It had been days since the moment on the city walls. Mira had done her best to keep from thinking of it. It made her heart light with joy at the memory of Spartacus' touch, but heavy once again knowing that it was all that could be.
The pirates had proven to be more trustworthy than Mira had previously thought. They had saved Spartacus and the others from certain death on the beach outside the city. Mira had held her breath watching the battle rage. There was nothing she or the others could do but watch, the distance making her arrows useless. Several times she notched an arrow to her bow, but as she did the moon slid behind the clouds again. Besides, she thought, I cannot discern friend from foe this far from them. When the battle was over, Spartacus returned victorious to the city, many congratulating them on this dubious victory. Mira slipped away in the night, a heavy sigh of relief escaping her chest as she walked away from the throng of warriors, sight unseen.
No matter how the pirates had proven themselves in the battle on the beach, Mira was not so foolish to let her guard down with them still in the city. Heracelo's eyes follower her whenever she was near. She did not like his gaze upon her. Tired of the game he played, and confronted him.
"Why do your eyes follow me whenever I am near?!" Mira challenged the pirate leader as he slouched in the chair just outside the city courtyard, drinking again more wine. Heracelo leathery skin reminded Mira of a pig's skin, covered in muck and filth. He smiled slyly at Mira, glancing knowingly at Mira over the rim of his cup.
"Has the pig lost his tongue?" Mira mirthlessly questioned, trying to illicit a response from the man. She wanted this resolved today. She did not have time for his games.
"The pig wonders…" Heracleo stood from the chair and watch around toward Mira. Mira stood her ground as the others watched the confrontation evolve. "How can a woman of such beauty and spirit be left unattended and unprotected." Heracleo stalked Mira with his eyes and his body language. Mira was not moved by his sickening insinuation.
"Do you wish to be my protector?" Mira asked sweetly. Heracleo laughed at the prospect, regaining his seat from before, a whore climbing on his lap when he did.
"I fear you are in no need of protection from me. Not when you are clearly capable of your own protection." Mira's spine stiffened at the veiled compliment, however, she knew what he said was true. "Indeed. You are well protected, my sweet flower. Especially with King Spartacus always within distance." Heracleo raised his cup to salute Spartacus who seemed to materialize like a ghost across the courtyard. Spartacus' black stare at Heracleo told Mira that he had been there at least for a portion of the time.
"You mistake intimate affections of a favored friend." Mira corrected Heracleo, returning her dagger to this sheath. Heracleo nodded in amusement, "My sweet flower…"
"Do not call me that." Mira spoke through gritting teeth, "My name is Mira."
"Mira," Heracleo paused considering her name for a moment. At that moment Spartacus drew within ear shot of the conversation. "I have travelled many places in this world. Your name has many meanings. Would you like to know their meaning?" Heracleo questioned kindly. Spartacus paused to continue to listen to the conversation without notice. Mira glanced at Spartacus' back to her. No acknowledgement.
"I shall tell you. In Latin your name means wonder. In the Slavic it means peace. And to the Jews you are the light." Heracleo stated quite loudly. "Yes! Mira, you are the light of this rag tag army of gladiators and slaves. I pray that your light is no diminished because of faithful cause." With that, Spartacus turned toward Heracelo's words, curious regarding his meaning. It was at this moment, Mira made her escape from the center of the attention.
"Awww. See you scared her away, King Spartacus. What am I to do with the light! HaaaaHaaa!" Heracleo exclaimed in protest, watching Mira make a hasty retreat from the courtyard.
"Mira does not scare so easily as you might think, Heracleo." Spartacus warned to his new ally.
"Ahhhh! But at the sight of you, the light retreats to darkened shadows." Heracleo pointed out as he motioned to the place Mira had been standing. "If I were a younger man, I would not let the light slip from my hands so easily." Counseled the pirate leader to Spartacus, flopping into the chair and the whore still waiting nearby. "But I am old and lazy now. I go where light shines, rather than seek it out. Right?" Heracleo asked the whore now draped across his lap.
Spartacus considered following Mira, to discuss some logistical matters he had been postponing since their last meeting. The moment replayed in his mind over and over again. But many things had occurred since that moment. He barely had time to consider Mira, which was his new reality. He was needed by everyone for everything. He could not give her what she needed now, any more that he could back then. And he still struggled with the knowledge he may one day be the cause of her death. He did not know what he would do if she was parted from him forever; like Sura. He did not want to consider it, would not consider it. His heart was heavy with is regrets as he took his leave of the courtyard.
Sleep would not come once again for Spartacus. His thoughts circled around and around in his mind. He went to the table in the adjoining room, leaning on it as he stared blindly at the maps strewn across it. He brushed the maps aside not wanting to think of war and all that war brought with it. He slouched into a nearby stool, his head heavy in his hands as he tried to find rest among the night sounds.
It was too quiet for him. The silence only exposed the loneliness he would not allow himself to feel each night as he climbed into his bed. He glanced into the lonely bedchamber, the bed empty save for a dagger and linens scattered across it in disarray. Ghostly imagines began to invade his vision as he stared at the bed. Imagines of Sura sleeping silently, her face soft and peaceful. Sura's face faded from his vision, replaced by Mira. The outlines of her lithe body outlined in the by the soft linen sheet covering her. Spartacus' mouth went dry at the image, his breath quickening in the memory of the intimate moments they had shared. It was at that moment, Sura entered his vision. Kneeling before Spartacus as he sat upon the stool, Sura reached up to stroke his cheek. Spartacus turned his face into her hand, wanting to feel her touch.
"Why are you alone?" Sura spoke otherworldly. Spartacus was surprised by her question.
"Who else would be with me, other than you?" Spartacus asked jokingly, gazing into his wife's eyes as she continued to kneel in front of him.
"I cannot be with you any longer." Sura stated plainly. Spartacus felt pain move through his chest as he realized the truth of what Sura spoke. His lips set in a grim line, eyes filled with unshed emotions, Spartacus nodded his agreement.
"I know. I only wish to have sleep without dreams, but the gods deny me even that." Spartacus stated softly, reaching for Sura.
"There is one who can be with you now." Sura speaks softly as she looks gently into Spartacus' eyes. "You must heal your heart from what we have lost. And regain it again." Sura rose and stood in front of Spartacus, lightly holding his hand.
"I do not think I can, Sura." Spartacus' voice breaks at the speaking of his wife's name.
"You must. Else all that you have given in your fight for freedom will be for a life not worth living. Do not turn your back on the light." Sura began to fade into the darkness.
"Do not go yet." Spartacus begged softly, reaching for the air. Sura continued to fade from sight. Spartacus heard her last plea.
"There is one who can be with you now. Heal your heart, my love. Seek the light." Sura's voice echoed through the stone chamber as she faded from his sight. Spartacus sobbed for a moment, his head in his hands again, realizing it was all an illusion of his fatigued mind.