Ring of Gyges by Ines Johnson

Author:Ines Johnson [Johnson, Ines]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944744120
Published: 2018-01-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“I can’t let you sign-up,” said Geraint. “You heard what Plato said about Gyges and his sick games. And there are other stories about this guy. Remember the biblical story of King Solomon ordering the two women who claimed they were mothers to one child? He tricked them into revealing their true natures by suggesting they tear the baby in two? Rumor has it that was Gyges’s idea. And he wasn’t happy when Solomon didn’t follow through with splitting the baby into two pieces.”

That was pretty sick, but— “I’m not a mom. I don’t have any siblings. I can take on any opponent physically, including Baros.”

Well, I could hold my own with Baros. I’d never actually won a fight against him.

“It’s not just physical, Loren. It’s games of morality.”

I quirked a brow at Geraint. “You and I both know, despite my oath, that my morals are still pretty loose. It’s an advantage.”

“What about the psychological impact? Look at what happened to those two human brothers.”

The standing brother, the indebted one I’d learned, was off drinking with a bevy of pastel fairies. He didn't look in the least bit haunted at his brother’s demise. Though I wondered if he should be taking food from the fae. Weren’t there warnings about that?

We’d made our way to the tournament registration table. Surprisingly, there was no one in line. As I took a step toward the table, Geraint tugged at my arm.

“This game is life or death,” said Geraint.

“This job, being a knight, is life or death,” I said. “Real talk; I’m not sure if I’m ready to turn Baros over. That’s the truth.”

Geraint blew through his nostrils as his eyes narrowed.

“But,” I held up my index finger, “I am certain that no one, including Baros, should have the power of invincibility. That’s our true mission; to take the ring out of play.”

Geraint’s nostrils settled down. He rubbed his forefinger against his hairy chin. I took advantage and stepped up to the table. The bored fairy behind the desk handed me a stack of papers filled with legalese. My eyes skated over the words, which I wasn’t sure were in English or any kind of human language. I reached out my hand for the pen the fairy held out.

“Baros is good,” I said, palming the fancy fountain pen. “And he’s survived this tournament before. He’ll likely advance. If I enlist, Gyges would be a fool not to pit us against one another. Imagine that drama; former lovers, student against teacher, man against woman. It screams daytime soap opera.”

“And if you lose before you face off against Baros?” asked Geraint.

I snorted. “I won’t.”

Geraint rolled his eyes.

“The only person who could possibly take me with a sword is Baros … And you.” I quickly added when I saw Geraint’s affronted look. I pressed the pen to paper only to see that the well was dry. Before I could even look up to alert the attendant I felt a prick in the padded part of my thumb.

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