Book Two Excerpt Two

Roland continues bidding until all but a few are still with him. Then from the back, a loud voice says something and the crowd becomes ominously silent. Looking back over the crowd, James sees a large man, easily a head taller than anyone else in the courtyard. Bald head and extensively tattooed, with two swords strapped to his back, he strides to the front as the crowd quickly parts like the sea for Moses.
All the other bidders are silent as the man strides forward, confident that she is his. When Roland doesn’t say anything, Jiron says, “Bid!”
“But…” he stammers.
Jiron, having picked up a little of the language after having listened to the bidding, shouts out a bid in their language.
The crowd collectively catches their breath and the auctioneer pales. The giant of a man stops his stride and sees Jiron staring fiercely back at him. He cries something out and again the crowd gasps.
“What’s going on?” James asks Roland.
“That’s a Parvati,” he says, “terrible fighters.”
“And?” Jiron asks.
“They have a custom that is supported by the Empire,” Roland explains, “they may call for a blood duel if anyone crosses them.”
James looks shocked by that, “Why?”
“They serve the Empire loyally and fiercely,” he explains. “That’s why no one crosses them, those that do, die.” He looks at Jiron and says somewhat nervously, “He has called one on you for challenging his right to this slave.”
Jiron looks over at the Parvati and sees him staring at Jiron. The crowd begins to widen into a circle, a wide circle. “So now…” he begins.
“Jiron must fight him, right here, right now,” he finishes. Looking to Jiron, Roland says, “You have no choice in the matter and it’s to the death.”
Jiron looks towards his sister Tersa, who is standing there on the platform, scared now that things are not going exactly as she had anticipated. He removes his excess native attire and with a glance to the waiting Parvati, he pulls his knives and advances.
“Good luck,” says James.
“Thanks,” Jiron says nonchalantly, “just like the fight pits.”