The Rebels' Assault

by David Grimstone

  One selected player writes the word “harmless” on nine of the pieces of paper. He then writes the word “poisonous” on the remaining piece.

  The pieces of paper are then placed into the box.

  Decide who will go first by flipping a coin.

  The first player dips his hand into the box and draws out a piece of paper. If he draws the word harmless, he keeps hold of the piece of paper and the next player takes a turn. If he draws the word poisonous, he puts the piece of paper back into the case and is eliminated from the game. Play then passes to the next player.

  The last player remaining in the game is the winner of the trial!

  CHARACTER PROFIL

  RUMA

  NAME: Ruma

  FROM: Etruria

  HEIGHT: 5′7ʺ

  BODY TYPE: Scrawny, rough-skinned

  BEST FRIEND: Teo

  CELLMATE: Olu

  RUMA QUIZ: How well do you know you answer the following questions

  1. RUMA IS THE FIRST PERSON TO ASSUME GLADIUS HAS DIED IN THE UNDERWATER CHALLENGE. TRUE OR FALSE?

  2. RUMA WAS THE ONLY SLAVE NOT TO HAVE HIS HEAD COVERED DURING THE EXECUTIONS. WHAT DID HE NOT HAVE TO WEAR?

  WEAPON PROFILE: THE FLAIL

  A flail consists of a wooden handle attached to a chain with a spiked ball on the end. It can be swung at enemies, and also used to wrap around the swords of opponents in order to block their attacks. The flail makes a whooshing noise when it is whirled through the air, and can be swung at high speed over the head of the wielder. It is a particularly effective weapon when being attacked from all sides!

  READ MORE OF DECIMUS REX’S ADVENTURES IN BOOK FIVE OF THE GLADIATOR BOY SERIES:

  RESCUE MISSION

  D ecimus had been confined in a small cell t for six days. It wasn’t any old cell, he realized upon entering, but the same dusty room he had occupied during the trials. The trials now seemed so far in the past that they almost felt like stories he’d heard from someone else. However, there was one major difference this time; the rest of the cell block was empty. Decimus hadn’t seen Olu, Ruma, Argon, or Gladius since they’d been captured in the courtyard of the Suvius Tower. At first, he’d fully expected the group to be separated. They were obviously stronger together, and the simple fact that Doom had used the others as a trap to capture him and Olu meant that they were valuable to him. At least, that was the story Decimus told himself . . .