A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short. It was originally intended to be the beginning of what will now be chapter 10 but I decided it didn't really fit, although I felt it was still necessary to advance the story, so I made it a separate (albeit short) chapter.
The sun was still high in the sky and the heat while not stifling was still uncomfortable. Most had broken from training to rest a while and take refreshment. All eyes turned when Agron and Nasir returned to the temple dragging behind them not only the liberated Roman cart but the boar they had killed earlier slung across it.
"What do we have here?" Spartacus asked with a grin as they drew closer to the centre of the courtyard. "It appears your morning has not been without excitement.
"Agron wanted to hunt." Nasir answered with a small, sideways smile in the gladiator's direction.
Agron patted the top of the cart and grinned.
"Indeed. And we came upon a prey we had not expected. Nasir took down one with his bare hands." He said proudly, causing a faint blush to fall upon the smaller man's cheeks.
"Good for you Nasir." Spartacus clapped him lightly on the shoulder. At first Nasir flinched slightly, a fact that did not go unnoticed by Agron and he felt a sudden surge of concern but then he saw a smile tugging at the corner of the Syrian's mouth and knew the casual touch had not caused distress. More so it seemed it was the touch Nasir had noted absent from friends since his assault and spoke to the fact that Spartacus at least did not look upon him differently because of it. Agron shot the Thracian a look of gratitude which was acknowledged with a small nod as he stepped towards the cart. "Now, I am eager to see what treasures the fucking Roman's have gifted us."
It was not just Spartacus who was eager. The assembled rebels chattered and clamoured keenly for a better view of the cart, the resulting commotion drawing further audience from within the temple.
Agron hefted the boar carcass onto the ground and yanked open the curtain so that Spartacus may see what was inside. The cart was loaded with wine, cheese, nuts, exotic spices, small honeyed cakes and an assortment of other luxuries no doubt intended to grace the tables at some Roman shit's banquet and further fatten their bellies. A rare smile lit upon the Thracian's face.
"Agron. Nasir." He said, clapping a hand to Agron's shoulder, as moments ago he had done to Nasir. "You have brought us a most welcome gift. A pleasant distraction from recent hardships that has been overdue for far longer than realised until this moment."
"What do they bring?" One rebel asked. The question quickly spread from mouth to mouth until most everyone was asking it.
"What indeed? Crixus said, stepping from the shadows behind, Naevia at his side and an amused grin splitting his face in two. "Do not hold fucking tongue. Tell us what is in the cart."
Naevia chided him gently though she shared his smile.
"You want to know what is in the cart?" Spartacus teased further, raising eyebrow at Crixus.
"We want to know." He answered, waving his arms and spurring the crowd into a loud clamour.
The Thracian turned to the crowd.
"YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS IN THE CART?"
"YES! WE WANT TO KNOW!"
He gestured knowingly to Agron and Nasir who moved to lift a wine barrel from the cart and set it at Spartacus' feet.
"WHAT IS IN THE CART… IS A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION!"
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