Hear me roar.

[Rhalius]

It has been two months since the Romans took controll of Lord Gregorius his castle. They saved him as well as the royalty and knights captured by Prince Edward, who is still their prisoner. They have build a grand arena which attracts an audience from their homeland as well as the locals.

Worried about the threat the romans might pose, King Phillip has send Roderick, Frederick and Henry to see what this arena is all about. They also wish to know what became of Prince Edward the Lion and his men. These Romans might be up to something, but what could it be?

They have a lot to think about on their way to the Romans, where they will arrive soon.

[Basie10]

  great pic

[Tiermann]

Oh yay, looking forward to this.

[Birdie]

Me too 

[Macruran]

 

[playmovictorian]

Beautiful picture & majestic Lion 

[PCV106]

 
Great picture!

[Rhalius]

Leaving their horses nearby, they proceed on foot. That big arena sure looks very impressive.

Henry: "I am curious about how they fight in that arena. Will it be like our knight tournaments?"
Roderick: "I am affraid not Henry. In the history books about the Romans it says that slaves and prisoners where forced to fight against their will, and in in our tournaments everyone participates willingly."
Frederick: "Maybe they changed that in all those years?"

The gates are opened for them, and a centurion seems happy to see them.
"Welcome, knights of King Phillip. We seem to be having a problem that perhaps you might be able to help us with!"

Roderick: "Why would you need our help for?"
Centurion: "Just come with me and see for yourselves."

As they walk into the castle, they can hear Lady Mary scream angrily at a very intimidated roman General. Near her, Sir Hugo is standing next to his horse alongside another knight and a squire. Presumably they are there as Lady Mary's escort.

Centurion: "I've fought barbarians, pirates and wolves without any fear, but that woman scares me."


Mary: "... And I demand that you release my husband right now! He did not have my permission to go fight in that war, he was supposed to be home before dinner!"
Siegfried: "I was captured by these Romans!"
Mary: "That's no excuse! You are not allowed to hang out with these ruffians anymore, I forbid it! and you, release my husband before I get angry!"
General Secundus: "I.. I am sorry lady, but he is our prisoner. He is scheduled to fight in the arena today."

As Lady Mary looks about ready to assault general Secundus, general Primus has observed the events from the balcony.

General Primus: "We can make an exeption this time, release Siegfried Rodich."

As the door is opened, the guards have to drag a frightened and reluctant Siegfried out of his prison. As his last chance, he tries to plead with general Secundus.

Siegfried: "Please, I don't want to go! Don't let her take me away from here! I will fight anything you want in the arena! Lions, Tigers, Bears, Elephants, Dragons, but please let me stay here!"
General Secundus: "I am sorry, but we can't keep you apart from your loving wife. Seriously, our legions are not trained for that."
Mary pulls him along. "The poor dear is dillusional, look what you did to him! Now he can't leave my castle for months since he needs time to recover."

[Rhalius]

While Siegfried gets his arms and armor back, lord Hugo recognizes the three knights who stopped him at the last tournament. "You there! I'll take on all three of you at once! Because of you three I was put in prison!"
Otto: "Calm down brother. They are not worth it."

Roderick: "We stopped you from murdering Sir Constantine, it was a fair punishment."
Henry: "You would never have been released if you succeeded."
Hugo: "These weak romans won't be able to stop me from fighting you!"

General Secundus: "There will be no fighting here. If you want to fight, I hereby challenge you to a battle in the arena, if you dare."

Hugo: "I will crush you first then, puny Roman! come at me with all you have!"
General Secundus smiles. "Trust me, I won't hold anything back. The arena will be opened in an hour so prepare yourself."
Otto: "I will fight with my brother, I don't trust you."
General Secundus: "Very well, I will take you both on at once. Now leave me with my guests."

While Siegfried and Mary return home, and the two dark knights prepare for their battle, General Secundus has time to speak with his three new visitors.

General Secundus: "Welcome, knights of King Phillip. I am General Secundus, commander of the second legion and owner of this new arena. Have you come to see your enemy, Prince Edward, fight in the arena?"
Frederick: "Fight? But he is a prisoner."
Roderick: "A prisoner of royalty even. I don't think his father would be happy about this."
General Secundus: "Emperor Tiberius wants to see his conquered enemy in the arena, so that is what's going to happen. Feel free to take it up with General Primus who captured him."
Henry: "We will."

As they walk up the stairs to make their way to General Primus Maximus, they see Prince Edward being taken from his prison, with guards everywhere to ensure he won't escape.

Roderick: "We better hurry, it looks like they are going to prepare him for the arena."
Henry: "Maybe its not that bad to see him fight in the arena, considering what he did."
Frederick: "He'd have plenty of time to think about what he did in prison."

Despite his soldiers objections and his own, Prince Edward is taken from his prison to fight in the arena.

Prince Edward: "I am the prince of Alion, I am not here to fight for your amusement."
General Secundus: "You are a prisoner of the empire and will do whatever pleases the emperor."

General Primus seems friendly enough to the three friends when they get to meet with him.
"Welcome, knights of King Phillip. I believe you have not met General Tertius, commander of the third legion yet?"

General Tertius: "Well met. My legion is not here right now, but I was invited to come watch the grand opening of the new arena and to guard emperor Tiberius."
Frederick: "The emperor is here? May we meet him too?"
General Tertius shakes his head. "I am affraid the emperor does not grant everyone an audience, if there is any business you have with the empire you can discuss it with us."
Roderick: "I suppose that makes sense. What we wanted to ask about is, why are you going to force Prince Edward to fight in the arena? Why force any prisoners to fight?"
General Primus: "Why would you care about this? I stopped him from killing Sir Stephen, another of your king's knights. He gets what he deserves."
Henry: "He did terrible things, but that is not an excuse to do the same to him."
General Tertius: "Don't worry too much about it, we just want to scare him a bit. General Secundus trained a Lion. He wants to make the Lion Prince look foolish by making him run from the very symbol of his kingdom. Only his pride will be hurt."
Frederick: "Well that might be fun to see."
Henry: "Yes, he deserves that."
Roderick: "Well yes, he does.. but what about King Richard? It sounds like this would greatly offend the entire kingdom of Alion."
General Primus: "That does not concern us, a broken king and a shattered kingdom are of no concern. The games will begin soon, let's make our way to the arena."

((to be continued soon.))

[Rasputin]

Poor lion, roar loudly for you are a beautiful beast, down with Romans