Part Two: Return from the Hunt
Agron was enjoying his dream. It was the primary reason he was so irritated when he was shaken rudely by someone before the sun had even appeared on the horizon. His arm was resting along Nasir's stomach, his hand gently cradling the scarred flesh of his lover's abdomen. It now flew up to swat away at the rough hands still trying to wake him. He tensed up, ready to do battle if the intruder didn't go away and leave him to his dreams. That's when he recognized the voice of Lugo, one of his fellow Germans newly released from bondage.
"Rise, brother. We have game to hunt before cock's crow. You've been in company of foreign shits too long. Men East of the Rhine don't linger in soft beds and warm arms till sun rises in sky," he whispered roughly in their native tongue.
Agron grumbled a few choice curses under his breath, but rolled away from Nasir and sat up on the side of their bed.
"I'd cut balls from cock for disturbing sleep if your words did not hold truth. Leave me now and I'll hasten to join you at the gate."
Agron could barely see Lugo's face in the darkened room with only a single candle still burning, but he saw the muscular man nod agreement and turn to leave. When the curtain fell over the doorway, Agron turned back to Nasir. He could hear the steady breathing coming from his side of the bed. Even though Nasir was no longer an invalid, he still needed his rest so Agron would not risk waking him. He only allowed himself a brief kiss placed carefully on the top of Nasir's head, breathing in the scent of his thick dark hair.
"I will return, 'little man' and you can show me again what a 'big' man you truly are," he promised, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Within minutes, Agron was dressed and ready to leave. He gathered what items he would need for bringing down game along with a water skin to keep away thirst and left, throwing one last look back at Nasir sleeping peacefully. It still amazed him how just the sight of Nasir, even lying quietly like this, always made him feel a sense of pride and wonder. In this insane world they lived in, he found it to be a miracle to find someone like Nasir to love...someone fiercely loyal and caring...someone so beautiful and strong in spirit. Agron had seen glimpses of Nasir's spirit the very first day they met him. That spirit almost got Spartacus killed, but the young Syrian was still defiant even when his own life was in danger. Despite being upset with the lad over his actions, Agron had to admit he felt a twinge of respect in the way Nasir handled himself, even shooting venomous looks at Crixus after being punched in the face.
Now he could not imagine his life without Nasir as a part of it...the center of it. He would gladly climb onto their bed and gather the young man back into his arms to wait for the dawn's light. And with the morning, he would happily explore Nasir's body some more in order to see what wonderful sounds he could bring out of that delicious mouth. Unfortunately, duty called and Agron knew he'd have to be patient. He reluctantly left the comfort of his bed and his lover's warm body to join the hunting party. Agron walked quietly among the sleeping figures scattered about upon makeshift bedding until he reached the courtyard. There he found nearly all the Germans that had just joined them. They left together, eager for what the new day would bring...grateful that it wasn't being spent in bondage. Only the observant eyes of Lucius saw them as they left.
Some hours had passed before Agron and his companions began their trek back to the temple. It had been a rewarding morning. Not only had they taken down enough game for all to feast on, but they had been fortunate enough to hear the sounds of an approaching wagon on a nearby road not far from the temple itself. It carried Roman wine, probably to stock a nearby villa, and was barely guarded. The Germans attacked and killed the four men travelling with the wagon. They then moved wagon and bodies deep into the woods on the opposite side of the road to keep it from view of anyone passing. Everyone was in a jovial mood, looking forward to a night of celebration, when they were met by Spartacus, Crixus, and Lucius.
One look at Spartacus's face and Agron knew he had angered the man. His smile faded quickly. He did not like displeasing Spartacus, but he wasn't afraid to think for himself either. When Spartacus confronted him about why they had left without him, Agron explained his reasoning. As far as Agron was concerned that was all that was necessary. Sedullus, the tallest of the Germans, was happy to show off their bounty. Then Lugo, another of the German party, proudly displayed their captured wine. The mood changed as Spartacus and Crixus questioned how they came about such a thing in the forest.
Agron became irritated as he defended what they had done. If it had only been Spartacus who questioned his behavior, Agron might have been less offended, but when Crixus criticized him, and the Germans that now joined their ranks, Agron's temper flared. After reminding Crixus of how he felt about the fucking Gauls, he forced himself to calm down enough to apologize to Spartacus for leaving without him. He then hurried away to join his brethren. He had no desire to spend another minute in the company of men who didn't appreciate his efforts, even Spartacus at that moment.
As soon as Agron got back to the temple, he went in search of Nasir. His temper was still in check but he was far from happy. He needed a friendly face to cool his temper and warm his heart and he knew exactly where to go to find it. Sure enough, Nasir was busy checking on supplies and gauging what they were in need of. Nasir's skills in managing a household for his former dominus had proven of great benefit in keeping things organized, especially while he was still recovering and unable to fight as before. The moment Agron entered the room used for storage, he saw what he was looking for. Nasir was bent over a chest half full of weapons. He was counting each one and making note of it. With the new warriors joining their cause, he knew they'd need to find more weapons quickly. That meant more raids on villas or any mercenaries sent out to find them. Nasir turned around when he heard approaching footsteps. His smile at seeing Agron dimmed when he saw the look on Agron's face.
"What troubles you, Agron? Break words so that I may know cause of dark thoughts to cloud mind," Nasir asked, standing up so he could face Agron.
"It is a tale told too often. Spartacus has doubts as to my choice in ship to free of slaves. Crixus too, though it is of little consequence to me. If Spartacus doubts my loyalty..."
Nasir heard the barely concealed pain at that last part.
"Strike such thoughts from mind. Spartacus carries no such doubts. You are brothers. You share common goals. Such a thing is of worth. That does not mean you must share a single mind in all things."
Nasir caressed Agron's cheek.
"You are a free man, able to choose your own path. He respects you even in disagreement...as I do," Nasir added, smiling up at Agron.
Agron grabbed Nasir's hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed the palm and then wrapped his arms around the slender Syrian. He was right. There was never anything so alarming that Nasir couldn't make it better. He wanted to make love to Nasir right then and there, but he knew they had their duties to perform. There would be a great feast this night and he hoped it would help to bring all the different factions among the rebels closer to some form of harmony. If Spartacus could see how eager his Germans were to be a part of their fight, maybe he would be less doubtful of Agron's choice in picking the ship filled with his countrymen. With one final deep kiss, Agron left Nasir to his tasks and hurried off to his own.
By the time the Sun began to set, the feast was prepared and everyone at the temple enjoyed the fresh meat, along with the wine. Agron's mood had improved a great deal. Listening to so many folks speaking his native tongue and acting in the way that his people always had in his village, especially during celebrations, was pleasant and brought back memories of home. Nasir saw a side of Agron he had not seen before. It was clear that Agron had sorely missed being around his kin. They were a boisterous lot, and they made Agron happy. That was enough to bring cheer to Nasir too. He laughed heartily when Agron was challenged to a wrestling match with Sedullus, even though it appeared to be far from an even match. There was plenty of laughter to go around...for as long as it lasted.
Later in the evening the mood changed abruptly and violently. It all started with Sedullus, a man of worth when it came to fighting but of little worth when it came to manners or proper behavior amongst others, especially women he had an eye for. He followed Naevia into the temple when she left to fetch water, and catching her alone, tried to force himself on her. When she used a nearby knife to stab him, he attacked. It was only fate that his actions were spotted by Agron, who immediately tried to stop Sedullus before he could do her any more harm than the slap across her face. Their fight spilled out from the temple into the courtyard, where those watching presumed it was simply more horseplay. No one had witnessed the altercation between Sedullus and Naevia.
Agron was getting the worst of the fight, much to Crixus's delight until he spotted Naevia and her bloody face. Her single spoken word...Sedullus...told Crixus what had happened. Crixus attacked Sedullus, knocking him off a bloodied Agron. Lugo, mistaking the action for an interference by a Gaul with a friendly battle between two Germans, attacked Crixus. In an instant, Gauls were fighting Germans and Germans were fighting Gauls, while others who held minor grievances were joining in the melee. Even Nasir, who had just returned to the area and saw what was happening, joined in. Spartacus came out of the temple and did his best to stop the fighting. When Agron saw Sedullus reaching for a sword, he jumped on his back to stop him but was knocked to the ground again. Spartacus heard his name called by Mira and turned just in time to see Sedullus raising the sword to strike a death blow at Agron.
The fight now was between Sedullus and Spartacus. It was brief. The giant man did not have the skills of a gladiator, especially a champion of the arena. Within seconds Sedullus lay dead on the ground, his face obliterated by the deadly blade of Spartacus. All fighting ended in that instant. Stunned faces looked to the dead body of the German and then to the angry face of Spartacus. He called out to the assembled rebels, fury in his voice. He challenged them to choose, either to stand together as one and follow his commands, leave them and find their own path, or join Sedullus in death. A hush fell among the people.
Agron was the first to speak up. "I follow Spartacus! I call no man my kin that does not stand so!"
A few tense moments passed. Then Lugo stepped forward and picked up a fallen sword and shield from the ground. "The man that killed Sedullus is great warrior, and Lugo follow," he declared, striking the shield with the sword.
It was all the others needed to hear. One by one they gave their salute to Spartacus, striking chests as vows of fealty. The fight had been ugly, but it brought about the one thing missing...a unity among all the rebels, old and new, for a common cause. It would stand them in good stead during future battles.
The celebration was over. Nasir joined Agron and they retired to their room. As they left the courtyard, they were stopped by Crixus who spoke only one word to Agron. "Gratitude," he said, through tight lips. As they continued to their room, Agron explained why he was fighting with Sedullus. There was deep regret in his voice as he did so. Nasir knew his man well enough to know that Agron felt responsible for how the night ended. Agron was bloodied by his struggle with Sedullus. Nasir sported a bloody lip. The couple undressed and sat facing each other on the bed. Nasir used the cloth he brought with him from the table, along with a small bowl of water, and carefully wiped away the blood from Agron's face. His hand lingered on Agron's swollen cheek, causing him to wince in pain. Nasir knew his pride was more injured than his body.
"You did what must be done," he told Agron gently. "Spartacus holds no blame attached to you."
"I brought them here."
"Sedullus chose his fate. I am most proud of you. Naevia did not deserve such coarse treatment. And Agron, all others stood by you. Our ranks swell with honorable men and women from East of the Rhine. That is your doing and it is a good thing."
Agron looked into Nasir's eyes and saw the pride he felt in his gaze. He reached out his hand and took the cloth from Nasir. He rinsed it in the water and carefully wiped the blood from under Nasir's nose. He set the bowl and cloth on the floor and pulled Nasir's body close to him. The couple wrapped their arms around each other and clung together. Despite the discomfort from sore jaws and aching cheeks, they kissed each other deeply, lips parting to welcome searching tongues. Agron felt weary, having risen so early in the morning and ending the day with much exertion in trying to stay alive. He yawned as he pulled away from the kiss.
"Let's take to our bed. You are tired," Nasir suggested.
"Apologies. I had thoughts of other activities to end this day," Agron protested.
Nasir kissed him again.
"On the morrow, Agron. When you wake, I will still be here, and always shall be."
And so they retired to their bed. But as with all of the days in the life of the fugitive rebels, there would be more drama to face with the morning sun. Just as there would be more nights shared in each other's arms.
To be continued...