by Tracy Lauren
Blood sprays everywhere, hot and sticky. It pours from the beast’s wounds, bathing me in the reeking fluid. I force the spasming body back, raising my arms in triumph. The ground trembles with the force of the crowd’s cheers. They chant my name. I circle the arena, breathing in the glory of this last battle and taking in the sight of the crowd. This was my last fight as a slave.
The eight house masters of Braga Faro Sintra pour into the arena. My ceremony begins. Instead of approaching these masters and kneeling at their feet, I take an axe from the weapons cache and bring it to the dhiragoni’s body. The blood lust amongst the crowd has not yet dissipated. So, I will give them one more thing to remember the great He’Rokvska Naa by.
I climb atop the dhiragoni’s body and raise my weapon. The roar around me is all encompassing, so much so that when I bring the blade down on the beast’s neck, I don’t even hear the sound of flesh being cleaved. Two strong hits and the beast’s scaled head rolls from his body. I grip it by the crest and carry it with me to the center of the ring.
Before me stand the masters of the eight houses. Gladiators or not, they are the most powerful males on Braga Faro Sintra, and my own master takes his place in the center of them. Sarran… He looks upon me with pride. Over the years I have earned him a great deal of money and tonight I have finally earned enough to buy my freedom. Tonight, my bonds as a gladiator will be broken. It is an honor few gladiators live long enough to achieve.
Sarran approaches me, wielding cutters. They are ceremonial but appear lethal enough to be weapons themselves. I drop the dhiragoni’s head at my feet and hold out my wrists. This is the first time I have stood before Sarran without bowing to him first. The crowd brings their cheering to a halt and instead begin to beat their feet against the ground like a drum, adding their own music to the ceremony.
With a sharp snap, the cuffs are cut from my wrists. “You have done well for me He’Rokvska Naa,” Sarran tells me, and my core swells with pride. He is the closest thing I have ever had to a father and his praise does not fall on deaf ears.
“In exchange for your years of service to my house, I free you from your bonds. Stake your claim now, He’Rokvska Naa. What will you do with your freedom?”
“I claim the right to the ninth house,” I announce. Sarran, the weathered and aging gladiator that he is, does not look surprised. It is the same choice he made for himself many years ago.
Throughout my life, I have seen freedom ceremonies and I always pay close attention to what the gladiator requests upon exiting the arena.
Those who were stolen from their home worlds often ask to go back. Others leave this life to begin fresh on a new world, to farm or what have you. But I was born of the arena, my mother a gladiator slave. This is the only life I have ever known. It is what I am good at. So, I will carve out my own house here and fill it with gladiators. I will train them in the ways of the arena and build my name into something more than that of just a vicious fighter. I will be known for my strength, of course, but also for my power, my wealth, and above all, my honor. It is the only choice worth making, for if there is something else to life besides the glory of the arena, I have yet to see it. And one sees a great many things as a gladiator.
“The ninth house is yours, for you have earned it,” Sarran tells me.
From some unseen place an announcer informs the crowd of my decision, their drumming subsides and their cheers resume. Braga Faro Sintra will be busy in the weeks to come. Slavers will be bringing in new fighters for me to choose from and Sarran will likely guide me in filling my stalls. Spectators from faraway worlds will come to place bets upon the new house I will be establishing here. My fame is on the rise, and I plan to keep it that way.
After the ceremonial cutting of my bonds, I join the ranks of the masters of Braga Faro Sintra, and together, we exit the arena. For the first time, instead of taking the dank stone passageway back to the gladiator stalls, I am taken up the front steps leading toward the masters’ houses. A great celebration will be held in my honor this night.
Sarran and I stop briefly on the steps so that his maidens may wash the blood from me before I enter his house. As a gladiator, these same females would shy their eyes from me, peeking coyly from under their lashes, attracted to my prowess but fearful of my strength. Now, as a master of this world, they are bolder. Their hands linger as they wash me and they attempt to lock their gazes with mine.
I have no patience for females such as these. They care only for what I can give them, whether it be my cock as a gladiator or my creds as a master…and it seems creds are more valuable to them than my cock.
I push their hands away and force the head of the dhiragoni into the arms of the nearest maiden. She bites back a squeal of disgust as I take a rag and wash the blood from my body without their assistance.
“Take that to my quarters,” I tell her.
After a brief silence, she replies. “Shall I wait there for you, Master He’Rokvska Naa?”
I scowl and take the head from her arms, giving it to another. “Take that to my room and be gone before I get back,” I tell the new maiden. Sarran laughs as the females make a hasty departure, their faces marred by displeasure.
“You will take no spoils of battle this night, He’Rokvska Naa?” he asks, motioning toward the females, but he knows the answer as well as I do. Males like us have no need for a weak female.
It isn’t necessarily a female gladiator that I want in my bed, but I want a warrior nonetheless. If I ever take a female again it will be one of strong spirit. One who trembles before me, not because I am a fearsome gladiator or a master of Braga Faro Sintra. No, the female I want will tremble before me simply because I am He’Rokvska Naa.
“We are the same,” I tell Sarran. He nods in agreement, knowing exactly what I mean. There was a time, long ago, when Sarran and I both would lose ourselves for the night in the warm body of a female. But nights like that are as empty as the arena before dawn, and I am at a stage in life where I care only for experiences that hold power and meaning.
But just because Sarran and I are not interested in such shallow interludes, doesn’t mean there won’t be much debauchery this night. All the young gladiators, our fellow masters, and the high bidding gamblers, are here to share in my victory. All of which will want a warm body to go with the food and drink being passed around.
“There is much to discuss,” Sarran tells me quietly. “I know where your mind is already, but tonight is not so much for you as it is for your new house. You will need to speak with the guests, be engaging. These are the highest bidders, He’Rokvska Naa. In the arena your weapon was your blade. Here, it is creds and politics. You must learn to wield those weapons with just as much prowess as you would your blade.”
“I only wish to train good fighters, Sarran. I’ve been thinking I might take on a liaison, someone who can handle this side of things for me,” I tell him as we enter the communal space. It is open to the clouded sky and a thousand ships fly toward space. The lights shining from them are the closest thing to stars my planet has. The ornate balconies lining the stone structure around us are lit with conal lamps, casting a red glow over the party. Music fills my ears, and the scent of food carries on the air. Already females are laughing, seated in the laps of some of the younger gladiators.
“It is not unheard of,” he says, looking thoughtful. “Still, you must be social tonight.”
I grunt as means of reply. Sarran laughs, understanding my eagerness to begin working even though I do not speak the words aloud.
“Tomorrow we will start early. We can go down to the slave docks together, if you wish,” he offers. “But tonight is for them.” He motions to the party. “For many years I have trained you in the way of a gladiator, He’Rokvska Naa. Tonight, I will train you in the way of a house master. Your first lesson remains, go and be friendly with your guests.”
Sarran leaves me and the night passes slowly, with simpering females hovering at my heels and eager young gladi
ators singing my praises. I don’t suppose these are the people Sarran had hoped I would be spending my time with. I grind my teeth together and clench my fists. I am not cut out for this kind of thing. I want to end it quickly, like I did with the dhiragoni. So, I set my hunter eyes on the crowd, searching for a guest with power.
On a balcony, on the other side of the party, I see a male. Like myself, he is another that attracts a crowd. Throngs of party guests flock towards him. I decide he is the one I will speak with. After that, I will have done my duty and be free to retire for the night. Driven, I push through the crowd.
The one I have decided to speak with is Itharene, I suppose. Perhaps with some upgrades, though, because he is the largest of his kind I have ever seen. As I near, his attention turns to me. “If it is not the male of the hour. Welcome and congratulations He’Rokvska Naa!”
The Itharene greets me with such authority that those around him begin to applaud. I eye the male, waiting for him to speak. As a gladiator, one waits to be spoken to, though I suspect that is no longer my role. I try to think on what Sarran might have wanted me to say to these guests, but the Itharene breaks the silence before I do.
“Leave us,” he commands those crowded around us, and they obey without hesitation, despite the fact that his tone is warm and friendly. It is not the way a fighter speaks, nor a master. He is something else then.
“I was hoping to have the chance to speak with you tonight, He’Rokvska Naa.”
“I am here now,” I say with a nod, allowing him to proceed.
“Let’s walk,” the Itharene offers, pointing me toward the outer balconies that face the arena rather than the communal space below. He is silent as we walk. That is, until we are well away from the party and looking out over the now quiet arena. Lights from the city beyond shine brightly, reflecting on the nighttime clouds. This is as beautiful as Braga Faro Sintra gets.
“I have been monitoring your career as of late,” the Itharene begins.
“A simple task,” I note. My fights have been main events for years and are broadcasted throughout the galaxy.
The Itharene lets a slow smile spread across his face. “I like you, He’Rokvska Naa. That bit with the dhiragoni’s head this evening was perfection. People will not soon forget it.”
“I do not always take trophies from my kills, but that was the same beast who felled Eriona.”
“Another fight I remember well,” he says wistfully. “I love nothing more than a good fight… The only exception of course, would be a good hunt. Which is what I wished to discuss with you. My name is Kosi Inarwa. Have you ever heard of a little event called The Hunt?”
I scoff. Of course I have, even a gladiator slave like me would have to be deaf and blind to not know of The Hunt. “I have heard of this before.”
“It begins soon, you know, and I just so happen to have space for one more on my guest list.”
“How soon?” I ask.
“Three days,” Kosi Inarwa tells me, smiling as if he thinks his hooks are already buried deep.
“I am a busy male, Kosi Inarwa. I have a house to build.”
“Please, call me Kosi. That is exactly the reason I wanted to speak with you, my friend. You have momentum right now. You are the focus of the entire galaxy. Do not let that fire burn out. Come to my event and you will continue to gain fame. You will be seen as more than just a slave that fought his way from the pits, but as a member of elite society. This is my gift to you, He’Rokvska Naa. It will help establish you as a master. Besides, with your prowess you’ll likely bag your kill on the first day and be back on Braga Faro Sintra before the next slave ship arrives.”
“Does Sarran know of this?” I ask.
“It was Sarran who told me to speak with you.” He nods.
Silently I consider Kosi’s offer.
“We are talking about fame, He’Rokvska Naa. Fame, power, riches, and glory. Do you know what people will say about you if you simply attend The Hunt? Think of the respect you will garner if you win. And I haven’t even mentioned the large purses I offer; you could walk away with enough money to fill your stalls twice over.”
I stare at Kosi, studying him. There seems to be no manipulation in his eyes, only a strange type of friendliness. Considering how famous the event is, I know he is speaking the truth when he says my invitation is a gift. The only thing holding me back is the delay it would cause in starting my house. But if I am to think like a master, perhaps I might consider this crucial in the building process. The Hunt is more than just a social event for the elite. It is a way to keep my fire burning, as Kosi pointed out.
“I will attend this hunt if it will bring more glory to my name. Tell me about the prey.”
“Unfortunately, we do not speak of prey outside of The Hunt. It is against the rules. I can tell you, however, that it will not be so very different from things you have encountered in the arena.”
“Fair enough,” I concede.
“Wonderful! I see you still harbor some reticence, but I promise you, He’Rokvska Naa, you are making the right decision. The Hunt will change your life.”
Chapter 3
On a slave ship departing from Earth
“Thaylor will be angered when he learns you brought this thing aboard,” Hura says, his voice conveying no emotion of his own.
“You planning to tell him, clochank?”
Hura crosses his arms over his chest, leaning against a stack of cryo chambers. “You think he will not know?”
“I have a plan,” Nedan says, tapping his head and looking all too sure of himself.
“What is wrong with your face?” Hura asks, narrowing his eyes at his shipmate.
“She sprayed some kind of deterrent at me.” Nedan shrugs angrily.
“Is it contagious?”
“I do not know, does your face feel as if you’ve washed it in fire?” Nedan hisses. Hura shakes his head. “Then, no. It likely isn’t spreading. Now help me with this.” He motions toward the female creature.
“What are you going to do with it?” Hura asks. Not stepping forward, he eyes the heap on the floor with skepticism.
“What do you think I’m going to do with it?” Nedan questions with a scowl.
Hura looks at the other stasis chambers waiting in the cargo hold. “It does not look like a fighter. Though I suppose it did nearly get the better of you.”
“Is that all you can think of?” Nedan laughs spitefully.
“Obviously it is no criminal. It isn’t even tagged for sentencing—”
“I was thinking of something a little more satisfying,” Nedan huffs.
“You plan to eat it?” Hura questions, crouching beside the thing to give it a curious sniff. He lifts a soft and limp arm to give it closer inspection.
“Eat it? Effa, you are as stupid as you look. What I plan to do is fuck it.”
Hura rises, backing away from Nedan and his stolen cargo. “I may be stupid, effa. But you’re sick. And Thaylor? He will be more than just angry when he finds out. He will kill you.”
“Like I said, I have a plan and Thaylor isn’t going to find out. Now crack open one of those stasis chambers.”
Hura reluctantly moves to the keypad on an empty chamber, activating the power.
“Are you going to help me or what?” Nedan asks through his grunting as he fumbles with the female, her limp body proving difficult to move. Hura frowns, but still, he steps forward to help support the top half of the creature, and the pair dump her body into the stasis chamber.
“This cunt better be worth the trouble,” Nedan pants as the chamber seals itself. He wipes the sweat from his brow and winces at the lingering pain from the deterrent spray that the female unleashed on him. “Set up the specs for me, I’ve got to get cleaned up before Thaylor rises from his rest cycle and has questions.”
“You are not worried he will discover this?” Hura asks once more.
“Look, you’re still new here, so let me explain something to you. Before Thaylor t
ook over this ship it was for pirates. We would take what we wanted and enjoyed the spoils of our labor. Thaylor has changed shit—”
“From what I hear the pay is better and the jobs are safer.”
“I don’t give a fuck about safe jobs. All I care about is creds and pussy. Thaylor’s going to have to learn to keep his crew happy if he doesn’t want a mutiny on his hands.”
“Why don’t you tell him that yourself?” Hura asks with a sly smile.
“Fuck you, Hura. I’ll just take the female to our next port. I have a few weeks of leave set aside and I’ve earned the company. All this damned good behavior is enough to break a person,” he says, swiping at his head again, forgetting the pain until a fresh wave hits him. “Damn it! I’m going to get cleaned up. Do me a favor, shut the fuck up and set those specs.”
Nedan stalks from the cargo hold, looking both ways down the corridor before heading toward the crew quarters, leaving Hura alone.
The door glides shut and Hura lets out a derisive snort. “Stupid, eh?” he says aloud, scanning the other stasis chambers. He quickly finds what he’s looking for and performs a quick re-code.
“Enjoy your fucking leave, Nedan. And you…” he says, lowering his voice to address the unconscious alien Nedan stole. “I am not the hero you need, weak one. A pirate never turns his back on a crewmate, no matter how depraved. I cannot bring Thaylor in on this to help you, but I can send you somewhere else. Hopefully you will fare better there than you would with Nedan,” he says, giving a gentle pat to the top of the stasis chamber before exiting the room.
Chapter 4
He’Rokvska Naa
Traveling as a master is vastly different than it is for a slave. A master’s life is all luxury, but it is too far a cry from what I am accustomed to and I find no comfort in it. The beds are too soft, the rooms too large and overflowing with needless items that serve no purpose other than to clutter useless space.
I find myself relieved when I arrive at Kosi Inarwa’s dome. Sarran encouraged me to welcome this opportunity to build my glory in the eyes of the galaxy, for fame drives the riches of each house. It is encouragement I do not require however. I have made a decision to participate in this hunt, and anything that He’Rokvska Naa decides to do is done with the whole of his being.
