Ashen-faced, Kuroda’s men dashed to the hatch and relayed the message. Within two minutes the castle gates were open and men were streaming out of it and scattering themselves across the plain.
Just as the gates opened, Finn and Arthur both shivered. Something in the air pressure had changed and grown closer. A gust of wind shook them where they stood on the roof and looking up they saw that the stars and moon were now hidden.
“We should go inside,” said Akira. “The top storey will be empty now.”
“Do you mind if Finn and I stay on the roof for a few minutes?” Arthur asked. Akira looked at him strangely, then smiled and ushered Tatsushi and Mayuko down through the hatch.
“Do give my regards to William Blade,” said Akira, and then he too was gone.
“I think we’re done,” said Finn, and Arthur nodded.
“I just can’t believe the Professor never told us that he used to be like us…”
But before he could say more the rain began, and just as it had on the day that they arrived it seemed to fill every bit of space until it felt as though the castle were underwater and they were kicking up towards the surface. The watery world began to spin around them, faster and faster, until the castle, the weapons and all evidence of their adventure had blurred into nothing.
WARRIOR HEROES
The Gladiator’s Victory
Benjamin Hulme-Cross
Trapped in their great grandfather’s museum, brothers Arthur and Finn must help the terrifying ghosts of warriors find peace. Will the boys be able to convince a fearsome Gladiator to fight for his freedom? Even if they do, will they be able to escape the clutches of a powerful Roman senator?
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9781472904652
Extract from
WARRIOR HEROES
The Gladiator’s Victory
“You’re going to get a beating boy! I said stand up!” Arthur heard the words as if he were listening through a thick wall. As he slowly opened his eyes and began to take in his surroundings, he became sharply aware of a terrible stench filling his nostrils. Looking up, he saw that he was lying in a narrow alleyway, hemmed in by tall buildings on either side. The stench, he soon realised, came from the mounds of rotting food and sewage that muddied the ground.
“Where am I?” Arthur groaned to nobody, pushing himself up on his elbow and blinking up at a dusty, orange sky.
“You’re on my patch, boy,” a harsh voice replied, and Arthur twisted round slowly to see a rough, scarred, street-wise looking teenager glaring down at him, slapping the end of what seemed to be a well-used club into the palm of his hand. “I’m Festus. And that’s all you need to know. Now get up and tell me why you’re here or by Jupiter I’ll crush your skull before you say another word.”
Suddenly, Arthur didn’t feel so blurry eyed. He dragged himself quickly to his feet and held his hands up, noticing for the first time that a gang of similarly menacing boys stood behind Festus.
“I… I’m new here. I don’t know where I am,” Arthur spluttered, still slightly confused and trying to buy time. He held out little hope of out-fighting or out-running the gang.
“You’re on my patch, boy,” Festus repeated with a sneer. “This is Rome. Welcome to the greatest city in the world,” he added sarcastically.
“Eh… Thanks,” said Arthur, stepping forward warily. “Now if you’ll just let me past I’ll be on my way and get off your patch.”
Festus stood motionless. “What do you think lads?”
“Let’s teach him a lesson,” one of the gang called back, and the rest began cheering. Arthur’s heart sank. He quickly tried to think of a way out of this situation. Only one idea came to mind and it was risky, but he had to find a way out of this mess. Taking a deep breath and puffing out his chest, he glared at the gang…
About the author
Growing up in London I spent a lot of time sitting on the Underground, daydreaming and reading books. Historical adventures in far-flung lands were always my favourite and I used to love visiting castles and ruins.
After I left home I lived in Japan for a while and learned all about the Samurai. Now I’ve swapped the city for the countryside, and as well as reading books I also write stories and plays for young people.
The thing I like most about being a writer is playing around with ideas for stories in my head, which is daydreaming really so not much has changed!
This electronic edition published 2015 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
First published 2015 by A & C Black
An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
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Copyright © 2015 A & C Black
Text copyright © 2015 Benjamin Hulme-Cross
Illustration copyright © Angelo Rinaldi
Additional illustrations © Shutterstock
PB 978-1-4729-0466-9
ISBN 978-1-4729-0466-9
ePUB 978-1-47290-792-9
All rights reserved.
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civicl claims for damages.
The rights of Benjamin Hulme-Cross and Angelo Rinaldi to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work have asserted by them in accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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The Samurai's Assassin Page 6