The Gladiator

Julia looked up to see Ajax striding out of his tent towards them.

His expression was dark and he glared at the three figures round the trough. 'What is going on? Get up!' he snarled at Julia before turning his attention to the old woman and the guard, who regarded him with a mixture of fear and awe. 'Well?'

'It was the lady, General,' the guard explained. 'She provoked my mother into attacking her. I had to separate them.'

Ajax stared at them briefly before looking at Julia, rising to her feet. Her skin was clean and his eyes feasted on her body. 'That is the nature of Romans, they bring out the worst in others.

Don't worry.' Ajax turned back to the old woman. 'If she has caused offence then she will be paying for it tonight. When I have finished, you can do as you will with her. Only leave her alive, understand?'

The old woman nodded gleefully.

Ajax clicked his fingers.' Then finish cleaning her up, and find her something to wear. Something fine and Roman. I want to enjoy soiling her.' He approached Julia, stood before her and raised his hand to tilt her chin. His arm brushed her breast and Ajax felt a flush of lust in his loins as he raised her face towards him. Julia met his gaze with a defiant expression.

Ajax laughed cruelly.' Oh, you won't be so haughty before this night is out. I promise you. You'll beg for my mercy'

'I'd rather die.'

'I'm sure you would, but you don't escape your punishment that easily'

'Punishment?' Julia frowned. 'What have I ever done to deserve this?'

Ajax took his hand away and retreated a step. 'You were born a Roman.' He turned to the others. 'Prepare her for me as swiftly as possible. When she is dressed and scented, bring her straight to me.'

'Yes, General.' The guard bowed his head.

As Ajax strode back towards his tent, the old woman chuckled as she advanced on Julia with a chilling grin.' Them stripes on my back will be nothing to the scars he's going to leave on you.'

After two hours in the water, Cato was beginning to shiver. As far as he could estimate, he had covered a mile and a half along the bay. He was doubting the wisdom of his plan. Around him he could just see the darker shapes of heads and the inflated waterskins bobbing on the surface. Every so often one of the section leaders would call out to his men and make sure that they were still with him. Optio Atticus and the others swam close by their commander. There was no telling how the group heading for the beached ships was progressing, and Cato could only hope that they reached their targets at roughly the same time that he and his men began to board the anchored ships.

That moment was less than an hour away. Cato kicked out and continued forward, trying to ignore the numbing chill that was creeping into his body.

Ahead, the fires of the rebel camp gradually became more distinct, and he could see individual figures by the light of the flames. A dark mass directly ahead blotted out the fires beyond, and Cato realised that he was nearing the grain ships. He stopped and raised an arm.

'On me! On me!'

The water churned around him as the words were passed on and the men began to gather on the steady swell. Once the sounds of splashing had ceased and Cato was happy that as many men as possible were with him, he called out again, as loudly as he dared: 'Let's go!

The men kicked out, spreading out a little as they approached the ships. They silently swam towards their targets with grim determination. Cato made directly for the centre of the rafted ships, and gradually they blotted out all sight of the camp beyond. He could hear the lap of the waves against their hulls, and even an occasional voice above the slap and hiss of the sea. He slowed his pace, kicking steadily but carefully so that he did not break the surface of the water. Ahead of him he saw a dark line against the background and realised he had come across an anchor cable. He made for it and grasped the coarse rope, finding it reassuringly steady. Slipping the shoulder strap of the waterskin and the bundled weapons securely over his head and shoulder, he eased himself on to the anchor cable and began to work up towards the bows of the ship.