The crowd fell silent, and the combatants all turned to face him.
“We have all witnessed a great battle this afternoon,” he began. “It was not what we had been expecting, but I think you will all agree with me that this young girl has proved herself most worthy.”
The crowd roared their approval.
The Pharaoh allowed the noise to continue for a while before asking for silence once more.
“Therefore, I have decided that Anlet-Un-Ri is to be given the honour of the title ‘People’s Champion’, and she will join my secondary wife’s household as her personal guard.”
The arena erupted in cheers.
Anlet-Un-Ri could feel her head spinning through loss of blood, but she remained on her feet, and turned to salute the remaining fighters.
To a man, they all returned her acknowledgement.
The Pharaoh
