The Gladiator

If he could not leave them, then it was his duty to see that they were saved from being returned to the living death of their former condition. Gathering the best men around him, Ajax made each the commander of a band of slaves. They were to be responsible for showing their men how to use weapons, how to take up position in simple formations and also for organising the distribution of rations and spoils. From the outset Ajax had made it clear that any food that was captured was the property of all. He addressed the ragtag mob from the top of a broken wall and told them that he would lead any who accepted his rules. He promised them that they would have revenge on their masters, and that he would lead them to freedom.

Only a handful of bitter or timid spirits had refused his conditions and left the rebel camp. The crowd that remained clamoured to fight their former masters to the death.

The first of their fights had been against a small Roman foraging column that had ventured out from Matala. Despite the heavy losses, Ajax had been impressed by the fearlessness with which his rebels had charged the spears and shields of the Roman troops. Later their courage had been repaid with the destruction of the column that had arrogantly allowed itself to be led into an ambush. And then, only three days ago, they had achieved an even greater success. Ajax smiled. One which he would relish telling these Romans about, provided they had the guts to emerge from their defences and speak with him.

'Look there!' Kharim nodded towards the city. 'It seems that the Romans are falling for Chilo's charms.'

Ajax stared towards Gortyna, and saw one of the doors in the gatehouse begin to open. Several figures emerged, auxiliaries. They trotted out and formed a skirmish line a short distance in front of the gatehouse. A moment later two more men emerged, and took up position behind the soldiers. Chilo, alerted to their appearance, turned his horse and trotted towards them, reining in right in front of the nearest enemy soldier, who nervously backed off a few paces.

There was a brief exchange of words before Chilo wheeled his mount and galloped back towards Ajax and his companions.

Dusk was settling over the plain as he drew up, scattering dust and stones.

'General,' he grinned. 'It seems they're willing to talk.'

'Talk?' Ajax responded disdainfully.' Oh yes, they'll talk all right. But will they listen?'

'If they want to live then they'll listen,' Kharim said quietly

'Do you want me to bring the wagon forward?'

Ajax nodded. 'Keep the cover on, and keep it back fifty paces.'

'Yes, General.'

Kharim wheeled his mount away and galloped back towards the baggage train. Ajax took a deep breath and waved at Chilo to ride with him. The six men, all ex-gladiators, whom he had chosen for his bodyguard, eased their mounts into a trot and followed their leader, warily watching the waiting Romans for any sign of treachery. Ajax was under no illusions about the possibility that the enemy might not abide by the usual rules of parley. He reined in beyond javelin range of the Roman skirmishers and halted his men.

'Chilo, you and the others stay here. If they play any tricks, then come for me.'

'General, you can't trust them. Make them come to us.'

'No, I want them to see I am not afraid.' Ajax clicked his tongue and edged his horse forwards. 'You stay put, Chilo. That is an order. When Kharim brings the wagon up, I want you to have it halted behind my bodyguards.'

'Yes, General.'

Ajax walked his horse across the open ground at an easy pace. The men ahead of him were clearly visible in the rays of the setting sun, washed in the same red hue that burnished the scrub grass and stones outside the city. The auxiliaries were squinting into the light, some having grounded their spears to shade their eyes. He knew that he would appear as a dark silhouette to them, seemingly larger than life and threatening as he approached. It might make him a clearer target, but any Roman attempting to hurl a javelin, or even a spear, would be forced to squint, and their aim was sure to be spoiled. He stopped twenty paces from the nearest of the auxiliaries. The horse snorted and pawed the dusty ground with its hooves.

'Who are you?' A man called out from behind the Roman line.

'Ajax, general of the army of free men.' He swept his arm back towards the host making camp for the night. 'I am here to state our demands. To the governor in person. To his minion, if the governor is toofearful to speak with me.'

'I am not afraid,' the man responded haughtily.' Not of you, nor your band of rebels.'

'Then prove it! Come forward and face me.' Ajax thrust his arm down, pointing at the ground. 'Here, beyond the protection, of your men.'

The two figures standing behind the skirmishers strode boldly towards him, passing through their men and drawing up ten feet away One wore armour, a scarlet cloak and a helmet, and he hefted his centurion's vine cane as he scrutinised the commander of the slave army. Ajax felt a cold chill tickle his neck. He recognised the face. This was the officer who had led the foraging column. But he had seen him before, somewhere else, he was certain of it, yet for the present could not place him. He turned his attention to the other Roman, who was taller and wore a white tunic with a broad red stripe. He crossed his arms as he drew himself up to his full height to confront Ajax.

'Say your piece, slave.'

Ajax bit back on his irritation. 'I no longer count myself a slave, nor do any of the men and women in my army'

'Army? That is no army. Merely a rabble.'

Ajax could not help smiling. 'That rabble slaughtered a thousand of your best men, Sempronius.'

The Roman clamped his lips together.

'Besides,' Ajax continued, 'my army now controls most of southern Crete. We go where we will, while you Romans hide behind your defences and pray for deliverance. But your gods have deserted you. There is nothing that stands between you and certain death, except me.'

'I see, you've come to save us,' Sempronius sneered.

'I have come to offer you a chance to save your lives and the lives of every man, woman and child inside the walls of Gortyna.'

'And how can I save them?'

'By giving us our freedom and by ensuring that we are given free passage from this island to the eastern frontier of the empire.'

Sempronius chuckled bitterly. 'Is that all?'

'It is a fair exchange for your lives, wouldn't you say?'

'No. It is out of the question. I don't have the authority to do that.'

'But you are the governor. You act in the name of the emperor and the senate. You could grant us freedom.'

'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.'