Later that night when the sun had fallen, Bacura left his chamber and wandered the halls, rapping on doorframes and shouting at the occupants to hurry up and get to the field. He stuck his head into the room he knew to be Riou's and glanced around, surprised that he wasn't there.
'So much for making him fetch the rest of them. I'll have to get someone else to do it.' He paused, glancing over his shoulder before strolling casually into the room. It was modest, like most of the other gladiators' quarters, but there was an air of softness he'd never noticed before. Perhaps it was the way the thin linen sheet was draped neatly over the bed, or maybe it was just the lack of body odour. Bacura mentally noted Riou's cleanliness, then left the room and continued down the corridor. He knocked on the frame of the nearest doorway, walking in and discovering he'd located Gionoci's room.
"You there, I need you to go around and get everyone out of their rooms and into the field. I have to set up some things, so I won't be able to do it myself." Gionoci nodded, startled by Bacura's sudden appearance. 'He must have been in the middle of something,' Bacura thought to himself, leaving quickly and heading for the training field. 'But what? Oh well. It doesn't matter.'
Gionoci roused himself quickly, grabbing for some strips of fabric that lay on his small table. He wandered out of the room, winding the cloth around his wrists and palms as he stuck his head into various rooms, shouting as he walked down the hallway for all to come to the field. A grin formed on his face of it's own will, the adrenaline beginning to course through his veins already. Now was the time he proved himself worthy of the arena. Tonight was the night that he showed his true colours, the night that everything was riding on.
Eugi joined him silently, coming out from his room as Gionoci passed by, still calling the men out from their rooms. The shorter man glanced at his friend.
"Nervous?" Gionoci shook his head, grinning.
"Excited. I can't wait to get into the arena." He offered Eugi one of his strips of fabric, and Eugi accepted it quickly, wrapping it around his forehead. It was, he had been taught, a traditional garb for the Retarius, who wore very little armour and didn't even have a helmet. They stepped outside, and Eugi couldn't suppress a gasp at the sight that rose to meet his eyes.
A large stage had been erected in the middle of the field, a huge torch burning brightly near each corner. The flickering flames cast an eerie glow on the platform, and even Gionoci felt a shudder run up his spine.
Bacura watched everyone arrive, directing a couple of slaves as they piled straw around the stage, keeping any man that fell off safe from injury.
"No, fool! Not so close to the torches! Do you want to burn down my school? And pile it thicker! I'll be throwing YOU off the side to test it, so make sure it's nice and comfy." He smirked as the slaves began to work faster, piling the straw thick enough to muffle the fall of a boulder. He nearly laughed, looking around at the awe in the men's faces. Each had been issued their proper weapon upon entry, and he suddenly realised he'd neglected to give Riou a classification of gladiator. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen Riou anywhere in the crowd. He glanced around, narrowing his eyes. Stepping quickly through the gathering throng, he scoffed. 'I gave him a chance, and this is how he thanks me? By not showing up? I'll make sure he doesn't forget this soon if he makes a fool out of me.' He fumed silently, pushing past several people and looking around the dark field.
"Where is he?" He muttered under his breath, searching the crowd for the pale, timid young man. 'If he's not in his room, and he's not out here, then where is he?' Suddenly he caught the sound of wood striking against wood. Following the intermittent clunks to a far corner of the field, Bacura raised an eyebrow at what he saw. Riou stood beside a training log, a large slab of wood suspended by a chain. He struck once, twice, three times, pausing to catch his breath, then striking again with the wooden sword clenched tightly in his hands. Bacura was curious as to what Riou could do, but now was not the time- the assessment fights were about to begin.
"I hope you didn't simply take that training sword. You're supposed to wait until I issue you a weapon." Riou looked up, shock in his eyes. He hadn't seen or heard anyone approaching, and was caught off guard.
"N- no, sir. I borrowed it from Gionoci." Bacura stepped from the shadows, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Very well then. Hurry up and return it to him and get one of your own. You've no time to waste. If you're not there when I call you into battle, I won't wait for you." He sneered, turning and going back to the stage where a few slaves had nervously been watching for him, unsure of what he'd do if everything wasn't perfect.
Eugi inhaled deeply, the banter around him dying down as Bacura and a strange gladiator climbed onto the stage. Bacura held a hand up for silence, and a hush fell over the crowd. The light from the torches reflected off the gladiator's armour, the shin-plates and shield shimmering with an orange glow. The sword at the man's hip flashed dangerously, and his eyes narrowed through the holes in his helmet. Gionoci leaned over toward Eugi and whispered,
"Who is that? I don't recognise him." Eugi shrugged, his eyes running over the man's attire in a quick analysing glance.
"Maybe he's from another school? It looks like he's a Hoplomachus." Gionoci nodded in agreement, now wishing he hadn't let Riou borrow his sword, longing to grip something in his tight fist. Compared to this stranger, his meagre weaponry seemed pathetic. None of them stood a chance if he used his long, steel scythe against their mainly wooden artillery.
Eugi, at least, may have had a hope against him- the man's elaborate helmet would catch easily in his net. This was one of the main reasons Hoplomachi were rarely paired against Retarii; it made for a short-lived and one-sided fight, something that generally didn't entertain crowds. Riou suddenly appeared beside Gionoci, handing him the borrowed sword, now hefting one of his own.
"Salve, Eugi, Gionoci. Sorry I took so long to get back, I had to go get my sword. I'm a Secutor!" The pride of this achievement seemed to radiate off of him, his grin putting a smile on Eugi's face. "I didn't miss anything, did I?" Gionoci shook his head.
"Non. They're just getting started." Riou's eyes suddenly wandered to the Hoplomachus that stood on the stage. He gasped, his eyes widening in recognition.
"We have to fight… him?" He whispered fearfully, suddenly wishing he were still training with the newcomers. Eugi gave him a funny look, but nodded.
"Do you recognise him?"
"Ita. That's Bacura's old rival- the best in the entire school. He's won at least twelve arena matches, but has declined freedom twice already. I forget his name…" Bacura began to speak, explaining the rules of the match. Eugi sighed in relief as the gladiatorial champion was handed a wooden sword, the one of steel remaining untouched at his side.
"…and I shall call each of you up by name to fight! If you fall from the stage within twenty seconds, you are disqualified and unfit for the arena! All stand ready? Siphax!" Then Bacura descended from the stage, the burly Samnite coming up to fight the strange gladiator.
"Pugna!" Eugi watched as the school champion blocked two attacks, sidestepped a charge, and pushed Siphax easily off into the straw. A lump began to form in his throat; this was going to be anything but easy. Another man was called up, then another, and another. So far, only one had managed to stay on the stage within the time limit.
"Gionoci!" The blonde Murmillo gripped his huge shield, took a breath, and took the steps up to the stage. Now face to face with his opponent, he could see the expertise in the very way he carried himself. A drop of sweat trickled down the back of his neck, and his muscles tensed, preparing to launch himself against this powerful foe.
"Pugna!" A movement in front of him, he swung the large shield to his front, throwing back the attack. The Hoplomachus' small, round shield struck at his side, sending pain rushing through his senses. Another blur coming at him, and Gionoci's sword shot up, parrying the attack with what could only be described as instinct. He took a step forward, lurching the shield at the more experienced Gladiator, then swinging the wooden sword at his side. His sword was met halfway, tossed back and thrown from his grip, but the huge shield of the Murmillo pushed his opponent back, the momentum causing him to lose balance, his heavy helmet weighing him down and causing him to fall backwards over the edge. Eugi gave a shout of joy, congratulating his friend heartily as he descended from the stage. Bacura nodded to him respectfully.
"You have a natural skill for fighting. It won't go to waste here. Well done." Gionoci grinned, still amazed that he'd managed to fight back the best gladiator in the school. It had, of course, been mainly determined by sheer luck, but that did nothing to lower his spirit.
"Riou!" By then, the nameless gladiator had regained his position on the platform, awaiting the next challenger with a burning desire to redeem himself. It was almost painful for Eugi to watch how Riou tried not to tremble, his natural fear kicking in.
'No.' Riou told himself. 'I can't be afraid. I will prove that I'm strong enough.' He heart pounded in his chest like a drum gone wild, and he gripped his sword tightly.
"Pugna!" Bacura cried for the fifth time that night, interested in what the fight might reveal of Riou's hidden strength.
The Hoplomachus struck like lightning, and Riou stumbled backward. He frowned, trying to remember what technique he was supposed to use. His mind was blank. The gladiator struck again, bashing him in the side with his shield. Riou shouted, jumping back and nearly falling off the stage, but resting on the edge with alarming balance. His opponent looked at Riou's feet, having expected him to fall, and suddenly felt the blow strike him right across his unprotected chest. He staggered back, then swung at the advancing Riou, catching him in the collarbone and sending him right over the edge. It took Riou a moment to realise that he'd failed already. He had gotten one chance to prove himself, and blown it. Bacura was going to send him back to beginner level for sure.
Bacura was secretly pleased with the results, glad that Riou wouldn't be going to any arenas for the time being. He glanced at the crowd, and called out yet another name.
Eugi approached Riou, offering him a hand and helping to pull him up. Riou sighed heavily, his hopes shattered.
"I've… failed."
"Don't worry about it." Eugi consoled, patting him on the shoulder. "At least you lasted longer than that beefed-up Siphax." Riou nodded, still furious with himself.
"I just… can't win, can I?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, I finally get the chance to show Bacura I'm not a pushover, and I was just tossed over the edge like a loaf of bread."
"Hey, it's not your fault." Eugi tightened his grip on Riou's shoulder a little, steering him away from the stage as yet enough person just barely managed to stay on for more than twenty seconds. "That guy is tough, you said it yourself. Besides, it was only your first try. You'll get plenty of other chances." Riou nodded sadly.
"I don't feel like watching anymore… I'm going to my room."
"Okay. Will I see you again tonight?"
"Probably not… I need some sleep. I've been training all day." Eugi nodded, seeing Riou off with a nod and a friendly smile.
"Eugi!" With a tingle running up his spine, Eugi turned back to the platform and made his way up the steps. Clenching the net as tightly as he clenched his teeth, he looked the Champion over, trying to anticipate what he'd do first. Bacura gave the shout, and the fight started.
This time the Champion was more cautious, knowing well the dangers of a Retarius' net. They circled one another, and then Eugi threw the mesh netting suddenly. The other man caught it, wrapping it around his arm and yanking it towards himself. Eugi was pulled in, and he released his end of the net just before he would have been hit with the sword. Now baring the trident in both hands, he blocked two attacks from the Hoplomachus, swinging his long weapon at his head with a shout. The champion ducked, grabbing hold of it and spinning, trying to throw Eugi off the edge. Eugi held on, reaching out and grabbing the man's bare arm. Now locked together and spinning in circles, it was only a matter of time before one or the other let go and fell. Suddenly, the champion twisted the trident awkwardly, freeing Eugi's hand and sending him off balance, toppling over the edge. Both of them went over, Eugi holding on with grim determination, even as he was nearly crushed underneath of him. Bacura pulled the two apart, smirking.
"What a show. Unfortunately, this isn't Circus Maxima, this is a school of combat. You are nothing more than a jester with a weapon! However… you are a lucky jester. You lasted beyond the time limit. You are ready for the arena. Unworthy of its glory, but ready for it's peril." With that he helped his champion to his feet, and called out yet another name.
Gionoci lifted Eugi up by the wrist, grinning.
"Don't listen to him. You were fortissimus! I've never seen anything like that before!" Eugi nodded, accepting his friend's advice and walking with him to the building. The matches had gone on late into the night, and were still going on. It was a wonder the champion had that kind of stamina. On their way to their rooms, they ran into Riou, who had a large grin on his face.
"Eugi! I remember what his name was! The champion of this school… his name is Iami!"
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Fwee! How was that for an ending?
Salve – Hello, Greetings
Non – No
Ita – Yes
Pugna! – Fight!
Circus Maxima – A sort of arena where less bloody forms of entertainment were held, lik charriot races.
Fortissimus – Very Brave / StrongPlease review and tell me what you thought! If there's something you'd like to happen, let me know. I've got the plot planned out to a certain extent, but other than that, it's mostly brainstorming.