Gladiator: Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page B

duty is to rescueyour mother. Then, if you still wish to hunt him down, I give you my word that I will do all in my power to help you.’
    Marcus propped himself up on his elbow and stared at the outline of the man opposite him. ‘You would do that for me? Why?’
    There was a brief silence before Festus replied. ‘We are comrades in arms. Caesar ordered me to help you. My mission will only be complete when you are satisfied it is all over. Only then. I will stand by you, Marcus. Come what may. To the very end.’
    Before Marcus could try to respond, he heard the sound of footsteps running across the courtyard. A moment later the door opened and Lupus stood outlined in the door frame.
    ‘I’ve found the auctioneer’s home!’



5
     
    Lupus’s eyes were gleaming with excitement in the dim glow of the oil lamp that Festus lit on his return.
    ‘I’m sorry it took so long, but Pindarus spent most of the afternoon at the bathhouse.’
    ‘Pindarus?’ Marcus interrupted.
    ‘That’s his name. I overheard one of his friends call him that. After he left the slave pens he went to the baths. I followed him inside. He met with some men and they talked business most of the time. I was close enough to overhear.’
    ‘He didn’t seem suspicious?’
    ‘No, Marcus. I’m sure of it. He was too busy talking to notice me. I just kept to myself and looked down at the floor.’
    ‘It was an unnecessary risk,’ said Festus. ‘I told you to follow him. That’s all.’
    ‘And that’s what I did. But when he went into the bathhouse I was afraid I might lose track of him. I thought it would be best to keep close enough to see him. That’s how I was able to overhear what he and his friends were talking about.’ Lupus leaned towards Festus. ‘I heard him mention Decimus’s name!’
    ‘What?’ Festus started. ‘Are you certain?’
    Lupus nodded. ‘As far as I could make out it seems that Decimus is sending a man to the auction in three days’ time to buy some slaves for his estate.’
    Marcus and Festus exchanged a look of surprise before Marcus beamed with delight. ‘The Gods favour us! Finally. We just have to wait for the man and then follow him when he leaves Stratos with the slaves that he’s bought. He’ll lead us straight to the place where my mother is being held.’
    Festus thought a moment and frowned. ‘It sounds too good to be true. But perhaps you’re right. This is the work of providence. Or it seems like it. But what if there’s more than one estate? Decimus is a rich man. He’s made a fortune since he went into business with Crassus. A man like Decimus may have more than one such property. We have to be certain we find the right one before we go charging in.’
    Marcus felt his surge of hope begin to subside.
    ‘What if we follow Decimus’s man, then ambush him and force him to tell us if he knows where Marcus’s mother is?’ Lupus suggested.
    ‘He won’t be alone,’ Festus mused. ‘Decimus’s agent is bound to have some men with him to guard the slaves he buys. It’s too dangerous to take them on. It would be safer if we followed him back to the Peloponnese. Then we can spy on the estate and make enquiries among the local people to see if they know anything about your mother.’
    ‘What if we don’t find anything?’
    ‘Then we find out if Decimus owns any other properties and scout those out as well.’
    ‘It could take some time,’ said Lupus.
    There was a brief silence before Marcus spoke again. ‘There’s something else to consider. If Pindarus is a good businessman, then he should keep detailed records of every sale that goes through his auction house. While my mother and I were never officially sold, there might be some record of our being there, and where we were being sent on to before I escaped. What do you think, Festus?’
    The bodyguard thought for a moment. ‘It’s risky, but worth a try. The question is, where would he keep such records? It’s most likely he keeps