Hello everybody! Here is the next chapter of Acta non Verba, detailing what happens after the primus. I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed thus far, especially melitta4ever and Manders21. Your encouragement is heartwarming, and much appreciated. Now that I am done gushing, please go forth and read. And remember to review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 7

"A magnificent showing, Brother!" Oenomaus embraced Gannicus, overjoyed by his good fortune. His heart had been heavy for the past few days, but Gannicus's freedom lifted it beyond measure. Melitta would be so proud of the Celt, much like Oenomaus.

Gannicus's returning smile was strained, and the expression became almost a grimace as the other gladiators came close to congratulate him. The celebratory mood was cut short as Batiatus stormed into the gates of the stockade, insisting that Doctore see to those with injury as they made ready to return to the ludus. The furious expression on the dominus's face stalled all thoughts of celebrations among the gladiators. Gannicus found it amusing that his mood was showcased on his Dominus's face, then almost laughed bitterly at the realized that Quintus Lentulus Batiatus…was no longer his master. But he remains Melitta's. was the grim thought as they set out for the return journey.

Cheers greeted Gannicus when he and the others returned to the ludus. Word of his freedom had spread quickly among the people of Capua, and the gladiators were joyous for their brother. Gannicus wished he could share their wholehearted happiness, but his own was tainted by thoughts of being separated from Melitta. I should be happy, he thought miserably. A solution to betraying Oenomaus presents itself. I can leave the ludus and Melitta and Oenomaus will find peace. That was my reasoning for losing to Crixus.

But that was before I knew Melitta's thoughts. And that was before she confessed she loved me as well. Why should I have to give up the one thing in my life that brings true happiness? She chose me…surely a solution much more amiable will be thought of?

"Gannicus! We must celebrate your good fortune!" the cheer broke him out of his thoughts. He forced a smile on his face as the throng of gladiators congregated around him.

"You must give me time to make proper arrangement Brothers. I fear Dominus will not give out the wine as easily this time around!" He jested. Oenomaus smiled and shook his head as he made his way through the crowd.

"Come." He invited. "We must have private celebration in my cell. Tonight Melitta visits and I am sure she has words for you as well."

Oenomaus blinked in surprise as sorrow flashed through Gannicus's face. The expression was gone so quickly that Oenomaus decided he must have imagined it. What cause would Gannicus have to be so unhappy?

"Forgive me Brother. The wounds from my victory need tending, and I am far too tired tonight to be good company. Tomorrow would see all burden removed, and I shall be a much better companion."

Oenomaus nodded in surprise as Gannicus walked back to his cell, stopping and talking to the men who had come to greet him.

What seizes the man? This is the hour of his greatest victory, and yet my happiness exceeds the joy that should come from him. Is he worried about how to make his way in a world outside these walls? Or does he mourn the loss of Brotherhood? Brooding on these thoughts, Oenomaus returned to his cell, waiting for his wife.

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As the cell door closed, Gannicus staggered to his cot, allowing himself to feel all the aches and pains accumulated in the arena. He looked around blearily, for the first time regretting the absence of a shrine like the one that decorated Oenomaus's cell. He knew Melitta prayed there regularly, having come upon her often when they despaired of Oenomaus recovering of his wounds from the Shadow of Death. Gannicus had never had any use for such things.

He stood from his cot despite the pain, looking at the moon from the barred window above his cell door. This was the closest he could come to an altar right now. He hoped the gods would forgive the lack of offerings and heed his pleas.

Ignoring his aching body, Gannicus knelt. Bowing his head and raising his arms in supplication, he started to pray for the first time since he was enslaved. When the gods had not freed him, he had stopped talking to them, thinking they were too cruel to bother with. Now, he once again tried to speak to them, desperation coloring every thought.

Please. Gannicus pleaded, looking at the moon through the window of his cell. You have been far kinder to me than I deserve, giving me my life and my freedom. I beg you now…do not take her away. My life holds no meaning without her. I will give up my freedom…just leave me Melitta. I beg you…do not separate heart from chest. I beg… he repeated the prayer well into the night.

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Oenomaus smiled in greeting as Melitta entered the cell. He noticed that her returning smile was wan, and she seemed paler in the light.

"Are you well?" he asked, concerned.

She waved away his question. "Seeing Diona…it was jarring. Apologies for being late, I was tending to Naevia. The loss of her friend was heartbreaking for the poor girl."

"Perhaps that is why Gannicus was not truly happy. I know he favored Diona before Naevia. It may be that her death was the reason for his pensive thoughts?" Oenomaus mused aloud.

"Gannicus was not joyous of his good fortune?" Melitta asked surprise evident in her voice.

"Some thought turned him from true happiness. He did not tell me what weighed on mind."

"Perhaps he needs the night to see how lucky he is. Come dawn, his demeanors will have changed." Oenomaus did not notice how Melitta's voice trembled as she said the words.

"Words of wisdom as always." His voice was warm as he took her into his arms. He moved to kiss her and was surprised as Melitta shrugged him away, moving to the cot and wrapping her arms around herself.

"Melitta? What ails you? Speak truth."

"Apologies." Now he was aware that there were tears in her voice. "Tonight my mind is filled with sorrow regarding Diona. I am not a fitting companion…I cannot believe I shall never hear her sweet laugh, her innocent questions… share jests and true thoughts…oh I will miss h-her so." She stopped herself from saying him. Oenoamus could not know that Melitta's thoughts had shifted from Diona to Gannicus as she contemplated his quickly coming departure from the ludus. Why would he remain when freedom beckoned? Surely she was not incentive enough to stay in the walls where such sorrow had befallen him. No, he would leave and she would go back to her existence as dutiful wife. It was her fate to die under Lucretia and Batiatus's thumb.

Oenomaus hugged Melitta carefully as she softly wept into his arms. So in a night where there should have been joy and celebration, sorrow permeated the walls.

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As dawn came, Quintus Batiatus, for the first time in his life, had to ask to see one of his gladiators. The guards escorted Gannicus to the main office, absent chains. The two men regarded each other quietly for a few moments, and then Batiatus broke the silence.

"Do you have any plans now that you are free?" he tried, and failed, to keep the desperation out of his voice. To lose Gannicus now that he had tripled his value…the thought was too much to bear.

"Perhaps I shall leave these walls and make my fortune elsewhere. There are bitter memories here."

The lack of title stung, when the statement came from a former slave's lips.

"Why not stay and sweeten them then? There shall be great rewards in the endeavor."

"What do you offer, then?"

"Coin, a room in the villa, freedom to come and go as you please." Batiatus rattled off the list quickly.

"The villa? I would stay here?" The question seemed to hold some significance from Gannicus.

Quintus's answer was interrupted as Melitta came in with breakfast and drink. As she was pouring the wine her eyes briefly locked on Gannicus before they lowered again. Batiatus noticed the exchange.

"Yes, "he replied slowly, eyes going back and forth between the two. "You would be given room in the villa."

Melitta faltered minutely, then walked quickly out. Gannicus's eyes briefly followed her before settling back on his former master.

"I will fight for you, but I have one more condition. And I want our agreement as a contract." He said slowly.

Quintus nodded, desperate.

"I want to be able to buy Melitta's freedom, when I gain enough coin."

"A house slave's freedom is expensive, and my wife is fond of Melitta."

"I will be getting the bulk of my earnings, which will be considerable now that I am so in demand. I will also be getting coin from you, to fight for the House of Batiatus. Your wife can train another. This is not negotiable Dom…Batiatus."

Quintus grit his teeth, cursing Solonius to Tartarus for his trick, but nodded. "I shall have the document drawn presently."

Gannicus nodded, then turned to go. Batiatus called him back with a question.

"What about Oenomaus? You seek to part him from that which he holds closest to his heart."

Gannicus paused, but did not turn around. His gaze was fixed on Melitta, who lingered outside, out of sight of Batiatus, gazing at him as well. The answer was as much to her as it was to his former dominus.

"I never claimed to be an honorable man." He then walked out, quickly, catching her as she turned to flee.

He tugged her into a corner, away from prying eyes.

She shrugged out of his grasp and faced him, anger marring her features.

"Have you lost mind? Freedom is in your hands, yet you stand there, holding the serpent to your breast and encouraging it to bite! You could have a free life, absent commands, and yet you stay? Gannicus!" she whispered angrily as he came close and snatched her in his arms. She struggled briefly, then became still as Gannicus spoke.

"Freedom is nothing without you to share it with me. My life had no meaning before you, and without you, it fades into muck and shit."

She paled as he continued.

"Honor, brotherhood, freedom…they all wither in comparison to what I feel for you. You know this Melitta. I would drag myself to the lowest hells, betray everything and everyone, just to be with you."

Tears were in Melitta's eyes, as she replied "Fool. You stupid fool."

Then she pushed him back and left. Gannicus closed his eyes, and punched the wall.

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Much later on in the day, Melitta was summoned away from her duties by Lucretia. Wondering what ailed her mistress so late in the day, Melitta paused before entering the room. Dominus must have told her Gannicus's price. Lucretia cherished Melitta, had done so from when she entered the House as Batiatus's wife. In turn Melitta had done all she could to put her new domina at ease with her surroundings. There was bond between them, one Lucretia would be loathe to break. Gathering her courage, Melitta entered the room, standing in front of her still mistress.

"So Gannicus wishes to purchase your freedom." Domina's voice was expressionless, even to Melitta, who had served her for so long

"Apologies Domina…" Melitta began, then paused, having no idea what to say. She closed her mouth, swallowed, and tried again. "He only wishes to…he…I did not know he would ask. I thought he would…" she trailed off, lost for words.

"Leave you behind." Lucretia completed the thought. Melitta nodded, dazed. Even after her conversation with Gannicus, she still had to wrap her mind around the thought that he had stayed for her- delayed his departure, shackled himself again to Batiatus, just so he could be near her.

The depth of love he felt for her was humbling…a true gift from the gods. She only wished there was some way to avoid hurting Oenomaus.

"I could still stop the sale." As Lucretia said this, she took careful consideration of Melitta's demeanor. When she had offered, her body slave's face had drained of color, leaving her looking pale and sickly. Lucretia nodded to herself, confirming what she had known since she saw Gannicus glancing at the balcony. There were feelings there- strong and deep to risk so much.

"Domina I beg of you…please…." Lucretia raised a hand to silence Melitta's pleading. She sat on the couch and motioned Naevia to fetch wine. Melitta stood in front of her mistress, quiet and pale.

"Do you know my mother was against me marrying Quintus? My father was ecstatic that someone so above our station would deign to even look at me, let alone marry me…but my mother was hesitant. She advised me not to wed him."

Melitta stared in silence at her mistress, puzzled as to where the story was going.

"She said the marriage would destroy me, one way or another. She meant that Titus would never approve and see me out of the house. I would be left alone and destitute, and who knows what I would have to resort to." Here Lucretia paused, and took a sip of the wine Naevia had bought. She motioned the young girl away, and looked back at her most trusted slave.

"A deeper reason was that she knew the compromises I would have to make, the games, petty cruelties, and betrayal's I would have to endure, to succeed as Quintus's wife, to support his ambitions, would kill part of my soul. Gaia thought she was an old fool. She thought I deserved the world with all its pleasures." Lucretia stopped to remember her old friend. In the end, Gaia had lost her life, on the whim of a cruel monster, because she had overplayed her hand. Lucretia had seen Tullius dead, but the empty space in her soul would never heal.

"Domina?" Melitta's soft voice bought Lucretia out of her musings.

"Mother was right." She whispered. "My soul is not dead yet, but piece by piece I can feel it slipping away…here a principle, there a cherished hope." She laughed ruefully. "I have even betrayed and deceived the man I love above all others." She looked at Melitta intently. "Do you understand? Despite all that I have given up, the humiliations I have borne…nothing will entice me to leave Quintus. He is my other half, the one the Gods intended for me. I will never part from him. I see the beginnings of the same bond between you and Gannicus. That is why I am letting you go."

"Domina." Melitta bowed, overwhelmed. She felt Lucretia's fingers tipping her chin up, to face her mistress.

"Do you love him?"

"Yes Domina…above my own life."

A soft kiss was placed on her lips. "Then cherish him, and a cock in the ass to whosoever gets in the way."

Melitta nodded, turning to leave, when she heard Lucretia call her back.

"Make sure that Gannicus starts instructing Crixus in the ways of a true champion. Have your husband start focusing on the Gaul as well. I shall have a proper champion in place of Gannicus when he leaves with you. And begin instructing Naevia on her new duties as my body slave. I shall abide few disruptions when you both are gone."

"Yes Domina." Melitta bowed and left Lucretia, silent once more, in the room.

As she was making her way to her rooms, she saw Gannicus, walking with his belongings into the villa, escorted by guards. He gazed at the silently, but the question was clear in his eyes. Will you come with me? His gaze asked her.

There was only one answer Melitta's heart could give. She smiled at him, and he exhaled softly in relief. Whatever the path ahead of us, I will walk with you. Yes, Gannicus, the answer is yes.

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