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 42: draco dormiens nunquam titillandus: A sleeping dragon is never to be tickled
The Arena in Capua:
It was just past the mid-day sun when Batiatus, Titus and the rest of their party arrived for Gannicus' exhibition. It was scheduled for late afternoon as a preview to the Primus because Sextus felt seeing the charismatic Champion of Capua would ignite the crowd that much more for the final match. As they maneuvered their way through the throngs of citizens who had come out for the games, Titus paused and made a move towards the lesser seats stating, "their gladiator was not truly fighting in the games they did not belong upon the pulvinus". Magistrate Sextus, however, had other plans and called out for them to join him in the vaunted seats, much to Quintus' pleasure. Since the games were Sextus', he sat in the middle chair with Tullius to his right and Vettius to his left. To Batiatus' surprise, Tullius invited his father to sit next to him, leaving Batiatus to sit next to the child Vettius or be relegated to the second row with Lucretia, Gaia and Sextus' wife. Batiatus took his seat next to the child and smirked when the boy looked as if his fortunes had shriveled to the size of his tiny cock! He decided he did not mind sitting next to Vettius after all, not when it irritated the boy so.
*8*
Under the arena, Gannicus' blood was humming. Being at the games made him want to take up his swords and spill some blood.
"Someday, you and I will have contest and I shall remove that pretty head of yours, Champion!"
Gannicus turned to where the voice was coming from and saw Vettius' brute, Caburus in the cell across from him.
Gannicus went up to the bars and flashed the beefy gladiator a grin. "You are welcome to try," he taunted.
The massive giant gave Gannicus a smile full of rotting teeth. "I would give you a glorious death, Gannicus," he said, and then he sneered. "Then I would fuck your pretty little corpse right there in the arena for all your admirers to see!"
Gannicus laughed in the bigger gladiator's face. "Face me upon the sands, Caburus, and the only thing your cock shall find is the arena floor as you fall to your death by my swords."
The other gladiator snarled at Gannicus, shaking the bars in his anger, to which the blonde gladiator simply chuckled and turned his back towards Caburus in a show of disrespect.
"You wouldn't turn fucking back if we were in the arena!" Caburus growled.
Gannicus gave another low chuckle. "I would when faced with rancid fucking breath. I can smell the stench of shit from here," he said with an unrepentant grin.
Caburus looked like he wanted to say more but just then the guards came to escort Gannicus to the arena. One of the guards had his wooden practice swords while the other carried steel. Gannicus held out his hands for the steel swords, his ego would not allow him to touch those wooden swords in front of the other gladiators.
One gladiator from Vettius' stable, who had already fought earlier, snickered as he noticed the wooden swords. "Are you fighting with wooden sticks today, like fucking child? Some Champion!"
Gannicus turned to the man and rolled his eyes. "Close fucking mouth. You, I could kill with only wood as weapon, absent an arm and both fucking legs!"
Several of the other gladiators laughed at the man's expense, and Gannicus took his steel gladius swords in hand and headed towards the gates of life that opened into the arena; he did not look back at any of the men behind him.
*8*
From his seat on the Pulvinus, Sextus had chosen a boy from the audience to receive special instruction from Gannicus. He had placed a man in each section and they had walked through the crowd finding all the boys who had met their fifteenth year presently. Sextus would then nod or shake his head. He had finally settled on a boy, named Latavius Marilius, whose family was quite wealthy and were influential in local politics. Latavius had been ushered along the walkway and down the steps that led out of the arena and would be brought back into the arena after Gannicus made his entrance.
Batiatus stood and made introduction. He listed several titles he had given Gannicus from "giant killer" to "slayer of beasts", Batiatus was quite the orator and enjoyed pumping up the crowd with inflated boasts. Finally, he got to introducing Gannicus. "For your pleasure," he said, waving an arm towards the gates of life, "I give you the Mighty Gannicus, God of the Arena and Champion of Capua!"
Gannicus sauntered out, a grin on his face, his gleeful laughter filling the air as he spun in a circle in the center of the arena. He roared for the crowd, holding his swords high. His happiness to be upon the sands (for any reason) obvious.
Even though Gannicus was not there to spill blood, the crowd erupted when he presented himself.
Tullius noticed the steel swords in the gladiator's hands and leaned over to Titus. "Why does he brandish steel?" the merchant asked with a frown. "Titus, your man does realize he is merely educating a young man newly adorned in his toga virillis, does he not?"
Titus chuckled. "Gannicus is clear to purpose, but my son would not see the man enter the arena with wooden swords. I was inclined to agree with him…for once," he said with a smile. "Gannicus is a gladiator and Champion of Capua. He shall take the sand as such."
For an exhibition, it was exciting to have a gladiator of Gannicus' skill offering advice. For a gladiator used to blood sport, it was boring, but Gannicus kept mind to task and instructed Latavius on several sword tricks, defensive and attack maneuvers and, in general, how to fight like a gladiator. He showed him how to use an opponent's size and weight against them by teaching the boy a few intricate wrestling holds, as well as how to use those holds to reclaim weapons lost. Latavius was thrilled, and although Gannicus thought it a bit blasé, the happiness on the young man's face did make him smile. More importantly, the public loved it, cheering his name as if he had spilled blood for them.
The instruction was nearing its end, and Gannicus was advising Latavius on how to both attack and defend simultaneously by using one sword to slash at an enemy, and another to defend, when suddenly there was a commotion from the crowd. Gannicus swore he heard Melitta cry his name, and instincts honed from years in the arena made the blonde gladiator spin about, feeling a threat at his back. To Gannicus' shock, a man was racing across the sand towards him and the boy wielding a gladius sword in his right hand. The raised sword, as well as the look on the man's face, spoke of his intent to use the weapon with deadly purpose.
Upon the pulvinus there were stunned faces all around, except Tullius and Vettius. It was very quick, but for just a moment, their eyes met, and a small smile flicked across the merchant's face before both men assumed similar expressions of outrage that the rest of the audience had.
Batiatus leaped to his feet. "What the fuck!" he shouted. "Stop him! Where are the fucking guards?"
Gannicus began hustling Latavius towards the gates and safety, but the man was nearly upon them. "Run!" he ordered his young pupil. "Get to the gates!" Just then his attacker swung the blade and, as Gannicus shielded Latavius with his body, the sword slashed through the flesh of his back, earning a sharp cry of pain from the champion.
"Go boy!" he yelled, giving Latavius a shove to get him moving. "See yourself to safety."
Once Latavius was running away, Gannicus spun about to face the man who was, for unknown reason, trying to murder him. The man swung the sword again and Gannicus ducked the wild swing, the man brought the sword about again, lower this time and Gannicus leaped above the sword's blade, narrowly avoiding having his legs hacked off at the knees!
"You have to die!" the man screeched and brought the blade around with all his might; had weapon found its target, it would have ended life and removed limbs. As it was, Gannicus dodged the swing and the sword became imbedded into the wooden fencing of the arena with a solid thunk, lending proof to the force behind the blow. Gannicus glanced to his left, noticed the sword was lodged in the wall and took the opportunity to attack the man. He lowered his shoulder and rushed his foe, crashing into the man with a roar of fury and knocking him to the ground. He landed several blows to the man's face before leaping to his feet and yanking the man's sword from the wall. At that point, the guards had gotten Latavius safely from the arena and were converging upon the sands after the assailant, but Gannicus was now armed with a sword and enraged! The guards paused, unsure if they should get close to the angry gladiator.
Gannicus stalked over to the man who had tried to rob him of his life and pressed the tip of the blade to his throat. "Why do you attack me?" he demanded in a deadly voice. "Part lips and bring to light the one who sent you. Perhaps you shall live to see another day."
"I am under no orders," the man said. "I wanted to gain notice in my own bid to become gladiator. You are Champion of Capua, killing you would advance my cause."
Gannicus did not believe him for an instant. It made no fucking sense because there was no honor in attacking and killing an unarmed opponent. A gladiator would never desire such a contest, but he doubted the coward would change story. Lies tended to flow with greater ease when a man was pressed, and Gannicus' assailant was obviously pressed to attempt an attack that meant certain death, even if he were successful. Gannicus could think of only one man who stood to gain from his demise and who was nefarious enough to plot having him murdered at simple exhibition… He glanced up to the pulvinus where Tullius sat. The merchant was scowling, but that was not proof of his involvement.
Just how far would the man go to win?
The crowd started to chant, "Kill him. Kill him. Kill him."
Gannicus heard the chants and reacted to them. If he could not get the truth from the man, he would have revenge. He raised the arm not holding a sword, waving the audience on and stirring their frenzy even more. "What say you, Capua?" He called out, garnering the entire arena's attention. "The man says he attacks me like fucking coward because he wants to be gladiator. Shall I give him proper contest? Show him the mettle of a true gladiator?"
The crowd exploded in a cacophony of cheers and whistles at the possibility of such a thing.
Gannicus turned to the pulvinus and bowed in respect. "I would have my swords," he said, chin raised, almost demanding they allow him to mete out his own brand of justice.
Titus and Quintus shared a glance. The damage was done. Gannicus had been injured, yet obviously not so terribly that he was unable to defend himself. Allowing him to exact immediate vengeance would please their gladiator as well as the audience, both men knew this, but there was the risk factor of Gannicus receiving further injury. With the Apolloinares were little over a week away, it was a dangerous venture to allow their gladiator to fight in the arena.
"Listen to the crowd…they want vengeance," Sextus said, realizing his games were going to be talked about for years to come because of the dramatic way the champion was being lured into contest. "The man has dishonored the games. For the sake of example, Gannicus should be allowed retribution, ad gladium."
Titus looked around the arena. It was true, the public were clamoring for quick and brutal justice. The elder Batiatus smirked at Sextus. "His fee just changed exponentially," the old man said drolly.
Sextus did not care. "Abundantly worth the cost and well served in the doing, Titus," he said with a wide smile. "Your man stirs the blood of his audience. Name price and I will pay it."
Seeing his father agree, Batiatus stood. "Bring the Champion his swords." The public applauded the decision in a deafening roar of approval, and Quintus ate it up. "And give this shit eater a shield." Quintus glanced to the man his gladiator was still holding at bay with a sword to the throat. "You attack my man when he is absent weapon to defend himself, a cowardly deed for certain. But to attack young Latavius Marilius, a boy from one of Capua's own prominent families, just recently donning the toga virillis and taking his first steps into manhood… for that you will face a true God upon the sands a be gutted like the dog you are!
The spectators howled, demanding justice and death. Again, Gannicus' name became a chant the crowd inundated the arena with.
The guards came onto the floor of the arena and handed Gannicus his swords, just as Latavius was escorted back to where his distinguished father sat in the higher end seats of the arena, next to the pulvinus. The boy was absent injury thanks to the Champion of Capua, and the crowd cheered, appreciative of that fact.
Quintus waited, allowing them to quiet down before he went on. "Citizens of Capua, this shit fuck's actions have not escaped the Gods, and he will be punished by a God. Your champion, who sacrificed blood to save the young Latavius, is feeling generous to you and has offered a showing of blood for blood."
Once Gannicus had his own weapons, he tossed the man's sword upon the sand. The would-be attacker picked up the sword and got to his feet, taking the shield from the guards as well. The crowd was eager to see the coward pay for his crime.
A man in the front row spit at the man. "It appears you shall have your wish, you cunt!"
"May the Gods shrivel fucking cock!" Another man snarled, shaking his fist.
"Die, shit eating fucker!" A woman screamed, throwing a piece of fruit at the man. It bounced off his temple and landed in a puddle of congealed blood.
Ever the public speaker, Batiatus raised his arms towards the crowd to settle them. "Today, for his cowardly deeds, this shiteater will face justice upon the sands, ad gladium, and death shall be final reward!" The crowd roared its support and Quintus gave them a moment before calming them once more. "Your Champion, the instrument of his retribution, would share it with you, Capua!" Batiatus waved his arms at Gannicus who now boasted his dual swords "I give you, the Mighty Gannicus, Champion of Capua, Adjudicator of Justice, and the only true God of the Arena!" he ended with a shout and, once again, the audience went wild.
As Batiatus took his seat, Sextus glanced to the lanista and smiled, "You are quite the orator, Batiatus. Perhaps I should have you write my campaign speeches."
"Gratitude, Good Sextus. By wisdom and effort, I manage to prevail upon public opinion a time or two," he said with a grin, as he retook his seat.
Lucretia leaned forward and kissed him. Both pleased to see unfortunate event metamorphizing into opportunity to gain favor.
In the arena:
"You attack me like rabid dog, nipping at heel rather than make proper challenge," Gannicus said, circling the man. "And yet, I am sure true contest was never your intent. No, you planned to put sword to my back, unarmed and ill-prepared." Gannicus paused. "Today I shall teach you the ways of a gladiator, in brutal fashion." He waved the man forward. "Come, here is your opportunity to make name for yourself. If that is truly what you seek."
His laughter rang out for all to hear when the would-be-murderer let out a cry and charged.
*8*
Upon the pulvinus, Melitta watched the impromptu contest below anxiously; at least, he was now armed, and she could breathe again. When the man had charged Gannicus, with him absent weapons to fend off his attacker, she had very nearly fainted with fear and, had in fact, cried out Gannicus' name to warn him of danger. When the assailant's blade had found flesh, it was only her grip on Domina's chair that had kept her standing when her knees weakened at the sight. She had not stopped trembling until Gannicus had taken weapon and put the man upon back in the arena. She was still shaken and found contest hard to watch.
It was only last night that she had finally come to decision and opened heart to him fully. And, despite the weight of conscience her betrayal of Oenomaus reaped, she stood harmonious with her decision. She loved Gannicus, and if given choice, he was the man she would choose for herself. She could not lose him now. It would end her, of this she had little doubt.
Melitta offered silent prayers to the Gods to keep him safe and see him back to her arms as she watched her lover face the man who tried to rob him of life, absent honor or glory.
*8*
Gannicus quickly realized his attacker was no ordinary citizen. The man bore a brand that had been obscured by another brand being placed over the former. In addition, he had some gladiatorial training; he was neither skilled nor well trained enough to pose serious threat, just enough to make him dangerous if he was awarded lucky break. Gannicus noted these things as he played a game of cat and mouse with his spontaneous opponent, observing how he attacked while delivering reckoning to the man through a series of ghastly, yet non-fatal wounds. The man had been hired to kill him, of that Gannicus was positive; he would make the man pay for accepting position.
The public leapt to their feet in delight when, early on, Gannicus gave them a display of his well-known acrobatic skills by running up the side of the wall and flipping backwards over his challenger's head to land behind the man's back. With a snarl, the blonde gladiator struck with lightning fast precision, his sword found flesh and opened a nasty wound along the man's lower back, returning, in kind, wound delivered to him earlier. It was deep and bloody, but not lethal. Gannicus chuckled as the man tried to defend himself, but he was out of his league. The blonde gladiator proved his prowess by driving the man across the sands, from one end of the arena to the next, slicing his opponent apart and toying with his would-be murderer in a manner that had the crowd bellowing their appreciation for their Champion's superior skills.
It was not a long contest, but it was a bloody one. Gannicus stalked the man, leveling numerous injuries that had his adversary leaking blood upon the sand of the entire arena. Gannicus used the match as opportunity to try out some of the more daring moves he had recently devised in preparation for the upcoming Apolloinares. Throughout the bout, Gannicus used the wall of the arena as well as the platform of the stands to showcase his commanding physical dexterity. He ran up the wall and/or leaped upon the platform to bring himself above his opponent, on his return to ground, he would either slash the man with his swords or aim a well-placed kick to the man's face and chest. During the spectacle showcasing his expertise with sword and acrobatics, the crowd was on its feet chanting Gannicus' name continuously.
Dusk had begun to settle when Gannicus decided it was time to bring contest to a close in a fashion not soon forgotten. He knocked his opponent's sword from grasp, kicked his shield aside and delivered a brutal slash to his adversary's belly that tore through layers of flesh and had the man's intestines weeping from the grisly wound.
"Who sent you?" Gannicus asked once more, but the man was done. He dropped to his knees and gurgled in reply as blood spurted from his mouth; the blonde gladiator realized truth would not part the man's lips, this day or ever.
"Capua," he called, gaining their undivided attention, as he stood beside his fallen enemy. "You stand erect in anticipation of more blood!" He held one of his swords in front of his subligaria suggestively. "As do I," he said with a grin, and thrust his hips forward, as if the sword was his cock. His actions drove the frenzied audience into a near uncontrollable state of arousal. "I would see you cum in great geysers as this man's treacherous blood soaks the sand!"
The women in the stands, aroused by the gorgeous gladiator and a thirst for blood, ripped their robes open, exposing their breasts, while lusty screams of "I love you, Gannicus!" or "Fuck me, Gannicus!" filled the air. Playing to his many female fans, Gannicus posed, swords pointed at some of the comelier women who caught his eye. A beautiful brunette sitting in the front row whose breasts were particularly pleasing to the eye called his name and Gannicus winked at her, grinning when she palmed her breasts and shook them at him.
After a moment of pontification for the women in the crowd, Gannicus returned to the task of dispatching his opponent. The champion stood before the man, swords crossed at the ready while his attacker was on his knees, dead, yet still breathing.
"Judge me not. I saved my family," the man choked out, coughing up white frothy blood that signaled death.
"You sought to remove fucking head. Not only do I judge you, I find you guilty, you fuck!"
And with that, he brought both swords slashing across his opponent's belly, delivering a vicious wound that opened the man's stomach and caused his slithery innards to spill out and land in a grotesque pile of entrails upon the sands. The audience went ballistic at the gory display and some of the more excited and brazen members of the crowd began rutting right there in the stands, so intense was their bloodlust. Gannicus gazed into the seats, taking note of the wanton acts of fucking going on amongst the spectators. The crowd was reaching its lusty peak and were in need of release. It was time to grant the Romans the fulfillment they craved, a glorious and climactic end upon the sand to coincide with the culmination of the bawdy demonstrations taking place around it.
Blood humming, Gannicus gave a snarl of impending victory and rammed one of his swords into the man's mouth. The crowd howled their approval as his sword tip burst through the back of the man's skull obscenely, spurting blood and brain across the sand. With another roar, he sliced clean through his fallen foe's neck, removing head from shoulders, yet keeping skull attached to sword! Blood sprayed in rivers of red, igniting the crowd further. When Gannicus raised the man's head kabobbed upon his sword like a trophy, the entire arena was on their feet screaming their approval of Capua's favored Champion; it was a magnificent finish, one not to fade from memory anytime soon.
As Gannicus basked in the public's adoration, his attention was snared by the woman with the eye-catching breasts he had winked at earlier. She was standing now, leaning over the rail to catch his gaze once again.
"Gannicus, I want your cock!" she cried, and dropped her robes altogether to stand naked before him.
Caught up in the debauchery overwhelming the arena, Gannicus took hold of the front of his subligaria and lewdly groped himself. "It is right here," he returned with a grin, aroused by the match as well as the lusty displays all around him.
"Fuck me!" she called to the blonde gladiator and Gannicus watched in amazement as she bent over right there in the stands, offering herself to any man behind her in the audience.
Naturally, considering the crazed atmosphere within the arena, she was suddenly swarmed by men ready to claim what she offered. Gannicus shook his head in wonder at the depravity these Romans fell to when blood was spilled in the arena; the degradation had no bounds. The woman's eyes never left the handsome blonde gladiator as a line formed behind her and Gannicus' jaded laughter rang out when the whore called *his* name for all to hear while getting publicly plowed by other men!
*8*
The masses were spent after Gannicus' unexpected, but spectacular match; the air within the arena died down to a near exhausted state afterwards. In fact, many spectators began to leave, much to Vettius' surprised displeasure.
The young lanista waved a hand towards the exit where people milled about as they made their way out of the arena. "They leave before fucking Primus!"
Quintus could not resist needling the child. "My champion's virile effort has more than satisfied the public's desires," he said, watching in pleasure as Vettius' face grew more petulant with each citizen's exit. "They now stand limp, relieved of bloodlust and ready to depart to hearth and home without need of further blood spilled."
Batiatus paused, his expression darkening. "Although, I cannot say the same when faced with the treachery of this day."
Setting his sights down the front row of the pulvinus, Quintus looked to Tullius, certain the merchant was to blame for what had transpired today. However, he had no proof of the man's culpability; lacking that, he could not formally accuse the man. The lanista seethed as he thought of how close he had come to losing Gannicus; and with him, all hopes of glory in Rome, as well as Octavia's favor. If the attacker had been more skilled… he did not want to even contemplate what the loss would have meant to the ludus.
Sensing her husband's rising temper, Lucretia spoke up before he made accusation he could neither take back, nor support. "Speaking of hearth and home," she said, gaining Quintus' attention. "Should we not see Gannicus back to the ludus to be attended by Seppukus rather than the shit medicus here?"
Understanding the warning she was imparting, Batiatus heeded cautionary gaze. "Words of merit, delivered by loving wife," he said, rising to his feet. He looked to where Titus sat. "You stay for the Primus?"
Titus nodded. "I am of a mind to see Caburus, yes. He would be worthy match for Gannicus."
Batiatus gave a brisk nod, irritated his father was not more concerned that their champion had nearly been murdered in the fucking arena; most likely, by the fuck Titus was sitting next to! "I am for the ludus. With the Apolloinares little more than a week away, we can hardly afford to have our champion injured, especially through the foul means employed this day."
Sextus turned to Quintus. "Apologies again, Batiatus. Every effort will be made to see the villain responsible for this perfidy delivered to justice."
Quintus nodded. "Gratitude, but apologies are not required," he said, ever mindful of gaining political favor. "By virtue of vis major (superior force), Gannicus has balanced scales, as well as marked his appearance at your games as storied battle not to be erased by memory of time; a fortunate occurrence for all," he added with a grin, getting satisfaction in twisting the results of their duplicity in both Tullius and Vettius' faces.
"Indeed. Gannicus has earned the palma (palm branch) of victory for his resounding success," Sextus agreed, snapping his fingers towards his body slave who handed him a large palm branch woven with ribbons around its handle and through the fronds. He presented it to Batiatus. "It was supposed to be gifted to the winner of the Primus, however, I cannot imagine awarding it to another after Gannicus' showing here today."
The palma was a celebrated accomplishment indeed. "Gratitude," Batiatus said accepting the gift with a nod. His pride in Gannicus swelling his chest. "I shall see my champion receives such honored tribute."
Before Quintus could exit, Sextus broached the subject of the new arena and the games to be held there. "Batiatus, I would like to acquire Gannicus for the Primus, opening day of the new arena. He stirs the crowd unlike any I have ever witnessed. Perhaps we could discuss terms when you return from Rome?"
Batiatus glanced at Vettius before he turned back to Sextus with a deliberate shrug. "Good Sextus. I have more than one gladiator, as you know. Have you given thought to a House Batiatus versus House Vettius challenge as Varis suggested?" After today, Quintus was tired of allowing Tullius to run amok. "Set mind to acquiring more than Gannicus for the games on opening day and we can discuss terms. If not, perhaps my champion will be absent the new arena in favor of greener pastures in Rome."
Surprised, Sextus merely nodded. "Very well. I shall give it consideration," he said hesitantly. "We shall have discourse when you return from Rome then?"
"Let us look towards greater things upon my return, and a compromise for both," Batiatus said, not quite agreeing, but not disagreeing either. He made eye contact with his father who, surprisingly, was smiling and looked pleased at his son's words rather than livid. Quintus shrugged again, he had not really cared. He had Gannicus. That was all the leverage he needed to get fucking Sextus to cave. "I will see you back at the ludus, father," he said, and with that, Quintus and his party left the pulvinus, and made their way out of the arena.
*8*
From his seat on the pulvinus, Tullius watched Batiatus leave with barely concealed rage. His plan had fallen short of promised end. Horribly! Not only had Gannicus survived, but the golden gladiator had stolen the entire fucking games from Vettius (and him) by giving the crowd the epic ending they desired, so much so, that many of the viewers had departed the arena in droves, cunts and cocks so well served by Gannicus' offering of blood sport, there was no desire to stay for featured match!
Tullius cursed softly. Gannicus belonging to Batiatus was an untenable circumstance, one that must be corrected, or see him driven mad by it. The blonde gladiator was a phenomenon. Not even the Shadow of Death stirred the masses as Gannicus did. Theokoles struck fear and awe into the audience to be certain, but Gannicus appealed to the entirety of the viewing public, on many levels. Children loved him, men admired him and the women… well, they simply lost fucking mind when Gannicus took position upon the sands. Tullius had never seen an entire arena become so aroused as it did this day; much of the debauchery incited by overzealous women! The Celt was a handsome beast, and Tullius desperately wanted the man for his own, but that dream was proving to be unattainable. The merchant had already decided if he could not have Gannicus in his stable, he wanted the cocky fucker dead!
The horns for the Primus sounded and Tullius scowled, gazing upon the audience that remained for Caburus' match. The crowd had thinned considerably, and the arena no longer hummed with energy since the Celt had left the sand. Tullius silently raged at how the blonde gladiator had managed to turn his poorly executed attack into glorious opportunity to honor Batiatus and his fucking ludus; even stealing the palma! For most men, this setback would end their plotting, but not Tullius. It made him more determined to see Gannicus ripped from Batiatus' care. Knowledge is lasting, and the next time he sent an assassin after the gladiator, he would ensure the man was better prepared and did not fucking fail!
*8*
"This was fucking Tullius!" Batiatus raged as he paced back and forth in the medicus' chamber. Once they had returned to the ludus, Batiatus had immediately taken Gannicus to see Seppukus and have the man examine the blonde gladiator's wound. Presently, Gannicus sat on one of the examining tables while the big white haired medicus tended the gash on his back. "That shit fuck tried to have you fucking murdered!"
"He persists in his obsession with me," Gannicus said, agreeing with Batiatus' belief that Tullius was behind the attack on him. "Only now, instead of purchase, the man seeks to end me." Seppukus had finished washing the injured area and Gannicus gritted his teeth, hissing in pain as the man sprinkled some powder directly into the cut. "Fuck the Gods! What is that?" He growled, flinching as Seppukus began massaging it deeper into the injury.
"A combination of ground oak leaf, marrow and tamarind. The cut is in poor position directly in the muscle under your shoulder. This will reduce inflammation within the muscle, allowing you to still swing your blade. Tomorrow, once swelling has reduced, I will apply my salve and stitch the wound." He placed his hand on the gladiator's shoulder. "I added ground poppy for the pain. Sit still and see it calm wound as well as disposition."
"Gratitude," Gannicus said, relaxing as the poppy began to work its magic and the pain started to ebb.
*8*
