by R. J. Batla
It was frustrating.
But what could I do?
And now I had to sit here and watch people kill each other on only three hours of sleep.
“Watch this guy,” Royn said, snapping me out of my thoughts. This match would determine my opponent. Royn pointed to the guy on the left triangle. “He has a few signature moves, but he telegraphs them terribly. I’m not sure if he’s doing it on purpose or if he is really that stupid. Or confident.”
“But those moves are devastating,” Anton said, excited to watch the round, sitting next to Katy and Royn. “He’s a ten in energy, so usually it doesn’t matter if the moves are telegraphed or not.”
“True,” Royn conceded. “But it’s still stupid.”
Leona sat next to me, but didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure where I stood with her right now, and me being me, I didn’t know what to say. So I managed to smile every so often, and usually she returned it.
It didn’t help that she’d been spending more time at the Dew Drop than in my prison – I mean room.
The announcer said, “Fight!”
Anton and Royn were both right – the man’s techniques were very strong, but very much telegraphed. His opponent saw them coming every time, but there was nothing he could do about it. He wasn’t strong enough to deflect the blows or fast enough to get out of the way. Or smart enough.
Sometimes a minute’s worth of thinking could save an hour’s worth of work. Or cancel an appointment with death.
The fight ended quickly. The next several fights were on the other side of the bracket – where the Uland would surely emerge as the champion – so we didn’t bother watching them. Deciding to get some food, we wondered around the stadium, and ended up on the Lord’s Deck.
The place screamed money. Fifteen different sections, each with their own guards, were situated in the best viewing place of the stadium, where the Lords of the West watched the fights while being completely entertained and pampered.
And that gave me an idea.
Before anyone could talk me out of it, I asked a stray guard, “Hey, which of these boxes belongs to Lord Escobares?”
He eyed me, then looked down and saw the dragon emblem on my armor. His eyes widened. “Oh, yes, sir, Mr. Baird. Fighters are allowed access to this level. I believe Lord Escobares is here, this way.”
Leading us toward one of the middle sections, Royn spoke in my mind, “Jayton, what the hell are we doing?”
“We aren’t doing anything. I am going to make a deal.”
“Jayton, this isn’t a good idea.”
“You don’t even know what I’m thinking!”
He actually laughed in his head. “No, but I can imagine.”
“Can you just back me up? I’m not picking a fight. I can’t, remember?”
Mentally sighing, Royn put his hand on my shoulder. “Fine. But I don’t like it.”
I nodded as the guard showed us to the next set of guards situated in front of glass doors at least a foot thick.
A burly and gruff looking guard barked, “Name?”
“Jayton Baird.”
“Purpose?”
“To talk to Lord Escobares.”
“About?”
“Making a deal.”
He quickly scanned a piece of paper he pulled from a pocket. “Do you have an appointment? You’re not on his list.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Humph. Well, then I suggest you move along –”
“He’ll want to meet with me, I promise. Tell him the Dragon of the East wants to talk business.”
The guards narrowed his eyes and scowled. After ten seconds he said, “Humph. Wait here.” He disappeared through the glass doors and behind a wall.
“Dragon of the East?” Royn practically shouted at me mentally.
I shrugged. “I needed a nickname.”
Everyone behind me chuckled.
“Jay, you can’t make up your own nickname!” Anton said mentally.
I smiled. “I just did.”
The guard returned; he didn’t look happy. “Lord Escobares will meet with you, but your friends must stay here. Follow me, please.”
I nodded to my comrades, then followed the guard through the doors. He turned right down a hallway, but not before I caught a glimpse of the suite. Bigger than my house back home, there was a bar, lounge area, and a full kitchen immediately in front me, which sloped down to some luxurious seats behind a glass wall. There was a door in the wall that led to more seats, but in the open air of the arena, so the lord could watch in private or with the common folk, whichever he chose.
Art of all kinds decorated the short hallway, further displaying Lord Escobares’s wealth. In no time, we arrived at a door with a very elaborate doorbell, about the size of a dinner plate, with pictures of goblins fighting orcs on it. Weird.
“He’s expecting you,” the guard said, then turned on his heel and walked off.
I rang the doorbell. It swung open immediately, and I had to look down at the short man from orientation. I remembered the face – round, too big of a smile, beady eyes. Not trustworthy at all.
Matter of fact, all I was looking at was teeth as he said, “So this is the man who wants to make a deal.”
“Yes, sir, I am.”
“You do realize I am Lord Escobares. I control quite a bit of territory, and this type of...negotiation...I’m unused to. But you intrigued me, Dragon of the East. Oh, and just so you know, I’m not alone here,” he said, motioning over his shoulder. There were at least thirty guards, probably more.
Putting my hands in front of my chest in a placating gesture, I said, “Understood. I just wanted to talk.”
Lord Escobares shrugged, but the guards didn’t move. “Fair enough. Come in.” He led me to a large and ornate desk and motioned for me to sit in one of the simple chairs placed in front of it, while he went behind and sat in a large, cushy chair. He steepled his fingers in front of his face, then said, “What kind of deal would you offer me?”
“I want Pecos Sinton freed.”
He stared blankly at me, as if expecting more, then barked out a laugh. “That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
He laughed again. “My young friend, why on Terraunum would I do such a thing? He’s much too valuable. As long as he keeps winning in the tournament, I could never part with such an asset.”
“Asset?” The Morsenube flared to life inside me, pulsing anger into my system, urging me to kill this man for his lack of respect. The angel wing tattoos on my left wrist burned with a white hot intensity, and I barely managed to remain calm enough to speak. “He’s a person, not an asset. Not something to be owned. People aren’t meant to be slaves. They are meant to be free.”
Smiling, Lord Escobares said, “So you’d have me and everyone else just set them all free today?”
“No, just him.”
He laughed. “You don’t even know what you’re asking or what you’re starting, boy! These slaves are much better off as they are, under our protection. They’re well fed, well treated, don’t have to worry about their next meal or having a roof over their head. It’s all provided. The situation couldn’t be better for those kinds of people.”
I took a calming breath and a current of yellow energy arced down my arm. The guards immediately drew their weapons and drew in power, but Lord Escobares waved them off.
“Easy. No need for that. The lad’s emotional, sure, but he knows better than to do anything stupid.” Placing both hands on the table, he said, “Now, you’ve made your request, and I’ve considered it. However, I cannot simply set Mr. Sinton free. The man I bought him from would have my head if I did that, per our agreement when I purchased him. However, if you were to buy him from me, and you set him free...” He spread his hands wide. “I would be relieved of my obligation.”
I nodded. “How much? Maybe we can close this deal today.”
“Right now? Two hundred gold coins, plus at least three other slaves.�
�
Eeesh. “I don’t have that much, and I don’t have any slaves to trade, nor would I trade them if I had them.”
He sighed. “Ah, well, then it seems our business is concluded. I appreciate you coming by and all, but I really must be getting on with the rest of my day.”
He started to rise, and I blurted out, “Hold on. Both of us should win our next round, and then we would face each other. Would you be willing to place a bet on that match? If I win, I own the kid, and can do with him whatever I wish, including setting him free.”
He shook his head. “No deal. Money has to change hands. However, I would drop the price to fifty gold coins, depending on what you offer on the back side of the bet.” He stood and leaned over the desk. “What do I get if you lose?”
I didn’t flinch. “What do you want?”
A maniacal grin crossed his face. “I want ten thousand gold pieces and I want you as a slave.”
I gulped. “I just told you I don’t have the money...now you’re upping the price?”
“Are you saying you don’t want to bet? There’s the door,” he said, motioning to the exit.
“Wait,” I said. “I can’t do ten thousand, but I know a guy who can get me one. Imagine how much coin I could pull in for you if I was your personal fighter.
In reality, there was no such person, but, you know...
Lord Escobares scratched his chin as he thought. “Very well. Do we have a wager?”
I thought about it. It was a big risk, but my life was already on the line anyway, so what was another side bet going to change anything? “We have a wager.”
“Splendid!” he said, walking around and shaking my hand and leading me to the door. “I look forward to this match. And I hope you know what you’re doing. Now, I really must get on with my day. It’s been a joy doing business with you. As soon as your match is decided, I will expect my winnings.”
“And I will expect mine.”
That made him smile as he opened the door, a guard waiting. “Very well. Good luck, Dragon of the East.”
He shut the door, and the guard escorted me to the outer door to my friends. We walked out of the Lord’s Deck and headed downstairs before Royn said, “What’d you do?”
I told him.
If he wasn’t already tasked with keeping me alive, I think he might have killed me.
Chapter 27 – Malstrak
MALSTRAK PULLED THE black hood off of his head and picked up a telestone from the table, bringing it to his ear. After only one ring, a voice came over the line.
“Master, I am here.”
A sly grin fell over Malstrak’s face. “Shifter, good to talk to you. I assume you’re still with the group?”
“Yes, Master. They suspect nothing. I am learning much and will let you know everything as soon as I can.”
“Good man. I never doubted you. Make sure they are kept safe until the proper time,” the Master said, as the Shifter growled. “Until they are ready to be devoured.”
“Yes, Master. I can’t wait for that day.”
“Excellent. It will be crucial to my plans that Jayton Baird doesn’t leave the Bowl until I arrive – though I think my influence over the rules of the tournament have seen to that. However, I already have an ingenious plan in place should he find some way to escape and make it to the battle.”
“Master, the plan’s you’ve made are well thought out. I will perform my task and he will remain here.”
Malstrak laughed. “Shifter, I have full faith in you. But I have learned not to underestimate the Rangers. They’ve slid through my nets too many times in the last year, and we are approaching the point where nothing can be taken for granted. We need them to think that they’ve won before we reveal how mistaken they are. How much they will pay. And how dearly it will cost them to fight against me.”
“Agreed, Master. Your time is coming.”
Malstrak stood and paced the room, his black robes billowing behind him. “And what news do you have from the other fighters I’ve asked you to recruit? They will be handsomely rewarded should they join my army. I have much use for them in my new vision of Terraunum.”
“Many have died already, Master, but others have agreed and once they’re out of the tournament, will be joining you at the Wall. Some are taking longer to convince than others.”
Malstrak growled. “The next time you talk to them, if they refuse you again, tell them I will come to the Bowl myself and sort them out.”
“That still might not work master. They might fight you.”
He chuckled. “I’d like to see them try. Goodbye, Shifter. You have your orders, go carry them out.”
“Yes, Master,” said the Shifter, as he hung up the telestone and moved out of the old telestone booth, headed back to the Dew Drop.
Malstrak rubbed his hands together in glee. It was all falling into place. Soon, oh so soon, he would breach the Wall, then the Gates, and rule over all of Terraunum. Those fools didn’t even realize that they’d already lost. That their battle was fruitless. The lives they lost had been in vain. And that would make his conquest all the sweeter.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. “Enter.”
In walked a hogra, his black hairy boar’s head on top of a well-armored human body. Dual war hammers hung at his hips. He walked in and bowed, his gravelly voice laced with minor grunts and higher pitched squeaks. “Master, you called for me?”
“General,” Malstrak said, “the time nears for our full conquest. We have two plans to move forward with, and we will adjust depending on what our enemy does. Are the Gatherers in place?”
“Yes, my lord,” the hogra said. “They are dispersed throughout the army and ready to be called into immediate action. We will be ready when the time comes.”
“Most excellent. Make sure they are guarded around the clock – I know my armies can get restless, but I can’t afford to lose even one of the Gatherers.”
“It will be done, Master.”
Malstrak smiled again. “I have no doubt, General. You’re dismissed.”
Chapter 28 – Gilmer Borger
GILMER SAT EATING WITH Morgan, Celeste, and Sonora in the dining room of the Dew Drop Inn. Just back from a mission, he reeked of sweat, but hunger had outweighed his need for cleanliness for the time being. Though he was thankful for the time off, he knew it was fleeting – he would be leaving again soon for another mission.
His mind was going a hundred miles an hour, trying to figure out his next move. He was dirty, tired, and worn out. But he was doing good, gathering valuable intelligence for the team and for the war. He had already prevented the deaths of thousands with the information he’d gathered about the next attacks at the Wall and at the Elves’ stronghold. And he was close to finding out more.
He finished the meal, showered and changed clothes before emerging back in the lobby. “Oh, hey, Euless. Good to see you, buddy.”
“Good to see you too, Gilmer. Where have you been?”
“Oh, you know, just carrying out missions.”
Euless smiled. “All right then, if you don’t want to tell me...”
Gilmer laughed. “It’s not so much that I don’t want to tell you, it’s just that I can’t. You know, classified, hush-hush.”
Euless laughed. “Oh, I know. I totally get it. Anyway, good luck.” The Manu shook his hand and headed to his room.
“You’re not going back out,” Morgan said, putting her hand on his shoulder. “You’re still not fully healed and you need to rest.”
“You don’t understand,” Gilmer said, gently pushing her hand off his shoulder and, with only a slight limp, walked toward the door.
“I understand that you’re no good to anyone dead. Not Jay, not the war, not me, nobody.”
He turned to face her and said, “But, Morgan, I have to. I’m the only one who can do this.”
She turned back around and slammed her foot down. “I understand, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it ri
ght this second.” Fire erupted in her hair. He started to protest but a weakness washed over him and he stumbled. “You can barely stand,” she said, moving to him and putting her shoulder under his, pulling him upright again.
“But I have to...”
“Not tonight you don’t. Come on, I’m taking you to my room. If I have to sit on you to force you to stay, I will. You’re going to get some rest tonight whether you like it or not.”
Gilmer reluctantly agreed and allowed himself to be led to the Phoenix’s room.
Celeste and Sonora had sat at the table the whole time and watched the two have their little argument.
Sonora said, “You think she‘ll make a move tonight?”
Celeste laughed. “I think it’s almost a certainty. She’s been thinking about it too long, and you know Phoenix and fire – if they let something brew too long, it’s going to explode.” They both laughed and Celeste pointed at Sonora. “And don’t think I haven’t missed who you’ve been spending a lot of time with.”
Sonora’s green cheeks lightened to a yellow shade as blood rushed to them. “And?”
Celeste shrugged her shoulders. “I think it’s a good thing, for both of you. His mother was an Aeren, so he’s always had a soft spot for your people. But you know it’s going to be risky for both of you, right?”
Sonora shrugged and picked her fingernail. “It’s too early to tell, yet the thought has crossed my mind.”
Celeste nodded. “I just wanted to make sure you’ve thought about it. I’m happy for you – in times of war, there’s so little time for such things. You have to take it where you can get it.”
Chapter 29 – Jayton Baird
ROUND FOUR. JUST ABOUT go time. In the room with me, watching me tighten the various straps over my armor, rechecking that everything was secure, was my crew. Even Gilmer was here – it was good to see him. I thought he might be worn down, but he had a strange gleam in his eyes and looked refreshed.
The tension was thick. Troup seemed to like it, almost fed off the energy in the room, but I was all nerves. Not overpowering, just anticipatory nerves, like before you run a race or compete in a sport. Only this game could cost me my life. The fight in the last round had been much harder than anticipated, and I couldn’t afford to take any chances. This was serious.