Book of One 04: A Child of Fire Read Free Page B

forbidden?" she asked, looking up at the man through the slit in the cloth that covered her face. "Once, long ago, many fighters fought with true power. That was why the circles were created. But you are right, we no longer allow such power to be used without first knowing the nature of those who posses it. That is for Ansari to determine, not the registers."
    "Still, it was an unfair match," Lento insisted. "The registers did not know of this power and much money was lost. There is talk among the people of retribution against this Antal of Ashford."
    "You would be wise to quell such talk, Lento," Kasha told him as she rose to her feet. "It was only one match and the registers and the traders saw plenty of winnings from the other fights. As for Antal, those who talk of retribution might consider how dangerous he is. Perhaps you might remind them that without the protection of the circles, many of them would already be dead."
    "You know this man," Lento said accusingly. "You fought him at Forsina. It is said he visited your tent. Perhaps this was some trick between you to win many riches."
    Kasha frowned beneath her wrappings and her green eyes sharpened to daggers as she stepped toward the man, but she held her temper in check, which was becoming more and more difficult with every passing day.
    "You may check the registers, Lento," she said, keeping an even tone. "You will see that I placed no wagers on the fights. If you wish to discover the meaning of true pain, you may continue this way of thinking. If you speak such insults to me again, I will place your head on a spike as an example for anyone else who would dare to cross me."
    "You would threaten me, here in the Warrior's Palace?"
    "I do not threaten, Lento. I speak only a simple truth. I knew this northern warrior was strong, but he did not use such power at Forsina. Had he done so, the registers would surely have shown it."
    "And yet, he bested you?" Lento would not be easily cowed but he pulled back his anger, knowing better than to provoke her further. Kasha was Ansari and, while Lento did not know Ansari, he knew more than most, and that was enough to make him fearful of her.
    "He fought me to a draw," Kasha said, correcting him. "He used only his sword, and I only used mine. It was a fair match."
    "And I am to believe that this northerner is as skilled with a blade as the mighty Kasha?"
    "Yes, he is exceptionally skilled," she told him. "Why else would I invite him to my bed?"
    "I have no interest in your personal habits," Lento said.
    "You were the one who made mention of it. You are angry that an unknown fighter entered the circles and demonstrated skill and power. It upset the registers for they could not calculate the odds and people lost some coin, while others undoubtedly won more than they had imagined. Instead of admitting that there are powers in the world that you do not know about, you insult me by making dishonorable conversation about what happens in the privacy of my tent and suggesting that I would dishonor the circles by some trick for coin. If you and the registers are wise, you will take your losses and leave this issue. It will quickly fade like tracks in the sand."
    "And what of this Antal? If he returns to the circles, what then?"
    "He will not," Kasha told him. "He will walk the desert and will be known by Ansari."
    "An outlander? Is such a thing permitted?"
    "That is for Ansari to decide. This northerner will not be the first who is not of the desert to become known to Ansari. If he proves worthy, he may also come to know Ansari."
    "You speak blasphemy," Lento said, his voice taking on a harsh edge once more.
    "Blasphemy?" Kasha laughed. "If you truly knew Ansari, then you would know there is no such thing. There is only truth. I will leave you to think on that, for while you may know many things, Master Lento, it is clear that you do not know Ansari, and I wonder if it not time for a return of our people from the desert, to dispel some of