War God for Hire- Gladiator by David Burke (books under 200 pages .TXT) 📕

attention, but it could also become tiresome having everyone around you just trying to figure out how to please you. This felt too much like another path to living without meaningful relationships. It wasn’t at all that he was bashful about being attracted to any of the women, but for once in his life, or at least once since Tessa, he wanted it to mean something more.

“If you are being serious, then I am flattered, but the truth is that even I am a mere celestial. Once you come into your own, you will forget me. The most that I can hope for is that you will show me a good time when the mood strikes you,” Hilde said.

Kyle wanted to protest. He wanted to say that wouldn’t be him, but history said something different. He definitely didn’t want to make a promise that he couldn’t keep. So instead, he settled for, “I guess we will just have to see.”

“Just remember you don’t have to limit yourself. I can be your… hmm… What was it? Your world has some of the best expressions. Oh, I remember. I can be your wingman. I think that is how the expression goes. You know, the one who helps set you up with the ladies.”

“Uh, never had a female wingman. For that matter, never really needed a wingman. But, you wouldn’t be jealous? I mean, you know, if you and I… Well, that is if you make good on your promise about what happens after I summon you.”

“I find that hard to believe, given how clumsily you are handling this. Nyda already offered, but you turned her down. Yes, you don’t need to protest. I get it. Your sense of honor prohibits you from feeling like you are taking advantage of her. At least in that way, you are still very much like Krig.”

Kyle just sighed, “Well, as much as my love life interests you, there are more important things to discuss.”

“Indeed, war god…”

“Kyle.”

“Okay, indeed Kyle. But as you say, more important things. I assume you are referring to Lash and how best to defeat her.”

“Yes. Is she as strong as Saber implied?” Kyle asked.

“I can’t know for sure. If she was as strong as she used to be, unless you suddenly learn how to awaken a far greater portion of your divine nature, you won’t stand any chance against her. Any of the weapon maidens that I knew would wipe the floor with you, the elf, and lycan, all at the same time. At least as you are now. And I mean no offense,” Hilde answered.

“It’s okay, I would prefer that you spoke the truth than candy-coat things for me.”

“Oh, that is a delightfully provocative expression. I love it. I will have to make sure to remember it.”

“Your words suggested that she might not be as strong as she was before, however.”

“Perceptive of you. I’m glad you caught that. Yes, by all my knowledge of divine slivers, she should no longer be a bearer. Krig’s death and reincarnation in you broke that. What I don’t know is where that leaves her. Will she be as weak as she was before she got the sliver, or will some of the effects linger on?”

“And there is no way to tell?”

“Sure, get in the ring with her.”

“That isn’t very helpful.”

“You could always summon me to fight for you. Even back in the day, I would have been a pretty good match for her. I have to assume that I could take her easily now. But, that isn’t the true concern. The bigger question is if Begaer turned her loyalties. If so, this is a serious problem. You will have to convince her that you are truly nothing more than an elemental. Beyond that, there is the question of what she believes about you.”

“I guess we are into the area of speculating now. Nothing to do for that but wait and see. Be as prepared as I can be. Now, I think I will take a nap until the matches tonight. We will know soon enough.”

“If you want a distraction to pass your time, all you need to do is summon me,” Hilde said, with a return to that seductive voice she had mastered so well.

“Don’t tease me too often, or I may shock you by taking you up on your proposition.”

“A girl can only hope.”

Kyle drifted off to sleep to dream dreams of war and victory, but there was a smile on his face before he ever closed his eyes.

When he awoke a couple hours later, he could tell that it was almost time for the fights to begin. He had no idea how he knew. No sunlight made its way into his cell, but he was still certain. He had a feel for when a competition was about to begin.

Sure enough, within ten minutes the guards had come and lowered the ladder. He quickly found himself being led to the arena. He had expected that they would take him to the holding room first so that Saber could announce who would be fighting who. But no, he was led to the arena and seated on a bench by the side.

Within a couple of minutes, he was joined by Kierra and Gilthan. There was a tension between them. Kierra lacked her usual confidence and spent far too much time staring at the floor. Gilthan had never been warm but he seemed even pricklier tonight. The reason was obvious, of course. None of them knew who they would be fighting.

The regular seats were already filled. Whereas last night there had been something like five hundred viewers, now there must have been two thousand. Word was obviously spreading. It still seemed a lot of people for a society that worked nine out of every ten days, though. But escapism was a common need for anyone stuck in a life that they didn’t enjoy.

Shortly after that, the nobles all filed in. Kyle could pick out each of the three