Nikoli waited patiently in line outside of the arena latrine to urinate. The line was extensive. The sun shined proudly above the land; casting it's burning rays down on all the people below. Guards stood in numbers to ensure that no bathroom use was occurring outside of the designated areas. A bead of sweat raced down Nikoli's temple. The impatience of many of the strong warriors filled the air with tension. These strong, tall proud warriors stood in the 90 degree weather wearing their shiny metal armor; slowly being baked like a spud. Some were bruised and bloodied from their combat in the arena. Some haven't entered yet. Nikoli was one that hasn't entered yet. Although he wasn't engaged in combat, he was in a battle of his own. A battle against time. A battle against his body. Hydration was key to overcoming the effects of the heat. The arena was well known for the wildly hot temperatures on the burning hot sands for which the warriors are to conduct their combat. Water was not a hard substance to come by. Water was a substance that was encouraged. A substance for which Nikoli had too much of.
The latrine was a half built wooden room that was divided into three dividers that was covered by torn ragged cloth. There sat a wooden bench within each stall that had an eight inch diameter hole cut in. Three warriors would go in at a time and leave at the same time. Ridiculous! This is an absurd setup. Never the less, Nikoli had to abide by the bathroom rules of the arena. Each warrior was given a time limit of 2 minutes to do his business. This was a well known fact. Nikoli was worried that 2 minutes would not be enough time to evacuate his bladder.
A proud 7'1 burly warrior stood behind Nikoli. His teeth clamped shut. His knees bent forward. He would alternate between his feet to find a more comfortable stance to contain his leak. The warriors eyes were narrow and his breathing was shallow. Quickly the warrior started to bounce on his tip toes. His cloth shoes bent with each bounce.
"Hurry up, HURRY UP!" the warrior said under his breath. Nikoli can relate as his sweating increased. Not from the heat but from the strain of holding his fluids. He squinted his eyes. He conditions his mind so that the pressure isn't as bad as it seems. That he can handle this. Soon, he will be in the arena wielding his sword in combat. Who was he kidding? This was worse than combat. This was agony. Hell.
Several dozen feet behind Nikoli a warrior had enough and decided to evacuate his bladder behind a cactus that was located not too far from the weapons building. The guards quickly apprehended the warrior and escorted him away from the arena. The guards kicked the warrior in the behind and cracked a whip against his back to send him on his way. The guards returned to their stance as if nothing had happened.
Finally! It was their turn. Nikoli entered the latrine and took his stand; as did the other two warriors that followed. Each entered their own divider. The explanation of why the cloth covering the dividers was torn was apparent at this point as the men quickly jerked the cloth to the side and rushed in. Moments later, the sound from the latrine was that of a large waterfall hitting a water source after a great rain. Euphoria filled the warriors instantly. Each gave a sigh of relief as the waterfall continued. The sound of pouring water was torment to the warriors still waiting. The two minutes had expired which happened to be enough time for Nikoli to finish. The guards gave the signal that time was up. The warriors took their leave of the latrine and entered the arena. Combat will soon follow. Anxiety was not as bad as before the latrine incident. They entered the combat area as new men. Each had a smirk on their face. They each pulled their weapon. A loud voice soon yelled:
"BEGIN!"
The latrine was a half built wooden room that was divided into three dividers that was covered by torn ragged cloth. There sat a wooden bench within each stall that had an eight inch diameter hole cut in. Three warriors would go in at a time and leave at the same time. Ridiculous! This is an absurd setup. Never the less, Nikoli had to abide by the bathroom rules of the arena. Each warrior was given a time limit of 2 minutes to do his business. This was a well known fact. Nikoli was worried that 2 minutes would not be enough time to evacuate his bladder.
A proud 7'1 burly warrior stood behind Nikoli. His teeth clamped shut. His knees bent forward. He would alternate between his feet to find a more comfortable stance to contain his leak. The warriors eyes were narrow and his breathing was shallow. Quickly the warrior started to bounce on his tip toes. His cloth shoes bent with each bounce.
"Hurry up, HURRY UP!" the warrior said under his breath. Nikoli can relate as his sweating increased. Not from the heat but from the strain of holding his fluids. He squinted his eyes. He conditions his mind so that the pressure isn't as bad as it seems. That he can handle this. Soon, he will be in the arena wielding his sword in combat. Who was he kidding? This was worse than combat. This was agony. Hell.
Several dozen feet behind Nikoli a warrior had enough and decided to evacuate his bladder behind a cactus that was located not too far from the weapons building. The guards quickly apprehended the warrior and escorted him away from the arena. The guards kicked the warrior in the behind and cracked a whip against his back to send him on his way. The guards returned to their stance as if nothing had happened.
Finally! It was their turn. Nikoli entered the latrine and took his stand; as did the other two warriors that followed. Each entered their own divider. The explanation of why the cloth covering the dividers was torn was apparent at this point as the men quickly jerked the cloth to the side and rushed in. Moments later, the sound from the latrine was that of a large waterfall hitting a water source after a great rain. Euphoria filled the warriors instantly. Each gave a sigh of relief as the waterfall continued. The sound of pouring water was torment to the warriors still waiting. The two minutes had expired which happened to be enough time for Nikoli to finish. The guards gave the signal that time was up. The warriors took their leave of the latrine and entered the arena. Combat will soon follow. Anxiety was not as bad as before the latrine incident. They entered the combat area as new men. Each had a smirk on their face. They each pulled their weapon. A loud voice soon yelled:
"BEGIN!"