I DO NOT OWN SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA.

Capua, Roman Republic. 2 weeks later.

Flavius sat silently in his chains. True to his word, Septimus had taken his captive to the city of Capua. The Legatus had not disclosed to Flavius what his business was, but he heard whispers between Glaber and his other subordinates that he was in serious shit. Senator Albanius, one of Capua's favored sons had called Augurnus to Capua to discuss his success against Mithridates, but the aging senator had taken the opportunity to berate the commander. From what Flavius had heard, due to his taking troops to Florentia to apprehend Flavius, along with killing his mother, enslaving his sister and looting his villa before burning it to the ground, much of the ground that his portion of the auxiliary had taken from the Greek invaders had been reclaimed by Rome's dangerous enemy. The senator was furious and was on the verge of demoting Septimus, but he managed to bullshit his way out of any trouble by claiming that it was all part of some strategic military strategy. To add to his cause, the Legatus offered Albanius a gift of blood to be spilled in the arena. As he listened to the other gladiators mocking him, Flavius prayed to the gods that even though his death was close at hand, his sister might be spared such misfortune.

Quintus Lentulus Batiatus and his wife Lucretia entered the arena and found their seats close to the pulvinus. The only time that a lanista like him felt truly powerful was in the arena, where their gladiators were treated as gods. With them was their loyal friend: Marcus Decius Solonius, a fellow lanista.

"Jupiter's cock!" Batiatus swore as the three took their seats. "The house of Batiatus offers the finest gladiators in all the republic and yet my men are confined to the lesser matches of the morning!"

"You should be grateful that you have men in the games, morning or otherwise." his friend replied sadly. "Good Solonius sits with empty hands."

"And I would see both our hands filled with contest and with coin." Batiatus said with a friendly shoulder touch as the men watched the pulvinus. Vettius, a young and arrogant lanista took his place

"Here comes Vettius, the perfumed shit." Lucretia murmured as the young blonde took his seat.

"His tongue is firmly tethered to Tullius's asshole." Batiatus remarked.

"And he is blessed with primuses and matches after midday sun in return for the licking." Solonius added.

"We must find someway gain position for both of our luduses, but the important matches that are viewed by the magistrate and those of note only occur later in the day." Quintus growled.

"But to do that, your men must prove themselves against those of Vettius and his men only fight..." Lucretia started to say.

"Later in the day." the two lanistas groaned.

"A vexing conundrum." Solonius muttered. They saw that Vettius was joined by a Roman officer.

"What new master has the pup found?" Batiatus inquired.

"That is Septimus Curtius Augurnus," Solonius answered. "He is a Legatus of high ranking."

"What is a man of such elevation doing in Capua?" Lucretia asked in return.

"Rumor has it that his poor performance against Mithridates and his Greek shits have caused him to fall out of favor with Senator Albanius."

"Do you know the man?" Batiatus asked.

"Not personally, but what I have heard deflates the heart." Solonius explained. "He is above our station and will not hesitate to remind us of it." Everyone went silent as the Legatus rose up.

"Good people of Capua!" Septimus announced. "I, Legatus Septimus Curtius Augurnus, come to you with a gift of blood; to be spilled in the arena!" The crowd cheered as the Legatus went on. "I give to you, a coward who disobeyed his Legatus, deserted from the auxiliary, and dishonored Rome itself to be executed ad gladium! I present to you: Flavius Helvetius Seuso, fugitivus!"

As Flavius walked onto the sands, he was greeted with boos and jeers. He had been given only a simple sword and shield with which to wager his life upon.

"And who shall put down this dishonorable dog?" Septimus asked with glee. "From the house of Vettius, I give you Scorylo of Thrace, mermillo!" Everyone cheered as a strong and ferocious man came out with a proper sword and shield.

"Time to die pup!" he mocked as Flavius set his mind to the task of staying alive.

"Begin!" Septimus commanded as Scorylo charged at the young Roman. Flavius tried desperately to block, but the Thracian moved with great strength. The crowd cheered as the two men battled. Eventually, Scorylo gained the upper hand and knocked Flavius down on his ass. As he tried to get up, the Thracian put his foot on Flavius's neck.

"Are you not entertained, Capua?" He asked as the crowd cheered for him. Flavius took advantage of this moment and grabbed his sword. He ran it through Scorylo's leg and as the gladiator doubled over in pain, Flavius took his sword and sliced off the head of Scorylo with one swift stroke. At first, the crows was shocked, but then they cheered for the ex soldier.

"FLAVIUS, FLAVIUS, FLAVIUS!" they shouted.

While the crowd was pleased at this upset, Septimus was enraged. Flavius was supposed to have suffered and died in the arena.

"Well, it appears your man shall have his freedom." Vettius said with a smirk.

"The sentence stands." the Legatus replied.

"But Roman law states..." the boy started to say.

"He caused me grievance, I want his blood spilled in the arena!" Augurnus shouted.

"Beg pardon, good Septimus." The men turned to see two Roman's dressed in fine robes.

"How know you my name?" Septimus asked.

"Apologies, I am Quintus Lentulus Batiatus," He said. "A humble Lanista of Capua. Words of your discontent with the execution reached my ears and I have come to offer aid."

"How would you aid me, lanista?" Septimus asked sarcastically.

"Since you do not wish to free the man, I would suggest that you sell him to me." Batiatus offered. "To be trained in my ludus, so that the arena will be his grave as first intended."

"You would pay for a fugitivus?"

"Name price and see it paid." Septimus thought for a moment and then gave a smile.

"60 denarii." he demanded as Batiatus groaned. "Unless the price is too steep."

"Not at all, a bargain is struck." the lanista agreed as he turned to his companion. "Good Solonius, you must lend me 40 denarii."

"Jupiter's cock." Solonius groaned in turn as he gave Quintus the money he asked for. Once the price was paid, Vettius stood up.

"For his showing in the arena, the fugitivus Flavius Helvetius Seuso shall be granted...Life!" he announced as the young Roman stood silently in the arena.

NEXT TIME, FLAVIUS BEGINS HIS TRAINING AT THE LUDUS OF BATIATUS. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.