Spartacus: The Gladiator Read Free Page B

coming. You’re wise to head for home now,’ he said in a friendly tone.
    The boy made no move to come down off the slope. ‘Who are you?’ he demanded suspiciously.
    ‘Peiros is my name,’ he lied. Even this close to his home, he did not yet feel like revealing his true identity.
    ‘Never heard of you,’ came the dismissive reply.
    ‘You were probably still crawling around on a bearskin rug at your mother’s feet when I left the village.’
    Some of the wariness left the boy’s eyes. ‘Maybe.’ He began urging the last of the sheep and goats on to the road with sharp cries and waves of his arms. The dogs darted to and fro, ensuring that there were no stragglers. The traveller watched, and when the entire flock was safely down, he began to walk alongside the young shepherd. I wonder what I can find out . ‘How’s Rhesus?’ he asked.
    ‘Rhesus? The old king?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘He’s been gone these four years. A plague took him.’
    ‘His son Andriscus should be king then.’
    The boy threw him a scornful look. ‘You really have been away. Andriscus is dead too.’ He glanced around warily before whispering, ‘Murdered, like Sitalkes.’ He saw the flash of horror in the traveller’s eyes. ‘I know, it was terrible. My father says that the Great Rider will punish Kotys eventually, but for now, we have to live with him.’
    ‘Kotys killed Sitalkes?’
    ‘Yes,’ replied the lad, spitting.
    ‘And now he’s the king?’
    A nod.
    ‘I see.’
    A silence fell, which the boy did not dare break. He wouldn’t admit it, but the grim traveller scared him. A moment later, the man halted. ‘You go on.’ He gestured at his stallion. ‘I mustn’t make him walk too long on his bad leg. I’ll see you in the village.’
    With a relieved nod, the boy began chivvying the flock along the road again. The traveller waited until he was some distance away before closing his eyes. Guilt nipped at his conscience. If only I had been here, things might have been different . He didn’t let the feeling linger. Or they might not. I too might have been slain. Father’s decision to send me away was a good one . Somehow he knew that Sitalkes also would not have changed what had transpired. It was impossible to deny his sadness at the news of his father’s murder, however. He thought of Sitalkes as he’d last seen him: strong, straight-backed, healthy. Rest well . All he’d wanted was to come home. For his service with his most hated enemies to end. To hear that his father was dead was bad enough, but if it was true that he had been murdered, there would be no warm homecoming. No rest. Yet to think of turning away from the settlement and retracing his steps was not an option. Vengeance had to be obtained. His honour demanded it. Besides, where would he go? Back into service with the legions? Absolutely not . It was time to return, no matter what reception awaited him. I do not question your will, Great Rider. Instead I ask you to protect me, as you have always done, and to help me punish my father’s killer . The fact that this meant slaying a king did not weaken his resolve.
    ‘Come on,’ he said to the stallion. ‘Let’s find you a stable and some food.’
    Ariadne turned slowly. ‘Polles. What a surprise.’ She made no attempt to keep the ice from her voice. Polles might be Kotys’ champion, but he was also an arrogant bully who abused his position of authority.
    ‘The king wishes to talk with you,’ drawled Polles.
    Despite the veneer of courtesy, this was an order. How dare he? Ariadne forced her face to remain calm. ‘But we spoke only yesterday.’
    Polles’ thin lips twisted in a travesty of a smile. Everything about him from his striking good looks to his long black hair and oiled muscles smacked of self-importance. ‘Nonetheless, he desires … the pleasure of your company once more.’
    Ariadne did not miss the short but deliberate delay in his delivery. Judging by the other warriors’ chuckles,