The Colosseum

Hello, dear readers... and thank you for choosing my story! This is my first attempt at writing something fantasy-oriented, and I hope you like it! The story centers mostly on Kee Morgat and her friends, young hipster orcs who haven't quite learned how to party responsibly yet. As always, thanks for reading, and feedback is *very* appreciated. Help my next story be even sexier!

A cobblestone flew in through the open window, and landed in a cauldron full of calmly bubbling liquid. Taking immediate offense, the liquid gurgled angrily and gave off an indignant puff of steam. But in spite of the commotion, the figure in the nearby bed did not stir.

"Kee!" Came a voice from the street. A second cobble stone, a decidedly luckier one, hit the wall above the bed and fell onto the pillow. This throw succeeded in earning a groan.

"Go away," muttered a voice, whose owner then retreated under the heavy covers. The voice from the street cursed. "Oh, for the

love

of gods..." there was a twang, a whizz of air, and a satisfying thwack as an arrow landed deep in the bedpost.

"What the... Dude, what the hell! KREY!" A second twang rang out from the bowstring, and another arrow lodged itself in her bedpost. "CUT IT OUT!" She yelled.

"Hey, sleeping beauty, come outside. Let's get breakfast, I want to talk to you about something."

"Fine, fine, fine, let me... Hey, did you throw a rock into my cauldron, too?" She said as she noticed the bubbling. "That'll take me at least half an hour to fix. You owe me."

"Trust me. I'll make it up to you. Now get out here!"

Kee Morgat wearily exited her bed, found a clean robe, and slipped it on. Blue, to match her jewelry, and complement her smooth green skin. She put on her witch's hat (never leave home without it!), which morphed from black to a blue hue to complete the ensemble as soon as it touched her head. It was the best ten gold coins she'd ever spent. Kee glanced at the staff leaned against the wall, considered whether she would need it or not, and decided it probably wasn't necessary. She hastily grabbed a gold and sapphire necklace and clasped it behind her neck. Finally, she made her way out the front door to the street to find her impatient friend waiting. "What are we eating?"

"Bladefist's Pub just started doing breakfast. I don't know, might be decent. Let's try it out." Krey was decked out in brown leather, as usual. Brown leather short shorts. Brown leather tank top. Thick, black leather choker necklace with iron studs, and bacelets done in the same style. A black headband with a "T" embroidered on it. One eye done up with pink eye shadow, the other with pale blue. Her skin was a similar shade of green to Kee's, but where Kee's hair was dark black, Krey's was a brilliant red. She slung her bow over her shoulder and the two young women headed towards Bladefist's.

"You're making me feel a little under dressed. Did Bladefist's get fancy while I wasn't looking? Or do you have plans this afternoon?" Kee poked Krey in the ribs as she spoke.

"Bladefists's didnot get fancy, I assure you. Turlock is joining us at archery group today. He's really more of an axe guy but I'm sure he'll still hit a few bullseyes."

"Who?"

"That gladiator I told you about. It's his first headlining match today. Listen, that's actually what I want to talk to you about."

They reached the entrance to Bladefist's pub, and sure enough, a new-looking sign advertised their "all new" breakfast and coffee. A human, probably still drunk from the night before, was sprawled out beside the door. Kee and Krey rolled their eyes as they stepped over him. The pub was about half full, mostly orcs eating various roasted animals and drinking strong black coffee. Forks and knives clanked, coffee machines whirred, and patrons laughed. There were a few humans, mostly men with their orcish girlfriends. At night, Bladefist's attracted the kind of human who considered the pubs in the human neighborhoods to be a little dull. The morning had apparently brought in an only slightly different crowd. But for the local orcs, Bladefist's was just a classic neighborhood pub. Doomrat Bladefist had made his establishment a fixture of the community.

The two girls sat, and ordered their breakfasts. The food arrived quickly, and Kee suspected it had not been made to order. Between bites of roast chicken and sips of bitter black coffee, Krey probed Kee's memories.. "Well... do you remember the time in high school, when I was seeing that one orc who wanted to study smithing with the dwarves?"

"Him? Yeah. Yeah, I remember that." Kee replied, a little sardonically. "What about him?" A grin pulled at her lips.

"And... do you remember the orc I was seeing in college, who wanted to write a book about Orcish history?"

"Yes. Yes, Krey, I remember. You were far too kind to the him." Kee was smiling now, and there was a touch of mischief in her voice.

"Yeah... and uh, you remember right after we graduated from college, and you invited me to that big witch's rave in the woods, and there was that orc who... I don't really remember much about him, you know, except that we... uh...ha, ha..." Krey trailed off with a chuckle.

"The guy who had an unforgettable night with two beautiful girls in the middle of the forest? Remember him too. Well, I mean, as much as I remember anything from that party. Go on," Kee teased her friend, egging her on.

"...You want me to say it out loud, don't you? Well, fine. Here it is. This guy, Turlock, is an absolute fucking unit, and I'm absolutely fucking crazy about him, and, and I abso-fucking-lutely want you to..." Krey gestured vaguely at the air, seemingly searching for her words. "...To join us in the post-match celebrations tomorrow." The words finally dripped from Krey's mouth, along with a drop or two of juice from the chicken.

"Join you? Like,

join you

, join you?" Kee narrowed her eyes and bit her lip. This was wonderful news. It was delightful news.

"Just meet me under his banner at the colosseum tomorrow. And dress for the occasion," she added with a wink.

The girls finished their breakfasts, chatting about this and that. Krey had to go meet up with Turlock and her archery group, while Kee meant to go home and clear her couldron of the cobblestone Krey had thrown. They parted ways in high spirits. To her surprise, Kee noticed someone on her front step. The figure was similar in appearance to Kee, green-skinned and black haired, but shorter and slighter of build. They wore casual light grey shorts and a matching light grey t-shirt. A large, colorful purse was slung over her shoulder.

"Kee! Kee, you in there?" She called.

"Behind you, punk."

The smaller orc girl turned around. "Kee! There you are." She gave Kee a big hug, nearly knocking her hat off. The hat flickered red in irritation. "Good to see you. Where were you?"

"Breakfast with Krey. Good to see you too, but what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the temple with mom today?"

"Er- yeah. Yeah, I was. Mom wanted me to come get you first. She wanted you to come see her about something. I don't know what, exactly, but it seems important."

"Important? Why?"

"Um... well..." The smaller orc looked away and fiddled with the hem of her shirt. "Grandma's at the temple."

"

Grandma

is there? Like...she no shit came all the way from the mountain? You aren't screwing with me?"

"Yeah. She did. So... We ought to hurry."

Kee exhaled pensively. "Agreed."

Kee spied a cart coming her way, drawn by two muscular gray horses. Both orc women raised a hand in the air. It rattled to a stop, horses whinnying.

"Where to?" Said the driver. "Urgraff Temple," Kee replied.

"Ten minutes ride, one silver piece," the driver, a dwarf with an eyepatch and worn leather clothing, informed her. He smelled like the earth itself. Kee fished around the pocket of her robe. One, two, three, four, five coins... were they silver? She took them out. Sure enough, four silver coins and one piece of copper. The two sisters climbed onto the cart and sat in the seats behind the driver. Kee didn't mind seeing her mother, although she found the temple rituals a bit boring and old-fashioned. A visit from her grandmother, on the other hand, was a much more rare and auspicious occasion. She seldom came to the city without a compelling reason.

Despite being pleased that her grandmother had asked for her, Kee's true interest was her lessons with the venerable orc mage, Kowlrun the Sorcerer. Kowlrun held vast stores of knowledge from disparate magical disciplines. He was unrivalled in his knowledge of gemstone magic and potion-making, Kee's primary academic interests. Rumor had it that he was even skilled in astral projection and travel to other planes of existence. Kee salivated at the opportunity to learn this knowledge, but knew she was years of study away from Kowlrun even admitting to her that he knew it. And so, rumor had thus far remained no more than rumor.

The cart creaked and clacked over the busy roads. She thought again about Krey's comment about Turlock hitting "bullseyes" earlier. Her eyes widened. "Oh,

motherf-

"

* * *

Ten minutes of riding, chatting, and catching up later, Kee and her sister stood before the temple's towering front gate. There were two tall marble columns with intricate runes and hieroglyphics carved into them. Between the two obelisks, there was no door, only a portal, leaving the main hall of the temple openly visible from the street. The smell of incense poured out unhindered alongside the sounds of orcish priestesses chanting the ritual prayers. The room was lit by candlelight, and any errant sunlight brave enough to wander in. Walking through the gate always felt to Kee like stepping back in time, or to another world, or both. As though she were in the mountains, her family's ancestral home, a thousand years earlier. A warm voice filled the temple in greeting.

"Kee. Amara. My beautiful girls. Come give your grandmother a hug."

"Grandmother!" Kee and Amara embraced the white-haired, wizened orc. "You honor us with your presence," Amara dutifully intoned.

"We've missed you, grandmother," Kee agreed. It was the truth. "What news comes from the mountains?"

"Ah, girls, I have indeed missed you as well. I sense you are well. And the mountains are as cold and beautiful as ever they've been. But I am afraid that, for myself, I have only unpleasant news to share. Come. Your mother is waiting for us in the deeper chamber." The trio walked together to the end of the main hall and the old orc opened the door. An unlit staircase descended before them. They did not hesitate, though, as even city orcs saw as well in the dark as in the light. The air changed at the bottom of the stairs. It was older, dustier, and colder. Kee's mother stood waiting for them. The three generations of orcish women stood together in a circle.

"Mother," said Kee in a somewhat reserved voice.

"Kee," came the somewhat reserved reply. "I'm glad you had the time to join us," she said, with just the faintest hint of reproachment. Kee felt the urge to roll her eyes, but kept her face neutral out of respect for her grandmother. "Hear me now, my dear daughters. Your grandmother has made the arduous journey from the mountains bearing a heavy heart. She has had visions. Visions that she feels she must share with both of you." Kee's heart began to beat faster. This was not sounding hopeful.

"Your grandmother has been consulting with the elders both in the mountain and here at Urgraff Temple. The meaning of her visions seem clear. She's come to share with you what she's seen." Kee and Amara nodded respectfully and turned their attention to their grandmother. She was frail and withered, and yet radiated a strength that seemed as ancient as her mountain home. She spoke in a slow, sincere voice. Both her daughter and granddaughters listened respectfully.

"Children of mine. I have grown old. I am wrinkled and gray. My fingers are cold and clumsy, my hair the color of snow. My eyes see less of the living world each day. But mark my words, my mind is clear and unchanged. As the living world slowly fades from before my eyes, the land of the dead and it's secrets seems sharper and nearer. My time is not long, children. I fear that I shan't last much longer even than my return home."

Kee, Amara, and their mother were not surprised or saddened at this news. Their grandmother was as old as any orc they'd ever known, except for possibly Kowlrun the Sorcerer. And truth be told, orcs generally were not as bothered by death from old age as humans -- a cultural remnant left over from their race's more warlike olden days. But surely, Kee thought, their grandmother would not have come to the city personally just to tell them she was dying? Not when it would have been so easy to bid them to come and visit her in the mountain? Kee wondered what else the old one had seen, what else she knew. Her grandmother continued.

"They have been passed down from my grandmother, who got them from her grandmother, and so on, going back to the days when we orcs were twisted, vile creatures, subjugated by a dark lord who used us for perverse ends. They have been in our ancestral home in the mountain city for generations unknown, but their time there has come to an end." Kee was lost. What was she saying? Her grandmother continued.

"The visions are hazy, and the meaning unclear, at times. But all of those with whom I consult, and my own heart, are in accord. They must now come to the wider world. Why now, I am still not sure. But the time for change is upon us. "Kee. Look on the table near the wall." Kee did so and noticed two drawstring pouches of white cloth, one embroidered with blue floral patterns and the other in red. "Pass the red pouch to Amara." Kee took the red-accented pouch to Amara. It glowed a faint red as Amara held it. Kee undid the blue pouch's drawstring and a faint blue light emanated from within. She opened the pouch further and peered inside. She gasped.

"A sapphire! And look at the size of it!" Kee exclaimed. She looked at her sister. She opened her package, and a faint red glow crept out of the bag. Both stones were smooth, polished, and large. Kee turned back to her and mother.

"They're magnificent, grandmother. But what are we to do with them?" Kee asked.

"Who is to say exactly, my child. I have sensed that they have some role to play in your future, and that they will make their true purpose known to you in time. But listen well. I suspected that it was only in your presence that they would illuminate. And so they have.

"Despite being raised by priestesses, Kee, it was a wise choice to study with Kowlrun. You are gifted with magic, my love. And who's to say -- as Amara comes of age, she too may demonstrate such proclivities. And so, I have brought these two gems, the eyes of the great mountain as we call them. They are my parting gift to each of you. Take them, and take them in happiness. Though my time is short, Do not feel sad for me. I have a lived a long life of peace and have seen much of the world. All of us should be so lucky. Forgive me, but now, I must rest and regain my strength." The old orc's expression softened into a smile. "Ah, you are such great joys to me! Come to me once more before I retire."

Kee, Amara, their mother, and grandmother all embraced each other. The two younger orcs exited the temple feeling full of love and warmth, but a touch overwhelmed by their grandmother's words.

"Holy

shit

, Grandma can still lay a head trip on you with the best of them. So good to see her." Kee remarked. "Here, come with me for a second." Kee led Amara around the corner, with the temple just out of sight. They found themselves in a narrow alley, a little ways from the busy street. She reached her hand up into her hat. The hat briefly turned from dark blue to light pink in annoyance before turning back. She was sure had put a -- ah, there it was -- Kee pulled the rolled up Witch's herbs and small matchbook out of the lining of her hat. She struck the match, lit the tip, inhaled, and obnoxiously blew a cloud of blue smoke in Amara's face. With a sour expression, Amara waved the smoke away with her hands.

"Did you seriously bring Witch's herbs into

Mom's temple

?" She said incredulously. Kee looked her dead in the eyes and made a very serious face. She said nothing as she held the smoldering herbs in front of her sister. Amara's face unmistakably said 'what the hell is wrong with you', however, her slender green hands just as unmistakably accepted the offering. She rolled her eyes inhaled deeply in turn and blew an even bigger cloud of smoke back at Kee. The sisters laughed, and continued puffing and passing until there was nothing left to smoke. With cloudy minds and wide smiles under the late morning sun, they hailed a cart and returned to Kee's apartment to admire their new gems.

* * *

Krey drew the bowstring back to her cheek with one eye closed. Focus, focus... her mind raced to gauge distances and angles, drop rates and aerodynamics. One minute adjustment followed another. Finally finding the perfect position, she counted down. Ready, aim, loose... Swish....THWACK.

"Nice!"

"Perfect shot, girl!"

"Cancel the next tournament, just give her the trophy already!"

Words of encouragement came from her fellow archers as they surrounded her and continued the flattery. Turlock stood behind her, silent but impressed, admiring her accuracy.

"Thoroughly vanquished. Impressive performance," Turlock said in his customarily dry manner. It was the final shot of the day and Krey had made a meal out of it. She said goodbye to her sisters in arms and walked out of the archery range close beside Turlock, her eyes gazing up at him hungrily. "Where shall we go next?" He asked. "Perhaps food and drink?"

"Whatever you say, my lord," she cooed at him with exaggerated courtliness. She took his large hand with both of hers. "There's a cart coming this way."

"No. Not this one. Come with me." He led Krey down the street. The crowds naturally moved out of Turlock's way; he was large, muscular, and had his signature two large axes strapped to his back. Venders along the road, depending on what they were selling, either ignored him or doubled their enthusiasm.

"Weapons sharpened! Guaranteed satisfaction!" cried one. A stall selling jewelry waited patiently for them to pass. "Sausages! Biggest sausages in Lu Shanji, over here!" cried another vendor. It was a quite different experience from what Krey experienced walking through the market streets by herself. Everybody reacted to Turlock. Sometimes they stared. Sometimes they very obviously tried not to stare. He seemed to live perpetually in the foreground. Krey wasn't used to it -- Lu Shanji was a majority human city, but there were enough orcs to blend in with. Turlock, however, stood out even in orcish neighborhoods. They had been walking for a few minutes before they came upon a much larger cart, made of beautiful and ornately carved wood, drawn by a team of four magnificent stallions -- two black, two white. Turlock stopped.

"Here. This is the cart I'd like to ride. Driver!" The driver, a well-dressed orc smoking a large cigar, greeted them.

"Good afternoon, my friend. Please, enter! You will find no finer cart within walking distance! Where are we travelling today, good sir?"

Krey couldn't help but stare at the cart. She turned to Turlock, surprised at him. "Is that a

G wagon

? I've never ridden in one! They're so expensive, I had no idea you could... you know..."

Turlock's face remained impassive. He reached into a pouch on his waist and pulled out a handful of coins. Krey let out a small gasp as Turlock passed ten gold coins to the driver. "Please help the lady." He gestured to Krey. Well, wasn't this nice...