Page 112 (1/1)
"Tana and I recommended you be entered in the first trial today, the one for theNovices"
"You did?"
He nods, his gaze steady on my face to make sure I understand how serious he is "Think of this as a test to see how good you really are and how badly you really want this Any Novice ins at the Royal Fives Court autoer We think you’re ready for it You have the potential to become an Illustrious, Jessamy"
The unexpected praise sweeps warmth into my cheeks "What about Lord Kalliarkos?"
He yanks hard on the lacing of loves "Keep your eyes on the obstacle in front of you and your heart in the court As for his lordship, he’ll be placed in the nor to his victories and a randos
The Fives have a structure so colings or the lowest-ranked Novices and work up to Illustrious That’s why I’ll go in the first trial whereas Kalliarkos, with five Novice wins under his belt, will go a little later
A fanfare of blaring horns announces the arrival of the king and queen and their entourage, so loud we can hear it even down here
I want to prove myself I want my father to be proud I want to run the prize circuit and pourI want to pay the fee for Maraya to take the Archivists’ exaree to secretly sponsor her in another city I can accompany Amaya to the theater and buy her all the masks and ribbons she wants I will find Bett As I wait for the second warning bell I stare at the wall and envision in my mind’s eye the obstacles I may encounter and hoill defeat each one
"Jes" Kalliarkos steps in beside me and takes es like I’ "May Fortune kiss you, as I intend to do right now in front of everyone"
My cheeks flaain," he says, his bright face all the laughter he needs He is the sun, triu to be mine
"Leave her be,up to us "She is already on the court in her et what this trialme as his expression closes up like the last brick set into the door of his torab his hand despite Darios’s frowning presence "May Fortune kiss you as I do"
Right out where everyone can see and wonder and speculate, I kiss him It is only a brief touch, but it is my proers to aze its own kind of blossoar over h another eries" He ushers Kalliarkos away to a war me behind
But he can’t take our promises away I find my own space, as I always have, and with a sure heart pace through cat, jackal, and crane
The second warning bell rings
"First trial!" calls a gate-custodian "Spider, Garon Stable!"
I tug my mask on, adjust it so the corners of the eyes fit perfectly, and enter the ready cage My custodian hands me a brown belt that blends with my plain brown clothes I start on Pillars Good fortune for me
"First trial! Firecat, Kusoly fit young woman in a silky jacket saunters in and accepts the blue belt Her lack of height ility like I do and less height to fight against She looks me up and down, uniear, and she flicks a little finger against her chin, a kiss-off before the trial even begins I’rin This is what it truly means to be an adversary
"First trial! Sandstor e He’s got to be good to train at the Royal Stable, and by his cocky posture he is pretty sure he’s the best in this ready cage A custodian gives hi breath into hts drift to myand chair
The butterfly is a soul given substance For all its seeility its serenity is too powerful to be quenched