Changing of the Glads (15 page)

“I know you are expecting to suffer the stones, but I don’t think that’s what they have in mind.  It’s all right.  Eat.”

Zalphia slid closer, grasped the edge of the tray, and then scooted back into the corner.

The guard smiled.  “There, I’ll be back in a while.”  He shoved his helmet back on his head and left.  

Almost twenty-four hours had passed since she had last eaten anything, and many years since she’d had something as succulent as the roasted chicken, steamed vegetables, and potatoes the tray held.  In spite of her swollen cheek and split lip, she gobbled it down as fast as she could, afraid at any moment they’d come and steal it away.  When the plate was empty, she set it next to the door, and again slid into the corner.  Not long after, the blond guard returned.  He unlocked the cell and retrieved the tray.

“Take these,” he said, holding out two blankets and a small pillow.

Zalphia remained in the corner, arms around her knees.

“It’s all right.  The Arena General wants you to be comfortable.”

She studied the guard’s face but didn’t reach for the offered items.

The guard set them down next to her.  “I know you could use them.  Don’t be afraid.  You’re safe, at least until the Emperor’s physician comes tomorrow.”

“Why do they care?” 

The guard shrugged.  “I wouldn’t question the generosity, just take them and be glad.  No other prisoner has gotten such treatment.  You must be special.”

Zalphia rolled her eyes.  If this was special, she could live without it.

He backed out of the cell and locked the door.  “Good night, Zalphia.”

She nodded.  He seemed kind in spite of what he was.  Spreading one blanket on the floor, she curled up on it, placed the pillow beneath her head, and pulled the second blanket over her. 

Flashes of Max’s face flitted across her mind’s eye.  No.  He wouldn’t save her, although she hoped he would reconsider and come back.  But he cared about saving this planet, not about her.  If there was any escape to be had, she would have to find a way.  Anger stirred inside, then
transformed into the most crushing pain.  She longed to have a life with him, but he had thrown that all away.  She couldn’t think about that, not anymore.  He had left her! 

Fear settled over her shoulders.  What would the Emperor and his physician do to her?  Could things possibly get worse?  She was sure they could, and they probably would before all was finished.  But for now, the tiredness deep in her bones begged for sleep that seemed to evade her.  However, in the end, exhaustion won out.

***

Darkness had long since faded, and the sun had already risen above the treetops when his mind settled and Max finally noticed his surroundings.  A vast crowd gathered in the streets and pressed against the gates to the arena.  Whispers of the people sounded like the wind blowing across the plains of his homeland.  He rose from his seat on the ledge of the fountain and edged closer to the milling throng.

“Have they said yet?” one woman whispered.

“No, but they took her before the Arena Board.  The Emperor is sending his physician,” another answered.

A man leaned close.  “I hear she is the one who will fulfill The Prophecy.”

“Excuse me?” Max said to a small gray-haired man who stood just at the back of the crowd.

The man looked over his shoulder then backed against those facing the arena.  His narrow face paled, and his eyes widened.  “I didn’t do anything,” he said, raising both hands in front of him.

Max glanced down and realized the man was reacting to his Armor uniform and the threat it represented
.  “I mean you no harm.”

The man slowly lowered his hands.  “What can I do for you?”

Max waved the man away from the rest of the crowd. 

The man hesitated for a moment, and then, head hanging, he followed Max to the other side of the street.  Relief spread across the man’s face when he realized he wasn’t being arrested.

“I know you think I am an Arena official, but that is not the case.”  Max glanced around, making sure no soldiers were within earshot.  “I’m Maximillion, the Glad.”

The man’s brow furrowed.  “No, you’re not.  Everyone knows what he looks like, and you are not he.”

Max stiffened.  Why didn’t this man recognize him?  Then he remembered.  He’d become so used to projecting the image of a normal Afri, one with skin a lighter color of bronze and deep brown eyes.  He smiled, then let his mind slip into the man’s, wiping away the projected image and showing this citizen what he really looked like.

The man’s eyes widened.  “It can’t be.  Why you... you
are
him.”

Max nodded.

“But you escaped with Zalphia.  How come she is back and you are letting her fight?  Don’t you know who she is?”

“What do you mean?”  Of course he knew who she was, but what could these people know of her?

The man grabbed Max by the arm and dragged him into the closest alleyway.  Once hidden from view, the man whispered.  “They suspect Zalphia is the one to fulfill The Prophecy.”

“Prophecy?  What prophecy?”  Max studied the man’s face.  He seemed nervous, as if being overheard could end his life.

The man’s brow creased.  “You’ve never heard of The Prophecy?   Even those who’ve never seen it, hear that it exists.  Now, it is rumored that No Mercy Zalph will fulfill it.”

Max shook his head.  “No, I have never heard of it.  How is it that all of those people know of it?”

The man cleared his throat, clearly nervous.

“I promise.  Your secret will be safe with me,” Max said.

The man glanced behind him as if even the wind might carry his words and he would be discovered.  “All who worship in the cathedrals and have proved their faith to the one true God are shown The Prophecy.  It is hidden in the inner sanctum of a church, in a secret room only the priests are allowed.  There, beneath an altar, The Prophecy is written on a golden plaque.  Very few are taken there, but if you are privileged to have seen it, as I have, then you will know that there are those who watch over this world.  Those whom God will send to end the terror we live in and give power back to the people.” 

“How may I witness this?” Max asked.

The man slipped a tarnished ring from his finger and laid it in Max’s palm.  “Show this to the priest.  Tell him Zebrone sent you.  I promise, you will see, and then you can save Zalphia from the Emperor.”

“But why do so few know about this?”

The man shuddered.  “The Emperor kills all who think The Prophecy has yet to be fulfilled.  He believes that he is the one.  Go, see for yourself.  Just past the market, you will find the Cathedral of the Saints.  Ask for Father Michael.  If you tell him I sent you and show him my ring, then you will know for yourself.”

“Thank you, my friend.  I shall.”  Max curled his fingers around the ring. 

This could be the key to saving Zalphia.

CHAPTER 16

The hinges of the door creaked, and Zalphia awakened.  Had she really slept?  In spite of the turmoil inside her mind, her body had taken over, grasping what she so desperately needed.  The aroma of roasted meat wafted down the stairs, and she rolled toward the flickering light that accompanied the smell.

The blond guard set his lantern on a small ledge carved into the wall then turned toward her.

“Brought breakfast, compliments of the Arena General.”  He slid the tray beneath the bottom lip of the door. 

Zalphia flung the top blanket aside, crawled forward, and grabbed the tray.  She retreated to where she’d spent the night.  Four strips of savory meat, a large pile of scrambled eggs, and two biscuits dripping with butter adorned a plate nestled on the tray.  A small carton of milk also lay to one corner.  Zalphia couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed such a delicious breakfast, although many times she watched Platy consume the same sort of fare. 

The guard cocked his head and watched as she eagerly devoured mouthful after mouthful, relishing each decadent bite.

For the first time in months, the food settled calmly in her stomach.  The queasiness that had become her constant companion seemed to have fled.  When she finished, she pushed the tray back under the bars.

“You were really hungry,” the guard said.

Zalphia stared at him.

He grabbed the tray and straightened.  “So, I hear you’re meeting the Emperor’s physician today.”

She shrugged.

He crouched next to the bars then glanced around.  “Is it true?”

Zalphia’s brow knitted. “Is what true?” 

“The rumors.”

“What rumors?”

“You’re kidding, right?”  He rolled his eyes.  “Are you here to fulfill The Prophecy?”

“What?”

The door creaked at the top of the stairs, and the blond guard leapt to his feet and put a finger to his lips.

What was he talking about?

Another guard, this one older and more rotund, descended the stairs.

“Good Morning, Taebor.  Is she ready?” he asked the blond.

“Yes, Captain.  She just finished.”

“Good.”  The captain motioned to Zalphia.  “Well, let’s get going.”

Zalphia stood and waited for the cell door to be unlocked, still studying the blond’s face.  He obviously didn’t want her to repeat what he said.

The door swung open, and the captain motioned for her to step out.  Where would she be taken now?  She was surprised when they escorted her to a Glad cell, and even more so when they gave her a cushion to sit on.

“You’ll wait here until the physician is ready for you,” the captain said.

Zalphia took the cushion and positioned it close to the alleyway where the warming rays of the sun could reach her.  The cool dampness of the dungeon seeped clear to her core.  Although the direct rays usually overwhelmed her with sweat and dehydration, she now reveled in the warming beams.  Calm settled around her, and in spite of being unsure of what would happen next, she breathed a sigh of relief.  At least for today, she would not be required to compete inside the arena. 

Max’s face loomed in her thoughts, his angular jaw and the strange dark eyes she knew shouldn’t be there.  Could he so easily change his own appearance that those around him would have no idea who he was?  It boggled her mind to think what they could do if she had that same ability.  She thought back to the day she’d sat in a cell in this same arena, and he showed her what it would be like to enjoy freedom. 

If only she could have that again. 

Memories of the babbling brook and wispy tree settled over her like a thick fog.  If all it took was to simply think about them and it could be so, then she would concentrate.  But no matter how much she hoped or dreamed, they still would remain out of reach.  Unless... 

No!  He left her to face her fate alone.  She needed to forget about him, about what he promised.  He wouldn’t save her.  No one would help her.

Leaning her forehead against the cool steel of the bars, she let a single tear slide down her cheek.  Soon she would be hauled off to see the Emperor’s physician. 

It didn’t matter.  This was the end.  She could feel it.  One way or the other, Platy would have her revenge and Zalphia would die.  Why didn’t they just get it over with?  Why keep her alive?

She opened her eyes, lifted her chin, and turned to watch the fights. 

The arena.  This had been her home, her way of life for many years.  She’d always pictured dying here, but not like this.  She would rather have fought to the end, facing her fate at the hand of another Glad.  Not going out as a coward being crushed between the stones.  But if she were to die, at least Platy would go down with her.  A smirk crossed her lips.  That made all of the heartache almost worth it.

But what exactly would her trainer be losing?  Money?  Most definitely.  Hopefully she would suffer death also.  Then would someone be left behind?  Someone who would miss her?  Zalphia never witnessed a man at Platy’s side, but she hoped there was one.  One that Platy would think about as she met the same fate as her Glad.  A smile curved Zalphia’s lips at the thought.  Yes, she hoped Platy would know what it felt like to lose everything. 

The sun finally reached midday, and the Clubbers retired to the grand ballroom for lunch.  Quiet settled over the arena.  All the Glads would be resting, gathering strength for the afternoon matches.  The clinking of breastplates drew closer, and Zalphia watched as the same two guards from earlier approached her cell.  They stopped and looked down at her.  The captain glared while the blond guard’s eyes seemed to whisper an apology for what he was about to subject her to.

“Going to make trouble?” the captain asked.

Zalphia shook her head.  She stood while they raised the bars, then followed the blond as the captain brought up the rear.  They led her through the trainer’s lounge and down the hallway to the arena infirmary. 

The blond opened the door.  “Excuse me, Physician.  She’s here.”

As they entered, a man at least six-foot-six met them.  He looked her up and down. 

“So, this is her?” he asked the captain.

“Yes.”

The physician bobbed his head.  “Thank you, guards.  You may leave.”

The captain stepped forward.  “We are to guard her at all times.”

The physician glared.  “Do you see another way out of this room?”

“No,” the captain said.

“Then you are welcome to remain outside the door.  I have examinations to perform, and you are not cleared to observe.”

“But –”

“But nothing.  You will wait outside.”

The captain glared at Zalphia.  “Just so you know, she has killed a guard while in an infirmary.”

“I understand.  I’ll be fine.  Now, please, wait outside.”

The captain shrugged.  “Fine.  If you need us, just call out.”

“I will.”  The physician closed the door behind the guards then turned and folded his arms across his chest.

His warm smile put Zalphia at ease.  However, she scanned the room looking for a means of escape.  When she didn’t discover one, her attention turned back to the man who now leaned against the wall.

“There’s no way out.”

She shrugged.  “Can you blame me for looking?”

He grinned and stared at her.

Zalphia studied his face.  It was almost like looking at her reflection in a bucket of water, although a masculine version of her.  Dirty blond hair graced the top of his head.  The same sloping nose and high cheekbones matched hers exactly. Even his lanky frame resembled hers.  Only his eyes marred the resemblance as they reminded her of clouds before a severe thundershower.  Ominous and gray.  Who was he?

His eyes narrowed, and he seemed to be waiting for something.

What was he waiting for?  Her to try something?

“Well,” he said.

“Well what?”

Surprise widened his eyes.  “Oh, I see.”

“What do you see? “ Zalphia asked.

He shook his head.  “Nevermind.  It’s nothing.  Well then.”  He motioned to the exam table.  “Shall we get started?”

The normally cold metal surface was covered with a fuzzy blanket.  Zalphia looked from him to the table, afraid of what might come next.

His brows lifted.  “It’s all right.  I’m not here to harm you.” 

He again motioned to the table, and Zalphia complied, sitting on the welcoming warmth of the blanket.  A chill raced up her spine.  Nothing good ever came to her in a room such as this, only pain and torture.

“I suspect you’re wondering why they sent for me?” the physician said as he came and stood beside her.

Zalphia met his gaze for a moment.  “Yes, actually.”

“Hmm.  You were so young when you entered the training center.  I guess you’ve never heard of The Prophecy, have you?”

Again, this prophecy thing.  “No, but you’re the second one to mention it today.”

“I am?”  His eyebrows peaked.

“Yes, you are.”

“Oh, well, I suppose... oh, never mind.  Please lie down, and we’ll get started.”

“You’re not going to tell me?”  Zalphia asked as she lay back on the table.

He chuckled.  The sound reminded her of Max, and a deep longing burned through her chest. 

The physician laid a hand on her arm.  “I’m sorry.”

“What?”  Confused by his words, Zalphia looked into his stormy eyes.

“I should have known that you wouldn’t be able to feel me.”

Feel him?  What did he mean by that?

“Nevermind.”  He smiled, but only one side of his lips turned up.

Could it be?

“Max?” Zalphia studied the face before her.  In the arena, Max appeared differently, but this transformation far superseded that.

“What?  No, no.”  He shook his hand in front of him. 

The pieces of her shattered heart had longed for it to be Max, and disappointment surged through her.

“My name is Karaticus.”

She raked her teeth across her bottom lip.  This man looked like her, but parts of him reminded her of Max.  She must be going crazy.  Or maybe she so wished for Max to sweep in and save her from any more torture that she was seeing things which weren’t there.

“Oh.”  Zalphia closed her eyes, afraid to speak or even look at the man hovering over her.

“Are you all right?”

The touch of his hand on her cheek brought her eyes back open.

“Yes.”

He searched her face as if looking for something hidden there.  Then he stepped back.  “Okay then.  Shall we proceed?”

Zalphia only nodded as she watched this stranger that seemed familiar, yet not.

“If I recall, you trained with another Glad.  Odette, I believe her name was.”

Zalphia thought back to the early days of training. After the first time in the arena, when she had been stabbed, she had spent weeks in the infirmary.  Odette, another Glad that came from the same training camp as her, had occupied the bed beside her. 

“I think so,” Zalphia said thoughtfully.

Now she remembered where she heard about the feeling of butterflies inside.  Odette mentioned that every time she felt these so-called butterflies, her trainer would send her to the infirmary.  They’d do a scan then perform surgery.  However, she didn’t seem to know what it all meant.

“I thought you might.”

“How do you know her?”

“Because I’m the one they called to take care of her
problem
.  Her trainer abused her.  And each time he got her pregnant, he’d send for me.”

“Pregnant?”

“Yes.”  He pulled a large scanner next to the bed.  “She had a child growing inside of her.”

Zalphia cringed.  Why was he telling her about Odette?  What did that have to do with her? Could he be telling her about Odette, because...

Was that what was wrong with her?  Was she pregnant?

“Yes, I suspect you are.”

Cold shivers slid across her shoulders.  He just answered a question she hadn’t asked.  Only one other person could do that.  Max.  If they were the only two from Selestia, then who was this man? He seemed to be able to read her thoughts and answer questions she hadn’t voiced.

“I’m going to do a scan.” 

“And then you’ll know?”

“Not yet, I’m afraid.”  He patted the machine he positioned over her. “This will detect any chips you may carry without activating them.  If your trainer hasn’t implanted anything, then we can answer the question everyone is asking.”

“And what would that be?”

“I thought you might have figured it out by now.  They suspect you carry the child of prophecy.”

Her head shot up.  “The what?”

He gazed intently at her for a moment before he answered, “The child foretold who will turn this world upside down, dethrone the Emperor, and put an end to the evil that has overcome the planet.”