Hello all: presented is the next chapter of Acata non Verba! Before you read, I would like to direct your attention to two things:

I've noticed the number of reviews has trickled down over the past few chapters- is it because the material is not as good? I am not going to be one of those authors who withhold chapters until a set number of reviews are reached, but increased feedback would be appreciated. It gives me encouragement to write, and few reviews is not good for a poor authors self-esteem *pouts*. So if you have put me on your favorite list or on a story alert list and have not reviewed, please do so!

The second thing: would you prefer shorter faster chapters, or 2-3 weeks between updates, but longer chapters? Please let me know!

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Now go on and enjoy!

Laughing, Gannicus pulled Barca to his feet, giving him a nod as thanks for a good session. Gannicus moved to get some water, scanning the grounds for another opponent.

"I would have proper contest with you." He sighed as Crixus's voice interrupted his search yet again. The young man kept pestering him for a rematch, feeling cheated of his victory. Gannicus, his mind occupied by Melitta and the upcoming games, was in no mood to humor him.

"The games in the new arena start one day hence. If you are unfortunate, we shall be paired against each other. Until them, do not pester me! I have no desire to indulge in your preening." he replied, irritated. If the others saw me beat him in a training session, questions would be raised as to why I lost in the first place. Oenomaus must be given no cause for suspicion. I must wait until the primus to prove myself again.

"Gannicus! You are summoned." The guard's voice broke up the budding argument. Gannicus gave Crixus one last smirk, then turned and followed the guard. He was pleasantly surprised to see Melitta waiting for him. She nodded as the guard opened the gate, leaving to attend his other duties.

"Dominus summons me?" he asked, drinking her in. Melitta nodded, leading him up the stairs to the villa.

"Do you know why?"

"He wishes to talk to you, regarding the opening games." She explained.

'What is there to talk about? I shall fight, win, the crowd shall cheer, Batiatus will crow…much like it used to be in the old arena."

"In the old arena, you did not fight against Vettius's champion! I have heard that he is one of the largest men to ever set foot in the arena. He holds his opponent's down and cuts the heart out their chests slowly, for his own enjoyment. He gives them ignoble, slow deaths. People are saying now he might be a match for the Shadow of Death himself! And you have not fought for some time. You must be careful…do not let hubris be your downfall." Melitta hissed, looking around to make sure nobody was listening to the conversation. Another guard trailed behind them, his attention elsewhere. No one else was in the vicinity.

He only cocked his head mischievously in reply as they reached Batiatus's door. She opened her mouth to caution him further, when she heard her name. Naevia came towards them, as Gannicus went into Batiatus's office.

"Apologies," she said, eyes going between the two of them. "Domina summons." Melitta nodded, moving to follow her, but throwing one last glance at Gannicus's retreating figure.

XXXXXXX

"What is it Domina needed me for?" Melitta asked as she and Naevia slowly made their way to the foyer.

"She wishes you to help her with the dresses and vestments for tomorrow." The young girl replied, glancing back and forth. Melitta noticed her hesitance, and wondered at the cause. Perhaps it had to do with her friend…

"Naevia," her voice was gentle. "I know you miss Diona, and wonder what has happened to her on the streets… and fear what will befall you."

"I do not." Naevia replied softly. Her strained demeanor revealed the lie.

"Naevia." Melitta sighed.

"Doctore told me that Gannicus would speak to Dominus about asking for me." Naevia hurriedly answered.

Melitta stopped short at hearing this new information. "When did he tell you this?"

"Yesterday, when I went to get wine from the pantry. I was so grateful to Gannicus that I came down later to thank him…I thought I would ask the guard to bring him to me." She hesitated slightly. "I saw the both of you together."

"Naevia…"Melitta was at a loss on how to reply. Naevia turned to her, eyes harsh in her normally gentle face.

"Is Diona's fate of such light thought that you would carelessly tell lies about mine? What if Doctore tells Dominus? What if I am given to Gannicus? Will I be party to your trysts with him? What were you thinking?" The barrage of questions was interrupted as they reached Lucretia's quarters. Both slaves went to help her decide on her clothing and jewelry. During the task, Melitta pondered on how to answer each of Naevia's questions. If Naevia told Oenomaus what she had seen Melitta had no doubt he would put a sword through her and Gannicus. And Dominus would punish him harshly, perhaps even kill him in response. No, Naevia had to be pacified, but Melitta did not have the answers she sought. She spent the whole day thinking of her response, settling on one that satisfied her and would hopefully settle Naevia.

As the day passed, Naevia managed to avoid Melitta, until the evening meal had been served. Melitta finally cornered the girl in the pantry and informed her she would answer all questions, if only Naevia would be patient and listen.

"Gannicus was not thinking when he offered his excuse. We would never draw you into this maelstrom Naevia. I know how hard this past few days have been for you and would not add you to your suffering. Rest mind, Gannicus shall talk to my husband, and tell him Dominus refused and never to mention the matter again. And I shall talk to Domina, and see favor extended so you do not share Diona's fate."

"Gratitude." Naevia sighed "Apologies for being so harsh with you in the morning. My mind is sick with worry for Diona, and so I bite each hand that reaches out to me."

Melitta hugged the girl, Naevia's silent tears falling on her shoulders. "I know how hard this life is, but we must bear it…such is the burden of being a slave."

"That is not true." Naeiva sobbed. "Diona told me that she used to pray that the next man she was given to would kill her! Death is better!"

"Shhh" Melitta soothed. "Diona's fate will not be yours…I will do all I can to prevent it."

Naevia looked at her desperately. "Will you help me escape? Like I did…" she cut her words off abruptly, but Melitta understood what she was trying to say. Oh Naevia she thought helplessly, her heart aching for the poor girl.

"Naevia, the world outside these walls is harsh, especially for a girl born and brought up in the ludus. You do not know how dangerous Capua is…to escape would invite calamity. I know why you helped Diona, but I can only pray to the Gods that she escaped disaster. A slave should not invite further danger, our lives are perilous enough as they are."

Naevia blinked in bewilderment at her words. "Then why do you court it? If Doctore found out about you and Gannicus…"

Melitta laughed ruefully. "Do you not think I have nightmares about when he finds us? I tried to resist the pull between Gannicus and I, but it proved impossible. Part of me prays you never find a love such as ours Naevia…it devours all rational thought."

"But…is it worth it? The danger…"

"We are two different people Naevia. You are far younger, and I would have you safe for sometime longer. I am resigned to whatever fate the gods see fit to grant me. But you deserve to live." Was the calm reply.

"But Melitta…should not sound advice fall to your own ears as well?"

"In this circumstance, I would ask you do as I say, not as I do."

"Melitta…"

Melitta cocked her head in thought. "How old were you when you came here?"

"You know I was born in this ludus…but Dominus's mother kept me in one of her villa's until recently."

"I came here when I was twelve years old. I saw the Roman's kill my father; my brothers were slaughtered where they stood…they raped my mother until she was naught but a broken husk. The only reason I was spared was because a legionary thought I would fetch a better price if I was untouched. His greed saved me. The last time I saw my mother, yet another soldier was getting ready to use her…I will never forget the empty look in her eyes. I swore that I would do anything to escape that fate. When Batiatus's mother bought me here, I suppressed my resentment, my hate, and strived to be the best slave possible. I was hungry for life. I even accepted this brand," gesturing to the stamp on her leg "without protest. I served Domina with unquestioning loyalty, and said nary a word when I was given to Oenomaus, like chattel." She paused for breath, Naevia listening with interest.

"Do you understand? I suppressed everything I had been to survive. Oenomaus was a good man but I could never give myself to him fully. This house is the foundation upon which I was built, he said. How could I let him know my true thoughts, when his loyalty was so apparent? I could never fully be myself- I had to be dutiful wife above all."

"And then what?" Naevia asked in the silence as Melitta shuddered.

What I feel means nothing…

It holds the world.

A whisper that placed precedence on her, a man who risked everything for her. In the end, the choice had been clear.

"And then Gannicus came…and found the woman I thought I had murdered. The one who had grown on the plains of Iberia, the one who had laughed with her family…the one who had been a reckless, mischievous, child."

It holds the world…

I catch a glimpse of you…and my world ends.

Gannicus…

"He loves me; he loves me, for no other reason but the fact that I am myself. Not because I was a gift, not because I am useful, but because I make him happy. How could I have resisted him knowing that? How could I have not loved him back?"

"Do you not love Oenomaus?"

"I love him." Melitta replied. "He is good, kind, gentle and does not seek to rule me. I knew the day I was given to him that I could find contentment with him…it is far more than most slaves are given. I was secure because he was there to support me in the madness around us."

What must she feel for Gannicus? Naevia marveled, to give up that?

"With Gannicus…when I am with him I am whole. It is as if I've finally found my place in the world. We could spend the rest of our lives hiding, lying and feeling regret…but I would still be happier than any person has a right to be. Gannicus…reduces me to this." Melitta covered her face with her hands, making a pained moan. "I don't have the will to turn him away."

Naevia hugged the other woman, sympathetic to her plight. "What will you do now?"
"I know not. My mind is occupied with living day by day. When I think about what tomorrow might bring, fear tears breath from throat. My worriers are worsened by the fact that the opening games begin at dawn…and Gannicus fights after forced exclusion from the old arena."

"Oh Melitta…"

Melitta's voice was hollow. "If Gannicus falls…I know not what I will do. Oh Naevia," she laid her head on the young girl's shoulders, weariness evident in every movement. "I know not what to do…"

Naevia was silent, rocking the older woman. And so the night passed, and they tried to give each other comfort as best they could. Then it was dawn, and time for to begin preparations for the opening games.