The Gladiator and His Prize *::Haru|Lila::*

[Haruchai]

Bahk was, without a doubt, the absolute king of the arena. He'd been captured at a young age and brought up on a diet of violence and bloodshed. By now he was full grown, standing 8' tall and nearly 500 pounds of solid muscle. His specialty in the arena was truly using his massive fists, the belt and gauntlets he wears boosting his already prodigious strength as he rips his opponents apart.

All of this takes place on the world of Tarduril, and in the vast desert country of Ur Shoral in the lower western quadrant of the huge continent. Uras is the capital city there, ruled over by a council of men known as the Senate. They arrange the great games and the arena fights, and have done so for decades. Bahk is only one in a long line of champions, and one day he hopes to earn his freedom. Until then, he keeps on fighting, pleasing his Dominus and earning him coin.

The man charged Bahk like a mad bull, and the huge orc grinned, lowering his shoulder to meet the charge. The huge spiked armor drove deep into the man's gut, impaling him and his insides spilled onto the sand as Bah roughly pushed him off, the man breathing his last as the crowd roared in approval.

Bahk had won, again, and was soon exiting the arena to be taken back to his quarters where he could bathe and eat to his heart's content. Wine would be provided, and maybe even a woman after the victory this day.

 

[Lila Lupin]

Senator Adonis Calligaris was pleased to say the least. Bahk had dominated in the ring once more and made the senator even wealthier than he already was. He contemplated the reward that he would give his most prized gladiator for this most recent victory. Bahk's victory in this tournament had ensured his place in what could be considered the most prodigious tournament in all the land. If Bahk were to conquer this tournament as he had so many before then it would bring fame not only for himself but for the senator as well. This kind of victory warranted a far better reward than he was normally given. He normally provided Bahk with a feast, ample wine and one of his slave girls as company when he won a tournament but perhaps he should give him a longer lasting reward this time. As he thought through the possibilities he came across a wonderful idea. He called one of his servants and instructed them to bring Bahk to the courtyard before he had returned to his quarters. The senator waited for the servant to return with his prized gladiator. The servant returned soon enough with Bahk in tow. "My lord I've returned with Bahk as you requested." The senator waved his dismissal at the servant and he went to wait near the entrance of the courtyard until his master required his services once more. Adonis turned towards Bahk before addressing him.

"Congratulations, on your victory today, Bahk. You do my household well with your service." Adonis spoke with a smirk. He had a reputation for treating his servants and slaves with great cruelty. Only his best gladiators received kinder treatment and that was simply because of the attention they brought to the senator himself. "As I'm sure you're aware your victory today has earned you a spot in the most celebrate tournament in the land. As such I think you've earned a reward for your services. I've decided that along with you're regular feast and wine that I'll offer you the opportunity to have a bit of a more 'permanent' companion. You have you're pick of all the servants nd slaves that reside in my house. Any one of them is yours to have and shall reside with you until you deem otherwise or disgrace my family name."

 

[Haruchai]

The hulking orc was bathing as he was called for, and one never refused their Dominus, and so the orc exited the bath and put on a simple toga that barely covered his immense form. Not that he cared, as gladiators trained in very little and were often presented to their Dominus nude for inspection. That Bahk followed and found himself presented before the entire household of slaves and servants was a little odd, but still not out of place.

However, the words of the Dominus surprised him. "Yes Dominus." he answered when he was told to pick as he saw fit, and only then did he move, walking slowly along the line of people with his hands clasped behind his back. He towered over all of them, the tallest of the men only coming up into his chest area or shoulders. The women were absolutely dwarfed.

He stopped next to a raven-haired woman and one with hair the color of honey. A quick look at how they reacted to him told him what he needed to know. "This one, if it pleases you Dominus." he said, and indicated the honey-haired woman. It was not well known that Bahk was well spoken and educated. He had, of course, come from a race that was known for its brutality, but those in Uras did not want animals to fight. A thinking fighter, one that knew tactics and strategy as well as cunning, was perfect. Bahk had been schooled, and they had their perfect 'thinking animal'.

 

[Lila Lupin]

Callidora had found it a bit odd when she had been called from her post to meet with the master of the house in the courtyard. Regardless of how odd she'd found it she still answered the call. Apparently all of the servants had been called. This was usually not a good sign. Little good ever came from all of them being summoned. Callidora was the favored handmaiden of the master's youngest and favorite daughter. As such she was rarely called to such gatherings apart from her mistress. However she now found herself standing in the courtyard with her fellow slaves as they waited for their master to reveal the purpose of their gathering. They were all surprised when the master's prized gladiator was brought into the courtyard and further still when the purpose of this gathering was revealed. It wasn't uncommon for gladiators to be given company when they one a battle but it was for from common for them to be given a more permanent companion.

Many of the slaves were excited at the prospect of being taken from the iron fist of the senator, but not Callidora. Her mistress was quite fond of her and was rather kind to her. Her mistress' fondness sheltered her from much of the senator's cruelty. She recognized Bahk from the many times she had accompanied her mistress to the arena or when her mistress accompanied her father to inspect the gladiators. She kept her head up but her eyes down as he neared her and stopped in front of her and the raven haired slave next to her. She was hoping that he would pick Adira or move along, but that was not the case. Her eyes widened when he chose her. Excitement was not painted on her face as one might have expected, but she nodded her agreement when her master informed her to retrieve what little belongings she had and immediately make her to Bahk's quarters. Adonis waved his hand in dismissal and the slaves dispersed heading back to what they had been doing before. Her turned to Bahk with a smirk on his face. "A fine choice. Callidora is one of the finest slaves I own. I'm sure you'll find her company quite enjoyable." He imagined his precious daughter would not pleased at the loss of her favored handmaiden but Callidora was replaceable and his dear girl would adjust soon enough. "You may return to what you were doing before, Bahk. She will join you in your quarters soon enough." He said as he waved his dismissal once more.

Callidora had returned to her quarters to gather what few belongings in her possession and bid her farewells to her less than pleased mistress before beginning to make her way towards the quarters of her new master of sorts. When she reached the door to his quarters she raised her delicate hand to place a gentle but audible knock to the door, waiting for permission to enter.

 

[Haruchai]

Bahk returned to his quarters, which were not large, but for a gladiator were quite opulent. He had a private bath, and was in it when he heard a knock upon his door. "You may enter." said the well spoken orc, his manners as genteel as any Senator when the need arose. He knew that it was his new companion most likely, and Bahk had to wonder what the true move was behind this little play. The Dominus had never been so giving, and though Bahk made him a lot of money, he was still a slave, and a violent one at that.

Already the thoughts of the little honey-haired human he'd picked out roused his loins, and yet he stayed where he was, knowing she would come to him.

 

[Lila Lupin]

Callidora took a deep breath as she heard her new 'master' grant her entry. She opened the door, balancing her few belongings on her hip. She exhaled slowly as she entered the room closing the door behind her. She was thrown off a bit when she didn't see the orc to whom she'd been given in the room she'd just entered. It was then that she realized that there were multiple rooms to his quarters. A sign of his value to his Dominus. Gladiators rarely had such opulent chambers, and those that were not human were less likely to receive them. She imagined that it was all part of some ploy that the master of the household had woven, as was his gifting her to Bahk. Senator Calligaris was not known for his generosity or kindness to his slaves and gladiators. So she had to wonder why she had been given to the orc. However making her presence known to her new master took precedence over her trying to wrap her mind around the actions of the senator.

She set her belongings in an out of the way corner in the main room of his chambers and began her search for her new master. She thought she heard the sound of water moving faintly from one of the other rooms as she'd made her way through the main room. She made her way towards the source of the sound to find herself in a private bath chamber. This was yet another odd sight in a gladiator's chambers. She scanned the room to see her new master lounging back in his private bath seemingly waiting for her to come to him. She made her way to his side, quiet as a mouse, and knelt down at the edge of the bath next to the large orc.

"I apologize for not being here sooner, Master. My previous mistress was displeased at my reassignment and held me longer than I had anticipated. I will do my best to not keep you waiting in the future." She said as she kept her head down, a sign of respect to her new master. "My name is Callidora, Master. Is there anything you currently require of me?" Her head remained slightly bowed in silent respect, her hands folded in her lap as she sat there with her legs tucked gently beneath her awaiting Bahk's command.