The sun had barely begun its ascent over the mountains when the preparations for the tournament were underway. The early morning air was cool, but there was an undeniable buzz of excitement in the city of Rhotae. Merchants were setting up their stalls, children were running through the streets, and locals gathered near the arena to secure a good spot for the upcoming event. The city was alive, and despite the seriousness of our mission, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of anticipation.

Mannes, Cassius, and I spent some time discussing strategy. We were participating in a 20 vs 20 format. Me and Cassius would be leading a small group of five of our men while Mannes will lead the rest of them into the tournament, while the equites, as expected, would sit this one out. They were bodyguards, after all—cavalrymen trained for protection, not for the spectacle of combat in an arena. Besides, this tournament was about testing our recruits and seeing how they handled themselves in a controlled environment. It wasn’t just for sport. For us, it was a way to mold these men into a cohesive unit.

The arena was simple, a large circular pit dug into the earth with wooden barricades forming the perimeter. Spectators gathered around the top, eager to see the teams clash. I could feel the weight of their eyes on us as we stepped into the sandy pit. Mannes stood tall to my right, his ever-commanding presence making him seem like a figure from legend. Cassius, on my left, was a wall of muscle and scars, his expression unreadable as always. The five men we were leading were a mix of recruits and seasoned veterans, though none of them had fought together before.

“This’ll be interesting,” Cassius muttered, glancing at me. “Not the usual battlefield, is it?”

I grinned. “No, but it’s not the usual fight either.”

Mannes gave a nod, his eyes scanning the arena. “Stick to the plan,” he said, his voice low but firm. “We work together, we win. Simple as that.”

Our opponents were already in the ring, another team of mercenaries led by an experienced fighter from Rhotae. They looked well-trained, each of them equipped with blunted swords, maces, and shields. I could tell they had been through their share of battles, but I wasn’t worried. I had a strategy in mind, and I knew exactly how to play it.

The rules were clear. Teams would fight until one side was knocked out or forced to surrender. All weapons were blunted, but the blows would still hurt. It was about endurance, teamwork, and, above all, strategy. And if there was one thing I’d learned from my time as a mercenary, it was that brute strength wasn’t everything.

The signal to start was given, and the arena erupted in noise. Mannes was the first to move, leading our group forward with a powerful stride. His men followed closely, forming a tight formation. Cassius stayed back with me, watching as Mannes’ group made the initial push. It was clear from the outset that the Rhotae mercenaries weren’t going to make this easy. They met Mannes’ group head-on, shields raised, weapons swinging.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Mannes was in his element. He moved with a precision that only years of experience could bring, his blunted sword crashing against the opposing team’s shields. His men followed his lead, and for a while, it seemed like we had the upper hand. But that’s when the other team started using their numbers to overwhelm us. Mannes was holding his own, but the recruits weren’t used to fighting in such close quarters. I could see cracks forming in their defense.

“Now,” I whispered to Cassius.

Cassius grunted acknowledgment, and we moved. While Mannes and his group were engaged in the main fight, Cassius and I flanked around the side, using the chaos to our advantage. The Rhotae mercenaries were so focused on Mannes and the recruits that they didn’t see us coming.

Mannes had the raw strength and experience, but I knew we needed more than that to win. Cassius and I were the key to outmaneuvering them. As the fight raged on in the center of the arena, we slipped around, targeting the mercenaries who had broken off from the main group.

Cassius was a force of nature. His large frame barreled into one of the mercenaries, knocking him to the ground with a single blow. I followed, my blunted sword striking the back of another opponent’s leg, sending him stumbling forward. In the chaos, we managed to isolate two of their fighters, taking them out of the fight before they even realized what was happening.

With their numbers thinned, it became easier to push them back. Mannes, seeing the opening, rallied his men and pressed forward. The recruits, though still struggling, were finding their rhythm. They worked together to take down one of the remaining mercenaries, their strikes more coordinated now.

But it wasn’t over yet. The leader of the Rhotae mercenaries—a tall, grizzled man with a face full of scars—charged at me. His blunted mace swung toward my head, and I barely managed to dodge in time. He was fast, faster than I expected, but I had something he didn’t—strategy.

Instead of engaging him directly, I used the momentum of his attacks against him. Every time he swung, I sidestepped, forcing him to overextend. It was a risky move, but I knew I couldn’t match him in raw strength. So, I relied on speed and patience, waiting for the right moment.

When it came, it was almost too easy. The man swung his mace wide, leaving his side completely open. I lunged forward, driving the hilt of my sword into his ribs. He let out a grunt of pain and stumbled backward, clutching his side. I didn’t give him a chance to recover. A quick strike to his legs sent him sprawling to the ground.

I stepped back, breathing heavily but victorious. The rest of the fight was already winding down. Mannes and Cassius had taken care of the remaining mercenaries, and our recruits had done better than expected, holding their own in the chaos.

The signal to stop was given, and the arena fell silent. We had won.

I turned to look at Mannes and Cassius, both of them catching their breath. Cassius, despite his usual gruff demeanor, gave me a rare smile. “Not bad,” he muttered. “I thought you were done for there.”

I shrugged, still catching my breath. “I told you I had a plan.”

Mannes clapped me on the shoulder, his eyes gleaming with approval. “Good work. We played to our strengths.”

I looked around the arena, taking in the aftermath. The recruits, though battered and bruised, were grinning from ear to ear. This wasn’t just a victory for us—it was a victory for them too. They had proven themselves, and in doing so, they had become part of something bigger.

As we left the arena, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. We had done more than just win a tournament. We had forged a bond, and at that moment, I knew we were ready for whatever came next.

And the road ahead was long.