A Little R&R (Colosseum Contestants)

[Black Mage]

The infirmary was mixed with three sorts of people. The first were Camelot's Finest, knights of the realm who all seemed to have a certain clout and dignity about them, yet still conveyed the message that all scuffles would be handled in the Arena, not out of it, or else. The second group were the infirmary staff, healers and nurses who'd cast spells and mixed potions in order to provide the best care possible to the third group, the Tournament Contestants. Black Mage found himself in this third category, though it was no surprise. He was never to be a knight in shining armor, nor the one who brought aid to those stumbling and broken. His talents laid in destruction. With the Warriors of Light he was a tool for good, a sword against the unflinching evil of the Four Fiends, but here? He wasn't sure. Only time would tell.

But time was not a commodity that the Black Mage truly had at the moment. The next match would be in only an hour, and while he needed to heal he also needed a plan. The cuts and slices would sew up at a decidedly unnatural pace as long as he didn't exert himself and kept dealing with the Camelot Medicine man, but how was he going to get his next opponent, this "Magus"? He needed another trick up his sleeve, another spell perhaps. What could he cast before that would help him fight another mage? The Warrior Of Light began to concentrate on his memory, but little did he know who might be around the corner, recovering from their matches as well . . .

[Dawnika Snow]

Dawnika's rough fall from the sky had not only knocked her unconscious, but also had ruined her ankle badly. She had landed dead on her left foot, then slammed her head hard onto the ground. Blood ran through her hair and over her eyes and face. The fight was tough on her, not only because of the injuries, but because she over exerted her use of burst movements. Unable to stand do to the fact that she was knocked-out, she had lost.

The Warrior of Light was at first skeptical about her unconscious state, but soon her realized that Dawnika has had enough. She was slung over the Mage's shoulder and carried half way out of the arena by him until the medics came to take her. She looked bad, that was obvious but how long would it be until she woke up? If the Black Mage wished to speak with her, it might take some time, perhaps not until after his next fight.

Or, perhaps it would be much sooner than he thought. Upon entering the infirmary, Dawnika awoke and threw the medics off of her. "Let go of me! I am fine dammit! I do not need your assistance!" The medics scrambled away from her and the knights jumped in to intervene. "Ma'am, we are going to have to ask you to calm yourself. The healers here only wish to help you." Said the lead knight with his blade pointed out at her. She was in no condition to retaliate against them, she could barely stand. "Just leave me alone and I will not hurt anyone."

Dawnika scanned the room and found her Mage opponent sitting alone pondering to himself. She slowly limped to him, "I believe it is safe to assume that waking up in the infirmary after a battle means you lose. You fight well for a wizard. Magic has never been my strong suit, but I only know that of black magic. Forbidden magics in my homeland that most outsiders fear. On any matter, you have the heart of a warrior and the strength of a soldier. As Queen of Xenithia, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to fight you and hope we can have another good spar in the near future." She took her seat next to his, sitting a couple feet away from the mage.

[Black Mage]

Queen of Xenithia? The Black Mage let out a chuckle.

"You're actually the second young queen I've met here, believe it or not." The Black Mage said. Daenerys had never actually said her official title, but the Black Mage felt entitled to embellish a little if she wasn't a queen. "Perhaps the white-faced one simply enjoys taking nobility out of their kingdoms." He continued, before taking a deep breath. "You fought well in kind. I almost thought you'd had me bested with your speed." He said, and made a note to be more mobile. None of his current spells, save for one, really used enough power to demand him to be stationary.

"Magic in general does not seem to be well-thought of." The Black Mage said, thinking of her mention of 'forbidden magics that outsiders fear'. "In my homeland there were two types of magic, white and black, nurturing life and ushering in death. I have only ever been able to use the latter." He said, his voice drifting as he thought and realized how terribly rude he was being.

"I am the Black Mage by the way. I have no other name." He said as he extended a hand. Dawnika looked at it for a moment, confused perhaps by him offering his hand after a fight or perhaps not knowing of the custom, before putting her hand in his, meeting a firm shake.

"What brings you here, Queen of Xenithia?"

[Dawnika Snow]

Dawnika looked at his hand, rather confused, then remembered the dragoness. She had done the same thing to her. I guess making contact with others in a greeting is common in many verses. I should try to adapt to this. Her hand met his and they shook. "I obviously did not come to the omniverse by choice." She spoke with her usual emotionless tone, "As far as coming to this tournament, it was more over a chance decision. Finding some kind of ally to fight with or making a friend to fall back on. As far being Queen, that is more of a new title for me. Just a few days ago, my country was nearly ransacked and destroyed. My father died in the process. The day I was set to take the throne, I woke up here. I could just be in a coma and this could just be a dream, but the more time I spend here the more real it becomes."

She rested her head back on the wall behind her chair and took deep breaths "That last fall really did me in. I think you may have broken my ankle. She sat up and looked at him. "Do you know if it is possijle for one of us to summon a person from our homeland?" She had hoped the answer to this question was a yes. She knew just who she needed here with her to make it through this new world.

[Black Mage]

The Black Mage shrugged. "I do not. I assume it is possible from looking around to all the people around us, but I have not tried. When I left my homeland I was a mere breadth away from death, having failed my companions. This place is many things, but it not a paradise, and it is brutal to those not summoned by the faceless one. To summon my friends into a place like this where they could never find their true strength would be an insult to their memory. They deserve far better than to be cursed here with me." By the look on the girl's face he could tell this was not the answer she had hoped for, or perhaps that it didn't have the spirit she had hoped for, but the Black Mage could scarcely call himself a Warrior of Light if he was not honest with her.

"Mr. Mage, it is time for your next match." One of the soldier's came and prodded him go. The Black Mage nodded and got off his chair before turning to the demon girl.

"It was nice to meet you under better circumstances my lady. My good fortune find your way." He said as he drifted away with the soldier, hoping it would find him as well in the arena.