Gladiator Wars: Chase

Chapter 2: A Day to Learn, Interrupted

Victoria's Point of View

Today was Friday and Fridays, for me at least, usually meant a day off from my usual duties and instead to do nothing. Saturday's are the days I go to Gladiator meetings, so I basically spend Fridays bored or catching up on stuff I'm always behind on.

This Friday was different, for I had promised a certain someone that we could hang out and get to know each other.

'Why are my ears ringing and my face growing hot?' I thought to myself. 'Oh yeah it might be the fact that I am strolling down a beautiful beach holding hands with I guy I barely know, but I have to marry once I turn eighteen and the guy I actually like is our chaperone'.

Daniell was in his uniform strolling behind us, making sure we didn't do anything or get attacked. Although Daniell stayed at a good twenty feet distance, it didn't help much or make me feel any better.

We eventually made it to the forest area that hugged the West wall of my castle. Charles took out the cliqued checkered pink and green picnic blanket and set it down in a small clearing. He placed the basket he had carried down on the blanket and we sat down.

Daniell strolled around, checking the perimeter for any danger and eventually he disappeared, but I knew he was still close by.

"Here." Charles said offering me a glass of champagne from our picnic basket. I sipped it carefully as I did with anything fizzy or bubbly.

Charles took a sip of his own glass and I attempted to give him a chance.

"What do you wish to know?" I began politely.

"What are your interests?" He asked after a while.

"I love adventuring, reading and doing crazy things." I mused thoughtfully. He nodded with a smile.

"I love to read and occasionally adventure, but my true passions are poetry and fencing." He confided.

"Great past times." I commented.

"Who do you usually socialize with?" He questioned curiously.

"I hang out with my Gladiator group at the arena usually, but otherwise I stay here to catch up on any school work I missed during my adventures." I explained a little melancholic that I didn't have much time for anything else.

"I always thought you would be the life of the party. You have that air about you." He chuckled softly.

"What about you?" I scoffed slightly offended.

"I keep to myself mostly, but I do attend any social gatherings nearby." He replied smartly.

I was about to retort that he didn't seem the type, when Viktor burst into the clearing. He seemed out of breath and Daniell followed close behind.

"Victoria, we got a lead." Viktor wheezed. I jumped up from my spot on the ground immediately. Then I remembered Charles. I turned to him and saw he had a slightly bewildered look on his face.

"Charles, I've got to go. It's urgent." I claimed.

"I'll go with you." He decided. I started to argue, but then I decided that I was wasting my time and breath.

"Fine, but afterwards I'm taking you back. You don't need to get involved." I countered. Charles nodded and I turned to face a still panting Viktor and a stark Daniell.

"You got the potions?" I inquired of Viktor. He nodded a yes and pulled out three potions from his messenger bag.

"Great." I said popping off the cork and grabbing Charles arm.

I swallowed the potion quickly and within a heartbeat I was at the new arena that had been constructed over the ruins of our old arena. It was nicer since this time it utilized more Roman architecture than Greek. We specifically stood in an entrance way for the round seating.

I noticed Charles in awe of the newly built structure. I laughed a bit at his reaction and it brought his attention back to me.

"Which way?" He asked. I pointed to the left and we started to walk in that direction. We sat three rows up and waited for the others in silence.

After a few minutes, Daniell and Viktor arrived with what was left of the gladiators. Natalie had joined our group, but after the war Johnnie and Catherine had left with their restored powers.

Joseph sat in the first row with Hama, while Heath and Natalie sat in the second row. Daniell and Viktor stood on the walkway, ready to tell us the lead. Viktor stepped forward and took out a piece of paper.

"This paper was delivered to me thirty minutes ago." Viktor spoke while holding up the white paper.

"What does it say?" Hama asked.

"I was getting to that." Viktor grumbled. "It says
'To my dear friend Viktor,
I offer the opportunity to join my army. We share the same grudge against magic and I believe with your help, my goal would be achieved. If you do wish to join, meet me in the heart of Letqe within an hour. If you attempt to tell your friends, your memory will be wiped and this letter will self-destruct. I do hope it will not come to that, but instead you will decide to help us.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Arrow'."

"I got rid of the spell that caused the amnesia and destroyed the letter with one of my special potions." Viktor added. Daniell took a step forward.

"We only have thirty minutes left and counting to come up with a plan and execute it." Daniell interjected. "Any ideas?"

I tried to think of something easy and hard to mess up, but someone else beat me to it.

"Sebastian has no idea that Viktor is still on your side. If we use that to our advantage, Viktor can be our inside man and take down Sebastian and his army from the inside." Charles suggested. I was slightly impressed by his plan.

"Only if Viktor is up for it." Daniell argued.

"I'm okay with that plan, but I have to ask, who is he?" Viktor questioned.

They all turned around and looked at Charles seeing him for the first time. He waved at them and smiled.

"Hi." Charles simply stated.

"No time for introductions. We got a plan to set into action." I reminded them hastily.

"Actually, we have a good few minutes before we have to leave." Viktor estimated. I gave him a glare and looked at Daniell for back up.

Daniell smirked and mouthed 'it's now or never'. I glared at him too, but then sighed and decided he was right.

"This is Charles Garza." I introduced. "He's my betrothed."