Ithilious stumbled out of the inn. His head was throbbing. “Ugh” was all that came out of his mouth. Amma walked over to provide him some stability, “We’re going to be late, the boat leaves soon.” Falcon seeing what was going on, left the ship to help Amma get Ithilious on board.

“You knew we were leaving at noon. Why did you drink so much?” asked Falcon. Ithilious only groaned in agony, his head slumped downwards. “Ithilious you dumbass. Hurry up, we’ll leave without you,” yelled Anarion already on the boat. Amma and Falcon started picking up pace.

The vessel Bwoire booked was small, it was manned by a single man. Upon arrival on the boat, the captain looked annoyed. He had long gray hair and a long gray beard. He had a scar below his left eye and looked like he was ready to eat Ithiliouss for lunch. “Stupid lad couldn’t hold his own, don’t make me late you little fucking cunt.” Amma’s eyes opened wide. The only person she ever heard talk like this was Anarion. “That’ all of us,” said Bwoire now standing behind the captain.

The captain looked at Ithilious “If this little bastard pukes on my ship I’m throwing him overboard.” Ithilious looked like he was ready to vomit. Amma and Falcon quickly picked him up and leaned him over the vessel. Amma and Falcon practically turned green at the sight of Ithilious retching into the Ocean.

Anarion glared at Ithilious “Fucking idiot,” he said to himself. “Well you dumb little shits, we are setting sail.” Ithilious was still puking over the side of the ship. Anarion looked at Bwoire. “How many days will it take us to Bronze Port?” Bwoire smiled “One week, it’s nestled in between Ecia and Girdania, almost exactly between them.”

Anarion asked, “Why are we going there?” Bwoire laughed. “You will find out.” Bwoire was enjoying tormenting Anarion by being as cryptic as possible. “Point eared asshole, find have it your way,” said Anarion walking over to Amma, Falcon, and Ithilious.

The vomit came in waves. Amma and Falcon looked like they were going to do the same soon. “I sure could go for a pint,” said Anarion. Ithilious vomited again, Amma and Falcon looked like they were at the tipping point. “This is too damn easy,” remarked Anarion as he parked himself on the floor next to the group.

A week passed by in a flash. Fortunately, there was no stormy weather. As the vessel approached Bronze Port you could make out some distinct features. Two giant bronze statues on opposite ends of the island. One was the god of greed, Flokandos. The statue portrayed a smug man standing atop a pile of treasure.

The other statue, was Toranos, brother of Flokanos. He is the god of war. He is wearing heavy plate armor. In his hands is a massive great axe. As the boat gets closer to shore, a giant structure made out of bronze is visible. From the sea, no one could make out what the structure was.

“Off my boat you little shits,” said the Captain dropping Anchor. Bwoire motioned the group to follow him. They quietly followed Bwoire taking in the sights. Closer and closer, they reached that giant structure. It was domed shaped, but it had no roof.

“Stay here,” said Bwoire stepping inside the massive bronze building. “What the hell are we doing here?” inquired Ithilious. Amma shrugged “I’d like to know the same.” After an hour of waiting, Bwoire exited the bronze building. A small man followed behind him, it was a Dwarf.

Amma’s eyes lit up. “I’ve never seen a Dwarf, he’s so small.” Ithilious and Falcon looked stunned as well. Dwarves were a rare sight in Terath, so no one had ever met one before. Anarion stared off, disinterested in what was happening.

“Anarion,” said Bwoire. Anarion looked at Bwoire slightly confused. “What?” he replied. This is an old friend of mine Dokkor.” The Dwarf nodded. He had long slicked fire red hair, he was extremely fat. His nose was giant and ugly, he had no beard. Anarion looked confused. Bwoire smiled deviously “For the next year, you are going to fight in the Bronze Arena.”

Anarion looked shocked. "What the hell do you mean I'll be fighting here?" Amma, Falcon, and Ithilious looked shocked as well. Bwoire got close up to Anarion. "You are the weakest one here. You are going to hold back the progress of your peers if I have to babysit you. So train and fight like your life depends on it, because it does."

Amma slammed her foot on the ground “You’ve got to be kidding me? You're just going to abandon him here for a year.” Bwoire looked at Amma. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing.” The entire group looked shocked, Amma was fuming. When she was about to complain further Anarion interrupted “Fine, I’ll do it. I don’t need your shitty training to beat that asshole” he pointed to Falcon towards the end of his sentence.

Falcon looked smug “Don’t die before I get a chance to kick your ass again.” Anarion glared at Falcon, but before he could give a retort Dokkor tapped on Anarion’s left leg. Looking at the Dokkor, Anarion yelled “What!”

"Get naked." Anarion raised an eyebrow. "Why?" The Dwarf, looking stern and serious said "You'll be bunking with the prisoners that are also fighting in the arena. I don't need some hot shot cutting up the competition unless it's out there in front of everyone."

Anarion looked at Bwoire, then at Dokkor. Anarion looked confused about why he was going to be with the prisoners. "Also your master has told me that you cannot use any weapons. The deal here is you win a match, you eat. You'll be fighting three times a day, so you have a shot at three meals. However, if you use a weapon, that's no meals for the day as punishment."

Anarion glared at Bwoire. "You pointy-eared mother fucker!" Bwoire laughed. "I figured time among prisoners would give you a better outlook on your life in the academy." Anarion was fuming. Dokkor interrupted "Well cmon kid, take off your clothes. I don't have all day."

Amma immediately turned away as Anarion started undressing in front of the arena. "Give me your clothes and weapons," said Dokkor as soon as Anarion had undressed. There were nearby onlookers hooting and howling at Anarion. "You'll get your stuff back when you leave, that is if you leave alive, which by the looks of you I have many doubts that you'll last a week." Anarion glared at Dokkor "Shutup you little bastard."

Dokkor sighed and looked at Bwoire “This kid, he’s so pleasant.” Dokkor motioned Anarion to follow him. In the distance, Bwoire was shouting “Have fun!” Anarion was too angry for words. “Let me give you the dime tour kid.” Dokkor walked into the dining room. There were gladiators of different races and sizes chowing down.

"If you win your fight, you get a meal here." Dokkor escorted Anarion to the further end of the building. "This is where you will stay before a fight." There were more strange men, one green-skinned one which glared at Anarion as he passed by.

Dokkor leads Anarion to the final destination. A hole in the floor with a locked grate. Dokkor unlocked the grate. “Get in kid.” Anarion yelled “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! I’m not going in there.” Dokkor whistled, two heavily armed guards walked into the room. “Fine, I’ll go. But mark my words I’m gonna murder the fuck out of you when I’m out of here,” said Anarion.

“Empty threats. You’re all talk kid, now get going, I’ve got things to do and people to see.” Anarion jumped into the hole. It was a thirty-foot drop that he barely managed to land into properly without injuring himself. There was a solid steel gate door as the only exit, it was also the only source of light around.

Anarion looked around. He could see two hundred or so prisoners. "Looks like we got some fresh meat boys!" said a giant of a man standing in the pit. "Yeah, I suppose I could resort to cannibalism," said Anarion glaring at the giant man. He could make out some features, he was bald, about four hundred pounds and seven feet tall. He had a black beard covered in mud.

The giant man laughed. “You’ve got a quick wit boy. But your naked and alone. I don’t think you could beat all of us.” Sinister smiles and laughter filled the pit. “We won’t know until I try,” said Anarion, raising his fists at the giant man. “Your a cheeky little bastard, I’m going to enjoy this.”