AN: Many thanks to Harrytwifan for betaing with her awesome skills! Del and I do not own Spartacus. That honor belongs to SDK.
Hope you enjoy!
APOV
After waking to cold, empty bed, I stretched and wondered where Nasir had gone. Most likely training. My boy was eager to absorb every lesson available to him. His eagerness reminded me of the day we took Sinuesa en Valle. The walled fortress-like city had made it difficult to gain entry. Spartacus knew that many lives would be lost to gain it. With that upon mind, he ordered all of lesser skill and time with blade to stay within house and wait for a detachment to come for them. Nasir was among those chosen to stay.
My feisty little man had temper flare at such news. I was filled with relief that he would not stand among the first barrage of attack.
Spartacus had defined plan of pretending to be merchants to gain entry. A select few would enter and wait for nightfall. Once inside we made way through streets to find contact of Gannicus. The man stood Roman in name only and would help cause at the right weight of purse. He was called Attius, and was blacksmith for the city.
After walking the entirety of city, scouting vantage points from where to strike, we waited in Attius' quarters until cover of night. When city was near silent with sleep, our group crept toward gate in shadows. Twelve sentries stood at gate, and were easy fodder for our swords.
When all were slain, we raised gate for our brothers to join us in battle. The first screams to pierce night air fueled the fire within us to become victorious. As we made way through city, blood flowed thick and hot around us, painting walls and streets crimson.
My thoughts were of Nasir as I struck through as many Romans who dared get in my path. I was fighting for him as well as our cause, remembering sight of the collar that once bound his neck.
Thought of Nasir turned mind to present. Hearing sounds of city awakening spurred me out of bed. I dressed and hastily went in search of my Syrian. Walking through the house that previously stood occupied by the aedile, sounds of wood meeting wood reached my ears. I was anxious to see my little man. Not only had his body grown strong, muscular and lean, eyes were no longer downcast as a slave's were expected to be. His confidence further drew me to him.
Although we were at war against the Roman shits, this past month had been some of the better days of my life. The only thing that would make it perfect was to have my brother, Duro, fighting alongside us, as he should have been.
Striking such thoughts from mind, my eyes landed on the space that had come to be known as the training square, searching out Nasir's eye-pleasing form among the more boorish looking men. He wasn't hard to miss, which is why I was confused not to see him working diligently as he did every morning. In fact, he was nowhere to be found.
Worry blossomed in my gut, but I shook it off. He must be getting a drink.
After searching at the well and other haunts of his, I felt inclined to seek out someone. Crixus, standing there looking like shit on a log, was the quickest choice.
"Crixus. Have you seen Nasir?"
The Gaul looked at me as if I had lost mind. "Seek Spartacus for the answer you seek. Typical of a stupid fuck East of the Rhine to not keep track of where his cock hole is."
Rage burned through chest at his words.
"Do not speak of Nasir in such a manner!" I shouted, gaining the gaze of some of the others.
"He lives only on borrowed time," Crixus said calmly, ignoring my shout. His indifference inflamed my temper even further.
"What is your fucking meaning?" I demanded.
"Soon enough, your boy will make another wrong choice, as he did when he laid attempt on Spartacus' life," Crixus said, eyes finally meeting mine with sincerity.
"How dare you speak of such a thing? Nasir has grown much since collar was parted from neck." Pointing at Crixus, I continued. "He will be a warrior to match all others, fighting for our cause. You shall see, and regret fucking words."
Crixus favored me with a snort before setting eyes upon training men once again.
I headed into the house, seeking Spartacus. He was, as expected, in the room with the map. It did not escape notice that he was joined by Gannicus, sprawled in chair next to the table.
"Spartacus," I said, gaining both men's attention. "Where is Nasir?"
"He has been sent on a mission with Castus, Barca, Lugo, Auctus, and Varro," our leader replied, eyes once again returning to map.
I was shocked and terrified at the fact Spartacus would not consult me before doing such a thing. Nasir was not ready. Surely, he knew that. And fucking Castus? What had possessed Spartacus to send the Cilician in my stead?
"Towards what purpose? What fucking mission?" I ground out.
"There resides a seal, in the magistrate's villa South of here, which will aid us in trading with the Cilicians should any Roman require to see documentation. It will also gain passage to places previously impassable, should we have need."
Slamming closed fist down on the map he was staring at so intently, I stated, "I give no shit about your need for this fucking seal. You know Nasir is not ready for any mission. Is this some desperate attempt to finally get revenge for his turning weapon against you?"
"You stand in question of my decision? The boy is ready to aid our cause, however much you do not wish it," Spartacus argued.
"I do wish for him to aid us, Spartacus. It would have eased mind to have been consulted and sent on his first mission with him. Nasir is of great importance to me. I will not have him struck down in his eagerness to prove himself warrior."
"Wait a moment," Gannicus said, holding hand up to gain our attention. "The small Syrian boy is the one you speak of?" His eyes held laughter, which served only to fuel my anger.
"Do not open fucking mouth, Gannicus," I warned. "Nasir is of no concern to you!"
"He is part of the Rebellion, yes?" Gannicus asked with raised brow.
"He is."
"Then he is of concern to all of us that stand such."
"Tell me where they have gone, Spartacus," I said, refocusing attention. "I wish to find and join them."
"You are needed here," Spartacus answered.
I could not believe the man. He sends Nasir on a mission he clearly is not ready for, then refuses my wish to join him? Does the man understand nothing? Would he so easily send Mira away, leaving her safety in others' hands? No. He would not.
And Gannicus! What did that stupid fuck think he was doing? He knew nothing but wine and weapon. I would stand surprised if he showed emotion for anything other than sword and cup. Mark of the Brotherhood or not, I would see him suffer for any grievance against my heart.
"Tell me where, Spartacus! I would join them," I growled.
The man held himself in that maddening calm he'd adopted of late. "You...are...needed...here. I will not explain every action taken to you. You either fall to command or take leave from cause. They are due back within the next few hours."
I could tell there would be no more words broken on the subject. "And what of me? Am I to stand with arm up ass?"
"You are to help Crixus at the training square." I was sure I saw smirk upon lips as I rolled my eyes.
"Fuck the gods! You would torture me with the fucking Gaul?"
"I would see you out of trouble," he said, not even trying to hide his smile. The cock-eater knew my dislike of the man.
"With the fucking Gaul? You've lost mind."
Spartacus shook his head, chuckling. "If you would rather, Mira and Naevia could use help with washing."
Fucking cunt. "If you would break more words, Spartacus, break them to my fucking ass."
I left room, their laughter assaulting ears.
Time passed too slowly. Standing with the fucking Gaul served only to keep mood foul. Nerves were set to edge with each hour passed and no sight or sound of Nasir's return. Heat of sun paired with sounds of training caused head to ache. Crixus was of good mind to stay far from me. We remained silent in favor of harsh looks upon occasion.
As sun neared horizon, gates of the house opened to bear a cart, along with the men Spartacus had dispatched. Searching crowd that gathered round cart, heart leapt in chest as I did not see Nasir among them.
Spartacus and Gannicus emerged from house to attend the men newly returned, and to gather information. I made way to the cart, stopping Varro on the way.
"Where is Nasir?" I asked hurriedly.
"Injured," he replied sadly. "By Roman shits we liberated cart from on the way back from villa." Heart threatened to seize within chest at his admission. Would I find Nasir in the clutches of death upon discovery as Spartacus had told of his wife when she was brought to him? If it was so, I would soon follow, for I would not be able to take more loss. Duro was torture enough.
Leaving him, I rushed to back of cart, where Barca held Nasir against his side, aiding in effort to walk. Upon first glance, I saw blood seeping through Nasir's fingers from an obvious wound in his side. Fuck.
With meaningful gaze of gratitude toward Barca, I eased Nasir into my arms to carry him. Pained noise spilled from lips at the movement. As quickly and carefully as I was able, I took Nasir inside the house to see the Medicus. The group that had been on the mission followed, obviously concerned for their new brother.
They were of no concern to me. My eyes stood fixed on Nasir's ashen face as the Medicus ripped away his tunic to properly assess wound. What lay beneath cloth would torment eyes for a long while yet. He had been pierced by sword, and I could only wish the blade had not gone too deeply.
"We need to seal the wound with fire," Spartacus said from beside me. I had not even heard his approach.
With much effort, I trained my gaze upon our leader. He had already unsheathed sword and lain blade upon hearth to heat.
"What do you speak of?" I demanded.
"After battle with Theokoles, Crixus sustained wounds such as this. They were sealed with fire, which aided recovery," Spartacus explained, laying hand upon shoulder. "You have not lost him, brother." His words gave heart and I latched onto them to keep hope alive. Spartacus seemed so sure. He must have believed them, for he would never have given me false hope.
With a nod, I returned eyes to Nasir, whose own were opened but a fraction.
"Nasir..."
"What is going on?" he asked in weak voice.
"We are going to seal wound with fire," Spartacus supplied, to which Nasir gave tired smile.
"I am to be marked as a Gladiator would?" he asked. I was hard pressed to hold my smile at the sight of Nasir, even injured and bloody, yearning to be seen as warrior.
"You have earned your place in the Brotherhood," Spartacus assured him, eyes suspiciously wet, causing my own heart to swell at the words.
Nasir closed eyes in preparation for what was to come. Spartacus took sword from hearth, blade glowing red, while the Medicus placed stick between Nasir's teeth.
"Hold him down," she instructed, and I placed firm hands upon shoulders. My gut tightened as blade drew near wounded flesh.
"Lay eyes only upon me," I instructed Nasir, hoping the contact would ease some of the pain to come.
As Spartacus lay blade to flesh, my eyes fell upon Castus, standing with hand upon Nasir's wrist. My blood boiled upon the sight, yet I was in no position to confront. Nasir's sharp hiss of pain held my attention for the moment.
My little warrior did not allow scream to pass lips as I've seen bigger men and seasoned gladiators do when skin was being branded by heated steel. My chest swelled with pride at his strength and courage.
"It is done," Spartacus said quietly. "Take rest now, Nasir."
Moving away to let the Medicus work, he continued, "Let us convene elsewhere, so I may hear report of mission."
It did not escape eyes that, of all the men leaving the room, Castus followed behind, sparing longing glance upon my Syrian. Laying gentle kiss upon Nasir's brow, I moved to follow the others.
Gathering in Spartacus' rooms, we settled for conversation, including Gannicus and Crixus. Naevia, Mira, Chadara, and a few others were carrying in stores taken from liberated cart for Spartacus to peruse.
"We were unseen until we were on the way back," Auctus began. "Castus, upon information from Heracleo, knew where to locate the seal. Varro, Lugo, and I caused spectacle of a fight upon the street to distract the Dominus. While his attentions lay upon us, Nasir and Castus retrieved what you required."
Fuck the Gods. "And who was sent as leader of this mission?" I asked.
"It was I," Varro admitted, the sheepish look upon face in no way gaining my sympathies.
"What possessed you to send the two smallest men into the villa? More sense would have been made if Gladiator had taken position," I said angrily. With every second passed, my ire was growing, soon to be rage boiling under skin.
"Men with smaller form were better suited to breach gate," Varro argued.
"You open mouth only to have shit fall from it," I spat, letting head fall back against wall in disgust.
"You were not present!" Barca snapped. "You have no knowledge of what you speak!"
"Tell of how Nasir was injured," I said to Varro, uninterested in hearing anything Barca had to offer.
"Pirate's eyes were bigger than sword," Lugo spoke with frown towards Castus.
I should have fucking known the Cilician would have hand in what had happened.
"Speak fucking meaning," I told Lugo harshly.
"We were travelling back here, through trees, when hoofbeats sounded from behind," Varro cut in. "It was a Roman supply cart. While under cover of bush, Castus charged without thought, engaging the cunts. Four of the shits were dead and we thought that was all, until one more came from behind tree and struck Nasir. Lugo struck the soldier down. We then took cart and returned."
Taking hold of a jar brought in from cart, I threw it towards Castus and the others. Fury addled my head at how fucking careless they had been. Glass and dried bits of meat scattered at their feet as they stared. "Was this worth Nasir's life? Was it, you Cilician piece of shit?!" I demanded, voice shaking with the vehemence of my words.
Custus looked taken aback by my accusations and stepped forward to defend himself. I greeted such action as welcome distraction. Nothing would ease troubled heart more than to beat this man into fucking ground. It would help relieve tension running rampant through me over Nasir's condition. Painful wounds cracked open as the memories of Duro as I watched him weak and clinging to life were being resurfaced, and I wished to see them balmed by Cilician blood upon fist.
"Stay hand, brother," Spartacus advised, calm of tone. At that same moment, Crixus drew sword.
"It is not Mira or Naevia who is lying between life and death," I seethed. "If it were, you would be of equal passion. This fucking Cilician comes here, lays eyes upon Nasir, then endangers him on a fucking mission I should have accompanied him on, and I am to retain calm?"
Dismissing my words, Spartacus looked toward Varro and others.
"Despite unfortunate injury, you have done well," he praised them. "Take food and rest."
Unfortunate fucking injury?! Did Spartacus think so little of Nasir? As others left room, I placed firm hand upon leader's arm.
"You once told me every man held worth. Now you dismiss Nasir as a thing to be discarded?"
"No. I do not," he answered. The calm he still exuded set fucking nerve to edge. "Nasir was valuable asset to mission. I am grieved at his injury, yet we all know it can happen, even to the best of men. Now, go to him. I am certain presence of loving soul would see pain lessened."
Again, Spartacus' wisdom pierced chest as sharpest blade. I was fool to believe he would not hold Nasir in such esteem.
"Apologies," I murmured, properly ashamed at angered outburst towards him. He understood my temperament better than most, knowing me as long as he had. I was always quick to anger, but it would burn out swiftly, my words always spoken in haste.
At his nod, I took my leave.
Striding toward the Medicus' chamber, my eyes fell upon Castus, face close to Nasir's as they held conversation. It was far too intimate a pose for mere acquaintances to hold, though they were not touching so. Castus' eyes fell to mine. From the slight smirk upon his lips, he knew I was not happy to see them so close. My own eyes glared in return. It was as if he claimed my place at Nasir's side. I was to be the one to be there when he woke from the blackness. I was the one to be intimately whispering words of comfort, not this shit-eater who put him on the very table he rested on.
The longer my little man took to notice I was in the room, the more my hackle raised. My short wick burned higher as another fit of temper ebbed through me. I feared it would burn completely out.
When a small chuckle from Nasir fell upon my ears, I could no longer stand idle.
"Castus. You dare to act as friend when you are the very reason he was so close to being taken by the Gods this day? Get the fuck out. Now, or be struck down as you deserve." To make threat clear, I placed hand upon sword.
Startled, Nasir turned grim face to me as Castus sat with pleased look upon his own.
"Agron. Though I am pleased at your presence, your attitude is not welcome. I am happy to be yet of this world and would rejoice with company kept."
He paused to take breath.
"I will not be told by you who such company is. Castus has done nothing to warrant such ire. He could not have foreseen the shit who wounded me," Nasir continued, the pain upon face clear. "He was doing as commanded by going on mission, nothing more. I am no longer a slave and will have my choices, which I am now free to make, not have taken away."
As he finished his statement, most of his energy seemed to dissolve and he sank further into the makeshift bed.
The hurt and fatigue in his eyes was more than I could bear. Feeling in the right, and angry for depleting my warrior further, I said the only thing that came to mind.
"Since you give so little care of my heart and concern for your well being, I will take leave. Maybe you can fill your time with Castus instead, since he is now your prefered company."
Without waiting for response, I turned and left.
Thank you for reading. Till next time,
Penny and Del