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Laamar was pulling her back onto the bed and showering her with kisses when a flash of lightning illuminated the room. For a split second, everything went white. The thick glass and iron walls of the summer residence reverberated with the burst of light, holding it like a diamond in front of a flame.

Darjin stiffened, certain that this was no ordinary omen of rain. It had been too powerful, and no thunder had followed.

"What was that?" she asked more to herself than to Laamar.

"Nothing you need to worry about," he whispered. He rubbed against her like a cat craving attention, tickling her earlobes, nibbling at her neck.

Darjin freed herself from his grasp, annoyed, her senses aflame with uncertainty. She turned, reached the window and gasped.

Another flash, then another and another. Darjin covered her eyes and shook her head, trying to clear the bright streaks that had marked her vision for a few moments.

When her vision cleared, she gasped. Above the Black Amphitheater, suspended in the air like a shimmering silver insect, flew the Lethenium Dart.

Darjin knew that reverent awe should have filled her mind. She was certain that simple worship of her Lord should have silenced her. Instead, her thoughts were consumed by a single voice.

It was clear, crystal clear, terrifying. It told her that she should be down there, beside Shadi. It was whispering that something terribly wrong was about to happen in the Amphitheater.

She decided to listen to it.

The Lethenium Dart was large, graceful, and terrifying at the same time.

Shadi watched the night sky with wide eyes. Until recently, there had only been a beautiful blanket of stars up there. Now the flying ship filled the panorama with its pointed silhouette, a bold cross between the shape of a dragonfly and that of an arrow. Of course, she knew nothing of this beast, forged from the iron of the gods, but she wondered how it could hover above the void without making a sound, not even the faintest.

She turned to Andik and found him, too, with his nose pointed at the Dart. But there was more than astonishment in his look. The Ensin's eyes were somber, overshadowed by a concern she was not sure she wanted to understand.

A crack opened in the belly of the Dart. Compared to the size of the machine, it seemed little more than a scratch. The opening widened quickly, emitting a soft glow that grew in intensity and settled into the shape of a large circle of light. Something was moving there. Dark points emerged from the glow and began to slowly descend.

At first, Shadi didn't understand what they were, but she soon caught the outlines of the silhouettes.

Not objects.

Children of the gods.

The Masters.

She clung to the railing and covered her eyes with one hand, as if staring into the summer sun and in danger of being blinded by it.

The figures descended from the Dart gracefully, as if their feet were supported by panes of glass. As they approached, Shadi was able to count them. There were eleven of them, two in the center and nine forming a circle around them. In the eerie silence that had filled a place made for dancing and celebration, she looked for her parents. They were nearby, in the company of Ensin Korr, their eyes fixed upward, entranced by the apparition.

When she returned to observe the celestial figures, she was amazed to find them now near the level of the second circle, and could finally make out their features. The nine figures arranged in a circle were warriors. Clad in red armor as translucent as ruby, their faces hidden behind masks that could only be described as expanses of diamonds, they wielded long black staffs with blades shining like white gold at their ends. As they descended for the first round, the warriors raised their weapons and pointed them at the onlookers.

"Kneel before King Zayr, Lord of the Tutors!" they shouted in unison. Their baritone voices resounded in the Amphitheater like the thunder Shadi had been waiting for, but which had never come after the lightning.

Shadi noticed that all the other guests had already bowed deeply, some even touching the glass with their foreheads. Andik was on his knees, looking at her in confusion, perhaps wondering what she was waiting for. She hoped no one else had noticed her reluctance to show proper respect to their Lord, and prayed that even if they had, they would not think her a blasphemer.

Kneeling, she saw only her own breath spread across the glass, creating circles of evaporating moisture, one after the other. It felt like she'd been in this position forever when she finally heard God's voice.

"On your feet, my children," Zayr urged them.

Shadi's heart leapt, overwhelmed by the warmth and confidence of the voice. It pulsed with magnetic power. She raised her head and met Andik's gaze. The Ensin helped her to her feet and remained at her side as the god-king spoke again.

The beauty of what she saw overwhelmed her.

Zayr was astonishing. He stood tall, far taller than any man or woman she had ever seen, towering even over the red guards who had surrounded him on the descent and lined his flanks in neat rows. Her Lord wore a long blood-red robe inlaid with rubies. His massive shoulders were accentuated by Lethenium plates finely decorated with bas-relief motifs. An asymmetrically cut cloak ran down his back in overlapping draperies, as if the fabric were ready to transform into wings.

But all this opulence was nothing compared to the most dazzling jewel of all: his own face.

Zayr had wheat-blond hair, long and free on his shoulders, tanned skin, and eyes as bright as the clear morning sky. His beauty defied anyone who had tried to describe it. Yet Shadi found him familiar. Could it be that the drawings in one of her father's old books were so true to reality? Could it be that the stories in the Hymns to the Reasons had given her such a clear idea of the Lord's physiognomy? It had to be.

"You instill a profound sense of pride within me. Your presence here this evening, despite facing considerable challenges, is a striking manifestation of resilience. Your steadfast allegiance serves as the bedrock upon which our nation's foundations are built. I hereby express my profound respect and admiration for you, Lugalens. I offer my blessings to your families, your sons, and your daughters," Zayr continued.

He smiled.

God smiled, and it almost seemed as if a new dawn had broken the night on the Lake of Currents.

Her parents appeared next to her. They said their goodbyes to Andik, who returned them with a look of mild frustration, as if someone had just snatched a molasses cake from under his nose. Then they led her to the nearest stairs leading to the first round.

As she followed them, Shadi felt dazed. She could feel the electricity in the air from Zayr's mere presence. He seemed to be made of pure kinetic energy; his mighty body could undoubtedly crush the entire world.

She descended the great staircase that wound around the circumference of the circle and turned her gaze to the other six identical ramps that were arranged at regular intervals. Each of them, of course, was traversed by other Lugalen families.

She felt foolish and selfish for completely ignoring these people. Not once had she turned her attention away from her own ordeal. If Andik hadn't mentioned the other survivors, she wouldn't have noticed them at all.

She had to be better than that, Shadi thought. She had to be more aware.

Oh, how she missed her brother Roben, how she wished she could have hugged him, told him about the kidnapping and everything she was going through at that very moment. He always understood, reassured, and made her laugh.

The descent was short, interrupted by the spectacular curved panels of the first floor. The glass walls sank into the black waters of the Lake of Currents. For all intents and purposes, the first level was below the surface. Large schools of fish of various colors and sizes flowed along the walls, drawn by the sounds and warm lights. They formed clouds, currents, trails, and vibrant waves of life and color.

Shadi filled her eyes with each creature they rested upon. Like jugglers and dancers in a monumental production, they lingered under her gaze, giving her their wild beauty. The splendor of the lake's underwater life gave way to that of the interior of the first level. The dark glass floor, which made her feel as if she could walk on the water itself, was dotted with an array of tables covered in red, gold, and silver fabrics and draperies. It was a vision at once grand and desolate, given the lack of guests to occupy it. Framing the circular floor plan was a series of red Lethenium statues, depicting images of battle, triumph, and omnipotence.

Shadi easily recognized Zayr in each of them. The intricate details of their workmanship were impressive.

A bevy of servants in black and red livery led them to the center of the level, where King Zayr had prepared a large round table for himself and the small group of guests.

As she approached, Shadi felt a knot tighten in her stomach, along with the increasingly difficult to ignore desire to burst out laughing hysterically. It seemed impossible for her to be there, in the presence of the ruler of Urook. It simply wasn't possible.

As the distance to the table cleared, she realized that she had missed another important presence. And hers had been an almost unforgivable oversight. For this second figure should have been, in her eyes as a young woman of marriageable age, almost more interesting than Zayr's.

It was him. The deity all the girls of Urook fabled. One of the three reasons why all the girls in Kenjir lost sleep, overwhelmed by dreams of glory, lust and splendor.

It was Reev, the only-born son of Zayr, Champion of Urook, who would participate in the Trials on behalf of the Tutors. Most importantly, he was one of the three candidates for the throne.

Perhaps she was looking at the future Negus.

Perhaps she was looking at the new Emperor of All.

The Lethenium creature lingered in the sky above the Amphitheater for a few moments.

Andik watched as it moved away, gently, as if reluctant to leave Zayr. It went to position itself near the suspension bridge that connected the structure to the shore residence.

Down below, at the level of the first floor that plunged into the black lake, Shadi Jan Hura took a seat at the King's great table, amidst her own parents.

The girl seemed overwhelmed by Zayr's presence, by his powerful voice, and yes, most likely by the astonishing beauty he and his son Reev radiated. The Champion of the Tutors resembled his father in an uncanny way. In fact, he seemed like a younger version of him, though of course no one would dare call Zayr old. Reev sat to his father's right, listening to him with his arms crossed. His military cut was similar to Andik's, but the Champion's stylists had made sure to leave his arms bare to show off his explosive musculature.

Andik knew that no ordinary man of Kenjir could ever be like that. There was no reason to doubt their divine nature. Thinking about Zayr and Reev helped distract him from more pressing matters for a few seconds. His Lord had seen fit to reveal himself just as the conversation with Shadi seemed to be going in the right direction. The girl had slipped from his grasp.

When would he get another chance to talk to her alone? He was disappointed that he had not been allowed to go below the second level.

"Did they take her from you?" Nalia appeared at his side. She looked amused, perhaps because of the wine she was sipping.

"I was close," he admitted. "I was close, I can feel it."

Nalia patted his shoulder. "Patience, my dear Ensin, patience. I bet this evening will not last very long. We'll just have to wait. You will be able to intercept the young woman before she returns to her quarters."

Andik really hoped so. He despised the thought of missing such a promising opportunity.

"Come with me. You must taste this wine." Nalia pulled him away from the parapet and the taste of defeat that poisoned his palate.

Shadi was safe. A part of Darjin accepted that thought and scoffed at the other, the one that was worried to the point of exhaustion. The one that made her want to grab her weapons and run to the Black Amphitheater.

These were not reasonable thoughts, no.

At this moment, Shadi should be with her parents, surrounded by the families of other Lugalens, and in the presence of the king himself, the Lord of Urook. A warrior god.

What could have happened to her?

Did Darjin have the right to interfere in a matter so far above her station?

Absolutely not.

And yet.

She turned, leaving Laamar at the window, and walked briskly to the closet. The stitched wounds groaned at this outburst, and she held back a moan. They would heal completely, the healers had told her, leaving scars that were as ominous as they were interesting, if she could just get a grip on herself.

But she couldn't.

Darjin had not sworn to be calm; she had not dedicated her life to the comfort of such luxurious rooms.

There was no sign of the blouse, breeches and cloak she had worn; they must have been ruined by now. The closet was filled with jackets and trousers, featherweight evening gowns, light shoes, and even shiny boots stashed on the bottom shelf. All in her size.

Gifts from Shadi?

A tribute from her parents?

Without giving it much thought, she slipped into a pair of beautiful black breeches that wrapped around her like a second skin, then pranced around, pulling on her boots. As she slipped into the long purple jacket, she turned.

Laamar was watching her with crossed arms and an expression that was hard to decipher.

She did not like it. It was as if his face had changed from one moment to the next into an impenetrable mask.

"It's not a good idea, I told you. You should enjoy the vacation, it might not last long."

She huffed, "You're right. But good ideas are often based on laziness. And I don't like laziness."

"The lazy die less than the industrious."

"True. To be honest, the idea of dying of boredom scares me more," she chuckled. With her jacket now buttoned, Darjin scanned for the blades given by the Lugalen and the Shield Band left by the Tamer.

Laamar stepped in front of her and took her by the hips.

"Stay with me. Just a little longer, just a little longer."

She rose to her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his forehead. "You should get dressed." She walked around him and reached for the dresser next to the bed. Maybe the weapons and the tape were there?

But she stopped short.

Laamar grabbed her wrist. His grip was not gentle, not romantic, not fiery or passionate.

It was excessive. It hurt her.

"You will not leave this room, Dagger."

Sitting at the large round table, Shadi felt as if she had been transported into one of the illustrated pages of her father's books. At the far end sat Zayr, flanked by his son Reev and surrounded by the Lugalens, their wives and daughters.

The first level, all around them, glowed with soft, fragmented light, casting a thousand different reflections off the dark stained glass windows. Shoals of shimmering fish, like forests of silver arrows, darted in every direction, while more imposing aquatic creatures peered out timidly near the great submerged lanterns. It seemed like a dream—the strangest and grandest she had ever experienced, more real than any other moment in her life.

Surrounded by water, her mind drifted back to memories that took her breath away. The icy river she had once plunged into, searching for a strength she feared she lacked, came to mind. Holding her breath and fighting the fear of the water, foolishness and recklessness had led her to rely too much on Darjin's protection. The experience had almost resulted in drowning and freezing. But now that fear was almost gone.

Maybe it had all been worth it. This thought comforted her. She tried, without much success, to concentrate on what King Zayr was saying. He spoke of strength, faith, loyalty. At one point he raised a goblet. "To the brave young women who gladden our hearts by their very presence." The impossible blue of his eyes rested on the faces of the girls sitting around his table.

Shadi felt her cheeks flush. There was everything in those celestial irises. She was pierced by that gaze and had the irrational certainty that her Lord had instantly read her mind, her heart, and seen every hidden corner of her soul.

Zayr's voice thundered again. "Tell me your stories, maidens. Tell me how you survived the beasts that dared to take you from your families."

Shadi felt the blood drain from her face even faster than she had blushed. The thought of speaking out loud in front of all these people, and especially in front of Zayr, terrified her. She had hoped to get through this evening by barely uttering a few syllables, nodding gracefully and smiling innocently.

Zayr shifted his attention to one of the young women sitting to her right. The girl rose, curtsied, and thanked her Lord for the honor of the request. She was tall, with tanned skin and a toned body, a musculature as strong as it was harmonious. Was she the one who had fought to free herself from her captors?

The girl introduced herself, her name was Crima and she was the daughter of Lugalen Wolde. With a firm voice she began her story and Shadi realized that she would never be able to do the same. She was trembling, her voice was a pale, uncertain breeze, and her incoherent account of the kidnapping would embarrass her parents.

No.

She had overcome the impossible, endured where so many others had succumbed.

She could do it, honor her people and her nation.

Closing her eyes, she tried to bring order to the conflicting emotions stirring within her. She tried to focus on what was happening around the table.

Zayr listened to Crima with attentive eyes. He was distracted only for a moment when he raised the goblet with a quick gesture. A servant hurried to fill it with wine.

Shadi frowned.

Why did this tall, square-jawed, blond servant look so familiar?

She saw the color of his eyes. They were so peculiar, with irises so clear they seemed white.

This detail caused a deep feeling within her that was difficult to describe.

A reverberation. A trace. A question.

Who was he?