“Where have you been, Jaliakus?” asked Jenix, his mother.
“Sorry mother. I was at the local marketplace with Damon and Tutanacles buying some Gladiator trading cards. I can’t believe my luck I got a Maximus rookie card and a Spartacus all-star card,” replied Jaliakus.
“I don’t care about what you were blowing your money on! You were supposed to be home 2 feet ago according to the sun dial. Your father and I were worried sick! Thank Zeus you’re alright! Now off to bed!” said Jenix.
So, Jaliakus went off to bed. He hadn’t told his mother the whole truth. He spent most of his time that night watching the Spartan Army train. He didn’t tell is mother this for he knew it would upset her. She didn’t want her son to be a soldier and she didn’t want him to be watching them either.
The next day at school, Jaliakus got into a fight with a bully named Augustus. Jaliakus won using fighting technics and strategy he had learned from watching the soldiers train. He had also broken Augustus’ left arm and almost killed him from a special punch to the neck. Jaliakus was suspended for three days. He didn’t think that he deserved this severe punishment.
It was Augustus’ fault anyway. He had picked the fight over Jaliakus' lunch money. While Jaliakus was out of school he was to stay in his house all day long. He didn’t want to stay at home all day. Today was the Spartan Army’s Skirmish Day! He and a cute girl from class, Lucicles, where going to watch them fight. Oh how he wanted to go and watch it. His parents were running some errands at the Shopimus Savimus in downtown Sparta. They would be gone for another four hours. He could watch part of the skirmish and be home easily before his parents and that’s what he did.
He snuck out the basement door and left for the Training Grounds which were about a mile away. When he arrived, he saw his friend Damon and Tutanacles. They were eating some PopCornamus. I joined them and they were stunned to see me!
“I THOUGHT YOU WERE IN HOUSE ARREST!?!” said Tutanacles.
“Yeah me too!!! What happened?” inquired Damon.
“I snuck out.” Jaliakus said as he gulped down a handful of their buttery PopCornamus.
"WHOOOOOA!!!” they both said in awe. They were amazed that he had done such a thing. Both of them weren’t as risky or for that matter as brave as Jaliakus. As the three of them watched the soldiers battle, Jaliakas saw his parent’s carriage go by.
“OH SHOOT!!!” He screeched, “Those were my parents.” So he jolted of the bench and ran into the trees. Back through the way he came. When he got home, his window was still open and he climbed into his room. Right as he limbed in, his mom opened the door. He jumped in the window right on to his bed.
“Why’s your window open, Jaliakus?” Jenix questioned.
“I just wanted to air out my room a little. I had a little to much chili last night. That’s all,” he replied. So, his mom left the room and went back down stairs to start dinner. They were going to have fried chicken. He thought to himself how lucky he was to not be caught. He also pondered about who won the Skirmish Day? Red or blue?
“Jaliakus, can you come down here for a second,” Jenix yelled from downstairs. So, he went downstairs. He saw a very strong man who had to have been 6’8” tall. IT WAS GENERAL MAXIMO FROM THE SPARTAN ARMY!!! He led Team Red from the skirmish.
“Mom, why is General Maximo here,” he questioned.
“I’ll answer him my lady. I am here because we need a new recruit that could be a good leader and have a promotion in their future. When I heard this, I thought we should ask you seeing as though you are our biggest fan,” he said.
“Can I Mom? PLEASE PLEASE?!?!” he asked with a huge smile.
“I don’t know..... You’re still only fifteen. You have another good fifty years of your life to live. Are you sure you want to spend it in the army?” replied his mother.
“Don’t worry Jenix, your boy will be in good hands. I will take good care of him,” assured Maximo.
“Well honey, it’s your decision. You’re old enough to make your own choices.”
“I’ve always wanted to be in the army and now I get to! I will meet you at the Forum tomorrow at noon, General Maximo,” he decided. So, the General left. Jaliakus still couldn’t believe that he, himself, was going to be a Spartan soldier. He couldn’t wait to tell Damon and Tutanacles of his “good” fortune! He could tell them tomorrow. It was getting late.
Next morning, he didn’t see Tutanacles or Damon. They were no where to be seen. He spent two hours trying to find them. His parents had let Jaliakus be out of house arrest for one day. Jaliakus later found out that Tutanacles and Damon had both died in an accident including a chainsaw and duct tape. Don’t even ask.
Later that day, Jaliakus met General Maximo at the Forum. He got his uniform/gear and weapons. He went home, got dressed, and they met back at the training grounds.
Five Years Later......
Five years had gone by since when Jaliakus joined the Spartan Army. Lots of things had changed. He was 20 now and a centerion (leader of a legion). In not to long, he and his legion would be marching in Rome fighting in a war. His mom had grown older and was hysterical (loony) that her only son was about to go of to war and maybe never return.
Two days later, they all left for war. The Spartan Army won the battle, but Jaliakus died. He died in 33 BC. He was killed about 10 minutes outside the gates of the city of Rome.
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