Storie de Il
Gladiatore
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Storie ispirate dal film Il Gladiatore |
Maximus' Story
Continued
Part One: Hispania
I
1 - The long way home
The horse
walked slowly along the stone covered road, raising a thick cloud of dust. The
beast advanced with his head lowered, his body covered with dried foam, his
sunken flanks denoting the fact too much time had passed since the last time he
had water.
His rider
was not in much better condition: beside being tired,
thirsty and hungry like his mount, the man was also struggling against a high
fever and the weakness due to an infection caused by a wound on his left bicep.
The gash throbbed and bled profusely, coating his arm and leg, but for General Maximus Decimus Meridius the pain was welcome as constant reminder of what
had happened to him and why he could not afford to stop or succumb to his
illness. His mind was focused on only one target: to reach his family before
the Praetorians dispatched to kill them did. Maximus knew he had only few hours lead on the assassins,
and he knew that could be reduced very quickly since the soldiers had the
opportunity to change their horses in some post station, while Maximus had only one tired mount. He had gained his little
advantage by using his knowledge of the
Maximus
looked around him, blinking his eyes in the sunlight and letting out a sigh of
relief when he recognized the landscape: his home was very near.
He spurred
the horse and pushed him as fast as he could, while the tall poplars
surrounding his villa became clearly visible.
*****
In the
light of early day, Olivia was in a round pen created in one of the fields,
watching Marcus lunging a little white pony. The boy
had inherited his father's love for horses, and Olivia was looking forward to Maximus' return so he could see with his own eyes what a
fine rider Marcus had become. It was almost three years since Maximus' last visit, and Olivia hoped to see him soon. In
his last letter from
"Mama,
look! Someone is coming to visit us!" Marcus excited voice claimed her
back from her reverie, and Olivia turned to look down the roadway. She saw a
horse galloping at full speed, and she frowned, perplexed, wondering who it
could be. Suddenly the horse stumbled and fell to the ground, dragging his
rider with him.
Olivia
gasped, then told her son, "Marcus, stay here and wait for me. Cassius,
you come with me." The workers' superintendent -- a robust man with a sun
burned face who had been watching the boy along with other servants -- nodded
and followed his mistress up the little hill.
When they
reached the roadway, she saw that the rider was wearily trying to stand, and,
upon recognizing him, she ran to him. "Maximus!" She was overwhelmed with joy, but also with
worry, seeing how he staggered.
Maximus
saw his wife run to him and opened his arms wide, ready to receive her embrace.
Olivia
threw herself in his arms, and he nearly fell to the ground, so great was his
weakness. She covered his neck with kisses but suddenly stopped when he said
with a voice she barely recognized, "Olivia, stop. We have no time. We
must leave this house at once."
She looked
at him, not understanding, and was shocked to see his face. He was pale and sweaty, his lips dried and cracked, his eyes too bright.
"Darling,
what happened to you?" she asked, noticing that he had no armor, no weapons, no luggage.
Maximus
shook his head. "Olivia, I can't explain now. Take Marcus and go to the
stable. Order to the grooms to prepare the horses and wait for me there." His
wife tried to speak again, but he urged, "Go now, do as I said!"
Olivia
nodded and ran to fetch Marcus, while inside her worry and fear grew. Maximus was shocked by something and for a man as him,
always in control, that was very strange and terrifying.
Maximus
watched his wife disappear in the fields then turned to his superintendent. "Cassius, call back all the workers from the fields and tell
them to leave this place at once. A squad of Praetorians is arriving to destroy
this place. We must take refuge in the forest or in some other place."
Cassius
looked terrified but did as he was told, running away.
Maximus
took a deep breath then walked to the stables, while praying to his ancestors,
"Blessed father, watch over us with
ready sword, and give me the strength to save my family...."
2 - Memories
Olivia was
leaning against the window-frame, her face pressed to the glass, her gaze fixed
on the thin column of black smoke which still rose from the remains of what had
been her home. She closed her eyes, while in her mind she saw again the
horrible images of the Praetorians intent on destroying and killing.
She, Maximus, Marcus and Cassius were able to find refuge in the
thick forest of chestnut trees which bordered their estate, but many of their
servants were not so lucky, and from their shelter in the wood she and her
family had heard their cries of terror and pain, while they watched helplessly.
During the massacre no one dared to open their mouth, for the fear that the
slightest noise could betray their presence. Olivia had pressed a crying Marcus
to her breast, trying in vain to calm him, while her husband and Cassius had
taken care of the horses.
Finally,
after what had seemed an eternity to them, the Praetorians had left,
disappearing behind the hills. Olivia had then spoken to Maximus
and asked, "What we do now?"
Her husband
had walked some steps in her direction before falling heavily on the ground.
With a cry
of terror Olivia rushed to him, knelt and turned him on his back, emitting a
sigh of relief when she saw he was still alive. She had gently examined his
body to discover the reason for his fever, finding the ugly, purulent gash on
his left arm, just above his SPQR tattoo. Olivia knew Maximus
needed immediate medical attention, and so she had taken the only possible
course of action, looking for help at her father's estate.
They had
arrived at her family's villa just in time to see her father and brother Titus preparing to leave; they had seen the thick
column of black smoke and they wanted to find out what was going on.
Olivia had
stopped them, telling briefly what happened.
Her father
and Titus had taken the reins of the situation in their hands, ordering all
their servants and slaves to be prepared for a possible attack. The doors and
the windows of the great villa had been barred, while Maximus
had been taken in the house, and Titus rode to
In the
following two days Maximus had fought against the
fever and the infection, and Olivia had almost always remained at his bedside,
washing his face and chest to cool him down, and holding him during his
delirium. She had left him only to spend some time with her frantic son, trying
to reassure him that his beloved papa would be all right.
Her entire
family had tightened around them, giving them all the support and help they
could need.
The young
woman returned to the present and walked to the bed where Maximus
was now peacefully sleeping. She sat on a chair, took his hand in hers and
kissed it.
"What
happened to you, darling?" she asked for the umpteenth time. "Why did
the Praetorians come to kill us? And how did you know they were coming?" Those
questions were tormenting her for days, and she had read the same questions in
the eyes of her other family members, but she knew they would not have any
answer until Maximus woke up.
3 - A brief moment of joy
Maximus
woke up hearing two voices speaking softly, very near to him. He opened his
eyes, blinked a couple of times and then looked around.
Olivia saw
the movement and walked to him, "Maximus,"
she murmured, her heart full of joy, "how are you feeling?"
He fixed
his wife's eyes and answered with a very hoarse voice. "I feel weak as a
kitten."
"It is
natural, darling: you had a high fever, and you have not eaten for at least
three days. I will tell the cooks to prepare some chicken soup for you." She
started to walk away, but Maximus stopped her with a
panicked cry, "Don't go!"
Olivia came
back to his bedside. "Shhh, be quiet, it is all
right; the Praetorians left days ago."
"Where
are we?"
"You
are in my villa, Maximus." answered his
father-in-law, until that moment hidden by Olivia's body.
"Marcus."
Maximus greeted him with a nod and tried to sit up,
failing miserably.
Marcus
approached him and told him, "Olivia is right, son; you are safe here. We
have more than a hundred armed guards ready to protect us. Don't worry."
Maximus
nodded, relieved, and Olivia asked, "May I go now? In the next room there
is a child who desperately needs to know his papa is well.... May I go get
him?"
Her husband
nodded again, and she left the room, returning after few minutes with little
Marcus.
When the
child saw he was awake, he ran to him with a joyous cry, "Papa!" He
sat on the bed and embraced his father with all his strength.
Maximus
moved his right arm with fatigue and laid it on his son's frail shoulders,
pressing him to his chest. Olivia approached her husband and son with tears in
her eyes and stroked both their hair, first one then
the other.
Then little
Marcus felt his father's grip loosen and rose back from his chest. Olivia put
an arm on his shoulders and together they watched the relaxed face of Maximus, who had fallen asleep with a little smile on his
lips.
In the next
few days, Maximus' condition improved, and soon he
was able to rise from his bed. And with the return of his
health arrived the moment of the explanations. Maximus
knew Olivia and the rest of the family needed to know the truth about
what happened; he had seen it in their eyes, even if no one had dared to ask
him questions.
4 - The Truth
Maximus
took his uniform belt and checked to see if the letter Marcus Aurelius had
given to him the last time he had seen him was still inside the secret place
cut in the leather. Satisfied it was still there, went to the triclinium where the rest of his
family was waiting for him.
He began to
speak as soon as he arrived, wasting no time with pleasantries. First of all he
spoke to his father and brother-in-law.
"Marcus,
Titus, I have no words to thank you for what you have done for me and my
family. Now I know your are wondering what the reason
is for all this violence.... It is natural and you have a right to know the
truth..... The truth is that Marcus Aurelius is dead, killed by his son Commodus, and that the new Caesar has decreed my and my
family's deaths."
"What?!," asked Titus while the others listened in silence. "Why?"
Maximus
sighed and went on, "I have been condemned because I refused to give my
loyalty to the new emperor. Olivia and Marcus needed to die so that my son
could not avenge me, once he become an adult. This is
how things work."
Olivia
watched her husband's tormented face and asked, "Why did you refuse to
swear?" She could not understand. She knew Maximus
did not have a very good opinion of Marcus Aurelius' son, but he had always
been so loyal to
"I
refused to swear because I knew Marcus Aurelius did not want Commodus to succeed him, and I am sure his son killed him
for that reason. You see, Olivia, the emperor had spoken to me the day he died,
and he had told me who he wanted as successor." Maximus
made a gesture with his head. His wife understood at once, and her eyes widened
with disbelief. "He wanted you as his heir?" asked, her voice weak.
Maximus
nodded, "Yes, he wanted me, but not as emperor. He wanted for me to became the protector of
"What
did you answer to him?"
Maximus
snapped out of his reverie and looked at her, "In the beginning, I asked
him for some time..... I needed to think. Then, in the late afternoon, just
before sunset, I came back to him and I said yes, I would accept the job. The
Emperor gave me a letter in which he wrote his last wishes... I did not want
it, but he insisted... maybe he felt he was to die soon.... I have that letter
with me, if you want to see it."
Olivia,
Marcus and Titus nodded, and Maximus took out the
papyrus from its secret pocket in his belt. He unfolded it and gave it to
Marcus. Then he walked to the window and looked outside while the others read
the document.
It was very
simple and direct:
I, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Augustus, Caesar and Emperor of
hereby order with this document that upon my death my place as the guide of
the empire will be taken by Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of
the Army of the North and General of the Felix legions.
To him I confer with this act the title of
Protector of
He will have the complete control of all the
army and anybody who should dare to rebel at his authority
will be considered a traitor of the State.
As to my family members, they will mantain their titles and all my personal estates and
belongings but they may not claim any kind of right to the throne.
These are my last wishes for good of
May the Gods always protect
Vindobona,
Marcus,
Olivia and Titus finished reading the letter, and the old man asked, "What
happened next?"
Maximus
returned near them, took the papyrus and put it back in his belt.
"That
night I was summoned to the emperor's tent, where I found Marcus Aurelius dead
and Commodus proclaiming himself Caesar. Commodus asked my loyalty and I refused to take his
hand. So he had me arrested and gave the
order to execute me." Maximus widened his arms
and went on, "I am so very sorry for dragging you into my troubles.... I
made a mistake; I should have taken Commodus' hand,
kissed his ring and wait for a more opportune moment to act and..."
"Maximus, now stop! Stop tormenting yourself! You could
never swear fidelity to Commodus, even to gain time,
and you know it! You had never been able to tell lies, Commodus
would have seen at once." Olivia decisive voice sharply cut the air.
Titus and
Marcus watched her, stunned by her vehemence, but Maximus
only shook his head.
"Don't
you understand? By refusing his offer I condemned you and Marcus to death! I
saved you two but the deaths of many of our innocent servants
weight on my soul! It is my fault!" he said desperately.
Olivia did
not relent, "Maximus, you are what you are. Your
honesty and your love for Marcus Aurelius have made you the man you are now. You
could not betray your beliefs anymore you could stop breathing. You must accept
this fact and move on."
Silence
fell in the room while husband and wife communicated on a deeper level. After
several moments Marcus asked, "What will you do now, Maximus?"
"I
don't know." Maximus grimaced. "For the
first time in years, I don't know what to do."
"You
know you can stay here all the time you desire," Titus said, "You
don't have to hurry to make a decision. Moreover you are still weak."
"He is
right, darling, " added Olivia, "Take some
time to think and you will find a solution."
Maximus
slowly nodded, then took Olivia in his arms and found confort
in her warmth and scent.
5 - Valerius
Three days
later, Maximus and Olivia returned with Titus to
their estate and discovered the horror of what remained of their home and land.
The orchard and the kitchen garden were charred and so was a large part of the
wheat fields. Only two chimneys and some portions of walls remained of their
beautiful pink - stoned house.
Maximus
walked in that landscape of destruction with a lump in his throat and tears in
his eyes. The images he was seeing blended with his memories of another
fire..... the one which had destroyed his family when
he was only eight years old. He looked around and saw many mounds of earth
aligned one near the other in a burned field, and his heart sank as he gazed on
the graves of his unfortunate servants, whom had died in such horrible way
without knowing the reason behind it.
Maximus
approached Titus and asked, "How many dead?"
"Twenty-two
farmers and a woman with a child." replied Titus.
Maximus
paled hearing the last words, "A woman and a child?" he repeated, his
voice weak.
"Yes,
I think they were your cook, Pomponia and her son. The
thing shocked me more was the Praetorians had been particularly cruel with
them: they were burnt and crucified while they were still alive. It was a
terrible spectacle and.... Hey, Maximus, what is
happening to you?" Titus put his arms around his brother-in-law's
shoulders and steadied him while Maximus fought the
nausea. "Hey, what is it?"
Maximus
raised an ashen face and two tortured eyes.
"Don't you see, Titus? Don't
you understand why the Praetorians have been so cruel with a woman and a child?
I do. They did it because they believed they were Olivia and Marcus. That
treatment was reserved for them. Probably their deaths have been our salvation.
The Praetorians knew they had to kill a woman and a child; if they had not find anyone they would have continued to search until they
found us. Perhaps they would have come to your farm."
Titus paled
and swallowed loudly, then nodded. "Their names wont
be forgotten. Pomponia and her son will be always
remembered in our prayers. That will not return them to life, but at least from
Elysium they will know their sacrifice had not been in vain."
Maximus
nodded and walked to the ruins of his home. Near what remained of a wall he saw
his wife, kneeling on the ground. Olivia heard him approach and smiled with
tears in her eyes, "Look Maximus; the climbing
rose bush had survived the fire another time.... Let's hope it is a good
omen!" Her husband smiled and helped her to her feet. She looked at him
and opened her mouth to say something but suddenly her attention was captured
by a cloud of dust advancing rapidly along the roadway. Olivia started to
tremble and blood drained from her face. Maximus
turned around to see what had terrified her so much and saw the column of
twenty or more riders nearing his home.
"The
Praetorians!" screamed Olivia, "They’ve come back!" She was
panicking while Maximus tried to find a place where
they could hide, his heart beating wildly and terror gripping his guts. He
turned around another time to judge the distance of the riders and his eyes
noticed something .... a
wine-red, gold trimmed standard....the standard of the Felix Legion! A smile
appeared on his face, and he said to his wife, "They are not Praetorians,
they are soldiers!"
"No,"
insisted Olivia, "They are Praetorians, they are
coming to kill us!"
"Olivia!
Look at me! They are NOT Praetorians, they are MY men, from MY legion." He
hugged his wife from behind and pointed the riders, "Do you see the
leader? He is Valerius, my infantry commander. Do you
see how he bounces on the saddle? He does not like to ride, he prefers to
walk."
Maximus's
soothing voice calmed his wife's nerves a bit while he caressed her upper arms,
but she continued to tremble. "Do you want to meet them?" he asked.
"No,
not now....I am still shaken." Olivia's voice was weak."I
never had a reaction like this and..."
"It is
all right, darling, it is all right. You don't have to apologize; I too was
terrified." He gave her a light kiss then called, "Titus!"
"Yes, Maximus?" answered the other man emerging from what
was left of the stables.
"Take
Olivia to the villa, I will join you soon."
"All right."
Valerius
and the other soldiers were looking at the burned house and fields but turned
their eyes away as they saw the man approaching them.
"General!"
shouted the stocky commander, dismounting from his horse.
"Valerius!" replied Maximus
and warmly embraced him. Then the General greeted the other soldiers, calling
everyone with his own name. His men were happy to see him again and showed it
by shaking his hand and patting his back. In the end Maximus
returned to Valerius and asked, "Why are you
here?"
Valerius
looked at him straight in the eyes and said, "We knew something had
happened to you, Sir. It has been told to us, the morning after Marcus Aurelius
died, you had gone to
"I
thank you, I thank you all for coming here. I am moved
by your concern and loyalty." said Maximus,
looking to the soldiers.
"What
did happen here, General?" asked Valerius,
turning his head to the burned house.
Maximus
followed his gaze. "Commodus sent some
Praetorians to kill my family. Thanks to the gods I arrived in time to save
them, but as you can see from the graves in that field, many of my workers were
murdered." He had spoken quietly
but anger burned in his eyes.
Valerius
and the other men did not question his words but simply asked, "Why did
they do it, Sir?"
The General
did not answer but said, "It is a long story, Valerius,
and this is not the place nor the time to tell it, but
rest assured I will tell you everything. Now let me retrieve my horse, and I
will guide you to my father-in-law's villa where you could bathe, rest and
eat."
The men
nodded their approval, mounting again and after few minutes the group trotted
toward Marcus' estate.
6 - The decision
She was watching her son lunging
the white pony, encouraging him to continue. Then her son saw something,
stopped exercising the horse, dropped the bridle and ran up the little hill to
the roadway.
She followed him with her eyes and saw the
approaching standard. A happy smile appeared on her lips. Maximus
was home! She ran behind her son who was calling, "Papa, papa!" at
top of his voice.
When they reached the roadway, Marcus stopped and
looked to the approaching galloping soldiers, but his father was not among
them. Olivia too noticed that and her instinct told her something was very
wrong. She yelled to Marcus to came back, but the
noise of so many hooves covered her voice, and she could only stare when a
rider, a Praetorian, ran over her son, trampling him into the dirt. Olivia
screamed while the horses headed directly for her....
"Olivia!" a frantic voice called to
her, "Wake up, it is only a nightmare!"
Olivia
snapped awake and found herself wrapped in her husband's strong arms. She was
covered with sweat and her breathing was erratic. She turned her head and
looked at Maximus' face, pale in the moonlight rays
entering from the window. He smiled to her and whispered, "Shh, it was only a dream."
Olivia did
not speak but hugged him tighter, pressing her face into his chest. Maximus reclined on the bed, keeping his arms around her
shaking body.
"I
dreamed the Praetorians arrived to kill us, but you were not here to save
us.... I saw one of them run over Marcus with his horse, and I could not do
anything...." a shiver ran along her spine.
"It is
over now, relax."
Maximus
slowly caressed her back until she calmed down, and she stopped trembling.
They
remained silent for several moments, listening to each other's heart beat,
until Maximus spoke.
"Olivia,
you know after dinner I spoke with Valerius..... " She nodded, waiting for him to go on.
"I
made my decision."
Olivia
stiffened, undestanding at once what decision he was
talking about. "What will you do?" she asked, even if part of her did
not want to hear the answer.
"I
will go to
His wife
freed herself from his arms and sat up the bed. "What? How you will do
it?"
"My
legion is camped to
"Do
you want to march ON Rome?!"
"It is
the only way...."
"No,"
Olivia said quickly, "There must be another way. Please Maximus, don't go, stay here with
me and Marcus."
"To live in terror for the rest of our lives?"
"What
do you mean?"
"Our reaction today, when my soldiers arrived and we saw the dust
cloud. We were
terrified, Olivia... I was almost paralyzed by fear....It had never happened to
me, even in front the most vicious barbarian tribe. Do you really want to spent the rest of our lives that way? To live with the
constant fear that one day Commodus might discover we
are still alive and send another squad to kill us? You know there is nothing I
want more than stay here with you and Marcus, but I can't live this way. We
will not be safe or in peace while Commodus is
alive." Maximus had spoken to her with the
honesty always present in their marriage.
Olivia
remained silent, reflecting on his words. In her mind she knew he was right,
but her heart could not bear the thought of him leaving for such a risky
mission.
"We
could sell this land and move to another place...." she hesitantly
proposed, but Maximus shook his head, "It would
be the same, we could never relax. No, my love, there is only one thing to do,
and I will do it, for you, for our son and for Marcus Aurelius."
Olivia
looked hard in his eyes then nodded. "So be it, but you must promise
something."
"Everything."
"When
you are back - because YOU WILL BE BACK," she tapped his chest, "you
will leave the army for good and stay always with me and Marcus."
Maximus
sustained her gaze and solemnly said, "I swear it."
"Good,"
approved Olivia, resettling her head on his chest, "now let's try to
sleep: the day will arrive all too soon."
*****
Two days
later all the family assembled in the villa countyard
to watch Maximus and his soldiers leave for
The General
spoke and greeted everyone, thanking them for their help and asking to Marcus
and Titus to protect his wife and son. They assured him they would do it.
Then Maximus went to his son and knelt in front of him, so he
could look into the boy's black eyes. Little Marcus was barely restraining his
tears; he did not want his father to leave, but he was trying to be brave. Maximus too had tears in his eyes while he tried to
reassure Marcus, "This is the last time I leave; I promised it to your
mother, and I promise it to you now. On my return, we will stay together
always, and I will teach you to play with dice and the latrunculi...Do you remember when
you told me you wished to learn so we could play together? Do you like my
idea?"
Marcus
smiled and nodded, "Yes, papa."
"That's
a good boy. Now stay close to your mother; she will need your help. And
remember to keep your heels down when riding your horse!" What was a sort
of private joke between father and son, and Marcus grinned while Maximus stood up and ruffled his hair.
Maximus
went to Olivia and embraced her tightly. They had already said their private
goodbye, having spent the night making love. "I will come back soon,"
he said against the top of her head.
"I
know, but please, darling, be careful."
Maximus
stepped back, looked at her, then they kissed tenderly. After that he turned
and headed for his horse, a wonderful chestnut stallion named Ares, the Greek
name for Mars. Maximus mounted quickly and with a
last wave of his hand he left, followed by Valerius
and the other soldiers.
Olivia and
Marcus watched them disappear behind the hills, praying to the gods to protect Maximus in his last battle.
Part two:
7 -
"The General would be very proud of
him." The mere
thought of Maximus caused
A loud bark
attracted
"What
do you want?" he asked, patting the huge wolf's head. "Are you
hungry?" Hercules barked again, and
Man and dog
started to walk away from the stables when
"What's
going on?"
"Valerius is back, and he has news about the General!"
A big group
on men was gathered in the large yard near the gates, and
"So,
commander," said one of the centurions, "what kind of news do you
have?"
Valerius
started to speak but his voice was covered by Hercules' barking, who escaped
from
It was
General Maximus.
After a
moment of stunned silence, a roar resounded in the air and the soldiers raised
their swords, acknowledging their leader's return. Maximus
tried to keep them calm, but the men were too happy.
In that
precise moment General Flaccus, the new commander
appointed by Commodus, elbowed his way through the
crowd and shouted, "What is happening here? What is the reason behind all
this noise? Return to your tasks, or I will have you whipped, I swear it!"
The soldiers did not even acknowledge him while their eyes meet Maximus', waiting for his orders. He simply nodded, and in
few second Flaccus was surrounded by armed soldiers. "You
have finished giving orders around here," they said. Flaccus'
eyes almost popped out and his face contorced with
rage, but when he tried to speak he found himself gagged and tied.
"General,"
the legionaries asked Maximus, "what must we do with him?"
Maximus
considered his prisoner for several seconds then said, "Give him a
soldier's death." He hated to kill in cold blood, but he had no choice;
the stakes were too high. He could not risk an escape. While Flaccus was dragged away, Maximus
ordered that all his supporters be found and eliminated. The soldiers obeyed.
"It will take little time, General; you can count them on your
hands," one of the centurions said, smiling.
"I am
glad to hear it. When you have finished, I want all the officers to come in the
central tent; I have some things to tell you. Oh, by the way... Not a single word about what happened here is
to escape outside this camp."
"As you wish, General." The
soldiers dispersed in all directions.
Maximus
and Cicero found themselves facing each other and exchanged a sincere embrace.
"I
thought you were dead!"
"Close,"
replied Maximus, showing him his scarred left arm.
"And
-- your family?" asked
"They
are all right; I arrived just in time."
"Gods be blessed!"
"My tent?" Maximus was surprised.
"Yes,
your tent. The men insisted we raise it; they wanted it to be ready for your
return. You will see, all is as you left it." Maximus shook his head, amazed, and followed
8 - The Plan
That
evening Maximus, once again dressed in his General’s
uniform with the wolf pelts on his shoulders, told his officers what had
happened to him, starting from his conversation with Marcus Aurelius, the day
after the battle of Vindobona. He then read them the
act with which the dead emperor had named him Protector of Rome. The
legionaries accepted the news almost as a matter of fact. For them it was
natural the emperor had chosen their beloved leader as his successor; they all
knew what kind of love and mutual respect had bonded the old Caesar to his
young General, and so they swore to him to do everything to help him. Maximus thanked them, deeply moved by their loyalty.
*****
In the next
few days, Maximus sent some of his soldiers to
Hence he
discovered Commodus was not liked by the populace,
that he was trying to win their love by offering them 150 days of gladiator
games, and that he was selling the grain provisions of the city in order to pay
for those games. He also was informed by a soldier, who had a brother working
as a scribe in the imperial palace, that Commodus had
many enemies in the Senate and that it was rumored
his own sister, Lucilla, was afraid of him.
Maximus
spent a lot of time reflecting about the last news: he remembered very well Lucilla's terrified gaze when he had seen her sitting
beside her father's body and the imploring look she had thrown him when Commodus had asked for his loyalty. Years before, Marcus
Aurelius told him Lucilla never stopped loving him,
and now Maximus wondered if he could count on that
love to ask her to help him. Lucilla knew very well
how politics worked in
"
"Anything."
"I
need you to go to
"Sure,
but may I know why?"
"I am
trying to find allies. You see, if I can, I would like to avoid entering
"You are
right, but don't you think it could be dangerous to contact the emperor's
sister?"
"It is
a risk I need to take."
"As you wish."
*****
The
following day
After a
long wait,
He elbowed
his way through the crowd and tried to get near to the litter. It was not an
easy task since the Praetorians pushed away anyone getting too close, but
Lucilla
heard his voice, but did not pay much attention to what seemed to be one of the
many beggars crowding the Roman streets.
Lucilla
was shocked and ordered to the litter to stop. "Come here soldier, I want
to thank you for your loyalty to the empire." she said loudly, so the
Praetorians could hear her. Then
"Yes,
my Lady, and he wants to meet you."
Lucilla
finally found the coin, put it in his hand and answered, "Two days from
now, in the afternoon, near the south gate of the Hadrianus'
villa in
The litter
started to move again and quickly disappeared through the crowd, while
9 - Lucilla
Hadrianus'
villa in
Now the
young noble lady was walking along the gravel covered path leading to the south
gate of the villa. Near that gate there was an aviary full of exotic birds, and
she had told to her servants she wanted to spend some time alone to watch them.
That was not the first time she did so, and no one had found anything strange
in her behaviour.
When she
arrived, she quickly unchained the gate, then entered
the aviary, leaving the door open so she could see the gate without being seen.
Her heart was beating fast, and she paced back and forth while she waited for Maximus. She still could not believe he was still alive.
Oh, she had hoped for it, especially after she had heard the Praetorians dispached to kill him never returned to the camp, but now
that she was about to meet him she was afraid it was all a dream, a wishful
dream.
A whisper
made her freeze on the spot. "Lucilla, are you
there?" She recognized that soft growl, and she slowly turned around.
Maximus
was there, clad in an innocuous cloak with a hood. They watched at each other
silently for several moments, each considering how tired looked the other.
In the end
they spoke as one.
"Maximus."
"My lady Lucilla."
"Please
don't call me so."
Maximus
nodded, then took out of his belt Marcus Aurelius' letter and gave it to Lucilla, saying, "Read this; your father gave it to me
the day he died."
Lucilla
took the papyrus from his hand and read it. When she finished, she asked,
"Do you intend to respect his last wishes?"
"Yes.
Your father told me Commodus must not to rule, and I
will make so."
"I
will help you." Lucilla's voice was strong and
determined.
"Even if it will mean your brother's death?" Maximus
wanted to be sure.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"My
son will never be safe while my brother lives. Since my father died, I have
lived in a prison of terror because Lucius is the
heir to the throne. Commodus is mad and paranoid, and
I don't know for how long I will be able to control him."
"Did
he hurt you?" asked Maximus, his voice full of
concern.
"Not
yet -- but his love for me is morbid, unnatural. It was always so, but now that
he is Caesar his obsession for me has worsened..."
Maximus
nodded. He had always thought Commodus’ 'love' and
jealousy for his sister was strange, but now his suspicions were confirmed.
"What
do you want me to do?" she asked.
"I
know Commodus has enemies in the Senate.." He paused to watch her reaction. Lucilla nodded, and he went on, "I want to contact
them to see if I could gain their support. I will do what Marcus Aurelius asked
me, but I would like to do it as smoothly as possible. I don't want to keep
Lucilla
was silent for some seconds. "You are right. I know many men who have
dedicated their lives to
"Good."
"Tomorrow
I will return to
"It is
too risky.. if your slave
says something..." Maximus did not like bringing
more people into their plot than absolutely necessary.
"Don't
worry, I was thinking about my old nurse. She has been with me since I was a
child and loves me as a daughter; she will never betray us."
Maximus
nodded and then an uneasy silence fell on them. Lucilla
lowered her eyes, looked at her feet and said softly, "I am so sorry for
your family..... I did not have the courage to intercede for them; I was too
afraid. I hope one day you will forgive me."
Maximus
raised her chin with a crooked finger and said gently, "I forgive you
now.... my family is safe; I arrived just in time to save them."
Lucilla
looked at him with bright eyes. "You don't know how happy I am to hear
that!"
He simply
smiled, then said, "I must go now."
Lucilla
nodded, but her eyes betrayed her desire to spend more time with him, as risky
as it might be. She had never stopped loving Maximus
and seeing him again in Germania, in the place where
they had first fallen for each other, had brought back memories of their too
short time together. She looked at him with sadness because she knew he could
never be hers.
Maximus
saw her emotions, but he was not able think of anything he could say to comfort
her so he simply took her hand, kissed it gently and walked away, disappearing
from her view.
10 - Gracchus
Maximus
raised the cape over his head again to avoid the rain and continued to walk
back and forth along the docks of the
Maximus
returned to the three jute sacks marked with a red cross - the recognition
signal requested by Gracchus - and sat on top of one
of them. The General looked around him with curiosity at the almost deserted harbor: it was full winter and navigation was practically
blocked because of the conditions of the weather and sea. The only departing
ships were destined for brief travels, to places easily reachable by sailing
along the coast.
Few minutes
later, a hooded figure stopped in front of Maximus
and said, "I have been told, merchant, that you
are looking for a ship to Neapolis."
Maximus
stood up and replied in kind, using the words supplied earlier by Gracchus, "Yes, domine, I need your help; my
stock is very precious."
"Well,
come with me. I might have what you are looking for." Maximus
followed the hooded figure until they reached a trireme docked nearby and together they boarded it. They went down
under the deck and entered the captain's cabin, closing the door behind. Gracchus lighted a lamp and finally turned to his guest,
pushing down his hood. He was a man with grey-white hair, a well-trimmed beard
and a distinguished expression. Maximus too removed
his cape, and the two men stared at and evaluated each other.
Finally Gracchus spoke, "General," he said. "I hope
my coming here today is evidence enough that you can trust me." Maximus nodded, and the politician went on, "The Lady Lucilla told me you have something that should be brought
to the Senate’s attention.... Is that true?"
"Yes, Senator." Once again Maximus
took out Marcus Aurelius' letter from its hiding place and gave it to Gracchus, who read it and studied the seals in detail. When
he was finally satisfied with its authenticity, he gave it back to Maximus and asked, "What will you do General?"
"I
intend for Marcus Aurelius' last wishes to be respected. However, I need to
keep the populace under control, and I don't want to use more force than
necessary. The Senate has been chosen by the people to speak for the people,
and I think if you will stand by my side, the mob will follow you."
Gracchus
nodded, "You are right also because our Caesar is not so
loved as he believes. Moreover you must know your name is not unknown to the Roman
people." Maximus arched one eyebrow
questioningly. "Oh yes, General, Marcus Aurelius gave a lot of prominence
to your victories in
Maximus
was surprised; he had not believed the late emperor had planned so far ahead. He
cleared his throat and asked, "Will you be on my side?"
"It
depends."
"On what?"
"I
don't want to trade one dictatorship for another, and I don't want a Roman army
to march on the city. It had been centuries since the last time it
happened!" Gracchus did not know Maximus; he was used to the capital corruption, scheming
and squabbling, and so he could only assume the worst.
"The
times for half measures and talk is over, Senator, but I promise to you - and I swear it
on the memory of my ancestors and Marcus Aurelius - that as soon as order is
back in the city my army will leave
The two men
looked at each other for some minutes then Gracchus
nodded, "Marcus Aurelius trusted you. His daughter trusts you -- I will
trust you. And so will do the Senate. You do what you need to do, and we will
back you, I promise it."
"Thank
you, Senator, I wont let you down."
The General
and the Senator shook hands, sealing their alliance.
11 - Nightly Alert!
It was past
Suddenly
they jumped to attention as the wind carried to their ears the sound of hooves
on the paved road. They strengthened their grip on their spears and prepared to
receive the unexpected visitor.
A few
minutes later a horse became clearly visible as it galloped in the direction of
the camp.
"Stop!"
commanded one of the guards, raising his right hand.
The rider
arrested his mount and said, "Let me enter; I bring a message for the
General from the imperial palace."
The guards
exchanged a look. A message for the General? Which
General? Maximus or the late Flaccus?
The
messenger seemed to read their minds and said, "I am here on Lady Lucilla's order, and I have news for General Maximus."
"All right. Dismount and raise your hands."
The rider
did as ordered and one of the guards searched him for concealed weapons. When
he was satisfied he was disarmed, the sentry shouted to one of men mounting
guard inside the camp walls and said, "Escort this man to General Maximus; he carries a message for him."
"Yes, sir." The legionarie snapped in attention, then
said to the newcomer, "You, come with me."
*****
Maximus
was asleep, dreaming about his family, when a hand shook his shoulder. He was
instantly awake, hands moving in a flash, pressing a dagger against
Maximus
smiled slightly in apology as he let go of
"General,
a messenger is waiting outside: he carries word from the Lady Lucilla."
Maximus
jumped from his sleeping cot, put on the robe
"General,"
the messenger and the legionarie escorting him said
as one.
Maximus
nodded to them, and asked about the message.
The rider,
a young man in his late teens or early twenties, gave him a sealed scroll,
bowed and stepped back, standing at attention like the soldier beside him.
Maximus
examined the seals then broke them and unfolded the papyrus, reading Lucilla's words:
Maximus,
I know is risky to contact you in such a way
but I have no choice. My brother had Gracchus and
other senators arrested, accusing them of conspiring against him. However, I am
sure he did not know about our plot. He accused them because he wants their
properties to enrich the empty imperial treasure chests. He does not need proof
to condemn them, and their execution is scheduled for the day of the Ides. He
wants to kill them in the Coliseum, in front of the populace and the other
Senate members to teach them a lesson. We must move soon and save their lives,
otherwise no one will have the courage to take our side. I know you are not
ready to move but you must help them.
Tomorrow morning Commodus
will leave for
Please send back my messenger - he is the
youngest son of my old nurse - with your decision. A simple yes or no will do.
May the gods always protect you,
Lucilla.
Maximus
read the letter a couple of times, considering his options. Lucilla’s
proposal was good: if he could keep the fight outside
The General
approached Lucilla's servant and said, "Return
to the Lady Lucilla and tell her I said 'yes'. I will
give you a fresh horse, but be careful, not a word to anybody else."
"Yes,
Sir, as you command."
"Good,
now go."
The
messenger and his escort exited the tent while Maximus
turned to a nearby cabinet, pulling out a map and studying it. Between
"No,
there is no need. We are already prepared to move on short notice, and we must
give some lead to Commodus and his party. They must
reach Hadrianus' villa before we storm them. We will
leave tomorrow at sunset, to use the cover of the darkness to pass the more
populated areas near
Maximus
put away the map and giving a small smile to
"You
are right, General. Good night."
"Good
night,
Maximus
moved aside the curtains which separated his sleeping area from the rest of the
tent and disappeared behind them.
12 -
Maximus
looked around him at the white frost covered fields which ran along the gravel
covered road. It was already
As for Maximus, he was leading his legionaries to Hadrianus' villa, and they were now outflanking the big
estate to reach that portion of its borders which was not protected by walls,
but only by a channel used to bring water to the various artificial lakes
scattered inside the villa. The General knew the channel was not very deep nor too large enough to be an obstacle for the horses.
A voice
near him attracted his attention, "General, there are some riders coming
in your direction!"
Maximus
turned his head and saw a group of horses galloping in the fields on their
left. He stopped Argento and raised his right hand to
command the halt. The Felix Regiment stopped at once. He turned his stallion to
have a better look and recognized the men approaching him as Praetorians, their
purple and black uniforms clearly visible.
Maximus
spoke to his men, "Stay calm but be ready to act. They surely had spotted
us from the villa and probably those men were sent here to know our intentions.
Let's hear what they have to say." The soldiers nodded and Maximus touched Argento's flanks
with his heels, advancing some steps in the field, ready to meet the arriving
guards.
The
Praetorians were a few yards away when their leader commanded them to slow down
to a walk. Another few steps and Maximus was able to see their commander’s face.
It was
Quintus.
Maximus
gritted his teeth and approached his former second-in -command. He saw shock
appear on the Praetorian’s face when he too recognized his opponent.
The two men
stopped their horses and looked at each other in silence for several seconds.
Then Maximus spoke. "What do you want, Quintus?"
He saw the
Praetorian look at the Felix Regiment, rapidly evaluating its strength; then he
spoke, "Caesar sent me to learn what your intentions are."
Maximus
made his most vicious smile and replied as matter of fact, "Tell him I
want his head."
Quintus
paled, because he knew too well that smile; he had seen it too many times, and
knew Maximus was deadly serious. He looked again to
the cavalry regiment and made a rapid decision, saying, "I can help
you."
The General’s
temper flared and he hissed, "As you helped me in
Quintus
made his horse back up some steps and said, "Forgive me, Maximus, but I had my orders."
"Your orders!" Maximus spat on the ground with contempt. "What a convenient alibi, eh? You did not even let me
explain why I was acting in that way! You condemned me and my family without a
second thought!" Maximus paused, then continued, his low voice a clear signal of his rage,
"For how many years have we known each other, Quintus? Twenty-three?
Twenty-four? I believed so many years together meant
something to you, but I was wrong! Your ambition was too strong. Well, you
obviously got a huge promotion!"
Quintus
lowered his head and said, "I am sorry, Maximus."
Maximus
snorted, "I don't know what to do with your apology. I trusted you and you
betrayed that trust. There is nothing more to say."
"Please,
give me another chance!"
"You
already had your chance, and you threw it away. Now return to your men and be
ready to fight - and die, if necessary - with honor. That
is the price you have to pay to have the right to give orders." Saying
thus, Maximus turned Argento
around and returned to his men. Quintus looked at his retreating back then
ordered to the other Praetorians to follow him and rapidly they galloped away.
*****
The Felix
Regiment drew up in battle order in the field, the men's eyes fixed on the line
of Praetorians awaiting them on the other side of the narrow channel.
The air was
still but loaded with tension while the two lines eyed each other warily, ready
to act on their leaders' command. Maximus caressed
his sword hilt with his right hand, while assessing his enemy's forces. "Enemy."
The General thought bitterly: he knew he had no choice but still he found
the idea horrible that Roman soldiers would be fighting against other Roman
soldiers. "If that brat Commodus had not killed his father, none of this would have
happened." Commodus was the true cause of
this situation, and Maximus swore to Marcus Aurelius'
memory that he would pay the price.
The General
slowly unsheathed his sword, walked some steps in front of his men and raised
his right arm to the sky. A quick gesture forward and the hell broke loose. The
cavalry moved forward, jumped the channel and smashed on the Praetorians with
violence.
The battle
was brutal and brief and from the beginning the Praetorians had no possibility
of winning it. They were outnumbered, and they were fighting in an open space
and not between the city walls as they are trained to do. The Felix Regiment
was too expert and sliced between them like a hot knife through butter. Soon
the ground was covered with blood and the air filled with the moans of the
wounded.
Maximus
looked around him and saw that few Praetorians were still fighting while a
group of them was galloping away in the direction of the villa. He turned to
Claudius, his second in command for that expedition and ordered, "Gather
the surrenders and look for the wounded. I will leave forty men here while the
others will take the villa."
"As you command, General."
The Felix
Legion quickly divided in two group, the greatest of
which followed their leader.
Maximus
turned around, pointed his bloodied sword in the direction of the villa and
shouted, "Stay with me!" while kicking hard against Argento's flanks.
13 - Commodus
Maximus
and the Felix Regiment stormed into the courtyard in front of the main door of Hadrianus' villa while the emperor was preparing for an
escape. The courtyard was surrounded by a majestic arcate
and the space was too restricted to fight on horseback. Maximus
and his men were forced to dismount their battle horses, but that did not stop
them from quickly getting the upper hand on their opponents, surrounding the
emperor and the few remaining Praetorians.
"Drop
your weapons!" commanded Maximus, and the
imperial guards, Quintus among them, obeyed; they knew, from what they had seen
that Maximus would not thought twice before having
them killed if they tried to resist.
In the end Maximus and Commodus were again
face to face. The two men looked at each other with eyes full of hate. Commodus’ nostrils flared while he looked at the man his
father had chosen instead of him, the man who had everything Commodus never had: Marcus Aurelius' respect and affection
and Lucilla's love.
"I
declare you in arrest, Highness," said Maximus,
stressing the last word. For the General, Commodus
had never been his Caesar and so he did not use that word or 'Sire' to address
him -- Those titles belonged to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius.
Commodus
simply snorted and replied, "I will have you crucified for betrayal and
this time you won’t survive, General." He said the title as though it was
an insult.
Maximus
made a cruel smile, "And tell me, how do you plan to have me arrested? My
legion controls all the roads to and from
"The
Senate will never approve your election as Caesar!"
"I
would not need their approval to get that title if I really should want it --
However I don't want to become emperor. I just want to do what your father
asked me to do." Maximus gave Commodus a meaningful look and the younger man paled.
Quintus
noticed it and hesitantly asked, "Maximus, what
were Marcus Aurelius' wishes?"
Maximus
looked straight into his eyes, then pulled out the late emperor's letter and
read it aloud.
Quintus'
eyes widened, finally realizing why Maximus had
refused to swear loyalty to the new emperor. Commodus
instead replied with contempt, "It is false."
Maximus'
hand moved fast as lighting, grabbing Commodus'
throat and squeezing it, "No, it is not false, and you know it. Your
father did not want you to rule, and you killed him for that!" Maximus pushed him away and stepped back. He wanted to kill
him with his bare hands, for what he had done to Marcus Aurelius and his
servants at home, but he did not want to lower himself to the same level of
this snake.
Maximus
turned and walked away, trying to calm down while he put back the letter in its
secret place.
Suddenly, a
violent push on his back thrust him in his soldiers' arms. He quickly regained
his balance and turned around, just in time to see three of his legionaries
restraining Commodus by his arms.
But what
made his blood drain from his face was the sight of Quintus sinking down on his
knees, and elegant, deadly stiletto blade driven in his chest. Quintus reached
out a bloody hand to his former commander, and Maximus
rushed to him, kneeling at his side.
"Maximus.......forgive
Maximus
held him to his chest, gasped his hand and said, "I forgive you Quintus. Thank
you, my friend."
Quintus
tried a smile and while blood appeared on his lips, he rasped,
"Strength... and... honour..." A few seconds later, he stopped
breathing and died. Maximus gently put down his body,
then rose to his feet and turned to Commodus. His
eyes were so full of rage that even his legionaries were scared by them. "Haven't
you have already caused enough deaths?" he hissed to the younger man.
Commodus
replied with a cruel smile and Maximus saw red. "It is enough, " he thought. "I will finish it here in
Maximus
turned to one of his centurions and, indicating Commodus,
said "Give him your sword."
The legionarie's eyes widened but he obeyed.
Commodus
grabbed the weapon and began to circle his opponent, while the soldiers stepped
back, delimitating the battleground.
Commodus
was skillful in use of the sword, and he was not
tired from the previous battle as was Maximus;
however the General was more expert and had a strong control of his nerves. So
while Commodus attacked, spurred by his rage, Maximus did it using his intelligence, as he knew many
lives depended on him.
The two
fighters moved around each other in a lethal dance until Maximus
decided it was time to finish it. He bent his knees, feigning a stumble and when
-- as he had foreseen -- Commodus came on him,
raising his sword to strike, he sprang up, driving his sword into the chest of
the younger man. Commodus’ eyes had just the time to
register surprise before he died, dropping heavily to the ground.
Maximus
lowered his sworded arm and looked around him. His
soldier's battered visages expressed congratulations; those of the surviving
Praetorians, fear. Another face, however, showed love, happiness and relief. Lucilla's.
Maximus
saw her walk between the soldiers, throw a quick glance to her brother's corpse
and then stop in front of him. A moment of silence, a small
smile and then three words. "
Maximus
dropped his sword, while a broad smile appeared on his sweaty and bloody face. He
stepped forward and took her in his arms, while all around them rose jubilant cries of victory.
Epilogue
Olivia was
sitting on her bed, her legs in front of her, a pile
of cushions behind her back. Her gaze was fixed on the papyrus she held in her
hands, Maximus’ last letter, which had arrived days
ago. Her black eyes returned to a few lines she now knew by heart but which she
could not stop reading over and over again.
"My beloved Olivia,
This is my last letter from
Olivia
touched with her fingertips the words written by her husband, then folded the
letter and put it in a little jewel case on her bedside table.
A light
breeze entered the room from the opened window and she turned her face to the
still warm September sun beams. Suddenly, her attention was attracted by a
cloud of dust. Olivia raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun and get a
better view, and she clearly saw two men on horseback proceeding along the farm
roadway. One of the riders was keeping the reins of a third horse while a small
grey form ran in the field along the gravel covered path.
Olivia's
heart began to beat wildly. "Marcus!" she called excited.
Her son
arrived running from the near room, "Mama, do you need something?"
Olivia
shook her head and pointed to the window, "Look who is arriving."
The child
looked outside and saw what his mother had already seen. He began to jump up
and down, "It is papa! Papa is
back!" he cried happily.
Marcus ran
to the door but his mother stopped him, "Don't tell papa why I am in bed;
just tell him I am waiting in the bedroom, I wish to surprise him, all
right?"
The boy
approved enthusiastically and rushed down the stairs and out into the garden.
Maximus
was tired, hungry and covered with dirt but the sight of his home, whole once
again, made all
his discomforts disappear. Olivia had written him that the rebuilding was going
well and that the vineyards were loaded with grapes even with the damage caused
by the fire, but he had not dared to hope in such a great change. The burned
fields had been plowed and were ready for sowing, and
the charred trees in the orchard had been substituted with new plants. It
seemed as though the fire had never happened.
Maximus
saw a little shape running in his direction and with a quick grin to his
travelling companion, spurred Argento and galloped to
his son.
Maximus
held Marcus to his chest for several moments, then stepped back and said
smiling, "Look how you grew up! I bet your pony is too short now!"
Marcus
nodded happily and pressed against his father's side.
It was then
Maximus realized Olivia was nowhere in sight. He
looked around, then asked, "Where is mama?"
"She
is home, papa. She is waiting for you in the bedroom."
Maximus
frowned. "Is she ill? There is something wrong?"
"No,
papa, don't worry. Mama is only a bit tired. Go see her,
I will take care of your guest and the horses."
Maximus
nodded, exchanged a look with Cicero, who had approached them, and walked
quickly to the house, followed by Hercules and by his son's satisfied smile.
Olivia
heard the heavy steps on the stone floor and few seconds later her husband's
form appeared in the doorway.
"Maximus!"
"Olivia!"
They spoke
together then burst in laughter. In two steps, Maximus
reached the bed and sat on its edge, embracing his wife. They stayed so for
several moments, exchanging kisses and sweet words of love.
After a
while Maximus raised his head from her neck and
studied her face.
"My
love, you seem pale to me. Are you all right?"
Olivia
heard the worry in his voice and, taking his hand between hers, replied,
"I am only a little bit tired and sore, but it is only natural."
Maximus
looked at her without understanding, and Olivia turned her head to the door,
calling, "Flavia, please come inside." A
young woman Maximus had never seen entered the room, carring a small white bundle in her arms. The girl looked
from husband to wife and Olivia gestured with her head.
Flavia
approached Maximus and gave him the bundle. He
stretched his arms to take it and started when he felt it move. He quickly
looked down and found himself staring at two beautiful blue-green eyes. His
heart began to race in his chest while his mind tried to absorb the shock. In
the end his gaze left the little face, and he turned to Olivia, who was
watching him with tears in her eyes.
"When?" he was barely able to ask.
"Two
days ago."
Maximus
digested the information and went on, "Why did not you write me?"
"I --
In the beginning I was not sure.... After my previous miscarriage, the doctor
said we could not have other children, so I thought it was shock due to the
great fear. When I finally was sure, you were full of problems in
Maximus
made one of his devastating smiles and replied, "Happy? I am
ecstatic!!" He bent down and gently kissed Olivia. "How did you call
him... or her?" he asked returning his attention on the infant.
"I
called her Gaia, since is a well-wishing name."
"Gaia." Maximus savored the
name on his lips. "I like it." He caressed his tiny daughter's cheek
with his little finger, feeling how soft it was.
In that
moment Marcus entered the room with a big grin on his face, "Do you like
the surprise, papa?"
Maximus
smiled and said, "Come here with us."
The boy did
so and sat on the bed between his parents and his little sister. Maximus put Gaia on his legs, widened his arms and embraced
his wife and son. Then he closed his eyes, and thanked the gods, his ancestors
and Marcus Aurelius for his family and for the new life he was about to begin.
Finally
after all the battles he had to fight, the perils he had to run, and the griefs he had to suffer,
he was at
peace.
He was
home, and the world was no longer brutal, dark and cruel.
THE END