Free Gladiators vs Zombies by Sean-Michael Argo

chariot hung his small oval shield. At his waist hung a gladius. Cassius, like the rest of the essedari, was very lightly armored, only having wrapped leather greaves on his calves, a heavy leather girdle to protect his belly and kidneys, and cloth wraps on his hands for holding the reigns. The essedari had all dispensed with their helmets, though less protection the editor had demanded it so that he could better see who performed what deeds.
    The editor, his explanations done, stepped back and called for the start of the race. Horns blew and the essedari cracked their whips, sending the six chariots careening into the arena. Cassius held his reigns in his left hand, using his right to crack his whip over the heads of the horses to drive them onwards. The golems had only barely turned towards the essedari when the six chariots slammed into their ranks. Each of the chariots were equipped with long curved blades that protruded from the wheels on either side, and these blades scythed through the golems as if they were wheat stalks. Most of the golems hit by the blades were taken in the legs, though some were decapitated as more chariots swept past them. The editor kept a careful watch, and made marks for kills as they were made. 
    Cassius preferred to win races by keeping a steady pace, and not using the limited energy of his horses on the first laps. Cassius moved his whip to his left hand in addition to the reigns, and grasped a spear from the rack. He hefted it into a throwing position, and using his left hand tugged on the reigns, veering his horses to the right to close distance with the essedari nearest him. The other gladiator was too busy focusing on the chariot in front of him to notice Cassius close in and hurl the spear. A cry went up from the audience as the spear burst through the essedari’s chest, and he fell from the chariot. The man’s hands still gripped the reigns, and it brought the horses up short, causing the chariot to flip back over front, crashing into the horses that had once pulled it.
    Cassius veered left to avoid the crash, and brought his whip across his own horses, spurring them onwards to complete the first lap. That was five marks for him within moments, and he was sure that he had scythed several golems with his chariot during the course of the race so far, though he dared not glance at the canvas to see how the others were doing, better to focus on the battle at hand. The screams of the horses filled the arena as the golems were upon them, feeding on the fallen beasts as ravenously as they would the flesh of men. An arrow thudded into his chariot, then a second, as another essedari drew near Cassius. The former druid looped his reigns on the pommel of the chariot and swiftly took up his own bow, knocking an arrow as fast as he could. Both of the essedari were gambling that their horses would follow the track and not wreck the chariot while they used their bows. Cassius let fly with his own arrow, only to miss his target by mere inches. The enemy essedari loosed a second arrow, this time into the flank of the right horse that pulled the former druid’s chariot.
    The horse screamed and kicked, but held its course. The crowd was booing loudly, calling down curses on the enemy essedari for his dishonorable shot, though cheered even more loudly as Cassius drew back another arrow. He let out his breath in measured bursts as his perception of the world slowed to a snail’s pace. Cassius placed all of his focus upon target and arrow, pushing all other details out of his mind, and let loose. The arrow flew true, and slammed into the throat of the enemy essedari, who slumped out of sight.
    Cassius discarded his bow, letting it fall away as he grasped the reigns again, correcting the horse’s path. The horses had strayed from the course, and Cassius had to turn in a wide circle to complete his next lap, though he could not tell if it was his second or third. As he came around he got a wide view of