The Arena

Slap and Chain

Sunshine slowly filled the cell, the smell of spring no longer in the air. There was no doubt in Isabella's mind that town's people had smiles on their faces while they announced upcoming summer weddings and pregnancies. If she were home she would be smiling and nodding telling people she was not ready yet as she avoided those questions. Another year passed to remind her of a failed winter and upcoming birthday, making herself another year older with no child to call her own or man to call husband. It was not right for a woman her age to be single and childless. Eyes open, Isabella sighed at the realisation she would be twenty years of age soon, another year and she could make choices of her own without her father making them for her. If only she could stay in the arena for that little bit longer, that way when she left she did not have to be forced into marriage. Sure she promised her father she would marry someone and have children but she was starting to regret considering James as a potential partner. He was starting to get very jealous and possessive of her. His words the night before echoed in Isabella's mind, those words made her want to keep distance between her and James. But if she did not marry James who would she marry? The only person she knew other than James was Lukas. A frown creased her brow at his name and her heart flutter. How dare he cause her father to go through such drastic measures? Her father never would have agreed to James if it were not for that kiss. Isabella closed her eyes and felt that feeling rush through her. Opening her eyes she frowned again, how dare he steal her first kiss? She would bet he did not even know it was her first kiss.

Following the guard to the training area she argued with herself and almost missed the turn. Once she was in the sun she looked up and saw the other fighters already getting used to the weight of the sparring weapons. Lukas stood aside, no sparing wood in his hands as he stood before the warden, his mouth moving. No words made it to Isabella for when she saw Lukas all she could hear was the encouragement from the crowd as he held her tight and kissed her. Storming over, Isabella pushed past the fighters until she got to him and slapped him across the face.

Lukas could not believe his ears. His warden could not be serious. After not getting much sleep the night before he went out to the arena and found Markus waiting for him. Then the crazy fool went and told him his crazy plan. As hard as he could, he tried not to disrespect his warden as he told him that the idea was stupid.

"You saw what I did in the arena, Markus." Lukas said, keeping the frown from his face. "And you are going to put us together, not only are you going to put us together but you are going to make it that we cannot be separated."

"I trust you." Markus said, his eyes moving past Lukas to the fighters.

"I do not trust me." Lukas said, almost throwing his arms in the air. If he made a scene in front of the boys he would never hear the end of it and would need to explain himself to them.

"What could go wrong?" Markus asked, raised brow.

"I could barely contain myself yesterday, what makes you think I can while stuck with her day and night."

"Because I know you will keep what is in her best interest at heart." Markus looked over his shoulder again and stepped back just before a hard slap crossed Lukas'' face. Everyone in the arena fell silent, some open mouthed in shock at what just happened. When Lukas looked back he saw Isabella frowning at him.

"How dare you?" She snapped.

"Isabella, I-" Warden Markus began but was cut off by Isabella.

"Are you trying to ruin my life?" She cut in, not even registering the warden. "Because if you are, congratulations. My father plans on wedding me off to someone I despise, just before my 21st birthday all because someone had to steal his daughter's first kiss." Everyone stood around staring, some still in shock. She had paused in her rage, silent as she stared at him in her own little fury.