Part Eight

I glared at him. Expecting me? Why would he have any reason to expect me? I licked my lips while mentally reaching for some kind of smart aleck reply.
Smirking, I said, “Sorry I’m late. Next time, can you sic your puppies on someone else?”
“Is that your attempt at being funny?” Tyrone asked.
“Actually, it was my attempt at insulting.” I admitted, putting my hand to my chin thoughtfully. “Would it work if I called you a pig?”
Tyrone closed his eyes and pursed his lips for a few moments before finally saying, “Dungeon.”
The guards grabbed both of my arms and pulled backward. I squirmed and pulled, trying to get away. “Let me go, you heard of swine!”
“Tisk, tisk, listen to that bitter tongue. Certainly, you were taught better. Then again, you wouldn’t have been lurking through my castle otherwise, now would you?” Tyrone said following the guards.
“What’s the matter, prince? Too high and mighty to be seen with the common folk?” I shot back.
“Commoners I can handle,” Tyrone replied. “It’s the lowlife I detest.”
At that point, I caught a glimpse of metallic blue by Tyrone’s side. The sword! I struggled against the guards’ grip and managed to grab a dagger from behind my back. I swung my arm out and hit one of the guards. I’m not even sure where it hit. I just know that he let go and Tyrone shouted for more guards. I swung around the other guard and, whipping out another dagger with my free hand, slashed at the hands holding my arm. Once the second guard let go, I was free! I spun around and saw the glint of blue again as Tyrone reached for the sword. I dove for the sword and knocked Tyrone to the ground. I lucked out in that I grabbed the hilt before Tyrone had fully unsheathed the sword. Once my eyes locked on the blade, I couldn’t pull away. I was lost in the glassy surface. It was as if the smooth surface rippled with power. I could tell the edge was supremely sharp just by looking at it. The twin dragonheads sprouting from the hilt looked ready to come alive. Power emanated from this sword, I could feel it. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the sword. Unfortunately, my lack of action resulted in someone else breaking my eye contact by putting a cloth sack over my head. The next thing I know, I’m being dragged from behind in total darkness. Of course, I’m kicking and screaming “let me go” as loudly as I can. They finally took the sack off my head and shoved me backward. I fell and the back of my head hit the cold stone floor. I rubbed my head and curled up in pain. I fought back tears of anguish as Tyrone crouched beside me. He tilted his head again and brushed aside the hair in my face.
“That could have gone a lot better, you know,” he said softly.
“I don’t care!” I said between ragged breaths, trying not to sound pitifully weak.
“A little girl like you shouldn’t be in this business. I suppose we can’t help our fate.”
“You don’t know me,” I muttered while trying not to lose my already slipping consciousness.
“You’re different,” he continued. “Some times that’s the only thing that matters.”
He stood up and walked away. I struggled to keep my eyes open, but gave in to the overwhelming darkness.

~ * ~

I woke up to the scratching sound of metal against stone. I opened my eyes to find a tray nearby. I ever so slowly sat up with pain pulsing through my head. On the tray was a bowl of water, a bowl of mush and an apple. I drank the water, but didn’t bother with the food. I looked around the small cell. It wasn’t much. Iron bars for walls, cobblestone floors, a rickety and probably termite infested wooden bench in the corner. I watched several guards come up to the cell door and unlock it. One of them opened the door and said, “Come on, lass. Tyrone wants a word with you before he sends you to your death.”
I slowly stood up and answered, “A lovely invitation, but I’m afraid I’ll have to pass.”
“Too bad, you might not get another chance for pleasant conversation before your likely demise.” A voice spoke up from another side of the cell.
I looked around for Tyrone, but couldn’t find the source. In that split second, a guard had managed to get the sack over my head again and lock my wrists in place behind my back. I was unable to break free before they bound my hands. Smart move, I thought to myself, very smart. They yanked me forward. Since I couldn’t see where I was going, my hands were tied, and my headache kept me from thinking clearly anyway, I really had no choice except to follow. How in the world do I keep getting myself into these horrid situations? Really, I thought I was better than that. Did I miss the chance to have a normal, happy life somewhere? Isn’t there some turn I was supposed to take at Albuquerque or something? How do things always get so rotten for me? Ever since...
It was at that moment that the sack was yanked off and the ropes were cut off my hands. I was shoved forward and fell to my knees. Over the roar of some noise, I heard a door slam shut behind me. Blinding light kept me from focusing on where I was, but the familiar noise gave me a murky idea. My eyes adjusted to the light and I took in the scene before me. Dusty ground lay before me. The high walls on either side of me held thousands of screaming people. I was in the arena again. About ten yards away stood a tall man clad in random pieces of bloody armor.
My heart sank.