Гладиатор
One More Duty
"Howlongisitsinceyouwerelasthome?"
"Twoyears,twohundredsixty-fourdays-andonemorning."
Marcuslaughed."Iamjealousofyou,Maximus.Yourhomeisgood-somethingtofightfor.Ihaveonemoredutytoaskofyoubeforeyougohome."
"Whatwouldyoulikemetodo,Caesar?"
"BeforeIdie,Iwillgivethepeopleafinalgift.Anempireatpeaceshouldnotberuledbyoneman.IwanttogivepowerbacktotheSenate."
Maximuswasshocked."Butsir,ifnoonemanholdspower,allmenwillreachforit"
"You’reright.ThatiswhyIwantyoutobecometheProtectorofRome.GivepowerbacktothepeopleofRome."Maximussaidnothing."Youdon’twantthisgreathonor?"
"Withallmyheart,no."
"Thatiswhyitmustbeyou,"Marcusreplied.
"ButwhataboutCommodus?"
"Commodusisnotagoodman.Ithinkyoualreadyknowthat.Hemustnotrule.Youaremoreofasontomethanheis."Marcusstoodup."Commoduswillacceptmydecision-heknowsthearmyisloyaltoyou."
ApieceoficestruckMaximus’sheart."Ineedsometimesir"hesaid.
"Ofcourse.BysunrisetomorrowIhopeyouranswerwillbeyes.Nowletmeholdyouasason."MarcusputhisarmsaroundMaximus.
***
MaximuslefttheEmperor’stentfeelinganxious.Onemoreduty,onehedidnotwant-butcouldherefuse?Hewasaloyalsoldier,loyaltoRomeandtoCaesar.Hestoodoutsidethetenttryingtothinkclearly.Suddenly,therewasavoicebehindhim.
"Youaremyfather’sfavoritenow."
MaximusturnedandsawLucilla.Astheireyesmet,ashockofemotionranthroughthemboth.
