Death Of A Gladiator

Death Of A Gladiator Part 2

CHAPTER 2

Selus, the Thracian, circled Gordius, the Samnite. Red dots of blood spattered the golden sand. Gordius had dodged and turned; yet Selus' quick sword had found his arm. Selus had dug and twisted his sword, so delicately and finely, into a chink in Gordius' armour, and it had very painfully slashed his tricep. The Samnite's spear arm grew weak from pain and loss of blood. Soon he'd be unable to throw his heavy spear.

His defeat was almost on him; so the crowd thought.

Selus leapt and slashed at him. Gordius deflected the blows with his heavy shield and armour. Time was running out. Selus feinted forward; as Gordius stepped away, he lunged again. The crowd roared, screamed for blood ..... surely, now, he would close in for the kill.

Gordius' bloodied right arm, was weakening.

The Thracian, now very sure, leaped forward, his curved sword up, seeking an opening.

Gordius twisted, as if off balance. Very quickly, he threw his shield upward. Selus sidestepped and angled a thrust to his open side, calling his bluff. But Gordius never wavered. The shield end caught Selus off guard. He jumped back. The edge smashed against his sword arm.

The full impact of the blow was dulled; but Selus lost balance and staggered, backward, several fateful steps. Gordius now had the distance and the advantage. With his last strength he brought his spear up.

His spear arm wheeled on a massive shoulder, spinning as fast as a chariot wheel. He threw. It hit Selus on his hand. His arm flew up; his sword fell into the sand. Blood poured from his hand. Gordius ran at him, slammed the side edge of his shield into his face and, as Selus fell, dropped the edge onto his throat, pinning him on his back.

He picked up the Thracian's sword and held it at his neck.

The noise was deafening.

The crowd was ecstatic. Gordius, although wounded, had fought with cunning, guile and courage. Selus had fought skilfully, bravely.

"Missio! Missio! Mercy! Mercy!"

Augustus raised his fist and pointed his thumb downward, mimicking the sheathing of a sword.

Selus' life would be spared.

There were cheers and claps.

In the arena, as in life, bravery was the answer to death. Courage could overcome death. For courage, even the bloodthirsty Roman crowd would grant mercy.

"Superb!" said Livia. Her eyes sparkled.

"And all on a hair's breadth," I muttered. "Either could have lost."

Livia elbowed me in the ribs.

"Ouch!"

"You old snake! What a performance! Did you set that little show up?"

I shrugged.

"I told the Thracian to circle and lunge. I told the Samnite to save his strength. Both fought well and truly." I patted her arm. "I teach them to shriek and make other noises, on cue. It entertains those dimwits and cretins in the crowd. Oh the swordplay and the blood and wounding is real. It could go either way, I suppose. I just teach these lead acts to pace themselves. a little."

She elbowed me again.

"Ouch! Well, I'm not about to lose a gladiator if I can help it. I've invested too much money in them." I looked at Augustus and sighed, "and by the graciousness of our dear Emperor, both live to fight another day. And I'm not out of pocket by losing one of these two. With the next pair, I'll be making a big profit. The crowd will not forget this match soon. But come, my love."

"What?"

"A quick intermission."

I stood up and clapped my hands.

"But where?"

"In my arena quarters or under the stand. Your choice. You haven't grown too fussy these days, have you?"

Continued next week in Chapter 3................................