Sheba and the Gladiator Page #4

It's said they contain

the spirit of loved woman.

Is there a queen

among such women?

Perhaps?

In that one.

It's the prettiest.

Let me try.

Here.

A flower for the Queen.

No, a flower for the woman.

Be not afraid.

I was their target.

A Roman arrow...

-A memento of this day.

-Let's go. It's not safe here.

-Greetings, Lator.

-Greeting, Marcus Valerius.

-Consul Valerius...

-Greetings, Julian.

A clever way to announce

the arrival of Marcellus.

He's over there.

-Greetings, my friend.

-Greetings, Marcellus.

Your Palmyrian attire would

draw a few laughs in Rome.

Not to mention

your oriental perfume.

Perfect weapons

for a love campaign.

-Has the Queen surrended?

-There is no time to joke.

How many troops do you have?

Despite my attire. I remain

a Roman soldier.

I never doubted that.

I'm asking you to lead

my two legions.

Thank you, Marcellus.

Two legions...

Palmyra can rely

on twice as many.

I know.

But our courage and discipline

will make up for that.

We have select troops

ready to face any hardship.

Even thirst, I hope.

I was forced to reduce

all water rations.

Those bastards filled in

all the waterholes.

But not even that

will be enough

to prevent us

reaching the river.

Where the enemy

will be waiting for you.

The sight of water

will spur on our legions.

They'll overcome any obstacle.

That's what

Plamyra's generals rely on.

While your troops

are engaged by the river

the bulk of their army

will attack you from behind.

-That's their plan.

-Are you sure?

Yes. Their tents are set up

by the river now.

As I expected. They'll fall

straight into our trap.

I'll owe my victory

to this precious information.

I'm happy to have done it

for Rome.

This will partly soothe

my conscience.

Your conscience?

What do you mean?

This information

was given to me

by the woman I love.

That's right, Marcellus.

I love Zenobia.

Why did I survive my defeat?

You see, Valerius...

We soldiers are fully devoted

to our duty.

We must be ready to sacrifice

all that belongs to us.

Perhaps Rome could have

victory without a bloodbath.

What do you mean?

Marcellus...

I think...

I'm sure

I can convince Zenobia

to give up her absurd

dreams of power.

She's an impetuous woman

but I can convice her

to come to an agreement.

-It'll tale too long.

-Just give me time.

Our legions

are running out of water.

I can no longer wait.

Tommorow I'll attack.

I understand, Marcellus.

It's you duty.

This victory will be yours.

You've paid

a high price for it.

Too high, in fact.

-Farewell, Marcellus.

-See you soon.

I must talk to you

about Batsheba.

She's being held captive

in the dungeons of the temple.

We love each other.

You must free her

from the High Priest.

I'll do my best.

For the love of God

save Batsheba's life.

What is the matter, Valerius?

Nothing.

Tonight's heat is making me

nervous and impatient.

Tell me what is wrong.

I'm worried.

The imminent battle...

Semantius' plan is not

as safe as I thought....

-What are you saying?

-You needn't be alarmed.

Everything

will work out perfectly.

It's only shadows

drifting across my mind.

Your smile is enough

to drive them away.

Stay here with me.

Dawn is still far away.

A queen shouldn't

distract her generals

on the eve of a battle.

But the Queen loves you.

I love you too.

You're so beautiful.

You look worried.

I can detect...

Don't turn away from me.

Look at me.

What's bothering you?

Shadows, just shadows.

I'll go for a walk

through the camp.

I want to make sure

everything's in order.

As for you

rest and don't worry.

Hear that?

The sentries are changing over.

I should be there.

I'll reach Palmyra

before dawn.

I'll try to win over

the few elders

who still hesistate

to support me.

Otherwise. I'll have to adopt

other strategies.

You know, my lord,

how deadly my sword is.

That's why you must stay here.

-That Roman dog...

-Exactly.

-That's your task.

-And a pleasant one, indeed.

Valerius is the only threat

to my plans.

Once we get rid of him.

irrespective of the outcome

of the battle,

Persia will draw

the greatest benefits.

King Shapur is powerful.

His army is ready.

Upon my signal,

he'll occupy Palmyra.

He'll find the city

totally undefended.

His triumph will also be mine.

Make sure you remember

your most faithful servant.

Carry out the mission

I've entrusted you with

and you'll experience

my generosity.

The Roman will not live

to see tomorrow.

Now go.

Not a word.

-What does this mean?

-Here's one of your subjects.

You'd better listen to him.

Confess what Semantius

is scheming against her.

Have mercy on me.

Speak.

I'll confess.

But I was only obeying orders.

Go on. We know that.

King Shapur is ready to attack.

His armies are drawn up by the river.

They're waiting for

Semantius' order to attack

once your troops are exhausted.

Semantius...

A traitor...

And that's not all.

There's something else

you should know.

Who killed King Odenathus?

The arrow was Roman

but it was you who shot it.

Obeying Semantius' orders.

Have mercy...

I only obeyed orders.

Have mercy.

Aren't you going to kill him?

Guards!

Take this wretch away.

He must die before dawn.

I always suspected Semantius

was betraying you.

Have Semantius arrested.

On many occasions

King Shapur of Persia

has sent diplomatic envoys

to try to re-establish

the old bonds of friendship.

But Zenobia

has always rejected them.

King Shapur hates the Romans

as much as we do.

And has a formidable army.

Only he and his army

can save our country.

provided they get here

on time.

We can't allow that!

We must decide now.

Before two days are over

the Romans can arrive

at our undefended walls.

Surely the Queen

cannot betray her own people.

Why should I

wish to deceive you?

I've always served

my country faithfully.

Let those who think

my advice is honest

raise their hands.

As for those

who think otherwise...

may the gods forgive

their blindness.

Noble friends...

I never doubted your wisdom.

But before my departure...

in order to ensure

Palmyra's ultimate security

I wish to submit

to your enlightened judgment

another grave issue.

I'm referring to Batsheba.

The sacrilegious virgin.

The virgin whose sacrilege

has drawn upon us

the anger of the goddess.

Marcus Valerius has convinced

Zenobia to spare her.

But until Bathsheba

pays for her crime

the spectre

of a disastrous defeat

will drift

with its terrible omen

over our country.

Semantius is right.

Death to Bathsheba.

So, Nazirk?

Consul Marcus Valerius

has left camp.

Gather all the commanders

and lift camp.

It will soon be dawn.

I want to take

the Romans by surprise.

Julian...

Batshsheba...

Come away.

Queen, you are conquered.

Wait.

It would have been fatal

to anyone else.

He's a man

of exceptional strength.

-He's in a lot of pain.

-Just fever. The worst is over.

-Can he travel?

-If it's really necessary.

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