Titas grabbed Starved dog when he barely managed to limp out of the arena.
"Why did you do that?", Titas asked in irritation.
"Caesar said if I won I could go after Burning ant", Starved dog said as he passed out and fell out of Titas' arms.
Caesar walked towards them with his praetorians and Arcade trailing quickly behind.
"Arcade, make sure he is well rested and healed for his little quest", Caesar ordered.
Arcade tried to lift him but struggled.
"Little help here?", He asked Titas.
After a little more struggling the each threw an arm over their shoulders and dragged him towards the medical tents.
...
Starved dog woke up in the medical tent. Most his body still ached and he could feel the bandage wrapped around his hand that he'd cut.
He immediately tried to get out of the bed and nearly fell off his feet.
"Woah there", Arcade said as he ran down the aisle of beds towards him, "be careful, you've been out for nearly two days."
"I have to go after Burning ant. I WILL rescue him.", Starved dog said.
"Well at least sit down while I go get Titas for you.", Arcade said before running out of the tent.
A few minutes later he came back with a much healthier Titas.
"How are youd doing, brother?"
"I have to go get Burning ant", Starved dog said as he got off of the bed again.
"WE are going after him", Titas corrected.
"No, just me. It was Caesar's only other condition besides the arena", Starved dog said coldly as he left the medical tent with Titas on his heals.
"You expect me to just sit here and twiddle my thumbs while you go out and save our brother?!", Titas asked with an edge to his voice.
Starved dog turned to look at him, "Why do you keeping calling us that? Brother this, brother that. You never did it before."
Titas looked away with a tired and guilty expression, "because I never got a chance to tell the orthers. Our squad was all the family I ever had." He looked him in the eyes, "We may be all that's left."
Starved dog looked back at him silently for several long seconds, "Your slave is pregnant. That's your family too."
Neither seemed to know what to say next.
"Just-", Titas tried, "Just try not to get yourself killed."
Starved dog grunted at this with a nod.
...
Titas held Siri tight that night. Starved dog had soon left after their conversation in search of Burning ant. He'd been summoned by Caesar who'd given him some information on where he was being held prisoner.
Siri looked up at the man who would be the father of her child, "We need to escape soon. It will only get harder the longer we wait."
"I know", Titas said, "but I have to wait. Just until Starved dog returns."
"I know you care for him but you hsha to think about the baby", Siri said as she placed his hand on her belly.
"Alright, I'll start building the raft first thing tomorrow", Titas said but it was clear he still wanted to wait.
"Thank you", Siri said with a kiss.
The two held each other as they fell asleep. Titas silently praying that Starved dog would return with Burning ant. Siri hoping that Starved dog would die on his mission.