The prisoners muttered.
No need to thank me! Derr said. «I know, Ive been overly kind lately.» Jack, take them in a kama to the chambers of other applicants!
The bags were taken off them and the damned gags were taken out. The heat is unbearable, there is nothing to breathe. They even untied their hands. Only the prisoners were left without weapons everything was taken away. Duncan immediately tried to rush at Jack, but the bars slammed in front of him. Then the man spat and hit the soldier right in the face. He wiped away the spit.
«Well meet again,» he said.
They looked around. There were mattresses on the floors, but there were clearly not enough places for everyone. There were about fifty people here, no less. Other prisoners looked disapprovingly at the new arrivals.
Everyone curses the villains, forgetting how much good they brought in between their vile deeds. Before the First Antimonian Empire, each settlement had its own language. But Antimonik burned out words other than the Common Speech. Old dialects remained in some places, but even commoners knew the Common Language, at least in general terms. Unless the inhabitants of the Unknown Continent and the newly developed Ddraigha may not understand you.
As the sun fell below the horizon, the guard brought food. This is unsalted porridge, a piece of stale bread and a glass of stagnant water for each prisoner. One of the prisoners approached Nermall:
Old man, you still dont have long to live. Give me your portion, and I wont touch you! I need a lot of strength for tomorrows fight!
Duncan clenched his fists, but Nermall stopped him with a gesture. The old pirate was used to this kind of place, so he was not at a loss. He silently stood up, walked up to the bully and punched him in the gut. He twisted himself into a rams horn and fell.
Will there be any other contenders for my portion? Nermall looked around at those present. Everyone pretended to eat, not paying attention to what was happening. Well, fine! Bon Appetit everyone!
The porridge is disgusting, to put it in decent words. But after a hungry day, even Still, accustomed to luxurious dinners, ate it like a heavenly dish.
When it got dark, we decided to talk about this and that. But one of the prisoners said:
Guys, have a conscience! Theres a battle tomorrow morning, but you wont let me sleep!
The guards played dice behind the doors, laughing loudly and chatting, but this did not prevent the unwitting guests of the inhospitable Lorraine from falling asleep.
Chapter 10. Arena
The sun had not yet had time to heat the sand, but the stands were filled with people. When Derr appeared, the crowd cheered.
Hello, friends! said the king. I think you know perfectly well why we have gathered today! Yesterday the long-awaited engagement of Prince Manstead to the Morellian Princess Lydia took place.
Where is the prince himself? someone shouted from the crowd. Oh, if Derr knew everything about his son!
He will be later. As expected, extraordinary Games are being held in honor of my son! The first stage is declared open!
The crowd applauded and screamed, in anticipation of blood and other peoples pain. Behind someone elses suffering, ones own is not felt so keenly.
«As you know, gentlemen,» said the kings dwarf assistant, «in the first round, our dear guests,» the host smiled wryly at the last word, and the crowd laughed in unison, «will meet the best fighters.» Guards, lead the first participant!
The first «volunteer» had to be pushed into the middle of the arena. He grabbed the bars of the bars, but the muscular guard was stronger. The crowd applauded.
And he will come out against him Who do you think could be the opponent of this brave fighter? the audience laughed. We cant insult guests by offering them weaklings to fight?! So who is this man?
Scull? was heard from the podium. Derr smiled mysteriously. Watching the dwarf presenter.
Will there be any other options? asked the dwarf.
Squall?
Its hot. But not him.
Is it really Bonecrusher?
Exactly! said the presenter.
Bonecrusher! the crowd chanted. Bonecrusher! Bonecrusher! Hooray! Bonecrusher!
A huge muscleman came out, over two meters tall, with a bull skull on his head with huge horns. He raised his mace-free hand up.
Bonecrusher! Bonecrusher! Bonecrusher!
The prisoner was not even given a weapon. The giant threw a ball, tied at one end to his hand, covered with spikes, and hit him in the chest. Scarlet blood flowed. The «volunteer» groaned in pain. The crowd cheered louder. Bonecrusher hit him again, this time with his fist in the head. The poor guy fell on the sand. The dwarf turned over the hourglass and began to scrupulously count the grains of sand. When the last one falls, the prisoners fate is sealed. We are all in her hands. But the fighter did not give up. He tried to get up, but was hit by another blow from the Bonecrusher. When the last grain of sand fell, the dwarf looked at Derr. There are two pictures above the royal box. One depicts a smiling man, the other a hanged man. The king pointed to the one on the right, and the leader turned the long arrow towards the doomed man. Derr nodded in agreement. Bonecrusher lowered his mace onto the prisoners head.
Bonecrusher! Bonecrusher!
What kind of savages? Still asked, watching the fight from behind bars, «We ended with these wild customs about five hundred years ago!»
«People always remain beasts,» said Nermall, «Even if they play at being noble.» Once hypocrisy is removed, the animals come out.
But are these people? Herd!
This is true. It doesnt hurt me to talk about this.
Nermall, were not like that, are we? I hope we dont end up like beasts?
The former pirate remained silent. Hes already done it, and not just once. But there was something human left in him. What forced me to pull myself together and return to human form. But Nermall guessed how these kinds of fights usually ended. But Stilla did not want to upset him ahead of time.
Bring another one! Bonecrusher growled in a broken voice.
Guards? the dwarf squeaked.
They brought out another prisoner. This one was more courageous than the previous one. He raised both hands up, copying the Bonecrusher gesture. The crowd applauded.
Bonecrusher threw a spiked ball, but the fighter dodged. He ran around the hulking thug from behind. Pouncing from behind, he bit her ear. Everyone was silent, waiting for how this bloody race would end.
Bonecrusher hit the impudent man on the head with his mace as hard as he could. The guy swayed and fell on the sand. Derr pointed to a picture of a hanged man, thereby sealing the fate of the loser.
Next! Bonecrusher shouted.
This time the lot fell on Nermall.
Teacher, you are Be careful.
We are all in the hands of Fate. If you are ordered to die, you cannot escape death. And Im lucky in this regard Ive already stayed alive forty times, you see, and this time fortune is on my side!
The audience laughed it seemed that the fate of this prisoner was predetermined. Bonecrusher has twisted other people into a rams horn!
But it was not there! The old pirate met larger enemies, and in greater numbers.
What, the bulls skull put on its own face, I suppose? And the horns are adorable! How often do you leave your wifey at home? «Bonebreaker roared, his knuckles turning blue with anger. I know, often. I have two news for you. Good: your wife is doing great. And the bad one is about the horns.
The flexible Nermall easily dodged the flying ball. With unprecedented agility for his age, he ran behind the big man. Nermall threw a stone and hit the thug in the ass. He roared even louder. He is clumsy, so while the big man was turning around, Nermall again found himself behind him.