Chain of Steel

Part 5

 I wake up to someone slowly rubbing my back. In my head panic begins to set in but I soon recall the events of last night. John then moves his hand to mine and starts to rub soft lines across my palm to my thumb. I keep my eyes closed as he sighs and I quietly listen to the steady thrum of his heart. I wish this moment would never end, that I could hold it in my hand and keep it hidden from the world. But eventually, I open my eyes and raise my head. Instantly the spell is broken and John pulls back his hand, taking his warmth with it.

"Hey, um, you're up." He smiles awkwardly.

" Yeah. I'm gonna go see if the physician is here."

" Oh, " He muttered in a disappointed tone. " Don't let me keep you then."

I try to smile but fail horribly and exit the room.

The doc is downstairs talking to Courreus. Careful not to make eye-contact with my trainer, I walk up to the doctor. 

"Hey, doc. He's upstairs right now. Feel free to go up and see him, third door to your left."

" Thank you, young lady." He said as he turned to visit his newest patient. 

I stared in the direction he went for a few moments, then I too left the barracks and wandered over to my oak tree. The moment John was shot still haunted my brain. The sleek arrow flying through the air, the whistling noise it made as it shot past my ear, the way it perfectly punctured the flesh. The sound of pure agony as sliced through well-toned muscle till it hit bone. Why were they aiming at John? What did they, whoever 'they' was, have to gain from shooting him? It seemed terribly confusing, like something you would read about in a book; the hansom warrior shot down so the heartbroken female can save him. 

Could I save John? 

I'm a gladiator. I don't make a habit out of saving people, just killing them. Do I want to save him? Now that's the question. He has never hesitated to help me,  so I'm not going to hesitate either.  

"Rachel, right?" a male voice asked. 

I turned at the sound of my name and hit his chest, knocking myself down in the process. Damn these slippery sandals! I look up at the man hovering over me. Tallish,  around 6' 1'',  muscular build,  sandy blonde hair.

"Depends on who's asking." 

"Right. My sincerest apologies. My name is Matthew." he held out his hand, which I took and he hoisted me up to my feet.

"Sorry for knocking you down, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay. So, how can I help you?"

"There's a rumour going around that you're the best here with a battle-axe, but I always like to see things firsthand."

I chuckled, "Well, why don't we head up to the training center and test this 'rumour'."

                                                                           ~*~

I swung my axe into the wooden target. Then I leapt into a back handspring. Once firmly on my feet I unsheathed my dagger and threw it at the target's head. The blade struck deep with a thunk noise.  I turned to my spectator, who was clapping slowly. 

"Well done. The rumour wasn't a rumour at all, just the truth." He smiled.

"Thank you. Now, why are you here? Your sandals suggest you come from a rather wealthy family, and yet your clothing is like that of a slave. What's your story?" We sat down on a bench.

"You don't miss a thing, do you? Well, You're right. I am from a wealthy family. I wanted more excitement in my life, so I have decided to become a gladiator."

Rachel frowned. He wanted to be a gladiator? He wanted to kill, or be killed, merely because his life wasn't exciting enough? What a stupid idea. 

"Trust me, you don't want this life." She said, grimly.

"Why ever not?"

Rachel threw him a sword that was stuck in the sand. She pulled out a small throwing knife. 

"You think you can beat me with that? Are you serious?" He scoffed at her.

"Duck." 

Rachel lunged at him, her foot hitting his shin as she swiped he knife in the direction of his head. He barely moved in time. Then she tuck-and-rolled to the side of him, coming up in an attack stance.

He took one step and swung his sword at her. Rachel ducked and kicked him in the ribs. Matthew stumbled backwards and she jumped on him, her blade pressing into his neck. 

"That's why. Every move you make is an opportunity for your attacker to kill you. Every word you say will be mocked. The rest of the world will treat you like scum from this moment forward. All because you wanted more excitement, your life has now been ruined."