After the dreadful battle, Diarmuid was escorted to the governor's balcony where the latter had insisted on meeting him. He was given quick treatment and care for his wounds, the injury though grave was not life threatening as it was attended immediately by the governor's doctors no less. The rush of victory and fighting, and the burning desire with which the lancer was clutching to his life kept his conscious alert and on edge. Barely walking, he was escorted by multiple guards to meet the young governor, guards that accompanied him step by step and watched his every move, which indicated that assassination trials weren't something rare or unprecedented.
No one could say the Celtic was eager to meet the man, he was satisfied with breaking his pride, defeating his most prized warrior, the beast no had had survived facing but it went without doubt that he had a little curiosity about the blond. From what he had heard about him from Sextus, it was obvious that the governor was not as popular as his father before him among the town's people, but his unpopularity maintained an oscillating state declining to the bottom when he first took the position by questionable means as it was implied and largely rumored. His first move contributed to his unpopularity, when he declared a prohibition on the violent games and wrestling matches. This triggered the people's discontent and led to a great opposition and riots. The first decision the new governor made had to be almost instantly called off ruining the latter's image and status. Since that incident, the young governor refrained from attending such events except for the important ones in an attempt to save his face. This ridiculous event apparently led to a gap between the ruler and his subjects that neither cared to fill, leading consequently to the counselors disapproval of their lord as well. Even the city's troops sided with the counselors and the people against the young lad, each of the three parties for their different reasons but since their lord still hadn't committed a grave mistake, those three tolerated his sojourn on the throne. In a silly try of demonstrating his power, the governor arranged from time to time some matches presenting his fearless lion to quiet the tongues speaking ill of him and criticizing his lack of authority and power.
The narrow corridors gradually widened as the gladiator went up, and the decorations grew fancier until the large balcony came to sight. It was the most beautiful and well-guarded place in the entire stadium. The counselors were leaving, not interested in meeting a slave. Only few remained including a tall man with long dark hair and equally deep grey eyes. The aura of melancholy surrounding that man was dissipated by the radiant golden bright that emanated from the figure standing next to him, giving his back to the victorious warrior, looking at the arena or the sky, Diarmuid could not tell but he immediately recognized to whom the golden lucks belonged, he was the governor.
"The Gladiator is here, My lord."
The gloomy man said, and the governor turned. Diarmuid was finally able to look closely at the man's face, walking on equal ground now.
Standing there in the middle of the balcony was a body so frail that a whiffing breeze could blow it like a leaf plucked too early from the fragile branch holding it. Despite his obvious physical disadvantage, the governor maintained a firm stance suiting a king or an emperor, refusing to be moved by the changing wind that started to play cold tunes. Refined skin glistened like ivory and fair locks interlaced spontaneously then descended like waterfall of melted gold down his neck and adorned his forehead concealing his eyes partially until a breeze blew them aside revealing an eluding eye color. His gaze, still entranced by the purity of the blue sky maintained its soaring air and limitless boundaries, vast and warm like a cradle for fallen wings and broken dreams. The governor looked at the winner with eyes that roamed their surroundings subject to no confinements, and admitting to no fears in their aspiration. Yet, they were not devoid of intimidation, lurking in the shape of longing and loneliness, their bright brown color bordering on an exuberant bloody red when illuminated by the sun rays imposed a deadly aura and a dreadful outcome for those undeserving of their beauty and mystery. Diarmuid couldn't but stare in a mixture of anticipation and enchantment at the irises carved of rubies matching the elegantly worn sash symbolizing authority and matching the mercilessly shed blood of men.
"Ah, you are not just impressive from afar I see."
The governor addressed the gladiator who was pushed to bow, pain springing again through his chest at the forced act. After taking his time to observe the kneeling Celtic closely, the governor commanded him to stand as he took his seat.
"Congratulation, you have put a great fight and enchanted us with an undoubtedly peerless style."
The words left the blonde's thin lips reluctantly, his incense was obvious while congratulating the man who defeated his representative humbling him indirectly. The governor raised an eyebrow waiting a reply but the feelings of vexation were mutual as Diarmuid found himself forced to utter a thank for the governor's praise realizing that being proud now will get him nowhere good or near his freedom. The lancer's predicament was lost on the governor, so he decided to reward the proud man with a promise falling short of his most desired reward.
"Your unmatched artfulness shall not go in vain, you will be granted a wish but don't go asking for your freedom for it is not in my hands."
Laurentius eyed his lord disapproving of the decision but the governor couldn't care less about his counselor's opinions at that moment or ever, in all earnest. Diarmuid glanced at the blonde lying through his teeth, if he was the governor, the ultimate symbol of power in this city, how was he not able to grant a slave's freedom? he could only interpret the offer as an act of vengeance, the governor definitely would not be keen on freeing the man who had just undermined his power and this reward was only offered to show that the governor remained great and gracious even in defeat. The lancer looked with scorn at the governor's eyes that swayed in their color, resembling the tide of the seas, taking what cannot be returned and bringing what cannot be retrained. The lancer bit his lips annoyed, as a slave, he could wish for no rank or property, not that he cared about these things anymore. There was only one thing he could wish for, if not his then Oscar's freedom.
The lancer raised his head to speak and was met by the red eyes, the small distance between the kneeling gladiator and the sitting governor made the latter's eyes, though not necessarily true, seem as if they were looking down on the other man in front of him. Can he ever bear being indebted to a man with such disdainful haughty eyes? Oscar was a dear friend and companion, his freedom was not a trivial reward to be granted superciliously, it was far more precious and meaningful, and if Diarmuid had vowed to himself that he will retrieve his friend's freedom by himself, then he was ought to do so with the sharpness of his blade and the blazes of his vigor. Stubbornly, the Celtic refused to submit to the authority of these bloody eyes. Like himself, Oscar was knight too, and his freedom isn't something trivial or cheap, lost by swords, it was only suitable to be taken aback by swords as well. That was Diarmuid's way of maintaining his friend's honor and not sullying it with the false lordship of the blond.
"I wish for my original two spears. They were taken and distributed as loots."
The governor raised an eyebrow smiling in amusement at the gladiator's intrepidity.
"Huh, this is like asking for your freedom."
The Celtic turned his hands into fists, was that blond toying with him? No matter what play he was performing, he was the only one enjoying it. Even Laurentius rolled his eyes in boredom waiting the end of the meeting.
"But I shall see to it. You deserve this."
For some reason, Diarmuid couldn't trust the governor's promise although he seemed determined and serious. Even Laurentius was not certain if the blond would keep his promise or even remember it till next day.
The governor ordered the guards to escort the gladiator out then left himself in different direction motioning at Laurentius not to follow him.
As Diarmuid left, a sudden wave of guilt washed over him. regret gnawed hungrily at his spirit. Did he took advantage of the situation correctly? This was not a real battlefield, where tricks of war were allowed and appreciated, although as an honorable knight he had never opted to using them, viewing his chivalry above disdainful trickery. But still, maybe if he had asked the governor to locate and free Oscar he would have agreed. Was the excuse he argued himself with earlier true? Falling from grace, turning into a mere slave that entertained the masses, what high prize could he bet for his friend's freedom more than his pride?
Was his own pride what prevented him from asking the governor to do what he could not?
Did he just doom his friend once again with his selfishness disguised as honor?
***
The governor's most prized soldier was a lion, he was his best and perhaps only friend as well.
Lying on his flank on the empty arena's ground, limbs stiffened by the shackles of impending demise and debilitated from quavering in pain, Chiba's neck weakly stretched in search of a missing figure, like a astray looking for a star.
"In the end, even you betrayed me and left."
Finding the sought person, the fading eyes glowed with a peaceful resignation. Fruitlessly, the king tried to extend his forelimb struggling to reach the tear – stained cheeks. Only in that blond man's presence could the ferocious king act with ease and show weakness. The beast tried not to growl in pain as if certain that his friend could feel his pain. Instead he purred gently, begging that friend not mourn his loss.
"I can only pray that your company of a human did not taint your innate purity, then my grieve shall be lessened knowing you have died blessed."
At this, Chiba struggled to raise his head and tilted it eyeing the governor softly and caringly. The lion grimaced in a strange way, to any beholder it was a gesture of pain, but the blond knew better the smile of a truthful friend.
One last roar shook the place, a roar beseeching the governor not to lose his will.
That was Chiba's way of saying farewell.
Then it came, death, the ruler of all rulers.
"I have lost the only companion I can trust."
The governor whispered, his hand gently stroking the large body that laid lifeless.
"It is not suitable for a governor to overact like a child, Germanous."
The grieving eyes turned at the chilling voice that went on.
"Death takes humans and animals alike, one shouldn't be surprised when it does."
"Oh?"
The governor sneered at the priceless lesson, but the speaking woman wasn't offended. Green eyes kept staring directly at the arrogant blond as a silky blue dress streamed down the ground until it stopped face to face with the governor.
"Colder than ice, your beauty cannot be tarnished nor by transient sadness or frivolous pleasure, dear cousin Sabina."
"Your flattery holds no meaning to me. While true it is still devoid of any passion"
"Just like yourself."
The blond girl did not reply, for that description was also true.
"Now that you got rid of the companion that entranced you, I can only hope that you will take your duties more seriously."
Though talking to her cousin, the woman was also talking to the governor at the same time, and despite the latter's character flaws and unpopularity no one dared to address him in such arrogant tone. Serious like an inescapable warning, her empty eyes and expressionless face implied no consequences but the governor was no fool. Iciness burnt just like fire, torturously and painfully the same. That woman's presence was more awful and gloomier than the death that had just plagued this place, and Germanous never felt comfort or relief during her visits.
"The apple did not fall far from the tree, you and your uncle are just the same. You should take some lessons about the joys of life from your little cousin!"
The blond said, disguising his contempt with an ill attempt at humor. But his joke fell on deaf ears. For that woman, his smile was no different from the devil's temptation or a fool's madness.
"I need not learn of delusions. Maybe you should do the same, it will prove to be more useful to you."
Dry derision just like her countenance, neither effective nor amusing.
"I didn't know you were interested in games."
The governor asked in trying to shift the dull conversation in another direction, but the woman did not entertain him.
"I will be going now."
Sabina suddenly declared, turning her back without any goodbyes or bows. Apparently, that warning was her only reason for coming.
The blond sighed in relief, ruffling his hair.
"Can that woman even hope for anything?!"
He wondered, red eyes narrowing in pity yet burning the figure they were following.