Гладиатор
The Last Battle
Tohimtheywereallheroes.
Commodusintroducedthetwosenators.TheyweresmartpoliticiansandtheysawthatMaximuscouldhaveaninterestingfutureinRome.TherealpowerwasnotwiththeEmperor.Itwaswithwhoeverhadcontrolofthearmy.
CommodusledMaximusawaytoaquietercorner.Hespokesoftly."Timesarechanging,General.I’mgoingtoneedgoodmenlikeyou."
"HowcanIhelp,sir?"
"You’reamanwhocancommand.Yougiveorders,themenfollowyourorders,thebattleiswon."Commoduslookedacrossatthesenators."WemustsaveRomefromthepoliticians,myfriend.Willyoubewithmewhenthetimecomes?"
"Whenyourfatherallowsmetogo,IwillreturntoSpain,sir,"saidMaximus.
"Home?Ahyes.Butdon’tgettoocomfortable-Imaycallonyousoon."Then,seemingsuddenlytoremember,Commodussaid,"Lucillaishere.Didyouknow?Shehasn’tforgottenyou-andnowyouarethegreathero."Heturnedawaytowatchhisfatherleavingthetentwithhisguards."Caesarwillsleepearlytonight,"hesaid.
Whenheturnedbackagain,Maximushadgone.Commoduswasanxious.Whodidthegreatgeneralreallysupport?Couldhebetrusted?CommodustooksomemorewineandthoughtcarefullyaboutMaximus.
***
Marcus’sslaveshelpedhimintotheroyaltent.Lucillawasalreadythere.
"It’sapityIonlyhaveoneson,"Marcussaidtoher."YouwouldbeabetterCaesarthanCommodus...stronger.Iwonderifyouwouldalsobefair?"
"Iwouldbewhateveryoutaughtmetobe,"shereplied,smiling.Shecametohissideandkissedhim.
