The real Eighth Guardian had been named S’arric, not Selanol. And if that was who Qown meant, Kihrin suspected the priest would be horrified to know what had really happened to the ‘god’ of the sun and stars. Kihrin certainly was. “So that’s why your religion was outlawed?”

“Oh no. Our religion was forbidden because we maintain gods are nothing more than mortals who’ve given themselves great power by exploiting magic, and thus shouldn’t be worshipped.”

Kihrin stared. “Huh. Yeah, I can see how that might upset folks.” Kihrin shifted in his seat, gaze still fixed on Brother Qown. The priest wasn’t wrong, of course. The Eight hadn’t started out as gods to be worshiped, but as champions tasked with saving everyone else from the invading demons. But S’arric hadn’t died fighting such. He’d been murdered, betrayed. Still, Kihrin could see how the narrative might have slipped into saying he’d died that way. Or how, over time, the “god’s” name had changed from Solan’arric to Selanol.

Kihrin hoped the Vishai Mysteries didn’t have some belief Selanol would return to save everyone, but he wouldn’t be surprised if they did. He looked over to see Janel had a blank expression on her face. She looked like someone with her fists balled up under the table to keep her from commenting.

He had a feeling she considered “gods” a sore point.

So to change the subject, Kihrin said, “I’m curious, Janel: Did Baron Tamin just out and out tell you his plans?”

She smiled ruefully. “You know, he rather did.”

Janel’s Turn. The tournament grounds in Mereina, Barsine Banner, Jorat, Quur.

Outsiders seldom understand the tournament’s importance in Joratese life. The knights who perform in the contests are heroes. In other dominions, knighthood, if it exists, is a function of noble blood; the aristocracy’s sword-wielding arm. In Jorat, we don’t attach such trappings to our knights. They are our finest horsemen, athletes, and swordsmen, trained and sponsored to represent their liege’s interests on the field of honor. Anyone can aspire to be a knight.

Anyone but a ruling noble.

Is it any surprise, therefore, that the knightly class is so beloved here? Knights sit at a pinnacle reachable by anyone daring enough, brave enough, and strong enough to win the field, no matter what their birth. Knights are champions who might represent lords, merchants, towns, but they are risen from commoners. The crowds who come out to watch their displays of prowess are best described as “every mare, stallion, and gelding who can possibly attend.”

The tournament is the heart of the Jorat community.

And thus, it didn’t take me long to realize how much of Barsine’s heart had rotted.