New Gladiators

           Proximonevermissedtrainingforthenewboys.Hecouldlearnsomuchaboutthem.

           Themoreexperiencedgladiatorstrainedagainsteachother,workingwithswordsandspearsandwithshieldsandarmor.

           Thenewoneswereputtogetherintoasmallarenainthecenter.Onebyonetheyweregivenheavywoodenswordsandsentintofacetheteacher.Hehadasimilarsword.

           Proximowatchedfromashortdistance.Veryquicklyhistrainedeyecouldsortthenewclassintotwogroups.Thefightersweremarkedwithredpaint,andtheotherswithyellow.

           Hakenenjoyedhisjobasgladiatorteacher.Hetookgreatpleasureinknockingawaytheswordsofhisnewstudentsandthenhittingthemhardsotheyfellontothedirt.ItwassoonMaximus’sturntofaceHaken.

           "Spaniard,"Hakencalledtohim.

           Maximuswentforwardslowly.Proximowatchedmoreclosely,toseewhatwouldhappen.

           MaximuspickeduptheswordandstoodfacingHaken.Suddenlyeveryone,especiallyHaken,sawthatthismanwasafighter.Therewassomethingaboutthewayheheldthesword,thewayhestood-butmostofalltherewerehiseyes.Therewasnodoubt-heknewhowtofight.

           Maximusliftedtheswordandthendroppedittotheground.Heseemedtobesaying,"Icouldkill,butIchoosenotto."

           Hakenwassurprised.Wasthisaninsult?HelookedtoProximofororders.Proximomadeasigntohimtocontinue.

           HakenstruckMaximusacrossthestomach.Maximusfellforwardbutthenstoodstraightagainandfacedhim.

           HakenlookedagaintoProximo,andagainhewastoldtocontinue.