Гладиатор
The Last Battle
"We’refinishedhere."
Commodusputhisarmsaroundhisfather."Father,congratulations,"hesaid."Ishallkillahundredanimalstohonoryoursuccess."
"LettheanimalsliveandhonorMaximus,"saidMarcus."Hewonthebattle."
"General,"Commodussaid,turningtoMaximus,"Romesalutesyou,andIsaluteyouasabrother."HeopenedhisarmsandputthemaroundMaximus."Ithasbeentoolongsincewelastmet.Howlong?Tenyears,myoldfriend?"CommodusturnedtoMarcus."Here,Father,takemyarm."
Marcuslethishandrestonhissonforaminute,thensaid,"IthinkmaybeIshouldleaveyounow."
CommoduscalledforMarcus’shorseandsomeoftheguardsranforwardtohelphim.TheoldmanwavedthemawayandlookedatMaximus.Maximuscamequicklytohissideandhelpedhimontothehorse.Withoutawordtohissonherodeslowlyaway.
CommodusandMaximusstoodtogetherandwatchedtheEmperorgo,eachthinkingtheirownthoughtsabouthim.
MarcushadwonmanybattlesforthegloryofRome,butMaximuswouldalwaysrememberhimfirstasagoodman.
Commodus’sthoughtswereverydifferent.Hewasangrythathisfatherhadnotputhisarmsaroundhim.HewasjealousbecauseMaximuswasaskedtohelpMarcusontothehorseandtheEmperorhadspokenprivatelytohim.Heswunghimselfbackontohishorseandrodeaway,followedbyhisguards.
***
Acityofhospitaltentshadbeenbuilt.TherewerethousandsofwoundedRomansoldiers,andthedoctorswerebusyallnight.Maximuscameoutofoneofthetents.
