Heirot

Laurius bit back a curse when he heard the telling sound of Havitharon's body smacking against the stone floor. He'd just sent the two men who had helped him get the man into bed away... Oberin's gaze slid to Laurius, and he waited for Laurius to react. Instead, Laurius said, "Thanks for stopping in ...

Laurius frowned at Havitharon as he settled him into his bed with the help of two men that Oberin hired to help him get back to the room. No doubt an expense that would be added to their "debt". The professor lurked in the central chamber to their quarters, admiring the red stained-glass windows ...

Laurius skirted the wall separating the their viewing box from the arena. He ran out towards Havi, meeting the Minotaur’s handlers at the same time. They dragged the creature off of Havitharon and began taking stock of it. If it were a horse it would be put down. Laurius patted Havitharon’s cheek. “H ...

Laurius winced every time Havitharon staggered. His own heart was beating viciously, and he wasn’t even in the fight. How was Havitharon even alive? How many minutes…has it been? Laurius didn’t know how to tell him it hadn’t been long at all. Maybe five. Laurius replied. Oberin was talking to him and ...

Laurius nodded. "That sounds better than watching you get pummeled." The man mediating the fight clapped his hands together. "Alright. Get in there." He motioned for Havitharon to take a position in front of the giant minotaur. "When the bell tolls, the fight begins." He stepped back and lifted his ...

Oberin grinned. "Of course. What kind of man do you take me for?"

Laurius looked away before his face betrayed him. He eyed the crowd.

Oberin shook his head. "There is a surface-level amount of numbing with the armor settling into the skin and to keep it from irritating the user, but its minimal. You should feel other pain—punctures, broken bones, burns, etc."

"It's already activated. You should have felt the needles sink into your skin through your clothes. The more you use it, the more drained you'll be. I want you to fight until the armor wins. I need to see how long it—you—can hold out. The longer the better. I don't care if its fifteen minutes or fou ...

Oberin looked thoughtful. “As long as it can. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The minotaur made a throaty roar that sounded like something crossed between a young dragon and the low bellow of a cow.

Oberin frowned as he examined the fit. “It’s a bit short in most places, but I guess it will do.” He ran his hand over the armor, and a little past where it stopped. Then, he pressed a button on the chest plate, and a stabbing sensation could be felt as the armor sank its fine teeth into his skin. “W ...

Laurius sat on the couch, but could not bring himself to lie down. He mopped sweat off his brow and settled back, reaching into his pocket again for the stone Lelana had given him. He twirled it between his fingers, wanting to speak to it. But, it hadn't even been a day. Wasn't it too soon to try ...

The girl slowly reached out for the food, lifting her head up from the floor to watch them leave. Before the door had closed, she asked. "What is... un-unbidden?" Laurius grabbed the handle. "You have to ask us to come in," he said. "You can sleep on the bed, you know?" She looked at the bed but ...

Laurius elbowed Havitharon. "Don't wake the poor thing. There's no telling if she ever got a moment's peace in that house," he said. But Lee was stirring, and began to wince, and then made a soft cry as she reached for her bandaged eye. Then, she noticed them and her cry silenced. She moved quick ...

Laurius shook his head. "No, I'll stay. It's fine. I had hoped that we could push the trials, and maybe the Sister's would arrive, and we could get the book and take Lee away before needing to 'pay' for her," he said. "Go easy tonight. Don't push yourself to complete his test. Oberin will not care ...

Laurius dragged a hand over his face. "We should get back. Check on Lee. You should rest," he said, already heading off towards the path leading back up the mountain and Citadel castle. As he walked, he shivered, shaking his hands and arms and shoulders, like he'd walked through a spiderweb and was ...