When Quintus and Titus came back from Neapolis, the former was shocked by the news of Gaia's death, while the latter was furious. "Have you lost mind?", the old man snarled, "Again attempting to maneuver around Tullius!". "I only sought to elevate our position!", Quintus replied. "By putting the good name of the house in muck and shit?".
"What would you have me do?!", the son nearly roared, exasperated, "Bind to fucking Tullius' whims…". "He is above our station!", his father shot back, "I gave warning not to provoke the man! You ignored it and here are the results: a Roman citizen, dead, in my house!". "At the hands of the very man you defend", Lucretia said in a weak, tired voice from the chair she was curled up on.
"You help set this in motion", Titus accused her, "And now claim innocence in the outcome?". She raised her head and looked at him with red-rimmed eyes, "I claim vengeance. His life for hers. Blood and brains on the fucking floor". "And you will have it", Flaminia promised her, stroking her back as she knelt at her side. "Reward well deserved!", Quintus agreed.
"No", Titus said, with a face so grim that it would have curled milk, "There will be no retribution! And you", he glared at Flaminia, "I had hoped you would help my son see reason, yet here you are, taking his side!". The young woman stood and squared her shoulders, "I care for him and for Lucretia and I do what I feel is required to help them". "You help them in falling deeper into shit!", he spat. "I will see revenge taken", Lucretia hissed.
"You will do as fucking commanded!", Titus snarled, turning his back on them. The matron sniffed, "What of Gaia?". He mulled over it for a long moment, "She partook of too much wine, as she was often known to do. In the night she lost footing and fell to her death to the bottom of the cliff", he decided. Lucretia turned to look at her husband, but Titus snapped. "Do not turn to him! I am the dominus of this fucking house! See it done!", he concluded, leaving the room, "Quintus!".
His son had no choice but to follow him to the inner garden and the two women remained alone. "Gaia will be avenged", Flaminia repeated softly to the matron, "I will see it done, my friend, I swear it with Mars as my witness: I will make Tullius pay for this". Lucretia smiled at her with a mixture of fondness and sadness, "You are blessing to this house, but I do not want you to risk for my sake: you are wife of senator now and…".
"I am first and foremost your friend, husband be fucked. And Titus be fucked too", she added and the matron couldn't help a small giggle escaping her lips. "I so agree". "Do not let concern weigh on heart, Lucretia: I will find way to see everything settled. Now come, let us pay last respects to Gaia".
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In the meantime, Titus was about to drop a heavy load onto his son's shoulders. "So this is why you spirited me to Neapolis", the old man said, "Not to find common ground, but to bury our fortune!". "It was not my intent". "Oh, so you knew nothing of this, it was all that woman's doing?". Quintus opened his mouth to argue, but no sound came out and his father sighed.
"The two of you feed off each other, fattening yourselves with your lies! But I will see feast at an end", he growled. The younger Batiatus frowned, "What is your meaning?". "You know my fucking meaning! That you married that woman who brought nothing but shame!". "She is my wife!", Quintus shouted, his anger rising quickly.
"Because I foolishly allowed it. How much did you do to have something of your own, something that held meaning to you, even if no-one else sought it? What has she given you? No dowry to speak of, no name to elevate status, no heir to carry the name Batiatus", he listed, lips twisting with contempt, "Flaminia would have given you all of it, but I was too much of a fool to make arrangement with her father when I still could and now it's too late.
I cannot change missteps of the past, but I will see you on proper path…And Lucretia must be swept from it". Quintus felt his blood run cold, "You would dissolve my marriage?", he asked, disbelieving. "No. You will make that choice for yourself, or be gone from this house with her".
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The following morning, Quintus and Solonius walked between the stalls of the market, the former still unnerved at his father's ultimatum. "It's all fucked!", he exclaimed, "Tullius assaults guest in our own house and father condemns innocent son!". "Blame is mine", Solonius said, "If only I had stayed longer…".
"No, you might have joined Gaia in untimely end", his friend replied, patting his back, "All fault rests on Tullius alone", he said, then turned and sighed as a loud cheer came from the end of the alley, "Listen: cheering the final games of the old arena, yet here we stand, as removed from it as Gaia from this world, cursed be again that fucking Tullius!".
"It appears I will make an appearance after all". Quintus frowned, "You got an invitation to the games?". "At request of the magistrate", Solonius confessed uneasily, "A minor position, the effort far exceeds the reward". The younger lanista looked at him for a long moment, then placed a hand on his back again, "Warms heart to know you're unscathed from association with me".
"Petronius seemed quite pleased with your offerings", the older man tried to comfort him, "Perhaps there is still opportunity for you to gain place in the opening games of the new arena". "Fuck the arena!", he snapped angrily, "Fuck Tullius, fuck the fucking Gods, even the magistrate! Now my father gives ultimatum: Lucretia holds no longer title of wife".
Solonius was astonished, "Titus dissolved your marriage?". "It would be a kindness! If I don't cast her out, I'll find myself on the street with her!". "Perhaps it's best for her to find another husband", the older lanista murmured and Quintus pursed his lips. "I would sever cock from fucking body rather than see her from my arms", he stated. Solonius made as if to speak, but a female voice came from their left.
"Quintus! Good Solonius!". Both men turned to see Flaminia approach, with Kerovas at her side as always. "Rejoice, Quintus, I bring good news", she told him, "I come from house of magistrate Sextus: we had long conversation, during which I reminded him of Gannicus' victory against Vettius' worthless cunt and told him how impressive the titans of the House of Batiatus are on the sands. I also mentioned that it would greatly please me to see them fight at opening games of the new arena and he said he will send word to you to discuss matter this very afternoon".
"How…How did you manage that?", Solonius asked, dumbfounded and she smirked. "Now that I am wife of senator, my word has weight even for magistrate. Tullius' schemes and coin cannot outweigh it". Quintus smiled, but it was half-hearted, "Gratitude for your care, but even such good news cannot lift weight from heart". She frowned, "What happened?". "Father ordered me to dissolve marriage, or leave house with Lucretia".
Her eyes blazed with anger and her cheeks paled, "How dare he? Lucretia is your wife!". "I know. Yet I do not see other outcome". "What of games?". "Father is in charge of ludus now and if he refuses, my men will not take part to them".
She gritted her teeth: that old bastard would not be allowed to steal such a golden opportunity from her Ashur! Something needed to be done and soon, she only needed a good plan, "I see. It's shame, but there is nothing we can do to remedy it. Well, I will take my leave now, I have business to take care of. May Mars lift burden from your shoulders, Quintus. Good Solonius, it is always pleasure to see you". "And you as well".
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In the ludus, Titus was watching the gladiators training with Oenomaus by his side. "What do you make of Syrians?", the old man asked. "Ashur shows great promise", doctore replied, "While not as strong as others, he is quick in mind and body and can easily best man twice his size. As for Dagan, size and skill advantage him. And Ashur is teaching him our language, so I am confident that soon he will understand words without need for assistance", he answered, then noticed Gannicus.
His chest still sported the two long cuts left by Tullius' blade from the previous night, when the Roman had wanted to spar with the champion and the gladiator had been forced to lose and not attack in turn and he looked unusually serious and grim that morning. "Gannicus", the Numidian called him, "Work the palus". The gladiator nodded without a word, he was in no mood for conversation.
Titus shook his head, "I leave this house unsupervised and here stand results", he commented spitefully. "Apologies dominus", Oenumaus said. "You but did as commanded, by my son, who fell into shit with improprieties. I would see this house safe through troubled waters, if you would help". "Speak and see me set to task".
Titus looked at the gladiators once again, "A good company of men has been built in my absence. Arrange competition, so I may evaluate true worth of those beneath my roof". "Our champion may be absent at competition until recovery". "I hold no man champion if he hasn't proved himself to my eyes. All those who stand victorious will find honored position within these walls. Those who do not will be sold to the mines".
Oenomaus' eyes widened a fraction, "All of them bear the Mark", he said politely, but it was obvious he disagreed with his dominus' decision. "I remain unconvinced if they truly all are deserving of it. You are clear to your purpose?", Titus asked as he looked pointedly at the taller man. "Yes, dominus", doctore answered reluctantly.
The old man nodded and went back into the house, completely unaware that he had just hammered another nail in his own coffin.