Chapter 14: 14 – Arena

Upstairs brimmed with activity, servants and slaves alike hurried under the Lords’ commands. Lady Emelda and young Leandro sported their best clothings; elegant, bright pieces with golden and diamond ornaments for her, and a more sober approach for the boy, reminiscent of military attire, his father’s instructions. Lord Derreick wore an embroidered military suit, each fine detail handcrafted by masters, from past exploits. He held his spirit tight while treading through the edges of prudence. With a balanced act, he assuaged everyone’s nerves, including his own. Husband and wife looked at each other, they understood what was at stake.

“Good morning father.”

After his son’s languid greeting, Lord Derreick stared at him.

“Despite your condition, keep your head high. I’m sure you can manage this.”

“Yes...” Their usual routine.

“Be thankful to your House, make it proud, and the House will take care of you. Your great grandfather’s beliefs have brought us this far. Don’t forget it.”

Leandro sighted. “I won’t father...”

“Dear... calm down. It’s an ominous day, we don’t need any extra agitation. It’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

“As long as he remembers. But you’re right, today’s an important day for us,” said Lord Derreick after embracing her arm with his.

X and High Mountain made an appearance during their busy affairs. Lumis, Ruianne, the beargang and half of the human servants took part as the Lords’ entourage. Servants and slaves alike wore neat and stylish garments, according to each one’s position, in-house provided. Such an special occasion required everyone to look their best. No one realized yet the family gathering was short one member.

“Ah, the slave of the hour.” Lady Emelda turned his head towards the new arrivals. “Your moment of triumph has come. You did trouble us a lot, you putrajado, but everything has its comeuppance. Hear me well everyone,” she addressed the other slaves. “This is what happens when slaves don’t know when to obey simple commands, be a good slave and shut up- Eh? Why didn’t you dressed him properly gnome.”

“I... my Lady.. I’m sorry.”

“Well, in this case, I’ll allow it.” She turned her head, her eyes nailed on the male elf. “It’s not in our House’s name you march towards your own death, but your death will preserve our honor. Interesting set of circumstances. Not for you, of course.”

While Lady Emelda’s one sided conversation carried on X peeked at the slaves and saw cracks in their facades. Their veneer of sanity crumbled, revealing simple, normal folk yielding to pressure. Head Slave-Butler Gnome’s grip on him trembled. All of them exchanged nervous glances. X prayed they’d hold out long enough before screaming their hearts out. Blood boiled through all present living creatures.

How many times had X been under such circumstances? Hard to say even for him, but he remained calm taking deep breaths and focusing on his real and tangible present, the atemporal could wait.

Contrary to everyone’s expectations Lord Derreick didn’t address X but interrupted Lady Emelda’s monologue.

“Where’s our daughter?”

“This girl is going to kill me! And I specifically told her not to be late today of all days! I’ll go-”

“I don’t want to be late, perception is everything in these kind of events. Lumis!”

Lumis made herself present. “Yes miaow Lord!”

“Make sure the oversleeping young Lady of this House dresses properly and I want her at the arena at the earliest. And by earliest I mean now, your skin is on the line. Go, go,” Lord Derreick stated before putting his eyes on X. “For those of us already here, everything.”

You are reading story X the Elf at novel35.com

“Everything,” X responded in kind.

“We go now.”

Those uttered words binded Lord and slave in an unspoken understanding. The family boarded a luxurious, custom-made carriage, bought for this occasion. An entourage of strange creatures followed their every move and obeyed their every whim. Outside, the streets overflowed with activity, creatures from all walks of life conveyed towards the arena. Such an event demanded a festival of equal proportions. Music, dance and food welcomed each new arrival into a stage prepared for their satisfaction. House Liame accessed through a VIP gate, once inside they split; Lady Emelda, Leandro, Ruianne, High Mountain and their servants proceeded to the family’s suite, Lord Derreick stayed behind with X.

Two knights and one captain saluted them as they stepped in their suite. Lady Emelda hadn’t expected to find knights from the Jetual Order, the military order her husband had been a member of since his youth, stationed here. A show of force couldn’t hurt she thought and sat after introducing herself and her son to them. Inside awaited an ample space filled with luxurious snacks, padded seats, and assorted refreshments. Servants and slaves alike made themselves useful attending Lady Emelda and her son.

Crowds of people flocked into the arena as did most Houses and the few not present had sent representatives. Important people and families used their own suites, people beneath their status sat according to their ticket’s color and thus its price. Everyone else sat under a first come first served basis until no more people could fit in.

The renowned Houses observed each other and used such events to communicate either by sending personal invitations or by messages delivered by the copious amount of slaves populating the venue. Every minute spent in public presented an opportunity or a setback and each social cue merited a careful consideration.

After waiting for a considerable time and with the arena at full capacity Saint Jaulea’s Mayor and his wife made an appearance at the central podium stage followed by a cadre of military officers, politicians and other colorful personalities. The Major addressed every spectator, from those in their VIP quarters to people standing or sitting at every step, shoulder to shoulder, gathered there to get a piece of the slave, whom after festivities would be dismembered and most bodyparts thrown to a raging public while his best parts would be auctioned off. And he played his part too, a politician first, he took every advantage to spew the party line. He rambled on until the faces of those Houses that supported him looked satisfied.

“Sisters and brothers, citizens of Saint Jaulea. We’ve gathered here, on this blessed occasion for justice to take place before our own eyes. Due to putrajados’ heinous acts we always come back to this brutal arena. It is by their lack of propriety, decorum on social situations, but most aggravating, their failing intelligence to learn the most basic manners that bring us together here, today. Slave’s education is our duty, they cannot rule themselves nor decide for themselves. Nor should they. Today’s lesson will be imparted by Sir Mitchell ‘Putrajados Bane’ Andarlo under the Adventurers’ Guild auspices, without which we would’ve been, long ago, overrun by savages beasts from the west. And to everyone else, we shall act as witnesses, by design of our Gods all mighty and fervently favored by Deistel-Gajjuan First Aspect of Battle... Let the duel begin!”

To a thunderous applause and racketing screams expectations rose for soon to be spilled blood. From the arena’s east side a gate opened and a shining man in full armor and regalia stepped in. Mitchell yelled with both arms raised while he toured the arena. Every child, woman and man went wild, screeched and threw flowers when he walked by them. A group of ladies, first row attendees, admirers of the Adventurers’ Guild and Mitchell’s clique in particular, sang the Guild’s hymn with burning passion.

In a contrasting light and to deafening jeers and whistles the arena’s west gate rose. From it, an exhausted, weak elf made his appearance. A new daunting experience, having such a vast audience observe his every move until his last breath, welcomed him. Being the center of attention riled his nerves, too late for an episode of stage fright and under an explosive ruckus, X spat down, raised both arms and saluted his dear public with one finger raised on each fist. Crass. A show they wanted, a show he’d give them. Adrenalin began to flow through his body, a known feeling, a nostalgic feeling. Mitchell addressed the public which quieted down.

“We are here today, in this blood soaked arena, blood of the weak, the bad and the downright despicable... Because this slave, a mere putrajado, pretended to pass poor judgment upon me and thus, upon all of us!”

A roar erupted.

What a sight. Some folks take things way too seriously.

X glanced at the public, trying to spot known faces, nothing, wherever they sat it didn’t matter, everyone’s faces faded in rivers of unknowns. Near the gate he came from stood one well known figure, Lord Derreick. But the Lord didn’t move, didn’t rebel on the spectacle before him. No. Rigid, unamused and calm he focused his mind on one thing; being ready for action.

But not everyone enjoyed these events, within the crowd strained faces tripped all over, running errands for their masters, trying their best to calm down their trembling spirits. Never ones to enjoy their fellow slaves torture, death and subsequent dismemberment, this morning a different set of expectations ate their souls away as seconds slipped by. Last night gossip overshadowed their usual reasons for discomfort, a dark cloud of forbidding consequences embraced them. Ruianne had told her trusted fellow slaves, from different Houses, privy to their plans, to zip it, there would be no more talk nor discussion before the signal. Those slaves had to muster all their strength to stay collected under watchful eyes.

The Lords of House Liame had left behind two human servants, the beargang, the half-she-orc and Lumis, who was desperately trying to find the young Lady. Lumis lost her composure at her failure to locate the capricious girl. She feared what would happen if she didn’t find her, the Lords’ punishment would be severe. For a brief moment she forgot their time to act drew near. By mere automatic reaction she had driven herself into a corner but in a lucid moment of sobriety she remembered this day she’d either end a free kinkat or a dead one. She stopped her search and told the human servants the young Lady had already departed and should already be with her family. The servants took Lumis at her word. They played it nice because they yearned to watch the ongoing spectacle. Soon enough everyone found themselves drawn in by the fervent devotees, of fresh blood and guts, roaring screams rising in an unstoppable crescendo crashing through Saint Jaluea’s wealthy district.

“Our Adventurers’ Guild has done much for Saint Jaulea... in numerous occasions. And we will continue to do so, for as long as we, adventurers, breathe. An invaluable alliance growing stronger each and every day... to be disrespected in such ways! But alas, while we want to blame everything on this unruly slave, guilt also lies with its masters! The discipline they have neglected to give, I’ll impart now!”

Another ardent uproar rumbled through the arena. People watched entranced, many didn’t care what Sir Mitchell spoke about, they wanted their morning gore. Most Houses’ members agreed with him, every single slave action reflected back on their Lords and their respective Houses. Some thought it unfortunate, while others saw an opportunity. Those at the Adventurers’ Guild could not thank the Gods enough for this golden chance to show off and shame House Liame and by affiliation the Jetual Corps.

Time for talking had ended, to blaring acclaim Mitchell lowered his helmet’s visor. Both duelists took center stage staring at each other. Screams vanished, silence reigned. A muted crowd locked sight on those two figures. It could end in one strike, it had before.

X’s shallow breathing betrayed his composure. His expectations of success or failure fed his heightened senses and growing adrenaline surge. It was do or die, not only for X, but for everyone involved. They just didn’t know it yet.

You can find story with these keywords: X the Elf, Read X the Elf, X the Elf novel, X the Elf book, X the Elf story, X the Elf full, X the Elf Latest Chapter