Chapter II

~ Marketplace ~

The next morning, I was on the villa's balcony with Melitta, serving drinks and food for Lucretia and Batiatus, who were standing next to the railing. I was standing at Quintus' side and melitta at Lucretia's as we watched the gladiators and recruits training on the sand below us. I saw my brother fighting with another recruit, and I saw how Crixus continued to fall down on the sand. I looked at him in worry and Batiatus noticed it.

"Your brother doesn't seem to have the same fire in him as he had in the city." he said, and I turned to look at him.

"I believe that he will get better in time." I calmly said to the dominus.

He looked down at Crixus, who still kept on falling down. "You have faith in him?" he asked me. "Yes, dominus. " I answered. "Then let us wait patiently for the day when he brings glory to the house of Batiatus.", said Lucretia supportively, as she smiled at me. I smiled slightly back at her and then looked back down on the sand. As I watched my brother training, I felt like someone was looking at me. I looked around the training area, and finally, next to the palus, was standing Gannicus, who was staring right back at me. When he saw me looking back at him, that irritating grin of his appeared on his face. I rolled my eyes at his arrogance, and turned my eyes away from him. After my talk with him last night, I almost couldn't fall asleep. Despite the fact that I told him that his handsome and charming face and arrogant grin didn't work on me, my heartbeat had quickened and I too, had been slightly aroused when I tempted him with my words. I admit it, I was attracted to him but there was no way I was going to let him know that. I was shaken away from my thoughts, when Batiatus spoke. "Doctore!" he yelled at the man wielding the whip. The man looked at the dominus. "Yes, dominus?"

"We're leaving for the marketplace soon so let the gladiators eat. And tell Gannicus to get ready." the dominus ordered. Doctore nodded and cracked his whip, sending the gladiators and recruits to eat. Batiatus looked at me and said: "Cassandra. Go get Gannicus. We're leaving soon." I nodded, despite not really wanting to see the said gladiator.

"Yes, dominus.", I said and walked inside the villa.

As I was standing next to the ludus' door, I was thinking about my brother. I was worried about him. I knew how much he wished to become a gladiator, but it was obviously becoming too hard for him. I just wished that he wouldn't hurt himself too badly. "So we meet again.", said a voice that I was unfortunately familiar with. I turned around and saw Gannicus standing behind the ludus door. "Are you back here to tempt me some more?", he asked with the everpresent grin on his face. "No." I said as I stepped to the gate and opened it. "Dominus told me to get you. We're leaving soon for the marketplace." He grinned and stepped to the same side of the gate where I was. "So you're going to witness me fighting against one of Vettius' men?", he asked. "Unfortunately.", I answered. "Good. Now I have someone to fight for." My heartbeat quickened slightly at his words."I thought you only fight for wine and women?"

I swear that I saw a hint of hurt in his eyes when I said it. "Mostly I do, but there are occasions when I fight for something else. And this time, I've decided to fight for you." "Why?" I began. "What reason do you have to fight for me?" I continued as I stopped and looked him in the eye. "Because I like you." "You like all women.", I insisted. "I do, but usually I like women only because most of them are easy to get to bed with you...-" I laughed a little at his words. "but you..." he continued. "You I like because of you're almost the first woman ever who hasn't fallen for my grin when you first see me." Oh how wrong he was. "And I like you because you're obviously confident, but still there's something sad about you." "I also get angry easily.", I said to him while glaring at him. "A trait most likely shared by your brother." That surprised me. "How do you know I have a brother?", I asked him. He smiled, it was an actual smile and not a grin.

"I heard two of the recruits talking while training. The other was a Gaul and he said that he was brought here with his sister, Cassandra. And since I have never seen you here before, i assumed that you must be Cassandra." "I am." I answered. "It's an honor to meet you, Cassandra."

"I wish I could say the same about you." I quickly told him and he laughed at my answer. I smiled a little as I heard his laugh.

As I was walking toward the market with Melitta by my side, I saw how many people there were. No doubt most of them were there to see the fight between two rival houses. As I looked forward, I saw Gannicus and the doctore walking right in front of me and Batiatus, Lucretia, Gaia and Solonius in the very front of the group. In moments, we arrived at the small marketplace. "Where is good Vettius?" Batiatus questioned the people who were stepping to the sides, then continuing: "Is he among you? Or did he come to his sense, and remain within the warm safety of his bed?" The very next moment, we saw Vettius standing with two other men on the far end of the market. "Ah, there he stands!" Batiatus announced. "Fresh and young as a new-born calf."

"The fool at last shows himself." said Vettius as he walked toward us with one of the men with him. As I had heard Batiatus and Lucretia talk about Vettius, I assumed that the man beside Vettius must have been Tullius, the man who, in Batiatus' words, Vettius was "always following like a dog follows his master".

"Batiatus." Tullius greeted. "We had begun to fret on your arrival. Although I see you arrive with an unexpected gift." the man continued, as he saw Gaia standing beside Lucretia. "It has been too long, Gaia." Tullius greeted her and the roman woman greeted back with a small nod and a smile. "And grows longer still." said Vettius as he seemed to become inpatient.

"Apologies for my delay. I had much difficulty in the choosing of a man." Batiatus boasted. ", an imposing task, when each among my stable stands a titan!" The dominus said, even though everyone knew that Gannicus was the champion of the house and had never lost. Or so I had heard. "Perhaps young Vettius should have taken more time with the choosing of his own." the dominus once again mocked Vettius.

"Words fall from your mouth, as shit from ass." the young dominus spoke, and the irritation could be heard in his voice. Batiatus laughed, knowing that he was starting to get on Vettius' nerves.

"Let us not become mired in base exchange." Tullius said as he glanced at the two men. "We are gathered this glorious day to witness honorable contest between respected rivals." he explained to the crowd. "Clear space!" he continued, and the crowd standing around us steped closer to the buildings, leaving a large area for the gladiators.

As Tullius explained the crowds more of what was to take place, I looked at Gannicus, who was listening to his doctore's advice. The gladiator was facing us, and soon he saw me looking at him. He flashed a grin, and I even saw the arrogant gladiator wink at me. And despite what I was trying to tell myself, he once again made my heart race and I felt heat rising to my cheeks. I looked away, and the way I looked at was at Melitta, who unfortunately had seen the silent exchange between me and the champion. I was broken away from my thoughts as I heard the crowds cheering.

"Batiatus. Present your man." Tullius requested. Batiatus stepped forward and looked at the magistrate who had arrived with Tullius and Vettius.

"In honor of the Magistrate, esteemed Tullius, and the good people of Capua..." As Batiatus spoke, I watched Gannicus relax his muscles, preparing himself for the match. Then he took the swords that the doctore was holding and stepped forward. "I give to you the fiercest Celt ever to take up arms in the arena! Slayer of beasts! Conqueror of giants! Behold, Gannicus! Champion of the house of Batiatus!" Batiatus exclaimed and stepped to the side as Gannicus walked past him, throwing his swords in the air, exciting the crowds to cheer for him.

"A fine choice." Tullius complimented. "Vettius! Present your man." he looked at the man.

"I have no tongue for overripe embellishment. Nor is it required. Otho, stand forth." the young, arrogant dominus said as a gladiator stepped forward from behind him. He attempted to get the crowd cheer for him, and some did, but not nearly as much as they did for Gannicus. The gladiator took a position, ready to fight, and looked at Gannicus. "Your day finally comes." the gruesome-looking man threatened. "And yours ends." the grinning Gannicus answered as they both took their positions. "Gratitude to Batiatus and Vettius. Now, lets us judge who stands the better house!" exlaimed Tullius, as the crowd once again cheered. The magistrate lifted his hand, ready to begin the match, when Vettius interrupted him."Apologies, magistrate."

Everyone quieted and turned to look at Vettius.

"There appears to be something missing." he claimed. Everyone, including me, was confused. "Where is your man's blindfold?"

Blindfold?! Gannicus was to fight against the other man without his eyesight?!

"Blindfold? What the fuck?" Batiatus asked in mocking tone.

"That was your boast, was it not?" Vettius asked as a slave gave him a piece of fabric. The man walked closer to Batiatus and continued: "That your gladiator could best any of my men absent sight?" I glanced at my dominus, wishing that Vettius was not speaking the truth. He couldn't have told them that Gannicus could fight without sight? He could kill himself if he attempted such a thing.

"You did voice such challenge." said Tullius, confirming my fears. I saw a look of discomfort appear on Batiatus' face as he spoke: "A simple figure of speech, not meant to be... Good Tullius!" he desperately told the man. "If Batiatus does not wish to honor terms," Vettius spoke. "he should remove himself, with tail between legs." Vettius mockingly smirked at Batiatus. I saw Batiatus go silent, not knowing what to say, so I looked at Gannicus. He had his back toward us, but I could see that he was trying to keep his breathing calm. Soon, however, he turned around and offered his swords to the doctore. The man took the swords and Gannicus turned at Vettius. "Come." Gannicus told him. I couldn't believe that he would actually accept the challenge. "The task should not be that difficult." he continued as he took the blindfold from Vettius. "I need only direct my blades towards the smell of shit." Gannicus put the blindfold on. The doctore gave him the swords, and Gannicus took his position. As I saw the fight about to start, my heart beat so fast that I was afraid it would go through my chest. "Are you going to allow this, Quintus?" I saw Lucretia ask her husband. "The choice has been removed from my hands." Batiatus said as all of us watched the gladiators. "Begin!" yelled the magistrate, and the moment he said it, I saw Gannicus duck as Otho swung his sword toward Gannicus' head. I watched the match start. It was impossible for Gannicus to win because of the blindfold! For the first time in my life, I truly wished that I wasn't a slave. If I wasn't, I could have pleaded Batiatus to end the match.

As I watched the match I knew was going to end horribly, I tried to calm my breathing and the heart that was hammering against my chest.

As the fight went on, I saw Gannicus to block and evade Otho's strikes, but soon the brute gained the upper hand, and in no time, Gannicus had wounds all over his body and he was getting tired as his every attempt to get up was ended by Otho kicking or punching him.

I was quickly becoming more scared as I watched Gannicus become more and more tired. I could barely keep my eyes on the match as Gannicus was forced to take the beating. In just a few moments, Gannicus looked so exhausted that I feared that the next swing of sword tha Otho made, would end Gannicus' life. However, to my astonishment, I was proven wrong. Otho swung the sword over his head at Gannicus, but he quickly dodged it, sending the sword to bury itself into the wooden bench behind him. Gannicus quickly felt for the sword and then stood up and gripped Otho's neck, banging his head against the bench continuously. Then, as Otho tried to lift himself up, Gannicus pushed on his neck, pushing it towards the sword that was just inches from Otho's neck. Little by little, the sword came closer and when the sword's edge touched Otho's neck, Gannicus pushed harder, the sword buried itself into Otho's neck, spilling his blood.

He won. I can't believe Gannicus won the fight which everyone thought would be his last. The crowd cheered as Gannicus slowly stood up. The crowd surrounded him and Batiatus rushed to his champion, throwing his arm around Gannicus' shoulders as the gladiator took off the blindfold. I looked at him in amazement, and when Gannicus saw me looking at him, a wide smile appeared on his face and he threw his arms up in the air. I stared at him in disbelief, but slowly I smiled back at him. After a moment, Batiatus walked back to us and looked at me. "Cassandra. Take Gannicus back to the ludus. And because the medicus is currently unavailable, you're going to have to tend to his wounds. Will you be able to do that?" "Yes,dominus.", I answered as I bowed slightly at him. I watched as he, Lucretia, Gaia, Solonius and Melitta walked away, to go back to the villa. Just when I was going to turn and walk to Gannicus, he suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Do you have to keep on doing that? I'm going to die of fright.", I glared at him.

"Apologies.", he said. I sighed and nodded.

"Apology accepted. Now come. Dominus ordered me to take you to the ludus and tend to your wounds.", I said to him, as I walked away with him following close behind.

Some time later, I was inside Gannicus' chamber. While he was sitting on his bed, I was standing next to a table as I put away the bloodied rags. I heard an almost silent grunt from behind me and saw Gannicus lift himself up from the bed.

"You shouldn't stand up. You need rest.", I tried to tell him. He only glanced at me and straightened his back.

"I've fought before, in case you didn't know yet. These wounds aren't that much worse than the ones I have had before.", he insisted. He stretched his limbs and back and while doing so, he let out another grunt. I sighed, and turned around. I walked to him and pushed him down on the bed by his shoulders. He was slightly surprised.

"That may be, but I don't want to have my chores interrupted later when someone tells me that your wounds tore open.", I told him seriously. "Maybe I do want to open the wounds. If I did, you would be forced to tend to my wounds again.", he grinned. "It would be the perfect excuse for me to get to be in the same room as you."

My heartbeat quickened as I heard his words, and I could feel heat on my cheeks, so I immediately turned around and walked back to the table to wash the rags. "Well you can't do that. I am busy with other chores and you are not a child that needs to be cared for."

I put my focus on washing the rags, and because of the sound of my fast heartbeat filled my ears, I could not hear the light steps coming my way. "And you shouldn't be so careless, even though you are an arrogant gladiator."

"Maybe I would change my ways of living life if I had someone to share it with.", Gannicus said suddenly right next to my ear as I felt him put his arms around my waist. I quickly turned around and pushed him away.

"How dare you?! I'm not one of your whores.", I yelled at him in anger, while my cheeks and neck were red and it wasn't because of embarrassment.

"I know. That's exactly why i'm telling you this.", I looked into Gannicus' eyes as he stepped closer to me, and I stubbornly stood still. When close enough, Gannicus reached for my right hand that was shivering along with my left, and held it in his warm hands as I watched him stare at me. "In all the years i've been a gladiator for, I have always thought that it was what my life would always be like. That I would always kill in the arena, receiving wine and women as a reward for my victories. And I had always told myself that I would never let my life revolve around one woman. I thought that all women were too dull for me."

As Gannicus spoke, he slowly pushed me while keeping the same distance between us, and in just a moment, I felt my lower back hit the edge of the table. Then I felt him slowly moved his hand upwards, as his fingers sent shivers along my arms. Soon I felt his fingers on my cheek as he gently held his hand against it while I saw him look into my eyes with kindness and sincerity, but I also saw his eyes slightly darken from desire. I felt him move his fingers against my red cheeks. The redness was quickly spreading to my neck and upper chest. "But yesterday I was proven wrong.", he smiled. "What do you mean?", I asked, as I was barely able to speak. "I met a woman who was different from all the others.", Gannicus told me as he put his free hand around my back and held it in the middle of my back, pulling me to him so our faces were only inches apart. "And since the moment I saw her, I felt myself get pulled toward her.", he continued. I looked him in the eyes and I felt myself slowly lean closer to him.

The second my lips almost brushed his, a knock sounded at the door and I quickly pushed Gannicus away as the door was opened by Melitta. I saw her confused expression as she looked at both me and Gannicus, who had unfortunately fallen on the bed after I pushed him.

"Are all of your wounds taken care of, Gannicus?", she asked the gladiator. Gannicus glanced at me and then looked back at Melitta, "Yes. It seems that Cassandra has great skill in healing.", the gladiator said while I saw him look away. I turned to look at Melitta, who looked back at me. "Come. Now that you are ready, you can continue your other tasks." "Yes, Melitta.", I answered as I quickly glanced at Gannicus and then almost ran out of the chamber.

As I slowly walked on a corridor, I was deep in thought. I couldn't believe that I almost kissed Gannicus. If Melitta hadn't interrupted us, who knows what would have happened. I was shaken away from my thoughts when I heard quickly moving feet behind me. I turned around and saw Melitta quickly walk toward me. When she saw that I had stopped, she slowed her pace and in a moment, she was standing next to me.

"I am surprised that you have skill with healing, Cassandra.", she smiled slightly at me. "Where did you learn such skills?"

"I learned from an elderly woman in my old village. After my parents passed away, she took care of me and Crixus.", I answered the bodyslave with a wide smile as I remembered the memory. Melitta smiled kindly back at me, but a moment later, her expression turned slightly more serious. "May I ask you something, Cassandra? No matter how uncomfortable it may be?", she asked. "Of course you can.", I nodded. Melitta was silent for a moment until she spoke: "Is there something between you and Gannicus?"

She surprised me with her question, and my face reddened as I remembered what had happened between me and the gladiator. "No, why would you think that?", I answered quickly, hoping to convince her. "I saw how you both were behaving when I came to the chamber. Did something happen between you two just moments before I came?"

I blushed at her question, and she knew the answer. "So something did happen.", she said. "No.", I insisted. "You can tell me, Cassandra. I will keep it a secret.", she assured. I glanced at my feet and then back at her.

"Nothing happened. But... Something would have happened if you had come only a moment later.", I said quietly. "What happened?", Melitta asked me in worry. I felt a blush grow on my neck and I felt it rise to my face, when I thought of what had almost happened between me and Gannicus. "Gannicus, he... Tried to kiss me."

"What?!", Melitta asked with a loud voice and other slaves who were walking through the villa looked at us with confusion. Once I saw that we caused quite a scene, I quickly silenced Melitta. "Shh! You cannot be so loud."

Melitta looked at me in disbelief. "I cannot believe it. He tried to force himself upon you?", she asked.

"No,", I insisted. "He did not force it. At least not the way you think. We were having an argument and he tried to end it by trying to kiss me."

"What were you having an argument about?", Melitta asked, and I quickly blushed at the memory of the argument. "We were discussing of how dangerous and meaningless his way of life is, and he just kept on being his arrogant self and said that perhaps he would change his ways of living life if he had someone to share it with. And he said that while almost breathing in my ear. Can you believe that? He thinks he can seduce me like his other whores.", I told Melitta as i was still slightly angry at the man.

"Have you considered the possibility that he was trying to be sincere?", Melitta asked me. I looked at her with a perplexed look on my face. "Sincere? No. That man could never be sincere. He most likely only said those things because he's trying to get me into bed with him."

"And would you?", Melitta asked. I looked at her in confusion. "Would I what?" "Go to bed with him?", Melitta specified and I looked at her in disgust. "Of course not! I would never lay with someone like him. He's rude, arrogant and irritating!"

Melitta looked at me with an odd look on her face. "What?", I asked, wondering why she was looking at me like that. "Are you telling me all of his flaws only because you're trying to hide that you actually feel something for him?", Melitta asked.

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but i didn't because i knew Melitta was right. I had been starting to feel things for Gannicus, but i had tried to bury those feelings away because i knew that nothing could ever happen between us.

"You do feel something, don't you?", Melitta asked with a knowing look in her eyes. "And what if i do? Nothing could ever happen.", I told her. "Why not?"

"Because he's a gladiator, he could be killed in one of his fights. I do not wish to live life fearing for his life. Also, my brother would kill Gannicus if he so much as hears about what almost happened.", I continued, "Crixus has always been so protective over me. Ever since our parents died."

"So you have never even kissed a man?", Melitta asked. "No. There were some boys i thought i could have been with, but they were always afraid of Crixus."

"So you are afraid that if you begin something with Gannicus, then Crixus would harm him? Cassandra, you mustn't let your brother decide what happens in your life. Gannicus may be an arrogant man, but perhaps he truly would change if there was someone helping him to make that change.", Melitta said, turning and walking away. I remained standing there, left to think of Melitta's words.

A/N

So here's the next chapter! I'm really surprised that i managed to write it so fast, and since i did, i decided to publish it the moment i got it ready. I also published it so soon because the next chapter is probably going to take longer because of certain events that happen in the second episode of Gods of the Arena and probably all of you know what i'm talking about. If not, prepare to get uncomfortable while reading the next chapter.