Chapter 6: Training Partner

It was another breezy night at the Gellar kingdom. A man wrapped in robes walked down the marble stairs, to the cold outside. He avoided the guards, and had a mysterious vibe about him. His face was shadowed, and he went deeper and deeper into the city, until he finally made it to the great arena. Once at the gates, a guard finally approached him.

"Identify yourself, this area is restricted to citizens anyways." He said to the hooded man.

The man pulled down the hood, revealing himself as Ross.

"Sir, I am sorry I could not recognize you." The guard said.

"It is okay, now move aside, I need to meet someone." Ross said.

"At this hour, in the arena?" the guard said with suspicion.

"Yes." Ross said abruptly, ending the conversation.

"Sir, if its not to bold, I would like to know why?" the guard said.

"It is to bold, learn your place, I need not answer to a man of your ranking." Ross said this time completely ending it between the two.

He walked down the spiraled staircase, and looked disgusted once he stepped on the murky and wet floor. He continued on, and looked in every cell, as if he were trying to find somebody specific. He came to a halt once he saw Chandler still up and staring at the wall.

"Good evening." Ross said startling Chandler.

"What do you want?" Chandler snapped.

"I need your help with something." Ross said almost embarrassed.

"What could you possibly ask of me, you took me from my home, my friends, my life." Chandler said angrily.

"I need a training partner." Ross exclaimed even more embarrassed.

"You are heir to the throne, and used to be a popular gladiator, go get some of your pals, and spar with them." Chandler said waving him off.

"That's the issue, you killed all of my former partners, and the only other option is Mark, and he is the one battling." Ross admitted.

"That doesn't make me responsible and have to become your knew partner, because your friends chose to battle me." Chandler pointed out.



"Look, as your superior, I could order it to be done, but I don't want to have to do that." Ross said.

"Why me?" Chandler asked.

"Because, you killed Pete and Paolo, those men were very similar to my fighting abilities, and me and Mark are both alike, in other words, I want you to teach me how advance my skills, if I show you my attacks, and see how you react, then I could improve." Ross said hopeful Chandler could understand.

"That is the most farfetched thing I have heard." Chandler said.

"I know, but I need help, I am not sure I will win." Ross said in a worried tone.

"Then back down, call off the fight…" Chandler said.

"It isn't that simple, I would shame my family, and never win Rachel's love." Ross said beginning to open up.

"What do you mean by that?" Chandler said,

"I geuss by being a farmer you don't understand, here women need to know you would die for them, I need to show Rachel that, I need to prove my love over Mark's by defeating him." Ross explained.

"Do all women feel this way?" Chandler asked thinking of Monica and that scoundrel Richard.

"Yes, at least around here." Ross said.

Chandler thought that by training with someone of experience that he could get skilled enough to beat Richard, but it would take a lot, and besides he doesn't even know anything about Monica. But a warm feeling inside said it would be worth, he was going to accept Ross' offer, but wanted some leverage.

"If I help you, can you give me freedom?" Chandler asked, hoping to gain freedom, and become a citizen, train and then challenge Richard.

"I am sorry but no, that is out of my hands, our grand council would need to decide that." Ross said.

"Grand Council? I have never heard of that." Chandler said confused.

"Yes they have certain jurisdiction and can vote if they don't agree with a decision made the king, my father." Ross explained.

"I can make your stay better here though. Certain perks, maybe a blanket or something along those lines." Ross offered.

"How about a visiter?" Chandler asked.

"Yes, but for them to quailify, they must be a citizen of the Gellarium." Ross said thinking he was going to ask for someone from his old town.



"I am interested in meeting your sister…" Chandler said nervous of the response to come.

Ross chuckled.

"She is off to marry Richard in good time." Ross said explaining his laughter.

"Hey, I didn't say I wanted to marry her, I would like to meet her is all." Chandler said innocently.

"Hmm, alright I don't see you as a threat, and she showed interest in you whenever you won a fight, I will see what I can do." Ross, twisting his hand through the bars, offering a handshake.

Chandler accepted and shook his hand.

"Are you tired?" Ross asked.

"Not in the least." Chandler answered.

"Want to begin tonight?" Ross asked.

"Sure." Chandler said as Ross jingled the gate keys, but stopped as he was about to open the cell, he looked up at Chandler.

"Don't worry you can trust me." Chandler assured him.

Ross believed him and opened the gate. He showed him to the nearest entrance to the surface of the arena.

"I have wooden bladed swords, used for practice. We do an hour tonight." Ross said.

"Very well." Chandler said having no argument with Ross' plan, it's not like he would have anything to do in his cell except think about Monica.

The made their way to the surface, and there they found leather training armor, and wooden practice swords. Chandler grabbed a set, as did Ross. They went to the center of the field and got in battle positions. Ross swung repeatedly, and Chandler was so shocked all he could do was parry and the roll to dodge anymore attacks. He jumped up and hit Ross' thigh.

"You see", Chandler said pausing, "You used the same strike over and over, you need to swing and prepare to block."

"Alright I'll work on it." Ross said, as the two continued the fight it was full of hits and blocks, just a simple starting off battle. And very quickly and hour went by, and the two men decided it was time to call it a night.

"I will approach you tomorrow night for a longer training, and see if I can get you limited fights for the week we are doing our secret training." Ross said as he lead Chandler back to his cell.

Chandler walked in.



"Don't forget about Monica." Chandler said,

"Do not worry, I can get her by sometime tomorrow." Ross said.

"Alright, thank you." Chandler said.

"Thank you and I am sorry I judged you, when we first met." Ross said, still weary of the friendship that would unravel.

"Goodnight." Chandler said as Ross went up the stairs.

Chandler threw his arms behind his head and smiled, tomorrow he was going to meet the woman of his dreams.