Hello all! Here is the next chapter of Acata non verba! Apologies for the shortness- like I said this chapter was written very soon after my surgery, so the length is not well…long. Before you guys go forth and read I would like to thank everyone who has put me on their favorites or story alert list- thank you! Also, if you have put me on those lists and have not reviewed, please do so at some point during the story! We are coming near the end, with only three chapters left, so thanks for sticking with me on this. I would also like to thank my wonderful beta for muddling through my drafts. Ok, I'm all done-enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 6

"So at last we meet, on the sand." Crixus declared to Gannicus, who was fastening his greaves.

"Two among many." Gannicus replied, absorbed in properly attiring himself for the games. He looked up when Crixus loomed close.

"I give no shit for other men." The new gladiator declared. "I will prove myself against you, in proper contest."

"We face Solonius's men, not each other."

"Only until they have fallen. Then we shall stand alone, absent thought of brotherhood."

Gannicus stared at him in exasperation. The standoff was interrupted by Oenomaus's shout. "Gladiators, attend! The Dominus would have words."

Batiatus stepped through the gates, and looked at his assembled gladiators. Ambition burned in his eyes.

"Everything we have dreamed of, suffered, died for…the worth of those things turns upon these sands, in this single moment. We face the House of Solonius and his ill-gotten men. You stand outnumbered, but not outmatched! Only one man will claim victory this day, and let that man be from the House of Batiatus! Win and earn the title of the Champion of Capua!"

The gladiators cheered in response to the speech. As they moved to fully attire themselves, they could hear the roars of the crowd as they demanded the primus begin.

When they assembled in front of the gates, Gannicus took a deep breath. Though he had been distracted from thoughts of the arena of late, the pleasure he got from the fight, the anticipation of winning came rushing back, as if he had never left the sands. Now he fought for another cause as well. Every victory, every moment of glory, would be dedicated to her.

Oenomaus looked at each gladiator in turn, putting a hand on Gannicus's shoulders as a reminder of the promise he had made. For a moment, his guilt vanished and Gannicus smiled at his brother, determined to go and win for the woman they both loved.

The cornua rang the doors opened and the gladiators of the House of Batiatus marched out, confident in their upcoming triumph.

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Melitta could not help but smile as she saw Gannicus's wild joy. The arena had always stirred something within the man, and its effects on him were profound. She was happy that he could return to the place that gave him such glee, but fear permeated her mind as well. Before, she had always worried about him every time he stepped foot into the arena, but now…knowing him, loving him, having a idea of what she would lose if he died…

From the corner of her eye, she saw the magistrate stand.

"Many have fought this day, many have died, their blood staining the sands. Yet this arena demands even more! It is a vast beast, hungering for more offerings." He declared.

"Two great houses face each other, but in the end every man must stand for himself, and himself alone." Sextus gestured to the side, and slaves carrying urns surrounded the men.

"What are they doing?" Lucretia asked.

"Matters not." Batiatus replied, puzzled himself.

"Fire burns within their breast, and it is fire that will bind them in final contest!" The magistrate announced. Melitta stifled a gasp as the slaves set fire to the oil ring surrounding the men.

"This shall be a contest the likes of which the gods have never seen!" The magistrate declared. "Fall outside the ring and depart from the primus. Fall inside and leave this world! Take position." Melitta saw Gannicus point to Caburus and closed her eyes, bracing herself for the events to come.

"Split heavens with the sound of your fury. Begin!"

Melitta had eyes only for Gannicus as the gladiators rushed towards each other. She saw him meet Caburus in the middle, and the bigger man fought him for a moment before tossing him like a fly. Melitta winced as blood flew from Gannicus's mouth, biting her lip to prevent a cry from escaping.

"First blood to Solonius!" She head Varrus exclaim. Her eyes were on Gannicus as he stood up, killing an opponent as the crowd cheered.

Her attention went briefly to the other gladiators. Crixus was doing well for himself, and the others were no small matter either. Her gaze returned to Gannicus as he engaged with two opponents. Without noticing her hands were pressing together, knuckles whitening as she prayed to the gods silently.

Batiatus cheered as Gannicus finished the other two gladiators.

"It is a pity you do not have more men in the primus Solonius…I fear you will be dispatched prematurely

His gloating was cut short as they saw two of his gladiators turn on each other.

"The fuck?" Batiatus muttered, furious.

"Batiatus's men think so little of his house that they seek to kill their brothers?" Solonius laughed. Out of the corner of her eye Melitta saw Naevia glaring at the two, and quickly squeezed her arm to comfort the girl. Naevia turned and gave her a small smile, which did little to mask the sorrow in her eyes. Sorrow that turned to concern as she saw how pale Melitta had become as her eyes returned to the fighting.

Please let Gannicus live. Naevia prayed. For Melitta's sake, let him live. We have had too much sorrow today…let there be some comfort

She was distracted by Cossutius's laugh. Looking to the arena, she saw the cause of his merriment. One of the gladiators, the one with the net, had set a gladiator of the House of Solonius on fire. Naevia cringed at the spectacle, hating the man even more that he found such happiness in another's suffering. Then again, seeing what he had done to Diona, the situation did not come as a surprise.

The primus continued until only a few men were left. Melitta saw another gladiator conferring with Crixus as Gannicus fought Caburus.

Help him! Her mind screamed. Why are you standing there? He's your brother, help him!

Suddenly Crixus slashed at the other gladiator, pushing him outside the ring of fire.

Melitta frowned as the man's measure became clear to her.

Glory she thought in disgust. That is all Crixus thinks about, and he will not hesitate to kill Gannicus to get it. Her thoughts stilled as Crixus moved to the fight, and she let out a sigh of quiet relief as he started fighting Cerebrus alongside Gannicus.

Perhaps he is not seeking glory after all? Gannicus made no mention of his measure for the man, though Oenomaus speaks highly of him. I trust my husband's judgment. Crixus wishes for a fair fight against Gannicus…but why? Could it be that he realized that Gannicus let him win? Why couldn't he wait for a better venue to seek proper contest? Not when they have to face that monstrosity!

"It appears odds have shifted!" Lucretia trilled.

So it would seem Melitta though grimly. But for how long? Crixus is a new gladiator and Caburus is a brute.

Then Gannicus threw Crixus out of the ring in the process of protecting him from Caburus's sword.

Apologies. You are a good fighter Crixus, and will be a formidable opponent on the sands one day. In the past I would have been proud to die in such a bout. But I have too much to live for now, and you are too young to accept Death's embrace. Gannicus thought, looking at a smugly sneering Caburus.

Now the two top gladiators faced each other. Melitta wanted to whimper, to close her eyes against this spectacle she had so feared. She forced herself not to. Gannicus would not want her to cower. Had she not decided that she as his, defying all others? To watch him win against that abomination would not be difficult. And he would win. He promised me she reassured herself.

For a moment Gannicus gained advantage, thrusting a short sword into Caburus's leg, then kicking him down. But the huge man would not be stopped, getting up and throwing Gannicus away. Melitta gasped as Caburus's almost speared Gannicus, only his quick thinking allowing him to put a corpse in his way preventing him from being skewered. That did not prevent him from being tossed around the ring on the other man's spear, and soon Gannicus fell to the ground.

Melitta almost fainted, but Naevia's tight grip on her arm prevented her from falling. All she could see was Gannicus's still form, lying face down on the sand. You promised! Her thoughts screamed. You promised you would not fall! Get up! Get up! As if in response to her internal screams, he stirred, looking up to the pulvinus. Even though he was far away, she could feel his gaze rest on her. As she and the others watched, Gannicus stood, turning as Caburus's thrust the spear at him. Gannicus broke off the tip, thrusting it in the other gladiator's mouth and pushing, until the jaw ripped off completely, and the lower half of Caburus's face fell away.

Silence reigned in the stadium.

Gannicus turned to the pulvinus, bowing shakily and pointed the tip of the spear at her, though no one knew it. All thought he was pointing to his master, and the crowd roared in response, chanting his name.

"Yes!" Batiatus shouted, leaping up along with Lucretia. "The House of Batiatus stands fucking triumphant! Oh Apologies." He hurriedly stated to the magistrate, who was laughing at his display.

"None required. A most magnificent showing!" Sextus replied.

"I do but honor this city, and my champion continues to do the same!"

"I have a mind to retain your man for my games." Cossutius said eagerly.

"As do I." Varrus gazed at the stadium. "See how he ignites the crowd."

Indeed, the crowd continued roaring and chanting his name as Gannicus thrust his arms into the air, shouting out his triumph. Melitta smiled shakily, thankful he was still alive, as Naevia supported her discreetly.

"Would they not forever remember this day and the men responsible for it… if Gannicus was granted his freedom?" Solonius mentioned, glancing at the magistrate in a causal manner. Melitta was too far to hear, but Naevia whipped her head, narrowing her eyes at the man. Batiatus was not much better. "Freedom?" he muttered.

"I myself planned to do the same for my man, had he won the primus."

"An excellent idea." The magistrate said enthusiastically. He turned to the stunned Batiatus. "Surely you can train another man… but opportunities like this are rare."

Batiatus laughed outwardly, seething internally. "Of course, I but honor these games, and this city."

The Magistrate stood, waiting for the crowd to quiet down. Gannicus turned and faced him, uncertain as to what was going on. Melitta shared his confusion.

"Gannicus has honored the city of Capua with his prowess. Let him be rewarded…with freedom." Sextus declared in ringing tones.

The cheers that came from the pronouncement near deafened the gladiator and the spectators seated in the pulvinus.

Gannicus was ecstatic. Freedom! What every slave dreamed of. How proud would Melitta….

The thought slammed into him, horrifying in its realization. Gannicus was now a free man. Melitta remained a slave. She was now as far removed as the earth from the sun. At the realization, the agony and the ecstasy of the night caused tears to run.

Unknown to him, Melitta wept silently as well, her thoughts torn between her happiness for Gannicus…and the sorrow which their parting was going to bring.