The young woman curtsied and left. Mai guessed she was a servant to the queen.
The queen did not look at Mai or Kalin until she sat in one of two golden chairs facing the arena. Her face remained stern even when Mai smiled. Perhaps the captain was right when he said the queen’s heart was as cold as the ice around her.
With one nod of her head a man walked out into the middle of the field. He was a short man with a big voice much like the captain’s, only he didn’t wear a hat on his white head of hair. Like some of the other waterclaspers, he wore a green armband. He introduced himself as the referee for the challenge.
Barka squirmed in the warmth of Mai’s jacket. Then he popped out his head and his dark protruding eyes focused on Mai. He squeaked at her twice. She had not forgotten about
