[h2][color=fff79a]Endar[/color], [color=firebrick]Kailea[/color] and [color=goldenrod]Naea[/color][/h2]

Endar watched the serpent twist around.

[color=Goldenrod]“I am aware.”[/color] it said.

The man raised his chin. "I think your brain's sand-addled, scaleback. You're a long way from Ashar."

The naga did not react. In fact, its stillness was eerie - no movement of the eyes, no noticeable respiration. Like a predator planning its next move. After a moment, it simply repeated itself.

 [color=Goldenrod]"I am aware."[/color]

The man took a step forwards. "This is Oriens. And that's my Arena, you got that? No Beasts are gonna be getting in and defiling it."

Endar's hand twitched. But, instead of reaching for his sword, he stepped forward. [color=fff79a]"How exactly is it your arena? Risha is among many towns that have hosted several Beast champions. And never has it once belonged to any man, but the people."[/color]

If the silence had been deafening before, then the quiet that followed would be akin to a raging thunder storm. All eyes were on the three. And slowly, the man's eyes turned from the naga to him. The naga turned its gaze as well.

"Well, lookee here. Lord Greenhorn, off his hill to play in the dirt with the commoners. You find some wash-ups yet?"

Endar fought off a scowl. [color=fff79a]"So you know of me. And as a matter of fact, I do indeed have a team. Seven, all skilled fighters ready to fight their way through their opponents. Now that you know that, why don't you leave?"[/color]

"Why should I? You even know who I am, rookie?"

[color=fff79a]"I know you're a bigot."[/color]

The man laughed. "Seriously? Everybody knows that they're dumb animals. But, since you're amusing, I'll grace you with my name. Artus Venen. You may know my father, Elan Venen? He's one of the Tournament Masters."

Endar's heart stopped beating for a moment... this man was the son of the Tournament Master's leader?

[Color=firebrick]"[i]The[/i] Artus Venen?!"[/color] Kailea stepped out from around Ignis, doing her best to look utterly starry-eyed as she danced toward the haughty fighter, [color=firebrick]"What god of luck have I pleased to be honored with such venerable men?!"[/color]

Kailea sauntered away from Ignis and the others, trying to look as if she'd stepped out of the crowd, rather than away from her companions. She made sure to put a little extra sway in her steps, making her hips swing just a little too far to be unintentional as she approached the fighter. Her eyes looked him over, even while she kept her gaze lowered in a guise of awe and subservience, even while the faint smile curling at the corners of her lips suggested she was anything but.

[Color=firebrick]"I've only heard stories of your prowess in the Arena. Is it true the sands turn red under your feet?"[/color] She might have gagged if he wasn't at least something to look at if nothing else. [Color=firebrick]"Why do you waste your breath on those who will be begging for your mercy before long? Surely you could spend your time better with someone who would... appreciate it?"[/color]

Kailea left the suggestion dangling at the end of her words, like a fisherman's lure.

Artus paused, before running his eyes over Kailea's body appreciatively. "It's the curse of the trade, sweetheart. But, we can always get better acquainted afterward... who knows, you might want to give me a reward after my victory."

Recognising Kailea's attempt to diffuse the situation, Endar tried to catch the naga's attention, gesturing towards the Arena doors.

The naga cast a sidelong glance at the man as it drew up to full height once more, head high as it had been for the entire trek from Ashar. How easily distractable men are, it mused. 

Slitted eyes met scarred ones one last time. [color=Goldenrod]"Perhaps we shall be so fortunate as to meet again, on the sands of the arena."[/color] With that, it took its leave, the gathered crowd once again parting in its path. 

Though the naga kept its eyes forward, it caught a gesture from the man (a lord apparently, whatever that meant) who spoke (presumably) in its defense. He gestured toward the arena doors. Having intended to go there anyway, the naga complied, and made its way over. No one else dared halt it this time. 

Glancing around, Endar spotted Destin in the crowd. Kailea was... preoccupied, and Harper was at his side. That was three. He'd have to send somebody out to look for the others later.

[color=fff79a]"Well..."[/color] he murmured to himself, [color=fff79a]"We had best start preparing ourselves."[/color]

Casting a last look towards Kailea and Artus, he stepped inside the arena. The fizz of the runes let him know that his body was being preserved, in the event of death... but hopefully, it would not come to that.