Chapter 256: v3- - 17: the first duel II

The announcer raised his hand.

An attendant stepped forward carrying a wooden box.

Six wooden balls rested inside.

Each was marked with a number.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

The announcer explained the procedure.

Cassian understood only pieces of it.

Robert listened carefully.

"They’re drawing the matches."

Cassian looked at the box.

"Each of us draws one number," Robert continued. "That number is the condemned man we’ll fight."

Cassian glanced toward the six condemned men standing across the Arena.

They were numbered as well.

One through six.

"So the number determines the opponent."

"And the order."

Cassian looked at him.

"The first number is the first fight."

"Exactly."

Simple.

Six fighters.

Six condemned men.

Six numbers.

The order of the fights was already fixed.

The only thing left to determine was who would face whom.

The attendant approached 325 first.

He held out the box.

325 reached inside.

His fingers moved among the balls before he pulled one free.

The announcer looked at it.

"Four."

The crowd erupted.

325 looked toward the condemned men.

Number four stepped forward.

The pairing was decided.

325 returned to the line.

The attendant moved to 323.

323 reached into the box.

He drew a ball.

"Six."

The crowd roared again.

Condemned number six stepped forward.

323 studied him for a moment before returning to his place.

Then 321 was called.

He reached into the box.

The announcer lifted the ball.

"Two."

The response from the stands was immediate.

Condemned number two stepped forward.

The man with the iron eye patch.

He smiled faintly.

321’s expression tightened.

The crowd loved it.

The attendant returned to the remaining fighters.

Only three balls remained.

One.

Three.

Five.

"Three hundred and twenty."

320 stepped forward.

He reached into the box.

His fingers closed around one of the remaining balls.

He pulled it out.

The announcer raised it.

"One."

The Arena erupted.

The bald giant stepped forward.

Condemned number one.

The man with the enormous shoulders and the scar across his face.

320 stared at him.

The giant smiled.

The attendant returned to the box.

Only two balls remained.

Three.

Five.

The announcer called:

"Three hundred and nineteen."

Cassian stepped forward.

He reached into the box.

His fingers closed around one of the remaining balls.

He pulled it free.

The announcer looked at it.

Then raised it toward the crowd.

"Three."

The crowd erupted again.

Cassian looked toward condemned number three.

The lean man.

The relaxed one.

The one whose body seemed almost loose as he stood.

The man’s expression didn’t change.

He simply looked at Cassian.

Measuring him.

Cassian held his gaze.

Then stepped back.

Only one ball remained.

The announcer called:

"Three hundred and twenty-seven."

Robert stepped forward.

He reached into the box.

The final ball rested in his palm.

"Five."

The crowd reacted.

Condemned number five stepped forward.

The younger-looking man.

Robert studied him.

Then glanced toward Cassian.

A faint smile crossed his face.

"Could be worse."

Cassian looked at the man who would face Robert.

Perhaps it could.

The drawing was complete.

The six pairings had been decided.

First: 320 versus condemned number one.

Second: 321 versus condemned number two.

Third: 319 versus condemned number three.

Fourth: 325 versus condemned number four.

Fifth: 327 versus condemned number five.

Sixth: 323 versus condemned number six.

The announcer repeated the pairings for the crowd.

Each time a number was called, the corresponding fighter and condemned man stepped forward.

The crowd applauded.

Some shouted names.

Others shouted numbers.

A few began calling out their predictions.

The Arena had turned the simple act of drawing lots into a spectacle.

Cassian watched the crowd.

They were already choosing favorites.

Already deciding who they wanted to win.

The six newcomers were led toward one side of the Arena.

The condemned men were led toward the opposite side.

They stood far apart.

Six on one end.

Six on the other.

For the first time, Cassian saw all of them lined up according to the order of the fights.

320 stood opposite condemned number one.

321 opposite number two.

Cassian opposite number three.

325 opposite number four.

Robert opposite number five.

323 opposite number six.

The distance between them was considerable.

Yet Cassian could still make out every face.

The bald giant stood quietly.

The man with the eye patch rolled his neck.

The lean man stood almost lazily.

The tattooed fighter flexed his fingers.

The younger-looking man remained quiet.

And the ordinary-looking murderer stood completely still.

The announcer raised his voice.

The crowd gradually fell silent.

Then he called the first pair.

"Fighter Three Hundred and Twenty."

A roar answered.

320 stepped forward.

"Condemned Number One."

The bald giant stepped forward.

The crowd erupted again.

The two men were led toward the center of the Arena.

As they walked, the betting began.

Attendants moved along the lower stands, taking wagers from spectators.

Some pointed toward 320.

Others pointed toward the condemned man.

Coins changed hands.

Bets were called out.

The odds shifted as more people placed their wagers.

Cassian could not understand all the words, but he understood the spectacle.

They were gambling on which man would walk out alive.

The crowd studied the two fighters as though they were animals being weighed before a contest.

320 was young.

Well trained.

But relatively inexperienced.

His opponent was enormous, scarred, and a wanted murderer before he was condemned to death.

The odds reflected it.

More wagers went toward the condemned man.

A few spectators still chose 320.

Perhaps they liked the look of him.

Perhaps they were simply willing to risk their money.

Cassian watched silently.

The two men reached the center.

An attendant approached with the weapons.

320 chose a sword.

He tested the weight once.

The condemned man walked toward the rack.

His hand closed around the heavy axe.

He lifted it easily.

The crowd roared.

The two men took their positions.

The attendants moved away.

The gates closed behind them.

From opposite sides of the Arena, Cassian watched.

Robert stood beside him.

Neither spoke.

320 raised his sword.

Across from him, the condemned man rested the axe against his shoulder.

The announcer lifted his hand.

The betting continued in the stands.

Then the Arena fell silent.

The first duel was about to begin.

–

Tbc