A/N: Sorry to take so long getting this chapter out. I really struggled with this one. I knew what I wanted to happen, I just couldn't make it sound how I wanted and I'm not good at writing propper fight scenes. I got there eventually though, and i hope it doesn't read too badly.
"Come." Said Agron, reaching out a hand to pull Nasir to his feet. "Take up your weapon. Today we take to the forest."
"The forest?" Nasir cast the gladiator a questioning look. "What for?"
In part, Agron's motive was to relieve Nasir the weight of knowing, pitying stares, stares in which despite assurances otherwise, he knew Nasir still felt judgment and blame. Also in part, he feared the four walls surrounding them held memories for the Syrian which would continue to haunt him and drive him possibly to the edge of fucking madness. Agron had no wish to see Nasir suffer further horrors as a result of Sedullus' actions. It would do Nasir good Agron thought, to be removed from the place that held such remembrances and find somewhere they might have opportunity to take flight. Even if they returned to him by nightfall perhaps they would at least be less troublesome then.
He was not sure however, that Nasir would not need convincing. He still believed he was ruined and Agron would not chance Nasir's refusal and would not hear his assertion that such a exercise would be a waste of energies so instead his offered reason was…
"We hunt. I am tired of bread and fucking berries."
Crouched amongst the undergrowth and hidden in the shadows of several large trees, Agron watched as the boar furrowed through the forest debris, snuffling and snorting as he turned it over with his snout. It was but a short distance away and it was not impossible to think that he could have run his sword through the beasts skull and made the kill, if he was quick enough. Realistically though, he knew it was more likely the beast would hear his approach and flee before his sword had even been lifted.
His eyes searched out Nasir, similarly crouched several trees distance from where he himself was positioned. He was no closer, but he was better situated, armed with bow and arrow. Odds were good that he could hit the target from where he crouched without making himself known.
The gladiator raised his hand and waved to attract Nasir's attention, gesturing for him to take the shot. Nasir nodded, raising the bow to his cheek and taking a moment to steady his aim. Slowly he pulled back his bow arm, muscles shaking from the effort of holding the string taut, took a breath and released. The bowstring made a snapping noise and the arrow whistled through the air. The beast looked up but there was no time for it to react or retreat before Nasir's arrow pierced the flesh of it's neck.
The creature squealed and stumbled, before falling onto it's side. Agron pounced then, delivering a single blow with his sword to ensure the beasts death then turned to Nasir with a grin and said.
"A fine shot. Your aim is sure and steady. The beast had no chance."
"Mira is a good teacher." Nasir answered.
Agron knew Mira had little to do with it. It was true that she was skilled with a bow and had instructed many within the camp on its use, Nasir included, but it had been quite some time since he had taken up any weapon in training. It was clear the Syrian had some natural skill with the bow himself, but idle flattery was not Agron's purpose today, he would let the matter rest for now.
Both men stared down at the fallen beast for a moment.
"He is a good size." Agron stated. "We will see much meat from it's carcass."
"And it's bones will make a decent broth."
"Indeed. Now let us bind it so we may drag it back to the temple with more ease."
While Agron dropped to his knees and busied himself with the task of trussing the animal, Nasir leaned back against a tree and surveyed his surroundings. In the relative silence of the forest, the sounds of an approaching caravan upon a path not too far distant was not difficult. He tipped his head to one side and listened carefully to ascertain its direction.
"Agron." He whispered. "Someone approaches from the east."
The gladiator stood immediately, abandoning his current task in favour of this new, more important one.
"We should see who and what, lest they pose fucking threat."
Crouched once more in the undergrowth, this time hidden by boulders and fallen branches, the two men observed the passing of what appeared to be a small supply caravan. Fucking Roman certainly, there appeared to be just two guards, hardly a threat at all, but Romans were devious shits with no honour. It was possible they were scouts in disguise and even if they were not, they would no doubt run to the praetor with any small observations in hopes of securing coin or favour for themselves. Better they were dispatched to the afterlife now than given chance to serve either purpose or self.
With nought more than eye contact and silent hand gestures the two communicated a strategy. Nasir would use his bow to relieve one guard of his life, not that Agron doubted his or Nasir's ability to take down both single handedly should the need arise but the Gods were apt to fuck them of late and where once the gladiator would have rushed in recklessly, Nasir had taught him the value of caution. There was sense in reducing the number of opponents before entering into the fight, if the Gods favoured them this day, it might be possible for Nasir to also take down the second guard before he noticed his companion was fallen.
The Gods did not favour them however. As Nasir took aim for the second time and drew back his arm, the bow broke into two pieces with a loud crack, splintering in his hand and causing him to hiss in pain.
"Fuck." Agron muttered as he realised they had been spotted. There was little choice now but to charge, and that was what he did, sword extended at his front. So too Nasir, reaching to remove his dagger from it's sheath at his waist as he rushed towards the closest guard.
Barely had he reached his target when he found his blade knocked from his hands by the flat of his enemy's sword. He stumbled, somehow managing to duck beneath the sword as it swung for him but he was unbalanced now and he hit the ground with a thud and a sharp intake of breath. Behind him he could hear the clash of steel upon steel and knew Agron to have the matter in hand but that would change no doubt should he realise that Nasir was in trouble, and Nasir would not be a source of distraction for him.
He scrambled to his feet while remaining low to the ground and charged again, taking the Roman's legs from under him and sending him sprawling, minus his weapon which now joined Nasir's on the ground some distance away. For a few short moments they tussled this way in a flurry of fists and knees. When the air was forced from his lungs by a well placed knee to his gut, Nasir recoiled instinctively, attempting to catch breath and unwittingly allowing the Roman to slither from his grasp and crawl towards his sword.
Agron saw his own fight to it's conclusion with a final thrust of his blade through his foes heart. The man was dead even before the sword was withdrawn, laying now in a rapidly expanding pool of his own blood and the gladiator spat upon the corpse before turning to see how Nasir was faring.
No sooner did he feel the panic in him rise at the sight of the Syrian gasping and weapon less as the Roman shit dove to recover his own blade, then it was gone for he saw Nasir leap, without hesitation, upon the bastards back, grabbing the sides of his face and roaring fiercely as he snapped the mans neck with a single, violent twist.
No longer afraid for Nasir's life but still concerned for his wellbeing, Agron ran to him, dragging him to his feet, eyes searching the smaller man's body for any sign of injury.
"Are you hurt?" He demanded.
Nasir shook his head.
"Nothing beyond some scratches and bruises. Hardly anything to speak of."
Satisfied that Nasir was not hiding anything from him, he allowed a grin to spread across his face and he pulled the other man into a fierce hug, pressing a firm kiss in the centre of his forehead.
Nasir gave a small surprised yelp and froze momentarily. Sensing the discomfort, Agron released his hold and took a step back, cursing himself for his foolishness and hoping he had not ruined any small progress that may have been made with an act that Nasir might have construed as something more than the simple friendly gesture it had been intended as. He was relieved to see no hint of fear upon the Syrians face, just the ghost of a shy smile. It was a sight truly fucking beautiful to behold.
Nasir slapped him on the arm then, tearing him from his thoughts, and indicated the small cart with a nod.
"let us see what treasures we have liberated from Rome shall we?"
Agron nodded dumbly and followed Nasir to where the cart stood now unguarded, watching in silence as the curtain was pulled back to reveal it's cargo and grinning when he realised what the cargo was.
"Finally the Gods show fucking kindness." He said. "Spirit's will surely be lifted when we return to camp with this."
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