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.

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.

Author Notes: I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of this story. I cannot believe this has almost 300 reviews! :o I am grateful and honored you like the story. Your feedback and comments feed my muse, so again, gratitude.

Chapter 51: Virtute duce comite fortuna: Led by virtue, accompanied by [good] fortune.

The trip to Rome was a difficult expedition. From the Batiatus Ludus to the capital it was one hundred and two-miles; with the size of their wagons, their party could only travel twenty-five to thirty miles per day. It would take four full days and it was a slow trek, but the luxury vehicles Octavia provided helped make the trip not nearly as taxing as it could have been if stuck in an uncomfortable carriage with wooden buckboard seating. Also, in their favor, was the fact that they were able to travel the entirety of the journey upon the Via Appia (Appian Way); a large road paved with rock and mortar which ran the distance between Capua and Rome. (1) The Via Appia was well known and well-traveled, because of this, it had many mansiones (rest areas with lodging) along the way.

Exhausted after the first full day of traveling, Batiatus made the decision to purchase lodging at one of these mansiones for the first night.

As they entered the building, Gannicus was of a mind for a drink. He was weary of traveling and wanted nothing more than to have a cup of wine and crawl into bed. He had his doubts about the ability to do the latter as he and his two brothers followed behind Batiatus, Lucretia and Gaia into the dingy establishment they had stopped at for the night. While Batiatus arranged for rooms above the busy pub, Gannicus allowed his eyes to wander the large common room. All around them chaos reigned. From the rowdy patrons arguing amongst themselves to the many whores plying their wares throughout the place in various stages of nudity and activity, the pub was loud and boistrous; not exactly the environment to promote a peaceful decent into Morpheus' arms. He paused gaze upon a woman on hands and knees upon a table in the middle of the room, she was nude and taking two men simultaneously, one in her mouth and one in her cunt. Gannicus winced when another man joined in; he knew where that cock was going to go. He could imagine the woman would have trouble walking on the morrow.

Yes. Dominus certainly picked an interesting abode to bed them down for the evening.

As he was taking note of his surroundings, a beautiful blonde whore approached Gannicus. She was topless with a slight Germanic accent. "You, I would fuck for free," she told him, giving him an alluring, come hither smile as she placed her palm upon his pectoral muscle.

Duratius snorted, shaking his head at his brother's luck with women. "Has cunt always just fallen into lap?" The Egyptian asked, wagging his brows. "Or is it only since you have become gladiator?"

Out of habit, Gannicus' eyes roamed the woman's attributes, a wolfish grin upon his face, however, whatever reply he thought to give died in throat when he spotted Melitta watching him, a small frown marring her perfect brow. He coughed, his grin fading as he immediately removed the woman's hand from his person. "Apologies," he told the attractive whore. "But I am without means or desire for your company."

Seeing the exchange, Barca rolled his eyes, unsurprised that Gannicus had drawn the notice of the whores. It was well known the blonde gladiator rarely lacked for female companionship.

"Pity," the blonde said, and her gaze went to Duratius and Barca for a moment as if assessing whether they would be willing to acquire her services. She must have decided against it because she shrugged her shoulders and meandered over to another single man at a table not too far from the gladiators and plopped herself upon the man's lap. The man grabbed hold of one of the blonde's breasts, signaling his willingness for her company.

Duratius pretended shock at his Celtic brother turning the woman away. "Being loyal to your Roman mistress, are you?" He elbowed Gannicus and teased. "Never thought I'd see the day when the Mighty Gannicus was brought to heel by a woman's cunt!"

Gannicus scoffed at Duratius' words but offered no reply. His eyes sought out Melitta, but she was no longer looking at him. He frowned, wondering if she placed blame upon his shoulders for the whore's actions. Gannicus hoped not.

He was drawn from his musings when Batiatus signaled their lodging was ready.

The accommodations above the filthy pub were no better than the den below. The rooms were small, dirty and had a strong scent of unwashed flesh adhering to the bed linens. Even the gladiators, who slept in cells, made faces of disgust at the stench wafting from the beds. Too exhausted to seek out another mansione, Batiatus sent his slaves back to the wagons for fresh sheets for himself, Lucretia and Gaia. He did not have extra linens brought up for his gladiators; in his selfishness, Batiatus often forgot the comfort of others.

It was a long night for all. Barca made a pallet on the floor. Duratius pulled off his sheets and slept on the mattress alone, while Gannicus, unable to sleep, drank wine until he could fall to his bed without care for the loud noises below or the smell of the sheets. Down the hall from the gladiators, Lucretia and Gaia had a difficult time as well and both complained of the constant commotion below from either fighting and fucking. Unfortunately for the Batiatus party the cacophony carried on into the night, making sleep difficult for the weary travelers.

The next morning, while awaiting their departure, Gannicus surreptitiously made his way to Melitta's side. "I did not seek out that woman's advances," he whispered.

She sighed. "I am aware."

"And yet you set upon me with disgruntled frown," Gannicus returned.

She did not directly look at him, not wanting to draw attention to them having discourse. "I am not displeased with you, Gannicus," she said quietly. "It is just…" She shook her head, her words ending as if she was not sure what she wanted to say.

"Just what?" Gannicus prompted. He kept his voice calm despite the anxious feeling in his stomach. He did not want there to be misunderstandings between them, but he did not care for her placing blame on him for another's actions, especially when her own were questionable. "At least I have not slept with another since I last held you."

Unable to stop herself from reacting, Melitta gasped and turned to him. "Are you implying I have?"

His jaw clenched. "Did you not visit Oenomaus after you visited me?"

She crossed her arms over her chest, her brow shooting up at his accusation. "I did," she confirmed. "And had he demanded it I would have been forced to do my wifely duties." She paused and wet her bottom lip, distracting Gannicus momentarily, but her next words had his full attention. "However, Oenomaus did not demand such a thing from me. He held me in his arms," she told the blonde gladiator. "He did not fuck me!"

As he realized he had made an erroneous conclusion, Gannicus bit back a small curse. "Apologies," he started but his appeal was cut sort when Batiatus called for his gladiators to return to their wagon.

"You must go," Melitta said, her expression unreadable.

"Melitta…"

"Gannicus, go," she instructed. "We shall have words later."

And with that she walked away, leaving him to stare after her, a scowl upon heavy brow and cursing himself for being a jealous fool.

"Fuck!"

Rome: The Aurelius Domus

It was a lovely day on Palatine Hill, slightly balmy with a good stiff breeze that made sitting outside in the rear garden a pleasure. Octavia was taking advantage of the unusual weather by curling up in a chair in the courtyard while she read her new book, The Debauched Man, a somewhat depraved comedy written by one of her favorite playwrights, Statius Caecilius (2). Two male slaves stood behind her with large palm fans ensuring the breeze floated her way as a young blonde female slave poured her a glass of wine. She nodded her thanks and took a sip, her eyes focused on her book when her husband suddenly stormed into the garden muttering heatedly under his breath.

She looked up from her reading. "I take it the proposal did not pass?"

Claudius threw himself in the chair opposite her. "Jupiter's hanging cock! That old maggot simply refuses to listen to reason!"

Her brow arched at his vehemence and she set her book aside to give him her full attention. "And which maggot would that be, love?" she asked, pouring him a glass of wine.

"Fucking Magnus! The old coot. He called for a quorum when I sought to bring my proposal to reenact the office of Plebian Tribune to the floor." With a sigh, he accepted the wine, his features softening. "Gratitude and apologies for being a bear." He leaned across the glass table they were sitting at and gave Octavia a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"None required," she said. "Was the senate to vote on the proposal today?" Claudius shook his head. "Then why would Magnus call for a quorum?"

"He seeks to delay the proposal, Octavia. The quorum is set at two hundred senators." He scowled, running a hand down his face wearily. "Magnus knew there was not two hundred senators in house today. Fucking cunt!"

"Ah," she said, understanding dawning. "And since there was not the required number of senators in attendance, that negated your proposal from reaching the floor at all."

He nodded. "Stopped me dead in my tracks."

"For today," she said. She cupped his jaw. "Let the old fuck have this small victory. We shall win the war."

He nipped at the thumb she ran over his bottom lip. "And what did you have in mind to achieve that?"

She gave a dainty shrug. "Is it not a good thing we will be hosting an outrageous amount of festival celebrations over the next two weeks? With gladiators and a private arena…you know my parties are the toast of Rome."

"They are," he agreed.

She took a sip of her wine, a small smile playing about her lips. "It appears I may have to add a few more senators to my guest list."

He chuckled. "You intend to ply them with wine and entertainment for their votes?"

She smiled craftily. "It has worked in the past."

"Cunning and beautiful," he complimented, taking her hand in his and kissing the inside of her wrist. "What ever would I do without you?"

She interlaced their fingers. "That is a thing you will never know, my love. So, strike it from thought," she told him, her cat like green eyes sparkling.

He let out a long breath, visibly calming under her company. They sipped their wine in comfortable silence for a moment before Claudius turned to her, a grin on his face. "Oh, by the way, Crassus has already accepted invitation for he and his wife to your "Loves of Apollo" celebration."

Octavia's brow shot up. "He has? But I only sent them out two days past. He never accepts so quickly."

He offered a small shrug in reply. "Perhaps it is because his wife was none too pleased about your arena and now expects a gift of equal extravagance from him." At Octavia's questioning look he explained. "After the meeting adjourned, the man beset me with a tedious diatribe regarding the spoiling of you, my wife, and how my gift of your own private arena has made other husbands appear as ingrates."

She giggled with delight as she leaned in to him eagerly. "Tell me more. Is Tertulla positively green with envy?"

He chuckled at her obvious excitement at besting Tertulla, Crassus' wife. The two blondes had a bitter rivalry over who achieved greater glory in all things from wigs and fashion to which of the two women hosted the most successful parties. There was never much of a contest in truth. While Crassus may be wealthier than Claudius by a few million denarii and could easily afford the very best, Claudius was far more generous; Octavia consistently outshined Tertulla in the hostess department, much to the other blonde's intense displeasure.

Claudius sighed. "She is in a mood apparently. To which Crassus has decided to blame me for," he added with a roll of his blue eyes.

"But they are coming to our celebration to honor the Apolloinares, yes?"

"They are," Claudius confirmed. "The man is eager to see your gladiator. Which reminds me, you did not tell me Gannicus defeated the Unkillable one in a match that lasted nearly an hour!"

"I told you he was glorious," she said.

He gave a short bark of laughter. "And you know I took that as a description of his cock, my lovely wife, not his attributes in the arena."

"Is it my fault you assumed such a thing?" He snorted and made to reply, but she gave him no chance when she abruptly changed direction of their topic. "Speaking of Gannicus and gifts," she told him, eyeing him in a manner that always brought about a pleasurable ending. "I have a gift for you that pertains to him."

His cheeks flushed with arousal due to the promise in her eyes. "Did you perchance acquire a gladiator of my own that is as handsome as yours is reputed to be?"

She gave a little chuckle. "Hardly." His brows lowered with a pout and she patted his hand in a consoling manner. "There are no others as handsome, love. Gannicus stands alone. Trust me. However, I have created opportunity for you to lay gaze upon him in all his glory."

He frowned again, her meaning lost to him. "Explain."

She rose to her feet and held out her hand. "Come. I shall show you instead."

He took her hand and allowed her to lead him to the section of their property where the arena was located. There was a small villa adjacent to the amphitheater where the gladiators and their guards would be housed during Batiatus' stay. Octavia led him to the villa. Once inside, she brought him through the atrium towards the back of the villa to the largest bedroom, the one they had agreed would be given to Gannicus.

Claudius glanced around the room. It was rather bare, having been decorated with only the basic necessities. It contained a large sleigh bed, with two small ebony tables, one on either side of the bed. There was a chest to house clothing, a carved desk with a chair and two large potted palms for splash of color against the white of the walls. In one corner of the room was a statue of Cupid, his arrow drawn and aimed at the bed.

Claudius found it ironic at best. "Is there something new?" he asked, "it looks much as it did when you showed it to me two days past."

She went to the dark wooden door next to the potted palms and took a key from her robes. She gave him a decidedly wicked grin as she opened the door.

Her smile had his interest piqued once again. "What have you got there?" he asked following her as she opened the door.

Octavia lit the candles located in the wall sconces within and they stepped inside. Claudius was surprised to see the interior of the small storage room had been transformed. Where it used to house old rugs, tapestries and furniture no longer in use, there was now a sitting area with a large blue velvet couch to lounge on, with a small table nearby for convenience and plenty of plush velvet pillows for comfort. None of this was too shocking, surprising yes, but not shocking. However, seeing the various sex toys hanging from hooks in the wall behind the couch was shocking!

Claudius' mouth gaped as he took in the various paddles, whips, blindfolds and gags before he settled on the large strap on phallus Octavia would wear for him sometimes. He turned to his wife. "Pluto's arse, 'Tavia! What is this?" he asked, utterly intrigued as to why she had a sex room designed within her gladiator's sleeping quarters.

"This is for you," she replied.

"For me?!" he exclaimed. "To what purpose?"

She chuckled softly. "Come here," she said and took a seat on the couch. Still confused, Claudius nonetheless followed and sat down next to her. Octavia leaned forward and took hold of a small lever that was built into the side of the wall. She pulled it and, with a click, a small slot within the wall slid open.

Octavia leaned forward and looked through the squared opening. She giggled. "It is perfect."

She waved him on to look for himself after she was finished. Claudius hunched forward to peer through the aperture after her and gasped at what he saw. To his surprise, the window was situated between the two palms and provided a relatively unobstructed view of the bed.

He turned to his wife, a questioning brow raised. "Why have you created this?"

"It is my gift to you, so that you may watch him and I whenever you please."

Claudius' breathing sped up as the implications became clear. His wife knew he loved watching her getting fucked by other men. It was a fetish of his that she indulged and did not judge. The realization that he would have a seat at her intimate moments with the beautiful gladiator he had heard so much about made him excited beyond measure.

"Gratitude, wife. I am most pleased with my gift," he told her kissing her tenderly. He glanced towards the toys hanging behind them. "Do we have time to play?"

Octavia wrapped her arms around her husband's neck. "I always have time for you, love. What would be your desires today?"

He swallowed thickly, his arousal pressing into her belly. "You know what I want," he said, licking his lips.

Octavia reached behind his head and selected a blindfold first. "I do," she agreed in a low, husky voice that sent shivers up Claudius' spine. She handed him the blindfold. "Put this on."

To Claudius' delight, the last thing he saw before he covered his eyes was his wife's hand taking hold of the strap on…

*8*

Since the lodging at the mansione had not been a pleasant experience for any of the Romans, they decided their second night's respite would be better served by making camp for the night and sleeping within the luxury carpentums Octavia had provided. After another full day's travel, the party made their way off the road and into a small clearing just off Appian way to set up their encampment for the evening.

The slaves set out a light vesperna consisting of cooked chicken, vegetables and a variety of fruits. After eating their fill, the travelers turned in for the night. They would be leaving before dawn and everyone, including the gladiators, were extremely weary, already sick of traveling. The slaves assigned to clean up after the meal were the last to fall to their beds, but eventually they too sought relief in Morpheus' realm, eager to recuperate after such an exhausting day.

Later that night:

It was late, hours before the dawn and every single soul within the Batiatus party had long since retired for the night. The sky was pitch black, with barely a sliver of a moon to illuminate the campgrounds. The fire had burned down to embers, so the area was dark and quiet as everyone slept. In the silence of the night, a group of highwaymen crept into the encampment. They were a ragtag group but heavily armed. They attacked with silent precision and quickly killed the four men standing guard, dragging their bodies behind the plaustrum before setting upon the grand carpentum. Once they had awakened Batiatus, Lucretia and Gaia, the thieves drug them from their bed, forcing them out of their vehicle and to their knees upon the ground. Three men stood over the three nobles, threatening them with a brutal death if they attempted escape. The Romans were held captive with swords leveled at them while the brigands rounded up the rest of the slaves accompanying Batiatus.

A hulking mountain of a man with a mop of stringy, greasy dark hair came around the wagon with Melitta in his grasp. She struggled to free her arm from the brute, but the man held firm, bruising her tender flesh in the process. "Look-ee what I've found," the massive thief announced. "A fucking Goddess to share my furs for certain. She is all I desire, Mathius," the man said to the leader of the cut throats.

Mathius was a brawny man with long blonde hair so fair it was nearly white. The scars that littered his face and arms bespoke years of living under a lash. He hated Romans and it showed on his pockmarked face as he turned towards his fellow brigand. His eyes widened as he took note of Melitta. "Juno's cunt, man! She is fucking beautiful! One such as her would fetch a large sum from the Syrian slave traders, Erigon."

"I want her," the huge thug named Erigon insisted, stubbornly raising his bearded chin to a pugnacious height. He took hold of Melitta's breast and squeezed. "We can sell her after I've had my fill but first I want to sink my cock in her."

Melitta looked ill at the man's words as did Lucretia and Gaia.

The leader seemed to realize it was not worth the fight and nodded his head. "Fine, but we sell her afterwards." The blonde outlaw took note of his cohort's forceful grip on Melitta's arm. "Do not bruise her too terribly. It will lower her price."

Erigon leered at the beautiful slave he had captured. "I won't…at least not where it'll be visible for slave inspection. They won't know how bruised she'll be until someone tries to fuck her themselves!" he said, flashing a face full of rotting teeth as he grinned at Melitta.

Hid rancid breath caused Melitta to gag and she turned away from the foul beast. His words caused sheer terror to race through her, setting her heart to pound in a painful thump within her chest.

Mathius chuckled, shrugging off his fellow thief's ugly intentions as he moved to stand in front of Gaia and Lucretia. "Now what am I to do with you?" he muttered.

The two Romans were huddled a few feet away from Batiatus, on their knees, as he was, with their arms wrapped around one another for comfort.

"Leave us untouched and you shall be paid a handsome reward," Gaia said, attempting to bargain with the thug.

"Untouched?" The man threw his head back and laughed. "Pray to your Gods all you want," he said, "that will not be happening."

"Then what do you plan on doing with us?" Lucretia asked, her voice near breathless in fear.

"I cannot sell you," he replied. "You are nobles, but…" He reached out to touch Lucretia's face, but she jerked her chin back with a look of distaste. His hand froze mid-air before he curled it into an angry fist. "Oh, you think you are too good for me do you not?" His lip curled into a sneer as his eyes went from Gaia to Lucretia and back. "Look at the Roman beauties I have here men. We cannot sell them, but we can have our fun." He squatted down to eye them properly. "I cannot decide which of you I want to fuck."

Gaia and Lucretia shared a look of terror blended with revulsion and the leader laughed. "I suppose I shall just have to fuck you both!" He chortled, enjoying their loathing and discomfort.

One of the other thieves, a small, wiry man with long shaggy hair and a lazy eye added his agreement. "I'd like to stick it to that dark haired one, Mathias," he murmured, spittle sailing from his thin lips as he set his good eye upon Gaia.

"You can have her after I'm through with her, Johan."

"How 'bout the other one then?" Johan said, licking his lips. "She's a fine piece. Look at her tits," he mentioned crudely. "I bet they're big enough to fuck! Don't her titties look big enough to fuck, Mathias?"

Mathia chuckled. "Indeed they do, Johan." Lucretia cringed under their lusty stares, shrinking as far away from them as she could. "And, you can have her and her tits...after I am through as well."

Johan loked as if he were about to argue, however, a quelling glance from Mathias had him nodding his head instead. "As you say, just as long as I get my taste. I have no care in what order I get em," the smaller man said.

Batiatus seethed quietly as the filthy highwaymen discussed raping Lucretia and Gaia. His rage rose up, nearly choking him when the small thief talked about Lucretia's breasts and what he wanted to do to her. Yet, he was helples to save her. The guards were dead, and his greatest weapons were locked away in the wagon the thieves had yet to explore. The situation looked bleak. It was then, he noticed one of the men glancing towards the gladiator's carriage and Quintus quickly spoke up, a haphazard plan to achieve the help needed forming quickly.

"Pay that vehicle no mind," Batiatus said, cunningly hoping the men would become more interested in it if he tried to convince them it was meaningless. "It has nothing but furniture we are carrying with us to Rome." He inclined his head towards the plaustrum. "The true treasures are in the larger wagon."

As Quintus hoped, his attempt to lead the men away from Gannicus' carpentum caught Mathius' attention. The leader glanced towards Quintus sharply. The lanista quickly looked away as if he could not meet the man's gaze. "Furniture you say?" the brigand asked.

Batiatus nodded but did not say more. His heart was racing as he prayed to the Gods the men would open the wagon; Quintus desperately needed them to free his gladiators. It was their only chance at survival. As long as his men did not suddenly realize they could have their freedom and simply abandon them. The thought did not even fully materialize before Batiatus dismissed it. His gladiators could be brutes, but they were loyal, of that he was certain. Not a man amongst the three would leave him or his wife to these outlaw's mercy. Gannicus especially would ensure Melitta's safety, if nothing else.

The man stood, momentarily forgetting about his plans for Gaia and Lucretia as he went to the carpentum to investigate. He noticed the lock on the door at once. "Of course, it is furniture," he said drolly, "because one must always secure their furniture to protect it." He glared at Batiatus as he returned to stand before the lanista. "Do you take me for a fool? What is truly in that wagon?"

"Maybe it's gold or jewels," Johan surmised. "These nobles look pretty well off to me."

Batiatus pretended to look worried when the man guessed at riches being in the wagon. "I am a simple man. No riches to speak of," he said, trying to sound both convincing but not.

One of the brigands tried to open the door to the carpentum. When it would not give, he tried taking his sword butt to the lock as if to break it.

Mathius rolled his eyes. "Idiot! Roark, your sword is not strong enough to crack iron. Look in the guards pockets," he told his man. "Certainly, one of them have the key."

The leader's eyes went to Batiatus who hung his head as if dejected. In truth, Batiatus did not want the man to see the smile that was curving his lips. He had no doubts his gladiators had awoken with all the ruckus and would make short work of the thieves, armed or not.

"I've got it!" The thief named Roark exclaimed, holding a large ring aloft with several keys attached.

"Thank the Gods! Now open the fucking door," Mathias snarked.

The underling approached the wagon, foolishly believing he and his band of killers had eliminated every threat within the camp. He would soon be disabused of that notion…

*8*

Inside the vehicle, Gannicus, Barca and Duratius watched and waited silently in the darkness for their door to be unlocked. They had awoken hearing the voices outside an had spied the nobles being dragged from their carriage. Their frustration had been tenfold when they realized they would be unable to offer help due to being trapped inside the carpentum. The tension was thick and the gladiators' held themselves still, their postures tight as a bow while they waited for one of the thieves to inspect their wagon and release them.

Gannicus glanced out the window again, getting an accurate count of the murderous thieves. "Fuck! There are eight of them," he hissed quietly. "Armed with swords," he added.

"We'll have to get their weapons," Barca replied just as quietly.

Outside, Gannicus heard the discussion regarding a beautiful slave and he knew it was Melitta spoke of. He finally spotted her being held by a brute of a man and it took every bit of his willpower not to howl in fury as he watched the man, Erigon, manhandle her. Gannicus swore he would kill the pig with his own hands just as soon as he was set free from the fucking wagon!

"They arrive with key," he whispered and took up position beside the door, in a dark corner of the wagon while Barca melted into the blackness on the other side of the door and Duratius crouched down near the benches, keeping to the shadows as well.

Each man was poised to attack at the first opportunity.

When the door was unlocked, the thief poked his head inside the carriage, he looked around warily, but it was so dark, the man could not see even a foot in front of his face. He entered the vehicle, not knowing of the danger that awaited him inside.

As soon as the man was in the carpentum, Gannicus grabbed him. The gladiator clapped a hand over the man's mouth and wrenched his head to the side, snapping the thief's neck with a loud "crunch". He lowered the man's body to the ground silently, nodding his head when Duratius grabbed the thug's leg and dragged him further into the cabin of the carriage. Duratius relieved the dead thief of his sword and handed it to Gannicus, who was by far the best swordsmen of the three, while the Egyptian took a smaller serrated dagger for himself.

One down, seven to go. And now that they were armed they were prepared to fight.

A moment later, another brigand appeared. "Roark?" The thief climbed into the darkened coach searching for his fellow highwayman. "Where the fuck are you, you bloody cunt?"

Gannicus grabbed that man as well, only this time he did not break the man's neck instantly. Holding the man in a choke hold, he relieved him of his sword and handed it to Barca. "Call for the others," Gannicus ordered in a quiet growl. "Tell them you have found beautiful whores or the fucking Roman treasury within this wagon. I care not. Just get them over here." The man nodded. Gannicus made a move to release his mouth but before he did, he added, in a guttural, deadly voice. "Heed words. If you try and warn them…you will die. I have killed many a man in the arena, in brutal ways. I can and will make your death most fucking unpleasant for you if you do not do as I say. Understand?"

The man's eyes went wide with fright as he realized the caliber and mettle of fighter he was facing. Gannicus released his mouth. "I-I understand," he said.

"Good. You might survive to live another day. Now call your fucking comrades over here so we can get acquainted," Gannicus said with a smirk.

The man did as he was ordered. He called for his fellow thieves, luring them to the carriage with an excited promise of much gold within. When the thieves were within reach, Gannicus broke his hostage's neck much as he did the other cutthroat and the gladiators rushed from the wagon sending the camp into pandemonium.

Gannicus leapt at the first man he saw before him, his blade slashing the thief across his chest, driving him back with a scream of agony. His next blow disemboweled the man and he fell to the ground dead. Barca and Duratius were right behind him, and the three gladiators quickly engaged the remaining thieves in their immediate vicinity.

Mathias quickly realized just what or who had been released from within the wagon. "Fucking gladiators!" he snarled, drawing his sword. He did not rush ahead however, choosing instead to let his men fight first.

Across the camp, taking advantage of Erigon's distraction at seeing Gannicus and the other gladiators pouring forth from the carpentum, Melitta twisted in the big man's hold, yanking her arm free. When he made a move to grab her again, she rammed her knee upwards, catching the man between the legs, effectively sending him to his knees with a howl of enraged pain.

"You fucking cunt!" He bellowed, cupping his genitals protectively, the pain made the brute nearly gag, so excrutiating was it.

Across the clearing, Gannicus was engaged with another thief in battle while Duratius was wrestling on the ground with a rather large thug over the dagger the gladiator had stolen. Barca sliced the throat of the man he faced and turned his attention to the man Duratius was wrestling with, stabbing the man in the back.

Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Batiatus jumped to his feet and hurried over to Lucretia and Gaia. "Have you been hurt?" They both shook their heads. He quickly untied them. "The gladiators should be able to defeat this lot, but if the tide turns against us...run," he instructed, giving Lucretia a hurried kiss before he turned back towards the fight, eager to spill outlaw blood.

Melitta made a mad dash to escape and Erigon lumbered to his feet, setting after her in hot pursuit. He was enraged and it showed. "When I'm through with you, your gonna wish you was fucking dead, you little bitch," he threatened as he chased her around the massive plaustrum.

The huge thief reached out and managed to catch his hand in Melitta's long flowing hair as it whipped behind her like a banner while she ran. "Aha!" he crowed, wrapping his beefy mitt in the ends of her hair. "Little cunt! I got you now. Not even the Gods can save you!"

Melitta screamed and Gannicus' attention immediately went to the sound of her voice.

"Melitta!" he cried when he saw the monster start reeling her in kicking and struggling all the while.

Gannicus left the thief he was fighting to his brothers and took off at a dead run, his heart in his throat. Half way across the camp, Mathias leaped at him, sword drawn, but Gannicus ducked his blade and leaped into the air to deliver a punishing kick to the outlaw's chest, sending the blonde bandit sailing across the camp to land flat on his back with a pained "oomph", stunning the bandit.

Gannicus did not spare him another glance. He needed to reach Melitta. Within moments he was upon the filthy pig who dared lay a hand on her. "Rrrhhhaaa!" he snarled as he swung the sword with both arms. The blade entered Erigon's side and kept on going, slicing through tissue, muscle and fat until the huge man was neatly cut in half! The thief's face showed his utter surprise as he fell, his torso sliding one way while his hips and legs tipped in the opposite direction.

Johan had his sword out and was quietly making his way towards where Barca and Duratius were fighting the last of the thieves when Quintus tackled the wiry man from behind, knocking him to the ground and sending his sword clattering across the dirt several feet away.

"You fucking cock sucking shit eating fucking fuck!" Batiatus snarled, grabbing the man's shaggy head in both hands and bashing his face into the hard earth over and again. "You think you can take from me?!" He pounded the thief's face harder, sending blood flying. "Fuck my wife and my slaves?!" Blood and bone sprayed grotesquely as Johan's face shattered. "The only thing your greedy cock will ever find is my blade when I fucking sever worthless appendage from between your thighs you hemorrhoid licking cunt!"

The thief had long since stopped moving but Batiatus continued to smash Johan's skull in until the man's face was nothing more than a bloodied pulp, unrecognizable.

Batiatus was so focused on brandishing his revenge, he failed to notice Mathias had gotten back to his feet after Gannicus had kicked him and was creeping up behind the lanista, sword in hand.

"Quintus!" Lucretia shouted in warning, leaping to her feet as she did so. She jumped on Mathias' back, finding courage despite her fear when it appeared the thief would kill her husband.

Mathias snarled as she clawed and scratched his face. Lucretia fought like a wild woman, but he was easily able to reach behind him, grab hold of her robes and forcefully pull her off him. He threw her towards the ground and Lucretia landed hard, the wind knocked out of her temporarily.

Batiatus struggled to his feet but he was unarmed. Mathias had a blade and when the thug raised his sword with deadly purpose, Quintus winced and raised his arm as a shield, fully expecting to feel the thief's blade cut deep into his flesh, but it never came. Batiatus' eyes snapped open just in time to see Mathias' blonde head separate from his shoulders and spin in the air in some sort of macabre dance. When the outlaw's large frame tipped sideways, dead, Batiatus was pleasantly surprised to see Gannicus standing there dressed in only a pair of loose-fitting barbarian pants, his bare chest covered in blood as was the sword in his hand.

Batiatus was, for once, speechless. His champion had killed the thief before the man could land the killing blow. However, his lack of words lasted for only a moment. "You saved my fucking life!" he exclaimed, shocked but tremendously grateful. "I owe you a debt of gratitude."

Gannicus shrugged off Batiatus' comments. "Your wife alerted me to the danger when she called your name and leaped upon the man's back. It is she you owe your gratitude to Dominus. I but did what needed to be done," he said as he glanced around the camp site, surveying the scene quickly, and relaxing when he saw his brothers were fine and all the thieves were dead.

Quintus glanced over to where Gaia was helping Lucretia to her feet. He grinned, heart swelling with pride for Lucretia's bravery. "Yes. That is so but you delivered the blow that saved me from the man's blade. I am in your debt as well as loyal wife's."

"You owe me no debt, Dominus. I would not see any harm come to our party," he said, his eyes drifting to Melitta; his desire to see to her well-being obvious.

Quintus inclined his head. "Go. See that she is settled," he told his gladiator, understanding the need to comfort. Batiatus felt it himself and quickly went to Lucretia to offer his arms to soothe her trembling form.

Gannicus hurried to Melitta. She was shaking so violently, it was as if she were vibrating with fear. He immediately pulled her into his embrace. "Are you harmed?" he whispered into her hair as he held her trembling body, stroking her back soothingly.

She shook her head, clutching him tight as she continued to shiver. "Just frightened."

If anyone noticed the tender manner in which the blonde gladiator comforted the Doctore's wife, they did not say anything.

"Dominus," Duratius said as he and Barca came to stand next to Batiatus. "Those men were not on mounts," the Egyptian stated, pointing out the lack of extra horses (not their own) within the camp. "That suggests a camp nearby. We should either leave this place quickly in case there are more of them or…we should seek out their settlement and kill any we find there."

Lucretia handed Batiatus a wet rag as he stood over the dead body of the thief he'd killed. His face, arms and tunic were still drenched in Johan's blood and flecks of brain matter. "Gratitude," he said and began to cleanse himself. "How many of my men are dead?" he asked the two gladiators before him.

Barca had already made a quick inventory of their camp. "All of the guards are dead."

"Two of the house slaves as well," Duratius added.

Duratius glanced towards Gannicus, who was still holding Melitta. The Egyptian bore a puzzled expression, and Melitta, not wanting to cause suspicion, finally pulled away from his embrace.

Gannicus let her go, but he did not move away. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I saw you take that pig down to his knees." He gave her a small smile. "You are quite impressive when riled."

She rubbed her arms, trying to rid herself of the chills. "Had I a weapon I would have absented the tiny cock he wanted to poke me with!"

He chuckled softly. She seemed fine, and yet, she was still trembling. He did not want to leave her, but they needed to act fast. "We must discover if those men were acting alone."

Melitta nodded. "I know."

"Are you still upset with me over my foolish words earlier today?" he asked softly.

"I was never angry with you," she told him. "It was a misunderstanding. Let us put it behind us, Gannicus. After this night such a thing seems small in comparison."

He agreed. "I am sorry I made assumptions," he said.

"Gratitude, but I do understand your reasoning. Strike it from concern and embrace the present. We are alive."

Gannicus wanted to kiss her but refrained. Doing such a thing in front of his brothers would be foolish to say the least. Instead, he led her over to where Lucretia and Gaia stood hugging each other in comfort after such a harrowing encounter. Lucretia opened her arms to her cherished slave, and for once, the woman bore no ill will towards the blonde gladiator as he gently handed Melitta over to her care.

"Gratitude, Gannicus," she said instead, surprising the blonde gladiator.

Gannicus nodded. "None required, Domina," he told her, refusing her accolades as he had Batiatus'.

"Perhaps a cup of wine would be in order...even for the slaves," he said, "if only to calm worried nerve."

Lucretia agreed. Gaia's body slave, Ivanka, quickly retrieved an amphora of wine and began to disperse it amongst the nobles and then to the slaves as well.

Once he was sure Melitta was in proper hands, Gannicus joined Batiatus where he stood with Barca and Duratius, surveying the dead bodies of the four guards and two slaves who had lost their lives at the hands of the cut throats.

"Should we discover if those fucks were alone?" Gannicus asked, directing the question to Batiatus.

Batiatus sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "What are your thoughts on the matter?" He asked. "Speak freely."

Gannicus looked to his brothers. Both of whom shrugged obviously as undecided as he was if looking for more thieves was the best course of action.

"What if we find the men's camp and there are twenty more just like the eight we have presently killed?" Gannicus said.

After listening to the gladiator's concerns, Batiatus asked, "So, you think we should make for Rome then?"

Gannicus rubbed the back of his neck. "Although I have a desire to spill more blood, we have ended the shit eaters who attacked us. Seeking further vengeance could end with one of us getting seriously injured or worse." He did not need to elaborate, his meaning obvious. Such a thing could cost them the Apolloinares.

Batiatus nodded. "Agreed. We have balanced scales here. There is no need for further recompense." Quintus sighed as he looked upon his guards. "However, we are now without escort." He turned to his gladiators. "We will ready the wagons and leave at once. I will need each of you to act as guards tonight until I can send word to Octavia or perhaps hire some soldiers at the next rest area to act as temporary guard."

The gladiators all agreed and within an hour, the camp had been cleared, the bodies hidden from view and the Batiatus party were once again on their way heading towards Rome.

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Footnotes:

1. The Via Appia or Appian Way is the first and most famous of ancient Roman roads. It was paved with heavy stone blocks and cemented together with lime mortar; the road was begun in 312 BC and named after Appius Claudius Caecus. It was the main road used for travel from Capua to Rome, however, it was also infamous for being the road where thousands of Spartacus' followers were crucified and left to rot as an example to others who might rise against Rome and/or follow after the Thracian rebel.

2. Statius Caecilius (219 BC- 168 BC) was a Roman comedic poet who was ranked by literary critic, Volcatius Sedigitus, (n.d) as one of the great writers of comedy. He was said to be a Gaul and former slave. Forty-two titles of work from Caecilius are known to exist, one of which is The Debauched Man.

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Hope you all enjoyed the bit of action in this chapter. This chapter was a reminder of how brutal Batiatus can be, yes? Let me know what you think by clicking the review button and leave me a comment. My muse truly appreciates the effort. :)