Chapter Two: Impatience

Walking the market, my days had become a monotone of whispers and caretaking. Even now I hoped to hear more about Spartacus and the rebels but it seemed they were just as far away as they always have been. Not knowing what was happening to them was taking their toll on me. I was starting to resent Caius and everything he's given me. He had promised me that we'd leave to join the rebels. Every day he promised and we were still at his villa. We were preparing for something that he was never going to let me do. Every step we took now felt weighted and pointless. All the while I felt as if the Roman was manipulating me. I knew he was a good man but the longer we waited, the longer I felt as if his intentions weren't as pure as I thought them to be.

Deep in thought, it took several attempts to get my attention before I realized that my name was being called. Turning, my jaw dropped as I took in my Domina. She looked very different than when I had seen her last. Adorning dark hair she looked kinder to me. There was something off with her. Something had happened and I was terrified to know what it was.

"Domina." I said with surprise.

"I am no longer your Domina." She told me.

"Calling you anything else feels improper." I replied with a small smile.

"Oh, Lea." She beamed. "You look marvelous."

"I'm free." I told her with a broad smile.

"You're free?" She said, her eyes welling with tears as if it were some miraculous news.

"Yes, I am free."

Taking my hands, she beamed at me, "I am so happy for you."

"Gratitude." I said, fighting the urge to say Domina after everything I said.

In the next moment she was embracing me. It was awkward and yet felt like something had fallen into place. Whatever happened to her had changed her in ways I would more than likely never know or understand.

"Lea." Caius's voice came from behind me.

"Caius." I said stepping away from my former Domina, feeling his hand move to my back.

"Caius Laelius Sulla." Lucretia smiled at the Roman. "Seeing you means you must be the one who freed her."

"I am." He told her. He looked at me, speaking with concern, "Are you all right?"

"Yes." I smiled up at him.

"What brings you to market?" Lucretia asked.

Smiling, I tried to think of something to tell her other than my need to join the rebels. Caius spoke before I could think of anything. "Lea now resides in my home. It's in desperate need of a woman's touch. We've come to make purchases to make our home feel more like the home we want it to be."

Lucretia simply smiled at us, "I'm very happy for you." Smiling at her, it quickly disappeared when she asked, "Have you forgotten Varro?'

My heart started to race and anger boiled at the mere thought that I would forget him. "No." I told her quickly. "I have not forgotten him. I simply can't find him."

"Yes, the Rebels have hidden themselves well." She told me, the familiar smile crossing her lips with a hint of the evil I knew that lurked within.

About to react with defensiveness, Caius wrapped his arm around my waist just as I took a step forward. "We should be going." He said and swiftly turned me around, moving me in the opposite direction. "Calm down."

"Apologies." I told him with furrowed brows, putting my arm around him.

"Are you all right?" He asked again.

"Yes." I nodded. "I just wasn't expecting to ever see her again."

"Then you'll be even less eager to see who's heading our way." He said stopping me.

Looking up I saw Ilithyia and her husband Gaius, now Praetor, walking toward us. My intake of breath was so quick my chest hurt. Caius swiftly swept me into an alley, flattening me against the wall with his body before pressing his lips to mine. Anger immediately filled me and I moved to shove him away only to have him pin my wrists to the wall. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ilithyia and Gaius approaching. Realizing what he was doing, I closed my eyes, kissing him back, mimicking his intensity. Though as soon as the pair was out of sight I forcefully shoved Caius away from me, biting his lip in the process before wiping my mouth as if I had tasted something foul. My anger returned full force, not only toward his actions but because the experience hadn't been unpleasant, a fact that worried me more than anything.

"That was nice." He said putting his knuckle to his lip, though a smile was on his face.

"I appreciate what you were doing however your means are far out of place." I shot at him.

"Apologies, Lea." He said honestly.

"Until Varro tells me otherwise, I am taken." I told him firmly. "Please never do that again. I'd rather be seen by them than be forced into uncomfortable situations."

"Apologies." He repeated.

"Let's go home." I said and started out toward the wagon.

"Can I make a comment?" He asked as he followed behind me.

"What?" I shot as I made sure to keep at least three paces ahead of him.

"For not being Roman or high class you are swiftly fitting into the lifestyle." He replied. Turning on the balls of my feet, he practically ran into me as we came face to face. "Lea." He frowned.

"If you ever call me Roman again I will leave the moment after." I said with an even tone, making the threat that much more meaningful. "You are the most honorable Roman I have ever met. I respect you and I care for you. More than most. But I am nothing like you. Everything I do I do to bring me closer to Varro and to Spartacus and to Naevia and Crixus. I have a family who I love and wish nothing more than to be reunited with."

"Lea." He said sadly.

"If we do not move out soon I will leave you and everyone else behind. I am tired of waiting. I am tired of letting them get further and further away from me while I sit here and make plans with no intent to follow. I demand action." I told him, my anger flaring. "I am done waiting." He nodded at me, making me turn and continue walking.

That night, I sat in bed hugging my knees to myself, watching as Caius got ready for bed. Undressing, leaving a thin robe of silk around his waist, I couldn't help but take in the firmness of his body. His muscles beautiful as they moved when he moved. Closing my eyes, I thought of Varro, remembering the feeling of his hands on me. The feel of his lips as he kissed me. I didn't realize I was crying until I felt Caius's hand against my shoulder, making me open my eyes and the tears slid down my cheeks.

"Apologies for any pain I may have caused you." He said softly. "You know I never want to see you in pain."

"I am in pain." I frowned at him. "I am in pain every day I'm away from the people I love. Why can you not see that? Why can't you see how much it hurts to stay here? Why are we spending so much time preparing when you never intended on us to leave?"

"It's not that I don't want to leave." He said gently. "I just don't want to be unprepared and wind up dead like so many others before us. We're nearly fifty strong with only two men other than me to keep us safe. Our odds are not good."

"I am not useless." I told him. "I've been watching for years and I know how to defend myself."

"Then show me." He said getting out of bed.

"What?" I frowned at him. "Caius."

"Show me what you know." He demanded, pulling two swords from the corner.

Looking at him, seeing his seriousness, I stood and face him with a raised brow. "Fine."

Tossing me a sword, I caught it by the handle, holding it as any woman would. Only I was feeling the weight of it. I'd known the best Doctore in all of Capua and years ago he was as eager to teach as he was to breath. Teaching even when he shouldn't. Teaching from request of favored friend. Facing me, Caius held his sword at the ready before quickly rushing me. At the last moment I brought the sword up and parried his blow, dashing to the side, leaving a shallow slit against his side. He turned and frowned at me as I stood with bent knees, the sword raised and ready if he should try again. He simply looked at me before he burst with laughter.

Relaxing, I smiled at him, "See? I'm not some useless woman."

"I can see that." He said looking at his wound.

"Here." I said grabbing cloth and the water that sat on a small table. "Sit." I said taking his hand and moving him to the edge of the bed. "Apologies." I told him as I cleaned and bandaged him.

"I wanted you to prove yourself. Though I must admit that I wasn't trying very hard." He smiled at me.

"I didn't think you were." I stated with a raised brow. "I know if I ever have to fight, it will be hard and wounds will be inflicted, but I'll do whatever I have to, to protect my family."

"I know you will." He said gently.

"Will we leave soon?" I asked him with the same tone.

"Yes."

"I mean it Caius. Will we?" I asked again.

"Yes." He repeated.

Leaning up, I took his head in my hands, placing a long kiss against his forehead before wrapping his head in my arms, pulling it against my chest. His hands found my hips, leaving a heavy sigh before he wrapped his arms around me.

Walking the halls of the villa, I set everyone to be ready to move at a moment's notice. None were as thrilled as Lucius and Otho for the impending move. They were eager to spill blood and I couldn't blame them. They would have their fill as soon as we left. The trick was to escape without suspicion. Fifty people randomly going down the road would draw attention. As it was most had been cooped up in the villa for weeks. We were lucky that no fights had broken out yet. Everyone seemed to know their place and the goal in mind. There was tension but everyone seemed to push it aside for the betterment of the group.

"Lea, may I break words with you?" Lucius asked.

"Of course." I replied. "Walk with me."

Walking the halls, I spoke to people as we passed, waiting for him to say something. It took us moving outside into the courtyard where we were alone for him to finally open his mouth and speak.

"Otho and I are eager to depart but are worried that our numbers will draw suspicion." He said with a more serious tone, one he rarely used with me.

"I understand your concerns, however we are not leaving without everyone who is here." I told him. "These people came to us for protection and I will not abandon them."

He smiled and nodded at me. "I assumed as much. We'll keep to the trees far from the known paths. The terrain may not be perfect but we'll be able to move south without being seen."

"I like the sound of that." I smiled.

"When do you think we'll depart?" He asked.

"Soon." I told him. "I wish I had a better answer than that."

"Not to be too bold but it appears Caius wishes to keep you here. I don't think he ever intended on leaving." He said gently.

"The thought has crossed my mind." I smirked up at him. "Only my heart belongs to another."

"Spartacus himself?" He grinned at me.

Laughing, I shook my head. "No."

"Then who?" He asked.

"His closest friend." I grinned up at him.

He laughed and shook his head. Together we walked the villa, double checking to make sure we would be ready. We had enough food and supplies to last us weeks on the road. We would learn to fend for ourselves. There were enough of us to be able to procure what we would need when the time came.

The day was growing late and yet I was restless within the walls of the villa. Draping a shawl across my shoulders, I moved toward the door, already having called a carriage to be brought. Stepping outside, I stopped and smiled as Caius stood leaning against the carriage door. Moving to him, looking up at him with a raised brow, he simply smiled back before opening the door for me, getting in behind me.

"Where to?" He asked.

"The Pits." I smiled at him.

"Stop!" He yelled to the carriage driver. "Are you mad?" He frowned at me. "Why would you want to go there?"

"Because it's the one place we haven't been." I told him. "It will give me peace of mind."

"You are mad." He stated but the anger was gone from his voice. Sighing, he rubbed his brow before stepping out of the carriage, "Wait a moment."

He left, returning moments later with Otho. "Hello, Otho." I smiled at him.

"You're mad." He told me.

"Perhaps." I told him. "But I will do it with or without accompaniment."

"Fine." The gladiator frowned before he took a seat across from me.

"Gratitude." I smiled at him.

Soon we were off, looking out the window as the countryside moved past. I knew what I was doing was mad, it truly was, but I was desperate to hear news of my love and would go to the ends of the earth until I saw him again. All I needed was one more whisper of their whereabouts and we would be on the move. Just one more. Just. One. More.

The Pits were crowded and loud with betting and fighting. Otho was ever wary of our surroundings and those who came too close to our little company. The smell of blood was in the air, the atmosphere thick with death and sex. The underclassmen came here to have their fill of bloodshed and mayhem. The ground was damp with blood, drink and cum. Fighting back the bile that was rising in my throat I moved through the crowd, looking for anyone familiar to me. Being pushed from both sides, I struggled through the crowd, seeing Duilius leaning against a wall. I knew him from the shadows in market. He was not a good man. He worked for profit and nothing more. He was like Ashur only when compared Duilius was the better man.

"Lea." He grinned when he saw me.

"Duilius." I smiled back, taking in his filthy attire, unkempt hair, and full form.

"What brings you to the gates of hell?"

"You know what I want." I told him my tone even though I still smiled at him.

"Always looking for word of the Rebels. You're lucky I haven't turned you in to the Praetor yet. He'd love to have you in his clutches."

"Yes he would." I nodded. "And yet you haven't."

"You're a slave girl." He stated leaning toward me. "I've sold many like you."

"And yet?"

"I've grown accustom to our little meetings." He replied.

Knowing that was as good an answer I would get, I nodded at him, "So, do you carry any news?"

"None." He said shaking his head. "Though you might find answers in the ring."

Turning toward the ring, crowded my people, I stood and started to push through them, my heart starting to race to see who was fighting. When I finally broke through, my eyes widened, my mouth open as shock moved through me. Lunging forward, I didn't make it two steps before I was grabbed, being pulled back, my mouth being covered before a name could cross my lips.

"Stop." Caius whispered in my ear.

"Let me go!" I yelled as the crowd started to roar. A victory had been had. "Is he alive?!"

"Lea, you need to calm down." He told me.

"Is he alive?!" I yelled again.

"You can't help him right now." Caius said holding me tightly.

"I need to go to him." I said pushing against him. "Please, Caius. He's family."

"We need to go." Otho said quickly wrapping his arm around my waist, practically pulling me up the stairs and to the carriage.

Pressed into a corner of the carriage, I sat with one bent knee, hugging it as I stifled my sobs with it. What I saw was horrible and fresh in my mind. His entire head and neck painted white, the color tapering to a point down his chest and back. Red mixing with it as blood fell from his mouth and the many wounds on his body. He looked defeated. He looked as lost as I felt. His life had fallen apart with the fall of the house Batiatus. Everything he knew had been shattered, driven to lengths he should never have had to go to. Caius attempted to comfort me but for the first time since he'd rescued me I didn't want his comfort. I wanted him as far away from me as possible. As soon as the carriage stopped I quickly removed myself from it, rushing around to the back of the villa where there was a small garden. A small fountain sat in the middle of it. Falling to my knees I sobbed.

"Oenomaus." I said as the image of him continued to plague my mind.

Hearing approaching footsteps, I didn't turn or acknowledge them. Antonia knelt next to me, remaining silent as silent tears fell. Taking my hand, she gripped it tightly, looking at me sadly. Finally meeting her eyes, I smiled at her, rubbing her hand. More footfalls filled the air and I looked over my shoulder. First there was Felix, smiling at him. The two gladiators were behind him, Caius, Nona, and a few others at the doorway. Meeting Caius's eyes, he looked wounded. Hardening myself I stood and looked at the fountain, taking a deep steading breath. Turning, I was about to address them when there was commotion from the villa, one of my messengers rushing out into the yard.

"I've found them. I know where they are." He announced.

My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure." He beamed.

A broad smile moved across my face, my heart racing with excitement. "We leave tonight."