An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Yes, I know, an update! Be amazed. In this one, Lexa returns to the ring and has to face off against an...old friend.
Once more, Lexa found herself waiting in a dim room, trying to block out the distant roar of the crowd. As holding cells went, it far more pleasant than some of the others she had been imprisoned in. The stench of sweat and piss was absent, and all she could smell was heat. She could feel it all around her, cloying and humid as it clung to her skin.
She closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath. Even from in here, she could taste the dryness of the sand hanging in the wet, thick air. It would probably rain soon, but before the guards had brought her indoors, there hadn't been a cloud in sight. She hoped she was right about the rain. It might give her an advantage on the battlefield. Fighting in awful weather conditions had been part of her Trikru training.
Then again, if I'm to fight anyone from Azgeda, they will have had the same training...
Lexa opened her eyes again. There was no use speculating before she had even seen her opponent. She had been led to believe that most gladiators were told about their matches in advance, but Doctore—or, rather, Ontari—had not seen fit to mention it. Technically speaking, she shouldn't have been fighting yet at all, since she wasn't officially a gladiator of Ontari's ludus.
Apparently, exceptions could be made.
Briefly, Lexa wondered if Clarke had tried to stall for more time. Her domina had seemed concerned for her safety in the arena, but their need was also urgent. The sooner Lexa fought, and won, her battles, the sooner they would be able to put their plans for rebellion into motion. Or perhaps she was overthinking things. Perhaps the order for her to 'perform' had come straight from Nia herself, and Clarke hadn't had much choice but to agree.
The timing didn't really matter. Lexa had no choice but to win.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the clank of metal and heavy footfalls. Someone was approaching. A moment later, the doors were opened, letting sunshine stream in through the thick grill of the gate. Lexa squinted to protect her eyes, struggling to adjust. She couldn't see much beyond the metal hatchwork but the swirl of golden sand.
"And here she is!" she heard the far-off announcer cry without the wooden doors in the way. "Spared from death only by our Queen's merciful hand, she is here to fight for your entertainment today! The savage, vicious Stallion of Tondisi!"
