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was a dismal prospect. She had offered him the use of her servants, but he
could think of nothing they could do for him. He had seen to his own needs
since childhood and had never lived among servants.
He went to the king's bedchamber and looked in. Fyana sat exactly as he had
last seen her, as if she and the king formed a sculptural group. Around the
wall stood servants and courtiers, keeping their distance and maintaining
silence. The boy was no longer in his chair and Ansa did not see him in the
room.
Ansa crossed the chamber as quietly as he could and stepped into the corridor
outside. Faces turned expectantly toward him, many of them painted, as if they
expected him to give them some news of the king's condition. When it was plain
he would not speak, they lost interest. He wanted to go outside, to be away
from the oppressive walls and heavy ceilings of this place. He longed for
direct sunlight and fresh air.
A short walk from the chamber brought him to a wide double door opening onto
the outside. He stepped through it and found himself on a terrace overlooking
a remarkable structure. From the terrace a long stairway descended into a
roofless, oval enclosure surrounded by tiers of what he took to be seats. The
enclosure was sunk about eight feet below the level of the lowest tier of
seats. It appeared to be floored with sand. He could imagine no use for such a
structure. Was it a temple?
"I see you have found our stadium," said a voice behind him. He knew the voice
and turned to see the lady who had, the night before, gone by the name of
Hesta.
He bowed. "If you say so, Lady Amahest M'Hva. I have never seen such a place.
What is it used for?"
Her hands spread on the flounces of her elaborate gown, 176
John Maddox Roberts she walked toward him. This afternoon her cosmetics were
far more restrained and he could see that she was a beautiful woman of about
thirty, with very white skin, a good deal of which was visible. Her tight
bodice ended at her nipples, leaving her shoulders and the upper surfaces of
her breasts bare.
"This is a place of exhibitions. On days of the shows, there are animal
performances, dancers, acrobats, magicians. There are trials of athletic skill
and combats. You see here only the bare bones. When the shows are on, there
are cushions and hangings, flowers, bright awnings and fountains to cool the
air. There are night shows by torchlight."
"Combats?" he said.
"Yes. Masters of arms come to show their skills or to challenge each other. It
can be very beautiful, almost like a dance."
"They fight to the death?"
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"Usually just until one surrenders or can no longer go on fighting.
Occasionally, a master who deems himself to be greatly insulted will insist
upon a death-fight. Of course, losers sometimes die of their wounds. You are
interested in combats?" She smiled strangely.
He shrugged. "I am a warrior. This is something I've never encountered,
although like everyone I've watched when two warriors decide to fight a duel.
That happens at almost every gathering. The king permits it because otherwise
they would just ambush each other in secret, and that would lead to blood
feuds."
"Your people sound very how shall I say it? very vita/." She stood close and
he could smell her perfume. It was subtle, something he would not have
expected here, where all sensations seemed to be overpowering.
"We are accustomed to a hard life," he said.
"You've not had a hard life here. Barely in the city and welcomed in the
highest houses. Already you have had a
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177
private audience with Her Majesty. Many people of high station are here for
years without being granted that favor."
"Her Majesty is most kind," Ansa said. "But Lady Fy-ana and I represent hope
at a time of great distress for her. I do not harbor the illusion that I have
been exalted in her court."
She nodded. "You are very wise hi this. I am glad of it. Allow me to speak as
a friend. Royal favor is as dangerous a thing as royal disfavor. It can be
more dangerous, for while a sovereign's disfavor gives you one powerful enemy,
favor can net you many less powerful ones."
' 'I am aware of that. Yet I could not have acted otherwise than I have done."
"An estimable attitude, the attitude of a noble youth. If I may make a
suggestion, you might be well advised to play the part of a simple barbarian
here; brave and true, but lacking in sophistication. The great ones here at
court will perceive little threat in you if you behave thus."
He inclined his head. "I will keep that in mind. If I may ask a question, just
who represents the greatest threat? There are those here who will be sorely
disappointed if the king should recover."
She lowered her eyes. "Here you presume too much. Suffice it that you know to
be on your guard. You need not concern yourself with identities."
"Then I will not press the matter. Again, I thank you for your candor."
"Enough of such solemnity," she said. "Please regard me as your friend while
you are here."
"That I shall," he said, with severe inward reservation. In this place, he
would need more than a simple assertion of friendship before he bestowed his
trust on anyone. In the meantime, Lady Amahest seemed determined to be
pleasant company. She took him on a tour of the stadium, explaining its
appointments and decorations. Its arena wall was surmounted by a series of
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