Hot dry wind blew in his face, causing him to squint as he peered down at the lone standing building from his perch. It was abuzz with activity, always was this time of day despite the hot sun blazing overhead and the lack of shade. This was when the task master would make the newest arrivals run, while the more experienced would be given food and water to break. Tego sniffed, the stench of the Ludus clear to him even at this distance.
"A place of interest to us?" He was asked. There was a moment's pause as his gaze flickered from the ludus over to his companion, then back.
"Aye, at the moment yes." He answered, shifting in his perch for greater comfort. There was no risk of getting spotted here, Ludus's tended to be placed a fair distance from city centrals and this one was no exception. The Villa was decent sized but not the grandest, and the Ludus was attached to it off to one side. But mostly untamed landscape surrounded the place. Granted it was mostly barren rock and road and was ultimately within the limits of Capua, but still empty. They could study the buildings in peace here amongst these boulders without fear of being detected or harassed.
"Care to inform me as to why?" prompted his companion. "Come now Tego, it is only fair you share what you have learned with me." A crooked smirk touched at Tego's scared lips, his stormy grey eyes still fixed on the building.
"That, is the house of Batiatus. "
"That is not something I had missed." Replied the other boredly.
"I have been in touch with it's slaves and Gladiators. There is talk of rebellion, in the darkest of corners yes but it is there."
"What household does not reek of rebellious thoughts these days?" Was the counter. "Do you intend to liberate all who cry of oppression and are kept as such?'
"Yes. This house holds Spartacus." That caught the other's attention.
"You have discovered his where abouts?"
"Aye," Nodded Tego. "It frustrated me to great lengths, being unable to find it but here it lies. Peaceful. Or as peaceful as a Ludus can become."
"What are your intentions?' The other said eagerly, scooting forward next to Tego.
"At ease Atticus, we will be doing nothing at the moment." Tego said, resting a calming hand on Atticus's shoulder. His eyes never left the Villa. "Simply studying."
"Ah Tego, studying is dull and for those with nothing better to do with their time!" Groaned Atticus, sitting down heavily next to Tego now and leaning against the other. Tego scoffed, shrugging the other off and up.
"Right now, that is you Atticus. For I am to sleep. Wake me when night falls. I would speak with Spartacus tonight." He said, clapping Atticus on the shoulder before moving away from the perch.
"And how do you intend to accomplish such a feat?" Asked Atticus, Tego already moving away and to the small camp they had made upon arrival behind the larger of the three boulders. it consisted of only a bed roll and a pack.
"With my charming feminine wiles." Tego lied smoothly, stretching out on his back and folding an arm behind his head.
"Then I fear you will need a back up plan." Grimaced Atticus, huffing as he settled down to keep watch. He glanced back at Tego, watching the man's face as it relaxed and the hood he had been wearing slipped back slightly to reveal his features.
There was a roman nose, dark brown short hair that stuck up at odd angles and was stiff with dried sweat. His skin, like Atticus's own, was tanned and burned from the sun. And of course there was that pesky scar, starting below Tego's left eye high on his cheek and ripping down through his lip and the inverted triangle brand on his cheek. It wasn't a cruel twisting one, just a pale line really from long ago. Atticus often found himself staring at it.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts, turning his focus back to the Ludus. Keeping watch till nightfall. Gods, this would be a long quiet shift he thought grimly.
Tego's eyes flew open. There it was, that strange feeling he had had earlier that day. Like being watched. But there were no watchers or scouts, if there had been Atticus would have woken him earlier, would have told him. Or had something slipped past the other man? He doubted it, nothing ever did.
Rolling onto his side, Tego looked over to see Atticus still where he had left him, sitting crosslegged with his knives laid out before him and his amber gaze fixed on the Ludus. The sun was setting, and a cool breeze was rustling dry cracked leaves that surrounded their small camp.
Moving carefully so as not to alert the other, Tego brought his feet up underneath him, remaining low in a crouch and slipping up behind Atticus. He sat there for a moment, pondering what to do since he was certain the other hadn;t hear him yet. Finally, he let out a muffled yawn into his hand.
"Move yourself, it is almost your turn." Atticus said, hearing the faint exhale from behind and turning. "fuck!" He gasped, nearly falling backwards as he found himself nose to nose with the smirking Tego.
CHuckling, Tego's hand reached out and caught the front of Atticus's tunic, pulling him back before he fell out of cover and into open view.
"Easy boy," He said when he released him. "and keep a quiet tongue, no sense in giving us away by startled noise."
"There was no sense in startling me to cause such either!" Scowled Atticus, looking disgruntled.
"Then keep ears open, and see that my next attempt fails." Tego smirked, before taking Atticus's place and looking down at the Ludus. "Tell me, what have you observed?"
"They work their freshest blood constantly, giving no time for rest or rebuttal." Answered Atticus, still seeming a bit bitter as he sat off to the side. "Their prize winners have been led away by now, to the cells probably."
"Those are underground." Tego nodded, Atticus threw his hands up.
"Why do you ask me these things if you know answers before I even draw breath?" he said in exasperation. Tego looked over his shoulder at his friend, noting the frustration in his brown eyes.
"Atticus, tell me what else you saw." He said patiently, waiting. Atticus, sighing and passing a hand over tired eyes, answered finally.
"The recruits are still on the practice field, carrying weights. The Doctore watches them as if he were an eagle of Jupiter, and the Dominus observes from a balcony set over the field on the back of the Vilia."
"Good. What of the guards."
"They are ripe with incompetence and laziness." Atticus said scornfully, "Two are stationed at the front door of the Villa, but sleep with their helmets hiding their faces. Some patrol the outside of the Ludus, but they converse and let themselves be easily distracted."
"Excellent." Tego said, a grin tugging at his scared lips. "Then we move on the Ludus. The wall would be easier to climb there for us to enter unnoticed and leave as such. If we go to the Villa we will have to cut our way in."
"Why leave a bloody hole and raise alarm when we could get things done without waking a mouse?" Atticus said in agreement, a grin now coming to his sullen face. The grin faltered though, and he tilted his head to the side. "What is it you intend to do upon entry?"
"Speak with Spartacus." Tego said simply, turning away from the Ludus and back to his friend. "Tell me, are you tired or will you be able to aid me in this?" Atticus's expression flared up.
"Do you think me one to stay behind?" He scoffed. "No brother, you will not be rid of me so easily!"
"Good." Tego said, clapping a hand on Atticus's shoulder before looking back to the lone standing building. "Now, let us move."
He paused though, feeling a strange aching in his temples. Dehydration? No, couldn't be. He had been sure to drink plenty of water. Past events had been certain to teach him to be always aware of his water consumption. He shook his head, before glancing up at the sky. It was quickly darkening.
The two made sure their hoods were covering their faces, and pulled scarves up to obscure the lower halves before moving out into the lengthening shadows. Their garments were dull shades of grey and brown, made up of splotches and blurred lines of pigment that seemed to mute their outlines as they moved amongst the shadows. Tego took the lead, staying bent with his fingers barely dusting over the ground as he walked with deliberate and light steps, moving only on the balls of his feet.
He kept his steps even and consistent, eyes fixed on the walls ahead of him. They paused when they came to the edge of the shadow line, watching as the patrol of three guards lazily made their way past, brushing close to the stone walls and talking in loud boisterous voices. Tego had to hold back a snort of disgust at the sight of the laziness, staying put as they walked past.
When they had gone past, Tego held up two fingers to Attius before tapping them lightly against the ground. A slight shuffling from behind told him Atticus had gotten the message. He tensed slightly, then sprinted forward lightly over the ground. OUt of the corner of his eye he could see Atticus doing the same about ten meters to my left. upon reaching the wall he both vaulted up it, strong fingers gripping at cracks and ledges in the surface as we moved upward.
Tego was quicker than Atticus, reaching the top of the wall and peering over it before dropping down the far side and pressing his back to the stones in one fluid movement.
They had come over the Western wall, the shadows growing in thier favor here. Atticus dropped down not far off, sinking low before scuttling over to join me. Shoulder to shoulder the two looked out across the training arena of the Ludus. Again it seemed they were favored. The fresh recruits were still there, half asleep and appearing to be worn to the bone but still they trudged on, carrying large wooden beams upon their shoulders as they went. The instructor, or Doctore, was standing in the middle of their circle, watching them with hard unblinking eyes and seeming not at all taxed from the day's work. They appeared to be the only occupants in the area, the balcony Atticus had described earlier standing empty.
"Where to," Atticus breathed in a whisper, eyes fixed on the recruits and following them. "I assume you have some knowledge of where Spartacus is?"
"I would not have entered otherwise." Tego responded in an equally low voice. "Come, he will be in the cells."
Without waiting for a response from Atticus Tego slipped away from the wall, hurrying along the wall to where an iron bar door stood. Atticus was close behind, Tego was sure of this. The throbbing came again in his head but he ignored it. Now was not a good time to be distracted. Upon reaching the door Tego gestured for Atticus to take up position with his back to a pillar, keeping an eye on the Doctore and the recruits while Tego drew a thin bladed knife from his belt and inserted it in the lock. A few twists, and Tego clamped a hand down over it to muffle the clicking of the lock before pulling it open slightly.
"Wait for me here." Tego said as Atticus moved to join him, having slipped through to the other side of the door and quickly pulling it closed.
"What? Hissed Atticus in disbelief. "Tego if you do not let me in I swear I will carve you up and feed you to the vultures!" He snarled, eyes glinting dangerously from the depths of his hood.
"I will not be long" Tego said before hurrying away from the door. Scowling Atticus returned to watching the recruits and their task master.
"Spartacus!" Hissed Tego, standing with his side against the bars as he peered in at the man. He was easy to recognize, the man was a legend in the arena. Tego had seen him a few times before, but had never seen him in person before. The man in the cell, Spartacus, looked around upon hearing his name. From his expression he was clearly surprised to see it was not a guard or a Roman that stood by his cell, but some strange figure in a hood and robes who clearly was keeping an eye out for any others in the halls.
"Who are you." Demanded the gladiator, coming over to the bars to speak to the man. "What is your purpose here?"
"To break words with you." Tego said, "I have very little time, but have heard speak of rebellion begins to spread in this ludus, and you are the instigator." Spartacus tensed, a dangerous glint coming into his eyes causing Tego to speak quickly. "Fear not, I hold no love for Romans in my heart and will not betray your intentions. My name is Tego, and I aim to help you."
"Tego, your words hold promise but how do I know them to be true." Spartacus rumbled, seeming not convinced.
"Because I will see them backed with action. Tomorrow there will be a message for your Dominus from the Praetor that brought you to these shores, informing him that he intends to visit to see the progress he has made with your training." Tego began. "The messenger will be a man called Atticus, he is my companion. He will inform me of anything you need, be it material or information, to aid you in your escape."
"Why would a free man help a gladiator in such a situation?" Scoffed Spartacus. Tego smirked.
"I am far from a free man. I am enslaved by purpose, but now I must go. Atticus will approach you." Then he slipped away, having heard already the sounds of footsteps approaching them. Spartacus leaned against the bars, trying to get a better glimpse of the man as he ghosted away down the hall.
Noah jerked as the session ended, coming out of it violently and quickly curling on his side away from prying eyes. It wasn't often there was someone in here when he came out, not anymore at least, but whenever there were there always came questions. Questions it was hard to understand forget even answer! He just wanted to go back in, back to Tego, back to the heat and the hunt. Here it was cold and dark, dark dark walls in a big room, dark walls he could see through translucent panels.
Blinking his eyes open, Noah drew in a shaky breath and looked out at the cubicle across the walkway from his own. The animus there still had an occupant, no observer though to scowl at him. If they wanted privacy they should have made opaque walls, he thought to himself as he forced his way into an upright position.
Muscle's cried in protest, but it was the throbbing pain in his head. He clutched it in boney hands, rocking back and forth as the throbbing alternated between increasing and decreasing. Ow,owowowowowowowow god just stop please please stop he begged silently, body shaking. Please, put me back in. Take away the pain.
