Read Online TST by Brock Deskins - Free Book Online Page A

might and managed to roll the creature off him enough to crawl out from under his fallen foe.
    The crowd roared its adulations as Azerick crawled to his feet. Booted feet stomped and hands clapped at his unexpected victory. He wrapped his arm across his chest, holding his injured ribs as he shuffled back towards the gate and the waving Braunlen.
    “Great victory, lad!” The dwarf congratulated him as he passed under the portal and started walking down the ramp. “I tell ya, I never thought you would beat that big ogre but I’m glad you proved me wrong.”
    Azerick did not speak as he returned to the equipment room with Braunlen.
    “Are ya feeling ok, any major injuries?” he asked. “Gragnoc fell on you pretty hard from the looks of it.”
    “I’m all right, just a few bruised ribs is all and I’m pretty tired,” he responded to the dwarf’s concern.
    “You’ll be fine then. Lord Xornan has a girl that’s pretty good at patching folks up. If it was an emergency, there’s healers here that will put you back together if your owner is willing to pay for it. C’mon,” Braunlen said as he lifted Azerick up out of the chair, “Lord Xornan is probably waiting for you outside and you don’t want to keep him waiting.”
    Azerick let the dwarf guide him up the ramp and back outside to the waiting palanquin. All four minotaurs were standing by the poles so Azerick figured that Xornan was already waiting inside the curtained conveyance. Sure enough, as the two approached, the curtain slid open revealing the hideous visage of the psyling.
    Is my pet well, trainer Braunlen?
    “Aye, master, he’s a bit bruised up but he’ll be fine,” the dwarf replied to the sending.
    Excellent. Join me, my pet, and we shall return home.
    Azerick stepped into the palanquin and the minotaur slaves hefted the carrying poles onto their broad shoulders and swiftly made their way through the city.
    You have pleased me immensely, my pet. I have made quite a good profit from your victory. You are now an established arena gladiator and as such, you will provide an opportunity for even greater profits as your rankings increase. Moreover, as your rankings increase so does my prestige and that is what is truly important. Your next match will not be for another month. Ensure that you do everything in your power to train and study. As you progress in rank, your opponents will become more challenging. Do not disappoint me.
    Azerick felt no need to respond to the creature. He knew that his words were unimportant to the psyling lord and he probably knew what he was going to say before he said it anyhow. He kept his thoughts blank as the palanquin wound its way through the streets and back to Xornan’s tower.
    I will send someone to tend to your bruises. You may await her in your room.
    Azerick wanted to go down to the laboratory and brew himself some of his own healing draught but followed the psyling’s command and returned to his room. Several minutes later, there came a soft knocking on his chamber door. Azerick opened the door and in the entrance stood an attractive, brown-haired girl of about seventeen. She had a heart shaped face and a full figure but came well short of being plump.
    “Lord Xornan bade me to see to your wounds, sir,” she informed him shyly.
    “Um, sure, come on in,” Azerick invited as he overcame his surprise. “My name is Azerick, by the way.”
    “I’m Delinda. I tend Lord Xornan’s garden and treat any injuries or illnesses his servants may acquire. Where were you injured?”
    “My ribs got bruised a bit. It is nothing serious.”
    “Take off your shirt, please, and I will take a look at them.”
    Azerick blushed as he disrobed. He could see several dark splotches marking his chest. Delinda gently probed along his chest with her slender fingers.
    “Breath in deeply and let it out,” she ordered. “Just as I thought, you have a few cracked ribs and some deep bruising. Fortunately none seem to be broken and