In Veritas Memento
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All aspects of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena are owned by Steven De Knight and Starz. This is for pure entertainment value alone.
This story takes place after the episode Missio, yet it veers completely into an A/U after the events of that episode. I am a huge fan of the series Spartacus; however, my favorite character is Gannicus. This is his story.
Warnings: M for a reason. This story is much like the show. It contains bad words and smut! If that is not your cup of tea, turn back now. Although, if cussing and nude scenes offend, are you sure you're a fan of Spartacus?! ;) Hehehe. Kidding. Anyhow, you've been warned.
Pairings: There are multiple pairings, and Gannicus has more than one partner in this story, however, Gannicus/Melitta is endgame. If reading Gannicus with multiple pairings offends you, again, turn back now.
Chapter 29: lux ex tenebris: Light from darkness.
The House of Batiatus gladiators returned triumphant from Nola with all four brothers earning victory in the arena.
Batiatus jumped down from the driver's seat, a broad grin on his face. "The House of Batiatus stands triumphant!" he crowed. He turned to Oenomaus. "See the men well rewarded for their efforts."
Batiatus stopped to speak with Gannicus. "Varis makes another request for your services," he told the blonde gladiator.
Gannicus froze, his stomach knotting violently at Batiatus' words. Not Varis! He wanted to question Batiatus. Ask him to what purpose Varis made request, but Gannicus was well-aware how Dominus responded to being questioned by his slaves. Instead he nodded his head. "Dominus."
Gannicus' trepidation must have shown because Quintus clapped him on the back and eased his worries. "For the Primus of the Vinalia Rustica, Gannicus. Nothing more," he said, much to the gladiator's relief. "I have not agreed to terms as of yet, but I can fucking tell you this, your fee will be substantially greater than it was for his Vinalia Urbana!"
Gannicus chuckled. "I am no longer a bargain then?"
Quintus grabbed him by both biceps. "You are prime gladiator flesh! Only the Primus, Gannicus. Nothing less." He rubbed his hands together. "I can practically feel the fucking coin falling into purse!" Batiatus said to his champion. "We will speak more on the matter after I make decision."
"Dominus," Gannicus said, inclining his head once again.
Batiatus gave his gladiator one last pleased smile before he turned and headed for the villa. Gannicus had no time to worry over being hired by Varis again because the gladiators began to cheer as one by one the victorious brothers exited the wagon.
Barca was first and Gannicus noticed the man bore not a scratch upon his body. "Ah, the Beast returns," he announced, "and not a blemish to be found." He grabbed Barca by the forearm and pulled him close. "A fine showing then," he said with a grin.
Barca returned grin. "They wept like cunts seeking cock!" He grabbed his crotch and jiggled it wildly. "And we gave it to them—up fucking ass!"
Gannicus chuckled, shaking his head at his brother's enthusiasm. Duratius, Rhaskos and Crixus followed the Beast from the wagon, none of them bearing anything more than minor injury. Gannicus greeted them all with the shake of the brotherhood, welcoming them back and offering congratulations on their victories.
Surprisingly, another exited the cart after the gladiators. He was dressed in rags, and young, a youth in his last vestiges of boyhood, about to become man. Gannicus estimated him to be in his late teen years.
He went up to Barca and nodded his head at the newcomer. "A new recruit?"
Oenomaus happened to be standing nearby. "His name is Pietros. He was beggar on street," the Doctore replied.
Gannicus turned to face his old friend, but the resentment and jealousy he felt for the man bubbled up in him once again. If not for Oenomaus, Melitta would be his. She loved him but felt guilt for those feelings due to Oenomaus. If only the Doctore would release her, Gannicus would not have to.
Immediately, the gladiator was disgusted with his selfish thoughts and banished them from brain. "Batiatus was feeling generous then?" he queried, meeting Oenomaus' gaze for a moment before looking away again.
The Doctore shook his head. "The boy lost mother at tender age and lived upon the streets of Nola since. He begged for chance to become gladiator."
"He bears the heart of a survivor," Gannicus said, nodding his head in recognition of such a feat. "Is he to train with the men?"
The boy had turned a bit green from the sight of blood upon the men. Oenomaus shook his head. "I am uncertain he has the stomach for it. He will serve as gladius until he finds his legs upon the sand."
Barca elbowed Gannicus. "Or until he finds his way upon my bed."
Gannicus laughed heartily and clapped Barca on the back. "It is good to see you smile, brother." The two gladiators began walking towards the eating area where the rest of the men were. "Come, I have wine waiting to celebrate your victory."
Oenomaus watched as Gannicus and Barca walked away, leaving him standing there as if he had not once stood among them as brother. Gannicus' brusque dismissal of him especially stung, but the blonde gladiator had been distancing himself for months. Oenomaus had finally come to accept whatever thing had come between him and his old friend was not fading from memory. Their friendship was broken somehow, and he was absent knowledge as to why. If he knew what caused Gannicus to break bonds with him, perhaps then he could fix the issue, or at least learn to live with it.
*8*
It was late and both the men's barracks and the villa were quiet. Diona stood at the edge of the cliff in the training yard. She liked to come out here sometimes late at night. It was peaceful. Tonight, she was simply enjoying view of the seemingly endless space below when Gannicus' cell door suddenly crashed open and he came tumbling out.
"My cock rages on…my cock rages on…" he sang, an amphora of wine in one hand, while the other was raised in fist as he belted out the chorus of his crude song; he was staggering about, obviously deep in his cups.
He spotted her. "Diona!" he called, much louder than he should considering the hour.
She rushed over to him. "Ssshhh. Lower voice," she hissed. She was not supposed to be in the yard. In truth, the guard at the gate between the villa and the ludus thought she was with Gannicus. Well, now she was.
His voice quieted to a drunken whisper. "What are you doing out here by the cliff? Do you wish to grow wings and fly away?" he asked, flapping his hands as if they were wings. He chuckled at his own jest.
"No. I do not believe I will flutter away off yonder cliff," she told him rolling her eyes at such a thing. "But, I do worry you might take plunge if allowed too close to dangerous edge." She put an arm around his waist and led him back inside the safety of his quarters.
Diona was uncertain what had caused Gannicus' spiral, but he had taken to overindulgence in drink the last few days. She suspected Melitta was involved because her temperament had been distressed for days as well. She led him to his bed, took the wine from him and set it on his table. She let him go and watched as he fell to his bed, landing on his back with a drunken laugh.
"Gratitude," he said to her, his grin crooked, much like his mind presently.
"Perhaps you should have less drink. Then you could put yourself to bed."
He opened one eye. "Bite tongue. No such thing as too much drink."
He was lying sideways on his bed with his feet on the floor, so Diona bent down, took hold of his ankles and swung his legs about, putting him in bed properly. In the doing, the short dark green loin cloth he wore rose up exposing him to her gaze. Diona blushed red to the roots of her hair and immediately tugged it back into a more respectable position.
"Hey!" he said when she touched his wrap. He smacked at her hand drunkenly. "If you want to view cock, Diona, you could at least ask first," he teased with a wide, cheeky grin.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Rest tongue before you make even greater jackass out of self than you have presently."
His lip jutted out. "You are mean."
She came around his bed to his side again and brushed his hair back from his face, her heart aching for him because, despite his grin, he was obviously deeply wounded. "Rest mind and fall to Morpheus' arms, Gannicus," she said softly.
She turned to leave, but his hand reached for her with a speed that surprised considering the state of his inebriation. "Don't go," he said forlornly. Diona hesitated but he tugged at her hand, holding on to it. With a sigh, she gave in and sat down on the bed beside him.
He turned on his side and wrapped an arm around her middle, pulling her backwards so she was half laying upon him. Diona's heart began to pound as he kept her there, her back pressed against his chest.
"Lay with me."
It was a whisper, but she heard it. Was he asking her to fuck or simply cuddle? Diona was unsure, but her tender heart ached for him and she could not leave him so sad. Against better judgement, she got into the bed, on her side, in front of him. His arm tightened around her and he kissed the back of her neck, sending goosebumps along her entire body.
"Mmm, better," he murmured as his other arm came around, so he was hugging her from behind. Diona started to relax until he scooted right up against her backside, causing breath to catch when she suspected he had somehow lost his wrap and was naked. Too nervous to turn around and discover truth, she swallowed and remained utterly still before him, heart pounding furiously.
They lay like that for several minutes, until Diona, believing he had fallen asleep, started to lift one of his arms to quit bed. That was when his hand moved, sliding up her belly to palm her breast. Diona gasped, as his thumb rubbed her nipple causing it to harden immediately. She held her breath, afraid to move. He growled behind her and placed another wet kiss to the nape of her neck as he pressed against her, the hard length of his erection giving proof he was awake; at least a part of him was. Desire flooded her, but she was unsure what to do. He was terribly drunk. She desired him, but she did not feel right being with him in such a state; as if she were taking advantage.
"Gannicus?" she whispered, biting her lip to keep her moan quiet when his other hand slid down her belly towards the junction at her thighs.
"Hmm?" he replied lazily, still rubbing her nipple with his thumb while his other busy hand cupped her sex.
"What are you doing?" she gasped breathlessly.
"Distracting myself," he answered, rolling her under him in a movement so quick, but fluid, Diona was unsure how he managed it in his drunken state. Surprised, she suddenly found herself gazing up at him as he hovered above her; he was indeed nude.
"Explain meaning," she said, but clear thinking was becoming more difficult by the moment as he rolled his hips, rocking against her while his lips descended to her neck and began to trail kisses along the column of her throat. His hot breath was against her ear, then his mouth was there, and his erection was between her thighs… an intense heat flooded her; she felt flushed and her sex began to throb and pulse with a sharp ache that made her crave him within her. In a daze, she saw him balance himself on one arm above her and then she felt his fingers between her legs, touching her, sliding between the damp folds to her entrance.
Diona could not keep her moan behind teeth. "Gods!" Her hands gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his firm flesh as she felt the head of his cock replace his fingers.
"Gannicus, are—oh!" She started to ask him if he was certain he desired this when he pressed forward, entering her in one deep thrust of his hips.
It was breathtaking, and Diona was beyond sense to stop any longer. He started to move, and she tilted her hips, moving in time with him, eager to find the pleasure she knew he offered now that deed was done, and he was inside her. And when he kissed her, she kissed him back, burying her fingers in his hair, their tongues mating much like their bodies.
Later, Diona removed the muscled arm that held her pinned and pulled herself from his bed. She felt thoroughly ravished. He had taken her twice before falling into drunken stupor beside her. As she redressed, she gazed down at his unconscious form. He had kicked his furs off, and for the first time, she could study him without him returning favor. He was snoring softly, a small smile curling his lips upward, his golden body sleek and firm, rippling with glorious muscle. So beautiful, Diona felt her heart flutter. Her eyes landed on the part of him that had given her such pleasure just hours ago, and her face flushed; she pulled his furs up around his waist once more. He stirred heart, but he did not share sentiment. She was aware his belonged to Melitta. She suspected he would regret tonight when he awoke on the morrow, but she did not. Standing as slave in the Batiatus house, happiness was a fleeting thing; and she, more than others, understood how the life of a slave can turn to shit in a moment's notice. Gannicus made her happy. She would never tell him she loved him (she had feeling he would run like frightened rabbit if she did!) instead, she would hold him dear as friend who sometimes made her body sing.
Diona smiled, brushing his hair back from his face. She could live with that.
*8*
The next morning, Gannicus awoke with splitting headache. It was as if a hundred tiny men were inside skull trying to hammer their way out! For the first time in many years, his memory of the night prior was not immediately present, and he had to sit down and recreate his night bit by bit before it came back to him. He had memory of his brothers coming back from Nola victorious. They began drinking. He recalled plying the guards with an amphora of his wine, so they would ignore him if he became loud. He recalled singing in his cell and then… it was as if night ended there. Perhaps he simply fell to his bed after impromptu song, but no. He recalled going outside. Yes. He went outside and Diona was there, by the cliff. As soon as he thought of her, memories flooded brain. His eyes widened, and he let out a soft curse. Diona. He suddenly remembered everything, including fucking Diona!
*8*
He had just finished breaking his fast when a guard told Gannicus he was summoned. He nodded and followed the man to the gate. When he saw Diona waiting for him there, his steps faltered. There was an awkward pause between them as Gannicus crossed the threshold from barracks to villa; Gannicus broke it with an offer of contrition.
"Apologies Diona," he said softly. "I have not the words that will excuse my actions."
"None required," she told him, "It is I who should offer apologies to you." He seemed puzzled by that and Diona went on. "You were deep in your cups. I should have said no. Perhaps you feel I took advantage."
He snorted with sarcastic laughter. "That's fucking ridiculous!" he scoffed. "I have been drunker." Her eyes widened, and he admitted, "pride does not follow such a statement, but it is truth. I knew what I was about last evening. You did not molest me, Diona."
"Then no apologies are needed at all," she told him. "I knew what I was about as well. It was pleasurable night. Nothing more." When he looked unconvinced, Diona playfully teased, "Gannicus, contrary to the high opinion you have of yourself and your charms, I assure you I am not plotting to seduce you into relationship with me. I am well satisfied with our friendship as it stands."
He was thrown by her snippy comment until it sunk in Diona was not expecting anything from him after last night, and then the humor of her comment hit him, and he laughed despite her remarks regarding his opinion of himself. "I see you have spent the morning sharpening tongue," he told her, relieved they could remain as they were. "Your words cut deeper than my swords!"
"The truth always does," she replied with cheeky smile. He mock scowled at her for that comment and she giggled. "So, we are fine then?" she asked finally.
He nodded. "We are fine, although my ego may have suffered fatal blow," he joked, chuckling.
She turned her nose up at him. "Please, your ego is large enough to withstand some cutting."
Gannicus was unsure where this fiery Diona came from, but he liked it. "Jupiter's cock! I took a sweet innocent to bed last night and have awoken to a sharp-tongued termagant!" His grin belied his statement, giving truth to his appreciation for her wit.
Gannicus began to head up the stairs towards the villa. He felt lighter of heart after talking with her and was glad they'd had words, even though Batiatus was going to be irritated it had taken him so long to comply with being summoned.
"Where do you go?" Diona called to him, still standing at the bottom of the stairs.
He glanced over his shoulder at her. "I was summoned," he said, wondering at her words as well as the grin she sported.
"And who do you think summoned you?"
Reason behind grin dawned and he headed back down the stairs. "You summoned me." It was not a question. New admiration appeared in his gaze. "You have grown bold overnight."
"Fortune favors the bold," she said with an impudent shrug of her shoulders. "And, I wanted to ensure you did not attempt something foolish in your desperation to escape my clutches. After all, you do still owe me a foot massage."
He rolled his eyes at her as he headed back for the gate. "Now you just talk shit!" But he was laughing softly. "Come to my cell tonight. I will give you damned foot massage and we will roll the bones again."
"You are a glutton for punishment; are you not?" she teased as she headed back up the stairs.
"I have to win sometime," he called after her as the guard opened the gate for him.
"If you say so," she called back, her giggle echoing behind her as she left.
Gannicus shook his head. Diona had certainly come out of shell today, but he found himself enjoying their verbal sparring. It reminded him of… He stopped himself right there. Thoughts of her is what had him drinking so much last night to begin with. He did not plan to start his day with more of the same and banished thoughts of Melitta far from mind.
*8*
It was a hot Iunius (June) day in the yard, and Gannicus was sparring with Barca, in the shade, while Oenomaus was giving lesson to Crixus.
"If you study, train and heed instruction, Crixus, one day, your name will be whispered with awe and fear, like our champion, Gannicus," the Doctore said, extending his hand towards the blonde gladiator.
Hearing his name, Gannicus paused and took a moment to observe them more closely. Lately, the man had spent an unusual amount of time working one on one with their newest brother. For some reason, it set him on edge. The manner with which the Doctore guided the man, it gave appearance Oenomaus was grooming the Gaul to become champion sooner rather than later. That disturbed Gannicus on many levels, primarily, because he was not ready to release mantle of champion. So, why was Crixus being trained to assume it?
He tilted his head towards the dark-haired Gaul and asked Barca's thoughts on the matter. "What make you of Oenomaus working so closely with Crixus?"
Barca grinned and nudged Gannicus in the chest with his spear. "Afraid the King may topple from his throne if given challenge?"
Gannicus sighed at the "King" comment. "I had hoped we were past the King Gannicus shit, Barca," he snapped.
Barca immediately looked repentant. "Apologies. What you have done for all of us. I should not—"
"Close fucking mouth, brother," Gannicus said, annoyed he had overreacted to the jest at all. "I did nothing but share good fortune with my brothers. Something you would have done if positions were reversed."
Barca nodded, agreeing with the truth in that and let the subject drop as his gaze set upon Crixus and Oenomaus. "In truth, I had not paid it much mind, but you are right, Doctore has been working the man far more than previously."
Both gladiators watched as Oenomaus sparred with the Gaul, offering advice on how to disarm your opponent. Gannicus' brows shot up in surprise when Crixus was able to snatch away the bigger man's sword in a move reminiscent of the one used to disarm him of sword in their exhibition months back.
"Crixus shows promise," the blonde gladiator commented, making mental note to never use that attack again, it offered too many opportunities for opponent to remove weapon from hand.
"He does. He did well in his match in Nola," Barca said, and then added teasingly, "Perhaps Oenomaus prepares him as challenger to you one day."
It was said as a joke, but Gannicus did not find it as amusing as his brother. Was Oenomaus preparing Crixus to replace him as champion? If such was true, why? Was something afoot that he was unaware of? He found it impossible to believe that Batiatus would want to replace him, but Titus might. Had Octavia been wrong? Perhaps Titus made plans with Tullius with none the wiser? It was a troubling thought and Gannicus made note to pay closer attention to the instructions Oenomaus gave to the man in the future.
"Then he had better hope the Gaul suddenly sprouts another arm because that is the only way Crixus will best me in contest!" he replied, a cocky grin upon face.
Barca laughed. "And two inches to his cock as well!"
Gannicus chuckled in response and the two gladiators once again resumed their training.
*8*
After training was finished for the day, Gannicus made his way to the medicus' chamber for his rub down. The gladiators received them weekly or daily, depending on the condition of their aches and pains. It was an important part of their regimen. Training was rigorous; to maintain fluid movements in the arena, a gladiator could not be plagued with stiff, tight muscles. The woman who assisted the medicus in giving the men their massages was a new slave, a pretty whore he had recently become intimately familiar with. After drunken incident with Diona, he realized he needed outlet for his body's desires, and Gannicus did what he always had in the past, he turned to whores. This day, Gannicus had other aches besides sore shoulder in mind as he entered the room. To his surprise, Octavia's man, Seppukus, was attending the men rather than Horatio, and Evia, the woman he desired to see was nowhere to be found.
The big man with the shocking white hair smiled when he noticed the blonde gladiator standing in the doorway. He remembered Gannicus from Octavia's villa. "Ah, Gannicus," he said, "what ails you today?"
"I have come for massage," Gannicus said. He looked around the room. "Where is Evia?"
Seppukus sighed and was quiet for a moment before he answered. "She has been replaced with Jana." He motioned across the room.
Gannicus glanced over to where a blonde slave woman, taller than he and broad of shoulder, was rubbing Dagan down. From the look on Dagan's face, she gave good massage, but she was a bit manly for what Gannicus had in mind. He frowned as he considered his options. "Where did Evia go?" The big medicus looked away and something in Seppukus' face sparked Gannicus' suspicions. Had Octavia sent the man to spy? "Did she send you here?" He did not have to clarify who the 'she' was.
Seppukus was a good man and did not care for his command to 'keep an eye on the gladiator', so he broke plain words with Gannicus. "She did, with command to watch you. Apologies, but this cannot come as surprise," the man said in empathetic manner, obviously not thrilled with his role as Gannicus' watchdog.
"And Evia?" Gannicus asked, an anxious feeling beginning to slither its way into his stomach. "Is she absent per her command as well?"
Seppukus nodded. "She is aware your cock found itself within another, yes."
Gannicus let out a soft curse. "How does she know such a thing? You could not have informed her, you have only just arrived."
"Gannicus, the woman is cunning and has more coin than you and I will see in a hundred lifetimes. I am not her only means of gaining information. Perhaps she paid a guard or even the whores of this ludus to report to her. I am unaware how she received her knowledge. I am only aware she has it."
Resigned to the fact that his carefree days were once again a thing of the past, Gannicus took up position on Seppukus' table. His shoulder was bothering him, and he needed a rubdown. Unfortunately for him, it would not have the happy ending his previous massages had. "Was she enraged beyond all reason?" he asked, laying down on his belly upon the long table. "Should I be concerned for life and limb?" He tried to make it sound as jest, but there was real concern in his voice. Knowing Octavia as he did, and how she lost mind when she even suspected he wanted to put cock anywhere but within her noble fucking cunt, Gannicus had cause to be worried.
Seppukus chuckled. "No. She was surprisingly accepting of your wandering cock! However, she wants it to stop, which is why she sent me."
Gannicus exhaled loudly. "Rest assured. It has."
"Ease mind, Gannicus. You have one month until you leave for Rome, surely you can go without a woman for a mere month."
Gannicus snorted. He had not gone more than a week without a woman since he'd had his first. He always had coin or charm with which to pry thighs apart. It had been four days presently, and he was feeling the hunger already. How could he stand a whole fucking month?! He felt mood darkening. He had thought himself free of her, yet she was once again taking control of him and his cock! Gannicus did not like it, not one bit.
Seppukus began rubbing his shoulders. "This is a new liniment I mixed today. It does wonders for loosening stiff, tired muscles." He said and as he worked his hands along Gannicus' back and shoulders, easing the aches and pains of his day with a strong hand.
Gannicus could feel the tingling relief of Seppukus' liniment almost immediately. He also admitted (to himself) the man gave a far better massage than Evia, it was too bad a good massage was not all Gannicus had desired for the day. Fucking Octavia! He had become used to sex on a near daily basis thanks to her. When she left, she took cunt with her and he was cut off. Now, she was spying on him to ensure he could not relieve ache he had for woman's touch; nor was she present to satisfy urges. It infuriated.
"Fuck!" he muttered under breath. No longer looking forward to his time before Rome. Instead, he was dreading it.
*8*
After he left the medicus' chamber, Gannicus requested an audience with Batiatus. He was concerned for the slave, Evia. He did not want harm to come to her due to his foolishness in believing he could fuck freely and not be found out. Plus, he was certain Batiatus had been informed of his tryst with the woman and would be unhappy with him for being caught; the gladiator knew he had best present himself before being summoned and soothe the man's ruffled feathers before bitter consequence found him.
Batiatus was on the balcony watching the men train when Gannicus arrived. "My titan requests private meeting." Quintus said, waving a hand towards Gannicus. "Speak. What is it you desire? And see it considered."
Gannicus was a bit surprised Batiatus was so gregarious. He had expected the man to be scowling at him. It threw him and Gannicus was silent for a moment too long.
Batiatus snorted. "Did you request audience to fucking stare at me or are you going to come to fucking purpose?"
"Apologies, Dominus," Gannicus said, bringing himself out of his thoughts. "But I wanted to ask if Evia was alright?"
Batiatus frowned. "Evia? Who the fuck is Evia?"
"The slave girl who gives the men their rubdowns," Gannicus explained, wondering how the man could not know the name of his own slave.
"Since fucking when?"
"Since…" And then it hit him, and Gannicus felt like ten kinds of fool. "This last month," he replied slowly, realizing too late Evia, herself, was the spy!
"The fuck you say?" Batiatus growled. "Gannicus, I don't have fucking slave named Evia. Do you claim there is a woman in this ludus, in close fucking proximity with my gladiators, who is not one of my own slaves?!l?" His face showed his irate paranoia at such a thing. "Do I need the fucking guards summoned and have the ludus searched?"
Realizing this was turning into a shit storm at rapid speed, Gannicus tried to extricate himself. "No, Dominus. Calling the guards is not necessary," the gladiator insisted. "I must have confused name is all." He shrugged, as if it was nothing. "I have been accused of being absent of mind when it comes to recalling names." He gave Batiatus a wink. "It has landed me in dire circumstance in the past. Trust words," he said, trying to jest his way clear of the situation he had placed himself in.
Gannicus had no desire to inform on himself to Batiatus. If the man was unaware he was in trouble with Octavia, Gannicus was of a mind to let him stay ignorant. Hopefully, Batiatus would believe his jesting words. They were, in fact, true. He had been on the receiving end of a woman's wrath for calling her by wrong name previously. Most recently, a pretty blonde slave he called Melitta at most inappropriate time; the woman had not been pleased.
Thankfully, it worked. "I fucking bet!" Batiatus said with a shake of his head. "Blessed you are that women are so taken with your fucking cock, a slip like that could cause a man to lose such cherished parts!" he crowed with a grin and let the matter drop.
Gannicus breathed sigh of relief. "It has been threatened, Dominus," he replied with a grin.
After a few more words of idle chatter, Gannicus exited the man's presence, mentally kicking himself the entire way back to the ludus for not realizing Evia was the one who reported to Octavia earlier. Such as, before he nearly landed ass first on fucking sword.
There was a positive note, with Evia standing as spy, there was good chance Octavia had no idea of his drunken tryst with Diona. That relieved the gladiator immensely. He would not soon forgive himself if Diona paid price for his foolishness.
*8*
The next couple of weeks passed in relative pleasantness for Gannicus. Without Octavia to monopolize his every moment, the hours during the day not dedicated to training were once again his own. He spent much of that time with Barca and Duratius, both of whom had become his closest confidantes among the men, and Diona, his new favorite drinking partner. His day to day existence felt somewhat normal to him again, except for being unable to fuck freely. That was a drawback to Octavia's absence he had not foreseen; nor had he considered the lengths she would take to ensure he kept cock from any other cunt. Her iron control over him chafed, but at least he had people in his life he could spend time with, drinking and laughing.
His social circle were not the same people he had spent so many years in friendship with, but Gannicus could no longer deny his relationships with Oenomaus and Melitta were changed irreparably. His love for Melitta overwhelmed all reason and logic. He spent half his time pining for her and the other half trying to rid himself of her image. As result, his feelings for Oenomaus had been altered. He found himself jealous and angry at the man, which shamed Gannicus to no end, and made it difficult to face Oenomaus. For a time, the Doctore had tried to discover why Gannicus avoided him, but when the gladiator would not admit there was problem between them, the big man stopped making overtures to mend broken friendship. In the last month the two men rarely spoke, except during training, and while Gannicus followed his Doctore's command, the bond they once shared had been ripped apart.
And then there was Melitta herself. He had spoken to her only that once when she had begged him to let her go. He had honored her request and they had not had words since. Although at times he felt her gaze upon him, yet when he turned to look, she would always glance away. He supposed it was for the best, but it still ached, a pain that did not abate, no matter time or distance.
As per Batiatus' directive, Gannicus had taken up training with the bow. He practiced nightly until he had become more than proficient, he was quite good in fact, a feat he was proud of. He trained with the weapon after the other gladiators retired for the night, working in darkened yard had made task more difficult, but he refused to have his brothers watch him as he began to teach himself how to use the damned thing. He got enough ribbing from other sources, his skill with a weapon was one area he was never teased. After a rather frustrating first few days in which he hit his target one out of ten times, he rarely missed any more. In fact, Batiatus had excused him of training any further as of last week, but Gannicus found he liked using a bow. It taught him patience, and the better he got, the more he enjoyed working with the weapon.
He had even devised means to practice hitting moving objects by placing a hook into a beam above the dining hall and constructing a target using a large pillow case stuffed with straw and extra bedding, tied off with laces from some of his old facia and then wrapped with chains in which to hang the target on the hook. At night, when the men were in their cells, Gannicus would drag his make-shift "dummy-man" out of his cell, attach the chain to the hook in the beam, swing the target so it moved back and forth and then practice hitting it in strategic places. The first time he had hit the dummy in its targeted "heart" he had been exhilarated. He could now hit the "heart" dead on nearly every shot he took. It was a satisfying feeling, especially since he trained himself.
Despite his frustration with Octavia, the woman had given him one very solid boon before she departed, the gifting his brothers with finery of their own. It had balanced scales and the lines between Gannicus and the rest of the men were no longer so harsh; it made a difference. His brothers resented his extra comforts far less, because they now had their own, as a result, he heard the title "King Gannicus" less frequently. The bonds between brothers were once again strong, especially now that some of the men had begun competing in the arena again.
Gannicus envied them. He longed to be back in the arena as well. Rome could not come soon enough…