My fists clench as I seethe in my cell. When I passed William, I had given him a stare so full of malice I think he peed on himself.
Steps plod down the hall and I see one of my targets.
The old man enters his cell opposite me and my wrath grows.
He tries to explain himself, but it pisses me off further.
"Sorry kid.. I should've mentioned it. I'm no fighter but I get a small stipend for announcing the matches. I have to keep the crowd entertained.. so that's why I said what I did."
I don't respond. My knuckles white as I shake.
'I will not be ever forgive these vile bastards, I will be free Harry. Then I'm going to burn this Empire to the ground!'
More footfalls sound and the blonde man from earlier stands in front of my cell. He's actually smiling at me.
"Good show, good show! The people are already clamoring for your next bout, you'll get another gold if you agree to a match tomorrow. What do you say?"
"Can I pick my opponent?"
He taps his chin and thinks for a moment.
"Hmm, who do you wish to go against?"
I thrust my thumb to the side and he seems to get my meaning.
"Difficult.. quite difficult. I was planning on making you go against a worthy opponent. That kid is sniveling coward, I can't…"
Another moment of thought pauses our conversation.
"I'll tell you what, I can increase the gold to one and fifty silver towards your contract if you agree to take on two men at once..?"
His voice trailed off at the end making it question.
I didn't even think the offer over before accepting.
"Okay, I'll do it."
The blonde man clapped his hands together and walked away while muttering.
"Good, very good.."
The old man speaks now, giving helpful but unwanted advice.
"Ya know kid, you can haggle your deal a little. Especially when doing something big like a two on one match."
Venom flows through me as I respond.
"I will be requesting for you next."
He shakes his head like he's heard this countless times before.
"All right kid. Just trying to give some friendly advice. With that attitude I'll be surprised if you live another full week."
"I don't want your advice old man. I want your head."
Silence ensues and I'm left alone with my thoughts again.
Harry's face appears in my mind as I try to remember the good times. I think of when we got chased out of the candy store because we kept trying to get free samples.
I let myself wear a small smile.
We were walking towards old man Keller's shop and laughing like fools.
"I'm tellin' you Kel, Eddy said he won't notice until the bowls nearly empty!"
*Bahaha* "There's no way! I think we get at most four pieces before he notices."
Harry turned towards me with his easy smile.
"Wanna bet?"
"You're on!"
Harry didn't move and I wondered what he was doing.
His smiling face turned to a grimace and blood seeped out of his mouth.
"Why'd you kill me Kel?"
He takes a step towards me and I fall backwards trying to get away.
His voice was rasping and blood clogged his throat.
"Why'd you kill me Kel?"
"Why'd you kill me Kel?"
I'm crying now and Harry leans closer.
"Why'd you kill your best friend?"
My eyes shoot open as sweat clings to body, my side aches a little as my skin pulls at the scab.
'Sorry Harry.. I'm so sorry..'
The morning meal is bland but filling and today I got all of it. I feel strength that I didn't know I lost, return.
Waiting patiently in my cage, I guessed that is was around midday when the blonde man came to retrieve me.
The stairway was still a tough climb, but it was a little easier than yesterday.
Today I chose a different sword, this one long and broad. It was quite heavier than my previous one, but I think I'll need the reach to keep distance.
My plan is to kill William first, not because I'm afraid of him, but because he's a bully.
He always fights unfairly and only picks a fight he knows he can win. I can already imagine cold steel sliding out of my belly as he shoves a blade in my back.
When the guard comes for me, I've more or less gotten used to the weight.
My anger is quiet now, still fierce but it had diminished slightly from my nightmare.
I wait for the signal and step into the light as my name is announced.
"We have a treat for you today! If you didn't witness yesterday's moving battle of friends desperate to survive, then let me introduce you to Kelrin Bladebane!"
The crowd was animalistic in its roar. It seemed a lot of these people were regulars at this horror show.
The old man waited for crowd to die down and introduced his opponents.
"The match today is no less exciting… it's a two on one beat down! Here are contenders coming to claim Kelrin's life today, please give it up for William Kith!"
I see him get shoved out into the battlefield as he almost fall over his own feet.
The crowds lukewarm response was noticed by the old man and he hurriedly introduced his partner.
"Joining William today is a familiar face, Frederick Quin!"
A man I've never seen before saunters out and waves his hands to the crowd. Apparently he's famous here as the crowd goes wild.
His broad frame is packed with muscle. He wasn't very tall but I can tell he knew how to use his body to his advantage.
He grinned at me openly as if to mock my idiocy.
My rage is still hot, but still dim in it's glow.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, you have 5 minutes to place your bets!"
I size up my two opponents now that they're a little closer. William held a thick wooden club in his trembling hands. Spikes jutted out from the top in black needles, promising pain.
Frederick was sporting a shorter curved blade. It almost reminded me of a sickle, except it's edge is jagged and cruel looking. I can tell his is weapon is built for prolonged fights to rip flesh and wear down his opponent.
His voice has weird lilt to it and I can't place the origin.
"Sorry kid, this isn't personal, but you'll have to die today."
I don't respond as mind races, looking for opening. I think I see it, but I can't think of a way to take advantage of it.
Soon the old man speaks again and I hear him say what I didn't manage to catch yesterday.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time to see some blood!"