Hot, midday sun beat relentlessly down on my bare shoulders as I stepped forward into the enormous amphitheater. A thin wind tickled my bare cheeks, and threaded through my dark hair, which was secured on top of my head.

I didn't wear much, as most Thraex gladiators didn't. Loose cloth wrapped over one shoulder and covered my breasts, but ended at my midsection. A small loincloth covered my hips, crotch, and upper thighs, and thin leather sandals on my feet allowed for maximum versatility. Simple metal greaves protected my shins from maiming slashes, and in my left hand I held a small, round shield. In my right, I held a short sica blade, its deadly sharp edges gleaming silver in the sunlight.

I stepped forward across the sand lightly, hearing the crowd roar in excitement when my opponent and I moved into sight.

He was Murmillo, with thick shoulders best suited to defense. He carried a large, wooden shield, and a fairly long sword with a handle made of bone. Unlike me, he wore a metal helmet with dyed horsehair sticking into the air in a single stripe from the front to the back of his head.

Behind him, the crowd cheered. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people had come to watch and to celebrate the nineteen year old Emperor's birthday with bloody festivities. From where I stood, I could see the Emperor in the shade, relaxed, and surrounded by politicians and friends. They were here to watch the bloody spectacle that the Empire so loved - the Gladiator games. Rarely did anyone leave this arena without bloodshed, and often the contestants were dragged out with their life's blood pooling on the hot sand. And today was an especially exciting match, because there was a gladiatrix, or a woman gladiator, fighting - me. The Roman Empire thirsted for commodities, for unique fighters. I was one of the best known - I had survived many more games than most gladiators, and word traveled fast in such a modern place as the Empire. But every extra fight I was forced to participate in, every knife that whistled past my throat, the closer I got to being the one lying on the sand, scarlet pouring from my neck. I let out a slow breath as I continued forward, forcing my heart to calm. Here, keeping relaxed and focused was crucial. Panic would get me killed.

Finally I stopped, only a few meters away from my opponent. The crowd's voices rose to a crescendo as the procession that had entered with me began to exit, leaving only us in the arena.

Suddenly, the crowd quieted, and both of us crouched, eyes trained on each other. The referee signaled to begin the match, and the world faded away. My heartbeat echoed steadily in my ears.

I became attuned to the very movements of the earth, my senses honed so acutely. Every trickle of sweat on my opponent's bare chest was noticed, every twitch, every breath. I was perfectly still, ready for anything.

Then he lunged, his sword streaking toward me, and the crowds screamed with bloodlust.

The Gladiator games had begun.

A/N: Welcome to The Emperor's Gladiatrix! Thanks for reading! 

This book is based entirely on what I can find on the internet about ancient Rome, so if anyone sees something incorrect please don't hesitate to tell me.

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Hugs,

~UI

Warning: Updates may be irregular. I suck at sticking to a schedule. I suggest you add The Emperor's Gladiatrix to your library so you get updated when a new chapter is posted!