Without a word, Iltani pulled me into a side hug that was a little too tight. “Keep a brave face.”

My stomach turned over. “I’ll try.” But the thought of them accidentally hurting one another as they feigned a fight was unnerving.

Both Dagan and Nasu wore masks of complete concentration. Dagan’s eyes roamed the platform and the viewing boxes, and when I caught his eye, he sent me a tight-lipped smile, which only made me more nervous.

On the far corner of the benches surrounding the Pit stood a podium high above the crowd. The town crier laboriously climbed, his knees hitting his great belly, sweat pouring off his brow. With a mighty grunt, he hoisted himself up the last steps to speak. He paused, his face flushed with exertion.

I shuddered as he raised his hands, and the drummers rolled out a warning for the crowd to silence themselves, each strike on the hide matching the thump in my own chest. He lifted the trumpet to his mouth to project his great voice across the empty cavern of the Pit.

“Ladies and gentlemen of Alu!” His voice echoed off the sandstone walls. “I must speak of the unprecedented spectacle you are about to witness, made especially difficult to test these two young men since the lugal deems honesty such a worthy venture!”

From his cushion down the viewing box, someone was watching me. Turning, I caught the disgusting grimace of a smile from Uruku.

My knees bobbed beneath the heavy cloak, my healing satchel shaking, rattling the tinctures inside. I didn’t like that look. Not one bit.

Below, the town crier reminded the crowds about the sacredness of the Trial of Ordeal, instructing us that today, both men would fight to prove they were honest. “He who dies will have been proven a liar by the gods, and he who lives must be believed, for he speaks the truth.” He paused, glanced down at the clay tablet in his hand, and shifted his body to address Dagan and Nasu directly. The crowd leaned in to hear his words.

“Today, Guardsman and Farmer, you will need to truly earn your honesty. You’ll be facing…an almost insurmountable task.” He swallowed, his voice faltering. “You will not be fighting each other to prove your innocence, as you’ve been told. You will be facing a challenge even greater than that.”

They weren’t going to fight each other? Panic bubbled up into my throat. “Iltani, our plans aren’t going to work if Nasu doesn’t cut him with the blade!”

Dagan and Nasu glanced at each other, fear plain on their faces. I looked at Uruku, who was grinning widely.

The town crier continued. “But we know that you are strong. Able. And determined to share your innocence with all of us in Alu. The last man standing will prove his word is true! Young men, I pray that Selu keep you!” At that, the crowd roared. The town crier climbed back down the stairs, his hair dampened with sweat, and cast one worried look back at Dagan and Nasu as he left.