Agron was not happy. The last place he wanted to be was fighting his way through dockside crowds in Ahmed's wake. Ahmed had insisted that appearances must be kept up and it would seem strange if wealthy merchants made no efforts to inquire about goods available for trade. Ahmed had also pointed out that it gave Agron perfect opportunity to learn the layout of the docks.
Agron had to admit it was not so much the fact that Ahmed had dragged him to the docks; but the fact that Nasir had been left behind at the home of the lecherous merchant. Donar and Lugo had been left also and would both see Nasir well-guarded. Small consolation when the Roman shit could return home at any time.
"Agron!" Ahmed said giving Agron's arm a shake. "We should make our way back."
Agron glanced up in time to notice a couple of Roman soldiers heading in their direction. "Yes we should. I've seen all I need."
"Do you even recall what you've seen?" Ahmed said quietly over his shoulder.
"Yes." Agron said. The two made their way from the docks to a path that followed the shore leading back to the cluster of homes that sat on the beach. Once clear of the crowds and assured of some privacy the two fell into a more companionable demeanor.
"There's but a handful of soldiers to guard the docks." Agron said. "It will be a simple thing to overtake two ships."
"And what of our host and his neighbors?" Ahmed asked. "There is yet risk of them raising alarm."
"We wait for Spartacus arrival to move against the docks." Agron said. "The ships are due tomorrow. Nemetes will have led them back by then. We will have the men needed to liberate the ships and the slaves within the neighborhood."
"Nasir!" The merchant greeted as he entered the courtyard. "I take it you have been treated well as my guest."
Nasir turned from the conversation with Donar. "We have indeed been treated well. Gratitude."
"Then I would take but a moment to wash the dirt of the marketplace from my flesh." The man said. "Have you had chance to visit the bath? I would continue our earlier conversation."
Nasir tensed. As a former body slave he was aware that bathing was a highly social event for many Romans. The merchant offering to share a bath could be considered a simple case of hospitality; however the man had also shown an interest in more than casual conversation with a weary traveler.
"Gratitude for the offer." Nasir said. "But I am afraid that much of my time is spent upon desert trade routes. It goes against reasoning to waste so much water simply to sit in it."
"Water would be a precious commodity in such an environment." The merchant said. "It is readily available to us here in Pompeii. There is more of it than the eye can see just beyond balcony door."
The man gestured to the body slave standing almost invisible just inside the door. "Prepare the bath and bring oysters and pomegranate juice. A light repast of delicacies available to us."
Nasir managed not to cringe at the man's obvious plan of seduction. As a former body slave Nasir was also well informed on foods considered to cause cock to harden. Oysters and pomegranates were among the most common.
"Now come I must insist that such a lovely young guest enjoy such luxuries before your return to drier climes." The merchant said.
Nasir glanced at Donar trying to figure out how to avoid the dreaded bath. Many times since joining Spartacus cause the thought of what he would do to once again enjoy an unhurried bath had crossed Nasir's mind. Here he was being offered one and his only thought was how to avoid doing so.
The sound of the door opening was a gift from the gods. Ahmed's voice carrying from the entry was the sweetest sound Nasir had heard all day. "Again gratitude; but my brother returns. He will have much to discuss with me of goods available for trade." Nasir quickly hurried from the merchant's presence followed by Donar who breathed a sigh of relief at not having to kill the man yet. They had to maintain the charade for another day at least; and the man's absence from the marketplace would have been noticed.
Theseus made his way into Neapolis. With him were a handful of men he had begun keeping company with all hand-picked to join him on a mission ordered by Spartacus himself. Although he had been assured by both Spartacus and Gannicus that the mission was of utmost importance; a few hours of his companions prattling was causing him second thoughts.
"What purpose do we serve here?" One of the men asked. "We seek to release no slaves, only set torch to ships at port."
"Spartacus deems such of importance." Theseus said. "We are to draw Roman attention to Neapolis. To do so will clear path for army to move to more strategic position."
"He seeks to move an army through clear path?" The man argued. "We are an army; let us lay attack to Rome!"
"And see us fall. We are an army weighted by children and others unable to fight." Theseus said. "I may not think much of the man, but I respect his desire to see those who cannot fight to safer ground. If burning a few ships in the port of Neapolis will see such happen; then we will burn fucking ships!"
"Will we at least free those found aboard in chains?" The man asked.
"Those that we are able to; yes. Spartacus would do as much." Theseus said. "But we keep to mission."
"Then you are a fool." The other man said. "Do you truly believe that this gains you desired place at his side? Disagreement with the German will soon be settled and Agron once again will stand at the man's side; if he does not already do so."
"We all saw the German's sent from our presence." Theseus argued.
"It is not the first time." The man argued. "Did we not all follow Agron to Vesuvius when his deception about Crixus' woman was revealed? And did not the two once again fall to accord as if naught had divided them? You but do the Thracian's will while Agron moves to further cause in a manner more important."
"What would you have of me then?" Theseus demanded.
"Set fire to ships as commanded." The man said. "Let that be but the beginning. This city is richly laden with slaves and goods. It would make greater impression on Spartacus if you were to return with numbers and supplies."
Theseus stood in the shadows next to the man looking out over the docks. Although not what Spartacus had ordered; the argument made sense."