Chapter 10. I Swear

Grey Worm was placed in the back of a wagon by the man referred to as Domino. Later Grey Worm would learn that it was a title not his actual name. In the wagon was a muscular man with dark hair light colored skin and a patch over his right eye. There are three scars on his chest. Across from him sat a wild looking woman. Her right hand was missing. The left side of her head is shaven, the rest of her hair hangs wildly across her neck. She has tattoos and scars on her arm and back.

There are eight other rough looking gladiators in the wagon all bearing the mark of House Bavel. "Hey newbie!" The man with one eye calls, "What are you called…"

Grey Worm looks at him then he closes his eyes, "That one is all high and mighty…Too good to speak with Dragon Fly…"

"Mud Bug heard the Master call him Grey Worm…" Another man says.

"Worm is a good name for such a small man…" They all laugh, but Grey Worm ignore them. After two miles they stop to get water for the horses pulling the wagons. Water is given to the Gladiators along with rations. By early morning the next day they arrive at the Bavel Estate. It is next to the wall, not as big as the Nevarro mansion.

"Domino have Grey Worm bathed fed then bring him to my study…"

"Yes Master."

Upon entering the main foyer of the mansion Marceese is greeted by the sound of his wife's voice, "Twelve thousand…are you kidding me…" She says walking up to Marceese. "Twelve thousand for a slave!"

"He is worth it…I feel it this Slave will get us Arena champion…"

"Only the house champion can face the champion of Mereen are you going to fight Dragon Fly to the death against this Grey Worm…"

"If I have too…"

"Well I want to inspect this slave that cost us twelve thousand harpies…"

Grey worm

After he is bathed, fed, and clothed Grey Worm is brought before the Master and his wife. He bows, "Small man…" Aryne Bavel says. "He isn't worth fifty harpies…"

"You should have seen him in the arena…" Marceese says speaking up.

"What of it slave are you a champion or was that victory a fluke?"

Grey Worm remains silent, "Answer the mistress." Domino commands.

"I fought for myself…"

Domino uncoils his whip as Marceese stands. Aryne looks at her husband then she slaps Grey Worm. "Slave you do not speak to my wife like that…"

"I am a man like you and have the right to speak as I wish…"

"Hold!" Domino was about to strike Grey Worm, but Marceese stopped him."The slave thinks he is my equal…Perhaps a day in the hot box with no food will alter his tongue…"

"Domino will break him master…"

He grabs Grey Worm's wrist chain and leads him back to the training ground where the Gladiators are training. He throws Grey Worm into the box and locks it. Grey Worm sits down and closes his eyes. The hours pass and the heat builds. He ignores the sound of the Gladiators training in the yard. His stomach starts to demand food but he ignores it as well.

Part of him felt there was nothing to live for which is why he disrespected Marceese and his arrogant wife. It is his hope that they kill him and be done with it. He had considered attacking Marceese and his wife, but something stayed his hand. "At least I am not Azheme's property…" Grey Worm says to himself smiling. The hours tick by and finally the sun sets, but many more hours pass before the box cools off.

At sunrise the door is opened and Domino grabs his chain and drags him out, "Eat!" He commands setting him down in the galley. There is a serving of mutton on his plate, with bread and water. The other Gladiators ignore him, but every now and then Grey Worm looks up to find the one called Dragon Fly looking at him.

A man gets up and walks up to Grey Worm, "I am still hungry little man…Give me the rest of your food." Grey Worm ignores him taking a piece of bread. "Mud Bug said…"

"Return to your seat Mud Bug…before you bite off more than you can chew…" Before Mud Bug can reach for the last of Grey Worm's mutton he grabs his wrist and twists slamming his face onto the table.

"Let me go!" Mud Bug demands through gritted teeth.

Domino cracks his whip, "ENOUGH!" Grey Worm throws Mud Bug to the ground, "Breakfast is over! To training! Match ups…Spit will train with Grey Worm…"

Grey Worm takes his time getting up. He stands in front of Spit as a young boy brings them practice weapons of wood. "Take positions!" Domino orders, everyone but Grey Worm obeys. Domino walks up to him as Marceese appears on the balcony overlooking the training arena. "Did you not hear me…little Worm?"

"I heard you!" He boldly says.

A wave of oohs crosses through the training arena. "What did Grey Worm say?"

Grey Worm looks at Domino who is a foot taller than he is, "I…said…that…I…heard…you."

Domino smiles, "Does Grey worm think Grey Worm is better than rest of the Gladiators here?"

"I know I am…"

"Clear the area! Bring Domino steel…" Domino takes one sword, "Go on take it…"

Grey Worm takes the sword and throws it down. Domino roars swinging his sword as Grey Worm closes his eyes. "DOMINO!" The blade stops at Grey Worm's neck. "Put him in the box and come to my study…"

Domino places Grey Worm in the box. Then he hears Domino command the Gladiators to return to training. A few hours pass before the door is opened and Grey Worm is taken to Marceese's study. "Leave us!" Marceese commands, "What am I to do with you slave…" Grey remains silent causing Marceese to shake his head. "If you wanted to die why not let Fucker and his brothers kill you…"

Grey Worm looks at him, "Death is one thing…To be humiliated sexually before death is another…"

"A slave with a sense of honor…That is rare…What is your story slave?"

"I will tell you if you allow me to speak as a free man."

Marceese folds his arms, "Grey Worm already takes that privilege, but by all means go ahead."

"I was born into slavery…yes. But my former Master…Heim Nevarro treated all his slaves with respect…the only time he punished us was if we offended a guest…After awhile My Master and I developed a father son relationship…I even saved his life once…It was he who taught me how to use weapons and fight with my hands…His son Azheme or Iliam as he calls himself is not his true son…Master Heim told me his young wife was in love with another before they married and had given herself to this man…afterwards the two continued their love affair…Master Heim found out and challenged the man to a duel…The death of her lover drove My Master's wife to grief…She died giving birth to her child…With her last breath she asked Master Heim to care for her son as he was his…He poisoned my Master and changed his will…Another slave I grew up with and loved was raped and murdered before my eyes…Master Heim promised all his slaves freedom…He was going to move to Braavos and give the mansion to Azheme…"

"Interesting tale…Now I will tell you mine…I train the best pit fighters and Gladiators in the world…I inherited this Dojo from my father who got it from his father…For the first time in two generations this house put forth a Champion of the arena…I lost him to the will of the crowd who demanded his freedom…His name is Mongoose…Then after many years I have a new one worthy of Champion of Mereen…Dragon Fly. He fought Stallion to a standstill a draw…The overseer awarded Stallion of House Myraad title of Champion because he cut Dragon Fly more times…Now I pay twelve thousand harpies for Grey Worm…What you did to those four Gladiators was amazing…But you wish to die…Is there nothing Grey Worm wishes to live for?"

"Nothing!" Grey Worm sadly replies thinking on Gizelle.

"What of freedom?" Grey Worm perks up, "I see that interests Grey Worm…Fight for me! Be my champion…Kill Stallion! Ignite the crowd as you did when you fought Fucker and his Gladiator brothers…and after ten years I will grant you your freedom." Grey stares at him, "Well what do you say?

"Five years!"

"The balls on you…Nine!"

"Six!"

"Eight years."

"Seven!"

"Done, but you must speak to me as slave should his Master…You must address me as Master and show respect to this House…"

"Grey Worm swears on Grey Worm's life…Grey Worm will kill Stallion…Grey will be Champion of Mereen and honor Master's House…"

"GUARD!" A man enters with Domino. "Take Grey worm back to the barracks and send Dragon Fly to my study…"