Aidelyn sat at the lake in the female slave's quarters. She was dangling her feet in the water, staring down at her reflection. Drawing her knees up close to her, she wrapped her arms around them and rested her head. She knew the guests for the tournement were starting to arrive, even though it was still early, and she dreaded dancing for them. She always had danced back at home, but it was only for her own happiness and enjoyment, but dancing under somebody like Vlad's instruction was just wrong.

Before long, she felt somebody come up behind her, but Aidelyn didn't care, she left her head resting on her arms. A face peeked over Aidelyn's sholder and smiled at her, another Neried slave.

"You know, you shouldn't always look so grumpy." The Neried told Aidelyn, "It will put worry lines all over your pretty face." She said, outlining where the lines would appear on her face with her finger.

"I don't care..." Aidelyn frowned, "It's hard to believe that just two days ago I was swimming with the rest of my family, but now I'm a slave... a SLAVE!" She looked up at the Neried, "How can the rest of you just... accept it, just like that?"

"Well..." the other Neried said, plopping down, "others had a hard time accepting it too, but," She giggled, "You're the one making a big show about it." She said, then got serious, "You know, if you just learn to deal with it, it's not all that bad. Master Vlad treats us kindly-"

"He treats us like we're nothing more than just his property!" Aidelyn inturrupted her.

"Well, of course." The other Neried giggled, "That's what it means to be a slave. But honestly, if you don't fight with him, you're life will be a lot easier."

"Hm." Aidelyn said, pretending to think about it, but not quite ready to accept her fate as a slave quite yet.

"Well, guests are arriving and are heading for the throne room," The other Neried smiled, "That mean's you and the other dancers will be summoned soon." She nodded then jumped into the water, "Good luck." She said, then became one with the water, making her invisable to Aidelyn.

The group travelled through the castle, examining the decorations and construction. They finally approached the main throne room, with a figure at the other end. Zalbag was getting an odd feeling, but couldn't put his finger on it, so he pushed it away as they went to meet the king of this castle. They finally approached the king, and said, "I am the Magister Zalbag of the Order of the Dragon. I am pleased to come to your humble abode after hearing of the festivities you have planned, and wish to pay my respects to you, the King of this castle." With that, he, and shortly after all the others, bowed to the king respectfully.

Vlad sat on the throne, which was nothing more then a fancy wooden chair. He however did not look like he belong there. Wearing only a black cloak and pants, he sat on the chair sideways, one of his legs half hanging over the arm rest as he leaned back over the side. Tied to his right arm was a chain, which connected to the neck of Atha.

"Not king, ruler. I hate the word king, and you're only a king if you rule over a kingdom. I merely own a large mining village. Now your arrival was unexpected, seeing as usually most people above commoners will announcing their comings before they arrive. But you and two others may join me and my other guest in my booth above the arena. I'll be waiting at the staduim entrance, east wall halfway down the hall."

With that said, Vlad stood up and walk past the group. He tugged on the chain so the nymph followed. On his way out, Jared came out from the side door and walked along Vlad as he gave the slave instructions. "Go find the four nymphs that I told were going to entertain my guest. There is still time before the tournament starts, might as well entertain them a little." Jared nodded and ran back towards the door he had come out of.

Zalbag was actually a bit taken aback by the odd behaviour of the ruler. But he shrugged and said, "Alright, Dezil (The dwarf), and Ssslara, you two will accompany me to watch this tournament. The rest of you shall watch this tournament from the arena seats I suppose. Shall we go?" Dezil and Ssslara nodded, and after Dezil gave instructions to the mercenaries, the three headed towards the doors to the halls, not totally sure when he wanted them there, but deciding it was better to be early then late.

Jared had gotten to the female slave's area and was now gathering the nerieds.

--

The mage and mercenary found Vlad waiting for them all infront of two large doors which were opened, some commoners still arriving and going in and down the hallway to the right. If any attempted to go up the left hallway, two Xodar would stop them.

Vlad saw the group coming, and once they were close enough Vlad aproached them. "The three that are coming with me follow me, the rest go down the right hallway." Vlad turned and went though the doors. Atha winked at Zalbag before turning around and following. Vlad told the Xodars to let a mage named Zalbag and two others with him to pass as he went by them.

(Edit)

The booth stood halfway between the first and second floor, directly in the middle of the oval shaped staduim on the west side. It was shaped like a large box, and every side but the front had blocked off walls, while the front had a window that covered the entire wall. Above that window was a large thing to add more shape to the front, so even Vlad could go there. The other three guest were already there, in chairs near the front. Vlad's seat was a little behind the guest chairs, and stood higher then theirs. Several torches lit up the box, but no sun light entered it.

---

Under the arena, all of the slaves who were going to fight had assembled. The weapons had been deliveried, so each slave were taking the weapons they wanted. What was odd about the weapons what that every one of them were blunt, including the ones that are supposed to have sharp edges. Vlad didn't like his slaves dying.

Zalbag led the others by the two Xodar, and followed behind the ruler. He wondered about that strange womans wink, and he suddenly realized she was chained to him. So he was one of the rulers that believed in slavery. <To each their own> He thought. Regardless, he followed behind in hopes of learning more about this place and seeing this arena battle. After he followed Vlad up into the spectator's room, he looked at the massive arena and commented, "An impressive achievment. The city must do very well for you."

As if on cue, not long after the other Neried left, another slave, appearantly Vlad's messanger boy, came and rounded up the four dancers.

"But we still have at least a half an hour!" Aidelyn instictively argued.

"I'm sorry but some of his guest have already arrived and he calls for entertainment." Jared informed them, leading them down the darkening hallways. Before long, they had been led to a small room with two doors. There Jared left them and went about his other business.

Aidelyn looked around then wondered outloud, "What are we doing in here?" She glanced at the others, and most of them seemed to know what they were doing, <I'll just keep quiet and follow them. I should be alright then.> She thought as she leaned against one of the walls in the room, feeling nervious about entertaining. She would happily just refuse to dance and fight with Vlad, but she didn't want to get the others in trouble.

Jormungand sat in his coils. The tip of his tail wiggling near a bush. The yelps of a lone wolf grew closer. He saw the scraggily wolf approach his wiggling tail. It growled at it and sprung. The tail leapt and wrapped around the wolfs muzzle. Jo encircled the flailing wolf. He gave a quick and mighty squeeze. He squeezed until he felt the heart stop. He then proceeded to distend his jaw and swallow the animal whole. He coughed a bit and then spit up a wad of fur. "I hate furballs." He said outloud.

Vlad took his seat, looking at his other guest. They were talking about petty little things, bragging about new slaves they bought, betting on their own slaves they entered in the fight, and other things Vlad didn’t care about. All Vlad cared about was the money they had brought, and their own trophy slaves they had brought. By the end of the tournament, those would all be his, and probably more. The dancers and the fights were to distract them while Vlad would dominate their minds, little bits at a time.

Atropos, a tall, middle aged man with greying hair, turned to Vlad. "Hey, how about some entertainment?" He asked, laughing in an obnoxious way. Two other two, one short, bald man and another aging human both nodded in agreement.

Vlad merely tugged on his chain. Atha stood up from her position on the chair next to Vlad and walked to a door in the back. Opening it, she smiled at the four nerieds in the room. "Your on." Leaving the door open, Atha returned to her spot next to Vlad.

Vlad was remaining silent, but observed the four men babbling exitedly for entertainment. "Bah, some people have no patience or restraint, what fools and commoners," Zalbag said to Dezil.

"Ahh, let them have their fun. I'm pretty exited to see this tournament, I haven't been to one in years. Give me the roar of the arena any day to dancing or what have you." Dezil replied happily.

Zalbag shrugged. People like that, always in the pursuit of pure pleasure over all else, annoyed him. Nothing tangible or enjoyable, just pure, temperary joy, and they were so easy to manipulate if you promised them what they wanted. <Fools, and no better then common animals> Zalbag thought angrily. He didn't even contemplate talking to Ssslara, who's short attention span was about to burst from all the activity and excitment. Zalbag sat back in his seat with a sigh, waiting for the tournament to start, and focusing his mind on other problems.