Chapter 11a

“Why thank you General Faust.” Creed's voice sounded before he came into view. “Gen ... shit!” Kore had acted purely on reflex and was now standing behind Creed with her sword to his kidneys.

“For shit's sake! You big oaf!” She cursed and sheathed her sword. “Hello Rowan, I presume you went to tell the Captain of the hunt at the Villa?” Rowan stepped out from behind a tree and nodded. “Did he manage to get through the door without clattering the rafters down?” Faust started laughing and Creed flared his nostrils at Kore. “I bet the ranks weren't like that in your day Faust.” Kore smiled at Creed. “This is twice I've put the fear of hell into him. Piss poor bunch aren't they?” She got no reply. “Faust? What's ... who's this?” Faust was standing next to Ben Astrella who looked close to fainting at the sight of Kore. “Oh don't tell me, you were part of the Kore and Leo rescue brigade of ten years ago too?” Ben just nodded. “Well here I am all grown up.”

“Absolutely.” Ben gawked and Faust tutted loudly. “You really haven't cha ... aaargh!” Jyp stood up from his position under a overhanging tree against the armoury wall. “Good grief! Please say I'm on your side.”

“Jyp is on Little Lady's side.” Jyp said predictably. “Captain soldier boy can pleasing self.”

“Jyp!” Kore jumped at her friend. “Jyp what did you call him?” She turned to look at Ben again.

“Not knowing hims name. Is OK?” Jyp looked at Kore in concern.

“No, I mean yes. It's fine Jyp. Captain Soldier?” Kore blinked at Ben and he nodded.

“Still inaccurate.” He smiled. “I was a Cadet then and I'm a General now. Ben Astrella.”

“I sat in your lap and you wrapped your cape round me.” Kore said numbly. “You told me and Leo to always be there for each other no matter what happened.”

“You don't know how pleased I am that you both took my advice.” Ben was recovering from his shock. “You done my hair up like a bloody wood-pixie. I got ribbed for weeks after I turned up at the barracks with the flowers and twigs still there.” Kore started to laugh. “It's true! Ask Faust. Kore I can't believe you and Leo made it.”

“Neither can anyone else.” Kore shrugged and sat against the wall. “I waited at the gates for weeks for you coming back.”

“Oh Kore.” Ben sat next to her and felt like crying. “I'm so sorry. If I'd done that, or even tried to check up on you both, then the authorities would want to know what I was doing.”

“I know. I realise that now, I didn't when I was ten.” Kore smiled. “I presume you thought we'd no longer be there by the time the Pit was unlocked?” Ben nodded and looked at his boots in shame.

“I should have checked.”

“No, not really. As you say, we were meant to disappear into a society of sorts and you and the others made sure that we did. I told Leo I would find you when I was as old as Blacklock so we could get married.”

“You did?” Ben started laughing. “Well you made a head start, no one's as old as Blacklock, maybe with the exception of Faust over there. Kore I promise you, they'll never re-lock that place as long as I'm breathing, and I'm not the only one who feels like that. You've shown how remarkable you are by not giving them a reason to arrest you and therefore cause a revolt.”

“Well the credit for that goes to your Captain over there. If he hadn't talked some sense into my hot-head then I'd be in the next cell to Leo. I want him out of there Ben. I don't even know why he was arrested.” Kore said miserably and Ben glanced at Faust who was busy talking about her with Jyp. “He doesn't know either.”

“No. No he wouldn't know. There'd be no way for him to find out, nor Creed. Kore I'm a General, I know why he was arrested. I made it my business to go to the jail-house before coming here. Marx's horse-shit doesn't apply to me.”

“So you can tell them what a load of crap it all is and get him out?” Kore felt a surge of hope and relief.

“I intended to do just that if it was the 'dissident' cry that Marx usually pulls out of his arse. Shit I'm not sure how to put this.” Ben said awkwardly.

“You dare say 'matters of a delicate nature' and I'll rip you a new arse-hole.” Kore snarled.

“Temper's never changed eh Kore? Marx was confident that he wouldn't get reprimanded tonight for issuing a false code one alarm and I know why now. Toller owes him a favour, Kore. Marx arrested his wife's lover.” Ben actually inched away slightly from the explosive gladiator.

“Ooo!” Kore grinned. “I knew she had it in her! I told her to go and get herself fixed up, you know. I was with her most of the night ... umm hang on ...” Ben moved a few more inches and the rest of the men glanced at each other, then back to Kore. To everyone's relief, she started laughing. “Leo? Oh piss off Ben, you tit! My Leo and Ursus Toller? He's a bloody librarian for shit's sake! Get a grip.”