Those Who Are About To Die, We Salute You

Emperor Harris Lacroix. His name was almost as famous as his ruthless battle tactics. He was in charge of the Holy Roman Empire, an empire that could be conquered by no one. He had once been a fierce warrior in his own right but with age he had people to do his fighting for him. Namely his gladiators. The gladiators of the royal family were the fiercest and most dangerous of them all.

Nolee Lacroix knew this because she had bested some of them. Her mother had been Reyna, one of the most beautiful and most deadly Amazonian warriors ever to live. So Nolee had picked up her mothers armor and, under the name Bellona, fought in the arena. No one would ever guess it was her. Ever.

But today was a special day. A group of Celts had been capture near the border of Rome. Harris sat on his throne, next to Nolee, who was wearing her best dress, and Carter, the peaceful son of Rome who did not agree with his father's harsh ways. In the center of the room, one of the Celts thrashed against his bindings. His red hair was almost the color of fire itself while his skin was as white as the marble of Harris' throne.

The emperor stood, walking towards the Celt bravely. Behind him, in case he needed it, was his advisor Adam. Harris looked over the Celt, "What is your name?"

Sheamus glared at the guards as they bought him into a large room that looked completely different from the ones back in his homeland. When they made him and his fellow Celts stand in the middle of the room, he tried to free himself from the bindings they'd tied him with. He was scared by the unfamiliar surroundings, though he hid that fact under the anger of being bound and captured. He wasn't too pleased either with the fact that he was almost powerless, bound as he was.
He paused what he was doing when he noticed an important looking man walking towards him, another man following. He glared at the two of them, the look still dangerous despite the situation, growling at the man when he asked Sheamus' name.

"Cén fáth ar chóir dom a insint duit? Ní mian liom a labhairt a thabhairt duit!" Sheamus hissed at the man, not caring if he understood the words or not.

("Why should I tell you? I do not wish to speak to you!")

Adam watched the celts quietly, he felt bad for the poor people. He had been in the small place a few years ago before becoming on of the best gladiators and bodyguard to Harris. Not to menchin his lover, he lover him and this helped him hid his brother from the guards.

Jay watched quietly from behind a pillior.

Harris looked at the Celt coldly, shaking his head. "No one here talks your language Celt so you must learn to speak ours quickly or die." he looked at Adam and nodded towards the Celts, "Have the ones not strong enough to hold a sword and shield executed or sent to the slavehouse. The one who is struggling, he is to become one of my gladiators. Perhaps he will even compete today..."

Carter's eyes were staring at the pillar, knowing Jay was back there. He didn't want to tell his father, he had grown to care for the young man much as his father cared for his brother.


Nolee stood, though she knew her father would protest, and approached the gladiators. She was still young by the men of the courts standards and therefore to be protected at all time. She slowly apporached the gladiator, reaching out a hand to touch him, "Where are you from?"

Sheamus rolled his eyes at the man, growling angrily when he heard what they planned to do with his friends, trying to break free again. He was about to step forward, planning on trying to attack the man, when he saw a young blond woman stand and walk over to him. Sheamus took a step backwards instead as the blond reached a hand out to him, shaking his head.
"Níl mé ag rá leat." He hissed, not liking being touched.

("I'm not telling you")

Adam nodded as he talked to the guards and gave the orders.
Peter grinned as he pulled the small blond from out behind the piller.
Jay squeaked as he fell into the middle of the room.

Nolee frowned at the chained warrior, "I mean you no harm noble warrior. I am not my father. I simply wish to know where you came from...your obviously not from here..."


Carter frowned and leaned forward, watching as Peter pushed Jay into the room.

Harris glared at Jay and walked toward him, though never fully taking an eye from Nolee and the Celt. "Who are you, young one?"

"Ireland." Sheamus said after a silence between him and the blond, still frowning and trying to break free. He glanced briefly over at Harris, then stared down at the chains that bound his wrists, muttering angrily in Irish. He knew they didn't speak the language, so he'd decided to use it, mostly just to irritate them, thinking that speaking another language made him superior.

"J-Jay sir..." Jay said as he shook softl, as he looked up at Harris.
Adam rushed over to Jay's side.

"Ireland...I've always wished to go there," Nolee smiled softly as she stepped closer to him, no longer afraid. "So you speak our language, warrior?"


Harris looked down at the blonde, sneering, "Jay? What are you? A warrior or something more?"

Sheamus frowned, taking another small step backwards. "Dúirt mé aon fhocal amháin, ní chiallaíonn féidir liom..." He muttered, smirking at Nolee when she called him a warrior.

('I said one word, that doesn't mean I can')

"Sire he is my brother...." Adam said softly, he was worried.

Nolee shook her head, "I know not what you say but I can tell that it is not kind. I mean you no harm. I am not my father, I do not think you were here to kill us..."


Carter stood, walking over, "Do not harm him father...he was simply observing."
Harris looked between Adam and Jay, feeling more anger than he had before, "He's your brother?! You told me it was only you!"

"That's because I wasn't." Sheamus said quietly, speaking to her properly after deciding she really wasn't like Harris.

"I-i'm... I'm sorry sire I was afraid for him." Adam said softly.
Jay curled close to Adam.

Nolee looked at him, "I knew you could speak our language!"

Harris sneered, "He is to be a gladiator then!"

"Ní bheidh mé aon rud a dhéanamh le déanamh agat!" Sheamus growled, glaring at Harris again. "Lig dúinn dul!"

('I will not do anything for you!') ('let us go!')

Adam bit his lip sadly and down down at Jay as he hugged him close, "Y-Yes sire....." He said numbly.
Jay sat in shock with his head down.
Peter laughed from his spot.

"Take him and the Celt to the barracks, find them a trainer," Harris ordered as he sat back down on the throne.

Carter frowned, "I will escort them father."
"I will accompany Carter," Nolee replied, her curious eyes not leaving the Celt though he was not the reason she was going to the barracks.

"Ní bheidh mé a dhéanamh mar a deir tú! Ní féidir leat a dhéanamh dom!" Sheamus hissed at Harris, starting towards Harris, wanting to attack him.

('I will not do as you say! You can't make me!')

Angel stepped between them, pushing Sheamus back.
Adam helped Jay up and led him out the door, not even looking at Harris.
Jay started shaking hard when they got to the hallway.

Harris laughed at Sheamus, "Angel, take him to Kazarian. I wish to see what the Celt is like after my best trainer gets his hands on him."

Nolee walked to the arena, making sure to change into her battle gear before anyone else got there. The last thing she needed was anyone realizing she was the emperors daughter.

Carter frowned and walked with Adam and Jay, "I apologize for my father."

Sheamus rolled his eyes, muttering angrily in Irish, hissing various threats at Harris.

Angel led Sheamus away.
Adam didn't look up. "It is alright my prince, i knew i could not hide him forever..... And now i must figure a small way to protect him."

Nolee smiled, adjusting her mask as she stood in the training area, holding her twin swords. She used a flurry of slashes and a few kicks on the training dummy she was combating.


Carter hesitated, "I could help..."