The Delta's Daughter Chapter 169

Day 13 of The Games

KELLEN

Today was my day to fight. I had woken just before sunrise, watching the peak of the sun come up over the horizon. Its orange glow of the breaking dawn reminded me of the hot flames of a fire, distorting the air around it as the heat rose with a golden orb, creating a mirage.

I walked out into the open common area where it was still deadly silent. I had noticed in my first few days the lack of vegetation and animals. Not a single bird called out in the morning and not a single cricket chirped when night fell.

I walked the common area for a couple of hours, not really thinking of anything in particular except for my upcoming Gladiator match today. My thoughts drifted to home, they were mostly of Mike and Lamia. I also couldn’t help but wonder if Uncle Michael and Uncle Marcus were still running the Kingdom or if Mike had had to take over. I wondered if they were still searching for me or if they had given up.

I had been here for how long Two months I couldn't remember, as the days all rolled into one. I watched the guards change shifts and the new ones who came to stand around the barracks, wondering if any of them were allies.

I didn’t have to wait long to get my answer. As I made a lap around the open area again, passing guards, I took note of a few of them giving me the signal that they were indeed in league with Tala and Jasper, their discrete movements, making a cross with their pinkies as I walked by them the sign that they were against Vargr.

Soon the other Gladiators woke and joined me in the common area and stood in formation, ready to begin training. We worked hard until we heard the clanking of metal and one of the gates opened.

“Breakfast!” The guard shouted and tilted his head to me to come forward. I obliged and he handed me a separate plate that was piled up with not the usual oatmeal and fruit. I took the plate and he made the symbol with his fingers. I gave him a curt nod back of acknowledgment.

Soon the arena began to fill up with onlookers and the usual traders who were allowed to come in and sell various goods. I saw a familiar face in the crowd making his way up to the barred wall.

“Hey Auggie,” I smiled when the little boy stuck his face against the bars, his mother close behind him, looking everywhere but at me.

“Hi!” He smiled brightly “Your name is on the posters for today’s fight! That’s why mum let me come today.”

“It is, is it” I asked smiling back at his excited grin “And what name have they given me”

“They call you prince-ee, but that’s not what we call you.” The young boy's smile did not fade from his face. “The crowd is starting to call you the Wolf King.” He said with admiration.

His name for me startled me a little. “Wolf King huh” I pondered out loud, wondering how that name had gotten started.

“Yeah, when me and my friends play, I am always the Gladiator Wolf King.” The kid was beaming and I had to admit, it felt good to have a fan.

“Auggie” His mother called, and looked up, directing my attention to her and I noticed a large purple bruise around her neck, not hidden enough from the collar of her dress. I grimaced, not liking to see females hurt. I could never understand how a mate could hurt his female unless that bruise came from another.

“I hope you win today, Wolf King. I will cheer for you!” He said as he turned back to his mother, taking her hand. They both gave me a glance over their shoulders as they hurried away.

“So do I kid, so do I,” I mumbled watching their retreating figures. My hands still wrapped around a bar each, I looked down at the dry sandy dirt. The kid loved the Gladiator fights but I wondered if he knew we had been kidnapped and sold. That being behind these bars and fighting in the games was not our decision.

I suddenly felt a sting on my knuckles as something rapped against them, something hard. “Ow!” I grunted, scowling as I looked up for what or who had hit my hands. To see an old woman in a brown tunic-like cloak, her white hair scraggly and sticking out from under the hood and holding a cane in her hand. “What the fuck” I scolded the old woman.

She narrowed her eyes at me, sneering with a look of disgust. “Humph,” she shrugged “Some Gladiator you are if you are hurt by a little stick.” I could tell by her tone she was trying to get a rise out of me and she almost did, but I bit my tongue figuring it wasn’t worth arguing with an old woman who just wanted to poke fun at me.

“Wolf King,” She whispered leaning in closer to the bars, “Ashe, sends her regards.”

I was momentarily taken back by her words, not even sure if I heard her right. I looked at her puzzled, this time really looking at her “How do you know that name” I asked.

Ashe was the oracle that had visited Lamia in her dreams. The firstborn were-wolf and first and only daughter to Lycaon. When Lamia and Mathias had traveled to Avalon, Mathias had known Ashe as Odeia. How did this strange woman know Ashe And how did Ashe know where I was

Did that mean Lamia and Mathias also knew where I was

“That’s for me to know, young King. But she has sent us here with a gift. Not sure why she wants you to have it.” She lifted her eyes to mine, peering up at me. Her wrinkled face was in contrast with her eyes which looked too young.

I sniffed trying to scent what she was, but I only smelled the slight hint of a sickly sweet honey smell. So light it could be easily missed. “Who and what are you” I asked suspiciously letting my eyes roam over her, still trying to figure the woman out. I wasn’t even sure if she was actually even old now, despite her appearance.

“You don’t look like a king,” She carried on “Now Mathias, that’s a King.” She cooed, with a lustful look in her eyes and I shuddered, sarcastically thinking how Mathias would just love to be fawned over by this wrinkly female.

She looked around at the receding crowd, the fight would be announced shortly and the patrons were making their way to the arena “I hope you enjoy the show.” I told her before I went to turn away from her.

Just as my back was turned and before I could take my first step she called out to me “King Kellen!” She hissed in low voice “You will receive three gifts; the first I bestow upon you is strength.” The old woman rushed out her words and produced a sword from under her dirt brown cloak and shoved it through the bars, her eyes darting around looking to see if anyone had seen.

The sword landed by my feet and I peered down at it, just staring, debating whether or not I should pick it up. I looked up at her when she spoke “My name is Nandie, I wish you luck your highness.” She gave a curt bow of her head and swiftly walked away, pulling the hood over her head to shield her face.

I noticed she didn’t use her cane and with the speed, she walked, there was no way she was as old as her wrinkly face led me to believe. Her hands were smooth and soft looking, free of age spots.

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