Playing the Game

Chapter 23: The Moment

This was it... the moment I'd been waiting for.

The scruffy man and I stood in the middle of the arena, waiting for the gate to open and reveal my brother for battle. The crowd was overwhelmed by their excitement, pushing each other to get a better view of the sands below. The Emperor had made a rousing speech in honour of his son's upcoming nuptial, and then capitalized on the crowd's enthusiasm for seeing the son of Augustus die in the arena by having them pledge their fealty to the Romallian Empire. It was nothing out of the ordinary, but it annoyed me nevertheless. I waited impatiently for him to finish his speeches so we could get on with it.

And now the moment had come.

The gate lifted with a heavy grunt, metal on metal as the chains screeched with the weight of it. Two guards emerged first; one had his sword at the ready while the other pulled his prisoner into the light.

My heart fluttered and I almost lost my breath.

My brother moved slowly, shackled at his wrists and ankles for good measure. He was covered head to toe in arena armor, including a helmet that obstructed my view of his face. I wondered if he had already spotted me. I wanted to run to him and lift his visor, to look in to the eyes of my better half and know that everything was finally going to be alright.

I must have taken an unconscious step forward; the scruffy man wrapped a hand around my wrist and pulled me back.

"Don't react." He mumbled, "We need to stick to the plan, Candra."

I nodded, and then turned my attention back to my brother.

The group of them stopped a dozen feet away from us. The guard who was pulling him along let go of the reigns, pulled out a key, and began to release him from his shackles. He took a step back, unsheathed his sword and tossed it in the sand in front of him. He then marched back to the main gate with the second guard before the gate was closed once more.

Marcus didn't miss a beat. He bent down and picked up his sword, ready for battle.

I frowned in confusion. "He's so close to me. How does he not-"

"Not everybody can see that you're a girl as easily as I could." He interrupted.

"Obviously..." I replied with sarcasm, mentally listing the amount of people who had figured it out.

Scruffy Man.

Kilgorian.

Evander.

Well, the latter technically didn't realize on his own: I distinctly remember revealing myself to him in his smelting shop to save my skin. But he probably would have got it himself if he had more time, and if we weren't mid-battle.

But even as a boy, Marcus should have recognized me. I mean, I look like HIM...

I turned back to the scruffy man, "Even as a boy, he should see me."

"Cut the kid some slack, Candra. He has a helmet obstructing his vision." He waited for me to settle before continuing, "Once you get close enough, just talk to him. He won't be able to deny you then..."

Right. Stick to the plan.

The Emperor raised his arms to quiet the roaring crowd so they could hear the commencement. The scruffy man and I lifted our swords and hastily threw our helmets on. Ours were designed without visors, but I still felt a little blinded on the sides. I was starting to understand Marcus' plight, so I had to concede and cut him some slack.

Inhale.

The Emperors fist was raised.

Exhale.