Gannicus Point of View


It had been weeks since I watched Jana walk alongside her brother into the sunrise towards her most certain death against the Roman legions. I should have fought harder for her to stay and leave with us, though I knew with the turmoil replaying itself within her heart she was never going to stay. Between my betrayal and her falling for the Roman, I could only imagine the confusion playing in her head and heart every moment she was awake.

We killed a small faction of Romans on our journey as I cleaned my blades off on the cape of one of the Romans I looked over at Spartacus. He had made mention to being frustrated about losing not only Agron but Jana both to the temptation of war with Crixus, though I feel we both knew it wasn't war that drove them from our arms, but the hurt yet looming within their own hearts.

"Next time, you carry bow. Too far from fucking blood." I heard Saxa say from behind me as I looked between them before moving closer to Spartacus.

"Strip them of weapons and armor." Spartacus called out, "and what supplies they yet carry."

"These men travel from the north." I told him as I looked over the bodies always looking for some sort of sign that Jana and Agron were yet still of this life. "What purpose would Crassus have there?" I questioned him.

"Those who follow him are known by mark of the bull." Spartacus said as he searched the body in front of him. "These are not his men." Spartacus spoke softly looking up at me.

We brought the man's army back to our camp to show them to the only two people we had left that could identify such things. Before Sinuessa; Jana was the only one who could truly read and understand anything Roman, she knew their markings, the symbols of their militaries. Now we were stuck with Crassus' slave and Spartacus' new pet.

"The Eagle and the Dolphin." Laeta spoke softly as her hand traced the armor. "I have laid eyes upon crest before." I couldn't help but just drink away the thought of how screwed we were. I should have just left with the others like I wanted to. I just had to be a man of my word in my relentless effort to show her that I was no longer the man that hurt her. At least I would have died with her and not with a bunch of people I hold no heart too.

"The mark of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus." Laeta spoke as I arched my brow, I'd heard that name before. "Pompey." Spartacus spoke, now I knew I had heard it before. "A master of both land and sea." She said again as I looked over towards Lugo who was yet still acting as though he had heard the name before and knew who these Roman leaders were.

"My husband spoke with deep admiration of the man." She said as I walked towards them, "Bending tongue to welcome him as Rome's greatest warrior-"

"I have heard tale of his conquests." Spartacus spoke up, "and name of Adolescent Butcher given him."

"We shall butcher bird and fish!" Lugo spoke through his teeth with anger, causing me to recall a story Jana once told me when we had laid our tent together during the first year we were reunited.


"When I was yet still a girl, rose upon my cheek… Titus told me of a war raging within the lands of my people… a Roman conquer had gone through village after village, laying waste to all that opposed him. Mattered not if they were small children or elderly unable to even move. He he no friend to the tribes East of the Rhine… his name is not feared there no… but despised beyond almost all reason."


Even then she knew the dangers of the Roman men, though she had often told me Titus and Quintius would tell her stories likely to scare her into remaining within their walls. She was after all a free woman working as a slave, she could have left whenever she wanted. The sinking feeling returning to my stomach causing me to remember that she only became a slave so that I could be free and the way I repaid her was by betraying her loyalty.

"I thought Pompey mired in Hispania against the renegade Sertorius." I finally added to the conversation before me. "His absence the reason Crassus took arms against us."

"If Pompey's scouts return to the Republic, as night follows day, the man and his legions will trail their shadow." Spartacus spoke as Nasir ran into the tent as he made attempt to regain breath. "A rider approaches." He told us as I looked towards Spartacus with a sliver of hope it could be someone with word of Crixus and the army that had left with him.

Walking through what people we had left at Spartacus side he made remark that this could just be a distraction for us. "Nasir you said the rider was small, were they small enough to be a woman?" I questioned him.

"From the distance they are, I could not tell." He told me as I felt the disappointment fester within my heart.

"Give voice if eyes fall upon movement upon flanks." Spartacus spoke as we got up onto a ridge to see the rider better. The body was small yet they wore the cloak of the members of Crassus legion. "They wear cloak of the fucking legion." I seethed through my teeth though I knew there was no way this was a Roman soldier.

"That is no Roman." Spartacus spoke as the figure moved closer showing the slender bare legs of a woman, blood yet staining them. I felt the moisture in my mouth grow stale, and my heart began to pound heavily against my chest. This could be Jana, maybe Caesar was yet a man and found her… put her on a horse and sent her back towards us. I could only hope he was a man of even the slightest worth. I watched as the woman slowly fell from the horse onto her back, the group of us rushed towards the woman my entire body clenching hoping it was her.

Though my heart was stopped at the sight of Naevia, holding the head of Crixus under her arm. Taking all hope I had yet in my heart of Jana being alive completely out. I helped Spartacus as we lifted her from the ground and carried her to the war tent of the very top of the hill. Once she was slightly cleaned up and seated watching as he poured her some wine to drink I found myself standing there staring at her hoping she held some answers.

I moved my eyes towards Spartacus, "Does she know of Jana and Agron?" I asked him softly as he just shot me a look before moved towards the broken woman. "Drink." He offered her as she sat there yet still holding onto Crixus' head the necklace I'd given him the night I left the ludus tightly wrapped around her fingers.

"Do not waste such on the dead." She spoke as her eyes swelled with the tears, I myself was fighting hard to hold back. The sight of her, she looked as if she watched everyone she knew and loved die not just Crixus… everyone. They clearly left her alive and sent her our way to relay a message there is no other reason behind such.

I watched as Spartacus crouched down to be level with her as she continued to speak to her softly in attempt to gain the words of such message from her lips. Though my heart ached at the thought of what each of them would be. I don't think I'm yet ready to hear that she is truly from the world. "I am but pale shade, haunting a world fallen from meaning." She spoke as he voice cracked with each word.

"Then we must nourish specter, so that it may reclaim flesh and promise of better days." He told her.

"There stand none upon horizon." She told him as he slowly took what was left of the Gaul from her arms. Her eyes upon him as if he was removing what was left of her heart from her body. I felt like this would be a pain I would yet come to learn myself in the coming days.

"Was is end as he had always dreamed?" I asked her in hopes she would tell us of the fate of the rest of those that were yet still lost to us. Not knowing if friends, brothers, sisters… loved ones were in the wind of a feats for the crows. "In glorious battle?"

"In battle, yes." She told me as her eyes yet veered from looking towards us. "Though robbed of glory." She told me as I couldn't help but feel for her.

"Tell of it." Spartacus pushed her. "That we may share in the burden of grief. That Gannicus may know what became of Jana… Nasir of Agron…" He added as she seemed to harden for but a moment at the sound of their names.

"The days after we parted were filled with victory. The blood of our enemies turning fields to crimson mud, thick with the dead. Rome lay within our grasp. I yet had sister by my side, my heart before me." She spoke, speaking of Jana and Crixus. "Only to have it snatched from us by Crassus and his legions."

"It was the man himself that robbed Crixus' life?" Spartacus asked her as she just shook her head slowly. "Crixus was engaged by the traitor Caesar. When boy of scant years pierced back with spear." She spoke her voice breaking again.

"A fucking boy." I stated the anger growing within my voice.

"What of Agron and Jana?" Nasir spoke as he entered the tent hope filling his eyes. I had tried not to mention her much out of fear that she lay among the bodies before Rome. "Do they share fate with Crixus? Or are they yet of this world?" He questioned his eyes also filling with pain and the growing threat of tears.

She just stared at him, her lip quivering as a few tears slowly slid down her cheek, causing Nasir to slowly turn around and he wiped the fear tears from his own cheek before leaving the tent to mourn on his own. I would make point of finding him later, he was the only person I knew would be willing enough to allow me time to mourn Jana alongside him without too much judgment.

"There is but single reason Crassus spared my life. To taunt Spartacus with vision of his end." She spoke as Spartacus slowly rose walking back towards me the head under his arms. "Crassus tempts to goad you into foolish action." I whispered to him.

"If I stood only for my own life, perhaps I would stand so moved. Yet we must turn from such thoughts, and set purpose towards more pressing concern." He told me as I just nodded, "Pompey." I told him as I couldn't help but look over at Naevia, she never said Jana and Agron were dead… she said nothing of either of their fates. Were they yet still alive we were leaving them for a torturous death at the hands of Crassus.

"His scouts were headed south, towards Crassus' legions. He will send more, when they do not return." He told me as I quickly pondered what that would mean for us and our people. "We cannot afford to be caught between two armies, fighting as one." I told him.

"No. We cannot." He told me firmly.


Jana's Point of View

I sat there on Caesar's bed, after having been bathed by two slaves and given some of Kore's old pale blue robes. The slave girls had made attempt to make me feel like I was not a prisoner by playing with my hair braiding bits throughout my mop of brown waves. I'd never been bathed like that before, that was always something saved for the Roman women. I was denied opportunity to see my brother or any others that were captured in our battle. Though Crassus had made sure I was seen to all comforts allowed otherwise. Though he told Caesar that unless I was at his side or summoned for questioning I was not to leave his tent.

Caesar soon entered the tent still wearing his armor as he looked over to me sadness yet still within his eyes. We'd fought the night they brought us all to their camp, after forcing all of us to watch as they nailed our dead to crosses and as they let a dying Naevia go on horseback with Crixus' head.

"I know that you are still mad at me, Jana but know I was following orders just as you were." He told me as he knelt before me his hands on either side of me.

"I am mad because you refuse to allow me access to my brother. I have already said I will tell Crassus all he wants to know if he just… let me be with my brother." I told him as he shook his head. "I will not let him use you as leverage with me anymore than he is… Jana." He told me as I furrowed my brow.

"I thought he said I was a gift."

"Jana, to him you are but the only thing he can use to get me to do what he needs, and to possibly force the hand of Spartacus and Gannicus. Had he not had your brother in his possession he would be able to force your people into battle."

"Spartacus would allow no such thing. I would just be another sacrifice, as me leaving with Crixus was me telling him I would be such so the others could be free." I told him.

"Yes… Spartacus wouldn't head to battle… but Gannicus would, and that is not a man Spartacus can afford to lose at this time." I sighed he was right, though if Naevia was still alive I could only hope she would tell them there were no survivors and that they would all just keep moving away.

"Then what am I supposed to do for the rest of my days… Crassus will not allow me to live out my days in your care." I told him as he smiled. "He will grant me that, he knows I could easily turn Pompey and other generals against him." He told me.

"So I am to be your slave… exactly the thing I was fighting to never be."

"Jana." He let out a sigh as he moved to sit next to me on the bed. "You would never be my slave, never."

"You have a wife, and child back in Rome. I heard the slave girls talking about it."

"I have a marriage and a child born from hate. I love the child yes, but the woman was forced upon me to save face. She is dying… Jana. I could easily wait out her days claiming I am yet still at war and bring you home as my new bride." He told me.

"I don't want to talk about this. I want to see Agron." I told him as he lowered his head, it didn't bother me how he spoke of his wife. I didn't care for her to begin with, she from what the slaves spoke of her was an awful woman who was far from faithful or dutiful.

I could hear him sigh heavily as he rose taking off his cloak before holding his hand out to me as he helped me up off the bed. "Fine but you wear this around you and do not leave my side, and you cannot be mad at me for his state." He spoke as I just looked over at him before nodding firmly. I knew Agron would not tell them anything they wanted to know, and I knew he would be tortured for it. Seeing me would likely only tell him that he was not alone and he knew I would do whatever I could to see him free of bonds.

We began to walk to where Agron was being held for questioning when a soldier approached Caesar whispering something in his ear as he turned to look at me wanting to tell me to go but he knew if Crassus's son saw me alone I would be in certain trouble. I stood close to Caesar as Crassus and his son were soon near us speaking of breaking encampment. Likely to head after Spartacus and the rest of my people.

"There is a matter of some small concern within the followers' camp." The boy soon spoke as Caesar looked down at me arching his brow. "A whore by the name of Canthara, discovered beaten and slit as a pig from womanhood to throat." I nudged Caesar she was one of the girls who'd bathed me and taken care of me over the last few days. Why would this boy see her dead was it to punish Caesar for something?

"Canthara? What do you know of this, Caesar?" Crassus asked him as I wanted so badly to form words yet knew these Romans were not like my people. A woman did not speak out of turn among the men, and I was only so lucky to even be among… the men. Were I alone in the followers camp I would surely have been seen to the same fate.

"News only now falls upon ear. I have been seeking the woman for several days, to question towards the care of Jana." He spoke up as the boy looked over at me.

"Whoever she angered, his wrath is a thing o be feared." The boy spoke.

"Followers' camp is but brief step from our very ranks. I would not have it fall to chaos and murder." Crassus spoke, it almost sounded as if the man actually cared for those yet still alive within the camp. "I shall personally attend to matter." The boy spoke up.

"May those responsible suffer equal fate." Caesar spoke up. I knew better than to think the two were speaking of anyone beyond each other, though it baffled mind that Crassus did not see behind their veiled words.

"Imperator." Another Roman approached us as Caesar moved himself closer to me putting a small distance between me and the boy. The same boy I had saved upon ridge by Sinuessa all those months ago. It was clear he recognized me, by the way he was intently staring at me. That or he was planning my death… either way the boys eyes were hollow and void of any real emotion.

"Two soldiers approach on horseback, bearing crest of Pompey." He spoke as the boy muttered something to his father. I tugged on Caesars' arm as he looked over at me, Pompey was supposed to be in Hispania. If his men were sending word this way that could only mean he deviated desired path towards that of Spartacus and my people. I knew Caesar only cared for me, but he had to know the pain and sadness I would endure should they be slaughtered like animals. It would kill me.

"See them to my praetorium." Crassus spoke out loud as he looked to me. "Seems your gift will prove most valued asset." He told Caesar. "Come with me," The man spoke as I looked towards Caesar fear gripping my eyes as he nodded. "You will be safe." He promised me as I followed Crassus.

"Why do you request me?" I asked him once we were alone, or well without Caesar and the boy. "What do you possibly think I will be able to do for you?"

"A great many things my dear." He told me as he stopped turning to look at me. "You hold the answers I seek, Caesar does not think you know anything but we both know otherwise don't we?" He questioned me.

"I know as much as the others. I had been with Crixus for weeks… I don't-" I began to speak as the man slammed a fist onto the table beside me. "There will be no more games… Jana. Should you wish for your brother to live past tomorrow you will give me the information I seek."

"I only know they were to head over the mountains after we parted ways… I know Spartacus… sending Naevia will do nothing but strengthen his resolve to see his people over the mountains and far from Roman grasp." I told him softly. "He has no more soldiers… you have seen to that."

He just smirked towards me, "Yes but those that follow him… they will want to see the slaughter answered. I know I would were I in his position." He told me and he was right, eventually enough voices will speak up in the matter… his hands would be removed from the situation.


"Proconsul Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus offers support in campaign against the rebel Spartacus." The Roman spoke as Crassus seemed slightly disinterested in the conversation at hand. Crassus was a lot smarter than we had ever given him credit for, we time and again assumed he was just a bit different than the other Roman generals when he in fact was a whole other breed of Roman. He was always one step ahead of the step we thought we were ahead of… something told me I was about to witness something I would not be expecting.

"Offer greeted with wondrous surprise." Crassus told the man as he moved himself over allowing me to see the men who'd come to speak about Pompey. My eyes gliding over them, I knew them they were no Romans they were Gauls. These men were sent by Spartacus, i couldn't help but swallow hard in attempt to hide my excitement, though fear soon quickly replaced the excitement.

If they were to relay word of any survivors from the fight, Gannicus would urge him beyond anything to get me back. An impossible feat considering how far behind the lines I was going to be kept at all times. I let out a heavy sigh and lowered my head a single tear gliding down my cheek. Freedom was in sight until revelation killed it.

I felt Caesar put his hand on my back as I looked up at him, I knew he recognized them as well. He had too yet why was he not saying anything to Crassus. I let my eyes wander towards the boy to my left. Tiberius. Crassus' eldest son. I knew he had done something to enrage Caesar but what he wouldn't tell me.

"I've never known Pompey to support any cause but his own interests." Crassus spoke up causing me to study the men's faces.

"Apologies. I but carry message." The one man said.

"Hmm, see remainder fall from tongue." Crassus told him as I felt Caesar grip my arm, moving me to look up at him again. This devilish grin slowly grew on his lips, he was forming a plan within his mind.

"Pompey requests meeting."

"Why does he not appear before us himself, if taken by such desire?" Tiberius questioned. I could only imagine what was going through the men's minds right now they could easily be killed or worse should they be found out.

"Because he does not stand the fool. Does he?" Caesar asked the men as he allowed his arm to be wrapped around me making sure the men would relay back to Spartacus that I was alive and with him. Or at least that was what I was assuming he was doing.

"I will not risk journey to your commander's camp, nor will I break from my charge to bow and scrape before imagined titan." Crassus told them as the one man seemed to arch his brow regaining some semblance of confidence when realizing Caesar was not going to give them away.

"Pompey seeks but neutral ground. Twenty men attending him, to be met in kind." He told him as Caesar leaned closer to me. "They will make attempt to get you to go with them." I shook my head. "I will do no such thing." I muttered back at the boy narrowed his eyes at me.

"I will consider terms." Crassus told the rebels. "See them to food and wine."

"Imperator." The men spoke giving me one last long glance nodding to me before turning around.

"You cannot seriously be turning offer upon mind?" Tiberius told his father as I moved slightly looking up at Caesar. "What are you thinking?" He told me as he smirked. "I am thinking I will do anything to keep you from my arms and safe." He whispered back to me.

"Pompey but seeks your knowledge of Spartacus so that he may snatch victory from deserving hands. Now that his men have seen Caesar's pet. They will surely tell him to bargain for her, she knows the man better than any of his foot soldiers. Caesar, you agree, do you not?" He began to stammer angrily.

"I share your concerns. Yet Pompey returns the hero against Sertorius, ripe with laurels. To refuse offer would be considered insult. One that could be set against you within the Senate. Nor would I let Jana be taken to the man, I have doubt he even knows what she looks like let alone his men for all they know she is yet still with Spartacus." Caesar told him as he walked towards them leaving me standing by myself.

"To shit with the Senate." Crassus spoke. "Though I agree they would not even know she is here, for all they know she is a slave girl owned by Caesar."

"There is practical reason as well to accept terms." Caesar spoke as they walked into the tent, Crassus motioning for me to follow them standing between Caesar and Crassus himself as Caesar moved things around the map.

Why was he even allowing me to be privy to this information, if I were to escape I would know all they were planning. Though the chance of my escape was virtually slim to none being an escape where I am alive long enough to reach Spartacus. "We could press attack from the south, Pompey could stay Spartacus from gaining the mountains and slipping from grasp. With all who follow him."

"A thing I would not see come to pass." Crassus spoke. "Father, you cannot go." The boy spoke up. "It would appear Pompey commands you."

"Again, I share concern. You should give no impression that you are beneath him. Instead send honored name in your place to broach negotiation. " Caesar told him.

"And I suppose such name holds letters forming "Caesar"? He would take the girl with him and she would almost certainly be taken by Pompey." The boy spoke through his teeth causing me to roll my eyes. I'd see Pompey dead before his men touched me, or well I'd at least wish that.

"No. Only the Imperator's Word and Will holds such lofty position." Caesar told him as Crassus looked over at me. "Pompey stands shrewd opponent. I would have one of more seasoned years to set against him. I would see Jana remains in your tent and under guard until your return." Crassus told him.

"I do not want to be from your side… Gaius." I told Caesar as Crassus scoffed slightly. "Nor would I see such a thing either, my dear. Yet anyways."

"Tiberius has proven himself worthy advisory. His youth will but cause Pompey to lower his guard, to deepest regret." Caesar told him as he motioned for me to move closer to him.

"Caesar at last breaks words that I am moved to embrace. This or he is far to in love with the slave girl to do as commanded." Tiberius mocked him.

"The girl is no slave." Crassus told him, "Though we shall pause advance until your return. Weigh Pompey's true intent yet give upon no issue."

"I shall stand as my father, unforgiving in command." The boy spoke before leaving the tent as Crassus looked towards me. "Was it so short a span, when he stood uncertain boy?" Crassus asked Caesar.

"Such days have faded from memory." Caesar told him as he pulled me closer to him, clearly not trusting those around him. "He stands a man now, and I wish for him all that he deserves."

"You understand the ways of Roman men more than most, what do you wager is the true intent to Pompey's motives?" He asked me.

"Exactly as thought… he wishes only to seek the glory you have set out for… you and all those before you… who have failed." I spoke as he smirked towards me. "Is she ready to talk yet?" He asked Caesar as he shook his head.

"As I've said, she was less involved in the war planning than the Cilician had told us she was." Caesar told him.

"A thing I am not so sure they have lied about… though perhaps come morning she will remember differently." Crassus spoke as Caesar took my hand leading me away from the tent towards his own.

"You should not speak so boldly to the man, I am trying to protect you." He told me as he began to remove his armor.

"Protect me? The man would barter me in a trade if it meant getting what he wanted. I was but a gift to you… my life holds little to no meaning to the man." I growled out watching as he struggled with his armor, rolling my eyes before making my way over to him to help him take it all off.

"I would never allow that to happen, Jana and you may not believe me but he is a man of his word. Trading Laeta to the pirates was not a thing he did lightly, he wouldn't have done it had he other options." He told me as I helped him out of his armor.

"Pompey does not know what you look like, nor do his men and we both know those were not Pompey's men." He sighed cupping my face with his hand. "Crassus will not betray me, there for he will not betray you."

"He already has by torturing my brother for information. Caesar please… all I want is for my brother to be set free...I am willing to betray all my people if it means Agron is allowed to live the rest of his days a free man."

"I would not let your compromise who you are, we will find another way to see your brother free from the bonds he is currently in. Come you should get some sleep." He told me as he sighed heavily.

"Will you sleep with me? Next to me." I questioned him as he smiled softly to me nodding. "If it would please you, yes."

I just nodded, "Will you tell me what the boy did to anger you so much that you would send him to certain death?"

Caesar looked away from me quickly, before than moving away from me. "The boy… he forced himself upon me in a show of dominance. To break me towards his will. He did not like that I held higher standing with the men and his father." My eyes widened at the revelation of Caesar being raped by that sick boy.

"I see now why you did not speak up about my people being in the armor… and why you suggested him. He will surely die, especially if Naevia made it to the others alive. She will tear him limb from limb."

"A thing I am hoping for… I will have easier time negotiating your brothers release with him not poisoning his father's mind." He told me.

I moved away from him and sat down on the bed looking towards his armor, his sword and knives where all set aside. My eyes slowly wandering towards him as he was in nothing but a towel walking towards me before he sat down next to me. "I never meant to hurt you like I had back in Sinuessa." He told me as I lowered my eyes.

"I know. That is not why I am being distant. I do not blame you for doing what you have to do, you've never blamed me for doing what I must. Though I feel you would feel differently if-" He cut me off with a short laugh.

"That you reunited with Gannicus? I expected no less Jana, you're a beautiful woman. You are torn between your love of two men. That is no fault of your own, the heart wants what it wants. You are a wild woman Jana… I would have you no other way." He smiled to me as I just lowered my head smiling.

"I don't want him hurt anymore than he already is." I told Caesar. "This is war, Jana… he's either going to be hurt or killed… and neither of those things would be a fault of yours."

He wasn't wrong, by the end of this war we would both lose many friends. Mine either escaping slavery for good or to the blade of Romans, I could only hope that Gannicus would find himself as far from Roman soil as he possibly could before it was too late. I laid down on the bed and looked over at him as he laid next to me on his back, he had already told me that he was not going to touch me unless I had asked for it.

He was trying to be a gentleman; though I knew he was doing his best just to do best by me. I rolled over putting my head on top of his shoulder as my hand rested on his chest. "Thank you for telling me what that shit did to you… I could not imagine what that did to you." I told him softly.

"It has taken everything within me not to kill him. Though once opportunity presented itself, I am just glad you were not here. If he had laid a hand upon you, I don't know what I would have done."

"Well I would have helped you kill him if that's what needed to happen." I told him as I could feel him laughing from below my head he moved to position himself so his arm was around me. "I know you would have… come lets get some sleep." He told me as I felt him adjust himself on the bed to get more comfortable. It was going to be a long night and I could only hope that when I awoke that I would get answers or at least find Agron.