Gladiator: Vengeance by Simon Scarrow Page B

Stratos the road passed into a forest of pine and cedar trees at the foot of a mountain and the air filled with the comforting fragrance of the pines. He was close to the crossroads now and Marcus increased his pace, keenly anticipating the reunion with his friends. He rounded a final corner and ahead lay the clearing where the two roads met.
    There was no one there. Marcus felt his heart sink, fearing that Festus and Lupus had failed to escape. The thought of continuing his quest alone momentarily tipped him into a deep pit of despair before he angrily forced the thought aside. If that was what fate had in store for him then he would deal with it, like he had dealt with everything else since that terrible day when Thermon and his thugs had destroyed his peaceful home on Leucas.
    There was still some chance that Festus would find a way to escape. Marcus had worked with him long enough to know just how tough and resourceful Caesar’s bodyguard was. With a sigh, he crossed the clearing and sat down heavily beside the milestone to wait.
    There was only a short pause before he heard a twig crack in the trees nearby and turned round in alarm, one hand reaching for the throwing knife in a concealed sheath near the top of his pack.
    ‘Marcus?’ a voice called out cautiously.
    He relaxed and eased himself. ‘Yes, Lupus, it’s me. You can come out.’
    A figure appeared from behind one of the trees and moved out into the dappled sunlight. ‘It’s so good to see you.’ Lupus could not help smiling. ‘I was starting to worry.’
    ‘I got out just in time,’ Marcus told him. ‘What about you? Any problems?’
    Lupus shook his head. ‘I was afraid, but I tried to look calm and unconcerned like Festus. But all the time I thought they would see through me. Anyway –’ his tone brightened – ‘we’re all here. Together again.’
    Marcus looked round. ‘Where’s Festus?’
    ‘He told me to wait here and look out for you. He said he needed to find something.’
    ‘Find something?’ Marcus frowned. ‘What?’
    ‘This!’ Festus’s voice called out and both boys turned to see him striding out of the forest. He held two hares up in one hand while a sling dangled from the other. ‘Dinner! Now let’s get off the road and find somewhere quiet to roast these beauties. I’m starving!’



8
     
    ‘That’s the sharp end,’ said Marcus as he carefully handed the training sword to Lupus. ‘You don’t want to hold that.’
    The other boy made a face. ‘Oh, ha ha. Very funny. I’m not an idiot, thanks.’
    ‘Just starting with the basics.’ Marcus grinned and then his expression became serious. ‘Try the grip and when you’re happy that you are in control of the sword, give it a few swings to test the weight.’
    He stood aside to give his friend some space in the small clearing where they had set up camp half a mile into the forest. Once the ground had been cleared of pine needles and a hearth made with stones piled round, Festus had taken out his tinderbox and started a fire to roast the hares after gutting and skinning them. Marcus had a keen edge to his appetite andsavoured the meat. It was hard to remember how bleak things had looked just a few hours earlier. Now, with food in his belly and the conversation of his companions, his optimism had returned.
    It was after they had eaten and rested that Festus suggested they start Lupus’s training. They began with strengthening exercises, making the scribe hold a large rock as he performed squats. Then they made him raise the rock overhead, again and again, until at last Lupus dropped it and bent forward, hands resting on his knees as he gasped for breath.
    ‘A good start,’ said Festus. ‘But you’ll need to do that every day from now on. Dawn and dusk, until your muscles are toned. And then as often as necessary to stay that way. After you’ve had a breather, Marcus will introduce you to the sword.’
    Now, as he watched his friend try out a few cuts and