The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

The Emperor's Revenge, Part 56

"Don't move!" Batiatus commanded, his voice cutting through the night air like a whip. Flickering lanterns illuminated his cruel smile as he stepped forward, flanked by a trio of brutal guards who had once worn the insignia of gladiators but now served him in a much more sinister role.

"Trapped like rats," he grinned as he eyed Mer-Mer, Latina, and Ragnar tangled in the heavy net. "How poetic. You think you can sneak into my territory unscathed? I always have eyes and ears in Capua."

Mer-Mer's heart pounded as he struggled against the ropes binding him. **What now,** he thought desperately. They had come this far, only to fall into an ambush orchestrated by their most formidable enemy.

Ragnar's face paled as he looked at Latina.

 "What are we to do? We can't let him take us back."

Latina's fierce resolve remained unchanged even in captivity; she squared her shoulders against her bonds. "We wait for our moment," she hissed through gritted teeth. "We're not dead yet."

Batiatus grinned grimly at their challenge. "Oh, but my dear barbarian, you have already lost. You'll be sold at the next auction-as soon as Mark Antony knows I've finally caught Spartacus' friends!"

"You have played enough!" Mer-Mer growled, summoning shadows from deep within himself and feeling their familiar energy wrap around his limbs just beneath the surface. "You won't get away with this!"

But Batiatus only waved a dismissive hand, as if swatting at an annoying fly. "Your bravery won't help you here." He turned sharply to his guards. "Prepare them for transport. I want them ready by dawn."

The guards moved closer to tighten the netting when suddenly there was a clatter from outside.Unexpectedly, Petorian guards, like those of the Emperor's personal guard, appeared at the door.

"Damn it," Batiatus groaned, "someone has betrayed me. Gone are my slaves and the gold that Mark Antony  would have given for them.

My dear Batiatus, said the Emperor, rubbing his hands contentedly. I take over from here.

 He motioned for the Praetorians to grab the gladiators bound like sardines.

But they were my slaves, Your Majesty, Batiatus tried to protest.

Yours-yes, but they murdered a Roman general, and for that I will crucify them tomorrow in the Colosseum, so that all slaves may see them and think twice before rejoining that wretch Spartacus.

While they were carrying the gladiators out , none noticed a shadowy cat , which had hidden itself on the beam .They locked the gladiators in iron carts and drove them to the imperial villa, where there was a special dungeon. Before crucifying them, the Emperor had decided to torture them to find out all their secrets...

At the same time, Batiatus' messenger reached the villa of Mark Anthony and handed him the letter.The senator re-read it and turned pale.

Damn it... I'll pay.... For the umpteenth time, he interferes with my plans...

Marc Antony went to his chambers, where a mechanical bird stood at the window. He wound up the mechanism and and activated it.Then he slipped a letter into her belly and opened the window.

Hurry up little bird, he said. Or it will be too late...

Zenon, he called to his most trusted slave. Summon Scorpion...

Zenon froze, for Scorpion was an assassin ninja they sent on special missions. Very special......A little later, a black figure stood before the senator, cloaked in a mask and girded with two kitanas on his back.

Scorpion, Mark Anthony said. . I have a task for you. A very special one. If you complete it, I will grant you your freedom. And a villa by the sea with beautiful slave girls.

Who ?" asked the ninja.

Mark Anthony handed him a piece of crimson cloth.

"There is a huge villa on the sea, with many praetorian guards. And by the way . In the dungeons of the same villa there is a personage who is very important to me. His name is  Mer-mer. Try to bring him  to me... alive..."

" ...as you command master, bowed the ninja and melted into the night.