Istar woke up to a voice stirring. "Damn, You're awake." The voice in the corner said. "Vira put 25 septims on you waking up." It boomed. "W-who are you? And who's Vira?" Istar asked sitting up with one hand on the wound, the other on the bed, with his weight being pressed on it.
"I'm Yavnak, and Vira is the healer here. She, in some way only the nine know, survived hat you're gonna go through a few hours from now." The voice said, standing up in the light. He had a scar across his green orcimer face; his tusks were near perfect if he didn't have a huge gash in his right tusk.
"Your name... It's not an Orcish name… is it?" Istar asked. Yavnak chuckled to himself. "You don't understand, you've got much worse to worry about at the moment." Yavnak knocked on the cell door and shouted " New blood's awake. Let's get him ready." Footsteps echoed from outside the room; particularly light footsteps. A woman, not too tall, walked to the iron door and unlocked its handle, freeing the two inside. "Yavnak, you know what to do." The women said, her sweet voice was like a sombre song, sang by a widow. "and you, new blood, put your hands on the wall and don't make any quick moves".
Istar did as he was told, and felt her cold hands pat down his body. She moved on to Yavnak, who also did as he was told. Afterwards, the woman grabbed a dagger that was strapped to her hip and motioned to the door. "The elf down there will suit you up and teach you what to do" Vira said, her voice stumbled as she spoke. She felt conflicted.
Istar and Yavnak walked down and walked down the dimly lit hall, and walked to a wooden door. The door swung open, and in the room was a high elf, dressed in armour from the Aldimiri Dominion. "My name is Quaredil, I'm going to prepare you for something that will change your life". The elf pulled out a blade made of pure silver, and tossed it to Istar. "You're going to want to use that". Yavnak said, grabbing his own blade from a wall behind Quaredil. "Now, do you both know how to fight?"Quaredil asked, sizing them both up. "Yeah I know…"Istar mumbled. All Istar could think about was the fact that "Everyone's different. They're all... Posing."
Quaredil tossed Istar a shield made of cowhide. "Keep that above your waist for bigger targets." The gate on the right wall of the room opened, and Quaredil ushered them in. "I don't know if I'll see you after this, but good luck. Gods be with you" Quaredil said. Istar saw in the corner of his eye that Quaredil had an amulet of Mara around his neck that he wouldn't stop fiddling with. He seemed very religious.
The long passage that followed the door spiraled for what seemed like two stories. Blood stained the stone flooring and walls with a deep scarlet color. At the end of the spire, a door that was hanging off of its hinges blocked the exit. Yavnak kicked the door down and bared his blade in front of his face.
Outside, an arena of people clapped and cheered. The arena held 3 sabercat's, and one Redguard. The Redguard had scars and blood across his body, and his hair was in a dreadlock. He wore the traditional garb of a redguard and a cutlass, along with an iron shield. He wouldn't last another minute. The announcer boomed across the stadium, introducing the two cellmates as "additional carnage". The gate rose, and Yavnak shouted "Follow my lead Nord, I think you'll make it with some help". Yavnak rushed forward with his long sword in both of his hands, swinging it in anticipation. Istar hesitated, then rushed forward into the warm, heated arena. Rain poured on his shoulders. This was it; Fight or Die.