Author's Notes: Hey everyone I am glad you liked the last chapter, I hope you like this one as well, as always I own nothing.
Karl kept as far from Yuviel as the cart would allow on their way back to their prison. Once they arrived another slave was waiting there in addition to the other gladiators. She was about thirty and wore a torn and stained clothing of a Sister of Shallya. Wordlessly she went to Yuviel and began to treat her injuries, Karl's having already regenerated.
"So, you won again I see." Said a voice. Karl turned to see Sir Coty. The knight came over and sat down beside Karl. "I am glad that you survived." He turned to look over t where the Sister was tending to Yuviel's injuries. "Though it may have been better if that…woman had not survived." Karl could only nod in agreement, his mind going back to the disturbing events in the arena. "Anyway," Sir Coty continued; "You should have a few days at least to rest, Lord Bonesnake doesn't like to use up his champions too quickly." He looked troubled and Karl was again reminded of Ernst.
"Is something wrong?" He asked. After a moment of silence Sir Coty nodded and began to speak.
"I think I will be sent to the arena next." He paused for a moment and then he seemed to gather himself. "I am ashamed to admit this but, I am afraid, I am afraid every time I go into the arena."
"Well," Karl said after a moment's hesitation; "I think most people are."
"You don't understand." The knight said, a tone of exasperation entering his voice. I am a knight of Bretonnia! Blessed by the Lady! I should not be afraid! Fear is for women and peasants! But I am! May that is why the Lady did not help me in the battle with these fiends."
Karl was silent for a moment then he began to speak. "I believe that everyone with an ounce of sense is afraid when they go to fight. It is part of what makes…you human." He had been about to say 'Us human,' but that was not true about Karl anymore. As if sensing this Sir Coty pressed on.
"You are not afraid; in fact I think that I am the only one of all the people here who is afraid."
"I do not believe that." Karl said. "I am sure everyone is afraid when we face death, some just find ways to overcome it. Father Wilfred deals with it by focusing on what he sees as his continuing his fight for the Empire. The Dwarf may be fearless but only because shame and despair has driven the fear from him. Agliar is to full of hate for any other emotion to dwell in him. As for Yuviel, well…do you really want to be like her?" They both chuckled a little at that and then Karl continued. "It is alright to be afraid, it is what you do with it that makes you a man or not. Besides," he said as the idea struck him; "Perhaps this is a test for you by your goddess to see what you do in this situation." Actually he doubted that she had anything to do with the knight's situation but it seemed like something he would want to hear.
Sir Coty's prediction proved accurate, the next time the guards came they left Yuviel and Karl and took the others. They were gone for several hours but they returned. They were all bloody but they were all alive and looked like they would recover. As the priestess came in and started to tend to them Karl went over to Wilfred.
"You survived." Karl said to him as he came up.
"Yes," Wilfred replied; "Though truth be told they were poor sport. Though I think that something big is coming up and this was just a warm-up act."
"They are preparing to celebrate the founding of this city, the Night of Bloody Ecstasy, a fortnight from now." Agliar interjected from where he was sitting. "They will feast and engage in all manner of debauchery. Doubtless they have something especially unpleasant for us planned. I would conserve my energy as much as I could if I were you."
Karl lay down and soon went to sleep. He was woken by someone shaking his shoulder. Turning toward the source he saw that it was Agliar, the Elf was looking at him with his usual intense expression on his face.
"What is it?" Karl grumbled, grouchy at being woken up.
"You are not human." Agliar said simply; "But neither are you a mutant and I do not sense the stench of Chaos on you, so whatever you are you can be of use to me."
"What are you talking about?'
"I told you before, I am not going to die here, I will escape from this place. When the celebrations begin a fortnight from now I will escape from here but I cannot do it alone. Unfortunately, I cannot do it on my own I will need the help of the rest of you. The Dwarf only wants to die but that will serve my purpose well enough. The two men want to escape as well and will go along with it, I believe you want to escape as well and that just leaves the Norse woman." Here his lips curled in contempt. "She is Chaos-loving filth but she is a good fighter and could be useful in getting out of the city."
"So what is the plan?" Karl asked.
"I am still working on that."
"So why are you telling me this now?"
"Because, as I said, we will need all of us, including the woman. Her distain for us and ours' for her means that she may very well refuse to cooperate, especially as she seems to not particularly mind being held here. However, she seems to find you desirable in some way and while I find the thought disgusting it does give you leverage. I need you to use it to ensure her help when the time comes."
Author's Notes: Hey everyone I hope you liked the chapter. More fighting next time while we count down to the big escape. Till next time please pray for those missing passengers, their families, the Americans held abroad and all who need it. Bye and may Jesus bless you.