A referee confirmed her armband number, and then grabbed her hand and the hand of the other contestant. aRound one of the Test of Wills shall begin.a The referee pulled her hand into the air.

Mult.i.tudes of bodies crammed the ropes at the outer edges of the arena and began screaming their encouragement at the refereeas words.

aLet the fighting begin.a Tara looked at her opponent for the first time.

aI guess youall do for warm-up,a the tall, thin young man said. His pale green eyes appeared to mock her through his headscarf. The man lunged at Tara.

She responded with a hard blow to the side of his head, and he flew backwards, crashing to the ground.

His head fell back and hit a rock. He lay motionless.

Tara stood in the ring with her feet spread a foot or so apart and secured her gloved hands together behind her back. The crowd cheered, and she waited for the next contestant to enter the ring.

The next two fights were similar to the first. The fighters would aim one blow at Tara before she flattened them. A hard punch to the abdomen, a kick in the face, each caused the other fighter to fall, defeated. The third fight lasted for several punches.

A young, stocky woman came after her with full vengeance. She knocked Tara backward and punched her twice before Tara gained her balance.

Tara came back at her with several kidney punches, and the crowd groaned as they felt the womanas pain. As her opponent struggled to regain control, she once again stood still with her hands behind her back. The crowd screamed for her to attack again, and Tara glanced around the arena. It was not a fight to the death, and she refused to hurt the woman any more than necessary.

The woman finally pulled the white cloth off her arm and threw it to the ground, indicating her surrender. Part of the crowd moaned. Obviously, shead been a favorite of one of the clans.

Between the next several fights, Tara scanned the crowd. The Gothman were sitting on one side of the arena, and she spotted Darius easily enough.

One of his guards was talking, and he listened intently.

She caught his eye as he looked at her, and he smiled. She glanced away quickly and looked at the crowd of Runners.

For the first time, she laid her eyes on Patha. He was staring at her.

She couldnat pull her gaze away.

Did he recognize her? How could he not, she decided. She shrugged. What could he do about it anyway? The compet.i.tion was underway. As their eyes continued to meet through the crowd, she realized Reena was sitting next to him and also staring.

Suddenly Reenaas hands went to her mouth. Patha steadied her, putting his hand on her arm.

Tara watched as Reena looked at Patha and said something. He nodded and they both turned and looked at her again. Reena started to get up, but Patha pulled her back. He then leaned back and crossed his arms across his chest. His face wore no expression.

She finally succeeded in pulling her gaze away from Patha as she took on the next contestant. After several more fights, Taraas adrenaline soared. She ignored the crowd now and focused on each contestant. By the tenth contestant, she began to feel more evenly matched. She and one fighter, a large burly man, fought for almost an hour.

There didnat seem to be anything she could do to make him fall. He was thick as a tree trunk. His punches served only to increase her drive to fight. At one point, he grabbed her from behind and slowly began to squeeze the life out of her. In a mad rage, she managed to reach behind and grab him by the neck. A hush fell over the crowd as she slowly turned until his neck cracked and he slumped, lifeless, to the ground.

The sense of battle took over all of Taraas thoughts. She no longer cared that Patha or Darius watched. She was a merciless machine, and each contestant who entered the arena felt her fury. At this point, she lost count of the contestants shead eliminated. She was stunned back to reality when Pathaas voice came over the loudspeaker.

aThere will be a ten minute recess. Several of the contestants have withdrawn their application for the Test of Wills. Weall begin again shortly with the last ten contestants.a There were only ten more contestants? Two large Runners entered the arena and escorted Tara through the crowd.

aMake way for the next leader of the Runners,a a young boy screamed not too far in front of Tara.

aYouall defeat the others, donat you worry,a came another voice from beside her.

aNever seen anyone fight like you, lady,a a man yelled.

Patha ordered her to be secluded in a white tent near the arena. She was given water as the two guards stood outside the tent preventing Runners and Gothman from entering to offer their allegiance.

Tara realized her hands shook as she sipped the water. The crowd outside pushed against the canvas, and guards yelled to step to the side. Tara exhaled and watched her breath appear as a puff of smoke in the chilly air. A Test of Wills hadnat been called for in over a hundred winters, and Tara couldnat recall from her history lessons if another warrior had successfully won every round. She felt exhilarated and nervous all at the same time.

aIam meant to lead the Runners.a *

The crowd outside the tent and throughout all the benches buzzed with the excitement of the day. The same words were repeated everywhere: Who was she? Could anyone defeat her? Which clan was she from?

The Blood Circle Clan members knew exactly who she was. What they wanted to know was, how could she possibly be Tara?

Kuro pushed his way toward Patha and begged permission to speak with the leader of the clans.

Patha ordered his guard, who stood next to Kuro, to inform the young man it would be inappropriate to speak to a contestant during the test.

aYou know who that is out there.a Kuro looked past the guard and spoke to Patha anyway. aWhat are you going to do about it?a Patha didnat answer and the guard stood between Patha and Kuro, telling Kuro to leave.

Disgusted, Kuro walked to the other side of the arena. He searched through the Gothman, looking for Darius. The Gothman were whooping and hollering and faking punches at each other as they downed the Runner ale.

Darius was still sitting on the bench with several men around him, including his little brother.

Kuro pushed aggressively through the men and confronted Darius. aThatas Tara, isnat it?a Kuro had bellowed the question, and Darius looked annoyed at the rudeness. The other Gothman pushed back Kuro and grumbled something about showing respect to the Lord of Gothman.

aSheas supposed to be dead. Whatas going on here?a Kuro ignored the other Gothman and demanded an answer.

aYou know as well as I do that Gothman arenat allowed to have anything to do with the Test of Wills, they arenat.a Lord Darius showed no expression as he downed his cup of ale. aWeare just here to observe.a aNo one can fight like that,a Kuro snarled, aexcept maybe Tara.a Darius stared blankly, and Kuro was furious. aI havenat seen her in five winters, and I can tell you without any doubt that is Tara. If you arenat so sure, than maybe your claim isnat as strong as you think. After all, you werenat able to keep her here the first time.a Darius leapt from where he was sitting and struck Kuro with his body while in midair. The two tumbled down the stadium benches to the floor. Gothman moved out of the way in all directions, clearing a path for the struggling men.

Kuro landed on his feet and stood inches from Dariusa face. The rage on Dariusa face was enough to make the largest of men back down. Kuro, however, stood tall and smiled. aI knew I could get a rise out of you, my friend,a he whispered. aI wonat hurt her, I promise.a Darius lifted Kuro by his coat and shoved him backward. Kuro stumbled a few feet before regaining his balance, and raised a fist at the lord. But Darius moved fast and grabbed Kuroas fist with his gloved hand.

Kuro stared hard at the handsome lord, whose face came within inches of his own. He hated the man for taking Tara, and despised him even more for somehow managing to bring her back. He wouldnat let the hatred show. First he had to win the Test of Wills, and so he relaxed his arm and forced a smile.

aFight her like a man,a Lord Darius snarled, undaunted by the chivalrous smile. aSheall take you down like one.a aTrust me, my friend, I know exactly what sheas capable of doing.a Kuroas eyes gleamed. He straightened his clothing and slowly walked away from the outraged lord.

Patha announced the fights would continue, and the crowd convened noisily. As Tara reentered the arena, the crowd volume increased by decibels. Gothman and Runners pounded their boots on the wooden seats and hollered and yelled.

She stood in the center of the ring, calm and unharmed from the previous fighting, letting the crowd show their respect. These people would follow her unconditionally, which was exactly what she wanted.

The next fighter entered the arena. He was a large man, standing head and shoulders over Tara, and she recognized him as the one who had checked in when she had. He turned and held his hands over his head as the crowd shrieked.

Tara realized he was drunk. With his back turned, she jumped in the air and kicked him hard in the small of his back.

The crowd roared as he stumbled but did not fall.

He turned and screamed. aWhy you little b.i.t.c.h!a Tara couldnat move fast enough when the man lunged forward, grabbed her, and then threw her as if she weighed nothing. The ropes stopped her from falling, but she found her torso twisted in them and took a second to gather her bearings and balance. Hands were all over her, and Tara felt as if some in the audience attempted to push her in, while others tried to pull her out.

Taraas clothes had twisted, and she felt groped as she finally faced her aggressor.

aYouare going to lose this one, little b.i.t.c.h,a Bordo sneered and made another attempt to grab her.

aAnd youare going to learn some manners,a Tara hissed. She gathered her strength and jumped. Her legs went up, this time kicking him in the face. The heel of her boot hit him in the nose, and blood flew everywhere as he threw himself at her again. This time he picked her up and slammed her to the ground.

Tara lay without moving. The large man stood over her breathing loudly, but she didnat move. The crowd yelled for her to get up and finish him off, but still she just lay there.

Reenaas hands went to her face, and she started to cry.

aDonat worry, woman, I taught her this,a Patha whispered.

Reena slowly spread her fingers and peeked between them, unable to stop watching her daughter in action.

The large man approached Tara slowly, finally sticking a foot under her to turn her over.

Tara moved so quickly, most onlookers missed what happened. She grabbed his foot, jumped up with lightning speed, and raised it high into the air, causing the man to fall on his back. Before he could move, she was on him.

After several punches to his face, she wrapped her hands around his neck and twisted his head within fractions of the breaking point. Then she sat on him and waited. Each time he tried to move, she turned his head just a little farther.

At last, he realized his life was in her hands. He reached for the white cloth on his arm and threw it to the ground.

She jumped off, and the crowd seemed ready to riot.

The next several fighters were all huge men. They hovered over her, and she made it look like a struggle to defeat each one of them. Each time, they lost, b.l.o.o.d.y and mad as h.e.l.l. Tara remained unharmed.

At last the moment she dreaded arrived. Kuro entered the ring.

A hush fell on the crowd as they saw the man predicted to win the Test of Wills stand before the undefeated woman.

Unlike the other warriors, Kuro stood facing Tara and bowed.

She stood undaunted and bowed in return. Then, to Taraas surprise, he a.s.sumed the position of the ancient warriors: bent knees, straight back, arms bent with hands opened. He held the position until Tara matched the pose.

The crowd grew silent. No one moved. Everyone sat on the edges of their seats.

The Gothman were not familiar with this method of fighting, and most Runners had not studied it. Patha had taught Tara and Kuro the ancient fight when they were teenagers.

Kuro knew this would be the last proof he needed to convince himself that this masked woman was indeed the first, and in fact, only love of his life. Love as he understood it, of course. Tara was worth wanting and loving, because with her came the rule of all Runner clans.

Kuro began moving slowly around the arena, stepping lightly, and keeping his knees bent. He watched as the woman in front of him matched him move for move and not a peep came from the hundreds of onlookers. With speed quicker than the eye, Kuro darted toward her and chopped with his hand.

She blocked the chop with her arm, spun and kicked him while jumping into the air.

He took the blow and returned one of his own. They continued to match each other, blow for blow. The crowd cheered, then quieted after each attack.

Thirty minutes pa.s.sed, and Tara had had enough of Kuroas style. She felt he mocked her. Finally, she unleashed her power, raging at him with blow after blow, not allowing him the politeness of returning each blow.

Kuro went on the defensive, eager to find an opportunity to return to the offensive. The fear of defeat rose inside him, and not ready to accept it, he lunged and wrapped his arms around her.

She twisted, kicking and punching as he lifted her from the ground. She elbowed him hard in the ribs, causing instant pain to rack his body.

As he let her go, he reached out and ripped her headscarf from her face. Both Gothman and Runner alike howled as their suspicions were confirmed.

As suddenly as they had gasped their amazement, the ma.s.ses quieted, wondering how a dead woman could be standing before them.

aWhat is this Test of Wills that you would have me fight a ghost?a Kuro turned and yelled to Patha. aNo wonder she can defeat each warrior entering this arena. Will we let ourselves be ruled by a dead woman?a The crowd stirred.

Patha looked across the arena to Darius who returned his gaze. Neither wanted a riot to break out.

Tara saw their gaze and knew it would take little to stir the crowd. She glared at Kuro who had turned away as he uttered his disrespectful outcries to Patha. She jumped up and kicked him hard in the square of the back.

aDoes that feel like the blow of a dead woman?a she screamed. The crowd roared with laughter as Kuro stumbled forward.

Tara showed no mercy and kicked him again, and he fell. Once on the ground, she hit him so hard in the side, he was unable to rise. She jumped on him and pulled his head back by his hair.

aWhich part of me do you think is dead?a she said as she punched him on the side of the head. She threw his head to the ground and leaped to stand on his back. She jumped, landing on him so hard not an inch of breath was left in his lungs.

aIam not dead and have returned to the land and people I love.a She shook her head enjoying the cold breeze on her sweat-soaked face.

The crowd cheered and slowly began to chant her name. aTara! Tara!a The sound grew louder and louder. Gothman and Runner jumped to their feet and roared. aTara! Tara!a Kuro appeared lifeless at her feet, and for a moment she wondered if he were dead. The doctor soon entered the ring and called for a stretcher. With relief, Tara watched Kuro carried through the crowd.

She now stood alone in the arena as the crowd continued to chant. She turned to Patha, who looked at her with the serious face of a leader. She clasped her hands in front of her and bowed low in respect.

Patha stood and was a.s.sisted down the stairs by several attendants.

Tara noticed how slowly he moved and hurried toward him as he entered the arena. He waved away the attendants and eagerly took his daughteras hand as she helped him move to the center of the arena.

The crowd slowly sat and waited for the ruler of all clans to speak. He turned to his daughter and then slowly bent down and picked up her headscarf. As he reached to place it back on her head, she stopped his hand.

aNo,a she said loudly enough for all to hear. aI wear the clothes of the Runner to show the pride I have in my people. But, from this day forward, I will not cover my head in order to show pride in the people of my mama, the Gothman.a The crowd gasped as they heard about her mixed heritage for the first time. aI stand before you as rightful heir and future leader of all Runner clans. I also stand before you as the claimed one of Lord Darius, leader of Gothman.a Patha turned to Darius and raised his hand to salute and show respect to the Lord of Gothman.

Escorted by his guards, Darius led a small procession into the arena.

Patha took his hand and placed it in the hand of his daughter. He then turned and faced the crowd. aThis day will be remembered for generations to come. All of you have witnessed one of the great moments of our history. We can tell our children and our grandchildren that we were present the day Runners and Gothman were truly united as a nation of two races that will never be defeated.a At this, the crowd stood and applauded loudly.

Darius turned to Tara and pulled her close. aYou were incredible,a he whispered.

aCrator told me Iad be victorious.a

Chapter Twenty-Three.