Гладиатор

           "WhydoesMaximusdeservethisinsteadofme?Whydoyoulovehimmorethanme?"

           Hisvoicegrewlouderasheheldhisfather’sheadtighterandtighter.Marcuscouldnotbreathe.Hebegantomove,tryingtogetaway,butCommodusheldhisfather’sfacecloseagainsthischest.Hisstrengthwastoogreat;Marcuscouldnotescape.Commodusdidnotrelaxuntilhefelthisfather’sbodydropinhisarms.

           Heplacedhimonthebed,dead."Youdidn’tlovemeenough,"hesaidsoftly.

           ***

           QuintuswokeMaximusinthemiddleofthenight.Maximusrealizedimmediatelythattherewastrouble.

           "TheEmperorneedsyou,"Quintussaid."It’surgent."

           "Whatisit?"Maximusasked.

           "Theydidnottellme,"saidQuintus.

           TheyhurriedtoMarcus’stenttogether.Attheentrance,theguardsletthemthroughwithoutaword.

           Inside,MaximussawCommodusfirst.Hisfacewaswhitebutshowednoemotion.Lucillastoodinacornerofthetent,lookingdownatthefloor.ThenMaximussawMarcus,lyingonhisbed.Heknewimmediatelythathewasdead.

           "Howdidhedie?"heasked.

           "Inhissleep,"saidCommodus."Thedoctorssaytherewasnopain."

           MaximuslookedatLucilla,butsheturnedaway.Hewalkedtothebed,bentoverMarcus,andkissedthetopofhishead.ThenhestoodandfacedCommodus.Commoduslookedbackathimandheldouthishand.

           "YourEmperorasksforyourloyalty,"hesaid."Takemyhand,Maximus."Maximusunderstoodthesituationexactly.Heknew,withoutadoubt,thatCommodushadkilledhisfather."Ishallonlyofferitonce,"saidCommodus.