I DO NOT OWN SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA.
House of Batiatus, the following day.
Flavius sat in the shade as he drank all the water that he could stomach. It was an especially hot day in Capua and the men were by no means at their best form. As Flavius drank, he heard the gates open and saw Ashur and Dagon enter through the gates. They had left with Indus to prove themselves in Batiatus's eyes. Now, the Syrians returned alone.
"What has happened?" Flavius asked as Ashur prepares for training. "Did you complete the task?"
"We did and Dominus was most pleased." Ashur answered.
"What of Indus, will he still be sent to the mines?" Flavius inquired anxiously as Ashur sighed.
"He tried to escape, I was forced to shed his blood." Ashur admitted wistfully as the men showed remorse at the death of a brother. Before they could speak on the matter further, they were interrupted by Quintus Lentulus Batiatus.
"Doctore!" Batiatus cried out as the trainer of gladiators cracked his whip.
"Gladiators, form up!" He growled as the men fell in to rows. "Present yourselves!"
"Batiatus, Batiatus, Batiatus!" The gladiators cheered as Flavius joined in with them.
"Did I not tell you?" Gaia asked as she looked down from the balcony with the Batiatuses and a man Flavius had not yet seen. "The finest gladiators in all of Capua."
"Hmm, a demonstration, perhaps?" The man suggested.
"Of course, Gannicus...Step forward!" The Lanista declared as the Celt presented himself. "Behold! My finest champion! No man stands his equal."
"According to him." Flavius remarked, earning a smirk from Ashur.
"And who would you have face this God of the arena?" Quintus inquired. "Barca perhaps or Oenomaus, who fought so bravely..."
"How about the former Roman?" Gaia offered as Flavius was stunned at being dragged into this spectacle. "Who would not marvel at seeing such a creature locked in mortal embrace."
"Flavius?" Batiatus asked in equal shock. "Apologies the man does not yet bear the mark of the brotherhood."
"Then consider this his test." The stranger declared. "If he can best your god of the arena, he shall be branded."
"I fear such a match would be overly brief." Lucretia argued.
"A blessing, considering the heat." The stranger countered.
"Well, let us move to it then." Batiatus declared. "Flavius Helvetic's Seuso, Step forward!"
"A fucking jest." Barca's lover remarked as the former soldier stepped forward.
"The house of Batiatus is humbled by the attentions of Quintilius Varus." the Lanista cried out. "Let us show him they are not unwarranted."
"Apologies, are they to use those little wooden sticks?" Varus inquired.
"Well, it is the tradition, when blood is not the purpose." Quintus explained.
"So they are to fight as children, not men?" Quintilius challenged.
"Why, I would not see you to such an impression." Batiatus said, trying to please the man. "Doctore! Have wood give way to steel." Doctore didn't seem pleased with the order, but abided by it.
"Gladius!" He cried out as the wood weapons that the men held were replaced with steel.
"Let's see how long you last." Gannicus teased as Flavius faces him with sword and shield.
"Begin!" Batiatus declared as Flavius swung his sword at Gannicus, only to be knocked on his ass. The former Roman continued to attack, but the Celt seemed to anticipate every move and deflected it. As it seemed that Gannicus was about to strike him down. Flavius saw an opening and struck him in the groin with his boot. Gannicus managed to stay on his feet, but everyone could tell that he was in pain. Flavius continued to hammer at the his defenses until he finally knocked Gannicus down and had him at sword point.
Have there ever before been such a demonstration?" Batiatus asked as he and everyone else were in disbelief at seeing the great Gannicus bested on the sands.
"It would appear that your god is only a mere mortal after all." Varus heated as Batiatus motioned for Flavius to back away as Gannicus stood to his feet.
"The house of Batiatus is full of surprises." Lucrearia offered.
"Seuso has proven himself, let us see him earn the mark." Varus decreed as the necessarily tools were brought. Flavius fell to his knees as Doctore stood above him with a branding iron in the shape of a B in his hand.
"Recite the oath!" Doctore commanded as he told to Flavius who then repeated it.
"I commit my flesh, my mind, my will to the glory of this ludus and the commands of my master, Batiatus." Flavius recited. "I swear to be burned, chained, beaten or die by the sword for honor in the arena." Doctore pressed the iron into the former soldier's arm who groaned as he did it. When it was done, there was a B burned into Flavius's flesh.
"Welcome to the brotherhood." Doctore said as Seuso rose to his feet. The other gladiators came around him and showered him with praise as even Gannicus could not help but be impressed with the man. Even Quintus Lentulus Batiatus granted Flavius a smile of favor as he enjoyed this money with Ashur embracing him. He would survive another day to seek his revenge.
NEXT TIME, FLAVIUS MUST PROVIDE VARUS WITH A TREAT FOR HIS EYES. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED