Author note: I'm altering the timeline a bit: in the canon, the meeting between Tullius and Titus would take place the second day of the contest, but here I'm speeding things up a little. I hope you don't mind the change.
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When evening came, Tullius visited the house of Batiatus to speak with Titus, bringing an amphora of wine as a sign of good will, "I recalled your fondness for this wine", he said as his slave handed the gift to the old lanista, "Varus has assured me that this is his finest". "I am plied with honeyed wine at every turn these days", Titus commented, his words cut off by a fit of coughing.
"A simple gesture, small amends for jagged ends". "Jagged? A woman is dead, Tullius. A Roman woman, in my house. You've gone too far". "I have come to make amends. With a gift". Titus frowned and coughed again, "You offer wine to wash away blood?". "I offer position in the opening games of the new arena", the merchant said, his usual slimy smile curving his lips.
"Why would you do this?". "In honor of history: Capua has marveled at many champions of the House of Batiatus over the years. The storied victories of your men were a part of the old arena, as much as its wood and sand. In its final days past, absent the House of Batiatus. An unthinkable tragedy, caused by the actions of a foolish son", he added with a look of feigned concern.
"You know I do not condone his mistakes, yet, his actions do not stand alone in deserving condemnation", Titus said, but it lacked the sting. "The past cannot be changed. Let us turn eyes to bright horizon of glories untold, to be shared together!". The older man curled his upper lip, "What is it you seek in return for such…Generosity?", he asked, dripping sarcasm. "The only thing I've ever sought: Gannicus".
There was a brief, but heavy silence. "My son believes the man a champion above all others". "You were a reasonable man, Titus, you always have been. All I ask is that you consider what is best for your house", Tullius said with a fake smile, though his eyes were cold and menacing, "Enjoy your wine", he concluded, taking his leave.
Meanwhile, Quintus and Lucretia were having an argument, because he didn't refuse his father's ultimatum outright and simply accepted to delay the time for his answer of two more days. "I need time to convince him of your worth", Quintus told her, sighing. "Is he the one who needs convincing, Quintus?".
"Why do you have that fucking tone? I defend you at every turn!", he snapped. "And I have made every sacrifice!", she snapped back, "What more can I do? I gave you everything!". "Except a child!", he shouted, then he realized what he'd just said and lowered his gaze to the floor, his anger vanishing in an instant, "I spoke without thinking".
Lucretia's eyes were full of hurt and betrayal, "No. You speak your heart", she whispered, then she walked out of the room. "Lucretia!", he tried to call her, but she ignored him and he gritted his teeth in frustration, "Fuck!".
As he stood there, stewing in his guilt and anger, she was called by Naevia. "Domina Flaminia seeks to meet you, domina", the slave said. "Bless Jupiter", the matron smiled and went to meet her friend at the entrance, "Flaminia, it warms heart to see friendly face". "I bet, I saw Tullius leaving house a moment ago".
"Yes, he came to speak with Titus and brought gift of honeyed wine…", she trailed off as she saw her friend's lips twist in a disturbingly cheerful smile. "He did?", Flaminia let out a gleeful chuckle at that, but there was a cold and cruel undertone to it, "Bless Mars! I had prepared plan to make blame fall on his head, yet now I learn he helped in damning himself!", she exclaimed.
Lucretia felt her insides churn without even knowing why, "What is cause for such joy?". "Can you not see? Gods are on our side!", the younger woman showed her the small vial she'd recently acquired, "Put this in wine gifted by Tullius. When it does its job, Titus will be gone and Quintus will no doubt seek vengeance for murder. He will not hesitate in helping me get rid of Tullius for good and Gaia will be avenged, as will be all the slights Tullius committed against this house".
"You would do this for Gaia?". Flaminia's gaze softened as she stroked the matron's cheek tenderly, "For Gaia, for you and for Quintus. The three of you are family to me, more than my own parents have ever been and there is nothing I would not do for you". Lucretia's eyes filled with tears at those words, "I wish I had daughter like you". "And I wish I had mother like you. Now go and set plan in motion". She nodded, "Gratitude, Flaminia". "My pleasure, Lucretia. See you tomorrow", Flaminia concluded, placing a kiss on her friend's forehead and leaving the house.
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A week later, the Sun rose to bring another heart-wrenchingly bitter and painful day for Quintus Lentulus Batiatus, who had lost his father to poisoned wine: despite their many disagreements and the arguments of the latest days, he still loved his father much and the loss cut him deep, his grief feeding his hatred and desire for revenge against the one he considered as the murderer.
As was custom, a wake was kept in the main room of the house and Titus' corpse was placed in a small but luxuriant sedan in the centre of the room, surrounded by small burning braziers filled with aromatic wood and spice. While Quintus was lost in his thoughts, eyes fixed on his father, magistrate Sextus came to stand beside him.
"It is a heavy thing, to see a father so strong in life unable to rise", the magistrate said in a low and respectful tone. "The weight of it keenly felt", the lanista replied. "Titus was much loved by the city. Hold comfort in the knowledge", Sextus said, then bowed his head and rejoined the other guests. Lucretia immediately went to her husband, "Magistrate himself pays respects. It's a great honor", she whispered, trying to comfort her mourning husband.
"For my father. Years I've wished for blistering tongue to cool, only to long for its scorching once more", he added sadly. "I know you did not wish him gone in such a manner. Nor did I, despite our many differences", his wife lied, though she could not keep a smile from appearing on her lips, "Perhaps the Gods wished it".
"The Gods had no fucking hand in this", he whispered back, his voice full of anger, "Tullius alone inflicts injury", he turned as he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and met Flaminia's eyes. "Whatever you need, Quintus, know that you can rely on me", she said, hugging him and he let himself be held for a long moment, taking comfort in her presence. "Gratitude".
As they parted, Kerovas stepped forward and bowed his head, "My sympathies, dominus", he said sincerely and Quintus gave him a grateful nod and on an impulse, clasped his forearm. "You are good man, Kerovas". The slave was taken aback by that display of friendship at first, then smiled and returned the nod.
The moment was spoiled by Solonius, "Apologies. Unwelcomed guest makes appearance", he whispered, turning towards the door and as the other four followed his gaze, they saw none other than Vettius walking in.
Quintus' lips curled in a snarl, "Vettius!", he moved to meet the boy, but Flaminia grabbed his arm and slowed him down. "Do not make scene, Quintus", she murmured, "Remember that magistrate is here and confrontation would not be seen favorably in such circumstances". He did not like it, but took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down as much as he could, "Fine", he agreed, as Vettius came to stand before him.
"Good Batiatus", Vettius began, feigning sadness, "My sympathies for the passing of your father. A titan, standing far above those who follow". "You come absent Tullius. I did not think him man to keep to himself on such a tragedy", Quintus snapped, blue eyes flashing. "Well, he confers with dignitaries from Antioch", the brat explained and could not help a small mocking sneer curving his mouth.
"Antioch?", Solonius repeated, surprised. "He is engaging business there, to further glory of the Republic. He sends his regrets that he cannot be present. And a reminder", he added, "Of the bargain that was struck with your father before he passed, concerning the sale of Gannicus".
Batiatus' fists clenched in fury at his sides, "You dare broach subject on such a fucking day!", he growled, trying to take a step forward, only to be held back once again, this time by Kerovas. "We have respectfully waited for eight of them to pass", the boy spat, "Your period of mourning comes to conclusion. Tomorrow will greet the ninth day and with it we expect delivery of Gannicus".
Quintus was shaking with rage, "Turn desire to piss and shit and see yourself well satisfied!", he hissed. "Then Tullius will be forced to withdraw offer to include your men in the opening games of the new arena. And all that follow", Vettius threatened, then he turned on his heels and left.
Flaminia took Quintus' hand in hers, "Do not let his threats weight on heart, Quintus: as you may remember, I have already made deal with magistrate to include your titans and good Solonius' as well in opening games of the new arena", she told him in a soothing tone, "Vettius' words are naught but worthless shit". "This cannot go unpunished", he snarled and she smiled. "It will not, friend. But now is not time for such talk: first, we have one last duty towards your father to do".
He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, fighting back the tears at the prospect of saying his farewell to Titus, "As always, you are voice of reason, dearest. I will have gladiators build the pyre. And I trust you will spend night in our house: knowing you are here will be great comfort to us. It goes for you as well, Kerovas", he added.
The Roman woman nodded, "Of course we will stay. I could never leave you in such a moment", she reassured him, then added as an afterthought, "I would have words with Ashur before retiring for the night, if it is not bother: he won several fights in old arena, but opening games are different matter and I want to give him instructions for such important event. After all, he fights for honor of my house as well as yours". Quintus nodded, "As you wish", he agreed, for though he suspected the truth well enough, he did not want to deny her that joy.