Out of the Arena Redux II

Ankius had no other way of escaping. Becoming a powerful magician appealed to him. There were only a small number of people who had truly mastered both arts.

“My king and Lord Tallshadow, I will accept your offer. I would also like to promise the gods here before you that I will never again shed blood for sport. I also promise to do my best for both of you.”

“Accepted… Tallshadow, make the arrangements with Bartholomus and give Ankius quarters here in The Quoroas. Ankius, we will meet with my commanding general tomorrow morning. You will meet with Tallshadow tomorrow afternoon.”                    

The next day Ankius started his new life as the kings combat trainer and a wizard’s apprentice. In the morning, he schooled soldiers in hand-to-hand combat and weapons. Much to the dismay of General Winstanus, Kink Horace’s lead general, the army was soft from a long absence of war. If the situation continued, the entire kingdom could be at risk. Sooner or later others would mistake Horace’s peaceful reign for weakness and attack. General Winstanus had also watched Ankuis’ rise to greatness in the arena, but thought fighting in the arena and on the battlefield to be very different things. He did not like the idea of an outsider assisting with training but obeyed the king’s order to appoint Ankius. Ankius taught the soldiers what he learned in gladiator school and the more hard won lessons from the arena. General Winstanus soon let go of his doubts about his new trainer.

The army stepped up patrols along the roads for bandits and along the kingdom’s borders watching for incursions and raiders. After six months, the roads were bandit free. Many would-be highwaymen decided to take up less risky professions. King Horace had no interest in foreign conquest but wanted to be sure he could defend his people. Cross border raids from the wilderness also came to a stop. Ankius always spared all he could, taking prisoners rather than killing. He let one or two raiders from any raiding party foolish enough to make an incursion into Horace’s farmlands go back with dire warnings for other adventurous fools who wanted to make their living taking from others.

Ankius instilled in the soldiers the ideas of protecting the weak, practicing mercy to captured and wounded enemies and a commitment to self-discipline. The army won greater respect and renewed love of the people. Nearby kingdoms rethought any plans for trying to take by force King Horace’s lands. The roads became safe and cross border raids stopped.        

Tallshadow proved to be a difficult teacher demanding nothing but Ankius’ best efforts. Ankius learned both white and black magic, the magic of far off and ancient peoples and the existence of passageways to other worlds and times. This notion fascinated him. Ankius learned dark spells like how to ignite the internal organs of his enemies, cause blindness and paralysis. More subtle, but of greater importance, he also learned to detect danger before it arose and read the intentions of others like a book. He could start fires for torches and camping. Ankius liked his new gifts, but preferred using the tools and ways of the warrior to magician trickery. The universe is full of portals but they are not so easy to find and very difficult to make. One cool autumn evening Ankius stayed up late into the night with Tallshadow talking over a few ales. Tallshadow was the closest thing he had to a friend. Ankius had learned too well how to get by with no one close in his life. They discussed many things and Ankius turned to the topic of gods.

“Tallshadow, is there a way to the gods for living men?” Ankius asked abruptly.

“Yes, there may be many but only one is thought to be for sure. But… anyone who has crossed through has never come back. So who knows if it a real way to meet them? The gateway, if you will, is behind the altar in the Temple of Batu Zassa in Mixcoatl. It’s on Mount Vertias and opens only about every three hundred forty years.”

“Tell me more. He is a war god, yes?”

“Yes, worshipped by a warmonger race of people who sacrifice prisoners taken in battle and captured runaway slaves to him. His symbol is a giant hammer and anvil. It was believed those who cannot answer his questions upon entering the next life souls are crushed and cast off into eternity. Those who answer correctly are allowed to pass into the next world or life. What is your interest in gods, Ankius? We will all meet them one day.”

“I want to ask them directly, as a living breathing man, why there is so much suffering in this world and why are we here. Are we made to suffer for their entertainment and enjoyment like those dying in Onyx every week? Do they listen to our pleas? No gods saved any man or woman before I ran them through. Did they simply ignore their last cries for help? Do they really even exist, Tallshadow?”

“I think they do… but men fail to understand the nature of their being. I think they are all too much like us, only far more powerful. The gods are to us as you are to a city of ants. Can an ant understand a man, Ankius?”

Ankius smiled “Perhaps I do not exist. We may be only alive in the ants’ imagination”

“Some say that is the real nature of things. This is all an illusion.” Tallshadow smiled, which was rare for him.            

He continued,  “If you really are serious, tomorrow, I will check the calculations and see where we are in the cycle. If the time was right and I were a younger man, I may go with you to find the answers.”

“Find out for me and where is this place?”

“The Temple of Batu Zassa is far, far to the west across the vast ocean in the heart of the Ictinikes Mountains. It can tale several years of trouble free travel to get there. From here, one would follow the sun through the amethyst forest, across the great waste to the port city of Akkada Mora. There one would have to find passage on a ship to the kingdom of Uruk. Few venture so far. The Ictinikes Mountains are on the western edge of the kingdom or even beyond her borders. Little is known of the people there.”  

The next afternoon, Ankius came to visit Tallshadow about their conversation the night before.

“So where in the cycle are we?”

Tallshadow laughed. “It is not that simple. The calculations will take time and I still have my normal duties to carry out. I see you are serious, Ankius.”

“I am. I want an audience with the gods. They will hear me.”

“And if this way is not possible?”

“With what you have taught me, I will find or make another.”     

“Come again in three days. Leave me now, young fool.”

Ankius knew better than to press Tallshadow.

”Thank you, sir.” He left.

Ankius, with nothing to do and a heavy heart, returned to the arena, not as a fighter but as a spectator. He sat alone drinking ales in the seats reserved for King Horace and his high officials watching the matches unfold below. Fighting had been like a powerful drug for him. He had never experienced any exhilaration like the victories here and had paid a steep price to be free of it. Just watching took his mind off his loneliness, worries and uncertain future. For three days he stayed only returning to The Quoroas to sleep. The time passed in a blur 

Ankius went to see Tallshadow.

“Perhaps this is your destiny, Ankius. You will be able to pass through the gateway in three years. It opens for only a month or so.”

“What do I need, what do I have to do?”

“Get there, is all I can tell you. You will have to learn how to pass through on your own, if you make it that far. Remember, this may be nothing more than an ancient fable.”

“I’ll try.”

Ankius, if you do pass through, forget everything you have ever learned about gods and other worlds. I don’t know, but I suspect it will be like nothing we can even dare to imagine.”    

“I need to go. Tallshadow, I have done as the king and you have asked me. When may I leave?”

“Please, think about what you are doing. I think the king wants you to stay and one day replace General Winstanus… I know this is not for you, but consider it. If you are about to be struck down, it will be too late and we will not be able to help you. Here, you can live a good long life free from the worries of most men.”

“You know such a life is not for me, old friend. I want to see more and do more. I have wanted to leave this city almost as soon as I sat foot in it. I want to move on.”

“I know. We cannot keep you here against your will. You have kept your commitment, Ankius. Perhaps now it is the king’s turn. I will go with you tomorrow and we can discuss the terms of your freedom. You have added much value for both of us. King Horace is a good and just man and he dos not break his word.”

The next day Tallshadow and Ankius returned to The Quoroas to meet with the king. The three men met on the top of the palace’s western most towers. The day was warm for the fall and a cloudless blue sky stretched to all the horizons. They knew each other well, and King Horace knew the day had come.

King Horace spoke. “I know why you are here, Ankius. It seems my borders cannot contain your desire to roam the world for new knowledge and adventure.  You are welcome to stay as long as you like. I’m sure Tallshadow had told you, you can have a good long life here but he and I know that is not for you. I release you to go as you wish, your obligations fulfilled. All I ask in return is you carry the name of this kingdom with you, introducing your self as a lord of King Horace, of Silvanus.”

“Thank you my king, and I will.” Replied Ankius.         

“You will always have a home here, Ankius.”

“Free your heart as well. A gladiator cannot let anyone in. You are free to care about others, now. You will find no greater reward and no greater test of courage. Share your quest, Ankius.” Tallshadow added.

Ankius did now know what Tallshadow meant but in time, he would.    

Ankius spent the next few days preparing to leave. He bought a strong, light shield, chain mail armor and some food. At least for the first leg of his trip, he could buy what he needed. Ankius was used to long marches and only the biggest horses could support him. He wanted to travel as light and as cheap as possible. He visited Bartholomus and Elras at The Crimson Academy, one last time. They both urged him to reconsider but knew him well enough to know his mind was made up.

“I saved you for a reason, Ankius and it had nothing to do with The Onyx Arena. I don’t know the reason but I know you are destined for many great deeds of good. Go find them.” Bartholomus Said.

Elras, his old instructor, added, “As good as you are, there are always ones better. Avoid battle whenever possible. Life is a precious gift, even for your enemy. So long old friend, go find your destiny.”    

            Ankius sat out at last, a truly free man. Winter was not far behind him.