Diamondlot

Imprisoned

The three young girls were now locked up in separate prisons but were able to see and hear one another. Jiyah stood standing up looking for a way to bust out, while Nayda was sitting calmly. Reina was minding her own business as she found a stone and was trying to draw on the ground. Losing her patience, Jiyah spoke out, “Coming on you two, quit sitting there and let’s find a way out!” In response Nadya replied, “Even if we get out now, we wouldn’t have our weapons and we don’t know the layout of this place. So would you keep it down until we figure things out.” Jiyah was frustrated with what Nadya had to say but knew she had a point, so she sat down to save her energy.

After a couple hours had passed, they begin to hear footsteps coming their way. A little man entered the prison with a couple of mean guards standing by. His name was Rayan and he was scouting out the prisoners to see what sort of talent the guards had brought in.

Jiyah: Excuse me short stack, could you please cut our chains and release us from our prison?

Rayan: Hey who are you calling short?!

Nadya: Pay no attention to her please. Could you tell us where we are and what you plan to do with us?

Rayan: Someone with some manners! My name is Rayan and you are currently in the prison cells of Grasix Arena. I am here to see if your skills are good enough to entertain the crowd but most important our arena master!

Nadya: Who will we be fighting against? And what happens to the winner or the loser?

Rayan: Oh don’t worry. All will be made clear tomorrow.

Jiyah: Bring it on! I’m tired of just sitting around here anyways.

As Rayan was about to walk away from the prisoners, he realized that one of them had been very quiet throughout their conversation. He walked closer to the one who was quietly drawing on the ground with a rock. “Hey you there, turn around so I can see you.” He demanded. Reina was reluctant to do so but not wanting to make a big commotion she slowly looked up with her cloak still on. Rayan had a feeling the face looked familiar but the hood wasn’t allowing him to see her full face. As he was about to ask her to lower the hood, one of the guards came in and requested that he go see the arena master right away. So he left without hearing Reina speaking a single word.

The next day had come and a guard came in to take the three prisoners to a new destination. All three of them had shackles that were tighty reinforced to prevent them from escaping. Once the guard had escorted them to the location he was told, he left them there and stood outside. The three girls were met by a boy who was sitting down slamming down a hammer on a blade of a sword. He introduced himself as Bharath, and he was the blacksmith of the Grasix Arena.

Bharath: So what did the three of you do to end up in this place?

Reina: A big food fight!

Nadya: Yeah, she started it. (pointing at Jiyah)

Jiyah: Last I checked you came over to my table!

Reina: Not now guys! So could you tell us why they brought us here?

Bharath: Entertainment.

Jiyah: Say what?

Bharath: Well the three of you are going to be competing in tomorrow’s event. Can’t be fighting without weapons so they brought you here. Tell me what you each want and I will make it for you.

Nadya: Could we just have our weapons back? That would save you a lot of time.

Bharath: No can do, because then I would be out of a job here.

Nadya: Makes sense. Alright, just give me the best sword you got.

Bharath: Will do what I can. And how about you there?

Jiyah: Just a pair of metal gauntlets is fine.

Bharath: Wait, are you sure you don’t want anything else?

Jiyah: Yes, I’m certain.

Bharath: No axe, daggers, or even a katar?

Jiyah: Nope. You can pass the dagger to roguey over there though.

Reina: Hey! Stop calling me that!

Bharath: Well ok, your funeral!

Nadya: So Bharath, how did you end up being the blacksmith of this place? You are roughly our age so where is your family?

Bharath: Many families back in my town were split off as the adults were called into the militia. That left a bunch of kids to fend for themselves. I eventually found myself in the Grasix Arena but I wasn’t much of a fighter and knew I wouldn’t last in the arena. I offered to be a blacksmith to equip the warriors and they spared my life. And here I am now.

Nadya wanted to ask more questions but the guard came back in to tell them that time was up. Bharath assured the three prisoners that their weapons would be ready tomorrow and he bid them good luck in the arena. After the exchange of goodbyes, the girls were escorted back into their prison cells and given a meal to eat. As they were eating, Reina asked a question that had been lingering in her mind, “So do we have a strategy for tomorrow’s battle?” To that Jiyah replied, “I got one, win and stay alive.” And in a rare occurrence Nadya agreed with what she said. So the three girls ate their meal before resting up for what awaits them tomorrow.