“My father says that you are very smart and also very kind,” Tullia said. That had surprised Thad, for how would the senator know anything about him? They had only met a handful of times. Divining his thoughts, Tullia went on to explain.
“I believe it was your first fight, or maybe your second. When your opponent went down, you had helped him up. My father said that you needn’t have, but that it demonstrated a kindness and generosity of spirit that is rare these days,” she said, smoothing a dark curl behind her ear. Then Thad remembered the big man that he’d helped to his feet. He grunted and then nodded, smiling down at the young woman. He wondered why she wasn’t married. By now, he was fairly sure women of her age, he put her near seventeen, were already married. Perhaps because she was Pansa’s only child, he was reluctant to let her go?
They had spent a wonderful afternoon talking of nonsense and it was kind of odd, she was like women that he knew in his own time, but different as well. He had enjoyed that time, he had almost felt like a normal man. Thad shifted, raising his shoulders and rotating his head. The bones cracked and popped. He found himself looking for Tullia in the crowd and didn’t see her or her father this time. He suspected that they had gone back to Sicily. There was unrest in the senate, if Felix was correct. He shook his head; he didn’t know what he would do without Felix’s keen insight. His musings were interrupted by the creaking of the gate and he looked up and realized that it was time for he and Philo to fight. A grim smile slid across his face and he put his helmet on. He held his gladius sword in his grip and then went out onto the field of sand.
He saw the blood splotched and drying in the sun. He saw the emperor and cursed his name under his breath. If he could reach the man, he would willingly give his life to slice the man’s throat, but today, he was hoping the man would work in his favor. After giving his salute, Thad turned to Philo and the crowed was a mixture of taunts and cheers. The name Drago echoed over and over as he and Philo went round and round. They had been fighting for about fifteen minutes when Thad saw an opening and brought the sword down, chopping off two fingers. Philo screamed and jerked back, causing the audience to cheer. Thad grinned viciously and Philo looked at him startled.
Thad went again and after beating the shield, dodged in and sliced down Philo’s rib, laying the meat open. Philo grunted in pain and the throng cheered and jeered. Philo backed up and Thad advanced. Philo tried to go in, but Thad beat him back and another slice and he caught the edge of Philo’s foot, separating the leather and a toe.
“You pig’s balls, what are you doing,” Philo snarled.
“I’m cutting you up, like you did Marco, you fucking piece of shit,” Thad said laughing and lunged forward. Philo jerked and backstepped quickly and Thad knew that it pained him. Philo was limping slightly and trying to stay out of Thad’s range. It was working, for he was making Philo run, to display cowardly behavior. Romans hated a coward and Philo was doing just that. Thad moved in again and Philo backed up, almost turning and running. But he didn’t and Thad gave him a little incentive. He brought his sword down and aimed for Philo’s shoulder. He nicked it and Philo screamed in pain and rage.
“I’m going to cut your balls off,” Thad taunted and he saw real fear spark into Philo’s eyes. He advanced on Philo and the man backed up. By now, the crowed was booing and hissing insults at the man. Thad made a false move one way and went the other, catching Philo in the leg and he cut into the man’s thigh. Now Philo was limping heavily and trying to stay away from Thad’s blade. The crowed was mocking Philo and screaming insults at him along with hurling vegetables. Thad wondered why they brought the old vegetables and laughed to himself.
Thad finally felt it was time and charged Philo, screaming, his eyes wild. Philo turned and ran but tripped and Thad was on top of him in a second. His foot came down and pushed into the man’s chest. The crowd lost their mind and cheered and called out Drago over and over. Thad looked up to the emperor and as he’d hoped, the emperor grounded his thumb into his palm. The crowd was both shocked and pleased at what happened next.
Thad dropped to his knees and drew out a small but sharp dagger that doctore had given him. He quickly cut just under Philo’s breastbone and shoved the knife in. He sliced quickly and then jerked out Philo’s heart and held the butchered meat before the dying man’s wide eyes.
“I told you I’d rip your fucking heart out,” he snarled and stood up and threw the heart into Philo’s face. The masses jumped to their feet and cried out their approval. Thad raised his bloody hands and turned in a circle. His name was chanted in an almost hypnotic rhythm. He caught the emperor’s eye and saw the man was both stunned and pleased. A very small part of him was very ashamed of himself. It was the part that still resided in the twenty first century, but the man he’d become rejoiced in the vengeance for his brother. He was glad that the senator and his daughter were not here, he was sure he would have disappointed both of them.
He walked toward the gate and he saw
