Chapter Seven: The Mines
Waking while the sun was still down, I couldn't sleep any longer, my thoughts too heavy to allow any rest to come. Once again walking the grounds, I took a sword from our growing armory, slipping out the gates and into the wood. Keeping the villa in sight, I took what Lucius was teaching and started to practice. It took discipline to grow skill and I intended on becoming as accomplished a fighter as I could be. It was a welcome distraction from the pain I was feeling.
Having gouged the sides out of a tree, my arms were feeling the strain. Sighing, I lowered the sword, hearing steps from behind me. Turning, I saw Mira with a smile on her face. "You've learned much."
"It serves as a nice distraction." I smiled back at her.
"Tell me what's bothering you." She said kindly.
"Varro." I told her, his words still weighing heavily on my mind. "The words he spoke still salt gravest wounds."
"Spartacus broke words upon subject." She said sadly.
"Is there nothing he doesn't tell you?" I grinned at her.
"No." She smiled. "We have no secrets."
"Neither do me and Varro." I nodded at her.
"He knows what you were forced to endure and yet he still expected you to wait for him?" She frowned.
Feeling strength return to my arms, I quickly put several more gouges into the trees trunk. "He's jealous. He has no founding for it and yet he can't control himself."
"You were too long from his arms." She told me sadly.
"Spartacus said the same thing." I smiled at her. "But I've returned to his arms. I will never be from him again and yet he feels -" Cutting myself off, I scoffed and shook my head. "I don't know what he feels." I told her, emotion making my chest clench. "I don't know what he feels." I repeated, throwing the sword to the ground before dropping to my knees. "I feel everything and yet I haven't asked him what he's feeling. All I've done is grow angry with him and storm away. I have yet to allow him to speak his mind."
She dropped onto her knees in front of me. "Maybe he's afraid to speak his mind. He doesn't want you to see him in pain. He wants you to be happy. He wants you to be safe and in his arms."
"But that is exactly where I am." I replied with furrowed brows.
"No." She smiled gently. "You're alone in the woods with a sword in hand. He's waiting for you and you're avoiding him because he said something he shouldn't. You need to break words with him on the subject and put the subject to rest."
"There isn't time to break the words that we must." I told her.
"Make time." She said taking my hands in hers.
Nodding, I took a deep breath, forcing a smile. Leaning forward, she placed a kiss against my cheek before standing and walking away. Deciding that she was right, I got to my feet, moving back inside the villa grounds. About to seek out Varro, I instead was caught up in the packing of the house. Assistance being requested, stalling me from what I should be doing. Though, helping my people prepare to leave, the morning seemed to drag on. The longer I helped the more my desire to speak to Varro seemed to lessen. I wanted to make peace with him. I wanted to be and happy and yet asking me to wait for him had struck a chord so strong, I found it hard to simply forgive him. I had been tortured, raped, and beaten. One doesn't simply wait for their love to rescue them when opportunity arises.
"Gratitude." Vita told me, both our limbs shaking from lifting a heavy trunk.
"I would have thought Junius would be helping you." I commented, knowing the two had grown close.
"He is tending to Junia. She is having a rough morning with all the dust in the air from all the movement." She replied. "I told him I'd take care of his things."
"You're a kind woman." I smiled at her.
"It's what you would have done." She smiled back at me.
Laughing lightly, I nodded at her. It was something that I would do. Talking about trivial things, it was a nice moment. The first moment where Varro wasn't a constant on my mind. But it seemed every good moment was ruined with shouts of anger or violence. Straightening from the packing we were doing, I listened as a voice rang through the villa. Recognizing it as Crixus', his voice filled the villa, Agron's name being screamed with such fierceness that I was running before he had finished saying his name. I could hear it in his voice, something was amiss. Rushing into the open grassy area of the villa, I was in time to see Crixus throw himself at Agron. Rushing forward, I gripped Crixus' arm as he was pulled off of the German, putting my hand on Agron's chest as he attempted to come at the Gaul again, despite being held back.
"What's the meaning of this?" I asked, looking at Agron. He remained silent as he looked at Crixus with disdain. "Agron." I frowned.
Spartacus took Crixus' head in his hands, frowning heavily at him, "Have you lost mind?"
"Regained heart." The Gaul replied. "Naevia lives."
"Crixus." I said moving to his side, gripping his arm.
"How do you come by this?" Spartacus asked releasing him.
"The boy Nasir. The slaver told not of her death, but of her suffering in the mines." He replied with his eyes on Agron. My eyes followed as well. This explained what Nasir was hiding.
"An equal fate." Agron stated angrily.
Spartacus turned to his brother, anger written on his face. "Why would to bear false tongue when a life holds in the balance?"
"What of our lives? What of our lives?! Crixus has no thought towards any but Naevia and would have us all meet our end in foolish attempt on the mines. I did what was needed to be done, Spartacus. You must see this." He replied.
"It was not a decision for you to make!" I yelled punching him hard. He turned and looked at me with furrowed brows but there was no regret in his expression. "It is not just Crixus who seeks reunion with Naevia. She is like sister and you made me think her dead!"
Spartacus put his arm across me, gently moving me backward where I felt Crixus' hands on my arms. "A lie for the greater good." He said calmly before he punched Agron, speaking again with anger in his words, "One that would never have passed lips had it been your brother Duro in her place. If a single life holds no value…then none are of worth!" Pausing, he turned to take in the people around him. Nodding, I stood straighter, ready for anything that might transpire. "I stand with Crixus and will see Naevia from bondage."
Agron stepped forward, his mind was set. "I will not fucking die for this. I move for Vesuvius. Those that would live…join me." He told the crowd before walking away.
It surprised me how many moved to follow Agron. Despite that three of four leaders were remaining to seek out Naevia, all but the Gauls and a handful of others remained to stand with us. There were also those that followed me, leaving our numbers still lacking. Quickly making ready, dressing in slavers clothes, the group heading to the mines were assembling at the slavers wagon, posing as the slavers and guards from the raid of the previous day.
"I want you to take our people and move out with Agron." I told Caius.
"No." He frowned at me. "My place is by your side."
Putting my hand on his chest, I stepped closer to him, speaking with a quiet voice. "I need you to do this, Caius. I cannot take women and children to the mines. They cannot fight and they will only be in the way. We will reunite with you as soon as Naevia is free. I leave you in charge in my absence."
"You need to be the one to tell them." He told me.
Nodding, I moved to where our people stood, huddled as the others moved around busily. "Are you all prepared to move?" I asked, getting a nod from everyone. "Good. You are to accompany Caius as he follows Agron on the road to Vesuvius." Disgruntled murmuring quickly broke out. "I order you to do so. It is the safer path and one that you all must take. I will reunite with you once we've freed Naevia from the mines. Heed Caius for he will not lead you astray." I told them and paused. "Gratitude for all you have done. Now go. Agron is already moving out." Nearly all did as they were told. There were only three who still stood before me. "Felix, do not be brave. Go to Antonia and keep her safe." He nodded and quickly moved off. "Lucius. Otho." I grinned. "I appreciate your company but you should help guard our people."
"They have many gladiators accompanying them. You have fewer and are at greater risk. We will stay with you." Otho told me.
He was a man of little words and to have him speak so strongly made me simply smile, unable to argue with him. "Gratitude." I told him with a nod.
Rejoining the others, I placed a hand on Nasir's shoulder, smiling at him, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I can be of assistance. It's the least I can do for what Spartacus has given me." He replied.
"It is not just Spartacus who is grateful." I told him.
"Crixus is a good man. No one should have to go through what he did, especially when it was knowingly done so."
"He is grateful for your honesty." I nodded.
"Let's hope we are not too late." He smiled and pulled himself up into the front of the wagon.
Walking to the back of it, I was about to pull myself up when I heard my name. I didn't know why, but my stomach dropped at the sound of his voice. Turning, Varro was striding toward me. "We move for the mines." I told him.
"Spartacus has told me." He frowned. "Naevia lives."
"Yes, and we are going to free her." I stated.
"Why didn't you come to me?" He asked. "I've been looking for you and everyone seems to be trying to keep me at a distance."
"There were other matters to attend to." I replied as I took a step to the side.
"Lea." He repeated as he gently took my arm.
"Varro." I said without meeting his eyes. "I apologize but I cannot do this right now. I need to focus on saving Naevia."
"I'll be at your side." He said gently, tentatively putting his hand up to my face, lifting my chin so I met his eyes.
"There are many words that need to be broken." I told him.
"There will be time after Naevia is rescued." He nodded.
Nodding back, I turned and joined the others, Varro right behind me. Climbing into the back of the wagon, we quickly set out for the mines. The ride was quiet, no one speaking unless it was about what was to be done once we arrived. Otho and Lucius sat on either side of Varro and me. All the while my love held tight to my hand, a sense of worry flowing from him. Despite my hurt feelings, I felt the need to comfort him, gently running my fingers through his hair as I placed a kiss upon his temple. He leaned into my touch, seemingly afraid it would be the last time he felt it. Placing a long kiss against his shoulder, I looked up at him, giving him a small reassuring smile.
Thinking I was ready to arrive at the mines, when we moved through the gates, my stomach started to turn and I felt as if I was going to be sick. When the wagon stopped, we heard footsteps, Nasir appearing before us as he pulled the canvas aside.
"Do I give coin to sit upon ass? See them from the fucking wagon!" Nasir ordered.
"Is this the stock from Ferox?" The overseer asked. "Two days past expected delivery. Two fucking days!"
"Apologies –" Nasir started.
"I do not know you. Where is Ferox?"
"Dead. We were set upon by Spartacus and his shits, the reason for our delay and Ferox's permanent absence." Nasir fluently lied.
For a moment it looked as if the overseer was going to react poorly, making all our eyes dart to each other's, a warning should things go awry. Varro's hand gripped my wrist, almost painfully, his anxiousness flowing from him.
"Still yourself." I whispered to him still staring at the ground, my hands still folded in front of myself. His grip loosened and he took his hand back, gripping his own wrist as he too stared at the ground.
Before any more action could be taken the overseer laughed, easing some of the tension of the Rebels. "I have wished the man to grass for many years. Yet he fucks me from the afterlife. Schedule now teeters upon brink, with little hope of regaining balance."
"Yes, again, apologies. I—" Nasir started again.
Before he could finish Mira stepped out from her place in line. "Mira." I said only to be struck across my cheekbone, feeling the skin break open. "Don't." I whispered harshly to Varro as he was about to make move to defend me. Getting back to my feet, I continued to stare at the ground, feeling blood slowly slid down my cheek.
"Am I to present myself now?" Mira asked with a bowed head, though I watched her eyes meet Spartacus'.
"Yes. Yes! A special offering, to compensate your troubles." Nasir said putting his arm out toward Mira.
Mira's expression was of apology and of fear as she kept her eyes locked with Spartacus'. She already regretted her decision but there was little she could do as the overseer stepped up to her.
"Wait here. Rotten cunt serves no trade." The overseer said before he gripped her arm, pulling her into his tent.
Minutes seemed to drag by, making me anxious for Mira. Meeting Varro's eyes, we both looked at Spartacus who looked on the verge of breaking. "Mira has been gone too long." Spartacus whispered, catching the notice of a guard.
"You there. From where to you hail?"
"Sicilia." Spartacus lied.
"I have seen you before…somewhere." The guard replied as his mind was starting to make the connection. "The arena."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth the attack was on. Spartacus quickly dispatched the guard before others started to rush toward us, swords in hand. Varro shoved me backward before darting forward, stripping a guard of his sword and shoving it into his stomach. Gripping the hilt of a fallen guard's knife, I pulled it free before rushing into the tent to see Mira stabbing the life out of the overseer.
"I see I'm too late." I told her with a small smile.
"Come." Mira said rushing from the tent.
A guard confronted us with sword drawn. Gripping his wrist before he could bring his arm down, I thrust the knife into his heart, shoving his body off of it before feeling my arm grabbed. Turning, I looked up into Varro's face, relief filling me as he thrust his sword into another guard's belly.
"Mira." Spartacus called, taking her arm as he looked at the blood that covered her hands.
"It is Roman blood." She told him.
"We should move." I said quickly.
"Did he know of her? Does Naevia live?" Crixus asked.
"She does." Mira smiled at him.
"Mannus, Plenus, assume their mantle. Make it known if any become aware of our presence." Spartacus said to two of the gladiators.
"Into the mines. Quickly." Crixus told us.
Looking up at Varro, we quickly entered the mines, ducking and twisting as we followed Mira. Turning a corner, I came face to face with a guard, quickly stabbing the knife into the side of his neck, blood spurting, drenching my hand and running down my wrist. Pulling his sword from his dying grasp, I swiftly followed Mira, eager to find my sister.
"Which way do we go?" Crixus asked when we came to a fork in the road.
"They should both lead us there. This one the shorter path." Mira replied,
"I would double odds toward goal." Spartacus said turning and ordering a handful of Rebels behind us, "Take the longer path. Move quietly. Varro, lead them."
Varro looked at me with worried eyes. Nodding at him, he quickly moved down the other path. Glaring at Spartacus, he pulled me in front of him before we trudged forward. We moved through water and mud, water falling from the ceiling, our bodies' slick with both as we looked from slave to slave, trying desperately to find Naevia. All the while Spartacus was looking around him at all the slaves and the condition they were in, the sight of them pulling at his empathy.
"We must see them freed." He said his eyes staring at the sight before him.
"We do not have time for this." I told him.
"There are too many of them." Crixus added. "We would be discovered."
Spartacus spoke aloud, though it wasn't to any one person. It was to all of them. "Live, and know I will return."
Keeping moving, my mind was racing, not only with worry for Naevia but with worry for Varro. Spartacus simply sent him away from me. I didn't know what was happening to him or what he was facing. Hearing a yell, I turned and ran through a guard, releasing a yell of my own. Breathing hard, I started, coming face to face with Spartacus. Frowning at him, I moved to go around him but he stopped me.
"There is no time for this." I told him annoyed.
"I did it for his own good. For your own good." He told me. Frowning harder at him, I once again attempted to move round him. "He would worry about you and only you if he were here."
"You sent him away from me." I frowned at him. "We are quarreling and words need to be broken but I need him. I need him, Spartacus. I need him."
"Nothing is going to happen to him." He told me.
Continuing to frown, I moved around him, joining Crixus in finding Naevia. Both of us screaming her name, hoping to see her simply look up and smile at us, happy to be found.
"Where is she?" I asked from Crixus' side, running my fingers through my hair.
"We will find her." He said gripping my arm.
Putting my hand on his face, I nodded at him. At the same moment Nasir called out for Crixus, saying he had found a slave with the mark of her domina upon back. Crixus and I looked at each other before we both ran to where Nasir was.
"Naevia." Crixus said slowly moving toward the slave in question, seeing the tattoo on her back. "Naevia?"
From the side a woman lunged at him, presumably defending Naevia. Darting forward, I gripped her arms, struggling with her before Nasir took her from my arms, holding her tightly as she started to cry. Looking at her sadly, my eyes moved to where Crixus was bent down behind Naevia, running his hands across her shoulder blades and down her arms.
"You are safe." Crixus told her as he moved his hands down to hers. "You are safe now. I'm here. I'm here."
Turning to look at him with weeping eyes, she looked relieved, "Crixus?"
Wrapping his arms around her, she pressed herself against him. "Forgive me. Forgive me for what I have done." He told her softly.
"Naevia." I said breathlessly, putting my folded hands against my mouth.
Feeling Spartacus' hands on my shoulders, he pulled me against his chest placing a kiss into my hair. Though the moment was cut short as yells filled the tunnel and Roman soldiers started to spill into it. Spartacus turned and immediately dispatched as many as he could as he told the rest of us to go. Both Crixus and I froze when Ashur came into view. Crixus yelled his name but Spartacus yelled for him to go. Refusing to leave him, I once against picked up sword and lunged forward, spilling the blood of two Romans before Spartacus yanked me away from them, ushering me through the tunnels. A moment later there was the sound of a collapse as Spartacus caused a cave in, buying us a moment's head start.
"Wait!" Mira exclaimed. "There's a runoff. It empties out of the other side of the mine."
"Which path do we take?" Spartacus asked. "Quickly!"
"This way." She said leading us down another tunnel, only for it to come to a dead end.
"Mira." I said as my heart started to race.
"She leads us to our fucking death." A gladiator growled.
"Mira." I repeated putting my hand on her shoulder.
She was starting to panic, her hands shaking as she attempted to find her mistake. Spartacus rushed forward, speaking to her as kindly as he could. "Take breath, and gain your bearing."
Taking a deep breath, Mira nodded and looked at the map once more. "A turn missed. It will take us to the water." She said turning back the way we had come. It was only a few feet when she realized the missed turn. "Here." She said moving down the tunnel.
"Move! Stay together." Spartacus called and we were all on the move again.
Coming to the gate we were searching for, the guard was quick to rush through the gate and lock us in. Spartacus was just as quick to react, launching a small axe, killing the guard, the keys falling to the ground. My eyes grew wide but there was only a second to process before Romans were flooding the small room. Fighting side by side with the gladiators, I was finally able to spill the Roman blood that I had so desperately craved. Blood ran freely down my arms, splattering against my chest, neck, and face as I slashed and cut every Roman that entered my path. All the while Mira struggled to reach the keys.
"Back here! They are by the gate!" A solider yelled.
"I will give them pause…so you may slip from grasp." Crixus said as he pushed Naevia into Spartacus' arms. "See Naevia to safety!"
"Crixus." I said watching him.
"No." Naevia said reaching out for Crixus. "No!"
"Crixus!" Spartacus said, clearly torn with what to do.
"See it done, brother!" Crixus said as he started fighting the soldiers again.
"Lea!" Spartacus called.
"Go!" Crixus yelled at me.
"I'm not leaving you." I told him. "And I am not leaving without Varro."
Distracted, a soldier rushed me, knocking me to the ground. Lying on my back, I put my foot against his chest, forcing him backward. Swiftly getting to my feet, I moved to run him through when a sword appeared through his chest. Frowning, the soldier fell to reveal Varro behind him. Laughing out loud, I nodded at him, getting his beautiful smile in return. Though in the next moment my stomach dropped as a guard came up behind him. Rushing forward, he reached out for me just as I reached for him. Only instead of the embrace he was expecting, I yanked him past me, removing him from harm's way, feeling the sword glide through my side, my breath catching in the process.
"Spartacus!" I yelled before skewering the soldier with my sword.
Turning, I saw Mira with Naevia and Spartacus was already gripping Varro's arms, pulling him backward. Smiling, knowing that he knew what I wanted, I watched as he pulled Varro through the gates before locking it behind us. Turning, I ran through another soldier before I was struck hard across the jaw, blood filling my mouth as I landed hard on my stomach.
"LEA!" Varro screamed.
Varro looked at me with wide eyes, knowing that this could be the last time we looked upon each other. He fought against Spartacus who was struggling to pull him away. My eyes filled with tears at the sight of him, one sliding down my cheek.
"Go." I told him as I was grabbed and yanked to my knees, my hair gripped as cold steel was placed at my throat. More tears fell as Varro's scream filled the air. A sound I had hoped to never hear again. "Spartacus." I said looking at him.
"Varro, we must go." Spartacus told him.
"GO!" I screamed at him. "Please." I added with tears streaming, nodding with a small smile on my face. Spartacus nodded at me before pulling him away from the gate and out of sight. "I love you." I said sadly even though I knew he couldn't hear me.
Watching Rhaskos get taken, Crixus was overcome, being forced to his knees at my side. Looking at each other, tears ran from my eyes as I watched blood pool in his mouth, running from the corner of it. Smiling, I nodded at him, the people we loved the most were safe. If this was the price we paid for that then so be it. In the next moment both of us were struck over the head and darkness ensued.