A Turn In History

by bookslover66

This story takes place during the Ancient Roman times, when gladiator games was still around. Achill, once a gladiator, realizes the true horror of the gladiator games, and tries to end it, once and for all, sacrificing many things for a better world, but this may include his own life. A heartbreaking turn of events reveal the outcome of this story. Read at the risk of a good cry.

4. Chapter 4

When I left the temple, an old, raspy voice greeted me, "How can I help you, young man?" I turned around and found the augur staring at me. He was a withered man, and his eyes were haunting, filled with the things he had seen in his lifetime. I've only seen him once before as a child. He was praising the newly risen Emperor Arcadius and announcing the nourishment that will bestow the empire once Emperor Arcadius is seated upon his throne.

For a moment, I wondered if I should tell the augur of my plan. I really did need help, so I relented. "Is it fine if we find a private place to talk?" I asked. The augur looked around. Nobody was here, but you never know when someone from the Emperor is eavesdropping. "It's going to be a long story and I'd prefer if we could be more comfortable," I added to make it look less suspicious.

"Of course. This way please," responded the augur. He led around the back of the temple to a small shrine with cushioned benches and a table. He prompted, "Sit, and tell me what you need to say."

So I told him about my plan to end the gladiator games. It wasn't really a plan, but more of an action that will get me boosted up to a plan. "I will start small," I announced. "Maybe I will go around the villages nearby and find people that had never cherished the gladiator games in the first place. I'm sure I could find some." The augur was aghast.

"You want to end the gladiator games? It's an idea I'm sure many people have thought of, but never put their mind and body to it."

"I know. But I feel so strongly about this, I'm sure that this is my destiny, what I am meant to do. Homo sum humani a me nihil alienum puto. But this, the gladiator games, is inhumane. Have you noticed how only emperors and rich aristocrats are overly enthusiastic about gladiator fights? That's because it's an opportunity for them to display their wealth to the populace. They care about that more than the lives of people!" I was shouting now, and took deep breaths to control myself.

The augur finally spoke that he knew of a few people who might join my cause. He gave me their information and offered me a safe place to stay because I wasn't about to go back to my ungrateful family. Then, he sent me on my way. Before I left though, the augur told me not to tell anyone that he helped me.

*Homo sum humani a me nihil alienum puto means, "I am a human being, so nothing human is strange to me."

**Corvus oculum corvi non eruit means, "A crow will not pull out the eye of another crow." (Honor among thieves & such)

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