Quili's first
I have been training almost six months for this. I know I am strong, and that Commodus has been building my reputation, but I am nervous anyway. The crowd is anxious, jeering and laughing at the executions that go before the introductory gladiator fights.
I am going over my gear, making sure it's tight enough not to fall off, and loose enough that I can still move. I find the leather annoying, and doesn't cover nearly enough of my torso, but I haven't fought enough to earn better armor.
I check and then recheck my sword. This one is sharp, unlike the ones that we've been using to practice. I used it for the first time yesterday. It feels almost too heavy in my hand, but I know it's not the weight of the thing, I've always been strong, it's the weight of what this blade will do. What I will do, I guess.
I take a deep breath, trying to remember what the trainers have taught me, unsure of myself but trying to feign some kind of confidence. I have my shield, my sword, and what little wit I was blessed with.
I also know who I am fighting, and that it should at least look like a challenge, and, though he has lost to me in every fight, Jason is getting better. Maybe he has a trick up his sleeve.
This is supposed to be just a simple fight, something to introduce us to the crowds so we can gain favor. A few of these and then we get into the real fights.
The first match is up, and I am watching it through the small window in the door. It's Miles and Hemet, they also came in at about the same time as Jason and I, and they are good friends. They are always trying to one-up each other in the practice arena, but they always end shaking hands and pushing each other to do better.
They are fighting well, Miles dodging Hemet's strikes, Hemet taking very little damage from Miles. It looks like they're pulling their punches, neither of them wants to go down or cause their friend to. But the crowd is turning on them, I can hear the sounds of dissatisfaction growing louder.
I see that Hemet notices that and stops playing, and his eyes take on a serious edge as he presses Miles. It becomes very clear who the more skilled swordsman is. The crowd roars with approval and Hemet keeps pushing Miles back, almost out of my sight. He is bleeding from a lot of places: once Hemet got serious, it wasn't an even match at all.
"Come on, Miles, you can do better." There is concern in Hemet's voice, "Get up, come on!"
But Miles doesn't get up, he stays, kneeling, and tosses his sword. He's giving up. The crowd boos. I can't see Commodus from this angle, but I see Hemet turn to look at him.
Hemet shakes his head and looks down at Miles, offering him a hand up. Just as Miles takes it, two arrows pierce through each of them and they're gone. Just like that.
I know that Commodus must have given Hemet the signal to kill Miles. I know now that Hemet must have refused to kill his friend. As their bodies are being dragged away, I am reminded of when my trainer warned me about not getting attached to people. I know now that he was right.
"Jason!"
The crowd cries out in anticipation of the next match as I watch my door open, letting me out into the arena.
"And from humble beginnings, the rabbit-folk, Ocquilian Emmerhaim the Third!"
I look at Jason, who is also looking at me. I can tell we both watched that fight, and that we both know what is at stake. I am determined to put on a good show so that we both can make it out of here. I can't really read what his determination is.
I am a cautious fighter, I like to be able to read my opponents and then exploit any weakness I find. I know that Jason favors his left foot because he thinks it gives him an edge on right-handed opponents. I can see that he isn't changing that strategy as we approach each other.
