A/N: I haven't actually seen what happens yet, just my imagination at play : )
Disclaimer: I do not own Spartacus in any form.
Summary: Sabinus provides his friend one last loyalty before his death.
Lot of the Stones by FlyingNymphLady
The stage had been set, the Roman troops lined in front of their condemned companions; each with a large stone in hand. Some of the men whimpered, tears falling from their eyes but one look from Crassus had them properly recomposed. The drill sergeant saluted his Supreme Commander before turning to the condemned men, Crassus' own linage in the line-up. The sergeant gave an elegant farewell speech, as elegant as one given to traitors may be. Raising their weighted hands with heavy hearts in their chest the spared men prepared to carry out sentencing on their comrades.
Suddenly a voice broke from amidst the cloud of men, the body of their second commander its owner, "I will not allow this blasphemy to take place. You, cowards that you are, would rather see brave Tiberius perish for your own crime. He stood, while the rest of you fled in terror. You deserted this man once, our very own commander. I not desert him even now. I offer myself in his stead."
The drill sergeant seemed unsure how to respond to this unprecedented action and turned to Crassus for answers. Even Crassus, who bore the title of Supreme Commander upon him shoulders, took a moment to pause in thought. The soldiers looked about restlessly, pressing their commander to make a judgment call.
Finally Crassus came to his own conclusion about the boy and let his voice rise from his throat, "If, what you say is true then the gods would be most disagreeable with the death of one unfit for its chains. Your request shall be granted Sabinus, serve your commander to your fullest potential here and now; exchange your life for his."
Sabinus nodded his head in respect before approaching Tiberius further, unbinding his hands and eyes. Tiberius looked at him like a mad dog as he finished removing his bindings. "Have you lost sense? I was the one who drew the black stone, I should be the one stoned this eve."
"Tiberius, you're my commander- and more than that you're my oldest friend. If I let you die like this I'd never forgive myself. Let me do this last task for you." Sabinus said quiet enough as to keep others from eves dropping on their final farewells. Tiberius looked as if he wished to protest but a trumpeted cough from his father halted his objections. Carefully he bound his friend in the rope that had all too recently been around the younger Crassus' wrists.
"I promise my aim will be precise, I will spare you the discomfort of torture." Tiberius swore to his friend synching the rope tight with a final tug.
"I would expect no less from the son of Crassus." The black haired boy smiled to his friend, "Who knows? With this war hovering about our heads we might meet again soon."
Tiberius clasped Sabinus' hands tightly in his own, "It would be an honor to share cup with you in the underworld."
The two friends reluctantly let go of one and other and the condemned soldiers resumed their stances, their short reprieve broken by the continuation of time. This time however Tiberius was not the one standing in front of the firing squad, it was his most loyal of companions.
"Fire!" A voice shouted form the sidelines and Tiberius angled his rock perfectly, Sabinus' body dropping on impact.
- End -
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