UNDER A DARKSUN
SEGMENT 137
“THE PRE-GAME SHOW”
Much has happened since the last the heroes were spoken of.
Mania has continued to train on how to battle other gladiators within the Balic Arena. He has had little happiness during the time. He has been beaten and broken only to be healed over and over. His fellow gladiators both befriend and hate him. He is a good man (for a gladiator that is) but too damned good. He over shadows many of them. He is just too strong, fast, durable and smart for them. Many resent him for it.
Cosa has been taken hostage and tested for becoming a cleric of fire. She passed even though she has no wish or care for cleric abilities- much less fire. She senses there is several hidden agendas within the small group of worshippers she has been exposed to. She suspects treachery and that she is being used by some of them.
Belinda has been on the run. After her last inquiries into Cosa and Mania, she was forced out of the city of Balic. She is returning but is unsure how to go about it.
It was easy enough to sneak back into the city of Balic for Belinda. But to find Cosa and Mania (assuming they are still within the city) is much harder. She decides to try out the taverns near the docks. It is common that the lawless run the wharves and templars avoid it. She goes down and notes there is little activity. She looks up and the allies and into three separate taverns and find they are either closed or without customers. It is the fourth tavern she learns what has happened.
She goes into the “Dry Oasis” and finds two people there. A scaly humanoid with a dwarves hands and body type and a woman that has a badly scarred face. Fire or acid is Belinda’s guess. “Late for the damned games ain’t cha.” Says the ½ dwarf ½ lizard humanoid. “The entire city is watching it. Said to have several new unseen or heard of creatures within it. Also, there are three new rookies with great promise. A lot of money exchanging hands with those three.”
Belinda puts down a piece and she gets grayish water with floating silt in it. The water is chalky and makes her cough as she tries to drink it. She gets right to business- “Who are these new promising heroes of the arena?”
The world seems like it is moving in slow motion. She can hear the laughter and talking of hundreds of people but it is all hazy and jumbled up. Cosa has been heavily drugged.
This is the first time she has ever left the hidden underground place she has been at. Now in great contrast, she is in an open area with many people. She thinks it is an arena but can not tell for sure. The drugs are just so great and over whelming for her. She can not think of any spells and seems to be unable to feel her fingers to caste any sort of spell or cantrip. She feels the air on most of her body. This is when she notes that is nearly naked. Only see through linen cover her breasts and a short flap covers the front of her body. She knows this is wrong but goes with it. The wind and sun feel good.
She then feels a tug on her neck and head. She is on a leash! That’s okay she thinks in her drugged state.
She vaguely makes out the faces and names of people before her. An old woman dressed is fine clothes touches her in a way that makes her heart race. But that’s okay.
She feels the leash tug at her to sit and like a good pet, she does. Before her is a large space that appears to a tiled stadium or arena. That’s okay she sleepily thinks to herself.
“I expect the best from you today. ALL OF YOU!” screams the elven trainer. “Today you fight for glory. Today you fight for your life. Today you will live unlike any other. The people in the stands cheer for you. You whom live!”
Mania is hyped up. He has been prepared for this special day for a few weeks now. He is ready. He will die today. He is ready. He will die in all his glory.
The trumpets blare and the people cheer. The games are about to begin.
Cosa’s senses someone before her. A shadow falls over her.
“Beautiful whore you have there Sirus” says the older man. “Red head. You always did have a thing for redheads.”
“Back off Lord Feddermount. Even drugged, she may bite.” Chuckles Sirus.
“Who do you look to win today’s Grand melee?”
“The ½ Giant is favored but I like the new one Artesies’ has. He has the same spirit this one has- when not drugged of course.”
“Hmmm yes, I see. I hear rumors of that one. I hear he will not kill. I hear he defies his masters.”
“Yes, the fire in him is strong and burns fast.”
“That fast will consume him and others closest to him. Did you know he was captured just a month ago. Rumor has it he traveled with the veiled ones.”
“You hear too much to keep it straight.” Answers Sirus knowing the old man is getting at something. He himself found Cosa about then. She seems of the type to belong to the Alliance. Could the two know of each other? If so, an accident may be due for the new young champion.
The older man leaves them. Sirus watches him go. He never did like him. Maybe an accident could happen to him also.