Arena by Simon Scarrow Read Free Book Online Page B

hint that he might have some leverage with enticing Hermes into the arena. But only if Pavo was victorious against lesser opponents, he presumed. As he made a silent prayer to the gods that he would survive long enough to face Hermes, a grim thought occurred to Pavo. His greatest fear wasn’t dying in the arena. It was dying before he had a chance for revenge.
    ‘Anyway,’ Bucco said. ‘At least you can use a sword. You heard the doctore. I was bloody useless out there. Got the skills of a leper.’
    ‘Then why join a ludus? You must have had some other means of paying off your debts.’
    Bucco harrumphed. ‘Don’t count on it. Ten thousand sestertii might not sound like so much to someone born into class, but that’s a lot of money for a man like me. It’d take a soldier the best part of twelve years to pay off that kind of sum. And I’m no soldier. I don’t have a brain for numbers, and I don’t fancy collecting piss for a living,’ he said, referring to the fullers who collected jugs filled with urine for cleaning togas. ‘On top of that, I’ve got a wife and two boys back in Ostia, so that’s three mouths to feed. All in all, I didn’t have a lot of options, all right?’
    ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to judge.’
    Bucco sighed. ‘Forget it. Not your fault I’m here, is it?’
    ‘Your sons – how old are they?’
    ‘Papirius is seven, Salonius is four.’ Bucco stared wistfully at his empty bowl, lost in thought. ‘They’re good boys. The little ’un wants to be a soldier when he grows up. Says he wants to conquer Britain all by himself.’
    ‘I have a son of my own,’ Pavo said. ‘Or I did,’ he added quietly. He moved on quickly, before Bucco could ask about Appius and open the still-sore wound. ‘It must be hard for them to see their father in a ludus.’
    ‘Well I don’t imagine I’ll be here for very long,’ Bucco replied casually.
    ‘Oh?’ Pavo raised his eyebrows. ‘I hate to point it out to you, Bucco, but it’ll take you a long time before you’ve got enough money to settle your debts in full. Even with the signing-on fee, that still leaves you short by six thousand sestertii.’
    Bucco lowered his voice and tapped the side of his nose furtively. ‘Between you and me, I’ve got a plan for settling up sooner rather than later.’
    Pavo puckered his brow. ‘What are you talking about?’
    The volunteer leaned in to Pavo, a slovenly grin stretched across his flabby jowls. ‘There’s a bookmaker who visits the ludus every so often. You can place bets with him on the fights. The way I see it, being here I’ll be able to judge the form and ability of the gladiators: injuries, training, that sort of thing. I can’t lose! I’m going to use the money I received when signing my contract to buy my way out of here before the year is out.’
    ‘What if you get the bets wrong?’ the recruit asked.
    ‘I won’t. Come on, don’t give me that look! Can you honestly see me leaving the ludus in one piece? Look at the size of some of the veterans. Bloody beasts! What chance do I stand against any of that lot? This way I can make enough money to repay my debts and settle my contract with old Gurges. It’s got to be a better bet than bleeding to death in some godforsaken arena.’
    Pavo was about to reply, but he was interrupted by a call from the doctore, ordering the recruits to their cells. Bucco grudgingly stood up. The others began to file out of the canteen. Pavo remained for a moment on the floor. He wanted a moment of peace to himself as he made a solemn vow to see his quest through to the bitter end. He wouldn’t stop before he had a chance to watch the life drain out of Hermes. Nothing would stand in his way. Opening his eyes, Pavo rose to his feet, suddenly alone. He turned towards the corridor and noticed someone blocking his path.
    ‘Going somewhere?’ Amadocus whispered.
    Pavo froze as light from a nearby lamp illuminated the veteran’s features. Up close, Pavo