Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just a fan.

WARNINGS… READ AT YOUR OWN RISK ...SLASH…..F.A.O….. NON CON/RAPE…..INCEST…..VIOLENCE

(be warned now and please do not read if you are likely to be offended and then b*****k... take me to task over it later)

Bratiartis, Lucretia,Barca,Spartacus...others

OMCs...if you don't recognise the names...then they are mine!

Set to Purpose

==000==

The market was packed with the entire population of Capua appearing to be out on the streets taking advantage of the cool morning sun. The inviting smells from the cook shops were mingling with the less appealing aromas of the tanners and dyers even though they were streets away but still distinguishable on the light breeze.

Capua was crowed, the streets narrow, the wooden buildings high and nestled tightly together. 'Just one spark' thought Batiatus, 'and the whole place would go up in flames'. And his situation was not too different.

He was gaining in influence and money, much to do with the machinations of himself and his beautiful intelligent wife, but more to do with his champion. 'The Bringer of Rain' had brought him much wealth and prestige but much consternation and many sleepless nights too. But now that the slave's wife was gone and he had buckled down into his rightful role things could go on. Batiatus' plans could go on.

So he had taken a morning stroll, ostensibly just to experience the sights and sounds of the city. He had started with the important places, the places of government and council. One day soon he would walk up those steps and into the city council to take his rightful place. It was destined. He would make it so.

Moving on, he and his not so invisible entourage roamed the markets stopping to finger expensive fabric and jewels. He would adore to see Lucertia wear that amber necklace. She would love it but more so, its bright settings and elaborate design would tell all who saw it, we have wealth, we have a higher place than you.

He threw the thing back at the trader as if it was beneath consideration. To buy that, not only would his slaves go hungry but himself also. Soon, soon.

Still, he should not return to the villa without some small trinket. He had an idea. Moving to the cheaper but still not inconsequential glass beaded jewellery, he made a show of selecting a couple of baubles. Holding them up to the light, "What do you think, Barca? Would these look good on the Domania's slave girl?"

Barca was not too surprised at the question. It was spoken loudly so that others would hear that Batiatus could afford to spend money on trinkets for slaves. That the Dominus asked his opinion was also a sign of his indifference to people's scorn, but, although he was a mere slave, he was a gladiator of high renown.

They may be slaves, he and his fallow gladiators treated like slaves but to the crowds on the streets, to the citizens and plebeians, they were gods. He had heard that on the streets of the larger cities, Herculaneum and Rome itself, gladiators walked the streets as if free. Receiving adoration as they passed. It was a conundrum, slaves, gods, meat.

He knew what his master would want to hear and answered loudly, "Yes, Dominus. Apologise for asking, but, can you afford to waste money on jewellery for slaves?"

Batiatus hid the grin that wanted to explode on his face. He could always rely on Barca whether to be a sword sworn to protect at his back or for his instinct to please him. "Of course, it's of no inconvenience decorating my household." He poked through the trinkets and selected a necklace of green coloured glass and an earring in blue. "These," and handed them negligently to the trader.

He was feeling elated at his boost in ego standing there on show as people whispered their shock at the expenditure. A few denarii's could reap much reward with the right gossip. Walking away, he felt magnanimous and turned to look over his shoulder and beckoned his gladiator. "Here," he said handing the ear piece to him, "this is for your service and perhaps for your boy?"

Barca was shocked, not that his master knew of his lover, not that he actually acknowledge the fact but to present him with such a gift? "Gratitude, Dominus," and he meant it. Pietros would adore it.

Continuing to wander, they made their way into the slave market. Batiatus liked to keep an eye on the place, you never knew what you might see there. He was always on the lookout for possible candidates for the Ludus or another pretty face for the household. He loved that his wife was so relaxed about him spreading his attentions. Then again, it was his right, but she could have been shrewish about it.

She liked to keep that Neavia out of his grasp though. Still, if he let her have that victory he would get what he wanted. A compliant, respectful, intelligent and devious wife. He had been blessed with such a woman. Together they made the perfect team.

Walking along the pens he considered and rejected many. It was always good to keep a stock of attractive flesh available for his guests. Now this one looked interesting. Not to his tastes but he needed a wide range to cater to all his guests' appetites. He smirked, maybe he should seriously ask Barca his opinion. He laughed lightly, coming to a decision.

Looking through the wooden bars, seeing the way that the man looked at his brother, Cassius' hand gripped Sabinus' side a little tighter, pulling him close. The man's eyes had been drawn to the young brunette as many had these past two days, then had turned to look himself up and down. He just prayed to the gods that if this man were to buy Sabinus, he would take him too.

The trader was trying to sell them as a pair ever since the noise and commotion when he had tried to take his brother from his arms the day before. Sabinus had livid bruising across his back after he had fought and kicked, finally biting the trader and trying to kick the man who had wanted to buy him. It showed what the trader thought that they may be worth that Sabinus had only received a beating and not far worse for his actions. Cassius had bruises too. He had not released his hold on the younger boy without a fight either.

He knew that they were likely to end in a brothel from all the attention both his and his brother's looks had been laundering. Not to mention the frank lurid talk about them as if they could hear nothing as they were prodded and poked. With each new interest shown, their price went up. So far no one had been willing to pay the twenty five denarii asked for each of the pair.

"Wine while you wait, Lanista?" showing he knew just who he was dealing with.

Batiatus turned to the slaver as he waved a hand in front of his face. Flies. He hated flies but they were an annoyance and impossible to get rid off in the flesh markets. The merchandise was not exactly cared for other than being kept alive.

"Water." It was getting hot and even after the rains, fresh water was regarded higher than the vinegar that this man would call wine. "Fresh," he added. Dismissing the man, Batiatus considered while he waited for the four selected slaves to be rounded up and prepared for closer inspection.

He had a set price he was willing to pay and an amount in his purse for haggling. One of the woman would do well for Lucretia and the young boy looked pliant enough for his guests of that inclination. Not that he would have a choice of course and if he did chose to fight? He knew some liked that.

The other one was also pleasant on the eye, he thought, if in that Celtic kind of way, pale skin and lighter hair. He should appeal too. If not, he could always find something for them to do. As long as they were not ridiculously expensive. It would be a shame if he could not get them cheap enough.

"Here you are, Lanista," as the merchant slaver handed him the cool water, "And here are the slaves for you to inspect."

He turned to look over his possible purchases then moved closer to inspect the young woman with the long dark hair. Yes, smooth skinned and clear of any visible blemish. He motioned a lazy hand signalling he wanted to see the teeth. Bad teeth was an indication of poor health. The slaver moved to make the command clearer. He thought he might as well make the most of it and see exactly what was on offer, on all of them.

Cassius stood there mortified at the command for them all to remove what little clothing they had on. He could feel Sabinus shaking beside him, his head was down and he appeared to be breathing rapidly. He thought his brother was going to panic.

How had it come to this? To be stood here about to be bared naked so some man could look them over and decided whether to buy them and put them to use, to control them and they could do nothing to prevent it. He knew why. Their father. Their father and his inability to run a business, to stop them from going into debt. To stop the whole family being taken into slavery for none payment of debt. Thank the gods their mother was not alive to be put through this.

Near all his life he had been saddened by the loss of his mother, by the fact that his brother had no memory of her as she had died bringing him into the world as so many mothers did. And from that day he had sworn to protect his brother, to look after him and raise him just as she would have done. He could have blamed Sabinus for his mother's death, for robbing him of the soft smile and gentle cradling arms but that he would have disappointed her. No, he loved his brother and would continue even now to protect him as well as he could.

Even if it meant that he had to make himself as appealing as possible to this man so he would take them both. They would be sold, sooner rather than later. He was not stupid, he had noticed the interest in them. Whatever this man wanted them for, he had to make it as easy for Sabinus as possible.

As he watched them disrobe, if you could call the ragged tunics or scant dresses 'robes', Batiatus noticed the attention that the pale older male gave to the boy. It was nothing more than a hand to his back helping him drop the tunic as the boy just stood there shaking, then holding onto the boy's hand, hidden behind them as they stood so close. But not hidden well enough.

He had an eye for detail, more an acute attention to small details. He needed it when judging the suitability of a slave for his Ludus, the telltale signs of a merchant weakening to a lower price or a guest, whether they would acquiesce to his plans or need more 'convincing'.

This young boy would be useful for the latter and if the other was his lover as he surmised, they did not look enough alike to be related, then at least the boy would know what to do. But he was young, he did not look to have reach his maturity yet. Unless of course the boy's previous life had not fed him well enough and he just looked younger than the fifteen years to be considered a man. If he were not a slave of course.

He motioned and the slaves were turned around then back, not one looking at anything higher than his feet. He turned slightly thinking and saw his bodyguard. He turned to him speaking low so only the gladiator could hear, "You are here to watch my back, to keep me safe, not to stare at some boy's prick!"

"Apologies, Dominus."

Turning back he thought, well at least the males do have appeal to that kind of man then. "So, how much?"

The merchant turned bright eyes and a smile at him. "Any in particular or all four, Dominus?"

"All four."

"The females are fifteen denarii each and the males, twenty five."

If he had been drinking, Batiatus would have sprayed the water in outrage. "What? They piss wine or something?" he laughed. The price was ridiculous.

"There has been much interest. In the males especially,"

"Really?" sounding surprised, "And yet they are not sold," seeing the smile on the greedy little man's face falter slightly. "What's wrong with them?"

"Nothing. Nothing as you can see for yourself, Lanista."

He appeared to think it over, all four were attractive, he would not have even considered them otherwise. He had come here on the off chance of finding candidates but he would not be dissatisfied to return home with four more attractive bodies available to be fucked. But not at that price.

"I'll give you six each for the women and twelve for the males."

"You're trying to rob me?" shock and outrage in return. They both knew it was all for show, for the art of barter. "Twenty each for the males, ten for the females." The man shook his head as if to say why do I even bother.

Batiatus turned his back as if he would leave, watching from the corner of his eye as the man moved from foot to foot then grabbed hold of the closest female's arm, pulling her forwards. "Just look at this skin, look at how she looks at the ground so shyly. I can guaranty she is untouched. Would you not like this to warm you ardour?" then pushing her back and grabbing hold of the younger boy by the back of the neck, forcing him forwards as he curled in on himself.

Now him, he could believe was untouched no matter that the other took a hesitant step forwards. Turning back he stated, "Forty five denarii for them all and that's final. Take it or leave it."

The slave trader's eyes narrowed as he obviously considered the deal. He knew his game well, it was the best offer he was likely to get. The females were not worth more than eight each but he had had hope for the males, especially the younger one, both fresh on the market.

He was still waiting to hear back from Gratiana, the Madame of one of the higher ranking brothels. But she too had been reticent of paying so high for the older male and he still nursed the bite mark from when he had tried to separate them. It would happen of course if only one was wanted but it would be easier if he could sell the males as a pair. Let the new owner deal with splitting up brothers.

"Fifty, then take them with my gratitude." He held his breath as the customer clearly put on a show of debating.

"Done." It was a fair price, in fact he would have gone a little higher but that was all he had intended to spend, although not on fuck flesh, if that is what they turned out to be. Lucretia would decide one way or the other. She had a much better sense of that kind of thing than him. He was good at choosing battle flesh. "Have them delivered to my Ludus before nightfall," and held his hand out for his purse protected by Barca.

He knew he could trust the fighter with his coin. If he ran he would be hunted down and the slave knew his place. He also knew that Batiatus controlled not only his fate but that of his lover. And it was love. Such love that a slave was capable of. He knew everything that went on in the Ludus no matter that some thought they could get one over on him. He had his spies.

His business concluded, he turned to other matters. He wanted a drink. A real drink.

"Dress," the trader told them and Cassius pulled his brother close as the man released him. He was only thirteen, closing on fourteen and not only young but he had been sheltered and protected. He was terrified at what would happen to his gentle brother now far more than himself.

He was older, considered a man if still young and he would be able to please his new owners if it came to sex. He knew what to do with both male and female. In theory at least. His brother? His brother had never even kissed another person save for himself and their father and that was only an affectionate peck.

Once they were covered in their tunics, the only things they had from a former life, he held his brother close, the trader just shaking his head as Sabinus wrapped his arms around him and forced his face into his neck. Then they were ordered to move, following the two women as they were all herded together for the ties that would join them as they were forced to walk to their futures, good or bad.

==000==

TBC...