by Penny Rose
Maizon led them away from the pit, through a door and down a flight of stairs, where they found several rows of rooms. “These are the barracks. This is where you will sleep and live when you are not training.”
With the house built on top of a hill, Cade found it amusing that the barracks were built underneath. Almost like the gladiators were the heart of Maizon’s estate.
The tour seemed endless, it just went on and on. Most of its areas Cade would never set foot in. While they were going through the mansion, Cade made sure that he paid attention to everything. There were robots or drones for maintaining the cleanliness of the house in addition to the slaves that cooked and tended to Maizon’s every need. He didn’t recognize any of the technology and found it fascinating to watch the hologram news reports or the entertainment that displayed on screens throughout the house, replaying images that had been recorded previously.
The robots seemed to be their own version of slaves in the mansion. They worked in the house and on the grounds, maintaining everything from clean floors to the flower gardens. Cade would have to keep an eye on them to see what their capabilities were. He noticed that the house had a defense system with cameras and advanced weaponry around the perimeter. He searched for exits as they walked, but a wall encircled the entire estate. Electric wires ran along the top and sentry guns were available to neutralize any threat. It certainly wouldn’t be an easy place to escape.
Cade was a natural observer. On Kondor, warriors didn’t live very long without a healthy awareness of their surroundings. Even the insects on his home planet could end a man’s life. He had to be perceptive if he was going to survive. Not to mention battle. Being in a battle meant that one had to watch everything, especially his own back and the backs of his men. If a warrior wasn’t observant, he could get himself and his men killed. In the jungle, he’d always been alert and ready to fight. Just like the day when mercenaries fell from the sky. He had been preparing for a hunt and in a moment, everything had changed.
Maizon’s voice tore Cade from his own thoughts. “I think it is time for you to meet the other fighters.”
Cade furrowed his brow. So, there were other fighters? He had thought it odd that the fighting pit and the barracks were empty. Where had the other fighters been? Was Maizon hiding them to make a show of it?
He supposed that he should have expected others. A slave owner already had slaves and just added to those slaves. Maizon didn’t look like the type who had just entered the slave trade.
They walked out to the arena and he could see the fighters standing alongside the edge in a neat row. They looked to be strong men that were treated well. The men were all dressed in loincloths—all except for one who wore a red sash across his chest. It obviously set the man apart, but why? The sashed man had four arms, and each one rivaled Cade’s in size. In his tribe, if there was someone who dressed different from the others, it usually meant that he was the leader. Could he be the strongest fighter that Maizon had?
Five gladiators stood in the pit, each very different from the next. Only five? There were six new fighters. He couldn’t help but wonder how often they were replaced. Besides the four-armed man, there was a man with black skin. It was as dark as Maizon’s, but the man had rounder eyes and two black horns that curled around his head. Next to him stood a reptilian man. His body was covered in scales. His fingertips sported dangerous claws and a long tail whipped behind him. Next to him were two men who looked almost identical. Their eyes glowed a vibrant red and their tan skin was so oily it glistened in the sun.
Cade looked over the other fighters, but his eyes kept coming back to the man with the red sash. He was a formidable man and his four arms would certainly be an advantage in the arena.
Maizon turned to the slaves, looking each one of them over. His eyes rested on Cade and he spoke. “You all will fight now so that I can see what I’ve bought.”
A slow smile crept across Cade’s face. Fighting, he could do. He took a deep breath, breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth. He was centering himself for the fight and getting fully prepared.
“Zax, step forward,” ordered Maizon.
The four-armed man with the red sash stepped forward. Cade was thrilled to fight someone, so why not start with the best? He could finally let out some of the aggression that he felt for being kidnapped and put into slavery. He was a warrior at heart. Fighting had been his whole life.
Zax looked at Cade with a steely gaze. Cade was prepared to show him that he was a force to be reckoned with.
“I want you men to forget where you came from,” Maizon continued. “That is your old life and you need to say good-bye to it. This is your family now.”
Cade could never forget his old life, that would be impossible. He wasn’t going to believe that he had to find a new family. His real family was still in his heart and his mind.
Arc stepped closer to Cade, nudging him in the arm. “Who is the guy with the extra set of arms?”
Cade shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I’m guessing he’s important. Maizon wants to show off his strengths. I wonder if he’s going to fight us first.”
He was interested in finding out who the man with the sash was. He wanted to test himself against the strongest Maizon had to offer.
Maizon continued, “I want to introduce you men to Zax. He is going to be the key to making you the best fighters that you can be. He has fought in the arena for years and lived to tell the tale. He will be your new trainer. Learn from him because his knowledge in the skill of combat is invaluable.”
Cade gave Arc a knowing look. He was suddenly even more interested in Zax than he was before. How had he been able to escape death in the arena?
He turned to Arc. “Now, this is an interesting turn of events. He’s not a fighter at all, at least not in that arena.”
“I wonder who their best fighter is?” Arc pressed a tentacled arm to his chin.
“You, Kondorian, what is your name?” Maizon pointed a jeweled finger at Cade.
“I am Cade.” He puffed out his chest with pride.
Maizon smiled. “I want to introduce you to Rux’hm. He is currently my strongest fighter and a very fast one at that. I’ve heard many things about the Kondorians. You’re a very difficult gem to mine. Which is why I want to see the two of you as the first fight.”
The reptilian man stepped forward, his tongue licking out at the air. Cade wasn’t scared. He had fought a great deal in his lifetime and wasn’t afraid of anyone. The rush of adrenaline just before a fight seemed to keep any fear or worry from his mind.
Zax passed out wooden swords to both fighters. They weren’t meant to seriously injure each other, but to display their abilities for Maizon. Cade took his weapon and stepped into the arena, swinging his sword a few times to warm up. It was lighter than the weapons he was used to, so his attacks sped through the air. On Kondor, men trained with live steel. He stretched briefly, making sure that his limbs weren’t too stiff. He was grateful for the fact that it was a test and not a real battle. He could tell his movements were slower than usual since the slaves had not been fed. He wouldn’t be at the top of his game, but he had no fear. His lesser days were better than many men’s best.
As the first fighter, this was Cade’s opportunity to show his value. Terrible fighters never stuck around long as slaves. He needed to prove his worth whether he liked it or not. It was important in order to survive until he could get away.
He and Rux’hm took to the center of the pit, surrounded by gladiators. They stared each other down, but he knew the reptilian man was not his enemy. The point of the battle was not to kill or harm another man seriously, but that didn’t mean he would take it easy.
Zax called for the fight to begin. Rux’hm lunged at Cade immediately, taking him off guard. The wooden sword sliced through the air with a whir. Cade barely dodged it, feeling the wind from the blade on his skin. He countered, but Rux’hm blocked the blow with his own sword. Rux’hm was more than just really
fast, he was lightning speed. Cade knew that he had to adjust his own fighting style just to keep up with the guy. He wasn’t as fast as Rux’hm, but he knew that he was stronger. He needed to use that to his advantage or he would lose.
As the battle progressed, Cade noticed that Rux’hm would use his tail as a distraction, swinging it one way when he was going to attack the other. The next time Rux’hm attacked, Cade was prepared and landed a blow on the reptile’s back. It would have been a terrible injury had it been real. Cade was holding his own well enough against the quicker man, and whenever their blades met, he knew that Rux’hm was feeling the power behind every hit. Even with wooden weapons, Cade’s swing was powerful. His opponent’s arms must have been killing him from the pressure. Cade played passively, letting Rux’hm come to him, parrying blows and countering. He just kept applying more force to his attacks in the hopes that he would weaken the grasp that Rux’hm had on his sword.
Cade had no intention of showing off too much because he was unsure of what his ultimate goal was. He wanted to show that he was better than most of these men without displaying his full potential. Rux’hm had deadly speed and would make a fierce warrior. With his speed, he would be a troublesome opponent for any man to come up against. Cade could respect a fighter like that.
They continued to fight, but the reptilian man didn’t seem to be slowing down, no matter how much power Cade put behind his attacks. On the contrary, Cade found he was losing speed having to keep up with his opponent. He was so fast and just when Cade thought that he had the upper hand, he would lose it again. He needed to end this fight soon or he would be a laughingstock.
Rux’hm jumped high into the air, bringing his blade down. Cade swung with everything he had to block the blow. The hit knocked Rux’hm’s sword from his hand, sending it clattering against the sandy floor. The reptilian man hissed in anger, before clawing Cade across the chest with his talons.
“What the hell?” Cade yelled, grabbing his chest.
Blood streamed down his chest, coloring the sand beneath him. The attack had been so fast that when Cade pressed his fingers to the stinging wound, he was surprised that it had drawn blood. This wasn’t supposed to be a real fight. The two stood staring at each other as Cade’s blood pressure went through the roof. They weren’t supposed to be trying to harm each other. But there he was with bloody claw marks across his chest. Cade clenched his fist.
“Fight’s over!” Mazion shouted. “Back to your positions.”
Cade dropped his wooden sword and gave Rux’hm a steely look.
Arc was grinning when Cade returned to the line.
“Shut up.” Cade was in no mood for his jokes.
Arc chuckled. “You did good, regardless. The guy is fast, but you are tough.”
“Thanks, but he didn’t have to bring the talons out.”
“That just means you were getting under his skin. I’d call that a win. A new recruit showing up a veteran.”
Maizon descended the stairs and approached Cade. He clapped him on the shoulder. “Good effort out there. I think we need to get you to a healer.”
His anger vanished in an instant as Cade perked up at the idea of seeing Eldredth again. Was it possible she was here? He suddenly had a bit of lightness in his step as he was led out of the arena.
One of the guards led him to an empty room near the barracks, where he waited anxiously for Eldredth to show up. His heart pounded. When the door finally opened, a woman entered, but it wasn’t Eldredth. He tried not to show his disappointment.
“Hello, my name is Marismith.” She smiled.
Cade remembered her from the initial healing. Her skin was ivory, and she had the cat-like green eyes. Arc had taken quite the fancy toward her.
He nodded. “Here to heal me?”
“Yes.”
“I was expecting someone else,” Cade confessed.
“Who’s that?” She looked at him with interest. She stepped closer, inspecting his wounds before looking back into his eyes.
Cade stared at her.
Marismith rubbed oil on his skin. As she touched his body, he felt no connection with her. It wasn’t at all the same as when Eldredth healed him. He knew then that it wasn’t her healing magic that had made him feel that way, but something else. Something deeper. Marismith stared him straight in the eyes and if anything, he felt uncomfortable. Her eyes were large like a cat’s. Bright green, a pretty green like newformed grass, but there was something about them that made him uncomfortable to stare at for too long.
“How was the fight? You’re really not in very bad shape. Not like a lot of the men I treat. You must have done well.” She rubbed her fingers over the healed wound.
“Not as well as I would have liked. I would have preferred him to be the one that needed to be healed.”
She nodded. “I wish I could have watched,” she said wistfully.
“Really? You don’t find it too violent? Not too many women enjoy fighting.”
“I love it.” Her eyes flashed with excitement. “I’m really interested in gladiators and the strength that it takes to be a fighter.”
He was surprised by that. More surprised by the boldness she carried herself with. She didn’t shy away from him nor did she seem the least bit intimidated. She was nothing like Eldredth. They were two sides of the same coin, one mild-mannered and shy, the other vibrant and full of adventure.
As she touched his body, it made him long for Eldredth all the more. He wondered what had happened to her. Was she back on another planet? Did she think about him at all? Probably not. She had seen and healed many people. Was he so special that she would remember him? Unlikely.
“Tell me everything you can about the fight.” Marismith moved closer, spreading the last of the oil on his chest.
He sighed. “I’m not really in the mood. What happened to the other girl?” He might not get another opportunity to ask, so he should take it now.
Marismith stared at him, as if sizing him up. She didn’t say anything as she placed her open palms on his chest. They were cold to the touch but warmed in an instant. He looked down as the cuts started to close. Fibers of skin reached out, pulling the wound together. It was strange being healed by a different woman. There was no spark and no electricity, and it was driving him nuts.
She met his gaze and raised an eyebrow, before sighing softly. “Well. What was her name?”
“Eldredth.”
She laughed. “Why does this woman mean so much to you?”
“When she healed me, we had this connection, and now I’m afraid that I’m never going to see her again.”
“Do you really think you need to see her again?”
“Yes, I do. I’m convinced that she felt exactly the same way I did. I want to see her again to find out if it is true. Do you know where she is?”
Marismith smiled. “She is here.”
“Where?” Cade’s heart jumped.
She smirked. “I don’t know exactly, but she’s on the same planet as we are.”
“Tell me about her.” If they were on the same planet, at least he had a chance.
“She was taken from her family when the federation discovered she was a healer. She’s made this her life’s work.”
“Is she romantic with anyone?” This wasn’t the time to beat around the bush. The guards would be coming back for him soon.
The healer had that smirk again. “We don’t really indulge in romance. We just work.”
“Oh.”
“Can we talk about the rest of the fighters?” She tried to change the subject.
He groaned. “I don’t know anything more than you do. I just got here and I’m already injured, so let’s just leave it at that.”
“Tell me about Arc?” There was a mischievous look on her face.
Cade smiled. Arc had certainly left an impression. “Well, he’s a real one for the ladies, if that’s what you are interested in. But if all you do is work, then what’s the point?”
; “A girl can dream, can’t she?”
He looked at those weirdly-bright green eyes staring back at him and wondered what her life was like. Did the healers really just heal and that was it? They didn’t have a life outside of that? It seemed as if they were slaves too. What a shame.
Cade hadn’t learned much about Eldredth, but he had a start. He wondered how much Marismith really knew. Was she holding back information? She seemed more interested in learning about the fighters than any of the questions he had asked. Cade didn’t want to think about fighting right then. He could only think about the blue-skinned healer who refused to leave his thoughts.
He was amazed by how normal his chest looked afterward. Only minutes ago, it had been pouring blood, and now, it was as if it had never happened. He was in awe of the work of the healers. They were truly remarkable. Cade gave up asking about Eldredth, but he was comforted by the fact she was on this planet. There was a chance he might be able to see her again.
Chapter Four
The days became routine for Cade and the other fighters. They woke, ate breakfast, trained, ate lunch, trained, ate dinner, trained, and then had a few hours to themselves before going to bed. The next day, they would wake to do it all again.
Today was no different. Cade and the others dripped endless amounts of sweat into the desert sand. The days were long and exhausting for everyone. They worked with Zax on their techniques. They performed endless drills. Cade had to hand it to Zax, though, he had never pushed his own men this hard.
This town might have been on an oasis, but Cade couldn’t tell based on his experiences. He wore his glasses, but he could still feel the glare of the sun around him. He seemed to have a constant headache, which made fighting difficult. It was going to take a lot to get used to life on a new planet. He hoped that he wasn’t going to be on Pendoria for very long, but he had seen no opportunities for escape. He wanted a life of his own. Even though being a slave wasn’t as bad as he had imagined, he wanted to make his own choices again.
He would endure it the way he always had. Every obstacle, he had always overcome. This would be no different.