The Dragon's Arena

Chapter 3 - Meeting the King

(Pollian POV)
Pollian woke when something pointy poked her in the ribs. She slowly opened her eyes and found herself faced with a quaking human. He stood no more than seven meters away and held a very long pole in which he was prodding her awake. As soon as he saw her start to stir he let the pole clatter onto the ground as he bolted to the door and let it slam shut, seeking shelter behind a slightly larger human.

"What do we do now that it's awake?" the one that had poked her asked.

"Maybe we should feed it, oh wait you dropping the stinking pole next to it in the cell," the other replied sarcastically.

"Should we tell Clyo?"

"Tell me what?" Pollian hear his voice and footsteps as he walked up to the two humans.

"Uh... Nothing," the second human said quickly and she had to muscle back a laugh as she got up and walked towards the bars.

"They were trying to wake me up and dropped a pole in my cell," Pollian answered for the humans.

"You woke her up by poking her it the side with a pole?" Clyo's expression was a mix between anger and humor, "I don't know what to say besides that I think I'll take care of the Layag from now on." Pollian heard the scraping of claws on stone and looked down the hall; she saw a not so friendly face walking down to her cell.

"And how is our Layag this morning? Felling up for a battle?" She hissed quietly at the sound of Dake's father's voice. She had yet to hear his name, so could not call out even if she had wanted to.

"I would suggest you ask her that yourself, King Issacar," Clyo responded, his tone on the fringe of being impolite. Instead of asking her, he just stiffened and stared a little menacingly at the cyclops. Clyo glared right back.

"I expect the Layag be in the arena no later than eleven, understand." Clyo said no words in response, just nodded his head. With that said, King Issacar spun on his heel and headed away with his entourage of guards.

"That was his high and mighty majesty, King Issacar Wingington," Clyo explained, "He rules from the seas of Calcerka in the south all the way up to the border of the Layags in the north that I assume you know about." As he talked he went to a storage closet thing and produced some fruit. The two humans watched in horror as Clyo stuck his hand through the bars and offered her an apple. It didn't smell fresh at all but Pollian carefully picked it up and started munching on it. The juices, though better cold, were still pretty sweet as they ran down her throat. Clyo gave her a pomegranate next and she devoured the tasty treat within a few seconds. The only food that she was not already familiar with was a round red fruit that was really juicy and had quite a few seeds inside. Clyo had called it a Tomato. After a while, two guards, a dragon and a griffin, came to take her to the arena. For some unexplainable reason, Pollian was a little mifed to have not seen Drake before having to perform in this Arena place. However, the dragon guard didn't seem as terrified as the other and she could see crimson scales peeking at her in between the pieces of armor. Clyo confirmed her suspicion the next moment.

"Playing dress-up again I see," he commented lightly and the dragon guard scowled at him.

"Really Clyo," Drake said and Polian watched with amusement as he pulled of his helmet and the other guards mouth opened.

"I... I thought you were Richard!" he squeaked, his beak gaping open.

"No, Richard is currently enjoying an hour of off time before I have to slip back into the joyous life of being a prince," Drake rolled his eyes as he spoke the words, making Pollian believe that the cushy life of a prince wasn't as great as everyone thought it was. She certainly agreed with that comment about being "royalty".

"So, how are we this morning Ann?" Drake looked her in the eye. She smiled and was about to answer when Clyo bust up into uncontrollable fits of laughter.

"Ann?" he finally gasped, tears streaming from his eye, "And where did that name come from?"

"He can't pronounce my full name, so has thus christened me Ann," Pollian cut in, fighting down the urge to join Clyo.

"And what is your full name?" he asked.

"Pollian Grinachi Theoras Por-Kressian del-Sacaran," Pollain stated, confident that no one would know what her name meant, "What are you staring at Drake, Clyo asked for my full name."

"I can see why Drake couldn't pronounce your name, Sacaran. It is slightly more elaborate than any other Layag I've met." his look was pointed, and Pollian stared at him and what his words implied.

"Even though I hate to interrupt this reunion, we need to head up to the arena or my father may send down his personal guard to get you Ann," Drake inputted before she could say anything. It was then that Pollian realized that she was still in the cell and everyone else was on the other side. It would have been child's play to break them down one way or another; but she waited for Clyo to unlock the door and open it for her. When she walked out the griffin positioned himself on the other side of Drake.

"She won't bite you," Clyo folded his arms over his chest, "Layags are as sweet and shy as they are dangerous." The griffin just swallowed and cautiously walked to her other side. Drake nodded and replaced his helmet. Nothing was said as the three walked through the maze of cells. It was a solid fifteen minutes before Pollian saw even a glimmer of sunlight. It was another five at least to actually reach it. As the first rays hit her back, she stretched her sail out to its fullest extent and soaked up the light and warmth.