Agron turned on his heel with a curt "Follow."
"I thought you wished to break words." Ahmed said as he walked behind the tall gladiator.
"Words will be broken." Agron assured him as they stopped near the edge of the property. "You make claim to be Nasir's brother."
"It is not claim; but truth." Ahmed stated. "And you make claim on Nasir as if he was brothel slave. Is this the freedom Spartacus promises? You take advantage!"
Agron's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. "Make such accusation again and see head parted from body. Your claim is all that stays my hand; I would not cause Nasir pain by parting you from him."
"And I will not see him treated as whore!" Ahmed countered.
"You would do well to keep such words from Nasir's ear. Nasir stands at my side; he has respect as a free man." Agron said. "I would not see it undermined because you see him as yet the little brother who followed you about. He is not the child that you once knew."
"So I am not to treat him as my brother?" Ahmed asked.
Agron let out a slow exhale. "I would not stand between you; but your place must be earned. He knows you as but a memory. When first I met him; he was a body slave called Tiberius. It has not been easy to throw off chains of slavery; but he has done so. His choices are his own; you will respect that."
"He has the look of our mother." Ahmed said. "And was born with her disposition. Delicate and fragile as a child; I feared his treatment at Roman hands."
"He has survived such for years without your protection." Agron said. "Do not be fooled by what your eyes perceive; Nasir is not to be trifled with. He holds his own as a warrior among men who stood upon sands of the arena. His mind is sharp; he is well able to protect himself and has no problem reminding even Spartacus when it slips from mind."
Agron looked back to see that the rebels were gathering preparing to leave. "Nasir holds duties that must be discharged. Do not distract him. When we find place that Spartacus feels can be defended; we will rest. I will have your word that you will have patience until then to break words with him."
"It will be as you ask." Ahmed said. "But I will have words at earliest opportunity."
Day was beginning to give way to night when the group came to a stop. The rebels were used to the nomadic existence leaving Vesuvius had forced them to. They easily broke off into smaller groups and scattered around the woods but not so far that they could not quickly come together for defense. Ahmed was happy settle down with his back against a tree. He was just about to let his eyes drift closed when a harsh voice broke the silence.
"No fire. Romans see."
Ahmed lifted his head to see a short stocky man snuffing out the flames
"They meant no harm Lugo." Nasir said. "They but joined us this day. They may not have known."
"I will make sure that no fires are made, Nasir." Ahmed spoke up reaching out to grab his brother's hand. "We did not know."
"You know Little Man?" Lugo questioned giving Ahmed a measuring look.
"Ahmed is my brother." Nasir answered.
"Little Man has brother?" Lugo grinned before grabbing Ahmed in a hug. "Little Man is like Lugo's brother! Come! You join us. We make you like brother too!"
"I was told that you have duties. I would not cause distraction." Ahmed said carefully.
"Lugo makes good point." Nasir said. "Someone should know Spartacus methods for keeping us hidden from Roman eyes." Nasir laid a hand on Ahmed's shoulder. "It will make it easier if you had someone to relay orders and messages."
"Good thing Little Man have brother." Lugo grinned. "Spartacus will be pleased. He tell others many time he wish there were another Little Man to keep things in order."
"Who should be given task is Spartacus choice, Lugo." Nasir said uncomfortable with the thought of others thinking Ahmed to receive special treatment. "I will break words with Agron; he will take matter to Spartacus."
"And until then?" Ahmed asked.
"Rest, we break camp when sun rises." Nasir answered. "Lugo, we tarry overlong. There are others to be informed before we take rest."
Spartacus stood looking out over the main camp. "So Nasir's brother lives? Tell me Crixus; what opinion you hold of the man."
"I hold no opinion, having broken no words." Crixus said. "Agron spoke of plans to have words with him."
"Yes, Agron would. Agron would have words with any he thought would gain Nasir's attention." Spartacus said.
"You would have it different? There are times when the boy is the only counsel that falls successfully on the oaf's ear." Crixus said.
"I'm well aware." Spartacus acknowledged dryly having seen Agron's temper cool with but a word from Nasir. "Yet I would have the measure of the man. I'll not see Agron return to the beast we took from Batiatus' ludus due to strife caused by another."
"You fear that this Ahmed would turn Nasir's attention from Agron?" Crixus asked.
"Family is a powerful thing." Spartacus said. "We all witnessed Agron's rage when Duro fell. Nasir is perhaps more important to him; but Nasir now gains a brother thought lost to him. If this Ahmed seeks to divide them, I would know of it."
"I fear Thracians to be as slow as those from East of the Rhine if you think anything or anyone could turn Nasir from Agron. The wild little dog will bare fangs and mangle any who sought to do so." Crixus said.
"Do you speak of Agron and Nasir or your own heart?" Spartacus teased. "I have seen the spitting wildcat she becomes at times."
"Still fucking tongue." Crixus snorted. "In this Agron and I are equally blessed. Our hearts now hold skill to rival many who trained in the Ludus."
"I would lay odds on them upon the sands of the arena." Spartacus chuckled. "Both Naevia and Nasir have proven themselves to be assets to our cause. I would have them both continue to be so. Take to bed Crixus, dawn will soon be upon us."