Shards of Ankh

Chapter Thirty-Two

As the crowd roared around her, Thea felt relieved and embarrassed all at once. Yes, someone was rushing to Lapis brandishing a knife. However once the servant reached him, he handed Lapis his knife, handle first. Lapis nodded curtly, sweeping his eyes along the crowd as he dug into his food.

It was, by her guesstimate, a half-hour before Thea's nerves settled. It wasn't that she was enjoying the brutality that was on display in front of her, but she at least no longer jumped at things like servants giving people utensils. Thus the sporting event continued, completely normally.

By the end of the fight, and two grand winners were declared (one from the younger group, one from the older group), Thea had had her fill of food and drink. Since she didn't enjoy people trying to kill each other with their bare hands essentially, she had spent the passing hours looking under her seat occasionally for serpents. Her eyes fluttered about, keen for any assassins lurking.

However, to Thea's surprise honestly, nothing out of the ordinary happened. The closing ceremony (which was similar to the grand opening, but the music wasn't as lively, and the songs sounded more like a dirge) had just begun when someone tapped Thea on the shoulder. She was surprised when a guard stood before her. He bent down, whispering in her ear.

"My King has requested for you and Sir Lapis to be escorted from the grounds before the general public. A safety measure."

"Oh," Thea said. A sickening knot formed immediately. She hoped it was just paranoia, but she found it odd that Ankh hadn't mentioned this precaution before hand.

Thea glanced across the way. She saw Lapis already being led by two armed guards. Even at a distance, his body language didn't seem to convey any worry. It was with that acknowledgment she allowed herself to relax again, even though her eyes darted around occasionally.

Thea was sure enough reunited with Lapis at the entrance of the arena. Lapis chuckled a bit when Thea flung herself into his arms.

"Thea my dear, what's this?"

As Lapis patted her head, the small group could hear Ankh giving closing statement and prayers.

Thea shut her eyes tightly. "I was so worried, being separated. I really thought something was going to happen! I saw the one servant rush at you with a knife, and—"

Lapis chuckled, holding her at arm's length briefly. "That happened simply because mine had broken."

Thea suddenly felt on the verge of tears. Looking sympathetic, Lapis wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her close.

"Come. Let's get you back to your chambers and get you settled. Your nerves seem absolutely destroyed."

On the walk back to the palace, Lapis made small talk in an attempt to make Thea more comfortable. He explained to her that the stakes were high at the event; whoever won was going to be set free.

"They were slaves?" Thea asked, aghast.

"Not all of them. Most of them."

"It's so--barbaric!" Thea declared before she could stop herself.

Lapis appeared genuinely confused. "Do slaves not exist where you come from?"

"No! I mean, they do, but it's frowned upon."

"Why?" Lapis asked innocently.

"They're people, Lapis!"

"Yes?" When Thea simply gawked at him, he said, "And?"

"Well how would you like being a slave?" Thea asked indignantly.

To her horror, Lapis outright laughed. "Thea, darling, my innocent little scarab. That's preposterous! Why in the God's good graces would a man of a stature be a slave?"