Growing up with Gladiators

Chapter 1

Wooden swords cracked and the smells of sweat and urine were swept around the courtyard as the Gladiators practiced. I picked my way through the fighting, dancing around the toned bodies of the men that raised me. I managed to duck under an arm before the sword came down in a crushing blow that knocked the opponent away. I smirked at the young man that lay sprawled on the hard packed sand. 

"Still learning the basics I see." I chuckled as I winked at Marcus who glared at me before turning his gaze down to the boy.

"Why don't you try teaching then, Sister."  

My face remained blank as the boy on the ground sat up and stared at me. His eyes widened with shock as he took all of me in. The skin tight leather that covered my chest and crossed across my body came down just above my abdomen. I had a leather skirt that worked that same way as the loincloths the men were wearing, yet gave me more of a modest covering. 

"Give me that." I grabbed his sword from him and marched toward the boy that was still sitting and staring. "Get up."

The boy scrambled to his feet, holding his sword clumsily in his hand. His foot position was unbalanced and would easily kill him in battle if he didn't learn quickly. How my brother managed to train anyone was beyond me. There was no way he was even trying with this kid. 

"What were you doing all day?" I ask the boy. 

"Umm-"

"We were working on blocking." 

"I wasn't talking to you Marcus, I wanted to hear what he had to say. Plus how did you even think blocking would work if he was just going to fall down every time with his unstable foot placement?" 

I threw my sword at him and glared while he marched over to the experienced fighters. What was I going to do with him? Sighing, I turned back around and strode towards the boy. He just stood there with a glazed look in his eyes. Boys and their stupid hormones. I ripped his sword from his hand and threw it aside. We wouldn't be needing it for what I would be teaching him today. He blinked at me before looking over at the fallen sword. 

I took that moment of distraction to swing my fist back and let loose a bruising blow that would no doubt give him a nice sized black eye for the next couple of days. He fell back to the ground clutching his face, a small whimper showing me how pathetic he really is. Why was this kid ever chosen to be a Gladiator was beyond me, but hopefully getting beat up by a girl will get his head out of the clouds. 

"Get up you lazy worthless piece of flesh that you call a man. You're barely just a boy with the way you act." I spit at his feet counting in my head to ten. Just as I predicted, he finally registered my insult and lunged at me. Sometimes all it takes is a little  taunting to bring out the beast. I smirked at him as i dodged his attack and tripped him up before he even realized what was happening. 

"Rule number one: never take your eyes off your opponent. That's why you have a nice bruise forming on your pretty face." He flinched at my words. My taunting was starting to draw a small crowd from the other gladiators. "Rule number two: don't let rage control your actions. That's how you ended up down there." He looked up at me with a new show of respect. It always takes them awhile, but eventually they all see through clear eyes that I am superior to them. Even if I am a girl. 

"Where did you learn all this? And how are you so good?" 

"And he talks!" He gives me a glare while I give him a genuine smile. I'm beginning to like this kid, even if he can't fight worth crap. 

"Yes I can talk. I will have you know that my father won't like it one bit that you gave me this." He pointed to his eye that was showing the signs of my lovely punch. 

"A well refined lad you are aren't ya? Well let me give this to you straight, nice and simple. I don't care who you are or who your father is. You are here where the Gladiators live and unless you show some respect for those who will willingly kill you in the arena then I suggest you scurry on home and lick your wounds because I will not hesitate to-"

"Enough Aelia! That's Demitrius you're speak to. You know, son of the richest merchant in Rome?" Felix  strode toward me and reached down to help Demitrius up. Okay, maybe I didn't like the kid anymore. Rich boys were all babies. 

"Like I care! Did you see the way he was fighting? And the way he looked at me? What else is a girl supposed to do around here to gain some respect?" I yelled sarcastically back at him. He knew that I knew that I didn't need to earn anyone's respect since I already had the barracks full of Gladiators respect. 

"Wait, you're Aelia? As in Aelia Atticus, daughter of Lucius?" Demitrius' eyes wided as he looked me up and down again, seeing me for who I really am. 

"The one and only." I bowed gracefully in a mock show of respect for him. "Now that introductions are over, lets get back to work shall we? And maybe now we can better understand each other and you will be more willing to listen to a girl teach you how to fight like a man. After all, I did grow up with Gladiators." I smirked at him as he narrowed his eyes at me. 

Felix was chuckling at our exchange but I just ignored him. "Actually, I think I would prefer Felix to teach me." He gave a haughty humph before turning to look at Felix. 

"Sorry no can do kid. Aelia's the best of the best and if you can't learn from her then I guess you can't be a Gladiator." We both watched as Demitrius struggled with the idea of a girl teaching him to fight. I guess his manliness won out since he glowered at us before storming out of the practice field and to the front of the Training Center. 

"Good ridance." I smiled at his retreating figure before turning to Felix. "Now shall we practice 'til the sun goes down?"

"Why, I would be honored to fight such a beautiful maiden such as yourself oh high and mighty Aeliana." He gave me a dramatic bow while handing me one of the wooden swords. I gave him my best cheeky smile before positioning myself in a defensive stance.