It was only after I slammed the door to my chambers that I finally looked to the boy, “Are you hurt?” His face paling beneath the sunburn of his face was his only response, “I said are you hurt?”

It took a moment but he managed to stammer out a soft, “N-No.”

“What’s your name?” Silence. “Don’t make me ask again, I am not in the mood.”

“B-Berill”

“How old are you? You look far too young to be in the arena. What the fuck were you thinking coming here?” Perhaps my tone was too aggressive, the poor kid was terrified. A teenager but still far too young for this place. Gathering from the shocked silence that I wasn’t gonna get much more out of him, I strode towards the pitcher of water in the corner of my room. After pouring two cups I drained one and handed the other to Berill. “I suggest you drink, sun sickness can kill you just as easily as an opponent. The heat will boil you from the inside.” The boy at least had enough sense to raise the cup and take a small sip.

“The healer will be here in a moment,” I grumbled, slowly peeling off the outer layer of my armour, the pain on my abdomen nearly blinding. “Also you reek, go into that room over there and clean up. You won’t be given the opportunity to do so anywhere else in the arena.” At least not safely. He stumbled into the room and closed the door.

Perhaps it was not wise to pity the kid but I had seen when they had arrived. So similar in how they looked that they must have been brothers, my stomach twisted as I realised the poor kid had lost his brother in the ring, the brother who had given his life to stand between him and the lion. They looked like the children of nobles, it didn’t make sense. There was glory to be found in the arena but usually only for the lower class who saw no other way. The nobles understood the risk and would never allow their offspring within these walls, other than their bastards maybe. What had they done to be thrown to the wolves, well lions, like this?

The door swung open and Ganra walked in, holding a bucket of water and various medical supplies, seeing the scowl on her face I couldn’t help but grin, “Hey there Ganra, fancy seeing you here.”

Her face was murderous as she replied, “You absolute fool, you pissed off Hector that much? You are lucky to be alive.” Hector was the ringmaster and while I had a habit of pissing him off, the lions were a bit much.

There was no illusion of gentleness as Ganra prodded my wound before beginning to clean it, through my teeth I managed to get out, “Well you know me, just talented I guess.”

With the adrenalin finally draining from my veins I could feel all the other injuries across my body. The bruises across my back, all the big and small scratches, I didn’t even realise my lip had been split open. I chuckled, “No wonder I terrified the poor boy, how’s my face?”

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Ganra glanced up from my side, “An ugly mug as per usual, nothing to fear there.”

“You always know how to sweet talk me, Ganra.” The hard prod she aimed at my side made me wince.

“Still haven’t answered me, what did you do?”

I blew out a breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding before replying, “Refused to cut down the two boys that were chucked into the lions’ mouths with me today.” I paused for a moment, “I’m a killer Ganra, but...a murderer? There’s a difference between battling a skilled fighter and sending lambs to slaughter.”

No reply came as she smeared a poultice over the gash and began bandaging it.

My door slammed open so hard it rattled against the wall, Hector standing in the doorway. I heard the splatter of water on the ground behind me as the bucket tipped to the floor. I’d jumped up in front of Ganra, putting myself between her and the door without even realising it. Grabbing Ganra by the elbow quickly, I managed to keep her upright even as she squawked at me before turning back to Hector.

The look on his face was some mix of furious, amused and pleased as he grumbled, “Well done my sweet, I didn’t expect you to walk out of there alive.”

Swallowing thickly I said as evenly as I could, “Frankly, neither did I.”

His smile held no warmth as he spat out, “Do you have any idea how expensive those lions were?”

“Do you have any idea how much I value my own life over your money?” I spat back.

His eyes darkened as he informed me, “Luckily I can recuperate my losses.” He then turned to Ganra, “Ensure she is made presentable and pack her basics.”

Ganra remained still beside me as I sputtered, “What for?”

Lips curling in a snarl, “I always told you, you’d die before I let you walk out of this arena. Well, today I failed at that which means you now have the pleasure of serving the Emperor.”

“That’s what today was about? You wanted to kill me to prevent me from leaving your services?” I know he’d said it before, yet I was still horrified. With the money my fights brought in, I’d always been untouchable. Never truly believed the threat.

Hector shot a warning glance at Ganra, to remind her of his orders before turning and stalking back down the hall.

We stood in shocked silence for a breath before Ganra whispered, “That’s who the guest is. The damned Emperor.” I remembered the man who sat beside Hacktor’s Lord, the special guest I hadn’t recognised. Berill silently emerged from the bathroom and no more words were exchanged as Ganra silently led him out and I went to clean up as well.

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Thoughts were banging against the inside of my skull, what the hell was going on. I thought that this was just some stupid power play by Hector but he had genuinely been trying to kill me to prevent me from leaving the arena. The boys were just to add insult to injury. And servitude to the Emperor? I mean I know I have a reputation but had it really gone that far? I wonder if I were to be a general. Don’t have the foggiest clue how to lead an army but it would certainly be interesting. Beyond that what else would I do? There are limited options. A soldier. A guard. Knowing Hector the Emperor wouldn’t have gotten him to agree to hand me over easily so this can’t just be normal recruitment, can it? It’s well known that once you enter Hector’s service the only way you leave is in death.

Sucking in my breath I braced myself and scrubbed across a few of my injuries that I’d left until last then lifted the cloth to carefully rinse off my face. Lifting my gaze to the mirror, Ganra was right to call it an ugly mug, especially with the bruising and cuts. I’d never been beautiful, but there was strength. My jaw was strong and wide, nose...well I don’t remember what it looked like before it had been broken but at least it wasn’t too bad. Dark, brown eyes peered back at me from under my strong brows. I began plaiting my hair to keep it out of my face. With my dark brown hair, tan skin and strong features, I had always fit in in Eckan, in Hacktor.

Where would I be going now?