The Uriks took no notice, they kept running, ahead of them they could smell the flesh of many humans, along with the smell of animals and wagons. "Keep those slaves working!" A man clad in spartan armor yelled, he stood upon a golden chariot, his helm adorned with a red brush of phoenix feathers, he was a commander in one of the roman armies, he was ordered to escort a cache of treasures for a friend of the Roman King. A large caravan of wagons with cages, slaves, and other cargo were being transported to an arena some miles ahead. "Sir, Uriks are coming, from over the ridge there!" The commander yelled," Stop!" He steered his chariot and headed off toward the Uriks.
"The humans are just over the ridge, I can smell their stink!" The Urik held up his fist, the group of Uriks all stopped, waiting for the incoming human, he came over the hill riding his chariot. "What do you want Urikai, you cannot have this caravan, it is mine!" The Urik leader walked forward and said," We have been told you are looking for slaves with exceptional prowess, I've one here, I wish to sell her to you." The human's face lightened," Bring her forth, allow me to see this slave of yours." They brought Tira forward and laid her on the ground, along with her weapon. The human flinched, he asked, "Why does she sleep?"
The Urik said," She has been newly captured, she has not been broken in yet, that I leave to you." The human dismounted and knelt down by Tira's body, he smelled her than began to caresse her body," She is young and fit, though her smell is not to my liking, that can be fixed, and what is this iron circle?" The Urik answered," It is her weapon, she has shown us her power with it, she is a good warrior, she killed our previous leader." The human thought for a moment ," What do you want in exchange for this slave?" The Urik answered almost immediately," Give me your strongest drink!" The human smiled," Very well."
They exchanged, the humans relinquished all their powerful and strong drinks to the Uriks, then they caged Tira's lifeless body, the Uriks disappeared back into the northern lands. "Fools, to give up such a prize for a few barrels of drink, Uriks never cease to amaze me." He stared at Tira, he hadn't seen such a beautiful young female in all his life, based on her looks she was still a virgin. But he could not, would not have her, she was for the Lord of the city. The caravan started up again, it would be several hours before they made it to the city.
"Open the gates!" The commander yelled, they had finally reached the city, it was small and dusty, beggars and thieves were every where, it was a city of scoundrels. Large wooden doors slid open slowly, allowing the caravan to enter, people slept in the streets, others watched from dark windows, guards could be seen everywhere. The caravan kept moving toward the interior, a giant arena had been built their hundreds of years ago, the city had been built around it.
"Sire, I've got the animals you requested, along with the slaves and a few other treasures I managed to attain along the way, but I think I've found the perfect slave you so longed for, allow me to show you to her." The commander was leading a man dressed in expensive and rare furs, many thought the heat to harsh to be wearing such garments, the lord cared not. He came to a small cage, lying within was Tira, she was laying face down in one of the corners.
"Why would such a slave be of my interest, commander?" The lord asked, the girl's tattered clothing coupled with her bruises and dirtiness had caused the lord to not be taken. The commander answered, "She will be cleaned and adorned, her seller tells me she is a warrior of some kind, this is her weapon." He held up her blade, it was clean and silvery, shining brightly in the sun." Prepare her, if she is what you say she is, then she will prove herself in the upcoming arena battles."
The Lord walked back into his lodging. The commander thought to himself, "Why would the lord want to sacrifice her to the gladiators? Very well, I shall clean and prepare her myself." He opened the cage and lifted her out, she would need all the help she could get, for she was about to go against some of the most powerful gladiators in Rome, along with the Three Enchanted Animals of the Northern Cliffs.