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Days passed as the group of rebels traveled along the countryside, taking villa after villa and attracting more slaves to their cause, growing in strength and number. Ashia's wound healed but left her scarred from shoulder to hip. She discarded her dress for leather armor that gave freedom to her stomach and legs. Her skill with sword continued to improve, until she was easily besting Rhaskos and Liscus in sparring. Crixus proved as difficult as ever. He spoke her name more often but still spoke more often to Rhaskos, even though she had moved up in rank. Spartacus often turned to her for direction until she was practically leading them. Her pup, named Aello became strong and she taught him to fight and defend.

"Acer, I would have words." She said to him after arriving at the abandoned villa. He followed her out of the gates and into the woods before she stopped and turned to face him. "Once, you spoke to me of desires. What you desired, was me. I care for you, Acer with all of my soul but, my heart lies in pieces. Each one, belonging to someone I have lost. The pieces are fragile, easily broken and painful. I would not give one to you, and feel it slide through fingertips. Apologies."

"No. No apologies. It was I who asked something of you that you could not give." He cupped her face tenderly in his hands. "My heart beats for you."

"I fear mine ceases to do so." She whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek, which he wiped away and kissed her forehead.

"Allow me to make heart whole once more."

She smiled into his warm eyes and leaned forward to kiss him, claiming his lips as her own. It had been so long since another's lips had touched hers. He was rough, though he tried to be gentle, it was not his nature, and it was not the reason she had given him a piece of her heart.

He had been struck by dark thoughts since the last villa. The dominus had mocked him, laughed as he told the gaul that he had laid with Naevia, that Batiatus had passed her to many villas before returning her to his house and slitting her throat before his very eyes. He tore the man to pieces and fed them to the egyptian's dog. Since, he has been a walking shadow. Once he stepped across threshold, a pain like no other conquered his soul and left him wailing in agony for an entire day. Once grief had been released, he'd settled into a corner with a pitcher of wine to drink away his sorrows. It did nothing but leave him with splitting headache. Even so, the pain was far less felt than the one dealt to his heart. It ached and pained him greatly, and so he went in search of the one who could turn his blood to flames, only to find her in the arms of Acer. Crixus listened silently as she spoke to Acer of her fragmented heart. He asked to make it whole again and their lips met in passionate embrace. The man could barely contain himself from barreling into the clearing and ripping off Acer's head. But the kiss did not last long and it was the egyptian who walked away, leaving both men to stare after her longingly.

Ashia returned to her room, choosing to separate herself from the others and began sharpening her sword. It seemed she had barely begun when Rhaskos came to retrieve her for Crixus. He had gathered the gauls in his command in one of the store rooms of the villa. She sat on a crate next to Tychos.

"Men, Ashia." He began. "Spartacus has received word that Glaber's lieutenant has gone to the mines. His purpose is unclear but the thracian wishes to see him ended for his crimes against his wife and roman plans revealed. I will accompany him to see his wife avenged once more. Many of you have already decided to come at my side and for that, gratitude." He turned his smoldering gaze to her. "Ashia, you will go with Agron, to Vesuvius."

"What?!" She demanded, standing up.

"It is not punishment. I have reason to believe that the rhine fuck will seek more of his people to fill our ranks. I would not have it so. He seeks only to increase his own rank. Acer found document. Detailing ships coming to port in Vesuvius. At least one is from Gallia. Agron will not know the purpose behind you accompanying him and will give us advantage."

"I should be at your side!" Ashia said. "Have I not proven myself? My blood may be egyptian but my heart is gaul. Is my worth still that of a slave woman, unable to think beyond the spreading of her thighs?"

"You have. Many times." Acer intervened. "No one can doubt your heart, but this is a task that only you can complete."

"Bullshit!" She stepped up to Crixus. "Why?"

"Because I would trust no other with such a task. And I would see you safe from harm, should certain fates befall us."

"I have told you, I would rather die fighting at the side of my champion than spend my life running. I trained for a reason." Ashia said, trying to discern the purpose behind the man's actions by looking into his eyes. She found nothing but glowing coals. With a sigh she stormed out of the room, shoving past several people and even Mira. She ignored the calling of her name and went into her room. Aello seemed to sense her displeasure and instead of leaping into her arms, he stood looking up at her.

"Ashia."

"Go away Rhaskos." She snapped.

There was the sound of feet shuffling along the stone before Crixus' impressive form filled the room.

"I would have words, spoken from heart." he said. His deep voice sending unwelcome shivers through her. She was too angry to be lustful at the present moment. He sat down on her bed. "You know of Naevia?"

"Very little. She was your lover." Ashia answered.

"With her death, I vowed to never again look upon another in such a way. Your arrival drew forth feeling that I'd hoped to put away forever." He looked at her, making her squirm under his intense gaze. "I need you to complete this task. The men chose you. Hael will accompany you to win the support of the other gauls that you liberate."

"I have no say in the matter?"

"Of course." He stood up. "My heart beats once again because of you." He reached out to gently stroke her hair, while she stood still. "I would not have it ripped out once more at your death."

"I will not die!" She pushed his hand away and glared at him. "I am not helpless as Naevia was! I can and will fight, whether you command it or not." Her words had stung him, she could tell. His eyes turned to a flaming inferno as his soft countenance became hard as stone.

"No, you will not die, because you will be with Agron in Vesuvius." With that, he departed.

She glared at his back and overturned her bed in her anger.

"The bonds of Brotherhood are not so easily broken." She looked up at Spartacus, standing in the doorway. He appeared slightly amused as he smirked and looked at her bed.

"I am not of the brotherhood, as you were. As he was." Ashia said.

"Not that of gladiators, but that of rebels, fugitives, free men and women. You would truly follow the man to your death?"

"Of course. He is my champion."

He smiled and nodded. "He sees, but he fears it. Give him time."

"You leave the next dawn."

"I did not say a lot of time." He grinned as he left.

She returned her bed to its rightful position and laid down for the night, Aello hopping into the space beside her. It was much later before sleep claimed her, and even then she could not completely rest. Her dreams were disturbed by frightening screams and the feeling creeping into her heart that she would not see her beloved gauls again.

"Do not die you fucking Gauls." Ashia said in good bye to her friends. Fortis and

Tychos hugged her and Rhaskos punched her in the forehead, having already had his fill of Chadara. Liscus bowed his head to her and Acer hugged her as well. As he pulled away, she touched his cheek and turned him back to her, planting a kiss upon his lips. "Return to me." She turned to the others. "All of you, return to me. Or I shall have all the pleasure in slaughtering more Romans." This brought forth a chorus of laughter from the assembled Gauls.

Crixus stepped forward. "Fare well in Vesuvius."

"Suck Rhaskos' cock, you stupid shit-eating fuck." She growled as she hoisted her pack onto her back. Crixus smirked as she called to Aello, who came running at the call. She smiled one last time at her friends before setting off after Agron and those who decided to follow him. Besides herself, Hael, Agron and Donar, there were no more well trained warriors to defend the house slaves. They would be traveling through the woods while Spartacus and Crixus took the slaver wagon on the roads. It would take days to reach Vesuvius on foot and their progress would be slowed due to the house slaves' soft feet and the size of their party.

The first day, they covered very little ground. The second was better. The third, they came upon the roads, as well as an unsuspecting roman wagon, transporting goods.

"We should bypass them. Continue on to Vesuvius." Donar said.

"There are 7 fucking guards." Hael countered.

"We do not have numbers to fight!"

"Hael." Ashia commanded, drawing her sword. "To me."

"You can't be fucking serious." Donar exclaimed as she moved to intercept the wagon. Hael and Aello followed at her heels.

Torches in the distance announced the presence of the romans and she crept forward, using the shadows to conceal her until the last possible moment, before leaping forward with a blood curdling war cry. The romans were too shocked to retaliate as she and Hael slaughtered two with ease. She leaped onto the wagon, slitting the throat of the driver and leaping onto the other side, ramming her weapon into the back of another. She rolled to avoid the sword of two romans who moved to face her. She smiled and waved her hand, a signal to Aello as he leaped onto one of the men and tore out his throat before he could fight back. This left only one roman, Hael having slaughtered any others. He raised his weapon but it was quickly knocked out of reach and he was sent sprawling in the dirt by a fierce boot to his chest.

"Please, have mercy." He cried as he realized that he could not win.

"Mercy is for the weak." She said. Aello snarled next to her as she walked slowly toward the fallen man. Both of them dripped with blood. "Tell me, Roman, from what province do you hail?"

"Capua."

"Good." She smirked. "Very good. Take message, to Glaber. Tell him, Spartacus is the least of his worries. A new storm descends upon Rome. The She-wolf howls for his blood. Tell him, his time is running out. Go! Before I carve it into your chest and send him your carcass." The roman quickly scrambled to his feet and ran away. She smiled to herself and went to open the wagon door. There were several crates of food and wine within.

"Good, provisions." Agron said.

"For myself and Hael." Ashia growled. "I did not see you lend fucking sword in aid. Hael, unhitch the horses and fill bags with food and wine. Agron can have the scraps. Claim fallen roman swords and armor. It may prove useful. Make haste!" She grabbed one of the crates, ignoring the glares of the Rhine fucks as she carried it over to the other former slaves. "Fill bellies and packs for the road ahead. You will need it. "She turned to Hael. "Can you ride?"

"Yes." He grunted as he worked.

"Good, you will take largest horse."

"We are not bringing the fucking horses with us!" Agron roared.

"I do not follow your orders." Ashia said as she pulled a piece of meat out of one of the bags to toss to Aello. "I have my own."