More courses came and went. They came in a blur. The servants bustled in and out, placing dishes and removing them as though the room were filled with people, not just one young man who was drinking too much wine. Foie gras terrine with fig jam, succulent lobster tails drizzled with garlic butter, citrus sorbet. Plates of rich, creamy cheeses were chased by platters of exotic fruits and nuts. And to end it all, chocolate mousse.

Throughout, I sipped at the wines. They were changed with each course as well. Light crisp whites, heavy reds, fruity roses. The color didn’t matter. What I understood was that if I kept sipping, I could keep my hands from shaking from the tension.

My head swam a little, but I didn’t care. The more I sipped, the less I cared, the less I cared, the more I sipped.

My thoughts wandered to what it would mean if I was ejected. What would become of me next? Father had done nothing to prepare me for running our business. The business was his, my role was to be his Griidlord. I honestly doubted he cared if the whole thing burned down when he was passed. To Father all things only served a purpose if the purpose was his own immediate desire.

Suddenly, the door slid open, and Baltizar entered. His face was smug and satisfied as he retook his seat. He leaned in and hissed at me, "Wait till you see the state of the Bishop. He was right; the Oracle was not pleased to have its time wasted so."

I hesitated, his expression said things had gone well, but his words left me confused. Before I could query, the door hissed again, and the Bishop entered. He was trying to maintain his composure, but he looked like he had seen a ghost. He was badly frazzled and maybe a little scared. Once he had retaken his seat, he just stared at the table for a time, searching for words.

Baltizar chewed happily, not gloating too obviously, but letting us both know that he was satisfied. Eventually, the Bishop spoke. "You are a very unusual boy, Tiberius. I stand by my earlier statement. What you did should disqualify any normal contestant. You risked your life, the lives of others, my very life, and the Mystorium for nothing but trifling glory. But whatever you are, whatever is allowing you to gain attributes so quickly, the Oracle must be interested as well."

The silence continued. I looked at the senior cleric with questioning eyes. After a moment, he said, "Yes, yes, you are still part of The Choosing. Tomorrow, you can compete again."

The relief was so immense that it threatened to overwhelm the numbing wall of mild drunkenness I had built to hold emotions back. It was like a tidal wave, rushing over me, threatening to knock me down. I had to fight to keep a sob from escaping my mouth. I knew my eyes had grown glassy, and I blinked hard to keep it at that.

Baltizar leaned back in his chair. He looked at the bishop, I was too intoxicated to understand the shallow gesture he made as he said, "The Bishop’s concerns were not unfounded. This man exists to serve the city just as I do. You gave him cause to doubt you. I advise you never repeat that mistake. The Oracle may not be so forgiving in the future."

The Bishop was clearly shaken by his experience. But he seized on the branch extended. He said "The Oracle's interest in you does not absolve you of responsibility. Be more careful in the future, boy. The Lord Supreme is right. Next time, the Oracle may not be so forgiving."

I nodded, still trying to process the idea that it was over.

"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Baltizars eyes gleamed as he caught my attention. I breathed a little easier as I saw the smile tugging at those stern lips. He bore no malice to me. The relief of that alone surprised me.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

***

Baltizar and I stood outside the Tower in the cool night air. The freshness of the evening felt all the cooler against my skin after the warm comfort of the Tower. The cold air helped still the slight spinning I felt after my adventure with the wines.

I hesitated, glancing around to ensure we were alone. Baltizar observed my cautious behavior and said. "What is it, Tiberius?"

I asked, "Before I go, my lord, can you tell me anything about tomorrow's competition?"

Baltizar's smiled a little, just a little. "You're getting the idea now, my boy. Seek every advantage you can get. The Choosing should purely be about what a contestant can do in the arena, but as you've seen already, other resources can be difference makers. You saw how Lance's family knights targeted you. They could have taken you out and removed his greatest threat on his way to claiming the suit. It heartens me that you inquire, that you're understanding the game a little better, but sadly, this is one occasion where I actually can't help you very much."

I felt crestfallen, not understanding why he couldn't provide more.

Baltizar continued, "If I had the knowledge, I would share it with you. But on this occasion, I simply don't have the information. Dealing with this disqualification madness has taken all my attention from matters at the arena. I do know that the order field at the arena was activated and elevated for much of today, expending quite a few Flows, which suggests that machinery was probably involved in modifying the arena floor or constructing something. I am also aware, overly aware because of the complaints and petitions of several powerful merchants and trading partners, that two of our city's Griidlords aren't available to employ their Footfields to move trade caravans tomorrow, which suggests to me that they have also been requisitioned."

The very idea that we would be in the arena with Griidlords tomorrow was stunning, terrifying, awesome. As much as we had been occupying Griidsuits, or half-suits, the best any of us had achieved was ant to the elephant that was a true Griidlord. The prospect was overwhelming.

Baltizar continued, "You might think a Griidlord would be above the political games that would spoil their impartiality, but they have families, noble houses, resources of their own, and they are not above dealing behind the scenes. Don't trust them not to stack the deck against you either."

A chill ran down my spine, horror at the idea of such an entity, a god almost, working against me. Baltizar slapped my shoulder in a fatherly manner. "Go rest tonight, Tiberius. Today, the Oracle spoke in your favor. The Choosing is just a means for us to open ourselves to the Oracle's favor. If the Oracle blesses you, then you have nothing to fear."

***

I paused before entering the door of my father's house. Zeb’s shadow lurked behind. He had been amused to detect the effects of alcohol in my gait.

I looked up at the stars. My head swam a little, but all my thoughts were pleasantly subdued. I too a moment to just admire the vastness of the dark sky above me. It’s utter hugeness seemed to press down on me, making me feel small and unimportant. But there was a strange comfort in feeling small and unimportant.

As I stepped inside, apprehension tightened my chest. I said before that father reprimanded with a withdrawal of love rather than a looming punishment. But he could also explode. Especially when embarrassed. Especially late at night, when he was in his cups.

Dread heavy on me once more, I cast my eyes about. To endless relief I saw that his den was unlit.

My childhood had been taken away by a disease of the brain. When I had won my life back from the illness, it was training and preparations of this contest that had consumed my existence instead. Not so horrible as the wasting sickness, but no less total.

For a moment my drunken mind seized onto the realization of how deep my bitterness ran. But then, relief washed over me. Father was out of town, traveling to try and repair his empire after the Horde attack on his outpost. The sense of freedom lifted my concerns.

Climbing the stairs I felt good. I was struck by how long it had been since I felt this good. My mind was erased of worries by the merry glasses of wine, my belly full and my body well exercised, I felt I would rest well.

I stripped and got into bed. Lying there in the darkness, I could feel sleep approaching. But the vague, creeping sense of being observed lingered. It made me feel like I could never be alone again.

Taking a deep breath, I emptied myself as Katya had shown me, opening myself to the Griid, to the Oracle. Then I spoke, quietly, reaching out to the voice.

"Hello? Are you there?"

But it wasn't. There was no response.