Nameless (Nameless #1)(71)

“How’s that? Too heavy?”

When Zo didn’t say anything he handed her another. “What about that? Better?”

Zo nodded. “What’s going on?” she finally asked.

The old man smiled, revealing a mouth more gums than teeth. “The chief wants the Nameless to at least give the people a show. S’no fun if they only last five seconds.”

Understanding hit Zo like a wave to the chest. “A prizefight.”

The man lifted his bushy eyebrows and tilted his head forward. An expression that said, Naturally. As if this was something she should have assumed from the beginning.

“Now,” he picked up a sword and held it relaxed in his hands, “I want you to attack. Let’s see what you know.”

Zo just stood there, arms and sword hanging at her side. “What’s the point? I don’t have a chance of winning.”

The man smiled and lunged at her with the sword. Instinct won out, and she deflected the attack with both hands desperately gripping the hilt.

“Good. Now what if I do this?” He attacked again, only this time at an angle that forced her to change direction. He advanced again and again, and Zo was barely able to keep his blade away from her body.

The man looked impressed. “You’ve had some training.”

“Only a little,” said Zo, panting. Usually Wolf women didn’t fight, but when she joined the Allies, Commander Laden had insisted she receive training in basic combat. It seemed silly at the time. A healer with a sword.

The old man set down his weapon and took Zo’s from her. “Just be sure you protect your back. The faster you are, the longer you’ll last.” He led her out to a group of women who’d obviously been waiting for her. “Good luck!” He winked and walked away whistling.

The women were less cordial. They forced her to undress in the middle of an open room. Cold air swept over her bare skin. With buckets of water and pumice soap they scrubbed the dirt from her naked body. The women smacked her arms every time she attempted to cover up. By the time they finished, Zo’s skin burned raw, and her dark hair dripped down her back. They used wool blankets to dry her skin and sat her in front of a blazing hearth to help dry her hair.

Two women brushed and braided Zo’s hair while another sat before her with a tray of paints. The woman grabbed a thin brush and dipped it in a smoky, charcoal mixture before painting her eyelids. She added rose-colored chalk to her cheeks and finished with a burnt-red paste for her lips.

Last, they dressed her in a simple white tunic that barely reached her knees with a feather woven belt around her waist. Her arms and legs were bare. Zo didn’t bother asking these women questions. She’d figured it out on her own well enough. This prizefight was a production of sorts. A theatrical performance that would end the way every sort of Ram entertainment ended.

In bloodshed.

She only hoped that Gryphon and Gabe had been able to free Tess and Joshua. That Gabe had the good sense to leave her behind and get Tess and Joshua to safety.

Please keep them safe.

She thought of Gryphon and blinked hard against the memory of him. “Keep him safe, too.”





Chapter 37





They had less than an hour before the sun would crest the great wall and their hopes of recovering Zo and Joshua and fleeing the Gate would be lost. Gryphon hid Tess behind a neatly stacked woodpile near the Medica. Already, Ram and Nameless were gathering in the square, for what purpose Gryphon could only guess. Gryphon handed the shaking child his packs, keeping his shield secured to his back, his spear in hand, and his short sword at his hip.

Gabe crouched down and whispered. “We will be back for you soon, bug. No matter what happens, don’t leave this spot until we come for you.”

“Will you find Zo?” The desperation in the little girl’s voice kindled Gryphon’s resolve. He would find her. And kill the man holding her, and anyone else who stood in his way. He felt like he could even lift up the wall if that is what it took to protect Zo.

They arranged the logs to cover Tess’ hiding place and set off at a run. “They must be holding Joshua in the prison,” Gryphon called over his shoulder.

They ran through the woods, skirting the village packed with Ram and Nameless. The prison wasn’t even a half-mile away, leaving little time to plot a way to free Joshua and Zo. If they are even there.

They crossed the wild stretch of ground like bloodthirsty demons. Every moment wasted brought them closer to failure. Gabe dropped behind as Gryphon calmly approached the entrance to the mountain prison. One boy, barely older than Joshua, guarded the tall doors to the cave. His breastplate hung cockeyed and his teeth seemed too large for his mouth, but he stood at full attention as Gryphon drew near.

“Where is everyone?” Gryphon asked.

The boy brightened. “You’re Striker Gryphon, aren’t you, Sir?”

Gryphon grimaced, then nodded. “I’m looking for one of my Nameless. She was—”

“The healer? She’s here, sir! Or was, before they took her to the prizefight.” The boy scrunched his eyebrows together. “Why aren’t you there, Sir?”

“Where?”

“The prizefight. As Joshua’s mentor, I thought you’d be his greatest supporter.”

Gryphon iced over. “I was just heading there. Thank you, soldier.”