Death Of A Gladiator

Death Of A Gladiator Part 6

CHAPTER 6

I stormed back to Cinxor's quarters and threw open the door. I picked things up and threw them around the room like a madman. I kicked objects into the air; smashed his stuff against the wall.

I threw over his cot.

I stood in the middle of the room.

I cursed Cinxor, Gaius, Miletus, and every one of their filthy ancestors that had misbegotten them.

Then I saw it. Lying in a corner. It must have been under the cot; and as I'd thrown the cot, it had rolled over.

An empty cup.

I picked it up, ran my finger around the edge and tasted it.

***********

I hit Gordius, the Samnite, across the face. Hard. Well, it was hard for me.

His face was like a block of granite. It hurt. I rubbed my hand.

"Ouch!" I yelled. "You know what, you shit? I've just remembered I heard you arguing with Cinxor. Yesterday. You threatened to kill him. So. Now I have Gaius' own investigators on me like a swarm of bees. Will you confess now and save me a lot of time and trouble?"

He was an ugly, scarred, veteran of twenty contests; built as square and tough as an old fortress wall, and completely unafraid of me. In fact, I often thought that Gordius feared nothing.

"I don't know what you're talking about! I quarrelled with him, but I didn't kill him!"

I hit him again. He didn't flinch, but shook with rage.

I held out the cup.

"You poisoned him. Here is the cup! and I know the taste of henbane!"

He pushed his face into mine.

"I swear by the Gods, I did not poison him!"

"You may swear by the Gods, but the Gods will not save you!" said a voice.

I turned as Miletus strode in followed by Rufius, Glabrus and two guards.

**********

I have seen men consumed with fear before. In the arena, I've seen strong men wet themselves. I have seen tough criminals, just before execution, puke like babies.

I have seen men freeze like stone in the arena; unable to move at all.

The thought of death is always worse than death itself. A guilty man, a condemned man, is often punished more by his own imagination than what the executioner does.

Miletus said: "You have already been shown the evidence. And you threatened to kill him. As says Cleomenes here, himself. I just heard your conversation from outside."

Gordius cringed like a whipped dog at the sound of Miletus 'voice. His lips trembled. He shivered. A brave, strong man who had fought so well and so bravely, reduced to this........?

His mouth was frothing. 

"I swear, I had nothing to do with his death! We were old comrades!"

I now felt he might be telling the truth.

"I don't believe your miserable lie," snarled Miletus. "Gaius, our employer, had many very large private wagers on the Gaul, and all are lost. As matter of honour, he is bound to settle them. And as a matter of justice, you are now placed under arrest for Cinxor's murder. And you will now be executed in the arena tomorrow. We shall have warrants fetched from Gaius. Lanista, have your guards place this man in chains. Where is your punishment cell? Take him there."

The guards stepped forward; I held up my hand.

"Wait, Miletus; don't be so hasty. The man may be telling the truth after all. I run this place. You seem to forget, this is my troupe, and my school."

Miletus stood in front of me so that his face was almost in mine.

"And, you, Lanista, seem to forget that I am no petty clerk. I am an office bearer of Gaius! How dare you ....."

I placed a hand on his skinny chest, and pushed him back a step. He staggered. His dull eyes flashed.

For a second, I thought he might draw his knife and kill me then and there.

I tapped him in the chest with my fat finger.

"Now, now. Don't be so temperamental. Gaius may bugger you, now, but I see you haven't grown tits yet, and, oh dear," I looked down at his crotch, "perhaps your manhood has shrunken, but maybe it hasn't all gone."

Again, I thought he would kill me.

But then I looked at his eyes. In an instant, they had gone back to their flat and unfathomable darkness. He held up a hand.

"Very well, Lanista. You low life pig! We'll see later who is better with insults shall we?" For now, I will grant this oaf a stay of execution."

"Very sensible of you," I sneered.

"Plenty of time to talk later." he said. "For the moment, I release this murderer into your custody. Let's do it your way. For now. You'll be sure that he is, at least, well guarded. I won't report to Gaius just yet, but will first retire and discuss this with Glabrus and Rufius."

He made a mocking bow, then turned and walked away. Then he stopped, and turned back, his feet grating on the floor.

"You have two days, Lanista. Two days. Then I, as Gaius' appointed officer, will have the final say ... In everything."

He turned again and walked away. Glabrus and Rufius followed.  

Continued next week.....