Sheba and the Gladiator Page #2

sit back and wait.

Don't worry.

Marcus Valerius will not

remain free for long.

And remember...

I want him alive.

Don't give her words

too much importance.

That Roman dog!

How could he?

Don't worry about it.

Your men will recapture him.

An envoy of King Shapur

has arrived from Persia.

-Where is he?

-In my quarters.

Do not fear.

I'm not going to kill you.

You!

Here.

It's my only weapon.

How did you get in here?

That doesn't matter.

Just listen to me.

You'll pay dearly

for your audacity.

-I will play fair.

-What do you want?

I want to be your ally.

You!

Those who helped me escape

would have dragged me to Rome.

Rome doesn't forgive

those who fail.

All this sounds amusing.

It's not hard to choose

between an inglorious death

and a new life.

I'm ready to place my sword

at your service.

The sword of a traitor.

I've shed my blood for Rome

on many a battlefield.

If i go back I'll receive

the most atrocious insult.

that a soldier could expect.

Do you think I'm so naive

as to believe you?

I can help you accomplish

your dreams of power.

-You're a dangerous nemey.

-Listen to me, Zenobia.

It's a priceless gift.

Worthy of such

a powerful king.

Extend my thanks

to your magnificent lord.

Tell him

I confirm our agreement.

King Shapur himself

will lead his army.

Victory won't escape him.

Give him a singal

and he'll attack Palmyra.

No, we must be cautious.

What will Rome do

after the defeat?

If it sent its troops

now stationed in Gaul

the Persian army

could be overcome.

Go and reassure King Shapur.

We'be both decided

to make Persia.

the most powerful kingdom

in the East.

You'll be the most powerful

man at King Shapur's court.

That's what I want.

Promise you'll always

keep me at your side.

How could you

doubt it, Erika?

Provided what you're saying

is true.

of what use could

you be to me?

I'm an expert

in modern military art.

My people don't need you.

Their enthusiasm is enough.

Enthusiasm can be

easily dampened.

I can train your hordes

to be great legions.

Under my guidance they could

set out to conquer the world.

Empty words!

Rome will send

a powerful army against you.

Your forces will be exhausted

and unable to cope.

They must be subjected

to strict discipline.

and trained in effective

combat methods.

Rome's defeat will double

its thirst for revenge.

Your plans of expansion

will drown in blood.

How can I believe you?

What proof of loyalty

can you give me?

As much proof as you wish.

How about this one?

In the oasis of Jatabu...

-Does it make any sense?

-No, it's beyond me.

We're supposed to surrender

without a fight...

When will it be, anyway?

We've been sizzling here

for two days.

Make sure you lay down

your arms and surrender.

-Who are you?

-A Roman tired of fighting.

Who's at the oasis?

Fifteen men. Tne only

survivors of my legion.

-Armed?

-No.

How did you know

we were coming?

I spotted you from that hill.

We know the Queen has sent

patrols into the desert

to finish off what's left

of the Roman legion.

Twice we managed

to avoid them.

But we've had enough.

We're exhausted.

We can't hold out

without food or water.

We surrender.

If this a trick,

you'll be the first to pay.

Follow me.

Itus should be back by now.

If you have lied, you'll be

fed to the sacred tigers.

The tigers will wait in vain.

Are you disappointed?

Here he is.

So?

-My Queen...

-What news do you bring?

We captured them.

The'll be in the dungeons

in less than an hour.

I've preceded them

to give you the news.

-Are you sure it was them?

-Yes.

Any losses?

None. It was all so simple.

They surrendered

without any resistance.

I hope this is proof

of my loyalty.

I think the Queen will demand

a more convincing proof.

Such as?

Killing the prisoners.

I've always considered myself

a soldier.

But if the Queen wants

to turn me into an assassin

I'm ready to carry out

her orders.

I want the order

to come from you, Zenobia.

My minister decides the fate

of our prisoners.

Did you hear that?

The decision is up to me.

Here.

With this

you'll do a good job.

Go. I don't need you.

-Water...

-Quiet!

This should be them.

What happened?

We were attacked by rebels.

They overpowered us

and got away.

What are you saying?

Speak clearly.

Go on, talk!

We were a mile from Palmyra.

We were ambushed

while crossing a forest.

We didn't have the time

to organise a defence.

Almost everyone was killed.

Then try freed the prisoners.

Who were they?

Desert men. We tried...

No excuses.

Who was leading them?

Lator, the chief guard

of the slaves.

Take care of this coward.

Do you know what this means?

That there are traitors

in your ranks.

My suspicions

have been proved.

Take your dagger back.

I'm an expert on weapons.

This is a Persian dagger.

With such a handle

you can't go wrong.

Yes, it's Persian. So what?

Nothing.

My father was a Persian.

-Are you insinuating something?

-What are you saying?

If we are to co-operate

for the future glory

of the Kingdom of Palmyra

we must get to know

each other thoroughly.

Let the High Priest speak.

Let the vestal virgin

be punished.

Don't you think, Roman,

that Bathsheba helped

the prisoners escape?

What do you think?

That Lator

followed her orders.

He's very loyal to her.

Perhaps. What makes you

think so?

A strange coincidence.

The sacred flame was put out

and Bathsheba disappeared

the very night

of the prisoners' outbreak.

Semantius certainly has

a quick mind.

The perennial flame

which burned in the temple.

and was entrusted

to the virgin Bathsheba.

guarded the spirit of love

of our goddess.

The vestal virgin has fled.

But the fire will burn again

in honour of the goddess.

A major sacrifice

is called for.

The virgin's blood will

cleanse the profaned altar.

-Anything suspicious?

-Nothing.

-Where's Simon?

-Grazing his flock.

He's a good man.

He follows

the Master's word.

-How is Bathsheba?

-Well. But she misses you.

-Bathsheba....

-Julian!

Only with you beside me

do I feel safe.

What will happen to us?

The odds are against us.

We're together now.

Let's try to be happy.

Death could be lurking

behind this happiness.

Death is not what we should

feel around us.

But hope, rather.

Your heart is pure.

The gods will protect you.

Drink this, Julian.

Thank you.

The sand of the desert

dries your throat.

Let me have some more.

What help do you expect

from your God

if He let His prophet

die on on the cross?

Doesn't Bathsheba's grief

make her more dear to you?

Isn't her suffering

proof of her love?

Likewise. Christ's sacrifice

proves to us the value

of His merciful words.

I've sighted Roman troops

marching west in the valley.

At last.

May good fortune be with you.

You're my good fortune.

Look after her, Lator.

Stop.

Who are you?

Roman soldiers. We must talk

to Consul Marcellus.

Go through.

Keep going.

Stop there.

Aren't you Decurion Julian?

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