Chapter 2: The Pit

The old Lady smiled,  "That is my famous Infusion of several spicy peppers mixed with a potent self made spirit, Guaranteed to get anyone up...especially those pretending to sleep."  

The crone laughed as she took a sip herself.  "As for where you are and who I am.  I assume you had hoped to end up in the Hearts medical facility, unfortunately you ended up in my domain.  I am The queen of Clubs grand matron of the guild and oldest member.  Tho mostly I just make the potions our guild uses these days.  Now I do believe you are the cat that tried to leap into my window earlier.  Sorry about the fall I love the breeze but hate the bugs so I warded the window against entrance." 

The old Crone Laughed then looking up dangerously she asked "So what brings a little kitten into the lair of the madwoman?"  As she awaited her answer she took another long gulp of the burning spicey Liquid and offered it back to Maria.

Maria let out a sigh, last thing she had wanted was to run into an old lady like this. She gave off an eerie vibe to her. Calling herself a madwoman didn't help. She decided to play it straight, "To poison. I was instructed to poison the water of the rival groups. If I did, I wouldn't have to fight in the Pits. That way I could leave and follow after a kid that I left in an acquaintance's care." Maria let out another sigh, "I was debating not poisoning the Clubs since they are one of the only ones I haven't heard bad things about. 'Course there is the Pusong Bato Stables that I've gotta do as well." she shook her head and muttered under her breath just loud enough the old crone could hear her, "Damn it Grams. You just had to teach me to never lie to old ladies, huh~?"

Meera's Establishment, Union City

---

When the training was over J'asha looked extremely displeased. He walked up towards the beaten fighters and growled at them in anger. He turned his glare at the humans, Sylvan in particular, and he had that tells you in his mind he was tearing them all apart with his bare claws. His claws were slowing extending out from his fingertips, he was about to pounce at the humans when all of the sudden, Meera makes her presence known.

"Good! Very good! I will see you all improved very quickly in just a matter of days. Tomorrow you will face Wrozan's finest Pit Fighters and you will crush them."


"I've came to bring you these." 

Meera has her slaves bring out a brand new set of weapons and armor for the Earthlings to use in the fight tomorrow.

((Take note, you will get your hands on these weapons once the Fighting Pits starts. But you may update them to your stats now and use them for STS))

---

WEAPON
Wyvern Steel Rapier Lv: 23 (De Sota)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	115	0	0	0
Info	Durability: 20/20
EQUIPMENT
Steel Chainmail Lv: 23 (De Sota)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	690	0	0	0	0	138	0
Info

---

WEAPON
Wyvern Dual Steel Daggers Lv: 53 (Sylvan)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	265	0	0	0
Info	Durability: 50/50
EQUIPMENT
Steel Chainmail Lv: 53 (Sylvan)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	1590	0	0	0	0	318	0
Info

---

WEAPON
Wyvern Steel Spear Lv: 20 (Yui)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	0	0	0	100	0	0	0
Info	Durability: 20/20
EQUIPMENT
Steel Chainmail Lv: 20 (Yui)
MOVES	HP	STM	STR	DEX	MAG	DEF	M.DEF
0	600	0	0	0	0	120	0
Info

The Old lady looked at her and smiled, "Now there is a good girl.  this is very serious matter poisoning our water.  You could very well end up fighting in the pits for a very long time getting caught in here.   HEHEHE, But don't worry just tell me everything, who sent you here, who is this kid.  I want to know every little detail.  Then I will decide what to do with a kitten.... and don't think about jumping out that window, Wards work both ways you know."  The old lady told her sternly.

This was troubling hearing that one of the other fighter groups was trying to poison the water.   That person would surly pay for this act of hostility against the Freelances.  She calmed herself down and just said.

"Now start at the beginning cutey, be honest and forthright and mercy shall be had, but lie or withhold anything.  Well there are plenty of poisons far stronger then simple sabotage quite painful, and slow acting one way or another during that time I will get the info I want.  But it will not come to that will it.  I don't want to do it, and I am sure you don't want to endure it."  the old lady said with a worried expression on her face.  She preferred to heal the sick, but all who can heal can invariably harm just as well.    one way or another she would learn who ordered her children poisoned.   Silently waiting she drank from her flask once more.




William punched the dirt,  he was mad about not being able to keep up,  he vowed to get stronger.  He looked at Sylvan and Yui who had bested the four cats.  He was thankful to have survived the brutal atack.  A tear rolled down his eye.  What was the point of killing that girl to survive, when in this world his strength was lacking.  

"I have to survive this place, I owe it to you for taking your life."  he said to himself as he looked at his hands.  The euphoria of this world was fading, as he realized how weak he was.  He had never felt this useless not even in his old world, But as he sunk he saw the catlady Meera showing off the weapons he would use in the fights.

"Thank you."  he said looking at the rapier, that looked more like a weapon he would be better suited to.   Standing he picked his wooden blade back up and returned to training.  Now was not the time to doubt himself.  He was the hero of this story, all heroes started weak it isn't a journey if your already strong.  But he did wonder why in his moment of defeat did he think of the girl...did he feel guilty, was it even possible for him to feel guilty he had done what he had to do to survive..he had never understood guilt.  

In nature one did what they had to to make it,  Guilt was a human creation and the things he had done had never bothered him...so why was he thinking of the girl she was weak, she would have died no matter what.  But then he was weak, and he was striving to gt stronger...he was given a chance despite his weakness she never got. And he realized how unfair that was and how easily it could have been him in as the victim and her with the knife.  He laughed to himself as he trained harder, how a simple point of the finger had dictated him as strong.  

"Strength isn't what others tell you you are.  It is what you make of yourself"  William realized as he trained even harder.  his body ached and it was hard to stand.  But he had to become stronger he had to become so strong he could finally determine his worth in the word.

Location: Drakestone, Meera's Establishment, Training Area

Yui woke up screaming in silence with a mixed expression of exhaustion, fear and pure rage on her face. It would be understandable if she was angry over losing in the training pits, but instead she was angry at her inner duplicate as well. Yui was completely covered in sweat and was breathing heavily, as if she had continued to fight for hours, even though she was only knocked out for a few moments.

Her inner duplicate, which she now dubbed "Ikas", had been taunting her the entire time she was incapacitated. Ikas had been trying to weaken her mentally and grow stronger, to try to gain more influence over her actions. In Yui's incapacitated state, she couldn't even see Ikas or herself in her mind, but she could hear everything. She could feel everything that Ikas was doing to her. Poking, prodding, stabbing, cutting and drowning her over and over again. She felt it all as if it were really happening while she was unconscious, but could do nothing to stop her.

She managed to regain her focus, although her breathing was still quite heavy and audible, taking a long and hard look at the steel spear before her. She wasn't used to working with metal spears, but it looked like a very solid weapon for her. She would have to see how much it weighed and adjust accordingly when she could get a hold of it. She reached for the spear she had used for training, her hands shaking as her body calmed from the very strong rage she had just experienced. Taking a deep breath, she would steady her hand and grab onto the training spear, using it to push herself back onto her feet.


She took a moment to collect herself, feeling somewhat lightheaded as she stood up. With a shake of her head and a couple steps away from others, she resumed her training. She began by making a single forward thrust, before turning around and thrusting once more. She did so repeatedly in order to improve her accuracy, thinking that may be the cause of her failure in the training battle.

The Old Crone looked at Maria and listened to her pleas, as the girl talked she began preparing something on the stove.  

"Little one this is very Bad, Drakenstone has a rich history of the fights, it is part of there culture.  Now I am very old and have lived through many eras of law.  But I am afraid the penalty for tampering with the games was death last I heard.  I wonder if your "Benefactor"  was trying to get rid of you for some reason,  Or is this Meera just desperate.  She is clever sending you rather then one of her slaves.  You she can try to place the blame on you and claim you did it for love of her stables.  And as a free person you have that right. But one of her slaves, no their transgressions would fall on her head.  For they are not free to do as they please."  The Queen of Clubs said telling Maria the direness of her situation.    

"On the other hand you are a very honest person, and those are rare in this day and age. Hmm  I will need to think on this."  The crone said thoughtfully.  This girl could be of use to her,  running errands and collecting the vegetables, and herbs she was to old to collect on her own.  Looking up she called out.  "Piper get down here this instant, I want you to find your Brother.  Tell him what has happened.  Find him quikly and tell no others.  As you know this girl will likely die for her honesty if we are not careful"  The old Crone said.  And a young Human girl in her early twenties dropped down.  She wore the insignia of the Ace.  

"Yes Mother I will find him right away...tho at this hour he is likely in the chambers of the queen of hearts."  She said looking at the cat girl like she was a dangerous threat.

"Good Her help could be beneficial as well."  The crone said waving her away "And tell no one else" and with a nod the girl was off giving Maria a hate filled glare the entire time."

As the girl left a whistling began coming from the stove.  "Ahh the tea is ready, good."  And the crone poured two glasses, Handing one to Maria.  "Drink up it will help bolster you.  I am sure you must be frightened, I mean I would be if I was facing public execution at the start of the games along with everyone in Meera's stables."  she then looked at the door where Piper just left.

"Don't mind her sweety she just hates you.  We found her and her brother as small children.  They were among a group of settlers looking for a new home, and your people killed or dragged off everyone including their parents, and even the other children.  They had been hiding and saw the whole thing.  I took them in, well really the whole guild did.  But poor piper hates cats to this day.  So when you tried jumping in the window, she thought it was an attack and leapt to the rafters.  It is good you did not try and attack me.  She probably would have butchered you.  But she is really a nice girl."  the crone said.  

"Now My son, and his "secret" lover will be here soon to see about you.  Until then Sip this tea and tell me.  Did anyone from this guild help you into the building?"  She would be most upset if a member of the guild helped her to do this.  But with the dregs the spades were calling members these days it would not surprise her.

---

The three helped the challengers back up.  "You three need a lot of work.  I am going to suggest you stick to the exhibition matches and sty away from the death matches.  But that is up to you"  Decimus told them.  He looked at their outdated equipment.  Danny in particular needed new tools.  Decimus sighed It was really his fault for not seeing it before hand.   For now I will look around for better equipment for you." Decimus sid eyeing up the mop in the corner

"No worries Sir but with your permission We have weapons well suited for them.  Tho in need of training these three are very good recruits and We would love to spar with them again at some point."  the three said.  "We will have the equipment ready for them tomorrow.  we will have them sent to their rooms."

Decimus smiled at that.  He liked those three they were good at getting a bead on where they lacked.  And it was clear they needed a healer desperately.

"Ok  you three this is the last thing, before i send you to rest for the night.  What will you be fighting in tomorrow exhibition matches or the death match tournament?"  he asked Danny and Ace

He then turned to the wolf girl.  "As for you you are welcome to spend the night seeing as we roughed you up a bit.  And tomorrow I would like to invite you to fight in the pits under the clubs.  if you are looking for a guild to represent you we can speak more on that as well"  Decimus said going into recruiter mode.

(OOC please decide where you will be in tomorrows fights.  so I can make final preparations.  Also any specific types of equipment you would like please request in pm.)

Sakuya brushed herself off and sighed as she put away her katana a bit ashamed of how careless she was, but that is what can happen when you aren't regularly training. She also hadn't been in much serious combat so this was a bit of an eye opener. She wanted to be able to shake off this rusty skillset of hers so she could actually carry herself on her journey. "I suppose getting some training in the exhibitions couldn't hurt."

Ace hurt all over. Knocked unconscious for the third time and he'd only been here for like what, two days? Ah hell, he needed some sleep and badly. Some food wouldn't be bad either. His stomach grumbling was proof of that. 

Decimus: "What will you be fighting in tomorrow exhibition matches or the death match tournament?"


Ace thought for a moment and wiped the blood of his lip, there was a metallic taste in his mouth he would have to wash out later. 

"Exhibition match, i swore to my pops i wouldn't kill anybody while i was out here." He hoped that with this loss there would be some things for himself to learn. Alot of things.

---

The old Crone looked at her and nodded I thought so.  Did you by any chance get a name from this person.  She was not only peeved that there was such a despicable man in their ranks but he appeared to be using her cherry tree as a place to hide contraband.

"Keep the money Little one, I am rich I have no need for your money" then she saw the way she drank her tea and laughed. 

"Drink up there is no need to worry of poison.  If i meant to kill you I would have done it by now.  No this is a most entertaining talk we are having."  and upon tasting the tea it is found to be a rather tasty blend of honey and cherry it warmed the body and helped relax the mind.  just the smell could put many at ease.

The old woman drank a sip of her's and said.  Little weak for my taste,  and produced a vial that once the cork was removed smelled of heavy spirits.  Pouring some in she said "Ahh much better.  You will find any woman strong enough to start a mercenary band is someone who can drink most knights under the table"  The old lady said with a wink.  She was quite merry but in fact she was worried, but soon there was a knock  and in walked Piper, a late man in his late twenties  and a Woman of about the same age with dark black hair. "Ah Piper, you have brought Nigel and Liza  I assume you have brought them up to speed?"  Piper nodded glaring at the catgirl again, at last until a whack to the head by Nigel brought her out of it.  

"Show some respect you can't hate all cats.  I mean we have a couple Nyanqins in the guild, outcasts mostly but we accept everyone." Nigel said.  And ignoring his sister's pouting he said "Yes Mother we have been brought up to speed.  This is a most terrible predicament.  What should we do?"  he asked

 Suddenly the doors opened and four more people entered.  "Why we confront her of course."  the speaker said as he entered.  He was an effeminate man and as he spoke he loked the group over  "Well lovelies it is not often the four Queens meet as such.  Me and Dia over here were just enjoying a night walk, discussing battle strategies when we saw Piper rushing to my dear sister's rooms.  Curious I sent My ace of spades to follow her.  Boy what a tale he told.   Now I just had to meet this little cat."  The Queen of spades said, and with a laugh he walked over to the girl and patted her on the head.  

"Dorian leave the poor girl alone, she was only trying to help.  The queen of Clubs commanded and instantly the guildmaster shrunk away, even he respected/feared the old crone.  "Yes I know that this Meera must pay the consequences but I do not believe this poor girl must pay as well.  As assassins go she is a poor one.  But she is honest and brave and I want her for the guild."  the old crone said matter of factly. 

 She looked at them and said "and can the three of you send your Aces away they don't need to follow you everywhere. yes you to Piper Your lessons are done for today.  So all of you leave"  and without a word the personal bodyguards/ Assassins of each suite disappeared silently...well mostly Silently Piper complained the entire time.  But the old lady sensed that despite being tossed out they were likely still lingering 

"Now onto Business, how can we protect this girl and bring her master to justice.?"  the old crone asked.  " we could do a full assault show all of them that our guild means business." Dorian Suggested.  "no that would be to loud this girl's involvement would surely come to light brother.  And our dear matron wants her alive." Liza the Queen of hearts said

"Alive yes but unharmed?"  Nigel said looking at the girl Apologetically.  "Mother do you have any of that horrid drink you used on me and Dorian as children when we would not answer who shattered the windows during training?"  Dorian's face lit up at the memory.  "Well my dear Nigel I never thought you the one to have such sneaky ideas, yes that might work...tho it would be quite painful for the girl."

The old crone nodded "Painful yes but I see what you imply, yes  that is the best solution I believe.   Prepare yourselves we leave as soon as possible.  it will just be us, the Aces, and one sleceted member from each Suite.  But have our elites on standby in case things become hairy.   Be ready, in twenty minutes we leave. I will prepare the girl."  and having been dismissed the foursome left.  despite there differences it would seem with the crones guidance the four could easily work together in a powerful combination.  

She began grabbing various herbs from the shelf and mixing them together.  "I must say I am sorry in advance.  What I am about to give you will burn painfully, and until I give you the antidote It will feel like you are dying.  But you said you wish to be able to return home and with this there is a better chance you can.  I am sorry it will hurt and that is unavoidable.  But I promise this will not kill you. I see a future for you as an agent.  Someone to run personal missions for me, Mostly traveling the world to gather the ingredients I need for my potions.  I am old and do not get out as much and I have depleted many of my rarest ingredients.  So if this works You will be free to go find your friends and travel with them as you so want to.  We may even be able to save those slaves you mentioned.  Of course should it fail, I will be honest Meera, you and her whole stable will likely be given the sword by the city Guards.  But the choice is yours I will not make you drink the poison of ten thousand thorns."  the crone said as she handed the rose scented vial to Maria.  "Either way we will be paying a visit to Meera shortly.  This way at least it is believable you were tortured for the info you divulged."

The Old crone smiled at the bravery of the girl. She took note that she would make this beetle pay dearly for such a betrayal.  One member of the guild was never to allow another to come to harm.  She understood all to well how that potion would react.  While it tasted sweet soon a stomach ache would begin.  it would be like a thousand thorns tearing her insides up.  Then like the dreaded ants of fire that swarmed a target and bit at once.  Every nerve in her body would begin screaming out.  it was generally at that point that the victim would answer any question, just to get the pain to stop.  but for some like her son and his friend, some had to go to stage three where they actively convulsed as if having a seizure as they cried in brutal agony because every jerk and twitch brought another burst of fire to the nerves. and this would last for up to twenty four hours before the person would just expire from sheer torment....tho most had been driven mad by hour three.  As she thought about what this brave girl was about to endure she fondly remembered how two thousand years ago, her master had made her endure it for four hours before he would teach her the way of poison and potion.

It was several minutes later and they were ready to go.  the four Queens of the Guild, the jack of clubs.  all four Aces, and four hand picked soldiers marched towards Meera's stables to have a chat with the slave master, all the while the elites were waiting in the rear just waiting for a signal to all out attack the stables should the need arise.

They had tied and bound the young Nyanqin, and gagged her to muffle her anquished screams.  As they approached The Crone nodded to Dorian who rapped on the door of the stables.  "Hello is anyone here? it is the Freelances deary and we have some Rather dire Business to discuss perhaps it would be best to discuss this inside away from prying Eyes"  The queen of spades called out jovially pointing to their "prisoner" as if it was common for the guildmaster to show up at a home with a tortured prisoner in tow.  

Nigel tried to look stern but he pitied the girl,  however Piper seemed more then pleased to see this girl in agony.  She knew it was wrong but she sorely hated these cats for what they did to her family.  But when the Crone gave a knowing glance to her and the other Aces she put it aside and disappeared into the shadows of the night.  Everyone tensely waited for the appearance of Meera to answer for what she had done.

Meera's Stables

---

Meera heard the knocking and saw from her window the mob that has gathered outside. They had Maria tied up and by the looks of it the task she had assigned to Maria was a failure. J'asha sensing danger, woke from his light nap and went to greet the troublemakers. He had no weapons on him, just his long sharp claws as he faced the mob, alone, from behind the steel gate.

"Leave... now..." He growled at all of them. Soon, Meera's soldiers came and backed up J'asha. They had their shields raised and their sharp spears pointed at the freelancers. J'asha had been keeping his rage inside him for much too long, he was more than ready to let it loose. He was about to jump over the gate and rip them all to shreds when suddenly Meera opens her door and comes out of her room. Her presence was immediately noticed by her guards and J'asha.

Meera stood from the 2nd floor of her establishment several meters away from the gate. She looked puzzled and angry. "What is the meaning of this? Leave now before I have J'asha rip your heads out from your asses."

Dorian Smirked part of him wanted to see how this confrontation played out.  But there were other matters to attend to.  "I am Sorry to have disturbed you at this hour, however this little kitten was caught trying to infiltrate our headquarters with a potent toxin.  Hoping to poison our waters.  

Luckily she failed...or her head would already be forfeit.  However My sweet Lass under the influence of a powerful poison of our own...the Poison of one thousand Thorns.  She weaved us a wonderful tale of slavery and rescue.  and how to gain her freedom from the pits you ordered her to poison all the water supplies of the other major players in the pits.  A task she was sadly not meant for.  

And now as much fun as it has been to watch her rolling in anguish.  It seems it is time for you to answer to these accusations as well.  I am sure you know that the pits are an ancient and revered tradition in Drakenstone and the consequences of actions such as those you are accused of are most dire.  So tell us Meera what is so important about these fights you would poison your rivals?  Let us handle this between ourselves.  As it is I see no reason to get the city guards involved, with their investigations.  I mean should they torture your slaves I wonder how many of them saw you give the girl the poison.  

But I see no reason to involve them, seeing as this seems to be a dispute between factions, and no one was hurt."  Dorian said then looking back at Maria said. "well Almost no one was hurt"  as he spoke he looked at the surrounding area wondering if a protracted battle was to ensue.  no matter what he was sure these events would be most entertaining and enlightening, and he would learn a lot about his current foes.

Meera's Stables

---

Meera looked struck by the this matter as well. She was angered by Dorian's accusations making her claw sink deep within the wooden railings on her 2nd floor balcony. Meera was very good at hiding her true intentions her performance was flawless the look in her eyes says it all. I am innocent

"I did no such thing!" she said with her anger resonating from her voice.

"My family has been in this business for three generations. Don't you dare come here and accuse me of foul play! That girl you have with your, her name is Maria Nightshade. She came to me, desperate and depressed, still mourning the loss of her father. She was begging me to let her fight in the Pits, I refused her because she was weak. But I did allow her to help with some.... waste disposal. She came to see me this afternoon, begging me once more to allow her to fight in the Pits. Then I told her that the list of fighters had already been submitted. She stormed out from my office and that was the last I saw of her, till now." Meera sounded very sure of her statement. She threw a copy of the list of her fighters that were enlisted to fight at the tournament tomorrow at J'asha.

"See for yourself." Meera said to the Freelancers. J'asha tossed the roll of paper to the Freelancers. It was an official copy, signed by the Major or Drakestone himself, of the written list of Fighters for Meera's stables. It had everyone's name on it, even the reserve fighters, all except for Maria, her name wasn't on the list. Meera had planned this all along ever since Maria rudely interrupted her initiation ritual back at M'hrr.

"Now get out. Or I'll make sure none of you leave this place alive." Meera turned her back at the Freelancers and re-entered her chambers slamming the door behind her.

Dorian Looked at the list and smiled at her as she left and called out.  "Or perhaps you promised her a spot in the fights should she comply, this paper proves nothing.  If as you say she was desperate, then it is reasonable you could convince her to do this, even if the lists were finalized.  Of course I could just bring this matter to the guards and the major himself.  I hear they take accusations of cheating very harshly.  I dare say even if you are found innocent the investigation would take longer then the games this year.  I mean the freelances can afford to miss a year in the pits. I do wonder tho could you?  Poisoning the waters of a stable is a very desperate act."  Dorian said as he went to walk away then stopping and turning he called out.  

"Of course the freelances have always had a way of dealing with inter suite strife.  Trial by combat.  We even brought four soldiers to the front,  in case it came to this.  It is a very simple thing.  These four people named as primary fighters, have them come face our challengers.  If they win I will take your word that you had no need to poison the waters, and we will take this girl and see to it she is punished.  You will never hear another word about it.  But if you should lose, well then you will accept full blame for this and we will see to it you make amends to our guild. we will have satisfaction, and the guards will still never hear about this.   Either way if you play nice this matter never need come to the attention of the city guards." Dorian said.  As he spoke the old Crone stepped forward and spoke her mind. 

Meera I doubt your words for two reasons.  One I know for a fact how hard it is to lie under the influence of this poison.  And secondly sure, naming you might be a lie.  But why make up this story of wanting freedom when it would be so much easier to speak a half truth and say she wanted to impress you into letting her fight, or even as the Queen of Spades insinuated that you promised her a place on the list. But she stuck to the You promised her freedom.  And I believe that one point will be enough to give the city guards doubt as well into your honesty.  But if you don't want to let the fates decide.  well then we will be forced to let the city guards... and this stable the Pusong Bato Stables that she mentioned several times in her tortures know of your accusations.  I wonder how they would react to the accusations you planned to poison them?"  The crone asked slyly and as she spoke  Dorian  snapped his fingers and one of the Aces fired a bolt of magic into the sky.  to those not looking it might just seem to be celebratory displays.  however to the freelance elites waiting it was a signal to get ready.

"One more of those and our men have been ordered to not only attack the stables but bring our accusations to those stables involved. "  Dorian said and then he walked back to the group awaiting the decision of Meera.  He was curious as to the power of the stable.  He knew this was about justice for the clubs and hearts.  But for him this was a fact finding mission.  He wanted to see what his spades might face should he enter them into the death matches tomorrow.  He had no doubts she ordered the attack, but the reality was he didn't rightly care.  Had Maria not been caught this failure would be on them for not catching her, that was his belief.