Spartacus grabbed a young girl hurrying past them her arms full of silken fabric. Others followed her carrying various objects.

Reaching out he grabbed the girls arm. "Order was given to move in other direction."

"And it is obeyed." the girl said as a young boy dropped a handful of carvings on the ground before turning back the way he came. "Order also given by Ahmed and Nasir to take items not needed and leave them along the way to the road."

Spartacus grinned. "Follow instruction from Nasir but use caution. Do not be seen or captured. More Romans may yet follow."

"We will be quick." The girl said.

"I begin to think the gods led us to Nasir and his brother." Spartacus said as Gannicus stopped at his side. 'Gladiators are unmatched in wielding sword; yet our Syrian brothers are proving unmatched in wielding wits."

Gannicus chuckled as he watched the older children and elderly scattering items through the woods. "While we settle deeper in the valley; false trail will send Romans to hunt shadows."

"Unless you pause to take burden; move!" Gannicus found himself pushed aside by a grumpy Agron who had Simon tossed over his shoulder. "The shit's weight is not inconsiderable."

"You should have considered how he would get back to encampment before you knocked him senseless." Donar pointed out. "If you would but use your brain half as much as you do your size and strength..."

"Still fucking tongue!" Agron said and grunted as Simon began to stir on his shoulder. The German growled then relieved himself of the burden by callously dumping Simon on the ground.

"He wakes. Let his own feet carry him forward." Agron said as he yanked the man to his feet and shoved him forward. "If not for need to know what he spoke of to Cassinius and Furius he would yet lay upon road; his entrails spread about like those of the shits he kept company with."

"A wise decision, come to by one who uses his brain and his strength." Spartacus said. "Let us make haste to rejoin our people."

"I will tarry yet a while." Gannicus said "And offer protection to the children and elders."

"I will stay also." Donar said. "They cannot wield blade but give to our effort as they can."

Spartacus, Agron and the others who had continued to the encampment with them came upon a flurry of activity. Nasir was loading scavenged weapons on a small wagon while younger children stripped the bodies of the dead Romans. Spartacus moved to find Ahmed and learn where the rebels had been directed during the battle.

Nasir looked up as Agron gave Simon a shove on the back causing the man to stumble forward. The Syrian hurried over with a grin on his face to give his love a kiss. "Your new armor protects you." Nasir said as Agron bent down to touch his forehead to Nasir's.

"Worthless Roman shits." Agron said as if they were nothing. "How many did you send to the afterlife this day? You are bathed in blood not your own."

"My share, as did Naevia." Nasir answered. "Even Silas bested one. Your teachings have found fertile ground among them."

Simon was now loudly complaining at the abuse he had suffered at Roman hands only to suffer more at the hands of Agron and Donar. Saxa made her way over to where Agron and Nasir stood.

She slapped the larger man hard on his chest. "You bring back complaining thing; why? He left us. Should have left shit to Romans. Let them put head on pole."

"Thought did enter mind." Agron admitted as he turned to face Simon with Nasir tucked against his side. "Only need for Spartacus to know what his lips have whispered into Roman ears stayed sword."

She gave a dismissive snort. "Where is Gannicus? Battle has set blood to boil; I would have wine...and cock!"

"He stayed behind to protect the children laying false trail." Agron said with a smile and a shake of his head.

"Words from Saxa's lip could set blush upon cheek of the busiest cunt peddler." Nasir noted as he watched set off in search of Gannicus.

"Women from east of the Rhine are brash and fierce." Agron said. "Saxa more than most. She is the equal of the crudest of our men. Germania has yet to be conquered. Even with tribes divided; Romans have yet to make progress in subduing us. They gain but a ship or two of slaves here and there. We yet hold them at the Rhine."

"Will you yet leave me in shackle?" Simon complained loudly.

"Your voice sets head to ache." Agron said. He gave the man a shove causing him to fall on his ass. Taking a length of rope; he tied the man to a tree before turning to Nasir. "Saxa is brash; but I think I would follow her example. It has been many hours."

"And yet many more to wait." Nasir scolded. "Spartacus will break words with him and have need of you by his side. I have yet more to do; including raising our tent in the new camp. See to your duties and I will see to mine." Nasir stretched up to press a kiss to Agron's lips. Agron was still standing watching Nasir walk away when a snort was heard at his side.

"So do you plan on telling your boy to toughen up" Crixus asked. "Naevia warns his heart is too soft to survive this. Perhaps he should follow his brother to Assyria and freedom. I'd rather he be far from the field than fall because he shows mercy to a fucking Roman."

"Naevia speaks against one who stands like a brother to her now?" Agron said. "Has she truly grown so bitter that she strikes out against one who risked his life to see her from mines and gave shoulder to lean on even when in need of a shoulder for himself?"

"It is because he came so close to the afterlife she worries." Crixus said. "She would not see his foolishness lead to his death."

"Foolishness? Does Spartacus also stand a fool?" Agron demanded. "Spartacus saw in Nasir what neither of us could at first. I stood with you then; and we both have been proven wrong in our assumption."

Agron turned to Crixus; temper beginning to heat up. "Naevia speaks of his soft heart; remind her it was his soft heart that revealed she languished in the mines. It was his soft heart that moved him to go with you to her rescue. It was his soft heart that saw him take Roman blade in her defense. Perhaps she should still her fucking tongue or turn it to offering gratitude that she still draws breath!"

"You are right; it was Nasir's lips that revealed the lie that fell from yours." Crixus said stepping into Agron's space. "A thing that yet remains in mind."

"Crixus! Agron!" Spartacus voice cut across the tension. "You give unwanted spectacle to captive audience." Spartacus nodded toward Simon as he pushed the two apart. "It is my understanding that this is a thing settled; I'll not have it be cause for dissention once again."

The two snarled at each other before separating and going their separate ways. An amused chuckle broke the silence. "I see the two return to form. You should just give them swords and see them settle it. One would fall; yet there would be peace within camp."

"I would see neither fall." Spartacus said. "They have come to terms before and will again; once we find ourselves presented Romans regularly before sword."