Alison Goodman - Eon - Dragoneye Reborn

Lord Ido turned to us. 'Those with even numbers will spar with Swordmaster Ranne. The odd numbers will spar with Swordmaster Jin-pa. Is that clear?'

'Yes, Lord Ido,' we obediently chanted. I heard Quon's voice break with relief.

The sound of distant drums and trumpets sent the senior officials scurrying to the ramp. Quon and I exchanged knowing glances: the Emperor had started the short journey from palace to arena. It would not be long now.

Last year I had stood beside the roadway, one of the crowd watching the long procession that escorted His Imperial Majesty to the ceremony The marvellous sight was still bright in my mind. I knew that, outside, the wide boulevard would now be filled with ranks of drummers and trumpeters playing a march composed especially for the day Behind them would come rows and rows of armoured mace-wielders, swordmen and lancers with silk flags flying from the blades of their weapons. There would be twelve men on matched black horses riding in rows of three and carrying the huge fluttering banners of the dragons, followed by lines and lines of eunuch footmen in the dark blue livery of the inner household, each carrying an incense burner releasing spicy perfume into the air. One hundred lantern-carriers would be next, their carved lights swinging on tall gilded sticks. Then the young noblemen currently in favour would stride by in their finery, calling the royal presence with chants of their family's fealty. The crowd would drop to their knees in the swirling dust as the handsome heir, Prince Kygo, rode his horse past. Then the Emperor, grave and majestic on a white stallion bridled in gold and pearl, would pass by surrounded by one hundred Imperial guardsmen in tight formation, all armed with a pair of wicked seriated blades held in crossed salute.

It would take at least one half bell for the Emperor to enter the arena and ascend the throne set above the darkened mirror of the Lost Dragon. Then another half bell before the ceremony began. One hour before I bowed to the Heavenly Master. Before I faced Ranne's swords.

The Mirror Dragon sequence! Fear twitched through me. Did Ranne know I had permission to replace it with the Reverse Horse Second?

An official wearing the ruby rank ran up to Lord Ido and dropped to one knee, delivering a low-voiced message.

I had to get to Ranne. Make him understand that I didn't have to do the Mirror Dragon.

Lord Ido nodded to the official, the predatory lines of his face tightening in anticipation.

'Candidates, go now with your Council official. Listen carefully to his instructions,' he said.

'You will have a short time to prepare before Swordmaster Ranne and Swordmaster Jin-pa call you into position. I wish you all good fortune.'

He sent one more searching glance down the row then strode towards the ramp.

As if given a signal, the twelve officials hurried over to us in a neat line, their bodies bending into bows like wind-blown wheat as they passed the Dragoneye. Van stopped in front of me and squatted, ducking his head in a quick courtesy

'Candidate Eon, please come this way' he said. 'Do you wish for water now, or later?'

I pushed myself upwards, every muscle resisting movement. 'I must speak to Swordmaster Ranne.'

Van stood gracefully, brushing down his long grey robe. 'It is my duty to make sure you know the Imperial protocol,' he said. And then you will have time to prepare for the ceremony. Do you wish for water now or later?'

'Please, I must speak to him,' I said, scanning the room. Dillon, Quon and Baret were waiting to drink at a large water

barrel while the rest of the candidates were following their officials to practice areas. Jin-pa was talking earnestly to the ruby official. Ranne was nowhere in sight. 'I must speak to him now,' I repeated. 'It affects the ceremony'

'The Swordmaster has accompanied Lord Ido to the arena,' Van said, shrugging his helplessness. 'I doubt there will be any chance to speak to him before the ceremony'

The weight of the last few days made me sway. I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes.

Surely Ranne would know about my change to the sequence.

'My master? Can I speak to my master?'

'He is not allowed to return,' Van said.

I groaned.

Van's soft fingers touched my arm. 'Could Swordmaster Jin-pa assist you?'

I looked up at his polite sympathy 'Yes. Yes, I could speak to him.'

'Wait here.'

Van crossed the floor to Jin-pa, waiting as the swordmaster finished his conversation with the senior official. I quickly picked up my swords and tucked them under my arms, blunt side up.

I did not want Jin-pa to think I had no care for my weapons. Van bowed and relayed my request, his narrow shoulders elegantly lifting to show his mystification. Jin-pa waved me over.

I hurried to them, my steps awkward and stiff.

'What is it, boy?' Jin-pa asked as I bowed to him.

'Swordmaster, I've got permission from the Council to change the Mirror Dragon sequence for the Reverse Horse Dragon Second,' I said breathlessly. 'Because of my leg. I'll be sparring with Swordmaster Ranne. Does he know, sir?'

Jin-pa nodded. 'Be at ease, Eon. Both Ranne and I know of the dispensation.'

I felt some of the tension drain from my body.

'Lord Ido informed us this morning,' Jin-pa continued, his words tightening the coil in me again. 'Now go and get some water. It will be hot in the arena.'

He nodded his dismissal. I followed Van to the water barrel, my unease increasing with every step. Ranne may know of the dispensation, but would he honour it?

In the next hour I drank water, bowed to an imaginary Emperor over and over again under the critical eye of Van, and practised the forms until my clumsy cold-ridden movements were worked into smoothness. No doubt the minutes passed normally, but it felt as though each was a second, rushing towards the call to the arena.

And then it came.

'Candidates,' Ranne bawled from the bottom of the ramp, 'get into position.'

For a moment everyone stopped still in the room, and then from above the trumpets sounded the arrival of the Emperor onto the throne, thrusting everyone into frantic action.

'You remember the order of events?' Van asked hurriedly, herding me to the ramp. 'You will all bow to the Eternal Lord first, then kneel at the base of the Mirror of the Lost Dragon and wait until you are announced by the Imperial herald.'

I nodded.

And hold that first bow for the count of ten.' He pushed me into place in the line behind Ranne. 'Don't look up.'

'I won't.' We exchanged quick nods. 'Thank you, Van.'

He patted my arm. 'Good fortune, Eon.' Then he was gone, one more grey robe heading out of the room to the spectator seats.

Across from me in Jin-pa's line, Dillon smiled awkwardly. Although his betrayal was raw, I returned the smile. We may all be pitched against one another, but the real threat was Lord Ido.

I glanced at Baret, three places down our row. His body seemed strangely lax and his eyes were still glazed with furrows of

pain creasing his forehead. The red silk around his throat was dark — someone must have doused his face in the water barrel. Fie looked exhausted. Had Lord Ido miscalculated? Or did he know the effect of his power and had brought Ranne in to coddle Baret through the ceremony?

'Draw into salute,'Jin-pa called.

I crossed my swords in front of my chest, the soft whir of the thin blades multiplying into a hiss as the others swung their weapons into position. An official wearing a red sash over his grey robes emerged from the ramp. He bowed to Ranne and Jin-pa.

'It is time,' he said.

My bowels clenched, sending a sickening rush through me. Another fanfare sounded from above. Then a clipped shout of command from Ranne. Bodies moving — beside me, in front of me. I followed, unable to think beyond the march, my feet keeping time from the memory of endless drills. Each step closer to the top of the ramp; the air warmer, light brighter, trumpets louder.