Chapter 4:
After Xander asked Spike to translate the conversation Decens was having with the lone Roman for the eighth time, the ex-vampire started to get annoyed.
"That's it, Xan. I'm teaching you Latin," Spike growled quietly. "Lesson the first - v's are w's and c's are k's. Pronounce all letters and-"
"Silence back there!" one of the guards yelled. Spike glared and flipped him a two-fingered salute. Fortunately, the guard had no idea what the gesture meant.
Xander stifled a grin. "Good to see you're in a better mood."
Spike ignored him. All his attention was focussed on Decens and the solitary Roman. The stranger looked annoyed and kept gesturing wildly in Spike and Xander's direction. Decens looked tired and stressed.
"You're a good man, Decens," the Roman said in Latin. "I always get my best fighters from you, but I'm not understanding why you want me to buy one that looks like it'll break if it gets hit once!"
Decens sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair. "I've already told you, Milo. If you wish to buy Alexander, then the small one goes with him. He's stronger than he looks, fast too. Now, do we have a deal?"
Spike's eyes widened in surprise as he heard that. The slave-dealer was trying his best to keep him and Xander together! Spike grinned and leaned against his mate, making a mental note to thank Decens later.
The stranger, Milo, scowled and walked over to the assembled slaves. He pointed to a big Egyptian man to Spike's left, and Lucius unchained him from the others. Milo's slaves took hold of the big man by the arms and chained his wrists loosely.
Milo glanced briefly at Xander, then intently studied Spike. The Englishman glared defiantly at the Roman, wishing he could go into gameface. Milo finally nodded. "Fine, Decens. I'll take them both," he said reluctantly. "The little one had better be at least twice the fighter the other one is, or I'll take my business elsewhere."
As Milo's slaves brought Spike and Xander over next to the Egyptian man, the blonde called out in Latin.
"Decens! A moment of your time, sir, please," he shouted, waving his chained arms. Instinctively, he dodged a rough blow from one of the slave guards.
Fortunately, Decens heard Spike's call. "Call off your guards, Milo!" he said angrily as another slave aimed a kick at the Brit. He hurried over to where Milo's three new slaves stood. "Yes? Spike, isn't it?"
Spike nodded. "I just wanted to thank you for keeping Xan and I together. I don't know what I'd do without 'im."
"In all my years, I've never seen anyone, Roman, slave, or otherwise, quite like you two. Good fortune go with you both," Decens said with a smile. He started to walk away, then hesitated and turned around. "Oh, and boys?"
The ex-vamp and his lover looked up.
"Don't die."
tbc...
Author's Note: Once again, sorry about the delay. Finals are a real bitch. The fifth chapter is halfway written, so it should be up in a few days. Many thanks to my wonderful reviewers!
