The Beast Within

Champion of the Pit: Chapter One

I woke up in a curious tent.

The walls were made of cloth painted in bright orange and red stripes and stretched higher than any I'd seen before. Tall as they were, the stripes created the illusion of bizarre trees gathered around me. The intense color was dizzying, making it difficult to stare at for more than a few seconds. A breeze blew the cloth in and out at a calm rhythm, mimicking a lung taking deep, slow breaths.

I was laid on a hard cot, and there were no crow men in sight. When I tried to sit up I realized I was tied down, with thick straps of leather across my arms and legs. Able to lift my head no more than a few inches, I searched the room for something to aid my release.

"Be still, little one," a woman's voice cooed behind me. 

A gloved hand touched my forehead in an attempt to calm me.

But I would not be soothed, and I shook my body as hard as I could and shouted in anger.

"You'll do no good that way," the voice said. "You'll wear yourself out before your first show, and then you won't be very entertaining at all."

I wondered if the wolf inside felt as desperate as I did, and if it would present itself to help our escape.

"Who are you?" I demanded. "Where am I?"

"You're at the circus because you are now the property of it. And I am your caretaker, Myranda."

"I can't see you."

"No, not yet."

"Why?"

"Because I cannot let you up until you're calm."

A hand holding a cup appeared in front of my face.

"Drink," Myranda urged. "It'll help."

It tasted like water, but I did not trust the stranger who offered it.

"Can you behave nicely, so I can sit you up? Or shall I feed you still restrained?"

"I can behave."

"You won't be naughty and try to run?"

"I won't try to escape," I said through gritted teeth.

"Good, I'll trust you. I would hate to see them put a collar on you. Or hurt you until you submit."

The bands around my arms were loosened, but the ones around my legs remained. It was enough, at least, for me to sit up and turn to the one who spoke.

She looked human, though her skin was unnaturally pale, almost to the point of being blue. Her ears were long and pointed, but her face looked kind. When she smiled, however, she displayed a mouth full of sharp teeth. Her tongue flicked out to lick her lips, showing a muscle that was snakelike in both shape and length.

I motioned to the strap around my legs.

"You said you were going to trust me."

"Oh, I do, but only partly. I hope one day that will change." She set a spoon and a bowl of rice on my lap. "Time to eat. You need your strength for what's ahead." 

She gestured for me to begin. I picked up the spoon and scooped a bite of rice, but held the food under my nose and sniffed. I detected no poison, though admittedly I wouldn't know what such a thing smelled like. 

"What's ahead of me?" I asked. 

She sighed with pleasure. "A show unlike anything in the world! Our audience comes from all corners to see it."