By the time Kael turned his attention toward the remaining chariots, most of the infantry had already lost the fight. The young gladiators had done better than he expected once he broke through the center of the formation. Without an intact battle line, the soldiers were struggling to use their training effectively.
Their shields no longer formed a wall, and their short swords lacked the protection of men standing shoulder to shoulder. Small groups had been isolated, surrounded, and forced backward by gladiators who quickly discovered how much easier a fight became after Kael had scattered their opponents. Several soldiers had dropped their weapons, while others were being pinned to the dirt.
A few continued fighting hard enough that the young gladiators answered with lethal force. Kael did not interfere. He had given them an opening, and what they did with it was their decision. His attention was needed elsewhere.
