Bloodlust: A Gladiator's Tale (Domains of the Chosen Book One) by C.P.D. Harris

Author:C.P.D. Harris [Harris, C.P.D.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: C.P.D Harris
Published: 2012-07-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen: Regina's Gambit

1143/10/23 AR, Scorpion's Oasis

"The Great Games are fixed; there are a thousand ways to make sure that the wrong Gladiator never makes it far enough to become a Chosen." Oratho diKrass, Heretic.

"Gladiators are often seen as pawns in the politics of the Domains. The analogy is interesting, for like pawns in the game of chess, some Gladiators can become much greater if they make it far enough." Chosen Mazurin

A jovial Sulius ul-Cyrus met with Sadira, Gavin, Ravius, Vintia and Karma, both individually and as a team after their first match in Scorpion's Oasis. The Chief Promoter apologized profusely for his earlier manner, noting that he was under a great deal of pressure. The Reds had not won a season in the resort town for years; Regina diCouture, the Chief Promoter of the Blues, had dominated the little arena near the Oasis since her arrival. Sulius was the fifth in a long line of Red Faction promoters to match wits with her; after several seasons he had come to feel he was only allowed to keep his position because no one else wanted it.

Part of the problem was that most of the Gladiators who signed on with the Reds in Scorpion's Oasis were disinterested in the Faction's fortunes. A few were old timers, master ranked Gladiators who would fight on their own schedules, perhaps a match per season. Some were ambitious mid-rankers, who cared only for their own careers, usually fighting only in matches that they knew they could dominate. Many saw the lush surroundings and low pressure of a constantly losing team as an excuse for a good vacation before moving on to more competitive arenas. Sulius explained to his newest acquisitions that he wanted to win, and that he had been harsh because he could not afford any more fighters in his roster who would not do their best for the Faction.

"Even if you'd lost, your willingness to train so hard showed me that you are worth taking on," was the refrain that Sulius repeated to each of them. "I will give you every resource that I can provide." He was so sincere that all of them, even temperamental Karmal, accepted his apology.

Thereafter the five Gladiators found the Chief Promoter to be cheerful and helpful, showing them every courtesy and treating them with profound respect, proving to be an excellent host in every way. They quickly forgot their initial resentment of the man, especially after they began to see that his assessment of the rest of the Gladiators in their Faction was quite accurate. The rest of the Red Faction seemed rather insular and lacking in spirit. They were nearing the end of yet another losing season and morale was low. As Gavin, Sadira, and the others continued their hard training regimens on the practice grounds, they noted a distinct lack of vigour in many of their peers. The Reds seemed to shy away from the part of the training area where the Blues could see them.

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