Rome, Slave market

Astrid and Tiberius were walking through the thick crowd of people in the slave market of Rome. There were slaves from every part of the Roman empire. There were slaves from Gaul, Germania, Britton, Hispania all these were good gladiator material.

The slaves from Greece were alvays wanted as teachers, but there were few good builders among them. One stand in fact had a large group of rich roman nobles awaiting for the auction begin. Astrid and Tiberius were among them.

" What are they selling here?" Astrid asked.

" I don't know but considering that most of the nobles here are know to own gladiators, so there must be something valuable."

" You romans and your gladiators. Killing for shown no respect in that:" Astrid said with a scowl.

Tiberius was about to answer but did not get the change as the auction started.

A very handsome man probably in his thirties walked to the stage.

" Welcome my fellow romans to see what I have to offer. Today we have three unique pieces of young meat for you to have to grow to a fierce gladiator. First one!"

A boy probably in the age of fourteen stepped to stage his hands I chains. He was quite muscular for his age.
" This young lad is from the northen parts of Greece, from area known as Thrace. A fiersome lad when I found him from the slave ships he killed a hunting dog because it annoyed him. The thing was he killed it with bare hands."

The boy seemed to smile as his feat of strenght was mentioned.

" So how much for this born killer."

Eventually the boy was sold for fifteen denars to some fat roman noble.

" The second specimen I have to offer is a son off a roman general who died far in the north. His farthers name was Nox Summanus. Gentleman may I present to you his only son Darius Summanus."

That caught both Astrid and Tiberius. The boy was dragged to the stage he was probably in the age of nine or ten. He was a spitting image of Hiccup. He had inherited both his hair as his eyes. He was shouting at the top of his lungs to the auctioneer.

" YOU SON OF A W**** I WILL KILL AND THEN I S*** DOWN TO YOUR THROAT AND THROWN YOU TO THE RATS YOU LYING SON OF A B*****".

Astrid had to admit the boy had guts. Darius kept shouting until a guard gagged him.

" So how much for this young boy."

Tiberius was first to step up and shout a prize.

" six denars "

" six denars by the man in the front row."

Darius saw Tiberius and was reaching for him but the chains stopped him.

" 7 denars " Said a man behind Tiberius.

" 8 denars " Tiberius said.

" You won't get him Tiberius." Man behind him said.

Tiberius turned around and saw the smiling face of no one else but Flavius flanked by his two bodyguards.

" And by the way you are supposed to be dead but I can arrange that" He said and his bodyguards drew their swords. But before they could make a move a shout was heard behind them as Astrid lunged her axe to the back of one of his bodyguards. Before the other one had a time to react Astrid drew a knife and with it stabbed the bodyguard in the eye. Meanwhile Tiberius kicked Flavius to the groin and climbed on stage. He knocked the auctioneer of stage and punched the guard to the face and threw him after the auctioneer. He grabbed Darius from the the chains and started running. Astrid went after them. And so did three of the slave market's guards. They kept running through the streets dodging many chariots and market vendors as they ran. They ran until the reached the Colosseum. From there they started head to small alley , but a shout stopped them.

" Tiberius come here quick before they see you."

Tiberius did not thought and just ran to the small tunnel leading under the arena. Three guards followed them. They reached a small room where a man sat sharpening a sword.

" Damocless we got trouble. Some of the slave market's guards are following them in here."

A Damocless did not ansrew he just picked up a sword form the and running to the tunnel. Sounds of fight were heard and soon there were deadly quiet. Soon Damocless re-entered the room. Astrid was first to thank him." Thank you."

He did not answer he just sat to the ground and started to clean his blade.

" Well does my eyes deceive or is it the Tiberius himself." The man said.

Tiberius was dumbfounded

" Renius is it you?"

" Yes long time no see old friend."

" I thought that you returned to the farm. What are you doing here?"

" Well I did return but some complications came along the way."

" Tiberius who is this?" Astrid asked?

" This is Renius and ex-officer of the Dragon legion. Renius this is Astrid one of the general old friends."

" Nice to meet you my lady."

" Likewise" Astrid said

" So whose this kid?" Renius asked.

" He's Darius Summanus. We found him in the slave market ready to be sold. I was willing to buy him ยจ, but Flavius came intercepted. So we took him and ran."

" Well you are lucky that I found you. During the years Nero has gathered power, but he still uses Flavius to do his dirty work."

" And who is this man here" Astrid said pointing Damocless.

" He is Damocless the best gladiator this arena has seen for a while. He doesn't talk much so don't bother him."

" Are you sure that he is not mute?" Tiberius asked

" I can talk I that is what you wish to know." Damocless said while sharpening his sword.

" But what I want to know the story of this young lad here." He said while pointing to Darius who was still chained.

"Fine, but only if you will open my chains first." He said.

Damocless took his sword and slashed through the chains like butter.

"Done. Now talk kid."

" It all started couple of years ago when a group of soldier came to your house and demanded to see my mother and I. They took us and we got separated. Eventually I found myself to be in Capua in a Gladiator school. I stayed there few years until they send me to Rome to be sold. Then you guys found me." He finished. During the story he had tears in his eyes.

" Don't worry lad we are here find your mother take you to safety."

" Really?" Darius asked hopefully

" Really!" Tiberius said.

" Last time I heard about her she was in Nero's house."

" Then we know where to look.

Hi! Sorry it took so long, but did not found the motivation to write. But Remember keep reviewing and the chapters come faster.

Terminoitu