Гладиатор

           "IthinkI’llmeethim,"saidCommodus.

           Thegladiatorswerealmostatthegate.MaximusturnedandsawtheEmperorwalkingoutontothesand,smilingathim.Henoticedabrokenarrowinthesandand,ashefelltohiskneeshequicklyclosedhishandaroundit.Thiswouldbehischance.

           Commoduswasnearlythere...justalittlefurther...almostcloseenoughtokill.Maximuswasready...

           Suddenly,LuciusranoutandtookCommodusbythehand.Commoduslaughedandmovedtheboyinfrontofhim,facingthegladiatorhero.Maximuscouldnotstrike-Luciuswasintheway.

           "Stand,stand,"saidCommodustoMaximus."Now,whydoesn’ttheherotellushisrealname?"Maximusstoodandsaidnothing."Youdohaveaname?"askedCommodus.

           "MynameisGladiator,"Maximussaid.Thenheturnedandwalkedaway.ItwasagreatinsulttoturnhisbackontheEmperor.Thecrowdwereshocked.Commoduswasveryangry.

           HemadeasigntoQuintus,whomovedtheroyalguardsintothearena.Theystoodatthegate,swordsready,anddidnotletMaximuspass.

           Commodusspokecalmlyandclearly."Slave,"hesaid,"youwillremoveyourhelmetandtellmeyourname."

           Slowly,Maximusturnedtofacehim.Heknewhehadnochoicenow.Hetookoffhishelmet.

           Commodusstared.Quintuscouldnotbelievehiseyes.LucillarecognizedMaximusfromherseatinthearenaandputherhandoverhermouthintotalshock.

           Maximusspokeinaclear,proudvoice.