Aquila looked fierce but his eyes were kind.
"Septimus told me of your help," he said.
"My victory will be in your honor."
"Aquila!" Another man came over to them.
His smile wasn't kind.
"How are your horses?" he said.
Aquila smiled too.
"They are ready to race, Brutus.
Melus brought them fresh water from his well."
Brutus' face grew red.
"What about the water I sent?"
"It was unfortunate," Aquila said coldly, "but Melus accidentally spilled it on the stable floor."
Brutus moved angrily toward Aquila.
The two men seemed ready to fight.
"Take your places!
The race is about to begin!"
cried Master Antonius, stepping between the men.
Varius held Aquila back too.
"I will have my revenge,"
said Brutus, walking away.
"Enjoy the race, children," said Aquila, and left.
"Are you okay?" Varius said to the children.
Vinnie and Mandy nodded nervously.
They all found seats and watched Master Antonius walk onto the stage.
He raised his arms and the audience grew quiet.
"Are you ready to start the race?"
he asked the huge crowd.
The people cheered wildly.
Master Antonius pointed to the twelve gates at the end of the arena.
Suddenly a horn blew loudly, and Antonius dropped a white cloth.
The gates opened and the chariots came speeding out.
"There's Aquila!" said Varius, pointing to a golden chariot.
Aquila lashed his horses as he raced around the track.
"And Brutus!" yelled Vinnie.
Brutus was close behind Aquila.
His chariot was red and green.
It had a spike sticking out from the middle of each wheel.
They raced once around the track.
Men on the stage turned one dolphin up.
Mandy noticed it right away.
"One lap!" she yelled.
"Go, Aquila!" Vinnie was yelling.
"Vinnie! Let me see the photo!" Mandy shouted.
He handed her the photo.
"We're getting closer to home!" she said.
"Aquila! Watch out!" cried Vinnie.
Brutus was trying to crash into Aquila's chariot.
"If Brutus' spike hits Aquila's wheel, Aquila's chariot could flip over," said Varius.
"Then Aquila will be crushed under the horses' feet!"
"Oh, I can't look!"
Mandy covered her eyes.
Aquila moved away just in time.
Another dolphin was flipped to show a second lap was completed.
"Varius!" Mandy touched his arm. "Thank you!"
The two dolphins in the photo were glowing red as Aquila pulled ahead.
Vinnie was cheering loudly.
Mandy grabbed Vinnie's hand.
"Go, Aqu . . . " Vinnie began to shout.
Then the children fell down the dark tunnel.