Like Corso, Kenley was a moderate in the Senate. Hilgendorf, who was anything but moderate, merely nodded. Kenley’s job here was to act as Corso’s representative both inside and outside of the ring of combat, which essentially boiled down to making sure the other side did not cheat. Hilgendorf was there to play a similar role for Corso’s opponent.

‘Senator Jarret has asked me to make an offer,’ said Hilgendorf, stepping up to Corso. ‘He wants to know if you’re willing to negotiate a non-lethal outcome.’

‘What you mean is, you’re willing to let me live if I agree to surrender without a fight and automatically relinquish my Senate seat and my vote.’ Corso smiled grimly and shook his head. ‘Please tell Senator Jarret that if he’d wanted a “non-lethal solution”, he shouldn’t have issued his challenge in the first place.’

Hilgendorf was anything but a patient man. ‘Senator Jarret’s a war veteran and a recognized Hero of the State. Maybe you should take some time to reconsider before making any snap decisions, Senator. You’re standing on pretty thin ice these days.’

‘Unless you’ve got a serious offer to make,’ intervened Kenley, ‘you should remain silent, Mr Hilgendorf

Corso raised one hand. ‘It’s okay, Marcus, it’s only protocol. Mr Hilgendorf’s just here on a formality, isn’t that right?’ he said, looking Hilgendorf directly in the eye.

‘We’re offering you an opportunity to step down before you get hurt,’ Hilgendorf insisted. ‘After all, none of your previous opponents possessed the . . . unique skills you and Senator Jarret both share.’

Corso frowned, momentarily thrown off-balance.

‘Then I’ll extend the same courtesy to Mr Jarret,’ he replied, unsure exactly what Hilgendorf had meant. ‘If he throws in his glove, I’ll let him leave here alive. Otherwise, you can tell him I look forward to meeting him in combat.’

Behind his mask, Hilgendorf’s expression seemed to freeze in place. ‘Very well, then. I’ll pass your decision back to him.’

‘You can take the truck, Mr Hilgendorf,’ said Kenley ‘We’ll walk to the meeting ground.’ Kenley cast a questioning look at Corso, who nodded his assent.

Hilgendorf turned away without another word, and climbed back into the truck. A moment later the vehicle’s caterpillar treads gripped the shattered stone beneath it, and headed back the way it had come.

‘Fun ride on the way here?’ asked Corso.

‘How could you tell?’ Kenley grumbled. ‘Look . . . in all seriousness, Jarret isn’t like anyone else you’ve been up against. He’s got a hell of a reputation in the combat ring. You must know that, right?’

‘And I don’t, is that it?’

Kenley started to say something, then seemed to change his mind. He nodded along the frozen shore. ‘Care to take a stroll?’

Corso glanced back at the tent, where Breisch was still resting. ‘It’d be warmer inside.’