The morning sun was already blistering hot as the men gathered to stand beneath their master perched on the balcony. The gladiators were curious to news of an announcement, knowing Batiatus it could be anything. Cassia nervously stands behind Batiatus as he begins his speech to the eager men.
"Noble warriors of Capua! We are here this morning to share news amongst brothers." He pauses as the men look among themselves. Leaning forward, Quintus grips the railing as he continues. "Some of you may have heard that our dear Medicus passed away two nights ago. We are grateful for his service and knowledge in our ludis. Fortunately, the Gods have blessed us with another readily available medicus in Cassia."
He turns and motions for the woman to step forward. She hesitantly stands next to her master, peering at the sea of men below. Doctore's eyes narrow and she knows he's wondering if her new position is going to cause further problems. Looking away she unintentionally spots Varro as she overhears Batiatus, "Cassia trained under her father before joining us." His face briefly softens surely thinking about what she'd told him about her past. Varro body stiffens as their master continues speaking. "You may know her from helping Medicus from time to time."
Straying from Varro, Cassia bites the inside of her cheek and meets Duro standing next to his brother with an uninterested look on his face as his leg bounces. Agron elbows him and sends a dirty look to his brother which results in Duro straightening up before rolling his eyes in annoyance.
Pulling her attention back to Batiatus in time to hear, "Treat her with the respect she deserves and let's give her a warm welcome!"
Her cheeks flush as the majority of the men below cheer but the stares from the three feel as if they are about to bore a hole through her being. Cassia timidly wipes the sweat from her brow, grateful for the sweltering heat to blame. Quintus and Lucretia insist on sharing a brief toast but it's hard for Cassia to relax, anxious to reach the cool sub-terrain of the medicus and away from the prying eyes below.
Spartacus stumbles into the medicus with sweat beading on his body as he clutches his side. Cassia ushers over to help the wobbly man to the table. His flesh is hot to the touch.
"You are feverish," she utters reaching for water and a rag.
"It appears Varro's sword nicked me deeper than I realized." Spartacus notices Cassia wince at the name.
Spartacus reaches Cassia's hand to stop her attempts to clean his wound. "He cares for you."
Cassia meets his eyes before shaking it off and gently nudging Spartacus's shoulder, guiding him backwards to the table. She places the wet rag on his forehead.
"I'm going to give you some fennel to help you relax." Spartacus nods, intently watching the woman diligently working on his oozing wound, unsure if it was the fever driving him mad but there was a silent grace about her. With heavy lids, Spartacus passes out before he could further contemplate and analyze the woman.
The afternoon presses on as Spartacus fades in and out of sleep while Cassia maintains a close eye on the prized gladiator. Cassia would occasionally find herself thinking about their conversation earlier. Deep down Cassia knew Varro cared; he'd certainly made the point clear several times despite her relentless stubbornness but in the end her pride kept Cassia at bay. Despite all that, Varro's apparent change of heart was a hurtful blow. Oddly it was much easier for Cassia to block the fact Varro cared deeply for the woman, when she heard it from the man himself. In fact, it was one of the last things he said to her but hearing it from his friend was hard to ignore. Cassia was attuned to the fact that Spartacus didn't seem fond of her. Even though she knew he was likely delirious with fever, the words still resonated within her.
Movement and the creak of the bed pull Cassia from her journal. She found taking notes of injuries, prognosis, treatments and times helped her keep track. It was especially useful when there was more than one patient. Having learned the practice from her father, Medicus thought she was ridiculous but she often suspected Medicus learned his skills on the job with no previous formal training.
Setting the book down, Cassia made her way to Spartacus. Touching his head and face, she determined that his fever had dropped. Spinning she reached for a rag and the small wine vessel from the stocked supply table. She'd prepared it while he slept, loading it with various provisions needed to treat him. It allowed her to save time from hurrying across the room to the larger table and cabinet.
Cassia faintly smiled at his wound, while still puffy from the infection it was no longer oozing. Discarding the bandages to the side, Cassia lightly scraped the scalpel along his flesh in efforts to remove the ground willow she'd previously placed on the wound to aid in healing. Spartacus breathed a sigh of relief when Cassia finished digging around the opening. Dipping a fresh rag into wine before wringing it out and placing it over the injury, Spartacus slightly flinches when she applies fresh leaves over the dressing and Cassia presses her lips into a line.
"The water of life," Spartacus jokes and begins laughing. His laugh quickly turns into a cough from his dry mouth.
"Ah, yes. Nurturing many a fool, including myself," Cassia admits before gently helping him sit upright before offering him a cup but firmly keeping a grip of the vessel warning, "Careful, take small sips." Once he demonstrates his understanding, Cassia steps back to observe. She bites her lip in contemplation and Spartacus pauses.
"Cat got your tongue?" Spartacus inquires pressing the cup to his lips. Cassia's eyes widen, not prepared to ask what's really on her mind.
As if on cue, Varro struts in with a bowl of food and a huge smile.
"Look who's back amongst us living!" He elbows his friend barely missing the injury and hissing at the realization.
Spartacus shakes his head and grabs the bowl from Varro.
Cassia remains frozen in the corner, suddenly insecure as she watches the two men socialize.
It finally dawns on Varro that she's there as he does a double take over his shoulder. Draping one leg off the bed, Spartacus leans forward peering around his friend.
"Is it okay if I eat?" Cassia nods.
"I'm going to go get a bite myself. Enjoy." Cassia ducks out into the hallway and presses her forehead to the cold wall.
"Get it together. He was never yours," she utters to herself.
Duro and Varro were less than pleased to be paired together for sparring. Doctore decided it would be a good lesson in humiliation for Duro and knowing the two had a conflict only solidified his decision.
"Ready to fight like a man?" Varro asks while he chooses a sparring sword.
"If you were a man she wouldn't have come to me," Duro retorts, unable to resist an opportunity to prod.
Varro puffs out his chest before countering, "Trust me, she wasn't thinking about you while I was in her."
Duro and Varro cautiously circle, each waiting for the other to strike.
Doctore's whip hits the ground between the foes stirring up a cloud of dust, the trainer growing impatient with their rivalry by loudly shouting, "Now!"
Duro jabs his sword on impulse and Varro easily deflects the attempt by knocking Duro's sword from his hands.
He rolls his eyes as Duro scrambles to retrieve the wooden weapon.
Varro mutters, "At least Spartacus is a challenge." Once Duro has righted himself, Varro gloats, "Your brother babies you. Perhaps that's why your ass is constantly being handed to you."
Duro's knuckles turn white wrapped around the handle and he instantly advances, swinging his sword forward and backward. Varro dodges the first swipe and meets the second swipe with his sword. Once again, Varro uses his skill to force Duro's sword back. Refusing to let Varro best him, Duro uses his lower body to help force his opponent's sword away, slowly inching it back towards Varro. The two remain lock led in this stalemate until Varro yanks back and swipes low at Duro, who clumsily blocks the veiled attempt.
Varro steps back with a raised brow, slightly impressed that Duro managed to learn something but his arrogance prevents him from niceties.
"What would have stopped me from smashing your skull with my shield?" he asks.
"Only the fact that you don't have the said shield," Duro fires back.
Varro swings and his sword misses. Duro leers at the skilled gladiator's miss. This only fuels Varro who advances upon Duro in a flurry of swings. Blinded by anger, he misses the first two attempts but the third swing makes contact with Duro's forearm. Duro's jaw clenches in frustration, having though he might have bested the man.
Shaking his head Duro rushes at Varro who is prepared, dipping and weaving before slashing with a quick uppercut at Duro hitting his chin. Duro mistakenly jerks his head back from pain, dropping his guard which allows Varro to elbow his solar plexus and knock the wind out of him. Hunched over, Duro gasps for air as Varro towers and watches with a satisfied grin.
As Duro stumbles to right himself, Doctore intervenes by placing his hands on their shoulders.
"That's enough." Varro cracks his neck while still beaming at the defeated man. Doctore's eyes meet Varro before tilting his head, motioning for him to train elsewhere. The man had received enough humiliation.
Turning to Duro, Doctore speaks, "Varro's right. You need to train with others because without Agron you'll never survive."
"May I join you?" Cassia softly nods, scooting over to make room for Duro.
"What brings you out?" Cassia inquires. Their last encounter wasn't pleasant, leaving both of them wounded so her curiosity was brimming.
Thoughtfully looking at her, Duro casually replies, "You of course." Cassia's brows lower, slightly taken aback by his response.
Duro's eyes scan the dark valley, he takes a deep breath and studies his hands before continuing.
"So you love him more but you didn't deny feelings for me."
"Duro…" Cassia whispers before getting cut off.
"No, Cassia hear me out. Give me a chance to prove to you that I'm the better man. I know in time you'll grow to feel the same way I feel about you."
The sincerity broadcasted on Duro's face made Cassia's stomach flip. A shiver shoots down her spine, Cassia opens and closes her mouth several times searching for the right words. Duro was here before her, obviously willing to forgive and begging for another chance after all the wrong she'd done. Cassia wasn't sure she deserved such a fate.