My Gladiator

I didn't know where I was heading to. My tears blurred my vision. I was just galloping at full speed through the streets of Rome. Night had long since fallen and the streets were dark. A woman should not be alone in the streets of Rome at this time of night. Even less so when she is Empress. Reality took hold of me as I realized the danger I was in and galloped back to the palace. I wasn't going to enter through the main entrance, but through the stables so that I could be left alone. Once my horse was in his stall, I went to the only place where I might find peace: the gazebo. It was located at the bottom of the palace gardens, in a little corner of the lawn. Nobody ever went there except me. Everyone at court knew that this place was for me alone and that I was not to be disturbed when I was there. I went inside and collapsed on a bench. I kept crying until I eventually fell asleep.

-

- What the hell is going on here?

-We... we don't kn... know Your Majesty. We accompanied her to General Acacius' house as she asked and she left two minutes later on her horse. She seemed upset and then... She... she was too... too fast, sir. We lost her trace... We searched for her the entire night. She was nowhere to be found.

- HOW IS IT POSSIBLE? (my husband screamed) How is it that the empress of the world's greatest empire in the world disappeared from her personal guard for an entire night?

- I swear Your Majesty, we really tried to get to her but... she was too fast.

- Are you telling me that my wife was faster than you on horseback? My wife?

- Yes... You Majesty... Yes.

I opened my eyes. The sun had already been up for a long time. I hadn't realized I'd fallen asleep in the gazebo.

- Leave him alone Geta.

- Oh! Speak of the devil, my wife has awoken. Hello dear.

- Hello.

- You can leave now. I'll decide on your punishment for inability to do your job properly later.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

My guard made a timid reverence and then almost ran off. I was left alone in my gazebo, Geta just outside of it.

- It is not his fault.

- Is it?

- Yes. I just wanted to be alone for a moment.

- Why is that?

- I was upset.

- Why?

- I had a row with Lucilla.

Save the lies for emergencies.

- About?

Shit.

- Dresses.

He thought about my answer for a few seconds. He was definitely not convinced.

- Are you telling me that you ran off at the speed of light from Lucilla's house and slept in your precious gazebo because you had an argument about dresses?

Panic overwhelmed me. I was too tired to have a single convincing lie to tell him, so I stayed there, holding his gaze.

- Yes.

- Ok.

It was all Geta said as he turned his back on me, leaving. That's it?

- The second games start after lunch (he said over his shoulder), I had some exotic fruit prepared for breakfast. Don't be late. And please (he said turning around to face me), wash up.

He set off into the garden, looking happy at the thought of his fruits. He is completely deranged. For the first time in fifteen years, I was happy about it. He left me alone, my face swollen from last night's crying session.

-

When I got to my private appartements, a wave of servants poured over me to wash, prepare and dress me for the second day of celebrations. I was wearing my usual toga and was draped in imperial purple. Tabitha made me a magnificent hairdo that left half of my long brown hair loose and the other half twisted and mixed with the laurel wreath around my head. I ate my breakfast in silence in front of Geta, who strangely didn't ask me a single question about my night. He was too busy eating those exotic fruits he was so excited about. I was then accompanied to my carriage, which took me to the Coliseum. When I was alone in the Impress' carriage, my thoughts flooded back. Yesterday was a mess. I shouldn't have been so upset with Lucilla. I knew she really wanted to protect me, but I wouldn't allow it. She's not the type to want to hurt people for her own pleasure. I almost felt bad for having been so angry her when she had kept this secret buried inside her for so long. Lucius was my best friend, but he was also her child. Besides, I could not be mad for too long at her. She's had done too much for me. I had to make up for my behavior of yesterday.

Once we arrived at the Coliseum, Geta and I were seated in the imperial box next to each other.

- I hope you are feeling well Priscilla. Today will be marvelous!

- I am sure of it my love.

The show started but Lucilla and Acacius were not there. Geta hadn't even noticed, given that he was captivated by oriental dancers and fire-eaters. After an hour of danse, music and strange performances, the presenter announced the gladiators. The crowd roared with joy and excitement. Even Geta stood up, so impatient was he.

- Today is the day of... DUELS!

The crowd cheered the news. Duels were always one of the turning points of celebrations. Champions from every stable in the empire competed against each other to decide the winning stable. After a dozen battles took place, Lucilla and Acacius finally arrived in the suite. I turned around to acknowledge their presence and returned to the spectacle. Some fights were quick, others less so. If they were too tiring, Geta demanded that lions be brought in to speed up the process.

- And now, from the stable of Macrinus, I want a round of applause for Hanno! shouted the presenter.

The crowd cheered as Lucius entered the arena. His muscles glistened with sweat. The sight of him gave me goose bumps.

- He will fight against the Whale from Junios' stable!

A man entered the arena next. If he was almost Lucius' size, he was twice as big. He was wearing a helmet adorned with fins on the sides and was holding a trident. He didn't wait and shouted as he ran for Lucius. I could hear Lucilla gasping behind me and Acacius comforting her. Lucius deviated the attack and punched his opponent on his back with his foot. The whaleman fell to his knees. The crowd cheered. Lucius turned around him and attacked him with his sword but was thwarted by a parry. The big man got back on his feet and threatened him with his trident. They fought weapon against weapon until one of the spikes cut Lucius' arm. I gasped and Geta laughed. I turned to Lucilla who gave me an 'it's okay' look. His arm was bleeding heavily but he kept fighting. The Whale was strong but Lucius was faster. He managed to make him lose his balance a few times and ended up disarming him. The opponent then balled his fists and threatened Lucius, who was now armed with the trident and his sword. He dodged the first attempts at punches and eventually managed to thrust his sword into the side of the Fish. For the second time during the fight, the man fell to the ground. The crowd was on fire and screamed "Hanno" as loud as it could. Then silence fell and every gaze turned to Geta. He stood up, raised his hand in front of him and made a fist with his thumb out. The crowd asked him 'die' in unison. He then turned his thumb downwards and the crowd shouted with joy. Lucius took the two weapons in his possession and crossed them to decapitate is opponent. The Whale's head crashed to the sand of the arena while Lucius stared at me.