Gladiator 6, Supernatural RPS, R~ish

[phantisma]

Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Title: Gladiator 6 ( all of Courtesan can be found here)
Pairing/Characters: Jared, JDM, mention of Jensen
Rating: R~ish
Word Count: 3108
Summary: Total AU. Jared arrives in the capital and gets settled in for the fight of his life.

A/Ns & Warnings: Alas, no sex in this piece.

Art, from apieceofcake...




Jared's arrival in the capital was less of an event than he'd imagined. They arrived in the dead of night, with hours before the dawn. He was exhausted from the extra hours of training and the new fighting styles Lord Jeffrey insisted he had to learn.

His arms felt heavy and his thighs burned. Kallin had pushed him hard. They traveled by day and trained by night and the only sleep Jared got was in the coach across from Jeffrey.

"You will stay in my rooms until morning when we can find you a place in the coliseum." Lord Jeffrey said as the coach came to a stop.

"Your rooms?"

"Yes. The quartermaster will not look kindly at us rousing him at this hour just to find you a bed."

Jared had never heard of a gladiator sleeping anywhere but the sleeping cells beneath the arenas where they fought.

There were men in uniforms escorting them into the palace, and Jared followed Lord Jeffrey closely, keeping a hand on Astin's shoulder to guide him. They were shown into a suite of rooms that was as big as the training court back home.

"That room there is where the servants sleep. You'll find a cot and blankets. Get some rest. I expect you to work out in the morning and give the royal family a look at you." Jeffrey said before disappearing into a different room.

Jared let himself into the small room. It was little more than his cell back home. Astin was staring at him wide eyed and Jared just beckoned him into the room. The cot was cleaner maybe, and stuffed with something softer than straw. He kicked off his boots and crawled into the cot, making room for Astin beside him and pulling the thin blanket up over them.



Jared roused in the deep dark of the room, certain it was morning, though he had no light to know for sure. He shook Astin and sat up. There were sounds in the next room. Jared stood, cracking the door open. Several servants were arranging Lord Jeffrey's things.

One of them noticed Jared and came toward him. His uniform was spotless, though he couldn't have been more than fourteen. "Are you Jared?"

Jared nodded. "Your armor has been taken to the arena. I will take you there when you are ready."

"I only need to put my boots on."

"Come then. Morning meal will be served in a short while."

Jared left the door open so that he could find his boots and sat on the cot to tug them on. Astin rubbed at his eyes and stumbled out into the sitting room. Jared waited for the servant to finish arranging Lord Jeffrey's luggage for the others to unpack.

It wasn't until they stepped into the hallway that Jared realized that Jensen was there. Somewhere in that palace, on a soft bed dressed in silk sheets Jensen lay sleeping.

The servant led them down the quiet corridor and out into a large hallway. Jared reached out to stop him. "This is a large place."

The kid smiled. "First time in the capital? Yeah, it's big. Not too hard to find your way around in though, once you figure the lay of the land."

"What do you mean?" Jared squinted around him. Off this hallway he could see a half dozen rooms and as many as ten corridors, and that was just from where he stood.

"We're on the third floor, in the west wing. Nobility stays here. The whole floor is guest suites and meeting rooms and a dining room that has its own staircase down to the kitchen. The fourth floor is royalty. Don't need to worry about that. Only the royal corps serves there." He started walking again, guiding them to a stair case. "On the east wing there are special quarters. Visiting royalty and such. Second floor is for visitors that ain't royalty or nobility. There's the library and stuff. Ground floor is for the daily stuff. The main court, the kitchen and servants quarters, the Great Hall." He pointed as the reached the bottom of the stairs. "Then there's the courtesans. Only courtesans and their keepers allowed there."

Jared stopped again. That would mean Jensen. He was this close. "Where?"

The kid pointed. "Down that hall at the end, there's a set of double doors that leads to Courtesan Hall, the common area where they train and take meals when they aren't entertaining." The kid winked at him. "Come on."

He headed down the stairs and Jared followed after a slight hesitation. Astin stumbled along behind him, thankfully keeping quiet. "I am told there are courtesans who are not allowed to see anyone but the royal family."

"Yeah, the King's Courtesans. Lucky whores those. They get the best food, and they don't got to deal with the sick fucks that the rest of them do. There's three right now that I know of. They say they're the prettiest things you ever laid eyes on."

Jared licked his lips. That was his Jensen. "Where…where are they?"

The kid turned and grinned at him. "Kept locked up safe from you that's for certain. There's a wing off the main Courtesan hall, private rooms. They each have their own kitchen, private garden. There's only one key, kept by the Master of Courtesans."

Jared followed the kid through more corridors and through the Great Hall. "You ask a lot of questions."

"I'm just curious, you know? Back home nothing's like this."

"I'm sure back home you're all the rage too. Things are different here." They exited the building through a side door, emerging into a long alley. "I bet back home you're the biggest thing they've ever seen. Here? You're a little scrawny. Our big guys out weigh you by quite a bit."

He pushed open a door and led Jared and Astin down a flight of stairs and around a corner. "Commander's office."

He knocked on the door and a gruff voice sounded from inside. "Come."

"Commander."

"Driaus. What brings you down here?"

"New gladiator from Morgan." Driaus pulled on Jared's arm. "Got in through the night."

Jared looked the commander over. He was clearly a tough man, military. His hair was shaved close to his scalp, his face square and strong looking with a scar over his left cheek and down onto his lips.

"You must be Jared."

"I am. This is my apprentice, Astin."

"I've been expecting you. Thank you Driaus. You may go."

The kid grinned up at Jared and left, pulling the door closed. "I'm Trian. Commander of the Coliseum. I have your fight record. You need a day to rest, but I'll get you on tomorrow's list. Light workout this afternoon, so I can see what you've got."

"Yes, sir."

"Come on down to the barracks, I've got you set up with a cell. Your armor's already there. Nice pieces you got."

"My Lord is generous." Jared turned Astin around to follow Trian. The place was bigger than any arena he'd been in. They went through a long armory with weapons stacked high in racks and shelves, spears and swords and giant maces. Past the armory Jared could smell food.

"I see breakfast is underway. Come." Trian opened a door into a room filled with long rows of tables. "Jacob." A huge man turned from the first table, his grin toothless. "This is Jared. Visiting us from the House of Morgan. Jared, this is my second, Jacob. He'll see that you eat and find your place."

"Thank you, Commander." Jacob easily had four or five inches on Jared and his bulk made him feel tiny.

"Sit." Jacob pointed at an empty spot and Jared did as he was told. No point in ruffling feathers so early. Jacob dropped a bowl of porridge in front of him. "Eat. When you finish I'll show you around."

Jared kept his head down, eating half the porridge before handing the bowl to Astin. Lord Jeffrey would see that they ate well enough once he'd had a chance to settle in. He was adamant about Jared eating to keep up his strength.

"Your room." Jacob pointed with one huge hand in an open door. "Practice yard is that way." He pointed down the narrow hall dotted with other doors like his. "Bathe house is that way." He pointed the other way down the narrow hall.

"Thank you." Jared really didn't like the way Jacob was eyeing Astin. He pushed the kid behind him, into the room. "Check my things."

Astin disappeared into the dark room and Jared stepped up beside Jacob. "The boy is mine. No one touches him."

"You're pretty new to be making demands." Jacob said with a grin. "We'll see if you change your tune later."

"Don't count on it." Jared ducked into the room where Astin had gotten a candle lit. He closed the door, shutting out Jacob and his vague threats. "You're going to have to keep on your toes, boy." Jared shook his head, not sure why he was protective of the boy when all apprentices dealt with that sort of thing.

"Get the light armor ready." Practice would be a test, not only him against whoever the commander threw at him, but of his own ability to do what Jeffrey wanted. He had to fight hard enough to impress, but not show his whole range. Jared wasn’t used to holding back. He was itching to unleash some of his new skills, but Jeffrey said no.

They had to wait until Prince Fallon was on the hook.

Once he was suited up, Jared and Astin headed out to the practice yard. He warmed up, stretching the leg he'd broken in the fight against Fallon's champion. It had healed well, but didn't take to travel and was stiff.

It didn't take long for the commander and Jacob to emerge with a handful of gladiators. They circled around Jared and when he looked to the commander, Trian only gestured to him in a way that said, "Show me."

Six on one wasn't exactly Jared's idea of a light practice, but he nodded and took a stance. Two of them rushed in at once, Jared punched one and kicked the other, turning to take on the next two.

It was only minutes before he was sweating and dirty, sand sticking to his skin. He rolled clear of two big bodies and came up with fists in their groins.

"Enough." The commander stepped around one of the men who was writing on the ground holding himself. "Impressive. Tomorrow's fight should be spectacular."

Lord Jeffrey was waiting for him in his cell when he returned. "There you are."

"Practice."

Jeffrey nodded as Astin handed Jared a towel. "I trust you were impressive?"

"Six on one, I didn't kill anyone, but I held my own."

Jeffrey closed the door and crossed his arms. "We are on dangerous ground here, Jared. Fallon will do anything to disgrace me. You have to watch your back."

"By that you mean my ass." Jared said dropping the towel.

"I know you think you can handle it."

"I give as good as I get." Jared held up his arm to let Astin untie the armor.

"Concentrate on the fight."

"Easy for you to say, My Lord. You don't live down here."

Jeffrey scowled at him. "I mean it, Jared. You keep your ass covered and your dick in your tunic."

Jared shook his head. "Would you rather I get myself killed fighting them off?" He sighed and sat down hard on the cot. "I'll do what I can, my Lord. But certain things are expected."

"And you always do what is expected of you."

Jeffrey was clearly getting frustrated with him. "What would you have me do?"

"The best you can. I will see to it that you are not harmed."

Jared didn't think Jeffrey truly understood what he was saying. "As you wish, my Lord."



They didn't take long to make their move. Two of the big guys from the morning's practice followed Jared from the evening meal, back toward his cell. Jared shoved Astin on ahead, giving himself more room to maneuver.

"Hey, Morgan."

Jared stopped and turned slowly.

"Where you going so fast? We just want to welcome the new guy."

The one on the left cracked his neck. "We hear you think you're better than us, that you're something special. Got to sleep in the palace last night and everything."

Jared held up his hands between them. "I'm just a gladiator, same as you."

"We think you could stand a reminder of what that means."

This was going to hurt. He could tell this wasn't the usual welcoming committee. "Maybe it's you that needs reminding." Jared prepared himself to fight, his fists clenching.

Suddenly, the two men were being shoved aside by a third. This just kept getting better. "Back off boys, someone else wants a piece of him first."

Behind the newcomer was a smaller figure, covered in a long black cloak. Instantly, both men stood to attention, their eyes snapping away from the cloaked figure. Jared understood why as it glided closer and delicate hands rose to drop the hood back, revealing gleaming gold hair and sparkling blue eyes.

She was obviously nobility. Jared had come to expect the attention of noble women, but usually not until after he had fought. Ever since Lady Tellis they had come to him, used him to satisfy their hunger, whispered to him of romance and slipped him extra food, trinkets that Jeffrey kept hidden away.

Her tiny hand came to rest on his chest and she turned her head to look over her shoulder. "This gladiator is now under my protection. No one is to touch him unless it is in the arena. Make sure it is known."

The men nodded, then left the hallway.

The woman removed her hand and pointed to the open door where Astin was peeking out at them. "Is that your room?"

Before Jared could nod, she was sliding into the room, past Astin's startled face. Jared followed, not sure what to even say to her.

"I am the Princess Lucia." She smiled at him as he closed the door.

Jared bowed clumsily, startled by the notion that she was not only nobility, but royalty as well. "My neice, Lady Hellio told me of you, and my cousin, Lady Morgan is my dear friend. She asked that I look after her husband while he is here at court."

Jared realized he was frowning and tried to stop. He was confused and it clearly showed. She laughed, her voice light and musical. "You are not accustomed to ladies and our chatter. I apologize."

"There is no need, Highness." Jared muttered. Astin was still staring, open mouthed. Jared reached for him, pulling him closer. "This is Astin, my apprentice."

She smiled and Astin shook against Jared's body. "It is a pleasure to meet you both. My brother does not play fair, and Lord Jeffrey feared you might be hurt before you could even see the ring. Thus, I came to offer you what protection I may. It will not help if Fallon makes a specific order, but he's not likely to. He wouldn't want to be sullied by such vulgarity."

"I…I'm afraid I don't understand." Jared said hesitantly. He really didn't. His experience with women usually didn't involve this much talking.

"You are here to fight for the one you love, are you not?"

Jared nodded jaggedly. "Jensen." He closed his eyes. He shouldn't have said that. When he opened them though, she was smiling, her eyes bright.

"I knew it was one of our newer courtesans, I had no idea it was him. He is quite lovely. Gentle, giving, beautiful. Does he know you are here?"

Jared opened his mouth and closed it again. He was off kilter, unaccustomed to anyone speaking to him quite like this. "I…don't know. He is…locked away, I am told."

"If Fallon could keep him totally for himself, he would. As it is, he monopolizes his time."

Her hand rose to cup his cheek. "It is a most romantic notion, a gladiator and a courtesan. I wish you luck." She stood on her tip toes and kissed both of his cheeks. "It has been long enough for them to assume I got what I came for. I should go. You should be safe enough from the other men for now."

"I…thank you, Highness."

She stopped at the door, her hands on her hood. "If you wish to thank me Jared, win. Win tomorrow and every fight after that. Challenge my brother and win your love. Someone in this world should have love in their life."



Jared didn't see Jeffrey again until the early morning after his first fight. Two tigers and two men with clubs against Jared and a sword. No shield, no place to hide. It was not his most difficult victory, but the cats were unpredictable and Jared's legs showed the signs of one of them getting entirely too close. He'd ended up killing it, and taking a ringing blow across one shoulder from the last standing warrior while he did.

The surgeon came and left, declaring that Jared was fit to fight. The night was quiet and there was new found respect in the eyes of his fellow gladiators when Jared and Astin went to eat breakfast.

Lord Jeffrey came to him after the meal, while Jared watched Astin sparring with other boys his age in the practice yard.

"You fought well, yesterday. I am pleased."

Jeffrey smelled of roses and it made Jared think of Jensen. "Thank you, my Lord."

"He is improving." Jeffrey nodded toward Astin who ducked away from a heavy blow from a larger boy and swept his leg out to take the boy down.

"He is." Jared agreed.

Jeffrey held out a rose in his hand. "Jensen sends his love."

Jared held his breath, his eyes dancing from the flower to Jeffrey's face. "My Lord?"

Jeffrey smiled. "The King saw fit to allow me a night with him. He is well, and thinks of you often."

Jared took the rose and brought it to his face, inhaling deeply of its fresh scent. Jensen had held this flower. He almost imagined he could smell the lingering scent of Jensen on it. "Thank you."

"He knows why you are here, that you fight to free yourself and him."

Jared nodded, turning back to watch Astin. Jensen knew. Jared couldn't let him down.