Heart pounding, Samo tried to think. It seemed his answer had, at least, pacified the Roman. Then he asked the question he dreaded—

I will, Samo replied. For now, was the silent addendum his mind offered. This was a lone legionary—a lone wolf, literally, not the entire force of the legion bearing down his back. As a boy, a single soldier had been enough to pin him down. But he was not a boy anymore. He was a grown man. A gladiator.

Legionary against gladiator. Now that would be a match to draw people's eyes, Samo thought, and bitterness boiled in his throat. Elk Charm leapt into his mind: she was not far, he knew, and to her he would return. First, he needed to determine if the legionary was truly alone. If he was, that would make his escape far easier. Somehow, he had already decided he would escape. Still, he remained quiet and submissive; he knew all too well the price of a failed escape.

The stigmata on his face burned.

There is water nearby if you wish to drink, Dominus, Samo added. He intended to lead the man to the river. There, he would contemplate his next move.