by Hearst, Amy
Hebides said nothing for a few moments, considering. “Still, I think you were more motivated than most. The master says she is pregnant. I guess we will know if she is caught and bears a little black baby.”
“That will never happen,” said Abedi, knowing it to be true. “I have never been anywhere near the girl, so I could not have possibly fathered her child. Not that I wouldn’t like to.”
“If you did help her, Abedi, I will find out, I will tell the master and you will be sorry. So will that jailer. He will get what’s coming to him, because I know you couldn’t have gotten out of your cell without his help.”
Abedi shrugged. “You are imagining things, my friend,” he said. “You are not in custody so I suppose the master must have believed you.”
“He has for now. But be careful, Abedi. I am watching you.”
Hebides got up and walked away. Abedi wiped his mouth with a cloth and took a deep breath. He had to remain calm and even flippant when Nardine’s name came up, which had become harder and harder to do. He worried about her, and that would only get worse as time passed. He did not worry about himself. Abedi had returned the murder weapon to the kitchens, carefully wiping the knife before placing it in storage. Nonetheless, he would have to do something special for the jailer for putting the focus of the murder on Hebides.
*****
Nardine covered her head with a shawl she carried with her from the ludus. The long road to the city gate curved behind her. She knew the way only because of her numerous trips to the arenas around Rome, when she had traveled with the master and mistress to gladiatorial matches. She didn’t arrive at the merchant’s stall until the end of the day. She knew she would have to explain her situation carefully to Joseph, if she found him.
A brown-skinned teenage boy manned the stall. “What are you looking for, madam?” he asked after she approached. “Are you searching for a necklace, or a brooch?” He held up a sparking pin with a large green stone. “Real silver,” he said. “Perhaps you would like this.”
Nardine shook her head. “No. I am looking for Joseph, whom I believe owns this shop.”
The boy stared at her. “Who should I say has come?”
“Tell him I am a friend of Abedi’s. His galley friend.”
The boy disappeared into the back of the stall. Nardine waited a few moments, looking around her and wondering what kind of reception she would get. Joseph was her only hope. She knew no one else in the city of Rome who might take her in.
A tall, thin, muscular black man emerged from behind the stall. When he saw Nardine, he looked surprised. “Are you Abedi’s friend? Where is he now? I haven’t heard from him in several years.”
“He is a gladiator at Marcus Antonius’ ludus, which is several miles from here. He has only been there a short time. He worked at another ludus before that.”
“A gladiator! Ah, that does not surprise me,” said Joseph. “He was always the strongest man on the galley crew. But who are you and how have you come to know him? And why have you come to me?”
“I need help,” said Nardine. “I was a slave at the ludus. Abedi helped me to run away. But he was injured from a fight in the arena and could not come with me, at least for now. He said you would help me. You see, I am—I am with child.”
Joseph’s eyes lit up. “Ah, I see. Abedi is to have a small son. We will take care of you. My wife will know what to do. I have two sons of my own, so she is familiar with your situation. It is almost closing time. You will return home with me tonight.”
Nardine smiled gratefully. She did not want to correct Joseph. If he thought the baby belonged to Abedi, perhaps he would be more willing to protect her. She knew that Antonius, and especially Cornelia, would come looking for her. The less Joseph knew, the more protected he would be. She would not tell Joseph about Abedi’s murder of the guard. Better he suspect nothing about his old friend.
Nardine wanted Abedi. He would be able to direct her and would know what to tell Joseph. She wondered what it would be like once the baby was born. She hoped she would see Abedi before that happened.
Chapter Ten
Four months later in the practice yard, Abedi still thought about Nardine every day. He pondered their future together as he jousted with other men. He had no way to communicate with Joseph; no way to even know if Nardine had made it to Joseph’s stall on the Via Appia. The one thing he did know —the master had not located her yet. If that happened, the lanista would be sure to create a giant show before whipping Nardine, pregnant and all, and then selling her. He would make sure everyone in the ludus knew of her fate, to discourage any further escape attempts. Few managed to escape; the master’s minions caught most slaves within a day of them leaving the ludus.
The lanista had questioned Abedi about Nardine, but did not seem to be too concerned about him helping her or killing the guard. Abedi made sure to stay in the lanista’s good graces. The doctore, unhappy with Abedi’s last loss in the arena, kept insisting he wait to return to the arena. But the physician finally decided Abedi’s leg had healed sufficiently so he might fight. He still had a trace of a limp, but his leg moved much more easily now than it had before. He looked forward to another joust where he could finally claim a victory for this house.
He also looked forward to leaving the ludus for good. Once he won a match, he would have enough coin to begin a life with Nardine. It might not be much of a life at first, especially with a new baby. But after a short time in hiding with Joseph and his family, Abedi knew he would find a way to get away. Joseph would help him. Abedi’s attention turned back to the fight when his opponent nicked him in his neck. “You are not paying attention, old man,” the younger gladiator said. “Probably dreaming about some women you want to bed!”
Abedi smirked at the man, well aware of how accurate he’d been in his jest. He put down his practice sword and turned to leave the training yard when he saw the lanista coming toward him.
He gestured obeisance and waited, knowing the master would not single him out lightly.
“Abedi,” the lanista said. “I have come to inform you that you will be fighting in the next arena outing,” he said.
“I am aware of that,” said Abedi, wondering why he reiterated information he already knew.
“What I have to tell you about is whom you will be fighting. It is to be a house match. You will be fighting Hebides. To the death, this time, as is required by the rules. So you must prepare. The match takes place in three days time.”
“Does Hebides know of this?” Abedi asked.
“He does. He says he is looking forward to it,” the master said, in an ominous tone. “For some reason, he seems to be angry with you. I was already suspicious when he tried to blame you in that slave girl’s escape. This gives me more reason to wonder. But whatever is between you two, use it to give the audience and the magistrate a good show. There is nothing better than to see two gladiators who hate each other try to kill each other.”
The master turned and walked away, while Abedi searched the yard for Hebides. He found him, staring straight at him. Abedi then left the yard. Hebides will learn his lesson, Abedi thought. Because Hebides would be the one to die.
*****
Nardine grew very large. She did not know for certain when the baby would come, but it would be soon, sooner than she anticipated. She worked for Joseph’s wife, caring for their two young sons and washing laundry. She never made her way to the marketplace for fear of being identified. Joseph and his family lived in a relatively deserted neighborhood on the outskirts of Rome. She wondered if Abedi would be able to find her if he had to.
Nardine carried a laundry basket back to Joseph’s first house when she experienced her first pain. The pang shot through her with the force of a wild animal. She had always heard that women bearing their first child had a long labor, so she assumed the first pains didn’t hurt much. Joseph’s wife Myriah had said as much. Nardine felt as though the child had been halfway expelled from her body with th
is first pain. After recovering from her stumble, she hurried back to the house, where she found Myriah cooking.
“It is time,” Nardine said, trying to sound calm. “The baby is coming. I just experienced a hard pain on the way back here.”
“Let us take you to the room that has been prepared. I will send Elvinus to the midwife’s house.” Elvinus, her youngest son, was about ten years of age.
Nardine reached the bed and lay down just as another strong pain gripped her. She cringed. This would not be easy. She wondered whether she would survive the birthing. She also worried about Myriah and Joseph’s reaction when they realized she did not carry Abedi’s child. Right now, though, her body took over. The pains doubled in intensity once the midwife arrived. Nardine didn’t know if she could live through it, and said as much to the midwife.
“You will live through it, my girl. There are no signs anything is wrong, and your hips are wide enough to accommodate the child. The birth is actually moving faster than is usual, so it’s likely you may not have to suffer as long as most first-time mothers would.”
It seemed to Nardine her body had been cracked in half. But she breathed at regular intervals, and pushed when the midwife instructed, and after four hours, the baby’s head emerged from her insides.
The midwife held her hands beneath Nardine, instructing her to give one large, final push. As she did, she heard a squall, and breathed a little easier.
“You have a daughter,” the midwife said, laying the baby on her chest. But Myriah, who oversaw the entire procedure, piped up to ruin the lovely moment.
“This is not Abedi’s child. This is the child of a white man. You have deceived us, Nardine.”
“I never said Abedi was the father,” Nardine muttered, as the midwife cut the cord and cleaned up the afterbirth.
“But you knew Joseph and I thought that. How can we be sure you even know Abedi? This might be a trick to take advantage of our hospitality.”
Nardine’s brain fogged with confusion. She felt the joy of having a child of her own nestled on her chest, but Myriah’s strong reaction rattled her. She supposed she had deceived them, in a way, but not intentionally. An empty place in her insides hollowed out. Myriah had been kind to her, as well as Joseph.
“I am sorry Myriah. I meant to tell you. It just never seemed to be the right time.”
“Not until after your baby was born, is that what you mean? We have been very good to you. But we have heard nothing from Abedi. How are we to know you are truly his friend?”
“He is a gladiator,” said Nardine. “And he was injured. Seriously. I warned you he might not arrive in time.”
“All very well and good, but my husband and I must confer about this. I will no longer have a stranger taking advantage of us. Not with a newborn baby to take care of.”
The midwife silently finished her ministrations and left the two women alone. Nardine, exhausted by the birthing process, said nothing more to Myriah, not wanting to exacerbate the situation.
“When Joseph comes home, you will hear our decision,” said Myriah. Then she left Nardine alone, the baby on her chest, sucking at her breast.
Nardine felt frightened but then she experienced a peace settle over her as she watched her daughter at her breast. All would be well.
She would find Abedi, if she had to run away to do it.
*****
Abedi arose even earlier than usual on the day of the match with Hebides. First, he prayed to the goddess that his life would be spared and that he would find a way to help Nardine and her child. Then, he cleansed himself thoroughly with water drawn from the well the night before. He stored a white tunic in the bag in which he would carry his weapons once he received them. Then he buckled on his gladiatorial costume.
His chest remained bare, with just a strap of leather covering his right shoulder and extending down to his left hip. He would be nearly naked as he struggled with Hebides to the death today. He wanted to be prepared. He had conditioned his body for dozens of hours over the past several weeks, and his strength had increased. Only his weak left leg would hinder him. He had also conditioned his mind—as much as he could. If he fell today, no one would be there to take care of Nardine and her child. He simply hadn’t been strong enough to fight in a match until now. He must win it, and leave the ludus with his winnings. He doubted he would be able to buy his freedom. That meant he would have to escape. And escape he would, even if it meant killing another guard or two. He knew the goddess wanted Nardine and him to be together, and this might be the only way.
As he paced around his cell, he wondered who the lanista planned to bet on — Hebides or him. Probably both of them.
A knock sounded at the cell door. He opened to reveal a slave boy who served the gladiators. “The doctore wants to see you,” he said. Abedi left the cell and followed him out to a small room the doctore used.
Abedi walked in and found him looking at a manuscript. “Close the door behind you,” he said, looking up.
“Why am I here?” asked Abedi. The doctore seldom summoned gladiators on the day of a match.
“There is a man here to see you. He says his name is Joseph, and that he once rowed with you on the galleys. What is he doing here?”
Abedi hoped his look of surprise would help convince the doctore of the truth of his statement. “I have no idea. I have not seen him in years.”
“Well, I agreed to let him see you, but only for a moment or two. He was most insistent. He said he had news to impart. And I want to hear it.”
Abedi swallowed. He had no doubt the news concerned Nardine. “I have no objection, doctore. I have no secrets, from you or anyone else at the ludus.”
The doctore led him the down the hallway to an anteroom where Joseph sat on a bench. Joseph stood up and embraced Abedi before the doctore broke them apart.
“There will be no whispers or exchange of gifts here. Be about your business.”
“Greetings,” said Joseph.
“Greetings,” replied Abedi with a smile. “It has been years since we have seen each other and exchanged words. The doctore said you had news for me. Does it have to do with that dog I sent you?”
“Ah, yes, the dog.” Joseph stalled for a moment. “The dog bore pups and then ran away. I treasured it, but my wife did not like the dog, so there was nothing I could do.”
“I understand,” said Abedi. “I knew you would take as good care of it as you could while I was serving as a gladiator. I will get it back, some way. Thank you for your help.”
The doctore jostled Abedi out of the room and back towards his cell. “Why would he come here to tell you the fate of a dog?” he asked Abedi. “It makes no sense.”
“I treasured that dog,” said Abedi. “It meant a great deal to me.” Then he remained silent as the doctore pushed him in the direction of his cell.
*****
Nardine, covering herself with a veil, scurried through the amphitheater with thousands of other patrons who looked to find a seat before the gladiatorial matches began. She carried her infant with her, drawing a few curious stares from women who accompanied their men. Few children attended these events, and even fewer babies. But Nardine desperately wanted to see Abedi. Joseph gave her a small amount of coin every week, and she used it to purchase her admission to today’s matches after she ran away. She knew Joseph’s wife Myriah wouldn’t put up with her much longer, so she decided to find Abedi herself. She didn’t know how she would do it, but she would find a way. She didn’t know if Abedi had healed enough to be able to fight today, but she hoped he would be. And that he would win his match.
She found a seat as close to the bottom of the amphitheater as she could. For once, the baby behaved well. Despite all the noise, baby Firi either slept or looked around, seeming to search Nardine’s face for answers. “Don’t worry, little one,” Nardine cooed. “We will soon find you a father, if he survives his match today.”
Nardine surveyed the first few matches with little int
erest. When a lion entered the arena, she watched as it devoured a gladiator trying to best the animal. But the next match caught her full attention: Hebides and Abedi entered from opposite sides of the arena and she listened as an announcer relayed the news that they would fight to the death. Abedi had always faced death in the arena, but somehow today’s display drove it home. Hebides strode around the arena, holding his sword up and waving with pomposity, while Abedi merely walked to the center of the arena, raising one arm briefly as the crowd cheered and waved.
Nardine noticed Abedi still limped, although she could tell he tried to disguise it. He looked handsome and strong, and ready to fight. But so did Hebides. The match began with Hebides making the first move. He lunged at Abedi, plunging his sword toward him and missing as Abedi simply stepped out of the way. Abedi danced around Hebides in a circle, taunting him with a short sword and waving his shield in front of him. Abedi wanted to wear Hebides out. Nardine had seen Abedi fight once before and knew this to be one of his favorite strategies. But it didn’t always work.
The constant movement irritated and frustrated Hebides, though. He lashed back and forth with his sword, unable to connect with Abedi, who smiled. When he managed to get behind Hebides, Abedi slashed him across his back with the short sword, drawing blood. Hebides groaned loudly and the crowd stood and cheered. They wanted to see blood. Nardine worried the end might come too soon. If Abedi died, Nardine’s hopes for a happy future would be over.
So far, only a little blood had been shed and none of it Abedi’s. He continued to dance around his opponent, jabbing at his feet and the back of his neck. Hebides tried a different approach. He dropped the sword on the ground and grabbed a mace he carried on his hip. It looked deadly and Hebides wielded it like a club. Nardine’s heart dropped when Hebides slammed the mace into Abedi’s right shoulder. Abedi crumpled to the ground, and Nardine made a concerted effort to remain seated. The baby chose that moment to start wailing, almost as if she knew Abedi’s dilemma. Nardine tried to quiet Firi, not wanting to miss what happened on the arena floor.