Adriana ran to her husband as he entered their chambers.

He fell into her arms, soaked in sweat and trembling like a baby animal left out in the snow.

“Mattiew...Thank the Emperors you’re alive.” Adriana whispered.

“I...I shouldn’t be.” His voice was unsettlingly hollow. “That woman. The Sun Killer. She should’ve ended me.”

“Gods, what happened? I...I couldn’t see what she was doing.” She wiped a glaze of sweat and dirt from his forehead “Let me get your armor off. You need a bath.”

She started untying the leather strips holding his armor in place.

“How is it possible, Adriana?” Mattiew asked, “How is it possible for someone to wield that power?”

Adriana stood and poked her head out of the door to their chambers, catching sight of a maid walking by, “Maid, I need you to run a bath.”

“Of course, Lady Nikoliades.” the maid bowed her head before hastening her step.

Adriana slipped back into the chambers and pulled Mattiew’s chestplate off of him before sitting him down on their bed. He’d fallen quiet, his eyes staring off into nothing.

She could feel the tension in his muscles through his shirt.

After taking off his bracers, greaves and boots, she looked at him again. His gaze was distant and resigned. “Mattiew. What happened?”

“Semiramis found me. She wanted to fight.” Mattiew began, “She demanded we face each other, iron against iron. Even though we both knew she could kill me at any time. She toyed with me, to show how even my greatest edge paled in comparison to her. And it worked. Because it was true.”

Adriana had heard rumors of the Sun Killer’s might. And those alone made her afraid. She couldn’t imagine what it was like for Mattiew, who already felt out of his element, to have that power be wielded against him.

“I...I saw my own death. Like I was seeing the future. My life flashed before my eyes. She was an agent of fate itself who came to put me in my place. I don’t even care about her sorcery. Everything was just…what the fuck...”

Mattiew hugged his knees close to his chest. Adriana took a seat next to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, attempting to console him physically.

“I was so...by Irkalla, I don’t know. Terrified? Resigned? Whatever feeling that was, it made me want to vomit. But I couldn’t because every single bone in my body decided to become stone.” Mattiew let out a quivering breath.

Adriana gently, but tightly embraced him, “Darling, you’re alive. That’s all that matters.”

“Only because the preliminaries ended.” Mattiew muttered.

Adriana pressed her head to his shoulder. “Ancient Kings...this is all my fault. I never should’ve let you fight.”

“What?” Mattiew looked at her for the first time since he’d stumbled back into the room. “Adriana, this is not your fault.”

“Really?” Adriana asked, a new weight crushing her chest. “I’m the one they cursed. I’m the one making you risk your life for my safety.”

“Well…” Mattiew said, voice barely above a whisper. “Whatever the case, I’m not going to stop. If throwing myself in the way of the Sunkiller is how you get to live, I’ll do it. I’m just...a little shaken.”

“Mattiew…” Adriana sighed. “You can’t-”

“I can. And I will. You were right.” Mattiew’s panicked breaths calmed. “I’m still alive. The gods turned a blind eye. I’ll be ready next time. I’ll...I’ll work it out. I always do.”

Mattiew finally returned her embrace and buried his face into her shoulder. Adriana froze up like a young maiden. Mattiew wanted to do this. She would do the same in his position. She had no right to demand he stop.

She cradled his head in silence as the minutes passed by. They held each other until Mattiew finally spoke again.

“Ancient Kings, I feel pathetic.” Mattiew scoffed, though still quieter than usual.

“You know you aren’t.” Adriana said.

“I can’t help feeling like a toddler who got a scrape on his knee and went crying to his mother.” Mattiew said, “Granted, being threatened with evisceration is a bit different from that.”

“I think anyone who could stare death in the face and feel no fear is either an idiot or has nothing to live for. So don’t feel too bad.” Adriana said, “And neither of us were gifted with very happy households. I give us a pass to act like children from time to time.”

Mattiew drew away from her, “I just realized...I made it.” he looked back to her, an expression of disbelief plastered across his face.

Adriana let a smug grin spread over her face as she pecked him on the cheek, “See, that’s the sort of thing that’s worth our time.”

“I’m in!” Mattiew started to laugh, but was soon overwhelmed by a confusing mixture of emotions.

He wore everything on his sleeve as plain as day when no one else was around. Adriana reminded herself how much she enjoyed that privilege.

Mattiew returned to her and planted a kiss on her lips. Then another. And another until they nearly fell off the bed.

Adriana steadied herself and put a finger on Mattiew’s lips, “Let’s not get ahead ourselves. We still have work to do before we can...celebrate.”

“What work?” Mattiew asked.

“Your little stunt distracted me from gathering information on your competition.” Adriana said with a playfully disdainful tone. “And you still need to summon your champion. You don’t want to end up doing the ritual after all the good ones are taken.”

“Yeah, we’ll definitely do that.” Mattiew wrapped his arms around her waist, “But I mean...we are alone. In a room with decently thick walls. Not to mention the bath you had waiting for us…”

Adriana rolled her eyes, but smiled, “I suppose I’ll allow you to wash my back.”

“Only if you wash mine.” Mattiew smirked.

Although they were more than the people they fell in love with, Adriana found solace in the little glimpses of the charming bandit she met all those years ago. No matter what happened in this insane tournament, nothing could ever kill that version of him.

***

Mattiew wrinkled his nose at the scent of the Callione house’s cellar. Veyshtar was well known for its state of the art sewer systems and aqueducts. As a result, there was the odd chance that one’s subterranean floors might be right on the ass end of that system. Literally.

But it was the only place in the house suitable for chalk ritual circles.

Mattiew, on his knees with a half-depleted stick of chalk, looked back to the propped up papyrus scroll that outlined the summoning circle.

It was incredibly complex, especially for a commoner. Which made sense, considering he was bringing someone back from the dead.

Despite being told otherwise, part of Mattiew doubted the ritual would work for him.

He stood from his circle and grabbed the scroll to ensure every detail from the symbols in the sub circles to the parallelism of the lines running through the middle.

Everything seemed fine.

“This should do it…” He muttered.

Mattiew pricked his thumb with a small knife. He cut deep enough to draw a circle of blood in the middle of the innermost pattern, binding whoever was summoned to himself, then stepped away to begin the incantation.

“Let stand the Eightfold pact of the empires of man. From the stars in the night sky to the lowliest centers of the earth, forever may treacherous gods be bound. So long as they are bound, we shall never betray. We shall never be cruel. We shall never draw blood from the innocent. We shall never allow despair to consume us.” Mattiew started the incantation.

Golden shimmers in the air gave evidence to flowing mana. It was working.

“I humbly ask for the tools to prove my worth on the stage of human conflict. By the tenet of Remembrance, I ask thee, bequeath unto me, the wisdom of a champion of mankind. Show me the path upon which a true king walks so I may follow. Unveil the trials of ancient times and reveal to me the strength by which gods were slain. Curses upon Tiamat and Haadir. Upon Thaluna and Themostes. Upon Qarkhan and Yezrak. Upon Farua and Daerysa. Long live mankind.”

The whirling mana strands were moving with such force that He could see them clearly without a Bog Brew. They dragged the wind along with them, filling the room with a storm of mana. Mattiew held an arm up to his face as the wind began to kick up dust.

The mana shrank into a tiny bead of golden light before expanding past Mattiew. He squeezed his eyes shut until the wind died down.

A figure, obscured by dust stood before him. Their silhouette was two heads taller than himself. The Champion’s massive frame was bolstered by a full set of armor, including a plumed helmet that adorned their body.

His eyes locked with her striking gaze from sharp black pupils. Her eyes were narrow, like a Saryngol’s. As dust settled, more and more of the woman standing in the middle of the circle became visible.

The dim candle light reflected off the iron lamellar plates that coated her head to toe. Tattered cloth that maintained a bold crimson color flowed out from under her armor and gave way to a pair of metal boots that reached her knees. Attached to her hips were two large...well, Mattiew had never seen swords like these.

If he had to identify them, he’d call them cleavers. They were flat bars of iron as long as his arms, with a single edge and a spike at the top facing away from the business end.

“You there, boy!” She boomed like thunder, echoing throughout the room, “Tell me. Do you wish to be a king?”

***

Mattiew, Adriana, and Alo’aharu stared at the seven foot tall woman as she stuffed her face with any food she could get her hands on. And the maids just kept bringing her more.

Mattiew hid a smile behind his hand, while his wife looked on in horror. He could tell he was going to like this woman.

The table in the Callione house’s dining room, capable of hosting twelve or so people, was starting to fill up with dirty dishes.

The woman let a loud sigh out as she finished off another platter of food, “You living folk have no idea how hungry you get after your body rematerializes. I’m running on a pastry I ate the last time I was summoned!”

“So...what did you say your name was again?” Adriana asked.

The woman took a second to wave away the maids who were incoming with more food, “I’ve had enough, thank you. If you could bring me a large pitcher of water to wash this all down, I would be most grateful.”

To Mattiew, it seemed as though his summoned champion was more interested in indulging mortal pleasures than being a Champion.

The woman stood from her seat, like a whelming wave rising from the ocean, “Behold, mortals! I am Kalai, the Queen of Conquerors!” She held her arms out, basking in her own radiance. “You who would call upon my derelict spirit, join me. We shall share in all the world’s pleasures in our glorious conquest!”

“Impressive,” Mattiew tried to fill the silence that followed. At the very least, she spoke like a champion.

But Adriana grimaced, giving Mattiew a look.

“What?” Mattiew asked.

“Your friend here, little princeling, subscribes to the common misunderstanding that I am outranked by all other Champions of this grand tournament. She seems to forget history, for it was I who conquered each of those other heroes in life!” Kalai declared.

“This friend here is my wife, Adriana. My name is Mattiew. I’m not a prince.”

Kalai frowned, “Then what are you?”

“A bandit.” Mattiew said.

Kalai burst out laughing, “A bandit? Please, I’ve never met an honest bandit in my life!”

“I believe Mattiew was attempting to explain that he is not of noble origins and has a...checkered past when it comes to law.” Alo’aharu said.

“Well, a bandit is a very specific type of man, Mattiew the Commoner. A bandit preys on those weaker than them and sneaks away from the law with cowardice. I do not see such a weak heart in you.” Kalai said.

“Um, thanks?” Mattiew decided to ignore being dubbed ‘the Commoner’. “So...is Adriana right? Are you the weakest?”

“Depends on what strength means to you.” Kalai had neglected to take a seat as the pitcher of water she’d asked for was set in front of her. She grabbed the whole thing and started chugging.

“Let’s say sorcerous power.” Mattiew said.

Kalai sighed with relief after downing half the pitcher. “In the case of sorcery, yes I am the weakest. I was never a sorcerer in life. As such, my abilities with it are lackluster. But I single handedly dominated the sorcerer kings of Saryngol steppe and united all the tribes under one dynasty. Sorcery is but a gadfly to my might.”

“Perhaps that would’ve been the case whenever you were alive,” Adriana said, “But you should know that centuries of cultivating magics have given birth to some houses that are nearly godlike in power.”

Kalai barked a laugh. “Cultivating magics? No, you sorcerers have lost your original fires! The idea of one from this era slaying a god is laughable! I assure you, future King Mattiew, with me on your side, we will conquer in this tournament.”

Adriana opened her mouth to respond, but Mattiew put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

“Wait, so you were never a sorcerer?” Mattiew asked.

Kalai frowned. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

“Well it’s just...everyone claims sorcerers are descendants of the greatest heroes of history. The ones that stole power from the gods. The Queen of Conquerors was the ancestor of the Saryngols and you had jack for sorcery. It’s surprising, is all.”

Kalai scoffed. “Well it shouldn’t be. After all the times I’ve been summoned, you all still believe that twisted history of-”

“What is this?”

Mattiew, Adriana, Alo’aharu and Kalai turned to the entrance of the dining room, where Andar Callione stood, leaning on his cane.

“I’d heard someone was eating up all my food stores,” he croaked.

“This is Mattiew’s summoned champion, Father. Kalai the King Cleaver.” Adriana said.

Andar hesitated a moment before belting out a few chuckles and walking off, “Good luck, Nikoliades. You’ll need it.”

Kalai glared in the direction Andar left from. “I just bore witness to the love child of a rat and a leech.”

“That is...my father in law.” Mattiew muttered.

Kalai’s eyebrows raised. “And your Adriana was worth that thing?”

“Of course!” Mattiew and Adriana exclaimed in unison.

“Fair enough. So tell me, Mattiew...did the leech call you Nikoliades? Mattiew Nikoliades. What is it that drives you to become king?” Kalai asked.

Mattiew glanced towards Adriana as if asking ‘should I tell her?’

He got no answer, just a returned look of worry.

“Uh…” Mattiew stalled. “It’s kind of complicated.”

“I can digest it.” Kalai assured him.

“But…”

“Mattiew intends to win the crown and then pass it off to Lord Callione. Or as you call him, the leech.” Alo’aharu cut Mattiew off.

Kalai glared at Mattiew, disbelief and rage burning in her eyes. “You want to win this utmost of grand tournaments to give the crown away?”

“N-No!” Mattiew said, “Alo’aharu oversimplified things. A lot. Just...let me explain.”

Kalai narrowed her eyes, “Go on.”

Mattiew explained his circumstances from the curse of Adriana to the lies he was forced to tell his Scourgers.

Kalai pursed her lips and drew one of her cleaver swords, “Well let’s just go and kill these cowards.”

“No! No, no, no, no!” Mattiew snapped, “If we go after the Calliones, I know they’ll have some kind of bullshit failsafe that kills Adriana with them.”

Adriana nodded. “It’s rather likely.”

Kalai grumbled, “You’re really not willing to risk it? It could solve all your problems in one sweep.”

“No. I’m not putting her life in any more jeopardy than it’s already in. We’d only ever do that if she wanted us to.” Mattiew insisted, sitting up straighter.

“Thank you, my heart.” Adriana brushed a hand on his arm. He let her bring him to a more relaxed position. “Yes, I’ve run the scenarios through my head and unfortunately, beheading my parents is not an option. They don’t fear death.”

“Wait, do you intend to defy Lord Andar?” Alo’aharu asked.

Adriana turned to them. “And if you tell anybody both of us or whoever’s still alive will kill you, kill every living thing on this property, and burn the entire house down.”

Alo’aharu made a motion akin to gulp.

Mattiew had always believed that a little fear of your partner’s competence was key to a healthy marriage.

Kalai crossed her arms. “I am hardly of any use to matters of duplicity. I will entrust that side of things to you. But as for the tournament itself, even without sorcery, I will ensure that Mattiew understands what it means to conquer your foes!”

***

Adriana’s efforts to persuade the Callione House’s spymaster to join her couldn’t really be called efforts. It was almost too easy. She had Lagopis watching every move the spymaster made, just in case.

Spies were slow in building loyalty, but quick to change said loyalties.

But as long as ensuring they remained on her side was Lagopis’s problem, Adriana could move on to her next challenge.

Her talks with the head maid hadn’t quite produced the results she was hoping for, but a few negative consequences tacked onto the positive opportunities of supporting the coup would get what she needed from the house staff.

Adriana closed the door to her chambers behind her.

Mattiew was discussing...something with Kalai. They hadn’t exactly been clear as to what.

She liked to bounce ideas off Mattiew, but at the same time, he might prove to be a distraction. The existential threat to their lives made both of them more eager to just get in bed. Not exactly conducive to drawing up political strategy.

Adriana kicked her sandals off before collapsing onto their bed and staring up at the ceiling.

She was so close. Once she had the house staff in her hands, it was just a matter of bringing the guard to her side. But that was easier said than done for a number of reasons.

Still...only an obstacle and a half between herself and Mattiew and freedom. Some might call her impatient, but how was she not supposed to be eager?

“Just need those damn guards on my side.” She sighed.

“I don’t see that happening very soon.”

Adriana jerked up and threw herself over the side of her bed, drawing in mana with a hastened breath. She prepared her curse, scarlet arcs of lightning coursing over her body.

The man who had come over and prevented the Sunkiller from erasing Mattiew off the earth during registration stood on her balcony, the curtains fluttering around him.

He was clad in a mixture of tight linens and bronze armor, his face uncovered.

“You…” Adriana muttered. “What do you want? Who are you?”

The man took a step off the balcony, which prompted Adriana to grab the javelin Mattiew had hidden under the bed. She threatened to throw it.

“I won’t miss…”Adriana said. “Now talk.”

The eerie composure he had entered with refused to leave his face as he returned to the balcony and folded his hands behind his back.

“I am Abil.” He said. “I am the spymaster of my lady Semiramis.”

“Why are you here? Aren’t there more threatening combatants for you to spy on?” Adriana spat. “Fuck off!”

Abil had the audacity to chuckle. “I don’t need to do any spying, girl. And if I did, I certainly wouldn’t come here in person. I’ve come to let you know the dangerous waters you tread in. Your little ‘project’ has not gone unnoticed.”

Adriana narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“A coup against the Callione House? That’s almost as big a deal as planning to overthrow one of the Eight Empires without a duel.” Abil said. “Other nobles will find out. And when they do, they will come to your father’s aid.”

Adriana gritted her teeth. “Why? Don’t they want fewer adversaries?

“This is bigger than the Bellirex, girl.” Abil sighed. “Alliances are forming. Especially after House Diamedes arranged a marriage with House Tammuz.”

Adriana’s eyes widened, but she suppressed the shock from rising to the rest of her face. “Diamedes and Tammuz are marrying? Why didn’t I know about this?”

“Because I chose not to share it with you until now.” Abil said.

“Ancient Kings…” Adriana muttered. She knew Diamedes was marrying...but to Tammuz? They were both extremely powerful families under the crown of Acerno. Such an alliance...such a combination of sorceries would threaten all other houses within the kingdom.

“I can help you, Adriana.” Abil said.

“That marriage alliance has nothing to do with me. Besides, none of this would be happening if my father left my husband and I well enough alone. Moreover, what possible reason could you have to help me? Callione is a strong house. One that could oppose Tammuz and Diamedes.”

“As I said, there are more factors at work here. Perhaps it would do you well to find out why your father insists that your husband fights to win the Ouroboros of Tiamat.” Abil said. “Would it truly be something as shallow as a power grab?”

Adriana scrunched up her nose in disgust. “You don’t know my father.”

Abil shrugged. “Do as you wish. But in order to escape the machinations of noble houses, you must know what their motives are. If you change your mind and join me in my pursuit of knowledge, I would be a useful ally.”

Adriana lowered her javelin slightly. If nothing else, this man had proven himself a better spy than she could hope to have within her ranks.

And he was right. She and Mattiew had little to lose.

Still, she would have to be a fool to trust him. Something was going to come back and bite them if she agreed to this. She wasn’t a spymaster, but she knew enough to not take anyone’s words at face value.

“I’m done with noble games. I’m going to leave here without owing anyone favors.” Adriana said.

Abil sighed. “Do not blame me when your machinations fall to those much older and more thought out than your own.”

Adriana threw the javelin. Abil leaned a bit to the side, allowing it to fly past his face and into the night, clanking onto the stone paths of the courtyard.

“If you insist.”

Abil leaned backwards and let himself fall over the edge of the balcony. Adriana raced up to the railing, but he was nowhere to be seen, as if carried away by the wind.