Гладиатор

           TherewasalookofsurpriseontheEmperor’sface,thenhetookonelastbreathanddied.

           Maximusslowlystood,tookonestepforward,andreachedoutahand.Quintuswenttohim."Maximus..."

           "Quintus,freemymen,"saidMaximus.

           Thecrowdwascompletelyquiet.

           Maximussawhisownhandonthegate,pushingitopen...Walkingawayfromhimwasawoman,andachildrunning...Theylookedbackandsmiledathim...

           Maximusfelltothesand.

           Outofthesilence,Lucillacrossedthearenatotheplacewherehelay.Shetookhiminherarms.Shecouldseethatshecouldnotsavehim,butshewantedhimtohearherbeforetheend.

           "Maximus,"Lucillasaidsoftly.

           Maximus’sdyingeyesopenedagain."Luciusissafe?"heasked.

           "Yes."

           "Oursonslive."

           Lucillasmiled."Oursonslive.Andtheyareproud."Shekissedhim,crying,andwhispered,"Gotothem.You’rehome."

           Maximuswalkedthroughthewheatfield...Thebeautifulwomanstoppedandturned.Shecalledtotheboy.Hestoppedrunningandlookedback.Theboythenstartedrunningbackalongtheroad,towardthemaninthewheatfield,towardhisfather,whowascominghomeatlast.

           MaximusdiedinLucilla’sarms,assheplacedhimgentlyonthesand.Whenshestoodup,thewholearenawaswatchingher.Sheturnedandspoketothesenators."Romeisfreeagain,"shesaid.

           LucillastoodoverMaximus’sbodyasGracchusandthesenatorscamedownontothesand.

           "HewasasoldierofRome,"Lucillasaid."Honorhim"