Гладиатор
One More Duty
Thesewerehiswifeandchild.
Ashelookedathisfamily,hetriedtoimaginewhathisfatherorgrandfatherwoulddoinhissituation.Whatwouldtheydecide?Howwouldtheyadvisehim?Hepickedupthefigureofhiswifeandkissedit.
"Cicero,"hecalledout.Behindhim,hisservantCiceroappearedandgavehimadrink."Doyoueverfinditdifficulttodoyourduty?"Maximusaskedhim.
Cicero,atall,thinmanwithlonghair,thoughtaboutthequestionforafewseconds."SometimesIdowhatIwanttodo,sir,"hesaid."TherestofthetimeIdowhatIhavetodo."
Maximussmiled."Wemaynotbeabletogohome,"hesaid,sadly.
***
MarcusAureliussatinhisgreattent,litonlybythelightofafire,andpreparedhimselftotellCommodusofhisdecision.Finally,hesaid,"YouwilldoyourdutyforRome."
Commodusstoodinfrontofhim,proudandtall,waitingtohearhisfathernamehimasthenextCaesar."Yes,Father,"hesaid.
"ButyouwillnotbeEmperor,"Marcussaid.
Commodusfrozeashisfuturesuddenlydisappeared."Whowilltakemyplace?"heasked.
"MypowerwillpasstoMaximus,toholduntiltheSenateisreadytorule.Romewillbearepublicagain.Icanseethatyouarenothappy,myson..."
"Youbreakmyheart,"Commodussaid."Ihavetriedtomakeyouproud...butIcouldneverdoit.Whydoyouhatemesomuch?Ionlywantedtobeyourson,butIwasneverquitegoodenough."Marcusputhisarmsaroundhisson,andCommoduscried.
