<div align="center"><strong>Cariad lost in her thoughts as blood spills upon the sands.</strong></div><div class="floatright">(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i357/DamnedEternally/Siobhan13.jpg)</div><br/>As the bodies in the room filtered on to the balcony, Cariad followed the slaves. The heat from the sun still harsh on her skin, but evaporating the sweat that had streamed down between her breasts. They were heaving harshly, as Cariad drew her breath deeply into her lungs.<br/><br/>The large man shouting, Manius, at least that's what she thought his name was. Was acting like the Alpha. This was his domain, his home and someone had wronged him.<br/><br/>As Cariad's perspiration continued to trail down her back, the salt caught her wounds. Closing her eyes tight, she began to will the pain away. Her skin shimmered as the small beads of sweat collected upon the flesh on her back. The heat was unbearable, but Cariad could only think of staying vertical, for she did not know the punishment for fainting when providing a service. At least, that's what she assumed she was there to do.<br/><br/>Turning her head slightly to see Amplus ear her side, she resisted the urge to touch him again, like they had in the baths. The heat radiating from him seemed to be merely a reflection of the heat from the sun. Cariad couldn't help but let her mind wander into unknown territory. Their bodies entwined on the cool lush grass of home, laughing and giggling. Her hair blanketing their skin as they kiss and taste each other. Savouring their beauty.<br/><br/>It wasn't until she opened her eyes that she saw Amplus had gone. The shock and disbelief was written on her face. She did not hide it very well. Slouching slightly as she reminisced over the moments they had shared. Knowing all too well, that they may not ever happen again.<br/><br/><br/>Cariad straightened her poise, and looked over the golden sands beneath her, where the two Gladiators were squaring up. She desperately did not want to watch one spill the others blood, as the air around them, gave no secrets away. This was a fight to the death.<br/><br/>Cariad wanted out. Taking a step back, so she was still on the balcony, but she could not see the bloodshed, she turned her gaze to the rooftops and the skyline. Her heart sinking lower as her mind made stories of Amplus riding away into the heat and never returning.