Goblins are crafty buggers, that's why i like to cut the toes off my slaves. Stops the little buggers from running away.

 - Grenzald the Slaver

Feerana sat on her bed trying not to move. A cold wind was blowing through the window and the blanket she had rapped around her was thin and pointless.

Fuck, she thought, of course the day she has to stay in her tiny uninsulated quarters for days is the one fucking time the desert gets fucking cold, the gods must truely hate her.

She laughed and then winced as her cut legs rasped against the bandages. The doctors at the pits were good but no skill can take away the pain of healing, or the pain of helplessness.

She had promised herself she would never e weak again, never run away. But as the other gladiator raised his sword all the promises she had made to herself had become null and she was once again just a scared goblin all alone she sat alone and cold on her bed and remembered another time she had felt like this.

----------------------------------------

12 years ago

The closet smelt of rot, but it was better than going out there here she was safe, this was her place.

"Slave!"

The goblin recoiled at the voice and planted her hands firmly over her ears there was no one here, no one but her and her safe rot smelling closet.

"Slave!" the voice was louder this time and obviously closer, She flinched again, if master found her he would be angry, it would probably be better if she went out now but maybe he wouldn't find her if she stayed hidden, she decided she would stay put safer that way.

The doors to the closet were flung upon and outside stood a visibly angry man in a grease stained shirt and pants he looked down at the goblin cowering in the closet and scowled.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

She squealed and tried to scramble out of the closet but he grabbed her before she could escape. Like a deer in the headlights she stared at the man, who appeared to be seething with anger. He picked her up by the scruff of her neck and began walking her away.

He stomped through the laundry in silence before speaking. "Wretch what have i told you about ignoring me."

"Not to do it master." she squeaked with her eyes downcast.

"That's bloody right, so why did you ignore me!" He said throwing her against the stone wall. She hit it with a thud and fell to the ground gasping for air, he loomed over her glaring daggers. "Answer me wretch!" He yelled.

"I couldn't here you." She coughed. The man kicked her hard in the midsection and she had to fight to regain her breath.

"Don't give me that shit. I know for a fucking fact that you could here me so, Don't. Fucking. Lie. To. Me!" His statement was punctuated with kicks that sent the small goblin sprawling onto the floor. "I have been nice to you bitch, if it wasn't for me you would be dead or enslaved to someone really bad, so why do you repay my kindness with this!?" He roared picking her up again. He walked her to the door and threw her into the street. "Well I'm done starve for all I care." And with that he slammed the door, she crawled into the alley way and cried.

----------------------------------------

The door to her room in the pits flung open suddenly ripping her from her daydream.

The Justicar stood before her dressed in stately court robes and strode into the room confidently. "Good Evening Feerana, healing okay?" She asked calmly.

"I guess."

"Good because i have a job for you." She said delightedly

"What?" She asked warily.

"Your friend, the Ork, he seems to be capable yes?"

"Hm"

"Well I would like to challenge him see how he can do under pressure, he has already killed my best men so that wont work so I want you to help me sabotage him, make it a fair fight."

"And if i refuse?"

"My dear Feerana, that isn't an option here" She said smiling sweetly.