Gladiator of Rome (#1 in Gladiator Series)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34 

Pompeia ran the tips of her fingers across the thin skin of her throat, her body still shaking as she felt where Krista had been ready to squeeze the life from her.

She had no doubt in her mind that, had Gaius not captured Frieda, Krista would have continued.

Seeing the stark hatred in Krista’s eyes unnerved Pompeia as she grasped the edge of her desk, trying to steady herself as she glared down at the map.

Pompeia could only imagine the scene as over two hundred roman soldiers stormed through the forest and burnt down their camp; killing the men, women and children who had defied their Empress.

And she could only hope beyond her wildest dreams that Krista was caught up in the blaze although it was hard to think of how anyone could survive the a wall of death that Pompeia had sent.

Though, if someone was to survive her army it would be Krista, just to spite her.

“Empress,” Gaius walked to her side, bowing his head.

“She will stop at nothing to kill me,” Pompeia whispered as it finally dawned on her that Krista would do anything to strike her from this world and all because Pompeia had ordered the death of someone she loved.

“She will not come within a mile of you, I promise,” Gaius informed her.

“A mile?” Pompeia scoffed, “She was able to get within a foot of me and nobody noticed!”

Gaius had the decency to look ashamed.

“How was that possible?” Pompeia paced the length of the room, replaying the scene over in her head.

“Krista and her men stole Roman uniforms, they-”

“Krista and ‘her men’?” Pompeia looked at Gaius over her shoulder with anger, “You sound just like those sickening peasants that idolise her!”

“I meant no offence,” Gaius calmly replied, “I merely meant that she is smart.”

“Well,” Pompeia turned back to the map though she knew there was nothing she could do except wait, “Soon she shall be dead as well as all those who attempt to aid her."

"Yes, Empress."

"Then they will all see that no one can beat the might of Rome.” 

* * *

Krista could not bear to think of what was happening as she rode harder than ever.

Her heart was aching with the pain of not knowing as the wind bit at her skin and scenery flashed by in her haste to reach Artorius’s side.

Her horse’s hooves barely touched the ground as they flew down the main road, the forest too treacherous at such speeds but Krista no longer cared about who saw them.

She did not think about what would happen when she got there only knowing that it was the place she had to be. Even if it meant she died there, she would die by Artorius's side as they defended the freedom of those brave enough to follow them.

She could not leave them in their hour of need. They had all fled Rome for her and now she was the reason that they were being hunted.

Krista could only pray to the Gods that Artorius still lived as she pushed her horse faster.

 *  

Artorius’s skin grew uncomfortably warm as the fire grew closer, burning through the dry leaves like wildfire.