The crowd let out a gasp of dismay and leaned forward before someone called the dog’s name again, and others joined in. Marcus could only look on helplessly as the two beasts snapped and clawed at each other in a savage blur of teeth and fur, as blood flecked the sand around them. Try as he might, Marcus’s dog could not break free of his opponent and was pinned down under his weight. Marcus could see that Cerberus had several wounds already and he felt a surge of despair as he saw the animal’s suffering.
‘Get up, Cerberus!’ he cried out as hot tears filled his eyes. ‘Don’t give in, boy!’
With a quick twist of his back, Cerberus freed his hind legs up and braced them against the belly of the other dog, then began to scratch and kick, tearing into the thin layer of fur covering his stomach. The one-eyed dog reared up then caught a kick in the chest and tumbled on to his side. At once he scrambled back up and met Cerberus head on, both dogs rising on their hind legs as they bit at each other and lashed out with their claws.
‘Cerberus! Cerberus!’ the crowd cheered.
The one-eyed dog suddenly tilted its head to strike at its rival’s throat. Cerberus struck first, lunging forward and biting hard into the windpipe of the other dog. It tried to growl but the sound was muffled by the pressure on its neck and it twisted desperately from side to side as Cerberus hung on grimly, worrying away. Slowly the other dog began to weaken and its movements became feeble until it collapsed on the ground. Cerberus kept his grip, using one paw to press down on the writhing flank of the one-eyed dog. All the time the crowd’s cheering increased in volume and hysteria. At last the loser went limp and lay on its side in the sand. Cerberus slowly released his grip then stood over his victim to make sure it was finished. Marcus took a deep breath and closed his eyes in relief.
When he opened them he saw the arena official and his men running across the sand carrying staves. They shouted and waved at the dogs, driving them away from Marcus and the others. Only Cerberus remained, feet planted apart as he stood in front of Marcus and snarled.
‘Easy boy,’ Marcus said comfortingly, fearing for his dog’s safety as the official and two of his men approached. ‘Easy. Don’t hurt them.’
Cerberus looked round and cocked his head to one side, as if unsure. Then he turned and sat at Marcus’s feet and thrust his big, furry head against Marcus’s hip as he wagged his tail.
‘What’s going on?’ Lupus asked, bewildered.
Around them everyone in the arena had risen to their feet, waving strips of cloth in the air to indicate that they wanted the prisoners spared. Looking up at the governor, Marcus could see that Servillus was anxiously conferring with his advisors.
‘It’s over!’ Festus exclaimed. ‘The crowd want us to live. The governor won’t dare to refuse them. We’re spared!’
‘Spared?’ Lupus shook his head then started shaking.
The official stepped warily round Marcus and took out his knife. Cerberus raised his head and growled.
‘Better keep that dog under control, if you don’t want it hurt,’ the official threatened.
Marcus nodded to him and spoke to Cerberus. ‘Easy, boy. Sit there, nice and quiet.’
Behind him he felt the man cutting his bonds. First his feet came free, then his hands, waist and lastly his neck. He stumbled forward the moment the rope parted and slumped to his knees as he threw his arms round Cerberus. ‘Good boy … Good boy,’ he murmured. ‘I’ve missed you … How I’ve missed you.’
Marcus laughed with joy as he felt the wet nose thrusting towards his cheek and a warm tongue slathered his skin. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced up to see Festus grinning down at him.
‘Care to introduce me to your fierce canine friend?’
Marcus patted the dog’s head. ‘This is Cerberus.’
‘I guessed that part.’
Marcus smiled. ‘He’s mine. Or was, back when I lived on the farm.’
‘Seems he still is your dog. Thank the Gods.’
Marcus looked round and saw Lupus sitting in the sand hugging his knees as his shoulders heaved. Beyond, the crowd stood waving strips of cloth in delirious celebration of the extraordinary event that had just taken place.
‘Heads up! Here comes his nibs,’ the official called to the two men who had cut the prisoners free. The others had rounded up the dogs and driven them back into the holding pen. Striding across the sand towards the stakes was Governor Servillus, a small entourage of companions behind him. Marcus’s smile faded as he saw Decimus scowling at him over the governor’s shoulder.
‘Astonishing!’ The governor beamed as he stopped a safe distance from Marcus and Cerberus. ‘Quite the most astonishing thing I have ever seen. Those dogs were supposed to rip you to pieces. They’ve been trained to do it and starved and beaten to make them savage. This beast most of all. Now look at him! Just like a little puppy. How on earth did you do it, boy?’
‘He’s my dog, sir,’ Marcus explained. ‘We were parted two years ago when I was kidnapped. Cerberus was clubbed to the ground by the men who did it. I thought he was dead all this time.’ He looked down and stroked Cerberus’s good ear and the dog lifted his nose and half closed his eyes in bliss as his nostrils flared.
Servillus shook his head in wonder. ‘Quite a story. It’s almost as if the Gods have had a hand in this. Well, I’m not one to intervene when the Gods have made their will so obvious. It’s clear to me that the two of you were meant to be reunited.’
The governor turned to the crowd and raised his hands to command silence. Gradually the cheering subsided and the people sat in quiet expectation as Servillus addressed them.
‘People of Athens! I had hoped to put on a show that would be remembered for years to come. Today my hopes have been rewarded! I have never seen the like of what we have just witnessed! I give you the champion of the day’s games. Cerberus!’
The crowd roared their approval and the governor spoke again.
‘I order that the master of Cerberus, and his companions, are set free. Free to leave the arena!’
The crowd cheered again and people waved their strips of cloth as Decimus bustled forward to join the governor, his expression black and angry.
‘These men are condemned for murder, your excellency. Are you going to allow them to walk free?’
Servillus turned to him. ‘Look at the crowd, Decimus. They love this dog and the boy. Are you prepared to defy their wishes? I know I’m not.’
‘The mob is fickle, noble Servillus. Continue with the execution. Bring on some other animals and send this miserable wretch of a hunting dog back to his cage. Once the blood flows the crowd will forget soon enough.’
‘Actually, I’m trying to avoid bloodshed. One thing a wise man learns is never to go against the will of the people if it can be avoided. That is why I am governor of this province and you are not, Decimus. Now please take your place, back with the others, and let me deal with this.’
Decimus flashed a bitter glance at Marcus, but he gave way and paced back towards the governor’s entourage.
Servillus turned to Marcus. ‘Stand up, boy. Acknowledge the crowd. It’s the least you can do after they have compelled me to favour you and your friends.’
Marcus rose and looked round the arena, then punched his fist into the air, and the spectators erupted with another cheer.
Servillus kept a smile on his face as he stood beside Marcus and rested a hand on his shoulder.
‘Does this mean we are free, sir?’ Marcus asked quietly. ‘To do as we will?’
Servillus shot him a warning glance. ‘Take your victory, boy, while you can. You are free to leave the arena. I suggest that you leave Athens and return to Rome, before you get in any more trouble.’ He patted Marcus on the shoulder and turned to wave to the crowd one last time before heading back to the steps that led to his box. Festus and Lupus stood with Marcus and Cerberus as they acknowledged the wild cheers of the crowd. Then Marcus felt a nudge in his back as one of the arena staff muttered.