Vokrash was having a merry time swapping tales of fights of old with Vorgis, and then Rowan started talking. "So tell me, brother...Tell us... Do you even have a wife?" Vokrash looked at Rowan with fire in his eyes, but Rowan was either too drunk or too focused on Antonius to see. Vokrash could hear Antonius fumble around a response and trying to change the subject and realized that all three of his stories were lies.
The talk went on and on and eventually Jamukha entered the fray. "Rowan is right. I'll not put my life in the hands of a liar. If you choose fight this Imperial, I will be your second." With that Vokrash had decided it was time to intervene.
"Enough!" Vokrash boomed this through the entire feasting hall and everyone turned towards him. "You are not children. You are men, gladiators, so start acting like it. Rowan..." Fire was burning in Vokrash's eyes and his entire body was tense and beginning to twitch in anticipation should a brawl arise. "You will be silent or by the gods I will make you silent. You think that one idiotic feat makes you a force to be reckoned with? I've been fighting since before you suckled at your mother's teat. And you..." Vokrash turned his attention to Antonius. "You do not lie to your brothers no matter what. Even as a gladiator you are still a slave, so do not use that excuse again. And you Amon, do not join in and escalate things to violence. Fighting and killing are for the sands, not for the feast hall."
Vokrash looked around the entire hall and dared them to start something.
The tense silence was broken by the executor rising from his seat and giving up a slow sarcastic applause. "True enough, true enough my boys. Clearly there are some people here who can't handle their drink. I think it's time for lights out." And with that they were each lead to their new cells and locked in for the night.
From the far end of the room to the entrance your characters enter through: Belkin, Jamukha, Lahar, Rowan, Gaius, Antonius. There are small windows in both walls of your cells and the door/ 4th wall is entirely made up of iron bars. You can still talk to anyone you want but would probably have to shout depending on how far off they are e.g if Belkin wanted to talk to Antonius.
Soon afterwards the executor found himself standing to attention before Varlen Marrick. "We have a problem with your imperial." He proceeded to report on what had happened down in the cells.
"Three coppers, a bargain I thought, make some easy money I thought. Why is nothing ever simple?"
"What do you want to do?"
"Let's get him out of here tomorrow, give the others some time to forget him. Book him in for ant beta matches you can find, the cauldron usually have some slots open."
"That place is a hole." The executor protested.
"I don't care! Just make sure I can make a better profit from him before the others rip him to shreds! Going from what you've said these Asieren are proving to be more trouble than their worth."
"I disagree sir, Gaius might be doomed for mediocrity but Rowan has truly taken to the life, embraced it even. I think he could be the one you've been looking for."
Marrick's eyes lit up at that.
"Then do it. Start his training tomorrow, with any luck we can debut the Efferus style by the next major event."
"With all due respect sir, are you sure about this?"
"Positive." Marrick's voice was like iron.
"Then if I may speak freely sir. You've got some massive balls naming the new style that. The nobility will want your tongue for it."
"Then the senators can suck my massive balls! See it done!"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The next day the newly made gladiators were each lead to their business.
Lahar was taken in chains to the estate of Senator Kedrin on the outskirts of town. The land was so different to that in the city. Green, lush and perhaps most differently of all; quiet. The only sounds were the chirping of the birds and the wind in the trees. This place was downright idyllic. Beyond the Manor were orchards and vineyards the place was a wealth of colour, a far cry from the desert. When they made their way to the manor's front door Senator Kedrin was there to meet them.
"Welcome,welcome. A pleasure to meet you." He seemed full of enthusiasm and friendliness. "Oh, there's no need for those." He said motioning to Lahar's chains and with a wave of his hands the guards removed Lahar's bindings. "Thank you you may wait out here." The two guards looked at each other confusedly but before they could protest Kedrin was leading Lahar through his home, shutting the door behind him.
"Can I get you anything? Water, wine? Something to eat maybe?"
The hippodrome was not like the arena. Well not exactly. It was still covered in sand and dried blood with row upon row of seats for the audience to watch with a booth at its head for the higher ups to watch from. Unlike the arena the hippodrome was more oval shaped, better for the races. There as also a fur foot high wall in the middle, no doubt put there to try stop any riders from trying to cut a lap short. Jamukha was leaning against it when one of the grounds slaves lead a young red coated horse up to him. He'll be yours today. It's a quiet one today, games wont be starting till later this afternoon. You can take some practice laps with him if you like.
Antonius was in for a shock. The cauldron was not an arena but an abandoned warehouse at the docks. Though it had earned it's name. The place was a cramped, dark, sweaty hell, crammed to breaking point with people. All of them baying wildly for blood. Antonius was shoved into the middle of it all, with nothing but some rags to cover his parts. In the middle of the throng with him were two other men who looked a mixture of angry and bewildered. Joining them as a game maker who walked like a hyena than a man. Choose your weapons!!" He screeched above the din. He walked to Antonius and offered him a bowel. In it were three small tokens with crude drawings of animals on them. A Bear, A snake and a cat. "Choose." He grinned wickedly at the imperial.
Meanwhile back at the Ludus, the other gladiators were lead out into the courtyard for their daily training. As they all went about their own business, exercising or sparring with the wooden versions of whatever weapon they prefer the executor cracked his whip and separated Rowan and Belkin from the rest. "You." He said, pointing his coiled whip at Rowan. "You are to be trained in the art of the noble sword, forget those common axes you Asieren love so much. And you." This time he pointed at Belkin. "You are not ignorant when it comes to one handed swords. Beat that knowledge into him." With that he left the two of them and went back to supervising the other gladiators.
Rowan snarled in anger as the Imperial continued to goad him on. Antonius was actually insulting him, questioning his honor, and he thought he could get away with it? If Durro hadn't been sitting right next to him, Rowan would have flipped the table and gone at Antonius like a wild dog. But he restrained himself for the sake of the boy. Rowan was relieved to see Jamuu jump to his aid, obviously as fed up with Antonius' lies and insults as he was. His friend even offered to stand beside him in combat, should things come to blows. Rowan doubted it would go that far. As much as he wanted to, he knew Marrick would not allow two of his gladiators to beat each other senseless without a crowd of well paying customers to watch it happen.
"You dare to question ME about honor and integrity?" Rowan was full on shouting now, his courage bolstered by the beer in his cups.
"You should pray to whatever god will take you that we do not meet on the sands. I will not be as easy for you to kill as your wife was." Rowan spat clean across the table at Antonius as he spoke the last words, and whirled his head around to see Vokrash rise to his feet in order to stop the conflict.
Enough!" Vokrash boomed this through the entire feasting hall and everyone turned towards him. "You are not children. You are men, gladiators, so start acting like it. Rowan..." Fire was burning in Vokrash's eyes and his entire body was tense and beginning to twitch in anticipation should a brawl arise. "You will be silent or by the gods I will make you silent. You think that one idiotic feat makes you a force to be reckoned with? I've been fighting since before you suckled at your mother's teat."
For a while Rowan simply stared at Vokrash, sizing him up. His face was twisted in anger and his eyes were glazed over. After some time, Rowan grunted and slumped back in his seat, content to honor the old man's wishes of peace. After the feast, Rowan walked to his cell in utter silence, and slept almost the instant he touched the ground.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The next day Rowan awoke with a pounding head and an aching heart. He was led out to the training yard, and quickly realized that Jamuu and Lahar were absent. Fortunately, Antonius was also not among the gladiators training in the yard. Rowan stretched his body awake and looked around for something to take his frustrations out on, only to hear the crack of the whip and the shout of the executor. He turned to see what the man wanted, curious as ever.
"You." He said, pointing his coiled whip at Rowan. "You are to be trained in the art of the noble sword, forget those common axes you Asieren love so much."
Rowan rubbed his eyes and shook his head. He was shocked to hear that he wouldn't be using weapons that he was most familiar, and most deadly, with. He figured it must be some sort of retribution or punishment for his actions during the feast. And Belkin was apparently going to teach him, a prospect Rowan didn't exactly look forward to. The Pingla was a dangerous fighter, and would no doubt have an advantage over Rowan given this specific style of fighting. Any time someone had an advantage over Rowan, it made him nervous.
Sorry I've been posting so much and so many walls of text, starting school and I want to contribute as much as I can
Belkin was starting to enjoy the verbal brawl that the Empire slave and the Asieren were having when the man looked like the leader of the whole lot, Vokrash, spoke up:
"Enough!" Vokrash boomed this through the entire feasting hall and everyone turned towards him. "You are not children. You are men, gladiators, so start acting like it. Rowan..." Fire was burning in Vokrash's eyes and his entire body was tense and beginning to twitch in anticipation should a brawl arise. "You will be silent or by the gods I will make you silent. You think that one idiotic feat makes you a force to be reckoned with? I've been fighting since before you suckled at your mother's teat. And you..." Vokrash turned his attention to Antonius. "You do not lie to your brothers no matter what. Even as a gladiator you are still a slave, so do not use that excuse again. And you Amon, do not join in and escalate things to violence. Fighting and killing are for the sands, not for the feast hall."
At that point the hall fell silent, until the Executor spoke up and everyone was left to go to their rooms. Belkin's room far the farthest from the door, but still as small as every other gladiators room. The place was silent for the whole night as Belkin just looked at the grey walls around him before heading to sleep. This cell needs colour...it needs my home he thought to himself, knowing how Homesick he was by now.
---
Belkin woke up the next day to find that Lahar, Jamukha and, more importantly, the Empire slave, weren't around. This gave him some ease of mind, as there would be less tension in the group. However, as the whip cracked and he and Rowan were asked to come forward, he remembered the day would not be easy. Turned out, it could be quite the opposite:
"You." He said, pointing his coiled whip at Rowan. "You are to be trained in the art of the noble sword, forget those common axes you Asieren love so much. And you." This time he pointed at Belkin. "You are not ignorant when it comes to one handed swords. Beat that knowledge into him."
"With Pleasure" Belkin replied, looking over towards Rowan. He was visably shocked, the Asieren were used to using weapons that were meant to rip flesh, not finely carve it. Belkin had more than a clear advantage over the Asieren...but he would toy with the instagator for now, no use of the shield as a weapon, no need to destroy their defence with a single slice.
Belkin walked over to the weapons, picking up two swords and a shield. He threw one of the swords at Rowan's feet and then paced away from him, Sword and Shield in his hand. "I hope you know how to use more than just words to fight" he said to Rowan, trying to lead him on, "Because a Sword is much more powerful than your tribe would care to know"
Leaning against the hippodrome wall, Jamukha went over the events of the previous night again and again in his head. The drink took the better of me, he decided. Jamukha had allowed his anger to control him, and as a result he was taken in by Rowan?s words. I looked like a fool, standing there while that old brute scolded me like a infant. The thought made his face flush with anger.
The others must think I am a pathetic child. Jamukha could not blame them if they did. Only cowards and wretches started fights at a feast, which was supposed to be a time for peace and brotherhood. Who cares what they think? I am Jamukha, son of Khulay. No man can sit and judge me. As Jamuu thought that, the scarred face of Colemara entered his mind. This time his face reddened with shame. Why did he care what she thought?
?He'll be yours today.? Jamukha?s attention was drawn to the slave who had appeared before him. So startled was Jamuu, that he nearly forgot the purpose of his visit to the hippodrome. ?It's a quiet one today, games won?t be starting till later this afternoon. You can take some practice laps with him if you like.
?Thank you.? Jamuu nodded to the slave as he took the reins of the horse. ?Does he have a name?? If Jamuu would be ridding it was important to him to know the name of his partner.
Running his hand through the thick mane, Jamukha studied the creature before him. A mass of thick muscle and tendons, this beast was made to race. His coat was the color of rust and sun dried clay. Jamukha was reminded of his own horse, the one he had raced his brother on. It was not a pleasant thought, and he quickly banished it from his mind.
Gaius sat at the table next to Antonious as he and Rowan had a verbal brawl, he felt some of Rowan's spit as he spat his words at the imperial. He just wiped it off and sat there in silence until Vokrash and the executor made everyone in the hall as quiet as him.
He was lead to his cell and gathered his surroundings. Grey and depressing, he tried to find some sleep... he couldn't. He waited on his back until the next day, his eyes wide open until he was lead out into the training ground. He was about to start practising with the wooden battleaxe against the large wooden sparring post when he noticed Rowan being forced to fight with a sword. He thought for a moment. 'Perhaps another weapon could keep my mind occupied'. He looked across the wooden weapons before deciding to pick up the spear and dagger. An odd combination but perhaps it could be of some entertainment.
He found it surprisingly efficient, of course it wasn't a real battle but he was able to block his body with the spear, possibly deflecting sword attacks, while being able to slash with the dagger and stab at long range with the spear. It gave him some enjoyment, and he actually found himself cracking a smile every once in a while.
As Vokrash finished the entire hall was silent until the executor stepped in and everybody was sent to their cells. In the morning Vokrash went to practice his hand to hand against a fellow veteran when he noticed that Rowan and Belkin were being led off by the executor and beginning to spar with swords. He also noticed that Jamukha and Antonius were not here and he wondered whether Marrick had sent Antonius to the Cauldron. Finally he saw that Gaius was training with a dagger and spear and was occasionally cracking smiles as he practiced. Maybe the lad will be alright, he just needs some time to straighten his new life out. Gods know I did Vokrash thought to himself. Finally, he turned back and continued his training.
"You dare to question ME about honor and integrity?" Rowan was full on shouting now. "You should pray to whatever god will take you that we do not meet on the sands. I will not be as easy for you to kill as your wife was." The dumb fighters were angered as usual, and now his courage was increased by the beer. What a stupid lightweight. all Antonius did was smile at him making him even more angry. Rowan would be easily to defeat he had put more then 100 warrior better then him into the ground. Still he was once again hated by everyone that was unfortunate but it also strengthened his believe that he needed to stay away from men such as Rowan. Still maybe not every gladiator hated him, he was sure at least an couple of them just didn't care much. there was bound to be another imperial slave here with whom he might form an friendship. And he had Lahar as an trusted friend, that was if he was still his friend. Antonius was taken to his cell and quickly fell asleep.
Antonius was brought to the cauldron the next morning. A pit which was where gladiators where send to either prove their worth or die. Antonius wasn't about to die he would prove his worth, a strange blood thirst arose from inside him. This reminded him of an battle he once fought he was supposed to die, but he didn't that was where he gained the nickname 'the iron commander'. He now realized how he had been behaving and it was all wrong. To survive in this world he had to smile and praise everyone, sure it would take them for him to regain his lost favor, but he knew now that it was the only way to survive. Antonius was shoved forwards he saw 2 other gladiators... no not gladiators savages he knew this fight would be easy if he got the right weapon.
The game maker stepped forwards. "Choose your weapons!!" Antonius had the choice between a bear a cat and a snake. Figuring that the cat was most likely an knife the snake a whip and the bear an hammer he chose the knife. Antonius grabbed the cat one looking at the game maker. His hand to hand prowess was enough to save him here. Antonius knew this was the gods way of saying that this was his last change. He would be victorious even if it mean leaving everything he had once believed behind. this battle would test him he would either change and survive or stay the same and die.
The crowd roared as the games master raised each token high. Antonius received a pair of spiked knuckle dusters, "The claws!" They were called. The taller of his two opponents, who had chosen the bear, was given a two handed hammer with a bunch of rusted nails sticking out of its head. The shorter of the two was given a chain with a blade on one end. And at that the games master got as far as he could from the three fighters. Seemingly viewing the man with the hammer as the biggest threat, the chain wielding fighter lashed out at him, slashing his opponent on the cheek. The, now injured, fighter started swinging his hammer in a wide circle around his head in an attempt to try and keep his opponents at bay.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________In the courtyard of the Marrick ludus, Vorgis made his way up to Gaius. "You know a dummy will only get you so far when you're trying out a new technique." He said, knocking on the wooden man's head. "Come on." He motioned for Gaius to join him in an open patch of ground in the middle of the yard. "Try it on someone who can react." He spread his arms out in open challenge to the gladiator.
While in the background the executor cracked his whip and shouted at Belkin and Rowan. "I'm not seeing any broken heads!" He took a training axe from the weapon racks he strode up to Vokrash. "Make sure those two get some training in. Break whatever you have to."
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Another rider and his horse trotted up to Jamukha. "They don't give them names, you can call him whatever you like." The rider held himself tall and proudly, sitting upon his mount as if the two were made for each other. The man was fair skinned and his hair fairer still. The horse was his complete opposite. It was broad and muscular and its coat was black as night. "You're new here aren't you? Well you may call me kranst and this fellow," he said patting the horse beneath him. "is Shade. At least that's what I call him today." Kranst seemed to smile at his own joke. "You needn't worry. Things are different here, the matches aren't nearly as bloody. That isn't to say a few people aren't killed but most opponents will be more focused on controlling their horses rather than stabbing each other in the head." Kranst stopped himself at that and cleared his throat. "But I'm rambling. If I hadn't scared you off then, please, join me in a few laps around the track." And with that Kranst and Shade set off at a canter along the straight stretch of the hippodrome.
"I hope you know how to use more than just words to fight" he said to Rowan, trying to lead him on, "Because a Sword is much more powerful than your tribe would care to know"
Rowan smiled and bent down to get the sword, rubbing some dirt on his hands to give himself a better grip on the hilt before snatching the blade up and getting back to his feet. Rowan whirled the blade around a few times, slashing at the air and getting used to the motions. A sword was certainly quicker than an axe, and perhaps more precise, but the sheer strength of an axe in Asieren hands was unmatched. Rowan could wish for an axe as much as he liked however, it wouldn't change his circumstances. He stepped forward confidently and studied Belkin for an opening.
"I'm not seeing any broken heads!" shouted the exector, cracking his damned whip again. Rowan paid him no mind, his attention now fully on Belkin. He took a long stride forward and drove his leading foot deep into the ground, sliding his back foot along and putting alot of force into his opening strike, a straight slash downwards. He was determined to wear his opponent down, tire him out and gain a small foothold in their training.
After the slash, Rowan redirected his wooden blade to cut horizontally along the oposite direction of Belkin's shield, hoping to force the Pingla to block awkwardly. Rowan would have to be clever and quick, since he didn't have a shield of his own to block the Pingla's attacks and counters. He thought of how he might be able to turn his lack of gear to an advantage, after all the shield would mean Belkin might be slightly slower, and limited in how he could attack. Though in fairness, Rowan hadn't seen many Pingla fight before. For all he knew the shield was just as deadly.
"You know a dummy will only get you so far when you're trying out a new technique." said Vorgis, startling Gaius as he strode up to him, knocking on the wooden man's head. "Come on." He motioned for Gaius to join him in an open patch of ground in the middle of the yard. "Try it on someone who can react." He spread his arms out in open challenge to the gladiator.
Gaius readied the spear across his shoulder and held the dagger close for protection as he stabbed out at Vorgis with the longer weapon. He figured he could stab the spear down to protect himself from body blows if need be, and stab out with the knife. "The argument last night" Gaius said as he stabbed at Vorigs's chest, "Is that common among new recruits? And where are Lahar, Jamuukha and the Imperial?"
'The claws' A wide grin escaped Antonius as he looked at his weapon. The gods had given him the sign that this was his final change, he wouldn't disappoint them or his wife. The game master made clear that the hammer fighter was the biggest threat, he was wrong. the shorter fighter injured the bigger one leaving his flanks undefended as he focused on striking again. Antonius felt his warriors instinct awakening. The smaller one had made a fatal mistake.
Antonius stepped back and flanked the smaller one. When the smaller one used his weapons again Antonius attacked. He quickly placed both his hands around the man's neck, before he could even turn around Antonius turned his neck. A loud crack was heard as his neck was broken, the man hit the sand with an look of mixed horror and surprise on his face. He never knew what hit him. Antonius looked at the other fighter who charged with a loud battle cry, the man used a downwards smash as his opening attack hoping to crush Antonius head. Antonius quickly side stepped, a grin could be seen on his face, Antonius' right arm moved forward at incredible speed with his index and middle finger stretched out. His nails looked very sharp, the next moment the fingers reached their goal.
Both fingers pierced the man's left eye, the strange mix of eye fluid and blood was a comfortable feeling for Antonius he had done this before, many times. The man screamed as his eye was pierced the fluid leaking out as the man lost sight in his eye. The man grabbed with one hand to his eye before he could do anything else though, Antonius freed his two fingers and lowered his knees. He brought both his hands next to each other as he sort of jumped hitting the man under his chin, the hit would hurt as much as being hit with the hammer the man was holding. The man stepped backward stunned dropping the hammer the small new cuts under his chin began to bleed.
Antonius didn't stop his assault as he hit the man's kidney with his left arm. He moved one of his arms to defend his kidney ], as the other one was holding the bloody mess that used to be his left eye. Antonius right arm moved forward as he hit him on the right undefended side of his face, his knuckles making sure he also destroyed the man's right eye. He screamed as he stepped back trying to grab something as his balance was off and he was suddenly made blind. Antonius used a full power right arm punch to knock the man of his feet.
The man hit the ground the air being hit out of him by the impact, Antonius quickly stepped back grabbing the man's hammer. He lifted it above his head and it was swung down with such force it smashed the man's head, a sickening crack was heard as his skull was crushed blood and brain began to fall on the sands. Both man were killed with an minute. Antonius turned around a bit of blood had splashed on his chest, he looked at the game master with an serious look. "you got any gladiators here? Or do I have to keep fighting these weaklings?"
"I'm not seeing any broken heads!" shouted the executor, to which Belkin just shrugged it off. He was ready, he was just waiting on his opponent. He didn't have to wait any longer, as Rowan lunged the sword overhead. Belkin was quick to react, stepping backwards and angling the sword so that Rowan's sword merely rode down it, hardly putting any pressure on him.
Rowan responded by trying to swing the sword against his shield direction, trying to make Belkin block funny. Belkin smirked, 'Guess I will have to show a little skill then' he thought, as he made his shield go sideways towards his sword. Belkin swung the shield up and into the strike, causing the blow to deviate and swing upwards from the parry. Belkin then fluidly stepped forward and swung his sword into Rowan's neck, hitting the skin with force, but not puncturing it.
"I believe that makes it one kill to me already" he said, backing off to get some space.
A blond gladiator, Irri, was playing with his hair and questioning him ceaselessly about his people's traditions. Thankfully the bear woman, Gelda, kept her hands to her self, well except for the light punch punch on his arm, but at least she had kept her hands away from his bottom. As the feast continued some of the gladiators seemed to make it a competition of who could drink the most. That will not end well thought Lahar. Hw was probably the only sober man in the room.
"We paint ourselves bec-"
He was interrupted by Rowan and Antonius' arguing. They had both had much to drink, but Rowan seemed more effected by the drink then Antonius. He kept a cup in hand as he spoke. Antonius had told another version of his sad story, no doubt to protect his wife, there were many open ears in the feasting hall and Lahar suspected that at lest one of them would sell the truth if they heard it, just to add a few more pieces of gold to their coffers.
They were fighting like children though, but these men had blades and mudcles to fight for them when needed. These mean thrived on fighting, if they could not settle this words they would do so with steel. He was about to add his own voice to Antonuis', but he shot him a look that meant he did not want him joining in.
He sat there quietly as the fight escalated, Jamukha joining in, swearing he would fight as Rowan's second.
Then Vokrash jumped into the fray, telling them off like the children they were acting like. The merrymaking had ceased now, Lahar was certain that if a pin dropped, he would hear it land.
They were ushered away to their cells after that, most of the other fighters were grumbling about how the Imperial and Asieran had spoiled the feast for them. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The next day he was lead to the estate he assumed that belonged to his new patron. He had seen glimpses of land like this when his captors escorted him to the city, but it took his breath away. It was beautiful. The land was lush and full of colour, plants he had never seen before it was the complete opposite to the desert of his homeland, but it did share one thing the city didn't have. It was quiet, from the moment he arrived in the city all he could hear was the chatter of the city folk, but here it was quiet and he savoured it.
The man who greeted him at the entrance to the manor was amiable and friendly, Lahar hadn't expected this kind of treatment from his patron to be. He ordered the guards to remove his chains and wait outside, the guards looked confused at the man's order but complied. Before he knew it Lahar was being lead through the manor, unbound, with his patron at his side.
"Can I get you anything? Water, wine? Something to eat maybe?"
"No, I am fine as I am" He said rubbing his arms where the chains had chaffed his skin."Why do you leave me unbound? I could flee, I could kill you, so why?"
While in the background the executor cracked his whip and shouted at Belkin and Rowan. "I'm not seeing any broken heads!" He took a training axe from the weapon racks he strode up to Vokrash. "Make sure those two get some training in. Break whatever you have to."
"Yes sir." Replied Vokrash. He jogged on over to Belkin and Rowan with the wooden ax in hand when he saw Belkin strike Rowan on the neck with his sword and jumped back. As he walked up to them he barked out "I better see more than that, what is this a ballet? Show some effort!" And with that he hit both of them on the head.
Rowan's attacks were easily parried and countered by Belkin, and he was surprised to find his force and aggressiveness used against him. Belkin's wooden sword swung up and smacked him in the neck, causing Rowan to step back and cough a glob of spit into the dirt. At that point, he was sure that he was being punished for starting the fight at the feast last night. Taking a knee, he quietly tried to think of a new tactic. A brute force approach would just lead to another smack in the neck, that much was certain. He thought back to his first fight with Jamuu, and how the Amon had used quick strikes and feints to try and throw him off the scent. Perhaps that would be a better tactic to use on the Pingla.
"I better see more than that, what is this a ballet? Show some effort!" Rowan felt a bop on his head, and looked up to see Vokrash. The grizzled old Asieren wasn't the most welcome face Rowan could think of, especially after the preivious night's events. Though perhaps this sparring match would proove to be the perfect opportunity to show Vokrash that he was no child to be scolded and sent to his room.
"Yes, sir." He said with all the courtesy he could muster.
"I believe that makes it one kill to me already" taunted Belkin. Rowan rose back to his feet and cracked his neck, which was aching from the shot he'd taken. He charged once more at the Pingla, raising his sword up as if he were to bring a strike down onto Belkin's skull. This time however, Rowan hopped back on the balls of his feet just before the strike would have connected, and swung wildly at the Pingla's midsection, just above his hip.
He dug his feet back into the dirt and spun, trying to dance around the Pingla and attack an exposed flank. Feinting left, Rowan shot right, then up, then right again. He was less elegant than his friend had been, but more controlled and focused. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the blade, and shouted a war cry.
"Cherish that kill, friend. It will be the only one you score."
As Belkin got ready for the next attack, he heard Vokrash come forward with his axe. "I better see more than that, what is this a ballet? Show some effort!" he said, bopping Belkin on the head. "If you can do better, be my guest" retorted Belkin. Rowan once again charged at Belkin, raising his sword up to hit him overhead. As Belkin was about to get the shield to bounce the attack, Rowan quickly leapt back and tried to swing for Belkin's stomach. The swing missed, but Belkin was shielded anyway from it.
Rowan stated trying to feint his way around Belkin, which would have been pretty effective...if Belkin wasn't still holding his shield. Rowan ducked and weaved, trying to get an opening, to which Belkin replied with just his shield still keeping him safe. Rowan taunted, "Cherish that kill, friend. It will be the only one you score.". It was all the incentive Belkin needed. When Rowan moved his form to the left again, Belkin stepped towards him and swung his shield into Rowan, the force from the two opposing momentums crashing, causing Rowan to lose his balance and fumble backwards.
As he fell to the floor, Belkin just walked forward and poked him in the stomach before trailing the sword up to his head, before smacking him on the top of his head with the flat side.
"That's two kills...so far, you're about as skilled with the sword as you are with holding your tongue while drunk!" he said to him, chuckling as he walked away.
"you got any gladiators here? Or do I have to keep fighting these weaklings?"
That peaked the games master's ire. Not even waiting for the bodies and weapons of the slain be cleared away he motioned for two more fighters to enter the ring. "You two, get in there!" Startled, two young men scrambled from the crowd and into the fighting area. One of them had a knife on his person already. The other couldn't have been any younger than sixteen and his face was covered in acne, he didn't have a weapon of his own and gingerly circled around the fight eyeing up the chain-knife that represented the snake. "Grold! You too!" This summoned a muscular man, wearing a bronze helmet to the ring. He carried a rusty, savage looking, curved sword with him.
The crowd showed their appreciation of this impromptu challenge as the knife wielding boy tried to slash at Antonius' arms.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________"The argument last night" Gaius said as he stabbed at Vorigs's chest, "Is that common among new recruits? And where are Lahar, Jamuukha and the Imperial?"
"Not common but not uncommon either. Everyone gets their blood up after their first successful match, tend to start thinking they can do anything and get a bit rowdy.Usually we get a nice healthy fist fight for entertainment. As for all that stuff about wives and honour, that's beyond me." Vorgis shrugged and then dodged Gaius' jabs more nimbly than most men his size would have been able. "As for the imperial, I have no idea where he is." He signalled for Gaius to continue his attacks. "That Jam lad will be in The Hippodrome, his lot always end up there. It's mostly horse races. Never saw the fascination myself but he's Amon'tyr right? He'll feel right at home." He continued feinting left and right to keep Gaius on his toes. "I heard the Vaan's got a patron now. They'll probably want to see him. That'll be interesting. Patrons can be a god send or a curse.... some of them.... they expect extra services for their patronage." His expression darkened somewhat before he blocked one of Gaius' spear thrusts, yanked it out of his hands and spun the tip round to point at Gaius' chest. "You want to twist your torso into the thrust a dagger can deflect but it is not a shield. Twist your torso and you'll present as little a target as possible. Wait till you draw them in to use the dagger, surprise them with it, they'll think if they get close you'll be defenceless. Prove them wrong." With that he passed the spear back to Gaius. "Again."
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________"No, I am fine as I am" He said rubbing his arms where the chains had chaffed his skin."Why do you leave me unbound? I could flee, I could kill you, so why?"
Kedrin smiled at that. He was an older man with salt and pepper hair, cut short. His face was haggard but there was a light in his eyes that suggested a certain cunning. "No, I don't think you will. Where would you go? No. A walker is patient he knows better. If anything I have a few hours before you try to cut my throat, so allow me to try and convince you not to."
He lead Lahar into a wide and luxurious room, sitting him down at small table. A man set up a jug and two cups for them, bowed and backed away. Kedrin poured himself a drink. "Well if you wont have something I hope you wont hold it against me if I do." He took a sip of his drink and let out a loud "Aaaahhh" of refreshment. "Sweet cactus juice, very hard to find in The Empire, help yourself to any if you change your mind." He gave a wry smile and pushed the second cup over to Lahar.
"Tell me Lahar, what do you know of patrons and the arena?"
"If you can do better, be my guest" retorted Belkin.
Vokrash remained silent while Belkin dealt with Rowan but then he turned away and started walking off. As he walked away Vokrash chucked the ax at Belkin and hit him square in the back of his head and Belkin staggered forward a few steps. "I've been a gladiator since before you were born boy, for ten years I've been blind in one eye and yet still I live." Vokrash took the sword away from Rowan. "If you mean to challenge me then at least follow through, one cannot know how to use only one weapon and live for so long."
Rowan got to his feet, furious after being knocked over and beaten yet again. The shield was Belkin's only advantage, but it was a deadly one for certain. Rowan dusted himself off and stared angrily at Vokrash and the executor. then he jumped up and down slightly, loosening himself back up and shaking the rest of the dust and sand from his body. Belkin had beat him twice, but the third kill would be his. Before he could manage to mount a third offensive, Vokrash made to snatch his sword away. Rowan twisted the old man's wrist and grabbed the hilt of the sword, pressing the wooden blade against his throat with lightning quick reflexes.
"One should ask politely before stealing a mans sword don't you think?" He looked deep into Vokrashs' eyes, furious already after being shown up twice. He let go of Vokrash's wrist and flipped the wooden blade over, extending it to Vokrash hilt first.
"Perhaps I could learn something from watching you, however." he said with a friendly grin.
Rowan plopped down into the dirt to watch Vokrash and Belkin fight. His technique with a sword was sloppy, and the older, more experienced Asieren might well have developed a more effective tactic over his years on the sands.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
