The soft remnants of sweat glistened off her muscles, and that of her horse as she took the thick brush to his coat. She had finished brushing out his dark mane and was using the other brush to tend to his dark rust colored coat. They had both had a long day in the arena, winning another flawless match with barely scratch. Though a 'scratch' did occur, and the wound on his back leg was ugly, but nothing to kill him. Once her brush found the wounded leg, she was careful with him, whispering softly against his neck as she gingerly worked around it.
Once her brushing was done, she sat on a stool and rung out a rag, before tending and cleaning out the wound and applying a thick salve.
Red Sun took pride in her work, and her horse, and once she was done, wiped the sweat from her brow on the back of her hand. But upon seeing the way the horse grew anxious and danced around in his stall, she gave a laugh and shook her head.
"Alright, Horus, alright." Shaking her head, she untethered his reigns and lead him outside the dimly lit stables and into the blue night. How easy it would be to simply jump onto the saddle and run away. But she knew better. The night guards of her master were like hawksa nd the first time she tried- severely punished. But the only spared one glance her way as she and her horse Horus galloped off into the sandy field. It was not unusual to find Red Sun taking a midnight ride.
And ride she did, the injury doing nothing to deter Horus reaching top speed as the rush of the cool night winds gushed passed their bodies and the stars above turned into blurs. She loved it, and after a while, released the reigns of her horse to rise her arms out to the sides, like the wings of a bird as hse rested her head back and closed her eyes.
She felt weightless, free...
Though as trained, the moment they began to get out of sight of the guards her horse slowed. Opening her eyes, she gathered up the reigns again just in time to watch a dark figure on the horizon. It appeared to be another horse and rider. A curious thing for this time of night. And rare for any men to own horses in Essyrn. So she stood there, her figure bathed in the silver light of the moon as her horse stomped it's feet and chuffed a snort through it's nose from where he now stood at the edge of the expansive riding field.
It wasn't often that Cassius rode a horse, but this was a special occasion. He knew about Red Sun's midnight rides, but there would be a surprise waiting for her this time. A wicked grin spread across Cassius' face as, just on schedule, Red Sun came into view. Urging his horse onward to intercept Red Sun, he waved to her. He couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she heard the news.
Seeing the figure wave, she looked around and back to the guards. Her hands hesitated over the reigns. She debated heading back to the stables, but as the horse and rider grew closer, she couldn't believe who it was.
"Cassius.."
And now he was too close for her to turn tail and run. What did he want? She hardened her gaze on him with a frown, but did not leave her grounds and merely waited for the rider to come to her in the night.
Cassius rode up to Red Sun, the wicked grin still splayed on his face.
"It's been awhile, Sunny," Cassius said using his nickname for her. "All these years and still in one piece. If only we could all be so lucky."
Cassius raised his left arm for her to see, the long steel hook serving as a replacement for his arm glistened in the moolight. Cassius lowered his arm and chuckled.
"Aren't you at least going to say 'hi' to your old friend?"
Catching the glint off his metal hand, she narrowed her gaze as turquoise eyes took him in.
"Yes, many years of luck and skill," she stated proudly, still keeping her shoulders thrown back and her head held high. But his last comment even made her horse chuff.
"Friend is not what I'd call us," she told him firmly, her horse dancing idly in place as he swished his dark tail about to deter any sand fleas that dared bite at him. She only wished she could do the same for her own pesky 'flea' before her. But after a while, realizing her place, she bowed her head in greeting.
"How does the night find you, Lord Cassius?"
It was unfortunate for her she forgot her place around him. She was still a slave. She knew many others could be hung for less.
The disrespect she showed him despite his rank was paid no heed. Red Sun had proven her worth as the only one who could stand against him in the arena. To him she was an opponent, not a slave. Cassius chuckled at her remarks.
"I didn't lose this in a fight if that's what you're implying," Cassius told her maintaining his suave tone. "I simply traded it with a sandworm. He took my arm, I took his life. It was a pretty fair trade I'd say, but enough about me. What have you been up to? Still undefeated?"
If there was one thing Cassius loved to do, it was torment Red Sun. The she disliked him, the more entertaining their fights were.
Red Sun narrowed her gaze at him, but steadied her horse and kept that chin held proudly.
"Naturally," she said. "So you'd best be careful in the ring. Each victory only gains me more skills."
And if he wasn't careful, he might lose that precious other arm. She knew for a fact she could have taken it from him before- had the time not ran out on the battle they had how many years ago. She wondered if that scar he got reminded him of that almost victory for her. Probably not. He was an arrogant asshole, after all, and she would see him as nothing but an opponent in the ring.
"Confidence. I like that," Cassius commented with that wicked grin of his. It was now time to drop the bomb.
"We'll see how you feel tomorrow when you face me in the arena with a sword in my hand."
Now it was Cassius turn to sit up straight and tall. It had been awhile since their last fight, and he was eager to settle this once and for all. He knew right from the start that he had an advantage. The last time the two had fought, Cassius still had both of his hands. All of those past experiences fighting him and learning his technique would be wasted now that he had surmised an entirely different one to complement his hook. This would, indeed, be a battle for the ages.
Her reaction had her horse moving uneasily beneath her.
"What?" She stared at him in disbelief before her gaze narrowed. "So you wish to die so soon?" She looked down to his hand then back to him. "Can you even hold a blade anymore?"
What did he take this as, some sort of joke?
Cassius couldn't help but laugh at her response. It was better than he had imagined.
"Have you forgotten so soon," Cassius asked lifting his right hand. "I'm a righty remember? I am fully capable of using a blade, as you shall see."
Cassius paused for a moment and then decided to restate his offer like he has done so many times over the years.
"You know, I could take you away from all this. I could take you to live a normal life among people who are strong like you, and not those pathetic slaves you're forced to call your colleagues."
Red Sun snorted.
"Pity. If I had been the sandworm, I would have taken both your hands." Or his life.
But his last statement made her brow twitch.
"Tch. I'd rather live with pigs."
"If you were the sandworm you'd be dead," Cassius corrected her. "I killed the bastard, remember?"
He simply shrugged as she turned down his offer again for the umpteenth time. Cassius turned his horse around and gave one final statement before departing.
"You're already living with pigs, but you wouldn't have to be."
"That is for me to judge," she stated proudly, but didn't let her confidence or pride drop and stared at him, wondering if there was anything else he wanted to say. He had ruined her evening run, after all, and her horse swished his tail impatiently.
"If you insist," Cassius replied with a shrug.
He urged his horse onward and away from Red Sun. What he failed to mention was that this time the match would be first blood, not timed as the rest were. No matter, she'll figure it out soon enough.
"I'll see you in the arena, Sunny," he called before completely vanishing into the blackness of night.
Red Sun couldn't believe what she was hearing. She watched him leave and stared off into the darkness for a good long while until she noted the guards growing uncomfortable and beginning to advance. Scowling, she kicked into her horses side and decided to be defiant, and took the horse running off into the desert. It took nearly two hours for her master's guards to catch up to her- and once she was brought inside...
She was taken to the back room and whipped. Her master spared no expensive and left her in chains all night, glowering at her about tomorrow's fight.
"And you will win it or you're dead," he threatened, and left her chained for a good few hours while her back caked up painfully in blood.
Come first light, she was released to rest for what few hours were left, and as much as she needed it, she could barely let herself drift off for more than an hour until she was awakened and bathed and prepared for the day.
Yes, today was the day where she had to fight Cassius in the arena again. And unlike the other times before it came at quite the high price. Beat Cassius, no draw- or she'd pay with her life. And she idly wondered what life would be like-
Free of this world of Cassius...
or free of the world in death.
Cassius awoke that morning excited and ready to go. After a nice large breakfast, he went to the Colloseum early to train and watch some of the fights that were taking place before his own. Today would be the day that the streak of draws and tirs ended. Cassius versus Red Sun, a battle for the ages. Cassius had both his hook and sword sharpened, polished, and ready for action. Today, there would be blood in the sand.
In order to.prepare for the fight, Red Sun had her blade sharpened and prepared. She preferred using a blade gifted to her from her last master, a blade with an intricately carved pattern embedded into its metal that was stained dark, and a blade whose silhouette was carved in rough crooks like raw toothed lace, and connected to that was a chain. Yes, Red Sun was famous for this chain linked sword and named the blade dark viper. it was named after the way it struck down its foes: quick, like a viper's bite.
As she tended to it, stroking a sharpening rock across its surface, she peered up at her master, and soon found herself enroute to the arena, where the thunderous roar of the awaiting crowd greeted her.
She tensed at such a sound, the air rife with energy as she was proudly lead to the under ground waiting pits before the fight was to.begin.
Cassius stepped into the arena bare-chested and with a sword in his remaining hand. The uproar of the crowd became even louder as they immediately recognized who had just entered the arena. Cassius approached Red Sun with purpose and stopped only a few feet from her.
"Hello again, Sunny," Cassius said. "It seems as though the crowd still recognizes me."
As the metal gates had been open with a heavy, slow- click, click, click, Red Sun stepped out into the blinding sunlight, her stance proudly in the Arena sands before the crowd while the fans were roaring out in glee. Red Sun versus Cassius Kage. And this fight, it was announced, was until... "FIGHT UNTIL FIRST BLOOD!"
And it was only at the bleating sound of the oxen horn that Red Sun sparked back to life. She had gone from proud to predatory in a heart beat and snapped up her chain whip sword and lashed it forward, the chainlink ends hissing out like a snake, and the blade at the end of it was aiming to slash across Cassius's face.
Cassius grinned as he simply smacked the blade aside with his hook.
"Now things become interesting."
He quickly closed the distance between them and began his onslaught; a well-practiced sequence of slashes and swings with strikes of his hook woven in between. All he needed to do was stay close to keep her from utilizing that chain. The loss of his left hand was starting to seem as less of an impairment to his combat performance.
When he smacked away her chain linked blade, she was quick to retract it but it left enough time for him.to get near. Keeping the chained part secured, she gripped her blade tightly and deflected and blocked the barrage of attacks using her blade, and the metal of his hook hand and own blade sparked off of hers with each hit. Preferring not to be this close so soon, she smacked his blade back and pressed into it before her sword hissed down its metal surface before she leaped away, taking dancing light steps as she moved. Her eyes were ever conscious of his new 'weapon' and instead of throwing out any.more offensive attacks, she waited to see what Cassius and his new claw arm could do.
Cassius growled in disappointment as she leapt away and his attempt to subdue her with his hook failed. Oddly enough, despite her range advantage, she wasn't attacking, but waiting on him. Cassius felt alive. The sheen of sweat-coated skin, his heart racing, and adrenaline pumping through his veins was exhilarating. He advanced on Red Sun once more to unleash his next barrage, staying mindful of that chain.
Grunting as each attack was deflected by.her blade, she tried studying the way he moved, how he anticipated each strike with his hook arm, and how he was mixing his blade swings inbetween. Rearing back when one came close to herface, a few loose locks of red hair fell away. He cut something, good thing it wasn't skin.
Just as he had anticipated, Red Sun continued not to disappoint. She was managing to counter everything he threw at her, so he decided to mix it up a bit. If he could lock up her blade with his crossguard and give her a good headbutt, then he could break her nose, make it bleed, and the match would be over. If he miscalculated and they just butted foreheads, it wouldn't matter. Cassius knew they had bother suffered enough head trauma throughout their lives to not be affected, but he would still try for the nose.
Cassius was lucky the blow had hit- and it surprised Red Sun as well. Rearing back, she guarded herself instinctively as her arms came forward into a crossed shield as she slid back on her sandals through a growl. But it wasn't a hard enough blow to draw blood,but she could feel the fresh whip wounds on her back beginning to break as she winced.
The damned idiot might get her on first blood if no one realized she had been whipped the night before, because f she wasn't careful, the fresh scabs were about to tear open. She also wished she had another weapon, like a staff, to keep her awy from his arm. HAd seh thought about it before the fight, she would have changed her weapon to a spear. But she always loved using her trusty blade, for she and the dark blade could move as one.
Now moving ot make some distance between them, she took the time to dance around and recover, and study his moves again, awaiting his next attack.
Cassius frowned. No luck. Red Sun then began dancing around again, awaiting his next move. Was she not going to attack at all? He was the perfect distance away for her to take advantage of that chain, and yet she did nothing. She must have a master plan in the works or something. This was very unlike Red Sun to be so passive. Cassius began his third assault. If she would not fight, he would make her fight.
Seeing how he favored his steps when moving in with his hooked arm, she took that to her advantage, stepping around his anticipating attack and twirling around to make a lung towards his back side, hoping to split open his skin and end this fight early-t hen surprise Cassius with something more...
If it was to be him or her, naturally she would not leave the man standing. For in her mind, the only rules that applied were the one's that affected her life.
Cassius was waiting for Red Sun to make her move, but hadn't expected her to move so quick. Knowing he would be unable to parry the blow in time, he dove forward, rolled, and ended up in a kneeling position. That had been way too close. With an evil grin adorning his face, Cassius dropped his sword, threw a handful of sand at Red Sun's face, picked the sword back up, and then moved in to finish the job. There were no rules in the arena. Fighting dirty was perfectly acceptable.
When the sands had come for her eyes, she had barely closed them in time as she turned away, though she was not ignorant enough to allow herself to remain open, and in mid-recovery from such a dirty blow, she lashed her weapon out, allowing her chain-linked blade to snap out before her like a snake.
Cassius met the blind swing with his own blade, batting down the oncoming strike. The drawback to that move was that his blade was no longer in a position to strike Red Sun, so he took a swing with the pommel of his sword instead.
"Just like old times isn't it, Sunny," Cassius panted.
Red Sun growled and danced away from him, still fighting to remove the sand in her eyes as she retracted the chains of her blade.
"Yes, like old times,"s he growled, and when she had enough of her vision devoid of sands so she could peek his way, she twisted in her place and lashed out the sword again, hoping this time the chains would grip onto his blade to disarm him, or at least, if anything, to grip it ad throw him off balance to give her the upper hand when the tables had almost turned.
Unfortunately for Red Sun, Cassius' thoughts were very similar to hers. Cassius raised his hook, so that Red Sun's blade would wrap around it, and gave it a good hard yank. He would then advance on Red Sun, vying once more to draw her blood and end this thing. Killing her was always an option, but what fun would that be?
Seeing her sword become locked around his hook, she gasped and stumbled forward, catching herself at the last moment and using an angered fist and threw it at his face, hoping to punch him away.
Cassius noticed the incoming fist and decided to try another fun trick he'd picked up over the years. Instead of blocking, he would headbutt her fist. The thing about punching is that it leaves your hand susceptible to breaking when you punch something really hard, such as someone's forehead. The hardest part of the human anatomy impacting Red Sun's fist would surely accomplish something.
Not expecting Cassius to allow her to strike him- and ontop of his head no less, left her stunned, and her hand- in severe pain as she cried out and tried to moved away, but the chain-link of her sword was still stuck on his hook hand and in the moment of pain,s he let it drop as she fell back, clutching onto her arm and dancing out into safety across the sands while she bared her teeth at him angrily. Oh, he would pay for that. But now she found herself weaponless, and it seemed the tables had severely turned on the fight as the crowd went wild.
Cassius gave his head a quick shake as his vision came back into focus.
"That's quite an arm you've got there," Cassius said chuckling. "But you of all people should know how thick-skulled I am."
Cassius advanced on Red Sun. The odds were all tipped in his favor. He had all of the weapons, and she had a possibly broken hand. As he advanced he took swings at Red Sun with her own weapon, although they were quite sloppy considering he had no real control over it without a proper wrist. Once he was close enough he would commence one of his ordinary assaults, but with the addition of a chain-blade. Victory was almost assured.
She would naturally, not give in so easily. Where as he believed this was a fight 'til first blood, he had no idea what her master had said to her. The ultimatum, and she was not about to loose her life here today. Dancing away from her own blade, it was all she could do as she frantically tried to think of ways to retrieve her blade from him. Though to see him work her chain-linked blade so sloppily made her even more pissed as she continued to dance and work up a plan.
This whole dancing thing was getting very boring, and Cassius was quickly become irritated. He stepped of his efforts and went after her faster and more aggressively than before. This had gone on long enough. Just one drop was all he needed for victory, and he would get it one way or another.
Cassius coming in swiftly with his attacks was all she needed. Quick thinking had her dropping suddenly and sweeping out her powerful legs, hoping to knock her opponent clean over and take him by surprise.
Many good things came out of being as big and muscled as Cassius, but there was one major downside coming into play in this scenario. All that muscle makes him somewhat top-heavy. Cassius took one last wild swing with the chain-blade before hitting the sand. He immediately began trying to get back on his feet, but holding a sword in the one hand you still possess complicates things. He would have to work fast before Red Sun got too much of an upper hand.
Not about to let him get back to his feet, she rolled over top of him in a furious roar and worked at pinning him beneath her in the sands, attempting to tear the weapons out from his hands, though in the process she managed to get part of her sword back,a nd took the chain link section and slammed it against his throat. Ah... perhaps she could choke this bastard to death. It would be a fitting death- to bad it now left his hands a bit exposed...
Where as she was trying to get him out of the ring permenantly, she had forgotten the fact they were going for first blood. But in the moment- she didn't care, legs straddled over his, body pushing him down. Oh, no, Cassius was not coming out of this alive.
Oh how quickly the tides could turn. Red Sun had obviously forgotten this was first blood. However, in a contest of strength, Cassius took the prize. Taking the risk of letting go of the sword, he was able to relieve enough tension on the chain to suck in a breath. He then stood, grabbed hold of the chain, and fell backwards. Red Sun could choose to let him land on her, or move and possibly lose her weapon again.
Not about to give her weapon up, she found herself awkwardly on the ground this time with Cassius over top of her. And the only thing she could think of was 'Shit.' He was much stronger than she was, she always knew that, but to feel him over top of her just then reminded her that speed was always her best ally against him and now she was going to pay for her own pride. BUt she wasn't about to let him just win as she struggled to move beneath him, trying to heft her knee up int his groin.
If it wasn't for the chain around his neck, Cassius would have commented on Red Sun trying to hit him in the groin. Instead, he pinned her legs down with his own. He lifted his head as far as he could, and then brought back down onto Red Sun as hard as he could. He did this multiple times, attempting to bludgeon Red Sun into letting go.
THe first hit left her dazed, the second one- had her angered as she kept the grip fierce in her clutches until the third one had her seeing stars as her nose began to trickle blood. It was only then the chains began to loosen, but not before they were already leaving a mark. Too bad, if he called it, Cassius had already won.
With the chains now slackened and his airways liberated, Cassius stood. Unaware that he had already won, he grabbed hold of the chain and attempted to fling Red Sun off of himself over his head. Cassius couldn't remember the last time he had ever literally used his head so many times in one match.
Too much in a daze, the female gladiator went flying and landed in a painful heap upon the sands. Her blood stained into, it and as she pushed herself up, it was only then she began to feel and taste the blood dribbling down from her nose. Cursing, she kept her head lowered, her body's shadow hiding the blood in the sands as she contemplated on how to g about fighting without making it obvious she was bleeding.
"Feisty as always," Cassius commented as he retrieved his sword.
He approached Red Sun and stood before her with his blade ready to draw the blood he needed for victory, for he still was not aware that Red Sun was already bleeding.
"Our long history of stalemates comes to an end here, my dear Sunny."
The only thing she was thankful for when being tossed away was she was able to retrieve her blade. Now with her weapon back in her hand, she bided her time, but the moment she heard Cassius say that god awful nick name of hers, she found herself growling as she held the blade firmly. ANd as he was preparing to fight after her, she made one quick motion and aimed the chains of her glade for his sword, hoping to entangled them around it and yank his freshly procured blade free of his hands in one fell swoop.
Cassius had had plenty of time to realize what she was trying to do, but didn't think she would have the strength in her weakened state to do so, and then his sword was gone. Not to be deterred, Cassius quickly closed what little distance was left between them and aimed a kick at Red Sun. He didn't care where it connected, just as long as it connected.
With both swords in hand, she didn't have a chance to guard against the kick and was soon stumbling back, landing in the sands once again. And as she lifted her gaze, he'd be able to clearly see the blood running down from her nose. But even if he were to call her out on it, that didn't stop Red Sun from taking both weapons, and swinging angrily towards him as she recaught her balance and made swift cuts towards his face and chest.
As Red Sun recovered, Cassius saw that she was bleeding from her nose, but before he could say anything, Red Sun attacked. This time, however, she held both weapons. Cassius did all he could to avoid the blows and block a few with his hook, but he wasn't as quick as Red Sun. The chain-blade left a shallow cut across his left cheek while his own sword left a nice gash in his chest. It was clear that Red Sun didn't plan on stopping. Cassius grabbed another handful of sand and threw it at Red Sun's face to distract her and allow him to create some distance.
Too bad she was ready for anything, and when the sand came for her, she angrily thrust out her weapons, hoping to blindly thrust her blade into him and as she whirled around and brush at the sand in her face, she threw up a high kick- hoping, if anything, to keep him back as she herself recovered but also refused to give any ground.
Cassius managed to barely deflect the thrusts with a sweep of his hook. He followed it up by swinging his fist as hard as he could at her at the same time as Red Sun's kick connected with the side of his head, sending him stumbling. Hopefully, they would at least hit each other at the same time.
THe punch was enough to send her stumbling and she barely caught herself, and used the moment to cry out in rage as she wiped the sands from her eyes, but by now the announcer had seen the blood and rose up from his seat near the gates.
"FIRST BLOOD! FIRST BLOOD ON REDSUN!" But then another judge beside him also rose up and pointed out, "But there is also blood on Cassius!"
But Red Sun didn't hear it, the moment any part of her vision came back she was roaring and charging him again, weapons ready and unyielding in another series of thrusts that were aimed to cut into his gut and chest- and even as she moved nearer, she hoped to swipe one deeply across his throat.
You don't get has far as Cassius in life without a plan B. Cassius drew a throwing knife from his boot and hurled it at Red Sun, followed by him leaping to the side to avoid the incoming blades if the knife failed to stop her. It's about time those damn judges woke up and started doing their jobs.
The knife, thankfully, sunk only into her leg, but even still, she let out a grunt of pain and stumbled in her advances, and found herself dropping to one knee as she let out a furious roar and ripped the dagger out of her leg, blood gushing down her thigh. She didn't waste any time,a nd used his Plan B and threw it angrily at his head.
Even the greatest of plans backfire. In this case, it was his own knife flying at his head. Cassius reflexively lifted his arms to shield himself, causing the dagger to ricochet off of his hook and cut the left side of his, just above the ear, as it past. That was preferable to it hitting him in the eye, he supposed. He backed up to create more distance between them. All he had to do was wait until she weakened from blood loss. This match had gone far beyond first blood.
The judges were still bickering and once they realized what was to be decided, they turned to the crowd and bleated the oxen horn- signalling the end of the fight.
"It ends in a draw! Both drew first blood!"
ANd by the announcement, Red Sun was more than pissed. Raging, she looked as if she was about to thrust Cassius's own blade into him, but instead, threw it at his feet and turned away from him, exposing the raw whip marks on her back as she turned to the crowd to acknowledge the rules of the ring. For as much as she wanted to continue to battle, her orders came from those men- and if she ignored what they announced, she might lose her life in a much more painful way then her master had promised her. BUt as she got to one knee and bowed humbly before the crowd, her body still bleeding, as was her nose, she was inwardly cursing.
Well, it seemed as if Cassisus had won- even if it was announced they had yet another draw.
Now that the fight was over, Cassius could finally breath. His head throbbed and he was battered and bloody. Picking up the sword at his feet, he gave the crowd a small bow. If he bent over too far, his dizziness would undoubtedly make him topple over. He had headbutted Red Sun four times, and then she had kicked him in the head. Not to mention that she tried to carve him like a turkey even though it was just a first blood match. Though he technically had won, he would not accept it until the judges called it and the crowd chanted his name.
"Looks like we tie again, Sunny," Cassius told her as if she didn't already know. "Try to control yourself next time."
But Red Sun gave him the cold shoulder, and as soon as she rose to her feet, she lifted her chin up proudly and stormed out of the arena, red hair fluttering wildly in her wake. Well, she couldn't say she didn't try, but damn if she hadn't have lost....
She supposed she would have to face death one way or another, and catching a glimpse of her master, she turned away from him and waited for him to attached her collar around her neck. He had two slaves work on it, the golden metal clamping around tightly as he gave a testing pull of the chain attached to it. As usual, he chuckled to see her like a dog on a leash.
"You fought well," he told her, but she still avoided his eyes.
"Not well enough."
Cassius approached Red Sun's master as Red Sun was being shackled.
"It's not often you get a slave as strong as this one," Cassius commented. "Where did you get her?"
Karime Hassar gave a laugh at Cassius's inquiry.
"From the dirt, where do you think? It just so happened she was useless in the kitchen and around the home. She was too fiery with my wives and had a fighter's spirit, so I was lucky this little savage survived her first battle. I never thought to consider a female a warrior, but somehow.." and this is where her master laughed. "That's what Red Sun ended up to be!"
Patting his large belly, he looked Cassius over as he stroked his oil-slicked mustache and played wit the curl at the end.
"You are a strange one, you know that, Cassius? I don't know why you try to fight her. You obviously can not best her." And for this, he gave a pompous grin.
"And you could," Cassius retorted jabbing the man's stomach with his finger. "You're as soft as a baby's ass, my friend. You're hardly qualified to criticise my skill as a warrior. I bet even Sunny would have no problem beating you."
While Cassius held a playful and lighthearted tone, he was angry with the man. So high mighty just because he thought he was wealthy enough to be that way. This man looked as though he would barely even be able to lift a sword, let alone swing one, and yet he questioned Cassius' skill as a warrior? Cassius hated wealthy snobs. Still, he didn't want to drive away a potential customer.
"Watch your tongue, Cassius. It could bring you another challenge in the ring! But for now, I tire of all of this. Come, Red Sun. Let us head back to Hamnuhp'shet. I bet dinner will be prepared when we arrive and I am famished." And he didn't even bother with proper goodbyes as he snapped his fingers and he and his men lead Red Sun out of the Colosseum and into the streets.
Cassius couldn't help but laugh at the man's threat. Did he not know who Cassius was? He was undefeated, and yet this man threatens him with a challenge? That was classic comedy right there. Cassius strode out of the Colloseum, grabbing his knife on the way out, and headed to his home. It was a large, elaborate home, the kind that other wealthy merchants tended to own. He only owned such a large house to display his wealth. It wasn't like he lived with anyone else besides his slaves. Once there, he had his slaves clean and dress his wounds. After that was taken care of, he put on a plain white sleeveless shirt, and headed to his favorite tavern. However, on the way there he felt this strange urge to return to the Colloseum. He wasn't sure why he felt that. To see if some of the slaves he had brought here had survived this long perhaps? Cassius shrugged and decided to check out the combatants of the arena, if only to put at rest that strange pull he felt.
Occasionally Red Sun would frequent the arena- to get some practice in, even on the same evening of the fight. But on this occasion, there was no sign of her, only talk about this or that. Though one slaver in particular had his face ripe and red from booze and was spilling words as easily as he was drinking wine, and if Cassius was keen enough to over hear him (though it seemed everyone would)- he'd find out some interesting facts about Karime.
"It seems Karime Hassar is thinking about finally getting rid of his little prize. Pity, she's a beauty, but I heard he was upset she can't win a fight against that arrogant man- Cassius." He shook his head and knocked back some more wine. "If you ask me, it's pretty thrilling. But if I were him, I wouldn't worry about it. The woman's a main attraction here- and people are eager to see if she can ever beat him. Or you know, become beat herself."
He gave a laugh as he spilled some wine on the floor.
"But when I passed Hassar's place earlier today, I could hear him whipping the daylights out of here even from the streets. He was angered something pissed. I wonder if he's taken up to drinking again, or if one of his wives are ill. Who knows. All I know is there's word on the street he was hoping she'd finally win against Cassius today- but completely off him for good. Now that that didn't happen- he's taking it out on the red-headed fighter. She's probably got more whip lash scars that battle wounds from the arena. That Hassar can be a real ass to his slaves." And he shook his head.
"Good thing I bet on a tie!" And he and the men he was talking to laughed and laughed.
"That's all very interesting," Cassius said loud enough for them all to hear and crossing his arms. "So where would I find Karime exactly? Or would you rather me demonstrate to you how much I enjoy being called arrogant?"
Cassius wasn't messing around now. Red Sun was the strongest fighter he had ever encountered in the arena, and now that snob was possibly going to kill her. There was no way Cassius was going to let such strength and resolve be extinguished by some pathetic, rich weasel. Karime had threatened him with a challenge, and now Cassius was going to go and get it whether Karime was serious or not. Yes, Red Sun hated Cassius. Yes, Cassius wasn't too fond of her either, but she deserved a warrior's death. If these drunks didn't tell him what he wanted to know, he would beat it out of them.
The drunk man spilled half his booze when he realized Cassius had been listening to the entire thing.
"H-H-Hamnuhp'shet," he stammered. "In the eastern district. The big sand stone house. The one that looks like half a palace." The man shook his head. "But I'm sure he and his wives have already retired for the evening.." The man added nervously, hoping the man wasn't foolish enough to pay a visit to that man so late at night.
"Well then it's time for a wakeup call," Cassius said as he left.
He went immediately to Hamnuhp'shet, anyone that saw him on the street immediately moving out of his way. They could tell that he was a man on a mission, and not to be trifled with. Soon, he came across Hamnuhp'shet just like the drunkard had said. He walked right up to the door and pounded on it with his fist. If no one felt like answering, he would let himself in.
A small timid.boy, no older than seven, answered the door and peered up at Cassius.
"May I help.you sir?" The boy asked while itching at his collar.
"Where is Karime," Cassius asked roughly. "I need to see him immediately. I don't give a damn if he's asleep."
Cassius had not been expecting such a young boy to answer the door, but that just made it easier to intimidate his way inside. There was also no way that this boy could keep him from entering even if he refused.
The young boy's face twisted in confusion as he peered up at the tall man.
"He's with the slaves in their holding. He doesn't like to be disturbed when he's punishing us. You can come back tomorrow."
Though if the boy was intimidated, he didn't show it, but stood there, hoping the man at hte door would leave.
"You will take me to him now," Cassius demanded. "I'm not in the mood to be trifled with, boy, so unless you grow tired of the use of your arm, you will take me to him. If you don't want to be punished just tell me where to find him, and I'll find him myself."
Normally he would not be so lenient with a slave, but he figured it would go over better than a a straight-up threat. The longer he stood here talking to this boy, the closer Karime would be to extinguishing the life of one of the best fighers Cassius had ever met. Slave or not, Red Sun's strength could not be denied, but Karime was too stupid to see it. Cassius would just have to give him a lesson in strength.
By now, attention was drawn to the door as a dark haired woman approached from behind the boy.
"Asawen, who is there?"
And upon seeing the man, the woman narrowed her gaze. She had caught just the last part of the conversation and moved to pull the young boy from standing infront of the door.
"I am sorry, sir, but our master is indisposed. He will take visitors tomorrow."
"Do I look like I'm in the mood to wait," Cassius said, his voice rising. "You will take me to him or I will go and find him myself!"
Cassius wasn't sure if the woman was one of Karime's wives or another slave, but he didn't care. If he got one more 'come back tomorrow' he was letting himself in. This was getting ridiculous.
The woman was not about to be bullied and gave the man an angered look.
"My master will see you tomorrow! Come in the morning when he is more free!" And she moved to slam the door in his face. Or at least, try to.
Before the door was completely shut, Cassius kicked it in, knocking the woman over and causing the door to slam into the wall. No more Mr. Nice-guy. Cassius stormed through the house, following the sounds of whipping and shouting in order to find his way to Karime. Eventually, he came to a door that seemed to be the source of the ruckus. Instead of simply turning the knob, Cassius kicked the door in.
"Karime," Cassius roared. "Come face me, coward!"
The sounds of the whipping echoed as the man would near the back side of the house. His women, and the wives not inside his little harem, all gasped and some even angrily told Cassius to get out. But it was evident their words would fall on def ears as the man approached the back area where Karime kept his slaves. ANd it was here the whipping becoming much louder and louder.
Though Cassius's voice came unexpectedly, it was enough of an attention grabber to have the out of breath Karime turn away from where he had been whipping away at Red Sun.
"Cassius?" he sneered and let his whip hang at his side. He turned the corner, keeping himself between him and the room where Red Sun had been chained and was bleeding openly from her wounds. BUt she was quiet, never once did she shout, except the force grunts of pains when he had struck her.
Now that she had a reprieve, her eyes lifted curiously towards the wall, where on the other side her master was addressing Cassius.
"What in Hakeshna's name are you doing in my house? Did my slaves not inform you I was busy?"
He had to wonder if not just Red Sun would be punished this evening.
"They did," Cassius said more calmly. "I don't know why you think that would have stopped me."
Cassius approached Karime, giving no heed to the whip or any other weapon he may have at his disposal.
"You threatened me with a challenge earlier," Cassius reminded him menacingly. "I've come to accept it. However, if you retract your offer, then I am challenging you."
Karime took a step back.
"Challenge you?" he gave an indignant stare, and then a scoff as he waved it off. "Really, Cassisus, my fighter is hardly in the condition to take on that challenge.."
For when the threat came out early, to Karime, it was evident he had meant to use Red Sun to do his fighting. He was a man of means. He was NOT some vulgar barbarian who would wield a sword.
"Come back another day and we can reschedule a rematch. But for now," he growled irritably. "You and Red Sun remain at the ever elusive state of draws."
And he said that part with no small measure of irritation.
"I don't think you heard me," Cassius said, continuing his threatening tone. "I'm challenging you. You have no respect for strength, so you must be taught. Or, I could buy Red Sun from you for a quarter of what you paid for her, or I could just take her right now. She could make me a lot of money in the arena with her fighting for me instead of against me."
Karime was taken back.
"Challenge me?" he guffawed. "Surely I've misheard you."
And then he went on to mention purchasing his slave and his eyes narrowed meanly.
"You will do no such thing. Red Sun is my property and I will do with her as I see fit. Now, be out of here before I sick the Eunuch's on you. My slaves are not for sale."
"That's awfully big talk for a short round man," Cassius replied. "So, I am to understand that you are too cowardly to fight? Perhaps I gave you too much credit. I don't know why I was thinking that a man would have enough guts to fight for his honor or possessions."
Cassius turned and began walking away.
"And I thought this would worth the trip, but it was just a big waste of time. What kind of man hides behind his slaves? How pathetic."
Karime sneered at Cassius's exiting form.
"A man far wiser than you. I'm not foolish enough to risk my life.I know where my priorities lie." he said, tightening his grip on his whip as he scowled.
Cassius chuckled at the man's response.
"Your priorities? You mean your frilly furnishings, your whores, and your slaves? You couldn't fight if your life depended on it. I've taken on four men at once and emerged victorious. You wouldn't be able to handle one. Where is the wisdom in weakness?"
Karime sneered.
"Because life is much safer outside of the ring. It is a sport for barbarians to participate, and for men to watch. Why do you think slaves are your opponents?"
"Because the men who own them don't have the guts to fight me themselves," Cassius replied with acid in his voice. "I can't remember the last time I fought with the man I had a problem with instead of his slave. To think I used to be proud of my Essyrni heritage. I least I still have my Adelan half to take pride in."
Karime snorted.
"ANd take that bastard half of you outside of my house before I have you thrown out! I will not be insulted in my own house!" And Karime's round face was red with anger.
"Really now?! Who's going to throw me out?! You?! Come and try it!"
Cassius was mad now. How dare he insult his Adelan heritage. Adelans were four-times the man he was. He would beat this man to a pulp and take Red Sun just to add insult to injury. How long would he be able to keep his wealth without his primary money maker?
Karime was pissed, and instead of answering him, stormed off to where he had Red Sun locked in chains. If he had to, he'd use Red Sun to throw him out, but he halted in mid stride to growl. She was a bleeding mess of whip welts on her back, and her weakened state was evident. He knew, inwardly, she'd be useless to protect him, so instead, he simply slammed the door and locked it so Cassius could not get in.
A locked door? Really? Cassius stepped back and slammed his weight into the door, breaking it open.
"Typical," Cassius spat. "Relying on a measely locked door to save you. You you're an even sadder excuse for an Essyrni man than I thought."
Karime scowled deeply now when Cassius came in, and foolishly, fumbled through his keys a he unlocked Red Sun from her chains and pointed directly at Cassius.
"Red Sun! Show this ruffian out!" But the moment Red Sun was released, she collapsed into a heap upon the ground.
Cassius quickly crossed the room and wrapped his massive hand around Karime's next and lifted him into the air.
"You've made a grave mistake," Cassius threatened. "You insulted my skill as a warrior, you mocked my strength, and you mocked my Adelan heritage thereby insulting my father. Do you think your wealth and slaves will save you now?"
It took a great deal of self control to restrain himself from breaking him in two right that very moment. It would be easy too, but Cassius wanted to watch the worm beg. He wanted to see the fear in his eyes when he realized that everything he had worked to gain would be of no use to him in that moment. Only strength would save him, strength that he didn't possess and that Cassius had in abundance. This wasn't about what it means to be strong anymore. Karime had insulted him, his heritage, his father, and his honor. Now it was time for this stuck-up bastard to learn a thing or two about what it means to be a warrior.
Too bad for Cassius Red Sun was a slave- and she obeyed whatever order she was given- even at death's door. Barely able to stand, she managed to grab her sword that was nearby and approached Cassius from behind, and through a shaking voice, pressed the blade against the back of his neck.
"Let him go or I'll gut you," she growled through her teeth.
Cassius chuckled darkly.
"You would still fight for this man," he asked her. "After everything he has done you would risk your life for him? Look at your blood coating the floor. Look at your back in a mirror, and then, if you can bring yourself to demand his release again, I'll let him go. Then again, if I kill him now you'll be rid of him forever. Unless you'd rather kill him yourself."
As he spoke, Cassius tightened his grip on the man's throat just enough to keep him from screaming, but still allowing so air flow. Now he would see where Red Sun's interests truly lie. She now had the option to be rid of Karime forever, but he didn't tell her that he would take possession of her afterward. Cassius was one of the best slavers in Essyrn, so it wasn't like anyone would do anything or confront him about it. Merchants ran Essyrn, and he was a major one.
Red Sun growled. Like everything Cassius said, she shrugged it off and placed the blade harder against his skin- just enough it almost drew blood.
"You speak of devilry. I am a slave. My place is here. My job is to obey."
"I speak of nature," Cassius corrected. "The strong live, the weak die. You are strong, he is weak. It is only natural. But, if you insist, I guess I'll put him down."
Cassius drew his arm back and threw Karime into the wall as hard as he could.
"There. I put him down."
Cassius turned to face Red Sun, paying no heed to the sword she held.
"You have much strength, Sunny. You don't need to take this weakling's abuse. He knows nothing of strength like we do."
Cassius began making his way to the door.
"My offer still stands to come with me and get the respect you deserve. Just think about everything I've said."
Karime landed hard, gripping at his bruising throat as he gasped for air. Coughing, he turned to Cassius and growled.
"The city guards will here about this!" he shouted after the other man, though it came out as a bitter choke when he tried to shout and was coughing again. And then as he watched Red Sun, he gestured towards her. "Well see to it he's out of this house!"
And so she obeyed, Red Sun swiftly following after, seeming to somehow manage to ignore her whip lashes, that throbbed and burned against her back as it still ran with fresh blood.
Cassius laughed at Karime's remark about the city guards. What were they going to do? Cassius could get away with nearly anything because he was rich, and because no one dared to fight him. No one except Red Sun of course. As he was on his way out he heard footsteps behind him. He stopped and turned to find Red Sun.
"Are you excepting my offer, or does your master think that you are capable of throwing me out in that state," Cassius asked amused. "You could kill him easily whenever you wish. Why don't you?"
She glared at him and pointed her weapon his way.
"I am simply here to see that you are shown out."
"You didn't answer my question," Cassius replied simply. "You clearly are in no condition to force me out, so in order to obey your master and get me to leave, you need to answer my question."
She narrowed her eyes into slits.
"Kill? I only kill when I am commanded to. The arena and where I live in this house in chains, the rules are different." She lifted her head proudly, and stared him down. "I listen to one man only. He is the reason I fight. He is the reason I live. He is the reason I have food. I have little choice."
Why did he keep telling her it could be any other way? Sure, freedom would be wonderful...
But what would a woman like her even do with it?
"The man who nearly kills you after every stalemate is the reason you live," Cassius asked with a chuckle. "And you do have a choice. I gave you a choice. I could break that fat bastard in two and claim you as mine without even breaking a sweat. It wouldn't exactly be freedom, but it would be better then staying with this idiot who doesn't respect you as a warrior."
The very thought of that angered her beyond all belief. She was seeing red and hefted her blade closer towards him.
"I would never want to be a slave for you," she growled. "Now get out of my master's home, before we finish what we started in the arena right now!"
Cassius smiled as he cracked his neck and rolled both of his shoulders.
"I would love to finish," he replied lifting his hand and hook to a ready position.
Her eyes narrowed again. And had to bite off the hate writhing inside her. Baring her teeth, she simply growled at him.
"Yes, but in the arena," she snarled and pointed towards the door. "Now out with you." And she hoped he'd obey so she'd never have to see him again. At least for the night. She was exhausted and every muscle ached in her body, not to mention the burning sensation of the whip lashes across her back and the fresh, cutting sensation of blood.
Cassius shrugged and walked to the door.
"Think about everything I've said, Sunny. My offer will continue to stand."
Cassius walked out the door, but quickly popped his head back in.
"Just thought you'd like to know, I've always considered you an equal since our first draw."
With that, Cassius left for the tavern. He needed a drink. Scratch that. He needed a lot of drink.
Red Sun was thankful the man had left. She had no desire to ponder over any of his words as she returned to her holding cell where her master let her rest for the night. But she desired to be out in the moonlight- too bad she wasn't allowed to the leave the grounds. And come morning, she was patched over and tended to by Karime's other slaves, though as her wounds were cared for, she was considering what happened last night. But as usual, it was hard for her to clear her head in such a place. Once her wounds were tended to, Karime allowed her, under escort, to be taken to the arena to train. The least she could do was let out her steam that way-
and so with a practice sword in hand, she let out an angered roar and began to charge through and destroy a series of practice dummies all around her, her hits coming down sharp and hard- and each one with enough power to be lethal.
But as a gladiator, tht's how it was. If your swipes were not lethal, you could be dead.
Cassius felt like he had been through Hell when he finally awoke. He was hungover from a long night of drinking and his head pounding, excruciating pain accompanying every pulse. After finally rolling himself out of bed, he ate, bathed, and just sat around for awahile. He couldn't help but be bothered by Red Sun. She had a chance to kill the man who treated her so harshly, and yet she refused. Why was she so obedient? She was far stronger than Karime. If anyone were to be the master it should have been Red Sun, but she prefers the life of a slave. That didn't make any sense to Cassius. Feeling to lousy to do ant more pondering, he just laid around for awhile until he felt well enough to actually start moving and functioning.
After all of the training dummies were left as scattered bits upon the floor, Red Sun felt more relaxed, though not entirely. She had enough of this and her back was throbbing. It was time to call it a day and she moved towards the serving guards of her master and allowed them to lead her from the Colosseum and into the streets, heading back towards her master's home.
The day's sun was unforgiving, and Red Sun was already coated in a layer of glistening sweat that now continued to roll down her body as the sun's rays beat down upon her mercilessly. She and the serving guards paused at the well in town and helped themselves to a drink, and she was thankful to Hakeshna for it.
Once Cassius managed to scrape himself up and get to his feet, he headed to the well. Water worked extremely well for curing hangovers, and he had a doozy of a hangover. Cassius was able to give the illusion of soberness as he walked through the streets, but it was still pretty easy to tell that he felt like crap. He didn't care though. No one ever dared to point anything like that out to him, and if they did, Cassius would just knock them out. That's how it usually worked.
Not realizing Cassius was nearby, as she had worked herself to the bone. She was exhausted and gulping down the fresh water when it was her turn was not enough. SHe took a second scoop from the bucket and doused it over her head, then swiped her hand across the waters on her face to brush them back into her hair and used that momentum to swing her long red hair from over her shoulder to let it hang across her back- not realizing as she did so, her long hair smacked Cassius in the face.
OOC: lol hope it's ok to imply that action cause the idea of it made me lol 8D
HAIR TO THE FACE
Cassius stumbled backward in shock as something wet slapped him in the face.
"Watch what you're doing," he said angrily, rubbing water out of his eyes.
Whirling around, Red Sun was surprised to see who it was and was quick to draw her weapon, but hesitated, hand on the hilt as it remained in the sheath at her side.
"Cassius." Her eyes narrowed. Of course she'd find him here of all places!
Cassius had not been expecting to see Red Sun. When he heard her say his name he slapped her without warning. Hard.
"I don't recall giving you permission to speak to me, slave," Cassius spat.
Cassius brushed past her and got his drink.
"If you're so intent on being a slave then you will be treated like one," Cassius whispered to her harshly.
Cassius then proceeded to gulp down enough water to slake the thirst of three men. He was feeling better already. His hangover was taken care of, and he drove his point to Red Sun home. Not a bad way to start the day.
Not expecting the slap, as Red Sun easily forgot her place when near Cassius, her face was turned at the heavy smack and she kept it there, red hair falling over the throbbing pink mark that now marred her cheek. Through closed lips she growled, albeit softly. She had to keep herself in check- even if she and her master cared not for Cassius- he was a freeman and would always have power over her, even if not on the same level as her master. In Essyrn- the sorts of things she did towards him could affect her life- and her master couldn't save her if Cassius were to call her out for breaking any laws- laws tht pertained to her disrespecting and even threatening him.
She was sneering now, but tried to let that fade away before she dropped to one knee and bowed her head before him.
"My apologies. I won't step out of my place again."
"You're damn right you won't."
Cassius took one last mouthful of water and spit it out all over Red Sun. Without another word, Cassius walked away. He didn't know where it was that he was going, but he'd figure that out later. He was beginning to find it hard to believe that he had respected Red Sun's strength. She was nothing but a pushover. All that strength, and yet she submits to a lesser man. It just wasn't natural. If she wanted to be a slave then fine, she could be a slave. Cassius had offered her a better alternative, but she turned it down. She was no longer a warrior in his eyes. She was just another slave.
He couldn't have known it, but he was helping to ground that seed of disdain of the treatment of slaves. She had accepted what she was for all of her life, but the doubt placed before her by none other than another slaver.....
She let that hate remain simmering inside her. She knew the law.S he could't break it. Breaking the rules meant death-a nd she was no fool. Cassius would offer her no more freedom than her own master, this much she was certain, for she could believe no other way due to her blind hatred of him.
He was an opponent, but one who also willingly fought, and for it, that would always garner her hate. For she knew if she had a choice...
She would be anywhere but here. The plains of Adela were sounding especially alluring, and she waited until Cassius had taken his leave before rising off the ground and returning quietly to her own master.
After walking for a good five minutes, Cassius stopped. Now what? He had nothing planned for the day. There wasn't much for him to do except go to the Colloseum, but what would he do there? There weren't any fights with him in it scheduled for today, and he wasn't too fond of watching others fight. He just couldn't stand the floppy little slaves taking swings at each other. The only person that was a challenge to face was Red Sun, but she wanted to stay a slave for some reason. Cassius sighed and turned to the Colloseum anyway. Maybe he could get some training in.
OOC: Hope it's ok I'm doing a time jump 8D
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Red Sun spent the remainder of the day not doing much of anything. There were rumors spreading of a new arena challenge in honor of the Shah, and Karime wanting Red Sun to have he honor to be that warrior in battle, however, the details were lost to her as she day rolled into night and she found the need for another horse ride.
By moonlight, she took Horus out into the sands and ran in circles, imaging the freedom she could never have and thinking back to what Cassius had said. Damn him for planting any doubt within her. Damn him for nearly besting her in the ring. Damn him for being right.
Cassius sat alone in the Colloseum. All around him were the shattered remnants of training dummies and at least five broken wooden training swords. He had broken every dummy available, and slaves were working frantically to make new ones. Cassius couldn't explain why, but he was angry. Was it because his life was a never-ending cycle of conflict that leads to nowhere? Was it because he still didn't have a wife and was lonely? Was it because he had been wrong about Red Sun? He couldn't have been wrong. Being able to identify strength was something he prided himself in. It was a skill he inherited from his father, though his father never saw the strength in him. What bothered Cassius the most was Red Sun's willingness to be a slave. Why would anyone want that? Any other slave would have leapt at the opportunity for freedom. Cassius threw the broken hilt of a training sword across the training grounds. He needed a drink.
Cassius wasn't the only one who needed a drink, but Karime was always known for his extravagant outtings and this night, he and his two favored wives had moved about in their caravan and were coming home from an extravagant night of eating and drinks. He, in fact, was still drinking as the caravan moved along, a sight Red Sun noticed even from where she was riding her horse in the moonlight. She paused the horse only briefly to observe, contemplating returning to the house before he got home. Though she doubted he'd care how late she was awake- so long as she returned for more training and- whatever else Karime might have a use of her for.
Cassius wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there, but he decided it was time to go get that drink he wanted. He picked himself up off the ground and hurled the broken training sword he had been holding across the training area. The Colloseum was an entirely different place without a roaring crowd to fill it. Cassius sighed and began heading towards his favorite tavern for a drink. He walked through the streets alone, just like always.
As Karime's caravan proceeded towards his home, it seemed fate had forced their paths to cross, for blocking Cassius's way was about thirty men and slaves and women all festively enjoying themselves as the processional moved forward like a thriving serpent int he streets- and resting n the middle of a shaded chair was Karime, fat and happy and laughing as his sexy wives all showered him with praise and affection.
Cassius sighed. Of course it would be Karime. There was no way Cassius would yield for that pig, so instead of waiting for them to pass, he decided he would force his way through the crowd. He was bigger and stronger than any of them. They should move out of his way. Those that did not move would be moved.
When the procession came to a sudden halt as Cassius pressed his way though, Karime was angered and surprised and threw open the side curtain where he noticed the form of Cassius. Growling, he commanded his guards, "See to it that man is removed from our entourage!"
Really! How rude of him to ignore the rules of high society!
ANd after a moments hesitation, the tall guards in the front of the procession turned to move towards Cassius while those near to him just got the hell out of his way.
As the guards started to pursue him, Cassius just continued to muscle his way through the group he would fight them once he was clear of all of the people. If he fought now he might end up taking out a lot of people's eyes with his hook, and the last thing he needed in a fight was his hook getting caught in a bystander.
The guards still pursued him, pushing their way through the caravan and finally broke into the street. But once Cassius was outside of their entourage, they let him go. They too, knew it was better to just let him go freely since he was out of the hair of their employer, and with stern gazes, they watched to ensure he would keep his distance from Karime's parade.
Once he broke free of the crowd, Cassius turned around to face the guards. Upon seeing that they had stopped pursuing him he laughed.
"What's the matter," he called to the guards. "You women don't wanna fight me anymore? You've got the numbers advantage."
Naturally, the words were grating, but Essyrni's were loyal to a fault, and despite wishing to throttle the man for his insolence, they just remained as stern figures, looming on the side lines to ensure Cassius would be on his way and cause no more of a scene.
Cassius chuckled at the guards again and held up his one remaining middle digit at them. He then turned and continued on his way to the tavern. It was no wonder that he fought slaves all of the time. None of the actual Essryni people were man enough to fight themselves. His opinion on Essryn was becoming increasingly negative, but he was still half Essyrni. From what he has seen though, he must have inherited much more from his Adelan side. He was almost nothing like the Essyrni apart from his dark hair and hazel eyes. His mother has been right to leave this place.
When Cassius would enter the bar, many men were boisterous and jolly, talking about a big fight to happen at the Colosseum come the weeks end.
"Yes, it will be quite the event!" One man stated.
"I heard a lot of owners of gladiators are fighting to get a chance to throw their own fighters to particpate!"
"Aye, the Shah herself will be there- this battle, in honor of her!"
"I think she will be most pleased. The python, I heard, was massive, and took several kaadir to pull from the jungles to the city. It will definitely be something to see!"
"I heard it was big enough to fill the grand throne room inside the palace!"
"Aye, I've heard that, too!"
"And I've also heard Karime has the highest bid on this- that his slave fighter Red Sun might be the one so lucky as to fight the snake."
"Red Sun?"
"Ah, yes, the undefeated warrioress. A good choice. My money would be on her."
"Ah, but such a snake is lethal. I don't know if a woman could ever fight off a snake."
And here the man chuckled and went about ordering another round of drinks.
Cassius walked up to one of the men, grabbed him by the shoulder, and spun him around.
"What are you talking about," Cassius inquired. "What python?"
The man he spun around nearly fell over from the speed, his beer spilling ontop of them both as he made a face and then realized, with a gasp, who it was.
"K-K-K-K-Kaa-aida'muhll." He stammered. "Ka-aid-muhll brought one back he captured from the jungles. There were bids on the fight earlier this morning."
Cassius gave no heed to the beer that now soaked his shirt. He had more important business to attend to, and it wasn't like he didn't have over a dozen shirts just like it.
"When's the next fight against the python scheduled?"
The man faltered before informing him, "The.. the end of the week." ANd he blinked as he realized who it was. "Cassius? Cassius Kage?"
The end of the week, huh. Cassius wanted to take a look at this python. If it's as big as the drunks claim, it could be quite a bit of fun. Cassius also made a mental note to bring in giant creatures as well as slaves. One had to keep up with the market. The man he had been interrogating identified him, and Cassius simply looked at him.
"Well who the hell did you think it was," Cassius asked matter-of-factly. "Do you know of anyone else with a hook for a hand?"
The man eyed him sheepishly and gave a shrug.
"So what is your interest in this fight? Would you bet on your adversary?" the man asked. "Or are you upset she made you lose your hand?" For rumors, unbeknowest perhaps to him, were that it was Red Sun that had done that to Cassius- even though she had been just as surprised at the rest to see his one arm handless.
For some reason that made Cassius angry. He grabbed the man by the throat, lifted him off the stool, and brought his face right next to his own. Cassius held his hook right in front of the man's face.
"Let's get one thing clear," Cassius said menacingly. "I lost my hand to a sandworm, a sandworm that I then killed. As for the python, I am going to kill it and hang its fangs on my wall."
Cassius tossed the man onto the floor and looked around the tavern.
"Anymore questions?"
The man was choking and trying to catch his breath, but it seemed none of the men were about to challenge him, though it was evident a few of them still scoffed at him- but it would be impossible to figure out who.
Cassius grabbed a random beer off of the counter and chugged it down before storming out of the tavern. He was on his way back to the Colloseum to get a look at that python. He wanted to know what exactly it was that he was up against.
Unfortunately for Cassius, where the python was kept was guarded by several men, those of which refused him passage.
"Sorry, this part of the Arena is closed for now. You'll have to come back tomorrow."
Cassius simply growled and walked away. It wasn't in the mood to beat up a few guards right now. Cassius walked home and went to bed, not that he would get much sleep. There was quite a bit on his mind, but one thing was for certain. Tomorrow, he would fight that python. Why? He didn't know. It just seemed like something he needed to do.
Too bad for Cassius, no one was allowed near the python, and the streets were a buzz with rumors surrounding it. Turns out, Karime had in fact, won the right to have Red Sun battle it, (though the reasons behind how he got it were a mystery), for Karime only invested in things he knew he'd make money on- and normally did not pay to have his gladiator fight with more than he wanted to. It seemed almost un-Karime like, but it was what it was, and a posting had gone up at the Colosseum and it was all the talk now in the streets.
And of course, Cassius could not have known that was precisely why Karime was celebrating last night. His little prized fighter- the only reason he did not kill her was because well...
Now he had a bigger reason to keep her. So he loathed Cassius, he could try to off him later- but with his prize fighter warrioress, oh how he could woo the Shah with his mighty warrioress-
and who knew what sorts of doors that could open when she won.
Cassius went immediately to the Colloseum the next morning. After shoving his way through the crowded streets, he went inside and began going about trying to find out how he could get a shot at the python. All of Essyrn would know of his strength if he managed to kill the giant serpent. It would be good for business too. Not to mention that he would be able to rub the victory in Karime's face. He had to fight that python.
Cassius wasn't the only one that wanted to 'rub' a victory in someone's face, for just outside the Colosseum a crowd had gathered where Karime had been giving a speech, and the highlight of his speech, most naturally- was his prized fighter, Red Sun.
She stood vigilant at his side, keeping her head up proudly as the crowd around them stared in awe. Though some had doubts, a lot were excited to see this woman fight-
While others, those who were not particularly thrilled women suddenly seemed to be showing a lot more 'power' in Essyrn (no small thanks to the near, female Shah, which was a rarity in itself) but to have so many female warriors come about- and ones as famous as Red Sun- well...
the back end of the crowd was snickering over it.
"Ten bucks says someone will slit her throat before the Shah gets a chance to see."
"Rumor has it the Shah hates women fighters though, I wonder what she'll do with this."
"Well, Red Sun might be flawless in her victories, I would think another, better fighter should have gotten a chance at it."
"Yes, but it seems the deal has been set- and they're only allowing one warrior a shot at killing the snake."
"Frankly, I wonder if it's even true- the snake being real that is. They say it's longer than one hundred men!"
"Aye, but I've seen it. I got a sneak peak at it the other day."
"And? What did you think?"
"Well, if that snake were me, I'd eat that whore of a slave whole. This might be the end of Red Sun. I don't know why Karime would be so wasteful with a slave. he should just keep her fighting Cassius. That fool would like to keep making a mockery of himself by fighting a woman he can't even beat."
Cassius walked up behind the man that had called him a fool and punched him full force in the back of the head. He then turned his attention to the one the man had been talking to.
"What do you mean they're only letting one person fight the snake?"
Karime didn't notice the fight in the back, but his spiel was already ending anyways as he strolled off with his prize fighter and began to strut his feathers in the street.
But the man who DIDN"T get punched was now gaping at Cassius, not realizing he had been there.
"Y-yeah. Didn't you read the posting? Or the rules? Time was limited in the sign up, but Karime came in and sealed the spot pretty quick. Rumor has it something's going down with that, but the rules were just one fighter before he got the bid."
Cassius growled and shoved the man out of his way as he walked over to Karime. He wanted to know what the hell was going on.
"Karime, you slack-jawed pig," Cassius shouted. "What are you playing at? Why does only one fighter get a shot at the python?"
Karime turned around and spied Cassius as he gave a full-bellied chuckle.
"Why, I don't write the rules, Cassius. You'd have to take that little detail up with the owner of the snake. But last I checked, he was indisposed. But say... it's not like you wanted a crack at it, as I doubt even someone of your standing might be able to... afford such a place."
Red Sun, though she was proud, glared at Cassius before averting his gaze. The price, he had no idea... was rather high. A price even Cassius could not possibly pay.
"So it's just all about money isn't," Cassius replied. "It's not about strength, or skill, or honor. This is why Essyrn is dead. It's because of people like you. If it wasn't for Adela this pathetic country with its disillusioned greatness would be wiped off the map because everyone would rather sit back ad watch a fight instead of being a real man and fight themselves. You disgust me. All of these people disgust me. This country disgusts me. If I didn't need to be here to make a living then I wouldn't be. But while I'm here, I am going to fight that snake. Anyone who gets in my way will receive no mercy."
Cassius stormed off to the Colloseum. He was going to get a look at that snake, guards or no guards.
ANd as Cassius stormed away, Karime laughed, and his echo was heard far and wide. But even as his form disappeared through the crowds, Red Sun kept a lingering gaze on where he had went. But any thoughts his presence stirred she snuffed out.
Cassius made his way through the Colloseum obviously enraged. He was on his way to see the python, as well as demand the opportunity to fight it, even if he had to go directly to the Shah. Sure, she was more of a figurehead than anything, but it was worth a shot. If all else failed, he'd muscle his way in to fight the python. It wasn't like anyone in Essyrn, save for Red Sun, would have any hope of stopping him.
Inside the Colosseum, things were going crazy, and she would have liked to stay away from it all, but Karime ordered her to 'check things out'. In other words, Karime wanted Red Sun to keep an eye on Cassius and report back to him.
So slipping inside, she kept behind him, quiet, but not hiding her presence.
Cassius was too focused to look behind himself. He was a man on a mission. When he approached the area that the python was being kept, the guards did not allow him to enter once again, but Cassius wasn't in the mood. The guards ended up on the ground with bruises and broken noses. Cassius would not be denied today. He boldly stepped into the place where the python was being held and finally got to lay his eyes on it.
Red Sun watched his work in silence. With the bodies laying crumpled and groaning on the floor, she stepped over them, her heels clicking lightly on the floor as she stood behind Cassius in the door frame. She folded her arms over her chest, her eyes on Cassius, and not the massive snake residing within the massive locked cell.
Cassius looked upon the large serpent with interest. It was indeed quite large like the drunkards had said. Cassius immediately began forming a strategy in his mind. The weak points would be the eyes and the inside of the mouth. The underbelly would probably be softer than its back, but eyes and mouth would be more reliable. Cassius only briefly wondered how they managed to catch the thing. It didn't matter how it got here. Cassius already knew how it was going to be leaving. Cassius turned and saw Red Sun standing there, but wasn't at all surprised to see her.
"It's quite the snake isn't it," Cassius commented.
As far as her green-blue eyes could see, she saw two snakes.
"Yes, an impressive animal."
Cassius turned to face the snake again and noticed something he hadn't before. There were two snakes. Why two? Were they going to make Red Sun fight both at once, or was he missing something.
"Since when were there two," Cassius asked. "And why?"
Red SUn remained silent a moment before revealing, "One I will fight in the arena. The other is a gift for the Shah."
"A gift for the Shah," Cassius repeated. "What is she going to do with a giant snake?"
Cassius was silent for a few moments in contemplation. He then turned to Red Sun.
"Why," he asked simply. "Why are you letting some ill-mannered pig throw your life away for a little extra money that he doesn't even need? You are the only slave that I have encountered that isn't entirely worthless, and you're the only one who has ever successfully stood against me in combat. Why do you take orders from Karime? All he wants is your death and more money to rub his grubby hands all over, and don't you give me any of that 'because I'm a slave' shit. I want a real answer."
Red Sun raised a subtle brow at his inquiry.
"You are a slaver. You know the consequences of which you speak." And she was not dare foolish to admit to anything. What was his game? Get her to confess she wanted to kill her master and have her hanged? Shaking her head, she took a step into the room.
"And whoever said I'd be killed?"
Her eyes went to the snake as it slithered past, before her eyes flicked back over to Cassius.
"And what do you care of a slave's fate? You, a man who sells them all day and sealing them to fates similar of my own?"
"You are different from the rest," Cassius replied. "All the other slaves are weak and spineless, as a slave should be, but you show strength, strength capable of standing against my own. I have never a found a warrior as fierce as you outside of Adela, and yet you submit to being a slave. Why is that? Any slave would jump at the chance to be free, and yet when I offer to take you to Adela you refuse. Why?"
"You ask such foolish questions," she told him, irritably. "If I say I desire freedom, I could be hung. I am no fool." He should know that from the ring. And killing her master... that would secure one of hte worst deaths imaginable. And life was what it was, and she took out all of her hate in the ring.
"I wasn't calling you a fool," Cassius snapped growing increasingly frustrated. "You are a slave. I am a merchant. I have authority over you and I command you to answer my damn question! No one will hear but you and I. Now answer me! You can't keep everything locked inside forever."
Her eyes narrowed upon him.
"I might be a slave, but I only need to answer to one master." And it certainly wasn't him.
"But even if I desired freedom, the consequences are too steep. You, as a warrior, know how both worlds work. Even if I were free, where would I go? With a master dead, I'd have a price on my head."
"You would go to Adela," Cassius replied. "The same place I've been offering to take you. That's where my mother went to get away from here. Theses Essyrni would be to spineless to come looking for you in a place like Adela. The certainly didn't try to find my mother. She's still living there today safe and sound."
"Your mother?" Red Sun blinked, and her eyes roamed over his form. She knew only vaguely his history. She was too proud, and too guarded to let the affairs of others strike her, or sink in too deeply. As a slave, you had to bury so much away.
"Are you telling me you mother was a slave?"
What an ironic turn of events...
"No, she wasn't a slave," Cassius replied calmly. "She was an adultress. My father is an Adelan soldier, and one day he came to Essyrn. He and my mother fell in love and did what lovers do. However, my mother had already been given away by her father to man she didn't even like. My mother escaped to Adela with my father where they have lived peacefully ever since, and where I came into being. It's a classic fairy-tale romance, really."
Cassius had never really told the full story of his parents to anyone, but he figured Red Sun was noble and trustworthy enough to not go around spreading the news. Perhaps his humble beginnings would inspire her.
Red Sun made a face at his story, as if thinking it over with some mild irritation- though not at the context, but over what it meant.
"So she was like a slave," she deduced, peering thoughtfully at the ground while the large snake still pensively slithered behind her. "I've heard women here are owned by their husbands."
So to think on it that way- it did make sense they were just another brand of slaves.
"In a way," Cassius agreed. "That's why I refuse every man who thrusts his daughter toward me to marry. The father just wants a rich son-in-law, and the daughter probably doesn't even like me. That's not marriage. It's a business deal. That's another thing I hate about this place. My father taught me that strength was the greatest quality to gain and love was the greatest quality you could earn. Neither of those things exist here. You and I are the only strong ones I've ever encountered, and the only love here is a love for money."
Red Sun wasn't sure how to react to his feelings. Yes, she too had observed this, but upon silent seething. She still felt a bit awkward for talking to him so openly about this.
"This is how their world works," she told him simply, hoping her tone kept it's indifference, but the rage that was always conjured about by such subject matter was simmering within her belly. She had to be cautious here. She knew she had a temper, and could be quick to put her thoughts into things-
But the talk of her death had been so real, it had actually silenced the flame she normally so proudly adorned.
"If you do not care for Essyrn, why do you stay?"
It sounded foolish to her.
"And why is it you assume I am so strong? You only know me from the ring. And when I argue with you during any meeting we ever have outside of that arena." Though that last conversation got he a smack to her face. Really.. it was easy to lose herself around him and forget he was just as much o fa rat as her master was. But she swallowed that hard fact for now and kept looking at him.
But even she knew Cassius was different. She was a slave, not ignorant.
"This is where the business is," Cassius replied simply. "Slavery is legal in both Essyrn and Adela, so I can make money in both of my home cities without having two different jobs. That and I wish to show these people true strength. They are all spineless and weak. I show them strength. As for you, why do you question your strength. My father had a gift of gauging the strength of an individual with very limited information. It's a trait that I have inherited. You are strong in several ways. While your strength in the arena is most evident, you also possess strength of will. You keep everything bottled up inside and restrain yourself from killing your master, but I know you want to. You are very conflicted. You want to be free, but you are afraid of punishment as well as the unknown. I know it's hard to believe, but I'm not nearly as dumb as I look."
Red Sun narrowed her eyes on him.
"If you know so much, why would you bother to ask?"
"I wanted to hear it from you so that I could make sure my hunch was correct," Cassius replied with a shrug.
Cassius started to make his way out of the snake room, but paused just before he left.
"Adela is always open to a strong warrior such as yourself. My offer still stands."
With that, Cassius left the Red Sun alone with her thoughts. He had much planning to do if he was going to get in the arena with that snake.
Offer? She snorted and watched him leave. What offer was that? For her to just up and run to Adela? And why did he truly care? Did he want her to escape so he could capture her himself? She was a famous fighter after all...
She'd bring any man a pretty penny...
Not to mention, the thing Cassius didn't know was that her master only spared her life so that she could fight this Python...
and he also had plans to breed her to make more money out of her in hopes to make some 'gladiator children' out of her. The idea was something she loathed, but she swallowed that little secret down. She was a fighter- turning her into a woman who was more like cattle to breed would ruin the only part of her that was worth something. But maybe her master got tired of her not besting Cassius in the ring. He did get harassed for it, after all.
And well...Cassius didn't need to know what her masters plans were-
Even if what he suggested would free her from such a fate.
Getting into the arena with the python would not be easy. He would either have to sneak in or barge in. Sneaking wouldn't really work. He would not be able to disguise himself. Between his size, build, and hook hand, he was very distinguishable. Getting in while Red Sun was fighting would be the only way. How would he accomplish such a feat? The Colloseum would undoubtedly be guarded, but that had never stopped Cassius before. He would just have to a bit of fighting in order to fight. It wasn't like they would try to stop him once he was inside the arena. Essyrni's would be too cowardly to come after him with a snake on the loose. It should be easy.
The week went on, and it was the day before the battle of Snake versus the red haired Warrioress, and word was buzzing through the street about Red Sun's 'victory to be'. A lot of the men were excited for this, for a group of drunken men seemed to be turned on by the very idea, and were saying quite crude things about her as the entire city of Essyrn was alive in celebration.
Ka-aid-muhll only aided in this, the front of his city home dazzling to life as a party of high end merchants and nobles alike were entering and leaving and dining and pleasuring on opulence and excess. There was opiates in the air, and drinks gushing from the fountain, and there near the center was Red Sun.
She was dressed in something unusual- a warrior's attire, but this time her chest plate and thong were in gold and her hair, thoroughly brushed and glistening. But the gold collar around the strong beauty's neck reminded everyone what she was, but that did not stop the men at the party from oogling- and the slave to be who was announced as her mate- was also showed off and on a leash.
He was a tall man, nearly eight feet in height and skin as dark as pitch and eyes seeming to bore into you. He was a hulking man, of muscles and power- and a veteran fighter who had fought Red Sun once- but was bested in a battle similar to the one Cassius and Red Sun had just recently fought- on frst blood.
And REd Sun was his only loss. Seemed cruel his master wished to pair him with the only female he could not best, but it seemed this slave did not mind, for even his eyes laid upon the desirable Red Sun with a flame of hunger.
Unlike everyone else, Cassius did not spend the day partying. He was sharpening his weapons and training to prepare himself to fight the snake and anyone who tried to stop him. Why he was so determined to kill the large serpent he wasn't sure of, but he knew that he wanted to. It just felt like something he needed to do for whatever reason. He had never gotten the reputation he deserved. Men always talked about him behind his back saying how he was crazy for putting himself in danger so often and how he was just some hotshot hothead. Others feared him, not as a warrior, but because they knew that he would not hesitate to beat them down if they insulted him. Would killing the snake change anything? Probably not. It would probably just make him more hated for stealing the kill from Red Sun and crashing the party. If the snake didn't kill him, the angry audience would. All well. It wasn't like he had much to live for anyway.
She knew it was foolish to do the night before the big event, but she knew that was the only reason she would get away with it. And half the guards were drunk anyways, so when she snuck out from her master's home, she was surprised to see Cassius training hard int he arena and preparing his weapons.
Quietly she watched him, not saying a word, but thinking back to everything he had told her earlier.
The promise of freedom... of her strength....
And even this stolen moment of freedom, she sadly knew was not hers, but even still- this was her life. Did she really have any other choice? If let to her own devices, yes, she figured, Karime would have been dead ten times over-
But really...
why did Cassius care so much? Was it hatred towards her master? Or truly something else? Most slavers cared little for her kind, even the favorable ones. What made herself truly any different to a man like him?
OOC: Hope it's ok to presume he's in the training area XD
(OOC That would be very safe to assume :) )
Cassius was to absorbed into what he was doing to notice Red Sun. Next to him was a pile of small logs, each one with the likeness of a snake carved into it. He placed one of the logs on a chopping block and took a swing with his axe. Cassius growled in frustration as the axe only went three-quarters of the way through. Pulling his axe from the log, he hurled the log across the room. The log split in half the rest of the way on impact with the wall. Cassius wiped his forehead with his shirt which had been removed and assigned to sweat rag duty awhile ago. Cassius readied the next log for his next attempt. His goal was to split a log in one swing using only his one remaining hand. He could have chosen smaller logs of softer wood, but that wood have been cheating himself. A sizable pile of his failures had already formed over by the wall where he had been throwing them, but je still had plenty of other logs to swing at. Though Red Sun didn't know it, Cassius had been there for almost two hours now, just trying to split one log in helf in one swing. What was he doing with his life?
It was only after a good long while of watching him repeating himself, cutting the wood, over and over again did she speak.
"Cutting some fire wood?"
As Cassius was wiping sweat off his brow with his shirt, he heard a familiar voice behind him and turned.
"It does get awfully cold at night," Cassius replied dropping his shirt on the ground next to him. "What are you doing here? Weren't you at Karime's big come-kiss-my-ass party?"
"Yes, but that ended over an hour ago." ANd it was so very late int he night...
"And the guards are all sufficiently drunk."
"An hour ago," Cassius replied in shock. "I figured a party like that would have lasted all day. Wait. How late is it?"
Cassius was stunned. Had he really been doing nothing but training ALL DAY? He hadn't even eaten anything since breakfast. He had really lost track of time.
Red Sun almost smirked at that, but she hid it well.
"It's well into the night. Almost all of Essyrn is sleeping."
"Damn," Cassius said mostly to himself.
He had been at it all day. Now he felt kind of awkward for some reason. Maybe because Red Sun was all dressed up and he was a sweaty wreck. He really wanted to change the subject.
"So," he began. "What does Karime plan to do with you after you kill the snake?"
If he thought he was awkward, he just had to go there.
"He's.. considering retiring me from the arena."
She didn't really want to go into the other details.
"Retiring you," Cassius asked. "Why would he do that? You're an awfully big source of income for him in the arena. How else is he supposed to make money off you?"
This was news to Cassius. Why would Karime retire his primary money maker? That just didn't make sense. What was he playing at?
Red Sun nearly scowled at him for his questioning.
"The man is all about money, this much is certain. But he was offered a deal he could not refuse."
"What deal could he have possibly been offered," Cassius asked. "I threatened to kill him and he refused. What made him change his mind now? What's going on here?"
She couldn't believe he was prodding. Maybe she should have kept her mouth shut. With a shake of her head she moved to turn away.
"It doesn't matter. It is late. I must retire for the evening." She was going to have a long day tomorrow, after all...
"Everyone and their grandmother was at that party," Cassius told her. "I could easily find out what his plans for you are by going to any bar in Essyrn. I'm giving you the opportunity to tell me yourself."
She paused at the door way, her back to him.
"Then find out from someone in Essyrn. It's not a proud fate." And she stepped out of the door, moving as swiftly away from him as she could get, but a noise coming from a pen down the way garnered her attention as she peered over towards where the snake pen was, and the men before it, prodding the snake to get it agitated. Snakes were normally not so aggressive creatures- and now she knew just exactly how they were going to coax that giant python to do battle with her.
Men. The problem was always men. And Cassius was no exception.
"Very well," Cassius replied simply.
True to his word, Cassius immediately headed for the closest tavern. He wouldn't have to ask around, he would just have to listen. These drunks drawl about damn near everything that had happened in Essyrn that day, and the party, Karime, and Red Sun would undoubtedly be the main topics of discussion. It shouldn't be too hard to find out what Karime's plans were.
Though unfortunately for Cassius, it was so late in the night, the bars were closing, and the man at the door was sweeping out the dust.
"Cassius?" the tavern owner said with a blink. "We've stopped serving drinks well over an hour ago. Come back tomorrow when I'm open. Though I warn you, we might be quite busy."
Wow. It really was late. Apparently he would have to ask.
"You hear all the banter that these drunks drawl on about," Cassius told the bartender. "Why is Red Sun being retired after fighting the snake? Is Karime tired of her inability to defeat me?"
He added that last part just to sound like himself. He really did want to know why Red Sun was being retired though. What else could Karime use her for? She was a warrior.
The tavern owner shook his head.
"There's been talk of it, aye. I wouldn't be surprised if it was because of you. The man gets harassed constantly for his slaves almost perfect record of no defeat. But I don't know. The men were going on about something else. Something about the owner of the snake, Ka-aid-muhll, wanting to pair his slave with Red Sun. You know. Breeding or something. I guess Karime figures she might be better off producing him slaves or something. Though he could get a premium price for brats made from her, I still think it's wasteful. Many men love watching that woman fight. It'll be a shame if he decides to actually pull her from the Colosseum fights."
Cassius muscles tensed in rage. Breeding?!?!? Did Karime think that you could just breed strength? Strength must be earned, you can't just breed it! Cassius stormed out of the bar, nearly knocking the door off its hinges. This could not be allowed. It went against many of the very few morals that Cassius lived by. Right now though, he would need to get some rest. Tomorrow, he would challenge Red Sun's future 'husband' to a fight to the death. If he killed the bastard, the problem would be over nice and quick. However, he would have to convene with Red Sun to find out who the lucky man is so that Cassius can make his luck run out. Karime had gone too far this time. It was time to intervene.
From deep within the bowels of the Colosseum she waited, muscles tense, eyes sharp. As usual, she was decked out in simple, scantily clad armor to give the men a show as they watched her fight, and this time her armor was the same gold piece she wore last night. A silly, frilly thing, she thought. But she supposed it was better than nothing. And though her gold collar itched her, she didn't bother to scratch it as she stared towards the door of her holding room while the chanting of the crowd had begun.
And the chiming of a metal key, then a tchk was heard, and her door flung open, and a gruff set of men came through to lead her towards the portcullis, and there through the slits of the massive iron door, she could see the crowd- and there, on her gilded seat- the very Shah herself.
Barely a week earlier, the Shah had witnessed a fight (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=16569.0) where the slaves denied her her command to kill the loser. It's why this battle was so important. All of the masters of slaves knew what could become of them if they were in possession of any sort of unruly slave-
The one slaver, it costed him his life- while the other- he was branded, outcasted and shamed (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=16654.0)- made to be in exile from Essyrn for forever.
Karime knew the stakes were high- but htat's why he gambled. He knew he had nothing to lose. Red Sun would obey him- and the Shah would get her first real fight to witness in the arena.
So when the portcullis was raised, the blinding sun washed in towards her and she stepped out into the sands. And the crowd roared to life.
Cassius sat in the crowd, waiting for his chance to jump in. He had buried some weapons in the sand the night before to retrieve once he was in. The more he thought about it though, the more it seemed like a bad idea. Maybe he should only jump in if Red Sun was going to die. Then again, if she was killed then she would be free and Karime would lose a lot of money. But she was one of the best warriors Cassius had ever met. Surely, he couldn't let her be killed by a giant snake just to line Karime's pocket. Perhaps Karime would still lose money if Cassius helped? There was no way he would be paid unless Red Sun killed the python alone. If Cassius intervened, then the bets would be off and Karime wouldn't make any money. Then, he could track down the one that is supposed to be Red Sun's mate, and kill him too. Intervening was beginning to sound like the better option. Sure it might ruin his reputation, but he never had a good one to begin with. Men just shoved their daughters at him for his money, and everyone else spoke badly about him behind his back. He had nothing to lose. Yes, he was definitely going to fight that snake.
The Shah watched as the female warrior was brought before the crowd, and Red Sun, out of respect, rested an arm across her chest and bent forward in a bow, red hair spilling over her shoulder as she did so. And from this position, even she could feel the tremble of the stands as the crowd roared to life- and a second portcullis was opened- and a sense of dread washed over her as she heard the silent slithering of the snake.
The crowd hushed as the animal came into view-
and after the beast had been agitated all night, it wasted no time in zig-zagging it's way across the sands and towards the only figure it could unleash it's rage upon. And as Red Sun turned around- the world seemed to be moving in slow motion- for as she turned, all she coudl see was the snake's wide mouth coming for her.
Karime let out a clap after being jolted in despair- for in that first second he was sweating. he thought Red Sun was to be snake food for sure. But the woman surprised even him as he gaped, watching as her hands grabbed onto the open mouth of hte snake and fought to keep herself out of it.
And the with a grunt, she pushed the snake away and leaped back- and as the snake recovered with a shake of it's head- the crowd went wild.
So far so good. By some miracle Red Sun managed not to get eaten, but that could soon change. Cassius watched intently for his time to strike. He was sitting in the front row so that he could easily hop down into the arena when the time was right. The Shah would certainly be intrigued by him jumping in like a lunatic, but he'll just have to wait and see how she reacts.
Seconds lost were seconds never regained, and she was already hip deep in this battle and she hadn't even drawn her weapon. But she needed to get enough distance between herself and the raging snake- lest she end up it's dinner. Narrowing her gaze, she took a few striding jumps away from it, but assessing the snake proved difficult. It's body moved fluidly, and fast for it's size, and unlike animals, this creature struck with it's head.
With no arms to judge a pre-preemptive strike, Red Sun found herself beneath the creatures gaze too quickly, and threw a curse, thrust out her shield when the snake came down for a strike, but it's massive jaw surprised her and suddenly she found herself lifted off the ground- the metal shield fully in the snake's mouth and her body, just inches away from death.
Not wasting a beat, she drew out her chain-whip sword, and kept it all as one piece, and it was here, as she was lifted up several feet off the ground, that she lashed across the snake's nose and the serpent hissed and dropped her- and Red Sun landed painfully on her back.
Stunned, she realized her mistake too late as the snake's shadow cast over her, but quick thinking had her rolling away when the snake's fangs suddenly sunk into the sands, and the crowd was oo-ing and aw-ing with each move.
Cassius continued to watch closely. Red Sun wasn't in any immediate danger yet. Those scales will be tough to cut through though. When she was on the brink of death he would intervene. The Shah didn't like women fighting in the arena, so maybe she would look on him favorably for saving Red Sun's life. One could only hope.
The battle had been going on for what felt like ages, and the blazing hot sun was taking it's toll on both as woman and snake danced across the arena- with Red Sun only able to cut in a few deep gashing, but nothing to bring the damn serpent down. She had to get a weak spot- but how? It seemed it's scales were impenetrable and she was wasting a lot of effort tryin to cut through them.
Dancing away from another fanged attack, Red Sun found herself tripping in the sands as she kicked sand into her own face and swore. It gave the snake the advantage now, but from where the fight was progressing- she was on the opposing side of the Arena- so Cassius would not be able to aid her right away as the massive jaws of the serpent came down for her-
And the red haired woman was gone.
Lifting it's massive head up towards the sky, the Colosseum went quite the moment Red Sun the warrior was swallowed whole- and then suddenly the massive beast turned it's head towards the crow and curled up ward, a crazed rage in it's eye as it suddenly lunged for the stadium- and that's when it's mouth suddenly opened, and blood and a body came toppling out-
The snake let out a hiss and rared back int the arena, leaving Red Sun tumbling out and dangling off the side of the arena wall, which she had barely managed to catch onto when the snake spat her out. Her muscled were stained and her body was slick with saliva and the blood from the inside of the snake's mouth in which she cut-
But she was alive, and the crowd exhaled and cheered that the fight was still going on.
Cassius couldn't take the suspense anymore. Red Sun was totally helpless dangling from the wall like that. Cassius stood and ran around the arena in record time to where Red Sun was. He grabbed her arm and yanked her up onto the wall effortlessly.
"Dangling won't do you any good, Sunny," Cassius remarked. "There is a spear buried in the sand on the side of the arena where the Shah is sitting. When it goes to eat you again, just put the spear through the back of its mouth."
Red SUn was startled when she was dragged up to the Colosseum seats where there,s he found herself in Cassius's arms.
"CASSIUS!?" she exclaimed, chest heaving as she breathed. "What are you doing!?" But at his words, she glared and pushed him away. "Don't you know you shouldn't be helping me?" Though as she turned away, it was only then she began to dig at the sand in her eyes, all the while the snake was looming over head and ready for a strike- and being as it was not picky with its' meal, it suddenly sniped an arena viewer and gobbled the screaming man whole.
"I'm not letting some snake steal my glory," Cassius replied.
The snake then snatched up an unlucky audience member. Not a very picky eater apparently. This couldn't be good. The python was preparing to strike again. There was no way Red Sun would have all of the sand out of her eyes in time. Cassius stood on the wall waving his arms and shouted at the snake to draw its attention away from the audience. Except now it wanted him. Cassius jumped down into the arena and started running. The snake turned and began the pursuit. This should keep its mind off of the audience. He was going to throttle whoever thought it was a good idea to bring a giant snake into the Colloseum. It could easily climb over the walls and start eating people. It had clearly demonstrated that. Hopefully Red Sun would get her vision back soon. This snake was fast.
Red Sun heard the roar of the crowd but couldn't see a damn thing. Her eyes burned profusely from where the sand disabled her vision, and the crowd near her was livid. They kept shouting for her to get back int he arena- and then someone pushed her-
And she snapped,a nd slammed a fist into him- and suddenly a group of men attacked her- and a moment later, Red Sun was falling off the top of a twenty foot drop from the wall.
Cassius wasn't sure how much longer he could play the pied piper to a giant snake. Red Sun had been pushed off the wall and was on the ground. She wouldn't be much help. Cassius decided to take matters into his own hands. He ran over to where he had buried the spear the night before. With one swipe of his fingertips through the sand, he found out it. Now with spear in hand he turned to fave the python. It would be so much easier to use a spear with two hands. Cassius waited for the snake to strike. Since Red Sun was indisposed, he would carry out his plan. Once that thing struck, he would shove the spear through the top of its mouth. This should be interesting.
Unfortunately for Cassius, the snake saw the woman drop, and the red flaming color of her hair was enticing. Slithering away swiftly from the man, the snake reared up and hissed down at her form- and it was only the Red Sun opened her bleary eyes to catch the snake hoovering over her, and once it's mouth was open and struck at her, she slashed at it and dashed away, tumbling across the sands, but the snake's body acted like a wall and she found herself crashing into it with a grunt.
"Shit."
The snake was going after Red Sun again and ignored him completely. How rude. Cassius ran after the serpent while reversing his grip on the spear.
"Over here you scaly bastard," Cassius shouted.
He threw the spear, aiming for the snake's eye. He wasn't sure if it would hit its mark, but maybe it would at least draw the beast's attention.
The snake had realized it had prey within it's grasp, and wasted no time curling it's strong body around Red Sun as she was still recovering from the sands-
but then just as the snake was hoovering over top of her to watch it try to squeeze her to death as it;s body wound tighter and tighter around her, the spear suddenly sunk into it's eye as it reared back and let out a cry of pain.
Cassius wasted no time. He climbed onto the coils, grabbec hold of Red Sun, and began pulling on her to free her from the serpent's embrace. Hopefully having a spear in the eye was enough of a distraction.
Enough of a distraction that the snake suddenly tightened it's body and imprisoned them both as Red Sun gave out a cry as her body was suddenly crushed up against Cassius's.
"This was not at all what I had in mind," Cassius stated calmly.
He began trying to wiggle and worm his way out, but the snake had quite the grip. This appeared to be the end, and yet Cassius was not afraid. He had nothing to lose. Sure, he would be leaving his wealth behind, but wealth was never a major concern of his anyway. He wouldn't have to put up with anymore ridicule either if he died. This wasn't the ideal way to go out, crushed to death by a giant snake up against his long time rival, but it seemed that he didn't have much of a choice.
"It looks like this is it, Sunny," Cassius said calmly. "If only we met under better circumstances."
She could take that last part anyway she wished. It wasn't like Cassius was going to have to live it down. His father would be disappointed at how easily he was just giving up and accepting death. There had to be some way out. Cassius just couldn't see it. Maybe Red Sun did. Hopefully.
Red Sun glared at him as she grunted and struggled beneath the beast's wrath. Though she managed to get one arm free, the rest of her was too tightly compacted for her to get out, and each time she breathed, she felt the snake squeeze them, and press her roughly up against Cassius.
"You might be so easily defeated, but I'm not through yet," she panted, glaring him over. "This fight has just begun."
And with a shrug,a hidden dagger fell from her breast plate and she hastily picked it up and wasted no time in jabbing it into the beast's thick scales. Her desperation lended her at least enough strength for that- and the pain was too much for the snake as Red Sun continued to stab and stab at it's side-
And soon it's massive jaws were heading towards it's prey to make it stop-
Which was exactly what Red Sun was waiting for. The moment the snake sprang for them- she leaned her body flat and out of the way, and reached up for the spear in it's eye. And once she had a firm grip on it, she pulled, and the snake jerked up in pain- and with it's jerking motion- yanked Red Sun clean from it's crushing grip as he lifted her up and into the air.
And in such an effort- she managed to not only free herself, but to save Cassius from the snake's death bite- as the mouth of the beast had been but inches away from his body.
Cassius had to admit, that was pretty impressive. Once Red Sun was pulled free, he had enough room to liberate himself. Cassius drew the dagger that he always kept in his boot, and set about making as many cuts and gashes in the beast as he could. There was no time to go for his buried weapons. He would make do. These wounds wouldn't kill the beast, but the collective loss of blood would weaken it enough for a killing blow to be delivered. If Red Sun didn't kill it now, it would be easier to kill later.
Still dangling in the air, the Snake tried to shake Red Sun free, but when Cassius began to slash at it's body, it turned it's attention now to the man and snapped it's powerful jaws at him, causing Red Sun to be smashed against it's body as she grunted and fell to the ground in a heap.
Cassuis barely noticed the beast moving to strike him in time for him to move. He dove out of the way, but his foot still managed to get caught. The snake flung him into the air so that it could catch him in its mouth, but Cassius had other plans. He managed to orient himself in such a way that the beast missed, but Cassius' hook got caught on the beat's jaw. The python started trying to fling him off, but he was stuck in good. Cassius tried desperately to grab hold of the spear whenever it came within arm's reach. If he ever managed to grab, he would shove it in all the way.
Opening her eyes, that still burned from the sand, Red Sun watched in horror as Cassius was flung around, and in it's rage, she barely managed to doge out of the way of it's writhing body.
Cassius finally managed to grab the spear, but before he could stick it into the beast's eye farther, the beast flung its head backward causing Cassius to pull the spear free instead. Despite being swung around like a ragdoll, he tossed the spear to Red Sun.
"Kill the damn thing already," Cassius shouted.
Red Sun caught the spear and took a few steps back, eyes narrowing upon the massive snake as she growled.
"I thought you wanted to kill it." But her eyes kept upon it, preparing herself for the perfect time to strike.
"Do I look like I'm in any position to kill it right now," Cassius snapped.
Cassius continued to try freeing his hook, but it was hard with the snake doing the exact same thing. He was beginning to wish that he hadn't made his hook so sharp. It was impossible for him to even get any leverage with the snake flinging him around. Yes, he did want to be the one to kill it, but he was also realistic. Red Sun had the greatest chance of killing it at the moment, so she was going to have to be the one to do it.
Red Sun danced around as the snake writhed in anger. With one eye out it could only see from the one side of it's head, so she kept herself in it's blind shadows-
though she knew the head was it's weak point, because Cassius was more or less stuck to him, it was making it difficult for her to get in any sort of strike.
"You need to get off of that snake!" she shouted, readying the spear. "Or I'll never get a clean shot at him!"
"You think I wouldn't if I could," Cassius shouted back.
Tired of being a ragdoll, Cassius grabbed on with his other hand and pulled himself up. Supporting himself with his right arm, and after several attempts, he managed to rip his hook free. However, now that he was no longer attached, the snake ended up flinging him through the air. Cassius hit the sand with a dull thud as the world started spinning and he suffered the worst headache of his life. He should have stayed in bed.
And the second the snake was free of Cassius, it reared back and hissed threateningly. Thank the Gods Red Sun was still on it's blind side, as she watched the snake prepare itself for a strike-
But so was Red Sun, so as the snake reared back, Red Sun hurled the spear as hard as she could as it went sailing through the air. And as the snake lunged forward, it paused, barely a few feet away from Cassius when it realized it had a spear logged into it's throat- ripping it to shreds.
Rearing back, the sneak let out a puff of a hiss and began to throw it's head around wildly and coughed, and coughed and coughed in attempts to dislodge the spear.
Cassius vision came back into focus to reveal the snake, writhing and flailing in an attempt to dislodge the spear in its throat. As Cassius sat up, he noticed a pain in his back. He had landed on something that wasn't sand. Running his hands through the sand, he found the axe he had buried. What luck! Cassius grabbed the axe and charged the beast. Hopefully all those hours splitting wood paid off. He swung the axe as hard as he could at the beast's softer underside. This snake was starting to be a lot more trouble than it was worth.
When the ax came down in a vicious chomp, the snake reared back and in it's frenzy, suddenly bashed Cassius with it's entire head, and most unfortunately, uprooted the gladiator and threw him clean into Red Sun.
Now eating sand and with Cassius over top of her, she spat out the sand and growled. "Get off! Before we both become snake food!"
OOC: Hope it's okay to imply that action 8D I'll edit it if you'd rather not, but for now- I'll just giggle about it >3
Cassius enjoyed his small victory as his axe broke through the snake's hide. It looked like that wood splitting paid off. However, his moment of triumph was short lived as the snake swung its head at him. Having only enough time to mutter "Oh shit", the snake's head slammed into him and sent him flying into Red Sun. Red Sun was obviously not pleased and growled at him to get off. Cassius rolled off of the female warrior and lifted her back onto her feet with his one remaining hand.
"That landing was certainly softer than the last," Cassius joked.
Unfortunately, now both his spear AND his axe were stuck in that accursed snake. That axe and that spear were the only weapons he had buried in the arena the night before, and his dagger had flown out of his hand. Cassius began formulating a plan in his mind, but Red Sun would probably do something before he was done.
Red Sun cut him a glare.
"You know you shouldn't be here."A nd she spared only one small glance towards the Shah. The woman looked angry. She snorted and looked back to Cassius. "We could both be beheaded for this!"
"I would think that you'd prefer to be beheaded instead of breeded like cattle," Cassius replied. "I told you I'd find out. As for me, I don't have much to live for anyway, but I'm gonna kill this thing before I die."
Cassius went back to examining the snake. He knew full well what could happen to him and his reputation, but he didn't care. Fighting this giant snake was actually kind of fun. If he was going down anyway, he was at least going to take this snake down with him.
Red Sun was a little surprised, though not entirely- She knew Cassius was a stubborn fool-a nd why her fate truly affected him was beyond her. She shook her head.
"If we want to live through this, we'll have to work together." And she gestured towards where the injured eye was.
"One of us could stay in it's dark side- the other, work as a distraction. That way, we can find a quicker way to bring this beast down."
Cassius nodded as he scratched his chin.
"So who does what," he asked. "Should we flip a coin? Or do you want to be the distraction because you're faster? Or do you want me to be the distraction because I'm so loud and annoying?"
Cassius found the fact that she was so determined to live through this a little amusing. Even if she survived this, then what? Back to being a slave? Slavery wasn't living at all. What did she even have to live for? Cassius, for all his wealth, didn't even have anything to live for. Well, if that was the case, then Red Sun can go on to be reduced to a breeding animal. Apparently, she was fine with living like that.
"You know what, I'll do it."
With that Cassius approached the snake and began shouting and waving his arms. He was shouting "Dinner time!" It didn't take long for the snake to zero in on him.
Red Sun hadn't even the time to protest as Cassius rushed off like a fool. Looks like now was the time to act anyway, and she readied her blade and danced in the shadows of her foe, eyeing up the perfect time to strike. But it seemed Cassius was almost too good of a distraction as she watched the serpent strike at, nearly cleaving Cassius in half- but failing it's task by mere inches.
For a moment, she had been poised in fear- truly believing the snake was to finish him off, but somehow, was nearly smiling to see him still alive. And this was no time to be distracted, she had a job to do. ANd while the snake was low, it was well within range of her weapon,a nd she used this moment to tumble beneath it's massive neck and rolled out ontot he other side. The remaining eye was still in view- the slits for it's pupil's staring at back at Cassius as it was moving up again to prepare for another strike-
and that's when her weapon was launched and hit it- directly int he eye, but the second it did it sunk in like a hook, and the snake reared it's head in a mass of movements and suddenly, Red Sun was flung clean up into the air, high, high above it's head- and high, high above the sands-
and as she was beginning to fall back down to earth-
she knew this was the end.
Cassius was having quite a bit of fun dancing with the snake, but their tango was interrupted by Red Sun blinding the snake the rest of the way. As soon as she blinded it though, she was flung high into the air. The possibility of her surviving that fall weren't too good. Well, his father had always wanted him to go out for sports. Cassius ran to catch Red Sun. Simply catching her were still likely cause her to die, so instead he would tackle her out of the air before she hit the ground. Injury was still possible, but it wouldn't be nearly as severe as just falling straight down.
AAAAAAAND, tackle and fall they went. She hadn't expected it, so when she was suddenly in his arms- and then, both of them tumbling in the sands, it took her a while to get over the initial shock of the landing before opening her eyes and being able to breath again. But after a moment of just staring at him, the blind serpent began to snake it's way towards them- and Red Sun cursed.
"Time to use our legs if they're not broken!" she spat, and was quick to push herself to her feet, dancing lightly on her heels in preparation for the on coming snake. Though her body ached and was bleeding from such an impact, she was not about to let herself be bested by some blind snake!
Cassius, having only one hand, took a bit longer to stand back up, and by then the snake was upon him. He narrowly dodged the snake's blind strike, but the snake did smash its own mouth into the sand that it couldn't see coming. Noticing his axe that was still stuck in the beast, Cassius ran forward and attempted to drop kick the axe further into the beast's flesh. To hell with plans. He was improvising.
It was hard for Red Sun to see what crazy antics the man was up to, but she had a few crazy ideas of her own. Readying her weapon, she leaped onto the beasts head the moment it was down, and drove the end of it into it's snout- and now getting pain from two points on it's face, the snake let out a terrifying chuff and snapped open it's jaws, the impact of which sent Red Sun sliding own it's scaley neck.
Cassius ripped his axe out of the snake and just started hacking away. How was this thing not dead yet? It should have died awhile ago with all of the injuries it had sustained, not to mention all of the blood loss. Surely it couldn't be much longer now until the serpent bit the dust.
It was a miracle, or so it seemed, that the snake was still very much alive. But like Cassius, Red Sun had to wonder how much more of this the beast could take. Thankfully, it's attackers had faired much better, and both of them were coming out of this alive, and with nary a scratch.T hough she felt herself nearly bruised all over, her concern was to finish this thing and just get out of it alive, and as she slide down it's scales, she struck out again, and her short sword began to cut shallow gashes, opening it up to more blood.
Cassius had just about had it with this giant snake. Why wouldn't it just die? Cassius began hacking his way down through the snake. His goal: chop the snake in two.
"Die already you sonuvabitch," Cassius roared as he swung away.
Catching on rather quickly to what Cassius was doing, Red Sun leaped to his side and began to slash along with him-a nd it didn't take long for them both to be coated well in the serpent's blood-
but just as they were about half way through the damn beast- it gav eone final cry,a nd one final strike, as it's mouth shot forward and it gobbled up Red Sun whole.
Cassius wasn't entirely sure what had just happened. One moment he and Red Sun are hacking away, and the next, she's gone. The snake had eaten her. Cassius, however, knew how snakes worked from his travels. It took them quite awhile to digest anything, and if he just kept going and cut the rest of the way through the snake, Red Sun could just pop out the other side. Probably. Cassius continued swinging away with renewed vigor.
But it wouldn't take that long- just two more swings in and the large snake collapsed and went still-
and even in it's settling unto death, there was no sign of the woman it had swallowed whole.
Cassius waited for Red Sun to emerge from the snake's corpse, but nothing happened. She had been swallowed whole. Surely she was still alive. But when Red Sun still didn't emerge, Cassius decided to help things along. He walked over to the snake's head and hacked off its lower jaw. Looking down the beast's throat, he couldn't see a thing. Cassius knew that he couldn't just start cutting. He might hit Red Sun.
"Hey Sunny," he called down the beast's throat. "You still alive?"
And that's when her arm shot out, slick with blood and saliva as she groped around, seeking to take a hold of anything she could to pull herself free.
Cassius took a step back as an arm shot out of the beast's throat. Chuckling, he grabbed a hold of it and pulled Red Sun out in one swift motion and set her down on her feet.
"Was your trip enjoyable," Cassius asked slapping her on the back. "Not many people can say they were eaten by a giant snake and lived."
Cassius looked around the arena, his eyes eventually falling on the Shah. He was wondering what would happen next now that the snake was dead. He had interfered in the arena. But if he had not, how many more audience members would it have eaten? All that mattered was that the damn serpent was finally dead.
Red Sun nearly wretched when she was able to finally breath again, and held onto her gut with the crook of one arm. Wincing, she peered up at Cassius, and felt her head pounding as the crowd- which had been near quiet, was roaring to life.
"I'm sure you'll just use this experience against me." And when her eyes caught sight of the Shah, she grimaced. "Well, looks like it's our time to bow before her." And wobbling into the center of the Colosseum, she stood as proudly as she could, ignorant of he filth that clothed her and took her bow before the young Shah.
And the crowd was going wild.
Cassius laughed at her remark of him using her getting eaten against her. He wasn't sure what he could use such information for, but he would have to find something, especially since she brought it up.
Red Sun then proceeded to bow before the Shah. Cassius gave the Shah an exaggerated bow, and it only lasted for a second. He couldn't bring himself to bow any longer for someone who let such treachery occur in their own country. Make no mistake, he did have respect for the Shah. However, it was only because she was the Shah. It was a position to be respected, even though she had no real power.
It seemed the Shah approved,a nd gestured for the two warriors to leave the Colosseum. The crowd was in an uproar, and Red Sun was just thankful she could finally leave the snake carcass behind.
"By the Gods, do I ever need a bath," she lamented as she and Cassius made their way back through the portcullis and into the shade.
Cassius found himself laughing yet again as Red Sun complained about needing a bath. He had almost forgotten that she was a woman as well as a warrior. Come to think of it, he was covered in snake blood also. Cassius couldn't help but wonder if anyone was waiting for him the moment he exited the arena. Maybe he'd be ambushed by guards or something for what he did. However, seeing as how he just took on a giant snake and lived, he doubted that anyone would want to mess with him at the moment. He then suddenly thought of something.
"So, Sunny," he began. "Who is Karime pairing you with? Or do I have to find that out myself also?"
Red Sun was making a face. The digestive juices and slobber from the snake were making her skin crawl. Though when she tried to move to wipe it off, it got coated to her fingers and would not come off. Scowling, she kept on trying, but then found herself glancing over at Cassius at his question.
"You ask strange questions after a battle. Shouldn't you be more worried Ka-aid-muhll or Karime might vie for a chance to have you hung?" He did cut in on her battle, after all...
"Why should I be worried about them," Cassius asked. "Those two weaklings won't do a thing. What are they gonna do, send their pathetic little slaves after me? Don't make me laugh."
Cassius wasn't worried at all about Karime or Ka-aid-muhll. All they could do was send their pathetic, underfed slaves after him, and the guards were too afraid of Cassius to do anything. Not to mention that Cassius brought in some of the highest quality slaves in all of Essyrn because he was the only one physically capable of taking on bigger slaves. Some of the best combatants in the arena had been brought in by Cassius. There was nothing they could do against him.
Red Sun snorted, though despite not liking to ever smile towards him, she actually did.
"I doubt either of them could do it themselves, but if they were to ever appeal enough to the masses, they could, together, make your life more difficult." Though she straightened herself out, a hand to her hip, resting just over where her sword now resided. "THough I suppose you are well aware of their tactics. Anything deceitful would do." But then again- why did she even care to tell him that?
"What are they going to do, draw graffiti on my house," Cassius chuckled.
Cassius had never seen Red Sun smile before. It was an odd, but not unwelcome, sight. He didn't even know that she was even capable of positive expression. Then again, they did just kill a giant snake together. Things like that tended to create feelings of camaraderie. Cassius began thinking up something to tell the Shah to explain why he had jumped in. He believed that he had come up with a pretty legitimate excuse, but a plan B was always good to have.
And as if on cue, she asked exactly what was on his mind.
"What if the Shah disapproves?"
And from what she knew about this new, young Shah- she was not afraid to hang slavers.
"So what," Cassius replied calmly. "I'll just go back to Adela. Her gallows are probably to short to hang me anyway."
Cassius chuckled at the short gallows comment he just made. As odd as it may seem, that had happened before. Some small tribe of savages in the woods tried to hang him, but he was too tall. He acquired a few scars fighting his way out, but it was well worth the laugh. He decided to turn the question back on Red Sun.
"What do you think will happen to you?"
Red Sun made a face.
"I'll probably be whipped, then praised- that is to say if my master does not meet with the ire of the Shah. Then I might hang." And she saw nothing funny about that- for though she faced possible death each time she fought, she never wanted to actually fall prey to it.
"Sounds like fun," Cassius commented. "I've only ever met the Shah on business before. It will be interesting to meet her for something like this."
Red Sun cut him another look.
"And you are not afraid?"
"They say that one of the most dangerous things in existence is a man with nothing to lose," Cassius replied simply. "That statement couldn't be more true."
If Red Sun thought she had reasons to cringe before, she had the reasons more so now.
"So you're really just a man who could so easily throw his life away?" Typical male- especially those who chose to fight. That comment reminded her how much she did not respect him- and why she loathed him so. If she had a choice...
Well, life would be much, much different for her that was for sure- and she wouldn't be walking around next to a man like him, and both covered in snake guts.
"It's not that I'd throw it away. I'm just not afraid to lose it. Only a fool would throw his life away on purpose."
To be honest wasn't too fond of men who wanted to die either. He wasn't suicidal, he just lacked that instinct of self-preservation that most other people had.
Red Sun snorted at that.
"And what do you think you do every time you step into the arena?" Most were not stupid when given a choice.... Shaking her head, she stepped away from him and towards the slave holding cells. They'd part ways here anyway- he was a free man to walk out of this place not in chains where as she...
She still had a collar and leash to wear.
"Getting stronger," he called to her as they parted ways.
He wasn't entirely sure where to go next, especially since he was still covered in snake guts. Cassius decided to go with the old standby and headed for the nearest tavern. Nothing did away with worries, fears, and stress like alcohol. The most exciting part would be how the patrons reacted to them. He predicted that he would have to end up breaking about three limbs if a fight were to break out.
As it turned out, the Shah set word to commend Cassius on his efforts, keeping the Colosseum safe from any future deaths in the audience- but naturally, this would make the Shah ever wary to try such an event again- and the praise Karime was hoping to procure from this battle seemed to all but diminish when Cassius intervened, a thought that agitated him to no end-
and because the result was less than what he desired, he 'put off' his slave's breeding.
No.. no... he had his eyes on other things.. Cassius's death being one of them- and after seeing such a display...
He was trying to come up with the best solution possible to be rid of this best- and was beginning to wonder if he was going about this the wrong way....
Thankfully for Red Sun, she was left relatively alone, and had a chance to actually bathe in piece before retiring to her cell- but her mind, from time to time, would drift back to that fight, and how they had both made it out of it barely alive.
Cassius had enjoyed his trip to the tavern. Many people were still at the Colloseum, and those that were in the tavern just stared at him silence. Once his drinking was done, he headed home. When he arrived he was informed by one of his slaves that the Shah had commended his efforts. How thoughtful. After getting cleaned up, which turned out to be a long arduous process, he didn't know what to do with himself. Beyond fighting the snake, he didn't have anything else planned for the day. Having nothing better to do, Cassius left his house and just started wandering the streets to tune in on all the gossip and see everything he had seen a million times before.
Like most nights before this, when she had trouble sleeping, she took to her horse, and she and Horus were moving like the wind, graceful and swift across the fields of her master's home. She should have been exhausted- and was, but she couldn't shake the anxious feeling that had become her- and so, figured this ride would be perfect to clear her head.
Little did she know- a few men had other ideas. For Red Sun was famous, and famous people- be they slaves or not, always garnered a crowd. And admirers.. and those that loathed them. It was hard to say exactly what side these men were on, but spotting Red Sun galloping about on her own with just a few guards to keep watch- (who were easily handled by the these night lurkers..) a few men on kaadir began to approach, and at first, Red Sun slowed- wondering if it was Cassius, but then once she realized the men had nets and weapons- she panicked.
Kicking hte sides of her horse, she gave a yell and had him tearing off across the sandied grasses, the men soon eating her dust...
But he kaadir were smart and merciless creatures... and they were soon gaining on her, their throats releasing cool, clicking noises while their riders prepared their nets-
And once they were close enought o her, they threw them into the air, and the next thing Red Sun knew- she and her horse were tumbling to the ground.
Cassius was still positively bored. It was pretty late, and the taverns were closing soon. As he made his way out, he heard two men talking. They spoke of a group of men going out after Red Sun. Knowing about Red Sun's nightly rides, Cassius immediately went to find her. By the time he got there, she was already gone. Cassius' anger grew. What was their problem? Why did he even care? Regardless, he couldn't let this act go unchallenged.
Cassius went and prepared himself. He donned his armor, which he hardly ever used, and loaded up on weapons. He took his axe, two swords, throwing knives, and the dagger that he always kept in his boot. Cassius quickly procured a horse and went off to find Red Sun. People were going to get hurt. He could feel it.
It was probably the dumbest thing anyone could do- considering how famous of a face Red Sun was- and that her master was actually on the good side of the Shah. But men were greedy, and the thought of money lead to many foolish things,...
So through the night they went, hastily through the streets of Reajh, with REd Sun in tow, and a very noisy cart bolting through the city streets and making a mad dash for the Niafi River.
During his search, Cassius came across footprints in the sand. A lot of footprints. Cassius urged his horse onward and followed the trail at full speed. One man on a horse was easily faster then many who were dragging a prisoner along. It wasn't difficult for Cassius to figure out where they were going. They were heading toward the river. Cassius went around and headed off the group.
"Evening gentleman," Cassius said as he dismounted his horse. "I do believe you are in possession of something that does not belong to you. I suggest you return it immediately."
Cassius drew his axe in a wordless threat, and to let them know he was serious. They were criminals, so he didn't have to hold back. He could kill them all with no consequences. This was just what he needed, something to take out every last bit of his pent up rage on.
"And who are you to stop us?" One man sneered.
Ad then another man realized who he was and gasped, "Cassius!"
"You mean the bloody fool from the arena?"
"Don't let him live. Kill him. Kill him or he'll squeal."
And the men didn't waste another breath and suddenly, four of them came right at him, weapons in hand.
Cassius decided to embrace the age-old principle that the best defense was a good offense. Instead of preparing to take their charge, he launched his own. If he could get past them and free Red Sun, it would even the odds a bit. Charging headlong into his assailants, he swung his axe in a wide arc at them, but had no intention of stopping his charge. He planned on going straight for Red Sun and freeing her. He could kill whoever was left behind to guard her, and then give her the extra sword her brought. What other use would a one-handed man have for two swords than to give the second one away? It wasn't like he could use both.
Cassius more or less bowled the men over, and their gargling cries of pain and death alerted Red Sun to what was going on. Snarling, she peered through the heavy netting over her and once she spotted the hook hand, she gasped.
"Cassius?" But then her line of sight was blocked as three men stood before her, willing to protect her as they drew out their blades.
"KILL HIM! KILL HIM DEAD!"
OOC: looool
Cassius charged a second time, but he put a little twist on this one. He would start off going straight at them, but then he would veer off to his left and take that guy out. Then, he would deal with the others as they turned to face him.
The first man let out a cry, and was down in seconds, leaving the other two bandits stunned. But once they realized shit was hitting the fan- one of them just up and dropped out,a nd took off running. And the last man, snarling, still came out Cassius with his sharpened sword in hand- aiming to cleave off his head.
Cassius grinned as the last man came at him. Apparently he didn't realize what a huge mistake he was making. The incoming blow was deflected by Cassius' hook and Cassius' head slammed into the man's face, shattering his nose. The man didn't have a lot of time to express his pain as Cassius' axe silenced him soon after.
The next order of business was to free Red Sun. Cassius cut her free as quickly as he could, for he had not killed all of the bandits. He had only knocked over the first few, and the would undoubtedly be displeased. Cassius offered Red Sun the extra sword he had brought after she was free.
"Lovely evening, isn't it," Cassius remarked as he handed her the sword.
Stepping out from beneath the heavy netting, she blinked and was surprised a sword was given to her. But she didn't have much of a chance to question it, as the first grouping of men were now barreling their way.
"Yes, a lovely evening indeed. I take it you were bored?"
"What gives you that idea," Cassius asked as his boot slammed into the stomach of one of the bandits.
Cassius inwardly chuckled at Red Sun's shock when he handed her a sword. He knew she wouldn't try to escape. She hadn't taken any of his offers in the past, so there was no reason to believe she would try to escape now. Besides, while the bandits had a slim chance against Cassius, they had no chance against both Cassius and Red Sun.
And these bandits truly didn't stand a chance. With two gladiators taking to arms, her eyes narrowed into slits as she cut into the first pair of men they tried to come after her- and it was a satisfying thing to hear- to cut down these men on free lands, and listening tot he gurgling cries of their death.
As Cassius pulled his axe from the final bandit, he let out a satisfied sigh. That was just what he needed. Who knew that killing a few bandits had therapeutic value? He turned to Red Sun and rested his axe on his shoulder.
"So, what brings you out here," he asked casually.
Red Sun glared at Cassius, not amused by such a question.
"I suppose you could have asked those men, but we've killed them all."
"It seems as though we have," Cassius replied, nudging one of the corpses with his foot.
"Well, we should head back. I'm sure Karime is worrying his greasy little head off wondering where his prized possession has gone."
Red Sun narrowed her gaze.
"Yes, but I ought to go alone. I'm sure you showing up, he'd only want to cause trouble."
And if anything,t he least she could do is give the man advice in avoiding trouble with Karime. He did save her life, after all. Not that she was sure if her master would even rightly care.
"I'm all for causing trouble," Cassius said with a sly grin. "Besides, you could surely be attacked again. You need an escort."
Cassius walked over and mounted his horse. He planned to go to Karime's house even if she didn't want him to.
"Where's your horse?"
Red Sun frowned. "Probably back in the field where I had been riding. It wasn't like those men had wanted my horse."
"I see," Cassius said scratching his chin. "Well then, do you want to ride or do you want to walk. But be warned, you'll have to share a horse with me if you want to ride."
"I may not like you, Cassius, but I would not refuse a ride when I am unsure how far away I am from my destination." And she moved to climb onto the saddle, slipping onto the portion alloted behind him. "Let's go."
As soon as Red Sun had climbed on the horse he started off in the direction of Essyrn. He kept an eye out for Red Sun's horse. It would be a decently long ride until they got back to the city, and Cassius was not going to spend the trip in awkward silence.
"So," he began, "has anyone been treating you any differently since the snake incident?"
"What? You mean besides getting kidnapped?" she quipped, though her tone was even, so it was hard to tell if she was joking, or angry.
"Just trying to avoid the awkward silence of a long ride," Cassius replied.
Red Sun snorted and adjusted herself upon the saddle. Her entire side was raw from where she had been scraped and dragged across the desert sands.
"So we are that far from the city?"
"It's a pretty fair distance," Cassius replied. "Those bandits were moving pretty fast in order to make off with you before getting caught."
"Yes, you don't need to remind me," she said, speaking through her teeth. But something felt odd about all of this. "How did you end up here?" After all, if they were so far away from everything, how could Cassius have been so lucky to be in the right place at the right time? "Don't tell me you were just going out for an evening stroll."
"I spend a lot of time in taverns," he explained. "I hear a lot of rumors."
Cassius continued looking out for Red Sun's horse. He knew roughly how far away Essyrn was, but he didn't know he far her horse was, so it could show up anywhere.
"Yes, I suppose drunks would say a lot of stupid things," she muttered. "So are you really taking me back to Karime?" It just seemed strange, after all of his talk about freedom and this or that- and how much he loathed her master...
the fact he'd so readily escort her there was a bit mind boggling.
"You have a sword and you're not tied up," Cassius replied. "If you truly wanted to be free you would have done so by now. Besides, I wouldn't pass up on an opportunity to scold Karime for allowing his property to get stolen."
"Yes, I could probably kill you out here and nobody would know," Red Sun said thoughtfully.
"You could," Cassius replied simply. "But what fun would that be?"
Cassius wasn't worried about Red Sun killing him. He knew that she wouldn't. She had never accepted freedom when he offered it so there was no reason to think that she would try to escape now.
And that's when the cold blade of her weapon was pressed lightly against his throat.
"I could see it being a lot of fun."
Cassius didn't even stop the horse as he felt the blade against his throat.
"I never imagined you as the kind who had any kind of fun," Cassius replied cooly. "Go ahead and do it then. You'll be lost in the middle of the desert with no direction or knowledge of the outside world. You'll be lonely and confused. Not to mention that you have no food, water, or anything to keep you warm. The desert gets deathly cold at night."
"There's a lot you don't know about me, Cassius. And a lot you don't know about people in general. I won't be lost, because the sun sets west. I know the men dragged me east because of the moon. I'd just follow away from the moon and head away from the sunrise, and eventually I'd find my way. And I don't get lonely. One does not simply get lonely. When I am alone, I am at peace. ANd confusion is never a problem, for I am well aware of myself and the world around me. ANd food and water will only come in time. Though I'm sure the same could be said about curing the desert chill. I could use your skin as a blanket. That is, if you were to somehow so easily forfeit your life."
"In my defence, the people I deal with are usually rich snobs or filthy slaves. It's not often I encounter any sort of intelligence, so my faith in humanity is lacking. My faith in many things is lacking. You on the other hand, seem to have everything figured out. You might be considering killing me, but you won't. The outside world is a mystery to you. You need to be told what to do in order to know what to do. Have you ever even experienced life outside of slavery?"
Red Sun gave a snort.
"I was born into this life. Anything I know about freedom is how I've viewed it through those who have it, yet abuse it. But I grew up on my mother's stories. She had once been free, in the land to the north, Adela. And despite your accusations, I do not fear freedom, nor would I be so clueless. Life is not as mysterious as you think I'd perceive it. Free or not, slaves exists on many levels. And I'm sure you yourself, are bound to a slavery of your own kind. Or else you would't be here, nor in the arena."
"Just because I've chosen this life doesn't mean I'm a slave to it. My job lets me do what I do best and I'm capable of working in both of my home cities. Slaves die every day, and my customers count on me to bring them new ones, so it's a pretty stable career. Not to mention that the pay is very good. I wouldn't say that mine is such a bad lifestyle. It sure beats being a slave."
"Yes.. " she said, wearing a smile he could not see as her blade slipped away safely from his throat. "Too bad you'll finally be bested by one." And with that- she whacked him hard across the temple, hopping to knock him out- and if not, at least that blow had enough of a force to knock him clean from the saddle. And as the man was hitting the sands, she actually laughed and snatched up the reigns.
"I guess it's time I finally listen to you then!" she shouted, horse dancing around him. "To finally leave this world all behind me." And with a quick kick and "HIYAA!" Red Sun was storming off towards the dark of night.
OOC: loool hope this post is okay <3
PM me if you want me to edit it. I just got the idea and it amused me greatly, so I went with it
>D
Cassius was surprised that Red Sun was finally able to work up the nerve and escape. The blow to the temple did not knock him out, but he did end up eating sand. Cassius chuckled as Red Sun rode off into the night. He hadn't told her that Essyrn was only a short walk away. He had been riding around the perimeter of the city to see if she would actually escape. Cassius stood, brushed off the sand, and began the walk back to Essyrn. Karime could find out that Red Sun was missing on his own. Cassius was no snitch, and he just wanted to get drunk and go to bed just like he did every night.
It was the talk of the town- how Red Sun tried to escape. There was, of course, no mention of the bandits who tried to take her- just that the slave woman had nearly gotten out of range of the city before Karime's men found her, lamed her, and took her in. She was sorely beaten for it, and made a public example, but even as she was dragged back to Essyrn, she smiled anyways.
Just a small taste of freedom was potent, and though Karime punished her and made her bleed before taking her to the streets and locked into a pillory, Red Sun felt the desire rise within her- the truth and perceptive clarity of her hatred of this life, and of the man who owned her. Freedom had been so close, and on so many occasions, nearly gifted to her-
and now, as the people of Essyrn walked past her, laughing or cringing, spitting on her or beating her with their own animal whips or throwing stones, yes- even now, she felt the prideful desires of wanting to be free.
And it was probably that desire that kept her alive and spirited throughout her punishment, even as the raw heat of the afternoon sun tried to bake her, and she was losing a lot of blood.
Yes... the taste of freedom, though briefly, was surely worth all of this. And ironically, she had only Cassius to blame.
Cassius awoke the next morning like he always did: hungover. After a long drink of water he made himself as presentable as he cared enough to make himself and wandered off into the streets. It didn't take long for him to find out what all of the buzz was about. Red Sun was stuck in a pillory for all to see. She was beaten and bloodied, a clear sign that Karime had been not at all pleased with her escape attempt. Cassius chuckled as he approached.
"I see the escape went well," he commented with a grin.
Though one eye was swollen, and her face was half hidden in bruises and hair, she peered up at him through a quiet gaze.
"And I suppose you came to spit or piss on me like the rest?" And if it were not Cassius that approached her, the group of kids hoovering around, snickering- would have launched the stones they had prepared for her clean at her face. But for now, they remained around her like hoovering, hungered dogs.
"Water is too precious to waste on spitting out in the desert, and I always take my morning piss before I leave the house, so you don't have to worry about me," Cassius told her. "Those kids over there are itching to throw those rocks though. They undoubtedly would be if I wasn't standing here."
"Yes, but it still doesn't explain why you're here." She frowned. She had left him for dead out in the desert- even if he wasn't at all that far from the city. She was surprised he just seemed to be here for chit chat.
"Just a bit of gloating," Cassius replied simply. "I didn't think you had it in ya, but it looks you did after all. Who would have thought?"
"Gloating?" Red Sun stared up at him with some surprise, before glowering, and then, eventually smiling, just subtly, as she shook her head. "I suppose a man like you would gloat at a time like this." For neither had been completely wrong- for she knew the consequences long before getting caught- and she was lucky she was not being hung. But he was right in the fact she lusted for the one thing she could not have....
and it had been so close...
Too bad for her fate had other things in store for her.
And the children who were too anxious to wait for Cassius to leave, one of them stepped forward and did not hesitate to hurl a rock, that of which struck sharply at Red Sun's back. And it seemed to break any barriers of fear among the other boys as they all hurled their rocks at her and laughed.
Red Sun let out a grunt, gritting her teeth as the rocks came and pierced her, drawing blood, before she cut a deadly glare the children's way, who only saw that scary face and laughed.
"What can I say," Cassius replied with a shrug. "I'm a horrible human being."
Cassius did not react to the children throwing stones until they started laughing. As it so turned out, the children's accuracy was affected greatly while they were laughing and one of the stones accidentally hit Cassius in the back of the head. The children fell immediately silent as Cassius slowly turned and glowered at them. Dropping their rocks, the children fled for the hills. They would come back later when Cassius was gone.
"Little brats," Cassius grumbled. "Well, have fun with your entrapment, Sunny."
Cassius turned and walked away, but he wasn't entirely sure where he was going. He was just kind of going. All well, he would eventually end up somewhere. Once he arrived he would just improvise the who, what, when, and why.
OOC: This thread continues here: Practice Makes Perfect (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=16924.msg194847#msg194847)