There's an uncomfortable pause in the room. Lord Sir finally chuckles, flicking his napkin. "You've been keeping tabs on me, I see."
"I keep tabs on all my friends," Lord va'Rin says, and there's a small smile on his mouth, as if he's daring Lord Sir to say they're not friends at all. Something tells me they're not, but no one's going to admit it.
Lord Sir shrugs, picking up his goblet. "Perhaps I've acquired him. Why does it matter?"
Lord va'Rin straightens, ever so slightly, and his bored slouch disappears, replaced by ramrod-straight posture and an intense look in his eyes. "Because I know he's an illegal clone and I would hate to see you ruin your reputation and your fortune over such a thing."
I'm glad I'm not eating, because I would have choked. My eyes go wide, and Lord Sir's tail lashes so violently a piece of jewelry falls off and clinks to the floor. I scoop it up and hand it to an ooli that comes racing in behind everyone. The room is utterly silent, the tension so thick you can practically feel it.
Lord Sir recovers, his tail slowing, and he gives his head a small shake. "Whoever told you that is feeding you lies, I'm afraid. My Crulden is the real thing. I purchased him from a very reputable dealer who assured me he's been in stasis for the last five years, since his final match under the ha'Kosor stable."
"A pretty lie, and almost believable," Lord va'Rin says. "Except that I know it is a lie."
"How do you know?" Lord Sir snaps.
"Darling, try the pickled veg,” Milly chirps, waving one of her eating sticks at her husband. "It's delicious." She smiles at Lord Sir. "This is a fine table. I can't thank you enough for inviting us."
I think for a moment he's going to snarl at her, but he manages a stiff "Of course."
There's a long pause in which everyone samples the food, and I feel like I'm going to go out of my mind if someone doesn't get the conversation back on track. I feel like I can't breathe. I need someone to speak up. To fucking answer. To—
"How do you know?" Lord Sir says again, his tone easier, more contained. "I am assured that Crulden's sale was above board and I paid quite a few credits to acquire him. I'm positive that whoever told you these lies is simply looking to sabotage my stable."
"I know," Lord va'Rin continues, offering his wife a tidbit from his plate. "Because I recently had a batch of illegally duplicated human and gladiator clones dumped into my lap, and I have a Crulden as well."
I. Can't. Breathe.
There's another Crulden? Lord va'Rin has one? Or is this all made up after the conversation I had with Milly? I shoot her a look, but she sips her juice and picks at her food as if utterly bored by the tense conversation around her.
"Explain yourself," Lord Sir says, voice sharp.
"Several years prior, my family lost a ship called the Buoyant Star. We put a bounty out on it, but it was never located until a month or so ago." He toys with the rim of his goblet, his expression never changing from that deeply bored look. "When it was returned to us, we found out that pirates had been using the ship and had filled the hold with slaves. Cloned slaves. Well over a hundred of them, and quite a few were of famous gladiators. My Crulden is a clone, and I'm willing to bet that yours is, too." He lifts his goblet. "I'm going to rehab the poor, unfortunate creatures and set them to work on the fields on my planet, just like I am with the human refugees that have come to me. All life is important, after all."
And he smiles.
"Which is why we are here. I'm here to ask you to turn over your Crulden so I can bring him into my rehabilitation program, since he's useless to you."
I take a deep breath, and it feels like all of the strength has left my body. If this is true…they were here to rescue Crulden all along. He's going to be saved. They're going to free him before Lord Sir gets him killed. I want to pass out with sheer relief, but I also don't want to miss a moment of the conversation.
"Useless?" Lord Sir sputters. "He is not useless to me, and he is not a clone. I don't know how you've come to that conclusion—"
"Crulden the Ruiner was pulled from the roster lists over five years ago and disappeared. Suddenly he reappears mysteriously with you at the same time that I find a clone of him?" Lord va'Rin tsks. "It looks obvious to me, my dear friend. And if you try to place yours in the championship, they'll check him thoroughly for clone markers in his genetic makeup. I think we both know what that will show."