Chapter 15

Two Coins

Curiosity satiated, I have no interest in continuing to spy on the uhhh tender moment.

So I turn to leave. Despite my efforts to stay hidden, I don’t make it more than a few steps unnoticed. I’m still not sure what a hyena is, But I am increasingly confident they aren’t famous for their ability to move quietly.

“North!?” I freeze. Even in the pre-dawn light, I’m a recognizable silhouette. So I figure there is no point scurrying away. I will just end up looking like an idiot. Repressing a sigh, I abandon my attempts at stealth.

Standing at my full height I turn to face the pair of boys.

Kalon is looking at me like he can will me to drop dead.

"What in the seven worlds are you doing?!" He snaps. Clearly embarassed. He's not the only one. I feel like an absolute buffoon for having interrupted them.

Only Xael doesn't seem bothered. As a Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure he's holding back laughter.

Normally this is where I would start yelling or making threats. There just isn't anything to say. I'm the intruder.

" I uhh smelled blood," I reply. Awkwardly gesturing at my nose. "But everything seems fine so I'll umm just go."

The two boys reply simultaneously.

"Good!"

"No, stay"

Kalon naturally wants to get rid of me. For some reason, the non-slave doesn't. Instantly I'm wary. He's got a pretty blonde boy to kiss. What does he need me for?

"Come show me how you almost killed Kalon."

For the second time that morning, Kalon and I shared an almost identical expression. Last time it was awe. This time it's surprise.

The blonde boy is staring at Xael in shock but doesn't object.

Still, I hesitate. This kid has only been here five or so days unless I miss my guess. While he might have built up some popularity with the slaves in that time. It clearly isn't long enough for him to understand the details of individual relationships.

"We don't like each other very much," I say. Gesturing between myself and Kalon.

The dark-haired boy cocks his head.

"Really? Why?" The curiosity in his tone and face is so sincere it can only be mockery.

I'm trying to find a way to explain that Kalon just annoys me and doesn't sound petty and stupid. When the blonde slave replies.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"North is jealous." He says dismissively. "He's too angry to keep any friends, and he's jealous that even his own hall likes me better."

I feel my stomach clench and my eyes narrow. Nothing stings quite like the truth.

"Oh drop dead part-timer!" I snarl. Any and all plans to keep myself composed are utterly abandoned.

"Everyone knows you are just going to end up in the kitchens with your mother anyway." His eyes go wide. Even I'm not completely deaf to the rumor that circulates the compound. It's well known that his mother is one of BloodRock’s favorite domestic slaves. Apparently, not even in a creepy way, she just makes good food.

"At least my mother is-"

"Enough!" Xael cuts him off with a surprisingly authoritative shout. That's precisely the moment I remember that this kid can technically tell us what to do. If we don't comply BloodRock may very well make us wish we had.

We both go quiet immediately. You don't live long as a slave if you can't recognize a dangerous tone of voice.

The tall skinny foreigner looks between us both with obvious disappointment. It makes me want to roll my eyes at him.

"I'll make you two a deal," Xael says looking between the two of us. At this, I do roll my eyes. What is this kid’s deal anyway?

He fishes a pair of coins out of his belt pouch and holds them up. A coin in each hand, gesturing towards each of us.

"If you two can behave like human beings around each other, and help me with some training. You will get a halfsack each."

If either of us were entertaining ideas about disagreeing with Xael that obliterates them. I don't even know what you can buy with just one of these coins. Probably not much. But my lips still go dry at the thought. Money that belongs to me. It was a very enticing concept. I can't remember ever even holding such a coin. So to possess one….

I take a few steps forward, beginning to descend the ramp into the yard. The same hunger is present in Kalon’s eyes.

“What would we have to do?” Asks the other slave uncertainty. I assume he doesn’t want to get embarrassed in front of his new ‘friend’. Or maybe he’s just too sore and tired to train properly. Still, neither I nor Kalon will give up the opportunity to get paid easily. Paying a slave. It is such an insane concept I can barely imagine it. They don't pay us, not ever. That’s the whole point.

I think the foreign boy realizes he's got us. A small smile plays across his face and he palms the coins.

"Nothing serious. Pitters fight in a specific way. I need to get used to it, so I want you boys to run me through how what you do is different from what I do."

I frown and shoot Kalon a look. He shrugs at me and we both turn to the non-slave. "Why?" I ask. Honestly confused by the request. Yes, there are lots of fighting styles in the pit. But it's not like we do anything special or different. Is it? I suppose I've never fought outside of Far Mantys. Maybe it is different.

"Yeah, you already fight like you. Why would you want to fight like us?" Asks Kalon with a shake of his head. I almost snort at Kalon including himself in the 'us'.

While not new, he is hardly a lifelong part of the BloodRock compound. Still, he has a point. "Yeah. You're better than half the city already why do you need us?" I'm still wary and I think it shows.

The dark-haired boy flashes us both a superior grin.

"Because I want to beat the other half too."

For a moment I'm almost impressed with how dynamic a statement it is. The foreigner ruins the effect almost immediately. Scratching the back of his head the smile turns rueful.

"The truth is it's not always the best fighter who wins. Even if I'm better I need to get used to the kinds of patterns you all fight in. It will up my chances."

He's not wrong. That shouldn't be my problem though. But I can't stop myself staring hungrily at the coin. Can I even earn the coin? I don’t think I’ve ever had a single positive interaction with Kalon. I look at the blonde boy again.

“You going to keep your mouth shut?” I grunt. Slowly his gaze moves from the coins to me. I can see the calculations behind his eyes, they are doubtless very similar to my own thoughts.

“If you can do the same” he snaps back with a glare. I treat it like a genuine question. After a moment that seems to stretch far longer than it has any right to. I nod.