Chapter Eight: Home
Pain was the first thing I was aware of as I started to wake. The wagon jostled me, making me sit up quickly, my eyes darting around. A hand moved to my knee and I looked into Crixus' face. His eye was swollen and his face was still bloody, though he smiled at me before placing a kiss against my temple. Resting my head against his shoulder, I shut my eyes, trying to not be depressed about our latest predicament.
When the wagon finally stopped, I lifted my head, wiping my eyes as I attempted to hide the redness that my tears had caused. The back opened and hoods were quickly put over our heads and we were forced from the wagon. There was the sound of hooves and our own feet as we trudged forward in the irons they had placed us in. They were heavy and bulky, making walking difficult. It took all my focus not to fall, making me feel like I was near death as my side throbbed with every move I made. When we finally stopped, I stood breathing heavily through the hood, my heart pounding in my ears. I heard a soldier say Praetor and I knew we were in the company of Glaber.
"This is all that stand captured?" Glaber said disappointedly.
"Many more lay dead in the mines." His soldier told him.
There were footsteps coming closer, making my heart start to race as they slowly moved closer to me. Then the hood was pulled from my head, my eyes squinting in the sudden light before falling upon Glaber's face in front of mine. Looking to either side I realized there were four of us. Acer, Rhaskos, Crixus and myself.
"Where is Spartacus?" Glaber asked.
"He fled into the woods with a clutch of slaves. Marcus gives chase."
Laughing, the soldier stepped up to me, punching me hard, sending me to the ground. "Enough." Glaber said as he pulled me to my feet. "Were his words funny?"
"You will never get Spartacus." I told him. "The next time you face him, he will end your life."
Frowning, he struck me, sending my back to the ground. "Alert me the moment he is sighted upon road." Glaber stated as he walked away. "To the cells."
Being pulled to my feet, I looked at my old home, finding it the same as we were dragged into the ludus and to the cells. The men were put into one cell while I was thrown into one across from them, all of us still in shackles.
The guards left and Acer's laugh filled the room. "Again to this house of piss and shit."
"A fate I alone should bear." Crixus told him.
"The risk was known to us all." Rhaskos stated.
"Fuck risk, and fuck the fucking Romans. I stand with you in this life and the next." Acer told him.
"As do I."
It was sweet to hear their words but I couldn't help but feel depressed. All I wanted was to see Varro again. Then another voice joined theirs. One that was very unexpected.
"The bonds of brotherhood. They have always run deep within these walls."
"Oenomaus." Crixus said with shock. "What has happened? How did you come here?"
"I was a fool…that now stands in fellow company."
"Their fault lies only in following me on impossible journey. Naevia lives. We liberated her from the mines."
"Love. You fall to ruin for love."
"She is my heart."
"She is a woman…a delicate creature at the best of times. They are moved by desires unknown by the men that place trust in them."
"She lives. That is all that matters."
"You speak as if you did not know a woman's love." I spoke up from my cell. "Or a woman's trust."
"Lea." He said with a small smile.
As happy as I was to see him, I couldn't help but feel annoyed by his words. "Crixus is not the only to fall to ruin for love." I frowned at him.
"Varro yet lives." He stated.
"Yes, only he would have fallen in the mines had I not sacrificed myself to make sure he remained free." I explained.
"Why would you make such a sacrifice? Varro would have died for you in an instant."
"And I would die before I let him." I frowned and moved away from the bars, sitting in a corner.
"What happened to you when you left with Paulus?"
"Nothing worth breaking words over." I replied blandly.
"You were mistreated." He stated sadly.
"Every day."
"Apologies for not trying harder to keep you here."
"There was nothing you could have done, Oenomaus." I told him sadly. "I brought it on myself and I suffered the consequences for it. Caius rescued me, nursed me back to health, and helped me find Varro and the others. He funded my cause and allowed me to free and house slaves while I searched for my love."
"You've become a leader?"
Laughing, I shook my head. "I am no leader. Though those I freed try and convince me otherwise. I've made few decisions as a leader. I've simply done enough to ensure they are fed and clothed until I could bring them before a true leader. Spartacus." No reply came and soon the room grew quiet as we all sat, waiting for our fates to be decided.
The hours grew long and we remained where we were, seemingly left for dead. Shifting, I frowned, remembering the stab wound I'd endured while saving Varro. Looking down, I felt the wound, knowing that if it wasn't tended to it would be sure to fester. As if my thoughts were being read, there was the sound of feet and the door to my cell was opened. Lucretia entered with a bowl of water and cloth, as well as the medicine needed to cleanse my wound.
"Why?" I asked her.
"Because you are to die in the arena for my pleasure. Not a moment before." She replied.
"Gratitude." I told her kindly.
She did not speak again. I dared to hope that she still held an ounce of affection toward me. Naevia had delivered the ultimate betrayal by loving the same as our master. My only transgression was loving a gladiator that no one cared about. No one of import to those in this house. None other than Spartacus.
When Lucretia took her leave, silence once again prevailed. There was nothing we could do but sit and wait until we were put into the arena. Put to death in the same place that the men had once called home. The arena was the one place where they thrived and now it would be the place of their death. Something they had all once dreamed of. But we'd all tasted freedom. We would not die without a fight.
"Lea." Crixus' voice drifted over to me late in the night.
"Brother." I replied with a smile. At least I would be with him when I died.
"I will protect you from harm." He said sweetly. "I will not let you fall in the arena."
"You won't have a choice." I stated, my smile growing. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't even try. I will only cause you to drop your guard then you will be the one who falls. Naevia needs you. Now more than ever. She's been through more than we could possibly know. Her reaction to your touch alone makes it so."
"Varro needs you."
"Yes, he does. But he is strong. He'll survive."
"No. Not after having you back and then losing you again so soon. He will more than likely end his life if you were to die."
"He's promised me he wouldn't." I told him, doubt filling me as I stepped up to the bars, seeing Crixus doing the same. "My death would be in vain if he did such a thing."
"Love causes us to do things we never thought possible." He said softly.
"At least you're here with me." I told him forcing a smile on my face. "I am grateful for it."
"And I for you."
"You both are fools." Oenomaus's voice said coldly.
"You would have done anything for Melitta." I shot at him. "How are Crixus' and my situations any different?"
"There are things you do not know." He stated.
"Name them to ease my ignorance." I demanded of him.
"She betrayed me." He stated coldly.
"She loved you more than anything." I frowned. "She would never."
"She did." He replied sadly. "With Gannicus."
"She wouldn't."
"Then you didn't know her as well as you thought you did either."
"Oenomaus…" I said sadly.
"We'd all be better off if we had never loved at all."
"No." I told him forcefully, dropping to my knees to see him better. "Knowing the love that we have makes death more bearable. I am complete. Varro's love means more to me than anything. Feeling his love, reciprocating it, makes all of this hold meaning. For I not only fought for my freedom. I fought for love. Fought to keep the ones I love alive and well. If I die in the arena, I'll know that nearly all my loved ones are safe and free."
"You are a fool." Oenomaus repeated.
"Yes. But I'd rather be a fool in love than a bitter man who's given up all hope." I retorted and returned to my corner, silence once again filling the room.
The sun had come and gone before anyone came to us again. We were denied food and given just enough water to wet the tongue. Enough so we wouldn't die before the Games. My stomach felt as if it were trying to eat itself from the inside, making sleep hard to come by. I watched as guards went to the men's cell, taking all, even Oenomaus.
"Where are you taking them?" I asked as I rushed to the bars.
"Shut up!" One yelled at me, hitting my fingers.
"Stop! Where are you taking them?" I exclaimed as they were taken from my sight. "Crixus! CRIXUS!" It was no use.
Pacing away from the bars, wrapping my arms around myself, I waited for them to be returned. I hated not knowing what was happening to them. I didn't know what I would do if they were harmed. Crixus. Oenomaus. They had to be returned. Several more hours passed before I once again heard the sound of footfalls. All were present, all except Acer.
"Where's Acer?" I asked when the guards left.
"They're going to kill him." Crixus stated as sat down against the wall. "For Roman sport."
Sighing, I did the same. "When are we going to be put to death? I can't take this solitude much longer."
"I do not know." Crixus replied sadly.
Finding a small measure of sleep, my mind was full of blood and sand, a thirst for vengeance that enveloped me like a warm blanket. The dangers of what our life had become forming into dark shapes, attacking those that I loved. Fighting to protect them, being thwarted at every turn. Varro's blood staining my hands as I failed to save him. Waking in a cold sweat, tears covering my face, I sat up, sighing as fresh tears fell down my cheeks. I was okay with my fate. As long as Varro was alive and well it didn't matter if I died or not. Something that was as true before as it was now. I just wished that it wasn't so.
It was midday when a voice - that sent chills running down my spine - spoke for the first time since we'd been brought, "The beautiful Lea returns."
"Ashur." I said with disdain, gripping the bars. "I wouldn't come too close. There may be bars between us but that will not stop me from causing you harm."
"It is not you who I seek." He told me. "I've found something else I cherish more."
"You deserve nothing you receive. Except for death that follows you." I frowned at him.
"You've grown bold in your absence."
"I've always been this way. I am simply unafraid to show it now."
In one quick motion he was to the bars, his fingers wrapping around mine. "Perhaps I need to make an exception tonight. I've been inside your sister. It seems only fair to give you the same treatment."
"What?" I asked as my demeanor quickly deflated.
"Batiatus gave Naevia to him." Crixus told me. "It was this that gave our relationship away and caused her to be sent to the mines. He touched her and I could not bear it."
"Guards." Ashur said and stepped away from the bars. When two appeared he motioned to my cell. "Open the gate. I wish to borrow this one for a time." It seemed he now held standing for they did not hesitate to open the gate. Moving to the far corner, Ashur entered the cell, reaching toward me.
"Do not touch her!" Crixus exclaimed as he rammed against the bars. "I swear to you, Ashur, if you lay a finger on her I will end you!"
Ashur turned to him with a small smile on his face. "How? You're the one rotting in a cell while I lavish amongst the Romans. There is nothing you can do." With that he gripped my arm and dragged me from the cell.
"Release me!" I yelled. He obliged, letting go, causing me to go crashing to the ground, my back bouncing along the bars on the way down.
"Lea, run!" Crixus yelled.
Scrambling away from him, he swiftly moved to my side, pulling me back onto my feet with a hard jerk. "Ashur! Don't!" I yelled but he was already dragging me through the ludus, Crixus' yells still sounding from behind us.
One arm was firmly around my side while the other gripped my arm. I could feel the marks his fingers were leaving in my flesh. Dragging me to one of the champion cells, dread filled me as he threw me through the door. Moving as far away from him as possible, I held my arm out in front of me.
"Please, Ashur. Don't do this." I pleaded.
"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. Naevia always held my interest but I have a thing for sisters." He told me as he stepped forward.
"Domina loved her." I frowned at him, gripping the edge of the bed, pulling myself to my feet.
"Yes, but she didn't have a choice. Neither did Naevia. She hardly fought as I lay atop her. My gift from our former Dominus." He told me as he stepped toward me.
Dominus had given him Naevia and he had had his way with her. The look on his face was telling me that I too would have to suffer Ashur's advances. Fear washed over me as if I was submerged in freezing water. He was going to take me to be just has he had taken Naevia. Knowing she had done it willingly to please her masters made my stomach turn. They hadn't deserved the loyalty we had shown them. Even when my resolve had started to wane.
Anger filled me and in the next moment I was rushing him, forcing him onto the bed. Straddling him, I continuously punched his face, pleasure filling me as blood started to run from his nose as his cheek and eye began to swell. Though in the next moment he was laughing, putting me off guard, taking advantage of the moment as he threw me off of him, landing hard on the ground. In one fluid movement he was standing in front of me, wiping the blood from his face. Swiftly getting back onto my feet, I stood ready to protect myself. Laughing harder he lunged at me, only I sidestepped him, spinning around him, facing his back. He looked over his shoulder with an amused smile.
"Have your fun, Ashur." I told him. "I'm prepared to do what I must."
He nodded and was about to lunge at me when a voice filled the air. "What is this?!" Glaber appeared in the doorway, a frown set on his face. "What do you think you are doing?" He asked Ashur.
"Apologies." Ashur told him. "I was simply taking some pleasure from our prisoners."
"That is not her purpose." He shot at the Syrian as he gripped my arm, pulling me toward him.
"Apologies." Ashur repeated with a bow of his head.
Glaber didn't reply, he simply pulled me from the room and started to lead me back across the training grounds. "Apologies." He told me with a hard voice. "I may hold no love for you or your kind yet I'd never allow Ashur to have his way with you."
"Gratitude." I told him with sincerity. I truly was grateful for him in this moment.
"You are to die in the arena, not by the hands of the Syrian." He told me as he returned me to my cell.
"And when will that be?" I asked him.
"Tomorrow." He replied before closing the door and disappearing.
"Lea, are you all right?" Crixus asked anxiously.
"Mildly bruised, nothing more." I told him.
"I feared the worst." He replied, sadness written across his face.
Smiling, I wished I could reach him, "He tried but I would not let him."
"Good." He smiled, pressing his face against the bars.
Tears sprang to my eyes as we looked at each other. Moving to the corner of my cell, I sat with my knees against my chest, my arms wrapped around myself as I leaned my head against the bars. I missed Varro. I missed him more than I could say. At least he would live. He would live to see the others to a better life. Only it wasn't just Varro that moved through my mind. Spartacus, Mira, Agron, Nasir, Caius, Felix, Antonia, Lucius, Otho…they all came to mind. Letting silent tears fall, I closed my eyes, remembering, knowing that I would never see them again.
A small measure of sleep found me, being woken early to a slamming door. Lifting my head, I jumped as I saw Lucretia looking at me with a raised brow through the bars. I could hear the steady sleeping of the men across from me. Getting to my feet, I stepped up to the bars, meeting the eyes of my former Domina. Without saying a word she unlocked the door and motioned for me to follow. Sighing, I stepped through, pausing to gently put my hand on Crixus' arm before following Lucretia. She led me up into the villa, walking the halls in silence. She led me to my old quarters, letting me linger as I remembered everything that had happened there. Picking up Naevia's pillow, I pressed it against my face, smiling as a faint scent of her filled my senses.
Putting it down, I looked at Lucretia, sighing as I tried to figure out what she was thinking, "Why am I here?"
"Because you were foolish enough to follow Spartacus." She told me with a raised brow.
"No, why am I here with you? Why take me from that cell?" She looked at me sadly. "Please tell me that you're not feeling guilty."
"I never wanted to sell you." She told me.
"Stop." I frowned at her. "I do not want to hear."
"I loved Crixus. I understand the love you have for Varro. You loved him and couldn't watch him die. You did something very brave."
"Stop." I said more forcefully. "Your words mean nothing to me. I was loyal to you. For years I was loyal and you sold me to a monster. I was raped and beaten and denied food and water because I couldn't bring myself to willing kiss him or fuck him." I paused, scoffing as I shook my head at her. "I am a free slave. I take no orders and I will die in the arena as a free slave. I don't have time to listen to the confessions of a Roman."
"Ever the stubborn one." She smiled at me.
"I prefer passionate." I told her with a tilt of my head. "I am passionate in my love for Varro. In the family I have created and the friendships that I hold. In everything I have built since I've gained my freedom."
"And in your words." She said still smiling.
"Take me back to my cell." I told her, moving past her, walking the familiar halls down into the ludus.
When the time came, we were taken from our cells, led out to the gates where we were once again chained and led from the grounds before being put into a waiting wagon. It would be odd to see it from the sand. I'd been watching the Games for years and yet had never thought of looking at it from a gladiator's perspective. Even as we drew near there was the roar of the crowd and the smell of blood in the air.
"Are you afraid?" Crixus asked me.
"Yes." I told him. "I don't want to die, Crixus. I haven't truly lived enough yet."
He nodded, wrapping his arm around me as he placed a kiss into my hair. Leaning into his touch, I felt comforted. Being alone, hungry and cold, had made me crave closeness. I longed for Varro but Crixus' arm felt strong, bringing a sense of safety.
"I love you." He told me, surprising me with his words. Leaning away from him, I saw color rise to his cheeks. "If we're going to die then I want you to know."
Smiling, I put my hand on the side of his face, placing a kiss against his cheek. "I love you too, brother."
Then the wagon stopped and the back was opened. "Everybody out." A guard commanded and we were led into arena.
The hallways were narrower than I had expected as we were led down to where they would prepare us and give us weapons. We had to make our deaths entertaining for those watching it. Watching as we screamed and yelled. Watching as we were cut, our blood spilling before we were killed. The thought of what I was about to go through made my stomach turn, bile rising in my throat.
Sitting on a bench to wait, rubbing my wrists where the chains were making them raw, all our wrists were still shackled. They were to remain so for the remainder of our lives. We could hear the crowds' cheers and the clashing of metal as we waited for the primus to be announced. Waiting here was far worse than waiting at the ludus. Closing my eyes, I could hear everything, even the sound of flesh tearing. It were as if I could already feel my flesh being cut, my limbs being severed from my body, my blood spilling in fountains before I finally left this world for good. It was hard to think I'd last more than a few minutes.
"You have to fight." Oenomaus told me, making me open my eyes. "You cannot give up."
"I wasn't going to." I told him.
"It's written all over your face." He stated.
"Are you going to fight?" I asked him. He gave one nod. "Good."
"You remember what I taught you?" He asked.
"It was a long time ago, Oenomaus." I frowned at him. "But I've been learning from a gladiator that joined me. I will be able to keep myself alive for at least a little while." Wrapping his arm around me, he placed a kiss against my temple. Tears sprang to my eyes, silent as they fell down my cheeks. "I wish I could see Varro again, just for a moment."
"I know." He told me softly. "If I could return you to him I would."
Resting my head against his shoulder, my fear grew with every passing moment. When they finally came for us, I wanted to be strong, knowing that if I were still with the others I would need to fight. But this felt different. We were to be killed by gladiators who had been trained in the art of delivering death. I'd seen Varro, Spartacus, and Crixus fight in the arena and they fought with passion and without pause to end their opponents' lives. Now we were going to be put in the arena with no way to escape. The end was near and yet I knew that I had to fight. I had to fight for as long as I could.
"Here." A guard told me as he put a sword in my hand. It felt heavier than the ones I'd held before it. I felt weak and scared. I had no skill in comparison to those I would be fighting. Even the soldiers could not win against a gladiator. There life was the sword and now they would use there's to end my life. Not only that, but my shackled wrists would hinder any movement I made. It seemed very unlikely that I would last very long.
"They give us swords absent fucking edge." Rhaskos frowned, making my stomach drop even further, bile rising in my throat.
Oenomaus looked out at the sands, "Absent hope of victory as well."
"Then let us prove them fools for giving us swords at all." Crixus told them, the only one still holding onto hope. "Stay close to me." Crixus said turning to me.
"I will." I said moving closer to him so our arms were touching.
He turned and looked at me, his expression hard and filled with worry. "Never leave my side."
"I won't." I told him, feeling more anxious than I had a moment ago.
Then the gate began to rise and we were all pushed through, forced to walk out onto the sands, the sun beating down on us. There was a heavy amount of red on the ground, making my stomach turn. Across from us, the other gate had been raised and the gladiators that were to execute us appeared. However my jaw dropped as I beheld the one leading them out. I knew his face well. I had known him for years before he was freed from his servitude. Gannicus.
"No." I said stopping, staring at the man who drew ever nearer to us, guards taking post on either side of the gate.
"Why would he do this?" Crixus asked looking up at Oenomaus.
"Because he's a man without honor."
"We at last face each other upon the sands…as Melitta always feared." Gannicus said to his friend before his eyes moved to me.
Meeting Gannicus's eyes, he was frowning heavily at me. Gripping the hilt of the sword harder, I looked up at Crixus, knowing that as long as I stayed with him I would survive for as long as he did.
"Lea." I heard Gannicus say, making me look at him.
"Gannicus." I replied airily.
"You rebelled?" He asked surprised.
"Yes." I nodded.
"But you loved our Domina."
"I love someone else more." I stated, feeling strength start to move through my body as I thought of Varro.
If he were here he would want me to be brave and would want me to fight as hard as I could for as long as I could. Hearing him tell me what I wanted to hear in my head, I felt strengthened, feeling as if I really could survive this. Thinking of all the times he told me he loved me; I pictured his smile and the blueness of his eyes. The curve of his back and the thick muscles of his arms. The curls of his hair tickling my chin as I held him against me. A smile crept across my face, the love of one man empowering me in a way that I never had been before.
"Have you found your courage?" Crixus smirked at me.
Looking up at him, I smiled wider. "I think I may actually enjoy this."
A smile grew across his face, one of determination, "We may make a gladiator out of you yet."
"And I will gladly learn." I replied. My smile faltered as Oenomaus stepped toward his former brother. "Oenomaus." I said gently, reaching for him.
Crixus gripped my arm, "Stay with me." Nodding at him, I watched Oenomaus carefully.
"Is it true? Did you lay with her the night she left this world?"
Gannicus' expression said all, "Oenomaus –"
Oenomaus immediately started the fight, bringing blow after blow down upon him. Staying at Crixus' side, everyone charged out like a wild beast, yells filling the air including my own. The first man that appeared before me was easily twice my size; his sword as well, moving to bring it down on top of me. Diving to the ground, I rolled myself to the side, still holding tight to the hilt of my sword. Practically bouncing back onto my feet, I swung my sword out, slashing upward, leaving a long gash in his back. Proud, I lingered a moment too long and he had swung back, pain searing across the open flesh of my chest. I had been far enough away that it was quite shallow, but blood still started to spill down my front.
Anger filled me and I lunged at him, bringing the sword down on top of him. He easily parried the blow, throwing me into the air as he pushed me away from him. Landing hard on my back, my sword was a hands width away and the gladiator was already bearing down upon me. But before he could end my life, a sword appeared through his chest, his blood splattering me before he fell to the ground, revealing Crixus behind him. He offered me his arm, helping me to my feet. Gripping my sword, I took in the sights around me. Seeing many things at once: Oenomaus fighting Gannicus, Rhaskos being killed by several of the enemy gladiators, Crixus taking hit after hit, attempting to give aid to his brother but there was nothing he could do.
Hearing a yell behind me, my eyes grew wide as I saw a gladiator rushing toward me. There wasn't enough time to yell for Crixus let alone anything else. Twisting my body, the sword lanced off my ribcage, spinning me in the air before I landed on my stomach. Picking up my sword, I turned onto my back, thrusting the sword up and into the belly of the gladiator. Blood spilled onto my stomach, his body thrashing momentarily before he grew still. When he was dead I realized how close it had been, his sword was in the sand just a fraction of an inch away from my abdomen. If he had succeeded we both would have died the same way. Allowing myself only a moment to feel, I hardened myself, rolling him off of me, pulling my sword free after getting to my feet.
Taking deep breaths, I felt a wave of relief as Crixus appeared at my side, moving me with him as he attacked another gladiator. There were more of them then there were of us, making more swarm to us. Crixus and I took blow after blow, more as he attempted to keep me from their grasp. Swinging my sword at anyone who neared us, they laughed as they looked at me. I'm sure I was a sight to see. My hair loose and unkempt, my dress bloody and torn, all the while flailing a sword in jerky movements in attempt to save my own skin and that of the gladiator behind me.
Swinging my sword, my wrist was grabbed and I was backhanded so hard my vision speckled as I crashed to the ground. Being pulled to my feet I was hit again, and again, and again as I was thrown from gladiator to gladiator. They were predators playing with their kill. Being thrown to the sand, my stomach and ribs were kicked before there was a small reprieve. Laughter filled my ears as I was flipped onto my back, hands gripping my throat. Looking up into the face of a gladiator, I could see the amusement on his face. He was enjoying this. Gasping for air that couldn't reach my lungs, I thought this was going to be the end of me. Seeing his sword next to us, I reached for it, my fingertips barely grazing the metal. With one final burst of energy, I shifted myself just enough to grip the metal in my hands, thrusting it into his stomach, gripping the hilt; I finished him as I ran the entire length of the metal through his flesh. His expression was one of surprise before he died, forcing his heavy form off of me. Getting to my feet, I pulled the sword free, wounding another before feeling a slash against my back, making me fall to my knees.
"I'm surprised by you." The gladiator told me as he bent down in front of me. "Women usually know no skill with a blade."
"I am not your ordinary woman." I glared at him, setting my jaw as I slammed my head into his. Momentarily dazed, I got up and slashed his throat before his shock could wear off.
Rushing to where Crixus was fighting, assisting in killing his assailant before we both stood panting. It was then that we realized something was happening. The roar of the crowd had become screams, the stands ablaze as a whole section caved in on itself, people disappearing from sight in a fiery blaze.
"What's happening?" I asked Crixus as he stopped to look, another gladiator defeated.
"I do not know." He said and returned to the task at hand as another gladiator came rushing toward us.
Staying close to his side, I watched his back as he fought, seeing the guards rushing out onto the sands. Several were coming in our direction, making fear start to creep into me. If it were one man I'd be able to defend myself, several would only lead to my death. But as they drew nearer, they removed their helmets, revealing Varro and Spartacus from underneath them, Agron not far off. A tangible wave of relief rushed through me, finding myself running to once again be reunited with the love of my life.
"Varro!" I yelled, dropping the sword before throwing myself into his open arms.
"You live." He smiled with his lips against my ear. "You live and are once again returned to my arms." I wanted to speak but emotion was constricting my throat, tears of joy already filling my eyes. "I love you. I love you more than anything."
Leaning far enough away, I put my forehead against his, taking a deep breath of him. "And I love you." I managed to choke out before he was kissing me.
It lasted only a moment before the yelling around us brought us back to the purpose we had yet to do. Handing me my sword, we rushed to where the others were fighting, assisting with dispatching the remaining guards and gladiators. It felt right to be fighting alongside Varro. I was not useless in a fight, even though there was much to learn. Once we were free of this place the training could truly begin. Not just for me but for all that desired to contribute.
Watching Varro kick the legs out from underneath a guard, I came up behind him, wrapping my arm around his head as he moved to his knees. Without pause, I slit his throat, watching the blood gush out of him before letting him fall to the sand. Hearing another coming behind me, I spun, slipping the sword into the vulnerable flesh of a guards shoulder. I hadn't aimed and it was pure luck when I saw the artery start to spurt. Another fallen guard. Turning to look at Varro, he held a proud smile on his face. Smiling back, I was about to go to him when my name was being screamed from somewhere in the arena. Turning my head, I saw Gannicus attempting to lift a pillar. He held a panicked look; one that I knew meant something unthinkable happened.
"Gannicus!" I yelled running to up him, Varro right behind me.
"Oenomaus is trapped!" He told me. "Help me free him!"
Without hesitation, I gripped the beam and together we managed to move it far enough to reach our friend. Slipping under the debris that covered him, I checked to see if he was alive, smiling when I found him breathing steadily. Varro and Gannicus lifted the pillar as I pulled Oenomaus free from the debris. The two gladiators supported his weight as we fled the burning arena.
"Spartacus!" I yelled when I noticed he wasn't with us.
"I'm here." He said appearing, gripping my arms before we ran after the others.
Moving into the bowels of the arena, we went to where they dealt with the dead, Mira standing in wait. When she beheld me, she gave a grin and a tight embrace. She motioned toward the water where Varro and Gannicus had disappeared, going under and through a grate that they had broken in through. Slipping into the water, despite what was lurking inside of it, the coolness of it felt wonderful against my heated body. Coming up on the other side, we swiftly retreated into the woods, not stopping till silence fell around us and the arena that once held so much death was in ruin behind us.