The trumpets sounded, announcing the procession that kicked off the event. The organizers, performers, and gladiators made their way across the sands as impatience sparked in the air. Everyone was eager for the games to begin.
The others crowded around me, chattering about the fighters.
"Over there! Looks like Ennius is fighting today."
"He's part of Ludus Magnus, right?"
"Yeah. The greatest school, my ass. Everyone knows that's us."
Someone nudged their shoulder against mine. "There's your favorite person," she giggled, pointing.
"Oh, please, Prax." I rolled my eyes. "I decided to wish him luck this morning and he pretty much ignored me."
Scanning the group, I found Quintus with his partner. She had muscular legs and was also covered in tattoos, although hers were only temporary and would fade away in a few weeks. At the moment, they writhed like smoke tendrils across her dark skin.
"Quintus! Hey, Quintus!" Corvus's arms crossed in the air as he waved to get his attention. The rest of us joined in, chanting.
"Aelius!
“Aelius!
“Aelius!"
The gladiator finally turned, squinting at us. After a moment, a wry grin slid across his face and he nodded before proceeding out with the rest for the first stage to begin.
And they really wasted no time getting started; the bestiarii barely had enough time to spread out when the first animals were released. Rough, guttural roars echoed as four bears lumbered into the arena—one from each side. They swung their heads, clearly already enraged. One bear charged and several fighters shifted back before their nerve broke.
They turned and ran.
"Bad move," Ursus said.
Two of the beasts caught sight of the fleeing figures and gave chase. Shouts broke out as the gladiators dove out of the way, slashing at them as they thundered past. The bears’ maws opened, showing sharp, massive canines that crushed down on arms and shoulders.
The fourth bear hadn't attacked yet. It paced back and forth when a spear flew through the air, embedding itself into the shoulder. Furious, the beast reared onto its hind legs. It towered over them and roared spittle flying from its mouth.
It was chaos and the spectators loved it.
One of the animals had trapped a fighter under its massive paws. Jaws clamped down on his side and jerked up, ripping the arm off with spurts of blood. But the man's scream of agony was just one of several cutting through the air.
A gladiatrix took advantage of its distraction and rammed her sword into its side. It turned, wrenching the hilt from her grasp. Claws smashed against her and she crashed to the ground, curling up under her shield against its onslaught. Two more gladiators jumped in, aiming for its head and throat. Suddenly, her arm flashed up and a dagger lodged in its mouth. Together, they stabbed it over and over again until it finally fell.
"She's quick," Corvus commented. "Can't hesitate the moment you see an opportunity. It may be the only one you get."
Meanwhile, another bear had been driven into a frenzy, crashing blindly through the mess until it collided into a second bear. It bit behind the neck and shook with violent jerks. The other bear stumbled from the attack
"Vaha!" I gasped, my jaw dropping. I had never seen anything like that happen before.
Everything faded around the beasts and they were back in the wild, fighting for dominance. The second bear somehow managed to spin around. Now they both stood on their hind legs, slamming their paws into each other. Their maws lunged for each other's throats. It was violent and rough and intimidating, especially with their guttural roars echoing throughout the arena. I almost couldn't believe something that large could move that quickly. One well placed blow on a person would be instant death and the fighters hung back, watching uncertainly.
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The fourth bear chased down someone who ran away. They didn't get very far. The screams started before its teeth even met her flesh and slashed open her stomach. Blood and guts glistened, opened to a sun they never should have seen.
Swallowing, I covered my eyes and looked away when a hand patted my back reassuringly. I glanced up to see Ursus lift an eyebrow at me.
"I'm fine," I said, shrugging off his touch but giving a nod of appreciation.
"Alright," he chuckled but the humor didn't quite reach his eyes.
"But what about you? I know how you feel about animals."
Ursus frowned. "I hate it," he replied honestly. "But the best thing for them now is for them to be killed quickly."
I slapped his back in return and he gave a rueful smile, a rare sight on a man like him. Turning my attention back to the action, I saw only the two fighting bears remained. They were exhausted now, movements flagging. Their jaws hung open as they panted.
A gladiator took the risk and jumped onto the back of one while several others took on the second bear.
"Matris fututor, that's it!" Praxedes shouted excitedly. "Jump on it and stab its head, motherfucker!"
His gladius flashed as he raised it high and brought it down. Growling, the beast rose up again before falling backwards. He jumped off and rolled away in time before it hit the ground. A final slash was cut to make sure it was dead and the survivors lifted their fists in triumph.
"Flav, where did you get that? Actually, when did you get that?" Corvus suddenly asked in confusion.
We all turned simultaneously to see her eating walnuts candied in honey. Her hand paused as it dipped into the cloth bag and she froze mid-chew. Flavia shrugged and I snorted. Of course she wouldn't tell us. But she held out the snack to me and I took a couple to crunch on them.
"Hey, what about me?" Praxedes said indignant.
She looked at the other woman cooly. "You don't make me smoothies."
Corvus laughed so hard that he had to rest his hands on his knees, trying to talk but only wheezing instead. He fought hard to get the words out before giving up entirely.
"Yeah, well, at least I don't have stupid hair," she said sourly but Flavia looked unphased.
I crossed my arms. "Oh, come on, Prax. It's not her fault I make great smoothies. Want me to go get you some?"
Clicking his tongue, Ursus shook his head. "Defeat looks good on you, but pettiness does not."
Praxedes just sulked.
Below us, the animal fights continued. Some time ago, they'd realized the animals that came with Aeterna when it first formed were being killed faster than they could repopulate. Which resulted in a breeding program, as well as fewer animals released for each game. Part of me always wondered what it would be like to see them in their natural habitat, though.
The next stage was filled with much more light-hearted entertainment than the usual reenactment of legends to execute criminals. There were several footraces against various animals, from dogs to rabbits. They even pulled eager participants from the crowd.
"Go on, Max," Flavia teased.
I looked down at my garments and scoffed "Sure. Because that will go so well."
A pantomimed play about a man turned into a donkey came next. It was a favorite story here in Romachia, involving magic, the gods, and far too many ridiculous situations. And plenty of obscene jokes.
"I just never got why he didn't try writing in the dirt to communicate," I grumbled when I returned with snacks. It was a trip that had turned into a absolute gauntlet.
"Because then there wouldn't be a story, obviously, " Corvus said as he took all the fried fish skewers. He did a double take. "Why do you look more colorful than when you left?"
"Oh, right." Gingerly, I removed several ribbons, handkerchiefs, loincloths and breastbands that were hopefully fresh or brought as extras from where they'd been tucked and thrown over me as I returned. I tossed them at the gladiators.
"Here. These ones are for you. Urs, these are all yours; I won't repeat what they said. Flavia, burn that and for you, Prax, enjoy. I guess. I feel like I need to jump into a bath immediately."
They all dropped it or brushed it off from where it landed like they were hot embers. Except Ursus, who roared with laughter.
A piece of bread hit him in the face.
I nearly choked on my food, coughing even harder when I saw his stunned expression after. "And that too, apparently. That's also for you."
"I've got to say that looks good on you," Praxedes giggled smugly.
In the arena, there were several chariots going around the outskirts of the arena to throw bread into the stands. People screamed, eagerly reaching to catch a piece.
Flavia grinned. "So, feast on your spoils."
Music sounded, announcing the start of the fixed fights. I watched the gladiators beside me probably more than the ones in the arena. It was nice to see them enjoying themselves during an event that would usually be tense for them. Although it was hard to tell how relaxed they truly were, since they knew a lot of the other fighters out there—and far better than I ever would.
But before I knew it, we were on to the mercy fights that Quintus was part of.
Let me judge you. Do you think you could fight a bear and win?
