The Gladiator 

He was an outsider, relatively new to our people only by a few months, Ada tells me. He worked his way through the Ring, becoming a beloved champion beside Ada Jaedi, the only one to meet a stalemate with my proud champion. She suggested I meet him, if not for any other reason but acknowledge his power in the Ring, and congratulate him on his earned honor.

It had been many moons since the Stars turned to dust, when Ada approached me with the idea that I might meet Him; though in my mind I thought there would never be enough moons between my abandonment and the eventuality that I might… move on. That is not to disregard my adoration for my dearest, Isolde. The fruit of my gaze; always cheery, resolute in her want to please. I love her, but she does not fill that dark void he left in me.

And that is alright, I sequestered myself to feeling the emptiness in my bed, bath, heart… meals, walks, advisory councils, ceremonies… parades.

But, it is time I tell a new story. One I might construct free from tethers of the past and mulings of the future. The honesty in it is that the Sun does not need stars around her.

So it was that Ada Jaedi came before me, wishing for me to meet the legendary gladiator. The surprise in our meeting was his complete lack of care for our style and respect. He met my eyes, he did not bow at the waist, he brought pause in speaking Min’da allowed. I didn’t like him, his suave arrogance was frustrating. 

It was but a brief moment in passing when we met. I entered the Ring, stood upon my dais, and announced my gratitude for his valiant efforts in fighting. It honored the Arkhan’felorel, Dalorar’dieb, and the Min’da. After I placed the champion’s wreath around his head we said few words, and I departed.

Brief. And that is all I thought of it.

A few moons later, Ada had thought to invite me to watch her dance; I mean to say dance with swords in the Ring. To watch her next stalemate with her new partner in war, the Gladiator. So… as the Min’da must, and as admittedly I wished to do, I silently sat upon my dais and watched the fight. Fascinating, swift, and triumphant for Ada Jaedi and her intriguing friend. My poor advisor asked me questions of her style, her flow in fighting… and I had to hold my tongue, as no words could I think to say to her. I hadn’t watched her for a moment; my silver gaze only followed his form. The way he stepped and waltzed between combatants, playing them against another and using their hits to only bolster his next move. It was fascinating if not entrancing. 

I spoke with Ada after the fights were finished, standing in the dust and grime of the Ring. I hadn’t stepped down from the dais in quite some time, and the empty arena still held the electric energy of the battles. We had a few words together, I dared to even laugh at something Ada had snuck into the conversation. Soon though, she left and I remained standing in the dust with the Gladiator. I was bold, my eyes not shying away from watching him as he gazed around the Ring watching his compatriots grab their things and depart. 

And then we traded gazes and I lost myself for a moment; I sank into the well of golden eyes that peered at me. I’m sure my breath left my lungs. He did not falter in his step toward me. One single step forward, turning his form towards mine and peering down at me… though a few strides still remained between us. I, however, did falter. I hesitated and blinked from my enamored state, straightening and smiling at him politely. I hope Elune shadowed the heat that met my cheeks. 

I felt the mantle of Min’da settle onto my shoulders, and I lifted my chin to gaze at the Gladiator. 

“Dare I say that I wish to hear more of your technique… will you join me for dinner at Bindel Min’da in a moon’s wake?”

He bowed his head and I held my breath to hear his words. 

“Yes, Min’da. It will be my foremost pleasure.”

“I look forward to it. Be sure to not bring too much of the Ring’s grime into Bindel Min’da.”

He dared to smirk at me, “I will do my best to honor that request.”

A moon’s slumber passed and I paced my way through the day. I would not admit it to anyone, nary myself at that time, but I was looking forward to our meal together. He was a different animal entirely― and I don’t mean to imply any sort of druidic sense about him, as I’d not entertain him in my home or my city if such a thing were true.

Our dinner was quaint and filling. The typical variety of grains, fish, and spiced accouterments I preferred. Afterwards we retired to the next room, and I found my normal seat on the chaise. To my surprise, the Gladiator joined me and sat only an arm’s length away. I tried not to look at him.

He knew I’d notice right away when he came closer and ever so slightly leaned towards me. I watched him for a time, with what I imagine to be a gaze of nervousness and bated breath. I moved my eyes to the floor and he came closer, our knees touching and his hand eventually finding a gentle touch on my thigh.

“You won’t meet my gaze anymore.”

I denied it and caught gold with silver, blushing and trembling under his piercing eyes. The Min’da melted away and I was speechless, a deer caught in the gaze of a predator.

He leaned in and I watched his eyes drop to my lips, studying me with such hunger. This moment was unlike such I’d experienced before… it was slow and seething and warm and gentle. Nothing harsh and rushed and… I melted in his presence now. 

He could see me still as his lips gently grazed mine, and he chuckled. His breath tickled my lips. 

I took a breath as if it’d be my last before our kiss, but instead I tore myself from the moment and leaned away. 

I was afraid. What was the journey I was beginning? Was it one of abandonment and heartbreak? Why would I walk such a road of triumph to be left again? Would I?

I could feel the warmth of his fingertips sinking through my dress, and his hand slowly travel from my leg to my waist. 

My doubts melted away as I finally peered back at him, my silent acceptance of what might happen. And then my heart fell, as he pulled back from me… relinquishing the kiss that hadn’t happened.

Instead, he lifted my hand in his… and pressed his lips into my palm. I was entranced.

“The palm that leads the earth. Through fire and arcane she builds anew.”

He had kissed my palm, the brazier which so often holds my fire and flame and destruction… he walked up to it and singed his lips against the fire. 

When I retracted my hand from his grasp, he tilted his head ever so slightly. I straightened in my seat, my expression a clear war of concern and wanton dreaming.

My hand fell back to the chaise, and his grip on my waist gently tightened. His smirk didn’t falter as he came close again. His lips barely brushed my own, and he whispered to me:

“Do not spite me for what I must do next,”

“I won’―”