Reign of Shadows - Deborah Chester [136]
“Because I asked for you to be my trainer,” Caelansaid.
Orlo swung around to face him, his mouth open. “You?” he said, his voice almost squeaking. “You asked!”
“Yes.”
Orlo flung his hands up in the air. “I do not believe this. You are mad. Truly.”
“They asked what I wanted.”
“And you mentioned me,” Orlo said. “Before the emperor and before the prince. You mentioned me.”
“Yes.”
Orlo stared at him. “Do you know what lies between me and the prince? What have you been told?”
“Nothing,” Caelan answered honestly. Orlo turned half away from him and stared into space, oblivious to the bustle passing them. The arena still had to shut down. The crowds were leaving now, and there were lighters to be fed and secured for the night, the arena to be cleaned, a thousand tasks requiring supervision.
But Orlo stood there and stared at nothing, his jaw working in time with his thoughts.
“I do not know that I can go back,” Orlo said softly. “But for him to give me the chance ... it is a peace offering and a great honor. I owe you for this, Giant.”
He faced Caelan again, frowning as though he did not know what to think.
Caelan met his gaze squarely, feeling hope rising once again. “Then help us both,” he said and dared to hold out his hand.
Orlo hesitated, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one saw. Then slowly he gripped Caelan’s hand in the shadows.
“It is a bargain,” he said. “If you want to be a champion, I’ll take you the farthest I can. Just make sure you don’t get yourself killed before I make my fortune with you.”
It was Caelan’s turn to stare into the distance, into the future. What lay before him, he did not yet know. He only understood that since this afternoon, everything had changed. By breaking through the ice wall in his vision with his father, he had crossed some threshold or passed some test that he did not as yet fully comprehend. He suspected, although he did not know how or why, that there were other tests still to come.
“Did you hear me?” Orlo said sharply, bringing him back to the here and now. “You’ve got to learn to concentrate, otherwise you really will find yourself bleeding on the sand.”
Caelan shook his head with a faint smile. “That is not in my plans,” he said softly.
Table of Contents
Prologue
PART ONE
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
PART TWO
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one