Chapter Ten: A Dangerous Discovery & the Green-Eyed Monster

There was plenty of nervous energy running throughout the city of Sinuessa en Valle. Most everyone was aware that the food supplies for the inhabitants of the city were running low. Now, however, they saw a glimmer of hope that the supply of grain would soon be replenished. That hope came in the form of a band of Cilician pirates, led by a suspicious character named Heracleo. His arrival, along with several of his men, caused alarm at first. Their reputation as untrustworthy brigands preceded them, giving cause for Spartacus and his men to doubt whether the pirates should be allowed to spend any time within the city walls. Spartacus changed his mind when Heracleo explained why he had left his ships off-shore and entered the city in the first place. It appeared that Ennuis, Aedile of the city, was far from an honorable man himself. He had a secret arrangement with Heracleo to provide the use of his seal on ownership papers, making it possible for the pirate to trade stolen goods throughout the Republic without fear of legal problems arising. In return, Heracleo shared his bounty with Ennuis.

Spartacus immediately saw an advantage. He had no problem turning the seal over to Heracleo... for a price. All the pirate had to do was provide his people with food supplies. A deal was struck. Spartacus would pay a sum of coin and turn over the seal to the pirate, in exchange for what the rebels needed. Agron and Crixus did not trust the word of the Cilician at all, but Spartacus was willing to give the man a chance to prove his word was good. The pirates had brought several large casks of wine with them as a peace offering. The pirate suggested that it was time to celebrate their new collaboration. News of the grain stores being restocked was all that was needed to put everyone in a celebratory mood. Only one person did not end up being happy at the arrival of Heracleo. It was Laeta, the Roman wife of Ennuis. She had been locked away in chains in her own house, under the 'protection' of Spartacus. Spartacus felt no guilt for ending her husband's life, but he was empathetic to her loss, having the same thing happen to him with the loss of his own wife. It was obvious that she respected her husband and thought of him as an honorable man. Spartacus was forced to cast disillusionment of her trust in order to find out where her husband kept the seal. As reward for her help, he released her from bondage so that she could be of more help to her fellow Romans, with his promise that a guard would see that no one harmed her when she was in public.

Brion and Justinus had been fortunate during their first couple of weeks as free men within the city. There was only one living person, that they knew of, who was aware of Justinus's real identity. They had learned through Agron that this singular person, Laeta, was being kept prisoner in her own house, which was right across from where they were staying with Agron and Nasir. They were not totally comfortable with her being so close by, but they tried not to think of the danger. Justinus was always cautious whenever he went outside the little house they stayed in. His caution, however, did not protect him the day the pirates arrived.

Justinus made it a habit to tag along with Nasir during their midday-meal breaks. This day was no exception. Meals were often taken in the company of others while working on the same projects, but this was one of those afternoons when the two men returned to their house to eat and share in lively conversation, away from all others. Justinus and Nasir comported themselves like close brothers, as if they were born from the same mother. Although they were as physically different as two men could be, their personalities were almost identical. The more they talked about all the subjects that came to mind, the more they found themselves in agreement. Of course, Nasir was under the impression that Justinus, like himself, had been a Roman slave most of his life. It was to Justinus's credit that he did not think like an arrogant superior, as most Romans would with someone once called slave. His lack of a feeling of supremacy over Nasir made it easy for them to connect as friends. That friendship became endangered, however, this very day.

It had all begun with actions that happened some distance away from the villa estate. It began when Spartacus discovered that he had need of Laeta, former owner of the estate. When Spartacus made a deal with Heracleo, the Cilician pirate, to exchange the Aedile's seal for food supplies, he had to come back to the villa to ask Laeta's help in discovering the seal's whereabouts. When she agreed, albeit reluctantly, he gave her the right to move about the city somewhat freely. Unfortunately for Justinus, she walked out of her house at the exact same time that the two friends were leaving their house to return to their work. Justinus, Nasir, Laeta, and the escort Spartacus assigned to keep watch over her, met at the gate leading to the road down into the central part of the city.

Justinus did not recognize Laeta from the back, as he and Nasir approached the gate. The stola she wore over her tunic was badly stained and disheveled from the day of the raid. She had not been allowed to change into any of her other beautiful garments, most of which had been raided by rebels, as gifts for their women, or the women themselves. Her hair no longer lay prettily on her head, but was in complete disarray. It was only when she turned around, to see who was approaching, that Justinus realized his mistake. He was now face to face, and only yards apart, from the one Roman who had spent enough time with him to know who he truly was. He could see that she recognized him too, by the sudden catching of her breath. Fortunately for Justinus, Laeta was a woman of great intelligence and keen perception. She immediately caught the look on Justinus's face. Without a word spoken, his eyes begged for her silence.

Laeta gave Justinus an almost imperceptible nod of agreement and turned back to the gate. She waited for her guard to open it and then followed him through. Justinus and Nasir followed close behind them. Neither Justinus nor Laeta noticed the quizzical look that flashed briefly across Nasir's face. He was just as perceptive as the two of them, having learned long ago to pay close attention to the gestures of people around him. It was a valuable trait as a slave, and even more so as a rebel on the run. He had caught the discreet, non-verbal message that passed between his friend, Justinus, and the Roman woman. Nasir said nothing for the moment. This was something to be brought up at a better time. That time did not come immediately. Both men were far too busy for the rest of the afternoon. But it would not wait forever. Nasir would not forget that he had questions he wanted answered.

Word had spread quickly among the rebels about the upcoming trade with Heracleo, which would provide much needed supplies for their people. It put everyone into a festive mood. They were even more encouraged when they discovered that the pirates had brought ample gifts of wine along with them. It was the first time since taking control of the city, that there was good reason to relax and celebrate fully. The wine casks were divided up so that parties could be held throughout the city. The most enthusiastic party was held in the grand basilica, located in the city's main forum. What had once been used for handling business and legal transactions was now the scene of drunken pleasures and boisterous horseplay. Agron was delayed in joining the festivities, while he and Spartacus discussed who they would take with them when it was time to meet with the pirates outside the city walls to finalize their deal. Nasir was willing to wait for him, but Agron insisted he join with Justinus and Brion. He promised to join them all as soon as he was free.

The festivities lasted long into the night. All three friends enjoyed many cups of wine. As the hour grew later and the wine continued to flow, half the women and many of the men found their inhibitions loosening up. There were even some members of the party who had also shed their clothing. Brion, who was known to imbibe more than he should when young and a free man, had learned to be cautious of such indulgence after his capture. He still did not feel free to let loose entirely, so he monitored his drinking far more than his companions. Justinus and Nasir were not so inclined, at least not on this night. Both men began showing signs of inebriation. That may be the reason they did not notice what Brion saw clearly. One of the pirates, a very dark lad who was tall, muscular, and rather attractive in a rough sort of way, had been eyeing both of the young men in a way that Brion found annoying. Brion had seen that look in the faces of many different men over the years when they desired him. He was not pleased to recognize that same look on the face of a man staring at Justinus. Brion had never experienced the sensation of jealousy before, but he was definitely discomforted by his feelings towards the stranger. Brion stepped up to Justinus and asked for a word, hoping to convince his lover to leave the gathering a little earlier than their friend, Nasir, who was still waiting on Agron to join them.

Justinus, feeling no pain by now, apologized to Nasir and walked with Brion to a far corner of the room to find out what he wanted. They had barely been able to hear themselves, or each other, in the center of the room. When they stopped, Brion looked back to where Nasir was still standing, and observed the dark stranger leaving his group of friends and moving over to stand next to the Syrian. Brion wasn't surprised by the pirate's bold move. He was probably just waiting for his chance to get either one of the two young friends alone. Brion would have warned Agron to watch out for the stranger, but he was apparently still delayed with rebel business. Brion turned back to Justinus.

"Well, what matters are cause enough to take me away from deserved diversions?" Justinus wanted to know, his voice slightly slurred.

Although he was less than sober, a thought popped into his head. He leaned forward and whispered to Brion.

"We must live today as if it is to be my last. I fear it may be so. I may be exposed at any moment."

Brion felt alarm. He had no idea what Justinus was talking about.

"What makes you speak of such things?" he demanded to know, his voice low and harsh with worry.

"The lady, Laeta, is no longer prisoner. She is free, but under guard. She has seen me in the company of Nasir at her estate. One word from her in Spartacus's ear and I shall join those already on their journey to the afterlife."

Justinus was trying hard to concentrate on what he was saying. His brain was foggy, yet he recognized the apprehension growing in Brion's eyes with every word that came from his mouth. He hadn't meant to tell Brion like this. He had wanted this one night for the two of them to relax and put aside all concerns. He planned on telling him when they woke in the morning, if he was not taken prisoner before then. He was angry at himself for causing Brion such worry. Brion grabbed Justinus by the shoulders and shook him.

"Why did you not inform me of this earlier? How long has this been kept from me? Are you certain she recognized you?"

"I am certain, Brion. Nasir and I shared our midday meal at her estate this very day. As we left, we met Laeta, with her guard at the gate."

"And she said nothing? Perhaps you misjudged her memory."

"She recognized me. We acknowledged our acquaintance without words spoken between us. None was the wiser. Yet she still holds power to expose me at her leisure."

Brion's brain swirled with every possible outcome to what Justinus was telling him. He was angry that his lover had not informed him of something so important right away. Justinus's foolish attempt to keep him from worrying might have cost him his life. For all they knew, Laeta was already exposing Justinus to Spartacus or one of his people. It was a puzzlement that she still lived at all, let alone was free to move about the city, even if it was under guard. Brion had no idea whether she might have struck a deal with the invaders to keep herself alive. He knew that such things happened. All he had to do was look to Craigh, father of his lover, to know that people were capable of such a thing. If that was how she survived, then she might be more than happy to betray Justinus to gain even more favor with the rebels. He said as much to Justinus, who was quickly sobering up.

"Strike such thoughts from mind, Brion. You did not bear witness to her reaction upon seeing me. Possibility of her silence exists. I felt it, but fear to place trust in it, absent words between us."

"You broke no words at all?"

"None," Justinus admitted.

"Then we must find Laeta. Peace will elude us until we know her thoughts."

They never had the chance to discuss their quandary any further. The room was suddenly filled with the sounds of shouts and bodies crashing against tables and chairs. A fight had broken out.

Agron left his meeting with Spartacus in a confused state of mind. On the one hand, he was happy knowing that the rebels would not be starved out by advancing Roman armies, giving them more time to make arrangements for the future. On the other hand, he didn't trust the pirates as wholeheartedly as Spartacus seemed to. As he made his way to the building where he was to meet with Nasir and their friends for a celebration of the deal they struck with Heracleo, he promised himself he would look on the brighter side of it all. He knew Nasir would appreciate it. Too often he reacted negatively towards things, and he knew it bothered Nasir. One of the things he loved most about Nasir was the way he tolerated his bad moods. He was determined he would not spoil the evening for Nasir with talk of his doubts.

Agron entered the building in search of Nasir, or even the couple they had befriended. There were too many bodies scattered throughout, most of them obviously intoxicated beyond a wise limit. He continued to search for the only one he wanted to see, pushing aside at least two women who tried to grab his attention. Finally he spotted the long, dark hair he was searching for when a cluster of revelers parted. He was about to call out Nasir's name when he noticed he wasn't standing alone. He was talking to a man that Agron recognized from the party of pirates who had attended with Heracleo. Nasir's face revealed that he was a bit inebriated himself, a rare thing for his lover. The two men were grinning at each other. Agron felt an odd feeling in his chest. He couldn't recall ever feeling it before. He tried to shake the unpleasant feeling away, but just then he noticed that Nasir was trying to leave and the pirate grabbed his arm, holding him back. Agron's vision blurred, making it impossible for him to focus. An anger, unlike any he had felt before, bubbled to the surface and his thought processes disappeared. All he could do was react.

Later, Agron barely remembered rushing over to Nasir and the pirate, but that is what he did. He angrily told the man to remove his hand from Nasir. The pirate did as he was told and stepped back. It might have ended there, but then the pirate added some kind of insult that pushed Agron, who was already beyond reason with this mysterious anger inside him, to the breaking point. Agron cold-cocked the pirate then and there. This was what had disturbed Justinus and Brion's conversation. The pirate fought back, but nothing could stop Agron's rage. It was massive. He soon had the unlucky flirt down on his knees in front of him and was pummeling the man's face with blow after blow. Only the angry sound of Spartacus's voice stopped Agron. Spartacus walked in and saw what was happening, and although he did not know the cause of it all, he knew the possible repercussions on the deal he'd set up with Heracleo.

Agron's vision cleared just enough for him to finally realize how far he'd gone. He saw disapproval in the way Spartacus looked at him, as well as Nasir. With one last angry punch at the hated pirate's face, Agron dropped him like an unwelcome plague and rushed from the room. Nasir stayed behind to apologize to the pirate. Brion understood Agron's reaction. He had been irritated just as much by the flirting pirate earlier that evening, although he certainly hadn't reacted so strongly. Brion turned to Justinus, telling him to stay with Nasir, while he tried to calm Agron down. His fear was that Agron, who obviously had control issues over his temper, would somehow let his anger spill out over Nasir. Brion liked both men far too much to want to see that happen. He hurried away, following Agron.

Brion found Agron back at the house they shared. It hadn't been hard to realize where he was heading. He knocked several people and a couple of small carts out of his way as he headed home. The sound of a breaking jug told Brion that Agron was in his sleeping chamber. He entered the room to find Agron pacing furiously back and forth in front of a wall, now stained by splattered wine from the jug... its pieces scattered along the wall. It took a few moments for Agron to understand that he was no longer alone. He growled at Brion.

"Calm yourself, friend, I am no judge of your actions. The man overstepped. Earlier, his eyes wandered to my man. Only quick removal from his presence stayed my hand... that and fear of Spartacus's displeasure."

"I fear no man," Agron shot back.

Brion laughed. "Such boastful words, clearly demonstrated."

"I would slay all who lay attempt to wrest Nasir from my arms," Agron declared vehemently.

"Have you spoken of this to the one who holds your heart?"

"He knows my heart."

"As you must know his. No fault lies within the breasts of Nasir or Justinus. That Cilician knows not his place. We will both be watchful of him while he overstays his welcome," Brion promised.

Agron's mind was finally clearing. He was beginning to understand what Brion was telling him. He too had experienced this unfamiliar feeling, which made common sense flee, as a hare pursued by a hound.

"Your words ring true, friend. I fear we suffer a fate many men, and even the gods, have shared."

"Jealousy? I fear it so," Brion agreed.

It was then that the two men heard approaching footsteps. It was Nasir and Justinus, returning home, unsure of what would be waiting for them. Brion hurried over to Justinus. He gave his lover a reassuring look, and turned to Agron.

"We take our leave. May the god, Somnus, and his son, Morpheus bring you peaceful rest this night."

Brion exchanged a knowing look with Agron. The ex-gladiator nodded his understanding, then watched as Brion led Justinus away. As they left Agron and Nasir's room, Brion reminded Justinus that they had their own concerns to discuss. Nasir waited until the couple was out of sight before approaching Agron.

"Spartacus stands displeased with celebration's end," Nasir warned Agron, irritation coloring his voice.

"I was not one to cause offence," Agron insisted, his voice rising again.

"The Cilician overstepped, yet your response was..."

"As it fucking should be! Jupiter himself would find cause to tremble if he laid hand upon you!"

Nasir was surprised. He never doubted Agron cared for him a great deal, but until this moment, he had not realized the depth of Agron's feelings. He smiled, and stepped up to Agron.

"You would battle a god for me?"

Agron repeated what he told Brion only minutes before... that he would slay any who tried to take Nasir away from him.

"Strike Jupiter and the Cilician from mind. I would have them of no concern to the one that holds my heart," Nasir proclaimed, laying his hand gently along Agron's stubbly cheek.

The hazy veil of anger, that had clouded Agron's vision, fell away and all he now saw was Nasir's beautiful face smiling up at him, love radiating from within. Agron pulled Nasir's face to his, and their lips met in a crushing kiss, robbing them of breath. Their passion for one another drowned their senses and they happily surrendered to the tidal-wave of emotions. Their breaths mingled; their sweat mingled; at last their bodies became one too. As Agron filled Nasir with his seed and held Nasir's seed in his hand, they were only aware of the pleasure they lived in each other's arms. They were oblivious to the fears experienced only a short distance away, as another couple wrapped their arms around each other, trying their best not to give in to their anxiety over what the future held for them. They too made love this night, but theirs was different. They made love as if it would be their last time together.

To be continued...