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T hey gave him the night to prepare, for the tribes could not linger long. Still, a dozen more, smaller tribes had reached their camp during the negotiations, awaiting the decisions of the High Council, and Jai could see the lights of their campfires.

The Caelite had done their job, at least. Now he had to finish his.

One night was hardly enough time to work up a sweat, let alone practise for a duel against Priya. Jai had never fought without mana before, and he knew it would be an entirely different beast. Still, he’d take all the practice he could get.

Kiran and Erica faced him, their blades raised high, eyes fixed upon him.

‘Again!’ Erica yelled.

Jai swept in close, his bamboo blade flicking high, then low, driving the pair back. He pressed closer, locking blades with Erica, and lashed out with a boot, kicking her back just in time to parry Kiran’s swing.

The pair grappled, the test of strength in Jai’s favour, until a low-swept boot had him flat on his back. He stared up at the night sky, his fists gripped tight with frustration.

‘You’re trying too hard not to use mana,’ Kiran said. ‘But you are anyway – it’s too ingrained. You should drink the potion now, get used to it. Meera worked herself to the bone to get it ready in time for you to practise with.’

Jai struggled to his feet and stared at the green glass bottle, sitting on a spot on the top of the mesa. They trained upon it, for this was to be where their duel was to be fought, and Jai wanted to get used to the terrain.

‘Fine,’ Jai groaned. ‘Let’s do it.’

Kiran hurried to do his bidding, bringing Jai the bottle. He swigged the acrid liquid in a single gulp.

‘How long?’ Jai asked, feeling the liquid settle uncomfortably in his stomach.

‘A minute,’ Kiran said. ‘Maybe less. I’ve only ever seen Zayn take it, and he’s much bigger than you. Should last a few hours – you’ll have to take it again tomorrow.’

Already, Jai could feel the potion working, a black tar that seemed to coat his very veins, spreading like an infection through his body. He lay there, hating every second, Erica kneeling beside him, gripping his hand.

‘The mana lock should be in effect now,’ Kiran said. ‘Try a spell.’

Jai stood with Erica’s help, feeling... different .

He lifted a hand, and sparked a fireball with a flick of his fingers. Only... nothing came. His mana remained within his core, locked away.

‘Good,’ Kiran said. ‘Now... ready!’

Her blade lanced forward, and Jai raised his blade in return. His move felt sluggish, tiring, and the blow knocked his blade back, the force near wrenching the blade from his hands.

He danced back a few steps, ducking her blows, until he stood apart, aghast.

‘I...’

‘No mana to strengthen your parry,’ Kiran said. ‘You’ll be slower, weaker now. No spells, no healing. Your body may be ascended, so you’ll be stronger than any normal man but...’

She sighed and looked out over the crowds.

‘Just be glad Priya is not used to it either. I bet right now, she’s practising the same.’

Jai looked down at his body, already soaked with sweat from the exertion of their training. Poison aside, he was in the best condition of his life. Ascending had permanently strengthened his body, mana or no, and a diet of mana, relentless exercise and exposure to the elements had left him lean and muscled. Even the air felt heavy somehow, and he’d found it far easier to catch his breath down here.

Erica flashed him a smile of encouragement, and Jai realised he was not doing a good job of masking his fear.

‘Come here,’ Erica said, pulling Jai aside as Kiran swigged water from a flask.

Jai could hardly look at her, his mind racing. He should have taken this potion ages ago.

‘Jai,’ Erica whispered, cupping his chin, bringing his attention back to her face. ‘You’ve faced worse than this. Both of us have. Look how far we’ve come.’

Jai stared, and kissed her, careless of Kiran’s surprised expression. Erica cared little either, whispering.

‘This is destiny. Right here, right now.’

And Jai wanted to ask her, if they too were destined for more.

‘My khan!’

Jai turned, only to see Feng emerging from the stairway at the edge of the mesa, not far from where they trained. His face was pale and drawn, and he fell to his hands and knees after a few staggering steps.

‘Not... Priya,’ he managed, before retching.

Jai knelt at his side, rubbing his vizier’s back.

‘Take your time,’ Jai said.

Feng shook his head, before retching again. He must have taken the stairs two at a time. What could possibly be so urgent?

‘I should have known,’ Feng moaned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘The moment Hari mentioned Teji’s Tainted mercenaries.’

Jai felt his heart drop.

‘Some of the Kidara went to the Tejinder to see their families... and they bring news.’

‘Out with it,’ Jai said.

‘It’s not Priya,’ Feng choked. ‘It’s someone else. Someone... better. A mercenary, that’s all we know.’

Jai gritted his teeth, and raised his bamboo sword once more.

‘Kiran, Erica... again!’