The Gladiator

Emerging from the water his skin tingled in the breeze, but the concentration and effort needed to edge forwards made him ignore the discomfort. He wormed his way up the cable, dripping as he edged towards the hawse, where it passed through the stout timbers of the grain ship. The further up he crawled, the more it began to sway, and his muscles tensed as he struggled to stay astride it. Then the timbers of the hull were within reach, and Cato held on with one hand while the other scrabbled up the weathered surface, over the side and gripped on. He pulled himself up, then grabbed at the side rail with his other hand. His shoulder muscles protested painfully as he drew his body up and peered over the side. There was no one visible in the bows. Beyond the foredeck there was a short drop to the main deck, where a sturdy hatch coaming led down into the hold. Aft, the deck rose up again to the steering platform. Several men lay or sat on the main deck, while one stood by the handle of the steering paddle, spear in hand. The stench of pitch filled the air and Cato saw a dull glow at the stern where a lamp burned inside a small leather screen. Ajax's threat to burn the ships was quite real.

Cato eased his feet up on to the cable and pressed down as he heaved himself over the side, controlling the movement as best he could so that he did not land on the deck with a thud. Instead, he landed on top of a man sleeping in the shelter of the ship's side.

There was a grunt as Cato's knees winded the rebel, who gasped as he stirred to find a wet, near-naked figure sprawled over him. Cato bunched his fist and drove it into the rebel's face, snapping his head back against the deck with a dull bump. He hit him again, and again, until he was certain the man was insensible.

Cato sat on his haunches, his limbs shaking terribly from the cold and his exertions. He took a moment to rub himself vigorously to restore some warmth. Then he unfastened the length of cloth that bound his weapons, cursing under his breath as his fingers fumbled with the ties. As they came un done, he felt the reassuring touch of his sword blade. He crouched on the deck as he fastened the belt around his middle, and then cautiously rose up to help the next man over the side. It was Atticus, and a moment later he too was on the foredeck, armed and ready. More men swarmed up the anchor cable and joined them, while Atticus drew his dagger and cut the rebel's throat.

Once Atticus, Vulso, Musa and three other men were aboard and had their weapons to hand, Cato squatted down in front of them. 'All ready? When I give the word, we head across the main deck. Go in fast, and show no mercy. I want the ship taken without the alarm being raised. Atticus, you take Vulso and Musa and make your way down the port side. I'll lead the rest.' He glanced round at the shadowy features of his men, most of whom were shivering, like himself, from the cold and the terrifying exhilaration of the instant before battle began. Cato grasped his sword firmly and turned aft.

'Let's go.'

He kept low, crouching as he moved along the ship's side, where he hoped the shadows might conceal him long enough to surprise the rebels. At the end of the foredeck, three steps led down to the long, broad expanse of the main deck. Three of the rebels were sitting on the edge of the hatch coaming, talking in muted tones as they shared a wineskin. Cato saw one of them lift it up and swallow several mouthfuls. As he approached them, he increased his pace to a trot, then a sprint, drawing back his sword. He slashed at the first man, cutting into his head with a soft crack before the rebel had even begun to turn towards the sound of the sudden rush of padding feet.

The second man just had time to glance round before Cato punched him hard on the jaw and thrust him over the side of the hatch and into the hold. The third man lowered the wineskin and let out a choked gasp as Cato caught him with the backswing of his sword, cutting through the hand holding the wineskin and into the man's neck. He crumpled on to the deck as the dark forms of the Roman legionaries swept on, hacking into the rest of the rebels.

The sentry with the spear had been looking over the after rail, but he turned at the sound of the commotion on the main deck. Cato leaped up on to the aft deck before the man could react and ran straight at him. There was no time for the rebel to lower his spear, and Cato thrust his sword out an instant before he crashed into the man, slamming him back against the sternpost. Winded by the impact, the man could only gasp as Cato thrust his sword up into vital organs. There was a brief struggle before his enemy sagged and released his spear, which clattered on to the deck. Breathing heavily, Cato withdrew his blade and turned to see that the rest of the crew had been disposed of. He crossed to the oil lamp and hurriedly blew it out.