"You speak against punishments for errant slaves?" Mettelus asked as he exited the Senate building hot on Crassus heels.
Marcus stopped and turned to face his fellow senator. "Punishment grows more brutal with each passing day; and with each passing day more slaves slip away in hope of joining Spartacus." Crassus said. "You but prove grievance claimed. Such will not quell rebellion while the man yet draws breath. Slaves are but convinced that lives hold no meaning."
"They are slaves Marcus." Melletus said.
"No they are people!" Marcus countered. "Bound to our will but people no less for it. Rome foolishly seeks to place all enemies under thumb and yet only manages to import discontent. You expect men dragged from their homes absent choice to see you as superior because you were born Roman."
"It is fact that we are superior." Melletus said "Because we are born civilized. Spartacus and his kind are barbarians!"
"And yet these barbarians are not so easily quelled." Marcus said. "Tell me how long has Rome sought to breach the Rhine? What have we to show for it? A handful of slaves who fight us to standstill while their people regroup to repel next incursion. Spartacus holds a fair number of Germans among his rebels."
"We will see victory in Germania as we will tighten hold in Britannia." Melletus argued. "Even now Romans settle the land."
"A tenuous hold at best. Should the tribes put aside old feuds; the blood of Romans will spill upon her soil." Marcus said. "You fail to see the power of the man. Spartacus has quelled feuds of blood between his people and sees them united in common goal. Is not the undefeated Gaul at his side and rumor of a German also by his side?"
"I see no importance to this." Melletus said.
"Of course you do not. You are far too short-sighted." Crassus said. "Gauls and Germans have been at each other's throats long before we conquered the Gauls and the strife burns as hotly now as it always has. Yet they come to accord under Spartacus. As do slaves from all foreign climes. Spartacus is dangerous for reasons that you do not comprehend."
"Then clear confusion." Melletus asked.
"I have looked into the source of this rebellion. Glaber in his foolish pride took a man well trained in military arts of the Thracians and our own auxiliary and then was careless enough to see him fall to Batiatus ludus. There he learned not just to wage war; but to kill without thought."
Crassus explained. "And was he not among those Glaber met with to secure Thracian aid? He stood a leader before he ever came to these shores. And he draws others of all tribes and nations to join him in rebellion and you consider him nothing but a common slave."
Crassus shook his head. "Cassinius and Furius have failed, will continue to fail because they see him the same. Eventually they will fall to him; let us pray it is before he amasses an army capable of laying siege to Rome herself. He will make Hannibal seem as nothing should that occur."
The latest villa to fall to Spartacus was much larger than the last and many more slaves were added to the rebel army. This meant many more enthusiastic but unskilled fighters in need of training. Under the watchful eyes of Spartacus, Agron, and Crixus; Nasir, Donar, and Gannicus tested them.
"Matius returns with report." Lugo said as he quickly hurried to Spartacus side.
"What news Matius?" Crixus asked.
"Romans three days march to the south west. Over a thousand by the looks of it." Matius said. "It is said that they are led by a Roman shit called Scrofa."
Agron snorted at the smirk of Spartacus lips. "You expected such. This has all been to draw him out."
"I admit that I hoped the man would not prove coward." Spartacus said. "He is one of those met in Thrace; I would see acquaintance renewed at point of sword."
"Gannicus I would have you stay here and continue to train our new recruits. Agron, Crixus; we'll take 2000 of our number and move to meet Scrofa." Spartacus said. "Such an overwhelming defeat in the south will give Cassinius something to consider."
"You would advance towards him?" Agron asked. "This is not territory that we are familiar with Spartacus. We have no idea of what lays ahead."
"There is a river less than a day's march in Scrofa's direction." Matius said. "It would make the advantageous ground you wished me to search for."
"Cease worries Agron." Spartacus said. "I sent Matius not only in hopes of finding the man himself; but also in finding battleground to our advantage. We will press attack with river at his back."
Agron nodded. "The Roman shits gain no foothold east of the Rhine for this reason. The river gives added defense. Duro and I were taken on our third battle at the Rhine."
"I would leave at soonest opportunity to scout river." Spartacus said. "I would hear your thoughts on how to best meet Scrofa's attack. Crixus gather the rest of the men to follow with Matius."
"We should take a large enough group to answer scouting party." Agron said. "Scrofa would be familiar with the terrain and also see advantage."
"We do have a day's advantage." Spartacus said.
"And time is needed to learn to river if we are to turn it to our advantage." Agron said. "Those born east of the Rhine know our river. We learn its currents and landmarks. Not all Roman's seeking to cross the Rhine fall to blade. Many are drowned in its depths."
"You drown the fucks?" Crixus asked with a snort.
"Force Roman fucks into river where hidden currents run strong and the weight of their own fucking armor will see them to the depths. It also helps that only a small portion of them swim. Fucking soldiers avoid stepping into bodies of water larger than their fucking baths." Agron laughed. "Duro and I learned to swim almost as soon as we learned to walk. Even the smallest streams east of the Rhine boast of currents that can sweep a man off his feet."
"Then let us see if this river holds familiar blessing." Spartacus said with a laugh.
