Gladiator

Chapter 5 New Gladiators 
Proximo never missed training for the new boys. He could learn
so much about them. 
The more experienced gladiators trained against each other, 
working with swords and spears and with shields and armor. 
The new ones were put together into a small arena in the
center. One by one they were given heavy wooden swords and
sent in to face the teacher. He had a similar sword. 
Proximo watched from a short distance. Very quickly his
trained eye could sort the new class into two groups. The fighters
were marked with red paint, and the others with yellow. 
Haken enjoyed his job as gladiator teacher. He took great
pleasure in knocking away the swords of his new students and
then hitting them hard so they fell onto the dirt. It was soon 
Maximus’s turn to face Haken. 
“Spaniard,” Haken called to him. 
Maximus went forward slowly. Proximo watched more closely,
to see what would happen. 
Maximus picked up the sword and stood facing Haken.
Suddenly everyone, especially Haken, saw that this man was a
fighter. There was something about the way he held the sword,
the way he stood—but most of all there were his eyes. There was
no doubt—he knew how to fight. 
Maximus lifted the