She felt her stomach ache for food as she stepped into the sunlight and saw the gladiators eating their afternoon meal.

"Ariana!"

She looked towards the sound of her name as her eyes fell onto Pietros.

He motioned for her to come towards the table where he was sitting beside Barca.

"I save some bread for you."

He reached across the table with his small hands and extended the piece of bread out towards her.

"You're too kind, Pietros. I appreciate your generosity."

"You take care of all of us. You're often not thanked for it."

"I do what I must."

She couldn't help but notice that both Spartacus and Varro were sitting alone together, far removed from everyone else.

"You should stay away from the Thracian, Ariana."

"And why is that, Crixus?"

"Because he will die tonight."

"Not all die in the test."

Barca laughed, "not all have to defeat the champion of Capua to do so."

She looked up and into Crixus' eyes. "You are fighting Spartacus?"

"Yes. And I will no doubt defeat him."

It took everything in her not to respond to his remark, but she steadied herself and held her tongue.

She turned her eyes to Pietros. "Thank you again for your kindness."

As she moved to return to her post she noticed Ashur motioning for water.

She quickly filled a small cup before approaching him.

"Forgive me for saying that you look well this day."

She ignored his comment and handed him the cup.

As their fingers connected he firmed his grasp.

"The sun is hot. I find myself praying for rain."

"One does notice the longevity of this drought."

He reached his other hand out and lightly slid his hand on her exposed thigh, "the way your dress forms you- it causes my temperature to rise, Ariana."

"Perhaps you are confusing such with the heat."

"More water!"

She looked up and saw that Spartacus was providing her a way out of her conversation with Ashur. With much appreciation she nodded and slipped out of his grasp, gathering drink for both Varro and Spartacus.

"I am appreciative of your pity."

Varro smiled at her, "it is no matter."

She thought for a short moment before bending down towards them, "I have something for you." She handed them the bread that Pietros had saved for her, deciding that her hunger was less important than them surviving the final test.

"You give us bread?"

"You were not given much food and you need to gather your strength. I must admit that I am a bit worried for tonight."

Spartacus looked at her, "you should not be. Varro and I will pass the test."

She pushed the thoughts of Crixus to the back of her mind as Varro leaned in, "and become gladiators."

"Your positivity warms me."

"We will survive because we have to. I made a promise to my wife."

She touched Varro's knee, "you have a wife?"

"Her name's Aurelia. I have shamed her and have debts that need payment. Two years here and my winnings in the arena will be enough to save us."

"So you came here on your own accord?"

"I do what I must."

"It's hard to imagine someone wanting to come to this ludus."

"How did you come to be here?"

"My father himself owed debts to Batiatus and his family. When he could not afford repayment, Batiatus offered a trade."

Spartacus looked down at her, "your father sold you to this place?"

"There was not much choice."

"There is always a choice."

She felt the intensity of Spartacus' voice rush through her as she looked into his eyes and found a deeper meaning in his words.

There was a pause in their conversation as each absorbed what one another had offered. Three people with three very different beginnings in life yet they all end up confined to this one ludus.

"My wife was taken from me. Claudius Glaber and his men found us after we left their army to protect our village. He took me to the arena and ordered my execution for desertion."

"And your wife?"

"He sold her."

She could see the pain in his eyes. She did not know Spartacus well but she felt and understood his pain. How consuming it was.

"You will find her and be reunited once more."

"Ariana, you are summoned."

She felt the grip of a guard on her arm as she was pulled away from Medicus.

A slight push was felt behind her back as she waited for the guard to unlock the gate so she could find her way upstairs.

"You called for me, Dominus?"

"Ariana, yes. I want you to find Spartacus and bring him to me. I would have words."

"Yes, Dominus."

She waited near the gate as the guard brought Spartacus towards her.

"Dominus requires your presence."

No words were shared between the two as she lead him towards Batiatus' chambers.

As she turned to leave Batiatus spoke. "no, Ariana, stay."

"Yes, Dominus."

Batiatus paced for a moment before stopping and turning his body towards Spartacus.

"Why are you here, in this place, under my hospitality? Do you know why?"

Spartacus tensed. "Because I trusted in the honour of a Roman."

"You are here because of my grandfather. He built this ludus. He believed that no man was without worth. That even the most vile among us could rise to honour and glory. He instilled these beliefs in my father who in turn, passed them to me. I am a lanista. Like my forefathers, a trainer of gladiators. I see things in men that they themselves have lost. A small spark, an ember. I give it breath, tender, until it ignites the arena.

She struggled to hide her displeasure of the man. He was charismatic. One of many words. Words that on the surface give the impression of kindness but always dissolve into illusions.

She lifted her gaze from the floor and onto the body of Spartacus.

She could not help but quiver at the sight of him. The muscles that surrounded his bones were toned and glistening from the sweat caused by the drought. His sharp features painted beautiful expressions across his face. The small amount of hair that had not yet grown into a beard had only added to his masculinity.

Spartacus is not for you, Ariana.

For the first time she noticed a piece of purple-coloured fabric that was wrapped around Spartacus' right bicep. Batiatus appeared to know it's true purpose.

"Tell me of your wife."

"Claudius Glaber advises that she has been sold to a Syrian."

"Do you know who?"

"No."

"Well then, how do you know she yet lives?"

"How do you know the heart beats beneath your chest?"

She felt her own heart lunge at his response. What she would not give to feel even a small portion of the affection that Spartacus had for his wife. She had longed for some time to feel the warmth of another's love, the feel of their touch once more.

"Most days I don't. I'm just a simple Roman trying to make his way against the whim of the gods, the politicians, the miscreants. So often you can't tell one from the other, but you. You are the most dangerous of animals, beast born of the heart."

Spartacus gave no reply, only looked directly into the eyes of Batiatus.

"You have given displays of temper in this ludus. If you are to be a gladiator you need to respect the ways of the house of Batiatus."

"And if I do not wish for such?"

Batiatus took a small step towards him.

"What would you do to hold your wife again? To feel the warmth of her skin, to taste her lips. Would you kill?

"Whoever stood between us."

"How many men? A hundred? A thousand?"

"I would kill them all."

"Then do it in the arena. Fight for me and honour my forefathers. Prove yourself, climb to the pinnacle, gain your freedom, and that of the woman you've lost."

"I did not lose her. She was taken from me."

The urgency and emotion of Spartacus' statement shook her to the core.

"A man must accept his fate, or be destroyed by it."

"Why would I place my fate in the hands of another Roman?"

"Because of what they hold - you wife's? Pass the final test tonight and honour and servitude. Call me Dominus, and I will help to reunite you. The choice is yours."

She cheered inwardly as Varro jumped off the platform and came towards her.

"Did I not tell you I would become a gladiator?"

She smiled and watched as the next man climbed the small ladder and met the gaze of the beast of Carthage.

The battle was quick. Barca took one swing the sliced open the neck of the man, causing blood to pour from his body. He fell towards the ground as it seamed over the sand.

She took the few steps towards him and found that all signs of life had been removed.

"He is dead."

"And Spartacus will shortly follow."

She felt Crixus as he moved passed her and climbed onto the platform, waiting for his opponent.

Her heart filled with dread at the sight of his large frame, with shield and sword in hand.

Varro touched her back, silently acknowledging her worry.

Batiatus gave the signal to begin the test and she prayed to the gods that she would not see the Thracian fall.

She shook at every hit that connected with his body, almost feeling as if she herself was being struck.

She gasped as Spartacus lost concentration and attempted to reclaim the purple fabric that had fallen from his arm.

"No!"

Crixus stepped on the fabric as Spartacus used his positioning to pull it from beneath his feet, causing him to fall from the platform.

Silence overtook the ludus as the champion fell to the ground.

She clutched her chest as her Dominus proclaimed that Spartacus had passed the final test to become a gladiator.

She leaned against the wall as Medicus branded Varro's arm with a large "B", the symbol of house Batiatus.

He tried his best not to show the pain but it was unmistakable and written on his face.

She grabbed her bowl of water once more as he approached her.

"I expect I shall see you often as I come looking for your aide."

She smiled, "you will find that I see most gladiators often."

She delicately pressed the cold cloth into his arm as he winced.

"My apologies."

"None are needed. You are not the one with the hot iron."

He stepped aside as Spartacus approached and extended his arm.

Her breath picked up as he stopped a foot away from her, waiting for her to respond.

She tried to breathe deeply as she cooled his skin with the water.

"It warms my heart that you both are still here."

Varro's face lit up with pride, "and it warms our heart to have you here in this ludus."

Spartacus gave him a look that she found unreadable. She desperately wanted to know what he was feeling of his remark but thought best not to ask.

"Thank you for your kindness."

"Ariana!"

She was startled by the sound of Medicus' voice.

"Medicus."

"Attend to Crixus. I am in need of rest."

"Yes, Medicus."

She walked towards the bed that Crixus was occupying and rested her hand on his cheek, quietly examining him and his wound that he procured from the fall.

"Is he alright?"

She turned her body back to Spartacus. "He is fine. He has taken worse blows, I assure you."

Varro moved towards her. "So this is the champion of Capua."

She looked towards him, "defeated by a small piece of fabric."

To her surprise she heard the smallest of laughs pass through Spartacus' lips.

"It belonged to my wife. I could not let it fall from my body."

She moved and sat down on an unoccupied bed.

"What was her name?"

"Sura."

"That's a beautiful name."

"Suited to a beautiful woman."

She felt a sting of jealousy run through her. She could see in his eyes that Spartacus would cling to even the smallest of hopes for his wife returning to him safely.

"I am sure she is nothing less than same."

She silently wondered to herself if Spartacus thought her beautiful.

Varro reached over and patted his friend on the shoulder. "Dominus will find her and bring her to you."

"Is he to be trusted, Ariana?"

That was the first time he had called her by name.

"Batiatus is known to be a man of his word. I admit that I have no reason to say otherwise."

He nodded as Doctore entered.

"The two of you need your rest. We train at sunlight."

She watched as the three men left her alone in the room with a sleeping Crixus. She came to the realization that laying on a bed next to this man might be the closest thing she could find to a sexual encounter. She sighed as she removed such thoughts from her mind and leaned against the wall, consumed by the image of the Thracian.

He placed his hands on her hips before she pushed them away.

"You need to sit still so I can bandage you, Gnaeus."

He growled and knocked the fabric out of her hands and onto the floor.

She froze for a short moment before bending down and grabbing it back into her hands.

"Medicus told me to bandage you. Please."

"I do not need to be bandaged. I need aide in other ways."

His Bulgarian accent caused her to tremble.

"You are not privy to other aide from me."

She looked at him as she reached around his back, pulled the fabric around his waist.

"Just sit still."

She screamed as he pushed her down onto the bed and forced himself on top of her.

"Gnaeus!"

He ignored her cries as he brushed her dress down, revealing her breasts.

Her body became rigid with fear as her arms were held down onto the bed.

She found herself suddenly paralyzed under the weight of the gladiator as he collapsed on top of her.

With all of her strength she pushed him off of her and onto the floor and found Spartacus standing at the end of the bed, practice sword in hand, eyes looking down at her chest.

She quickly pulled her dress back up over her shoulders and tried to steady herself as she stood.

"Once again I am grateful for your presence."

"You need protection."

She held her hand up, "this is not a regular occurance."

"But it is an occurance, nonetheless."

"I appreciate your concern, Spartacus."

She noticed a slight change in his expression as she used his given name.

"Would you prefer I not call you that?"

"It is not my name."

"I'm sorry."

"There is no need for that."

She stepped forward, passed the man on the floor and neared Spartacus.

"Gratitude for your help. Please know that I would gladly extend the same for you."

She looked into his eyes and found herself lost in them. What feelings he did not show in his face permeated through them. His life, his love, his loss, everything. What she wouldn't give to place her hands on his face, around his neck, to pull him towards her body. To feel his strength around her as they shared the most intimate of desires.

"Ariana."

"Medicus."

He walked through the entrance of the room, coming towards them. "You may take your leave."

Spartacus motioned towards the door. "I will walk you to your quarters."

She nodded and stepped in front of him, leading him to her room.

She paused and turned around as she walked through the entrance and eyed her bed. She was tired and in desperate need of sleep.

"Thank you."

"You are quite welcome, Ariana."

Their faces were inches apart. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face and the need to feel his arms around her captivated her.

He appeared to notice the tension that had arisen between them and took a step back.

"Goodnight."

He nodded and walked away, out of sight.

"Goodnight."