Lyrus looked disappointed.
“But I got away,” Cole added. “It was a good chase.”
“Were you rescuing somebody?”
“No.”
“Hunting treasure?”
“Sort of.”
“What did you claim?”
“Just this shawl,” Cole said, tugging on it.
“Hmmm,” Lyrus said. “Why the shawl? Can it turn you into a bat? Make you invisible?”
“No,” Cole said. “I don’t think it does much.”
Lyrus frowned thoughtfully. “Yet here you are.”
“Why is this place for heroes?” Cole asked.
Lyrus looked upon his surroundings with pride. “Parona is a sacred proving ground.”
“Heroes train here?”
Lyrus gave him half a grin. “Lessons are for elsewhere. This is no school. Champions come here to test themselves.”
Cole considered the area more cautiously. “How are they tested?”
“It depends how they choose.”
“Can they die?”
“Wouldn’t be much of a trial if they couldn’t. Are you staying or going?”
“I can still go?”
“I suppose. I’m the wrong person to ask. I don’t understand how cowards think.”
“Ouch! Are you daring me?”
“I’m stating a fact. I’ve never run from a fight or backed down from a challenge. Nor will I ever. But that is me. I see no valor in forcing a coward to prove himself when he would rather flee. Do you?”
“No.”
Lyrus gave a nod. “The man unwilling to brave the test has already shown himself to be much more craven than the man who fails.”
Cole couldn’t help feeling offended. “What if I didn’t come here to be tested? Heroes only need to be brave when there’s a good reason. It would be stupid to risk your life without a purpose.”
Lyrus sighed. “Every coward has his excuses.”
“What are the tests?”
“The only way to find out is to try one.”
“What do I get if I pass?”
“Confirmation of your heroic status.”
“Like what? A certificate?”
“You get to keep a weapon from the arms room, a work of art from the gallery, and an item from the treasure house.”
Cole glanced up at the lifeboat. “Can I tell you why I’m here and get your advice?”
“If you wish.”
“We’re salvagers. We want to take some stuff before this place is destroyed. Would each person have to pass a test to take something?”
Lyrus paused. “There are five trials prepared.”
“What if we pass all five?”
“Then . . . I would arrange for more.”
“Would you have time?”
Lyrus scowled in thought.
“This place will only be around for a day or two,” Cole pointed out.
“Nonsense.”
“You know we’re floating in the sky.”
“Nonsense.”
Cole glanced upward. “I came here in a flying ship. Look around.”
“Non—” Lyrus began, but then stopped himself. He squinted up at the Okie Dokie. He surveyed the area. “I feel . . . odd.” He rubbed his eyes. “It’s hard to explain.” He scanned the area some more. “How have I missed so much?” He folded his arms. “It’s as though I’m not supposed to recognize what I’m seeing. I’m not supposed to pay attention.” He gave a sheepish smile. “I never thought about whether Parona was in the sky or not. I didn’t stop to consider the odd manner of your arrival. Yet I see it all now, and no matter what impulses compel me otherwise, I cannot unsee it. I never run. I never hide. Not from anything.”
Cole felt bad for the big soldier. He knew he had just messed with his head.
Lyrus glowered at the ground. “You call yourself a salvager. You claim that Parona will be destroyed?”
“This is a castle floating in the sky. You came out of a cloudwall. You’re heading for another cloudwall. You’ll never come back.”
Closing his eyes, Lyrus rubbed his temples. He gritted his teeth. “Where do I come from?” he muttered. “I can’t recall where I come from.”
“You’ve probably existed for less than a day,” Cole said. “Nobody really knows how you were made.”
“Nor do I,” Lyrus said. His eyes widened. “No! No, no, no! You speak the truth! I’m a fraud!”
Cole was ready to run. The soldier didn’t seem very stable.
“I had no idea,” Lyrus said, a little calmer. “I have no past. It seemed I did, before I gave it my attention, but as I examine myself honestly, I have no history. No childhood. No memories before this place. I pose as an expert on heroism, yet I have accomplished nothing.”
Cole stared at the soldier. He seemed more perplexed than angry or sad.
“Would you mind if we took some stuff?” Cole attempted. “That way, part of Parona can live on.”
Lyrus examined his sword. He stared down at himself, stroking his breastplate with one hand. “I look real enough.” He met eyes with Cole. “Real as you.”
Cole wasn’t sure how to respond.
The soldier looked up at the Okie Dokie and beyond to the Domingo. “There are fine treasures here. I understand why you salvagers took an interest. But I cannot allow you to take anything without first passing a test.”
Cole sagged a little. Lyrus had been sounding so reasonable. “Why not?”
The soldier straightened. “It is my duty. It is my purpose.”
“Why is it your duty?” Cole pressed. “Who gave you the duty?”
Eyes squeezed shut, Lyrus bowed his head. “I have no answer.”
“Can’t you just drop the act?” Cole asked.
“I’m here to test heroes.”
“What gives you the right to test anyone?”
Lyrus sheathed his sword. “This is my purpose. I may have no past, but I am still Lyrus. I am not deaf to your request. I can be reasonable. I don’t want the treasures of Parona to head needlessly into oblivion. There may be some room for bargaining. But a test must be passed.”
“We’re not heroes,” Cole said. “My job is to run from danger, not to fight it.”
“If only,” Lyrus began, and then he looked like he was choking.
“Are you okay?” Cole checked.
The big soldier nodded and steadied himself. “Perhaps,” he started again, then couldn’t finish.