“I understand, Highness,” Gracchus answered. “And although it grieves me to mention it, there is another urgent matter that we must face. The latest treasury count-”

“I am aware of the treasury count!” Vespasian snapped. Trying to calm himself, he sighed and gave Gracchus a hard look. “ThePon Q’tar does little else but whine about it! Do you think I wanted to pay for these games with public funds? But what other choice did we have?”

He angrily rubbed his brow. “I’m sorry, Gracchus,” he said. “It seems that I’ve heard all the bad news I can stomach for now. But you’re right about one thing. I doubt that the crowd will be willing to wait much longer. The last thing that we need is another citywide riot on our hands.”

As Gracchus nodded and returned to his seat, Vespasian looked at the Games Master and clapped his hands. At once the man walked toward the edge of the box and swiveled another gilded sign. When the crowd saw the centurions again unlock the Gates of Life and hurry through, they stood and shouted, their rising clamor quickly becoming deafening.

Persephone turned to look at Vespasian. Normally at the start of the games her husband showed the same eager excitement as the mob, but now he only looked concerned. She did her best to give him a reassuring smile.

Below, the customary processional sounds rang out. The massive Gates of Life swung open, and dozens of Imperial Order horse-drawn chariots charged into the arena. Driven by accomplished centurions, they began speeding around the arena wall in opposite directions, narrowly missing one another for the amusement of the crowd. Following the chariots, a large band of Imperial Order musicians entered, dressed in their finest uniforms and beating on drums and blowing into trumpets, fifes, and flutes.

Today’s killings were special. Seeing the usual lot of common criminals ruthlessly butchered always held great amusement for the Rustannicans of Ellistium. But watching Shashidan fighters taken fresh from the battlefield and forced to fight to the death held a special appeal. By watching the Shashidans die in the arena, the crowd could share in the legions’ victories. Vespasian knew that this united his countrymen like nothing else, and so he too welcomed the coming slaughter.