As the patrol make their way down the path, you glance upwards. The weather seems to be turning stormy, 
the air becoming thick and muggy. The scent of the forest turns sickly sweet, like cheap perfume beginning 
to decay. The smell is strong enough to make you gag, forcing you pause and catch your breath. You reach 
out and steady yourself against two trees. You suddenly feel strong hands on your arms as the sickly-sweet 
perfume intensifies; you open your eyes, startled.

"At last, you're awake." You look up blearily at Grand Champion Slash, peculiarly aware of the smell of 
cheap perfume still wreathing around you. You struggle to your feet despite the pains you feel all over, 
the two fellow gladiators holding your arms at least doing you the kindness of letting you face your shame 
standing.

Grand Champion Slash looks grim and almost disappointed. "Champion Brend, not only were you found in the 
arms of a mage last night, but it has proven beyond doubt that you have been using her services to aid you 
in combat." You fight the urge to look away, not wanting to admit the truth even to yourself. "Added to 
that are reports that you have been acting dishonourably in combat, even to the point of rigging fights. 
As a consequence you are to be stripped of your title and banned from the Guild for life."

You open your mouth to protest but the gladiator to your left belts you across the cheek. Solemnly the 
Grand Master nods to the men holding you; they turn and roughly pull you towards the door. You stumble 
but they don't stop; they drag you through the corridors of the Guild, other gladiators briefly looking 
at you only to turn away in disgust. The front gates are opened ahead of you; your guards look at each 
other over your head and throw you out onto the street.

You land sprawling, face down in the dirt. A gaggle of young ladies waiting nearby look at you in surprise, 
their perfume drifting over. As you close your eyes, willing yourself to stand, the scent becomes 
overpowering; it dies suddenly and you open your eyes once more to find yourself leaning against the trees.