Alpheric groaned as his senses returned to him, turning his head from the suffocating blanket that someone put on his face. Cracking open his eyes and wincing at the light filtering in from between the leaves high above he discovered that the "blanket" was actually the Tauren Abul's coarse brown fur. Slung over his giant back, the pirate must have started carrying him to their destination after Alpheric had been knocked out. Sensing that the human was up and moving Abul slung Alpheric off his back and unto the ground. Struggling to stay on his feet, and violently fighting the urge not to retch all over the ground, Alpheric took a moment to breath and take in his sorroundings.
Right next to him were Dirk and Doraka. The sneering Troll held Doraka's chained arms cose to him chuckling to himself as Alpheric fought for balance. Doraka fixed him with an intense stare, whether to chastise him for his stupidity or to gauge whether he was well, Alpheric couldn't tell as his eyes wandered over the forest. The trees had thinned out somewhat and as he scanned ahead, the sight of distant stone walls made the hair on his neck stand up. So they had made it to the arena of Dire Maul after all.
Abul put his large hand on Alpheric's back and gave him a small shove, muttering something in his own tongue. Getting the point, he started moving his aching feet in a slow shuffle as their small party once more began to move. It did not take long for the trees to give way to an open path that wound its way to the large and impressive stone buildings. The sight might have been awe inspiring if not for a par of rather large Ogres gaurding the entrance to the inner parts of the vast complex.
Grunting they lifted the giant stone clubs in their hands and looked at the four. "What you want?" one of them shouted in thick attempt at Common. Dirk stepped forward and waves his hands over Alpheric and Doraka, "We are here ta see Crush, dese be new meat for da arena." Looking over the bruised and travel worn pair the Ogres shook their head, but allowed the party to pass on into the inner courtyards.
The complex streched on from all sides, rooms and halls marking the entrances to countless different sections of the ancient stronghold. "This place would be impossible to escape if we got lost, how do the Ogres even manage?" Alpheric thought to himself as they avoided most of the buildings and instead headed to the center, where a round and impressive arena stood proud in the center of the grounds.
Beside the arena, a little away from its main entrance stood a open sand pit where several men at women were busy at work with training dummys. Judging by the excited looks on their faces these weren't the sold "meat" meant to fight for pure sport, but paid prize fighters. Alpheric could hear Doraka spit with disgust as Dirk shouted to a rather large Ogre standing in the middle of all the action, "Crush! Brodda, we got something for ya!" Turning his head to the Troll he nodded and made his way over, at least ten foot tall and nothing but muscle, the Ogre is clad in rather vicious looking leather armor, and even if Alpheric had his good sword and shield with him, the ogre was the type of being he would have thought twice about clashing with.
Crush and Dirk clasped hands in greeting, and then moving away from the Troll he circled both Alpheric slowly. "Hmmm, Dirk...Usually we like our meat fresh before we throw them in with the beasts," the ogre directed to the Troll, his Common surprisingly clear. "But seeing as you and Jaxxel have been giving us such fine playthings over the years, I suppose I could give you the usual rate. Where is that Goblin at by the way?" Dirk motioned his head in Alpheric's direction and made a slashing motion with his finger across his throat. "I got dat promotion I've been wantin mon," he said with a chuckle. The Ogre shrugged "I couldn't stand the little shit anyways, now to business," Crush said looking over to a smaller Ogre standing by crates filled with equiptment. "Gorp, bring me my gold, and get two uniforms for our new meat!"
The training fighters stopped their mock battles as Crush shouted, their gazes following the smaller Ogre as he arrived at Crushes side, handing him a heft bag of coins before moving to Alpheric and Doraka and throwing them garments. Shaking his out, he looked in surprise at the Orc styled loincloth. "If Arena meat wants to have armor, they earn it off the bodies of the slain. I suggest you start changing," Crush said, a whip appearing in his hand from where it had rested on his belt. He darted his eyes to Doraka, she stood proud but her cheeks were a noticable dark green as the fighters from the pit start to whistle and jeer at them. Shrugging Alpheric walked in front of Doraka blocking the fighters sight of her somewhat, and started shedding his own armor. The chain and leather had become more of an annoyance than a comfort, so it was hard for Alpheric to not sigh in releif as cool air brushed his naked skin and he slipped the loincloth up over his hips.
He turned to Doraka once he heard her stopped moving to see her wearing similar garb. The loincloth went well with her hard features and lean muscles, looking every bit the warrior that she was. Thankfully the small Ogre had given her a thick strap of cloth to bind around her breasts to give her some modesty, the grunts of dissapointment from the fighters giving Alpheric a small pleasure. Turning his head to face the Ogre and Troll who had finished exchanging good, he stood with his muscles clenched, ready for what lay ahead.
Crush stood before them, the pirates slipping away and laughing over how they would spend their earnings. "I am Arena Master Crush. I am your Master now meat, and you will fight for me," he cracked his whip to emphasize his point. "If you fight well you will be rewarded with rest and better positions in the games, if you dissapoint...well you don't want to dissapoint me. Do I make myself clear?" Alpheric fought down the bile in his throat as he nodded, "Yes." The whip came down with crack and flashed across the Human's chest, blood welling from the new stinging cut. "Yes what?" Barked Crush, a sneer on his face. "Yes..master," Alpheric said fighting down his rage. "Good, the games are over for the day so you get some rest, lucky you," motioning the small Ogre forward he commanded. "Go show them to their cells Gorp."
Nodding to Arena Master Gorp motioned with his head and gave them a gruff, "Come." The Ogre lead them into the arena's large opening, giving them a brief glimpse of the open sadny ground before leading them to a side door and down steep steps carved into the earth. The air grew colder, and as the way became darker, torches began to light their way. The steps finally lead them into a round hallway, seeming to follow the curve of the arena above. Every few feet, staggering from one side of the hall to the other, were large cells with doors of barred steel. As they were lead down the hall, Alpheric say glimpses of men and women dressed like him and Doraka. Some were grimy and wore haunted looks of defeat, while others had a fire of madness to them and rushed to their bars as they passed, their arms outstreched like claws.
Gorp finally made it to an empty cell and pulled a ring of keys from his belt. Unlocking the door he swung it open for them and gestured for them to enter. "Home sweet home," he said with a throaty chuckle. Giving him a glare the two walked in, Alpheric balling his hands into fists as he heard the metal click behind him.