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ribbons of flesh peeled from the body, revealing slashed muscle and yellow
bone. The Macedonian buckled against the fountain, blood spurting into the
snow, running down his thigh and legs. The Roman officer hit him again, tearing
slices out of his back; then again, chunks being ripped from his hindquarters.
The Macedonian s auburn eyes glazed, and he grew weaker against the fountain.
The Roman officer hit him, bits of stone coursing around the man s head and
sticking into his forehead; the chord was given a rip, and the man s head
snapped back, bare bone exposed as flesh was seared as if he had been scalped.
His head knocked against the frozen fountain and blood streamed down his face.
He cried out. Blood had sprayed the officer in the face; he blinked his eyes,
smeared the blood with his hand, and started laughing. The Romans joined in.
 Verto Macedonian sus super. The Roman officer ordered.
Roman soldiers freed their shields and raced forward; grabbing at the man s
shaking hands, they ripped him onto his side and propelled him into the snow.
The Romans hands were bloodied, and blood continued to splurge all over the
snow. The man s head rocked back and forth, feeble cries of forgiveness and
mercy coming forth. The Romans dropped back into place and the officer raised
the whip, and struck again. Bloody lines crisscrossed the man s chest as
streamers of hairy flesh were torn.
Manias grabbed his tunic and raced out of the room, down stone stairs, and
out into the courtyard. He barreled past Roman soldiers and his bare feet froze in
the snow. The wind was rough, surging into the courtyard, the cold cutting
through the thin fabric and invading his soul. He staggered up to the
Macedonian and stepped over him, blocking the officer, who had raised the
whip. The officer ordered for the guest to be taken away immediately and
processed by Herennius for inferring with Roman justice.
As Romans rushed forward, Manias snapped,  In the name of Rome, if you
touch me, you shall all be dishonorably disbanded, cursed by Mars himself!
IN THE NAME OF ROME 44
The Roman soldiers froze. Such a curse was a death sentence upon the field of
war.
The officer demanded the soldiers forward, and they slowly crept towards the
fountain.
The Macedonian coughed up his own blood.
Manias snarled to the officer,  Leave this man alone! If any more harm befalls
him, your head on a silver platter!
 Stand down! the officer commanded his men, and he raised the whip.
Manias did not flinch.  Strike. Prove to these men how you are a coward, not
a warrior, striking an unarmed man.
The officer s eyes flared.  Move or I shall strike you! In the name of Rome!
 What right do you have to declare in the name of Rome!
 You are a mere peasant! How is it your right? Move or I strike, in the name
of Rome!
 I am one of few survivors of the Macedonian onslaught! I fought like a true
Roman! I have the right!
Then the officer recognized who it was, and instantly released the whip. It
plunked into the snow. He had seen this newcomer last night at the feast. A
celebrated hero. A man of honor. The officer did not cheer up, but instead grew
even more sullen:  You shall be reprimanded for interfering for the justice of
Rome.
 We shall see. I will be watching you. If this man is not treated for his
wounds, you shall die by the Roman blade. I swear it upon Mars.
The officer stared at Manias, and turned his head.  Rufius! Maximus! Take
the Macedonian to his home.
 Leave him with supplies to treat his wounds, Manias said.
The officer nodded.  It will be done.
Without saying another word, Manias walked past the two Roman soldiers
approaching, barreled his way through the locked wall of shields, and ascended
back to his bedchamber. The prisoner grunted as he was picked up and carried
through the streets, past the hanging crosses of corpses, and returned to his
family. A victim of Roman justice.
Ï%Ï%
Having heard of how Manias had stood up against a Roman officer, Herennius
ordered Manias to a small dinner in a house down the street from the villa.
Manias washed and quickly dressed. Down the marble steps, several Romans
waited with a horse. He thanked them, mounted, and followed a pair of cavalry [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]