Son of Rome

Chapter 3

The smaller gladiator, thinking his fighting finished, stood in the middle of the arena with his arms raised high as he basked in the crowd's adulation. He turned in a circle until spying Cassius making his way across the arena floor. His smile fell and he looked around hurriedly for a new weapon.

He scooped up a spear and a Gladius and charged toward Cassius, hoping to overpower him quickly. In one smooth motion, the warrior cocked his arm back and let the spear fly. The battered weapon still flew true and level, though Cassius brought his shield around quickly and deflected the spear to fall harmlessly into the sand. The crowd roared again, ready for another good fight.

The two fighters rushed toward each other and met in a flurry of blades, sparks flashed in the arena as the blades rang off one another. After the initial blurred attacks, the two gladiators backed away and circled one another. Each had the other's measure now and the fight would ensue at a more calculated pace. All the while, the spectators roared for blood.

Cassius blocked a spear thrust that would have torn out his heart, the spear's nicked edge lodged into his shield, holding fast. He twisted sharply, dragging the spear form his opponent's hand before tossing both shield and spear into the dust. The fight was certainly more even now with both warriors armed only with their swords.

Again the two combatants circled one another, darting back and forth as each sought an opening in the other's defenses. Sparks flashed as sword edges met, the ringing of metal on metal lost in the roars from the crowd, small chips of metal flew as each edge bit into the other. Cassius smiled, he could hear his opponent's labored breathing, the man was nearly finished.

He could see desperation burning in the young man's eyes. Cassius saw the attack coming before the man even decided on the move. His winded opponent lunged forward, one final desperate attack designed to end the fight quickly. As the blade sliced toward his heart, Cassius spun to the side, bringing his sword around in a deadly attack. Shock traveled up his arm as the blade parted skin, muscle, and bone. Cassius felt a spark of pity as the young man's head rolled across the sand.

Cassius held his blade aloft in salute to his fallen foe. "May your ancestors meet you in honor, friend." He said, though his words were drowned out as the crowd stood to its feet in jubilation, going unheard by anyone but himself, the lad's shade...

And maybe the gods...if they were even paying attention.