From the Pit

Test of Champions

A loud clanging rings through the room and she hurriedly stands. "That is the curfew bell. I will come to you in the morning to escort you to the courtyard." I nod. "Of course, Mari. Be safe going to your room." She smiles and closes the door behind her. The fire crackles quietly and I relish in the silence. Two people wholly know who I am. I trust both, but I'm afraid at how easily I spilt to Mari. I cannot afford to spill like that to another person. Or have them figure out who I am.

When I wake up, Mari is sitting in front of the hearth, humming a familiar song. "Adrien, you still have time for breakfast if you are hungry. The Prince will need an escort to the courtyard, so eat quickly. A servant is outside the room to lead you to the kitchens." I nod and thank her, standing from the bed. I pull on my socks and boots, tucking my hair behind my ears before exiting the room. The boy from last night smiles and begins jogging down the tower's stairs.

We reach the bottom fairly quickly and turn left, heading toward the sound of metal pots clanging and the smell of food cooking. The boy rounds a corner and enters the kitchen, greeting one of the cooks loudly over the clanging and sizzling of food. A burly man turns to us and smiles widely. "Michael! Who is this?" I smile and offer him my hand. "People call me Champion or Adrien. I answer to both, so just call me what you like." The man shakes my hand and laughs. "Champion, then! I am Jericho, Royal Head Chef!"

I smile back at him, glad for his friendly demeanor. "There are eggs and bacon on the counter over there. Plates and silverware are by the sink. Fresh milk or coffee?" I grab a plate. "I would like coffee, if that's alright Jericho." He nods and motions for another kitchen aid to grab a cup and fill it. I scoop a good amount of eggs onto my plate and top them off with two strips of bacon. I go back to the sink and stab a spoon into the pile of food before thanking the aid and taking my coffee. My escort leads me to the large dining hall and I sit in a quiet corner, away from the other men.

The boy sits beside me, a plate resting on his knees. "I am to take you to the Prince's room and then I will take my leave, sir." I nod. "Very well. May I ask your name?" He shrugs and takes a bite of his eggs. "Kedar is the name the King gave me when he bought me for service. Uriah is my real name." I smile and take a bite as well. "Well then, Uriah. My name is Adrien."

We finish eating in silence, Uriah watching the men around us as he cradled his empty plate. I stand and he does the same, leading me back to the kitchen. I thank Jericho and we go up the stairs of the tower, climbing for what seemed like eternity. We stop at a large oaken door a few hundred steps above my room. Uriah knocks loudly and moves behind me. "Your escort is here, Sir!"

The Prince's deep voice reverberates through the wood, barely reaching my ears. "Well then, send him in! I'm in need of some assistance with my armor anyway." Uriah opens the door and pushes me inside before closing it tightly. I roll my eyes at his obvious fear and walk deeper into the room. Dark tapestries hang over the windows, only letting in small slivers of light through gaps in the fabric. A light scent wafts through the room, barely triggering a memory. I know this scent.

I notice the Prince in a corner, struggling with a heavy set of chainmail. I laugh and he groans. "Father insisted I wear my armor in case one of the brutes from the Pit decides to attack me. Especially since you are to be with them on the ground." I walk over and assist him by holding the mail as he snakes his thick arms through the sleeves and pulls his head into the top. I strap a chest plate on him while he tightens his gauntlets about his wrists.

The actions are familiar to me. Father used to ask for my help before going on a hunt with his armor. I step away from the Prince as he steps into his boots, tying the laces quickly. I notice a shining sword hilt in a leather sheath and pick it up. The weight is nicely distributed as far as I can tell. I buckle the belt onto the Prince and he holds his helmet under his arm. "I personally believe that this is too much to wear on a hot day, but no one cares what I have to say." I nod agreeably. Most children think that way about their parents for a long time after they are born.