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Kill him. It is a blood challenge.
Garth turned and looked back at Zarel.
I won the match, you cannot deny me that. But I will not commit murder for
you.
Zarel, screaming with rage, started to point at Garth.
Will you violate that rule as well? Garth taunted.
Let them live!
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It was a lone voice, that of a woman, and Garth looked across the arena to see
someone standing, wearing the dark leather armor of a Benalish warrior. Her
cry was instantly picked up by the mob.
Let them live, let them live!
Garth started to create a shield of protection while all the time staring at
Zarel, waiting. Furious with rage, Zarel looked back out at the mob, which
was on its feet, some of them already spilling over the wall, ready to storm
onto the arena floor. Zarel, his features white with fury, sat back down.
Turning his back on Zarel, Garth reached down and touched Naru on the
forehead. Naru stirred and opened his eyes.
Funny. Is this afterworld?
Garth smiled and shook his head. Extending his hand, he was nearly pulled
over as Naru weakly got to his feet.
You mean I lose and you still alive.
Something like that.
I am disgraced, One-eye.
I called it a spell match so, damn it, give me a spell and we re even.
Naru fumbled weakly in his pouch. He hesitated for a moment and then pulled
the amulet out.
Juggernaut, most powerful I have, Naru said evenly.
Garth took the amulet, and then shook Naru s hand, the exchange causing the
mob to erupt into a wild frenzy.
The two walked back to their corner, Naru resting his hand on Garth s shoulder
for support.
Kirlen, leaning on her staff, ignored Naru as they came into the shade, the
giant staggering over to the table of food, picking up a heavy amphora of
wine, and inverting it over his open mouth, the wine cascading down his pale,
drawn face like a river.
Your sentimentality won you no friends here, Kirlen said.
I brought back your best fighter alive.
And you.
Garth smiled and said nothing.
A loud cheer went up and Garth looked over his shoulder and felt a momentary
tightening in his chest.
Varena was down on the ground. But her opponent was down as well and ever so
slowly Varena came to her feet and held her fist up in triumph.
Garth turned back to face Kirlen.
She smiled coldly and turned away.
Garth went back to his seat. The arena thundered with noise in celebration of
the end of the fifth round of eliminations.
It s time for the winners to get their wreaths, Hammen announced, coming to
Garth s side.
Then I think it s time for me to go.
I think he has something planned for you.
Garth smiled.
Let s see how the timing works.
Maybe you should just skip out now and be done with it.
Garth laughed and strode out onto the field. Greeted by a loud ovation, he
walked slowly toward Zarel s throne. From out of the tunnels the dwarf
catapult teams emerged and the roar of the mob resounded even louder.
Watching honors for favorite winners was one thing, but the chance for free
gold was far more important.
He plans to divert the mob with bribes while you re taken, Hammen said.
It will be an interesting surprise. Let s just hope it gets started quickly
enough, Garth replied.
As he approached the throne the other surviving fighters lined up beside him.
He looked over at Varena, her features pale and haggard, and nodded a
greeting. A brief smile flashed for a second and then she turned away. Garth
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looked at the other fighters, who stared at him coldly. The new rules meant
that all of them were now gazing at men and women who would either be their
victims or killers come tomorrow.
Zarel stood up and floated down from the throne to alight on the sand of the
arena floor. Four of his fighters came forward bearing a golden tray, upon
which rested the laurels given to those who had reached the final day of
eliminations. Garth could not help but notice, though, that a solid phalanx
of warriors was pouring out of the access tunnels, following by nearly all the
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