All but a tiny sliver of the sun had descended out of view by the time the coliseum was in full view. The town of Glade, surrounding the coliseum, was bustling with activity. Everyone in sight was either talking excitedly about the games, or haggling. The marketplace, which was placed conveniently in front of the entrance to the coliseum, was especially busy. Children buying wooden swords and shields, bows and arrows, and other items pertaining to the next day's activities, while the adults discussed them and whom they might be gambling on. Any festivities that had not been set up were busy doing so.
Lesion led the way through the busy town, allowing nothing to slow him down. Whenever Rukioh started getting distracted, Lesion quickly got him back in line, saying, “later.” They arrived at the coliseum entrance shortly, but were stopped by a pair of heavily armored guards.
“Only participants may enter.”
“Right. So let us in,” Lesion said. The guard on the left stepped aside, but the guard on the right stood there glaring through the visor of his helmet. Lesion looked at him, unblinking. The guard looked frightened for a second, blinked a couple of times, then stepped aside. Lesion walked through with Rukioh just behind him.
Rukioh sighed. “You know, there's no need to treat the people around us like trash.”
Lesion stopped and looked at him, then surprised Rukioh by speaking lightly: “Well, sure, there's no need, but it's entertaining.”
Rukioh grabbed Lesion roughly and pulled him until they were face to face.
“I don't care if you find it entertaining. Stop doing it.” Lesion pulled away, and waved his hand as he started walking. Rukioh took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then followed him into the room.
As Lesion's foot lifted and started moving forward at a confident pace, the room came into full view. Immediately his eyes flashed across the room, his mind processing rapidly. From left to right, there were eight people, the one standing just to the left clearly wasn't a participant, as he was holding the registration papers. Sitting on a bench behind him was one of the kindgom's 'shining knights', still in his shimmering armor. His shoulders were leaned slightly forward, showing that he was not as confident as one should be that's entering a death bout. Had he been sitting astute, it would be assumed that he was a talented, confident knight, and didn't care using some energy to look proper before the matches began. Had he been more lax, it could have meant that he was cocky and talented, bragging by wearing his armor, and not using the energy to appear proper in it.
As Lesion's foot continued in a casual lift, his mind focused on the others. The bald man sitting next to the knight had muscles on muscles. The chances were greatest that he was proficient with a heavy weapon, like a war hammer or large axe, as opposed to a sword. His eyes showed a lust not for the winnings, but for the kill. Continuing right, a pair of tall twins were standing next to eachother. One male, one female. Yet, definitely twins. The man was heavier muscled, but had nothing on the bald fighter. He could be skilled with a number of weapons. Two short swords, maybe a longsword? Lesion moved on to the other twin. She was slim, but very toned. She wouldnt be using a single, heavy weapon, but her possibilites were still decently wide. While both seemed comfident enough, the woman left a lasting impression with her eyes. Not a drop of fear in them, nor was there lust of any kind; simply an astute coldness.
Lesion's foot peaked and began to descend. A cloaked man stood there, no skin showing, face concealed. Wonderful. One of two things are likely here. Either he's extremely skilled, or an incompetent fool. Figuring the latter to be more likely, Lesion's brain continued analyzing. The next combatant was sitting on a bench, fingers massaging his temple. Nothing stood out about him. He was likely a man who knew how to fight, but did not care to live, so figured he'd join the deathbout.
His foot was near the ground as he mentally scanned the last fighter. Seeing the almost hidden fear in the man's eyes, Lesion figured he was inconsequential. Only an inexperienced gladiator would try and throw their opponents off with such a weak trick. Lesion's foot landed, and he continued his confident stride, walking briskly in the room far enough so Rukioh could follow him inside. Lesion turned and walked to the short, balding man with the papers.
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