Promises
Sorso walked up to the Thracian standing by herself outside the barracks, only a day after the games. She leaned against the large wooden pillar, staring off at the male barracks across the sands. Her eyes were focused and did not realize she had company. Avoiding the females, she stayed far away, but she knew she couldn't stay outside here for long.
He rattled the coin inside its purse and she whipped her head round. "Will you accept the coin this time, Xena?" he said with a small smile.
The Thracian scoffed and folded her arms, staring at the male barracks once more. Sorso tucked the purse into his pocket. "What do you do with the coin that I refuse?"
"It's given to Pompey and a portion goes to Julius Caesar," he answered and studied her poker face expression. "Congratulations to you in the arena, despite the circumstances," he said. That was probably the nicest thing that the Syrian trainer had said to her since she arrived.
Xena turned around and cocked her head at the whip master. "I killed one of the gladiatrices. She did not deserve to die. I was playing a deadly game with the Romans. We both were and she lost."
Sorso eyed the lit villa above them and heard Pompey speaking with Caesar inside the atrium. He frowned and she sensed some hostility in his eyes. Was he as unhappy here as everyone else was? She couldn't tell just by sheer judgment of his face. His expressions remained but the same at all times.
His eyes focused back on his gladiatrix and frowned. "Refrain from speaking against Pompey and his cohorts, Xena. It will not end well for you." He turned to make his leave.
She took a look up at the villa and then the male barracks again. Before he left to retire for evening she grabbed his arm and he snarled at the touch. "You are happy here, Sorso?"
"Happiness has nothing to do with my position." He snatched his arm from her grip and she took a step backward, fearing that he'd whip her at any moment, but he didn't. She saw doubt in his eyes. "I serve the Roman Republic. I serve Caesar and Pompey. Nothing more."
She grimaced and lowered her gaze. He then descended down the stairs into his private barracks. Now she was alone and she had to make a choice. Go and face her female gladiatrices or do what she promised Cyane she would do. Just because one of the best fighters was gone didn't mean that she was giving up on her plan. She was going to take this place down and burn every Roman alive.
Before she made her decision to do what she promised, she needed to go to her cell in the barracks to retrieve her insurance. She tread through the quiet barracks and as soon as she walked down the hallway all conversation around her ceased.
Eyes upon her were unsettling. She knew exactly what all of these women were thinking. She killed Cyane, one of the best gladiatrices in this ludi and they despised her for it, but she didn't have a choice. She was ordered to kill her by Caesar and his minions. Cyane wanted to give them a show and what a show the two women gave them. Caesar looked a bit disappointed that his Thracian did not falter, but did as she was told. Except, she didn't kill Cyane. Cyane killed herself with Xena's blade. She forced the blade in her. She wanted to die to please the crowd and the Romans. Or perhaps she was playing the game all along?
Ignoring the harsh glares from the women, Xena finally came to her cell and pulled out a stone from the ground. She reached inside and found the dagger she had hid sometime ago. She stole it from a sleeping guard. What fools these Romans were, but she was not to use this weapon on a Roman. Not yet.
"Whatcha got there, Thracian?" Callisto said and leaned her arms on the iron rod door.
Xena gasped and put the dagger back into its hiding place and covered it with dirt. She rose slowly and turned to the wiry blonde. "Get out of my cell, Callisto."
The lithe gladiatrix snickered under her breath and instead of stepping out of the cell, she walked inside, wandering around. Xena watched her every move carefully. She didn't have time for this. She had somewhere to be. She promised herself and Cyane.
"You must be lonely without Gabrielle to visit you every night, huh?"
"Have you come to bore me with your riddles?" Xena mused and Callisto shot her a glare.
"You can still see her you know," Callisto grinned maliciously and noticed a glimmer in the Thracian's eyes. She is interested, the blonde thought. "A wine cellar is located at the back of these barracks. It's connected to the villa. I'm sure that bitch Julia will have her fetch wine from time to time. You could see Gabrielle then, if you wish," she chortled.
Xena did not know if this woman was lying or not, but she would have to keep that in mind. In one night, Gabrielle was ripped away from her. She was no longer a fighter among the others, but now Julia's bitch hand maiden. She wondered how Gabrielle fared living in the villa. Surely, Julia did this to spite her and knew that Gabrielle had become close to Xena. It was the only reason that she was taken away.
Callisto clicked her tongue against her cheek and smiled at the raven haired gladiatrix. "I should congratulate you on your winnings in the arena, Xena. You finally got rid of the Amazon Steppe bitch. I've been wanting to get rid of her since I arrived."
"I'm sure," Xena answered curtly. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"
"Do you?" the blonde combated and eyed the stone that Xena so poorly covered up. Xena's eyes widened and her heart hammered. "Hiding something, Xena? You can tell me. I won't get you in trouble." She winked.
Xena smirked, "somehow, I find that hard to believe."
"You women always think that I'm out for blood. I was not the one who tried to murder the prefect of Rome," she took a stab at her counterpart, though Xena did not fumble. "I don't like this place any more than you do. If it were up to me, Caesar and his cronies would be dead by my hands." She took a step closer, inches away from the Thracian's face.
Xena lifted her eyebrow and stared into the cold brown eyes beneath her. Even though Callisto was unpredictable and often loved to cause havoc with the men and women, she was good at one thing. Antagonizing others. Perhaps, she could be useful after all, but not yet. Not now. Xena smiled and gently pushed Callisto away from her.
"Caesar's head will be mine one day," the Thracian said and Callisto's smile widened from ear to ear. "Maybe you could help me achieve that goal..."
The wiry blonde clamped her hands together. "So, you do have a plan to overthrow him!" her arms shook with glee and Xena frowned, a bit disturbed by her sunny disposition. "Let me in on it, Xena. I can help you. We can help each other."
Nobody is your friend in here, Gabrielle once told Xena the second day of her arrival. This was still true, but one must make alliances even with people we don't care for. Xena smiled at the elated blonde. "I will let you help with my plan if you one thing for me."
"Anything, Xena. As long as I get to drive my blade into one of them," her brown eyes darkened as the rage engulfed her.
Xena's upper lip curled at the woman's anticipation. She had been waiting for this moment a long time apparently. "You make sure to tell Gabrielle that the plan is in action. Do you think you could do that?"
Callisto wriggled her eyebrows. "Of course, Xena. I can do that. No problem."
"I don't want the Romans to be onto us. If you do this for me, I will let you kill whoever you wish. Understand?"
"Uh huh," she nodded her head vigorously. "Just let me do all the talking. I'll get your little blonde for you but I want something in return from you..."
Xena knew that was too easy. Maybe she couldn't rely on Callisto to do anything at all. "And what might that be?"
"Come to my bed," she said and Xena's eyes grew in shock and her face paled. "I may not have been able to best you in the sands but I can do so in bed."
"Forget it." she turned and looked at the dagger hidden underneath the stone floor.
Callisto grabbed her arm and spun her back round. "Then I won't tell Gabrielle of your little plan, Xena. You come to my cell and I will show you a good time," she winked. "Come on..." she hissed and grazed her fingertips on the Thracian's arm.
Xena's eyes lowered and though she did not say anything, that was enough for Callisto. She touched the raven black hair and wound them around her finger. "I hope your plan is worth it. I'll be waiting for you once I get little Gabrielle's attention." She turned and sauntered out of the cell.
She shivered and felt the need to take another bath. Callisto played the game well. She sure knew how to get inside people's heads. Putting Callisto out of her mind, she knelt down and retrieved the dagger under the stone. With a smile on her face she tucked the dagger in the back of her subligaculum and marched out of her cell.
Ares, inside his private room within the male barracks, oiled his legs and arms. After a successful and yet another victory in the arena, he was quite proud of himself. Although, he figured that Caesar and Pompey grew tired of him because he insisted that he was given several weaker men to fight, while all the focus and attention was on Xena.
Xena. Caesar's little pet and his number one enemy. How could a woman like her bother the prefect of Rome so much? Surely there were more important things to worry about than a dirty Thracian. Though, the champion of Rome understood why the prefect was so obsessive over Xena. She was a wonder. A great fighter in the sands and eyes that could kill. Not to mention, her physique was an eye pleaser.
The door to his private quarters opened and he lifted his eyes. He was not expecting any guests this late at night and if it were a guest, it would most likely be Sorso or one of the Roman guards. A rewarding smile appeared on his lips when he saw his late night guest.
"Xena..." he rose from the bed and wiped his oily hands on a cloth. "You kept your promise."
She smiled and closed the door behind her. "No whores for you tonight, Ares?" she teased.
"You know I only have eyes for you," he stepped closer and Xena eyed his hands. She turned around, concealing the dagger hidden in her subligaculum. Grinning, she grabbed his arm and threw him onto the bed. His eyes widened in surprise and she climbed on top of him.
She leaned down and pinned his arms to the bed. "You have a nice room. All to yourself..." she whispered and he was too stunned to respond. Snickering softly, she ripped of his subligaculum and he inhaled sharply. She felt his hands moving to her hips and she pushed him back down on the bed.
"You wanted me here, you play by my rules. Got that, Spartan?" she hissed and he smirked.
"Of course, Xena..." he said and watched her untie her bandeau from around her breasts and toss it onto the floor. Still, his arms were not pinned, yet he did not reach forward and grab her. Her long hair created a veil of protection around her face and she leaned forward, planting her lips along his bare chest.
The champion's hands grabbed her hip and she frowned as her lips traveled down to his taut abdomen. He was reaching for her subligaculum and she swiftly grabbed his wrist and smiled down at him. "Not yet," she said and his smile widened.
He grabbed her waist and flipped her over onto her back and she gasped. He now had her pinned. This was but a game to him just as much as it was to her. His fingers wriggled their way inside her beige subligaculum and she bit her tongue. Lifting her knee slowly, she allowed him to dig his fingers inside her. Invading her space.
Reaching behind her back, she slipped the dagger out and watched the champion glide his lips down her abdomen and he inched his way closer and closer to get in between her legs. She revealed the dagger and lifted his chin with the tip of the blade.
Ares smirked and is fingers slipped away from her. "What is this, Xena?"
"I told you I have a proposition for you," she said with an eager and malicious grin.
He was beginning to worry that she'd slice his throat and slowly let himself up off her. She sat up and he looked into her steely eyes. "And what...is that proposition?"
"Join me to defeat the Roman Republic. Break out of this ludi so we can be free from Caesar and Pompey," she said with certainty.
He laughed aloud and she pressed the blade deeper into his skin. Panic began to settle in. Ares raised his hand for surrender. "You want to escape this ludi?"
"Not escape. Overthrow. I need your help. You can tell the male gladiators about my plan. Join me..." she whispered and lowered the dagger, seducing him with her sultry soothing deep voice. She wrapped her fingers around the nape of his neck and kissed his lips gingerly. "Join me..."
Eyes rolled in the back of his head as a response to her lips grazing across his hot flesh. She gripped his hair and tugged on it gently. Smiling, he grabbed her long hair at the scalp and jerked her backward. "If I join you...what will I get out of it?"
She gawked at him and furrowed her eyebrows. "Freedom."
"Is that all you desire, Xena? Nothing more?"
"What could be better than freedom?" she smirked and he let go of the handful of her hair. His eyes told a different story. "You don't want to be free, do you? You want to remain a slave to Rome –to Caesar and his dogs?"
He leaned forward and gripped her wrist that held the dagger. Slowly, he pushed her onto her back and pressed his body against hers. "You have a way about you, Xena, that I can't figure out. A woman attempts to kill the most prevalent man in Rome and you will stop at nothing until he is dead. I admire that about you. Born a warrior. Born a fighter..." he hissed and she smirked.
"So..." she exhaled heavily as his hands gripped her hip and his lips glide across her bare breasts. "You will join me then?"
He lifted his chin and smiled at her. Her cheeks flushed and her body ready for him to take her. He pressed his body down on her and cupped her breast. "I will join you. On one condition."
Of course. This was too easy. "What is that?" she asked and his slid his thumb across her nipple. Her body tensed and frowned at his ambitious behavior. He was more than determined.
"Continue to come to my barracks every night and I will join you in your cause."
She swallowed her pride. If this is what it took for her to get what she wants, she could play the game with him too just like she did with Callisto.
"Alright."
The following day, as training resumed with the gladiators and gladiatrices, Callisto walked onto the sands, tightening the bandages around her wrists. She was glad to be on the training grounds after being absent for far too long. Her eyes scanned the sands and she spotted Xena. A devious smile shown on her face, revealed that she was out for Xena.
She did not forget what the Thracian told her last night. Although, she knew that Xena was hiding something. Callisto went back to the cell that belonged to the Thracian and found she was gone. Where did you go last night?
The Amazons were huddled together, talking among themselves. Those women could not be separated from each other, she thought. They were no better than anyone else. Perhaps they were mourning one of their queens. Cyane was gone and slain by Xena. A woman that most if not all the Amazons hated, Callisto gathered. Good, she thought, hate her. Hate her, because she is mine.
A crack of the whip. Callisto turned her head and saw one of the women slashed by Sorso's whip. She snickered and grabbed a wooden sword to commence her training. She waited for the next available gladiatrix to challenge, yet they were busy and the Amazons were too secluded, gossiping no doubt.
She grimaced and lifted her head up the villa balcony. Julia came with her two slaves, Nara and Gabrielle, accompanying her to watch the training. She crookedly smiled upon laying eyes on Gabrielle. She did not forget the deal she made with Xena.
"Sorso!" she yelled out and the Syrian turned at her voice. "I want to spar with Xena."
Just then Xena pushed back one of the males that she trained with when she heard her name. Callisto, she frowned at the sight of her. She did not yet trust her, but the blonde knew too much now.
"You are not up for the challenge, Callisto. Pick another partner," he instructed her and she huffed.
Xena stepped forward. "I will spar with her," she said and Sorso eyed her curiously. "She could use the practice. Right, Callisto?" she sneered. Sorso wagged his head and allowed the two women to fight one another.
Callisto grinned and spread her legs in the sand and began circling her opponent. Xena lowered her stance and she too, began the vulture circle. The two were locked in each other's eyes. The wiry one thrust forward with a loud high pitched scream. She swung her sword down upon Xena and it was easily blocked.
Their wooden practice swords clashed together and they continued to circle. Digging their sandals into the sand. Xena smiled as did Callisto. "You remember what we talked about last night, Callisto?"
"Of course, my dear. I remember perfectly." She grunted and pushed the Thracian back. "I came back to your cell and you were gone. Where did you go, huh?"
"To fulfill a business transaction," she said steadily. She caught Ares coming out of his barracks and shot her a look.
Callisto turned to the champion and saw the look in his eyes. Look of desire, she mused. She chuckled and turned back to her foe. "Oh, Xena, you naughty girl. You are more motivated than I thought. You spread your legs for the mighty champion of Rome, warrior of Sparta. I underestimated you. I should have no problem getting you into my bed."
"I wouldn't bet on it, Callisto," Xena snarled and punched the blonde in her jaw. She staggered backward, though the lithe warrior quickly recovered.
She laughed and shook her head. She wagged the sword in front of the Thracian. "No, no, no! You're mine or your precious Gabrielle suffers alone. She will remain Julia's bitch."
Xena looked up at the balcony and saw the sadness in Gabrielle's eyes. Julia sat on the sofa, sipping her morning wine, watching the training among all gladiators. She frowned and turned to Callisto. Raising her sword she narrowed her eyes.
"Enough talk. Fight me," she urged her.
"My pleasure!"
Gabrielle stood holding a pitcher of wine behind Julia. She contemplated on dumping the wine onto the daughter of Caesar so many times, but she couldn't do it. She'd probably get whipped or receive some other severe punishment. The longer she stayed in the presence of Julia, the more she wanted to strangle her.
She was not meant to be a hand maid. That's not why she was brought here. And so few people knew why she came here in the first place, but that'd be a secret and her secret alone. She was supposed to be out there with everyone else. With Xena. She wanted to be in the arena with her people, even though she did not grow to like any of them, especially Callisto. She also couldn't believe that Caesar pit Cyane against Xena. He knew that Cyane would lose but he did it anyway. Xena won and lost that day.
Gabrielle saw the look in Xena's eyes. She didn't want to kill Cyane. She wasn't the one who drove the blade into her. Cyane did that because she knew there was no other way out. Caesar was still displeased by the ending of that game. Xena enraged the prefect, which was the only triumphant thing that occurred that day.
There was one good thing about living in the villa with the Romans. She overheard several conversations with Julia and Pompey. No sign of Caesar and Alti though. The two left the villa the following day after the games. Too bad she couldn't get more information from them but Julia had a big mouth and Gabrielle had to listen to the woman whine for hours.
She did hear that Pompey was sending his troops to Greece to push back Mithridates. Julia was to stay here in this ludi unguarded by her husband. Roman soldiers scouted the entire villa at all hours. Gabrielle knew that she could not simply escape and since she was at the beck and call of Julia, it was nearly impossible to have time to herself.
She did enjoy watching the gladiatrices and gladiators fight. Her eyes followed Xena as she continually knocked down Callisto over and over again. It gave her a lot of satisfaction to see the wiry woman be beaten by Xena –by her someone.
Julia turned and saw Gabrielle gawking at the Thracian. "Gabrielle," she said.
Gabrielle's cheeks flushed and she lowered her gaze to the Roman. "Yes?"
"Bring some water. It is rather hot today," she smirked and fanned her face.
Gabrielle grumbled. "Is the wine not enough?" she tried her best to keep her temper in check.
"The wine is too sweet and does not quench my thirst. Bring the water," she instructed and turned her attention back to the training.
Gabrielle grimaced and set down the pitcher of wine on the floor and tread inside the villa to go fetch some water. She rounded a corner and spotted Caesar talking with Pompey in a private room. She gasped and hid behind a wall, listening to their conversation.
She thought that Caesar had gone back to his palace but apparently not. He was just hiding. She peeked her head out and saw the two smiling. The water was in the next room. If they caught her lurking there might be serious consequences for her.
"I've sent the troops to Athens in hopes to get rid of Mithridates and his rebellion against us," Pompey said.
Julius Caesar nodded. "Very good, my friend. He certainly did enjoy the games. I trust that he will be back to see more."
Pompey frowned and tapped his boot on the marble floor. "Caesar, we are not supposed to pit our own fighters against each other. Your lust for Xena has gone far enough. It is obvious that she cannot be beaten."
"My lust?" Caesar laughed. "Pompey, I want nothing more than to see the Thracian dead but her time has not come. I must break her spirit. My daughter employing Gabrielle was strike one. Killing Cyane was strike two. I need something else that will send her over the edge."
Gabrielle raised her eyebrow and saw the confusion on Pompey's face. He was just as confused as she was. Caesar was going to stop at nothing until he saw Xena dead. He'd probably eat her heart if he desired so.
"She is like a lion," Pompey said and Gabrielle smiled warmly at that. At least someone saw Xena for who she was.
The prefect smirked at his friend. "She is like a cat, isn't she? A cat with claws." He tapped his chin and stared out the window in deep thought. "We will have a party, Pompey."
"A party?"
"Yes. A bacchanalia. For our champions. Xena and Ares are our best fighters."
The general snickered. "Caesar, if you are thinking of allowing those two to fight again as a show then you will be disappointed. Xena nearly killed him though I am sure he was going easy on her."
"Oh, I'm not going to make them fight, my friend. It is clear that she despises our champion. Why not give the people of Rome a real show? A more hands on show, if you know what I mean."
"What are you implying, Caesar?" Pompey asked with a contorted look of confusion.
"Sex, Pompey. Sex. It will send her over the edge. Performed in front of all my loyal subjects. A fine idea isn't it?" Caesar grinned. He slapped his friend on the shoulder and nodded. "I will take my leave. Make sure you organize the bacchanalia accordingly."
Gabrielle gasped and slid against the wall, breathing heavily. She saw Caesar pass by her. Her heart raced as the thought of Ares and Xena in the center of the atrium. In front of everyone. Caesar tried to make it seem like a show. Perform. She scoffed at the idea. It was a horrible idea and he was going to humiliate Xena.
"Gabrielle!" Julia called.
She rushed into the next room and grabbed a pitcher of water and ran out to the balcony as quickly as possible. Nara looked to her with concern and handed her a cup. Julia turned and saw sweat dripping down her slave's face.
"Something the matter?"
Gabrielle smiled and handed her the cup filled with water. "No, not at all."
"What took you so long?"
"I had trouble finding a fresh pitcher of water," she lied. The Roman woman eyed her suspiciously. Gabrielle was not convinced that her lie was believable but Julia said nothing more and sipped the water. She gazed out to the sands and Gabrielle breathed a sigh of relief.
She watched Xena sparring with a male gladiator. She guessed that Callisto was not much of a challenge for her. An uneasy feeling overcame her and her stomach turned to knots. As long as she was trapped in this villa, there was no way she could warn Xena of what was to come.