Demetrius had done his best not to dwell on the events of the Feast of Sinners. A night like that was a once in a lifetime opportunity, especially for someone like him. No doubt Kleio had awoken the next morning with a shudder at the thought of debasing herself to be with someone like him and gone about her usual life with her far higher status suitors and duties. He had no idea what it was she did now that he thought about it, serving the princess could cover any number of things that he could think of much less the things he couldn’t fathom about life in the palace serving royalty. After the festival they’d all given each other time to recover, but after the second day Dima had called his men into the arena for sparring and training no matter their complaints of hangovers still lingering. This was his family now and he would not put any of them at risk because they had missed one day of sparring.

Watching the first few bouts after they’d warmed up, he glanced around the arena at the other fighters who were not part of the crowd of men he had gathered about himself, smug as he saw their abilities compared to those he considered his own. For all he was not the largest or strongest, and he considered them all of equal rank, it was clear as they oriented themselves that most saw him as the leader, those that hesitated naturally followed Gaios who in turn could read the younger man like a book. They had fought together since the beginning, and without the older man’s protection there would have been no chance of his own survival. The scrawny sixteen year old he’d been only had speed on his side, speed and a rage that had been prone to exploding at inopportune moments until he’d been taught by Gaios to channel it, use it in the arena, use it to survive.

Martinus was one of the newer recruits to their ‘side business’, and so when he stepped up to take a turn Dima was the one to make the challenge. The other man was talented, he’d beaten Dima in a match before spectators, it was why they had been watching him for a time before approaching him. This time though he had been observing, knew his tricks, had learned his tells. They sparred in a manner that held weight to it, not that they were trying to harm one another but each was desperate to win for a different reason. So when he finally sent Martinus falling back Demetrius couldn’t help the triumphant grin as he held his swords to the man’s chest in victory.

”Well done. We can call it even now.” Offering his hand to the man on the ground, he gripped it tightly in a respectful clasp as Martinus stood up, both showing respect to the other before releasing the hold. Dima moved to wipe sweat from his brow when Gaios cleared his throat and a voice that didn’t belong in this world reached his ears. Turning in surprise, he tried to keep the shock from his face as Kleio leaned over the wall to speak with him, a smile still on his lips as he slid his swords back into their place at his side. In all honesty he wasn’t upset she’d been watching, he had only his loincloth and leathers on and she’d seen him end on a victory. He approached the wall in a way he hoped said he was at ease with her being here in his world instead of the other way around.

”My lady. Welcome to my world. Can I invite you to join us?”