Chapter 13c

“Quite right.” The old man cocked his head to look at Lumni. “Something's not right here. Why are you her friend? She's a gladiator and you're a soldier. Why are you out strolling in the Ambassadorial Villa together?”

“Actually we're here to see my senior General but why wouldn't I be her friend?” Lumni asked warily. “For me to treat her in an unfriendly manner would be segregational in the extreme.”

“Hmm.” The old man frowned in concentration. “And they don't deserve to be segregated?”

“Certainly not.” Lumni said promptly. “No more than any other occupational sector in our society. Sir that's a very narrow minded and very antiquated attitude to have and one that isn't encouraged in the Military.”

“Well bugger me with a soup ladle.” The old man rubbed his eyes. “Now I don't know if I'm on my head or my arse. Who's in charge our there? Heads or Arses?”

“Arses for the biggest part.” Kore said flatly. “And you are proving yourself to be likewise with your bigoted words. If you're trying to get me in some sort of trouble in some way, then forget it. I'm going for Rilux to haul you off to the cells for being ... old.” Kore headed for the door and the old man started to laugh.

“You may as well girlie, they lock people up for far less and always have. You said I was paranoid.” He rolled his eyes at Lumni. “Are you so important that people try and get you in trouble? From what I've been told, that doesn't take much for the occupants of the Pit. That was a huge risk, by the way, unlocking that place. I could scarcely believe my ears when I was told.” Kore went for her sword but Lumni purposely blocked her way and hauled the old man to his feet.

“Listen to me.” Lumni said seriously. “I don't believe for one second that you're as loopy as you're trying to portray. Even if you were, trust me, talking in riddles and jumping from one thought to another wouldn't impress my friend here in the slightest. Now then.” Lumni released the man. “I'm Cadet Lumni, this is Kore and as you gathered, she's a gladiator so get over it. I have no idea where you've been for the last decade but the War is well and truly over. The Pit is no more than another area of the city and the gladiators are part of our ... workforce. The reason for my friend's paranoia has nothing to do with her status in the arena, but to certain rumours that have been perpetuated recently, that's all. Obviously nothing for you to concern yourself with. Now it's your turn. Where does that tunnel lead to? If you don't want to tell me, then I'm sure Cadet Bowman could go and find out for himself, thus depriving you of your secret access to this place.”

“No, don't do that!” The old man wailed. “OK! It goes to ... to ... Tibrae.” Lumni turned and reached for the door. “The Palace! Don't alert the guards, please, I beg you.” He grabbed Lumni's ankles.

“Get off me! For shit's sake, you silly old relic!” Lumni almost fell into the wall and Kore snorted a laugh. “The Palace? Don't be absurd man! That place has been a prison for fifteen years at least. Try again. Last chance.”

“Go yourself if you don't believe me. I'll stay here and keep the girlie company.” The old man leered and Kore glowered at him. “The Palace turned jail.” He sighed. “Home to one poor soul who was the victim of his own megalomania and delusion. Do you think he deserved locking away forever?”

“Yes.” Kore and Lumni said together.

“Me too. He was wrong and he knows it. He's had fifteen years to regret it too. Nothing can change that atrocity and the punishment was just. Is there a lot of difference between extorting money and possessions as happened then, to extorting money and possessions with the threat that not to do so would lead to a repeat of it?”

“Don't say I didn't try.” Lumni sighed. “Your riddles have become tiresome.”

“Hang on Lumni.” Kore walked over to stand in-front of the old man. “Someone is saying that there's a risk of another War but this time at the instigation of the gladiators. Is that right?” The old man sat back on the floor and started to cry. “Oh stop that!” Kore said irritably. He did so, straight away. “But if monetary funds are provided then this uprising can be contained?” The old man began plaiting a few strands of his wispy hair. “This monetary funding includes personal protection for you too, you told us that yourself. You claim to have came here via that tunnel from the Palace and you are completely out of touch with the times and with society. Lumni, this is Loram DeGaise.”