Ashley Lewis
6236491
Assignment 8
The day had finally dawned. A crisp
foreboding fog circled around the Palatine Hill. Caepio sat on the end of his
bed breathing heavily, his ornate toga whispering across the cold marble floor.
Sweat began to accumulate in the palm of his hands as he thought of the events
to come. The day had come for his debt to be repaid and honor to be restored to
the house of Caepio. However all was lost the previous night, when after his
visit to the forum Romanum, he returned home to the murder of his prized
champion; Bonifatius. Caepio knew he had numerous enemies, but thought no one
was possible of this kind of treachery. Although a rather eccentric man, he had
always known his place in society and obeyed the laws decreed by the republic.
He had always prayed to the Gods and offered sacrifices in their name. What had
he done to deserve this?
“What am I to do” Caepio asked himself time
and time again. Bonifatius was his ticket out of debt, his victory in the arena
today would bring much coin as well as honor restored to the family. His wife
sat down next to him.
“Things will be ok, I am in good favor with
Illythia the cousin to Marcus Crassus the proconsul, we can have the match
postponed to a later date till we have found a gladiator worthy of Heroceles”
Clodia said in hushed tones.
“Come on Clodia, we have no time for
naivety. The match is today, there is no time to postpone and Bonifatius was
the only gladiator that would ever stand a chance against him. The Gaul, Trixus,
is the only other man that springs to mind. Thus far he stands undefeated in
the arena and although young shows the competency and courage of some of the
finest gladiators.”
“No! Not Trixus” she gasped and then added
as a hestitant after thought “He is not ready”.
“The decision is made, Trixus is to fight in
the arena today”
Caepio walked to the bathroom, further to
ready himself for the public eye. As he splashed water upon his face he heard
footsteps creep up from behind him. Then before he could turn to see who it was
the dagger plunged into his back. Before his head smashed against the cold
marble floor the last image he saw was Clodia standing bloodstained over his
body, tears streaming down her face.
“Anything but Trixus.”
