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I stood in front of them all, the guards securing my arms more than half supporting me. Physically I was a wreck. Still, they were securing them properly.

-Sheesh, do they honestly expect trouble from me in my current condition?- I thought sourly amused.

Physically, I was hammered and exhausted. My body had gone past the burning of muscles pushed past exhaustion and was now into the ‘jelly’ stage. I wouldn’t have been upright without the guards… but my head felt strangely clear. It was like I’d gone into exhaustion and out the other side into a weird kind of buzzing clarity.

–Heh, this is really not good. I’m seriously flayed. -

Before they had a chance indulge in a fit of soap opera drama, I said, “Looks like I was wrong Gate Ganger. You win. Time to pay the Piper. So, what does it cost me? How much of my skin do you take… and individually… collectively? No, I don’t know the rules of this place but collectively doesn’t suit you. It’s not your style. If my life is forfeit or whatever I have a feeling whatever is done will be done wholly by your hand… and could we speed it up… get me medical attention… something?! Even a chance to rest and some Panadol would do.”

His mouth quirked and he shook his head. A lot of his fellows were staring at me in surprise. I had a feeling he was somewhere between exasperation and amusement. Amusement won.

“Well fought,” he finally looked up. “But as you so readily admitted, a loss is a loss, and so you belong to me.”

-What’s left of me- I thought wryly. I didn’t like were this was heading but for now I was to hammered to think of resistance. When I moved it would have to fast, sudden and unexpected… after all, I’d seen just how fast these guys could move.

“You’re life out side this place in now forfeit?!”

“That sounds grim… does this mean I go on the missing persons list. Given erratic behavior lately I don’t think that’d surprise anyone… Why do I get the feeling you had a finger in that and this too?”

He gave me a surprisingly gentle smile and said, “You will find out all you need soon enough.”

I gave him a twisted smile and as much of a shrug as I could.

“So perceptive,” I heard him mutter, “Honorable and courageous.” He raised his voice and looked directly at me. “And you accept you’re fate?”

In spite of this my head rose of its own violation and nodded. I cringed; my body shuddered and slumped, my head hanging.

–What the?- Even in my dazed weakened state I could sense something was wack… Even for the sense of general unreality pervading this whole experience.

I glanced up weakly and saw that secret, satisfied smile that he wiped clean as he turned to his fellows and said, “Does anyone challenge my Claim?”

One of the other Gate Gangers stepped forward.

“There is no challenge,” His tone and speech were strangely formal, “Thou hast admired, studied, stalked, baited, trapped and captured, all in accordance to the Hunt rules. Your quarry lost the finally appeal. The Claim is yours!”

I blinked, startled. This guy I recognized! It was Sandie’s honey. Then what they were saying registered.
–Well, that explains a lot though I don’t think I like where this is going! If I was in my normal state of mind I’d probably be freaking right about now but at the moment I’ve still got that whole dream state reality thing going on. Nothing is out of the ordinary… thought the real part of this is going to hit me like a tone of bricks later. Still, I gotta get outta here soonest if not sooner.-

No matter how well that Ger’ boy Gate Ganger had stuck to his peoples rules… no one had bothered to inform me and I’d never agreed to them! I wanted out of this nightmare and NOW!

It tried to get my body to tense for a pivot and strike but it wasn’t any too responsive. All I got was a shudder of pain.

– Man, that ‘champion’ of theirs sure pounded the absolute stuffing outta me! Wonder how I would have done if I’d been up to speed when I faced him… talk about tilting the odds… If I have a later I must look him up and ask for a rematch. Speaking of later, I won’t have one if I don’t figure a way out of here and with all haste!-

I took a deep breath and tried to think. For now, I was good with letting the guards support most of my weight but to get out of here I’d need to be able to lose them and quick. Not here though. Too much back up… I’d have to wait my chance and I’d have to get it right the first time. There wouldn’t a second chance. My body wasn’t up for much and I knew it better than anyone.

Gate Ganger Gerome who’d been scanning his fellows faces carefully suddenly turned and looked at me over his shoulder. The only reason I could think of for him to do so was that he’d sensed something. This wouldn’t have surprised me either. His next order had my gorilla guards lift me casually off my feet. I winced and shuddered. My escape chances just got that much smaller. Still, with luck, my chance would come. They couldn’t watch me all the time!

He turned back to his fellows and asked mildly, “So shall it be?”

“So shall it be!!!” They roared back.

Whatever had just happened had been important but I’d missed the significance of it. My mind was beginning to buzz badly. A clock was ticking but damned if I could remember what it was counting down or against. I was really beginning to drag but I couldn’t afford to pass out just yet.

-Not much longer- I promised. – I swear I’ll rest when I get out of here. Hold out just a little longer!-

I don’t know if it was listening but next thing I knew they were bringing me along deeper into their fortress. I was quite good for them to carry. It meant I could try and focus my attention on where we were going and how we got there so I could use it to get out.