A mess, anyone with any medical knowledge and even those without would believe the same of the “medical room” which was presented. The Scholar’s jaws lightly clenched as he surveyed the room, which to no surprise was lacking in every aspect. Sanitation, hygiene, supplies, rats had even made a small nest within the herb storage, which was little more than a cabinet with nothing within. Everything a clear indicator of just how little care “the toad” held for his fighters, yet another reminder of how he did not view the slaves as human, merely as objects.

Maatilani never once left the Scholar’s side, maintaining a short but respectable distance, all the while Lysias watched on silently with a false grin upon his face. After scouring the cupboards and closets, as expected there was little to nothing, and what could be found was of such abysmal value that there was no point in bothering to make use of it. It was clear from the condition of this room that the so called “doctor” was anything but, a rural herbalist playing at doctor more likely.

“If there is anything I can assist you with please feel free to ask, I am after all here at your convenience.” Lysias would chime in every so often, which always tended to be an unwanted distraction as it was clear both Maatilani and the Scholar eyed the steward with suspicion.

“Why don’t we start with you showing us to the patient. I presume you had him moved here?” There were some straw mats laid upon the floor in this area, however it was mainly reserved for the supply of medicinal herbs and concoctions. Another door to the rear of this storage area would lead to the primary treatment area, the key for which was more than likely on the steward.

“Of course, my Lord. Let me just find that key for you, I am sure I had it somewhere here.” Lysias took his time, patting down his robe’s multiple times, glancing up towards his “guests” every so often. As time passed both Maatilani and the Scholar were showing signs of irritation, but just as Maatilani was preparing to move the man pulled out an engraved iron key. “Sorry, sorry, how silly of me, my mind is not what it used to be, sometimes you can forget the simplest of things. I hope you can forgive me for my lacking hospitality.”

Neither of the guests bothered to respond, instead eyeing the steward as he inserted the key, the click of the lock following soon after. It was obvious that the man called Lysias was no fool, he was clearly playing for time, but what that meant was another matter altogether. The Scholar appeared to sense this, no longer showing restraint he pushed past the steward rushing into the room and towards the only occupied mat.

“Is that-” before Maatilani could say another word Cadeyrn quickly shoved his hand over her mouth. Lysias was just entering, and both made sure to appear as disinterested in the foreign man lying upon the ground.

The man was none other than the former arena champion, Vishnamitra. A shadow of his former self, his body was emaciated from lack of nutrients, bones could be seen through the skin, he resembled a skeleton with skin stretched over it than an actual human at this point. Yet somehow his chest was still rising and falling, none had been able to understand how he had survived this long, over two years in such a state. If one was to look closely, the Scholar’s eyes were drawn to a certain point, specifically the spots of almost imperceptible discoloration.

“You do not mind if we make use of some of your servants?” The Scholar signaled Maatilani, who made her way to the door.

“Of course not, Lord Amyntas. However, I must insist that I remain in your presence, your safety is my responsibility for as long as you remain on these grounds.” This response was to be expected, so there was little the Scholar could do other than shrug his shoulders and order Maatilani to take the servants and prepare another stretcher.

Pacing around the comatose man, the Scholar went through the proper procedures, checking his pulse, before probing the rest of the body. By the time Maatilani had returned with the stretcher the task was mostly completed. Strangely enough, other than his starved and comatose state, there was nothing of note upon the surface. However, judging by the Scholar’s reaction not all was right with the man, that perhaps something much worse could be present beneath the surface.

Maatilani was just about to speak when her teacher abruptly cut her off, “Maati, bring the stretcher over. Help me load him up, then you and I will return. We are done here.” Maatilani did not question the orders, instead moving quickly to dismiss the servants and assist the Scholar in loading up the former champions emaciated corpse like figure onto the stretcher.

“Apologies for the disruption Lord Amyntas, but there is still the matter of payment. Although this man is no longer in a state that can be considered a champion, his unique and alien features make him a valuable commodity. His body if sold to the right buyer could still be worth quite a sum. So, I cannot just allow you to leave with him, payment must be received first… I hope you understand.” Lysias had moved his body into the doorway, those servants still present flanking to the left and right.

The Scholar glanced at the men assorted against them, then turned to look at Maatilani and the comatose Vishnamitra. Maatilani had her hand upon the hilt of her dagger, ready and itching for a fight, both her spear and shield lay in the stretcher atop their charge. Deciding that a conflict here would not be within their best interest, he decided to accede to the demands.

“Well, Lord Batrakhos was adamant that he will not budge from a price of a hundred large gold talens.” The price was ridiculous, even the Scholar was left speechless, gobsmacked by the utter shamelessness of the price.

“One could buy a trained Kurtian war elephant for that price, that’s including the armor… You want me to pay the same price as a bloody elephant, for a cripple! How is this a reasonable price, this is a breach of the agreement.” It was clear that this was a reaction from Xeander, more than likely in response to the barbs traded between the two earlier in the ring.

“Ah, but you see you are incorrect about that my Lord. The agreement stipulates that you would pay an adequate price for that which the young champion would want more than anything else. So, Lord Batrakhos has deemed that a hundred large gold talens is an adequate price.” As much as he may have wanted to deny it, the reality was that he could indeed do that.

The price was set such that it was not high enough to make him resort to other methods or simply leave the man there. It was a value specifically chosen because it was on the threshold of what the Scholar could pay. Even so, the Scholar had no desire to pay such an amount without at least attempting to reduce it to some extent.

While Maatilani watched on, the Scholar engaged in negotiations with Lysias, both men quickly reanalyzing their positions. Eventually the price was decided, the Scholar would pay a hundred small gold talens, around a fifth of the original price, but still enough to hire, train, supply, and arm two or three cavalrymen. Or enough to feed a common family for a generation.

“I’m glad that we could come to a beneficial arrangement. I will send one of my servants to your lodging to retrieve the agreed upon funds. Shall we have some tea while we wait?” Before the steward could continue the sound of a pouch hitting the floor captured everyone’s attention. From the lip of the pouch spilled out fingernail sized jewels, an assortment of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.

“You can take those jewels and have them appraised, they aren’t the best and are fairly rough cut. However, they should be worth slightly more than our agreed upon price… If however that is not acceptable, then I can always prepare a promissory note, one that can be redeemed at the National bank of Mercan. The choice is yours, but we are leaving now… so get out of our way.” Lysias for his part removed a note from his pocket, the scroll had upon it the seal of House Batrakhos, and detailed the purchase with his signature.

“I believe the jewels will act as satisfactory payment. Lord Batrakhos will be pleased to learn that our negotiations have concluded amiably, please enjoy the rest of your time in our fair city.” Presenting a comically low bow, his nose almost touching the floor, the steward moved from the path allowing both the Scholar and Maatilani to depart.

However, just before the two exited the room the Scholar halted in his tracks, he stood there for a few seconds before turning his attention to Lysias who was eyeing the pouch of jewels. “Before I go, I have a question for you… where might I meet the herbalist who provides care for this man?”

Lysias paused in his counting, his eyes rising to meet the man opposite himself, “The current herbalist is away at the moment, but I do not believe that is what you mean. No, you are asking about the man who treated him before and immediately after his sickness… Well sadly I must inform you that it is impossible to meet that man… that is, unless you can personally travel to hades or speak to the dead.”

Maatilani’s attention seemed to switch to the Scholar who showed no overt reaction to the news, but whose hands could be seen clenching and unclenching. “I see… If you could assuage my curiosity for a moment, how did he die and was that before or after he provided the herbal formula used on the patient?”

Lysias retained the wide smile upon his face, but his eyes were no longer doing the same and his hands had completely stopped sifting through the pouch. “Of course, my Lord, but I must say his death was nothing of interest. The former herbalist was known to hit the drink too hard… one night he simply had a little too much, fell in the harbor and naturally drowned. Perhaps it was a few months following the previous champion’s decline, and the formula used to sustain him was provided to us. My apologies, it appears that I had forgotten to provide a copy of the scroll which contains said formula.” Reaching into his robe the man pulled out a sealed scroll, handing it to one of the servants to deliver to the other end of the room. “Please have a safe trip my Lord, we would truly hate to see anything happen to you on your journey.”

As the two departed many prying eyes were upon them, some hostile, others longingly, but most somewhere between resigned and indifferent. One young boy watched, laser focused on the stretcher and the old champion lying within. His hunched back and club footed walk caused enough disruption within the crowd of onlookers that even the Scholar took notice. However, that was the extent, a brief moment of curiosity, soon enough those on the other side of the metal grates were ushered away, beaten back to their cells.

“It has gotten late; we need to hurry.” When they had arrived, the sun was at its zenith, yet now it was slowly reaching the horizon. Already the shadows were beginning to stretch outwards, the cities walls and buildings obscuring the incoming light.

Both Maatilani and the Scholar held firm the makeshift stretcher, proceeding through the crowded streets as the light receded. It had been an excellent idea, procuring rooms at an inn within the commercial district. Thankfully that decision meant they would be able to reach their inn before night arrived.