The Warrior Race Trilogy BoxSet

by T. C. Edge

  And still, Merk wasn't aware that Gwyn and Finn were part of the plot. She had to be careful when giving up that tasty little tidbit.

  As the afternoon stretched on, however, Kira noticed Dom appearing upon the balcony. His entire demeanour was so different now to before. His swagger and bright smile had gone, replaced by a sunken complexion that told of great stress and an over-reliance on alcohol to combat it. The colour seemed to be leaving his face somewhat, and dark circles were now framing his eyes. And when he commanded for the gladiators to gather before him, his voice was hollow too.

  "Afternoon," he said flatly, the buoyancy of his voice absent. "You may have noticed lots of messages being brought here today. Well, those are visitation requests. It is customary for patrons to come here on the first Sunday of the games and spend time with you alone. They pay for the privilege, and pay handsomely at that."

  He tried to smile, but failed. Kira, on the other hand, didn't try at all. Her mind immediately filled with a horrible concern, and that concern was the smirking face of Lucius.

  "Now, some of you are more, how should I say, popular among the masses," continued Dom. "Oom, Finn, and Kira have had more attention than the rest, but all of you will be on show. You will each be set into a private room in the residence, where you will be accompanied by guests throughout the evening. Some will stay only a few minutes, others longer. Any questions so far?"

  Kira had questions. Lots of them. But it was Malvo who got there first, barking up towards Dom with his military growl.

  "What do we do, sir, with these guests? Will it be like the pre-games ceremony?"

  "Similar," said Dom. "Some guests will merely wish to admire you up close, as before. However, unlike at the ceremony, they are entitled to talk to you this time, and you must answer their questions. Often, they wish to learn about their favourite gladiators, and hear about where they have come from, what they did there, and so on. However," he added, looking at Kira, "the line is firmly drawn there. There will be no physical contact between you at all, and that goes both ways. They may not touch you, and you may not touch them. Do you all understand?"

  The gladiators nodded. Kira looked down the line at Shadow, staring up blankly. She wondered how much interest he'd got, and just how awful a companion he'd be for anyone who chose to spend time alone with him. His answers would be robotic, his expressions entirely lacking. Anyone foolish enough to pay up would no doubt be demanding a refund soon after.

  "The evening will be beginning at 7.30PM," continued Dom. "You will be dressed in a similar manner as during the pre-games ceremony. Be prepared to answer lots of questions, and do not get offended by anything that's said to you. Overreactions will be punished accordingly. And, of course, in order to ensure you're fully compliant, your powers will be taken from you for this evening. You will be administered with the same drug from the boat, temporarily disabling your abilities."

  He swayed his eyes upon the gladiators to make sure they were taking it in.

  "Good, excellent," he said, seeing that they were. "Now, continue your training for the time being. You will wash and eat soon enough, and will then be tended by the maids and helped into your outfits. Kira, Gwyn, both of you will need more time to prepare, with your hair and make-up. You will be brought to the villa for that."

  He looked at Kira, and some of the life returned to his face.

  And a moment later, he was gone.

  The afternoon raged on, though training took a further hit. Gwyn, Kira, and Finn now found themselves in conversation about this new development. Though they couldn't discuss their escape plans here, it was clear all were wondering just how this might interfere with it. Or, perhaps, aid them in the attempt.

  "I wonder how many people want to see you two," said Gwyn, not seeming hurt at all by the lack of interest in her. It wasn't something to be particularly proud of, to be honest.

  Kira shrugged.

  "Not too many I hope. If I get the same conceited morons who gawped at me during the ceremony, I don't know what I'll do."

  "You'll do nothing," said Finn, blue eyes sharpening. "Nothing...right?"

  Kira nodded.

  "Of course not. Nothing. And you too. Both of you."

  Both nodded.

  "Nothing," they said.

  Gwyn smiled.

  "Just stand there and answer questions. Better than fighting on the sand," she said.

  Kira wasn't so sure about that. Her worst moments here had probably been standing on that podium. She agreed anyway.

  "Yeah, easy," she said. "Just smile and be polite. Nothing simpler."

  The afternoon swept on, the sun dancing across the sky, and all the while Kira kept her eyes on the gate, and her ears kept seeking the sound of rolling wagon wheels. By the time she and her companions were packing away their weapons and training materials for the day, she finally caught sight of the carriage returning. As she was ushered back into the dungeon, she just had time to look across the yard and see Merk coming back through the gate along with Rufus and the other guards.

  She inspected and analysed his face, and saw just what she wanted. He looked downcast and somewhat shell-shocked. It clearly hadn't gone well.

  And as far as Kira was concerned, that was a very good thing indeed.

  She descended the steps, hurried along by a guard, and as the gladiators began to shower and clean away the filth of the day, she and her friends joined together down a passage.

  "Just saw Merk," Kira whispered. "Looks like things went badly out there."

  "Good," said Gwyn. "Let's hope he's still on board. We need to speak to him, properly. Enough of these secret notes and scribbles. We need a proper conversation."

  "Hold off on the 'we' for now," said Kira. "He still thinks it's just me."

  "Right. Yeah. You'd better tell him quick. It's a whole different matter helping three people escape, rather than just one."

  Kira knew it, but as yet hadn't had the chance. She needed Merk fully committed before she dropped that bomb.

  "Maybe you can talk with him tonight," suggested Finn. "If he's around the villa...you might get an opportunity?"

  "Maybe...otherwise, I'll think of something else."

  Her conviction gave cause for the other two to nod like faithful followers to her cause. She'd assumed the position of leader, and the others were convinced by her words.

  Now, Kira just had to convince herself.

  An hour or so later, having been fed, washed, watered, and drugged to ensure their powers were temporarily suppressed, Kira and Gwyn were summoned to the villa. There, they were passed onto a little team of maids who had prepared them for the pre-games ceremony, and who now set about doing so again, arranging their hair, applying their make-up, and dressing them in their outfits.

  Kira was pleasantly surprised to find that her attire wouldn't be the same as that night. Her flesh was more comprehensively covered in a silky red tunic, keeping to the colour people now associated with her. It was light, comfortable, and quite pleasing on the eye, making her look more a lady and less a gladiator. Her hair and make-up was arranged to compliment the dress, and by the time the job was done, she barely recognised the girl looking back at her in the mirror.

  The maids beamed at their work, and showered her with compliments. Gwyn did the same, though in more teasing fashion.

  "You scrub up pretty well for a stone cold killer," she smiled.

  Gwyn had been similarly transformed, her slim, tall frame draped in beautiful green robes that contrasted nicely with her short black hair. Her make-up served to round out her more angular facial features too, making her look quite pretty.

  "Yeah. You look all right too," said Kira, winking.

  A moment later, the door knocked and opened immediately. The maids stiffened and stood to attention at the sight of their master.

  Dom's eyes swayed across the occupants of the room, before landing on Kira. He stared at her gormlessly for a moment, before saying quite hastily, "OK, can you
all give us a moment, please."

  The maids didn't seem quite sure who he was talking about.

  He coughed and clarified.

  "I mean, Kira and myself," he said. "Please show Gwyn to her room for the evening. The guests will be arriving soon."

  The maids nodded and rushed Gwyn from the room. Kira stayed seated as Dom carefully shut the door, leaving them alone.

  He turned, and inspected her once more. It wasn't in a lewd fashion, though. More an appreciative, admiring one.

  "You look stunning, Kira," he whispered softly. "I know that probably means little coming from me. But...you do."

  "Thank you, Dom," said Kira. "I don't think I've ever been dressed up like this before. I never tend to get the chance back home. But...it's kinda nice, I guess."

  "I'm glad," said Dom. "And, um, I'm sorry for all this. It's a real mess. Everything is..."

  He moved forward and took the seat Gwyn had been in. His posture was poor, not like usual. He slumped a little more, the man who'd spoken so passionately about the city he loved only a few nights ago now gone. A lot had clearly happened in that time. And while Kira's hopes of leaving this place were starting to rise up, it seemed Dom's existence here was going the other way.

  Looking at him, she found herself caring. Just a bit, just a little. There was something about him, a vulnerability, that was disarming. He wasn't the man he pretended to be. Inside, he was different. And that person was now on show.

  "Are you...OK, Dom?" she asked sensitively. "You seem, I don't know...deflated."

  He nodded without looking at her.

  "You could say that." Then he smiled, and laughed lightly. "Sorry, this isn't your burden. It's not why I came."

  "Then why?" asked Kira.

  "Lucius," said Dom quickly. "He's coming this evening. I wanted to prepare you for that, to let you know."

  "There wasn't much need. I figured, after the things he's said to me, that he would. Will I be alone with him long?"

  "It'll go quickly," said Dom. "Half an hour. It's the most anyone can pay for."

  "Well, that's easy enough," smiled Kira. "I can handle that brat for thirty minutes. It's just words, right. I can deal with those."

  "Good. That's what I was hoping to hear. Um...he'll probably try to taunt you in some way, knowing him. He likes to play mind games. Just ignore him as much as you can. Don't rise to it."

  "I won't. I've got my head in the right place now."

  "Perfect. That's great, Kira. You do seem, I don't know, a little lighter."

  "I guess I've just accepted my fate."

  Dom's eyes fell into shadow.

  "I'm sorry," he said. "I, um...I'm going to do everything I can to help you, Kira. This is my last year doing this. I'm going to try to make things right."

  Kira frowned. This was news to her.

  "Your last year? Training gladiators?"

  "Maybe more," he mumbled. "I don't know...Neorome might be done with me. Unless I..." He shook his head. "I shouldn't lay this on you. I'm sorry."

  He stood and began moving away for the door. Reaching it, he hung his head before turning.

  He looked at her for a long, silent moment. Some colour returned to him, and the smallest of smiles appeared.

  "You really do look beautiful," he said.

  And through the door he walked.

  70

  The room in which Kira spent the evening was plush and beautifully furnished, as one might expect in a villa owned by a prince. It was on the ground floor, as all the visitation rooms were, and not dissimilar to the room she'd occupied after her beating from Shadow not long ago.

  As with that room, there was a bed, which gave Kira some cause for concern when she first entered. She was quite aware that it wouldn't be used, save for sitting, yet still felt a slight pulse of anxiety tickle through her blood.

  Near the bed was a table, wonderfully carved, with two chairs and an arrangement of food and drinks on top of it. Kira had been told that she could eat, but only when invited to do so, and could drink too if she wished under the same guidelines. Apparently, the invite would always be forthcoming for both. The idea, for the patrons, was to make all the gladiators as comfortable as possible to ensure they got their money's worth, so offering food, and drink in particular, was a common way of making that happen.

  Kira wondered for a while whether that would be sensible. After all, while today was a day off for all the gladiators, tomorrow wasn't. She wasn't yet aware of the schedule, though had gotten the impression that the following day wouldn't involve the higher ranked seeds. More a day to ease back into proceedings, really, which suggested that anyone on show tonight would have a free pass tomorrow.

  If that were the case, it suited Kira quite nicely. She'd happily put up with this if it meant she had more time away from the sand, and more time to prepare her escape. Not that she was really preparing anything. Since her little rooftop recon session, and her secret meeting with Merk, she'd more or less passed the baton to the old man in that regard. She didn't really like it, but she'd become a spectator for the time-being. And though she'd spent time listening to the guards' conversations, and trying to find some gem they could use, she hadn't had much luck thus far.

  The room was carpeted with red rugs, and the walls were hung with silk drapes of the same colour. The theme, clearly, went nicely with Kira's red dress, and no doubt that was the idea. She assumed that the other rooms had been similarly altered to suit the gladiators within them, with a facade of blue for Finn and black for Shadow, and whatever other colours and themes suited the rest.

  It was pageantry, really, each room decorated to enhance the experience. As Dom said, the people paid good money for the up close and personal encounter, and no expense was being spared in ensuring they had a good time.

  Kira's orders were simple - stand in the middle of the room when a guest enters, and stay silent until spoken to, or ordered to perform some task. Those tasks would be basic instructions, such as fetching a drink or little plate of food, or sitting in a specific chair or standing in a particular pose.

  As with the no contact rule, the line was drawn at anything that might be perceived as demeaning. So, the guests couldn't ask lewd questions if the gladiator was uncomfortable with them, or force them to make strange noises or arrange themselves in a degrading way. Dom clearly didn't run his ludus like that, and it put Kira at ease knowing she couldn't be coerced into doing something she wasn't comfortable with.

  As the time ticked towards 7.30PM, Kira got into position in the middle of the room. She heard footsteps coming her way, and her pulse began to trot along a little faster. The door opened, and a maid appeared, stepping to one side for Kira's first guest to enter.

  It was a woman of fifty or so, a wide smile on her face and a friendly shape to her eyes. She stepped in, and the maid departed, moving back outside to wait alongside the two guards stationed beyond the door. Kira's powers had been suppressed, but no chances were being taken.

  The woman stepped inside and moved a little closer.

  "My name is Lady Delilah, my dear. It is a great pleasure to meet you."

  She reached out a hand, and Kira mirrored the gesture, shaking gently.

  "You are truly beautiful this close and in person, Kira. I hear you come from the city of Haven. I've always wondered what it would be like to visit. How is it there?"

  "Not good," said Kira blankly. Then she realised she should be smiling, and so did. Lady Delilah didn't seem offended.

  "Ah, yes, how insensitive of me. I apologise. I understand the city is going through a tough time."

  "Quite tough, yes. I'd call that an understatement, my Lady."

  Lady Delilah smiled more brightly.

  "You have a sharp tongue," she said. "I heard that about you...and I have to say, it only makes you more wonderful. Smart, strong, gifted and beautiful. It's such a terrible shame that a wonder like you even has to be here, Kira. You must find all this barbaric?"

  Kira
nodded slowly. She thought better not to answer, or several minutes of this woman's time allowance would be eaten away by the ensuing rant.

  Still, her guest didn't appear insulted at all. She merely smiled and continued to look upon Kira like she was the most magical creature on earth. She asked further questions, which Kira answered, and invited her, as expected, to have a drink of wine. Kira agreed, though they only had time to take a sip before the door knocked and the maid came back in.

  "Lady Delilah, time's up I'm afraid."

  The Lady looked at Kira in dismay.

  "Oh, rotten luck. Well, what a great pleasure to meet you, you beautiful thing. It's no wonder why you're in such high demand this evening. I'll be cheering for you when you next take to the sand!"

  She swept away to mingle with her peers, and Kira returned to her starting position as the next guest entered. This was a man, much younger and slight in frame. He had a nervous way about him, his eyes twitchy. He seemed quite overawed to be standing alone in a room with The Red Warrior, quickly pouring himself a large glass of something brown to put himself at ease.

  Kira began to relax. Her first two guests hadn't been so bad. Quite the opposite, actually. Maybe the night wouldn't be as torturous after all, she thought.

  It was a thought that came far too soon.

  It was 10PM, and the hours had passed swiftly. Two and a half of them, with barely a moment to herself. Kira had been invited to drink and eat by almost every guest, and had found many of them to be far more agreeable than she'd expected. There were a couple of jealous, bitchy women, and one or two men who made suggestions and overtures that were creeping towards the line. But, overall, a fairly decent bunch, all things considered.

  With the warning in her head to stay sober, Kira had, of course, only sipped any wine she was given. In most cases, there wasn't much time for more, and so far the longest stay she'd had had lasted only fifteen minutes. Thankfully, the man who paid up for that had been quite the raconteur, and had, in fact, told more stories than Kira during their time together.