Duro collapsed onto the burning sand, muscles aching and spasming from a hard morning of training. His Doctore, a kind Syrian yanked him back to his feet.
"Rest beneath the overhang, fool. Domina will have my cock in a jar if she finds burn marks upon your ass." He laughed and clasped the younger man on the back.
"What is this place?" Duro asked as they sat to enjoy their rations. This ludus was far smaller than Batiatus' but far cleaner and with better training equipment and weapons. There were a few other gladiators here, all of them glaring at Duro as they filled their bellies.
"This is the Ludus of Acteon Aerallius. It has been a while since we have a gladiator of worthy note." said Doctore, gesturing to the others. "Acteon likes to purchase shit with legs. The lady thinks not of looks but of heart."
"The lady, what of her?"
"She is caged animal that I fear will soon break free with dangerous consequences. Acteon treats her like a pretty pet. She seems him as little more than a dog himself." Doctore laughed. "She is dangerous, boy. I would advise you focus on training rather your own cock."
Duro nodded and continued to eat, but his thoughts were still upon the golden clad woman that had approached him on the sands.
"Domina!" Acca cried, racing into her Domina's room.
Acteon turned from his wife and caught her around the throat. "Have we taught you no manners, slave?"
"Let her go Acteon." Victoria commanded angrily. Her guards drew their swords and stepped forward threateningly.
"You would dare to raise steel against me?!" Acteon roared at them, throwing Acca to the ground. "I am your Dominus, your master! How dare y-"
"They dare because they are not of your command. They are of mine and my father's. Place hand on Acca again and you won't have hands." Victoria said. "Begone, Acteon." She turned to help Acca to her feet. Her husband left, slamming the door in his wake.
"I pray the gods ram a cock in his fucking ass soon."
"Domina! It came. They're coming. Ceasar and your father are coming to the villa within the month. Pompey will arrive within two, and I have sent word to the Lady Lucretia and her husband to attend your party." Acca said, smiling, completely forgetting her recent treatment by Acteon.
"That's wonderful!" Victoria quickly hugged the girl. "We must go to the market and buy a new dress, and new jewelry. I will buy Lucretia a new necklace, do you think that she will approve?"
"I'm sure that she will appreciate the sentiment, Domina."
"We should host Games in the honor of family and friends coming to visit." Victoria twirled around the room, laughing excitedly.
"And lovers." Acca murmured.
Victoria paused and quickly ran up to her and placed a hand over her mouth. "You, my dear, are terrible with secrets. But come, we must go to the market at once. Ceasar will expect Venus to make an appearance." She turned to one of her guards. "Inform my husband of the Games that we will host and of our visiting friends. I would see him on his best behavior." She grinned.
Victoria paced the balcony, thinking only of her great family coming to visit. She was garbed in a new red dress and wore a new ruby necklace. Both were rather expensive purchases, but she was sure they were worth it. They would arrive within the hour and she was practically giddy with excitement, but first, she needed to see to her gladiator. She sent Acca to bring him and was currently waiting impatiently for him to come. The past weeks had been filled with frivolous purchases and planning for both Games held in the honor of Ceasar, Pompey and her father, and for the party that would occur afterwards.
Finally she saw his powerful frame coming towards her. In the span of only a few weeks, his skin had darkened considerably and he built himself to be the image of a titan. He dipped his head as he approached. "Domina."
"Leave us." Victoria commanded her other servants. She smiled. "I see you have been well."
"By your hand, Domina."
"So polite." She giggled. "Tell me, do you think you are ready for your first match?"
He looked confused. "Should not words be broken with Doctore?"
"I do not need Ixion's honeyed words in my ear, he belongs to my husband. You belong to me, and I would have the opinion of the man whose heart is in question. Do you think you are ready to fight in the arena?"
"I do not know." He answered truthfully.
"Until the Games, I want you to train without halt. I want you to slay the champion of this House."
"Achaeus?!" Duro exclaimed in surprise. "Apologies, Domina."
"No apologies. You have only trained for a matter of weeks and already surpass half of my husband's gladiators in skill, but I said that I wanted us to be elevated. Kill Achaeus at the Games in three days, and we will be one step closer to our goal. My father will be present. My cousin, the great Pompey will be present. And Julius Ceasar will be present to witness the fall of Acteon's greatest man to the newest addition to his ludus by my hand. I ask much, but I am sure that you will deliver."
"If it is your will, Domina. I will fight, and slay Archaeus. For you."
Victoria grinned and ran her hands down his arms before clasping one of his hands in her own. He gulped, almost nervously. "Then you must do something to gain the attention of my father. Acteon cannot defy his will, should you defeat his prized man in combat."
"You desire me to challenge the man in the presence of your father?" Duro asked, tilting his head.
"Yes." Victoria whispered. "Yes. You will challenge him. You do not need to defeat him, but should you do it will only raise your stock. No, we just want his attention, and he will gift you the final battle in the Games. Return to your cell, I will send for you again when it is time."
Read and review. I know this update is long overdue. The next chapter will take a short break from the war and focus more on Gorgo's daughters. For those reading the return of the undefeated gaul, it has not been forgotten, I'm just having a powerful case of writer's block but I promise that I will update that story before any more. Feel free to send some reviews about what yuo would like to happen or any ideas you may have. Thanks!