Gladiators I

The Royal Hall.

~Royalties~

"Long live Athena, and her king."

The three kings bent their backs forward in a gentle bow as Athena and Vulcan walked into the royal hall.

Twas a large building within the great walls of the palace and had only a single room. The room was lit up in the golden rays of the standing lamps which were arranged at the corners of the room.

There was a large table in the heart of the room around which there were long benches for whoever saw it fit to sit.

There were numerous jars of mead lined on the table and wooden plates of steaks and venison. Rarely steaks, more venison.

"To what do we owe this visit?"

Athena got to them and sat one of the two chairs at the edge of the table. The three kings sat back down, standing behind them were thirty hefty men of different stature and forms, dressed in straps and belts. Most parts of their bodies, like chests, backs and legs up to their thighs were bare. Gladiators.

"We heard of the great news of the success of your Colosseum and that it was dedicated few days ago. So, we came to see for ourselves and of course for a purpose also."

"What purp--"

Vulcan couldn't finish up the question when the archetype snatched the the stance, staring at the grim faced king with scanty beards who had just spoken.

"How did news get you?"

Vulcan shot her a quick glance and she smiled at him. He feigned a smile, pushing up the side of his lips.

"Basic scouts we send about. And also travellers who arrived at Aiowa and other neighboring lands like Kula and Ikpala."

She nodded softly.

"So, what price did you bring to enrol your men? Have you brought them for a shit-show? Or you want them added to the barn of our harvested gladiators? To fight till the death until they had earned their freedom after killing the certain numbers of their mates?"

The second king with a nice proportion, and rather inviting looks answered,

"We have only brought them for what you call a shit-show, if my definition laps on yours. We want them to fight and test how strong they are."

The third one complemented,

"We basically came to make a deal with you, Athena. We'll let all out gladiators fight with yours. If your gladiators loses, you'll give us a right to live amongst you as citizens to help in the development of I CHÓRA TOU VULCAN. But if we lose, even we the kings and our gladiators will be under your order. You shall toss us about according to your own will."

"Could we know --"

"If that's what you want."

The archetype chopped Vulcan off the words again. But he wasn't ready to go down this time,

"Would you let me speak please, my love."

The last two words digressed in pitch and had emotions splattered on it. Such emotions as care.

The archetype turned to him with a broad smile.

"Forgive me, my Lord and love. I was hasty thinking your words are mine and mine yours. Of course speak. Your words lighten me."

He took a deep breath and shot a stare at the kings, without giving a precise expression to her response.

"Could we know why you've proposed such an offer? Of course it's a lovely idea, and we appreciate your love for I CHÓRA TOU VULCAN, yet why that burning passion only for my land and not for any other. Like you said, you did visit Aiowa, Kula and the rest."

The grim faced king drank from his cup of mead and fiddled with the beards that weren't there.

"You're thoughtful, my king. As thoughtful as we have always heard. But you do not have to worry. And come to think of it, what evil plot could we have that wouldn't be visible to the great Athena already. Even if she ignores it until the end of the days, would we really be successful, fighting against a land ruled and overseen by a goddess and a thoughtful monarch."

"Yet... you should --"

"I shall have a word with my king. I'm sure he would see reason."

The archetype had caught in again. Vulcan tried as much as not glare at her as she continued,

"He's such a great king who's occupied with the thoughts of protecting his land from the hands of con artists. And most times at the bid of that, makes a mistake of forgetting how powerful his queen is. Isn't that rather ironic?"

She chuckled and the kings did too. Vulcan's face broke into a quick smile and went grim again.

"Until we come to a decision, you should stay. The guards will prepare rooms for you in the quarters within this wall. And maids will attend to you all for the pleasure."

She turned to Vulcan as the kings bowed slightly again.

"My Lord, shall we?"

Vulcan stood in suit.

"There's no point wasting time on thoughts. Decision has been made already. My love already made the decision. You're in on the contest and it's slated for a day after tomorrow. Feel at home."

Vulcan had stated. She chuckled, staring at his silvers. She kissed him quickly, without warning.

"What a great couple the two of you make."

The third king called and the archetype giggled.

"To the greatest couple ever, greater than the renowned Acis and Galatea."

The grim faced had raised his cup of mead in a toast and other took the bait. Merry slid in as maids walked into the hall and the king and queen walked out.

Few metres away from both the royal hall and Palace, the archetype halted and spun to Vulcan,

"I'm sorry I kept cutting your words short. I shouldn't had. It seems like you're not used to it. And I think the surrogate never did that to you. I'm not used to patience from where I came. But for you sake, I shall be careful. I'm sorry, my love."

He held both her hands, sighing loudly,

"We already had this discussion. Do not try to be someone else. Be yourself. Sooner or later, I'll adapt. And obviously, you're pretty much powerful than I am. You helped me get to the position. I wouldn't had done it without you. It's all about you."

Her round face broke into a sheepish smile,

"I'm so honoured to had landed you. Not many gods in OLYMPOS are as gentle, kind and understanding as you are."

They locked lips and remained like that for a long time. Sorting for their tongues. Probably forgetting that they weren't in the room...