Arena A Cappella

[Kali]

Weekday mornings drew less of a crowd for the Arena, not like the week ends where beasts were free from work. Even so, Inkpaw?s money bag was getting heavy as his baked goods practically flew off the cart.

By the time the rat appeared, the pine marten was left with only a few loaves of bread and a box of special ordered pastries tucked away in the confines of the cart.

?Good morning, Ink.? The rat tipped his hat, ?How goes the day??

?Good morning, rat I have never seen before.? The potbellied pine marten said with a smile, packing up his leftover wares.

?Inkpaw, need we really go through this every day? We?ve known each other for years.? The rat rolled his eyes. ?Come on, Ink. I don?t have time for this. The others want progress on that order they? ordered a while ago.?

Inkpaw only chuckled, continuing to smile as he drew closer and closer to finishing his business here.

With a sigh, the rat rubbed his eyes. ?I would like to buy a pastry, here is my payment. Now follow the northward trail and go dunk your head in a river.?

This caused the baker to snicker. ?Thanks, you can tell the others that their frosted truffle nougats are almost done.? He finished stuffing the last of his bread from his cart. Drawing a coat from inside, the marten wrapped it about his shoulders. ?I apologize for the wait, but baking takes time you know.?

The rat dropped his voice into a whisper, ?Yes, but if takes too much time then you might miss the party.?

Inkpaw paused, tilting his head as if pondering how to reply. ?I got set back on that order because I had to let a beast go.?

The rat tensed. ?What happened??

?He got the flu.? Seeing the rat?s confusion, Inkpaw laughed. ?He actually got the flu. He?s been down for a month. But I got someone to replace him.?

?You should consult with others before hiring new beasts.? The rat crossed his arms.

?She?s not hired.? The marten adjusted his cap over his head. ?The universe provided an opportunity, and I took it. But like most things the universe provides, it has to be cultivated and given room to grow before you can harvest its fruit.?

The rat opened his mouth to speak, but closed it. ?I?m sorry, is this an analogy, a code, or are you just speaking nonsense to spite me??

Laughing loudly, Inkpaw gave the rat a heavy pat on the shoulder, ?The day you can tell the difference, is the day you get my job. Tell the others they worry too much. Their order will be completed on time. Also, do me a favor and make sure my cart gets back to the shop.? Grabbing the small crate of pastries left over, Inkpaw pushed the treats into a small burlap sack.

The rat glanced nervously at the arena looming over them before nodding his head. The marten gave a nod of his own before disappearing into the crowd heading inside.

Using the Mornings wages to pay for admission, Inkpaw entered the Crater with the crowd. Before he reached his seat however, Inkpaw took a detour, heading deeper into the arena and away from the masses.

True, time was of the essence to make the rendezvous, but he had one more stop to make before delivering the pastries.

The universe really did provide a boon to him those few weeks ago, and now it was time to capitalize on the universe?s good graces.

Now he just had to find Kali?

The pine marten decided to start his search with the Arena tavern, the most natural place to find a bard. In the end, Inkpaw was at least half right.

?Hello, good sir!? Inkpaw greeted the fox after the bard finished a somber melody.

?Hello to you as well.? Baxter tipped his hat to the pine marten, taking the break between songs to take a quick nip from his flask. ?Come to listen or did you have a tune you wanted to hear??

?Maybe later.? Inkpaw leaned against the bar, ?I am actually looking for one of your fellow bards. A young bat named Kali? She?s a friend of mine and I stopped by to say hello. I don?t suppose you would know where I could find her??

The fox twitched an eye. Baxter killed off his flask in one gulp before replying, ?Kali no longer works here as a bard.?

The marten seemed saddened by this knowledge. Inwardly he cursed himself for taking too long to meet up with Kali again, ?I see. Well, that is too bad. Though I am surprised she managed to hold this job for as long as she-?

?No. Kali is still here, just? not as a bard.?

Inkpaw paused, having trouble processing this information. ?Then? what is she working as??

Baxter took a deep breath, and then the fox told him. There was a long pause before Inkpaw replied.



??What??



Kali yelped as she was thrown roughly onto her rump. She was up in an instant, wings clutching at the bars of the gate as it closed in front of her. ?W-wait! Wait! Waitwaitwaitwait!? She screeched, ?You can tell Nire I learned my lesson, I promise never to make light of his creepy trophy collection again! There really is no need for this and? NO! Come back!? The bat stretched a wing through the bars, her lonely wail following the footsteps of the guard as he walked away.

?Don?t leaaaaaaaaaaaaave meeeeeeeeeeeeee-e-e!?

Kali threw her back against the door. Chest rising and falling rapidly to the beat of her panicked heart, her eyes darting from one end of the Drag to the next.

?This is not happening? this is not happening.? The weight of the collar around her neck however was a reminder that this was not a dream. This was real. She was in the slave pits, where the gladiators lived?

?and died.

?I-it?s ok. Things c-could be worse.? Kali rubbed nervously at her arm, stepping tenderly into the Drag and glancing fearfully at each beast she saw. ?Well, not really. But you can make the best of any bad situation, right? You have already hit rock bottom. What?s the worst that can happen??

?It?s the bat!? An imaginary slave shouted inside Kali?s head, ?Seize this weak and defenseless bard, who lives to entertain our evil overlord! Then throw her to? the MONSTER.?

Imaginary Kali did not fare too well after that, bound and delivered on a silver plate in front of a fearsome otter monster. ?The Monster of Mossflower demands MEAT!?

?Meat! Meat! Meat!? The other slaves chorused as the Monster bit Kali?s head off.

?I?m going to die here.?

Clutching both wings to her head, Kali?s eyes bulged with panic. How could this have happened? If only a beast had given her a sign that she would? oh right, the vole did, along with all the wealthy beasts who practically spelled out her fate in front of her.

Kali rubbed at her eyes, secretly wishing she was back on her father?s fruit farm. But this was no farm, this was a prison, and if she didn?t take steps to keep beasts from thinking she was weak and pitiful they would tear her limb from limb.

Her only hope of survival now was to find the biggest, baddest beast in the room?

? and kick the crap out of him.

The glaring flaws of this logic are lost to Kali?s desperate mind as she scouted the area for her victim. There was no end to the list of beasts capable of twisting Kali into a knot: Foxes, stoats, and other beasts that suddenly looked more terrifying than she remembered.

Eventually her search took her to another room that caused her to pause. She wasn?t sure what she expected the mess hall to be like. She certainly wasn?t expecting to find a buffet of fruits, vegetables and even choice meats available to the slaves, and in greater quantity than she had seen even working here as a bard.

Her stomach rumbled at the smell of fresh fruit, reminding her that she has not eaten since her ordeal began. But she didn?t have time to stop for a snack, Kali was a bat on a mission! And the room offered her a plethora of beasts to attack, mostly slaves and a few volunteers catching a meal between training sessions.

Kali?s convictions were tested when gladiators noticed her as well. One by one beasts turned to stare at the gangly, freakish creature they no doubt thought she was.

She cringed. If only Aldridge were here, or poor Kentigern, they would know what to do. They would protect her.

But Aldridge was missing and Kentigern? he wouldn?t be helping anyone anymore.  No, Kali was on her own here.

It was then that Kali recognized a third familiar face. They had never met, but Kali would never forget the sight of the wildcat. Fresh from a training session, the Crimson Tiger waited patiently in line with other gladiators, both free and not, as he moved slowly down the buffet line.

She found it odd that he was still wearing his odd tiger like helmet even here, along with the black stripes painted down his back, but she wasn?t going to call him out for it.

Her head tilted to one side. Then again, maybe she would.

The bat had to summon what was left of her courage to walk closer to the wildcat. He was easy to approach, especially once the beasts left the table he chose to sit at. Kali couldn?t help but notice that the gladiator?s lunch was surprisingly light. Just some water and a bowl of porridge.

With a relaxed sigh, the gladiator began to take off his mask when the bat approached him from the other side of the table.

She gulped. The tiger was no less fierce looking than he was in the arena. But she didn?t have to win a fight with the gladiator, she realized. He was clearly disliked by the others, maybe just being seen trying to pick a fight with him would be enough.

And then she would be accepted into a gang, and get a tattoo, and share a cell with a beast named Bubba who would always fight for the top bunk.

At least, that?s how the stories told in taverns usually went. They had to have some truth to them, right?

?Yes?? The cat asksed expectantly before Kali had a chance to act. His voice caught the bard off guard. She always imagined the beast to have a dark and foreboding voice, and he exceeded all her expectations.

It was now or never. With a swipe of her wing, the bat flung the wildcat?s bowl off the table.

The wildcat followed the trajectory of the bowl and sighed deeply, but said nothing.

The bat slammed both wings down on the table, ?That?s right! I just picked a fight with the Crimson Tiger!? She said as fiercely as she can, waiting for a response from the cat. Instead the warrior seems to regard the bat with more confusion than malice. ?Um? I mean, I got your number, pal! You are going DOWN! I?m gonna crush you? like? something that can be crushed easily and??

Kali was met with nothing more than a cold expressionless face. It caught her off guard more than any insult he could have gave her. ?Look. I just threw your food away. Doesn?t that make you angry??

Slowly the beast stands, his looming nature making Kali realize just how terrible an idea this was.

?You have other battles to fight.?

Kali tilted her head to one side in confusion as the feline pointed in the direction of the bowl?s trajectory. Thankfully, the food did not strike any one beast.

It struck two.

The stoat dropped the platter of meats and fruits as porridge struck her everywhere. EVERYWHERE. But despite the growl Kali received from the stoat, it was the beast standing next to her that caused Kali to whimper with fear.

The bowl landed perfectly against the beast?s head, porridge trickling down the otter?s muzzle.

Minerva wiped the stuff from her muzzle and turned slowly in her direction. ?Who threw that??

The stoat used her sleeve to wipe food from her face. Her dark eyes glittered dangerously as she looked over the crowd.

Kali squeaked, terrified that her plan came together perfectly!

?I? did not think this through.? Kali admitted. She turned quickly for the exit, shielding her head with her wing. ?Nothing to see here. Just your everyday normal bat??

She didn?t get far before Komi took notice. ?Hey! Fox!?

Kali jumped, turning to face Komi with a nervous grin, ?W-who, me? What?s a fox? I do not know this beast you speak of.?

?Aye, you. Are ye new here? Ye should learn now this is the mess hall, not the arena, unless ye?re wantin? it t? be-? Minerva paused, gaze fluttering between Kali?s big, bulging eyes and leathery wings. The otter took a step back. ?What in bloody Hellgates??

Komi stopped short as well. ?What are you??

Kali by then was backed against a table, daring to peek an eye between the wings she was using to shield herself with. They didn?t know what she was? They didn?t know what she was! There was hope at the end of this tunnel, she could still pull the plan off.

Leaning away from the table, a wry, devious smile spread across Kali?s lips. Throwing out her wings to either side she opened her muzzle to bellow out-

?The Amazing Kali.?

Kali snapped her jaws shut as someone beat her to the punch. Her head swiveled around to face the largest rat she had ever seen finish his drink.

?We meet again,? the rat said with a kindly smile. ?She is a bard,? he added helpfully to the stoat. "One of Nire's own."

?N-no. No I?m not!? Kali?s eyes darted between the otter and stoat. If they knew she was a weakling bard? ?I?m a horrible jungle monster!?

The rat tilted his head. ?You don't remember me,? he said quietly, still smiling, ?But you are a hard lady to forget. We were in the lounge; you played songs for us for hours.? His smile wavered. ?Kentigern asked you to sing for me. You sang me shanty! Even danced upon the tables!?

Kali could only stare. Of all the times to be appreciated for her efforts. ?No!? She flailed her wings about. ?I?m a terrible, horrible beast eating bat! Nire plucked me from the deepest, darkest, deadliest jungles for the games.? All eyes were on the bat now. She could feel herself losing them. They were scrutinizing her closely now.

?I?m a horrible beast eating bat I tell you! I feast off the flesh of the innocent and drain their SOULS.? She took up her most fearsome stance.

It was met with silence.

?Is that so??

The bat was off put by the otter?s bluntness. Her eyes darted about the room once more until finding something that could help prove her claim.

?You want proof?? Kali plucked the leg of a wood pigeon from the paw of a fox. ?I?ll give you proof!? Despite the fox?s protests, the bat tore into the leg, bits of meat going in every direction as she shredded it with her teeth.

She tossed the leg away, breathing deeply as she stared all three beasts down like a feral animal, as if daring them to dispute her claim.



Five minutes later she was in the privy, offering her meal to the commode gods.

?There you are, now, let it all out. That's it...? Thrayjen gave the bat a pat on the back, speaking soft words of sympathy.

?So, she really is a bard?? Komi said, standing on one side of the lavatory and cringing to the sound of Kali ridding her system of meat.

"Great, because all we needed in Mossflower are flyin' foxes," the otter chuffed, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "Ye've got some nerve, bard, attackin' beasts when they're just tryin' t' have their lunch."

Kali realized that the silence that followed was in wait of an answer from her. With her stomach flushed, the bat slumped against the wall, breathing deeply as she waited for the belly ache to subside. ?I?m sorry.? She whimpered, ?I didn?t want anybeast to think I was? weak.?

"So, ye picked a fight with two beasts who just tore a scorpion in half. Makes sense." The otter shook her head. "Are ye sure ye're a bard, lass, or are ye just a foo- ow!" The otterwife rubbed her side where Komi elbowed her.

?Well, when you put it like that, it does sound like a terrible idea.? Kali managed to laugh as Thrayjen helped her to her feet.

"Can't blame ye for tryin', I suppose." Minerva sighed. "What's a beast like you doin' here anyway, lass? Ye're no gladiator." She looked down sadly before adding, "Probably wouldn't have even survived the Cullin'."

Kali thought about her reply. It might earn her some sympathy points if they knew why she was enslaved to the games. ?I got into an argument with Nire.? Kali slammed one wing into the other as one would pound a fist into their open paw, ?I?m the Amazing Kali, ma?am, and the Amazing Kali does not work for scoundrels who slaughter slaves for the amusement of others.

?And now I?m here, in the arena waiting to be slaughtered for the amusement of others.? The words were meant to be a joke, but there was a truth to the statement that hit her like a punch to the gut.

Ears flat and rubbing her wingtips together nervously Kali said to Minerva, ?You are not r-really a beast eating monster, are you??

The otter seemed shocked by the question, then saw the seriousness in Kali's eyes. Crossing her arms, Minerva shifted her weight to one side. "Only when I need t' be." Her tone was softer than before.

?I don?t think anyone here is going to eat you, Miss Kali,? Thrayjen laughed reassuringly.

?Not unless Nire thought it would fill the arena.? It was hard to tell if Komi was merely joking or not. Either way she quickly changed the subject, ?So you are a bard? Do you play an instrument or sing??

Kali?s smile returned, her ears perking up at being asked a normal question for a change. ?I do both. I play a lute and I sing.?

?I think it would be great to have another beast around who can appreciate good music.?

?Hear hear!? The bat chirped, ?You know, this reminds me of one song. The Ballad of Benjamin Bloomdale the Bunny. It?s a Long Patrol hymn about a hare being captive by sea pirates.? Kali coughed, sucking in a breath of air before letting out a verse in song.

?Oh, my looove across the seEEEEeaaAAAa if only youUUU-?

A verse was, unfortunately, as far as Kali got before Komi clamped down on her muzzle.

"No, that's not singing. I don't know what that noise was, but don't do it again." She released the bard from her paw and patted her on the shoulder. ?Listen, find me later and I will show you how to sing properly.?

"Aye, later," Minerva interjected before Kali could respond. "I'd like t' actually finish my lunch, seein' as I missed breakfast." The otter gave a sullen look towards her chained partner.

?I?m late for some training as well. I don?t know what they are going to put me into now that?? Thrayjen let the words fall away. Instead he bowed slightly to Kali. ?Until next time, Miss Kali.?

Kali waved goodbye to each of them. ?Ok! I?ll be sure to do that! A-and you too Mr. Rat! Oh! And thank you for not being a horrible beast eating monster Miss, ah, Monster!?

Kali sighed, watching the beasts depart from her. It had been a long day but things were starting to look up, in their own odd sort of way. Sure, she was in trouble. The idea of being put into a fighting pit made her stomach lurch, but the bat no longer felt she was in immediate danger.

The simple knowledge that there were beasts here, yes even here, she could possibly befriend was enough to make Kali feel better.

?You.?

All of Kali?s happy feelings instantly departed her. The voice was new and yet she knew exactly who it belonged to, making her ears flatten and her fur stand on end.

It was hard to forget the face of the rat who almost killed her, but harder to turn and face him. The look the rat gave her bordered between anger and disgust.

Kali swallowed, she knew this meeting was a possibility but still was hardly prepared for it. ?F-fancy meeting you here, M-mr. Reaper.?

?My name is Silas. Reaper is Nire?s pet title, given to me after he caught me.? The rat narrowed his eyes. ?Thanks to you.?

?Yeah, well, you deserved it.? Kali crossed her arms, trying to look intimidating. ?You ruined my lute with your skull? and you tried to kill me.?

?I would not have tried to kill you if you hadn?t started screeching, alerting every beast within a league of my presence! Months of hunting and searching, weeks of planning, infiltrating the arena? all thrown onto the refuse heap...? The rat pointed a claw at her chest. ?Do you have any idea what you cost me??

?Forgive me for preventing you from committing murder.? The bat said coldly. ?But I can?t exactly blame you wanting to kill Nire. See this?? Pointing to the collar about her neck, she added, ?This isn?t jewelry, we are in the same boat now.?

Silas?s lip curled. ?How does that justify anything??

Kali rubbed the back of her head. ?I don?t know what Nire did to you, but it sounds like he screwed us both over. I just?? She took a deep breath. She knew the rat would continue to haunt her dreams even if she forgave him for almost killing her, but Kali couldn?t afford more enemies. Not here in the slave pits. ?I?m sorry that I hit you with a lute, okay? You tried to kill me and I bashed you upside the head with a musical instrument. Let?s just call it water under the bridge, now that we are both on the same side.?

?Side?? Silas raised an eyebrow. ?I came here to bring justice to a blight upon Mossflower. You came here to fill your pocket with blood money.?

?That?s not true!? Kali chirped, ?Once I found out this place was evil, I severed my ties with Nire.?

?Oh? And how long did it take you to learn a gladiatorial arena was evil?? The rat said with more disappointment than anger. It reminded Kali of her father.

She stiffened as Silas stepped closer. ?We may both be slaves, but we come from two very different worlds. I came to stop the monster who killed my family. What brought you here?? She couldn?t bring herself to look the rat in the eye as he walked off.

Kali struggled for a reply more for herself than Silas. She knew why she came here She came here following her dreams to become a bard. To become famous. To prove that she could sing after all.

Now if only there was a way to say that without sounding selfish.

Rubbing her forehead Kali sighed. ?I need wine,? she said before walking back into the mess hall.