The Gladiator's Day of Grace - A Christian Short Story

Chapter 5

Five

"What did you say?" Maximus's voice was hoarse, his feelings a mixture of disbelief and awe.

She squeezed his large hand and took it between hers. Her voice was firm and strong. "He healed me."

He raked his free hand back through his hair and stared down at her. "When? How?" What had happened to his beloved that would warrant that kind of healing? The thought of her being so ill made his heart ache.

"It happened just before he left for Jerusalem. If I had only known then, that it would be the last time I saw him in this life . . . I would have given so much more . . ."

Maximus watched Andromeda become lost in her memories and squeezed her hand, urging her to continue. He had to know what happened.

"Aaron came home one day and told me where a large crowd was gathered listening to Jesus. He knew how much I wanted to hear the Master teach. So after I helped get the children settled and made sure Mary was resting, I filled a waterskin and set out. It wasn't a long walk, but I knew it would be best to leave as quickly as I could. It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying the walk very much."

When she paused, Maximus watched her swallow hard. She lifted a shaky hand and pushed back her veil, dabbing her forehead with the edge of the material. She let the veil rest on her shoulders. At another time, Maximus wouldn't be able to resist burying his hands in the thick black curls, but her hesitance made his insides tighten. As her breathing grew more shallow, he suddenly felt his own breathing quicken, and his heart began to pound against his ribs. She finally continued.

"I was coming to a narrow pass when three Roman soldiers appeared from behind the large rocks. I hadn't seen them at all. It was as if they had been watching me from a distance, just waiting." When Maximus felt his own hands began to tremble, she covered them with hers and rushed on. "They blocked my way, and I pleaded, but they wouldn't let me pass. I tried to run back, but . . ."

"But what?" he growled lowly, taking her shoulders in his hands. His jaw was clenched so tight that his teeth hurt. "What did they do?"

"One of them . . . beat me . . . took that which was not his to take. They left me there, and that is where the Lord found me."

Fearing his grip would bruise her, Maximus released her arms and stepped back. He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling as if it would explode. Never in his life had he ever felt such anger and rage–not when he was betrayed, not even in the arena. He wanted to scream and yell. He wanted to curse the universe. He wanted to destroy. He wanted to seek vengeance on the soldiers who did this to her.

He wanted blood.