“Were you a fisherman, farmer or warrior?” Marco asked.
“My parents were farmers, but there was drought in our land and my parents died so that my brothers and sisters could eat. It fell upon me and my wife to raise my siblings. I had two younger brothers and two sisters. Then the Roman soldiers came and they killed my family, took my wife as a slave and took me because I was big,” Septimus said softly and Marco’s heart fell into his stomach. He’d not known the man had been married. Maybe he was wrong about him being gay? He couldn’t imagine losing his brother or his family like that and certainly not the woman he loved. He forgot that sometimes, these people’s lives were worse than his own. His family was safe in his time or what used to be his time.
“I’m so sorry, Septimus. Really sorry,” Marco said and placed a hand on Septimus’ shoulder. He gave a slight squeeze and the big man shrugged.
“One day, I shall join my family in the afterlife, until then, I shall rejoice in each day. You have taught me that, my friend,” he said. Marco was surprised and taken aback.
“What? How have I done anything,” Marco asked, surprised.
“You and your friends, you call them brothers, Marines. You all are close and though I see sorrow in your faces, you are able to laugh. You find joy. I take a lesson from you.”
“Oh. Okay,” Marco said and shook his head. He’d not thought about it, only knowing that if it weren’t for his friends, he would have died long ago from sorrow and rage. Because he had his friends, he could live another day. He had the brotherhood of the Marines and of friendship.
The day before the games were to begin, doctore came to the field. It was near the end of the day and it had been a good practice. Greg and Septimus were each slotted to fight an opponent in the game the next day, along with twelve other pairs. They would go and fight in the afternoon and so Greg and Septimus had trained hard with several combatants. Thad and Marco would be fighting later in the week and Dean in roughly ten days. They were scattered out since there were roughly thirteen fights per day. There were palus tertius in the first few bouts, then the palus secundus and at the end of the day, the palus primus. They were the best of the best.
Though nervous, this was when the men earned money and their sponsors would shower them with coins. Doctore didn’t look happy and all the men slowed down and watched him as he walked over to several men. Thad watched as he went to Greg and he walked over.
“What?” Greg said, alarm in his voice.
“It is regrettable, but the emperor has decided. It is out of my hands,” doctore said.
“What’s going on?” Thad asked.
“The emperor is putting criminals in the arena in the morning with lions, that’s normal. Me and ten other net men are to be there with them and fight twenty lions once the criminals are killed,” Greg said numbly, shock gripping his features.
“What?! Can the emperor do that?” Thad asked doctore, who looked at him funny.
“The emperor can do anything, including killing us all,” doctore said and walked away.
“Thad, what in the hell am I supposed to do? I’ve never trained for that,” Greg asked, terror in his eyes.
“Go to the Beastiarius and talk to them,” Felix said, his face pale.
“He’s right, they work with the animals all the time,” Thad said, shock still coursing through him. Just like that, the emperor changed everything. Greg nodded and like a puppet, moved off, his body jerking in a near spastic gait. Thad turned to Felix; whose eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
“Is he fucked?” Thad asked.
“If the Beastiarius can help him, he might be okay. There will be other Retiarius with him so he has a chance. The trident is long and sharp and hopefully, he can kill the lions or injure them in such a way that they are not a threat,” Felix said. Both men made their way back to the barracks. Word had spread and Marco and Dean came up, looking for Greg.
“This is some straight up bullshit!” Marco snarled.
“Can’t doctore do anything?” Dean asked.
“No, he said the emperor has the final say on it. Greg went to talk with the Beastiarius, to get some pointers,” Thad said.
“Motherfucker!” Marco said and stalked off.
The next morning, Greg stood at the gate to the Colosseum. It had been a long silent walk with the other Retiarius. All were pale and anxious; this was not their wheelhouse and all were frightened. His hands were sweaty and his heart was beating painfully in his chest. He’d not slept a wink all night and had been praying throughout breakfast. He could hear the crowd and the cheers and noise. He had heard the grunting and roars from the lions and every hair on his body stood erect in primordial terror.
The Beastiarius had been helpful and had also been shocked by the emperor’s decision. Normally there were only a few lions let out, so the gladiators were not overwhelmed.
“Normally, it is easily done, with our long spears, you simply keep the wall at your back,” Sextus said. He was palus primus, one of the best Beastiarius. It was Sextus that was supposed to have gone on this morning, but with only five lions. Twenty was a blood bath.
“If they have the war criminals and prisoners out there, you might have a chance. Choose an animal and injure it first, then if you have time, kill it. Keep your eyes everywhere. Lions are smart and keep your back to the wall,” Sextus had advised again.
Greg wiped his hands on
