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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 17:05:55 GMT -5
The crowd cheered on as the fight continued its climax. Screams could be heard from every direction you turned. People lost limbs as the large crowd cheered on one particular man. “BRUTUS BRUTUS BRUTUS!!!” They cheered, throwing their fist into the air with excitement. Brutus was only entertainment to them, he wasn’t even thought of as human, he was just there to watch. It was like an animal at the zoo, it never leaves its cage, it just does the same old things every single day. No one cared for how he felt, all they wanted was more death, more killing, and most of all, more blood. They hadn’t the clue why he was actually here. Fame, was what most gladiators wanted, but not this man, he fought for his very freedom, in hope to find his children, which may still be alive out there somewhere.
His eyes were intense and lifeless as he charged a man in battle, sending his gladius sharply across his belly, pushing him down to the ground so he could go in for the kill. The gladiator dug his sword into the man’s torso giving it a twist. As the sharp blade came from the body, a pint of blood came as well, drenching Brutus in its warmth. Brutus breathed heavy, letting out a cry as he charged for another man. He swung his left arm, bashing the man with his shield, holding him against the wall so he would have enough time to stab. The victim let out a painful cry before falling to the ground trying to keep his organs in place.
The battle pressed on and was coming to a close end for there was only three men left, the one last standing would get to live and fight another day. The enemy who posed the most threat, smashed the third man to the ground with his heavy iron maul. There wasn’t even enough time to hear a scream. The large barbarian smiled at Brutus. “You will be famous no longer! For I will be the champion now!” The heavy set man thundered toward the smaller Brutus, lifting his maul high above his head. “Take THIS!!”
Brutus took in a quick breath of air before rolling toward the attack, ducking right under the harsh blow. Dust went everywhere as the weapon slammed against the dirt surface, causing a puff of dust to smog around the two from the impact. Brutus twirled his blades, cutting the large man behind the ankle, then quickly at the back of the knee. “AAGH!!” The large man lost his balance and fell down on his wounded knee.
The gladiator, who was being cheered on by hundreds, circled him, shielding his body with his tower shield. His opponent got on his feet and put force into his next swing. Brutus side stepped, causing the maul to smack the surface again. The man lifted the maul once again, but Brutus just side stepped once more. This time he stepped in, sending his gladius into the large man’s stomach before he could raise his weapon once more. Before Brutus could pull the blade from the man’s flesh, a large boot kicked him right into the chest, sending him back falling on his side.
The heavier set gladiator roared and yanked the gladius from his body. Fresh red blood oozed from the wound profusely. “Its going to take more then that!” He snarled in his deep booming voice. “DODGE THIS!!” Bruno, who was the bigger man, bent over and charged, pressing his shoulder right into the gladiator. Brutus felt his lungs flattened as a blunt shoulder drilled him into the chest and smashed him against the stone wall behind him. Just from the harsh impact, he felt as if he were going to black out right there. As Brutus fell to the ground, Bruno rose his foot in the air and stomped down on him, but Brutus rolled out of the way.
Brutus wobbled to his feet and had to let his eyes focus before he could proceed into the fight. Bruno was already going in for the second round. His heavy feet echoed like loud crashing thunder. Brutus’ dark eyes scanned the area in a panic. That’s when he spotted his gladies between him and Bruno. Brutus pushed forward, snatching his blade as he continued to run toward him. When Brutus got close enough, he jumped into the air, jabbing his sword down into the side of Brunos neck, before landing behind him.
The sword had entered into the soft spot in his neck and Bruno fell forward losing his balance, trampling to the ground. Bruno cried in agony as he held his new wound, but it didn’t help, the blood pressed violently through the gaps between his fingers.
“KILL HIM! KILL HIM! KILL HIM!” The crow chanted violently.
Brutus turned and looked at the dying man.
“..kill me you fool! Don’t make me suffer by living in shame of losing to a midget!..” Bruno choked on his own blood. “End me now you coward!’
“KILL HIM KILL HIM KILL HIM!!”
Brutus gritted his teeth and slammed the blade into Brunos back, snapping right through the spine and splintering out the other side of his body. Pulling out the gladius from the dead man, the crowd went wild, but Brutus was angered. “Have you people no shame!?” he announced “You watch us kill each other like animals. People die everyday for your own entertainment! Have you no shame!? Do you not have a heart of passion!? Can you not live in harmony!? MONSTERS!!!”
The crowd paid no attention, they were much too thrilled from watching the final match and fight between Brutus and the Almighty Bruno.
Brutus raised his sword and shield into the air letting out the biggest scream he could possibly roar.
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 18:19:04 GMT -5
The eyes of the furious gladiator just looked at the crowd in malice. Brutus then looked to the man, who was a part of the senate, rate this whole fight. The man held out his hand even. The crowd became silent. The man of the senate smiled evilly and gave Brutus a thumbs up. The crowd went wild and cheered the lone man on the battle ground. Iron gates opened before him and he marched toward the opening. The fight was over for the day, but the next battle wasn’t too far.
It has been an hour since the battle was fought. Brutus, who now was in his cell, looked at his blood stained hands. These hands were no longer innocent like they once were. These hands killed men who tried to conquer the same fate that he had. Some died in a great push to become a champion, or even better, a legend. Some men were even villains and deserved to die how they did, but the mere thought of killing so many was starting to haunt him. He could feel his heart turning to stone, as if it were clay, hardening from the sun beaming down upon it. Every man locked behind these bars seemed to have their own story and goal. These were good men, many of them didn’t deserve this hell.
Four long years have passed. Years seemed more like centuries while living this life, in horrible conditions. If you became sick, you were not tended to, you only had your immune system to rely on. Wounds would continue to bleed, for they would not bandage them. It was every man for himself, if you couldn’t take care of yourself, then you died. Simple as that.
Brutus looked at the golden band around his finger. Slowly his eyes closed in sorrow. Why did it have to be like this? Why him? What had he done to anger the gods that they would make him suffer a life such as this? “….why….”
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 18:59:33 GMT -5
At least they were feed. “Alright lads..” Said the food keeper as he opened a small box like opening, sliding the food into the cell. Brutus’ roommates dove on the food and ate away.
Brutus really wasn’t feeling that hungry. He was quite sick to his stomach at the moment. You’d think after killing for more then four years he’d get used to the horrible scenes. Sometimes he even dreams about it. So pretty much wherever he went there was killing and death. You got used to the smell of decay and burnt flesh after awhile. Eventually it didn’t even faze you, it smelled like fresh air, even though it wasn’t.
The gladiator slapped his knees before standing and grabbing his mug of iron tasting water. He took it a big gulp and almost choked over the cool liquid because his throat was so dry. Leaning against the rusted bars of his cell, he took sips while looking at the greener side of the grass. He was slowly starting to forget what freedom felt like. How it felt to be able to what you want, when you wish to do it. To just roam free and go for a walk in the woods….There he went fantasizing again. This always brought his hopes up to thinking that human will one day be free like they once were, and rule over this realm once again. But everyone knew that never was going to happen.
“Eh Brute.. you ah gonna finish your meal?” asked Leyroy, who was somewhat of a friend to Brutus. He was an odd man. There was something wrong with his eyes that they were a pail white. They looked awful creepy, but other then that, he was a nice guy to be around. Someone you could trust.
Brutus hesitated a moment before answering his friend without moving a muscle. “No.. help yourself Leyroy.”
“Not feelin good eh?”
“No..”
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 19:12:37 GMT -5
Leyroy watched over his dear friend a few moment, finishing off his chicken leg before standing beside him. “You still mourn, no?”
A sigh came from the six foot three man and he just nodded to Leyroy’s question. The sadness never did leave his heart. Every single day he lived still alive, burned his heart more and more. His two children were slaves, what if they were killed for being defiant or trying to run away? What if they were mistreated like he was here. The thought hurt him, worse then any wound, worse then any scar marked on his thick hide.
“You say you have children? I bet they have good heart like father.” Leyroy smiled, hoping he would be able to cheer up Brutus just a tad. Seing that it didn’t work, he frowned until he came up with a new comment. “Me heard you did an excellent job out there. You slain the Almighty Bruno. That man was like a hill giant. He could crush a skull with his bare hands, and you beat him. You always pull through Brutus, why? What keeps you fighting?”
Brutus thought about it a moment before his eyes looked down on the man. “Hope..” Hope was what made him have a will to live. There was no way in hell he was going to just fall and give up. He’d rather die, and do it with honor then to bow to a mystical being.
“Hope?” Leyroy gave Brutus a questionable look, but didn’t really ask. “Just think Brute.. We fight in a new ring soon. Happy, no?”
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 19:24:32 GMT -5
Brutus nodded his head and gave off a very brief and almost unnoticeable grin. “But you it will be a hell of a lot better then this old rusted dump. Sadly, I wont miss it, we’ll just be here again in a few weeks.”
“Food will be better yes?” Leyroy smiled and punched Brutus’ thick bicep. The odd looking man was much shorter then he. Leyroy only stood about 5’3”, but do not judge him, for he was an excellent warrior. He fought with great agility and brought big things down with a deadly fall. Brutus was pretty amazed by this small man, he was filled with energy and never retreated a fight. The Gladiator prayed that Leyroy and him would always be cell buddies so they wouldn’t have to kill each other. They were always a team if they fought together. What brought fear to him, is the thought of the two of them being in a last man standing. It hurt just to think about it. So he just blew the thought off so it didn’t itch at the center of his head.
“Hopefully. Remember the one arena that gave us maggoty bread?” Brutus chuckled and shook his head. “Bastards..”
“Ah bastards they were Brute. Big pain in the behind of Leyroy.” Leyroy smiled. He really didn’t have the nicest teeth, he could really use an appointment with the dentist.
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 19:59:58 GMT -5
Brutus looked back outside his cell and finished off the rest of his water. At least thirst was off his mind for awhile, and he didn’t need to worry about being hungry. Food just did not seem good right now. Too many other things were on his mind at the moment. “I wonder where were headin next. You know anything about that Leyroy?”
Leyroy flinched as he snapped back out of his day dreaming. His white eyes glanced around a moment before his brain processed what was going on. “oh!... nah.. sorry Brute..”
Night was coming upon them, Brutus could feel the stone walls dropping in temperature. It was going to be a cold night. Probably was going to storm as well. Brutus got tired off looking at the same things outside of his cell and sat back down on his bed, which was only a board of wood held by a chain on each end. Wasn’t comfortable at all. You usually woke up with cramps that could kill, and sometimes you even woke up with a big splinter in your face. It happened to a few, including himself, in this cell. Digging the chunk of wood out was always the worst. Brutus watched a few men cry from the stinging pain. He never cried about it, but he could tell you it was no laughing matter.
Another bad thing Brutus could think up about this place was that you only got to shower every two weeks. Hygiene was horrible around here. Some of the other Gladiators didn’t even bother taking a shower. Why do it when were just going to get dirty again was their excuse.
A lot of the woman some how must have found it attractive, because after the battles are done, women tend to float around and flirt. But most of those women were rather dirty themselves. Every once in awhile you would see some clean senate people come down to congratulate you. Other then that, nothing was very interesting here. Well, the fist fights that break out once in awhile gets interesting sometimes.
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 20:11:52 GMT -5
Suddenly the door at the end of the hall burst open and a voice cried out. “Alright people! Off to your bunks! Lights out! Come on people chop chop!”
Brutus rolled his eyes at the man. His voice was so annoying it just made the human want to gouge out his throat. Lying on his bed, he rested on his hands while he looked up at the ceiling. Hopefully it wouldn’t rain tonight, there was a crack just above where he slept. Droplets of water would always splash him in the face. That was about as annoying as the man who wouldn’t stop his d**n shouting.
“Chop chop! We avent got all night. Lets hurry! Come on now! I set to bed with you! Humans by far are the worst beings on earth!” The man finally left as all the candles and torches were put out.
The Gladiator closed his eyes and slowly drifted into a deep sleep. He was tired from the battle with Bruno and needed as much rest as he could receive at the moment. The cells were pitch black, so at least it wasn’t hard to fall asleep around here, but of course someone in his cell was afraid of the dark and would whimper here and there.
“Shut up you dog!!” A random man snapped from in the cells.
“Yeah, or were gonna cut of your litte—“
“Good night Brute” Leyroy said from his bunk as he turned to his side and shut his eyes. “See ya in the morning, yes?”
Brutus opened his eyes wakening from Leyroys voice. “..um..ye..ah..” He then quickly fell back asleep.
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 20:23:13 GMT -5
Like every morning, Brutus woke to the sound of a stick smacking against a large cow bell. Then, like always, came the annoying voice. “Alright ya good fer nothins. Up with you. Come on.. chop chop..there ya go.. yes get yourself ready for the training area. Were gonna work a nice and hard like always.. yes..yes.. NO!! NO!! .. that’s better.. come on people lets go… we avent the time to waste..lets hurry it up now.”
“I’m going to kill him…” Brutus murmured under his breath as he scratched the back of his scruffy, but short hair.
“You and I both..” agreed Leyroy as he stretched out his stick thin arms and legs.
The annoying man unlocked all the gates and everyone left their cells and down the hall. There they would meet with a flight of stairs, and to their right was the training area. They didn’t practice with real iron weapons. Here they used swords made of wood so no one was injured. They actually didn’t care about the gladiators, they only needed them for the sake of setting up matches. They could get wounded and die then, not while practicing.
“Alright ya bloody humans.. get to work.. AY!! AY!! Don’t make me get the whip! YOU TWO SETTLE DOWN!! ALRIGHT!! SEE I WARNED YOU!! I WARNED YOU!!”
Brutus and Leyroy shook their head in unison as they watched a defiant man get whipped. The leather strap nailed him right in his left eye. The poor guy was screaming and bleeding all over the place. The two of them then grabbed wooden swords and took turns of attacking and defending. Then they would work on a little bit of their free style fighting.
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 21:00:05 GMT -5
Brutus couldn’t help but laugh at Leyroy because he resembled a little monkey when he fought. Leyroy just laughed back and continued to spar with the man. “Don’t laugh too much Brute.. me may catch you off guard…”
“Catch me off guard..” Brutus swung down at the man connecting blades with him. “give me a break.”
Leyroy protested with a glare “That would be cheating..”
“It was an expression!” Brutus took a few more swings at the little man, but he dodged with ease, he was too fast at times, mostly when he was filled with energy, much like he was today. The man got hyper over air, so it seemed.
“Eh..” The little man quickly kicked the dirt up in the face of Brutus, then quickly slapped him in the chest with the sword.
Brutus went into a coughing fit and took a step back. His eyes narrowed, but in a comical way. “You cheat!”
Leyroy bowed with a thingyy smile. “There’s no rules when out there in the gladiator, no?”
Brutus nodded his head. He didn’t disagree with him. “Your right.. your right..but this is—“
Leyroy put up his boney finger and waved it. “Uh uh! I beat you fair and square Brute… there is no need to argue. Me win fair and square. No rules, meaning I don’t cheat. Me no cheater Brute. Me no cheat. “
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 21:11:14 GMT -5
Brutus slightly raised his eyebrow before bumping the man on top of the head with his wooden sword. Leyroy froze and then turned walking away. “Ok.. that was cheating..”
Brutus let out a bellow and followed him. “Leyroy come back..”
“No sir.. I do not spar with rats who cheat..”
The tall man let out another chuckle and continued to follow him. “You said so your—“
“Don’t matter.. you cheat..”
“That clearly was not cheating.. I caught you off guard…” Brutus lowered his weapon trying to get his point clearly through his stubborn head.
Leyroy shrieked and leaned in, quickly hitting him with his sword. “Ah hah! Got you Brute! Told you I’d catch you off guard did I not?”
“Hey! Well—“
“Ah.. I am the winner today folks. I have slain the great Brute. Horah! Horah!”
“Alright people enough with the horse play. Practice right or I’ll have to—AY!! AY!! PUT THAT DOWN!!” The Annoying man stormed off being distracted.
Leyroay jumped around Brutus in the circle. “I have been crowned the best gladiator of all eternity! I’m invincible!”
“Yeah..” Brutus said coolly “if you mean by cheating..”
“ME SAID I DO NOT CHEAT!!”
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 21:25:41 GMT -5
After the training hours were finally over, everyone got to go to the next room where they would get their breakfast for the day. Today they were having bread with water, like always, but at least there wasn’t any maggots. They were good on the protein though. The room had four heavy oak tables to eat on. It beat eating in the cell, by far, sometimes they would make you eat there if they didn’t feel like dealing with you. Brutus and Leyroy sat at the end of the third table.
Pandora, one of their cellmates, sat down beside them. “Looks like its going to be a nice day. I heard they are planning another match in two days. For once their being generous and letting us rest awhile.” Pandora was a very tall standing at 7’2”, but was fairly thin. A scar traveled deeply down the side of his face. Brutus remembered how he got that scar too. They were fighting as a two versus two match and he was struck in the side of the head by a scimitar. It was amazing how he didn’t die from the wound, there was much blood loss. Sure did leave a scar though.
“Me is not looking forward to it…” Leyroy said with a mouth full of bread “Me just want to relax in the grass.”
“Don’t we all..” Pandora said lowly as an inner anger arose in him. “I swear we should just gang together and escape this joint..”
Brutus looked at the two and sat down his drink. “If you have a death wish, go for it.”
Pandora’s walnut eyes looked at him. “Do you not dream about freedom at night? Don’t you wish to be a free man?”
“We all wish for freedom at this point, but we shouldn’t let are selves get so crazy with these thoughts of escaping.”
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 7, 2007 21:38:14 GMT -5
“Me agree with Brutus Pandora.” Said Leyroy softly with a very calm mellow turn “we all feel this way, but if we try and escape, we will die.”
Pandora slammed his boney fist against the table. Other gladiators jumped at the sudden slam, but just shrugged it off and went back to what they were doing. “Is it not worth it!? Can’t you see!? If we sit around being slaves forever, it is never going to end. Were going to live are whole d**ned lives in this god d**n hell!”
Brutus placed his hand gently on Pandora’s shoulder. “Calm yourself.. your going to bring the guards attention to us..”
Pandora gave off a loud anger sigh and sat down. Leyroy looked to the floor, unsure of what to say at the moment. The rest of the meal would remain silent. It seemed as though everyone was thinking on Pandora’s words. What if they were going to be stuck here forever? Would it be worth trying to escape? Even if there was a bigger percentage of failing?
“I hope one day.. every creature but us humans.. will suffer a horrible death…” Pandora’s eyes glanced over at the guards. “may they rot and burn in the fiery hells..”
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Post by Iestyn Belzir on Apr 8, 2007 8:59:02 GMT -5
"Well that's not very nice." Iestyn said after hearing Pandora's words. She had just arrived to look over the gladiators. She wanted to buy one or two. She wasn't a fan of the gladitorial matches, but it brought in a profit and she needed to at least look like she liked the matches. "I haven't even done anything to you - I don't even know you - and you say you want me to die?"
She rolled her eyes and pushed dark teal hair out of sharp golden eyes. She then returned her hands to her sides, one hand resting on the pummel of her sword which hung from the dark brown leather belt that sat on her hips. She remained relaxed and scanned the other men in the room. "And just to let you know - some of us have been there. Suffering in fiery hells. Even my worst enemies I would never wish that upon."
She turned her gaze back to Pandora and the men sitting beside him. She looked over the man with pale eyes in curiosity. She was unfocused though. She wasn't paying attention to the traits she was looking for in a fighter and more about how rude the man was for saying that. Afterall it was his race who first banished her people. His race was the first one to apply cruelty on others. How dare he act as if the humans were experiencing unwarrented punishment.
Sure she didn't agree with the treatment most of the enslaved humans got, but she couldn't say that. Especially not here where the worst of the worst human abusers worked. Where she had to purchase a gladiator. If she said she disliked the way they were treated they'd never let her buy one. Pigs. Iestyn sighed and rubbed her temples. This was a pain in her ass. She turned to the man beside her who was there to help her purchase people.
"These two." She said, pointing to Brtus and Leyroy without really caring. She just wanted to get it over with. The man nodded and walked off to find the man who would negociate a price. "And I won't pay more than fifty gold each." She said offhand. That was hardly anything for them, but Iestyn was a hard bargainer. Plus, what was the point of paying a lot for people that she probably wouldn't gain a profit from later anyway?
She took a seat beside Leyroy and placed her hands on the table, folded. "So, did I make a good choice?" She asked, not really caring. She was just trying to make small talk. Maybe find out if either of them was a good warrior. To Iestyn - who was a Lady Knight - being a good warrior did gain a lot of respect from her. Even for a human. In fact more so. Maybe. If she ever chose to give a d**n.
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Post by Brutus De Ronheart on Apr 8, 2007 9:15:25 GMT -5
Pandora jumped at the sudden voice of a woman. A woman, why the hell would a woman be around here. His question was quickly answered by seeing the man beside her. She was going to purchase a gladiator. The very tall man was about to say something very nasty to her, something the guards would kill him for sure, but Brutus saved him by standing between the two. “Don’t mind him. Can we help you?”
Brutus already knew the answer because of the seller beside her, but figured he’d ask anyways. The man’s heart raced a moment as she decided who she was going to take. Luckily, him and Leyroy were chosen, but what about Pandora? Brutus turned and looked up at him.
Pandora’s eyes slowly met the ground. “Worry about me not Brutus, I can take care of myself. I’ll see.. you on in the ring..” Brutus nodded and they both gave a rough handed shake. Brutus would watch Pandora he’d out of him room. He was most likely going to his cell.
Brutus’ heart sank a little and he sat back down, just as the woman did herself. She asked a question that he honestly couldn’t answer, he just looked at her and kind of froze.
“Ah..” Leyroy said happily “I can’t believe they sold you Brute.. he’s the best gladiator around. Never been defeated. The Almighty Bruno fell to the hands of this man!”
Brutus sighed and gave Leyroy a warning glare. “Leyroy… please…”
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Post by Iestyn Belzir on Apr 8, 2007 9:47:32 GMT -5
When Pandora stood Iestyn just looked up at him - no emotion on her face, until his eyes dropped. She did feel badly that she wasn't purchasing him - but after what he said she just couldn't purchase him. He stood for everything she hated with that statement. Just because it was about creatures and not humans didn't make it better. Especially since she was a creature.
She watched him leave with a frown. When Leyroy mentioned that Brutus was the best gladiator they had she wondered if they would indeed let her buy him, but they really didn't have a choice. Iestyn would get who she wanted no matter what. That was her reputation anyway. She smiled softly at the two men, even when Brutus glared at Leyroy. "Well, seems I made a good choice - and all on chance too. Lucky lucky me."
The man who had been there to help her buy a gladiator came back with another rough looking man beside him. A demon - she could smell it on him. Her nose wrinkled the slightest. "What's the problem gentlemen?" The man who was a demon sneered. "Fifty gold pieces for these slaves?"
"Each. Yes." The man let out a crude laugh and slammed a club into the back of Brutus. "They're worth at least five hundred each." Iestyn stood up, outraged. "How dare you hit him. And how dare you deny me what I was told I would be allowed to have. Any two gladiators I wanted."
"Not these two. Not for that price - and I will beat whomever I please. Women have no standing here. So maybe I'll beat you too!" The arrogance. He raised his club and went to bring it down on her, but his mouth suddenly gaped and blood leaked out slowly. "I don't believe you'll have the chance."
She pulled her sword back out of his stomach with a sneer. She put her hand out and the man who was helping her handed her a rag. She wiped the blood off and resheathed her sword. "Well, with you out of my way i guess I'll just be taking these men." The man fell over, spluttering blood as he coughed. Iestyn bent over and took back the pouch of coins she had given him.
The guards stared in horror, having never seen anyone kill with such composure before. Especially a woman. "Will anyone else object?" No one moved. "I didn't think so. Albere - we'll be leaving now." With that she walked out of the room. A few brazen guards tried to stop her, but none of them were successful as she stepped out into the morning sun and the fresh air outside the gladitorial dungeon.
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