Гладиатор

           AtlasttheyarrivedatProximo’soldschool,wherethegateswerestilllockedashehadleftthem.Thegladiatorsweregladtogetoutoftheboxtheyhadtraveledin.Theylookedaround.AcrosstherooftopsofRome,onlyashortdistanceaway,wasanenormousbuilding:thegreatColosseum.

           Maximus,Juba,andtheothersstaredatit,listeningtothesoundof50,000voicesshoutingforblood.Eachmanwasthinking,"IsthatwhereIdie?"

           Fromthegreatarenacameanothersound:"Caesar!Caesar!

           ProximoknewthismeantthattheEmperorhadjustarrived.HelookedacrossatMaximus."Winthecrowd"hesaidsoftly.Maximushadonlyonethought:"Heisthere.Heisclose.ThetimeiscomingwhenIwillseehimmyself:themanIlivetokill."

           ***

           ItwaslatemorningofthefollowingdaywhenMaximusandtheothergladiatorsweretakentotheColosseum.Theywereputintocagesundertheseatsofthearena.

           Crowdsofpeoplecamepasttolookatthenewfighters,toguesswhichoneswerewinnersandwhichwoulddie.Maximussatatthebackofthecage,takingnonoticeofthem.

           HecouldhearProximotalkingloudlytoamancalledCassius,whosejobwastoorganizethecontestsintheColosseum.HealsohadtopleasetheEmperor.

           "TheEmperorwantsbattles?"Proximoshouted."Mymenarehighlytrainedsinglefighters.Irefusetoletthemdielikethat.Theywillbewastedinthisstupidpieceoftheater."

           "Thecrowdwantsbattles,sotheEmperorgivesthembattles,"Cassiusreplied,"andyourgladiatorsaregoingtoacttheBattleofCarthage.Youhavenochoice"