Next Fight

One of the merchants running the arena was waiting for Thyra as she left the showers.
“That was a great show kid! You got real talent when it comes to showmanship! But let’s talk about your next fight.”
The merchant was fat and his hair was greasy, and he looked at Thyra as though she was mere meat.
“What about it?” Thyra asked, feeling it wise to be on her guard around this short, fat little greasy man.
“Well, how about a more exclusive fight?” The merchant shot off a sleazy smile at Thyra.
“Go on.”
“It’s tonight, why don’t you be here at the arena by sundown, and we’ll be waiting for you.”
“What, a fight at the arena when it’s dark?”
“No! It’s a private fight, you square off against another fighter while some of those who do not wish to socialize with the dregs that visit the arena watch you.”
“I hope you’re not considering double-crossing me or something.”
“Of course not! I would never!” The merchant did his best to look hurt by Thyra’s remark, and then quickly changed his tone:
“The pay is 50 Gold Crowns, that’s a lot of money for someone doing her second fight.”
“Fine! I’ll be here at sundown.”
“Good.” The merchant strode off, whistling some annoying melody while doing so.
Thyra walked around the arena and the area around for a few hours, investing some of her prize money in some new clothes, discarding her worn robe for an open leather top, a black bra that was most certainly not her size, a black g-string that also looked to small for her, and a pair of thigh-high black leather boots.
At sundown, she was at the arena where the merchant greeted her, and then led her to a palace in the finer parts of town.
Inside the palace, she was taken to the cellars, where one of the servants had Thyra strip naked, and then covered her in oil.
Naked and glistening with oil, Thyra was taken to the room where she would fight.