ludus for good. Once he won a match, he would have enough coin to begin a life with Nardine. It might not be much of a life at first, especially with a new baby. But after a short time in hiding with Joseph and his family, Abedi knew he would find a way to get away. Joseph would help him. Abedi’s attention turned back to the fight when his opponent nicked him in his neck. “You are not paying attention, old man,” the younger gladiator said. “Probably dreaming about some women you want to bed!”
Abedi smirked a t the man, well aware of how accurate he’d been in his jest. He put down his practice sword and turned to leave the training yard when he saw the lanista coming toward him.
He gestured obeisance and waited, knowing the master would not single him out lightly.
“Abedi,” the lanista said. “I have come to inform you that you will be fighting in the next arena outing,” he said.
“I am aware of that,” said Abedi, wondering why he reiterated information he already knew.
“What I have to tell you about is whom you will be fighting. It is to be a house match. You will be fighting Hebides. To the death, this time, as is required by the rules. So you must prepare. The match takes place in three days time.”
“Does Hebides know of this?” Abedi asked.
“He does. He says he is looking forward to it,” the master said, in an ominous tone. “For some reason, he seems to be angry with you. I was already suspicious when he tried to blame you in that slave girl’s escape. This gives me more reason to wonder. But whatever is between you two, use it to give the audience and the magistrate a good show. There is nothing better than to see two gladiators who hate each other try to kill each other.”
The master turned and walked away, while Abedi searched the yard for Hebides. He found him, staring straight at him. Abedi then left the yard. Hebides will learn his lesson, Abedi thought. Because Hebides would be the one to die.
*****
Nardine grew very large. She did not know for certain when the baby would come, but it would be soon, sooner than she anticipated. She worked for Joseph’s wife, caring for their two young sons and washing laundry. She never made her way to the marketplace for fear of being identified. Joseph and his family lived in a relatively deserted neighborhood on the outskirts of Rome. She wondered if Abedi would be able to find her if he had to.
Nardine carried a laundry basket back to Joseph’s first house when she experienced her first pain. The pang shot through her with the force of a wild animal. She had always heard that women bearing their first child had a long labor, so she assumed the first pains didn’t hurt much. Joseph’s wife Myriah had said as much. Nardine felt as though the child had been halfway expelled from her body with this first pain. After recovering from her stumble, she hurried back to the house, where she found Myriah cooking.
“It is time,” Nardine said, trying to sound calm. “The baby is coming. I just experienced a hard pain on the way back here.”
“Let us take you to the room that has been prepared. I will send Elvin us to the midwife’s house.” Elvinus, her youngest son, was about ten years of age.
Nardine reached the bed and lay down just as another strong pain gripped her. She cringed. This would not be easy. She wondered whether she would survive the birthing. She also worried about Myriah and Joseph’s reaction when they realized she did not carry Abedi’s child. Right now, though, her body took over. The pains doubled in intensity once the midwife arrived. Nardine didn’t know if she could live through it, and said as much to the midwife.
“You will live through it, my girl. There are no signs anything is wrong, and your hips are wide enough to accommodate the child. The birth is actually moving faster than is usual, so it’s likely you may not have to suffer as long as most first-time mothers
Abedi smirked a t the man, well aware of how accurate he’d been in his jest. He put down his practice sword and turned to leave the training yard when he saw the lanista coming toward him.
He gestured obeisance and waited, knowing the master would not single him out lightly.
“Abedi,” the lanista said. “I have come to inform you that you will be fighting in the next arena outing,” he said.
“I am aware of that,” said Abedi, wondering why he reiterated information he already knew.
“What I have to tell you about is whom you will be fighting. It is to be a house match. You will be fighting Hebides. To the death, this time, as is required by the rules. So you must prepare. The match takes place in three days time.”
“Does Hebides know of this?” Abedi asked.
“He does. He says he is looking forward to it,” the master said, in an ominous tone. “For some reason, he seems to be angry with you. I was already suspicious when he tried to blame you in that slave girl’s escape. This gives me more reason to wonder. But whatever is between you two, use it to give the audience and the magistrate a good show. There is nothing better than to see two gladiators who hate each other try to kill each other.”
The master turned and walked away, while Abedi searched the yard for Hebides. He found him, staring straight at him. Abedi then left the yard. Hebides will learn his lesson, Abedi thought. Because Hebides would be the one to die.
*****
Nardine grew very large. She did not know for certain when the baby would come, but it would be soon, sooner than she anticipated. She worked for Joseph’s wife, caring for their two young sons and washing laundry. She never made her way to the marketplace for fear of being identified. Joseph and his family lived in a relatively deserted neighborhood on the outskirts of Rome. She wondered if Abedi would be able to find her if he had to.
Nardine carried a laundry basket back to Joseph’s first house when she experienced her first pain. The pang shot through her with the force of a wild animal. She had always heard that women bearing their first child had a long labor, so she assumed the first pains didn’t hurt much. Joseph’s wife Myriah had said as much. Nardine felt as though the child had been halfway expelled from her body with this first pain. After recovering from her stumble, she hurried back to the house, where she found Myriah cooking.
“It is time,” Nardine said, trying to sound calm. “The baby is coming. I just experienced a hard pain on the way back here.”
“Let us take you to the room that has been prepared. I will send Elvin us to the midwife’s house.” Elvinus, her youngest son, was about ten years of age.
Nardine reached the bed and lay down just as another strong pain gripped her. She cringed. This would not be easy. She wondered whether she would survive the birthing. She also worried about Myriah and Joseph’s reaction when they realized she did not carry Abedi’s child. Right now, though, her body took over. The pains doubled in intensity once the midwife arrived. Nardine didn’t know if she could live through it, and said as much to the midwife.
“You will live through it, my girl. There are no signs anything is wrong, and your hips are wide enough to accommodate the child. The birth is actually moving faster than is usual, so it’s likely you may not have to suffer as long as most first-time mothers
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