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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 27, 2017 9:13:53 GMT -5
*NOTE: SET IN ANCIENT ROME*
"It's okay, kamarad , the pain doesn't last long. It'll be over soon."
Aedan's best friend, Drustan, holds a knife against his throat, the blade cool against his skin. He had been fighting at his back a moment ago, helping the young Celt fight against the Roman forces that would destroy his clan. But now Drustan had spun around and wrapped an arm around Aedan's neck, holding the knife to his throat.
Aedan's head is tilted upwards in defiance, and he is vaguely aware that he may already be bleeding at his neck. His breathing is fast and shallow, his chest moving up and down with great speed. He is afraid - he is eighteen. He had been training as a warrior for years previously but this is his first serious battle.
"Why are you doing this?" Aedan asks quietly, "I thought of you as a brother"
"If I help them, the Romans promised they wouldn't hurt my family." Drustan replies, with no hint of regret or sadness in his voice "I have to kill you. You'd only stop me. Goodbye, kamarad"
Everything goes black.
Aedan woke up to the shouting of a guard, the Latin words a stark contrast to the comforting words of his own language, the ones from his dream. Back to reality.
Aedan frequently had nightmares, but it wasn't uncommon among the slaves, so he didn't really stand out because of it. It was always the same recurring nightmare - the betrayal, the injury, that had brought him here. Here, where he longed to be free. Where he was mistreated and forced to put his warrior skills to good use.
After his best friend had tried to kill him, he had survived. Roman soldiers had found him and taken him as a slave. Deciding he had been fit enough to fight in the arena, he had been bought by a gladiator trainer. He had been eighteen when that happened. He was now twenty-three now. Five years in slavery had broken him.
When he was eighteen, he had been angry and defiant, and had attempted to escape a great many times, earning him the scars that still covered the skin of his back. He didn't get whipped so much anymore. He had learned his lesson.
Aedan had many scars, but the one that stood out the most was the one across his neck, thanks to Drustan's blade. It was what people noticed first.
He reached up one hand to feel his clipped ear, the mark of his slavery. He was back in the real world. The smell of blood still filled his nostrils but the shouting of battle was no longer there.
It would be time to start training soon.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 27, 2017 17:44:50 GMT -5
Bump
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 27, 2017 18:11:12 GMT -5
Hi! can just jump in or what?
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 27, 2017 23:42:41 GMT -5
'Course x)
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 0:31:23 GMT -5
( I'm not sure if this is wear you wanted it to go, but i'm not to great on roman history so this is the best i can do lol I was thinking Aeden and Claudia could like meet like at the arena.. idk) Claudia was vaguely aware of her many maidens tending to her, one rubbing her feet with precious oils and one pinning her long brown curls up around her head in a great crown. She looked around the room to see another one was bringing her the gown she was to wear to the arena. A long, purple dress made out of the finest silk. Jewels hung from her ears and hair now. Her mother would be pleased. Although her family wasn't royalty, she had caught the eyes of a very wealthy commander in the emperors army.She would be watching a gladiator fight that night, she was invited to accompany the commander.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 0:39:08 GMT -5
(It can go however you want, this is fine x And don't worry, I'll help if you have issues with the history
We can skip if you want but yeah)
Guards came by to release the gladiators, one by one undoing theirn chains, before leading them out onto the training grounds.
"Move it, barbarian" snarled one of the guards when Aedan wasn't walking fast enough.
Aedan ignored it. It was clear he was a Celt with his blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin and defined features. The Romans did not particularly like Celts, seeing them as brutish and uncivilised. They weren't.
Once on the training grounds, Aedan picked up one of the wooden swords use for practice and began his training. He knew there would be a fight that day and he wanted to be sure he was prepared for what was to come.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 0:54:51 GMT -5
(We don't have to skip unless you want to! Thanks lol!) The door burst open and revealed a big head of the same bouncy curls Claudia had, "Aeliana! What are you doing in here?" She said as she strode over to her little sister. The little girl only smiled and ran to Claudia's bed. Claudia ran after her laughing. " You have to go out, I have to get ready". She said through a smile. The little girl half walked, half ran out of the room, laughing the whole way. Claudia smiled and asked one of her handmaidens for her sandals. "I wonder what the commander will think of me, I'm not royalty. But neither is he." Just then her mother walked into the room, interrupting her thoughts. " You must marry this man Claudia, our family honor depends on it!" The young woman, no more than 18 smiled sadly. It had never been her plan to marry for money and prestige. " Whatever you say mother." A few hours later Claudia left to meet the Commander at the arena.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 1:00:43 GMT -5
A few hours later Aedan found himself outside the Arena, in the bustling marketplace. He and the other gladiators were standing outside the Arena while the rich came to place bets on which gladiators would win their fights.
Aedan got some attention for his colouring, which was unusual for the Romans, but mainly people didn't pay attention to him. Perhaps because he was a Celt. Perhaps because he was slimmer and more svelte than the other athletes; he had runner's muscles off running through hills back home, and his fighting muscles were built on top of these, giving him a different muscle distirbution than the other gladiators, making Aedan look slim and lithe.
But his advantage was this very thing; his body shape gave him incredible speed in fights. It could help him win against brute strength if he used it right.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 1:17:05 GMT -5
Atop her horse, Claudia met the Commander in the square, he smiled his haughty smile and they strode on. They went to the part of town where the rich place their bets, as the Commander was going to place a bet. She detested this part of the village. It was dirty and reeked of sweaty men, "women shouldn't even be in this place." she thought as the wandering eyes of greedy men followed her.She held her head high, until someone caught her eyes, a Celt. His coloring was very different from those around her, and he was strong, but he didn't look bulky like the others. Just then she realized he must be a gladiator. A pang of sadness went through her, she didn't want to see him hurt. She bit her lip to clear her thoughts. " Commander I think you should bet on him." She pointed to the Celt. He started at her for a moment and then laughed, a deep, selfish laugh.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 1:25:18 GMT -5
Aedan's eyes flickered over after he heard the exchange between two people. A young woman, it seemed, and one of the Emperor's favourite generals. Interesting. And she wanted this general to bet on Aedan. Not a likely gladiator to bet on, but it was not crazy to suggest he might win.
And then the general laughed at her. Well that was cruel, and embarassing for the poor woman.
"It is fine, my lady. If he mocks you I do not desire his bet. He should spend the betting money on you instead" Aedan said after a moment. His voice was heavily accented but he spoke Latin well enough after five years.
He knew he was speaking out of turn, and he would be punished, but what else was new? He had been beaten and whipped too many times to count.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 1:39:54 GMT -5
Claudia's mouth hung open, surely the gladiator would be punished for speaking to her. Then she smiled at him and said " Thank you." in a genuine way."Do you hear that Commander, the gladiator is as smart as he is strong." she knew she was overstepping her bounds, but she wouldn't be treated that way." I do think you should bet on him." The commander, now angry, but not wanting to cause a scene, dropped some coins on the table and placed his bet. They rode away, and Claudia threw one last glance at the gladiator. " Who did you bet on?" She said innocently. "None of your business." he replied. She looked down to her horse and remained quiet.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 1:48:32 GMT -5
It wasn't until the general had his back turned that Aedan allowed himself to raise an eyebrow, clearly a little amused by how easily he had angered the general. One of the guards was looking at him, however, which told him he'd pay the price for his cheek later on. Somehow he decide ditnwould be worth it. If he survived these fights, he'd be grinning through the lashes while remembering the commander red with anger.
When the young lady, who definitely looked younger than 20, offered him one last glance, he threw her a very small smile.
One of the guards pulled him away, now, heading into the Arena to prepare for the fights.
"You've made a very big mistake, Celt," the guard said "You messed with a very high-profile man. No doubt you'll be whipped until you pass out"
"That sounds like a challenge. Let's make it a game, see how long I last" Aedan retorted, teasing the guard with his casual tone
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 1:58:35 GMT -5
Claudia took her seat near the Commander, she was surrounded by high ranking officers. All of them were speaking about who they bet on, and who would die. She bit her lip and tried to figure out if any of them were speaking of the Celt she had just met. She wanted to ask about him, but it wasn't really her place. Though she had never really been one to conform to these kinds of standards, she knew she would only anger the Commander more if she mentioned it. So she sat like a good little trophy and kept her mouth shut. She peered over to the large gates where the gladiators would come out. She imagines seeing the Celt come out of those gates.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 2:04:36 GMT -5
The guard left Aedan with the other gladiators, beneath the Arena. The young man grabbed a real sword this time, testing it in his hands as he waited to be called up. He was nervous, for sure, but he couldn't afford to let it show.
Sure enough, after a while of waiting, Aedan was announced. The 23-year-old stepped out into the Arena. The crowd was cheering wildly, which was confusing. They never cheered that much for Aedan. He was then figure for them to hate, because he was a Celt. Which means these cheers must be for his opponent.
Oh, yes. A much bulkier Roman man. He would have the advantage in terms of strength. Perhaps Aedan could use his speed to his advantage, but this very much appeared to be a rigged fight. Aedan wasn't meant to survive this fight.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 2:14:52 GMT -5
After what seemed like ages of blood and gore and cheering, he came out. The Celt she had been looking for, she suddenly felt very nervous for him. His opponent was huge, and looked very strong. "Commander that's not fair, how is he supposed to fight that, that thing!" Claudia said. She bit her lip. " He's not supposed to win, why do you think I didn't bet on the Celt? I bet on him". He pointed at the Roman. Her mouth fell open. " You knew didn't you?" she said softly. " Of course i did!" he bellowed. She scowled at him. Claudia stood up to get a better view of what was about to happen.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 2:19:23 GMT -5
Aedan swallowed, but was satisfied knowing that the crowd was too far away to see his fear. He had this. He just had to use what advantages he had to try and survive this fight. He couldn't do anything more than that.
So he did. He struck first, using his advantage of speed, managing to land a blow on his opponent. It was a small, inconsequential wound, but it was showing that he wasn't just going to give up, rigged fight or not.
They continued like this until both men began to tire. Aedan was losing his advantage of speed, and his opponent was starting to be able to land hits on him.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 2:27:05 GMT -5
Claudia watched them, blow after blow. The Celt was smarter and faster, but the Roman was stronger. She watched as the Celt landed a blow and she cheered, the Commander looked at her as if she had two heads. " Commander, is there any way that the Celt could win? He looks faster than the Roman." she said slowly. " Its possible I guess, maybe if he became a God!" He roared. His laughter was throaty and cruel. She felt the hope drain from her.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 2:36:30 GMT -5
"Slowing down, Celt?" taunted the Roman "Hurry up, the crowd doesn't like a drawn out fight. They like to see barbarians like you dead"
"Celts don't give up," growled Aedan in response
"Then you're dumber than you look"
While fighting, they had been moving around the Arena. But Aedan was being overpowered, and was almost backed into the curved wall. He wouldn't die backed into a corner like a hunted animal. Not if he could help it.
So he tried to move away from the wall and back into the open, but not before his opponent did a jab, which landed in his stomach. Aedan put a hand over his wound, but he couldn't keep fighting. He'd bleed to death.
He had fallen to his knees without even realising, and his opponent's blade rested at his neck. Reminding him, at the worst possible moment, of how he got here.
Reluctantly, he raised his left hand, conceding defeat. The crowd would vote on whether he would live or die.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 2:45:25 GMT -5
Claudia watched with wide eyes as the Celt fell and raised his left hand. " No.' she whispered. She looked to the Commander. " Do something, please?" She didn't really know what she expected at that point, that the entire crowd would just put aside their differences? No they won't, they will kill him. The Commander looked at her and shook his head in amusement, " There's nothing I can do, whats done is done."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 2:51:50 GMT -5
The crowd seemed split as they voted, and Aedan couldn't clearly tell his fate. Not everyone had cast their vote yet, after all. Some seemed to think Aedan had fought well enough to warrant survival, others wanted him dead because of his Celtic blood.
Aedan couldn't watch the voting anymore but instead of closing his eyes or allowing himself to look defeated of afraid, he fixed his eyes on his opponent. He'd look him in the eyes to the very end if he needed to.
He chin was tilted up in defiance. Despite the fact he was on his knees and still had one hand over his wound, he looked proud and angry. His gaze was strong and almost accusing.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 3:02:38 GMT -5
Claudia looked around frantically, trying to grasp what fate the gladiator had. The arena was buzzing with people crying " Death to the Celt!' and others who seemed to think that the gladiator earned his life. She looked to the Emperor sitting regally, watching the baying crowd as if someone's life wasn't in his hands. He held his hand out, Claudia's mouth went dry. He pointed his thumb down at first, but the massive backlash of the crowd seemed to make him change his mind. He pointed his thumb to the sky. Claudia let out the breath she didn't know she was holding.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 3:06:45 GMT -5
The Emperor was behind Aedan, so the young man couldn't see what was happening. He only saw the Roman raise his weapon. But then, a brief look of confusion. Finally, however, the Roman lowered his weapon.
Attendants ran out to grab Aedan - who had almost passed out by this point - and lead him back inside, where a physician would attend to him.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 3:13:37 GMT -5
The rest of the fights were a blur, this one won and that one didn't. Claudia found herself very impatient by the end. She wanted to go home. Another part of her wanted to find the gladiator, to make sure he made it. He lost a lot of blood. She shooed the thought out of her head, what would people think. A young women going to see a gladiator. It would be downright scandalous. Finally, as if sensing her impatience, the Commander said they were leaving.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 3:18:36 GMT -5
Aedan was drifting in and out on consciousness as a physician busied around him. He had lost a lot of blood, it would seem. But he would survive. Hopefully.
In his delirious mental state, he thought about the young woman from earlier. Beautiful, and so underestimated and held back. So trapped and constrained. He felt sorry for her, but he supposed he shouldn't. There were plenty of people who felt sorry for her and could do something about it, probably. Aedan couldn't. What good could he possibly do for this girl?
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 3:28:19 GMT -5
As they rode toward her estate, she looked sideways at the Commander, he was very unattractive to say the least, but in order to get the information she wanted, she would have to pretend to truly like him. Even though he was selfish. " Thank you so much for taking me today, I had a wonderful time!" He smiled and said " Your welcome, its not everyday someone so average gets to spend the day with me." She bit her tongue to keep from screaming at him. She had to be pleasant if she was gonna get what she wanted. " Where do you think they keep the gladiators?" She asked casually, " Well there's a place near the arena, its practically a stable!" he bellowed. By that time they reached her home. She said farewell and went inside.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 3:38:54 GMT -5
When Aedan had fully regained consciousness, he was back in his familiar little cell. Well, it wasn't officially called a cell, but he was still in chains and under guard, so there wasn't really anything else to call it.
This time they hadn't bothered chaining him up, knowing he would still be too weak to try and escape. And so he sat against the wall, looking out into the dimly lit corridor. His wound was bandaged and he was no longer losing blood, meaning that he was finally able to think straight.
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 3:50:10 GMT -5
Though everything in her told her this was an awful idea, Claudia crept out of her room and to the stables. She could ride bareback so she didn't need to saddle her horse. She rode into the city, some lights still flickering around her. She went to the arena, at first she had a hard time finding where they kept the gladiators, but thankfully an old man told her where it was in exchange for coins. She walked up to the door, she expected it to be bigger than this, is looked like a medium sized home, though the condition of the place was as bad as a prison. She knocked on the door slowly. A large man opened it and wouldn't let her in, but he too wanted coins, and those she had to give. She walked in wearily, the stench was awful. She asked where the Celt was kept, with a wave of his hand, the guard showed her his cell.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 3:53:49 GMT -5
Aedan, when he heard someone entering the building, looked up. Then he heard a voice he recognised, eyes widening. The young woman from earlier. Was he imagining it? Why was she here? What was happening?
Curious, he stood up, wincing. Then young man moved to the very edge of his cell, trying to get a better look. It was dimly lit, but he could see her shape moving down the hallway. He had no idea what was going on. If she was here to see him he would be very surprised, but then he was surprised she was even here at all. So it made no difference.
He hadn't seen her vote in the crowd, but he supposed she had voted for him to live. She had wanted the general to bet on him after all
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Post by heyyyyyyyyyy on May 28, 2017 4:01:41 GMT -5
She peered into the cell, and almost gasped. There was still blood on him from the fight, didn't they even clean him? " I'm very sorry to bother you, but i wondered if you had survived." she smiled tenderly at the Celt. Then she turned to the guard, " Do you expect him to recover in these conditions?" she said as she looked the guard straight in the face.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 28, 2017 4:07:47 GMT -5
"Yes, I did survive. Thank you, miss" Aedan smiled in response "I am still bleeding a little, but it's stopping"
At her accusatory question to the guard, Aedan flashed a grin to the guard. Maybe he was enjoying this a little too much.
"He has survived much worse before," the guard said, pointedly looking at Aedan's visible scars "And, after all, the physician has done his best. I am just the guard, miss"
Aedan jumped in "Oh, come, Cassius. You like me really"
"Don't push your luck," the guard warned, though considerably more good-naturedly than another guard might have.
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