The Gladiator

'What's the point?' Sempronius sneered. 'I thought you said you were no longer slaves.'

'I want it in writing, ' Ajax said firmly. 'I want it guaranteed in the name of Rome.'

'Why?' Sempronius insisted. 'What difference does it make?'

Ajax smiled. 'I know what sticklers you people are for paperwork. I want our freedom to be official.'

Sempronius was silent for a moment. 'You want to rub our noses in it, you mean. This is about revenge.'

'Yes...' The image of his father nailed to a crossbeam and left to die appeared in Ajax's mind - raw and painful. 'I deserve revenge for the suffering I have endured at the hands of your people. So do all those who now follow me. Your emperor should count himself lucky that my demands are so modest.'

'But you must know that Claudius could not possibly concede to this. The senate would not stand for it. Nor would the mob. If he gave in to the demands of a common slave the mob would tear him to pieces.'

'I think you will find that I was a most uncommon slave, Governor,' Ajax said tersely. 'Otherwise we would not be here.'

'All right, then. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that I agree to your demand. What makes you think that any other Roman official will honour it? In any case, you have no means of finding sufficient ships to carry your people away from Crete. How do you think you will be able to compel Rome to keep to her side of the bargain?'

'It's simple. I will take you, and every Roman, and the city's leading families as hostages. You will come with us every step of the way. When we reach the frontier, and not before, we will release you. If the emperor, or any of his subordinates, attempts to hinder us, then I will start killing my prisoners, beginning with you.'

Sempronius took a sharp breath. 'That won't work. I've told you, Rome cannot agree to your demands.'

'Then it is up to you to persuade the emperor. I take it you were trained in rhetoric as a youth. No doubt by some expensive Greek slave. Now's the chance to put your skills to good use. Your life depends on it.'

'This is absurd. I cannot accept your demands. You know it.'

Sempronius paused and drew a deep breath. 'Now, let me tell you what my demands are. One: you lay down your arms and surrender.

Two: you identify all the ringleaders to me. Three: all other slaves are to return to their owners at once. In return, I will send you and the other ringleaders to Rome to be sentenced before the emperor and the senate. Furthermore I will do all that is within my legal power to limit the punishment of the slaves who freely return to their masters.'

Ajax stared at the Roman with a cold expression. He had expected such disdain from Sempronius, and a refusal of his demands.

It was time to demonstrate to these Romans that their danger was very real.

'Senator, your demands are no more acceptable than mine. Yet the difference between us is that you are in no position to make demands.' Ajax turned in the saddle and called back towards his men.

'Chilo! Bring the wagon here!'

The line of horsemen parted and four oxen trudged forward, drawing a heavy covered wagon behind them. A driver sat on the bench, with another man who was covered in filth. His tunic was in tatters, exposing skin that was streaked with grime and blood, and marked with cuts and bruises. He was chained to the wagon by his hands and ankles and his head was bowed.

'What's this?' asked Sempronius.

Ajax turned back. 'I suspect you have been won de ring why we did not advance on Gortyna immediately after the ambush. The answer is in the wagon. You see, my army bypassed Gortyna during the night eight days ago. We made for Matala instead. The commander of the garrison there proved every bit as arrogant as you, Sempronius. He managed to herd most of his people on to the acropolis. Those that remained in the refugee camp we put to the sword. I sent a messenger to the gate to demand the surrender of the acropolis. I told your Centurion Portillus that I wanted the food on the acropolis, not him and his people. When he surrendered, they could all go free. If he did not submit within two days, then I would take the acropolis and slaughter every person inside its walls.

I am glad to say that Portillus saw reason, and surrendered the very next day.' Ajax paused as the wagon rumbled up, turned to one side and halted behind him. He caught a waft of death and decay and heard the buzzing drone of flies as he continued. 'Sadly, as far as the people of Matala are concerned, it was necessary for me to make an example of them in order that you would believe me when I came here to make my demands to you.'

'What have you done?' asked the centurion behind Sempronius.

'I did what was necessary. I had the garrison and townspeople marched out of the city and then I told my men to kill them.'

Sempronius shook his head. 'You're lying.'

'Yes, I thought that would be the reaction. So I brought proof.

Chilo, remove the cover.'