After that nasty business at the glade, we wandered on. As we moved ever northward, we began to hear a curious noise at night, and it wasn't until we were within sight of the source that we understood what it was. The noise of a thousand thousand voices all crying out as one, a constant din and roar.
Before us there lay a vast Arena.
Saela's eyes widened at the sight of such marvelous architecture, and even Valsivale seemed vaguely impressed.
I myself have never enjoyed The Games, but on occasion my husband would bring me along to with him to witness the spectacle and the glory. I never much enjoyed violence, save for Oluth so handily defeating the mansion guards. Ah but how I pined for those seemingly simpler times, when my only concerns were being an outlaw and possibly orgasming to death, spit upon the fattest, longest cock in all the Four Kingdoms.
Now I had Competition for affection with a Syphaerel wench, terrifying magical powers to dodge from an Enchantress, and worst of all, the fear that Oluth would simply forget me all together save for when he wanted to make a point about his prowess.
"Perhaps this will serve as a good hiding place from that bounty huntress." Said Saela with a shrug as we drew nigh.
"Very well. I shall see what humans make of... sport." Snorted Oluth.
We found our way to one of the vast openings for people to enter.
"Twenty Minae per head, love." Said the proprietor at the gate. The others helplessly looked to me. I rolled my eyes.
"I see our functions now. We've a warrior, a wizardress, a skilled thief... and then me. The Rich Bitch. Is that my job?"
"No." Said Oluth. "You are far less than that. Now pay." He rumbled.
Defeated I unpursed a handful of crowns and scattered them before the swine who dispensed tickets.
It was way more than enough, and he bowed with a sweeping arm gesture to show us in.
"For this price, your seats shall be ringside, Madame." He said.
"You are beneath scum. No, I shall worsen that. You are beneath peasantry. I informed him." He only grinned, "Thank you Madame. Enjoy the athletic display."
It is a curious thing about our land. Gladiatorial combat is technically banned here, and thus when displays of violence are to be had, they are not "called" fighting, but rather recast as lectures or displays of art or physical skill. The Sweet Science. The Gentle Art. Sometimes pugilism is recast as a merchant demonstration and is known as The Stern Business.
But there was nothing gentle about it. We joined the crowd in only minute amusement as various grunting, sweaty men squared off in fisticuffs, and a few matches with weapons, all uninteresting. My eyes watched Oluth's response as much as anything; he only seemed to shake his head as each loser lost, perhaps mentally figuring out how he would do things differently, faster, better.
Finally the fate orator rose and spoke to us all, his mighty voice echoing off the walls. "Citizens! I am proud to report that our reigning Champion has woken, and is ready to face today's bracket winners. The Champion wishes to have a short day of it today, and thus will take them on in groups... 1, than 2 at a time, than 3, and so on. Afterwards, the floor shall be opened to new challengers with a death-wish."
I whispered to Valsivale, "This should be good. When my husband used to take me, the champions at least had a chance of being hot... muscled, tall, talented. And I bet he's got a huge cock...." I nudged one of her massive bosoms with my elbow a little, "maybe big enough for you to decide to stay with him? Hm?"
My clumsy gambit seemed to have no effect on the Enchantress, and I came to understand why as the Champion's doorway opened.
Muscled, certainly, and tall? At least 7 striking feet. But this was no Alpha Male. What swaggered onto the battlefield was Long-haired, blonde, clad in only a pair of furred boots, a tiny leather skirt, and enormous cupped brassiere that barely contained mammories that rivaled my own. In fact she was undoubtedly bigger, but I was somewhat comforted that in proportion to herself, she was only about the same size as me... it's just she was such a big woman over all.
"CITIZENS! I GIVE YOU...YOUR....TALI-TANI-TIA!"
And the crowed roared in a single chant, "TI-A! TI-A! TI-A!"
The first of her opponents walked out, alone, a large and muscular man at 6'5" or so. She eyed him with disdain and as soon as he was perhaps ten feet away, she leapt forward mightily, landing on her left foot and lashing out with her right, a brutal kick connecting hard with this his side. His ribcage visibly collapsed as though she were the rain, and he a house on a mud-sliding hillside.
On his knees he groaned for mercy, and she gave it harshly, stepping forward to meet his face with a full-armed heavy slap, his eyes rolling in directions I did not know possible as he slumped over on his side.
The next two men to advance on her were crushed together like a pair of beef-sides.
Three at once then, quickly dispatched with a flurry of nose-crushing punches and cheek-smashing elbows.
Then four at once, one armed with a dagger that found its way into all of her attackers, still gripped in the arm she'd torn from the man's socket.
After this last grizzly display, no others would move to challenge the great 'Tia' and she raised her arms to bask in the adulation of the crowed.
They were, it would seem, entertained.
She was so fearsome in battle, that when Oluth began to move over the short wall onto the battle-field, clearly intending to challenge her I grabbed his loincloth.
"No! Don't!" I urged him, "She's a killing machine! You could get hurt!"
