THREE GLADIATORS
Written By Lady Cat
Chap. I
Rome was steadily expanding its empire. As it had conquered most of the east, it turned its eyes to the west. After invading what is now Spain and France, it began its invasion of Briton. Slowly they advanced ever further into Briton, ruling with an iron hand.
This story is about three young boys who were taken as slaves. Their names are Maponos (15), Culwch (13), and Etain (11). The boys lacked for nothing as the land and forest around them gave them everything they needed. When they were not helping their fathers, they would pretend to be fierce warriors. Maponos, being the oldest, would always subdue the other two as at the time he was also the biggest. But Culwch suddenly sprouted and now was standing eye to eye with Maponos. Although not as tall, Etain was no less fierce.
Maponos had fiery red hair like his father, green eyes like his mother, and had inherited his temper from the both of them. Culwch was quiet, at times shy. His brown hair and blue eyes were an odd combination as generally most of them had red or blond hair. Etain had long blond hair, blue eyes and fine features.
One day when they were near the forest, they heard noises in the distance and the sound of animals coming closer. They stopped what they were doing, curious as to the noise. Over a small hill came oddly dressed men. They did not recognize them as being from any known tribe in the area. These men wore shining helmets and vests, which gleamed in the sun. Their shields were unlike any they had ever seen. Even from a distance the boys could tell they were made of metal, not the animal hides of the local tribes. The men stopped in the middle of the village; the inhabitants gathering, staring at the strangers. They informed the villagers that they were Romans and were now claiming this village in the name of the Roman emperor. The villages were unimpressed with what they had to say. To prove a point, the Romans took the nearest person and proceeded to beat him unmercilessly. When they were finished, the man was dead. The villagers were then told what they could or could not do, and that everything the villagers had or grew was to be given to them.
Life under Roman rule was anything but bearable. The boys could no longer go near the forest as there was no forest to go to; the Romans having cut it down to build fortifications. People were beginning to go hungry as they had to give practically everything to them. Small pockets of resistance had begun to sprung up. But no matter what they did, the Romans could never quite catch them. It was then that the boys noticed their fathers would disappear about sundown and not return until almost dawn. Then talk would go around about another band of Romans being attacked.
One day, the soldiers stopped at Maponos' house, barging in as they were eating, taking his father outside. The same had been done at Culwch's and Etain's houses. The soldiers had everyone come out. The boys saw their fathers lined up in the middle of the village, accused of leading the attacks on the Romans. To show they met business, the Romans shot arrows at the three men, killing them on the spot. The three boys had tried to run toward their fathers but were captured and held there. Then, as if from nowhere, arrows started flying in, people were being killed right and left. Everyone was dead except for the three boys. The order was given to burn the village to the ground. The boys watched their homes being burned as the centurion ordered them put in chains and led away.
The boys were taken to General Suetonis Paulinus, who looked them over and thought they were healthy enough. They were told that from now on they were to look after the general's horse and armor. Neither of them could say anything, still numb by what they had witnessed a couple of days earlier. He ordered one of the guards to see to it that they bathed and put on fresh clothes, then have them eat as they were to begin their duties immediately.
After having bathed and eaten, they were taken over to the smithy and branded on the ankle. This was to show they were slaves and to be returned if they decided to run away. It wasn't until evening their numbness began to wear off. Maponos looked at his new surroundings, feeling his skin burn. He wanted to cry, tears on his lashes. Culwch and Etain were the same way. Maponos wiped the tears away from his eyes, anger now starting to set in.
"One day, I'll find a way to kill every Roman I see."
Culwch and Etain looked at him. They knew he would be capable, but it seemed for now like an empty vow. All three put their hands together, promising to always be there and never part.
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