Gladiator Knight by Eric T. Knight

Author:Eric T. Knight [Knight, Eric T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-02T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 33

Jarryd and Kathor headed back out to the middle of the arena. “I’m sorry about that,” Jarryd said. “I never expected that to happen.”

“Sorry about what?”

“The tigers. I’ve never heard of Turlese tigers, but if they’re anything like the snow leopards we have in the Northlands, we’re in for a fight. One we might not survive.”

“So we fight,” Kathor said picking up his mace and poking around in the other gear scattered about until he found a battered shield. “It is an arena, after all, and we are fighters.” He didn’t sound troubled at all. If anything, he sounded eager.

“Yeah, I can’t wait.” Jarryd picked up his sword, then a spear he saw lying nearby. Maybe he could stick it in one of the tigers and slow the animal down.

“Do not die,” Kathor said, pointing the mace at Jarryd. “I wish to learn your secrets.”

“I’ll do my best. You should try not to die either.”

Kathor’s answer was a grunt.

The winners of the other two battles had left the arena and the two losers had just been dragged out when a pair of doors that were much larger than the others opened wide. Behind the doors was a portcullis of thick iron, the tigers pacing restlessly on the other side. The men who had opened the doors scurried for an exit as the portcullis began to rise.

“Those are big,” Kathor said. He didn’t sound awed by them. It was a comment, as if he was noting that it was a hot day.

“A whole lot bigger than a snow leopard,” Jarryd said, swallowing. He had a feeling he was going to need all his reserves of kriyana to survive this battle.

“Which one do you want?” Kathor asked, his mace resting on one thick shoulder.

Jarryd shot him a look, wondering if he was joking, but he looked serious. “I’ll take the small one.”

Kathor nodded. “Good. That is what I recommend as well.” He clapped Jarryd on the back. “Let’s see what you can do, eh?”

They spread out. Jarryd clutched the spear in his right hand, ready to throw it. The portcullis was about a third of the way up when the big cats realized that freedom beckoned. They ducked fluidly under the gate and padded into the arena. They were huge beasts, standing chest high on Jarryd. They were black, dappled with yellow spots, with long, curving canines. Their yellow eyes locked on the two men and both tigers froze, only the tips of their tails moving. After a few moments, they started forward again.

Jarryd, thinking there would never be a better time, let fly with the spear at the tiger on the left, the one closest to him. It didn’t look any smaller than the other one.

The cat leapt aside at the last moment and the spear thudded into the dirt.

“You did not think that would work, did you?” Kathor said.

“Not really,” Jarryd admitted.

As if of one mind, both tigers charged at the same time, their graceful leaps covering the intervening distance with shocking speed.

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