Proofread by Thomas F
Esa Raak
"It's a pretty hard fight you have tomorrow," I said of Mhykos. We are sitting on my porch, drinking tea. "I hope I will survive," he replied with a laugh.
I laughed with him despite it being no laughing matter.
It's a death match! It means he could die. I have seen too many of my friends die, both in death matches and outside of them. I don't want to lose any more of them.
"You have fought with Marius, what advise you have?" he asked.
I fought twice against him years ago, before he disappeared and came back as a monster. "He is fast, and he likes to play with his opponents."
"It's a good thing you are a shield warrior and have excellent defensive skills. Focus on them and defend." I advised.
It is a death match; victory isn't important as survival when the opponent is powerful. Marius might be a sadistic bastard, but he is highly intelligent.
Every move he makes is well thought out, and he fights with strategy. So, he will have to depend on his defensive skills to survive.
"Good, then I hope you will help me refine the strategy this evening?" he asked.
He is smiling, but I could see the deep nervousness and fear hidden behind his eyes. I would have been surprised if there weren't such emotions.
"Of course," I replied.
Both Marius and I use speed, but have wildly different fighting styles. The weapons we use are also different; I use a rapier while he scimitar.
"Here!"
Suddenly, he shouted and waved. I turned and saw our friend, Venalina, or Venna as she liked to be called. She was going to his house before she turned and came toward mine.
She took a seat beside us while I served her tea.
"Thanks," she said before she turned to Mhykos. "I heard about your fight," she said with worry. "Don't worry, I will be fine," replied Mhykos with a grin.
She opened her mouth but closed it. Something seemed to be on her mind.
"You seemed distracted?" asked Mhykos. He saw that too. She didn't reply; instead, she sighed.
"I received a letter from Nemoris," she said. "You too? Maro and Rhenus had also received it," replied Mhykos.
Carla didn't tell me she would recruit from here, but it's not surprising. I had told her not to tell me things in too much detail or anything related to legacy, that Masal could interfere after reading it.
They should not read my private communication through synod's channel, but things happen.
I don't want any important information about Velvet Garden leaked in here.
"What do you plan to do about it?" I asked. She is a free agent; she could leave any time she wants. Besides, she liked Nemoris, and he liked her too.
She sighed.
"I don't know, it is stable here, and the colosseum pays good money. They also promised me, if I keep pulling the crowd as I am, they might elevate me to regular slots," she replied, and I am surprised.
I shouldn't be; she is beautiful, and she knows how to work the crowd in her matches.
"Greltheaven is a brothel. Not to mention a legacy lower than Masal and the entire continent away. I even heard that it might be conquered by the undead soon." She said with clear worry.
These are valid concerns and keep me sleepless at night.
The only thing that relieves me is that he is a master, and they don't kill masters. There are heavy consequences for that, even the most powerful kingdoms don't want to bear.
"I still can't believe they could even build an arena into the tower. I thought you couldn't change the legacy," replied Mhykos.
"Well, from what I read, Velvet Garden is an anomaly," she replied and sighed.
"What do you guys think?"
"What are they offering?" asked Mhykos. "A lot of things: regular slots, greater money than I am making here, mist-crafted gear of my choosing,"
"There are also perks like monthly reservations in Legacy's restaurants, visits to stores and spas, tickets for the theatre, and other things."
"Damn, I am jealous," exclaimed Mhykos.
Nemoris knows her too well; she likes all those things. Venna earns a lot, but she also spends a lot.
She likes to visit the best restaurants, shop for beautiful dresses, and everyone knows how much she likes to visit the spa after each battle.
Greltheaven has all. In its legacy.
"I wonder how he got the job in legacy? For months, he told me, he was getting rejected, and suddenly his letter came, and he stated he got a job at Velvet Garden," she shook her head.
"I didn't dare to believe it either when I read his letter. I even went to the guild to confirm it," added Mhykos.
I kept my emotions casual, showing nothing. They do not need to know my relationship with Remus.
"So, are you going to take it?" I asked. She didn't answer immediately. It's a big decision, but I believe one she will have to make soon.
"I don't know," she replied finally.
"What others are saying?" She asked, turning to Mhykos. "I don't know about others, but Rhenus had declined, while Maro had accepted," he replied.
"I will say, consider it carefully. You have built something here; you have a loyal following that attends your every match; a stable contract. Home, friends, and other things,"
"You will leave all these if you choose to accept the offer."
"It's why it is so damn difficult to decide!" she said, and we smiled.
"How much time do you have?" I asked. "End of this week. They want us in Greltheaven by the end of the month and even booked a fast ship for us," she replied.
"That is not much time," said Mhykos.
Soon, we finished the tea and went our own way. I returned to my house, and I froze.
There is a woman in my house, sitting there as if she owns it. Well, she kind of does.
"Prefectus Prisca," I greeted. The woman said nothing and just kept looking at me. "Your son is trying to steal our people, Esa,"
There was no accusation or anger in her voice, but it was heavy.
"They are not your people, Prefectus. He is only trying for the free agents." I replied. There are people like me bound, and there are also those who signed a long-term contract with the Colosseum.
They always try to get people in long-term contracts. Especially the crowd pulling the gladiators.
They have been trying to do that with Venna for years, but she loves her freedom too much. She didn't accept, despite them offering quite a good deal.
She laughed, but there was no mirth.
"Does anyone really leave Masal to join your son's brothel?" she asked. I didn't react to the jab; I kept my expression composed.
"It's their choice," I replied.
Masal is powerful, but it couldn't stop the free agents from leaving, because if they do. Others would hesitate to come here to fight.
There is intense competition for talent. Doing something like forcefully stopping people is bad for business.
That doesn't mean there aren't other methods. They could offer them a better deal, more money, and other things. They are already doing that.
"You know, your son should accept our offer. If he does, we will share our best talent with him; many would fight for him against his enemies." She said.
"I had said to you before, I can't help you with that. If you want to convince him, you will have to do that yourself," I replied, and the woman just looked, with sparks of anger appearing in her eyes for a fraction of a second, before they disappeared.
"You do not know the trouble your son is in. We could help him deal with that," she said.
It's not the first time she has used those words, and they have affected me every time. I understand the dangers that surround Remus and wish, so desperately, that I could help him.
"You are trying to convince the wrong person, Prefectus," I stated simply.
"Fine, be that as you are, but don't come trying to me, when you hear son in shackles and paraded in the streets of Vris'alud," she said with eyes filled with anger and disappeared.
I remained in my place, frozen, before finally sitting down.
Many times, I wanted to ask Remus to agree with her, but I did not. I cannot let love and worry for him influence him. I have to trust him to make the decision.
He has until now, and I have faith in my son that he will continue to make the right decisions.
I just hope that he takes care of himself and his siblings. Other than that, I do not hope for anything.
Though I desperately want to see my children, that is not possible. I am the huge bargaining chip they have against my son, and they will not let me go until then.
It is painful, but I have made my peace with it.