Lyrics: 'Overjoyed' by Bastille

Chapter Four: Gannicus

Oh I feel overjoyed

When you listen to my words

I see them sinking in

Oh I see them crawling underneath your skin

We continued down along the way Melita had gestured, careful to tread lightly. Cassia griped my hand as I pulled her along, urgency pushing us forward. We came to steps that led down, and we followed them. An iron gate blocked off entrance any further than the wine racks beside the stairs. Two guards stood there, and when they placed eyes on me, they straightened.

These were the barracks then. This was where the gladiators resided. The stench of sweat and other foul odors clung in the air, making it difficult to breathe easily. I wondered how they could live in there. But I guessed they had little choice; you had to either embrace your fate, or watch as it destroyed you. Those were the options afforded to everyone, not just slaves. There was only one other choice; change your fate. But not many took it. Not many could.

"Take me to the champion, Gannicus," I commanded the guards standing at the bars that separated the gladiator slaves from the rest of the household. My voice was firm; when in doubt, always appear as though you were doing what you meant – it was a lesson Cassia's mother had taught from a young age. If you look to be in control, others will assume you are.

The guards looked uncertainly at each other. They did not know whether to or not, and in that moment, I realized my mistake. I do not go to the gladiator. I have the gladiator brought to me. My presence only aroused suspicion; why would a noble woman go to see a gladiator? I tried to hide my wince.

"Take me to Gannicus," I commanded again, a little more forcefully. "Or do you want me to inform your Dominus that you refused cousin?"

Quickly, a guard unlocked the gate for me.

I turned to Cassia, "Wait for me here."

"Liana?" she asked, confused and unsure herself. Her brow creased in a frown.

"Wait here," I said softly. "I fear it will not help our cause if you are present." I feared what Gannicus would ask of her in return for not killing her brother. The same he would not presume to ask of a Roman woman of high standing.

"Liana," she said, taking a step closer to me and lowering her voice, putting her head near my ear so the guards would not hear her words. "You want me to leave alone with unkempt, brutish slave? What other thoughts would set tongues wagging more?"

"Then we should hope the Gods keep this secret," I whispered back, before turning to the guard for him to lead the way. I watched the floor as I followed behind the guard, the ends of my dress trailing on the dirty ground, before lifting my head up high. The guard led me outside, into a square where the gladiators must train during the day. Along the far wall, were cells, this time made of brick rather than iron bars.

The guard led me to the cell closest to the cliff and for a second, I looked over the edge. Wind rushed up to meet me, pushing my hair back off my shoulders, the ends of my dress fluttering, and it pushed me back a step, my heart in my throat. It was a long fall down, and naught but rocks and dirt to catch.

"Gannicus!" the guard rapped on the door to the cell, unlocking it.

"What?" an irritated voice called within. The guard opened and stepped in. I heard the chink of metal as he was chained, before the guard reemerged and gave me room to walk past.

"Wait down there for me," I pointed a ways down, and the guard did as I asked.

The room was empty and bare. A thin, hard looking bed, a flimsy shelf stuck on the wall, and a candle burning above, held by a black candle holder.

The gladiator was sitting on the hard cot bed, his elbows resting on his thighs, but when he saw me, he stood up, a wide grin lighting his face and he leant against the wall, crossing his arms. "I've seen you before," he said confidently, charmingly.

The dancing flame from the candle threw shadows around the room, but what little light it provided caught on his bare, sweaty skin. The smooth looking expanse appeared shiny under the flame, all hair shaved clean off his body. His head tilted to the side and his lips formed a lopsided smile.

"I know."

"Come to see the Great Gannicus in person?" he heckled, and I wondered if he really thought so highly of himself, or if he just wanted to test me. I wagered a guess at the latter, for his voice carried an undercurrent of something not akin to smugness or confidence.

I knew then that this was a mistake.

"You should be so blessed by the Gods," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. He let out a hearty chuckle, his voice almost echoing. "They say you are unbeatable," I said, getting to the point of my visit. I did not have a long time to spend staving off irritation at his bold behavior.

"Is that all they say?" he grinned. Was he ever not grinning? He just leant against the wall with a smug smile, looking for all the world like I was amusing him. His obvious defiance was insulting. But I was not one to punish such insolence; the Gods knew I'd never come across it to know what to do about it. And I think he knew that, was exploiting it.

Was I that weak? Was it that readable on my face, that a slave could guess at my nature and know of my sensibilities? Lucretia would easily reward his insolence with punishment. Gaia would possibly flirt back. Iovita would entreat Decimus to punish him. And I?

I thought on it, on what I would or could do, what my conscience and nature would allow me. Nothing. I would do nothing. Perhaps that in itself was actually strength, rather than weakness, to show this gladiator that his words would not affect me, would not spur me to action against him in such harsh ways.

I ignored his question. I was not here to feed his ego. "In a few weeks you will face a gladiator, Visius. Do not kill him."

Gannicus tilted his head to the side, considering me, "Why?" The request was surely odd, coming from me, but it would be better from my lips than Cassia's.

"It is not of your concern," I snapped, growing irritated at myself and the way I had to force my eyes not to stray from his face to the expanse of skin below. Years spent wielding a sword in deadly manner showed in the defined contours of his torso. Cassia had certainly struck true with her teasing; my eyes did find his form appealing. How could they not? He stood there, as if carved in Apollo's likeness; kissed by the sun and its ray's. Not only Apollo, but Venus also blessed him. And his eyes seemed to have been forged in Vulcan's fires, so hot they burned. And he knew it.

And that was what irritated me; that I could find him both attractive and infuriating at the same time. It meant my body could betray me at any moment, and give way to weakness, even when my head shouted to leave.

"Why?" he asked again and I frowned.

"It is not for you to question," I snapped exasperatedly, before sighing. I could understand his curiosity, though. "But…Visius is my body slave's brother. I would not see him killed."

His body froze, muscles tensing as he looked at me. It was a different look to before. His smile slipped from his face and frowned at me, confused, "You come to barter the life of your slave's brother?"

His tone was incredulous. I didn't reply. I didn't need to; he'd heard me so he knew the answer. And in his incredulousness and disbelief, I realized how improper and foolish it was off me to be trying to save the life of a slave. A slave that wasn't even mine. And yet, I did not find myself weighed down by it. I did not find myself ashamed, or spurred to different purpose. I did not find any change in my resolve.

"And if ordered to kill him?" Gannicus asked.

"If the Gods would have it so, then so it shall be," I said by way of answer. It was not what I wanted, but if the crowds called for Visius' blood, there was very little I could do. The gladiator games kept the people happy; kept them from revolting against the patricians, the original aristocratic families of Rome. The masses far outnumbered them, and if they turned their thoughts to rebellion, nothing could stop them. If you kept them happy, you kept the peace. Providing entertainment kept the peace. So none would be willing to go against the crowds. "The Gods have plan for us all."

"You put much faith in the Gods," he said.

"And you do not?" I replied, surprised.

"Fuck the Gods; they have no hand in any of this," he gestured around. "It is not the God's who made me what I am."

"Stop!" I near-shouted, eyes wide. I had met many a man who believed less in the God's hands in our world, but always there was a sliver of fear to strike thoughts of blasphemy from their minds. "Stop insulting them; they do not take kindly to it. Your hubris will be your downfall," I said surely. Hubris always came before the fall, and he would certainly fall.

"You do not think the Gods have better things to do then watch us eat and shit and fuck?" He laughed.

I turned to leave, sure our business was done, but his voice made me turn back to him again. It was deep, rough and low. Pleasing to the ears. It ran over my skin, thick and sticking like honey, like it had any tangibility to coat me in the way it did. "What would I receive in return for such an inconvenience?"

I spun around, outrage burning in my eyes. "It would be inconvenient to spare man's life?" I hissed waspishly, agitated and on edge. This close, I could practically feel the rippling waves of raw power coming from him. Years spent honing his skills had left him incredibly imposing and intimidating, battle-hardened and unflinching.

One conversation with him, and I went from irritation to defensiveness to anger all in a short time.

"Supremely," Gannicus nodded, that grin widened. I glared at it, despising the way it lit up his whole face.

My jaw clenched, "Gratitude from a woman related to your Dominus," I offered, withholding a scream.

"Mere gratitude is not enough to sate," he said, then, slowly and obviously he looked me over, before his eyes jerked back to mine to gauge my response. Why did he taunt me in this way?

"…Drop your robes," he said slowly, grinning charmingly, his eyes trailing down my bodice again. He did not do it in a lecherous way, but in a taunting way, as if he were joking with me, but his eyes said he was serious.

That command right there was enough to have him punished severely, whipped within an inch of his life. And he said it so comfortably, absolutely sure he would not be punished. My jaw clenched, fingers forming fists.

"You forget yourself," I hissed in outrage, barely containing myself enough to give voice to my anger. The implications of his words heated my blood, not just in anger. How dare he suggest I would hand my body to him in return for a small service such as not taking a man's life. How dare he even suggest it. And how dare my body respond enthusiastically to that suggestion.

And that anger and irritation and shame forced me forward, sending my hand flying and slapping his cheek. He turned his head back around to face me, the same smile on his face, though his lips were pressed together like he was holding in a laugh. I was breathing hard, too close to him, and he wanted to laugh! Laugh, like I hadn't slapped him, like it hadn't hurt. Maybe it didn't. It made me want to slap him again, and I raised my hand. He caught it just before it made contact with his face, his eyes never leaving mine. His fingers wrapped around my small wrist, but he didn't squeeze hard. He wasn't hurting me.

It was enough to have him thrown to the Mines.

His hand jerked me forward, bringing me way too close, barely an inch between our bodies. "You have fire in your chest," he said lowly, a whisper. His breath fanned across my face, warm. I was surprised at myself and my actions. How suddenly the desire to slap him had overcome me. How I had acted instinctually before my mind processed that want and stilled my hand.

I ripped my hand from his grasp and took a step back. Then another. He…confused me.

But perhaps it was just the heat of the day, and exhaustion from it.

"It would be wise to avoid stoking that fire," I whispered dangerously back, adding venom and force. Like I could be threatening and dangerous. Like I was someone not to mess with. I did not know how to handle Gannicus. The slaves in my brother's household were not like him at all. They did as they were bid, by the commands of their master. They rarely spoke, unless spoken to. They did not enflame me the way Gannicus did. They did not make me wild enough to forget myself. And if put upon like that again, I was not sure how I would react. It would be better if he just stopped whatever it was he was doing to make me act so strangely.

He shrugged, his chains clinking. "I was under the impression you wanted to save man's life," he said simply.

Indignation rose in my throat, "Of course! But…you can not speak in such way," I implored. He was the most daring man I'd met of his station. He was more daring than men above his station. He spoke with me freely and gave voice to words as if we knew each other, as if he were a lover and we were playing.

"And yet I do. We are finished here."

"You can't dismiss me!" I felt petulant in comparison to him; he was calm, in control and I was worked into a huff of annoyance and surprise. I felt like an indignant child refused a sweet by their mother. I felt ridiculous.

The superiority act every man and woman of high status displayed, was just that for me. An act. For others, it was ingrained in their souls, how beneath them a slave was; they truly believed themselves better than them, because they had money, power, prestige. I had tried to find that loathing. But loathing was not a feeling easily summoned within me. And I just found nothing.

But standing there with Gannicus, all I could conjure up was that he was just a person. A man. A human. Was I really all that better than him? And if so, what made me better? What was to stop someone enslaving me? Money? Prestige? My birth into a family that had them? Fortuna granted me such a family. And denied Gannicus one. Was that all there was though; luck and fortune. Was I just lucky enough to be born into my family? Did men of power only get to where they were through the good graces of Fortuna? Was that enough to make one better than the other?

I just didn't understand. Perhaps my confusion was the result of growing up without my mother.

I didn't feel disgust or contempt towards them. I wondered if there were others to feel as I did, but I did not dare voice such thoughts to Lucretia or Gaia or Iovita.

Gannicus made me question too much. He confused me.

"Oh?" he quizzed.

"No! I will not degrade, not for anyone, especially not for a slave."

"But I bet you want to."

My anger turned to surprise in a flash when his voice took on a deeper tone, huskier, seductive. My heart gave pause in chest. He was playing a game with me, one I didn't want to be a part of. One I could never win.

"Hold your tongue," I said, and grimaced when my voice came out weaker than I intended. And there it was; my body's betrayal. Perhaps, my body was weaker than my mind; ruled by baser desires, and I lacked the discipline for my mind to completely control my body, the way Gannicus could. How he barely moved save the slight rise and fall of his chest.

He grinned lavishly, his eyes hooded, his voice deep, "There are much more pleasurable things I can do with my tongue than just hold it."

My lips parted and my pulse quickened, a flush working its way onto my skin in reaction to his words, "I…you can not speak to me in that way. How dare you!"

He would not speak in such a way to Lucretia; she would have head parted from body. What made me so different? What did he see, what did everyone see to make them know it?

"I dare," he said lowly, his eyes focused solely on me, heating my skin further. He looked at me like I was the only other person alive; so intensely that the fire they held covered my skin. "Only to see the crimson flush adorn your cheeks when I speak of things that would quicken your breath and make you ache for me."

"Stop!" I gasped, flustered, my heart beating erratically. My face and neck felt warm. "You can't…do not speak to me like that."

His smile widened, "Deep down, under façade of superiority, a thrill of excitement went through at thought of my…touch," he said, in a way that clearly said he meant a different word than 'touch'. "Didn't it?"

I just looked at him, my lips slightly parted, eyes wide. He was teasing me, taunting me. And I was just letting him. I should be the one in control here. I should not be the one half hypnotized by his words as they exited smoothly from his wickedly curved mouth. Now I knew why every woman in Capua wanted him. Never would he speak this way to a noble woman.

And I cursed my inexperience to make me flush and flustered, unused to such sensations coursing through my body, unsure what to say in reply to him, unsure what to even do.

I pulled myself together and scoffed at him, "No." He was the first man to speak to me with such blatant double meaning and it stirred me more than I should let. "You think too highly of yourself if assume such things of every person who comes to see."

"Not everyone. Just the women." His boyish smile reminded me of the time when young boys would push over the girls they liked. When they teased them to get their attention, to make them pay attention to them.

He was so confident, so self-assured, and I narrowed my eyes, "I'm not like other women. I'm not like the women your Dominus sends you, that you take. It would do you well to remember that!"

"If the Gods would have it," he jested at me, for he harbored no strong faith in them the way I did, that much was clear from his words, his mocking tone. He said it to jape me and what I believed, to make mockery of the Gods I held dear. "I would have you for myself," he laughed, but this held the undercurrent of a promise, so diluted by his amusement, it was almost unnoticeable.

"Do not mock me," I warned. I'd had enough of his mocking me, of his teasing and amusement, his testing his boundaries, his boldness and jibes and implications, his innuendos, his smug satisfaction, his vanity and pride, his foolish charm. I'd had enough of it.

He waved his hand at me dismissively, but his eyes jumped to me sideways, again like he was testing my reaction, "I should need more persuasion to leave this Visius alive. Come again tomorrow."

"You should not think yourself so lucky for me to come to you. Need I remind you that you –," He cut me off, and I stared at him in disbelief.

"Are just a slave?" he finished for me and my mouth snapped shut. "I'm aware of the fact, little dove," he emphasized, and I knew he'd heard me speaking with Gaia and Lucretia at the markets.

"Don't call me that."

"But it fits so well," he laughed. "So pure, and innocent and unmarred."

He was making jest of her virtue. And it certainly was not for him to do.

"I could relate what transpired here, I could voice your lack of understanding of your station to Quintus," I threatened. It was the last of my threats. None of them stuck to him. None seemed to make it the distance from my lips to his ears.

"But won't," he said smugly, sure.

"How do you know that?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Because you are here, at night, so Dominus doesn't know of your wanderings and you don't want him to know, because you know Dominus would not want me to jeopardize a win and because this man's life you fight for, is just a slave too, and it is improper for you to barter for it. It is not of your concern," he said, and I admitted to myself he was smarter than I could have realized. He was outmaneuvering me, taking away my power and knocking away my defenses.

I felt vulnerable. I didn't have the power of my status on my side, because he was right; I did not want anyone to know of this meeting. Which gave him the power. And it made me just a silly little girl, trying to play at power games.

This whole time, he had not moved a step from his position leaning against the wall. Now, he took a step closer to me and I flinched like he'd slapped me. It was a ridiculous response to a harmless step forward. He was still three feet from me, he was in chains, and there was a guard with a sword just outside. And just before, we had been far closer than that step brought him; I had been close enough to feel his breath upon my face and feel the heat radiate from his body. Nothing could harm me. But it was a reaction born of constant warnings made by Cassia's mother, of the deeds men could and would do, of the things that could happen to a pretty woman, alone, should she not be careful.

He froze, jaw clenching, and the first spark of seriousness entered his voice since this whole disastrous conversation started. "I would not lay hands, unless you commanded."

Surprisingly, I believed him.

"I will not come again," I told him, ignoring what he said and his obvious thoughts that I would one day command him to lay hands on me. I was of high status. He was of low status. Surely, he realized that, surely he would cast aside foolish notions such as that. Perhaps other dignified women would lay with him. But I had limited interest in such dalliances.

"You will do what you see fit," he said, and I turned around, shaking my head at how stubborn he was being. "Goodnight, little dove," he said lowly and I could hear the smile in his voice.

I sent a scathing glare over my shoulder at him before stepping out and gesturing at the guard, who entered Gannicus' cell, unchained him, before locking the cell door. We walked away and for a second, I looked back. His hands gripped the bars of the small window in the middle of the door, his face pressed against those bars as his eyes trailed over me.

I looked at him incredulously, and his eyes moved up to mine, locking on. Slowly, a smirk lifted his lips. I narrowed my eyes and turned away, walking faster and seething. Damn his charismatic smile that made him seem to burst with life and foolishness. Damn his dark eyes that took me in, saw past my words and warnings, and tested me, running over my body as if he wished I were rid of my robes. Damn his deep, rough voice that ran over my skin and heated my blood.

I never should have gone to see him.

I never should have let my eyes turn back.

Hey guys :D

How's it going?

If you read this, please would you mind letting me know what you thought?

So, here's their first, official meeting. It didn't exactly go the way Liana had planned, huh? But it was fun, for sure.

Thanks so much to those who reviewed!

And, on to the replies;

Camelotprincess1: Thank you so much for reviewing again! I'm so glad you like Liana and Cassia; I really like writing them talking together :D So, you said you couldn't wait for the official interaction between Gannicus and Liana, so I hope this was worth the wait! I really hope you like it! Aw, thank you! Haha, yes, that was fun to write – Lucretia and Gaia are trouble when they get together, and I hope to be able to write more stuff like that including Liana! Wow, thank you – I'm so glad you want me to continue through the entire series! I'll see what I can do, just for you ;P Haha, sorry it took so long to update this then! Aw, you're too sweet – thank you! I'm glad you think the dialogue is close to the real thing, though I think this chapter was a little off! Thank you so much for reviewing every chapter so far! It's so kind of you to take the time to do that!

Polly: Aw, thank you so much! I'm super stoked you think this fic is good! Oh! Okay, well, I will definitely consider continuing this story then, into the other series as well. Yeah, I know what you mean; I love coming across fics that incorporate every season of a show I like, all in one place! So, thanks so much for reviewing again! I really hope you liked this chapter with their first official interaction! I had fun writing it!

Lissil: Haha, thank you! I hope this chapter was worth reading then; I thought their first meeting would be very important, and I hope I didn't muff it up! Haha, yes; Pink got it right there! Haha! :D I've kind of got an idea about what to do about Melita…kind of! It kind of made me sad in the show how Oenemaus loved her so clearly, but she was torn, so I don't know… Aw, thank you so much! I'm glad you think I got the dialogue right! I loved writing the bit where they were talking about Gannicus! Haha, it's so true; attractive eyes indeed. Thank you again! Gosh, youre just full of praises – you'll overinflate my ego, for sure! I'm really pleased you like my portrayal of Gannicus so far – I hope I've managed to keep it consistent in this chapter as well! I reckon – I don't know how he did it blindfolded! Thank you – I always think the fight scenes are my weakest part, so I'm super stoked you think I'm doing okay! Yes, I know what you mean about the marriage thing; I didn't want Liana to be too young for Gannicus so that she wasn't married, but I also didn't want her to be old enough to be married, so it was really difficult, and I had to go with the latter, which makes the marriage thing complicated. I was definitely dangerous for them to be unmarried – if they did not have protection. Women belonged to their fathers until they were married, and then they belonged to their husbands. Luckily for Liana, she has he brother's protection, so it's considerably less dangerous for her. If she was on her own, it would be a completely different situation for her. Thank you so much for raising that point – it's something I have to be conscious of, because of the different time periods! Thank you so much for reviewing! It means a lot to me, and I'm glad you're enjoying this so far as well (I love the bloke and can't get enough of him either!)! I hope you enjoyed this chapter too :D

Amber: Thank you so much for taking the time to review for me! I'm really glad you want me to update, and thus write more! And I hope you're enjoying it so far! Hopefully, you liked this chapter too! :D

Update: Aw, thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying this fic! I'm glad you think they're all in-character (hopefully this chapter is no different) and I'm so glad you enjoy reading it! Thank you! I'm glad you like my writing! And I hope you liked the interaction between Gannicus and Aureliana! Thank you! I'm glad you like the bond between Cassia and Liana too! Thank you so much for taking the time to review!