this story needs edited and more detail, i had a short amount of time to get it all done b/c it was an assighnment when i went to high school, but that aside tell me what u think. it wasnt an assighned topic tho, i just decided to write this to get a history smemster test grade on it along with creative writeing. its historical fiction, not my prefered type to write, fantasy is.
Nikki Hunt
World history/ English/
Creative writing
Short story
9/05
Cassia the Gladiator
"She's a feisty one." The guard said as he slammed the door, leaving me with a roomful of scumbags, instead of one.
At least he'll have a knot on his head, for a while, to remember me by.
I surveyed my new surroundings to find me in a chamber full of prisoners and some guards, they eyed me hungrily as I prepared for what I knew was coming.
"She's a pretty little thing." Said one guard walking toward me, the stench of booze fresh on his breath.
The guard went for a snatch at my hair, but I was too quick for him, and grabbed his wrist and kicked in his elbow.
He let out a howl of pain before crumpling to the ground.
Two guards stepped up, "Alright," one said, "let me show you guys how a real man tames a lady."
He came at me with more accuracy than the first, but he left his throat in wide range.
I hit him hard in the throat with my right elbow. He bent, holding his throat, gasping for air.
The other guard tried to come at me from the side, but I already had plans for him.
As soon as he came at me I made a roundhouse with my right leg to his head and he was out cold.
I returned to finish my other victim, still holding his throat, looked him straight in the eye and gave him a full blown front snap kick in the face. He flew, hit, and broke the card table, ruining the two prisoners card game.
"I'm far from a lady." I retorted.
I looked around waiting as everybody looked consideringly at me, then thought otherwise and resumed what they were doing.
I went to the dark, lonely corner, hoping for it to stay that way.
There was about twenty men in this chamber, five of them guards and three immobile at the moment. I smirked at the thought.
In my country, women weren't treated so, but I haven't been there since a child.
An old man, Decimus, raised me, whose father came from a strange land.
I was an orphan child when I was taken by a strange man with strange eyes, whom most avoided.
But, what a great man, I found, the strange man was. He taught me his strange ways and soon I grew and learned the lessons and skills of Decimus' lessons and became a match for a man in battle and the scholars.
That's how I landed in this mess. The guards had heard of Decimus and his strange looks and ways.
They came and destroyed our home, Decimus was probably left for dead, and I, they thought, would be their little treat.
They thought wrong. I can't remember how many assaults of officers are counted one me. Whatever the punishment I will remember my lessons and die knowing I let not a soul have their way with me.
Still, a twinge of guilt hit me hard, remembering my bragging of Decimus, none of this would have happened if not for me.
I would let every man have his way with me, if only I could see Decimus once more. The only guidance, the only father figure I've ever known.
A tear trickled down my face and landed in my palm.
I quickly dried my face and jumped to my feet as a slow shuffle of feet came my way.
A young man, not much older than myself, with a handsome face and soft eyes soon matched the sound as he came into view and stood before me.
"Um……I've been watching you and you seem a little lonely….."
"Yeah, I was hoping for it to stay that way." I said, wondering what he really wanted.
"Oh, surely that's not what you really want.'
I glared at him.
"Well, I assure you, I don't want trouble. You seem to expect very little from people, or men I assume, but I promise not all of us are the same."
I just stared at the wall behind him, knowing deep inside he was right and I was wrong.
"I'm sorry, you're just not like any girl I've ever known, I couldn't resist talking to you. My names Cornelius."
He said, holding out his hand.
I looked at him for a long moment. He had light brown hair and a strong jaw line, and he held himself sturdy with hard, cut muscle. I met eye to eye with him; a rush ran through me like never before. I had to suppress the butterflies I got in my stomach.
Ashamed of myself, I jerked my eyes away.
"A handsome face means nothing." I said.
"How about a handsome heart?" He said with a gorgeous smile.
I couldn't help but smile and the first time in a long while.
"So will you give me your name?"
I tossed my long black hair out of my face so I could pierce him with my venom green eyes.
"Cassia." I said, turned, and walked to the opposite wall.
I didn't have any problems with any one else, but I have the feeling that Cornelius had something to do with that. I'd catch him talking fiercely to a guy while glancing at me.
In a way I appreciated it because it was less of a nuisance while waiting for my sentence, but it perturbed me a little too. Who was he to fight my battles for me? I proved my own defenses.
I got out of bed, of cold, dark corner more like, to wait and see if we were to be fed breakfast today. Cornelius was waiting for me with two plates in his hand.
"Grits?"
I thought to argue, first with the generosity, then with arrogance of it, but I just took the plate.
"Thank you."
I started to turn when he grabbed my arm gently.
I yanked hard out of reaction.
"Come on the least you could is sit with me, maybe say good morning."
"What's the point?"
"You don't have to die before a sentence of execution." He answered.
I stopped and starred at him, Decimus once told me the same thing.
I sat beside him with my back against the wall.
"Hmm?" He queried.
I just pretended I didn't hear him.
The next morning I awoke getting shackled and brought to my hearing or sentencing more like.
I didn't resist and was soon in a room with, I assume, were four semi-important people.
Who seemed to be the most important person spoke up.
"We are here for the sentencing of Cassia"
I interrupted.
"It's pronounced ka-sha, not kas-e-ah."
There was a small silence and he went on," Well, it's been decided you are to join the gladiators in the arena until your freedom or you death."
I didn't know what to think of the verdict, I thought for sure it was either death or slavery. Now, there seem to be a small light at the end of my tunnel.
Two guards escorted me all the way by the arena to the east where the gladiators were kept.
I walked in to find a variety of gladiators, a couple girls, but, mostly men. There were even a few midgets.
The guards said something to the man in charge and left. So, there I was standing and waiting.
The man soon walked up to me and asked basic information, my name and such, I answered and he told me to wait a minute.
After awhile another man, strange to me, followed the man.
"This is Flavius, Flavius Cassia. He will be considering you as his new apprentice, so please follow me."
I followed him until he stopped in front of a midget practicing his technique.
"Nero." Flavius said, as the other man walked off.
Nero looked up and was beckoned forward by Flavius.
As he walked toward us, Flavius said, "This will be your first opponent."
I couldn't help but snicker, I'd wipe him out in a heartbeat, and his stumpiness was comical itself.
Flavius looked at me strangely as though I didn't know what I was getting in to.
"Alright now, Nero you will be sparring with this young lady, Cassie.
"Cassia." I corrected.
"Yes, right. Ready, get to a place."
I went and stood face to chest with my opponent.
"Go!"
The midget was so slow I blocked his right swing, duck, and gave him a blow to the face with my left fist that knocked him on the ground.
Flavius looked shocked for a brief moment then had us fight again. After defeating him four times in a row Flavius called it off.
"Very well." He said and motioned me to follow him.
He took me to a scrawny thing of a man.
He looked at with disbelief.
"You're going to make me fight a women?"
"Don't get big headed." Flavius answered.
As I defeated him and three ranks of men in size Flavius gave up and decided I would fight along with the average men and work up in the arena the following day.
After taking me through multiple techniques including, Dimachaerus, which you kept 2 swords and no shield. Essedarius, which rode on chariots. Laquearius who used a lasso and a lance, and quite a few others, I decided a Dimachaerus would fit me best. Swordsmanship is one of my trainings I'm best at and I might stay alive on that choice.
Night was falling and everybody was ready for bed. I seem to have become a gladiator in the nick of time, because tomorrow was the big day where the gladiators are battling the soldiers of Julius Caesar's army.
Everybody seemed psyched about it, and for my first time, I was too. It's been easy enough taking down his soldiers so far, and I can't wait to see their reaction when they know a girl is about to take their life.
