Marcus and the other men had snuck into the camp quietly. They checked the tents quietly, but still no sign of the prisoners. They got to a tent in the back and in it they saw women and children huddled into it. The four other men reunited with loved ones. Marcus smiled and looked around when he saw an old man. He went over warily and gasped when he saw his uncle.

"Uncle!" he gasped softly. The old man looked at him and smiled tiredly.

"Marcus," he said happily and hugged him. "What are you doing here?" he asked coughing lightly. Marcus held his shoulders and stared at him.

"The messenger you sent gave me a scroll saying you were dead," his uncle looked confused.

"But Marcus, I didn't send a messenger, I was kidnapped by Raiders, the man that lead them did after he wrote a letter saying I was dead, Marcus," he said gently and held his shoulder. His eyes started to water with tears. "It was the man that once had Esca as a slave, he hired the Raiders to help him find Esca, they tortured me until I told them where you were," he said.

Marcus' eyes saddened and he held his uncle close, Marcus felt his eyes burn but he never let the tears fall. He pat his uncles back and stared at him holding his shoulders staring at him in the eye.

"Is Esca here?" he asked. His uncle nodded, he was about to ask where but the sound of guards alerted him. He looked at his uncle apologetically, the older man just nodded in understanding.

"Marcus, before you go, Esca was taken to the arena to fight, if you want to see him, you must go to the arena, there's a way through the back that holds their cells, now go!" he whispered. Marcus nodded and he and the four others ran from the tent as the guards came.

The next morning, Marcus put a cloak over his head and went to the arena. He went and sat in the front row looking at the crowd. He saw his uncle walking up the steps that he came up. Marcus stared at him then looked back at the arena as he came up to him.

"Esca's going to be fighting today, let him see your face," he said. "Let him know you're here," he said gently. Marcus nodded then the crowd started to cheer, he looked up at a bald man that came out. He had a scar across his neck, and cheek. "Esca's former master before you," he said. "Esca gave him those scars after he was tortured," he said.

"Gentlemen!" the man started. "Fight lovers! Welcome to the Arena!" the man yelled. There was a roar of cheers ran in the arena. "Today! I have a special treat for all of you! Yesterday! Our dear friend Esca was returned to me!" there were more cheers. Marcus' eyes hardened and his hands clenched. "And today! To celebrate his return I open today's fight with him! Now welcome Esca and Silent Rage!" the gates opened and Marcus saw Esca walk in. He looked so small and pale, more so than usual. He leaned forward and he and stared at him.

There was silence in the arena when the other man stepped in. Seven feet tall, muscular, with a sword. Marcus swallowed as he watched the two circle each other. The odds were against Esca but if there was one thing he knew about his lover, it was to never underestimate him.

He stared at Esca intently as the man took a swing at him, Esca dodged and took a swing at his back. He cut it but it was just a scratch, the larger man took another swing at him. He cut Esca's side, Esca groaned and held his side.

"No," Marcus breathed.

Esca got up slowly but the man had already discarded his sword and started to punch Esca. Marcus was about to stand up but a hand to his shoulder stopped him. He looked at his uncle who just shook his head.

Marcus looked at Esca again as he got up and swung his sword again. The bigger man dodged but not fast enough. The man may have strength and size on his side, but Esca has speed and skill. Marcus smiled when Esca was able to bring the man to his knees.

The master smirked and stopped the fight separating the two fighters. Esca looked around panting quietly at the cheering crowd. His eyes froze on the figure of Marcus' uncle, he thought he was dead! When he saw the man next to him he almost fainted. It was Marcus himself. He walked up to him and slid the ring across to him.

They stared at each other, each yearning to hold the other close, to kiss each other senseless. Marcus stared at Esca longingly how he wished he could touch him. He took the ring their fingers brushing against each other. It was so slight but it was the most beautiful feeling they've had these past few weeks.

When Esca turned away he put his hand back on his side, it wasn't bleeding so much any more, but it looked like it hurt. Marcus clenched the ring and put it to his finger. When Esca disappeared he stood up and looked at his uncle.

"You should come with me," he said. The only man smiled lightly and shook his head. "Why not?" Marcus asked lowly. Uncle Aquilla sighed and stared at the arena.

"Because someone needs to help Esca, until you free Esca I will stay with him," he said. "Now you better go and see him, he'll be in his cage," he said. Marcus stared at him a moment and nodded leaving him and leaving the arena. He looked around slowly before he walked quickly to the back of the arena.

Going through the door Marcus walked down the long corridor, the cell inhabitants just stared at him until he came to the one with Esca. He smiled and went to the cell. The Briton man looked up at him and gasped lightly walking to him.

"Marcus," he whispered breathlessly. Marcus reached through the bars and touched his love's face. He smiled tenderly at Esca wanting nothing more than to hold him tightly. He looked at Esca's body and saw the wound. It was a lot worse than Marcus thought. He reached and touched the outside of it lightly making Esca hissed.

"I'm sorry," he whispered lightly. Esca just smiled and shook his head staring at him. Marcus stared back and ran his other hand through Esca's hair. "What are you doing here Esca?" he asked. Esca sighed and looked at the ground.

"Raiders came to our home, I don't know how they found us but they did and they took me, I wasn't sure what was going on until I got here and I saw my former master, he doesn't believe I'm a freed man, so he put me back in the ring," Marcus stared at him sadly and stroked his cheek.

"I'm here now Esca I will get you out of here, with the others," he said. Esca's head shot up and he stared at him.

"Marcus your uncle…" he whispered. Marcus nodded and smiled brightly at him. A smile broke out on Esca's face as well. He reached through the bars to cradle Marcus' face in his hands tenderly. Marcus smiled and held his hands kissing his palms.

"What I wouldn't give to kiss you right now," he said. Esca laughed softly and rested his forehead against the bars. Marcus did the same and stroked his knuckles with his thumbs. Then in the distance the sound of a door slamming alerted them.

"It's the Master," Marcus heard from another slave, he looked behind him and was surprised to see 'Silent Rage' staring at him. "You better go," he said. "He'll kill you and Esca, we won't say anything but you need to go," Marcus nodded and looked at Esca. He stroked his cheek one more time.

"I love you," he said. Esca nodded and watched Marcus go, Esca watched him leave before he sat at the bars closing his eyes. The Master walked through the corridor and looked at the fighters. His eyes rested on Esca.

"You did well today Esca," he said. Esca glared at him and moved back to a dark corner to get away from him. The man just chuckled and kept walking through the corridor, Esca brought his knees up to his chest and took a shuddering breath. He was alone again, but the one thing about slave fighters was that you were never completely alone.

Aww. A little fluffiness for you with Marcus and Esca. And Uncle Aquilla lives! Marcus you can take the sword from my throat now.

Marcus: I'm still mad at you for seeming killing my uncle.

Me: Then you'll be furious to see what I plan to do to Esca

Marcus: What do you mean?

Me: You'll see. Read and Review and you get a cupcake! I OWN NOTHING! Except the master and Silent Rage. Love you!