Chapter 13 – Gladiators and Ladies
Spock was really clingy for some reason. Not that she didn't mind, she just found it odd after observing how he usually acted the month prior. Stoic, calm, logic overriding nearly everything else, and at some points he'd even been a stick in the mud. "Are you alright, Spock?" she murmured softly her hand gently rubbing his back through the soft fabric of his shirt. Then...there was a sound. A deep rumble, though not a growl. Was that...was he.../purring/?
"It's a 100 percent macho thing," Kirk laughed as he reached for her, bringing her into a hug, "How can I be tired of you when you still keep me on my toes?" he teased, "Anyway...Baal, you mentioned a change of clothes? What exactly will we be wearing?"
"Oh, since you'll be fighting, I'll have Achaz find you a uniform. Your bodyguard, as well, would probably feel more comfortable in such as well, being what he is," the King motioned to the Captain of the Guard who put his hand over his chest and bowed before heading off.
"I shall take a few servants with me and dress the girls. Perhaps you, Mr. Spock, would prefer a toga?" Akantha asked, "We have many kinds...but blue seems to fit you well."
"I am fine, ashaya." Spock replied before looking to Akantha, "I will dress however would be suitable." Bria's rubbings distracted him from becoming annoyed with the Oracle, fortunately. That woman posed a threat to Bria, which in his state was not wise to be as he wanted to do away with her all together.
"Then follow me, if you please," Akantha nodded and motioned to them, "As you are attached to Bria, I will simply have curtains set up so you may stay in the same room. Girls?" She pointedly looked at the female servants who hurriedly bowed and scurried off. Glancing behind her, she looked at the youngest, "Sarah? Come with us, please. Mr. McCoy, I will have a toga arranged for you as well."
Sarah's face flushed at the thought of wearing those kinds of clothes. Despite covering much, those dressed also...lacked top coverage and she never really 'showed off' even with the dress Kirk picked for her simulation. And she would be wearing it around him... Pressing her forehead against his chest, the brunette sided. "Can't I stay in uniform? I promise they won't even know I'm in the crowd."
Jim smiled at Sarah and leaned down, kissing her forehead, "I guess the rest of us are gunna be in a different room or something. Spock'll be with you, though, so you'll be safe." He found it hard to give just chaste kisses when it came to the woman in his arms, so if he had to be quick his favorite was her forehead. Gently he nudged her towards the others, "I'll see you in a bit."
Spock tensed a bit at the prospect of changing in the same room as his ashaya, his skin prickling at the thought. No. He needed to stop himself before he goes too far, and in his current ball of emotions, he could only assume that it would not take long. "That will be acceptable, unless Bria believes otherwise." He glanced down at the Fykalas, his thumb rubbing her side until he forced it to stop. She was...difficult to control himself around.
"Alright, /fine/," Sarah smiled a bit as she made her way beside Bria again. She glanced back at her boyfriend, blushing a bit when he caught her doing this. He winked causing her to flush more and scrunch her face up at him until both had to leave with their respective parties.
"It's fine. I don't have a problem with it at all," Bria agreed with a shrug. She felt the shift in Spock's aura, and she felt her face heat up. The way he held her closer, his scent of smoked wood, like that from a fireplace smelled really good and she leaned her head against his arm so she could inconspicuously breathe it in. It wasn't long before they got there, and she had to force herself away from him, "This'll only take a couple minutes. I'm curious what they'll give us to wear," she admitted.
"It...is most curious," the Vulcan half agreed as he fought to contain his disappointment at the fact that she no longer was in his arms. His body seemed to tilt in her direction. Not like he was falling, but rather gravitating back to her...He. Must. Focus. Clearing his throat slightly, the young Vulcan male stood straighter as he messed with smoothing out the wrinkles in his shirt.
"I'm not going to need a different room am I?" Sarah questioned with a raised brow as she eyed the two. "Cause, I'm not going to change in the same room you two are going to play hanky-panky in." Her face was flushed as she made the comment, but she kept her best serious face on.
"No...that won't be necessary," Bria swallowed thickly and she looked at Akantha who was observing what the servants were doing. For whatever bad feeling she got from the woman, at least she respected privacy. She wanted to kiss Spock, but with the way he was acting...Sarah /would/ have to go to a different room. It was something like a simple kiss that could snap Spock's resolve and she didn't want to do that right now, not when they were guests on a strange planet, and that would leave Sarah unprotected. She was sure her sister could take care of herself, but old habits die hard.
"Ooookay...Um...awkward?" Sarah mumbled to herself as she took a step away from the two as the tension between them rose. "Maybe we should change and get this over with before you two start attacking other."
Spock's eyes turned darkly onto the brunette who jumped at the look. "I would not attack, Bria."
"It's a figure of speech. I mean we should get changed before you two start making out and such." Sarah quickly explained, stepping farther away.
"Spock...deep breaths," Bria said gently, "I know you'd never hurt me. Sarah was just trying to lighten the mood."
"Your areas are ready," Akantha broke up the tension by coming between all three of them, though she caused a different kind, "Your outfits are waiting for you. Sarah, yours is a bit more complicated. If you need help of any sort, say something." At her nod she shooed them into their respective corners. This bunch would certainly prove a challenge...
X
Ayano was quiet for a second before she responded, "I guess it's a good thing I'm not, then. If all the love birds were together nothing would get done. Everyone's back to normal because I had you butt in." She trailed off a bit, not entirely sure how he'd take that comment.
"That...that was good..." Ayano was surprised by the endearment, "Raiden's hormone levels are returning to normal. You effectively killed whatever boner he had, Leon." So her slip wasn't a bad one. She was glad about that and her voice told as much.
"Wish you were here." Bones half-murmured as he looked over the sorry patchwork of a group he had. "I'm stuck with four different love-birds, and a horny tiger."
Bones paused for a moment, brows raised and his stance showing his shock at her words. Did she...Surely not. Not about him anyway. Deciding that it must be a joke, Bones forced a couple of chuckles out, "I didn't know you and Tiger-boy were together." Ugh just the thought made his shoulders sag slightly.
Eri smiled at Raiden, "I think you'll look good in the guard uniform, Raiden. The bronze will compliment your tiger nature."
Raiden flushed as he regained control over himself enough to get up without having a bulge in his pants. "Uh, heh, thanks. I'm sure it will," he awkwardly agreed while scratching his head. What are you supposed to say after getting a boner in front of the woman you're attracted to? Damn it, he could have played it off had Bones not tossed him under the bus. Now he was all awkward around her! Great...
Eri was saddened a little, "Um...I'll show you the room you'll be using to change when my fiancé gets back with your uniforms, Raiden, Captain Kirk." The way Raiden paled at that made her wince, but...she couldn't allow this to continue and get anyone hurt.
Raiden's tail drooped and his shoulders sagged low as her words sunk in. /Fiancé/ repeated over and over in his mind like a torturous record. He had been basically flirting with an engaged woman. The same woman he felt such...such a connection with that caused him to react to her touch the way he did, "O-oh...y-yeah. Of course. After you, then."
Kirk watched Bones and Raiden curiously as they followed Eri wherever it was they needed to go, Baal heading off somewhere else, no doubt to rearrange plans so he could fight. He hoped he'd be able to beat his opponent, hell after going head to head with Spock on a regular basis in the training room, he was sure it'd be a cake walk.
"No...we're not. He doesn't like dark haired women that way, Leon..." Ayano sighed through the ear piece, "I meant you...though speaking of Tiger-boy, what just happened? It's like he went from embarrassed readings to insta-depression. Did the lady of interest shoot him down?"
"It's an arranged marriage by my mother, but he hasn't mentioned anybody else he's interested in, and I had no objections...at the time..." Eri explained to him, though didn't look at him, upset with herself for hurting him, "I haven't asked Mother if the marriage would proceed anyway if we had someone else of interest..."
A smile-no a grin tugged at Leonard McCoy's face as he tried not to throw his fist in the air like a guy half his age. "Really...well I suppose that we'll have to talk about that later when I get back. As for the poor guy, it is worse than that," he murmured quietly, turning his head away when the Toran male sent him a glare. "But I'll tell you all that later..."
A spark of hope lit up in his mind, but Raiden quickly snuffed it out. He learned a long time ago that while hope was a great source of strength, it rarely actually came true. Chancing after it would only result in anguish later when things fall through. "I see, well, I guess I should say, 'good luck'. Achaz will be a great husband, I'm sure. He...looks strong anyway." Damn...couldn't the ground open up and swallow him already?
"Yes...yes he does," Eri dared a little glance over her shoulder, and caught his eyes. At first glance they looked black, but they were in fact a very dark blue. This interested her, and she wanted to gaze into them longer...perhaps indefinitely, but she looked ahead of her before she could run into something. They reached the room and she opened the doors, "Here you are, gentlemen." Kirk went in first, followed by Bones, and she let her hand brush against Raiden's arm as he went by. She just...wanted to feel that spark again...
Raiden paused for a moment at the touch, suppressing a shudder at the electric feeling that passed between them. He glanced at her before bowing his head and slipping in side. When the door closed, the Toran ignored the others as he started to slip into the clothes laid out for them.
Bones frowned for a minute before walking over to the security detail. Placing his hand on his shoulder, Leon tried to comfort him, "Hey, you never know, Raiden. Maybe her mother will change her mind. If not-"
"Can we not talk about this right now?" Raiden sighed, pulling his shoulder away and out of Bone's grasp.
"Well if you're going to be that way fine. Wallow in self-pity like a crying kitten," the doctor grunted sharply, returning to his place to dress.
X
The curtain peeled back and Bria glance about the room, her eyes finding Spock nearby who was fiddling with his toga. It was a soft blue color, one shoulder and it went diagonally across his chest, and she got her first glimpse of chest hair. She loved chest hair! With a grin she walked over to him, noting that the toga stopped just below his knees, and was cinched around the waste with a leather belt, and he wore silver bands on his wrists, and one on the exposed bicep, "Well, you certainly look like you fit the crowd, Spock. Can the same be said for me?"
Spock stopped in his actions to look to his beloved at her request. The air in his lungs left as his eyes wondered her luscious form covered in a red one shoulder dress over what could be assumed to be a black strapless toga. A bronze belt-like cord around her waist held the material close to her form and she had a black sheer covering draped over her arms. The dress pulled up at the bottom to show off her ankles and the simple sandals she wore. Jewelry wise, Bria was adorned with two bronze cuffs on her wrists, a bronze band on her left arm, a gold and ruby necklace, ruby earrings, and a band of woven flowers on her head. She...Spock swallowed and stood straighter as if to be more impressive himself for his beauty, "I am afraid you might draw attention to yourself, Bria. However, I am certain it will be acceptable." Striding to her, the Vulcan practically latched himself to her side as he had been before. "You are...beautiful, Bria."
"You're quite handsome yourself, Spock," Bria grinned at him, and she reached over, running her hand through his chest hair, a perky smile on her face, and she heard it again, "Spock...are you purring?" She glanced up at him when the sound abruptly stopped, "You /were/! You part cat or something?" she was highly amused.
Spock's face flushed green lightly as he closed his eyes and raising his chin slightly as to hide the blush. "Vulcans do not purr, Bria. That would be an illogical and unnecessary action. Despite the evolution from creatures similar to the earth animal you call cats, Vulcans do not possess the feline need to vocalize pleasure as pleasure is an emotion. Your argument, therefore, is invalid."
"Your argument is invalid because purring is a feline reflex when they are happy as well, and you're happy to have me by your side again and you are pleased by my action of rubbing your chest," Bria smirked at her ability to call him on his bullshit. To make him feel better, she leaned up on her toes and /purred/ as well into his ear, "I love cats, and your purring is sexy," she whispered.
His hands shot out and gripped her shoulders in a soft, yet iron hold to pull her away. His hands shook as his jaw locked for few moments. When he was calm once more, Spock released his beloved. "I am sorry...If I could so make a request that you do not do such things to me...in the present time." He could not explain to her his reasoning, but the Vulcan male hope she would understand without being offended. Reaching up, he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers twitched in need to make the connections to link their minds. "...I shall accept your claim."
Akantha came into the room after briefly leaving in order to let them change and she raised an eyebrow at the scene before her. She stepped forward and her presence broke them apart, "The gladiator show is going to start in fifteen minutes. We need to leave. Sarah, are you ready?"
Bria had been startled and a little hurt by the way he shoved her way, but the dark look in his eyes, the way his pupils were blow making them nearly black instead of brown, calmed her fears. It wasn't because he didn't like it...it was just, whatever was making him emote more, made her actions dangerous. That was the only thing she could think of. She nodded to him, and took his hand tenderly, then looked at Sarah when she removed the curtain.
"Okay, that's just not fair," the brunette blush heavily. She wore a duel-strapped, full length, teal dress with columns of flower designs running down the fabric in a stark contrast to the blue. A thick, detailed leather belt was secure directly under her bust-line, pushing her chest up if only a bit. Thankfully she had a sheer, lavender shawl to take away from /that/. Besides her never parted blue-glass necklace, Sarah wore another blue necklace similar to Bria's, a silver band on her left arm, amethyst earrings, and plant circlet like her sisters' only with what looked like some form of odd-looking holly. "How is it I'm the only one that has a side-crushing belt wrestlers would be envious of?"
Bria laughed, the tension broke and she smirked at her sister, "Kirk'll certainly approve," she winked, and she went over to her sister, slinging her arm over her shoulder, "Speaking of, let's go find him."
"You won't see him until he's in the ring. Baal took them all to Coliseum already," Akantha explained, "Mr. McCoy and Raiden will meet you in the stands."
"Let's go then!" Bria grinned, "Lead the way," she motioned to the door and Akantha turned her back to them. Looking at Spock, he was beside her instantly and they followed the Oracle.
X
Sarah whistled at massive size of the Coliseum. Sure she figured it would be big like the ones back on Earth, but /damn/. This made the Ranger's Stadium in Texas look like a little kid brother. It was certainly packed too, though it became more and more obvious that there would have been more if not for the war that had happened. Akantha had led them all the way to the Royal seating areas, so basically it was a VIP box. "Hey guys," she greeted the two newly dressed officers first.
"Well don't you two ladies look ravishing," Bones remarked, chuckling at Sarah's blush. She really did blush at the slightest compliment.
Raiden, on the other hand, merely nodded in their direction. Eri had yet to show up...not that he was watching for her. That wouldn't be right since she was...yeah. At least the games would take his mind off of her.
"Thanks for the compliment, Bones," Bria giggled. McCoy basically wore a similar outfit to Spock, only a darker blue, and he had leather straps winding up his arms, colorful beads decorating them, and with similar winding sandals, "You kinda remind me of a Witch Doctor, all colorful like that," she smirked at him.
It didn't take long for the red haired woman to arrive at the Royal seating, coming through the curtains between two of the four chairs, meant for herself, her mother, Baal, and Achaz. Baal was sitting in the far corner chair, four guards stationed behind him, but he was lost in thought. Eri brightened when she saw Raiden standing at the half-wall, looking down into the ring, "Raiden...wow. You look...even better than I thought you would," a blush tinted her cheeks pink.
"I feel like one," Bones chuckled, shaking his head. "But then again, Spock's in the same boat as me. Right, Spock?"
"I do not see the connection, Dr, as we are not in a boat." Spock raised a brow at the medical officer who gave him a pointed look in return. His logic was sharp as it typically was as it appeared that threats to his Bria were no longer present.
"Bria, you have /got/ to work on his phrases. I may be a smart-ass, but it gets a little old after while, especially when he doesn't understand my jokes." Sarah teased.
Raiden turned to Eri, deciding he was going to act happy and glad for her sake. When he saw her...the Toran swallowed thickly. The theme color was gold and bronze. From her off the gold shoulder dress with a bronze band just under her bust line, the bronze cuffs on her wrists, the golden sheer shawl, and golden leaf circlet. On her feet were golden leather sandal boots and around her neck was a gold necklace with a single teal pendent. She...she was a vision of beauty and sunshine... Licking his dry lips, Raiden struggled to piece words together, "You...wow...uh, you look amazing."
"I'm working on it," Bria shook her head. Akantha came in behind her and Eri and Raiden went to one corner while she and Spock took another, Bones and Sarah also trying to make room.
"Ah, I didn't realize how crowded this place would be. I simply wished to share some delectable's before the games begin." She held a tray out with six treats, positioned all how they were, two on the right, two on the left, and two in front.
"Oh yum! They look like chocolate," they all looked the same, so she just reached out and took one. Spock seemed to recoil from the tray, "Don't like chocolate?" She asked the Vulcan.
Eri kept Raiden from reaching out, her hand covering his. She saw the flash in her mother's eyes and she narrowed hers back, green against blue, but she looked at Raiden to distract him, "I'm glad you think so. I managed to catch a glimpse at the readings and your Captain is the first fight!"
"Vulcans do not eat sweets," Spock stated simply as he assumed he would have time later to explain.
"How does that not surprise me?" Leon snickered, reaching for one of the treats. "I couldn't be harmful to you could it?" Well at least he was able to get some information from the Vulcan.
"The sugar acts in similar was as alcohol effects humans," Spock grudgingly stated, "Thus the reason we avoid it." No, his experiences with sugar have not been good ones.
Sarah laughed as she took one of the treats herself, "Well, I for one could use some sugar in my system." Before she bit into the treat, Eri's words made her grin. Jim would be first. She had to admit she wanted to see how he would hold up in the match.
The only think Raiden noticed oddly about Eri stopping him was the fact that she held his hand. He felt like a blubbering school boy with how a grin grew on his face. Okay, so she was going to...marry someone. That probably won't be for a while, and until then, he was going to pretend that she was single. "We'll see how well the Captain can do then..."
Bria found this interesting, "So, does alcohol not affect you normally then?" The information about what sweets did to Spock was filed away for much later use. She popped the treat in her mouth and it definitely tasted like chocolate, too. Dark chocolate, to be more exact.
Akantha took the tray back and nodded to them, "Enjoy the games. I have things to do, or I would stay." She waved a bit before disappearing behind the curtain.
Eri looked down over the half wall to the ground below. The crowed began cheering as soon as the rumble and screech of the gates on either side reached their ears, one on the other side, and one right below them, "Our culture tends to be predictable, it's just a matter of who's better. To see an outsider fight will be refreshing."
A voice boomed in the stadium, and it was definitely an announcer who did this for a living, "I PRESENT TO YOU A NEW CONTESTANT! AN OUTSIDER FROM THE STARS! CAPTAIN KIRK AS HE LIKES TO GO BY, WE WELCOME YOU AND YOUR PARTY! GOOD LUCK AGAINST YOUR OPPONENT, THE MIGHTY KEPHAS!"
Sarah bit down her grin as she watched her Captain stride out of onto the field at the same time as his opponent. He wore the same armor as Raiden, save for the sword and shield he carried with him. Oh gosh, he looked like he had walked straight out of a movie about, heh well, gladiators. Her cheeks flushed as Bria nudged her when she sat up a bit taller to see all of him. "Hey, I'm allowed to look, he's mine." Sarah giggled, "Besides I didn't say anything when you are /all over/ your man."
Kirk looked up and saw Sarah. Whoa…she looked absolutely amazing, her hair loose, the sheer shawl over her shoulders, and the holy wreath. The blue dress looked gorgeous on her. He couldn't wait until he was able to meet up with her and see her up close. He waved at her and grinned before putting his attention on his opponent. Large, burley and a sturdy build…almost like a boulder. Kephas had two swords, one in each hand, and he was twirling them. Kirk only had a sword, and a shield. Basic weapons meant for these things if the person obviously didn't have a personal weapon.
Kirk took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Well, I'm ready whenever you are, big guy," he coaxed.
"As you wish!" Kephas darted at him, his swords spinning.
"Whoa!" Kik jumped back, barely dodging a slice and he brought his shield up to block another swing, "For being so huge you're pretty agile, aren't ya?!" he spun and tried to kick the guy, but only wound up being tossed back onto his ass with an 'omph!'
Bria looked down at the fight, "Oh boy, I don't even think this is going to last very long." She wiped her sweating forehead and ducked back under the canopy where the chairs were, "Now the sun's at its highest, it's like burning hot. You lived in Texas sis, you can handle the sun beating down on you. I can't." When Spock opened his mouth she held up her hand, "Metaphor. Meaning the sun is really intense." She really was sweating more than she should be, though, and she noticed Bones also wiping his forehead. Sarah wasn't affected and neither was Spock. Eri lived there and Raiden…was Raiden? Perhaps his coloring kept him from sweating like a pig like black people in Africa being dark to take the heat better?
Bria just giggled and shrugged it all off, though looked at Spock since he hadn't answered about the alcohol comment. Ah, she probably wouldn't get one, anyway. He was entirely focused on the Captain, and she could tell who was swinging at who just by when and how he twitched. Well, he was Kirk's first officer, it could only be expected. Taking a deep breath, she just sat back and was honestly entertained just by watching her sister and lover.
Alright, he would have to figure out another tactic. He was different here, they didn't know him and how he fought, which was all a part of the intrigue. He needed to use that to his advantage. Kephas was expecting the unexpected, the eyes he saw through the helmet alert and calculating. He had a tough one! Though…he doubted anyone would be as strong as Spock. Constantly getting his ass whooped in the training room toughened him up. "C'mon, that the best you can do?" he taunted, and he swung, only to have their swords clash. Bringing up his shield he blocked the other blade.
That was it! His shield! Spock always told him he protected his front well, but his back was always exposed. Dropping suddenly, Kirk swiped his feet under Kephas in a classic martial art move, before rolling away as the big man landed on his ass. Finding the straps he swung his shield over his back, and secured it. Getting ready again and facing off his opponent, he glanced up at the Royal seating and caught Spock's eye. Quickly, he flashed his trademark 'I got this' grin and a thumbs-up, before his eyes returned to the boulder of a man who just got back to his feet.
Ooh, something good must've happened down there, Spock's face showed a little shock and a bit of relief, though he was still stiff as a board. Bria stood up and stretched. She was getting pretty tired, but didn't want to fall asleep in the chair. Yawning, she leaned against the wall just behind the seating next to the curtain. Her eyes were drooping...and Sarah and Spock were getting blurry. Rubbing her eyes she stifled another yawn.
Eri looked at Raiden with a shy smile, "No...because Achaz is the Captain of the Guard, no one's bothered trying to fight him to win me. He suffered through war and lost many friends..." she shook her head, "He's deserved his title. He's also a bit more stern and tough than he used to be. When we were children he was so happy go lucky...war will do that to anyone, though. He almost lost Elene in the first battle because he was too eager and the thought of war glory was in his mind...and that...that changed him quickly, made him grow up, if you will."
Spock watched on with some amusement mixed in. After all their training session, he finally listened to his words of advice. An...unorthodox method, yet efficient nevertheless. The Vulcan continued to observe the fight, becoming ever more drawn in. He only briefly noticed that Sarah maneuvered back to where Bria stayed. Perhaps the heat was becoming too much for her? He did not dwell on the thought as Kephas dealt a particularly hard blow.
Sarah shook her head slightly as she sat in the chair where Bria had once sat. She felt so...drowsy like she was on a long car ride and had been fighting against passing out for so long. Covering her mouth to stifle her yawn, Sarah had to start biting her lip in an attempt to stay awake. What was going on? She hadn't felt so tired since the first night sleeping on a /real/ bed. It...it must be the heat...so warm...so comforting like a big pillow. No. She needed to stay awake for Jim...oh...he was nice to think about...Her Jim. Shaking her head, Sarah stood up and leaned against Bria who looked about as awake as she was. Why were they so tired...?
Bones shook his head sharply and rubbed his eyes. Maybe it was the sun, but he...It was becoming harder to focus on things. Normally his mind would send up red flags on this...but he felt...sluggish and thin...like butter spread over too much bread. He needed to stay awake in case something happened to Jim. Everything felt…weighed down though.
"I see..." Raiden nodded, solemnly. He may not have personally been in a war, but he knew the pain of loss. His father had died on duty on one of the Federation ships years ago when he was maybe fifteen. It's a pain that never goes away- you just build a tolerance for it. "Losing people will do that to you...He sounds like a really great guy. He's lucky to have someone that understands him like you do." '/I wish it were me.../' he thought depressingly, giving her a half smile so she wasn't brought down to his moody level. He just...Torans just knew who they wanted to be with as mates, they had to since they had short life-lines. Even though his adoptive parents were human and raised him as a cub, Raiden knew all about this because...when he looked at Eri, he just /knew/, and it pained him to know she was to be with someone else.
"Hah, the heat finally getting to you, too?" Bria smiled weakly, and reached out to pat her sister's shoulder. She wobbled a bit and stumbled forward, and she braced her legs. She frowned and rubbed her eyes, "Sis…I've been in the shade but I'm just so tired. I should've cooled off by now…" she shook her head. She leaned her head against the stone of the wall behind her and jerked when she felt something around her waist. "Wha-?" her gasp was drowned out by a sudden cheer in the crowd. She reached out, and Sarah grabbed her hand, and they were both dragged behind the curtain. Spock disappeared in a flash of black as the fabric drifted closed.
Down in the ring, Kirk had used his speed to dodge Kephas' blows. His opponent may have agility which defied his size, but the Captain soon discovered he was slower. What had caused the cheer was he managed to get a slice in at Kephas' leg, which made him stumble back. Kephas tied to stab at him, but Kirk turned and the sword deflected off the shield. Continuing his spin, Kirk rolled along Kephas' arm and sliced that as well in an upward stroke. The crowd /roared/ and many people were standing up now. Using the butt of his sword he knocked it against the other man's helmet. It caused a Bell Effect where it vibrated and his opponent was left to stumble and he brought his hands up to still it, but the ringing was still in his ears. For the final blow Kirk grabbed Kephas by the shoulder and spun him around, and gave him a straight right-hook punch, and that knocked him down onto his back with a groan.
Sealing his victory by putting his blade by Kephas' neck, his foot on his injured arm, there was no way the man was going to stand up again, "Yield!" he demanded.
Kephas growled, but he brought his hand up and tossed his other sword.