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  The soldier looked up at the Okie Dokie and beyond to the Domingo. “There are fine treasures here. I understand why you salvagers took an interest. But I cannot allow you to take anything without first passing a test.”

  Cole sagged a little. Lyrus had been sounding so reasonable. “Why not?”

  The soldier straightened. “It is my duty. It is my purpose.”

  “Why is it your duty?” Cole pressed. “Who gave you the duty?”

  Eyes squeezed shut, Lyrus bowed his head. “I have no answer.”

  “Can’t you just drop the act?” Cole asked.

  “I’m here to test heroes.”

  “What gives you the right to test anyone?”

  Lyrus sheathed his sword. “This is my purpose. I may have no past, but I am still Lyrus. I am not deaf to your request. I can be reasonable. I don’t want the treasures of Parona to head needlessly into oblivion. There may be some room for bargaining. But a test must be passed.”

  “We’re not heroes,” Cole said. “My job is to run from danger, not to fight it.”

  “If only,” Lyrus began, and then he looked like he was choking.

  “Are you okay?” Cole checked.

  The big soldier nodded and steadied himself. “Perhaps,” he started again, then couldn’t finish.

  “You can’t tell me,” Cole realized.

  Lyrus nodded.

  “You want to help me?”

  “Yes.”

  Cole had a devious thought. “Don’t run away from this. Don’t back down. If you want to help, there must be a way around it.”

  The soldier’s expression grew intent and serious. His lips moved as if to speak several times before he said, “I’m chilly.”

  “What?”

  Lyrus gave him a level gaze. “You don’t know what you have. I’m chilly.” His eyes dropped a little.

  Cole fingered his shawl. “This?”

  Lyrus trembled but said nothing.

  Cole sheathed the sword and unclasped the shawl. Lyrus knelt, and Cole put the shawl over his shoulders, clasping it.

  “Is that better?” Cole asked.

  Lyrus smiled. “Much better.”

  “Why?”

  “The cloak makes a semblance obey whoever puts it on them.”

  Cole blinked. “You know you’re a semblance?”

  “Not until you gave me the cloak. It freed me to know what I had to know in order to serve you. Whoever made me caused me to ignore my true nature. You were helping me catch glimpses, but now I see plainly. Until you gave me the cloak, I didn’t realize I had been fabricated. This is common with semblances. We play a role without much self-reflection. It helps us seem more authentic.”

  “Who made you?” Cole asked, wondering if he could answer now.

  Lyrus furrowed his brow. “I still don’t know. I’d tell you if I did. I’ve never met my maker. I sprang into being along with Parona not long ago.”

  “A semblance gave me this shawl. How could she take it off if it controlled her?”

  Folding his arms, Lyrus paused before answering. “In a place like Parona, we semblances form a system. Some semblances are allowed more leeway than others. The semblance you encountered must have had the freedom to decide how best to preserve the system. I myself enjoy similar freedoms.”

  The explanation matched Merva’s behavior. It clarified why she might have been the only one to offer him her shawl. “Wait. You wanted me to give you the shawl so you could help me?”

  “I’ve become more self-aware than my creator expected,” Lyrus said. “After you helped me recognize my origin, I turned my bravery against the cognitive limits my shaper had placed on me. The effort opened my eyes to many things, but there were some mental boundaries I couldn’t cross. I recognized what your shawl could do when I first saw you. It was why I asked about it—to see if you were aware. Without the shawl, my options were limited. But with it, more becomes possible. To be honest, helping you was only a small portion of my intent.”

  “Then why point out the shawl?”

  Lyrus stood tall. “I want the chance to prove my worth. If you command it, I’ll take the test for you. I’ll serve as your champion.”

  CHAPTER

  12

  HEROICS

  “You can take the test?” Cole asked.

  “I can with the shawl,” Lyrus replied. “If you wish.”

  “You want to?”

  “I am Lyrus. The instant I realized I was unproven, I craved nothing more than this opportunity.”

  “If you pass the test, we can have the treasure?”

  Lyrus drummed his fingers against his breastplate. “It will require bargaining.”

  “Can’t I just order you to give us the treasure?”

  “You could. But regardless of how you command me, I cannot force the other semblances of Parona to let you claim any rewards unless a test has been completed. Even with my full cooperation, if you try to take treasure without completing a test, the full defenses of Parona will engage, including the catapults and the ferocious beasts. However, if we strike a bargain, with me speaking for all Parona . . .”

  “So let’s bargain,” Cole said.

  “Allow me to remove the shawl so I can act as the guardian of Parona. Our bargain would not be binding to the others if I were under your control during the negotiation.”

  “How do I know you’ll put the shawl back on?”

  “You have my word.”

  Cole thought about that. The soldier was still wearing the shawl, so he had to obey orders. “I command you to tell me if you can lie to me.”

  “I cannot lie. With or without the shawl, I keep my word. I want to bargain so I can face the trial for you and earn you access to our treasures.”

  “All right,” Cole said. “Take off the shawl.”

  Lyrus removed the shawl and draped it over one arm. “You wish to bargain for full access to our treasures?”

  “They won’t do anyone much good if they’re destroyed.”

  “True. I need your name.”

  “Cole.”

  “What are the chances of other heroes coming here before Parona is no more?”

  “None,” Cole said. “Only salvagers can reach you. And we run if things get bad.”

  “Very well. With little chance of another hero visiting, and with Parona facing destruction, on behalf of all the guardians who dwell here, I will make a deal that grants the crew of your airship full access to our treasures—on one condition.”

  “What?”

  “You must pledge that, along with my other responsibilities, I can remain a protector of Parona whether or not I am wearing the shawl.”

  Cole hesitated. “Would that mean you would stop protecting me?”

  “No matter what happens, I vow to fight to the death to protect you. Remaining a protector of Parona would not enable me to alter any agreement we make. But I cannot allow your crew full access unless I know someone will be able to act in the interests of Parona. Otherwise, by the terms of this arrangement, Parona will be left unguarded.”

  “You won’t attack any of us?”

  “I pledge that I will not attack you or your crewmates. As promised, I would defend you.”

  “What about the other semblances?”

  “The other semblances will not be able to attack you for coming here or for taking anything. They must honor this agreement. I speak for all Parona.”

  Cole felt satisfied that Lyrus was being straightforward. “What is the agreement exactly?”

  “If you pass one of the tests, using whatever aid is at your disposal, the treasures of Parona will be yours for the taking. After a single trial is won, the guardians of our treasure cannot move against you or your crewmates for setting foot here or for removing anything.”

  “Including the floatstones,” Cole verified.

  “Anything.”

  “And you’ll help me pass the test.”

  “I have sworn it.”

  “Deal.” />
  “Including my condition?”

  “Yes. You’ll still be the protector of Parona.”

  Lyrus gave a single slow nod. “The bargain is struck. I can now put on the shawl if you desire.”

  “Sure.”

  Grinning, Lyrus clasped the shawl around his neck. “Come, young salvager. Let’s select a trial.”

  Cole followed Lyrus up broad, shallow steps into one of the larger buildings. The rectangular structure contained a single room with no walls—just columns on all sides and a roof overhead. At one end of the room, on a platform, sat five large bowls in a row.

  Lyrus took a torch from a sconce and led Cole to the row of bowls. “Choose which I should light.”

  “Don’t you know what test you want?”

  “I know which trial pertains to each bowl. I know which fight would be easiest. But only a coward would deliberately pick the easiest. I yearn for the hardest fight—Gromar the cyclops. But is that fair to you? I would be more likely to fail. As your champion, it would be selfish to select Gromar. So I will abide by your choice.”

  Cole considered the five bowls. They appeared identical. “Second from the left,” he said, pointing.

  “Ah,” Lyrus said weightily. He walked forward and dipped the torch into the bowl. Crimson flames rose up, red as blood. “Harano the Lion. I should have known this would be my trial. It will be a good fight. Be ready to flee. I will get no second chance against this opponent.”

  Lyrus led Cole to a large empty square surrounded by eight buildings. Looking up, Cole saw the Okie Dokie following at a distance. He cupped a hand beside his mouth. “If he loses, I’ll need to get out of here fast!”

  Eli gave a thumbs-up.

  Lyrus directed Cole with a gesture. “Wait on the perimeter.” He proceeded to the middle of the square, drew his sword, and raised his voice. “Harano, come forth! Slay me if you can.”

  From one of the buildings surrounding the square, there emerged a huge lion with red-gold fur and a mane that matched the bloodred flames in the bowl. Cole felt an instinctive terror. No fences divided him from this alpha predator. He drew his Jumping Sword.

  Head high, advancing with lazy grace, the lion ambled into the square on large paws. The tufted tail swished. On all fours, Harano stood as tall as Lyrus. As the giant cat drew near, the soldier coiled into a fighting stance, sword held ready.

  The lion roared, the mighty challenge echoing across Parona. Cole felt the hair on his neck and arms stand up. He glanced at the lifeboat. It hovered just within jumping distance.

  Lyrus didn’t waver. “Come, Harano,” he invited. “Measure yourself against me.”

  The lion rushed Lyrus with sudden speed. Cole flinched. Harano sprang. Lyrus stepped forward, crouching, and thrust his blade upward. The oversized lion slammed into the soldier, hurling him backward. Both flopped to the ground. Cole heard armor scraping against paving stones.

  Man and beast lay still for a few heartbeats. Then Lyrus arose. Bracing one foot against the lion’s shaggy head, he removed his sword, yanking it out from under the jaw.

  As Lyrus cleaned the sword by wiping it against the luxurious mane, Cole approached cautiously. “Are you all right?”

  Lyrus turned and flashed a wide smile. “Now I have a memory worth owning.”

  “That was incredible.”

  “I felt alive for the first time. Thank you for that gift. The trial has been won. Our defenses are no longer engaged. You and your comrades are welcome to off-load our treasures.”

  All three lifeboats shuttled workers down from the Domingo. Still wearing the shawl, Lyrus showed them where they could find the armaments, the artwork, and the treasure. While the lifeboats waited in the square where Lyrus had defeated Harano, the raiders began collecting valuables.

  Helped by his cane, Durny approached Cole with Mira at his side. “Fine work, Cole. I take it the shawl helped convince that soldier to fight for you?”

  “It made him obey me,” Cole said. “But I didn’t trick him. He wanted me to have control. He wanted to fight. He wanted to prove himself.”

  “Did you know the shawl could do that?”

  “Not until he told me,” Cole said. “Lyrus thought he was an expert on heroes. As we spoke, he realized he was a semblance and that he hadn’t ever done anything heroic. He hinted about the shawl so he could have his chance.”

  Durny clapped Cole on the shoulder. “Impressive job. Much better to fight with your head than with your hands. Would you care to help us seek out floatstones?”

  “Sure. What can I do?”

  “Go get my tools from Rowly. That should include a mattock, a pry bar, a hammer, a chisel, and two spades. Bring them and catch up with us.”

  “Good job, Cole,” Mira said.

  “Thanks.” As Cole turned to find Rowly, his cheeks felt hot. He suspected he was blushing.

  A pair of men slowly descended the steps from one of the buildings, holding a huge silver harp between them. Setting it down, they paused to rest. Another man clutched a jeweled scepter in one hand and an ornately framed mirror in the other. A fourth man struggled to carry a stone bust.

  Cole spotted Rowly over by the lifeboat called the Charmer. He was a round, balding man who wore spectacles. Beyond Rowly, Cole noticed Lyrus climbing the steps to the building where they had lit Harano’s flame.

  Why would Lyrus go there?

  Frowning, Cole trotted past Rowly, then increased his pace to a jog to catch up to Lyrus. As he hurried up the broad, shallow steps, Cole told himself that he was probably worrying about nothing. At the top of the steps, he looked through the columns to where Lyrus stood across the room, torch in hand, lighting a fourth bowl.

  “What are you doing?” Cole yelled, racing into the room.

  Lyrus turned. The bowl that had held the red flame was empty. The other four bowls burned green, blue, gray, and black.

  “You granted me the right to remain a protector of Parona,” he said.

  “You promised to defend me!”

  “I will. To the death, if necessary.”

  “You promised the guardians wouldn’t attack us if we came for the treasure!”

  “Only the dishonorable would break a vow. I pledged they would not attack you for coming here or for taking anything. And they won’t. They’ll attack because, in my role as protector of Parona, I have begun four trials. True to my word, I will strive to defend you. This proving ground deserves to fulfill its purpose.” He grinned. “And I deserve a final chance to test my skills.”

  Lyrus started running for the square.

  “I command you to stop!” Cole called.

  “You pledged I could act in my role of protector,” Lyrus called back. “I do not release you from that promise.”

  Cole felt sick and horrified. He had been played! Lyrus was getting everything he wanted—another chance to fight for glory while making sure Parona tested any visitors. The soldier was running toward the square. Where the lifeboats were. Where the creatures would emerge.

  Cole ran hard, yelling at the top of his voice. “Watch out! Emergency! Get to the boats! Take off!”

  Some of the raiders moved toward Lyrus as the soldier dashed into the square, shawl flapping behind him. The warrior paid them no mind, calling in a mighty voice, “Skelock, Rulad, Nimbia, and Gromar, come forth!”

  Creatures emerged from buildings on three sides of the square: a black rhino, horn lowered, charging hard; a spider bigger than a lifeboat, gray and hairy; a huge green serpent with a head the size of a barrel; and a muscular cyclops that was more than twice the height of a man. Lyrus held his sword high. “Come, Rulad; come, Skelock; come, Nimbia and Gromar! Defeat me if you can!”

  The creatures converged on Lyrus. The rhino reached him first, but the soldier sprang aside and brought his sword down in a vicious sweep, nearly decapitating the beast. The enormous serpent came next, rearing up high above Lyrus, staying beyond the reach of his sword.

  The discordant clang of a dropp
ed harp roused Cole from watching the fight. The men with the harp had abandoned the instrument and were now climbing inside a lifeboat. Two of the boats lifted off the ground. Other empty-handed raiders came racing from a couple of the buildings. A few of them jumped into the last boat as it took off.

  When Cole looked back to the fight, the towering cyclops was ignoring Lyrus and charging toward the lifeboats, as was the supersized tarantula. The snake shifted sinuously, head jerking from one position to another, trying to strike, but Lyrus kept his sword in the way. The warrior tried to press forward, but the snake kept sliding back, giving him ground.

  An oversized arrow streaked down from above, piercing the center of the tarantula and poking out its other side. The hairy spider clenched into a quivering ball.

  An instant after the javelin skewered the spider, catapults appeared all around Parona, rising as hatches opened on rooftops and patios. Without anyone apparently operating them, the catapults launched balls of flaming pitch at the Domingo. The skycraft lurched up and away from Parona, but not before a pair of fires started on the hull.

  Club raised to strike, the cyclops closed in on the lifeboats. A few arrows from the boats flew at the brute, lodging in its hairy clothes. One sank into its shoulder. The cyclops didn’t seem to mind.

  As all three lifeboats banked up and away, the catapults swiveled to target them. The cyclops jumped and swung its club, just missing the lowest boat. Two men who had been dashing for the boats tried to reverse their direction and make for the buildings, but the cyclops chased them down, crushing one with a downward blow and then swatting the other man a ridiculous distance through the air, his body landing in a crumpled heap.

  Lyrus sprinted at the snake. Its mouth gaped wide, showing slender fangs bigger than bananas. While gliding away on writhing coils, the serpent struck at the soldier repeatedly and got slashed with every attack. Then the tail whipped around the warrior’s legs, and the massive snake encircled him, closing from all directions, wrapping him up while striking furiously.

  The cyclops ran toward Cole, and he realized that his moment as a bystander was over. It was all happening so quickly, and he felt so much responsibility, that he had nearly forgotten he needed to escape as well.