On the main day of the grand festival, competitions were held in the Colosseum and the Hippodrome (the chariot race track), to celebrate the greatness of human abilities. It was a display to show Zeus the capability of humans, hoping to gain his favour.

Arete could never understand why Zeus was worshiped. Probably it was grew out of fear, fear of Pandora. Human were creation of Prometheus, and the creator god had suffered for his beloved creations. As she read the satire written by Lucian of Samosata, temples for the Olympians were everywhere, especially for Zeus, but none for Prometheus.

As much as she disliked the king of all gods, she bought over a simple chariot and race horses from a white faction charioteer. The faction represent peasants and the weakest team among the participants.

She arranged Aethon with the three other horses to the chariot, and given one to the charioteer that sold her the whole quadriga. He told her that he need to leave Rome as soon as possible. As much as he behave suspiciously, Arete knew that he need to leave since he had accepted bribe money from somebody else, and he then sold his chariot to her, earning more money and secured his own life without participating in the deadly sport.

Aethon could be her problem though, the steed dislike working with other horses, she placed him in the middle. Although the quadriga needed four horses, only two in the middle were pulling the biga shaft. The other two side horses were simply for show.

Her cart was a plain Egyptian style chariot, smaller and simpler compare to the Roman cart which were normally larger since they were adorned with decorations and hidden weapons such as scythed wheels.

Taking extra precaution, Arete hid a small bow and arrows to the cart. She twisted her spear, it popped into a nunchuck. She then fold them and attached them under the cart. She was planning to make it pop like scythed wheels. But she realised the design might compromise the proper turning of the chariot wheels.

Probably Agave might have better ideas.

Sighed, she started to miss the other three. Matea might help in various heavy tasks and Pryne could always provide quick healing. Without them, Arete needed to be very careful of taking care of Aethon and herself.

* * *

Arete arrived at the entrance to the Hippodrome with her chariot. The registrar stopped her, “Report your name please!”

Arete was stunned and was not expecting the registrar would ask for their name. She forgot to ask for the name of that charioteer who sold her his chariot.

“What’s this?” The registrar and the guards giggled, when they headed towards Aethon, they found some of his mane on his tail was braided. Tiny white flowers decorated the braids.

That was Pryne’s job, she was not aware of that since she did not check on Aethon’s tail through out her whole journey. Arete immediately removed the tiny white flowers from the tail. Those would be extremely useful for her. White flowers… “Florus of the Whites.” Arete replied with a deepening voice.

The registrar sneered, and used his reed to write down the name to the papyrus on his hands, “Florus of the Whites. You’re not the only boy participating the race.” Judging from Arete’s physique and voice, she had to go with the flow. A young boy indeed, she nodded humbly, avoiding any eye contact with the registrar.

“Next!” The registrar shouted. Arete placed the white flowers into her water bag, and pulled her chariot into the Hippodrome. The registrar and the guards were supposed to check her chariot for any weapons to prevent cheating. But Arete got lucky, all thanks to those tiny white flowers, they missed the weapons hidden under her cart.

She entered the circus, the other eleven quadrigas each on their designated area. A charioteer with white chiton and with protective leather straps, noticed about her, and he called to her, “Hey, you! I’m Tigreis!”

He nodded his head up towards another charioteer next to him who was also in white and said, “He’s Kheiros. What’s your name?”

Arete realised that they were her team members.

Tiger and Boar, they are not from noblemen.

“My name is Florus.” Arete replied.

“Ah, just pray that we won’t get kick by the horses!” Said Kheiros.

The only two noblemen teams are from the Blues and the Greens. The Reds are from the freeman.

“Hey, Florus! How much you got from the Blues?” Asked Tigreis.

“The Greens are too stingy! They only offer thirty talents.” Said Kheiros.

So, they bribed the Whites! I should go along with them!

“They paid me fifty.” Arete replied.

“Wow, then make sure you scream really loud when you fall!” Said Tigreis.

“The Caesar is in the Blue team. Fifty is like nothing to them!” Kheiros added.

The chariot race is simply a tool to reinforce political influence. The competition between the two noblemen classes, the Greens and the Blues is always the main focus. The Reds and Whites are merely representing freed men and peasants. No surprise that Nero would bribe his way for Zeus’s blessings. As long as he bought over the Reds and Whites, he surely will win the game.

The trumpets sounded, the crowds were cheering. Arete could clearly see Nero on his chariot in the middle of the ensemble. Her team, however, was the first three on the left side.

The twelve chariots were already lining up behind the starting gate. The trumpets sounded again, and the announcer received the nameplates from the registrar.

“Citizens of Rome and all visitors around the world! We dedicate this game to the almighty Zeus, the chief of all gods and goddesses! And to the glory of humankind! Let us introduce, the charioteers who will take part in the race today!”