“Including the floatstones,” Cole verified.

“Anything.”

“And you’ll help me pass the test.”

“I have sworn it.”

“Deal.”

“Including my condition?”

“Yes. You’ll still be the protector of Parona.”

Lyrus gave a single slow nod. “The bargain is struck. I can now put on the shawl if you desire.”

“Sure.”

Grinning, Lyrus clasped the shawl around his neck. “Come, young salvager. Let’s select a trial.”

Cole followed Lyrus up broad, shallow steps into one of the larger buildings. The rectangular structure contained a single room with no walls—just columns on all sides and a roof overhead. At one end of the room, on a platform, sat five large bowls in a row.

Lyrus took a torch from a sconce and led Cole to the row of bowls. “Choose which I should light.”

“Don’t you know what test you want?”

“I know which trial pertains to each bowl. I know which fight would be easiest. But only a coward would deliberately pick the easiest. I yearn for the hardest fight—Gromar the cyclops. But is that fair to you? I would be more likely to fail. As your champion, it would be selfish to select Gromar. So I will abide by your choice.”

Cole considered the five bowls. They appeared identical. “Second from the left,” he said, pointing.

“Ah,” Lyrus said weightily. He walked forward and dipped the torch into the bowl. Crimson flames rose up, red as blood. “Harano the Lion. I should have known this would be my trial. It will be a good fight. Be ready to flee. I will get no second chance against this opponent.”

Lyrus led Cole to a large empty square surrounded by eight buildings. Looking up, Cole saw the Okie Dokie following at a distance. He cupped a hand beside his mouth. “If he loses, I’ll need to get out of here fast!”

Eli gave a thumbs-up.

Lyrus directed Cole with a gesture. “Wait on the perimeter.” He proceeded to the middle of the square, drew his sword, and raised his voice. “Harano, come forth! Slay me if you can.”

From one of the buildings surrounding the square, there emerged a huge lion with red-gold fur and a mane that matched the bloodred flames in the bowl. Cole felt an instinctive terror. No fences divided him from this alpha predator. He drew his Jumping Sword.

Head high, advancing with lazy grace, the lion ambled into the square on large paws. The tufted tail swished. On all fours, Harano stood as tall as Lyrus. As the giant cat drew near, the soldier coiled into a fighting stance, sword held ready.

The lion roared, the mighty challenge echoing across Parona. Cole felt the hair on his neck and arms stand up. He glanced at the lifeboat. It hovered just within jumping distance.

Lyrus didn’t waver. “Come, Harano,” he invited. “Measure yourself against me.”

The lion rushed Lyrus with sudden speed. Cole flinched. Harano sprang. Lyrus stepped forward, crouching, and thrust his blade upward. The oversized lion slammed into the soldier, hurling him backward. Both flopped to the ground. Cole heard armor scraping against paving stones.

Man and beast lay still for a few heartbeats. Then Lyrus arose. Bracing one foot against the lion’s shaggy head, he removed his sword, yanking it out from under the jaw.

As Lyrus cleaned the sword by wiping it against the luxurious mane, Cole approached cautiously. “Are you all right?”

Lyrus turned and flashed a wide smile. “Now I have a memory worth owning.”

“That was incredible.”

“I felt alive for the first time. Thank you for that gift. The trial has been won. Our defenses are no longer engaged. You and your comrades are welcome to off-load our treasures.”

All three lifeboats shuttled workers down from the Domingo. Still wearing the shawl, Lyrus showed them where they could find the armaments, the artwork, and the treasure. While the lifeboats waited in the square where Lyrus had defeated Harano, the raiders began collecting valuables.

Helped by his cane, Durny approached Cole with Mira at his side. “Fine work, Cole. I take it the shawl helped convince that soldier to fight for you?”

“It made him obey me,” Cole said. “But I didn’t trick him. He wanted me to have control. He wanted to fight. He wanted to prove himself.”

“Did you know the shawl could do that?”

“Not until he told me,” Cole said. “Lyrus thought he was an expert on heroes. As we spoke, he realized he was a semblance and that he hadn’t ever done anything heroic. He hinted about the shawl so he could have his chance.”

Durny clapped Cole on the shoulder. “Impressive job. Much better to fight with your head than with your hands. Would you care to help us seek out floatstones?”

“Sure. What can I do?”

“Go get my tools from Rowly. That should include a mattock, a pry bar, a hammer, a chisel, and two spades. Bring them and catch up with us.”

“Good job, Cole,” Mira said.

“Thanks.” As Cole turned to find Rowly, his cheeks felt hot. He suspected he was blushing.

A pair of men slowly descended the steps from one of the buildings, holding a huge silver harp between them. Setting it down, they paused to rest. Another man clutched a jeweled scepter in one hand and an ornately framed mirror in the other. A fourth man struggled to carry a stone bust.

Cole spotted Rowly over by the lifeboat called the Charmer. He was a round, balding man who wore spectacles. Beyond Rowly, Cole noticed Lyrus climbing the steps to the building where they had lit Harano’s flame.

Why would Lyrus go there?

Frowning, Cole trotted past Rowly, then increased his pace to a jog to catch up to Lyrus. As he hurried up the broad, shallow steps, Cole told himself that he was probably worrying about nothing. At the top of the steps, he looked through the columns to where Lyrus stood across the room, torch in hand, lighting a fourth bowl.

“What are you doing?” Cole yelled, racing into the room.

Lyrus turned. The bowl that had held the red flame was empty. The other four bowls burned green, blue, gray, and black.

“You granted me the right to remain a protector of Parona,” he said.

“You promised to defend me!”

“I will. To the death, if necessary.”

“You promised the guardians wouldn’t attack us if we came for the treasure!”

“Only the dishonorable would break a vow. I pledged they would not attack you for coming here or for taking anything. And they won’t. They’ll attack because, in my role as protector of Parona, I have begun four trials. True to my word, I will strive to defend you. This proving ground deserves to fulfill its purpose.” He grinned. “And I deserve a final chance to test my skills.”