Most of the prisoners carried swords and shields. Only Patrick carried a large knife and a helmet. He looked confused.
The prisoners saluted the emperor. “Hail, Emperor!” they shouted. “We who are about to die salute you!”
The crowd roared and clapped.
Honorius held up his hand. “Wait!” he said. But his voice was drowned out by the noise.
The men in the arena raised their swords.
He said to wait! Beth thought. Panic filled her heart. Didn’t they hear him?
A trumpet sounded. The prisoners began to fight each other. Each man battled for his life. An old prisoner quickly knocked Patrick’s knife out of his hand.
The emperor watched angrily. He called a soldier over. “I told them to wait!” Honorius shouted. “Why do they fight?”
“Highness, you raised your hand,” the soldier said. “The prisoners thought you were asking them to begin!”
The emperor sank into his chair. He wiped his face. “How do I make them stop?” he asked.
In the arena…
Aldric grabbed Patrick and pulled him close. A slave came forward with his sword raised. The barbarian swung his sword to drive him back.
Patrick dropped his helmet. It was too heavy. He wanted to run. But where? Bars blocked all the doors. Men fought all around him. Two closed in on Aldric with their swords pointed at his heart.
In the emperor’s box…
“Somebody do something!” Beth cried. “That’s my cousin!”
The guards looked at one another. They waited for an order.
Honorius was on his feet again. He watched the action below. His eyes were filled with worry. What would he do?
Telemachus’s eyes were closed as if he were praying.
An idea flashed into Beth’s mind. She hurried to the birdcage and opened the large door. She stepped in and shooed out all the birds.
They flocked into the seating area. The guests there shouted and moved away.
Then Beth took the sack of seed. She shook the seeds into the arena.
Seeds rained down near Patrick and Aldric.
The two dozen birds followed the seeds. They flapped to the ground. They flapped to the ground right in front of Patrick and Aldric.
In the arena…
The attackers were distracted by the birds for a few moments. Patrick didn’t know what to do. He looked at Aldric.
Aldric looked up at the emperor’s box. Then he smiled. He dropped his sword and picked up Patrick.
“It’s your turn to fly, boy,” Aldric said.