Kael looked at the javelin in his hand, then toward the rider who had thrown it. The man seemed to expect him to send it straight back, and for a moment, Kael considered doing exactly that. He drew his arm back, judging the distance between them, before changing his mind.
"No."
He tossed the javelin upward and struck the middle of its shaft with his fist. Wood snapped with a sharp crack, sending both halves spinning into the dirt. The young gladiators watched the pieces fall before turning their attention back to him.
"Stay together. Don't move."
They did not understand the words, so Kael pointed toward their formation, pressed both hands inward, then gestured firmly at the ground beneath their feet. The oldest caught on and began shouting instructions to the others. Once they had stopped trying to spread out, Kael looked toward the infantry and noticed that the soldiers had stopped advancing.
