For All Things a Cost

"He's at it again, spout'n poetry!" Urger backhanded Shubrut.

"Lying scum!" She held her ground.

"I 'eard him, he's a worthless maggot!"

Shubrut growled, drawing her blade.

Urger chuckled. "Tha' guard caught him releasing prisoners. He'll replace 'em in the games. How 'bout we start a replacement."

Shubrut shouldered past him and made her way to the pens behind the arena.

Her brave little one snarled and snapped at the guards. She'd loved him, taught him love …made him soft and he'd pay a high cost for her mistakes.

A guard roared and cursed.

But he'd make her proud.