A Soldier's Life-Chapter 210: Cassian The Red

Chapter 210: Cassian The Red

I followed Cassian as he emerged from the gladiator’s apartment complex, dressed in a comfortable white tunic with a red belt and sandals. Despite his leisurely appearance, I noticed he was unarmed. As we stepped outside, a lion’s roar made me stop in my tracks. Cassian looked back at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. “The arena creatures and prisoners are kept nearby. Some make it to the Imperial Zoo, but others are destined to bleed on the sand. Don’t worry, legionnaire; I promise to protect you,” he said with a smirk before continuing on his way.

It was a short walk to a walled-in courtyard. Racks of practice weapons were under a canopy along one wall. Two men were practicing with large stones. They were using the rocks for strength training. At least, that is what I assumed. Both only wore a loin cloth, and their bodies were lathered in a sheen of sweat. I caught up to Cassian at the weapons rack. “You should remove your armor. Or don’t—whatever you prefer. What do you prefer for your lessons.” He gestured at the racks.

“What are you most skilled in?” I asked, looking at the racks that contained variations of swords, maces, and spears. There were even some exotic-looking weapons like tridents, nets, whips, and glaives.

“In the arena, sword and shield. But I am proficient with everything you see here.” The two men who had been strength training, had been sneaking curious side glances at us. By their shocked looks, I took it that Champion Cassian rarely gave personal lessons.

I walked to the extensive rack of spears to find one similar to my black-tipped weapon in length and weight. “For the morning, I would like to train with this, both with a shield and also two-handed.” I spun the shaft, finding the center of balance, and nodded.

Cassian moved to get his own spear, but I stopped him. “I want to practice against you while you wield a variety of weapons. Start with the sword and shield.” Cassian nodded appreciatively, and I think it was the first time he hadn’t looked down on me.

“That shaft is too thick to be used one-handed. One hand is going to have trouble gripping its girth, but you do have rather large hands.” He commented cheekily. There was innuendo in the advice, but it was sound. I hoped I was not going to have to put up with this all day.

I explained my reasoning for not changing weapons to him, “It matches a weapon I prefer. I want to be prepared whether I have a shield or not.”

He shrugged, “If you were going to use a spear two-handed, I would suggest the glaive instead, as it is better for slashing. But it’s your time.”

I removed my armor as he advised, and I did not like the way he studied me appreciatively, as my underclothes were already saturated with sweat and sticking to me. I told him what I wanted from the lessons. “I am not looking to put on a show. I want to learn the most efficient way to cripple and kill my opponent.” Cassian nodded seriously in understanding.

We started slowly, with Cassian constantly talking as he told me his intentions for his actions and what flaws he saw in my defense and offense. After a few hours, we were both drenched in sweat, even though the air was chilly. I noted smugly that he was more fatigued than me as we drank from pitchers of cold water placed by servants.

Cassian chewed on some sugar cane and spat out the remnants. “You are not a conscript, are you? Your technique is too refined. You fooled me with the common legionnaire armor.”

“I have had the opportunity to train with some of the legion’s most capable warriors,” I replied, not revealing the complete truth that I was a foreigner. I stood. “Show me your best in the next hour of exchanges, and then I will switch to a sword and shield, and you can cycle through weapons again.”

He laughed merrily at my eagerness. Standing and stretching his back. “You are wearing me out. Your enthusiasm and bottomless endurance could have been better spent in my apartment.”

“I only prefer the company of women,” I stated firmly, trying to end his constant pan-sexual banter.

He shook his head, disappointed. “There is nothing wrong with a good woman, too. But having a lover who matches your strength and takes control is true passion.”

“Still, it is my only preference. Can we focus on the lessons?” I beseeched. Cassian shrugged, but I think he was upset at my lack of interest.

He showed me his best as we engaged. We had drawn a small crowd of gladiators, servants, and Imperial legionnaires as well. Despite my training and lessons, I was at a disadvantage. He was stronger, faster, and had more experience. I needed to draw out his best to create a suitable manifestation of him in my dreamscape. I poured everything into the exchanges as I focused. I took six blows to score one on him, usually a glancing strike. On one lucky redirect of the spear’s tip, I caught his shin. Even with the dull tip, it cut to the bone, causing a flow of blood.

I stepped back as a servant rushed in to use his healing spell form on the wound. A number of the spectators clapped softly in appreciation at my minor success. I paused to look over the some fifty watching men and women. I noticed a few familiar faces among the legionnaires. Zyna was right; my enemies had learned of me being here. Cashius’ personal legionnaire was here, as was the legionnaire who had searched my pack during the mage aspirant training. I would worry about it when I left. For now, I wanted to get the most out of Champion Cassian.

After he was healed, he reestablished his dominance. I felt a pressure headache building, and I was certain he had spell form that increased his speed. When I asked for a break, the claps were much louder this time for the show. At the water, Cassian asked, “You have a healing spell form?” I just nodded slightly as he had injured me a number of times, and I managed to walk it off quickly. There was no point in denying it. “Your name legionnaire?”

“Eryk. Eryk Marko.” I replied. “You have a haste spell form? And something that gives me a headache?”

He laughed raucously. “Eryk Marko. I will remember the name.” This was for the benefit of our watchers, and his showmanship from the arena came through to recognize my ability.

In a quieter tone, he answered my questions. “You are right. I can accelerate in short bursts, enhancing my muscles, but it fatigues me quicker. The headache you are impaired with is because you resist another spell form of mine. It allows me to read your surface thoughts to anticipate your actions. It may not excel in combat since circumstances change so quickly, but together, I can guide you into a position to gain an advantage.”

I should have known the greatest gladiator in the Empire used spell forms. It only made sense. “Thanks for telling me the truth. Is there a way to block you from stealing my thoughts?”

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He laughed again, “You were already doing a decent job of fending me off. The best way is to fight without emotion. Emotional thoughts are louder and harder to conceal from a reader. Are you ready to switch your weapons? The reach of your spear has caused me enough injury today. And not in a pleasant way.”

I rolled my eyes, and he laughed. I went to the racks and found a blade similar to orc’s torment. I groaned as I recognized two new men in the crowd, First Citizen Boris Angella and First Citizen Justin Cicero. Even though they were distant, I didn’t need them close to feel the animosity. I ground my teeth as another familiar face stood behind Boris.

Apparently, Lareen had been retained by Boris. She did not look well, and her eyes appeared slightly dead, and she refused to meet my gaze. My anger at her fled as it looked like she had been punished and placed in a miserable situation.

When I returned to the sands with a shield and blade, I questioned, “Is it common to draw such a crowd here?”

Cassian looked over the hundred-plus people that were slowly growing after midday, as word traveled. “No. Only sponsors of gladiators can observe the training yard. They can bring guests without limit. Someone is letting them in.”

“Can we train somewhere else?”

He arched his brow and joked, “I thought you didn’t want to spar privately?” He sensed my displeasure. “No. This is the only training yard. It is here or we are finished for the day.” He held open his hands in an apology.

I was distracted as we began the training again. As Cassian moved through various weapons, the crowd grew larger and larger. The other gladiators had chosen to watch us rather than train themselves. I took advantage of my time and tried to ignore the crowd. Where Cassian seemed to feed off their energy, I found it troubling to be under a microscope. I had been hiding my abilities for so long that having so many eyes on me was uncomfortable.

Cassian didn’t use his speed boost or Jedi mind tricks on me in the afternoon. Before the evening bell rang in the city, I stopped the lessons even though there was an hour till sunset. “I am done. Thank you,” I held out my filthy hand specked in dried blood, and we shook our wrists.

He pulled me a little closer. “It was one of the most enjoyable lessons I have given—in the training yard. If you only prefer women, perhaps we can share one, one day.”

I countered instantly, “I will have to pass on your offer.” I returned the weapons and shield and buckled on my armor over my filthy clothes. The crowd was dispersing, and other gladiators were moving to practice after watching us most of the day. Well, watching Cassian give lessons to me in hopes of learning something. Champion Cassian was a champion for a reason. I was certain he could easily defeat me if neither of us used spell forms.

If we both went all out? That was something I would have to answer in my dreamscape. I still had a few tricks and four apex quickness essences yet to consume as well. I was supposed to request an escort back to the Mage College, but it was clear that the only legionnaires in the area were likely unfriendly.

Instead of heading for the crossroads that I walked to the Coliseum on, I moved in the opposite direction to where the portal stone lay. My admirers had prepared for me to go the other way but were moving to catch up. The five legionnaires and the two First Citizens started to close. I managed to reach the gate to the Imperial Grounds before them. Four Imperial Legionaries guarded the entrance, and one mage commander by the looks of him.

“Can I get an escort through the Imperial Grounds to the Mage College? I have an urgent message for Chancellor Zyna?” I hoped my name-dropping would get me inside, but I realized the increased security in the city might make it infeasible.

The mage commander seemed skeptical and spoke for the gate guard, “What is the message? I can do a sending and save you the time.”

“Really? Can she reply back?” I asked at my good fortune.

“A short reply, yes.” He said with narrowed eyes, still suspicious.

“Excellent!” I said with a smirk as I prepared a carefully worded reply. Minutes later, a slightly uneasy mage commander and legionnaire were escorting me through the Imperial Grounds after receiving orders from Zyna. The western side of the Imperial Grounds was where the Imperial Palace was located.

It was the closest I had ever gotten to the imposing Imperial Palace. Fountains, lifelike statues, and plazas surrounded it. Under large arched pavilions, classes with young noble children were finishing their last lessons of the day. Pairs of Imperial legionnaires were everywhere. I began to suspect that something not meant for public knowledge had occurred in the Imperial Palace. Zyna would likely know. My escorts left me with sour expressions at the entrance to the Mage College.

I made my way up to Zyna’s apartments. Of course, she was not here to confront. So, I took the opportunity to bathe and soak in the recessed pool. I moved to the kitchen and started to prepare Zyna’s dinner. Well, after sunset, she stepped out of her room.

“I see you were able to evade First Citizen Boris and return safely. Did your instruction go well today?” She asked. I studied her to see if she had intentionally set me up.

“It was very productive. Cassian is a true weapon master. He was so impressed with me that he even invited me to share his bed,” I said nonchalantly to judge her reaction.

Her eyes widened in shock or maybe amusement. Zyna would make a good poker player. “Really? I heard Cassian is well-known at First Citizen orgies. I have never been myself.” We met eyes as we studied each other for a long moment. I tried to decide whether she had played a joke. I just gave up and shook my head.

“Has something happened in the Imperial Palace?” I inquired, dropping it as I had gotten what I wanted from the gladiator.

Zyna looked over what I was preparing before she spoke measuredly. “The Truthseekers have been rooting out spy after spy in the city and on the Imperial Grounds. Everyone is being questioned, and the Emperor’s paranoia is growing. I have been questioned twice myself.” I nodded but realized Zyna probably had the same safeguards I did for being questioned by Truthseekers.

“Is the Emperor still planning to march?” I asked as I finished the meal.

“He is.” She confirmed as I slid her finished dinner to her. Nothing special tonight. Just some braised pork chops with appleberry glaze. Of course, the dungeon boar from which the pork chops were sourced had been massive.

“I am exhausted from the day. I am going to retire.” I paused. “Is Renna well?”

Zyna swallowed, “She is fine. She got your gift and is looking forward to your private lessons to teach her how to use it.”

I nodded and left Zyna to finish her meal. I pulled out two apex essences in my small room: space affinity and quickness. I added a major essence for channeling to the pair of large spheres. It was time to find out if my dimensional space could be upgraded. I took the quickness essence first. My nerves fired with tingles of electricity as it worked.

When it settled, I moved on to the major channeling essence. Now that I was more aware of where the aether flowed in my body, the metabolism of the channeling essence was like a cool, refreshing wave through my body.

As the effects faded, I rolled the mirror-like sphere in my hand. Should I empty my dimensional space before consuming this? Could I accidentally destroy everything inside? I decided to remove all the coin and artifacts as a precaution. My small bed was littered with potions and coins. I couldn’t believe how much silver I had accumulated in the dungeon.

Taking a deep breath, I consumed the apex essence. The spell form on my space aspect stretched. No, it was not stretching, it just felt like it was stretching. I could feel the threads that connected the spell form to the dimensional space strengthen and purify. As it worked, I pulled the visualization of the space. The borders all around the cube were expanding like an inflating balloon. When they stopped, I released a breath I was holding. In my estimation, each dimension had increased by almost half a foot. My ten-foot cube was now an eleven-foot cube. I uncovered the table reader table, eager to do a reading.

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