Deep in the corridors of the Colosseum, Richard could hear the audience cheering as they waited excitedly for the day's fights to begin. He was busy strapping the last of his armour on making sure it stayed in place. The last thing he needed was for it to fall off mid fight. The straps were worn and parts of the metal were starting to go brittle. He really needed to get it fixed by a blacksmith but with no money he had to make do.

It was actually why he was here. Harold and Jessica noticed a poster in town that says there was a tournament going on and there was prize money to be found. Before Richard even knew it he was being dragged to the entrance of the Colosseum being entered as a last minute contestant.

"Come on Richard!" Harold said enthusiastically, "With your skills you'd easily wipe the floor of the other gladiators"

"Harold, I refuse to be nothing more than entertainment for some low life king who watches people fight for sport" Richard said firmly.

"Oh come on don't be like that. You'd be amazing!"

"And I said no" Richard snapped, ripping his arm out of Harold's grip, "I am a knight not some brawler who takes joy in killing and hurting others". He turned to walk away only to be blocked by Jessica.

"Look I know you don't like it but unless you haven't noticed we need money. Not just for food and shelter but also to take a ship across the Escatear Mountains unless you seriously plan on us walking through them!? You are aware that they're riddled with monsters? I don't fancy being food for a giant spider" Jessica said firmly.

And with that Richard found himself in a no win situation. He didn't have any other plans for getting money and he didn't want the kids to perform labour for some coin. That was it of the question. He still wasn't happy though. All of the fighters were nothing but degenerates who thought this was all a fun game. "None of them even know proper swordsmanship" he mumbled to himself.

"Maybe you can use that to your advantage" Went some as she glided to Richard's left wing getting his attention, "These "warriors" don't have the kind of training that you have. You could wipe the floor with all of them".

"Alke, don't you remember what Lady Chiron said? I shouldn't be using my training as a means to earn money" Richard said rubbing his forehead.

"But she also said that sometimes rules need to be broken," Alke replied. Richard just rubbed his eyes in response. "I know you don't like it but Jessica is right and you know it. If you didn't you wouldn't be here now."

Richard sighed. She was right of course. They had no other choice. He had no other choice. They needed money and this was the fastest way to do it. "I just wish there was another option" he said as a strap on his boot broke free forcing him to tie it back on.

"I know but we have no choice and honestly we need the money to fix your armour too. I feel like a gust in the wind will just turn it to dust."

"I know, but it'll have to do. We don't have any…" Then a knock came at the door. Alke quickly went back to her usual spot on Richard's shoulder as he composed himself opening the door. A leopard in chainmail was there.

"They're calling for you. Best make your way up" the leopard said. Richard thanked the leopard and made his way down the hall passing many other fighters who were busy preparing themselves for today's games. At the end of the corridor there was a small middle aged bald man holding a pamphlet in his hands.

"Are you Richard the squire?" He croaked with a slight slur.

"No. It's Richard the Protector" responded Richard.

"No. My records here say it's Richard the squire"

"Well they're wrong it should say Richard the Protector".

"Right, I'll make sure it gets corrected." The man hiccuped "Your up next. Your… You're up against gruff the buff."

"Thanks," Richard said, making his way up towards the entrance to the arena as the man talked to one of the servants.

"Make sure Richard the squire gets introduced last"

"It's Richard the oh forget it" Richard shouted back. He begrudgingly made his way to the entrance and waited for it to open. He could hear the cheers and booing from the crowd as the fighters were introduced. Adrenaline began to pump through him and he took a few breaths to compose himself. He needed to keep himself composed. These fighters wouldn't mess around and played dirty.

As the entrance opened he shielded his eyes as the sum momentarily blinded him. He couldn't hear the announcer introduce him over the cheers of the audience but as he made his way into the arena he saw two dozen other fighters with various weapons. All looking eager to fight except for Richard.

Looking up at the stands he saw Jessica and Harold standing at the edge. Harold was shouting something but he couldn't hear him over the crowd but he guessed it was some naive words of encouragement. Just then some trumpets sounded and the crowd went quiet as the king made his way to his seat.

"Welcome warriors. You are here to fight for the glory of gold" The king said, "There are no rules. I do not care how you win other than that you are to be the last man standing."

The crowd cheered and Richard rolled his eyes. Even the crowd saw bloodshed as a form of entertainment. The king sat down and raised his hand. Richard gripped his sword and turned to his opponents waiting for the start.

Silence fell on the Colosseum as everyone waited for the king to start the match. All of the fighters were eyeing each other trying to see what weaknesses each other possibly had but Richard didn't need to. He already knew what theirs were.

Then the king lowered his hand and a Gong sounded. All the fighters rushed towards the centre to fight and Richard did the same.

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This is a YCH that I got from  BigGoodWolf

Richard belongs to me