Гладиатор

           HeknewCommoduswouldneverhaveafairfightwithhim.Whatwouldhedotomakesurehewon?

           "UnlikeMaximustheBrave,whoknowsnofear?"saidCommodus.

           "I’vebeenafraid,ButyoutookawayfrommeeverythingIloved.Sincethen,you’reright,Ihavenotknownfear,"saidMaximus.

           "Thereisonethingleft-youstillhaveyourlifetolose,"saidCommodus.

           "Ionceknewamanwhosaid,’Deathsmilesatusall.Amancanonlysmileback,’"saidMaximus.

           "Iwonder,"saidCommodus,"didyourfriendsmileathisowndeath?"

           "Youmustknow,"Maximusreplied."Hewasyourfather."

           Commoduswassilent,andtheystaredateachother.

           "Youlovedmyfather,Iknow,"Commodussaid."ButIdid,too.Thatmakesusbrothers,doesn’tit?"HereachedouthisarmstoMaximusandputthemaroundhim.

           Maximussuddenlyletoutacryofpain.TheEmperorhadasmall,sharpknifeinhishand.HehadwoundedMaximusintheside,cuttinghimdeeply.

           "Smileformenow,brother,"Commodussaid,ashepulledtheknifeout.Quintusstared,shocked."Nowputonhisbodyarmor.Hidethewound,"Commodussaidtohisservants.

           ***

           AlleyesintheColosseumwatchedthecenterofthearenaastheelevatorcameup.Commodussteppedoffandontothesand.Itwascoveredwithredflowers.

           CommodustookhisswordfromQuintusandturnedslowlytoallsidesofthearena.Maximusstoodstraight,buthewasingreatpain.HelookeduptotheroyalseatsandsawLucillatherewithLuciusandSenatorGracchus.Theyweresurroundedbyguards.

           Commodusraisedhisswordhighandthesunshoneoffit.