Fighting Pits of Canistel

ARENA CORRIDORS
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When the scrawny noble began to berate Keel for his candor, the gladiator began to show a wry smirk in response. The words were threatening, yes, but they held no weight. No matter how the mysterious noble wanted to spin things in his favor, the fact remained that - at the present - they had met under suspicious circumstances; clearly, whoever the little lordling was, he had bribed the guards supposedly loyal to Lúcuma, which meant that even if Keel headbutted the lordling, there was little they could do.

How do they explain a secret meeting, in the lower corridors of the arena, outside of Lúcuma's awareness? Keel thought, as he mentally considered several ways he could deliver a solid forehead to the little noble's face. Any report would incriminate them, too. This little rodent is all bark, no bite...

But the bite didn't seem to be the purpose, as the words spoken by the noble were aimed at cutting in other ways. Keel's wry expression began to lessen, mainly as he began to lose his patience with the encounter, and because the scrawny individual opposite him seemed intent on saying whatever was needed to get a rise. And it was close to working. Keel had learned to take a lot in his life, he was used to being treated lesser, but that had always been delivered in less obvious and blatant ways - glances, snide remarks, outright being ignored... so when the rodent noble began to turn the barbs on with his words, Keel's method of indifference began to slip.

"Bold words," Keel muttered, as he stared with dark unblinking eyes at the mysterious individual. Keel remained vaguely aware of the rod that prodded across his chest and shoulder. "Especially for someone that isn't chained..."

The back and forth seemed to wound pride on both sides, however, as the little lordling began to react to Keel's - clear - implications that the Canistelean was weaker. That was when the rodent noble spoke about not being afraid of a pet monkey, a term Keel had heard in passing before, and proceeded to jab the rod he held into one of the gladiator's wounds. This time, however, Keel remained motionless, he didn't wince or respond, and simply maintained his stare. The first jab at a wound had been a bit of a surprise, but this time Keel had expected it, and he remained completely passive out of spite, even when the lordling twisted the object and snapped one of the stitches.

For all the calm Keel showed externally, his internal was boiling rage; but he controlled it, for now.

"I was taken as a baby in a growth pod," Keel said in a low voice, as he began to slowly smile. The gladiator even chuckled, before he outright laughed. "Is that how you stay in power? Conquering unborn babies?"

The Saiyan began to laugh loudly, even as the guards moved to quiet him, but the lordling took care of that with the rod - and a quick hit to Keel's stomach, where a deep slice had been treated and stitched like several others, sent a jolt of pain through the Saiyan. He grimaced, the laugh stopped in his throat, even as the rodent noble added a threat about minding one's tongue around nobility. Had Keel been able to move, what with the guards having more hands on him from the loud laughter moments before, he might have thrust his head forward to break the noble's nose... but unfortunately it seemed enough time had passed, and the meeting was brought to an end. As he was escorted away, Keel glanced back and added:

"See you soon."

Keel decided that should the rodent noble's little neck be wrung by some political rival, as one could hope would happen, there would be no sleep lost over his demise. In fact, if the Saiyan had the opportunity to do the wringing on command from a political rival of the rodent, all the better. And as Keel was escorted away further into the corridors, the shackles clanging and clinking as he moved with the pair of guards, there was a growing want to find that particular noble in the future... even if the idea and possibility of doing anything was abysmal. It was still an amusing thought exercise, while Keel walked, anyway.

Several passageways later, one of the guards seemed to have had enough time to ponder over something pressing, and looked to Keel from within the helmet he wore. "I've never had an issue with you, Keel, as a guard," The tall Canistelean said in a low voice, as though the walls were listening. "You've done well by Lord Lúcuma, I think, and what I've been hearing already isn't good for you--"

"Enough," Said the other guard in a gruff voice. "We're getting near the Lord's location."

"Just... just be aware: you're on thin ice," The first Guard said in conclusion, as a sigh was heard from the other. "Step carefully."

Keel glanced to the guard who had offered the warning, gave the individual a nod, and felt some level of appreciation. At least someone under Lúcuma's employ seemed to care about more than just the nobleman's whims and desires, even if it was only a vague warning to be careful. At least it was something, enough to allow Keel to be alert and able to placate if he needed to, though the gladiator had always had problems on that front - he tended to show his respect by being more stoic and silent, as little could be blamed on one for being still and not speaking.

What is the saying? Silence is golden?

It was only a handful of minutes later, when the pair of guards brought Keel up to the more lavish section of the arena, and he was presented to more guards who stood outside a decorated door. Some words passed, Keel remained silent and felt a sting in his right shoulder as a mild sedative was administered, and then the doors opened and the gladiator was assaulted with the noise of conversation, laughter and fragrant smells of food and drink. The guards at the doorway took over, as both took up positions beside Keel. One spoke:

"Don't do anything stupid, or we'll dose you again," She said, as Keel was jostled into the room, right as his presence was cued. "You're in the presence of your betters now..."


NOBLE LOUNGE
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Lúcuma's speech was heard, but the words were momentarily hard to comprehend, as the sedative dose from moments before was in full effect. It flooded through Keel's system, the pain from the re-opened wounds from previously gone, and a feeling of calm washed over the Saiyan. He knew from experience it was a temporary effect, one that only lasted around ten minutes as the injector process provided a stronger immediate effect that tapered off, so before long Keel expected to be less heady.

Hm?

Keel glanced toward a looming face, as Lúcuma peered at Keel with disdain and mentioned the discussion with the other Saiyan, Courge. Seemed the nobleman had heard it all, which made the gladiator realize the words of warning from the earlier guards in the corridors. Keel was about to respond, but Lúcuma turned and walked away, to which the Saiyan scoffed under his breath and shook his head a little - mainly to try and clear it - but otherwise remained where he had been positioned. The nobles all moved about, some whispered and pointed at him, others glanced over and smiled or giggled...

Red hair.

Suddenly, a mass of auburn hair was brought into focus for Keel, as he blinked and caught the familiar sight of Lady Tiyesa across the room. She was Lúcuma's daughter, someone who was generally considered nice by the Saiyan, but there was little of note between the pair. She was a noble, he was a gladiator, and aside from passing one another in the halls and seeing each other when Keel had been serving the household, there wasn't much connection or interaction. Still, there she was, peering at the bleeding wounds from the scrawny noble from earlier--

Wait, is that him?

--Keel's stare settled on the same mysterious individual from the passageways below. It turned out the little lordling had planned to attend the gathering set by Lúcuma, which caused the gladiator to smile dopily to himself, even as he began to think of ways to headbutt him. Keel couldn't hear what the pair spoke about, not really, but every so often a few words managed to reach him over the backdrop of the gathering and other voices. Mainly, though, Keel tried to listen for the little lordling's name, and even thought he might have heard it, but couldn't be sure...

"Lord Chi?" Keel muttered to himself, dark eyes narrowed. The sedative was still affecting him, it was hard to focus specifically on the two. "Maybe?"

Also, from his vantage in the room opposite the arena, Keel could see well beyond the guests and into the space beyond. It just so happened that, with little else to occupy him as a living object on display, the gladiator had been staring out of the balcony entry across the way... and noticed that the shimmer of the arena force field, the one in place for audience protection, suddenly shut off. There was a quick flicker of energy from the balcony, likely unnoticed if not looking at it or for it, and then it was gone.

What's happening? Keel thought slowly, as he glanced to Lúcuma, but the additional sedative had made him tired. Wait... is that combat?

Keel turned his head, as he caught the distant sound of fighting outside the door to his side. The clang and ring of weapons was unmistakable, he had grown accustomed to the sound throughout his life, and whoever was fighting was getting closer. Keel's reaction was dulled, as he looked around the room filled with nobility, and blinked slowly as he thought the room might tip to one side.

Is a rival noble attacking?

The only thing Keel could do, was remain between the pair of guards that secured him, chained and held in place...

NOBLE LOUNGE
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Keel wasn't sure what he expected for the evening. Maybe some clear consciousness, to start, then maybe some trivial discussion with a noble or two, maybe some curious noblewomen who dared poke at him, that sort of thing. But the absolute last thing that would have come to mind was an attack on the gathering. Especially when all the invited nobles were present, with guard compliments in full attendance, and the festivities newly started; few were drunks, as nobles tended, nor had many left for the evening to retire to lavish manors and comfortable beds.

No, instead the attacking group has picked the worst time to launch an assault.

Try as he might, Keel couldn't get rid of the grogginess he felt. The Saiyan shook his head, he tried to blink his mind clear, he even attempt a stretch - but the movement had the nearby guard react, as a stun pole was jabbed into Keel's side. He grunted, stumbled to one knee, and remained there for most of the chaos that unfolded around them all. Energy flared from multiple sources, Ki was launched across the room from attackers and defenders, with some nobles throwing into the battle and getting involved. Most seemed content to remain on the defensive, with the use of shields and barriers, as the guards systematically moved through the unexpected visitors and brought them down one by one.

The rodent noble was across the room, sadly, otherwise Keel might have tried to send a stray blast his way. But the thought was simply that, as the Saiyan remained under the effects of the sedative he had received a handful of minutes prior. It dulled his mind, his senses, made him slow and Keel found it hard to follow the events that took place - so fast was the suddenness and response, from both sides. Whatever the attackers had hoped to achieve, it was evident - even to a groggy Keel - that it was unlikely to go the way intended. The supposed leader of the group shouted out about the want to kill Lúcuma and the other nobles, which spurred the defensive force even more, and proved further than the attackers had little idea of what they had jumped into.

It was a shame, really, as Keel might have otherwise tried to make a bid for his own freedom during he chaos. He was a pragmatic individual, for the most part, and regretted that follow up dose. The likelihood that the household would go on some kind of security alert for a period of time was high, perhaps even the Ludus would be locked down, at least until the potential threat of subsequent attacks had passed - so, for at least several days, Keel had no real chance of escaping, as he knew that was his only option now, even without the sudden events of the attack.

In fact, throughout the whole fight, Keel had one single thought, as he looked on a certain individual:

It could be so easy, The Saiyan looked toward his 'master' with dark eyes. He's got his flank to me, even...

Across the way, Lúcuma was in the midst of defending his wive, Lady Ava. The man's azure shield was powerful, the nobleman was strong from years of training and surviving the hostile society of Canistel, but Keel felt he could take him... but there remained several factors that held his hand. The first was the fact Keel was bound, the second that there were too many guards, and the third that they were in the middle of an attack from an unknown source. Keel wanted freedom, yes, but he wasn't stupid and refused to take action that would otherwise have said (brief) freedom lost anyway.

It was far better to wait and see.

Maybe I'll get lucky, and Lúcuma will die?

Still, that didn't solve every problem. Lady Ava and Lady Tiyesa remained, after all, and would likely claim any ownership of the hypothetically deceased Lord's effects. That would place Keel right back under ownership, as his life would transfer to whomever stepped in to fill those shoes. That thought soured Keel's mood a little, even as he watched the assault repelled and the attackers slowly brought to their knees in defeat. It had all been a fairly clumsy attempt, with the planning being at the wrong times, though Keel couldn't say he knew what the aim or goals were with the attack... but, when it was all said and done, there remained a single individual across near the balcony exit, who was swarmed by guards with Lúcuma's command.

Keel didn't envy that individual what would happen.

Although, even through the sedated haze, Keel had noticed one thing: Lady Tiyesa. She had revealed her power, while also proving she was as bloodthirsty as - and loyal to - her father, in the way she had rallied for continued attack of the invading group. It had been a surprise, honestly, as Keel had thought the auburn haired noblewoman to be more like Lady Ava. Not weaker, but perhaps kinder. Or as kind as Canisteleans could be, anyway. Nonetheless, the attack was over in short order, as the attackers were overwhelmed by the additional house guards and nobles themselves. Through the haze of his vision, every so often Keel thought he focused enough to see someone he knew, a face here and there, and wondered if it had been some kind of servant revolt attempt?

"Get up," Came an order from behind Keel. He looked back at one of the door guards, who reached down and wrenched the Saiyan to his feet. "Lord Lúcuma has ordered you back to the Ludus, to be detained until this mess is sorted out. Move, we're not in the mood for anything except following orders."

"Yeah," Keel muttered as he gave one last look over the chaos of the gathering.

Maybe Lúcuma's tyrannical hold over his household servants had started to falter? Keel smirked despite himself, as he was escorted out of the lavish room, and marched down the corridors beyond, where he saw more dead and unconscious individuals. Whoever was responsible was going to pay, as much as Keel hated to give Lúcuma credit, but the nobleman wasn't known for mercy or letting affronts against him remain unanswered... it was also part of the reason that Keel knew he had to plan his own escape, especially since he doubted Lúcuma planned to forgive and forget when it came to the arena and the Saiyan, Courge. But that was a problem for tomorrow, and beyond, as Keel simply focused on remaining upright and following the guards who led him to a waiting transport...