The Gladiator

'Yes, sir.' Macro rose wearily to his feet, saluted and turned to leave Sempronius's office. He made his way down to the stables beside the governor's palace. The ten men he had chosen stood up at his approach. Each man wore chainmail under his cloak, and carried a sword at his side. A few days' provisions and a water skin were slung from their shoulders. The horses were saddled, and held by two handlers, with spare mounts for Macro and Julia. She emerged from the shadows and looked questioningly at Macro.

'Your father hasn't changed his mind. Time to go,' he ordered. 'To the north gate. We'll lead the horses through the streets until we reach the wall. No sense in having one fall on any loose rubble.'

As the small column passed through the darkened streets of Gortyna, Julia asked softly, ' Do you think they will attack again tonight?'

'I doubt it. It's my bet that they took a chance that we would expect an attack at dawn, or on the morrow. They thought they'd catch us napping. To be fair, they almost did. But we gave them a hiding, miss. They lost a good number of men and will no doubt be licking their wounds. I doubt they'll be in a hurry to try anything whilst it's still dark. Not while they can't see the caltrops.' He smiled with satisfaction over his order to see that the iron spikes had been made and sown in time for the attack. 'As long as they direct their attacks towards specific points on the wall, we should be able to handle them. The problem will come when they realise we have toofew men to defend the who le perimeter. If they launch a general attack around the city, then they will take the wall.'

'And then?'

'If I see such an attack coming, I'll get the people up on to the acropolis and we'll hold out there as long as we can.'

Julia glanced up at the gloomy mass of the hill that dominated Gortyna.' How long can you hold the acropolis?'

'For several days. We'll be safe enough from rebel attacks up there.

The problem will be the water supply and sanitation. Once the water runs low there will be thirst, and then sickness, and then we'll have to surrender.' Macro forced himself to smile and lighten his tone. 'But that's not going to happen, miss. Cato will have arrived on the scene long before then.'

'Yes, I hope so.' She took his hand and gently squeezed it.' Look after my father for me.'

'Look after him?' Macro's eyebrows rose. The idea that Senator Sempronius needed any looking after was surprising. But he could sense her anxiety well enough and nodded. 'I'll keep an eye on him.'

They reached the northern gate, a small single-arched structure with a door that would only admit a small cart, or riders in single file.

Macro halted the escort and climbed up the stairs to the platform above the gate. The duty optio saluted as he saw his superior emerge from the staircase. He had been alerted earlier that a party would be leaving the gate during the night.

'All quiet?' asked Macro.

'Yes, sir. No sign of any movement.'

'Good.'

'Sounded like quite a fight over towards the east gate.'

'Nothing to worry about,' Macro said calmly. 'Just some half-arsed attempt to rush the wall. Soon sent ' em packing.'

The optio was relieved and Macro clapped him on the back. 'You just keep your attention on the ground in front of you and let the others do their jobs.'

'Yes, sir.'

Macro glanced over the parapet. Below the gatehouse a narrow track rose up towards the hills behind the city. The dark ground was dotted with occasional black shapes of trees and bushes, but all seemed still. He turned back to the optio.' Right then, I want you to remember that I'll be coming back this way. Hopefully while it's still dark. Make sure your sentries know. I don't fancy being skewered by some dozy sod taking me for a rebel.'

'No, sir. I'll see to it.'

'Do.' Macro nodded and returned down the stairs to Julia and the escort. He took the reins of his horse and cleared his throat to address the two men on the door.' Open it up.'

They drew back the locking bar and hauled on the brass ring, and with a light grating sound the door swung inwards. Macro led his horse through the arch into the night. Julia and the others followed him out of the city. As soon as the last of them had passed through, the soldiers shut the door and rammed the locking bar home. Macro looked back at the escorts and spoke the order. 'Mount.'

As the soldiers hauled themselves up into the saddles, Macro went to help Julia. He cupped his hands together. 'Step up on that, miss.'

Once she was in the saddle and had tucked the end of her long tunic beneath each leg, she took the reins.

'Had much riding experience?' asked Macro.

She nodded. 'I used to ride when I was younger. I'm sure it will all come back to me once we get going.'

Macro nodded and then turned to mount his own horse. When he was settled in the saddle, he took a firm grip of the reins and raised his arm to attract the attention of his men. 'Forward.'