Гладиатор

           "Howwasthetrip?"Marcusasked.

           "Long.Boring.WhyhaveIcome?"askedLucilla.

           "Ineedyourhelp,"saidherfather."Withyourbrother.Helovesyou-healwayshas.Soonheisgoingtoneedyoumorethanever."Lucilladidnotknowwhattosay."Nomore.Itisnotanightforpolitics,"Marcussaid."Itisanightforanoldmanandhisdaughtertolookatthemoontogether.LetuspretendthatyouarealovingdaughterandIamagoodfather."

           Lucillatookhisarmandtheywalkedtogetherintothecoldnightair."Thisisapleasantfiction"shesaid,smilingathim.

           Lucillaunderstoodhim.Sheknewthatherfatherwouldlovetobejustasimpleoldmansharingalittletimewithhisdaughter.ButhewasEmperorofRome,andforhimlifewasmuchmorecomplicated.

           ***

           Inthecoldmorning,attheedgeoftheforest,agroupofmenweretrainingforbattle.Commodusandhisguardswerepracticingswordfighting,strikingatsmalltrees.

           Theyoungprincewasproudofhisbody.Hewasstrongandhealthyasaresultofthestricttraininghedideverymorning.Histrainingprogramwastakenstraightfromthegladiatorschools,wheremenlearnedtofightfortheirlives.Hisgreatestwishwastofightagainstrealgladiators,althoughheknewthathisfatherwouldneverallowit.MarcushadendedthetraditionofgladiatorfightsinRome.

           MaximuspassedbythesmallgroupofmenintheearlymorninglightandnoticedthattheEmperor’ssonwasamongthem.Hewasnotsurprised.HehadheardplentyofstoriesaboutCommodus,howstrongandskilledhewas