Tempests and Slaughter

Chapter 1

 

 

August 30 September 1, 435

 

 

The Imperial Coliseum, Thak City, The Carthaki Empire

 

 

Arram Draper hung on the rail of the great arena, hoisting himself until his belly was bent over the polished stone. It was the only way he could get between the two bulky men who blocked his view. He knew it was risky, but he couldn t waste his first chance to see the gladiators when they marched into the huge stadium. His father and grandfather were back at their seats, arguing about new business ventures. They weren t paying attention, waving him off when he asked to visit the privies and never realizing he d squirmed his way down to the rail instead.

 

Apart from them, he was alone. There were no friends from school for company. They all said he was too young. He was eleven--well, ten, in truth, but he told them he was eleven. Even that didn t earn him friends among his older schoolfellows. Still, he wasn t a baby! If he didn t see the games with his family today, he might never get the chance, and he d learned only last night he might not see Papa again for two years, even three. Carthak was a costly voyage for Yusaf Draper, and his new venture would take him away for a long time. But in the morning, Arram would be able to tell the older students that he had watched the games right from the arena wall!

 

Already he d heard the trumpets and drums announcing the arrival of the emperor and his heirs. He couldn t see their faces, but surely all the sparkling gold, silver, and gems meant the wearers were part of the imperial family. He could see the Grand Crier, who stood on a platform halfway between him and the royals. More important, he could plainly hear the man s booming voice as he announced the emperor s many titles and those of his heirs.

 

Lookit! The bruiser on Arram s left

Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce creates epic worlds populated by girls and women of bravery, heart, and strength. Her work inspired a generation of writers and continues to inspire us.
HOLLY BLACK, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Few authors can slay so effectively with a single sentence I mean fist-in-the-air, shouting-at-my-book slay as Tamora Pierce. All these years later, I still draw strength from her words.
MARIE LU, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Tamora Pierce is a seminal figure in the fantasy field of writing, turning out one terrific book after another.
TERRY BROOKS, New York Times bestselling author of the Sword of Shannara trilogy

It s impossible to overstate Tamora Pierce s impact on children s literature. Her tough, wise, and wonderful heroines have inspired generations of readers.
RAE CARSON, New York Times bestselling author

In the world of YA fantasy, there s before Tamora Pierce, and then after her female heroes started kicking down the doors (and walls, and other barriers)!
BRUCE COVILLE, New York Times bestselling author

Tamora Pierce is a trailblazer for so many fantasy writers, hacking through the old tropes with her narrative machete and showing us that girl-centered adventures are not just possible but amazing.
RACHEL HARTMAN, New York Times bestselling author

Tamora Pierce s writing is like water from the swiftest, most refreshingly clear, invigorating, and revitalizing river.
GARTH NIX, New York Times bestselling author

Tamora Pierce is gloriously unafraid to give her readers joy and laughter along with adventure and struggle, to let us love her characters wholeheartedly and find the best of ourselves in them.
NAOMI NOVIK, New York Times bestselling author

Tamora Pierce and her brilliant heroines didn t just break down barriers; they smashed them with magical fire.
KATHERINE ARDEN, author of The Bear and the Nightingale