Notes:
In answer to a reader question, 73 BCE was Spartacus' Gladiator Rebellion; this story is set 4 years before, in 77 BCE (remember in BCE, dates run backwards to zero.)
"Protection from arbitrary violence was a vivid symbol of freedom in Rome, marking the distinction between 'free' and 'slave' and thus grouping gladiators with the latter... Even Roman citizens who voluntarily chose to become gladiators were degraded to this servile legal status. To this end they were made to swear a fearful solemn oath, recounted by Petronius in the 1st century CE: "I will endure to be burned, to be bound, to be beaten and to be killed by the sword."
"Stripped of social and cultural paraphernalia...that gives identity and status to most men, the gladiator is naked, defined only by his weapon. He is all sword. Fittingly, the Latin word for their sword—gladius—was vulgarly used as slang for penis."
- Lawrence, Jennifer. "Ostracized Hybrids of Rome: the Paradoxical Role of Gladiators in the Republic." The Helicon, Yale Undergraduate Journal of Classics, Spring 2013.
Warning: sexually explicit pre-Carola flashback for Dixus; but we end with some Caryl lovin'!
The new Gladiators' sacramentum gladiatorium oath was an important part of the initiation into the Brotherhood, and even though the coaches and wagons were already hitched for the trip to Herculaneum and Ezekiel's ludus, as Lanista, Regulus refused to forgo any of the ceremony.
Standing in the light of the sunrise, the seven men who now pledged their lives to the Ludus of Monroviatus stood facing their Dominus, Domina, Doctore and the senior gladiators. In the next row behind them stood Carola and her father, flanked by Ezekias and Merlonius, and behind them the body slaves who would be accompanying them on their trip, Andrea for Carola, Tara and Rosa for Deanna, and a Carthaginian boy, Noa, purchased at the same time as Enid/Minerva, who was training to be body slave for Regulus after the recent death of his longstanding one, a wise and patient Thracian called Horvatius.
Dixus stared straight ahead, trying to ignore all of the sets of eyes he felt on him when it was his turn to come forward and make his pledge. At his right side was the man who had been his best friend during his entire time here at the ludus. Aaronus had tried to talk to him when he came out of his meeting with Doctore, waiting in the passageway with pain filled, remorseful, moistened eyes, but Dixus pushed past him, leaving it to Micha to tell him what he'd decided, knowing if he stopped he'd have put his fists to work trying to exorcise his feelings of guilt and betrayal.
To his left in front of him were Carola and the two men who vied for her hand, all of them staring at him with various level of keen interest. He knew there would be both worry and pride in her gaze, and love? Yes, he hoped there would be love there. The hours since he'd had her in his arms seemed like years and he longed to hold her again as he needed air to breathe... the loss of her touch was suffocating...
He wasn't sure what he would find in his Merlonius' gaze if he cared to look. Jealousy? Pity? They had once been close despite the difference in their ages, but after he had left home and spent several years as a Legionary in Gaul, the elder Dixus brother had hardened, changed into something harsh, cruel and calculating.
He knew Ezekias looked at him as an investment, an expensive piece of livestock for which he had traded four fine horses. Doctore had been impressed when she told him that. The going rate for a gladiator was only two apparently, and had been what he paid for the other two gladiators he'd chosen, Tyresius and the red-headed giant, Avram, both of them to be trained as Bestiarii, beast fighters.
A jingling noise drew his eyes to the Domina. She was holding a tintinnabulum, a life sized bronze sculpted winged phallus from which several rows of small bells were attached by chains. The sounds were equivalent to blessings on the proceedings, asking the gods to honor those present with virility and power. She met his eyes and gave him a knowing smile and a wink, so quick he almost missed it.
For the first time he wondered if she had some part in his acquisition by Ezekias. Had the original intention been to take his mind off of Carola's marriage to Edgelus? Forcing him to throw his every waking moment into the extensive training that would be necessary to learn the skills required of a Sagittarius? When had they decided that he should leave the ludus? After he'd confessed his love for their niece? After Doctore had found him in her bed?
But if that was their game, they had failed. The viper's fall and subsequent evacuation of the villa meant that he was going to be in the exact same place as his love. If she called on him for pleasures, as was her right as a guest of the Lanista, he could not refuse. He felt his pulse quicken at the thought, the memories of how they had pleasured each other making him catch his breath. She was not lost to him, not yet...
Should he tell her about what had happened with Aaronus in the baths? He hated the idea of hurting her, but knew how withholding truths could poison love. If she learned of it from someone else it would be far worse. He struggled with himself, trying to understand why it had happened, if he had wanted it to, what it had meant...
Unlike Carola, he was no sexual innocent. Wealthy upper class Roman boys were expected to assert their dominant sexuality from an early age. Until he was big enough and strong enough to fight them off, he had been beaten, held down and regularly penetrated by the older boys in his boarding school in Rome.
At sixteen, his shoulders broadened out and he'd put on enough muscle through the rigorous military style physical training required by the school that he'd finally been able to turn the tables on a particularly nasty bully. He'd taken satisfaction in punishing the other boy by holding him down and fucking him, but had been shocked into his first orgasm when the bully had begged him to do it harder. Confused, he'd gone to Merlonius. He'd been taken to a brothel his brother frequented, and had the finer points of sexual power, both through domination and submission explained to him.
It was his choice to use that power by giving as well as taking. He had no heart for abusing his partners, be they slave or free, male or female. He believed in the concept of pleasures; that everything about a sexual encounter should be pleasurable for all involved. Like most young virile men he had a healthy sexual appetite and because of the status of his House before its fall, he was invited to the best sex gatherings Rome offered, house parties in remote country villas outside the city where all fantasies could be indulged.
He'd been fascinated by the dynamics of orgies—usually attending ones where everyone wore half masks so you had no idea who you were fucking—could be a slave, could be a citizen, the anonymity an aphrodisiac to most. Plenty of wine and the juice of the poppy meant inhibitions were discarded along with robes and he learned what it was to give oneself over to all kinds of hands, small and soft, strong and demanding; to several mouths sliding over his body, sucking at both nipples and cock and balls all at the same time, or to be ridden hard by a soft nubile female with supple breasts while also tonguing the pussy of another riding his face, or to be balls deep in the oil slicked tight muscular ass of a beautiful man he had on all fours, holding him still from behind, pinching his stiff nipples while a woman lying under his partner fellated him until he came, shooting down her throat and tightening around Dixus' cock so hard he did the same, all of them moaning and rocking together in mutual ecstasy.
He became a total hedonist in his lost years, indulging in wine and sex to bacchanalian excess, winning a reputation as a cocksman to rival his brother's, envied by the young men of his class, desired by some of them and by most of the women, though he never had any sort of real relationship with anyone of either sex. He could talk anyone into his bed, but after felt nothing for them other than the moment's pleasure.
Eventually though, the excesses became more and more empty. He grew tired of the disconnect he felt between pleasure and emotion. He was a superb lover who had never been in love with anyone.
When his brother joined the Legion, Darolus was summoned home to Herculaneum and then sent to Alexandria Minor to learn how to manage his father's business interests in the city. It was a new start and away from the friends with whom he'd indulged himself the last few years, Dixus began to long for the kind of relationship his parents had shared.
Though theirs had been an arranged marriage, as most were, they had fallen deeply in love, though a little backwards. After they married and she had borne him the required heir, Merlonius, his mother had barred her husband from her bed, expecting him to take a mistress, as most men did, but instead he set out to woo her. He succeeded, and they were very happy except for the fact that she lost four subsequent pregnancies, each time dying a little inside. His father vowed to stay out of her bed to spare her further pain, and they slept apart for two years, but gave in to passion one night. Darolus had been the happy result. Though she never again quickened, his parents had lived on thereafter blissfully in love until her death in the fire three years ago.
Devastated by the loss, his father had committed slow suicide with drink and gambling, losing their villa and latifundia and his sons' inheritance before he died.
This had all taken place just before Darolus had met Carola.
Then glib sexual connoisseur became tongue-tied love sick fool.
He reined in his natural instincts to simply seduce her, which he knew he could have done very easily, watching her sweet blush and the dilation of her pupils whenever he did something as simple as take her hand to lead her in to dinner. Instead he set out to carefully woo her, remembering his father's stories of the gentle ways he'd won his mother, with poetry and long walks, listening to her talk about her favorite things and seeing that she had them, and making sure she always felt safe and protected in his presence.
They loved with the innocent intensity of first love and when she had learned that his father's death meant the loss of everything he had, including his ability to ask for her hand, she was devastated. Darolus allowed himself one kiss, one brief unleashing of his passion for her before he left her to seek his fortune in the arena.
"I will endure to be burned, to be bound, to be beaten and to be killed by the sword. I will bleed and die for the honor of this House." Dixus recited, finishing the oath, thumping his chest and raising his arm in salute to his Lanista, but his eyes strayed again to Carola, looking quickly away when he realized that she was regarding him with worry and longing.
"My new Sagittarius will be a fine addition to my stables, do you not think, my dear?' Ezekias asked her, making Carola blush to be caught looking so intently at Dixus.
"My uncle says he is a good fighter." Carol said, striving for a nonchalant tone, "Strong and with great stamina."
"And not unpleasant to the eye—he will be popular in arena and out, where he will also have need of great stamina if I know women of Pompeii and handsome gladiators." Ezekias chuckled.
Carola's cheeks burned and her mouth turned down.
"Apologies, I need to learn to curb tongue in presence of innocence." Ezekias said, turning to her in chagrin, sure he had offended her delicate sensibilities.
"Gratitude." she lifted her fan and batted it front of her face, trying to cool down the jealous surge of heat aroused by the thought of any other woman touching her gladiator.
"Is heat too much for you, little one?" her father asked solicitously, also turning to her with concern on his face. They had been standing for almost half an hour for the ceremonies and the temperature had risen along with the bright sun.
"A cool drink and some shade would be most welcome," she said, realizing she actually did feel a bit light headed.
"Andrea!" Callicus summoned her slave forward, "Take your mistress into the triclinium of ludus; it has been cleared, and have a cup of fruit juice brought to her at once."
"Of course, Dominus." Andrea said, supporting Carola with her hand underneath her mistress' arm and starting to lead her towards the barracks.
When he saw that something was wrong with Carola, Dixus started to take a step forward, but Aaronus put a restraining hand on his forearm. When the other man turned to glare at him he gave a small negative head shake of warning. She was not his, he had no rights.
Then Dixus saw her crumple to the ground and it didn't matter. There was chaos as the line of new gladiators in front and servants behind saw her fall, making everyone else turn to look.
Without a second thought, Dixus sprinted forward and gently lifted her into his arms.
"Take her to ludus." Dominus ordered Dixus, and then turned to Noa, "Fetch Medicus." the boy took off at a dead run.
"My cell has been cleared," Micha volunteered and Regulus nodded. She led the way with Dixus right behind her, followed by Domina, Andrea and Callicus.
When Merlonius and Ezekias started to join them, Tara and Rosa barred their way, backed up by the Custos who had been assigned to Carola, Erikos and Tobin, as well as Aaronus.
"Out of our way, slaves." Merlonius said imperiously, raising his hand as if to strike Tara.
He was stopped cold by a strong hand grasping his fist and twisting his arm behind his back in one elegant maneuver.
"I think they'll do just fine without any more help." Aaronus said, holding Merlonius stock still in his grasp. The rest of the gladiators moved to stand in a loose semicircle behind them, ready to come to their brother's aid.
"Don't just stand there—get this catamite scum off me!" Merlonius bellowed.
"You are not very good at mathematics, are you Dixus?" Ezekias sighed, calmly looking at all of the deadly well trained warriors surrounding them, then crossing his arms over his chest and staring at the two men.
"I'll have your balls for this." Merlonius seethed at Aaronus, "I am a citizen! I—"
His tirade was abruptly cut off by Ezekias punching him in the face hard enough to render him unconscious.
"He was becoming tiresome." he said, shaking out his hand and grimacing.
Everyone stared at him with varying expressions of disbelief.
Aaronus let Merlonius fall to the ground in a heap.
"Well, none of you could hit him." Ezekias shrugged.
Carola lay on Micha's bed, looking pale, her eyes closed, but her brow knit, not resting comfortably. Darolus knelt by the bedside, holding her hand, but when the Medicus and his supply carrying assistant came into the room he was ushered out while Micha, Andrea and Deanna stayed with her.
Dixus and Callicus stood uneasily next to one another at the closed door.
"It was just the heat... I'm sure." Regulus assured them.
"Could a viper have bitten her earlier?" Callicus asked worriedly.
"She would have felt it." Dixus denied. "And I saw no apparent bites—but I'm sure the Medicus will examine her more thoroughly." he added reassuringly.
"Gratitude for your help, gladiator." Callicus said stiffly, a bit grudgingly, looking uncomfortable to be talking to someone whose station in life had fallen so low.
"You should return to the training grounds, Dixus." Regulus told the younger man, his voice kinder.
"Yes, Dominus." Daryl said, though it was the last thing he wanted to do. As he turned to go however the door opened and Domina, Micha, the Medicus and his assistant came out.
"My child lives?" Callicus asked, his hand to his heart.
"Of course she lives; she merely received her courses unexpectedly and grew faint." she said matter of factly. "The Medicus has given her a willow tonic. She needs to sleep now, but will be fine."
Dixus sagged in relief, but also felt a pang. He knew he should have been happy that no child of his would be born a bastard, but still felt saddened there would be no child.
"Yes...well... good." Callicus muttered and both he and Regulus looked embarrassed at the talk of such intimate mysterious female things.
"We will withdraw and prepare to depart as soon as she wakes." Regulus said, putting one hand on Callicus' back to move him along and then signaling Dixus with his other that he could remain.
Dixus gave him a small smile of gratitude. Deanna squeezed his arm as she left and also favored him with a warm look. Micha stood next to the door and inclined her head at it, indicating that he could go in.
Pushing open the door he saw that Andrea was sitting in the edge of the bed rubbing slow circles on Carola's abdomen as she lay curled on her side. When she saw him she motioned him closer, standing to let him take her place. She stood and watched as he removed his breastplate and set it down beside the bed, and then washed his hands and arms in the water brought by the Medicus' assistant. Then instead of sitting, he lay down behind Carola, wrapping his warmth around her as he pulled her close, his front to her back, his right hand taking up the soothing circles again with great tenderness.
Andrea watched for a minute and then satisfied he would care for her properly, she left them alone, quietly closing the door behind her and standing sentinel outside it along with Doctore.
"Is that your gladius or are you just happy to see me?" Carola asked in a rusty soft sarcastic voice laced with underlying pain, making him chuckle despite his worry.
"Hush, I'm comforting you." he chided, kissing the back of her head, his big hand spread over her abdomen continuing its slow steady caress in widening circles.
"It hurts." she confided in a small voice. She hated getting her gift of Venus' moon, it was always painful and messy and this time was even worse because it meant that there was no baby from being with him.
"I think I can help with that if you wish it." he said tentatively, his hand stilling.
"Anything." she sighed, wincing against the ache in her lower back and pelvis.
"I need to touch you... here..." he said, his hand moving lower to cup her mound through her gown. "Receiving pleasures will ease you."
She had never heard such a thing and made a skeptical noise.
"It will work." he assured her confidently. "Trust me. I know."
She stopped herself from asking him how he knew that. She was not so naïve as to believe she'd been his only lover. A wave of jealousy like she'd felt hearing about all the 'hot for gladiator' women in Pompeii swept over her.
"Did you just growl?" he asked, chuckling again and raising his hands to her hips to start lifting her gown over them so he could begin touching her. He pushed his thigh forward, between her thighs to hold them open and ran the tips of his fingers lightly against her smooth bare softness before dipping inside to circle the hard nub primed and waiting for his touch. His other hand found her breast and cradled it, his thumb rubbing against the taut peak.
It shouldn't feel this good, she thought, bucking her ass back against his hardness as her orgasm came, sharp and quick, making her gasp and him groan as he felt her shudder against him.
It was good, but it wasn't enough.
"More?" he asked, his breath heavy against her neck, his cloth covered length cradled in the crease of her bottom, rubbing against her.
She nodded.
"I need you to say it." he ordered, tonguing her ear.
"Help me stop hurting." she said with a sob of frustration.
His hands left her briefly as he loosened his minimal clothing, a canvas and leather breech-clout, and then eased inside her from behind while his fingers played over her clit again. She rocked back against him, caught up in the whirl of sensation and letting the natural high of pleasure take her over as they both came from the slow dreamy rhythmic motions of his hips pulsing up and back.
He nuzzled into her neck and she twisted back, wanting his kisses and after that, finally sated, fell asleep in his arms while the rest of the household prepared for their imminent journey.
Oh my little sweeties!
Tintinnabulum: ceremonial dick shaped bells. It's a real Ancient Roman thing, found in places like Pompeii. Google it;-)