The Gladiator's Goddess (The Gladiators' Gifts) Read Online Free PDF Page A

arm and led her to his pallet. “Undress,” he said.
    Nardine complied hurriedly. Hebides seemed to want to get this over with as much as she did.  So they coupled quickly, and Hebides arose and dressed himself. “Get me some supper,” he directed, indicating cooked beef that had been brought to his cell.
    After putting her tunic on, Nardine moved to the table and put beef on a plate, handing it to Hebides. She wondered about him. Would he help her in her quest to escape the ludus ? 
    “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked Nardine. “Do I appear as an ape to you? All men eat. There is nothing unusual in it.”
    Nardine made her decision, despite the fact that she had no idea how Hebides would answer her. “I want to ask you a question, Hebides. It might endanger me, and I would ask you to keep it a secret.”
    “A secret from whom? From the other men or the master?”
    “A secret from everyone. I would like to—I need to run away from the ludus . And I need help. A woman on her own would not survive alone on the streets of Rome.”
    “Am I to assume you want me to run away with you?”
    “I know you have been here a long time, Hebides. I have heard some of your complaints about the beatings gladiators and other slaves endure. I thought you would be interested in leaving.”
    “Beatings here are often unjust, as you know. But that does not mean I want to leave the glory of a ludus . I am no longer a champion, true.  Though I have not yet fought my last battle. I am past thirty winters, but am not ready to retire yet.”
    “I did not know.” Nardine stumbled a bit. “I was hoping you would be willing to pose as a couple on the streets. Perhaps we….”
    “There is no perhaps. Once, a long time ago, I had a wife. That is no life for me, compared to the arena. And you are bold to ask a gladiator like me to run away with you. It would seem you would have asked one of the younger gladiators before me.
    Nardine said nothing.
    “So you did ask another! That doesn’t surprise me. What might surprise you is that I probably would make a good partner in such an enterprise. Experience counts for a lot, and I have run away from uncomfortable situations in the past. But I’ll have none of it. I have a mind to tell the master. Why is a slave girl propositioning gladiators with such a ridiculous plan?
    “Please don’t,” said Nardine. “I would surely be beaten, or worse.”
    “That you would,” said Hebides. “Your only safety is that the master is otherwise distracted by some of the recalcitrant gladiators. I don’t want to add to his problems, at least right now. But I may do so in the future.  You would be wise to escape now, if you’re going to do it, before I get the chance to tell him. Now be on your way.”
    He pointed to the door, and Nardine left quietly. Nothing good had come of this night.
    Chapter Seven
    A few weeks later, Abedi strolled around the ludus on a cane. He had recovered more quickly than anyone supposed and astonished the physician. Abedi could not fight yet, but he made his way to the practice field each day to watch the other gladiators.
    Yet his primary motive had nothing to do with fighting. He had heard about Nardine’s night with Hebides from one of the other gladiators and wanted to question him. But he had to do it in a way that wouldn’t make him appear angry or jealous. 
    Half an hour after Abedi settled on the practice bench, Hebides sat down next to him. The sweat poured off Hebides as he ran his hands through his dark hair and shook it out. “You are fortunate to be getting a rest, Abedi.  The sun today is intolerable.”
    “It is hot,” said Abedi. “But not any hotter than my native place in the midst of summer. I am used to it.”
    “Always bragging, you are. But no bragging about that last match, I see. Although you did hold him off a long time,” said Hebides.
    “You were good on that day,” Abedi said, switching the focus of the conversation.