Page 68 of Gladiator's Captive
Chapter Thirty-Two
––––––––
Serena
The square was so packed with bodies no movement was possible. Curious eyes peered from all sides, as far as I could see as well as from the balcony of the buildings close to the circle that made the Sandbox.
It seemed all of Tartarus was there to see the man I loved die.
And cheer while he bled.
I moved restlessly on my chair atop the makeshift platform where I sat next to Janet. My father and Wylder sat on matching chairs just in front of us, looking smug and perfectly content as the crowd grew more and more restless. They knew they had won and that nothing would stop them from getting what they wanted now. My father would get his wealth back and Wylder would retain his absolute power over Tartarus.
And he would get Janet and me in his harem as well.
My thoughts bounced around in my skull like panicked birds as the sounds coming from the crowd grew louder. I could see a commotion coming from the far edge of the street, people shouting from their balconies, throwing items down in the street at whatever incited their anger.
I didn’t have long to wonder.
Soon, a team of armed men led by Ry parted the crowd. Two men were led on the sand, their wrists shackled, but their heads held high. It took me a heartbeat to recognize Rager and Sayk.
Rager and Sayk walked behind Ry and his men, unperturbed by the relentless heckling of the crowd, the insults not even registering in their steely, cold gazes. At my side, Janet inhaled sharply and I saw her from the corner of my eye covering her mouth with a trembling hand.
This way, standing tall and proud despite the shackles, his skin marred by the dark markings, the long stripe of fur running down the line of his spine and his eyes shining a green so intense it seemed lit from within, I finally understood.
Rager was my other half. The soul to my emptiness, my true purpose.
But I didn’t have time to dwell on my newfound truth. Wylder got to his feet as Rager and Sayk finally came to stand in the middle of the arena. The crowd went silent, every eye fixed on him as he opened his arms wide.
“People of Tartarus!” Wylder spoke, his confident voice booming, his stance tall and sure. His face was painted in lines of concern and love. He was a good actor indeed. “You are here today to witness a trial by combat.”
The entire crowd seemed to strain forward, the bodies so tight together they seemed made of the same fabric. A monstrous, large animal about to devour its feast.
“Here is Rager, the Breath of Death.” Wylder pointed at Rager, a scowl on his face and an outraged, pained expression on his features. “He has just confessed to stealing this man’s daughter and defiling her, solely for vengeance.”
Wylder pointed at Arenius, who sat stone-faced like any man whose honor had been slandered by a ruthless criminal.
“His daughter can never marry an honest man now,” Wylder continued as the crowd watched Rager with a murderous intensity. “She is ruined for her people and so is her father. This is a serious crime, in Villea and in Tartarus. A man’s daughter is his own to do so with as he pleases.”
Whispers and nods accompanied Wylder’s accusation. Just like that, the weeks Rager spent helping them vanished and he was their enemy.
“And then you have your commander, Sayk.” Wylder pointed to Sayk, who stood silent and stone-faced. Devoid of any semblance of emotion. “He plotted a coup against me, wanting to put his Huugwor brethren in charge of the city!”
The wind of whispers that had started with Rager’s accusation became a hurricane, fingers pointing and threats spewing from corner to corner.
“They both deserve death for what they did.” Wylder turned around, meeting as many eyes as he could as he let his words seep into every mind assembled. “But I could not bring myself to order the death of such highly acclaimed citizens of Tartarus. Instead, I am allowing them a trial by combat. The man who wins the fight will live here in Tartarus among you.”
An angry current of whispers answered Wylder’s words. From my position, I saw the slow, devious smile stretch on my father’s lips as he looked upon his once-gladiator. The crowd had been manipulated once more. Arenius and Wylder had won on all accounts.
