Tibi reached across the man seated in front of him and grabbed the splint from Charlie. As their hands crossed, her soft skin caressed his for a moment and he saw the flush in her cheeks. The medici innocently cleared his throat as the Tibi refocused on setting the splint for the broken arm of the copper seated in front of him.

The past few weeks had gone by in a blur, and Tibi found himself spending more and more of his negligible free time around the infirmary. While the others took their respite and played games of chance or simply relaxed, Tibi spent his time here. As he was here so often, the medici had put him to work and had even begun teaching him some healing basics. Bertrand, Tibi had learned, was a silver who had been trained from the time he was a small boy in generalist medical care as the priests tended to be incredibly expensive.

Bertand’s business was any wounds that would not leave a gladiator permanently damaged, and business was good. The training was rough on its best day, and to ensure that Lady Cinder wasn’t embarrassed on the sands, the Doctores didn’t hold back with their blows. A broken arm could be fixed, an arm lopped off at the shoulder could not. Now Tibi could set a broken arm, stitch a cut with a needle, and make a basic healing poultice from xander root and broc flower.

At first the medici had not thought much about the boy, but he proved to have a sharp mind and nimble fingers. With two assistants life had become rather easy for the medici who had lived a great many cycles and was easily tired. Tibi had no idea of the medici’s thoughts but Bertrand silently wondered to himself if the goddess Rae was eyeing him for the harvest. Bertrand had noticed the growing affection between his apprentice and his helper but chose not to get involved.

The old man had never been allowed children or a wife as a slave, and his heart was weak toward the young budding love. That didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of the danger. As the copper left the medici pulled young Tibi to the side for a chat. “Boy, you are aware of the house rules about fraternization, yes?” Bertrand spoke quietly. Tibi gave him a simple nod. “I can see your growing attraction, but it is not meant to be boy. She will be given to one of the silver gladiatiors as a gift, and their see shall be a new slave for the mistress’ menagerie.”

Tibi tried to tamp down his growing anger. He knew that Bertrand only had the best of intentions. “But she is training to be a medici, surely as your apprentice she wouldn’t be treated the same as any other?” Tibi queried. Bertrand just shook his head. “Boy, at best, because of her medici training she wouldn't be given as a gift to another house, which given her beauty could have been a real worry. Here she is still a mare, and she will be bred by the mistress as a gift to her powerful gladiator. While lady Cinder does buy slaves, you will notice that slaves like Ichabod, who were born and raised here, tend to be her best gladiators.”

The old man put a hand on Tibi’s shoulder. “I only tell you this because I can see the compassion and intelligence in you. You are not yet one of trained dogs who know nothing but battle and indulgence. Yet you are a slave Tibi, and slaves do not get to have desires.” With that the old man turned and walked away, leaving Tibi to stew. Tibi knew it was unfair to be angry at the old man, but he was young, and his heart was bleeding.

He glanced over Charlie and she smiled at him and waved. His heart skipped a beat and his hands clenched into fists. He would not allow her to be given to someone like Ichabod, it appeared he needed to become worthy of a prize.

….

The morning spar session had become rote with all the coppers. It was a chance for them all to showcase their developing weapons skills under the direct supervision of a master. No longer was he an iron under the supervision of a silver, although the first week after he had become a copper it had also been a chance for the other coppers to let out their frustration on Tibi for his arrogance in becoming a copper without ever seeing the sands.

It made absolutely no sense to Tibi, but he endured, because what other choice did he have? The upside is he quickly excelled with the more direct evening training, Myrmillo even paying attention to him with his switch. Who would have thought that the first time Tibi felt the sting of a switch and an angry correction to his form would actually make him smile. Though Myrmillo and he had started off with some friction, the man was a consummate professional.

A gladiator with years of experience who could probably have trounced Kinkaid. Though Kinkaid was a talented weapons master, even the old retired soldier had never seen as many fights as the retired gladiator. The man had fought for years on the sands to gain his freedom, he was the victor of literally hundreds of fights. The difference in learning from a master as opposed to the master's student allowed TIbi’s skill to increase by leaps and bounds. For once, Tibi was happy that his sign allowed him to pick up weapons skills at a much faster pace than others.

In fact, the entire group of coppers under Myrmillo had all improved with the extra evening practice. Their group won more than they lost. In theory, each group had its advantages and disadvantages. Retiarius’ trainees with the net and trident had a distinct advantage against Thrax’s group using a tower shield and war chain, but a disadvantage to the agile dual wielders under samnis. Yet those same dual wielders would lose almost every time to Thrax’s group. Myrmillo’s sword and board users sat in the middle of that triangle with their own abilities making them a fair match for all three of the others.

But lately, the increase in skill had started to show, and it was agitating the others. Thibaud had just defeated Marcus and his twin shamshir. “This is bacta shit.” Grumbled Marcus. “a month past I could beat you one in two Thibaud, now I’m lucky to win one in four. What the hell have they been feeding you Myrmillo’s?” Thibaud just chuckled. Thibaud himself had not realized right away how much it would they could improve to have the doctore’s attention for longer each day. No wonder the silvers who were directly taught by the doctore’s could crush a wagon full of coppers.

House Cinder only had five silvers, while they had nearly sixty coppers. “They feed us the same as you Marcus, it just seems sword and board trump's your dual wielded swords.” “Bah” Marcus dismissed Thibaud’s jibe. “Where’s the bronze, I need to beat a man senseless to give face to my losses today.” Thibaud’s easy smile fell for a moment. ‘That may not be wise Marcus, the bronze is…”Thibaud paused in thought. “There’s something wrong with the boy in my opinion.” Marcus just laughed. “Sure, sure, ah I see the bronze now.”

Bronze had been a derogatory term they had started using for TIbi as it meant he wasn’t as valuable as the rest. A tin penning was the smallest common coin, worth only a tenth of a copper rupeing. Some less than honest people would counterfeit coins and they had been nicknamed bronze wantings. Because people wanted them to be as valuable as a true copper. Tibi had taken it in stride, he wouldn’t allow words to hurt him. He had picked up the edge of the conversation between Marcus and Thibaud and come closer. “Hey bronze, you’re sparring me now.” Marcus called over.

Tibi walked closer and nodded. “of course honored copper.” Tibi nodded. Marcus nodding and readying his two wooden swords. The swords were weighted with iron cores to give them heft, so let it not be said they weren’t painful. “But perhaps a bet?” Tibi snuck in. Marcus paused, but he didn’t notice Thibaud’s frown. “I don’t need to make a bet with a bronze.” Marcus responded. “Ah, my apologies honored copper, I didn’t think you’d be afraid…” Marcus' smile dropped from his face as he reddened in anger. “What did you say bronze.”

“I’ll give you my beer at dinner for a week if you win, but if I win, you train me in two weapon fighting for an hour after dinner for a week.” Marcus stepped forward angrily, but frankly the terms weren’t bad. It wasn’t like he couldn’t wipe the floor with this kid. “Alright, deal.” He muttered as he stepped forward, readying his swords. The weighted wood was an old friend by now. Tibi nodded and stepped forward as well, his buckler high with his sword low on his right. There was nothing specific that started the duel, but Marcus wasted no time and stepped forward quickly with a left hand slash.

Tibi caught the blow with his broadsword and brought his buckler to bear on the left to block the corresponding slash. Tibi hadn’t fought much against the other classes, but he knew he had to weather the storm. Two weapon fighters were fast and agile, but the coordination took loads of energy. Sword and board fighters needed to be patient and find the opening. It took quite a bit less to block a strike then throw one. Marcus on the other hand was no fool nor was he a novice. He moved in, struck quickly and stepped back.

Marcus’s left sword always striking first, and always moving a step to the right. Tibi almost smiled as he saw the pattern. He prepared himself to make his move. Left, right, right step. Left, right, right step. Right… Wait what? It was at that moment that Tibi realized the pattern wasn’t a weakness, but a set up. He had naturally focused left, but the blow came from the right.

It went under his shield and smashed right under his ribs, knocking the wind from him. He tried to recover but Marcus’ other sword smashed his wrist knocking the sword from his hand. It was over.

Thibaud gave a sigh. He knew the kid had some confidence, and he understood where it came from. He picked up the forms with the sword faster than anyone. But knowing sword forms didn’t make him a veteran fighter. Marcus bent down. “you’re fast kid, but you’re a rookie. Come challenge me someday after you’ve left blood on the sand.” He turned to walk away. “I look forward to me extra beer!” He chuckled as he walked away. THibaud just shook his head and left as well.

Tibi sat in the sand for a moment to get his breath back. He didn’t let his emotions get the better of him. So what if he lost, he would try again, and again, and again. Tibi smiled. He didn’t like beer anyway.

………………………..

The king had finally lifted the castle lock down on Glori. It had been six months since Tibi’s disappearance with no word. No ransom had been asked for, no sightings verified. He was gone. Glori had been developing her spy network. She couldn’t leave, but she had people brought to her. “A baker on eat street ordered twice as much flower as normal. A street merchant managed to come across enough money to open a shop. A small local gang was found dead. And a there was a quarantine ship that had to be visited by the church.”

The man in front of her was on one knee. He repeated the same news that she had heard before. She was trying to piece together anything suspicious about the time of her brother's disappearance, she was especially interested in anything to do with the church, but a quarantine ship wasn’t new. Their kingdom was a fair distance from the mainland and a month at sea could lead to all sorts of illness. “Nothing else about the church?” She asked again. “Nothing mistress. She waved her hand and dismissed the man.

The church of the one god is gaining in popularity, they’re very active and they like to help the poor.” Glori grit her teeth but said nothing. It was a little terrifying how popular this new church was becoming. The seven goddesses had always been the premier religion of their island. In her opinion the diosys had grown fat and lazy and had forgotten their mission. Yet it wasn’t her place to tell the goddesses how to run their churches, ever since they were unable to cure her mother, they had been at odds with her father, the king of Valeria.

What she needed to do was go out and look at these churches for herself, but even with Mando watching her, a small part of her was scared. She tapped her pencil on the table lost in thought. There was a swift knock on the door and it opened before she could even acknowledge it. “There you are sis, I’ve been looking all over for you!” Smiled Courageous. He had on his largest smile and a colorful outfit that was rather flamboyant.

Her brother was always trying to be stylish, but she had always found his taste rather ostentatious. Behind her brother walked in a man with deep blue eyes, blonde hair, and a dazzling smile. He wore a metal breastplate with a scale. On one side was an eye, on the other a heart. Glori had never seen its like before.

“Dearest sister, this is my new friend Giacamo. He is a paladin of the one goddess.” Glori felt a chill run down her spine but put on a fake smile. “Knight of the goddess.” She gave a small nod. “I’ve been showing him the castle and he’s been telling me about their outrageous religion. One goddess, can you believe it!” Courageous just laughed.

Glori’s eye twitched but she put out her hand. “I’m sorry Giacamo, my brother has manners, he just frequently forgets them unless father is around.” Giacamo took her hand and pressed a kiss to the top. “Fair princess, all the boorish behavior in the world would be worth a moment in your presence.” Glori gave a slight blush as Courageous guffawed. “Alright, alright Giacamo, I didn’t bring you here to make a pass at my sister, let's go find Honorius.”

Her brother ushered out his new friend in a rush. Glori watched as the paladin looked over his shoulder and winked at her. “Come by the temple sometime, I’d be happy to show you around.” Then the door closed behind them with a soft thump. Glori just shook her head when something popped up in her sight.

Quest alert: Investigate the temple

A mysterious paladin, a strange temple, and a foreboding feeling. What could go wrong?

Reward for success: ????

Penalty for failure: ????

Yes/No