"I can help you rescue your men."
He drops his hand and watches her as she struggles for her breath again.
"How?"
"If you win in the ring tomorrow I will be allowed to take more men. I will treat them the same as I have treated you."
"Who's to say I won't be forced to kill the few men I have left."
"You will not, you will lead your men into battle against prisoners from another kingdom. Since you have been chosen as the commander and I am your owner, I will be allowed to take two more of your men into my care if you are victorious."
"And if not?"
"You won't have to worry about anything. Your chambers are through the door at the end." She turns and strides to her bed.
Without another word Jacous turns and leaves the princess to sleep. As he lays on the cot set up for him he can't help but think about the soft lines of her body, the way her hair tumbles down her back, the smell of lilacs on her skin, it is these thoughts that lead him into Somnus' arms.
The hum of the people above them traced through the walls of the dungeon below. Jacous's eyes hung heavy as he watched what the four remnants of his men being dragged into the pit. Their faces were bloodied and slowly turning purple. Marcus his trusted friend and ally had a nasty cut across his forehead, his eye swollen shut. The ropes were cut from their wrists and the keeper of the armor began placing the thin leather onto their wounded shoulders. From the door behind him the swish of robes could be heard and then the smell of lilacs.
"My champions, today will be your first journey into the rings of Angusa. I know you are battered and bruised but the tide is in your favor. Go forth my warriors and your reward shall be great." Irina's hand slipped around Jacous' neck the caress sending a shiver through him. Her lips were cool against his fevered cheek, only to be replaced by the harsh metal helmet.
Irina repeated the touch with each of the remaining four. Jack noticed the glisten in her eye as she slipped the helmet over the swollen mess of Marcus' face.
With one final glance to all the men Irina turned and exited the pit.
The men now armed for war but unsure of their enemy looked to each other for the strength that none of them seemed to have.
"Your princess is very tender Jacous." Marcus gave him a rough shove to the shoulder.
"She is not the problem at hand. We must win this battle Marcus. If so she may take two more under her care. She is a just princess unlike the others."
"You seem to have a soft spot for her Jacous. Or does she just have a soft spot for you." Marcus prodded.
Before Jacous could respond the gates before them began to open and the daggers of sunlight could be seen cutting into the sands. The roar of the waiting crowd reached their ears and their hearts began pulsing to the deadly thrum.
"We are sons of Vartus, our blood runs through this very ground we stand on. We are born fighters and this battle is no different than any other. We stand as one, we fight as one and know that I am proud to call you my brothers." Jacous turned to face the arena his strength feeding into his men. At the signal of the armor bearer they charge into the rings of Angusa with the dim hope of once again returning to the pits below.
The crowd erupts with a chorus of cheers and cries as they take their place in front of the royal grand stand. The clanking of gates can be heard, followed by the rattle of chains and the clink of armor. From the corner of his eye Jacous can see the golden clad armor emblazoned with the crest of a raven. They were to fight Princess Elena's finest. There had been rumors of them spread throughout Varta. They were men taken from their land and trained to kill with no room for error. Those who refused the teaching were murdered at her own hand. A chill settled in the air seeing the spike covered chains the men wielded. Their leather armor would be no protection here. A trumpet sounded and the royal court entered the ring. First was King Seasar his gold and black attire showing which group was favored that day. The rest of the royal court bore the same color expect for Princess Irina and her ladies in waiting. They had stripped off the silken robes from earlier and were now dressed in blood red and black robes that matched their leather armor. Unlike the other princesses she had fore gone the silver crowns and wore a simple strip of leather secured by a brooch of the kingdom's crest.
"People of Angusa your noble king Seasar has delivered again and brought you a show like no other. Today, we shall see which wins. Overall strength and training, or the will to survive. Rise and cheer for Princess Elena's champions!"
The crowd erupts in whoops and cries while Elena stands. Her men fall to one knee and raises their swords together.
"Hail Princess Elena! Hail King Seasar!"
Elena nods to them and they arise once more.
"New to the rings of Angusa I introduce to you all the champions of our youngest Princess. Rise and cheer for Princess Irina's champions!"
A polite chorus of cheers runs through the crowd. Irina stands and curtsies to her men. Jack raises his sword to his chest and the rest of the men follow. Once Irina sits they lower their weapons.
Elena's champions sprint to create distance between them and with one final look to Irina Jack turns ready for battle. The trumpets sound and a hush settles over the ring.