Gray stood awkwardly at the bottom of the steps. “What things, Captain? I don’t have anything except for the stick. I’m pretty sure you stole the ruby necklace from me.”

  “It wasn’t yours to steal. I took it as payment for your voyage.”

  He touched his chest. “It’s fair payment for a new life and magic…an unexpected bargain, but a bargain nonetheless.”

  Settie tapped her cane on the floor. “I’m glad you think so. I don’t think the princess would’ve settled for your hands. I think she would’ve wanted your life.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know how she’d feel about me now. I’ll probably never know. Most likely, she would’ve wanted to see me fight a dozen gladiators with a breadknife in the flooded arena. Regardless, it wouldn’t have gone well. Where are we going?”

  “I have found a room for you in the barracks. The new recruit arrived unexpectedly. We will go to meet her.”

  “A new recruit for our kill squad.” He said it as a statement.

  She looked at him for a long time. “If you knew what was ahead of you, you would walk away from me forever. I can’t have that. You’ll react better to your situation once you hear it from the elf girl. You’ll have plenty of time with each other, since I only purchased the one room. If I had bought a full block of rooms, it would’ve raised questions. I can’t have that. Not yet.”

  Gray shook his head, chuckling. “Because you can’t be seen. Because this is all so fucking mysterious. Because I’m critical to your success. What do I get out of this arrangement…besides a mana core that may or may not be broken.”

  Her demeanor changed. “It’s not broken, precious Gray. Through meditation, through discipline, and with the help of the ironbites, you can slowly absorb mana. For now, it doesn’t matter as much because you aren’t using mana, and you are not powering anyone else. I believe, over time, you will improve enough to be useful.”

  “Useful for the Testing and the kill squad and whatever else.” He sighed. “You wouldn’t tolerate this situation, but then, you are the dragon. You must understand my frustration.”

  They looked at each other for a long time. Gray knew that she needed him. He also knew that she had saved him, not only from a public execution but from a short, brutish life with a bad heart. He owed her. But she needed him. He hated the power imbalance.

  Without speaking, she bent, opened one of the trunks, and took out the ruby necklace. She tossed it to him. “I didn’t sell it. It’s yours. Right now, the elf girl is waiting for us. The quicker we find her, the quicker she can answer all of your questions. You are a remarkable young man, precious Gray, to train for a life you can’t imagine. You have trusted me. I appreciate that. It helps me trust you, which is not something I’ve done in a very long time.”

  Yellow came down the steps, and started to whine, his gaze going from Settie to Gray, and back to Settie. The smart dog knew something was up.

  Gray winced at the idea of leaving the dog. “What about Yellow?”

  Settie shook her head. ““You know as well as I do how loose dogs are treated in cities. He is better here. He had a life here before we returned, so he can hunt well and he knows how to hide. I crafted a collar for him that allows him to come and go through my wards at will. There is a loose board in one of the backrooms that he can use to get inside. Yes, he will be lonely, but my plans will not be undone by a sorrowful dog.”

  Gray bent and petted Yellow. He did have a new leather collar with a little red gemstone on the end. “She’s not wrong. Cities are cruel to strays. Stay here. We’ll come back and visit.”

  “Unlikely,” the captain said.

  Gray ignored her pessimism. “Let me get my stick, and then we’ll go.”

  The ghost of a smile crossed her face. “Yes. Bring your stick. I’d offer to lend you mine, but I need it. I purchased clothes and other things you’ll need to thank you for your patience. One of these trunks is yours.”

  Oddly, Gray was moved. He’d never had enough of things to fill a rice sack, let alone a wooden trunk with brass fittings. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, let us say goodbye to Yellow, and then, we’ll go.”

  Leaving was the dog was far harder than Gray would’ve thought. He’d never had a pet before, and he spent several long moments holding the puppy to his chest. The entire time, Yellow whined, licked his face, and then went trotting out the door.

  He gave them a last look, barked once, and then went trotting away.

  “What if demons get in the house?” Gray asked, remembering the gluttony lizard.

  “I’ve enhanced my wards after spending so much time here. I assure you, this house is the safest place in all of Old Town.”

  He took her word for it.

  They drug their trunks through the underground corridor, under the Hellbinder, and up to the alley. Once there, Settie found orcs to act as porters. She bought him a long sausage, hot from the coals, as well as more of the sweet worms. It was a good breakfast, but he’d rather have eaten something far more meager in Ruin Manor’s comfortable little kitchen.

  After eating, they hurried through the Pit Market and to the southern part of town. With every step, they got closer to another wall, far smaller than the Hellbinder and devoid of all magic.

  It marked the edge of Pit City. On the other side of that wall was the Pride Tower and around it, Pride City.

  “Are we going to the Seventh Pylon?” Gray asked.

  Settie had her mask on, so he couldn’t see her smile, but he could hear it in her voice. “You are kind to use the old term. No, we’re staying in Pit City. But there, beyond that gate, between where we stand and the Pride City wall is First Field. Those are the barracks where you’ll be staying with the elf girl.”

  On the other side of a tall metal fence, miles long, were long rows of buildings, all a uniform gray. There was a little guard house to their right. Down the way, there was some kind of park where a river ran through tall trees. On the other side of the park looked like a series of old, ornate buildings and what looked like an arena. A pink-colored palace was the tallest structure. It reminded Gray of the sea king’s palace back in Cradleport, though that palace seemed like a million times newer. Pit City was decaying town, far different than the opulence of the Pride Tower on the other side of the wall.

  Tall orc guards, called Fieldkeepers, stopped them from coming inside. But then, Settie flashed a big ring of iron keys and the Fieldkeepers let them inside. With their orc porters trailing them, Gray and Settie walked into First Field on wide paths edged by bright green grass.

  They passed several buildings, turned to the left, and headed toward the barracks. Outside the third building down, they finally came to the elf girl, sitting on a trunk. She was one the most beautiful women that Gray had ever seen. When she saw them, she stood. Tall and slender, she had a nice body, but what was really amazing was her long, bright blond hair, which hung like spun gold down her shoulders. She wore some kind of uniform that consisted of a green coat, green shirt, and black trousers. Big black leather boots covered her feet. Those boots must’ve cost a fortune, but then, she was obviously rich. Gold bracelets circled her wrists. Her golden hair was held back by a golden band, revealing her pointed ears. She had three trunks, all worn from travel.

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  Settie marched up to her. “You are Rynnanatha Sereph, are you not?”

  The elf girl stood and nodded, curtsied, and then nodded again. Her eyes went to Gray and she awkwardly curtsied again. All she said was, “Yes.” A third time, she curtsied, and then bowed, and then put out a hand.

  Settie stood there, motionless.

  Gray didn’t want to be impolite.

  He went and shook her hand. It was soft, and a little sweaty. He was surprised to find out that elves perspired at all.

  The elf girl went to curtsy a third time and Settie raised a hand. “That’s enough. You don’t need to be nervous. Let’s get your things to your room. Then I’ll be taking my leave of you.”

  The girl’s eyes widened. “But why?”

  Gray chuckled. “Captain Settie doesn’t like being asked questions. We could ask where she’s going, or when she’ll come back, but she would either not answer or berate us for asking. She is a mystery, mask and all. She’s promised me that you’ll provide all the answers she’s jealously guarded during our months together. How do you know her, Rynn…Rynna….Rynny…Miss Sereph?”

  The elf girl blinked, her gaze on the masked woman. Then she realized she’d been asked a question and turned to Gray. “Yes.” Was all she said.

  “Do you speak the world language?” he asked.

  “Yes,” the girl said. “I do.”

  Captain Settie marched forward, taking a ring of keys out of a hidden pocket in her tight fitting clothes, undid the door, and then went inside. The skull crystal on her cane lit up.

  The door started to close, but Gray was fast enough to catch it. “I guess this is when we follow her.”

  “Yes,” the girl said, and picked up one of her smaller trunks. There were two left.

  Gray helped her get them inside. The two trunks were left by the door while he and the elf went up the steps. The place was silent, the air so hot and stale it seemed like no one had ever lived there. Yet at the same time, there was an unpleasant odor.

  The awkward elf girl must’ve smelled it because she wrinkled her nose.

  “Smells like gladiators,” Gray said. “I come from the Arena in Cradleport, and I’ve smelled a lot of gladiators in my time. You don’t need to smell good to fight. Where are you from?”

  The girl went to answer, but Settie called down to them. “Prattle on your own time. I am already behind schedule. Come! Come! You’ll have to figure out the First Field on your own.”

  The elf girl looked genuinely shocked.

  Gray was surprised as well, but he didn’t let himself show it. He was all ease and comfort with her. “Don’t worry. At least we have a room. According to the captain, you know exactly what is going on. I’ve been living in darkness for weeks now. It will be nice to have someone who knows how to have a proper conversation.”

  “Yes,” the girl said, sighing a little.

  Gray smiled. “I’m assuming since you know the world language, you can say something other than yes.”

  “Yes, I—”

  “Come, recruits!” Settie shouted from the landing above them.

  They lugged the trunks out into the hallway and down past several doors. The smell didn’t improve any.

  Settie pushed a door open. Inside was barely a closet. A metal bunk bed was against the wall. There was a basin with a drain along with a metal bowl for washing. There was a single closet and two dirty wooden chairs around a tiny circular table. On top was a candle that had been burned down to the wick along with some matchsticks. That was it. The dirty window only showed the barracks across the way.

  It wasn’t much different than Gray’s cell back arena, but he’d been able to live there alone. Fresh sheets were folded on the mattresses, which looked clean. That was a bonus. No pillows.

  Settie stood in the hallway was they dropped off their things. “I’m leaving now. Precious Gray, my sweet Rynnanatha, when you get hungry, there is the canteen near the training fields. There are ironbites available at all three meals. Gray, since you are still building your tolerance, be sure to take a quarter at every meal. Rynnanatha, you can tolerate three full ironbites a day, can you not?”

  She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes.”

  Settie nodded. “Precious Gray has his schedule, and it should be adequate for you both. Keep to that schedule. I need you both strong, so you don’t die on Culling Day, which is only three months away. There is time to prepare. If all goes well, I shall be back in a month. If my recruiting goes poorly, it will be two months. If my trip is a disaster, I’ll return the day before Culling Day begins, even if I have to start the Fourth God War to do it. Do you understand?”

  “Yes!” the elf girl bowed, curtsied oh so awkwardly, and then stuck out a hand.

  Settie ignored it.

  She went up to Gray. “You trusted me. I am trusting you. Grow in strength, my precious Gray. If you die, all of my hopes and dreams will die with you. Good day to you both.”

  She then left them, standing in the hallway of the smelly barracks.

  Gray called to her. “You can’t simply leave us here.”

  She turned. “Why not? All is the Testing and all is the test. You’ll hear that constantly while you are here. Consider the next month a test.”

  Gray smiled at her. “Oh, very well, then. If you put it that way. Too bad I haven’t studied.”

  “But you have, precious Gray. You’ve studied survival. This shall be easy for you, since Rynnanatha is a woman of means. Surviving is easy for the rich.”

  The captain then hurried off.

  It was like something came uncorked I the elf girl. “Wait! Captain!” The girl turned to Gray. “I can tolerate three ironbites, if she means the bemlas bread. I think she does. But all of my food is mana infused. My core is very strong, I assure you, and I have felt the sacred itch, on my chest. Here. On my heart. That’s a very good omen.” She touched her chest above her left breast.

  Gray didn’t let his eyes linger. He was too surprised at the flood of words.

  The elf girl closed her eyes. Her next words came out slow. “I do so apologize for that outburst. I will restrain myself going forward.”

  “It’s okay,” he said. “Let’s go get your other trunks and find out where the canteen is.”

  “Is she really leaving us here?” Rynn asked in wonder.

  “It seems so. Are you as rich as she said?”

  The elf girl nodding. Her blush showed her embarrassment.

  “Then she isn’t wrong. Surviving is easy for the rich. Besides, we have food and shelter, and I saw several wells around the city. Those are our basic needs. Oh, and I have a stick I left outside. What more do we need?”

  She blinked at him. “A stick?”

  “A stick.”

  The elf girl followed him down the steps, twirling her yellow hair in her fingers.

  How old was she? She looked about his age but seemed younger. “What’s your name again? I’m sorry. I didn’t even know elves existed until only just recently. I’ll need help pronouncing it.”

  She didn’t answer.

  He had to check that she was still behind him.

  She bowed. “You called me Rynn before.”

  “I did, but that was only because I couldn’t say the whole thing. Are you okay if I call you Rynn?”

  “Yes.”

  He laughed and kept on tromping down the stairs. “I could also call you Miss Yes. You seemed to like that word.”

  “Yes.”

  That made him turn and smile are her.

  She smiled back. She seemed a little less nervous now. He expected her to bow, curtsy, or put out her hand again. She didn’t do any of those things, only waited, in the hot stairwell, sweating a little. It didn’t make her smell bad. In fact, she smelled sweet, far better than the gladiatorial stink around them.

  “So you have a sense of humor, Rynn. I’m glad.”

  “Yes.” She gave him a little nod.

  “Back in Cradleport, we didn’t bow or curtsy much, well not in the circles I ran in. A friendly handshake when you meet someone is acceptable. Where are you from?”

  “The Crown of the World,” she said. “I’m from Generosity City, which is underneath Spire Four. I’ve been very blessed. Until now…it seems.”

  He went to continue down the steps, but she kept on talking in a ramble. “I can’t complain, or I can, but I shouldn’t. My family is very rich. My father owns series of shops that make clothes for the archbishops, and he is looking to expand his business down here in the Belly of the World. I probably shouldn’t tell you everything about me right away, but I don’t know, I’m so nervous, and I’m gutted the Captain Sevanya is gone, and we didn’t even get to talk. Is it me? It’s me. I arrived suddenly, and I must’ve inconvenienced her. I hate that more than anything. I don’t want to be a bother. Mother says that I worry too much about such things, but I can’t help it. I have an aunt who…”

  She must’ve realized that Gray was staring her as one word tumbled after another.

  More shock lit up her face. “I’m sorry. I’ll try not to ramble. It’s a shortcoming.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know, Rynn. After spending so much time with the captain, I could use a good ramble every now and again. It seems we have at least a month if not three to get to know each other, so we’ll have plenty of time to talk, Miss Yes.”

  “If I’m Miss Yes, will you be Mr. No?”

  Gray thought for a moment, remembering his conversation with Oma. He’d been so bitter about the world and its people. After a moment more, he said, “I’ll try not to be.”

  They reached the bottom of the staircase, and the hallway was empty.

  Rynn’s trunks were gone.