The Gladiator
Hi guys, I felt like the first two chapters of this story needed refreshing before I moved on to the third. I'm hoping the small chances paint a stronger picture of the story I'm trying to create. Let me know what you think.
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I do not have extensive knowledge of Roman times; you may find inaccurate facts within this story. I hope you will be able to just go with it; I'm using the creative licence card to defend any mistakes ;) Enjoy.
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I didn't choose this life, the life that I find myself trapped in right now, I no longer have a say about my future.
But my father made me a fighter and I will bow to no man. I am strong and I will overcome everything they force me to face.
When I enter the arena, I will have a choice.
My choice will be life or death.
My name is Calliope Torres and this is my life as a gladiator of Rome.
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The smell of blood and vomit was almost over whelming and she stumbled almost blindly down the darkened corridor. With her hands bound together with a worn leather strap she was led along on a leash.
Resistance was pointless, she eyed the guard cautiously. If he was the only thing that stood between her and her freedom, the breathe he was taking would be his last. But she knew she would never escape the maze she was being led through.
Another heavy gate clanged shut loudly behind the young woman as she was dragged further inside the maze of corridors.
She passed cell after cell. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the lack of light, as she peered through the iron bars. She could see people of all shapes and sizes huddled together in the small cramped spaces. Swallowing heavily she was sure she could taste her own fear as it thickly trickled down her throat.
A strong pair of hands yanked her to a stand still in front of one of the cell doors. Inside she could see a man and a woman, they were sat on the floor at either end of the cell. Nether looked up when the cell door screeched open.
A hand in the back pushed her roughly into the cell. A few deep breathes from the young woman were the only outward reaction she gave. Inside her self control was hanging on by a thread as struggled not to drag the guard into the cell with her.
The door quickly slammed shut behind the woman she took in her new surroundings.
The cell was small with no windows; the floor was made up of compact mud with a bucket in the corner. How had it come to this?
Sighing heavily she rested the back of her head against the rough iron bars. She needed to keep her cool, but that was going to be easier said then done.
As she open her eyes she showed no emotion as she stood face to face with the woman who had only seconds ago been sitting down on the ground.
'You need to get away from me' Callie spoke firmly, with no emotion.
The other woman merely smiled before throwing her fist in the direction of Callie's face. Before the punch could reach Callie, she swiftly ducked and moved away from the fist now on full guard.
A sickening thud echoed through the cell as the woman's hand connected with the iron bars. 'Son of a bitch' The woman yelped while shaking her fist out, the swelling already evident.
With her back against the cell door Callie brought her hands up to protect herself from a further attack.
'Relax, she's won't try anything again' The man said before standing up slowly. 'My name's Mark, and that woman with the broken hand is Christina' He said as a smirked played across his face.
'It's not broken' Christina snapped. 'I wasn't going to hit her that hard'.
The tension hung thickly in the air as the three prisoners carefully eyed each other wearily.
'What's your name?' Mark asked. He watched as the woman remained silent, it was clear she was weighing up whether sharing her name was something she needed to do.
'Callie' She replied. 'My name is Callie' She paused looking around the cell. 'Where am I?'
'You're in a dungeon underneath the Colosseum in the heart of Rome'
Suddenly everything came crashing into place. 'You're gladiators'. She said sombrely.
She heard about them, everybody had. Lawless slaves, worthless peasants who were all sent to the Colosseum to entertain the crows baying for blood shed.
No one was yet to make it out alive.
'Watch out, we have a genius amongst us' Christina mumbled before taking her seat back on ground.
Ignoring Christina's comment Callie continued, she needed answers to try and help her, she had to understand what was going to happen next. 'What are they going to do with me?'
'They'll train you, train you to fight. Then you enter the arena, and depending on whether you're a quick learner or not, you'll either live or you'll die'. Mark said, there was no emotion in his voice, he was talking about life or death like friends would talk over meeting arrangements.
'Can you fight?' Christina questioned bluntly and Callie eyed the woman warily but didn't answer.
'We're going to find out' Mark broke the tension, 'The sun will set twice more over Rome before the Emperor is to host his annual Grand Giochi. He wants to impress his visiting guests'.
'Their going to expect me to fight' She asked while trying to fight her anxiety over the situation she found herself. Despite asking the question Callie knew the answer. That was why she was here.
'Enjoy the next two days, they may well be your last' Christina smirked as she sat back down on the muddy floor. 'Welcome to world of the gladiators, you're always one step away from hell'.
Callie never planned her future, her father had taught her to live day to day, life was to precious to take for granted.
The next two days would be no different, she would train her body ready for combat, she wasn't ready to die. Not yet. She would ultimately get her freedom.
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The following day…
'I don't like this Timothy' Arizona whispered as they waited for the chariot to depart. 'I don't like Caesar, he is threaten by you and that makes him dangerous'.
Timothy and Arizona Robbins were the heirs to the Robbins estate, the most powerful estate in Rome after Casers' own.
They had lost their mother when they were barely old enough to remember her face, their father had recently died in battle leaving Timothy the head of the Robbins family.
'Sister, you worry too much' Her brother sighed heavily.
'Why, why do you say that? The people love you Tim, you have fought in wars beside them, you have the backing of the council, you are Caesars biggest threat for the throne of Rome'.
Timothy looked at his sister seriously. The words she was speaking were dangerous ones. If they were heard by stranger's ears they would both find themselves accused of treason. Yet in his hearts of hearts he knew her words held a lot of truth.
The Robbins family name held a lot of influence in the Roman Empire. Both Timothy and his father Daniel had fought in numerous wars and had proven to the people they would die protecting the Empire. His father had lost his life just weeks previously proving that point.
The chariot suddenly sprung into life as it lurched forward.
'I am all too aware of the threat I may pose to Caesar…and I will be careful' It was all he could say to ease her sisters mind.
'He will do anything to discredit you' She insisted.
'We have a lot of allies in council, it will take more than mud slinging to blacken our name' He said hoping to reassure his sister.
Arizona nodded but in her heart she couldn't help but feel their invite to Rome was going to change their lives forever.
'I hate these games he makes us watch' She mumbled, glancing out the chariot window she watched as lush green farm fields whizzed past her in a blur.
'You pout like a child' He brother teased.
'It's barbaric, how can people find it entertaining?'
'A lot of good warriors have emerged from the gladiatorial arena' Timothy reasoned.
'Well that fills me with hope then. The souls who die at their hands I'm sure are glad their deaths helped further someone else's military career'.
'Oh sister' Timothy smiled while putting his arm around his Arizona. 'It will not be long before we return home and everything will go back to normal'.
Whatever normal was anymore.
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The day before battle…
4 hours. 4 hours is all the time she had been given to train and prepare herself to fight for her life.
She had heard the whispers, that satin himself fought against them under the harsh Rome sun.
She tried to get as much information as she could, knowledge would provide her with a string advantage.
It seemed that the Emperor used guards from his army to fight the gladiators. Their faces were hidden behind heinous masks intended to intimidate them. It seemed mind games were used heavily in the Colosseum. She would have to be fearless.
'It's best not to think about it' Callie looked up as Mark towered over her as she sat on the cell floor. 'Easier said then done I know' He took a seat beside her.
'As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil' She answered simply.
A sick laugh echoed around the cell. 'A lot of people find comfort in religion, but when you're out there and it's just you and your sword. You soon know, you only have yourself to reply on'. Christina sneered.
'Ignore her, she hates new comers. Mainly because you make all this effort to get to know them and' He makes a cut throat gesture with his hand. 'See my point'.
Callie nods, finding a strange sort of comfort in his dark humour.
'How many fights have you survived?'
Callie watched as Mark sighed deeply, clearly remembering every time he had had to swing his sword. 'I've fought in 12 games'
'Impressive' She said dryly.
'Survival Callie, killing others unless on the battlefield, is nothing to be proud of'. Callie was surprised by this answer. 'How are you feeling about tomorrow?'
'Like it will be my judgement day'
Mark nodded. Nothing more was needed to be said.
Now it was a waiting game.
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The day of the Grand Giochi …
Arizona held on to her brother's arm tightly as they climbed the steps to the Colosseum. She smiled and waved to the crowd that had gathered to welcome her and her bother to the heart of Rome. But if anyone of the spectators looked a little deeper, looked a little closer at her body language, at her strained smiled, they would see that nothing was as it seemed.
The dinner Caesar had hosted in their honour the evening before had been uncomfortable. The subtle looks and words spoken with double meaning left Arizona feeling like their invitation to Rome had been anything but simply friends catching up.
She smiled, her first real smile as she felt her brother squeeze her arm reassuringly.
'You look beautiful sister' Arizona had chosen a simple white gown that flowed softly behind her as she gilded up the steps.
'And you look very handsome brother' He returned her smile. 'Do not try and pretend you have not noticed the shy smiles you keep receiving from the ladies of the Rome'
'I cannot help my boyish good looks'
'Or your modesty'. She jested.
'Lord Timothy, Lady Arizona' The voice boomed from the top of the steps. 'May I be the first to welcome you to Grand Games of Rome' Caesar shook Timothy's hand firmly before taking Arizona's hand and bringing it to his lips.
Arizona felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as his lips lingered on her hand for a little longer then was politely necessary.
'I hope you are both well?' He asked as he finally let her hand go only to take her arm as he guided them into the Colosseum.
Arizona watched as Timothy's eyes hardened as he watched Caesar take her arm.
' We are well Caesar. Thank you for your most hospitable welcome' Arizona answered formally.
'Nonsense, we are closer than family, you are always welcome in my kingdom'. Caesar's eyes locked with Timothy as his finished his sentence. 'Come now, the gladiators are eager to impress you both'
Every word Caesar spoke filled Arizona with dread.
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'GLADIATORS, GET READY FOR BATTLE' The guard yelled and he paced up and down the corridor.
The gladiators had been issued their armour earlier. A thick leather vest and a dented bronze helmet was all the protection they were offered.
It was while Callie stood mentally preparing herself in her cell that she suddenly realised…Caser didn't want his gladiators to survive. They were merely entertainment, brought before the Roman Empire to perform for the blood thirsty crowd.
Her thoughts were suddenly clouded with rage, her life was worth more than this!
Their cell door was quickly unlocked as the guard ordered them to line up along the long corridor.
Callie took her place behind Christina as Mark led them out of their cell. She watched as the guards pushed and bullied them down towards the end of the corridor where 12 other prisoners were all gathered in front of a large wooded door.
Hastily the guards handed out swords, the weapons were handed to people who weren't warriors, they were farmers, peasants.
Callie watched as their hands shook so badly it affected their ability to hold their swords properly. Their body language told her everything she needed to know. They would not see another sun set.
The wooden door was opened and once again they were pushed and shoved into another small room.
Sunlight crept in through the cracks lightening the dark space. It wasn't much bigger than a box, but it felt like a coffin Callie thought silently.
'GLADIATORS READY!' The guard shouted before closing the door enclosing them in the small space.
The crowd huddled in tight. Callie could feel her own heart start to race. The adrenaline was started to pump through her veins, suddenly all her senses were on over drive. Her body was preparing for battle.
She gripped her sword tightly, getting a feel for the weight and how easy it was to manoeuvre. This was the only thing between her and death, her only ally.
Standing taller Callie watched as fear flooded the crowd. The smell of sweat and urine told her that everybody else's body was not as ready as hers.
It was then she noticed Mark had moved to be beside her. 'If you want to survive this you need to keep low and to the back, they ambush you once the door opens' His eyes did not leave the door in front of them.
Advice from someone who had survived this kind of battle 12 times was very welcome.
'Thank you' Was the only reply she could give.
It was then she heard for the first time the roar of the crowd. They were being prepared for their entrance.
This was it…
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Chapter Two will be update ASAP.
Grand Giochi – Grand Games