I DO NOT OWN SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA. SHOUTOUT TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED.
After everyone had left, Flavius and Diona redressed themselves as he looked at her with shame. He had enjoyed taking her virginity, but he felt guilty because she had been given no choice in the matter. Diona looked over and could see the guilt on his face as she took his hand on hers.
"I do not regret what happened and nor should you Flavius." she insisted as he caressed her cheek. "It may not have occurred how we wished it, but it did occur. I laid with a man I craved."
"And I, with the most beautiful woman in all of Capua." Flavius insisted as Diona blushed wildly.
"Let us turn thought from horrid circumstances and towards what pleasure was seized from it." Diona replied as the 2 shared a kiss. They rose to their feet as Batiatus returned from conversing with Oenomaus.
"Apologies, the demands of a Lanista seldom offer respite." Batiatus stated with a smile.
"Oh, none required, this night has been filled with unexpected joys." Varus replied as he stood near Gaia. "You remain in Capua?"
"Until more adventurous opportunities present themselves." Gaia replied.
"I'll take my leave then with promise of further discourse." Quintillius vowed as Batiatus grew fearful that the spectacle had been for naught. "Oh, your man, Flavius. I would see him perform again...in the primus of my games." Everyone in the room was floored by the offer, Quintus and Lucretia especially.
"And you shall have him." Quintus said, trying to hide his glee.
"Terms to be discussed, gratitude for your hospitality." Varus said as he took his leave. "It will not soon be forgotten." Once he had left, there was cause for celebration.
"Primus!" Lucretia declared with joy.
"Did I not tell you I knew the man?" Gaia asked with a giddy voice.
"May the gods strike me for entertaining doubt." Batiaus replied with a grin.
"You were magnificent!" Lucretia spoke to Gaia as they walked off.
"Did I not tell you!" she replied as Batiatus walked over to Flavius with pride.
"You have elevated this house, good Flavius." Batiatus declared as he patted the man on his back.
"I did only as instructed Dominus." Seuso replied.
"Win the Primus and I will see you become a champion equal to that of Gannicus and Oenomaus." the Lanista declared as he motioned for the guards to escort Flavius back to the gladiator quarters. The former Roman kept his eyes on Diona until she was out of sight; desperate for every glance he could get of her.
House of Batiatus, the next day.
The next morning, Batiatus decided to make an announcement to boost morale among the men. Considering that the doctore had been slain and that Oenomaus was to take his place, it was much needed.
"We have won many victories in the arena,sent many an unworthy opponent to the afterlife." the Lanista declared. "Yet self important men hold us to lesser matches of the morning, absent both eyes and prominence. Such time has found its end! Two days hence, your newest brother will take to the sands to face another of Vettius' shit-eating dogs. Not in the streets, but in the fucking primus!" The gladiators roared as they felt that any brother's good fortune was their own s well.
"Behold the gladiator whose recent performance inspired good Varus to return the House of Batiatus to proper position!" Batiatus declared as he motioned for Seuso to come forward. "Behold, Flavius Helvetius Seuso!"
"Flavius, Flavius!" the men cheered as the former Roman stood above them.
"An inspired performance, indeed." Gaia declared.
"One not to be repeated." Lucretia cautioned as they watched the spectacle.
"A true god of the arena, a man to be admired and emulated!" Quintus declared. "This is but glorious beginning! Soon you will litter the sands with the blood and bone of all who present challenge! Instructed in the ways of death and glory by a former champion! One of our very own! I give you Oenomaus!" The men cheered for their former comrade once again.
"No longer to hold that name! No longer a gladiator! Now and forever, to be revered as your Doctore!" Batiatus declared as he turned to Oenomaus with the whip in his hand. "This has been wielded with pride by each before you, since the time of my grandfather; bestowed only on the most loyal and honorable of men." Oenomaus paused for a moment before taking the whip.
"Your will, my hands. the new doctore declared as the men celebrated. As Flavius was escorted back, he was stopped by the new doctore.
"The primus, to gain such position, Varus must truly have been impressed with your prowess; As am I." He insisted as Flavius shrugged; still feeling guilty about Diona being forced to lay with him.
"It was nothing." Flavius replied.
"Besting Gannicus and securing the primus, it is a great honor; For yourself, and this ludus." Doctore declared as Flavius knew that he had to ready himself for the task at hand. If he intended to live long enough to find his sister, he needed to win the Primus.
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