Once we had gotten home from the nights events, Dominus swifty dismissed us both before heading off to his room to join his wife. I looked over at Ashur, anger flooding my body. "Why did you not tell me of these plans?" I asked him.
"You would not have approved, you would have tried to stop them. It would have gotten you killed. I did what I did to keep you safe." He attempted to convince me as I just shook my head.
"No but should these sick plans fale, it will be all of our lives." I told him as I made my way up to the room where Mira or Naevia should be. "How is Spartacus?" I asked her as I walked into the room.
"He was treated but I fear the medicine the medicus has given him, is making him hallucinate.. He may not be able to fight in games for a short while… he spoke of nothing else but the conversation the two of you had, with me." She told me as I sat on the ground next to her.
"I fear we all may be too late." I told her as I leaned my head on her shoulder, "Where is Naevia?" I asked her.
She scoffed, "Where do you think?" She asked me. "I gathered a few keys and had them brought to a smithy… We will have duplicates." She told me softly.
"If only such a thing would do us good, Dominus has the Magistrate held captive in the sewers below the city… Should he escape or be found premature to whatever Dominus has planned… we will all be dead."
Mira nodded, "Well, I suppose this should be one of those nights where we hope that Dominus is successful with whatever poison he has planned." She offered me.
"Indeed." I told her.
"Jana!" I heard Dominus call to me from across the villa causing me to run to his chambers to find him. "Yes, Dominus?" I asked as I had entered after straightening out my hair and robes.
"Spartacus fainted on the sands earlier. What do you know of his condition?" He asked me as he both made out way below to the medicus.
"I know he sustained a large and deep cut to his ribs during his… fight with Varro. He had told me he would get it attended to, Mira had confirmed that it had been." I told him as he nodded, "Than the fault must lie with the medicine itself." He remarked.
We entered the small room to see that the man was attending to Spartacus wound, applying creams and ointments. I looked over to Oenomaus as he took his place next to me watching as Spartacus lay there nearly unconscious on the small rock bed. This was not the man I had seen the night before, that man looked unwell but not half dead. Had he and Mira lied to me about the condition of his wounds?
"The man is half dead!" Dominus roared out angrily. "Had he not been here to see to his wound? Did no one notice he needed fucking attention?"
"I had thought him only distracted by Varro's death." Oenomaus quipped up. "He was here the night of the fight, and last night to see to bandaging and treating it with your other slave girl; Mira." The medicus informed us.
"He must not have heeded to the directions I gave him. He was to stay from the sun's direct heat." He continued to tell Dominus. "Ah! Fuck!" Dominus growled.
"Will he be able to fight against Pompeii?" Dominus asked him.
"He burns with fever. A miracle if he lives to the games." He told us as the words hit me like a quick bash to the head. "Provide a list of all that is needed. Ashur heads to the market with Jana, they will see it filled."
"Let not a moment pass with him unattended." He told the man, "Maybe while Ashur and I are in the market… Mira could attend to him?" I suggested to Dominus.
"Yes...Fetch Mira from the Villa if you need assistance. He has some feelings towards the girl. Her touch may aid recovery. Our champion cannot fall." He told all of us as I just looked up at Oenomaus.
The two of us followed Dominus out of the medicus and down the halls as he angrily wiped his hands over his face, "The Primus against Pompeii finally mine and the gods jam cock in ass!" He growled out to Oenomaus. "The crowd will turn upon me when they learn Spartacus does not fight!"
"Perhaps they will be appeased with suitable replacement." Oenomaus suggested.
"Who but Spartacus could best their fucking champion?"
"There is but one…" Oenomaus offered, "Crixus…" Dominus groaned out. "Only should the man not be able to fight." He spoke, "Prepare him just incase." He told Oenomaus, "Jana ready yourself for market before returning below to collect the list and await Ashur." He spoke before leaving me standing there with Oenomaus.
"Is offering Crixus such a thing such a good idea? It would only cause to inflate ego and further push wedge between him and Spartacus should he win. We cannot have two champions." I told him as he nodded. "No, we cannot. This would put Crixus back into his rightful place." He smiled to me.
"Yes… until Domina finds out the secret of which he is hiding from her." I told him as he sighed, "Naevia. We have warned him many times." He told me. "Clearly not enough times." I offered as he breathed out. "You should change quickly, it will give you some time with your brothers." He told me as I nodded. "Of course."
Quickly changing into heavier and darker clothing before rushing back to the ludus in time to see my brothers bickering with each other over rank among the men. I slowly made my way closer to them as they kept talking about how Duro was only alive to keep me happy in the Dominus' eyes which really wasn't the case. Oenomaus saw potential in him. "Gibt es ein problem?" [Is there a problem?]
"Nein, er ist nur ein Idiot." Agron sneered at his brother. [No, he's just an idiot.]
"Fick dich." Duro rolled his eyes [Fuck you.] "Brüder, hör auf. Trainiere hart und gewinne dein Match." I told them with a smile. "Und ... halte nach Spartacus Ausschau. Es geht ihm nicht so gut." I told them as the both lowered their heads. [Brother, stop it. Train hard and win your match. / And.. watch out for Spartacus. He's not doing so well.]
"Ich sah die Wunde. Pass auf mit dem Syrer. Ich vertraue ihm nicht." Agron told me as he pulled me into a hug. [I saw the wound. Watch yourself out there with the Syrian. I do not trust him.] "Ich auch, er ist eine tückische Schlange." Duro added as he too hugged me. [Me either, he's a treacherous snake.]
I turned around to see Ashur waiting at the gate for me I gave my brother's each of them another hug before I walked off to join Ashur. "Is there a reason we have to leave so close to dark without a guard?" I asked him as he handed me a dagger. "Safe to assume, you can use this?" He asked me as I took it from him tucking it into the sash around my waist. "Yes." I told him as we exited the gates and headed for the cart.
"Dominus wants me to take you with me to meet with Solonius, make a more unified front of the slaves betraying him. I would rather not involve you more than he already has." He told me as he hit the roof of the cart signaling for the driver to take us to the market.
"Why because you don't think I can handle it? I am not so weak you know." I told him as he smiled. "I think you could take a man down if you really wished it. It's in your blood, your tribesmen and women are known as verrucous fighters. I've done some reading myself." He smirked proud of himself.
"The ability to fight and kill are not inherited by race." I informed him. "Oh, I know. Though Romans are superstitious, they think it is." He laughed.
He wasn't wrong. Domina on a few occasions had asked me if my brothers were well endowed. Claiming they must be as I myself have as she put it, large breasts. I would rather not even know the answer to the question, it's a silly notion to even assume as much. Dominus had asked if my brothers were smart like I was, must be inherited. Though Duro was example enough; that is was not the case. "You are not wrong." I told him.
We had gathered all of the required things for the medicus leaving them in the cart as Ashur lead me through the streets holding - pulling me by my wrist to make sure I would not be separated from him. His level of care was very reminiscent of the days I used to call him friend. We turned a corner slowly, walking through it together quietly. We both saw Solonius a short ways in the distance, "Try to let me do all the talking?" Ashur asked me as I shrugged. "I can try." I told him softly.
Once we were close enough to the wretch Ashur held his hand out as the man dropped four denarii into his hand. "Your hand is weighted. Now float your tongue." He told him as Ashur looked from the coins back to me scoffing slightly. "You are safe." He told him.
"My master has greater concerns requiring his attentions." Ashur told him.
"What plagues good Batiatus to such distraction?" He asked. "Matters beyond your worries." Ashur spoke plainly.
"Yet they clearly trouble you. Enough so that your brought Jana with you…" Solonius pondered. "Are you in trouble? Is she not safe?" He asked. "Confide, lift your burden."
"He has grown reckless. She is safe yes, because I keep her at my side or at least eyes on her." Ashur told him as I felt myself growing weary of all these lies entangling my name. I was always safe, and would never once be for sale why would it even need to be lied about? And better question to ask; why was Ashur acting as if he were in love with me… with this talk of protecting me.
"His thirst for power and vengeance however clouds judgement." Ashur continued. "How so?" Solonius asked him.
"I have taken too great a risk meeting with you this night. Even more so bringing Jana with me, Dominus would surely see her punished if he felt a betrayal." He told Solonius, ah he was using me as a chip to keep the conversations with the man short.
"One day, very soon the House of Batiatus will come crashing down. Do not find yourself buried in the rubble." Solonius told him before he turned and walked away, Ashur taking my arm and leading me away quickly.
"I do not like all this talk involving me. Why is Dominus using me in these transactions?" I asked him.
"Because he knows of your value in the eyes of the other men in this city. Smart, and beautiful them knowing you are in danger might keep them from reacting quickly and it could keep his own plans on track." Ashur explained to me. "Then why did he mention me dying in childbirth?" I asked.
"It is no secret that Domina cannot bare children… he has considered a few slaves for such honor… you among them. I have talked him out of such thoughts though… with your mind, and looks you would be the most obvious of choices." He told me as I felt my skin crawl.
"I would rather die than have his cock near me, let alone his child inside of me." I spat out as Ashur chuckled pulling me into his side his arm around my shoulders. "I would not blame you for such thoughts, even if he is our Dominus… I would not wish his shriveled dick inside any woman." He told me as he shook me slightly causing me to laugh.
"Can you not keep these things from me any more Ashur?" I asked him, "I don't like knowing my life is in the hands of anyone but myself."
He nodded, "Of course… apologies." He told me softly.
The day of the games had finally arrived, and Spartacus was still at the villa with Mira and the medicus fighting for his life. After him telling me he was going to do all he could in order to stage rebellion I could only hope he wouldn't die on all of us. We needed him and his leadership now more than ever knowing that the Magistrate was to die any day now. Our worlds were about to be thrown into absolute chaos.
I looked down at the sands below as I stood next to Naevia, my brothers were fighting their match together. Agron almost utterly destroying his opponent quickly after toying with him for what had felt like hours. The crowd had gone wild at watching him cut right through the man's neck and back with such ease.
Duro however was not having such luck, his opponent constantly kicking him around on the ground. Rolling around in the dirt as he kept attempting to avoid the man's sword and shield attacks. "Aufstehen" I muttered under my breath as I watched him. [Get up.]
Agron turned around to see our brother rolling in the ground trying to avoid his enemy as he took his speer and threw it into the air right through the man's head killing him instantly and covering Duro in his blood. The crowd went crazy as my brothers removed their helmets and began boasting to the people as I just shook my head trying to contain my joy.
"Is that the best the great Pompeii has to offer?" Dominus asked the large brown haired man sitting in the front row. "I fear the games will be a disappointment this year."
"Are those not your brothers?" The child asked me from the front as I looked over at Numerius. "Yes. They are." I told him softly as the large man seemed to take notice of me sizing me up as if I were his next meal.
"These early skirmishes count for nothing. It is the Primus that decides the victor." The man spoke pompously. Which figures is how he would talk given where he was from, arrogance seemed to be the way of the Roman people.
"Absent your man Spartacus, Capua shall once again find itself in Pompeii's shadow." He offered with a short laugh. "Perhaps Crixus will bring light to the matter." Domina spoke gaining a scowl from her husband for speaking out of turn.
"Crixus, yes." the Magistrate from Pompeii laughed, "The crowd will be amazed that the Gaul is still alive." He said causing a few of the noble people to laugh along with him.
"Batiatus assures us he's recovered from his injuries." Domitia spoke softly. "That he survived at all is impressive." Numerius started in on the conversation. "No gladiator from Pompeii ever lived against Theokoles."
"Young Numerius cuts to the truth." Batiatus spoke his mouth filled with food.
"A talent he learned from his father. Does good Calavius intend to grace us with his presence?" The Magistrate asked. "The day grows short."
"Critical matters of trade in Picentia. He must have been delayed upon his return." Domitia spoke again.
"I am certain he will join us presently." Dominus offered again.
The days game dragged on and on as we continued to watch the lesser games and wait for the Magistrate to arrive for the Primus. The crowd growing more and more restless with each passing moment. Starting fights in the crowd and growing with anger at the wait for more blood to be spilt. This was not a good sign of the night to come. The Magistrate from Pompeii grew just as restless as the crowd tapping his foot, to tapping on his cup before he seemed to finally give in. "The crowd threatens riot." He spoke. "We can await Calavius no longer."
"Good Batiatus." Domitia spoke turning to face him. "Would you present the Primus on my husband's behalf?"
"Well, if you think it proper…" He trailed off knowing this was just the moment he had been hoping to be given all morning. "Please." She pleaded with him.
"Capua!" Dominus roared out as the trumpets began to go off alerting the crowd to an announcement quieting them down for a moment.
"In honor of Magistrate Calavius, who is absent attending vital business on your behalf, I present the Primus against Pompeii!" He called out to the people of Capua, the people instantly beginning to chant Spartacus' name with such excitement, announcing it would be Crixus instead would not be a thing the crowd will take lightly.
"Yes, we all desire to see Spartacus, take to the sands! But sadly this day shall not see him with sword in hand!" He called out granting him many displeasing boo's heading his way much to the smile I hadn't meant to crack.
"Yet there is cause to rejoice! This is a glorious moment, much anticipated! For it marks the return to the arena of one of Capua's favored sons… Crixus!" He called out likely hoping for the man to be greeted by cheers of rejoice, yet the crowd much to the displeasure of; Crixus, Domina, Naevia and Dominus the crowd was less than favourable towards the man as he entered.
Instead of cheers to his return he was greeted with boos and hollers to leave the sands. As much as I respected the man, and did see him as a friend. His arrogance and ego back home in the villa had seemed to caught up to him. As a gladiator he was less favored than my brothers were. Food was then thrown down to the sands as the man entered onto the sands before standing in the center facing the pulvanius.
"It appears Capua does not care for your selection." The Pompeii Magistrate laughed happily in his chair.
"He faces a most vile opponent, belched from the bowels of Pompeii. I give you Pericles!" He called out to the people, the crowd cheering for him as if he was Spartacus himself. Clapping, and cheering the women flashing their breast to the man. Once the man was closer to the pulvanius and I could get a better look at him I felt a awful pit in my stomach. He was from the same ilk as Barca… he reminded me of him, the hair and way he walked.
"I pray the match is overly brief." The Magistrate spoke quickly as he raised his arm high to his man below.
I watched as Numerius rose and walked towards Dominus standing close to him as he wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulder. Making them look much like father and son from where I stood with Naevia. He took the boys hand raising it high above their heads, pulling them down calling to the men to begin fighting as he sat down between Numerius and the Magistrate.
Crixus was new to fighting in the arena, this was his first game back in the months since he fell to Theokoles. He charged at Pericles the man quickly blocking his attack, the two men seemingly on the same par with skill. Crixus re-entering the arena with ease, though he seemed to be trying to hard by adding flare to his moves. Spinning around, and bashing him with his shield unnecessarily.
I looked over to Naevia who had a smile etched onto her lips with joy as she watched her man fight with promise below on the sands. I looked back to the sands to see Pericles knock Crixus backwards into the sand behind him. Crixus seemed to be holding the upper hand until he let his guard down for the Pompeii man to knock him in the face causing his helmet to fly off his head and onto the sand as Crixus fell to the ground.
He managed to push Crixus towards the wall his face oozing with blood as he would kick sand into the cuts and constantly hit him with his shield. I took Naevia's hand in my own squeezing it to tell her all would be fine. Even though it would seem Pericles was just playing with Crixus knocking him around and to each side as the crowd went wild for blood… Crixus' blood.
Crixus had managed to regain his footing only for the man to yet again kick him backwards into the wall. He turned around to face the crowd once Crixus was on the ground again calling out the name of his city. "Pompeii!" He roared as the people of Capua cheered for him.
"Another year, another 'favored son' of Capua gone to grass." The Magistrate laughed at the scene before us.
"The match is not yet concluded." Dominus spoke as the people began throwing food scraps down onto the sand where Crixus was struggling to regain his stance. "Formalities of blood." The Magistrate sighed heavily. "Your man is finished."
"Crixus has the heart of a lion." Domina hissed out almost causing me to roll my eyes. Her thighs were so wet for him that it was almost sickening to see the man some times. She would literally say anything in his praise, could hardly matter what it even was he was doing.
Crixus slowly stood up causing a few people in the crowd to cheer to the heart he was showing with not having given up yet. "Look!" Domina pointed towards where Crixus was slowly standing, her standing herself. "He yet rises.." Domina stammered out as she slowly then fell back down into her seat as Naevia quickly moved to assist her.
"Lucretia!" Dominus called to her. "Give her water." He told Naevia as I turned to watch the scene. "Dominus, perhaps I should return her to the Villa, allow her rest." I offered as he nodded. "Naevia take a guard with you. Return her home, Jana you will stay here and attend me and the Magistrates family." He commanded as Naevia and I exchanged looks. "Yes, Dominus."
"Crixus!" The Pompeii gladiator called out once Domina and Naevia were gone from our sights. Causing all of the Roman nobles to look back out to the arena. The two men were hitting each other with their shields and fighting to regain power over each other against the wall until Crixus kicked him backwards away from him as they both fell to the ground.
Crixus quickly standing and taking a stance as the Pericles slowly regained his composure. Hitting each other with their swords and shields once again, Crixus managed to wrestle his shield from him and knocked the man backwards. Pericles now without both sword and shield as his sword lay a bit away from him as Crixus seemed to be assessing the scene before him.
The man swiftly grabbing his sword and charging at Crixus as he quickly moved out of the way, before slicing into the man's stomach causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. His organs slowly falling from his stomach which was now almost completely covered in blood and sand. The crowd chanting for Crixus to end the man's life.
Crixus walked towards the man knocking him to the ground before stomping onto his face, the crowd going absolutely insane with joy, chanting his name as Dominus stood up. Crixus looked to me with a tinge of sadness in his eyes that Naevia was no longer standing with me. He wanted to share this victory with her. A thing I knew, I had even suggested to leave with Domina so that she could stay. Yet Dominus held no favor towards the girl and my offer would have fallen on deaf ears regardless.
"Crixus! Returned to form as promised!" Dominus called out as the Calavius' wife seemed to lower her head disgusted with the sight of blood, her son however stood from his seat with joy to the scene.
"Your prayers have been answered. The match was overly brief." The boy then spoke to the Magistrate of Pompeii.
"Good fortune to Capua, and all its deserving citizens." The man said as he stood up before quickly taking his leave, upset with the loss most obviously. "Oh, linger a moment." Dominus spoke to the man as I moved closer to the edge of the pulvanius.
"Let us have a drink and relive this glorious day…" He laughed as a man walked towards Dominus. He was a slave from our household, I had eaten with him many times. "Dominus…" He spoke offering him a scroll.
"What news so important it interrupts the gloating of good Batiatus?"
"The Magistrate's caravan has been discovered on the edge of town." He read out slowly, "His guards murdered." He spoke as the Domitia quickly walked over taking the scroll from him as the boy asked about his father, "He was not among them, but there are tracks, leading back to the city." Dominus spoke.
"Back to Capua?" She asked her voice breaking. "Why would anyone commit such treachery?"
"Ransom." Dominus suggested. "This burden saddens me. If I may be of any assistance…" The other Magistrate offered, "Gratitude." She spoke softly. "We can handle it."
"I will gather my men to aid in the search." Dominus told her, before looking at me. "Numerius, your presence is welcome."
"No. I will have him by my side." The boys mother spoke quickly. "Mother."
"I will never let him out of my sight. You have my oath on it. I will even bring my slave girl, Jana. She has been training some nights to fight for occasions such as this." Dominus told her as she looked back to me as I lowered my head in respect to her.
"Ok." She spoke softly as Dominus motioned for the boy to join him.
"I will watch over your son… till it costs me my life." I told her as she offered me a weak smile, "Gratitude, young Jana." She spoke to me taking my hands in hers, "The thought brings me great comfort." I nodded before following Dominus.
As much as I wanted to hate the boy, his actions were only even moved because of Ilithyia. She was the one to lay the blame with. We quickly began to move through the streets, I had been allowed to quickly put on my thicker street clothing and given two daggers to carry with me through the streets as I followed slightly behind Dominus as he moved slowly with the boy Numerius.
There were guards all around us as the evening turned quickly into night. "There is no sign of him." The boy called out even though I sadly knew where his father was. "My father could be held anywhere." He spoke.
"He is a man of much esteem, and easily recognized." Dominus told him. "How could he be moved through the streets without notice?" He asked as he looked back at me.
"Dominus?" I questioned as they both stopped moving to hear me. "Has anyone yet checked the cisterns?" I asked softly as the boy looked to me. "She is right… that would be the easiest way…They run beneath the city and beyond."
"The gates." Dominus called to the guards as they moved towards the door. "Torches. You will be with your father, soon enough Numerius." Dominus spoke as the boy looked up at me, I tried to smile to him as we soon followed in after the guards. "You have my word."
"Your part in this shall not be forgotten." The boy spoke again. "No, it shall not." Dominus spoke as I moved closer to him. "Ashur should be in place… Dominus." I told him as he smirked to me. "Good."
We walked for a short while, the young man at my side with Dominus a small ways behind us as many guards moved through the water and on each side of the embankment of the cisterns. We walked around a corner to see Solonius standing over the Magistrates body holding a knife in hand as the boy quickly called out his name.
The boy quickly ran to his father's aid only to find that his neck had been cut from one ear to the other. I looked over at Dominus as he now stood at my side looking over at the man he had long awaited to seek this revenge on. I looked over at the boy as he sobbed into his father's chest, I made my way over to him quickly kneeling down next to him placing my hand on his back rubbing circles slowly onto him.
"Seize him." Dominus ordered. "Your father shall be avenged. Solonius will suffer for what he has done." The man quickly struggling, I looked over to see Ashur had taken my place next to Dominus. "And all of Capua will know you for the shit you are."
"All will be fine. Kleiner Meister…" I spoke to the boy softly as he looked up at me with fear in his eyes, a fear he had every right to feel towards, Batiatus… not… Solonius. [Little Master.]
We arrived back to the villa in the early morning, Mira below in the ludus still with a now much recovered Spartacus. Aulus conveniently now dead, after spending a night apparently healing from a dog wound. Though Ashur had told me the Magistrate bit the man in the neck taking a large chunk of skin from his neck.. Though Mira told me that Spartacus had taken his life. Good.
"The wound did not appear fatal." Ashur spoke walking up behind both Dominus and I on the balcony. "The damage was deeper than the eye could perceive." Dominus told him. "Medicus tells he drowned in his own blood."
"Oh." Ashur said nonchalantly. "A loose end. No longer needing to be tied."
Dominus began to laugh before moving away from the balconies edge motioning for me to follow them back into the house. "You have played your part well, Ashur." He spoke with much joy in each word as if the lives of others were merely nothing to him.
"Was greater hand than mine that conceived it." Ashur told him. "Along with the guidance of a trusted friend." He spoke looking at me even though I had no part in this scheme.
"Solonius was easily deceived into believing you would betray me. As I knew he to mention you suggesting adding Jana into the mix with vague threats upon her life, genius." Dominus spoke with a laugh.
"He never suspected my loyalty always lay with you..." Ashur told him. "A man who has no honor cannot imagine that trait in anyone else, and you, you have that quality above all others." Dominus told him, "Save for Jana of course." He spoke looking over at me with a smile.
"Gratitude, Dominus." I spoke softly. "Solonius, should have known I would never lay her in harm's way." He scoffed. "This loyalty shall be rewarded in kind." Dominus told Ashur.
"Your will, Dominus." Ashur commented.
"The gods truly favor the House of Batiatus!" Dominus called out, as we all looked down to the training sands where the men where training. "Behold." Dominus spoke out. "Spartacus risen from the dead!"
"Spartacus!" Dominus called out to him as the man slowly turned around. "You are well?"
"Yes, Dominus. I am myself again." He spoke to the man and yet his eyes were on me as I could feel a slow smile slowly creep onto my lips. He and I were now, of the same mind towards leaving this house. Now the next move would be up to him, that and the manor of which we leave of course.
If it were up to me… we would kill them all for what they have done to us. I could only imagine… Spartacus would agree with me.