Jon stared in shock. He never knew such magic existed in all the world. He'd heard of the Fae of course, heard of Anansai and all the fantastical things they were supposed to be capable of but to see it was something else entirely. Jon wondered, daring to hope, that if she was capable of such a feat while restrained what Tenanye Anansai was capable of once she was free. Such power would make an escape almost a sure thing. For the first time since coming here Jon felt confident, that a way home was set before him. He would see Dae again, and Arya, and Ghost. He would see Winterfell again, he would not die here, not in this pit.
"Northman!"
Jon turned, suprised to see a pair of guards instead of the usual one who would just bang on the bars and beckon him out to fight.
"What is it?"
"You're up, with her."
One of them said, pointing to Tenanye. His heart sank it was as if they knew, like they could sense the melting away of despiar and the coming of hope. She was his only chance of escape, all of their only chance for escape. The cold winds in Jon's heart blew and his veins chilled.
"I wont fight her."
He warned, defiantly. His response seemed to amuse the guards who chuckled.
"Not today you're not Northman. It's a pairing, you two against six. Head to the gate anbd collect your weapons."
For a second time Jon was suprised. He exchanged a look with Tenanye before heading to the gate of his cell. He was relased and joined Tenanye on the walk to the main gate to the pit where weapons would be waiting. Jon glanced at her, she walked with purpose and desire, not fear. Everyone else, even some of he veterans of the pit entered the arena with varying levels of trepidation but not her. It was as if she had not a care in the world. Jon wondered if her power was so great she had no fear of death because she couldn't be killed, or possibly no one was strong enough to do it.
The reached the main gate and were left by the guards beside a table of weapons. Jon chose two short swords, and turned to Tenanye.
"If... you need a weapon, Empress, you have your pick. They'll let us out here where our opponents should be waiting. When it's over, if any of our opponents are still alive the crowd will voice their opinion whether they should live or die. The final choice is up to you however."