Katrina watched Daniel walk headlong through the large doorway. She glanced at Boros, who stood beside her and gestured for her to enter with a charming smile and a nod. She sighed almost exactly as Daniel had and walked past Oros into the structure. She was suddenly struck by a cool blast of air that rushed by her, escaping through the open door. The sudden gust gave her goosebumps as the thin sheet of sweat evaporated on her skin and chilled her. Her jaw gaped at the inside of this magnificent dome. The air was cool, and it must have stood hundreds of feet above them. Her neck ached as she looked above to grasp the sheer magnitude of what she was now seeing. The dome draped above them, with bright balls of flame that hovered in midair, shedding brilliant light so you could see clearly inside. She looked to see a similar set-up within as the vast training field they had just seen outside. The bleachers on the sides that surrounded the vacant middle were much taller now. This was clearly an arena, with walls surrounding an area for combat and a portion of seats that were set apart, reminiscent of a Roman Podium for their emperors to lounge and watch gladiators fight.
Katrina noticed Daniel in front of her, his head turning like hers, drinking in all that there was to see. By this time, Oros and the rest of the party were already inside, and the massive doors closed with a light thud.
“Mighty impressive, isn’t it?” Oros said, looking and admiring the arena with a smile. “This is called the Glade. It was built thousands of years ago by our ancestors. Powerful spirits protect it, and others outside, from the fierce battles that rage within.”
The Dae Kryo led them to the royal box and to a large group of warriors that stood mingling just inside. The group of them grew silent as Oros and his party approached, save several hushed murmurs and a mix of smiles and sneers.
It was then that Katrina noticed Avria standing among them. Her grey skin and brilliant eyes narrowed, unblinking, at Daniel. Her white hair was up in a sort of ponytail now, and her hand was on the hilt of the bone blade at her waist. She stood with an aura of confidence and skill, that Katrina found very intimidating. Katrina swallowed the lump in her throat and began walking toward her. Avria did not seem to notice Katrina as she approached, or perhaps she just did not see her as worthy of her attention. Either way, her eyes snapped to meet Katrina’s, and she froze mid-stride. She did not speak, but it was obvious that she was thinking something like What the hell do you want? Katrina gritted her teeth and strode forward, knowing she must look the fool, being stopped by a glance. “He… Hello ma’am,” she stuttered as she approached.
Avria studied her for a long moment but did not reply. Instead, a thin line formed between her brow, and she looked at Katrina with clear displeasure.
“I wanted to have a moment to speak with you,” Katrina said dryly. She could hear her heart beating in her ears and feel sweat beading down her back. Holy shit, she’s intimidating, she thought.
“What?” Avria said sharply, making it clear she had little patience. Her face looked hard as stone, and Katrina knew this conversation would be tricky.
Katrina opened her mouth to speak but stood dumbfounded, realizing in hot terror that she had completely forgotten what she was going to ask. “Uh…” she said.
Avria looked somewhat puzzled by this, and her eyes softened just a bit in what Katrina hoped was amusement.
“It’s just that I am impressed by you, that’s all. You carry yourself with such confidence. I was hoping I might get to know you better.” Her words came out fast and unorganized, like a dam that had burst.
Avria cocked her head to the side slightly, now clearly amused. “Really,” she said, drawing out the word, not as a question, but more of a blunt statement.
Katrina felt her ears burning as the silence lingered for eternal seconds after.
Then, Avria’s hard expression cracked slightly as a thin smile curved the edge of her mouth. The Dae warrior motioned Katrina to follow and turned to walk further into the royal box. Katrina was moving before she realized it and followed eagerly behind her. The two women sat down on some very soft sofas that faced each other. Katrina’s mind briefly strayed from the situation, her hands sliding over the velvet-like fabric.
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“So,” Avria said, pulling her attention. She sat with her legs crossed and the grace of a lioness. Her crimson cloak draped around her had opened to reveal her torso. She was a slender woman, and even through the bone breastplate she wore, Katrina could tell that she had a near-perfect figure.
“Well.” Katrina cleared her throat. “I have seen the way you have been looking at us. I know you probably don’t like us very much, and—”
“It isn’t what you think,” Avria said, cutting her off. “I do not look at you people as the herald of our end times like the Espi-Dae, but I don’t trust you either. Our king gave us a command, and my Hego chose to ignore it.”
“The Hego is… Agron, right?” Katrina said.
Avria Paused a moment to gaze at Katrina. “I keep forgetting that you creatures know nothing of our customs. Yes, Agron is our Hego and is the leader of the Ignos Clan, which resides here in Vul De Rah. Our King, Yomin, reigns from Vul De Mar, the Capital of Lokkon.” She pointed her hand behind her nonchalantly. “He is also head of the Magune’ clan, and we are ultimately his subjects, but my loyalty is to my Hego.”
Katrina nodded, thinking hard on her next question. This world seemed to follow some definite similarities to Earth’s ancient history, at least what she knew of it.
“And it isn’t all of you,” Avria said, glancing at Daniel, who stood now talking with several warriors. “This one I do not like.”
“He was just trying to keep us alive,” Katrina said.
This seemed to amuse Avria again, even more than before, because she let out a sharp laugh. “You are loyal to your mate; this I can understand.”
Katrina’s eyes narrowed. “He isn’t my mate. I don’t even know him.” She gestured at him. “We met only recently when we woke up in your world.” She pointed to Robert, who sat with Illya and Oros, seeming to enjoy a conversation. “He’s my mate.”
“Him?” Avria said.
“Yes, him,” Katrina emphasized the last word. “And I don’t know why, but I have had to explain this to Illya already.”
The name seemed to sting the Dae woman a bit. She looked down and cleared her throat to continue. “Well, I suppose it isn’t any of my concern.”
Suddenly Oros barked a loud laugh. Katrina looked at him, slightly startled.
“Nasha!” he yelled as a female warrior entered the royal box. She had long, flowing hair that shined a brilliant red.
That’s different, Katrina thought. Her skin was a paler red that looked soft as silk. Her eyes, though, were hard and almond shaped. She had a delicate face, with soft edges, and a slender neck. Her crimson cloak billowed in behind her, and she strode toward Oros with absolute confidence.
“My Kryo Oros!” she called, extending her right hand to grasp Oros’ left shoulder; he smiled and mimicked the gesture.
Katrina noticed Avria stand and captured a small glimpse of her stern face again as she moved out of sight of the reunion.
Nasha released Oros’ shoulder and smiled, revealing the Dae’s signature canine teeth, giving her gentle smile a slight animal edge. “I came as soon as I could, my Lord. There is so much I have been told since my return. Monsters from another world, spirits manifesting in the throne room, it seems so unbelievable.”
Oros let his smile slip away and looked to his left.
Nasha followed with her eyes and looked shocked to see Robert standing surprisingly close to her.
Nasha’s face went blank. “So, it’s true then,” she muttered. She looked around the room, first turning to Daniel, then her eyes met Katrina’s.
Not knowing quite what to do, Katrina smiled weakly and gave her most convincing and nonthreatening nod.
Oros explained how they came upon the humans and all that had transpired since then.
“I don’t like this,” she said, sighing. “There is too much talk of death on the road, my Lord. Raiding parties from the South of Goh River, no doubt the blasted Rexunii. Killing our people, capturing them, and now this.” She gestured to Katrina and her companions. “These are becoming dangerous times.”
“Indeed, they are,” Oros said, nodding in agreement. “But our human guests? They have been given the blessing of Gro’ak, and my father has permitted them to stay with our clan.”
The room began to fill as a steady stream of new crimson-clad warriors entered behind Nasha.
“One of the reasons I was glad you arrived was because our friends here are interested in observing how the Dunamis is used.”
Nasha looked at Katrina. “Do they possess no power of their own?”
“It would appear not,” he replied.
The young woman sat down and leaned back in the chair. “Well, my Kryo, you have but to ask, and your command will be followed without question.” She bowed her head.
Oros chuckled. “Very well, then pick an opponent, and give us a spectacular display.”
Nasha stood up and looked around. She scanned every face in the room, and her eyes fell on the younger Kryo Boros. A smirk crawled across her delicate features. “My young Kryo.” She bowed her head. “Would you honor our guests with a display of your skill? I have not seen you grace the sands of the Glade since you won the red.”
Boros’ face went blank, save his eyes, which darted to his older brother, his sister, and then to Katrina. “Well. It would be an honor to fight against one so talented.” Boros turned on them and walked out the door.
“Perfect!” Oros exclaimed. “Sit, my friends; this will be a good show.”