Redsand Canyon alveus

they arrived.

he had not called arsenio to them this time. the former guard had already proven his strength. germanicus wanted him to recover from the ordeal of court. of what they had done.

but he had said he would serve. the imperator would seek him another day.

the tension between loud diesel, surly glaukos, and grim kallik could not be understated.

germanicus gestured that they should line up before him, shoulder facing shoulder but with space between.

"today we are sparring one another. each one of you will spar the others in five minute increments. and then you will engage me." the man stared firmly at each of them, pacing in front of his axuillia.

"the conflict ends when your throat is touched. restart your sparring after that until the five minutes is completed. then you will take another partner. glaukos and diesel. you have the advantage of bulk and muscle. anyone smaller than you will be faster. remember this. kallik, you do not have this advantage but you have speed."

germanicus looked at each in turn. "diesel, you will face kallik first." this left glaukos on the sidelines to observe. 

"begin."