Author note: Welcome to my Spartacus fanfic, ladies and gentlemen! It's a crosspost from Archiveofourown (same title, but my nickname there is Goddess_of_the_arena) The protagonist is an original character of my creation, Flaminia of the House of Lutatius. I hope you'll enjoy the reading *smiles*
Since the series doesn't give us an exact date for when the recruits arrived at the ludus, I'm making it up and placing it at 8 February. I also altered the timeline to make Gaia arrive in Capua sooner than canon.
oxoxoxoxoxo
Quintus Lentulus Batiatus was walking through the market with his old friend, Marcus Decius Solonius, when a cheerful female voice called out to him. "Quintus!". He turned with a wide smile, having recognized the voice, "Flaminia! Jupiter's cock, what joy to see you!", he exclaimed, taking the woman up in a hug, "How are you? And your parents?".
Flaminia of House Lutatius was the only daughter of a wealthy weapon merchant and Batiatus' long-time friend, an attractive young woman with long brown hair, deep brown eyes and a slender, but generously curved body, who always dressed in white. As usual, she was accompanied by her bodyguard Kerovas, a seven-feet-tall tower of a man with dark skin, close-cropped black hair, eyes that burned like fire and such impressive muscles that he could give most gladiators a run for their money.
Batiatus' and Flaminia's families had a strong bond, dating back to the time when his grandfather founded the ludus and her great-grandfather supplied his gladiators with high-quality weapons. Both the commercial connection and the friendship had been passed from one generation onto the next over time, so that now Flaminia's father Janus was best friends with Quintus Batiatus and the latter loved the former's child nearly as though she were his own daughter.
For a brief period of time, Titus, Quintus' father, had even considered arranging a combined marriage to strengthen the bond, but unfortunately for him, his son had met Lucretia and fallen in love with her, taking her as his wife.
As for Flaminia, she wasn't married and was still a virgin, because, as Janus always told her, 'unspoiled woman has greater value as a wife and virginity is highly appreciated dowry for husband'. That was one of the reasons why Kerovas was constantly by her side, since his task was to make sure she remained intact in every sense of the word.
"I'm glad to see you too, my friend, it's good to be in Capua again. Parents are fine, they are in still in Rome for business", she smiled back and turned to Solonius, her cheerfulness fading a fraction, "Ah, good Solonius, pleasure to meet you as well. I see you're still by Quintus' side". He bowed, kissing her hand, "Flaminia, you are more beautiful every time eyes fall upon you".
She laughed softly, "Oh, you shameless flatterer. How has life been treating you since last meeting? I trust Lucretia is fine?". Batiatus nodded, "She is and I'm sure she will be overjoyed to see you. She's home with Gaia at moment". Her eyebrows rose with surprise, "Gaia? I thought she was still in Rome, mourning over her husband's death".
He rolled his eyes, "Mourning? Tsk! That cock-sucking, money-grabbing whore was more than happy to bury him". "And no doubt she's already looking for new fat coin purse to drain. So, what are you looking for today? Some quality weapons for the gladiators, maybe? Father has just restocked the stall".
He shook his head, "Ah, apologies, dearest, but I'm looking for some new recruits for ludus". She arched an eyebrow, "Really? I thought that Oenomaus and Gannicus would be enough to impress the crowd and grant you place in important games". He sighed, "Would Jupiter listen to you! But no, unfortunately the Gods seem to enjoy pissing down on me at every turn: I'm still stuck with lesser matches".
Flaminia bit her lower lip, "That's bad news. Shall I come with you? Maybe I can help you find someone worthy of attention", she proposed, draping her scarf around her head to hide her face, since she didn't want people to gossip about her visit to the slave market.
"Of course, your company would be most welcome", he nodded, as they walked side by side to the square where slaves were sold, "And what about your scandalous pastime? Still indulging in it with the satelles here?", he added, shooting a quick glance at Kerovas, who didn't even blink. Flaminia, however, blushed and shot nervous glances around, afraid that they could be overheard, "Lower your voice! And yes, I still train with him every time I have chance to do so".
Solonius frowned disapprovingly, "It's not appropriate for a free woman to fight like man". "I know, but I love it too much. You can't understand what it means to feel the weight of the sword in my hand, to grip the handle and strike and feint, to feel both arm and body shivering from the force of the blow!", she let out a dreamy sigh, "If only I were born a man, then I could have become a soldier, or a gladiator, even.
Just imagine, me on the sand, my sword cutting off the head of my opponent and the crowd chanting my name over and over, roaring with delight at victory…", she trailed off and yelped, as her bodyguard quickly took her up and put her down a few steps forward.
Batiatus laughed, "You should come down from the clouds, friend! You were so absorbed in your dreams, that you nearly tripped on that pile of shit", he added, pointing to a steaming mass in the middle of the street. "Ew! Gratitude, Kerovas", she said, giving her protector a warm smile, which he returned. "My pleasure, domina". "Ah, here we are, right in time", Batiatus announced as they entered the small square.
The three Romans watched with interest as the slave master pushed eight men in chains up the short staircase and onto the scaffold and Flaminia's eyes were immediately drawn to one of them in particular, a six-feet-tall Syrian who had a lean and toned build, nearly-shaved black hair and a short beard with one small braid.
The slave master pointed to each man in turn, telling the crowd their names, where they were abducted from and about their qualities as fighters, but she didn't care about the others, she only had eyes for him, the one named Ashur. Even if his body seemed made more for stealth and agility than for brute strength, he had the potential to become a good fighter and besides, there was something in his posture and in the way he looked around himself that spoke of self-confidence and of a sharp, cunning intelligence.
She was of half a mind to buy him for herself, but Batiatus was faster. "I think these eight will be perfect as recruits. What do you think, domina dearest?". "Well…", she hesitated, but her loyalty towards her friend prevailed over her own desire, "I'm not sure about the others, but at least two of them seem good enough to survive training", she admitted, "The Syrians may live long enough to earn the Mark.
As for the remaining six…Well, it's your pecunia. And even if they don't earn the Mark, maybe they can serve as house slaves". "Or be sent to the mines, that would yield some denarii as well", Batiatus replied. "True", she tried to maintain an indifferent tone, but her lips pursed with distaste, "Buy them all, then".
He purchased the whole lot and she couldn't suppress a sigh of mixed envy and frustration, which Solonius caught immediately. "Seems like you were interested in purchasing a slave yourself, am I right?", he asked her with a smirk, "Someone to keep you company in your villa, maybe?". "I am merely tired from long journey back to our beloved Capua", she replied, her tone polite even as her eyes glared daggers at him from beneath her long lashes.
"Then you must come to my house and enjoy hospitality and wine", Batiatus said, offering her his hand with a playful bow, "Allow me to escort you, beautiful domina". Flaminia giggled and took his hand, "With pleasure, my friend. Good Solonius, it has been a joy to meet you. I hope to see you again soon", she lied, inwardly praying the Gods that he would meet his end soon. "So do I, Flaminia", he replied with a courteous nod, "Batiatus, see you tomorrow".
"Of course", the younger lanista waved and led the woman and her bodyguard through the crowded streets. "Being back home is great relief", she sighed happily as she took in the familiar surroundings, "Rome is nice place, but no place is like Capua". "Without you, this city is not the same", he assured her, "Even games seem boring, if you're not by my side in row, cheering on my titans".
"When we're at home, can I watch the gladiators training?". "I knew you would ask!", Batiatus laughed, "And yes. Follow me, dearest". They walked inside the villa and Melitta was quick to approach them. "Welcome back, dominus. Domina Flaminia, welcome". "Melitta, such joy to see you! I missed you", the young Roman woman smiled affectionately at the slave, hugging her, "How are you?". "I'm fine, domina, gratitude".
"And what of your husband, good Oenomaus? I trust he has recovered from the fight against Teokoles, I long to see him in the arena once more". The other woman's smile faltered, "He has recovered, but he still hasn't been allowed to fight again". "Oh, that's shame. Quintus, why are you keeping him from the arena? He's great gladiator, he deserves to be on the sand again".
"I have a good reason for it, trust me", he replied, then turned to Melitta, "Where are my wife and Gaia?". "They...", she hesitated, "They are bathing, dominus. Shall I call them?". "No, let them have fun. Flaminia wants to witness training and I won't delay her pleasure longer than necessary". "Dominus", she bowed and went back to the bathroom, while Batiatus led his friend to the balcony which faced directly on the ludus.
Flaminia bent forward, her eyes shining as she observed the gladiators exchanging blows under the Sun, "This is wonderful", she sighed, a dreamy smile on her lips and he let out a laugh. "You have the same look on your face as the first time we stood here, back when my father was in charge of the ludus".
"Ah, I remember that day well: Titus took me up in his arms, so that I could better see his titans, as I was too small to see above railing", her gaze softened, "It was love at first sight. I would give anything to be in your place...But more in theirs". "Not to be in their bed?", a teasing female voice came from the room and Flaminia rolled her eyes with an amused chuckle as she turned around. "Gaia! Such pleasant surprise to meet you here, of all places".
Gaia shot her a sultry smile, "Oh, Flaminia, pleasure is mine", she purred, kissing her on the cheek and trying to kiss her on the lips as well, but the younger woman took a step back. "Friend, you know I'm not allowed".
Gaia arched an eyebrow, "Still holding onto virginity, I see. It's a shame you can't indulge in the delights of flesh…Especially since you have this stunning specimen of male at disposal", she added, eyeing Kerovas up and down appreciatively, while he blatantly ignored her.
"I can't disobey father. And stop making eyes at Kerovas already, he's not on the market anymore", Flaminia added, more sharply than she would have wanted to, then smiled warmly at her host, "Lucretia, how are you?".
"Better, now that I see you", the matrona said, "How are your parents?". "They're fine, gratitude. They have business to take care of in Rome, but send their fondest regards". "Come and join us for a cup of fresh wine". "Gratitude, but I prefer to stay here and admire Quintus' titans at work".
She shot a look at the gladiators and grimaced, "Those filthy slaves? I will never understand your fascination with them". "It's not them, but the fight, danger and thrill of the kill that set my blood on fire. If only I could be on sand like them…". "Flaminia! A woman shouldn't talk like that!". "I didn't ask the Gods to be born woman".
Gaia chuckled, her eyes half-lidded like those of a sly cat, "Being a member of female sex brings many benefits, dear". "But it deprives me of pleasure to wield gladius in combat". "So stubborn…But you will come to understand, sooner or later". "If you say so", Flaminia shrugged, returning her attention to the courtyard beneath the balcony.
"You are planning to stay for a while, I hope?", Batitatus asked her, "The games for the Lupercalia will take place next week and...". "I would never lose them!", she enthusiastically cut him off, "I'll be in the front raw to enjoy the show", she added, her thoughts drifting to the Syrian slave named Ashur and a thrill ran through her at the mental image of him in the arena, fighting to the death against another gladiator and slashing his opponent's throat open, "I can't wait for that day to come".
oxoxoxoxoxo
Lupercalia: they were celebrations in honor of Faunus Lupercus, an incarnation of Faunus (Pan) as the patron of shepherds, who protected the flock from the wolves. They were celebrated on 15 February.
Satelles: the Latin word for 'bodyguard'.