Caenus And The Quiver Of Artemis

Upon reaching the arena, Golan climbed the steps into the spectator seats. Caenus walked alone through the grand tunnel stopping at the end where the other competitors were gathered, just before exiting onto the arena floor. The opening ceremony was beginning.

Trumpets and horns blared majestically as flags flew high above the arena. Helios and Zeus blessed the day with a sky devoid of clouds creating a gleaming blue heavenly canopy. One of the judges stood high on a platform to announce the competitors, who were to walk out to the center of the arena floor upon hearing their names announced.

He began, "And now, I am pleased to present the contestants of this year's tournament; Kradel from Germania, Magnus from Siracusa, Hamenthep from Memphis, Makedon from Neapolis, Deucalion from Corfu, Damokles from Athens, Caenus from Iolkos, Assur from Persia, Ciro from Spain, and last but not least Kyriakos from Iraklion on the grand island of Crete."

When the judge had spoken the final contestant's name, and Kyriakos had walked to the center of the arena floor, the sky began to darken. Everyone in attendance looked into the sky, as a solar eclipse was forming. In slow motion, the goddess Selene's moon chariot edged in front of Helios' sun chariot, creating a big crescent of sun, then a smaller crescent, then no sun at all. All that could be seen was a dark shadowy hole in the sky surrounded by a ring of fire. Bright daylight was interrupted, causing all to appear dark for the following moments as trumpets blared an overture to the upcoming events. Applause and whistles rang out from the crowd. Caenus looked into the stands with wonderment, making sure that Golan was witnessing this occurrence. Helios and his sister Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, had apparently planned this display of divine power specifically for the tournament's opening ceremony. After several long moments, the brief darkness began to lift; no sun became a sliver of light, then a crescent, then a bigger slice, and then Helios' sun was again full bore, bright and glorious.

"Let the games begin!" the judge bellowed, as if expecting that most certainly unexpected and unpredictable event.

Caenus sized up the competitors; most of them athletic and well defined. His eyes came to rest for a collection of moments on the favored recent champion. Makedon, Son of Hypatios, was the twenty-three year-old favorite-to-win. Standing a tall and broad six feet and four inches tall, he appeared to have been chiseled from marble. Having a short crop of dark brown hair, with a dark goatee framing his mouth, he also bore a dark, spherical mark across his upper left bicep that looked as if someone burned him with a hot fire poker. Caenus wondered if that were his secret supply of strength, because he had won the tournament three years in row, wielding intimidation effectively.

Caenus pondered why such a dominant competitor would still seek to compete, having reduced the previous three tournaments to child's play. The source of Makedon's motivation had spread wildly through the contestants and spectators alike. The outlying colonies of the vast Neapolitan Empire were to be his, united under his rule, which would also include including generalship command of the imperial guard and marriage to, some said the most beautiful mortal to ever have walked the Earth, if only he could prove himself worthy at one last festival.

Caenus continued assessing his competitors' apparent strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, he decided that the tournament was more about personal intestinal fortitude than any other factor, so he readied himself mentally as the first event was about to begin.