Flanitnus on the side ignored their quarrels, not caring whether they would be punished. As he focused on the center of the field, he scanned the lively crowd around. What interested him was the rebel army's way of soliciting opinions from everyone.
Although the Roman Army had many military laws and quite strict military discipline, he, with years of military life, knew that the ultimate decision of life and death for a Legion Soldier was in the hands of the Legion Commander, and ordinary soldiers had no chance to appeal. The rebel army, however, seemed to hand this power of punishment to the soldiers even without military law. Is this what they call freedom?
Maximus walked into the center of the camp, followed closely by two trembling young women. They were thin, their eyes red and swollen, and one even had a clear red handprint on her cheek.
