Гладиатор

           ThegatestoProximo’sschoolflewopenandtheguardsrushedin.Maximusranforthebackentrance.Juba,Haken,andtheothergladiatorsthrewthemselvesbetweentheguardsandMaximusandslowedthemdownenoughforhimtogetaway.BythebackentranceMaximusfoundhisarmyswordandarmorwaitingforhim.

           Inthefighting,Jubawasknockedtothegroundandleftfordead.HakenwasfirstwoundedbyaRomanswordandthenshotthroughthechestwithfourarrows.Hisenormousbodyfell,dead,atthebottomofthestairs.

           TheguardsclimbedoverHaken’sbodyandraceduptoProximo’sroom.Whentheybrokethroughthedoor,theyfoundhimathisdeskwithhisbacktothem.InhishandwasthewoodenswordMarcusAureliushadgivenhimwithhisfreedom.Hedidnotturntoseedeathcoming.Theendcamequickly,withthreedeepwoundstohisneckandback.Hediedwiththewoodenswordhangingathisside,heldtightlyinhishand.

           ***

           Maximuscameoutofthebackentrancetotheschoolandwaitedquietlyintheshadows.Suddenly,heheardahorsemove.Helookedtowardthesoundandmovedoutintothestreet.Thereweretwohorseswaiting,onewitharider.Ashegotcloser,hecouldseethatitwasCicero.

           Butsomethingfeltwrong.MaximushidbehindsomerocksandwhisperedCicero’sname.

           Ciceroturned."Maximus!"heshouted."No!"

           Asheshouted,hishorsesuddenlyranandCicerowaspulledfromitbyaropearoundhisneck.Hewaslefthangingfromthetreeabove.

           Maximusrushedforwardandcaughthimbythelegs.