Detours

Ruby felt rough hands dragging her across the court yard. The one who had kicked her mother " This is only the beginning. You'll pay for your crimes ". Ruby spat at him then " Nothing you do to me is going to change the fact that you were beat up by a girl. " That got her a stinging slap. " We'll teach you how to watch your mouth ".

Ruby didn't even have enough strength to look up now but she could feel the disapproving and terrified faces staring at her. Soon she could smell stale air and was surprised to feel herself landing with a thud on some cold cobblestone.

She looked up and realized she was in a cell. What startled her most was the two bodies not to far off from her. As she raised her knees to her chest she couldn't help but wonder what she'd gotten herself into.

\*

Asher woke up with a start and was surprised to find himself in his room and the servants trying to get everything ready for the day.

The physician who seemed to be taking care of wounds lately came in, in her usual long white robe and dark long hair, she gave him a small smile " I'm seeing more of you lately".

Asher ripped off his blood stained shirt and revealed the marks from the whips " At this rate, I'll be in the gallows soon enough ". She began rubbing a black solution on his back that made him wince " This doesn't seem to hurt anymore? ".

She then brings out a white solution and rubs it on his back. This makes him scream out in pain " Athena, what is that ". With a broad grin on her face " It's a special elixir for fine strong men like you ".

Asher rolls his eyes " You always enjoyed making me suffer ". She begins wrapping him up " That's because you always tried to hard to be strong and someone needed to remind you that your not ".

" Wise words coming from someone like you". Athena gives a small laugh " Thank you. It comes with the job. I need you to take it easy and laugh a lot more. It will be good for those broken ribs".

Soon she packs up her things " You should come watch the games at the arena tonight. It might help with a lot of things " and with that she was gone.

* * * * *

Ruby was rudely awakened by the sound of the prison door opening. Expecting to see the two brutes who brought her here. She was surprised to see an older man with too many lost teeth gesture her to come out.

Silently she followed behind and soon she could hear the distant sound of people stumping their feet. She was led to a dark passage way and given a sword and a shield along with a few pieces of golden armor.

Soon the shouting became louder and Ruby found herself standing next to a boy who seemed to be her age, with intelligent looking eyes and brown curly hair.

When he eventually stopped ignoring her, he picked his halberd and shield and turned to face her. When he spoke he sounded cold " Don't get in my way and if you do freeze up don't get me killed ".

Ruby silently nodded in the affirmative and soon she heard the iron chain and the metal door rose higher. She felt herself go numb and she wanted to run, run very far away from whatever was out there.

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