Kings Game

Chapter 15 - Favors (3)

Karyn led Roran to a bakery. It wasn't the one they had visited last time but it still smelled good and was full of scrumptious looking pastries.

"My treat," said Roran as they picked out a handful of sweets. "I did well in the first round and have a little extra coin."

"Well, if you insist."

Karyn loaded up on pastries while Roran settled for a couple of oiled rolls. They left the bakery with their arms loaded, wandering the streets while snacking on the baked goods.

"Do you think I'll survive the next round?" Roran asked between bites.

"Of course! You'll do great."

"Are you going to bet money on me?"

Karyn shook her head. "I never gamble. Besides, I don't have enough coin to gamble it away."

"What about the final round, think I'll win the whole tourney?"

Karyn paused, tilting her head to think about it. After a few moments, she said, "I don't know, probably. But it will cost you."

Roran nodded. "You said that before."

Karyn shrugged. "I can read bits and pieces but I can't actually see the future. You'd have to find a prophet for that. All I know is that something powerful walks beside you."

"Death walks in my shadow. You said that before."

"That's not necessarily a bad thing. Especially not for someone that makes a living in the arena."

"I guess. I just don't like killing. Even when I killed Duran today, it felt wrong. It almost felt like I was becoming like him, becoming a murderer."

"Maybe becoming a little like him isn't a bad thing. You're going to kill a lot of people on your journey. Being able to accept that will help you do what needs to be done without losing who you are. Just remember that your enemies are people too, even if you have to kill each other in the end."

"I'll keep that in mind," said Roran. "Thank you."

In response, Karyn leaned in and gave Roran a hug. "You should get going. You have a big day tomorrow," she said.

"I guess I do. Can you do me a favor?"

Karyn tilted her head in a silent question.

"Avoid Morena for a while, just until the tourney is over."

"I will," she said. Then smiled and added, "Of course, he'll be dead by then."

"One of us will be. Good night Karyn."

"Goodnight."

Roran left Karyn and returned to the Crucible. Wandering around the large structure, he hoped that he would happen to find Chase, but he didn't have any luck and gave up after an hour of wandering around. Ensuring that his dagger was well hidden inside his boot, and that his coins wouldn't rattle around, Roran returned to the dungeons below.

Naturally, Murrin was waiting for him. Instead of yelling at him or berating him, Murrin stared at Roran with an odd expression. After an awkward silence he said, "Welcome back Roran. Glad to see you're recovering from your injuries."

"Uh, thanks?"

"That was an impressive display you put on."

"Oh, right." Roran had forgotten that Murrin and the others had seen him fight. "I got lucky."

Murrin pursed his lips, looking Roran over. "New boots?"

"Tomorrow is an agility contest."

"Quite right. Those should come in handy then. Listen, Roran, we should talk."

"What about?"

"Do you remember our previous conversation?"

Roran nodded.

"It has to do with that. Do you mind if we sit?"

Roran settled down onto the ground, careful that his new possessions didn't slip out of his boot. Murrin settled down across from him.

"It's not a secret that I had relations with your mother," Murrin said, "I'm one of many that sought her services."

Roran bit down on his tongue. This was going to be another conversation about sleeping with his whore of a mother. Roran bit down harder, focusing on the pain to distract from the anger bubbling inside him.

"While there were others," Murrin continued, "I think there was a special bond between your mother and I. She was the only woman to truly understand me. She made me feel like I could do the things I needed to do. After a long day of arguing with the other councilmen, relaxing in her arms was the only thing that made me feel human again. I don't know how to tell you this, Roran, but I'm your father."

"Okay."

"There's no doubt in my mind. You have my cheekbones and my eyebrows. We must be related. You must understand boy, why I had to be so hard on you. With you being my child, there are expectations that must be met. You have to contribute as much to this town's success as I do. Millgrove won't survive without us. That's why I was so hard on you, to make you better, stronger. You understand?"

"Okay."

"Good, I'm glad we were able to clear the air. Now, there is something I've been meaning to ask you. Our captors have been letting you come and go freely."

Roran felt his stomach drop. This conversation was not going to end well.

"The clerk said you have 'gladiator rights.' What does that mean?"

Roran swallowed and said, "It means I'm allowed to move about the city freely. It's not the same as being a citizen, I still can't get a job, but I'm allowed to move about the city, buy weapons and supplies, and interact with citizens."

"I see, I see. Now, how do you prove that you're a gladiator? There must be some way to prove it, otherwise everyone would just claim to be one."

Sighing, Roran pulled his marker medallion out of his pocket and showed it to Murrin. "It's how they identify people in the city. Kell sponsored me and paid all of the fees to have it made. With her backing, I was granted gladiator's rights. It has my name and face on it, so I'm the only one that can use it."

Murrin extended a hand. "May I see it?"

Hesitant, Roran handed the medallion over. Murrin turned it over and over again in his hand.

"What are these symbols?" he asked.

"The city uses a phonetic alphabet to inscribe non-native words, those are the symbols assigned to me."

Murrin blinked at him.

"That's my name."

"Huh, an awful lot of symbols for a two syllable name."

Roran just nodded, grateful that Murrin couldn't read the symbols.

Murrin flipped the coin over and examined the portrait of Roran's face. "We look so similar, you and I."

Roran shrugged. If there were any similarities, Roran couldn't see them.

"Well, I should let you go to sleep. You have a big day tomorrow." To Roran's surprise, Murrin returned the marker medallion without any fuss.

"Thanks," said Roran, watching as Murrin rose to his feet and departed.

More than a little concerned, Roran went to his spot against the wall. He settled in, careful not to let anything slip out of his new boots, and closed his eyes. Sleep was slow to come.