Two days of heavy rain had kept the Games on hold. All of the combatants were growing restless after the second day, so it was decided that the contest should go forward, regardless of weather. A large canopy was constructed over the royal box in effort to shield the royal family from the rain, but the fighters slugged it out in a muddy field. Even several winners had to back out of the next round, having sustained injuries from fighting in the slop. The doctors and menders were constantly carrying both winners and losers from the quagmire that the arena floor had become. Galleon had been sent by Arshtat to check on the contestants, to see if they were receiving proper care for their injuries. Ferid was helping to move and patch up the injured as they were brought in.

"Ferid, you should prepare for you match." The older knight whispered to the young man as he helped to hold down one of the others having his broken leg set. "I'll help these people." Ferid nodded his understanding and entered the arena.

His opponent that day was a young man from the town of Sable, a slight man with the build of a runner. Had the ground been solid, Ferid thought, he may have bested me. But the slush of mud made the runner reluctant to take the field. Ferid won the match by concession. He looked up at the royal box, now swathed in the red fabrics of the canopy.

Only one more day, my princess, he thought, one more day.

The referee announced that the following day would have but one match. All the other contestants had either been defeated or had conceded because of an injury sustained in combat. The dark clouds had broken and the sun had appeared to begin drying out the arena. The final match would be between Ferid and the champion of Stormfist's favored son, Laren Godwin.

Arshtat lay in bed that night thinking of all the gladiators who suffered needlessly for their masters by fighting in the Games. Especially those who were injured in combat that morning as they fought in the rain. It concerned her deeply so she could not sleep. Slipping out of bed, she crept out of the room she shared with Sialeeds for the previous days and wandered through the halls of the arena. Galleon was standing watch at the entrance to the royal apartments. She tugged at his uniform to get his attention.

"Your Highness. You should be asleep." He whispered.

"I can't. I keep thinking of all those men getting hurt for my hand." Galleon sighed. Arshtat had always been a sensitive child, concerned with the suffering of others.

"All of them will be fine, Your Highness. I checked on them all personally."

"And Ferid? Will he be fine tomorrow? The field is sure to be as treacherous as it was today. And I'm certain that the Godwin champion will not simply concede."

"Ferid will be fine, Your Highness."

"I… I wish I could see him again." Her large blue eyes grew misty. "I'd hate for him to lose and I could not tell him good-bye."

Galleon chuckled.

"I doubt he will lose, Your Highness. But…" he looked around. Spying a junior knight patrolling, he called the young man over. "Stand watch. The princess is hungry and I am going to escort her to the kitchens." The young soldier nodded and took Galleon's post. Galleon led Arshtat down the long hallways to a small, mostly empty storage room.

"Wait here."

A few minutes later, that seemed like an eternity, Arshtat was startled by a knock on the door.

"Your Highness?" Galleon whispered through the door.

"Yes?" She heard Galleon talking sternly to someone and then the door cracked open and Ferid stepped through with a small lamp. Upon seeing him, a huge smile lit up Arshtat's face. He carefully placed the lamp on one of the boxes in the storage room before pulling her close to him and kissing her deeply.

Arshtat felt like she was spinning around and around in a circle as his rich earthy scent filled her nostrils and his lips pressed softly, repeatedly and with growing intensity against hers. He pulled away from her slightly, pressing his forehead against hers, cupping her face in his hands.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I've been wanting to do that since you met me in the tavern." He opened his eyes slowly to see her grinning at him.

"Well, I've been wishing for your arms around me since you caught me the morning before." He chuckled at her response and pulled her close against his chest. He inhaled deeply as she melted into his embrace.

"Like this?" he said quietly, his deep voice resonating in his chest.

"mmmm… yeah…" Arshtat closed her eyes to savor the moment. A light rapping on the door interrupted their enjoyment of the stolen moment.

"Your Highness, we need to return before anyone realizes you are missing."

Arshtat sighed with annoyance as she pulled away from Ferid's embrace. Holding his hands in hers, she looked intently at him.

"You better win tomorrow." She commanded.

"Don't worry, Your Highness…"

"Arshtat." She corrected. A large, victorious grin erupted on his face.

"Arshtat." He replied, letting the name roll off of his lips. "I don't plan to lose you." Her grin matched his at his words. "Just one more day and no more hiding." He stroked her cheek lightly. She pulled her hands from his slowly and turned toward the door. Stopping just before she opened it, she turned back to him. Unfastening her left earring, she placed it gently in his hand. He looked in awe at the small pearl drop bobble before fastening it into his own ear. He replaced a small golden hoop with her token of favor. Pushing her hair back over her shoulder, he replaced his gold hoop where her earring had been before kissing her gently on the cheek.

"I promise I won't lose." His voice was barely above a whisper in her ear. He stepped to the door and held it open for her.

"Good luck, Ferid." She said to him as she passed him into the hallway.

"Sweet dreams, lovely Arshtat." He whispered back to her.

She grinned the whole way back to her bed, her left hand playing with the small hoop now in her ear.