9.3 Escape

You’re certain the man is not being completely forthcoming. However, this may be your only opportunity to attempt escaping. While you do not trust him, you're confident in your intuition. Taking caution, you slowly skink forward and stop before Nereus. Swallowing dryly, you gingerly slide one of your hands up along his restrained arm.

“So, you want me to take charge?” You remark softly, forcing yourself eyes to lock with him. "Then I shall."

Swiftly, you raise your other hand up to his wrists and wrap some torn fabric from your stola around them. His eyes widen in anger as he struggles against you. Thankfully, the element of surprise has given you enough time to tie the material firmly around him. Smirking, you waste no time grabbing the man's cloak and throwing it over your shoulders.

"You will regret this." He seethes while attempting to free himself.

"I do not doubt it." You reply curtly after using the garment to cover your exposed figure. "However, you will regret it far more after I win the election."

You hear him swearing viciously as you quickly turn and hurry out of the garden. You do not stop until you have reached your chambers and barred its doors. Adrenaline is still coursing through your veins while you pace around the large room anxiously. You're certain the man will not allow this betrayal to go unpunished. Even with your current title, he holds an unfair sway over your own men. With the election still several days away, you know you will be quite **** until its results. The thought that your adversary may win over you is one you're not willing to entertain. Instead, you focus on obtaining additional protection until the event.

Unfortunately, you're hardly sure who you can turn to. Your own men's loyalty is questionable, leaving you feeling increasingly unsafe in their presence. The only other male you've become close to is Iason. Though he is crafty, you're unsure he'd be able to hold his own against Nereus. It would seem your only option is to find someone new, and quickly. The rest of the day passes by painfully slowly as you consider your options. By nightfall you're left still unsure and at unease. You absentmindedly look through some of your scrolls to help keep yourself awake. By the next morning you're completely exhausted and somewhat discouraged. Having been unable to come up with a plan, you decide your best course of action is to remain in the public eye. After all, you're certain the man would not dare reveal himself in plain sight. After dressing, you dismiss breakfast and immediately set out.

Despite your distrust, you summon a handful of guards to accompany you. They will at least help keep the crowds at bay during your travels. Making your way out into the city, you're surprised to see more people moving through the streets than usual. When you remark upon this, your guard informs you of some activity at the coliseum. A soft frown passes over your face at the news. You have not been since the Emperor left on his journey. The bloodshed was never to your liking, however, it will ensure total visibility on you. Somewhat reluctantly, you let the guard know you would like to view the show. The men are more than willing to quickly lead you to the large structure, likely more willing to see a fight than continue traversing the marketplace. Upon your arrival, the crowd appears equally pleased by your presence. You realize it has been sometime since you have mingled with your subjects.

Changing tactics, you decide to take the opportunity to gain some favor with them. Smiling, you stop to greet some of the crowd as you pass through. They seem surprised by your actions at first as the previous Emperor was far less approachable. However, they quickly return to a joyous state and gladly welcome the contact. By the time you finally reach the Emperor's private booth, the fight is about to begin. Frowning, you're quickly reminded of the spectacle you are about to witness. Alexius had always been found of seeing man against beast. You're unsure whether you're relieved or perturbed to see this fight is man against man. Your eyes carefully scan the arena as you take in the sight before you. Two men have entered, circling the area slowly as they regard each other. The first one who catches your attention is a large, behemoth of a man. Long, greasy locks hang around his thick, square head. Dark, beady eyes stare out angrily at the man opposite him. His large muscles flex tensely as he grips a large mace tightly.

Anxiously, you follow his line of sight towards the opposing figure. Though he is not quite as formidable as the man before him, his form is not slight. Swaths of cloth covers the majority of his body and face, leaving you curious as to his appearance. Before you can wonder further, the starting sound is heard and the fight begins. Watching warily, you see the large man charge towards his opponent and take a swing. You're relieved when the covered man deftly dodges out of the way. The sword he carries seems woefully insufficient compared to the enemy's mace. Regardless of the apparent disadvantage, the man continues moving around the larger man's attacks with ease. Your interest is piqued as you watch him slide around skillfully before taking his own swing. Crimson blood splatters against the ground as the large man is wounded. His face contorts in further rage while he turns towards his opponent.

The injury seems to have awoken something in him as his next swing roughly connects with the man's sword. Your breath catches when you see the man stumble backwards, narrowly dodging a second blow. Just when you think he is out of harm's way, the hefty adversary raises his free arm and manages to knock him back. You hear yourself gasp when you see the man fall onto his back, again barely rolling over in time to miss another attack. Your fingers are tightly curled around the armrest of your chair. Helplessly, you continue watching the man struggle to his feet. His angry foe moves forward rapidly, trying his best to land a solid blow. You involuntarily stand in shock when you see the large man lunge forward and connect with his opponent.

The clothed man falls back again as the burly successfully tackles him. Blood quickly spills around the figures, staining the ground below them. A frown covers your face as the crowd around you cheers. Shaking your head, you turn away until you hear the noise die down. Looking back, you see the large man's body slump off to the side before the covered man slowly gets up. There is a brief pause before the cheering resumes while the man shakes dirt and blood off his figure. Impressed by this unexpected outcome, you find yourself determined to learn more about the man. Turning to your guards, you curtly inform them of your desire to meet with the winner. Since it is often customary for the Emperor to do so, they unquestionably oblige.