Antonious Maximus sat in between Licia and Marcus, waiting for the plot to unravel. Licia had the nervous look on her face that told Marcus she was not as comfortable with the plans as she said she was. Marcus sat still and quiet, ready to do battle on his masters behalf. The arena was applauding a cougar had just been slain by a gladiator in the Northwest corner of the arena. Blood stained the sand floor and the crowd was thrilled by the blood soaked earth. The trio knew that soon it would be their turn to act. As the saga in the north unfolded, a lion emerged from the southeast tunnel. Already limping and ribs showing, the poor beast was already defeated. Two large gladiators a came forward, pikes and shields at the ready. Maximus recognized one of the men as a comrade from the legionnaires, but he quickly shrugged off the distraction. Suddenly, and without hesitation, Licia arose, running as fast as she could towards the center of the large arena. The distraction was in place: Antonious pulled a iron blade from under his tunic and thrusted it deep into the man sitting to his front. Immediately, Marcus kicked the dead man in the square of the back and we went tumbling down the great arena's stairs. All three new that if caught they would more than likely be killed by César, or sent to fight some large beast with no weapons or armor, but to them it was worth it. The father of Licia, a well-to-do equestrian lay dead at the bottom of the great Forum Boarium. Licia made her way through the crowd, the distraction a success. Going back to slave hood would never haunt her again, for the only person that knew the secret could no longer speak of it.
