Gods and Gladiators

by Jaye Shields

  Ares held the young man’s gaze. He couldn’t have been a day over seventeen. He had Eirana’s deep emerald eyes and a light dusting of freckles across his nose. “You are not done for.”

  Standing, Ares looked from the young man dying on the ground to Camilla. She knelt by Eirana, clutching the fabric of her dress tightly. “You are very brave.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. The emperor continued to speak in the background, but Ares didn’t listen. Instead, he met Eirana’s frightened gaze for what would be the last time. “I will always be with you.” He pulled her close and covered her lips with a painful kiss. Painful because he knew it had to end. Her lips were warm, but she tore away from him.

  “The God of War?” The full lips he’d been kissing trembled. “How could you? I can’t love the man behind such madness.” Her eyes darkened into a storm of hurt and anguish, a fresh dagger to his heart. “My family was destroyed by war, and you think it means greatness? My brother lies on the ground because of the lust for violence and glory.”

  He didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The lump within his throat held more agony than all his wounds put together. Instead, he let go of her hand and walked across the coliseum floor and spoke aloud, hoping Eris would hear his demands. Saving Eirana was the number one priority. If she hated him, it would only make it easier for her to move on. He wanted her to have a good life when he was gone. “Chaos! I know you listen. I forfeit this game if you free Eirana, her brother, and Camilla from this place.”

  Eris’ voice echoed through his mind in response. “That’s much too easy. Convince me why I should help you.”

  “You are the most powerful of all of us. The only one I know who can break a trio from the impenetrable walls of the coliseum and the sight of the emperor. Only chaos can free my woman from this place.”

  “You always were very persuasive, War. But I have an idea to sweeten the pot.”

  “Whatever you desire.”

  Around him, the coliseum buzzed with the excitement of the crowd. Out of the corner of his eye, Ares saw guards come into the arena and grab hold of Eirana.

  Eris laughed, the haunting sound bouncing off the insides of his brain. “In your forfeit, I want you to claim your own life. I want you to cut out your heart. Seems fitting enough, I think, since if you don’t, your love and unborn child will die before your eyes.”

  “Done.”

  Eris disappeared from his mind and he found Eirana. She struggled within the guard’s grasp, stilling only when she realized Ares watched her. He parted his lips to mouth his final words to her.

  I love you.

  She understood and upon his final words, she sprang into action once more, battling against the guards that sought to keep her in place. When she was gone from the coliseum floor, Ares found a dagger amongst the fallen. Retrieving the blade, he walked toward the emperor’s box in the stands.

  Glaring at the man, Ares threw his fist into the air. The dagger shone in the sun. The emperor returned the icy glare, but put his hand forward in a neutral position. A fist meant death, and open palm, life. The crowd began chanting, live, live, live…as if the deep wound in his gut wouldn’t kill him anyway.

  The emperor’s hand wavered but finally, opened upward commanding Ares to live. Instead, Ares drove the blade down into his own heart. White-hot pain exploded in his chest. Burning liquid bubbled up into his throat until his lips choked up a crimson fountain. For the first time, he experienced the same fate as many of the men he led to war and to their deaths. So many times, he’d seen men sink to their knees, and now so did he.

  His legs hit the ground hard enough to shatter his kneecaps, but all he felt was cold. The blade lodged in his chest was numb. His whole body gave way to a new pain, the icy chill of a thousand tiny knives stabbing at his skin as the last bits of warmth left him.

  Ares. Ares. Ares.

  The crowd chanted his name until the coliseum rumbled with a slow groan. Feet pounded against rock, a sign of their approval. Ares watched the emperor shout, but the roar of the people drowned out his voice. The emperor’s face twisted with anger, deep furrows in a porcelain forehead proof of obvious fury.

  Whether the people of the coliseum truly believed he was an Olympian or not, they invoked his name. They defied the commands of their ruler to chant Ares’ name. Had he not met Eirana, this would have been glory. Yet now as the last streams of blood escaped his body, Ares’ greatest glory was having known Eirana. The coliseum around him wavered. Reality dimmed until all he saw was Eirana’s sweet face in a hazy image before him.

  And then, darkness.

  Chapter Ten

  Ares grit his teeth as he strode back and forth while his fellow Olympians discussed his “game”.

  Hera, the Goddess of Marriage, looked to her husband Zeus as she addressed the group. “Ares will have much more glory on earth. He’s already brought our names back to the people. Now he will go down there and raise sons. Those sons will become epic names on the tongues of humans. They will write stories of them, and relate their greatness to the Olympians.” Her bright amber eyes glared at Zeus. “And aside, Ares will make a better husband then all men currently in presence.”

  She received grunts of disapproval in response but Cupid spoke up by Aphrodite’s side. “It is true. The God of War has proven to be just as much a lover as a fighter. For this reason, history will sing his songs louder than others.”

  “I am not interested in inspiring ballads,” Ares growled.

  “No, but you are interested in living with the humans.”

  “One human. Eirana. And do not forget your vow, Eris.”

  The Goddess of Chaos frowned, her plum-painted lips curling downward. “You insult me, Ares. The actions of my reign have already been put in place. Your woman will be free in no time.”

  “And her brother?”

  “He is healed.” Asclepius walked up and placed a hand on Ares’ shoulder. The son of Apollo smiled. “It is a good thing Eris’ plan is in effect or I fear the Romans would tear the young man back apart to find the means of his miraculous recovery.”

  “You are too good to me.” Ares turned and grasped the man’s forearm in gratitude.

  “Tis nothing. I may call on you when I have need.”

  “Anything for the son of Apollo.” Ares smiled before returning his attention back to Hera and Zeus.

  “I agree with my wife. As a gift to her, I will make this allowance.” As Zeus paused in thought, the god stroked a long white cord of beard wrapped in golden rings.

  Unsure of what was unfolding Ares listened intently to the Zeus’ words.

  “Never before has this been done. In this age, the Romans have forgotten to worship us as they used to. No longer is our presence begged for by the masses. Ares, the God of War has found much glory among the humans. Thousands have chanted his name after only a week’s presence in the coliseum. Eris’ game was meant to be a month, and yet Ares became a legend in less than a fortnight.”

  As Ares continued to listen, the beat of his heart swelled within his chest. His immortal life was about to change.

  ****

  “What the hell is going on?” Her brother’s fierce Gaulish echoed through their cell. Eirana clutched Camilla close and watched chaos unfold beneath the coliseum. Lions bounded through the hall chasing Roman guards. She’d been numb to the commotion unfolding, her heart too broken by Ares’ death. Her heart clenched at the thought, squeezing so tight that every ounce of breath in her lungs froze in place. He couldn’t really be dead. She believed him. He was a god. Even after he’d lain lifeless on the coliseum floor, he’d found a way to heal her brother. After she’d forsaken him when the swirling cloud revealed his true identity.

  “You should know the language better than I, brother.” Eirana watched from the corner as Drustan clenched the bars of their dark confinement.

  “Everyone has escaped.” The darkness accompanied her brother’s low words like an old friend. “Earlier this morning, I heard one of th
e guards mention something about a plague outbreak.”

  A few slaves ran by their cell, a blurry image of speed and fear. As they whizzed past, the metallic twang of blood hung in the air along with the rotten scent of decaying flesh. Another lion leapt by.

  “Do you think the animals are infected?” Eirana put a hand on her younger brother’s shoulder to pull him back from the barred door.

  “These events are bizarre.” Her brother turned back and his green eyes were dark, murky pools of water. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

  The ground shook and Camilla dropped to the ground. Eirana curled beside her, throwing her body over the young girl’s as rocks fell from the walls around them. The floor continued to quake. Drustan wrapped his arms protectively around Eirana. He grunted in pain against her shoulder and she knew a piece of the roof had fallen on him.

  Finally, the rumbling was over. “Drustan? Are you okay?”

  “I’m great. Look at this.” Releasing his hold on her, Drustan motioned to the gate, which had come free from the walls. “It appears that chaos works in our favor this day.” Drustan darted into the hall and peered in both directions. “Stay here for a moment.”

  Camilla murmured something and looked up at Eirana with frightened brown eyes. To comfort the sweet little girl, Eirana began to sing a hymn from her childhood. The meaning of the words would be lost on the sweet child but Eirana hoped the tender melody would soothe her.

  “Eirana! Come.” Her brother appeared in a rush through the broken gate, a bloodied sword in each hand. “All the guards have fled and I haven’t encountered any lions. Now is the time. We must go.”

  She nodded. “The darkness will conceal our flight.”

  Eirana pulled Camilla into her arms.

  “No. She’ll have to walk. You need to be able to wield a sword. Just in case.”

  Begrudgingly, Eirana set the girl on the ground but took her firmly in hand. “Let’s go, my brave girl.”

  Camilla squeezed her hand in response.

  Eirana looked to her brother before daring to step foot outside the crumbling cell. “Are you injured?”

  “No. I promise. There is such turmoil out there that no one who sees me cares. Those in charge seem to have fled out of fear of the contagion, and the quake has caused most of the cells to crumble. The guards must fear a revolt of the prisoners for their presence has been scarce. Now come.”

  His outstretched hand and determined emerald gaze reminded her of family who had fallen to protect her in the past. Courage filled her body like fire and she took the extra sword from her brother. “Let’s go.” With that, she pulled Camilla from the cell and followed her brother through the dark hallway.

  Screams echoed through the long, crumbling hallways. Although the shaking of the earth stopped, many of the walls had cracks and continued to break away. The heavy sword in her hand was necessary, but the need to pull Camilla into her arms still weighed on Eirana.

  A crossroads in the maze-like halls of the coliseum loomed up ahead. Drustan marched quickly ahead of them to fend off any danger waiting around the corner. Eirana held her breath when they came to an intersection. The roar of a lion echoed through the darkness, loud enough that she knew it was close.

  Her brother’s primal yell escaped him just as a lion leapt upon him where the passages intersected. Eirana screamed as he ducked under the giant cat. Drustan thrust his sword upward and sliced it through the belly of the lion.

  Camilla burst into tears. Eirana didn’t hesitate this time, and pulled the young girl into her arms. Grateful that her brother was still unharmed, she followed him through the dark maze once more, leaving the wounded cat behind. As she treaded behind Drustan, she realized that she cried for the giant cat. Although a fierce creature, it too had been a Roman prisoner, and now it was just one more victim of the coliseum’s glory.

  “There, I see a faint glow ahead. I think there’s an opening.”

  Eirana nodded and continued to follow, clutching the sword in hand as she carried Camilla. A yell came from behind and sheer instinct had her ducking. As she dropped to the ground, her brother swung out at the attacker that’d come from behind. Blood spurted from the Roman gladiator where Drustan’s sword lodged in his chest. Her brother pulled the sword free and heat from the blood billowed into the air. Vomit pushed its way up Eirana’s throat, but she clutched Camilla closer and swallowed it back down.

  Only courage is allowed this day. You’ve seen enough blood. Now survive.

  Eirana briefly wondered if she’d meet Ares if she died. He claimed to be a God, yet she had no belief in such gods. Ares would not want her to give up. She needed to survive. Not for her brother for he was grown, but for Camilla. She needed a family.

  “We’re almost there.”

  Finally, they came to a clearing and Eirana stepped into the crisp night. The evening chill hit her cheeks and she breathed in deeply, inhaling the damp, smoky scent of fresh air for the first time since taken captive.

  Drustan threw his arms around her and hugged her close. He squeezed tight and the trio became one. “All will be all right now but we must move fast through the city so that when morning light comes, we will be far from here. Traveling west will be easier if we keep to rural areas. Perhaps she can speak for us if we encounter someone. Is she Roman?”

  “I’m not completely sure.”

  “Come. Let’s go.”

  “Take this sword now.”

  Drustan’s gaze darkened with concern.

  “We’re out of the coliseum. We can move quicker if I can carry her with ease.”

  “Okay.” Her brother took the weapon and motioned for her to follow him once more.

  Winding their way through the dark city, Eirana enjoyed the scents curling into the midnight sky. A desire churned deep in her stomach, a strong desire to be home. Her insides hollowed out as Eirana realized that home would never be the same. In the mere week she’d spent with Ares, he’d left an imprint on her soul and everywhere she looked, she saw him. Although she finally had freedom, there was nothing to look forward to without being able to share it with Ares. His body still lay in the coliseum.

  “I have to go back.” Eirana’s words penetrated the silence of night causing her brother to halt in his tracks.

  “Are you mindless? Of course not, sister,” Drustan whispered back so their presence would continue to go unnoticed by the city dwellers.

  “His body. His body is still in that horrible arena.” A fresh round of tears burst from her eyes until it stung to look upon the darkened world. Camilla’s tiny finger caught one of her tears, and Eirana hugged the young girl tighter, crying harder.

  The warmth of her brother’s body came close. “He was a good man. I’m sorry that he was lost to the world, sister, but he would want you to go on. He died with the will to save not just you, but Camilla. And now, you must continue forth for her as well.” His fingers pinched her cheeks lovingly, knocking away her tears. Drustan laughed lightly. “After all, you know I can’t cook worth a damn. The girl needs a woman to look after her.”

  The tears dried instantly. No matter the pain of leaving Ares’ body behind in that horrible place, she needed to continue and get out of the city as quickly as possible for Camilla’s sake.

  “Tu!” The shouting of Roman sentinels rang through the night and Eirana realized the guards had spotted them.

  “There’s only two of them. Run!” Drustan pushed her and Camilla forward and ran behind to fight off the guards if they caught up to them. City officials were already reacting to the crumbling coliseum. They had to get out of the city fast.

  The alley came to an opening and Eirana collided with a large body. The cloaked figure wrapped an arm around her. Eirana struggled but the Roman clapped a hand over her mouth. She clutched Camilla tighter as the stranger manhandled her toward a darkened horse-drawn carriage.

  “Eirana!” Her brother’s yell echoed over the clashing of swords. The thud of two bodies falling to the grou
nd followed by her brother’s rapid steps toward the carriage drew the stranger’s attention. The man who’d shoved her into the carriage turned quickly and evaded the sword thrust at him. Eirana leapt out of the seat and reached to strangle the Roman from behind, but it was too late. The cloaked figure bashed her brother over the head and threw him into the carriage, knocking Eirana backward into her seat.

  In the blink of an eye, the Roman ascended to the driver’s seat and sent the horses forward. The sudden departure caused her and Camilla to lurch sideways in their seats. There was no choice now. They’d have to stay in their seats until the carriage stopped.

  The carriage continued a rapid pace through the city. Camilla crawled into Eirana’s lap and clutched her tightly as the bumpy road caused the carriage to buck. Drustan finally stirred to consciousness from the commotion.

  “What happened? Are you okay?”

  “I’m not sure. I did not see the Roman who threw us in here, but we’ve already passed through most of the city. I wonder if he has plans of keeping us as slaves instead of turning us in.

  “We’ll not be slaves.” Her brother’s words escaped in a lethal warning as he gripped his sword tightly. Eirana briefly wondered why the Roman had let her brother retain the sword, but was distracted by Drustan. His eyes glinted with intention and the youthful planes of his face had evolved into a handsome, deadly man that would fight to the death for his family. Happiness and pride for him seared deep into her heart. When they escaped, and they would, he would find a woman to love, and know the happiness that Eirana had found the past week.

  Eirana peeked out the window when the Carriage’s path became smoother. They were out in the countryside now. “Should we jump from the carriage?”

  Before her brother could answer, the carriage pulled into the trees and came to a sudden halt. The carriage door flew open. Her brother’s sword went to the space but was caught and flung from his hands.

  Eirana gasped when the cloaked figure’s hood fell back. “Ares!”