said politely, “allow me to remind you no magic is allowed here.”
“I don’t need spells to prove my worth in a fight. I’ll test my wrestling skills against any Hesperine. Master Arkadia, I believe you will find I put up more of a fight than a liegehound.”
Goddess have Mercy, was Tychon that blindly arrogant?
With a long-suffering expression, Kadi bowed to Chrysanthos’s lapdog. “If it is a test you want, you shall have it.”
Chrysanthos stood and folded back his sleeves one at a time with elegant precision. He eyed Aunt Lyta. As his gaze lingered on her, Lio realized what the mage intended, and he wasn’t sure whether to laugh or beg his uncle to rescue the Summit.
“Guardian of Orthros,” the Dexion said, “I will answeryourchallenge.”
“I have issued no challenge,” Aunt Lyta replied.
