Гладиатор

           "Congratulations,General,"hesaid."Youhaveverygoodfriends."HesteppedbackandLucillacameintotheroom.Proximoleftthemtogether.

           "MybrotherplanstoputGracchusinprison,"shesaid."Wecan’twaitanylonger.Youmustleavetonight.Proximowillcomeforyouatmidnightandtakeyoutoagate.Cicerowillbetherewithhorses."

           "You’vedoneallthis?You’reverybrave,Lucilla."

           "Iamtiredofbeingbrave,"shesaid."Mybrotherhateseveryone-andyoumostofall."

           "Becauseyourfatherchoseme."

           "No,"shesaid."Becausemyfatherlovedyou...andIlovedyou."

           Maximustookherhandsinhis.

           "I’vefeltaloneallmylife-exceptwithyou,"shesaid.

           Sheturnedtogo,butMaximusheldherandtheykissed.Itwastheirfirstkissformanyyears,and,forashorttime,theyrestedineachother’sarms.

           Theyseparated,withonelastlook,andLucillawentquicklybackintothedarknight.

           Backinthepalace,Lucillahurriedtoherson’sbedroom.Shelookedaroundandcalledtotheservant."WhereisLucius?"

           "He’swiththeEmperor,mylady,"shereplied

           Lucillarusheddownthepalacehalls,lookinginalltheroomsshepassed.Finally,ingreatfear,sheopenedherbrother’sdoor.

           CommodusandLuciusweresittingtogether,lookingatsomepapers."Sister,comeandjoinus,"saidCommodus,smiling.Afrighteningsmile."I’vebeenreadingtodearLuciusaboutthegreatJuliusCaesar."HetookLuciusonhisknee."Andtomorrow,ifyou’reverygood,I’lltellyouthestoryoftheEmperorClaudius,"hesaid