Page 31 of Xeda

She did as told, even though she didn't want to be checked out. She would rather be back at the training yard.

Dr. Urmari was gentle as he examined her, making sure she had no broken bones or internal damage. The gyda's eyes flicked over her curiously, and she tried not to shiver at his cool, moist touch.

“Nothing serious,” he concluded after. “Just some bad bruising, but I will give you a salve that will clear it up before the day is out. The cuts on your face seem to be healing quite nicely on their own. It was good you put a topical on them before they were infected."

She looked at him oddly and confessed she hadn't used any medicine yet.

"Really? Strange, they've already closed up. It seems like some kind of natural healing method was used. You really wouldn't know anything about it?"

She shook her head and said she didn't. The doctor shrugged it off and gave her the salve before sending her on her way.

She was heading for the pens after, knowing despite her injuries, Rick wouldn't tolerate her taking a day off. When she passed by the pool, she felt the need to take a moment, to sit and contemplate everything that had happened in the last several hours. It was a mess, the whole damn thing, but she knew she had to move forward. She sat rubbing her temples and grazed one of the cuts on her forehead. She brought her hand back and examined it and noticed a slight sheen on her fingertips. She frowned and suddenly thought of Xeda. He wouldn't have done something to the cuts while she was asleep, would he?

But how could he? He had no medicine...unless.

She shook her head. No, he wouldn't have touched her. He loathed the idea.

Then she remembered the dream and the feeling of warmth beside her. It was all so contradicting, but she couldn't help but wonder.

Eventually, she forced herself out of the gardens and back to the pens. She cleaned until the sun was just over the horizon. Before she returned to the house, she went to check on Xeda.

"I didn't think I'd be seeing you again this soon," he said, his eyes searching her face. "You look better already."

"Yeah, just some bruising. I was given a salve..." She almost wanted to ask him about the cuts but thought against it, thinking it might embarrass him. "I can't take you out for more training today..."

"I assumed as much."

"I think it's time, though, I tell you about the trials. And about what to expect after."

He straightened as best he could, lifting his head slightly. "Tell me."

"You'll be tested. Basically to show you can be trusted first. I'll be in charge of that. It's safe to say after last night Sal is feeling confident about you passing in that regard." Xeda snorted, and she continued. "After, you'll fight the other fighters of the house and one outsider who is a bastard champion and winner of the smaller tournaments. There will be judges of the games to watch you. If you defeat the others and do so in a timely manner, you'll be considered for the games."

"Sounds easy enough," he said.

She hoped so, for both their sakes. "After the trials, we will be taken to the city's center. We will meet the other chosen fighters and move on from there."

"How long?" he asked.

"We have two more days till the trials. The games last several days or up to a week if not more depending on how long the others survive."

He bent his head. "Good."

"I believe in you, Xeda. Not that you need me to."

The look he gave her was hard to read but didn't appear annoyed or ungrateful. "I'll win this. And you and me...we'll be free."

"Can I count on you not to kill me, at least as soon as we are?" She meant it as a joke, but he didn't laugh, just fixed her with a serious glare.

"I never thought I'd tell a human this, but it's true, by Rikasha and Veradis, I will spare you. You have my word."

A small smile played on her lips. "I'm glad to hear it."

* * *

They trained for as long as they could for the next two days. Ophilia felt confident by the second day that Xeda would have no problem defeating the other house fighters and would be able to hold his own against whoever they pitted him against from the outside. The morning of the trials, she was allowed to take the day off from cleaning pens in order to prepare Xeda. She put on her nicest uniform, with the house insignia on her arm, and pinned her hair back to make it look a little more professional.

The trials would be held in the small arena on the north side of the house, used solely for small tournaments Sal held during off seasons. Ophilia checked herself one last time in the mirror, then made for the training grounds.

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