Page 28 of Gladiator Moon

Why was your family cursed?

One of my ancestors called upon the Dark One to give him great power. The wish was granted, but with a price. The price was the blood of our subjects. When that wasn’t enough, the Dark One desired the blood of the greatest warriors. When even that wasn’t enough, the Games were created.

Are Baltazar and other magicians blood-thirsty, too?

I don’t honestly know. But they work for my family and do what they are told.

Why?

Because the Dark One gives them their magic. Those who disobey lose their magic. And, of course, will be publicly executed.

Who is the Dark One?

He is the devil of our world. Except ours lives below the arena.

Well, crap. Now I really wish I still had the Devil Killer.

I want to end the Games and return the warriors to their home world. How would I do that?

You will need to convince either Baltazar or the Dark One to lift the spell that prevents teleportation home. Oh, and you must convince the Dark One to give up his blood, and trust me, that’s not going to happen!

Can a lesser magician lift the teleportation spell?

Doubtful. It’s a pretty big spell. Then again, what do I know?

Where can I find another magician?

They are in every town. The towns are all over. We will undoubtedly come upon one soon.

Will the magician try to save you? Or trap me?

If I change my clothes, they will not recognize me.

Is there some type of tracking device in your clothing?

Yes, of course.

Then we need to find you a change of clothes.

Should be easy enough. Any hut or home would have such clothing.

As we fly, I scan the countryside, itself dotted with trees, boulders, and small hills. There, in the distance, I spy a single trail of dark smoke rising into the sky. I aim for it.

What can I expect to find in a simple hut home? I ask the prince.

A basic family unit. The father will protect his home. There will probably be kids, too. Maybe some pets.

You will be cordial to them, I command Pickles. And keep your identity a secret.

Understood.

I decide to leave the sprite bound for now, though she is probably highly uncomfortable. She is just too tough for me to risk releasing her, even if I could break the magical chains. I don’t fear her, but I fear I will lose control of her, and she could eventually find her way back to the Games. Then what would happen? Escape is punishable by death. No, she is in my charge and I will look out for her, even if she can’t look out for herself; indeed, she might be her own worst enemy at this moment in time.

For now, we need to get Pickles into some new duds.

The closer I get to the finger of smoke, the more the small home comes into view. It is braced with a low wooden fence. Contained within it are other small fences, animal pens, likely, and a small pond, too. The home sits upon a small hillock that likely gives them unimpeded and majestic views over the surrounding land. Far below, at the base of the hill, are rows of crops, fed by a small river which branches off into many small streams. The place looks idyllic as all get out.

A farmer lives here?