by Lance Wilson
“Live, Live, Live, Live… !” The crowd shouts over all the commotion.
“In an effort to calm the people. Commodus extends his hand, struggling to give the thumbs up for he would much prefer to give the thumbs down. Extending his thumb up, to the pleasure and cheers of the crowd, Commodus turns and leaves, sending a look to Nagamasa as though to say this is not over, and the Praetorian leave, as well. As Nagamasa looks at Quintus, he holds his fist to his heart and slightly bows his head, acknowledging an old friend, an old soldier. Quintus stares back and slowly backs away from Nagamasa. Nagamasa raises his helmet in victory and the crowd and other gladiators cheer wildly. Nagamasa and the other gladiators exit the arena to be returned to the underground cells. They are lowered on the platform as the other gladiators salute the winning “Barbarians”, and in particular, Nagamasa, their cheers and shouts “Nagamasa, Nagamasa, Nagamasa” causing the walls and floors to shake. Nagamasa stands in the midst of all the gladiators who triumphantly fought and beat the Legionnaires. A slightly smaller man, yet appearing larger than all.
Hours later back to the palace Commodus is signing papers. Maeraer walks in. His mind is reeling at what he has just seen, what has just happened to him. The man Nagamasa, the man his father had chosen to lead Highover instead of him is still alive. If there were ever a more dangerous and deadly enemy he cannot think of it. As he is working he can hear someone walking in.
“Why is he alive” he asks without looking up.
“I don’t know.” Maeraer says walking up to him.
“He shouldn’t be alive. This vexes me. I am terribly vexed. I did what I had to do. Had father had his way, the empire would have been torn apart. You do see that? What did you feel when you saw him?” Commodus says looking up at her finally now.
He is sure that he knows the answer but he wants to hear it from her own lips. He has to know exactly how many enemies he has.
“I felt nothing.” Maeraer says containing her emotions.
“He wounded you deeply, didn’t he?” Commodus asks his eyes full of compassion for his sister
“No more than I wounded him.” Maeraer says taking a deep breath. She knows that he may be compassionate now but that could all be an act to lower her guard and she will not fall for it.
“They lied to me in Solstheim. They told me he was dead. If they lie to me they don’t respect me. If they don’t respect me then how can they ever love me?” Commodus asks lowering his head into his hands. The whole situation with Nagamasa has thrown everything out of whack with his plans. He must tend to this now, and it has shown him just how little control he has
“Then you must let the legions know that treachery will not go unpunished.” She says telling him the answer that she knows he wants to hear.
“Oh, Sister, I wouldn’t want to be your enemy.” Commodus says and leans back in his chair.
“What will you do?” Maeraer asks calmly not sure she really wants to know.
But Commodus doesn’t answer instead he smiles and puts his finger to his lips if to shush her. She knows that he has talked to her all that he is going to and so she takes her leave.
Not long after her conversation with Commodus, Nagamasa is in the cells where the gladiators are. Calmly a guard walks in and points to Nagamasa. Nagamasa knows that this could be the moment where he is killed but as the guard leads him he finds that he has no choice. In the arena he may be powerful and have some sway, but in Highover, outside the pit of slaughter he is only a slave. Nagamasa is lead to another cell where he is chained to the wall giving him only so much reach. Once this is done and the guard leaves Maeraer walks out of one of the dark corners.
“Rich matrons pay well to be pleasured by the bravest champions.” She says a playfulness in her voice.
“I knew your brother would send assassins. I didn’t realize he would send his best,” he snarls at her
“Nagamasa, he doesn’t know.” She says lowering her head in guilt.
“My family, my clan, they were invaded. My lands burned to the ground. Nothing remains of what I was,” He growls at her like a wild cat.
“I knew nothing.” Maeraer says walking a bit closer to him. His sorrow his pain, it reaches out to her. They have both lost, if only he knew how much she has lost. But the Unagi clan has long since been behind her.
“Don’t lie to me!” he says his eyes blazing like the fires of hell.
“I wept for them.” She says a tear in her eye
“As you wept for your father? As you wept for your father?” He shouts at her his right hand moving with speed she forgot he had and snatching her by the throat. They both know at this vary instant he could snap her neck if he wanted.
“I have been living in a prison of fear since that day. To be unable to mourn your father for fear of your brother. To live in terror every moment of every day, because your son is heir to the throne. Oh, I have wept.” She says not giving in to the fear like she knows he wants her to. No. Not wants, needs. He wants vengeance and if he cannot have it in Commodus they he will take a small amount from her in fear.
For a long moment the two of them stare at each other neither one turning away from the others gaze. This is the Maeraer he remembers, strong and willful. “Must my son die, too, before you can trust me?” She says driving her point home to him. She knows that no matter what he would never let the blood of an innocent child spill the ground.
“What does it matter if I trust you or not?” Nagamasa says finally realizing her neck and turns his back to her.
“The gods have spared you. Don’t you understand? Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Lord Oda himself.” she says taking a deep breath knowing that this is something she will have to explain to him. He is a soldier and not a politician he was never taught the subtleties of the power struggles in Highover
“The gods have spared me? I am at their mercy with the power only to amuse a mob.” he says his voice is now one of desperation and depression.
“That is power. The mob is Rome. And while Commodus controls them he controls everything. Listen to me. My brother has enemies, most of all in the senate. But while the people follow him, no one would dare stand up to him until you.” She says now seeing the power that her father did, she can see exactly why her father wanted him as the new Lord Oda.
“They oppose him, yet they do nothing,” he says with a chuckle. Politics and power struggles. It was all so much simpler on the battlefield.
“There are some politicians who have dedicated their lives to Highover. One man above all. If I can arrange it, will you meet him?” She asks knowing that with Nagamasa as her power piece in this game she has a greater chance at victory. But she must also remember her opponent, Commodus, a man never to be underestimated.
“Do you not understand? I may die in this cell tonight or in the arena tomorrow. I am a slave! What possible difference can I make?” Nagamasa says shaking his head, she just doesn’t get it
“This man wants what you want.” She says trying to get him to see that she must trust him in this game.
“Then have him kill Commodus!” Nagamasa roars at her his eyes ablaze once more.
“I knew a man once. A noble man. A man of principles, who loved my father and my father, loved him. This man served Highover well.” She says reaching out and stroking his cheek.
“That man is gone. Your brother did his work well.” He says closing his eyes at her touch. It is so soft, so loving, it pains him more then any sword could.
“Let me help you.” She says for the first time with genuine sincerity.
“Yes. You can help me. Forget you ever knew me. Never come here again. Guard! The lady has finished with me.” he says and turns his back to her once more. He cannot bare to be near her not now.
That night Nagamasa cannot sleep, his mind reeling at what has happened to
him in just a few months. He was a general in the frozen wastelands of the north, then betrayed and made to be some slave, a gladiator, now here in the heart of civilization, Highover he finds her. Maeraer, the one he had loved once but she had chosen one of his soldiers instead. Now she calls to him for help, calls for him to do what he already wants to do, kill the man that killed the lord Oda, the betrayer to the whole of the Oda clan. But it is a game of politics and he knows it is a far more dangerous field then any he has swung a sword on. Maeraer could easily guide him through it, but can he trust her. She is a skilled liar and deceiver. When mourning comes he realizes he has hardly slept and like all the others he falls into the main yard where they are given time to themselves and breakfast. Gladiators sit at a table playing a game with a cobra snake. Nagamasa, Juba and Hagen sit at a table, together. Juba is eating his bread and beans.
“Nagamasa, you commanded legions? Had many victories?” Hagen asks his voice one of common interest.
“Yes.” Nagamasa says smiling at his new friends.
“In Solstheim?” Hagen says continuing his train of though.
“In many countries.” Nagamasa says watching the men play with the cobra.
The cook calls out “General” and Nagamasa goes to him where he is handed a bowl of beans. Nagamasa returns to the table. Sensing the watchful eye of Juba, he looks up to see Juba shaking his head “no”. Nagamasa holds back and does not eat the food. Hagen, seeing that Nagamasa is cautious about the food, takes his own spoon and dips it into Nagamasa’s bowl, and then placing the spoon in his own mouth. Hagen suddenly begins to gasp and choke, he grabs his throat and then begins to laugh. Juba and Nagamasa laugh with relief. Nagamasa returns to his food but looks up at Juba with a look of doubt… not for that moment but for what lie ahead.
“You have a great name. He must kill your name before he kills you.” Juba says and pats Nagamasa on the shoulder.
Days pass and in the afternoon at the Colosseum, as the senators are gathering for the upcoming fight. All of Highover is now at the colosseum wanting to see the fights. Commodus has done his work well and won the hearts of the people by giving them the bloody games that they hunger for. But there love is not his alone. Now they also have found love for Nagamasa, who has never lost a match in his many days of the fights. He commands his group of gladiators like the general he always was. And knowing his skill they obey and in that perfect obedience they have survived.
“Senator Gracchus. I don’t often see you enjoying the pleasures of the vulgar crowd.” Senator Falco says spotting his fellow Senator in one of the high boxes reserved for upper class citizens of Highover.
“Well. I do not pretend to be a man of the people, Senator. But I do try to be a man for the people.” Gracchus says taking interest in these games particularly since it is this Nagamasa he wishes to see.
Wagons enter the arena tossing bread and fruit at the crowd. Caesar enters the arena, accepting the cheers from the crowd. Atop in the stands, stands Cassius, as he introduces the upcoming fight while the crowd calls out, “Oda, Oda, Oda.”
“People of Highover. On the 4th day of Antioch, we can celebrate the 64th day of the games. And in his majestic charity, the Lord Oda has named this day to favor the people of Highover with an historical final match. Returning to the Colosseum today after five years in retirement, Lord Oda, is pleased to bring you the only undefeated champion in Roman history, the legendary… Tigris of Gaul!” Cassius announces over the crowd
Out from the tunnel comes Tigris on his grand chariot, wearing a full headed, silver helmet. And in the crowd Cicero, Nagamasa’s servant from the Northern battles, sits anxiously, waiting to see Nagamasa.
As this is happening in of the field of the Colosseum, in the bowels of the Colosseum where the gladiators are held as they wait their turn in the arena. Nagamasa stands in the tunnel, shadows cast darkly upon him, as he practices, agile as he is, with his sword awaiting his entrance to the arena. Proximo, standing at the bottom of the tunnel with the other fighters, calls up to Nagamasa and Nagamasa calls back.
“He knows too well how to manipulate a mob.” Proximo says letting him know what he is up against.
“The true lord Oda had a dream that was Highover, Proximo. This is not it. This is not it!” Nagamasa says now pacing back and forth like a caged animal.
“The lord Oda is dead, Nagamasa. We mortals are but shadows and dust, shadows and Dust, Nagamasa.” Proximo says trying to get his gladiators head back in the fight.
Nagamasa stands ready to enter the arena, the voice of the announcer, Cassius, can be heard,
“Representing the training lyceum of Antonius Proximo, Lord Oda is proud to give you Nagamasa.” Cassius says and with that, Nagamasa trots out on the arena floor, shield in one hand, and sword in the other.
The crowd cheers. Commodus, Maeraer, Lucius and Quintus watch from Lords box as
Nagamasa and Tigris are introduced to the crowd. On the arena floor, Nagamasa plants his sword in the sand and bends down in his ritual way, to collect in his hands a sampling of dirt. Cicero is again seen in the stands, this time, slightly smiling, relieved to see the General. At the Lords box, Maeraer holds back all
Emotion. The crowd calling out, “Nagamasa, Nagamasa, Nagamasa.”
“They embrace him like he’s one of their own.” Commodus says a bit irritated.
“The mob is fickle brother. He’ll be forgotten in a month.” Maeraer says her voice light as air
“No, much sooner than that. It has been arranged.” Commodus says with a sly smile.
Back on the arena floor, Tigris turns to the lord’s box, with sword and hatchet crossed, he bows,
“We who are about to die salute you.” He says his voice low like a growl.
Nagamasa stands by, showing no salute whatsoever. As Nagamasa gets ready to fight the large doors to the arena are thrown open, surprising Nagamasa. From each door emerges a team of men, who run into the arena. Each team picks up a chain from the sand. Nagamasa becomes distracted. Tigris kicks sand into Nagamasa’s face and begins the fight. As the fight continues and as Nagamasa is thrown to the ground, a trap door opens and out jumps a large tiger, pouncing at the fighting gladiators. Nagamasa is now having to escape the claws of the tigers as he battles Tigris. Nagamasa’s roars can be heard as he does battle. In the background can be heard “loose, loose, loose” and “pull, pull, pull” as the handlers coordinate their efforts in handling each of the tigers that are now on the arena floor growling and charging at Nagamasa. A total of three tigers are on the floor now but only one is within reach of Nagamasa. With great effort Nagamasa manages to keep his shield between him and the tiger then using it like a wedge he pushes it off just enough to roll out of the way and out of its reach. Quickly his mind returns to the real fight at hand and facing off against Tigris, Nagamasa manages to disarm Tigris, switching his sword from one hand to the other; Nagamasa stands ready to finish off Tigris. Suddenly, a fourth tiger jumps out of a trap door and jumps at
Nagamasa. In that split second, Nagamasa turns and the tiger is speared with his sword. Nagamasa is thrown to the sand as the large beast lays atop him. Nagamasa stabs the beast repeatedly, killing it. The crowds cheer wildly. Tigris moves in for an attack. Nagamasa, on his back with the beast still on him, manages to grab Tigris’ own hatchet and with great force spikes him in the foot. With that distraction Nagamasa quickly gets to his feet and slams the rim of his shield into the face mask of Tigris, not once, not twice but three times. Tigris staggers back and then bends over in pain, blood pouring from the opening of his mask. Nagamasa stands and kicks Tigris over to the ground. He is finished. The crowd cheers “kill, kill, kill”. With ax in hand, standing over the fallen Tigris, Nagamasa looks up at Commodus. Who is clearly disappointed that his plan has failed. Commodus stands; arm extended and slowly shows a thumb down. Nagamasa unmasks Tigris and lifts the hatchet
over his head, ready to give the final blow. But instead he lowers the axe slowly and drops it to the sand. Nagamasa walks out to exit the arena, the Praetorian enter and encircle him as Commodus enters the arena to boos from the crowd and approaches Nagamasa.
“What am I going to do with you, you simply won’t… die. Are we so different, you and I? You take life when you have to, as I do.” Commodus says and watches as Nagamasa turns to face him.
“I only have one life left to take and then it is done.” Nagamasa says a sort of smile on his face as he glares at Commodus
“Then take it now, they tell me your Brother squealed like a girl when they nailed him to the cross. And your mother, moaned like a whore when they ravaged her again, and again, and again.” Commodus says smiling at him; he is purposely goading him into a fight knowing his guards can kill him without repercussions then.
“The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end, Highness.” Nagamasa says and leave it at that.
Nagamasa slowly turns away from Commodus, the Praetorian step aside and let Nagamasa pass. He leaves the arena. To the sound of the crowd still chanting his name. He can feel the glare of Commodus still piecing him. Good, now he knows what he will be dealing with. Once he is out of the arena he is taken by two guards, back to the gladiator school. They pass through the streets adjacent the Colosseum. A large crowd of fans are waiting for him, chanting his name and waving banners. Amongst the crowd is Cicero. Cicero tries to catch the attention of Nagamasa, his arm stretched out, holding a small leather pouch.
“General! General!” Cicero shouts trying to get Nagamasa’s attention.
At last, Nagamasa sees him and with joy, calls back “Cicero!” Cicero runs through the crowd, trying to get closer to his master. He manages to get in touch with him, hiding behind a prostitute trying to get Nagamasa’ attention.