‘That is true,’ nodded the Praetor. ‘The individual members of the Collegium are free to vote, of course, but by tradition none of us does, even though we are the fourth largest denomination in the Valley. And as Master of the Voice I take leave to tell you that it has made no difference, because four times have I conducted the vote, and four times have I rung the bell and called out Father’s name to the people as their leader. But I should be going now, Father. I have been away too long now, and must see how things are going back at the sick camp.’

‘Of course, Praetor,’ said Father.

The Praetor shuffled away as Albert and Father watched him go. ‘A truly noble soul,’ said Father. ‘One of the few I have known. But I am late, too, and Castor must be on his way to my tent now. I will see you presently, Albert.’

With that, he turned and walked away, towards and down the steps leading to the valley. After a moment’s thought, Albert followed him. He was keen to see these fights close up. Walking down the steps, he joined the crowd of people swarming down the main valley towards the path leading to the Arena. The crush was suffocating. Where were all these people coming from? The valley hadn’t looked this crowded! He spotted a familiar face, bobbing above the heads around it, and waved.

‘Kieran!’

The big man didn’t look around. No wonder—it would have been a miracle if he’d actually heard, what with the din all around. Albert tried again, jumping up and down on the spot to try and clear the heads bobbing up and down in front of him, where he stood like a deranged spring toy.

‘Kieran! Kieran!’

Kieran swung around, startled, then spotted Albert doing his jack-in-the-box act and grinned, moving to the side of the path, out of the way of the crowd, gesturing for Albert to join him there. Although he was only a few feet ahead, it still took about ten minutes. Kieran, in the meanwhile, had grabbed his elbow and was pulling him forward. ‘C’mon, c’mon, gotta make tracks! Only one fight tonight! Can’t miss it!’

Albert, dragged along into the swell of people, focused on keeping out of the way of various elbows, fingers, knees and all sorts of other body parts, mostly unsuccessfully. They made their way through the crowd, too slowly for the big man’s liking, too painfully for Albert’s, until finally they were part of the throng crowded around the platform, although they were quite a way back.

‘All right, here we are!’ said Kieran. He looked at Albert. ‘Still in one piece?’

‘I think so,’ said Albert, lying valiantly.

‘Good, good! Don’t wanna be missin’ this now! Yer first time, innit?’

Albert nodded. ‘What about you?’

‘Oh, loads of times!’