Son of Rome

Chapter 4

The crowd's cheering grew louder; Cassius had hardly believed that possible, as the next gladiator stepped into the arena. Cassius' eyes grew wide as he beheld the warrior before him. The man was a veritable mountain of muscle; head and shoulders above Cassius and half again as broad, a shirt of scale armor hung to mid thigh, bronze greaves protected his legs, a bronze helmet modeled after those of the legion sat upon his head.

The massive brute lifted his arms in exultation at the crowd's cheering, matching their cheers with a roar of his own. A massive mace hung from his wrist by a leather thong. Cassius looked about himself quickly, seeking a sturdy shield which he could use against this giant. Failing to spot a more suitable shield, he grabbed his old one and stomped on the spear's handle, snapping it off from the head.

He flipped the shield around and fixed it to his arm, crouching into a defensive stance as he waited for his opponent's approach. The big man turned from the crowd, staring at Cassius as though noticing an annoying insect. "Well?" Cassius called to his opponent. "What are you waiting for?" He motioned with his sword and shield. "Let us give these fat senators a show, shall we?"

The giant cocked his head to one side as he glared at Cassius. "What is your name, boy?" He bellowed over the roar of the crowd. "I would know the name of the man I am about to send to the next world."

Cassius stood straight, head high. "I am Cassius Felix Cato, the younger. I am son to a betrayed father." He pointed his sword toward the giant's chest. "Who are you? If I am to die, I would know the name of my killer, so that I may tell the gods of his bravery when I meet them."

The giant raised his mace in salute. "I am no Roman. I come from a far land and I have a name that most of your ilk are unable to pronounce." The man laughed, thick shoulders shaking with mirth. "Most call me Celt. Tell my gods, if you see them in the next life. I'm sure Woden will know my name, as I have sent many warriors to great him." A brilliant smile flashed in the sun as the Celt rolled his shoulders and charged.

It was surely a figment of Cassius' imagination, but he would almost swear that the ground shook beneath the massive warrior's tread. Cassius ducked a heavy blow; he heard the wind whistling across the mace's head as it flashed by. Cassius struck with his Gladius, sparks showered where blade struck armor and slid off with a screech.

The crowd cheered as the two combatants spun away from each other.