[color=a187be]"Kid if I wanted to throw you to the wolves I would've shuttled you three off to Zeltoble, and let the old man's goons deal with you. The Colosseum has a way of weeding out the weak, and training the strong. In my life I nothing more than a naive kid when I entered by the end of my first week I'd killed a slave for the enjoyment of the people, and had puked out my guts because of the rotten food I was given by one of their friends as a way to get back at me. Of course the healers stopped any real poison from getting into my system. Point being this shit here ain't my cup of tea. I prefer actual fight for survival training.[/color]" Marcino informed them as Cole looked scared for a moment. Marcino raised an eyebrow as he ran a hand through his hair to brush off some sweat. [color=f26522]"Slaves?"[/color] Cole asked as the older mercenary nodded, [color=a187be]"Slavery ain't legal from where you're from? Whatever most nations use slaves here for one reason or another. Ain't no bleeding hearts here kid its been a tradition for awhile. Its usually a way to keep the beast people contained, or for use in extracting information from a prisoner. Though it is formed upon depending on who you ask. Doubt anyone here but the shield would get screamed at for the practice. And that's because people think you're useless kid. No offense just means you gotta prove'em wrong."[/color] Marcino gripped the table, and pulled himself up cracked his neck. [color=f26522]"I can bring you 'heroes' to the balls now if you want. If not then you can sleep and try tomorrow. But remember that's one whole less night of limited time training you're blowing off and you already down one whole day sword."[/color] The older mercenary explained as he scratched his arm pit, and sat back down. "I[color=f7941d] suppose you're right I don't have much in the way of exhaustion working against me. It is just the afternoon after all. And these balloons don't sound that big of threat."[/color] Cole said as Marcino turned to the shield to speak to him directly. [color=a187be]"You though. I hope you're ready to party up with Miss All Glory to the Church over there, or sucking up to the sword. You can't kill'em if my hunch is correct. Because of that shield is not meant to be a weapon. You'll get experience by proxy of the others killing them so work on trying to fend off the attacks, and let the party do their work. If you can try to beat'em up with your hands fine but that's not the point of that legendary weapon on your arm there."[/color] Marcino said with a grin almost smug. It was probably him trying to see if the Shield Hero would bite back at him. Cole however responded quickly, and placed his sword on the table. [color=f26522]'I'll carry that weight if I have to. I never asked to be a legendary hero but here I am in armor, and a magical sword in my hand that I can't even let go of. If I need to be the offense I will be. Auriel, if what she says is true, can lead the front until I become more reliable."[/color]