Avalina entered the hot sands of the training grounds with her swords ready for attack. This was the final test for the new recruits before they received their brands and became full fledged gladiators for the house of Batiatus. As with every waking moment, she was thinking about how to use this to her advantage for escape. Over the past months she exhausted every option that had come to her and yet she was still very much a slave. Between non stop training, thinking of ways to escape, and Gannicus, she was surprised at how much time had flown by without her noticing. Gannicus still barely spoke to her, but to be honest he barely spoke to anyone except for Onemaious. Her eyes drifted to her right where she could feel him watching her. He did that a lot. Watched her from the shadows, or when he thought that she wasn't looking. Having discovered no means of escape herself, her thoughts toward him had softened quite a bit. Perhaps he had fought hard to escape and when that hadn't worked he began biding his time as she was now.
Her heart had always mourned and longed for him, but with his presence so near without actual contact it had begun to break a little everyday. She regretted her thoughts and attitude toward him when she had first arrived. She hoped once she was a gladiator they might have more chance to speak. Suddenly a trident aimed for her guts caught her attention quickly drawing her from her wandering thoughts. Her focus came back sharply and with it her blades came up instinctively. It had taken little persuasion with Doctore to let her fight as a Dimachaerus. Knowing women typically fought with sword and shield which was usually too much weight for them to manage she had shown why she had been such a deadly opponent to the Roman Army for so long with double swords. She blocked the deadly tines of the trident, but only just, and she suffered a marginally deep cut to her right hip. However, the momentum of the man who had lunged to end the match quickly had instead locked his trident with her right sword. Using the momentum to her advantage, she swung her second blade hard and fast toward his neck. As the match was called before she could kill him, she felt remorse knowing that the losers of the matches would be sold to the mines.
Freeing her blade from the trident she walked to the side of the sands to stand with Rowan and Connor. She risked a glance towards Gannicus, but his eyes for the moment were focused on the next match. She took the opportunity to study him. His expression was focused but relaxed, something she rarely saw in him. Over the months of observing him she had seen his carefree attitude, laughing and joking, and the other gladiators seemed to believe him, but underneath just below the surface, she had seen the real Gannicus. The constant tension he carried, radiated from the way he held himself always ready for some unseen threat. His eyes gave away the most because even when he was laughing she could see the sadness.
The match ended and Rowan was next. Taking her eyes from Gannicus, she focused on her friend willing him to win so that they could face the future together. If she lost Rowan or Connor now she wasn't sure what she would do. By the grace of the gods, they both won their fights and her heart eased a bit. The brands were placed on their arms confirming to anyone who they belonged to should they escape. Avalina couldn't help the clawing feeling that she was now inescapably trapped and it threaten to make her panic, her eyes darting around the enclosed space though she knew there was no exit. Suddenly, Gannicus was in front of her, his firm grip on her upper arm steadying her until she was able to take a breath, bringing her emotions under control. She was surprised at his closeness after so many months of distance until she realized all the seasoned gladiators were congratulating their new brothers. Gannicus was still staring down at her, not moving or saying anything when his friend Onemaeus stepped up beside him, "Congratulations, Avalina."
Nodding her head she replied, "Onemaeus." Before she could say anything else, Onemaeus spoke to Gannicus in a hushed tone, "Let go." She felt his grip tighten slightly, then his thumb rubbed gently across her skin before he released her, stepping back. Onemaeus nodded slightly before turning and walking towards the others. Avalina looked up at Gannicus a moment, "Thank you for everything these past months. I'm quite sure without your help, I'd have starved to death." Gannicus shook his head, "You'd have survived. You've changed a great deal since I've been gone."
"In a lot of ways, " she acknowledged. "I'm not a young girl any longer. Yet somethings will never change. Gannicus, I…" but before she could finish what she was going to say, Batiatus came to the balcony congratulating those who had passed, promising them glory in battle, honor in death, and rewards between them. Avalina barely heard what he said, only able to keep her eyes off Gannicus and focused on Dominus. What was wrong with her? She hadn't needed anyone since he had gone, yet now, standing so close to him she could feel the heat radiating from his body, all she wanted was to lean into him and let her burdens fall away. She barely replied with the rest of the gladiators at the end of Dominus' speech and shook herself to focus. Since they were now gladiators, they were allowed to wander the training sands with the others instead of being shuffled off below to the cages. Soldiers were posted around the grounds as a few men servants brought supplies to the new gladiators rooms. They would be allowed a few small comforts such as an actual cot and blanket and a pitcher of water. If they were successful in their matches, they were promised these comforts would grow.
Avalina knew that Gannicus was almost allowed complete freedom inside the walls. He could bathe, come and go from his cell, and train how he wished. For the first time, she was glad that he at least had some small things. She heard her name being shouted and quickly came out of her thoughts to focus on Doctore. "The Dominus wants to see you." Avalina quickly followed Doctore, not daring to look at Gannicus. She had slowly come to realize why he kept such distance from her though she still hated it and wished he wouldn't. She hoped that was the only reason he wasn't speaking to her. Stopping at the gate to the house, the soldier put the shackles on her arms, but left her feet free this time. For a moment, Avalina thought about the chance to flee, but the soldier must have read her thoughts. His sword was pressed into her throat before she could move, "Don't even think about it slave." Their gazes locked for a heartbeat before she clinched her jaw, nodding. Satisfied his threat was taken seriously, he opened the gate letter her and Doctore through, following them close behind.
Batiatus stood in the doorway to the balcony, but turned to them when they entered. "Ah, there you are Avalina. You did well today. You are not hurt too badly?" Dominus looked toward her hip that had stopped dripping blood, but only just. "It is just superficial, Dominus. Nothing that a few stitches won't winced, "Stitches? Very well, see the medicus when you leave here. You will need to be ready to fight in two days." Avalina blinked, "Dominus?"
"You have a scheduled appearance in the arena in two days. Another gladiatrix has been found. I am on my way to see if I can discover anything about her to give us an advantage, but I fully expect your victory." His tone suggested that should she survive the fight but not win, then she shouldn't survive after all.
"Dominus. Her fighting style would be most helpful," she acknowledged. She had no plans to die in the arena for the entertainment of Romans. "Excellent!,"Batiatus shouted, throwing his hands in the air. "You'll be my star attraction yet, Avalina. Gannicus draws crowds no doubt, but you. You're going to have loyal followers, I can tell." Avalina wanted to cringe, but held it inside. "See her to the baths and the medicus, Doctore. Make sure she looks as incredible as she fights," Batiatus said waving a hand of dismissal.
"Returned to the ludus, the chains removed from her wrists, Avalina followed Doctore to the baths, accompanied by two soldiers and Melitta who had been ordered to accompany them. Once inside, Doctore gave the soldiers orders, "No one but myself and the medicus is to enter while she is in here." The men nodded, posting themselves in the doorway with their backs facing the pool. When it was just Melitta and Avalina, Melitta motioned to the water, "Get in. I will help you clean your hair." Avalina didn't hesitate, dropping the rags she had been brought in, to the floor and sliding into the water.
It had been so long since she had a proper bath. She didn't count the scrubbing and shave she had received upon being sold. Back home she had a clear stream she had bathed in regularly and she missed being clean. Dunking herself completely, she came up by the edge of the water so that Melitta could reach her hair while she scrubbed the rest of her body. Her hair was a matted mess, but Melitta was patient and gentle, quickly taming the long lengths into a sleek waterfall that touched the small of her back. "You should cut some of this. It could be a disadvantage when fighting." Avalina considered her point, then nodded, "Just not too short. Just below my shoulders so that I can braid it tight for the arena." Melitta produced a pair of scissors and quickly trimmed the locks to a more manageable length. The medicus soon appeared to stitch up her wound, and her enjoyable time in the bath was over.
Thankfully, Melitta had new clothing for her, a loincloth not much different than those the men wore that left her legs bare so that she could move freely for fighting. The top was little more than strips of cloth that crisscrossed over her breasts, behind her back, then tied at the waist. Avalina clinched her jaw, wishing she could have something a bit more covering yet acknowledging that her movements wouldn't be hindered by floating cloth. Melitta gave her a sympathetic smile that Avalina appreciated. The medicus had her stitched back up quickly and then it was time to return to the sands. Squaring her shoulders she stepped out into the hall and heard the sounds of everyone at dinner. Surprised so much time had passed, she bid Melitta good night then went to eat.
No one noticed her and Avalina breathed a sigh of relief. She slid quietly in line hoping that continued, but her relief was short lived. "Gladiatrix!" Barca yelled as he slung an arm over her shoulders. The man was massive, towering over her so that her head barely reached his arm pit. "Welcome to the brotherhood! Come, grab your bowl and sit by me." Unable to dislodge the man, Avalina reluctantly followed though she was hopefully he hadn't pissed in this bowl. As she sat down beside him amongst the other gladiators, she looked at the bowl skeptically. It had happened too often for her just to dismiss the possibility. Barca noticed and clapped her on the back hard enough to jostle her into the table, laughing, "I don't do that to brothers. On my honor." Seeing everyone else eating she slowly took a bite and only relaxed when no offending odor or taste presented itself. She slowly took in the rest of the room, noticing Rowan and Connor just a table away with some of the other new gladiators. She seemed to be the only one sitting with the seasoned ones and began to wonder at this when Barca answered the question she hadn't asked.
"You're different than the rest. You mean something to Gannicus, though none of us knows what for sure. But since you passed the test, we can now include you in the brotherhood with some extra benefit." Avalina looked at him blankly, trying to keep her features neutral, "Gannicus and I were from the same tribe of Celts. There isn't anything else." Barca watched her, before nodding his head, "It is dangerous to care for things in here. You are wise to not let it overly show, but you forget that all of us see each other at all times. There are things we know about each other that the masters do not. Do not be afraid we will share your secrets. You are one of us now." Avalina bit her lower lip, nodding her head before returning to her meal grateful for the kindness in an unexpected place. Dinner was quickly over and the gladiators were free to move about for the evening. As she rose from the table, Onemaeus walked up behind her whispering, "He is in his room." Avalina turned to look at him, but he had already walked out to the sands. Taking a breath, resolved to speak to him, she nodded to Rowan and Connor before heading for the Champions cell.