Gladiator: Vengeance

18

Several dogs emerged from the holding cell behind the gate; large, shaggy beasts with slavering jaws. They looked around the arena and up at the crowds that bayed for the blood of the three prisoners tied to stakes in front of the governor’s box. The noise and the seething movement of the crowd agitated them and the dogs snarled and snapped, lips curling up to reveal yellowy white fangs. Marcus felt his blood go cold at the sight and to his side he heard Lupus muttering.

‘The Gods save me … Gods save me …’

Glancing at Lupus Marcus saw that his friend’s eyes were wide with terror as he writhed against the leather straps that bound him to the wooden post. His efforts were futile and his muscles strained as he gritted his teeth and struggled. Looking quickly the other way, Marcus saw that Festus stood stiffly, his face a mask of defiant contempt. Yet there was a telltale tremor in his cheek that revealed the fear that the bodyguard was fighting to conceal in his determination to die with as much dignity as the circumstances allowed. But Marcus could not imagine any dignity in a death that involved being torn apart by a pack of wild, half-starved dogs. There was only shame in that, given an edge by the prospect of the sick amusement it would provide to the mob. It would have been better to accept the mercy killing offered to them by Festus, but it was too late for that.

He turned his face back towards the dogs, no more than thirty paces away. Their initial nervousness at their surroundings had passed and now they had caught the scent of the blood and offal daubed down the fronts of Marcus and his friends. Heads down and fangs bared, they spread out and approached, pausing every few paces to sniff the air. One of the dogs was bigger than the rest with a huge head and a scar above one eye, which had left the skin bare around it. The animal seemed to be the pack leader, as it remained a short distance in front of the other dogs and they did not dare move ahead of it.

Marcus could understand why. It looked ferocious and had the body of a hunting dog — large, lean and powerful. Half of one ear seemed to have been bitten off and a thick leather collar with short iron spikes hung round its neck. Marcus guessed that it must have been used in fights with other animals before it had joined the beasts chosen for Governor Servillus’s games. It stopped when it was ten paces from its intended victims and raised its muzzle into the air, nose twitching. Another dog, thickset and dark, brushed past it, eyes fixed on Marcus as it crept forward. The large dog snarled and its companion flinched and dropped to its belly, small dagger-like ears swept back as it growled but did not quite dare to defy the larger animal. The rest of the dogs edged forward on each side, closing the gap towards the three stakes.

The hunting dog sniffed again, then slowly turned its head towards Marcus and fixed its dark brown eyes on him, unblinking. He felt a cold dread seize his limbs and bit his lip to stop himself crying out in terror. Marcus did not want to die screaming in agony as the jaws of the dogs tore at his flesh. But the thought of it, the dread of the moment when they began to maul him, filled his mind and the strength drained so abruptly from his legs that he would have collapsed had he not been tightly tied to the post.

Lupus was still calling out to the Gods for mercy, his voice growing louder and more shrill each time. Festus glared at the dogs and spoke in an undertone.

‘Go on then, you brutes! Get on with it!’

With a soft growl the hunting dog approached Marcus, warily pacing towards the helpless boy as it continued to sniff, tilting its head slightly one way, then the other. Marcus closed his eyes tightly, blocking out the vision of the brute, but even above the roars of the crowd he was certain he could hear the faint rustle of its breath. He prayed to the Gods that the animal would tear out his throat so that he could bleed to death quickly and be spared the horror of being eaten alive. Every muscle in his body was now tense, every inch of his skin tingling with terrified anticipation.

‘No …’ he heard Lupus whimper.

‘Don’t show any fear,’ said Festus. ‘Let ’em see how Romans die.’

Marcus felt a soft nudge of fur against his thigh and he lurched against his bonds, unable to prevent a panicked cry. Then he felt the warm rasp of the hunting dog’s tongue and a quiet, plaintive whine. It was too much to bear and Marcus opened his eyes and stared down at the scarred head of the dog. He was about to shout at the animal when he stopped. There was no bloodlust in the beast’s eyes, no hint of violence at all, just an adoring gleam. The dog licked him again and rubbed its head against his legs, and Marcus felt a shocking sense of disbelief as he stared into its eyes and whispered.

‘Cerberus …’

At the mention of its name the hunting dog wagged its long tail and rose up on its hind legs, pressing its paws on Marcus’s shoulders as it licked his face, an urgent whining sound in its throat.

‘Cerberus.’ Marcus smiled, memories of the years he had spent with the dog tumbling back. ‘Enough, boy. Down.’

But the animal’s joy was too great for it to be told what to do now. When it finished with his face it began to lap at the offal and the sensation tickled Marcus so that he laughed out loud. A warm flow of relief swept through his veins. His limbs still trembled, but from shock this time. Around them the arena was growing quiet and still as the crowd looked on in disbelief. Marcus was unaware of them as his heart filled with love for his pet, and grief for what had become of it. He had thought Cerberus was gone, beaten to death by the men who had killed Titus and kidnapped Marcus and his mother. He must have lived, and been found by a new owner, one who saw Cerberus’s size and strength as an excuse to use the animal for fighting. Marcus could only guess at the cruelties his dog had been subjected to.

His thoughts were interrupted by Festus. ‘Marcus, the dog knows you! How is that possible?’

‘He’s mine.’ Marcus choked back his tears. ‘My dog, my friend. From childhood.’

‘Well, I pray that his loyalty to you is greater than his loyalty to his pack.’

Marcus looked past the shaggy head of Cerberus and saw that the other dogs were edging forward, intent on carrying out the task given to them. The black dog with narrow ears was only a few paces from Marcus and he could see the savage glint in its eyes. It braced its legs ready to spring.

‘No!’ Marcus cried out, too late. The dog bounded forward a step and leapt at his throat. Cerberus turned to see the danger and jumped into its path, and the dogs collided with a soft thud, rolling on the ground in a blur of paws, fur, sand and teeth. Cerberus scrambled to his feet, head down and jaws locked in a throaty snarl as his hair rose along his spine. The black dog hunched low, six feet away, fangs bared as it growled and then barked. Marcus watched them facing off, filled with hope that Cerberus might save him, and fear that the animal would be hurt.

Then the other dog pounced. Cerberus lurched to one side and twisted as his opponent landed on the sand. He jumped, crushing the dog down with his paws, and buried his jaws in the short fur of its neck. The animal let out a yelp of pain and struggled to free itself, jerking violently from side to side. It tore free and rolled back on to its feet, crouching, as blood dripped from its dark fur on to the white sand. Most of the other dogs had backed off, but two were edging round the fight towards Lupus. As he saw them he screamed.

‘Get back! Back you filthy curs!’

Cerberus saw them at the same time and turned towards them and barked loudly, and they recoiled as if they had been struck. It took only an instant but his opponent took advantage of the diversion to spring back into the attack. In a blurred rush he leapt at the hunting dog, clamping heavy jaws into Cerberus’s matted flank as he shook his head from side to side. Marcus felt his heart lurch as his dog let out a shrill yelp of pain and tried to wrench itself free, but the black dog hung on, working its jaws. With a powerful thrust, Cerberus forced the other dog back until it fell. The impact loosed its grip and Cerberus pulled free then lunged at one of its paws and closed his powerful jaws with a sharp crunch of flesh and muscle. The black dog let out a piercing howl as the hunting dog worried the crushed limb for a while longer before releasing it and backing away. Ears folded flat, his defeated opponent slunk away, limping and bleeding.

‘That’s my Cerberus!’ Marcus shouted gleefully. ‘Well done, boy! Well done.’

But there was no time for anything more as the dogs that had moved on Lupus were advancing again. Their hunger drove them forward, despite the warning of their pack leader, and Marcus could only watch helplessly. Lupus cried out in terror and Cerberus’s head turned towards him as he leapt forward, crashing into the side of the nearest dog, a powerfully built hound with a tan hide, and knocking him flying. Another dog managed to swerve round the tangle of furry limbs and raced straight for Lupus. As it made to leap at his offal-stained chest, something struck it in the side and it instinctively spun round to look.

Marcus saw a broken clay cup lying on the sand. Someone must have thrown it from the crowd. Glancing up, he saw people cheering excitedly at the unexpected turn of events. No one had seen an execution of criminals turn out like this before and they were cheering for Cerberus as he fought to protect the humans.

‘Come on, boy!’ Marcus shouted out. ‘Come on, Cerberus!’

‘Cerberus!’ Festus bellowed. ‘Cerberus!’

Marcus heard the cry repeated in the crowd as it spread quickly.

‘That’s it!’ Festus cried out excitedly. ‘Keep ’em at it! Cerberus!’

The large hunting dog bit into the head of the tan dog and tore at its ear. Drops of blood flicked through the air as the animal pulled free, leaving a gaping tear in fur and flesh at the top of its head. Cerberus growled as it retreated and then turned his head from side to side, daring the rest of the pack to take him on, or try to get past him to Marcus and the others. For a moment it seemed as if he had them cowed but another hunting dog stepped forward, dark hackles up as it growled. It had only one eye, the left socket empty and crudely stitched up. The remaining eye fixed on Cerberus and it stopped a short distance from him as it lowered itself into a crouch. Cerberus snarled and stood foursquare, as if trying to intimidate his new challenger by his greater height. If that was the intention, it didn’t work. The one-eyed rival shuffled forward and then leapt. Cerberus reacted a fraction too slowly and tried to counter-attack with a charge of his own. The momentum was with the other hunting dog and it knocked Cerberus on to his back and fell on him, snapping with its jaws as its claws scrabbled furiously against its opponent’s chest.

The crowd let out a gasp of dismay and leaned forward before someone called the dog’s name again, and others joined in. Marcus could only look on helplessly as the two beasts snapped and clawed at each other in a savage blur of teeth and fur, as blood flecked the sand around them. Try as he might, Marcus’s dog could not break free of his opponent and was pinned down under his weight. Marcus could see that Cerberus had several wounds already and he felt a surge of despair as he saw the animal’s suffering.

‘Get up, Cerberus!’ he cried out as hot tears filled his eyes. ‘Don’t give in, boy!’

With a quick twist of his back, Cerberus freed his hind legs up and braced them against the belly of the other dog, then began to scratch and kick, tearing into the thin layer of fur covering his stomach. The one-eyed dog reared up then caught a kick in the chest and tumbled on to his side. At once he scrambled back up and met Cerberus head on, both dogs rising on their hind legs as they bit at each other and lashed out with their claws.

‘Cerberus! Cerberus!’ the crowd cheered.

The one-eyed dog suddenly tilted its head to strike at its rival’s throat. Cerberus struck first, lunging forward and biting hard into the windpipe of the other dog. It tried to growl but the sound was muffled by the pressure on its neck and it twisted desperately from side to side as Cerberus hung on grimly, worrying away. Slowly the other dog began to weaken and its movements became feeble until it collapsed on the ground. Cerberus kept his grip, using one paw to press down on the writhing flank of the one-eyed dog. All the time the crowd’s cheering increased in volume and hysteria. At last the loser went limp and lay on its side in the sand. Cerberus slowly released his grip then stood over his victim to make sure it was finished. Marcus took a deep breath and closed his eyes in relief.

When he opened them he saw the arena official and his men running across the sand carrying staves. They shouted and waved at the dogs, driving them away from Marcus and the others. Only Cerberus remained, feet planted apart as he stood in front of Marcus and snarled.

‘Easy boy,’ Marcus said comfortingly, fearing for his dog’s safety as the official and two of his men approached. ‘Easy. Don’t hurt them.’

Cerberus looked round and cocked his head to one side, as if unsure. Then he turned and sat at Marcus’s feet and thrust his big, furry head against Marcus’s hip as he wagged his tail.

‘What’s going on?’ Lupus asked, bewildered.

Around them everyone in the arena had risen to their feet, waving strips of cloth in the air to indicate that they wanted the prisoners spared. Looking up at the governor, Marcus could see that Servillus was anxiously conferring with his advisors.

‘It’s over!’ Festus exclaimed. ‘The crowd want us to live. The governor won’t dare to refuse them. We’re spared!’

‘Spared?’ Lupus shook his head then started shaking.

The official stepped warily round Marcus and took out his knife. Cerberus raised his head and growled.

‘Better keep that dog under control, if you don’t want it hurt,’ the official threatened.

Marcus nodded to him and spoke to Cerberus. ‘Easy, boy. Sit there, nice and quiet.’

Behind him he felt the man cutting his bonds. First his feet came free, then his hands, waist and lastly his neck. He stumbled forward the moment the rope parted and slumped to his knees as he threw his arms round Cerberus. ‘Good boy … Good boy,’ he murmured. ‘I’ve missed you … How I’ve missed you.’

Marcus laughed with joy as he felt the wet nose thrusting towards his cheek and a warm tongue slathered his skin. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced up to see Festus grinning down at him.

‘Care to introduce me to your fierce canine friend?’

Marcus patted the dog’s head. ‘This is Cerberus.’

‘I guessed that part.’

Marcus smiled. ‘He’s mine. Or was, back when I lived on the farm.’

‘Seems he still is your dog. Thank the Gods.’

Marcus looked round and saw Lupus sitting in the sand hugging his knees as his shoulders heaved. Beyond, the crowd stood waving strips of cloth in delirious celebration of the extraordinary event that had just taken place.

‘Heads up! Here comes his nibs,’ the official called to the two men who had cut the prisoners free. The others had rounded up the dogs and driven them back into the holding pen. Striding across the sand towards the stakes was Governor Servillus, a small entourage of companions behind him. Marcus’s smile faded as he saw Decimus scowling at him over the governor’s shoulder.

‘Astonishing!’ The governor beamed as he stopped a safe distance from Marcus and Cerberus. ‘Quite the most astonishing thing I have ever seen. Those dogs were supposed to rip you to pieces. They’ve been trained to do it and starved and beaten to make them savage. This beast most of all. Now look at him! Just like a little puppy. How on earth did you do it, boy?’

‘He’s my dog, sir,’ Marcus explained. ‘We were parted two years ago when I was kidnapped. Cerberus was clubbed to the ground by the men who did it. I thought he was dead all this time.’ He looked down and stroked Cerberus’s good ear and the dog lifted his nose and half closed his eyes in bliss as his nostrils flared.

Servillus shook his head in wonder. ‘Quite a story. It’s almost as if the Gods have had a hand in this. Well, I’m not one to intervene when the Gods have made their will so obvious. It’s clear to me that the two of you were meant to be reunited.’

The governor turned to the crowd and raised his hands to command silence. Gradually the cheering subsided and the people sat in quiet expectation as Servillus addressed them.

‘People of Athens! I had hoped to put on a show that would be remembered for years to come. Today my hopes have been rewarded! I have never seen the like of what we have just witnessed! I give you the champion of the day’s games. Cerberus!’

The crowd roared their approval and the governor spoke again.

‘I order that the master of Cerberus, and his companions, are set free. Free to leave the arena!’

The crowd cheered again and people waved their strips of cloth as Decimus bustled forward to join the governor, his expression black and angry.

‘These men are condemned for murder, your excellency. Are you going to allow them to walk free?’

Servillus turned to him. ‘Look at the crowd, Decimus. They love this dog and the boy. Are you prepared to defy their wishes? I know I’m not.’

‘The mob is fickle, noble Servillus. Continue with the execution. Bring on some other animals and send this miserable wretch of a hunting dog back to his cage. Once the blood flows the crowd will forget soon enough.’

‘Actually, I’m trying to avoid bloodshed. One thing a wise man learns is never to go against the will of the people if it can be avoided. That is why I am governor of this province and you are not, Decimus. Now please take your place, back with the others, and let me deal with this.’

Decimus flashed a bitter glance at Marcus, but he gave way and paced back towards the governor’s entourage.

Servillus turned to Marcus. ‘Stand up, boy. Acknowledge the crowd. It’s the least you can do after they have compelled me to favour you and your friends.’

Marcus rose and looked round the arena, then punched his fist into the air, and the spectators erupted with another cheer.

Servillus kept a smile on his face as he stood beside Marcus and rested a hand on his shoulder.

‘Does this mean we are free, sir?’ Marcus asked quietly. ‘To do as we will?’

Servillus shot him a warning glance. ‘Take your victory, boy, while you can. You are free to leave the arena. I suggest that you leave Athens and return to Rome, before you get in any more trouble.’ He patted Marcus on the shoulder and turned to wave to the crowd one last time before heading back to the steps that led to his box. Festus and Lupus stood with Marcus and Cerberus as they acknowledged the wild cheers of the crowd. Then Marcus felt a nudge in his back as one of the arena staff muttered.

‘That’s your lot. You three better get moving. It’s a tight programme and we’ve got other executions to come. Off you go, sharpish!’

The three made their way across the sand with Cerberus walking at Marcus’s side. As they left the arena he glanced back and saw the woman who had shared their cell the previous night being dragged towards the stakes. Marcus tore his gaze away as Lupus spoke to him.

‘By the Gods, it’s a miracle! I thought it was all over. I was sure of it.’ He shook his head in astonishment.

Festus clapped the scribe on the shoulder and laughed with relief before he turned to Marcus. ‘What now?’

‘Now?’ Marcus’s expression became determined. ‘Now, we finish what we came here to do. We free my mother, and make sure that Decimus pays the price for all the suffering he has caused.’