Chapter 8
Here is the second to last chapter- Gannicus and Melitta make preparations, and Mira is introduced to the House of Batiatus! Oenomaus remains in the dark, while other secrets come to light. Please read and review and as always, a big thank you to my beta!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Soft sounds echoed through Gannicus's rooms in the villa as Melitta attempted to stifle her moans. The task was made much more difficult by the fact that Gannicus loved to see her undone and so attempted to make her scream whenever he could. Propriety meant very little to her lover.
Gannicus thrust lazily into as her as she attempted to get him to move faster. He kissed her slowly, savoring her heat and tightness as her legs tightened around his hips. Melitta's head rolled back as his thrust began to gain force, and soon both of them reached their peaks.
Heat and urgency gave way to a lazy afterglow, with Gannicus placing several butterfly kisses on her throat. She laughed softly and pushed him up.
"I must go. Dawn is almost upon us."
Gannicus tugged Melitta back as she made attempt to rise. "Stay awhile."
She struggled lightly, then gave up and lay back in his arms. "I cannot tarry long. Domina awakens soon, and her needs must be attended to."
"How does she fare now that she knows you are to leave?"
"I have been instructed to teach Naevia about my responsibilities, and to emphasize how important loyalty is to Domina above all."
Gannicus smiled as he pressed a kiss to the fragrant hair "An odd concept, considering the fact that she takes another man's cock."
Melitta placed a finger on his lips, and then rose to face him, her demeanor serious. "Speak not so loudly! You know these walls retain few secrets. I told you in confidence as you wondered on Crixus's comings and goings. Even Oenomaus does not know." She smiled wryly. " Besides, Domina is not the only one guilty of such offense."
"We did make attempt to stop. It failed spectacularly as you recall." He reminded her.
She sighed. "I know. My heart overwhelmed my duty. Would that it erase these feelings of guilt as well."
"That sentiment is shared." He murmured back. "No matter how I justify it, the fact that we betray my brother remains. Even though we committed to this road, the guilt festers and wounds."
Melitta nodded sadly, tucking her face into Gannicus's neck. "I want to tell him the truth…have come close so many times. And yet, I fear that he will kill me before explanation is finished."
"Then my sword would strike him down the next moment, though I would be filled with regret and sorrow."
"It is his right." She reminded him. "He is my husband."
"That bond is not legal. He only calls you wife at the whim of Batiatus. As you were given to him at the whim of Titus and Lucretia. Without consent as you recall."
"Gannicus!" she made attempt to rise, but he pulled her back, contrite.
"Forgive me." His forehead touched hers, lips brushing the delicate cheek. "I seek to minimize the bond between you two, to lessen my guilt. I know he loves you. I've always known how much he loves you. That is why I tried to still treacherous heart. Would that it have been parted from my chest before seeing it betray such a man."
"You are not the only one who tried." Melitta whispered back. "Do you not remember what I said that night? When we decided that this," here she motioned between them, "was worth everything. This small bit of happiness we could snatch was worth all betrayals?"
"You said I did not walk this path alone. That you came with me, willingly, and with eyes open."
Melitta leaned towards him. "To that I hold. You breathe life into me; lift me from the weight of duties despair. I dream of more, of a life outside these walls because of you. I will live with the ever present guilt."
He leaned in and took a long, slow, kiss. "I pray it fades." He whispered against her lips. "When we leave these walls."
"When will that be?" she asked.
"Soon."
XXXX
As they hurried through the marketplace the dust swirled around them. Though she was happy to out of the villa with Gannicus as a companion, the errand they were on brought Melitta no joy. With the loss of Diona and the impending departure of Melitta, Lucretia had decided purchasing a new house slave was in order. She commanded Melitta accompany her to help in the choosing. Gannicus, being one of the few gladiators not required to be escorted by Doctore outside the walls, was told to take the women through the streets. Quintus considered Barca too indelicate to carry forth such an errand. Furthermore, secrecy regarding Gannicus and Melitta had to be maintained. Happy to spend some time with Melitta without worrying about Oenomaus, he complied. As they reached the area where the slaves were being sold, they saw that a new batch had just been announced. Gannicus pushed through the crowd and Melitta and Lucretia followed until they ended up at the very front of the auction.
"They all seem disease free." Lucretia commented, looking over the stock critically. The women were naked, staring straight ahead, gazes blank as the auctioneer proceeded to announce their worth.
"None of them are virgins unfortunately." She continued, eyes darting from one form to another. Melitta turned her head away as the auctioneer pulled a woman by her chains, pushing her to the man who had bid for her. The auctions, along with the executions, had always filled her with revulsion. She hated seeing more slaves being made, seeing more poor souls being deprived of their freedom.
Gannicus's hand on her shoulder provided much needed comfort, and Melitta turned and flashed him a brief smile that he returned. As she looked back among the slaves, her eyes caught one particular woman. Unlike the others there was still fire in her gaze, and disgust exuded from her form
"Domina. What about the woman to the right?" Melitta asked, bringing Lucretia's attention to the still form.
"Her? But she does not seem docile at all!" Lucretia objected.
"Naevia is being trained for docility Domina. Surely for your second slave you need a woman who will be well versed in dealing with any…problems that might arise?" Melitta delicately commented. Since Titus's death, his son had been venturing in increasingly risky directions; inviting more and more noble Roman's to the villa and indulging in more debauchery. Though they were less grand that the spectacle that had seen Gaia dead, it was a well known secret that the House of Batiatus under Quintus Lentulus Batiatus would see to every need of its Roman patrons.
Lucretia frowned, deep in thought. Given the increasingly licentious activities that were taking place under her roof, having a slave who would help her take care of any and all issues that could crop up would be helpful. A slave like that would need a mind of her own, to be able to think for herself and not come to Lucretia for every problem that arose. She looked at the woman again. Yes, she seems to type to be able to handle herself.
"The fact that she is not a virgin means that she can be offered to guests as well." She mused out loud, not seeing Melitta's wince and Gannicus's grimace.
"A good selection Melitta. None will be as good as you," here Lucretia aimed an arch look at Gannicus, who smiled cheekily in reply, "but this one might fill some duties well."
The auctioneer stepped to forward with the woman, who looked at the crowd impassively. Gannicus caught a flash of contempt in her gaze before she lowered her eyes. Oh, she would have snared Oenomaus and lightened his heart! A pity Domina will not gift her to him after we leave. I wish there was some way to ease the burden that he shall bear. No one deserves her fate.
"What price shall the good citizens of Capua pay for Mira? This slave can cook, clean, and aid her mistress in keeping a well appointed villa! Well, good citizens? Let us begin the bidding!"
The price rose steadily higher as the bidding went on until Lucretia, who had been given considerable coin for this outing, won the woman at 50 dinarii.
"I could have bought a marvelous necklace for that price." She huffed under her breath as the girl was robed and bough to her in chains. Lucretia paused and lifted the girl's chin with a finger. "Be worth your price or I shall give you to the gladiators in my husbands ludus." She warned.
The girl stared at her impassively. In reply to such insolence, a slap rang through the market. Melitta cringed as the girl's face turned to the side from the force of the blow. The slave lowered her eyes, cheek reddening from the impact.
"Yes Domina." Came the quiet reply.
Melitta shook off her fear and smiled warmly as she took the new arrivals hand, leading her to the ludus, Gannicus taking the rear. Mira looked at her in surprise, giving a small smile back, but her eyes remained wary. Melitta wondered what had befallen the woman before the she came to the slave auction, then shook the thought from mind. Mira's life before entering the ludus would not matter. What would save her now would be an unquestioning loyalty to her masters.
I must teach her and Naevia in the short time I have left Melitta looked back at Gannicus who was trying to get away from an adoring crowd. She could not help but smile at his antics. Turning back she caught Mira's questioning stare and flushed in reply. This time the smile reached the other woman's eyes.
"Is he your man?" Mira whispered.
Melitta paused, the complicated relationships she was juggling swirling through her head. Then she shrugged and offered a simple reply.
"Yes, he is."
XXXXXX
A few more weeks passed, with Gannicus amassing more and more coins due to the crowd's hunger for his presence. There was even talk of bringing back Theokoles to fight him. When Melitta had bought up the rumors Gannicus had laughed and dismissed them. He was no match for Theokoles. Moreover, the city of Capua had to recoup from the building of the new arena. There was no lanista who could currently afford the Shadow of Death's fee.
"Only in dire times will a fight with the Shadow be possible. And the times are not so bad for this city." He assured her.
Melitta's days were spent instructing Naevia and Mira on their duties. Mira had been surprised when Oenomaus had been introduced as Melitta's husband but had kept her cool, showing her worth in Domina's eyes. The ability to keep secrets was becoming paramount for house slaves, especially from the Doctore. Quintus Batiatus wanted his relationship with Oenomaus unchanged, which meant hiding many of the things that went on in the villa. Oenomaus was proving himself to be a skilled trainer of gladiators, and Batiatus did not want to lose his respect.
Melitta had explained the circumstances to Mira, though she did not know why. The opinion of a new slave should not matter, but for some reason, Melitta had not wanted to lose Mira's respect. She was so different from most slaves, docile on the outside, but hiding a fire within. Melitta only hoped that the passions that burned so deeply within Mira would not hurt her one day.
As Melitta toiled in the house, Gannicus continued to fight with his brothers in the ludus. He was still a popular figure, but there was a divide between him and the men, and he was not unaware of it. No amount of wine and whores could make his brothers forget that he could walk about the gates at anytime and they could not. Though there was little resentment, Gannicus could tell that the others were puzzled as to why he remained. Staying in the villa, away from his brothers, did not help foster camaraderie as well. Oenomaus had stopped him once and asked him flat out why he stayed. Gannicus had merely mentioned that he needed coin to establish himself, and fighting under Batiatus was the fastest way to amass the required amount.
In the mean time he also trained Crixus, who had risen in popularity but was eclipsed by Gannicus in the games, a fact that Gannicus knew infuriated the new recruit. He had been teaching Crixus for the past few months, and the young man was a very quick learner, picking up techniques and strategies rapidly. But Gannicus saw a hardening in Crixus, an arrogance that would alienate. His relationship with the other recruit, Ashur had been completely sundered, though neither man would tell the brotherhood what caused Crixus to injure Ashur on the day of the opening games. Batiatus had contemplated selling the crippled gladiator, but Ashur had proven his worth with numbers, showing a quick mind underneath the piss poor gladiator exterior. As a result, he was fast becoming important to Batiatus, who used him during his various errands in the city.
Gannicus's relationship with Oenomaus remained strong, though there were strains on the edges. The guilt he felt was ever present and unrelenting. Looking at his friend's strong, kind face, Gannicus would always chastise himself for betraying such a noble man. Once in a fit of repentance he had contemplated ending his liason with Melitta and leaving the ludus, but when he had gotten back to the villa and Melitta had smiled at him in greeting, the thought was blown away like dust in the wind. In the end, his feelings for Melitta overwhelmed his bond with Oenomaus. But the cursed guilt remained. Gannicus could not wait to get away from this ludus, taking Melitta and starting their new life elsewhere, away from the House of Batiatus and the rot setting within that was all too apparent.
XXXXXX
Finally the day came that a final game would bring him to the required amount needed to acquire Melitta's freedom. Gannicus stared at the new arena through the gates of the stockade. Even though he fought here regularly, the grandeur of the arena always took his breath away. This morning he had told Melitta that this fight would be his last. She had understood immediately, and implored him to remain cautious, to fight well. Gannicus had kissed her deeply, a reminder of what he was fighting for, then left for the fight. He knew Melitta was in the pulvinus, tending to Lucretia. Batiatus had it made known that this fight would be Gannicus's last, and so the arena was packed more than usual, people climbing on top of each other, arriving all the way from Rome to witness the spectacle. He would be fighting four others, at the same time, and the amount of coin he would win would be more than enough to establish himself and Melitta far away from Capua.
Oenomaus's hand clapped his shoulder and Gannicus turned to see a smile on the man's face.
"Fight well. Your rudis awaits the names of these men. Do not let hubris be your downfall. Show the entire Republic why you were granted freedom."
"I told you long ago that you would not get rid of me so easily." Gannicus jested back.
Oenomaus nodded, face becoming solemn. "Will you to fight to honor this house?"
Gannicus shook his head. The topic was fast becoming an issue for contention for the two men. Oenomaus who did not see the antics Quintus and Lucretia were now up to, was convinced that the House of Batiatus had redeemed itself. He did not see why Gannicus would not resume fighting to honor the House that had granted him his freedom. Gannicus, who saw daily what the House had become, maintained steadfastly that he would fight to honor Melitta in Oenomaus's stead.
"Fighting for Melitta's honor is enough for me brother. You know I cannot abide too much on the subject." With that statement Gannicus got ready to enter the arena for the last time. He could hear Batiatus's speech as he waited.
"Citizens of Capua! Welcome to a most prestigious match. Today we bid farewell to one of the sand's most favored son's. He shall fight to honor you for the last time, and it shall be a spectacle of blood and glory the likes of which you have never seen!"
Batiatus paused, and in the stockades Gannicus rolled his eyes at his former master's pompousness.
"Today he shall fight four gladiators provided from the Houses of Vibiaus and Solonius. Today he shall show why the House of Batiatus stands triumphant over all others! I present to you the first champion of Capua: Gannicus!"
As the cornua sounded, the stockade gates opened and Gannicus walked into the arena, smiling and cheering with the crowd. Laughing he strolled to the pulvinus, and bowed to all assembled.
The others gladiators sneered at him, confident their numbers would win the fight. Gannicus looked forward to disabusing them of the notion.
For Melitta, this final fight seemed to go by with excruciating slow. She watched as Gannicus twirled, kicked and slashed, felling his opponents one by one. She winced everything he received a wound and smiled widely as each opponent fell.
As the last man fell to Gannicus's blade, he became aware of the crowd screaming in delight, chanting his name over and over. He turned to the pulvinus, throwing a wink at Melitta, then bowing down to the members of patriarch class who were sitting in the seats of honor. He saw one of the men who had commissioned him for the games stand and wave at the crowd for quiet.
"Gannicus has honored my forefathers with his skills today. We know this is his last fight before he sets out to greater adventures. In honor of his victories, I grant a parcel of land outside Capua for his use!"
The crowd roared in excitement as Gannicus blinked in surprise. Well, at least the problem of where to go after we leave the ludus is solved was the dry thought.
Everything was falling into place. They had the coins necessary to purchase Melitta's freedom, and now, they had somewhere to live. It was as if the Gods themselves were ushering them to leave the House of Batiatus, and being their lives. Gannicus decided that he would buy Melitta's freedom when he returned to the House.
Tonight she will be free, and tomorrow we will leave the House of Batiatus.