Гладиатор
Broken Plans
Maximusslowlybentdownandpickedupsomesandfromthearena.QuintusthrewMaximus’ssworddownonthegroundnearhisfeet.Maximuspickeditup,slowly,andstoodfacingtheEmperor.Andthefightbegan.
CommodusrushedatMaximusandknockedhimtotheground.Maximusgottohisfeetwithdifficulty.Thearenaseemedtobeturningaround.ThesundancedofftheEmperor’sarmorandblindedhim.Heheardthenoiseofthecrowd-nowitseemedtobefaraway,nowclose.
Standingbehindtheentrance,JubasawathinlineofbloodrunningoutfromunderMaximus’sarmor.
Lucillawatchedhiminfear.Heseemedtobelookingstraightather.Couldheseeher?Sheheldoutherhandandcalledhisname.
Commodusstruckhimagain.Thenheraisedhisarmstothecrowd.Oneortwopeopleshouted,"Commodus!"Thecrowdlovedawinner.
Maximusalmostfellagain.Thesunwasbright,verybright.Andthensuddenly,beyondallthis,hesawthesunshiningonapinkwall...Hesawagateinthewall...andafieldofappletreesbeyondit...
Hepushedhimselfforwardand,ashedidso,hestruckCommodus.Thecrowdcheered.
CommoduscameforwardagainandknockedMaximusbacktotheground.Thecrowdweresilent.Onlythesoundofthetwomencouldbeheard.
Maximussawsomethingelsenow...Awomanstoodinthedoorwayofapinkstonehouse...Therewasafieldofwheatbehindthehouse...
CommodusstoodoverMaximuswithhisswordreadyforthekill.
"Maximus!"Onepersoninthecrowdcalledoutinthesilence.
Commoduslookedaround,angrily.Thecrowdrepeatedthecry.
