Woman Against Woman
As the door closed behind Tharn and Katon, the former noticed that, but for themselves, the great cell was empty of life.
"Where are the others?" he asked, as they sat down on a pile of skins near one wall.
"In the arena, I suppose," Katon replied. "We must have exercise in the open air almost daily if we are to be in condition to put up a good fight during the Games."
"Just what are these 'Games,' Katon? From what I could make out, both of us are to take part in them."
"Shortly before each rainy season," Katon said, "sacrificial Games are held in honor of the God-Whose-Name-May-Not-Be-Spoken-Aloud. These Games consist of battles between men, and between men and beasts. At times animals alone fight, and hundreds die.
"Each succeeding day the victors of the day before are pitted against one another, until, on the last day, only one is left alive. That one, whether man or beast, is acclaimed as favorite of the God and is set free. Always, however, that one is an animal; never in Game history has a man survived. And that, my friend, is what we face."
Tharn shrugged, unimpressed. "Perhaps not. We may escape before then."
Katon shook his head. "No, Tharn. Always we are either locked in here or remain under the watchful eyes of many warriors during exercise periods in the arena.
"No, there is no escape—unless you can overcome every life-loving fighting man and half-starved beast of the Games."