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The gladiator and the princess

Lauralye screamed in anger as Robert was thrown against the tree. Her hands burst into flames as balls of fire were tossed at Lucian. The man dodged around him but it was clear that he was starting to become aware that he may not be capable of taking of Lauralya and the goddess. Deciding to keep his hide over killing Robert, a simple thing he could do without a angry goddess and witch hurling fire at him. He growled before snapping, the demons and he disappeared into the night. All was quiet for a moment before Lauralye spoke, "You've done well, child."

Then the glowing faded and Lauralye's hair fell to her shoulders as she collapsed to the ground.

The gladiator and the princess

Lauralye looked at him, confused. Her wrist throbbed and she couldn't help but look at him in awe. She could do that? Fire from her hand just like that. Not to mention seeing the world she had been hidden from, didn't sound too bad. She could just barely hear Robert behind her pleading for her not to do it. Just as he had pleaded her not to marry David... She looked down at the ring on her finger, she could be free of him.

She looked at Lucian when he started to stalk toward Robert with sword in hand, "No! Stop!" She felt truly helpless. This wasn't David, who she could promise something better. Or her father, who she could plead to. Or even a guard, who she could order. This was a man she did not know walking forward to kill Robert. She felt utterly helpless for a moment before a cool breeze passed through the clearing.

Lauralye's hair danced in a wind that seemed to only pass her and her eyes started to glow. When she spoke, her voice was not the same.... It sounded as though someone spoke with her, word for word, "Do not touch him,"

She threw her hands forward and the talon demon flew backwards and crashed into a tree. Lucian turned to looked at the Princess and chuckled, "Hecate... I figured you might like this one."

Avatar: Trusting your enemy

Jaya walked with him until she heard a noise as they began to enter the trees. She looked over her shoulder at him, releasing his hand. She held her hands in front of her as she walked, prepared for something to jump out at her. Sure enough, an armadillo lion jumped out of the trees and growled at them. Jaya jumped a little and held her arm out stopping Nikko from advancing. She looked at the creature, who was growling at them and leaning back onto his haunches, preparing to pounce. In a swift movement of her arms a small line of fire expanded in a line between her hands. She looked at the creature as it seemed to shy away, frightened of the flame. However, it did not back down.

She put the fire out and slowly started to walk toward it.

Avatar: Trusting your enemy

Jaya looked at him curiously when he held up his hand for her to stop. She did so and watched as he walked forward and crouched to the ground to look at something, that appeared to be animal tracks? She slowly walked up behind him, moving a little faster when he motioned for her to come closer. She leaned over his shoulder a little to look at the tracks. When he asked her if she had any clue what it was, she shook her head, "No, sorry," She said quietly, "But... They are probably pretty new. The sand hasn't covered them yet..."

She smiled and took hold of his hand and pulled him forward, following the track. She looked over her shoulder at him, "And there is always one way to find out."

She grinned and started to move a little quicker, but slow enough that she could stop quickly if needed.

Avatar: Trusting your enemy

Jaya laughed as he informed her they didn't need to live in the temple to be air nomads. She nodded her head, "I suppose so. I suppose we are more just Nomads than Air Nomads.

She looked at him when he asked what it was that she did for fun. She pursed her lips while she thought about it, "That's... a hard question. Ozai kind of had us under the whip when he was in charge... But I liked to dance. I'd fire dance on the streets with a bowl for money when things got tight..." She smiled, "It wasn't anything special... I mean, if you were a fire bender and could dance, you could fire dance.... I think people here would like it... I saw a circus on one of my trips, people were amazed by even simple fire bending."

She giggled a little at the thought of it, "I loved how gentle the fire looks when you dance with it. It is pure beauty and you almost forget how dangerous it is... I think that is something people need to see. Although, I don't think I'll ever get to show them," She laughed a little, "Maybe, I'll show you one day..."

She looked ahead of them, "I wonder how far away we are...."

The gladiator and the princess

Lucian laughed as Robert laughed and pulled the princess into him. He placed his hand on her jaw forcing her to look at Robert, while the talon demon forced him to the ground. Lucian chuckled, "I feel as though, you might be here for more reason than just duty."

The man's hand rest on Lauralye's shoulder before running down her bare arm and grabbing her wrist. He rose it to his face, "But can't you feel it, Robert, or have you senses dulled to the whimsical of the world?" He looked at Robert, "She's quite powerful. Such a shame no one told her."

Lauralye looked at Lucian confused, causing the man to laugh at her, "Poor soul. You are gifted your highness. Just like your mother was. That's why I killed her."

The princess swallowed, "Are you going to kill me?"

Lucian chuckled, "Not yet. Only if you prove to be... unhelpful. See your mother loved her husband and when things got harder with him, she had you. She had much to fight against us for. You... Have a husband who you don't love, a father who throws you into dungeons, and a country you barely even know. You can join us."

"Join you? Then why did.... you try to kill me?"

"Simple miscommunication. Luckily, Robert was there," He ran a finger along Lauralye's jaw, looking her in the eye, "I can teach you how powerful you are. Show you the world. I can let you be free. If you join me."

"What do you mean... powerful?"

Lucian grinned, "I'm glad you asked," He squeezed the wrist he held, causing her to shriek and fire to erupt from her hand. When he released her, she cradled her wrist and looked at him incredulously. Lucian smiled, "You are a witch, Princess."

The gladiator and the princess

Lauralye didn't dare struggle in their hold, fearing they might drop her. Soon, they landed in the forest and pushed Lauralye toward a man with short blonde hair. He smile at Lauralye and caught her by her shoulders, "Now, now, that is not something a bride should wear... Although, you look quite stunning. I'm awfully disappointed that your father didn't invite me to the wedding. I could have saved you from marrying that awful man," He chuckled, "Your mother would just hate to know that you are married to someone that toxic."

Lauralye pulled away from him, "Don't talk about my mother like you knew her!"

The man laughed, "Why I did, Princess. You get to know a lot about a person when you watch the life fade from their eyes."

Lauralye paled and tried to move away but the man grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, "Now, now. Don't you want to know why I killed her?"

The gladiator and the princess

Lauralye sighed, this was going to be her life now. Hiding from her husband and Robert, for she knew she could not bring herself to be near him, staring out to the world that she was being kept from. She rested her head against the window frame when suddenly something moved. She jumped when she found two demonic creatures staring at her. She froze for a moment before she slowly started to back away. Then there were more and they were jumping at her. She screamed as two grabbed her arms and dragged her out of the tower and into the sky.

She didn't get it, Robert said that demons couldn't fly. And yet, here they were flying away to where ever it was they were going, with no one stopping them.

The guard that had been watching her, burst into the room to find the room empty, with only the princess's crown and gown. He grabbed the crown and ran down the stairs, yelling, "The Princess has been taken! The Princess has been taken!"

The gladiator and the princess

Lauralye tried to smile as she said 'I do', she tried to be happy about the marriage. However, all she could think of was Robert behind her, sitting on his knees, telling her he loved her. Why couldn't things just be straight forward for once...

The ceremony didn't last long and soon she and David were walking through the crowd. She nodded her head as people congratulated her. She was not happy though. She had always thought she could manage to be content with her marriage to David. Apparently, things were far more complicated now that Robert was her. She caught only a glimpse of him that entire night. In the moment, she felt as though someone was clenching her heart. However, she knew this would keep him safe. That was all that mattered to her now.

As the night wore on, she turned to David, "I'm going to slip away for a moment... I'm still feeling under the weather," She said before a small cough. She kissed his cheek, "I suppose I will see you tonight... when we go to bed...."

Then she left, bringing a guard with her. She climbed the stairs to the tower and opened the door. She turned to the guard, "I would like sometime alone," She said simply before walking into the room and closing the door behind her. She stood there for a moment before removing her crown and gloves. Soon enough, she stood there in merely her undergarments. She took a deep breath and walked to the window and stared out on the small town she would never see again.

what she is wearing

The gladiator and the princess

Lauralye didn't dare look back at Robert. She did, she might not be able to continue with what she was doing. However, David wasn't going to take no for an answer. If she said anything against him or Robert, and maybe even herself, would pay for it. She took a deep breath and nodded, "No one lays a hand on him," She clarified before finally walking up to the man who was to marry them. She took her place, her back to Robert and sniffled, "Alright... Let's get this over with."