Read Spartacus: The Gladiator for Free Online Page A

a moment,’ asked Ariadne. Walking out into the night now seemed utterly terrifying. So too did waiting for Kotys’ warriors, alone.
    ‘I was going to until you decided to be rude.’
    ‘I’m sorry,’ she replied, her voice catching. ‘I didn’t want to see you hurt, that’s all.’
    ‘Your concern is endearing,’ he said in a gentler tone, ‘but let me worry about things like that.’
    ‘Very well.’ Ariadne felt embarrassed, but she continued regardless. ‘Please accompany me home. I have a small shed where you could stable your horse.’
    ‘Is it far?’ He gestured at the stallion. ‘As you’ve probably seen, he’s lame.’
    ‘It’s no more than a couple of hundred paces. Follow me.’ With her heart thumping in her chest, Ariadne led the way. By now, it was completely dark and the alleys had emptied of people. Only the occasional dog skittered by, giving them a wide berth. She caught him checking every shadow, and was relieved when he eventually relaxed a little.
    Ariadne was also pleased to see no lurking shapes near her house. Polles and his men were still in the alleyway or, more likely, had returned with their cheated comrades to the king. Filling a bucket of water from the nearby well, she left him settling the horse in the lean-to. She hurried inside, noticing as she lit an oil lamp that her hands were shaking. Trying to regain her composure, she sat down on the three-legged stool. Had her situation improved in any way? In reality, she had just exchanged one set of dangers for another. He might be a fearsome warrior, but he couldn’t fight all of Kotys’ men and expect to win. Despite her pessimism, Ariadne could not deny the spark of pleasure that glowed in her heart. He had been under no obligation to step in. Most sane men would have turned the other way when they’d seen the king’s bodyguards. Instead, at the risk of his own life, he had saved her. Weirdly, Ariadne felt a trace of hope. He had to know the odds that they faced, yet he remained calm, even unperturbed. That meant he must have a plan.
    She smiled as he entered, barring the door behind him. ‘Is your horse fed and watered?’
    ‘He is,’ he replied, looking satisfied.
    ‘You care for him greatly.’
    ‘I do. He’s been under me, or by my side, through more than five years of constant war.’
    ‘That’s a long time to be fighting.’
    ‘It is. That’s why I came home. To hang up my sword and settle down for a while. Instead, I’ve done the complete opposite.’ His lips twisted wryly. ‘To be honest, I’m not that surprised. The Rider has a habit of doing this to me. And he knows best.’
    ‘Nonetheless, I’m sorry,’ said Ariadne, feeling even worse.
    ‘We’ve covered this ground already,’ he said in a reproving voice. ‘It was my decision to intervene.’ My decision to enter the village, even when I was recognised .
    ‘It was,’ she acknowledged. Then, ‘I don’t even know your name.’
    ‘Nor I yours,’ he replied, smiling.
    ‘Ariadne.’ She couldn’t stop her cheeks from burning as she spoke.
    ‘It’s an honour to meet you. I am Spartacus.’
    She frowned. The name rang a bell in her head, but she didn’t know why. ‘How long have you been away exactly?’
    ‘Eight years, give or take. You’ve not been here that long.’
    ‘No. Six months.’
    ‘When did Kotys start bothering you?’
    ‘Practically from the first moment I got here. I’ve managed to fend him off thus far, but today, for whatever reason, he had had enough. Ostensibly, I was to dine with him, but it was just a façade. For him to—’
    ‘I can imagine,’ he interjected. ‘I knew that the whoreson was a murderer, but a rapist too? The world will be a better place when he’s gone.’ And if the Rider wills it, my blade will end his stinking life .
    ‘So the rumours are true then?’
    ‘Oh yes,’ he replied bitterly. ‘When Rhesus, the last king died, Kotys had his son and heir slain. Sitalkes, my father, must