Dawn arrived both sooner than expected and not fast enough, washing the sky in trepidation. I dressed slowly and methodically, mentally preparing myself. All I could think about was how the gladiators must be going through the same motions with their armor and weapons.
It was still cool, so I put on a thin, undyed woolen tunic that extended to my feet. Blue silk tied just under my bust and across my torso cinched it in. A gold medallion bracelet, earrings with pearls, and several rings completed the outfit—all gifts from my father. I dressed well enough for public appearances to represent his status, wealth, and accomplishments, although subtly enough not to draw too much unwanted attention. One of our few servants helped style my hair, braiding and wrapping it around a gold band circling my head.
Felix had already left, and part of me doubted that he had slept at all. At the small shrine to the gods, I saw that he'd placed his offering to Mars. I lit some incense and murmured a prayer to the god of war. Then for good measure, I made the same pleas to Bellona the war goddess, Neriene the goddess of valor, and of course Victoria for their victory.
I ate some leftover porridge next, but it was hard to stomach. It had been years since I last felt this much dread—not since my father had retired. I would spend the day anxiously waiting for him to come back, since he forbade me from ever watching him fight again. Saturnia had done her best to comfort me, and her parents had promised to look out for me if anything ever happened to him. And whenever he did finally come home, I threw myself into his open arms. But I refused to talk to him for days afterwards. Looking back, I saw how much it had hurt him, but he had let me process the fear in my own way.
I sighed. I still had so much to make up for.
"Max!"
"Coming," I shouted back.
I made my way to the entrance to meet Saturnia. She was dressed a little simpler than me, her tunic the color of wine with silver.
"Are you ready?" she asked enthusiastically. "We've got a full day ahead of us—oh no, what's wrong? I can tell something is bothering you."
We walked out together. "I'm fine. It's just...I'm just more nervous than usual this time."
"Makes sense. They became more than just a name on the sand for you, or a figure to cheer for from a distance."
"There's something else. The main opponents.” I began to feel sick. “Sat, they're from Solis."
She grabbed my hand. "Really? Wow, that's unexpected! There hasn't been much word about them, apart from several merchants in the Forum at Capitoline Hill. They've been pretty isolated in the walls of their territory." She looked at me closely. "But what's so bad about it that it's making you so on edge?"
"They're violent. Really violent."
There was silence and then her response was unexpected. "Are we really the ones to talk?" she countered. "We cheer as we make people fight to the death."
I rubbed my temples. "I know, I know! But..." I hesitated, unsure if I should disturb her with everything I knew.
"Max, tell me."
"Fine," I said. By the time I finished, we had reached the amphitheater. She looked pale, given her normal complexion.
"That's...that's a lot to take in."
I saw a familiar face heading to one of the side entrances that led to the hypogeum beneath the arena. I grabbed her hand and dragged her after me. "Come on. This way."
"Wha—wait a moment!"
"Quintus!" I called out, remembering to wave with my right hand.
The tattooed gladiator paused, waiting for us to catch up. His hand reached up to rub the charm around his neck. The metal had long since been burnished by his touch.
Saturnia stared at him. "Oh, it's Quintus Aelius." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "You're amazing."
He blinked and cracked a wry smile. "Appreciated. I knew today would be a good day."
"A good day for you, or..." I trailed off.
“Those I want it to be a good day for. The augur saw victory in the movement of the birds. And the haruspex saw unbroken lines for those connected to me." Quintus breathed deeply, looking calm. "And it must mean whatever gods they pray to are weak before ours."
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I felt some of the tension fade a little. "Can you let us in? I want to speak with Felix and wish them well, if I can."
He held the door open silently and I stepped inside.
Saturnia shifted where she stood, clasping her hands together. "I think I'll wait here. Last thing they need is another fan in their face while they prepare."
“Are you sure?” I asked and she nodded.
Quintus dipped his head in response and let the door swing shut, leading the way through the network of tunnels. “Are you alright?”
“I'm not sure, to be honest.”
It didn't take long to reach the holding cells and waiting chambers. Torches flickered, creating pockets of deep shadows, and I wondered if this was the same path I took twelve years ago. I'd run through them in a blind panic until I had come across Felix.
The same man turned around in surprise. "Maximilia?"
I hurried up to him and placed my hand on his bearded, scarred cheek. "I just wanted to remind you that I love you, Father."
His eyes softened and he pulled me into a tight embrace. "I love you too, little one."
Beside us, Quintus's narrow eyes studied us, a gleam brightening them. But he said nothing as he waited.
I stepped back and looked around to see it empty except for us. "Did I get here too late?"
"They were already pulled up for the procession," Felix said regretfully. "Sorry, Maximilia. Let me walk you back."
I stood still, listening to distant creaks and groans, whispers of voices and clanging of metal. The dull sounds of the spectators could be heard from here, and I could only imagine what it must be like for those waiting when the crowd roared. Then I let him lead me back, his hand holding mine like I was little again. He must have been more unsettled than he let on.
When we emerged outside, he cleared his throat. "Meant to say that you look lovely. Both of you."
Saturnia beamed and I kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later."
He nodded, disappearing back into the depths of the amphitheater. As a ludus owner and wealthy man, there was a designated seating area for him. But he always stayed below with his gladiators, watching from the arena entrance just like I once had.
We made it to our spot right when the procession began. The lictors who protected the magister of Romachia moved out first, followed by the trumpeters. Behind was a platform carrying the statues of the twelve Dei Consentes, the major gods. Next came the judge, the game organizer, and a variety of musicians.
Everyone leaned forward eagerly for the last group.
The gladiators proceeded out and wild cheers filled the air. They raised their hands to wave to the crowd and several wore a blue sash to signify Ludus Invictus, the same color tied around my waist. And there, in the center of the group were Praxedes and Corvus. She jumped to wave at us excitedly, nudging her brother and pointing. He turned, lifting his hand with a nod. The procession stopped before the magister as the gladiators made their oath to him and to Aeterna.
"I really hope Quintus is right," Saturnia said. "It's strange to think how quickly the sands will shift after this moment."
"This might be the worst part," I groaned.
"What is?"
"The waiting."
It wouldn't be until later in the day that the twins would fight. The morning was filled with animal fights. Several of the novicii from Ludus Invictus were among the bestiarii pitted against lions. The roars of the beasts layered with the crowd.
Suddenly, desperate screams rang out. The spectators latched onto it, eager for blood and messy deaths.
I turned to the sound and saw a huge spotted feline. It was larger than the biggest leopards I'd ever seen. The figure at its feet lay prone as large canines ripped through her torso. Another bestiarius had thrown his spear, but it only grazed the creature's hide to draw a line of blood. It lifted its head to snarl, blood and flesh dripping from its maw. Leaping over the body, the animal cleared the gap to pounce on the man and knock him over. His screams echoed as it trapped his head in its mouth.
With a growl, it crushed his skull between its jaws and the body fell limp. Pandemonium swept through the crowd.
"Is that..." Sat began.
"A jaguar?" I finished faintly. My mouth dried. "I think so."
"Pro dives! By the gods, it's so terrifying. It just destroyed him in one bite!"
It took a team of five other bestiarii to bring it down. The beautiful coat was drenched in blood as several spears stuck out from its body. The jaguar let out a final snarl before collapsing. I watched its giant paws drag through the sand as the carcasses were removed from the arena to prepare for the next event. The surviving fighters helped the injured ones back to their respective entrances.
The criminal executions came next, disguised as some of the old stories about the gods and from before we'd come to be Aeterna. The ones that were branded for death were given just a sword or a dagger against gladiators. Or they were made to wear helmets that restricted vision.
We took the opportunity to get some food and watered down wine. When you couldn't see the sands, it was easy to forget the slaughter happening in the arena. Several temporary stalls had been set up along the walkway and we snacked on walnuts, olives, and strips of beef grilled on braziers.
But what we really wanted was what we saved for last. The pisa had been baked into a fluffy bread and was topped with olive oil, cheeses, and the savory herbs.
"So good," she said through a mouthful as we made our way back.
"And somehow, it always tastes better here than when I make it at home. I swear they put something in it."
A trumpet sounded, marking the end of the second event. The food turned into rocks in my stomach and dust in my mouth. I swallowed painfully and gave Saturnia the rest without a word. The main gladiator fights would begin next and we'd be seeing the Solis warriors soon.
Did you catch the ancestor to pizza? Would you try it?
