They called her The Beast. And it was quickly apparent why. She only accepted fights that were to the death. It was so bold, so brave.

He put his elbows on the railing in the cheap seats, and rested his cheeks in his hands. He gazed dreamily at the girl below, who bashed her shield and snarled at a wizard foe. Her dark orcish skin glistened from the sweat and blood under the noonday sun.

He only wished the seats could be closer. He'd never gotten the chance to get a good look at her.

His room down at the waterfront soon filled with ticket stubs, betting ledgers, and posters. The artist couldn't quite capture her (as far as he could tell from so far away), and she was a small background detail among the more popular combatants displayed in the poster, but it was something. He even managed to catch some blood on a handkerchief after the fight with the twins. He'd nearly been caught by the guard when he sneaked in the pit that night.

"And The Beast is again victorious!" the announcer roared, shaking him from his trance. "How far will she tear up the ranks?"

The Beast roared, spreading her arms and throwing her head back as if soaking in the boos and cheers.

Weeks later, he heard the news he'd been waiting for. She challenged the Yellow Team one last time for a championship.

He raced to the betting table and was face-to-face with Hundolin. Hundolin rolled his eyes. "Already, kid?"

The bosmer boy said nothing, plucking off his shoe and extracting 5 gold coins.

"You can just put those in the pot." Hundolin wrinkled his nose.

He smiled and tossed in his coin. He spun around, about to skip his merry way home, but instead slammed right into some large hard monolith that had apparated behind him.

"Oof!" He cried, landing hard on the ground. He rubbed his forehead and glanced up.

An orc girl peered at him down her short nose and snorted.

By Azura, it was her!

He gaped like a fish out of water. This was his first good look at her up close, but he could tell. Her arena raiment, her proud stance, and those large distinctly orcish braids that hugged the sides of her skull. Her pale blue eyes cut through him.

"Move pipsqueak!" she bellowed.

He crawled aside like a mud crab The Beast sauntered up to Hundolin.

"No." Hundolin scowled up at her.

"You said it wasn't against the rules." She sneered. Her voice was gravelly, but haughty.

"It is now." Hundolin puffed up his chest. "You already get your winnings. No need to bet on yourself."

"Really, you got the rules changed for little old me?" She crossed her arms. Well-toned and glistening arms, the boy noticed.

"Here!" Hundolin dug out a book from behind the betting chest. He flipped through the pages and shoved it in her face. "You can see the amendment right here!"

She scanned it for a minute, then snorted. "You elves, using rules and regulations to look big. I thought your people were supposed to be cannibals!"

Hundolin went red in the face. "Unlike your kind, we act like civilly, like citizens of the empire around here. Now get!"

She laughed and sauntered off. Only now did the boy start to struggle to his wobbly feet.

'Unbelievable!" Hundolin slammed his rule book shut, and glanced down at the boy. "If we were interested in those traditions, we'd be back in Valenwood, wouldn't we?"

"She is..." He searched for the word.

"Bold?" Hundolin offered with a touch of sarcasm.

"Breathtaking..." The boy sighed.

Hundolin shook his head, and began to pack up for the day.