Tempests and Slaughter

Chapter 6: June 5, 436–March 18, 437

Chapter 7: May 23–August 24, 437

Chapter 8: August 25–28, 437

Chapter 9: August 31–December 2, 437

Chapter 10: December 3–31, 437

Chapter 11: January 1–9, 438

Chapter 12: February–March 438

Chapter 13: March 438

Chapter 14: April 438

Chapter 15: April–May 15, 438

Chapter 16: June–September 2, 438

Chapter 17: September 15–30, 438

Chapter 18: September 30–October, 438

Chapter 19: October 438–June 439

Chapter 20: Summer Term 439

Chapter 21: Summer Term 439

Chapter 22

Acknowledgements

Glossary

Also by Tamora Pierce

About the Publisher

Map (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)

THE IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY OF CARTHAK

The School for Mages

The Lower Academy for Youthful Mages

SCHEDULE OF STUDY, AUTUMN TERM, 435 H.E.

Student: Arram Draper

Learning Level: 10

Breakfast – Third Morning Bell

Morning Classes

History of the Carthaki Empire

Essentials of Water Magic, beginning studies

Language: Old Thak

Lunch – Noon Bell

Afternoon Classes

Mathematics

Essential Earth Magic: Seed and Harvest (First Half Autumn Term); Stone and Earth (Spring)

Reading and Writing

The Tools of Magic: Bowls, Mortar and Pestle, Salt, Water, Vials

Supper – Seventh Afternoon Bell

Extra Study at Need

CHAPTER 1 (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)

August 30–September 1, 435 (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)

THE IMPERIAL COLISEUM, THAK CITY, THE CARTHAKI EMPIRE (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)

Arram Draper hung on the rail of the great arena, hoisting himself until his belly was bent over the polished stone. It was the only way he could get between the two bulky men who blocked his view. He knew it was risky, but he couldn’t waste his first chance to see the gladiators when they marched into the huge stadium. His father and grandfather were back at their seats, arguing about new business ventures. They weren’t paying attention, waving him off when he asked to visit the privies and never realizing he’d squirmed his way down to the rail instead.

Apart from them, he was alone. There were no friends from school for company. They all said he was too young. He was eleven – well, ten, in truth, but he told them he was eleven. Even that didn’t earn him friends among his older schoolfellows. Still, he wasn’t a baby! If he didn’t see the games with his family today, he might never get the chance, and he’d learned only last night he might not see Papa again for two years, even three. Carthak was a costly voyage for Yusaf Draper, and his new venture would take him away for a long time. But in the morning, Arram would be able to tell the older students that he had watched the games right from the arena wall!

Already he’d heard the trumpets and drums announcing the arrival of the emperor and his heirs. He couldn’t see their faces, but surely all the sparkling gold, silver, and gems meant the wearers were part of the imperial family. He could see the Grand Crier, who stood on a platform halfway between him and the royals. More important, he could plainly hear the man’s booming voice as he announced the emperor’s many titles and those of his heirs.

‘Lookit!’ The bruiser on Arram’s left bumped him as he pointed north, to the emperor’s dais. Arram wobbled and might have pitched headfirst onto the sands twenty feet below if the man on his other side hadn’t caught him by the belt and hauled him inside the rail. Without appearing to notice Arram’s near fall, the man on the left went on to say, ‘There’s the widow, and her son! She never comes to games!’

‘Who’s the widow?’ Arram asked. ‘Who’s the son?’

The big men grinned at each other over his head. ‘For all you’re a brown boy, you don’t know your imperials,’ said the one who had bumped him. ‘The widow is Princess Mahira, that was married to Prince Apodan.’