He never knew sunlight could sting so beautifully. The pit was always dark, and it had a constant stink of depravity and desperation. Men were thrown in and if they had the misfortune of surviving, they came out as beasts. On occasion, men from the pit were dragged out so the Gladiators could slaughter them. The Gladiators had superior armor, weapons, and enough food and rest to keep their bodies strong. It was rare that a man from the pit survived such an encounter.

And yet Loki had. He had not just survived… he had taken down a Gladiator and won the man’s rank and privileges for himself.

As a man who was once a prince, he doesn’t expect Luxury that meets his former standards, but he does like the prospect of improved conditions, food, privacy and a bath. Gods, that sounds amazing. He has not bathed for months and is absolutely filthy. His skin had a greasy layer of grime, he’s hair is a tangled mess and he’s pretty sure he has a pusy infection on a wound he took on his torso. He’s not been brave enough to look at it. His body is battered and broken in so many ways.

He follows the guard who leads him through long winding corridors to his new abode.

When the door is opened, he is not really surprised to see a woman in a simple dress standing stoically before the door. He heard the men in the pit talk about Gladiator’s women. How they exist to serve.

For a split second, her face is serene. Until she sees Loki entering, rather than the man whose rooms these once were. Her smile falters for only a second, but in that second, he can see fear on her face. The guard is dispassionate as he speaks to Loki, ignoring the woman.

“You have claim to that which belonged to the man you killed. The rooms, his possessions, and the woman are yours. You’re responsible for providing for her and any children you put in her. If you kill her, you’ll owe a donation to the Bloody Mother. You’ll start training tomorrow. 6am to 6pm, every day. Rest is a privilege you’ll have to earn.” he rattles off dispassionately sounding bored, before he leaves, and locks the two in the suite