From the Pit

Seamstress of The Innkeeper

A knock on our cell door wakes me from my black nightmare, a layer of sweat coating my body. "Adrien, you're to come with the Commander now. He's bought some of your friends from the second fight as well,s o you won't be quite as alone." I look up at the soldier and notice that his helmet is off now. My handler unlocks the cell door and takes my chains off, pushing me towards the soldier. "Goodbye Champion. You are blessed enough to leave this hell." I smile at the men sadly through the bars. "I shall pray for your quick release, men. You are a prized company." They wave at me as I follow the soldier with my head high. I study the soldier carefully as he interacts with multiple handlers to bring other men into our company. As we pass the last cell, the soldier turns to me. "The Commander likes that you treat your foes with respect. Keep doing that and you will move quickly."

We approach a large slave carrier and the soldier and I help the nine other men into it. His golden hair shines in the desert sun, almost blindingly. The sweat gathering on his brow shows how uncomfortable he is in his armor, yet he still wears it. "Why are you in armor, Soldier?" He glances up at me and uses his hands as a foothold for another man. "We are required to wear it at all times when out in the Kingdoms. The Commander never knows when we'll be attacked by rebel unions." I nod. "I understand, but no rebel unions exist here in the Pit. We all fight to survive, not to raze the King's Army." He laughs and wipes the sweat from his forehead. "I am aware. I came from here five years back, after my kingdom was razed by... Anyway, the Commander is paranoid nowadays, since the plague has killed off so many of us and he can barely get any people to join, much less fight well."

The last man jumps into the carrier and I follow suit as the soldier closes the gate in the back. "Alright men, we'll be heading to the castle of Alpha Minorus now. It should take around four days, so get comfortable." I sit on the edge of the carrier, giving the rest of the men as much room as possible, and lean against the gate. I hear the soldiers and Commander climb into the seat on the front of the carrier and the slap of the reins on the horse's flank. The carrier jerks forward and the rest of the men stumble over each other. The man from the beginning of the second fight sits beside me after a few moments of movement. "My name is James, Champion." I smile at him and watch as my home of three years fades away from us. "My name is Adrien, James." He nods and leans against the gate as well, staring ahead.

A few hours later, I fall asleep and feel my head fall onto James' shoulder. I try to wake myself up enough to move, but I fail and fall into a black sleep. So many fights in a row must have really depleted my energy storage. My mind wanders to my memories again. My safe place.

----

My father smiles at me, his bright green eyes glistening as we race our horses through the meadow behind the palace. Dark hair mingles with my own bright red hair as my horse gallops at full speed, losing Father behind us. His laughter carries on the wind towards me and I laugh as well. I turn Indigo, my beautiful ink-black stallion, and sop to wait for Father. His face is reddened by his own laughter as his old warhorse huffs and puffs beside me. I reach out and scratch his horse's neck and he nuzzles my hand. "Poor old Hurley. You've not got it in you anymore, huh boy?" Father laughs and pulls on Hurley's reins. "He's got enough in him for one more go. How about Indigo?" I look at my horse and nod.

Father urges Hurley forward and he breaks out into a trot before a full out gallop. "See if you can catch me!" I dig my heels into Indigo's side and he immediately gallops after Hurley. My joy in that moment was so great, I knew I would never forget it. We race toward the palace, our laughter following us on the wind's fingertips. I spot Mother in the doorway of the stable and urge Indigo faster. "Oh you cheeky devil!" Father's words follow me as I suddenly stop in front of Mother. Her laughter fills my ears as I dismount and take Indigo's saddle and blanket off, waiting for Father. "Your father should know that you win every time by now. Indigo was bred from our best fighter and fastest racer just for you, after all." I laugh and nod as Father and Hurley trot to where we stand. I let Indigo wander into the stable to find some water while Mother and I talk.