Standard Steelcase normal template.

Gladiator: Resurrection

By Rylinn Shadowsong

Prologue

The sky above was dark and blanketed by millions of stars as he rode down the dirt road. Twenty years had passed since he had last been here. Twenty long years in Elysium with his wife and son. What was time though when you were one of the dead? It was nothing to him until he had to return back among the living.

His purpose was to find this girl. One out of thousands, but they said he would know when he saw her. The Gods marked she themselves, a divine child before birth. Placed on Earth for a purpose, much as he had been.

The horse snorted and picked up the slack in the reins, his revelry causing him to lose focus. They started back up the pace at an easy trot, the firelights in houses flickering not far off. The city was near and in another hour or so the sun would rise. It would be the perfect time to set his plan into motion and find this girl.

Chapter 1

Aureilius Percius was scouring the morning marketplace for something unusual today. On any given morn she would normally be buying food for her household. Since the death of her beloved father three weeks earlier, it was all she could do to think of eating at all. Slowly she was returning to the living.

Today on this bright, crisp dawn, she needed a guide. Someone to take her to the Spanish provinces. Her father had a country estate there by the ocean that he had bequeathed to her, his only child. She saw no need to remain in Rome, especially when she was not able to take his seat in the Senate. As much as she may love the city, it was just too painful to stay.

"Aureilius! Wait up, my love," she heard and turned to see Barnabas Marcus, her fiancé, trailing through the crowd.

"You're following me now, ah Barnabas," she answered dryly, not at all pleased to see him.

"No, of course not. I saw you among the people."

"You should have kept walking."

"You're cross. Why so?"

"I am very busy. I have much to do before I go…"

"You're leaving? Where are you off to now, Aureilius?"

"Spain, to my new villa."

"Spain is a long journey. I will have to pack fast."

She sighed, fearing he would do this. That was why she had written him a letter last night, planning to send it along to his family home with her ring. There would be no marriage. She couldn't conceive the ideal of marrying a man she never loved.

"You aren't coming…" she began and he cut her off, not truly listening.

"As your bethrowed, I must."

"You can't. Barnabas, you know that your father will need you when the Senate resumes. Besides, I'm not returning to Rome."

"What! Traveling to Spain alone! Planning to live there! What about our marriage! Have you gone mad!"

"No, certainly not! Lower your voice, please!"

"I'm sorry, but I don't approve. I can't."

"I don't need anyone's approval, most of all yours."

"Those are harsh words, my love. As your fiancé', I insist that I go with you."

"No! You are not coming with me! I am taking a guide and that's all! Now, stop your mad ramblings and leave me alone!"

She realized them that she had been a little too loud. Her outburst had attracted some attention among those around them. He backed away as people took notice. A striking figure caught her eye and she looked to see a tall man headed their direction. Barnabas noticed too and his brow knitted together.

Aureilius was in awe though. She couldn't take her eyes away. He wore a dark green cloak, hood pulled up to conceal his face, but she could disconcern the dark beard shadowing a strong jawline. The man was solid built with fine muscles and toned flesh. He stopped before them and then she saw his marvelous blue eyes that pierced her own gaze, the highlight of a handsome face.

"Excuse me, my lady. Is this man causing you a problem," the deep voice resounded with authority and she was entranced.

"No, not one I cannot handle. Thank you though for coming to my aid, kind sir."

"Did I hear correctly that you seek a guide?"

"Where you eavesdropping," Barnabas shot back, clearly disturbed.

"On the contrary. The lady's voice carried quite well."

"Yes, I need a guide to take me to Spain. Are you such? Please say that you are," Aureilius said a bit pleadingly.

"I am a Spaniard myself and returning there. I would be happy to take you."

"Great news! My search is over, Barnabas! I am in good hands, so don't fret. I shall send a letter when I arrive."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and left quickly. The cloaked man followed easily and kept pace at her back. Her fiancé', flustered and jealous, went to find his driver. His father would want to hear about this right away and put an end to her nonsense.

* * *

The cloaked man had seen to getting horses for them and any basic supplies they would need. He had explained that he was an ex-soldier and that camping would be fastest. She readily accepted, knowing that Barnabas was on the move as well to intercept her.

They were on the road now and the countryside of Rome was springing up around them as the city grew farther away. Her companion rode a black steed and towed a brown filly with supplies behind. She sat astride a beautiful white mare; the breeze tickling her bare legs as her dress hiked up to her knees. It was a warm spring day and she loved it.

"What's your name," she heard and looked at him with a smile.

"Aureilius Percius."

"Aureilius, after the Caesar. It's very beautiful."

"Thank you. What's yours?"

"Maximus."

"You don't have a last name?"

"It's not important right now."

"I see. You're afraid that because I am a senator's daughter, I might know your family."

"No; not all senator's daughters know everyone. You are how old?"

"Twenty-four. Why?"

"You wouldn't know my family. They died before you were even born."

"Oh. I'm sorry. How old are you then?"

"36, and then some."

"You are certainly a vague man, Maximus. It's a good thing my father is dead."

"Why is that?"

"You are much too strong for his taste," she laughed and urged her horse into a canter.

So this was the girl he was suppose to find. She was a surprise to him, to say the least. Full of fire and spirit, but also soft and demure too. She was a wonder and he could completely feel an already growing attraction to her. She would be well suited for the important task ahead.

She had slowed back down to allow him to catch up and they rode on making easy conversation. He learned all about Barnabas Marcus and the threat he would be. He also learned about her father, Pius, and his work in the Senate. He seemed like a man Maximus could have liked very much.

They made camp by a small stream with a lucious lemon tree on it's bank. She washed some in the crystalline water, her skin rosy from the sun. He watched her climb out and averted his eyes as she dressed in her nightgown. Her body was gracefully proportioned and slender. He could feel the tingle in his fingers as he longed to reach out and touch her.

"Maximus," she softly called his name and he looked up quickly.

"Yes, my lady?"

"I'm going to bed. Good night."

"Good night then. Pleasant dreams."

She smiled and pushed the tent flap aside, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Aureilius settled into her bed of warm blankets and fell asleep quickly. She began to dream of a world she had never seen before. A haze veiled her sight until it broke to reveal a battlefield in the far north. Strong men with swords raised charged in on horses, devastating the enemies' numbers. There was one figure that stood alone, in full armor and a red cloak. Two wolf furs covered each broad shoulder. He was a general it appeared and seemed very familiar.

Then there was a house on a hill, or at least the smoldering ruins of one. The same man in a tattered tunic was sleeping by twin graves. Then he was fighting in an arena against numerous challengers. Finally, her dream took her to the villa awaiting her in Spain. On a hill covered in golden wheat, there stood a regal man. She went to him and noticed her body felt heavier than ever before. When she reached him, he wrapped her in one arm and kissed her before she woke up to a new morning with a start.