IL SIGNUM

The Trial Of Two Men

The leather armour fit snug against Maximus’s tunic covering the muscular frame. Sword sheathed and sharpened it was time for battle. Maximus dwarfed the men around him as he marched proudly through the encampment shocking all prying eyes with his doubtless determination. There would only be one victor today and it was to be him.

The crude wooden gates of the arena opened to reveal the sheer crowd of onlookers come to feast their eyes upon the bloodbath to come. Everyone began placing bets upon the fighters of their choosing. Maximus came towards the side of the sandy arena floor refusing to announce himself to the crowd. Everyone sat eager to catch a glimpse of the fighters. Maximus had heard of competitions that occurred in the same manner in Rome. The only difference was that they were slaves fighting for their freedom and he was a rebel fighting for acknowledgement.

Dante showed little humbleness as he announced himself to the hungry crowd. They cheered him on as he strode towards Maximus. “My friend let them experience the fire that flows through your veins and make sure to strike true.” With that Dante stood at his friend’s side, readying himself. The two youths eyed a potbellied instructor waddle forward and begin to explain the rules of engagement.

“We are gathered here today to witness the massacre of these two rude little men as they fight ten of your brothers in armed combat.” The duo exchange a worried glance as the man continued to speak. “In this fight there are no rules! Only consequences! I would like to wish good luck to the two rug rats over there; they are definitely going to need it!”

With a loud shout the fight commenced. Maximus moved quickly, flanking around his beefy opponents. With a loud cry one feigned a lunge at him, only to follow with a fist. Maximus took the blow to the face after having successfully dodged the lunge. The steel met iron and the clangs of battle filled the air. Dante kicked a smaller man in the groin and finished him off with a knee to the face while the man bent over in pain.

Maximus dodged a blow to the left and parried another going for his throat. With the first of his sword hand he began punching the man in front of him in the ribs, winding him. The man fell to the ground struggling for air. Maximus felt a quick sting to his left arm and began to fight in to directions at once. Coming back to back with Dante the duo began working together like a machine, taking down anyone who dared approach them.

“ENOUGH” the overseer raised his hand and smiled. “You have proven yourselves today, welcome to the ranks of the Gauls.” Maximus threw his blade into his scabbard and beat his fist against his chest plate, “with honour”. He then turned and headed for the medical bay after noticing the gash he had acquired on his arm. Dante watched his companion leave and then ran to join his newfound friends in a drinking game, smirking at a camp follower who was shyly staring at him with a flushed face. Maybe being a barbarian wasn’t so bad at all.