FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

This story was a long time coming, but came from a suggestion from KateTheMartin whom seems to be trying out as my personal muse. ;)

If you're just looking for sex, well, you'll be reading for a long time, as the sex only shows up near the end of the story. If you enjoy this, please send me a message, I'm always looking for inspiration and interesting stories to create more work!

---

Athelia shifted as her mother fiddled with the spray of flowers behind her right ear for perhaps the hundredth time that morning.

"Mom, please...just stop, it's not going to get any grander just for you. Besides, it is not as if I'm going to stand out any from the other girls. We all have to wear the same thing."

Athelia plucked at the hem of her thigh-length, single piece white shrift. Fastened in the middle with a simple rope, somehow Athelia's mother managed to get one custom made, so hers Athelia's was laced through with gold, brass and bronze in an intricate pattern. The young doe elk shifted uncomfortably, conscious of how the plain clothing clung to her body, which recently started filling out to her 'womanly shape' as her mother put it. She tugged the fabric down lightly, vainly trying to hide the cream color of her inner fur, accenting the light, almost bronze brown, so different from the dark browns, and grey color of many of the other girls her age. Athelia's mother, Terentia, clucked and stepped back, giving Athelia one more look over from top to bottom. Athelia couldn't help shifting, self-conscious of the flowers in her hair, the decorations on the supposedly plain sandals as well.

"Of course dear," Terentia started in what Athelia recognized as her 'matron' voice, which provoked a wince, "but you come from a prestigious house. The other girls do not have the kind of blood and breeding as your father. Everyone knows Glacis Tertius Malthus, and we must put on the proper image, especially if you hope to catch the eye of a proper guardian and husband."

Terentia's eyes softened a little bit as she tilted her head to the side and she gave a half-smile before she continued, "I remember when your father won both the title, and me...I was so thrilled at the joining of our houses, and he was so handsome,"

she then tsked and straightened the necklace that hung between Athelia's breasts, a twined symbol of the charging stag and a woven tree in female form, the joining of their house and their patron goddess Ipolla, patron of the forests and particularly the Olive tree which gave their family so much of their wealth.

"Now don't tell me you don't want the champion to recognize you, don't you? It would be such a coup for our house and his to join," she continued blithely.

Athelia blushed a bit and tilted her head, "Mom, he's almost 30 years older than I am, and he already has such a full family, I doubt he'd even notice me among the other girls." Athelia shook her head a little, "I doubt he would even bother to court me if he won."

Terentia's soft look hardened again and she briskly brought her fingers up underneath Athelia's chin. "Do not say things like that, you are from the house of Malthus, and you will always be first. It matters not how many others may be in your husband's harem you will always be first. Remember that, now, get ready, it is about time to get to the contest." Terentia released Athelia's chin, and as the girl ducked her head shyly, the older doe turned and strode away.

*

The Republic constructed the Coliseum as a way to host as many of its citizens as possible, and was the biggest one in the entire known world. Hundreds of hooves tall, and able to seat almost one-hundred-thousand citizens within its walls and still have enough room for all of the sections for the various games, cages for beasts, and special boxes and booths for privileged attendees. Athelia could remember the first time she attended the games with her family, it seemed bigger than life then. She ruefully admitted, now that she stood among about a hundred other girls who came of age and could participate in the games for the guardians, it really hadn't lost much of its majesty. Most of the girls stood around chatting excitedly about the various guardians, it seemed each girl had their favorite. They each wished one could win the games and would take their hand so the girls could join their harem. Of course, the champion, Lacinis Primarus Favius was the talk of most. The champion for five years running, his family harem had grown, and the guardian had a family now of over a dozen wives and children that entered into every part of the Empire's life.

Athelia privately thought the champion an overblown braggart, but whenever she tried to say that, her mother explained that he deserved his fame. He should be forgiven his attitude for the sake of his wealth, family and prestige. He would not have become a guardian otherwise, nor would he compete for the chance to court one of the does from the Empire's highest families. Sometimes Athelia wondered what happened to all the other males that could not form such harems. In the rest of the Republic, most males were relegated to subservient roles. They served as manual labor, and the infantry, and became servants in the more prestigious houses, with little to no chance to build a family of their own. Occasionally a low-born male would put together enough of a dowry to court an equally low-born female, and such unions might sometimes result in a family owning a farm, or a small piece of land, but inevitably their children would remain in their parent's low station. Others became wandering merchants, tolerated due to their ability to make sure goods traversed the Republic from one point to the other, but sneered at by those born of higher status then them.

The Guardians, they were the true high-class of the Republic. They became the commanders, generals, and the politicians. They were also the only ones allowed to form harems, collections of wives supporting and part of one family unit. The more wives the more prestigious the Guardian. Once a Guardian became unable to fight, to prove his superiority in the Arena they became part of the Republic's senate, and in this way, the power of the upper classes continued uninterrupted. A Guardian's wives were expected to manage the household, keep all the finances in order, and take care of the family's children. All of the children grew up together, and they learned that all of their mothers cared for them equally. Athelia herself had seven 'mothers' though Terentia most often took care of the young doe. Before these games, Terentia also sat down a blushing Athelia and explained the...physical nature of the harem's relationship, and her expectations as a wife. Often the women formed sexual relationships with each other, as they enjoyed each other as often, or more so then their husbands. It was just an accepted part of their relationship, especially considering the relatively low birth rate of males among their culture.

The girls continued their nervous chatter, with Athelia giggling when expected, blushing when expected, though she otherwise did not engage too much. She instead snuck peeks outside to the filling Coliseum. The sun grew higher in the sky, increasing the heat, and Athelia wondered if they were going to mar the pristine white of their shrifts before things began. Just when she thought it could not get any hotter or more stifling in the chamber, the rapping of staff on stone brought her attention to a priest standing at the gate to the floor of the Coliseum. The priest was flanked by two lower status Guardians wielding intricately carved wooden staffs. Athelia always felt a little strange around the priests, they took vows of celibacy and kept their horns completely cut to indicate their pacifist natures and position.

"May the gods bless you all," he intoned, "May the Gods guide the hands of the Guardians, may they be swift and strong, and may you all serve the blessed Guardians. If you trust the gods, the Guardian meant for you will find you, the champion will find you, and you will know the bliss of being in the family the gods meant for you."

During the blessing, almost all the girls bowed their heads and murmured along, and though Athelia knew the words, she could not speak them as she glanced around. She knew the gods understood she didn't want the 'gods blessed champion' she wanted someone, a Guardian who would be just for her, as his first wife.

After the intonation the Guardians rapped their staffs on the floor again as the priest looked up.

"We will go now, and you will present yourself to the Emperor. He will give you his personal blessing, and then you will go to the seats for the candidates. From there, the Guardians competing will present themselves to you for your blessings. You are expected to say the words to each as they pass, but show no favor to any in particular. Do you understand?"

Athelia sighed and nodded, since that was essentially the exact speech Terentia gave her earlier to prepare her for things. She glanced around at the other, eager faces and straightened her shoulders.

"Yes holy sir," she murmured along with the rest of the group.

"Good, after your blessing the games will begin. You may receive food and drink in the candidates' box as you need them."

The priest looked over the girls,

"Do your family and the empire honor, and you will be blessed, now come and meet the guardians, your future husbands."

*

Across the Coliseum, circles drawn out in the sand were occupied with the Guardians fighting. Some fought with staffs, some with blunted swords, or with nets and hammers, tridents and weapons of all kinds, all blunted so they were no longer lethal. To Athelia's untrained eyes the Guardians' seemed almost unreal in their movements and figures; their sweat-covered bodies, their fur as they moved, seemed almost more dance-like, especially since centuries of ceremony and emphasis on 'civilized' behavior kept the competitors from seeking to injure their opponents, at least too much.

The blessing of the Emperor and the procession of Guardians was mostly a blur to Athelia, just one male after another in a long parade of gilded armor, and arrogant smiles as they showed off their carefully grown antlers as symbols of their personal virility and prestige. The worst was Lacinis Favius, with his huge, groomed and tailored antlers and a smug smile that he didn't even bother hiding as he walked before the girls. Only one had shown any kind of personality or good humor during the blessing; a young buck with horns half the size of the others. Where others wore armor of bronze, gold and copper, showy and impractical, he merely had a hard, boiled leather set, the armor of a soldier, with minimal decorations. During the recitation of the blessing, Athelia worked her way through it by rote, but she couldn't suppress the roll of her eyes as the other doe girls gushed through their words and attempted to catch the gaze of their chosen guardian. Only when she was done did she realize that the buck watched her, and no doubt caught her less-than-enthusiastic participation. When she met his gaze he quirked his lips up in a wry smile and rolled his eyes theatrically as well, which provoked a blush from Athelia, and nearly cost her composure as she suppressed a laugh.

As he went off to his fight in a circle across the floor, where she could barely see him, Athelia gently nudged one of the girls.

"Tell me, do you know who that is?" She asked with an indicative nod of her head,

"Who...him? The half-horn?" the girl responded with a snort, "I caught my mother gossiping, he's just a soldier. They made him a guardian because of some fight or other..."

"Ewww," another girl chimed in, "you mean he's not from the Republic families?"

"Nope," the first girl replied, "he was made a guardian by decree for heroism, and he doesn't even have a good bloodline. They have to let him compete though, since he's a guardian...but he won't go anywhere, look, he doesn't even have proper armor."

Athelia looked across the sands to the circle where the soldier competed. As was tradition, both fighters fought without armor, so first blood could be seen, though usually such competitions rarely drew blood and the fight continued until one surrendered. Their armor rested to the side on proper mannequins, side-by-side, and the difference was obvious between the rich metal armor, and the battered hard leather of the two competitors.

Athelia nodded slightly and licked her lips unconsciously, "Yes...but he does seem to be winning over there," she commented idly, as the soldier's opponent hit the ground from a swept leg, courtesy of the young fur's staff. As he stood over his opponent, with the staff-tip pressed against his opponent's chest, the opponent couldn't do anything but signal his surrender.

A sniff next to her from one of the other girls brought Athelia's attention back to the conversation,

"Beginner's luck," she said spitefully, "one of the proper guardians will show him how one competes in the next round," she continued for a moment, before the girl turned back and exclaimed with pleasure as the champion handily drew blood from his opponent with his blunted sword-tip in an almost insulting slash across his opponent's chest.

Athelia didn't watch though, she found she preferred watching the sleek form of the young male as he walked of the sands and grabbed a drying towel. As he rubbed over his chest, Athelia squirmed in her seat as somewhat unfamiliar warmth grew between her thighs.

*

Despite the other girl's prediction, the young Guardian made it through the first rounds of competition. Those eliminated in the first day rarely had a chance to court any of the does in this season, so they returned to their duties, training and homes to relieve their sorrows. They often sought out the does that served the goddess of pleasures and comfort, Hepateres, whom would provide the physical relief to the males that they would not get without a new wife...for the proper donation to the temple, of course. For the candidates, they stayed at the Coliseum for the duration of the contest; they received small one-person rooms below the stone rises that hosted the crowds during the games. It was custom for the does to meet with the Guardians whom made it through the first round, so that the Guardians might make a choice as to which family to court with their choices after the games were over.

Therefore, Athelia found she hosted Guardian after Guardian, each coming to ask her about her family, her lineage, her education, and her skills around the home. She often gritted her teeth during these small meetings, as the bucks spent less time talking to her then talking about her family, and how 'prestigious' it would be for their families to join. That was, until a knock came at the door, and without an answer it opened and Favius strode through the door before she even had a chance to answer. He took one look around the small chambers and took a seat on her bed, a presumption none of the others even attempted. She started to speak, when he held up a hand to her imperiously,

"No need to speak, you no doubt know who I am," he said in an amused tone of voice, "but it may surprise you to know that I know you as well, Athelia Malthus."

"I...I am flattered...that someone of your august person would know my name sir," Athelia started hesitantly, "I hardly would know how."

"I know your father, and as he often brings from his family to my events, I have heard of you. Your mothers speak quite...pleasingly of you."

Athelia blinked, but she couldn't help but notice his gaze. It was obviously appraising, measuring her from top to bottom, which she found raised warmth in her she did not expect. She stepped to the side of the table at the end of the bed, where a pitcher of wine sat.

"I am again flattered, that my mothers would speak of me...and that you would take such an interest. Please though, you must be parched, would you take some wine?"

She turned as she reached for a goblet and poured a measure. As she started pouring a second she jumped, knocking over the goblet as a rough hand slid up under her shrift and grabbed her backside. A second hand slid around across her front and grasped her modest breast. She struggled, but firm hands held her as the male pressed up behind her,

"I also say that I am pleased with your form...you will make a pleasurable addition to my harem,"

Athelia bit her lip; she trembled in his grasp, especially as she felt his strength,

"Sir...you know it is improper," she started hesitantly, "you cannot touch me, in this way...until you have won me as your wife," she went stock still, as his breath washed harshly across her ear.

"Bah, we know such things are merely a formality, I will be champion, and we might as well celebrate that fact now."

As he spoke, his hand slid around from her backside, underneath the shrift, and covered Athelia's mound. She whimpered, both from fear, and from a heat that blossomed as she felt a strong hand, and a finger caress her nethers, something that no one but her had done until now in her own hesitant explorations. She squirmed a bit more, finally pulled free and then covered her motion as she grabbed the goblet at the table and pressed it to Favius's chest.

"Sir...I cannot...if I was to break the ceremony, the gods would not bless our union, and I cannot join a house where the gods do not smile down on it." She gulped as she ducked her head and attempted to avoid his eyes.

He grabbed the goblet with a sound of irritation, and in one long gulp downed the wine. He slammed it on the table as he looked at her with heat in his eyes.

"Fine...but you would be good to remember that when you are my wife, I do not allow such dissuasions. The gods bless us in my house, and my wives know that when I choose to bless them with my attention, they should be eager to accept."

Athelia nodded mutely and watched from lowered gaze as Favius slammed open the door and stalked out into the hall beyond, which left the door as it swung freely from its hinges with a loud creak of strained wood and metal. Athelia shuddered and sighed as she sat down shakily. On one side, she was relieved he left without insisting more, but another side still squirmed with the feel of his hand on her netherfur, and the heat that blossomed when he treated her as his possession.

She sat there and breathed heavily for she knew not how long, before she heard the door creak and close with a soft click of a closed latch. She blinked and looked up, as the door closed behind the entrance of the very young buck that attracted her attention earlier during the games. Up close, he didn't look quite so young, but there was still a youthful cast to his features, and his movements. The eyes that seemed amused when they shared a look during the opening ceremonies were filled with concern as he crossed over to the bed,

"Excuse me, the door was open, I was told all doors should be closed for the candidates. I hope I am not disturbing," his voice had a questioning note, and Athelia smiled hesitantly as she looked up to him.

"No...You are not disturbing me, the previous guardian must have just forgotten to close it securely as he left, and I was thinking. May I offer you some wine?" She asked him politely, and with relief obvious, he nodded,

"Please, it seems you are the first to offer. The others, they had little to say, and would not even offer that basic courtesy."

Athelia responded with a nod of her own and poured a measure of the wine into the unused goblet. She handed it to the male and turned to rinse the other cup out for her own wine, when she was finished she sat demurely on the edge of the bed with legs crossed, partially to suppress the warmth she still felt between her thighs,

"It is their loss then. You are a Guardian, after all...and if you made it past the first day, you must be very skilled, no matter your family."

"Erm...yes," he started, and to Athelia's eye it looked that he even blushed a little at the compliment, "when you are a soldier, you learn to fight because your life depends on it. The Guardians, they learn ceremonial fighting, I do not think they knew what to expect from me."

Athelia's eyes widened and she affected mock surprise at his words,

"Do you say that the Guardians do not know how to fight? I would think they would be most incensed, since you are one of them now!"

He ahemed, and blushed further, which Athelia rapidly found she liked on his expression. In fact her amusement at the little bit of teasing was rapidly turning her mind from Favius's visit as he went on,

"Not at all, perhaps I merely meant their fighting is obviously for the arena, and for the show. I am a bit more...direct, I think." He held up his hands in protest, "Not to say I am their better, just...I do not know how to play to the crowd."

She smiled encouragingly as he took a drink, "Well...if you keep winning, I perhaps think the crowd will warm to you, they will soon be chanting your name, which is..."

He started, nearly coughing up his drink as he realized his error. She found her smile grew even more as he hastily covered with his hand and placed the goblet on the table, "Yes...umm, of course, I am Lucius Dessus Paternis, and you are?"

She laughed, "You enter a girl's chamber, and have no knowledge of her name?" As he turned positively red at the tips of his ears, she relented, "It is quite all right, and it seems many that participate in this tournament do not even bother with the names of their prize. I am Athelia Malthus, and I am pleased to meet you."

She realized that he bristled a bit at her words, and he cut his hand across his chest, all blush gone, "I do not know how you can say that, you are not prizes. You will be part of someone's cherished family, not an object like the champion's medallion and gilded wreath."

Athelia patted his hand lightly, "That is a very naive way to look at it sir...even my mother knew in her wisdom that when you are a candidate, you are a prize. The Guardian that is the champion gets to pick the girl or girls he wishes in his harem and then courts their family. The families determine a suitable dowry, which is often just a token offering due to the status of the Guardian Champion, and the marriage occurs. I have very little choice in the matter." She smiled to lighten the bite in her words, "It is a great honor, and many loving marriages have come from such unions."

A wistful look crossed her features as she continued, "Those that do not win, if they make it to the third day, they often will court the girls that are not chosen by the champion in a given year. Such unions are often more...personal in nature, but in such cases the dowry often becomes a matter of some import," she tilted her head to the side, "such a thing that you would likely not have available, unless I am mistaken."

He shook his head, his expression reluctant, "No, despite being elevated to a Guardian, I am still a soldier. I have little money and my family not much more. I did not expect to compete, nor did I understand the reality of such a competition. When they explained it to me, I wanted to back out, but they told me of the dishonor to enter, and then forfeit. It would have been better to never enter," he complained bitterly.

Athelia crossed her thighs, as she found her face flush a little, the heat between her thighs had faded, mostly, but she also found that she felt a...kinship to this young Guardian, and an attraction that she felt welling up. She wanted to touch him further, but she restrained herself, instead she reached forward, poured another measure of the wine, and filled his goblet.

"Come now, there is no need for sorrow or lament. You have made it past the first hurdle; the first day is behind you...you have nothing to do now but to win!"

He looked up to her and offered a wan smile, "Perhaps that is true...if you are not so resigned to your fate, neither am I." He lifted the goblet to his lips and downed the wine in three quick swallows. He placed the goblet on the table and stood.

"You should watch then...I will defy them, and when I win, I will allow the candidates the choice, you will not be prizes for this champion."

So saying, he turned and swept out the room, leaving Athelia watching as he left, her mind swirling with twisted emotion at the inexplicable attraction to the young Guardian.

*

The second day of competition dawned, hotter than the first. Athelia and the others sweltered in the heat, kept at bay only by the great shade covers drawn across the top of the Coliseum, which reduced the temperatures to something resembling tolerable. Water drawn from the cool aqueducts beneath the city and distributed liberally to the crowd and to the candidates further kept them all from overheating. Considering the crowd swelled on the second day once the competition became more and more intense, the water vendors found themselves often overloaded and unable to satisfy the demand.

The crowd was jubilant though, the Guardians put on quite the show on the second day. The inexperienced, the young, the careless all were eliminated on the first day, and so now each match showed a much greater level of skill.

Athelia, as well, paid much more attentions to the fights, though only two Guardians truly caught her attention. Favius, like the first day, almost contemptuously defeated opponent after opponent. He would pick his weapon, and allow them to pick their weapon second, which gave them the advantage of picking a weapon built specifically to counter Favius's. It did not matter though; no matter what they picked, he would quickly overpower them. Athelia recognized the pure physical power behind his moves. He twisted, battered, and struck aside his opponent's weapons, until he scored blow after punishing blow on them. Athelia watched as he struck them with blows that could have drawn the first blood to end the match. Instead, he turned the blows so they left bruising reminders of the strikes. He slowed them down with the bruising wounds until he finished them, after proving his mastery of his weapon. After each match, he would salute the Emperor, and then the candidates. Each time she caught his eyes on her. There was intensity in his gaze, and a look of heat and possession that immediately rekindled the heat between Athelia's thighs. She often found she would sneak her fingers below and feel her heat, though she did not do more, lest someone discover her indiscretions. Flavius would often smirk at her, as though he could read exactly what he was doing to her. The other girls insisted he was looking at them of course, and they often swooned at his brief gaze to their viewing box.

Paternus of course also drew her gaze, and she found watched him whenever she could. Unlike Favius, he did not find his wins so easily. After the first day, the more experienced Guardians learned to be more cautious with their approaches and clashes with the young soldier. As a result, his fights were less flashy, and the crowds often booed, or sent a few handfuls of thrown garbage at them when one of their fights slowed.

He was on his third match of the day and his competition proceeded warily. Both fighters looked for less obvious openings past the other's defense as the fight wore on. Paternus wielded a blunted hook axe and a large hoplite shield, while his opponent wielded trident and net. The two circled warily, the net could not hook the shield, while the axe easily twisted the trident away. It looked like a stalemate, until with a sudden move Paternus loosened the shield on his arm and with a show of incredible strength, flung it at his opponent. In the moment it took his opponent to duck, he charged, and Athelia saw him scoop a handful of sand from the arena floor. Paternus planted his foot on his opponent's net, pinned it and lunged forward. His opponent, recovered from ducking the shield, saw the attack and tried to drop his trident into the younger soldier's path. He was stopped though, when a handful of sand met his eyes, flung as Paternus came in. A moment later, the two barreled together and Paternus bore his opponent to the ground. With his axe at his opponent's throat, the older Guardian surrendered. The crowd, however, was not as happy at the thrown sand that led to victory, and as Paternus walked off the sand he was pelted by refuse of all kinds. Athelia noticed that he did not respond to their taunts though, but walked with his shoulders high, even as the other Guardians watched him with murder in their eyes.

The remainder of the day's fights proved a test of Paternus's endurance and strategy, as his opponents took every opportunity to inflict injury and damage on the young soldier's body. He missed first blood losses by narrow inches of movement, and he often took blows that would not end a match in order to create the openings he needed to win. As a result, by the end of the day he looked worn, bruised, and battered. He wore his pride openly though, and even as the Emperor congratulated the final contestants, reduced to merely four in the final rounds, the crowd jeered and booed. Athelia could feel the displeasure as it practically radiated off the crowd, and when thousands of furs booed in unison at the calling of his name, it felt like the entire Coliseum shook with the sound. He ignored it all, including the dirty looks thrown to him by two of the three remaining fighters. Favius, however, didn't even look at Paternus, instead Athelia blushed when she realized that his gaze remained on the box, and her in specific. His look was heated, and even as she clapped with the others at the advancement to the final rounds, she felt that warm, liquid heat stir between her thighs at the power of his gaze. A glance at Paternus saw him looking at her direction with interest and hope in his eyes, and she felt her cheeks warm and her heart beat faster. As the crowd booed, she clapped for his approval, while the other candidates looked on with disgust.

*

"He will not win, you know,"

Favius stood near the entrance to Athelia's room and swirled the goblet of wine she'd poured for him as soon as he'd entered.

"I do not know whom you speak of," when he threw her a stern glance, she blushed, ducked her head, and finished with a quiet, "...sir."

He nodded in approval at her acquiescence. When he'd arrived that evening, he did not attempt any more improper conduct, but he told her in no uncertain terms that he would allow no disrespect from her. He said she should call him Sir as was proper, and he made no bones that he already assumed she would be his at the end of the event. Despite a part of her that bristled at his arrogant demeanor, Athelia also couldn't help the thrill she felt at the possessive tone of his voice, and the power behind his presence. What originally repelled her drew her as well, and the desire it provoked in her loins confused her with the intensity of the feeling.

"The young soldier, Paternus I believe is his family name. Do not think I did not see you watching him during the fights."

"Of course Sir...I watched all the Guardians as they fought," she tried to evade his direct gaze, and she glanced up and started when he saw the amusement on his face.

"Oh, he is something, I will admit. I did not think a lowborn soldier had the skills in the arena that he displays. Perhaps he has learned something from his betters over the years," he snorted in derision, "but that will only take him so far. The crowd does not like his...tactics, and even as one of the final four, when he loses they will not be forgiving. None of the candidates' families will accept a marriage with him, nor do I suspect he has a dowry."

"But...Sir, what if he were to win? Surely then his chosen would have to accept...even if only for ceremony," she blinked at the darkening expression on his face,

"You do not think he has any chance against me, do you?" Favius growled at Athelia, which caused her to shrink back a moment. He shook his head, "It does not matter, the other Guardians will not allow it. Steps have been taken."

"Steps, sir?" Athelia hesitated, when he paused.

"Of course, as you know the rounds tomorrow are not to first blood, yes?"

She nodded,

"The fights are to surrender, or until a Guardian is unable to fight any longer. The weapons are all still blunted of course...or at least, three sets of weapons are blunted, tomorrow."

Athelia gasped, "You don't mean to kill him, do you?"

Paternus smirked, "Not at all...but if he was to end up with some severe injury, it might teach him how to act and compete with his betters."

He licked his muzzle as he looked over Athelia's body, which sent another shiver through the young doe's form. She couldn't help it, the heat returned, nor could she understand where it came from, but when he looked at her so it provoked such desire. Not the fawning type of desire from the other candidates, but something deeper, that coursed through her and made her want to just melt to his desires.

"Then...sir, perhaps you might rest soon, so that you can fight well tomorrow. I'm sure that the crowds want to see their champion at his best," she suggested shyly.

He grunted and finished his wine. He placed the goblet on the table and nodded, "You are right...it would not pay for me to not be fully rested, so I can make a proper show of it tomorrow." He reached out and ran a finger along the underside of Athelia's jaw, then down the side of her throat. It was a familiar gesture and showed intimacy that merely increased the blush through her features. At her reaction, he gave a small smile, and without further word, left her chamber.

Athelia took a shuddering breath when Favius finally left before she settled down onto the bed sheet. She closed her eyes and tried to regain control of her emotions and feelings, at least somewhat. She didn't understand her attraction to the arrogant, self-centered, obviously spoiled champion in Favius, but it was a very powerful feeling. Somehow though, when he looked at her, when he acted like he possessed her like that, it gave her such intense feelings that translated through her nethers, and made her stomach turn flip-flops in the most amazing, and pleasurable ways. Athelia moaned in frustration and ran her hand down between her thighs. She of course knew about masturbation, but she also knew it was frowned on when a candidate at the games. They were supposed to control such impulses so they could bless each Guardian properly and remain unbiased until the end of the fights, and the crowning of a champion.

She couldn't help it though; she slipped her fingers under her shrift and ran her fingertips between her folds, feeling the dampness that formed there. She bit her lower lip at the feeling, let loose another sighing moan of pleasure as she conceded to her needs, and started stroked up and down gingerly. She tried not to provoke too strong a reaction, lest she be heard through the chamber walls.

She was just starting to feel the tingling and the tenseness of her body's needs, when a loud knock on the door interrupted her personal revere and pleasuring. She whimpered slightly and straightened her clothing and her bed sheets. She hastily got to her hooves and unlatched the door. Her eyes widened as the tired face of Paternus stood behind it. She stepped back in a startled manner, which he took as an invitation because he stepped into the room and shut the door behind him.

"W...welcome again...Guardian. I did not expect to see you this eve, after the competition today," she started, as she tried to cover her surprise.

"Guardian is it now," he questioned wryly; "I believe we have exchanged names before...or has your attitude changed due to your previous visitor?"

"M..my previous, what?" She exclaimed, as she nervously backed up to her bed and sat on the edge, too distracted to offer proper courtesy.

He smiled somewhat ruefully, "I must admit, I saw the Champion was visiting your chambers. I waited for him to leave, and then gave it a suitable interval before I decided to visit. I hope you do not mind."

"No...no, all Guardians are welcome, especially ones that made it to the third day! Congratulations...in fact." She replied, as her swirling head finally started righting itself, and the heat between her thighs abated, at least somewhat.

He nodded in acknowledgement, "Thank you, though I do not think the crowd has the same congratulatory intentions toward me."

She licked her lips a moment and hesitated, "P..perhaps not, but truly, can you blame them? Some of the things you did today might not be considered...strictly honorable."

"Honor has its purpose, as does tradition, but one shouldn't be bound to them until one loses all choice, and their futures are closed to them, wouldn't you agree?" He looked at her slyly, and she couldn't help but nod in agreement,

"I umm, yes, I suppose that's true." She found she smiled a little, and matched his own smile, and she could see a hint of amusement in his eyes, "Oh...but forgive me," she continued, "I have not offered you any wine, would you like some?"

He shook his head and gave a dismissive gesture, "I should not, because as you noted I did somehow make it to the third day, and I think wine would do my injuries no favors."

She looked to him hesitantly, "Y...your injuries?"

"Yes, in those later fights I think my opponents were more focused on my discomfort, then on winning."

He shifted and exposed his side, parting his toga slightly to do so, which provoked a gasp of concern form Athelia. Paternus's side was a mass of purple and black bruise, all the way down his ribs. He nodded sagely and covered the bruise,

"A parting gift from my last opponent, he didn't even bother trying to get me to surrender, and he picked a maul which caused this."

Her lip trembled a bit in concern, and she suddenly burst out,

"You must surrender tomorrow! They...your opponents, they are going to make sure they have unblunted weapons to face you! You could be injured or killed! You've proven your quality; you do not have to fight."

He smiled, somewhat sadly she thought, and lightly placed a hand on her knee. She started, but he merely gave her a gentle squeeze and looked into her eyes,

"I am a soldier; I have always been prepared to die in battle. I do not mind that possible fate, as I always knew it was likely. At least this way I have a chance for more. I can show what I have to offer, and I have a chance that so few others do," he lifted his hand from her knee to her cheek. The gesture drew another blush from her, though a gentler blush as her heart beat faster once again, "so if I fight, and I die, then I live my fullest to my fate. If I win, then I show what I can truly do."

"I...I think I understand," Athelia replied with a sigh, while he leaned her cheek into his palm, reveling in the warmth and the gentle touch from his firm, callused hand. "Then...all I can do is offer my blessing, and I wish you luck," she continued. Her eyes rose to meet his gaze, where she recognized warmth that matched the one she felt through his touch.

He smiled as he stood, "That is more then I wish for," he chuckled then, which drew a curious look from Athelia, "plus, I must make it at least to face the champion, I really do want to see if I am the best!" At a hesitant laugh from Athelia, he threw one last wink her direction before he left her chambers.

She watched him and sighed, her heart fluttered as he left. After a moment, she groaned! How fickle she was, how fickle her heart when it could not decide between the two Guardians! They both provoked such heat from her, but in such different ways. She flung herself to the bed and buried her head in the covers as she tried sorting her thoughts out as they swirled around in her head. The lingering heat between her thighs, and the heat from her chest competed, and she did not know which she wished to win.

Of course, the next day's competition might make the decision for her, one way...or the other.

*

The final day of competition saw the Coliseum full to capacity, with hawkers and shouters outside the walls trying to con people into the few seats left for the public. All of the senators and their families attended the event, as was custom. They sat in private boxes set up and cleared of the common refuse from the earlier two days of competition. Athelia shifted nervously in the box for the Candidates. The final four Guardians stood before the Emperor's box, heads bowed as they received their blessing by name. When Paternus's name was announced, the crowd nearest the Emperor booed and tried to shout him down, though they eventually silenced as the Emperor gestured to them. He stepped forward and spoke into a great funnel, something that carried his voice to all areas of the arena through some method she did not know.

"My people, my countrymen! Today we celebrate our rise from the status of barbarians. Today we commemorate when we put aside our long history of violence, warfare among ourselves and killing, and embraced the civilized manner we now live."

At the crowds' cheer, he gestured them again to silence before he continued,

"These four competitors, these four Guardians represent us, our best, and they not only act as Guardians for our houses your leaders, and our Republic, and they also represent a desire to never return to those days. So today we embrace them, and we celebrate, because when we find the best Guardian, we find the best of us!"

The crowd again erupted into cheers, this time unrestrained or quelled by the Emperor. He smiled and gestured around as he absorbed the public's adoration before he finally retreated to his box, which oversaw the last two rings inscribed in the sand.

Athelia found she was holding her breath as all four Guardians stepped into the rings. Favius and Paternus did not face each other in this round, and Athelia could only wonder if that was through some machinations from the champion. Each pair picked their weapons and stood at the edges of the circle, while they awaited the signal from those Guardians that acted as judge before they could begin.

Athelia found that she stared at the competition of Paternus and his opponent. Paternus chose a simple shield and sword, the typical fighting instruments of the soldiery. His opponent though, he was lithe, sleek, and he chose two short-swords in gladius style. Athelia strained as she looked at him, were those blades more polished? Did they have the shine of a sharpened blade, she could not tell. She was so focused that when the Guardian signaled the start of the match, she was startled when a collective gasp rose from the audience. She started and looked over to Favius's circle, where his opponent saluted, and crossed his weapons, point down, a signal that he surrendered the match!

Athelia bit her lip as the crowd cheered when Favius stepped forward, saluted his opponent, and then gave a wave and a salute to the crowd as well. His opponent saluted the crowd as well, and he too was met with cheers, as the crowd embraced his apparent modest act in surrendering to the previous champion. Athelia could see it for what it was though. Now Favius had time to rest and watch Paternus fight, he had no risk of injury nor would he wear himself out in a hard-fought match. If Paternus lost, no doubt his opponent would surrender as well, and if Paternus won, then the younger Guardian would no doubt carry the injury and the fatigue from the three days of hard fighting.

As she turned her gaze back to Paternus, she could see the remnants of the bruises and injuries from his previous fights, even through his fur. As he and his opponent circled each other and looked for openings in their opponent's guards, she could see how gingerly he moved and tried to hide his injures. His opponent was also injured, with obvious bruises, and a minor limp he could not hide, but he obviously was in much better shape than Paternus. It was even more obvious when he moved in to engage with Paternus. His two blades crashed and flashed, as he struck against Paternus's sword and shield. The blows looked like they were not meant to get past his defenses, but were meant to batter the weapons and the body that held them.

She covered her muzzle as she watched as the other Guardian darted in, struck Paternus's sword, turned it aside and then ducked in on his shield. Paternus twisted his sword free and brought it in as he sidestepped. They exchanged blows and Athelia could see Paternus's sword score a solid strike against the Guardian's thigh, while in return a glancing blow struck against the soldier's ribs.

The difference in weapons immediately became apparent; while the Guardian danced away, his movements ginger as a red stripe appeared on his thigh, Paternus's ribs showed a shallow gash and deep red blood spilled forth, oozed from the wound and stained the fur at his side. Athelia gasped, but the crowd cheered at the sight of blood, and from her position, she saw as Paternus winced and brought his shield in closer to guard the newly injured ribs.

His opponent merely sneered and stepped inward again after he shook out his leg a little bit, and again brought their weapons together in a clash of sword on sword, and sword on shield. A swirl of movement and dust, and they disengaged again, this time the Guardian holding his arm at his side from a bruising blow that mirrored the cut along Paternus's ribs, but Paternus ended up another shallow cut, this time along his left calf. The cut was shallow enough that the blood stopped oozing nearly immediately, but Athelia could see how it pained Paternus with his movements.

The two fighters engaged again and again, and each time the result was the same. The faster, more agile Guardian would come in close and suffer strong, bruising blows that with the proper weapons would likely be fatal, but due to their blunted nature, would mostly just bruise or bounce off muscle. In return, he left score after score of shallow cuts and slashes on Paternus. Since the Guardian's fighting style was meant for the arena it was not meant to kill, it was meant as a show, so he could not land anything resembling a severe wound on the more experienced soldier. Still, each slash, each cut slowed Paternus down just that little bit more, and though the two seemed to be growing more winded, Athelia could see the way the cuts took their toll and Paternus recovered more and more slowly with each engagement.

Favius watched the entire scene from beneath the Emperor's box, his arms crossed, as he appeared stoic, even statuesque. Athelia could see the focus from the champion, and though he did not seem to exude the arrogance he had in her chamber the previous night, she could see the way his fingers clenched tightly to his upper arms and left divots in his own flesh.

The dust now had trails of blood dripped from Paternus's several cuts, and the soldier breathed heavily, almost gasping as his chest heaved each time he drew in air. Both competitors also glistened with the sweat of their exertions. Paternus held his shield loosely in one arm, as though he barely had the strength to lift it. He held his sword firmly though, to the side, in a wide stance to counter the way his opponent tried to circle around to one side or the other and sought the openings created by the injuries.

Athelia watched in concern as Paternus drooped a bit and dropped his sword arm nearly to his side, which created the opening his opponent no doubt expected. The Guardian lunged in, his swords flashed forward, one in a thrust meant to entangle and turn aside Paternus's sword again, while the second no doubt sought something vital. In that moment, Paternus moved, instead of retreating into a defensive position, he lunged forward, sword and shield pulled in tight into a suddenly much less worn out-position. She opened her muzzle in surprise as Paternus met the other's charge full force. He brought his shield up and turned aside the first blade. In a move that seemed almost too fast for sight, Paternus shifted his shield and twisted his body, while he caught the second blade between sword and shield, and ripped it away as he turned his body nearly full circle. At the last minute, he reversed his grip on his blade and drove it upwards, pommel first into the suddenly startled, unprepared jaw of the agile guardian. Athelia swore she could hear the very sound when pommel met jaw and snapped the Guardian's head back. The arena was shocked into silence as the Guardian slumped against Paternus's shield and flopped bonelessly to the arena's sands.

A cry started in Athelia's throat, a cheer, a moan, she did not know as Paternus' stood over his fallen opponent, and the judge came to take away his weapons. Whatever sound she was going to make quickly vanished into the sudden loud cheering from thousands of voices. Whatever his previous transgressions against the traditions of the matches forgotten in an instant at the stunning way he finished his opponent, despite the various injuries, bruises, slashes and blood that covered his body. He looked up, over to the box, he caught her gaze, and he looked up proudly as he walked to the edge of the ring to the priests there that also functioned as medical care, where they had bandages and water waiting to treat his injuries.

Athelia looked over, where Favius was still watching the circle with a hard, intent gaze. He did not look at her, and she could swear she could see his muzzle move, as though he were grinding his teeth with such intensity he might cause as much damage to his own jaw as Paternus's caused to his opponent's.

*

The final fight occurred after the mid-day meal, when the Emperor 'generously' provided bread, wine, meat and cheese to all of the competition's attendees. Athelia idly wondered how much of the taxes levied by the country went to just feeding and supplying drink for this one yearly event. It did give each contestant the chance to recuperate from their morning fight, by custom, thought Favius merely went around the rim of the crowd and played up to the audience, showing off and giving them the chance to say they spent a moment speaking with the champion. Paternus disappeared to the rooms beneath the sands, where they might patch up his wounds, and let him recover as best he could before the final match. Athelia found her heart beat hard in anticipation, though she knew not of what. She knew that just before the final match, the two competitors were expected to present themselves and walk the line of candidates, so they can receive final blessings before the match. She tried to calm herself by going over the ceremony in her head, but she found she could only go over her two encounters from the night before, along with the twisting in her heart and stomach those memories caused.

She was pulled from her revere by the sounds of the great fanfare that signaled the end of the break, and the commencement of the final match. She looked up, where both Guardians stood side-by-side at the entrance to the sands. Favius somehow made it back just in time for the entrance. The two of them walked before the candidates' box, and as they passed each girl in turn, the girl would anoint them with a dab of water, perfume, oil, or something else of value, and say their house's personal blessing for the competitors.

Favius, as previous year's champion, had the right to go first, and when he arrived in front of Athelia, she found she could only stammer through the blessing as she reached forward and daubed him with a touch of olive oil.

"G...gods and goddesses...b...bless you...and grant you skill and v...valor in your time before us all." She murmured to him, and she ducked her head as she realized he gazed at her intently. She looked up at him and he smiled heatedly,

"I am sure your family gods will smile on me, as even they see that you will be mine," he replied in a low tone. She drew back a bit, surprised, as the Guardians were not supposed to speak during the blessing, but before she could say more, he was gone, and Paternus took his place.

She repeated the blessing, noting, as she did, his wounds bandaged and cleaned as they could as he stood proudly before her. When she anointed him, he did not say anything, but she could see the thrill in his eyes and she couldn't help but smile at him and give him a light touch, anointing his lips before she sent him along. She was oblivious to the murmuring and the looks from the other girls around as she watched the two take their place before the Emperor.

"You two Guardians represent the best, most skilled, most dedicated, and most loyal of our people," he started, as the crowd grew quiet. "You show your strength so we do not kill, you show restraint to show us how we have grown, and you show the gods our worth as a people!"

A great cheer erupted from the crowd, which he let roll back and forth across the Coliseum for a few moments before he held up his hands and the crowd quieted quickly.

"As is our custom, the Guardians will each choose their weapons," he turned to Favius, "Guardian, what do you choose to show us your skill in this blessed fight?"

Athelia watched Favius inhale deeply and speak out, making sure to project as best he could, so it carried nearly as well as the Emperor's voice.

"I am blessed by the gods; I place my fate in their hands, and grant the choice of weapons to my opponent."

At his words, a murmur of voices spread through the crowd. Athelia bit her lower lip at the implied insult, that Favius felt he could beat Paternus with anything that the soldier cared to bring to the fight. She worried her lower lip as she watched the Emperor turn to Paternus,

"Well then Guardian, your opponent gives you the choice of weapons, so, what do you choose for this blessed competition."

Paternus gave a side look to Favius. Athelia could almost instantly read his expression, and she knew he had something in mind when he opened his mouth to answer,

"Great Emperor, I believe the gods bless us, and the things we were born with. I would use no trappings, and no tools other then the skills given to us by the gods. For our weapons, I choose horns."

A gasp arose again from the audience, and Athelia could not help joining them, especially as she looked from one to the other. Favius's horns were easily twice the size of Paternus's, he obviously kept them well groomed, cared for, and they looked like they were made of stone. By contrast, Paternus's horns were well trimmed, with several caps covering the points, bronze coverings over a rack that only perhaps had half the size of his opponent's.

That was not the only reason for the crowd reaction though, fighting with horns was considered a throwback, something only done during bar-brawls and when someone was fighting in the mud and dirt. It represented their wild past, and was the reason the competition used weapons, as a sign that their conflicts grew in skill, technology, and civility.

The Emperor's expression barely changed, but Athelia thought she caught a flinch from Favius as the Emperor raised his hands, quieting the crowd.

"As you wish, the gods bless you both. Take your positions in the circle."

Favius threw a hard look at Paternus, whom did not return the other male's gaze. She watched them as they circled and took their places at the edge of the circle. When they stripped their armor, leaving both of them just in a loincloth, the Emperor looked from one to the other.

"BEGIN!"

*

The two males circled each other at the edges of the large circle. Paternus looked like he was wary of the previous champion, and stood with crouched form. He moved with no sign that the bandaged injuries that covered his body slowed him at all, and he focused his gaze intently on the other male's movements. Favius, in contrast, looked contemptuous. He strutted around the edge of the circle heedless of the combat positioning from his opponent. He moved with the supreme arrogance of someone who knew the conclusion of a fight before it even started. Athelia hesitated to admit, the champion even moved with lithe grace that befitted someone with his level of training and fitness. He tossed his head, as though showing off the great rack of his horns, before he finally turned to his opponent fully across the ring.

When Favius charged, he did so almost casually. He ducked his head, bent over in a half-charging pose, and rushed the injured soldier. Paternus reacted to the half-charge and stepped aside easily. Favius finished his charge, grinned over his shoulder at the soldier, and then tossed another wave to the crowd, which cheered loudly at the champion's antics. Athelia bit her lip and watched Paternus as he recovered from the move; he had a half step of stiff movement before he recovered. She watched him intently; she could see how his wounds pained him, even as he tried to hide it as Paternus turned around and gave that same arrogant smile he displayed when he'd visited her chambers. He looked at the solider almost like the predators in Athelia's stories, before the Republic drove them out of their lands.

The second time Favius charged, he took his charge with a more serious approach. He ducked his head and charged forward, his heavy hooves pounded on the dirt as he rushed across the circle. Paternus reacted to the charge with one of his own, sensing the true nature of the charge. He ducked his head down as well and charged in matching fashion, though Athelia thought she detected a bit of a hint of a slower takeoff. The difference in their speed became obvious when they met with a loud _bang_of clashing horns, when it was obvious that they were off-center, more on Paternus's side of the ring. The two males' horns' interlocked with a loud clatter as their heads came together and the sound reverberated through the Coliseum, which brought a cheer from the audience.

Immediately, the two male's hands came up and they locked their hands on each other's respective upper arms in the traditional display of pure strength that came with a conflict of horns. Paternus's hooves dug in, and Athelia watched with half-opened mouth as Flavius attempted to bear down and use his greater, larger horns as extra weight and more leverage. The two males flexed against each other, their fur gleaming in the light and their flexing musculature was visible all the way across the arena. Surely, if there were any question of the two males' fitness, and the gods blessing in them both making it to the finals, the display of raw male strength dispelled any such notions.

For a few moments, it looked like the two males were evenly matched; they grunted and strained against each other. Their hooves dug into the dirt as they pushed and slowly, even perhaps more shockingly, Paternus pushed up and forced the former champion's head up and away from his. It looked for a few moments as if he might actually push Favius away, when in a sickening moment Athelia watched Paternus's right knee buckle. As his leg started to drop, it all seemed to move in slow motion. Favius bore down with his superior bodyweight, and as he did, he twisted his head and tried to hook his horns in Paternus's smaller rack. His head twisted in such a way that might even break Paternus's neck were he to land with the larger male's full weight on him.

The canny soldier was not so easily caught though, and the advantage of the smaller horns became obvious. As his knee buckled, he turned the fall into a roll to the side. He twisted his whole body and pulled with his arms on Favius's, turning the momentum sideways as his smaller horns slipped free from Favius's. The momentum made his roll a clumsy one, and he landed heavily on his side at the end, but the same twist sent Favius to the ground as well in a much less graceful landing. The champion's body hit the ground solidly, his rack turned sideways so that he landed hard on his chest and hip, and that no doubt put a harsh strain on the champion's neck as well.

Both of them rolled quickly over and watched each other, before they cautiously got back to their hooves. Athelia sighed with relief as they both recovered, while the crowd roared again. She couldn't tell whom they cheered for, but the din filled her ears, and even the other candidates seemed caught up. They cheered as well, though most of them openly cheered for the former champion, disregarding their vows to remain impartial.

Favius approached Paternus much more cautiously after that, and the two engaged in a cautious ballet of charge, counter-charge, move and throw that sent the dust flying and left them covered in the sand from the arena. Favius's strength and fresh muscles proved effective on more than one occasion, as he was able to hold off Paternus through sheer power, and then follow with heavy punches and head tosses that sent the soldier to the sand. He did not end up unmarked or untouched though, as the wily soldier's actual experience in combat shown through time and again. He would constantly roll or twist out of moves that should have finished the match, while delivering his own punishment and blows. Two, three times he send the champion to the sand in ways that might have finished the fight in other circumstances, but his wounds prevented a fast enough follow-up, and Favius was able to escape and re-establish their positioning once again.

Each time the two clashed, the crowd erupted in cheers, mostly for Favius, but more and more called out for Paternus as well. Athelia could see it on Favius's face as well, a growing frustration at his inability to put an end to the fight. They both slowed, but Paternus looked like he was the more patient of t he two fighters, and as Favius came back up again and again from a failed charge, or from getting tossed, his charges became less careful, his blows more wild, the clashes more hasty and less controlled.

The end came quickly, in a way no one in the crowd could have expected. Favius and Paternus had backed to the edge of the circle, where they could catch their breath. Favius's breath steamed in the air, and his muzzle flared from the deep, hard breaths he sucked in. Paternus was breathing in a more controlled manner, but his movements no longer hid the stiffness from his wounds, and he even developed a slight limp from one of the particularly bad slashes in his earlier fight. Favius didn't wait for Paternus to set for the charge; he ducked his head down and rushed across the circle. Paternus didn't hesitate at the headlong charge; he took off as well, though he did not set his head down to meet the charge square. He didn't even run at full charge, his head stayed up as he watched the full-speed charge of the larger male. He held his position until the last second before they met, and then he suddenly dropped his head. In this position, his smaller rack of horns slipped under Favius's and framed the suddenly startled male's head. He didn't get the chance to react though, Paternus's arms slipped around Favius's chest as they clashed together and Paternus snapped his head upwards. The hardest part of his head, the part where generations of species breeding had made the bone the thickest to absorb the impacts of two full sized bodies striking full on, slammed upwards into the underside of Favius's jaw.

It was hard to tell whether Favius was unconscious before he hit the ground or after. As his head snapped back, Paternus twisted and lifted the other male's body into sort of a modified suplex that sent them both crashing to the ground backwards. Favius's head, neck, and shoulders took most of the impact from the soldier's body as it followed him to the ground. The silence across the Coliseum was nearly deafening as both males lay on the sands for a few moments...but as Paternus slowly turned over and got painfully to his hooves, the crowd erupted into a great noise that shook the very air around them. Athelia watched, her fists clenched, until she saw Paternus wearily wave to the crowd, while the priest stepped over and checked the fallen champion.

It was only when he turned to the box and gave a weak smile in her direction, that he meant just for her, that she allowed a breath to escape her body shakily. She smiled and waved back, while the rest of the candidates, now suddenly great fans, all pushed to the edge of the box and waved whatever kerchiefs, cloths, or other things they could in their excitement to attract the attention of the Republic's new Champion Guardian.

*

After Paternus's somewhat spectacular triumph over Favius, the rest of the ceremonies surrounding the competition seemed almost anti-climactic in comparison. The Emperor bestowed the Garland and blessed the champion, and then sent him over so the candidates could bless him and to decide whom he would have for his wife, or wives. Favius watched on, deflated ego written all over his face as Paternus walked the line of the young ones whom each tried proving just how much they _knew_he was going to win, despite their two previous days distance and resentment of the young soldier. They each bestowed blessings, while they tried to press close, caress him, or otherwise get close to the strong, muscular, soldier. As he approached Athelia, she felt that warmth and flutter in her chest, and she couldn't help but duck her head shyly as he approached.

Of course, that did little to help her, as he still was simply in the loincloth of the competition, as there was not time to replace his armor nor would that armor sit well on his various wounds from his fights. As he approached, she realized just how muscular and toned his body was, since before it had been hidden by distance, armor, or just her own thoughts. He gently tilted her head up, and she suppressed a blush at the amusement and warmth in his gaze, that matched the growing warmth in her chest.

"Do you have no blessing for your champion," he asked in mild amusement,

"Oh...um...yes...Bless your victory, now and in the future, and may your house prosper, and the gods smile on your family," as she continued her blush intensified as she realized the part coming up, "and your unions."

He tsked, and chuckled with tired mirth, "Union...though a union celebrated many times in the future."

She felt her ears going bright red and she couldn't help it as she ducked her head, and he laughed merrily at her reaction. She glanced over and saw the daggers shot at her from the other does as they watched the interchange, but custom forbade them from interrupting the interaction.

Paternus then turned and faced the crowd, whom all cheered again as he walked off the sands, followed by Favius, the priests, and the rest of the ceremonial attendance for the competition.

*

It came as no surprise, at least to Athelia, that she later found that Paternus only approached her family for her hand in marriage, as the first wife of his house. The first surprise came from the bickering from her mothers over whether the soldier was suitable. It seemed, champion or not, many of them thought it would be a massive loss of prestige for the house as a whole were they to join with his low-born family.

The second surprise came from an unexpected source, Terentia.

Terentia stayed out of the argument, but watched Athelia as she argued for the tradition, how it is unheard of for a family to refuse a marriage proposal from a Champion Guardian. She also argued that she would be the first and most prestigious wife in what is obviously a rising family in the republic. All of these arguments came heatedly from Athelia's lips, while Terentia observed her young daughter, her most recent child, and the one most willful in the house.

Just when Athelia's other mothers were about to launch into another harangue, Terentia held up a slender hand and forestalled the beginning of their argument. Her piercing, matronly gaze turned to Athelia,

"Athelia dear...you argue for tradition and history...but I've never known you to _ever_believe that someone should follow a tradition just because it exists."

Athelia blushed a bit and stammered, "Y...yes...b, but this time, he is the Champion...I know how important it is to you,"

Terentia cut the sentence off with a gesture and tilted her head to the side while she looked to Athelia, and a small smile crept across her lips.

"He is the Champion, but you've refused our insistence on greater traditions for much less reason before."

The older doe's smile spread a touch wider as she looked over Athelia from tips of her ears down to her hooves. She then turned to the others.

"We will bless this union, and it will go forward. If he does not have a prestigious family now, he will soon enough."

She then glanced back to Athelia and smiled another small smile,

"I think our daughter knows her reasons for agreeing to this, and we should let her make her decision. So let's make this a wedding suitable for the Champion Guardian!"

*

"I know it is small, but I hope it meets with your approval."

Paternus's voice was cautious, if Athelia had to say, nervous even as the doe looked around his...their home for the first time.

The wedding was a great blur in her mind; there were the requisite Senators, Guardians, and other people who showed up for any prestigious event, especially the marriage of the Champion Guardian. Her family was there as well, and if her mothers showed any disapproval for the union, Athelia's father and Terentia quelled their displeasure. It seemed Terentia had a talent for spotting when one of them was going to say something disparaging. The matronly look she often used on Athelia worked just as well on them.

They deliberately made no mention that they held the wedding at their household, even though tradition had it take place at the husband's. Paternus simply did not have the home and the lands to accommodate the sheer number of people that attended such a wedding. With the grants of land, and the benefits from becoming the champion though, that would likely change in the future. Champion Guardians taught younger Guardians in training, and that required a great bit of property to run their schools.

Paternus's family was small, and though they made a good showing, it was obvious the crowd of dignitaries and high-birth families that surrounded them intimidated them. However, whenever the higher born families tried talking down to them, Athelia saw their shoulders straighten, and they would respond in such a way that left the so-called 'higher class' flustered and wanting for words. The sight gave Athelia a smile whenever she saw it, and when Paternus saw her gaze, he would give her a smile as well, and would wrap his arm around her and hold her close. Whenever he did she felt that thrill go through her, and the warmth she associated with him grew in her chest.

Like most weddings of such status, it also seemed like it took forever, so it was well after dark before the two of them retired to his home, amongst much talks of his future in politics, and assurances that his family would no doubt be blessed and grow.

They stood in the foyer now of his home. It did not compare in size to her family's palatial estate, but she could see the care and the love his family put into it. Where they used stone it he'd polished it to a fine sheen, and the wood was stained, cared for, and practically glowed in the warm light of the oil lanterns. She smiled as she walked from room to room, finding the privy, the small, but usable kitchen, a small library, things that showed his personality, and showed that he had more depth than being a 'simple soldier'. He followed, and she could sense his nervousness the closer she approached a certain room. She blushed as well and stopped before she truly crossed the threshold to his bedchambers. She turned to him and stepped close. She rested her palms on his chest and then turned her head to rest her cheek against him as well, she could hear his heartbeat as it beat against him, and he hesitantly put his arms around her.

"It is lovely, it is not just where you live...it is your, our home," her voice sounded thick, even to her, and when she dared looking up into his face, it held a smile with deep warmth that sent another flutter through her chest.

"Yes it is," he said with a smile, "it is your home now, even if it is the home a champion lives in now, it was always the place of a soldier."

She smiled and started to speak, "Paternus..." she stopped when he put a finger to her lips,

"I am not Paternus to you, as that is my family name, I am always Lucius to you now, wife."

She smiled slightly and nodded, "As you wish...husband," she then blushed and gestured to the room behind them with her head, "but now you should truly make me your wife, as a husband should," she said somewhat timidly, as the heat she felt spread, and a blush crept up into her ears.

He gave a low chuckle, one filled with amusement, a heat that sent another thrill through her, before he wrapped his arms around her. With one almost nonchalant gesture he casually hoisted her up over his shoulder and marched into the bedroom.

The sudden gesture made her gasp and then giggle as she found herself over his shoulder, looking down at his ass as he strode into the bedroom. Then the whole world pitched over, she found herself landing on the soft, feather-stuffed mattress of his bed with a fump and looking up into his gaze. She glanced around at the gauze-surrounded bed, the chamber obscured, the rest of the world cut off from her gaze. All she could see was his form above her, leaning over her body, getting closer and closer.

Then he was there, kissing her intensely, his hand slipping around and tangling in her fur at the back of her neck. She groaned almost immediately at the heat that blossomed. This was no heat of the heart, this was the burning fire of lust between her thighs, and she was surprised at the intensity of the sensation.

She tried meeting his passion with her own. Her hands snaked up and stroked across his chest, over his neck, and around to his back. As they pressed together, she felt his taut, muscular body on her own. She thrilled at the weight, the feeling of his power pressed against her. She arched her back into the sensation, but could only give another moan, this time of frustration, as her wedding robes prevented her from feeling him even more.

Seeming to sense her frustration, he pushed himself up off her, though his heated breathing showed that the kiss affected him seemingly as much as it affected her. He panted as he looked down to her, sudden concern showing through his lustful gaze.

"It is...your first time," it was not a question, and she nodded readily at him, though the blush crept up her ears even further at the admission.

He nodded and smiled down,

"I will try to be gentle then," he continued, even as he reached down and he gently tugged Athelia up into a sitting position.

His hands slide along her waist, which provoked another delightful shiver from the doe, but it was only so he could untie the various fastenings that held the robe around her body. She tried not to hide herself, but could not help ducking her head as the cloth fell away from her shoulders and bunched at her waist. She'd never been exposed in front of a male in that way before, and she was acutely conscious of his gaze as her chest heaved. She already felt like her nipples were hard as pebbles, both from the passionate kiss, and from the initial shyness at being nude for the first time, especially with her new husband.

"You are very beautiful..." his voice was almost reverent, which brought her gaze up to him. He smiled at her and pressed forward again.

They met in another heated kiss; they sat together on the bed, intermixed kisses with nips, and their tongues dueled together in the manner of lovers having been starved for such attentions for too long. His hand went to her perked breast; as his hand closed over it, and his palm brushed over her nipple she let out a heated gasp at the spike of pleasure that arced through her body straight from her chest down to her nethers.

Taking that as encouragement, he slipped left hand around and held her at the base of her spine while his right hand continued caressing over her perked nipple. Athelia was caught in a dizzying mix of sensations, heightened by the feeling as he nipped down the side of her throat. She was able to spare half a thought for his obvious experience before he captured her free breast in between his lips. She squeaked at the sudden sensation and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, but was soon rocking up against him and moaning at the conflicting sensations of fingertips squeezing, caressing, and pinching one nipple, while his broad tongue and gentle lips lavished the other with attention.

He started gently pushing her down to the bed. She went willingly, until she found that she was sprawled out across the bed with only her lower body covered by the askew robes. She found they covered almost nothing, after all, because without even leaving his attentions on her nipples, his hand slipped around from the small of her back. She squeezed her thighs a little with anticipation as it crept under the robes, and slid that short distance between her thighs. She could o little more than squirm as she was assaulted with sensation, and she moaned freely as heat, wetness, and spikes of pleasure coursed through her.

Her voice went though when his deft fingers finally found her sopping nether regions. She had no idea she could be that wet, but when his fingertips slid over her folds, she felt like she was going to flood his hand right there. She arched her back up and panted as she pressed her hips into his grip.

He was gentle, but forceful, he pressed her down with both his body weight, and deliberate pressure from his hand, while his fingertips parted her labia, stroked her inner heat, and even grazed up underneath to a spot that caused her hips to jerk and sent an almost painful spike of pleasure through her body.

She writhed, she gasped, she whimpered, and she moaned as he played with her body. His touch was sure, but gentle, and he would occasionally cover her sounds by kissing her deeply and passionately. Eventually though, she felt she could take it no longer and she gasped up against his ear,

"Please...please...make me your wife...please."

The words sent a thrill through her just saying them, especially when she felt him slide off her, dragging her robes as he went. She panted, no longer caring that she was fully nude, exposed, needy and wanting in front of him...her husband. She just watched him as he undid the fastenings of his toga and let the fabric slip from his body. Her gaze roved fully over him, hesitating briefly at the few remaining signs of his battle, but her gaze was inexorably drawn down between his thighs.

Her eyes widened at the sight, she'd seen illustrations as part of her 'education' but they did not compare to the shaft of flesh that stood proudly between his thighs. He watched her gaze and smiled, before he knelt down between her thighs. He was obviously nearly a forearm length long and thicker then she expected, but she felt her sex clench in anticipation. She licked her lips, looked up at him as he used a hand and guided the tip down, and rubbed it up and down along her slit. She groaned again and raised her hips as she felt him nestle against her entrance. He paused though, and she looked up to him,

"I'm told there will be some pain," he said gently, "but I will try to make it better for you."

She nodded, "Yes...my mother said so," she panted, "but please...please, I can endure it, I want you..."

He nodded and gently rolled his hips forward. At first, she felt the strain, the slight effort to get past her initial entrance, but she soon felt him spread her open around him. She licked her lips and concentrated on that growing full feeling as he thrust in slowly, until just a moment later, he stopped inside her.

"I think...this is it...are you ready?"

She nodded, "Oh yes...yes please," she pled one more time, while she reached out for him.

He reached out as well, took her hands, and then drew her close, as with one more firm thrust, she felt him pierce her hymen and thrust fully into her sex. The pain was immediate, a burning pain that made her feel like he had torn her open. She whimpered, and he stopped thrusting and held her against him. She felt something slightly sticky, warm, and wet between them, and with a start realized it must be her virginal blood. The sensation brought a surge of incoherent happiness to her, and she ducked her head against him, sobbed, and moaned at the same time,

"N...now I'm yours," she realized how sappy she sounded, and the comedy of it suddenly struck her, sending a ripple of giggling laughter through her, unfortunately that caused her stomach to jerk a little, and emphasized the pain she still felt between her thighs. She gasped and turned her head up to him,

"I...it hurts...but I want this. I want to feel you inside me, and I want to feel your pleasure."

He nodded and moved again. He thrust inwards slowly, but surely, which provoked another moaning whimper from her throat even as she felt the growing fullness of his long shaft filling her sex to the brim. He moved in until his hips settled heavily against hers, surprising her that she was able to take him entirely inside her. She looked up at him and blinked away involuntary tears as she smiled at him. He smiled as well and kissed her in return, while one hand went to her hip, and the other went around her waist.

Their first time went slowly. He was true to his word, he was as gentle as he could, moving back and forth a mere couple of inches each time he stroked to lessen the pain. He could not deaden it completely though, and even as she felt pleasure coursing through her body, the pain kept her from fully releasing to the pleasure as she wanted.

She felt the blessing in feeling his pleasure though. As his movements grew a little faster, and his strokes a little firmer and his breathing more ragged, she savored the sensations inside her and the expressions he gave as he took his pleasure in her body. She put aside the pain and encouraged him with touch and word. She moaned again and caressed his back, his neck, and over his muzzle as they kissed and moved together. She hiked her thighs up and tried to hold him with her legs, hoofs hooked over his hips as he thrust into her.

Eventually, she felt his thrusts go less controlled, longer and more frantic, while his breathing grew more ragged. She pulled him closer to her chest as his hips rolled and thrust. She could feel him stretching her out so deliciously, and looked forward to her next time, when she could give herself over without the pain of her first time. She clenched him to her, and when he did climax, and she felt her sex fill with his liquid heat. She let loose her own groan of pleasure and clenched herself against him, while the delicious pleasure mixed with the pain and left her head swimming and deep inside her, begging for more of both of them.

The two of them slowly separated after a few minutes, while his cock went soft, and she felt more warmth ooze out between her thighs. They held each other close, breathing together as she savored being in his bed, being with him and the thought passed through her head that she was his now, mind, body and soul in its entirety.

"Mmmmm, I am yours...my Champion," she murmured sleepily, as the exhaustion caught up with her,

"And you...are my love...my wife, and my prize." He answered.

---

Thank you everyone for your comments and votes, you can certainly see the results above. I hope it was worth the wait for the ending!