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.

*8*

A/N: So, I am posting this update now because my amazing, wonderful, love-of-my-life husband surprised me today by telling me we are going to Paris tomorrow! No, he does not usually just book crazy trips like this but Last week, 10/3, my youngest son, Justin, moved to Japan. My baby did not just fly the coop, he flew the country! And my sweet, adorable hubby has watched me sink into a depression ever since, so he took the bonus check he had received last month (the one he had saved to purchase a new 2019 Harley Softail Fat Boy) and decided to take me to Paris instead! :o

Lord, I love this man. He is exactly why I love (and believe in) Gannicus and Melitta so tremendously.

I have shared my story with a few good friends here, but I have hesitated to post it publicly for fear of being judged; however, I feel a need to share my story with everyone right now. Shane, my husband, is not my first husband, nor is he the father of my two boys. He is my second husband. I met Shane while married to my first husband (and high school sweetheart) Brian. Shane and Bri were good friends and were even in the same motorcycle club; they literally called each other "brother". When I met Shane, the attraction was immediate, but we tried to ignore (pretend they did not exist) the feelings between us because of Brian, as well as the MC club rules about dating a brother's old lady; it was frowned upon. It took us three years, but in the end, we could not stop falling for each other and had an affair. Sound familiar? It should. That is G/M pretty much. I can say, it was not pretty at first, and there were some ugly feelings for a couple of years, however, leaving Brian for Shane was the *best* thing that ever happened to *both* Brian and me. Now, 16 years later, Bri is remarried (and has been for over 10 years) to a woman he calls his "Goddess" (something he NEVER called me btw) and I am married to a man who has rocked my world on a daily basis for the last 16 years.

Every day, Shane does something (even if it is simply making my coffee just the way I like it) to remind me why I fell so hard for him. He is the inspiration for my faith in Gannicus and Melitta because I truly believe Melitta would have chosen Gannicus, if she had been allowed a choice. Sometimes your first love is not always your one true love. This romantic surprise trip (and giving up his Harley!) is just further proof that I made the right choice all those years ago. I have always thought Melitta fell for Gannicus *despite* loving Oenomaus, like I did with Shane, and I think had she not died, she would have continued to fall for Gannicus even deeper. Their story is so like my own, I could not stand the tragic ending, so I had to fix it and give them the HEA that I have.

A/N: 2 So, back to my trip. We leave on Sunday and will not be back until next Monday, so expect IVM to be updated on Tuesday next week, instead of Monday. :)

Much love to all of you. Since I will be gone so long, I wanted to ensure you all have your chapter of IVM this week (Kat!) haha. I promised to update every Monday, and I am trying to keep that promise. :) Now, I am off to pace restlessly until we leave ;) And, (in honor of my friend Jen) maybe do a *happy dance* too. haha! ;) Sorry for the HUGE author note. Peace my friends. I promise to return next week with tales from the city of Love… TJ

Chapter 55: haec olim meminisse iuvabit: One day this will be pleasing to remember

Rome: Ettinius' Shop:

"Gannicus," Octavia exclaimed, clapping her hands. "We are in luck!" She seemed extremely excited. "Ettinius has the most exclusive beeswax produced from imported Egyptian bees."

"Bees?" The gladiator's brow shot up. "In the name of Jupiter, what purpose do bees serve for a stone portrait?"

She kissed his cheek. "Not bees. Bees wax," she corrected, not that it mattered, Gannicus still had no idea what bees wax was, so she tried explaining. "You see, bee's wax is simply the best for producing molds for replicating the face. (1) This is needed for sculpture work. The Gods have truly blessed us." She took his hand and led him to where the small, drab artist was waiting with Batiatus discussing possible busts for Gannicus.

"Bees wax? Molds?" He shook his head, confused. "Speak plain words, Octavia. I have not a clue as to your meaning," he grumbled.

When presented, Ettinius pressed Gannicus into a chair. The blonde gladiator scowled as his hair was wrapped in a cloth and pulled entirely away from his face.

"What are you doing to me?" Gannicus asked, licking his lip nervously. The whole procedure was a mystery and made him anxious. It was the not knowing what he was facing that truly caused stomach to roil in upset. He would rather be upon the sands than be in Ettinius' chair; at least, upon the sands, he knew what he faced.

"Well, the first thing we must do," the little artist said, explaining the process to the Celt, "is have a proper mold of your face fitted with the beeswax."

Ettinius' assistants arrived with a large vat full of golden melted beeswax. Ettinius pointed to the cauldron where it bubbled quietly. "That is the wax there. As you can see—"

The little artist never finished his sentence. Gannicus' eyes widened as he got a close look at what the man sought to place upon his face. "Jupiter's cock!" he exclaimed, and to the artist's and the noble's surprise, he hurled himself from the chair, putting some distance between himself and the bubbling cauldron of wax. "Have you lost fucking mind?" He shouted at Ettinius.

"Gannicus!" Batiatus snapped, stunned at his gladiator's behavior.

"Dominus, please," Gannicus replied, lowering his voice. Batiatus would not take kindly to his slave yelling at him. "You cannot think to let this man put that upon my face. It is hot. See how it bubbles!" He pointed to the mixture. "See with your own eyes!"

Before Batiatus could reply, the gladiator turned beseeching dark eyes to his lover. "Octavia," he said, cajolingly. "Imagine if it melts my face! I happen to know you are partial to my face, as am I. I would not see it boiled from skull."

Gannicus' anxiety was obvious, and it looked as if the gladiator might put up a struggle if forced to return to the chair, so the nobles did not overact right away.

"It will not boil your face from your skull," Quintus said, chuckling softly at Gannicus' over reaction to the wax. "This is how all busts are made."

Gannicus' brows lowered, and his expression showed his distrust, as if he did not believe his dominus.

"Resume your seat and Ettinius will show you," Quintus said.

Gannicus took another step away from the wax and refused to retake his seat when the lanista ordered him to.

"You dare…" Batiatus gritted out, his eyes narrowing dangerously at being openly defied.

Octavia, sensing Quintus was about to lose his temper, stepped forward. "Quintus," she said, placing a calming hand on the lanista's arm. "If I may?" she asked, inclining her head toward the skittish gladiator.

He snorted, teeth gnashing and clenching. "You better or he will be feeling the fucking lash!"

Octavia wished to avert such a thing. "He has never seen wax molding. Allow me to show him, yes?" Batiatus gave a nod of his head and Octavia smiled in return, her actions clearly saving Gannicus being punished for disobeying his master.

However, Gannicus was not easily persuaded. The blond gladiator was like a cornered animal, taking a step back when Octavia stepped forward. "I do not want that on my face, Octavia," he said. "Find another way."

"Gannicus," she said gently. "There is nothing to concern yourself over. I promise. Watch." And instead of chasing after him, she realized she had to show him. So, she moved to where the artist stood next to the vat of hot wax. "Give him demonstration. Show him it will not burn when you apply it," she told Ettinius.

Ettinius rolled his eyes at the gladiator's hysteria but did as commanded; he called forth one of his male assistants, so he could give soothe Gannicus' fear. The gladiator grimaced, watching intently as the artist placed two hallowed wooden tubes in the assistant's nostrils.

"What are those and to what purpose do they serve?" Gannicus asked, peering closer at the assistant.

"They are breathing tubes," Ettinius replied. When Gannicus frowned, the artist rolled his eyes. "You want to breathe, do you not?"

The grey-haired man gave Gannicus a small glare when the gladiator snorted in response and said "of course". The wizened artist was put out at the gladiator for making such a fuss. Ettinius then took a small flat wooden spade and applied the wax to the assistant's face, using the tips of his fingers to spread a thin layer across the man's features until his entire face was covered in a thin wax coat; the only thing not covered were the tubes protruding from the man's nostrils.

Satisfied the wax would not burn him, but grumbling about the uncomfortableness of the tubes, Gannicus finally sat for the mold needed for his bust and portrait. Once that was finished and Ettinius had removed the perfect replica of the Champion's face, to the Celt's chagrin, the artist insisted he needed a mold of Gannicus' cock as well. Gannicus agreed readily enough, he did, however, ask for Octavia to rub the wax on his prick since he had no desire to have the little man who spoke with his hands stroking his cock! The blonde noble agreed, and the rest of the appointment went smoothly.

Once the mold process was completed, Gannicus posed for the numerous sketches needed to complete the portrait. He was positioned with his right leg bent in front of him, and the other raised so he could lean his elbow upon it and rest his chin upon the palm of his left hand, as if, according to Ettinius, "he was contemplating some great mystery of life". Gannicus snorted and scoffed at the idea that he, a slave, had such deep reflections, but did as instructed. When the desired pose was perfected, Octavia undid his braid, so his hair could fall free around his face. In keeping with his dimachaeri style, he was given two swords for the portrait. One to hold in his sword hand, the one that rested beside him to his right; the other sword was placed on the floor to his left, as if waiting to be picked up if needed. The only jewelry he wore was the lion claw necklace Octavia had gifted him with months ago, it hung between his perfectly sculpted pectoral muscles, and Ettinius was well aware Octavia wished it to be made a part of the portrait.

"You look beautiful," Octavia breathed as she stared at him. She licked her lips, her lust causing her green eyes to darken dramatically while her breathing hitched and became heavy.

The arousal in her voice and her labored breaths had Gannicus' body reacting and Ettinius muttered under his breath as he ended up sketching the gladiator's cock several different times as its size and shape changed and grew to enormous proportions!

Finally, after two hours of postured posing, it was over and Gannicus was allowed to redress; and while he hated every moment of having to sit perfectly still as Ettinius sketched the entirety of his naked form in great detail from several angles, noting every scar, vein or birthmark, he did so in silence for once.

*8*

Trajan's Market:

After a light cena (meal) on the western portico of the market square, it was decided that Batiatus would take Gannicus back to Octavia's domus while the women continued shopping. Before they met Gaia and Lucretia for their midday meal, Octavia had arranged for a chariot and instructor to be brought to her domus to ensure Gannicus felt comfortable in the vehicle before he made his debut for opening ceremonies in two days hence. No one, Gannicus included, wanted the gladiator to fall from the chariot while portraying Apollo. It would ruin Claudius' games and cast a pall over the entire festival itself as many would see such a thing as a negative sign from the Gods; Octavia would not have it.

And with a round of private goodbyes between Batiatus and Lucretia as well as Gannicus and Octavia, the lanista and his champion took the white sella back to the domus on Palatine Hill.

Batiatus studied his man as they moved away from the market and the women. "Jupiter's fucking cock, Gannicus! What were you thinking by refusing my demand that you resume position in Ettinius' shop earlier?" he snapped, pouring himself a glass of wine.

"Apologies Dominus. In the arena, I have no fears. Hand me a sword and I am strong of purpose, but the idea of bubbling hot wax placed upon my skin…" He shrugged. "Again, apologies I overreacted."

Batiatus was quiet for a long moment before he sighed and poured Gannicus a cup of wine as well. He handed the gladiator his cup. "Apology accepted, but if you ever defy me like that again, I swear to Mars himself I will have the flesh peeled from your fucking back! Octavia or no Octavia. Are we clear?"

Gannicus accepted the wine with a lowering of his head. "Gratitude, and yes, we are perfectly clear, Dominus. It will not happen again."

Batiatus was pleased at his gladiator's response and his good mood returned quickly. "Good, now… since you and I will not be fucking in here," He yanked open the curtains so that the spirit of the capital could be observed from within their litter. "What say you to improving our view of Rome, yes?"

"A thing most desired," Gannicus said with a husky chuckle, and eagerly sat up so he could take it all in. His grin spread from ear to ear as Batiatus instructed the slaves carrying them to go past the Circus Maximus before returning them to Palatine Hill.

Rome: The Temple of Jupiter, Capitoline Hill:

Claudius Aurelius exited the temple of Jupiter and made his way down the steps of the grand structure towards the heart of Rome's open market. Nepos and three other burly male house slaves trailed him as escort as he headed in the direction of the political buildings of Rome. He had offered his prayers for the day to the almighty God of Gods to see him to prosperity in his upcoming Senate meeting and he was now in a hurry to make said meeting when he heard his name being called. He paused and looked to his left, surprised to see Tullius flagging him down and heading his way. Claudius was not in the mood to deal with the man, but Octavia would not be pleased if he walked away from this meeting without garnering any type of information. So, he took a calming breath and prepared himself to face the snake who, he was certain, was plotting to end dearest wife's deepest desires by killing Gannicus.

Tullius had never felt the need to throw himself upon another's mercy. In Capua, he was usually the predator amongst prey, however, after the fruitless morning spent trying to convince Aurelius' peers that the consul was conspiring with the thugs on Aventine Hill, Tullius found himself in dire straits. The Capuan merchant had spoken with Senators Brutus, Cicero and Marcus Cato, explaining to one and all what Vorsutius had told him regarding the Claudius and his goings on, and yet, not a one had been willing to listen to anything remotely disparaging about Aurelius; apparently, Claudius Aurelius not only shit coin, he also inspired nothing but respect from his fellow senators. Tullius was in a precarious position indeed and desperately needed to find a solution to his growing dilemma before Aurelius ruined him completely.

"Aurelius!" Tullius exclaimed as he approached the Consul, a warm smile upon his face, hiding his true intent behind a mask of pleasant platitudes. "Bless the Gods that I have found you."

"Yes. Bless the Gods," Claudius repeated, eager to hear the man's reasoning behind ambushing him outside a temple. Aurelius was no fool. He was aware that Tullius offered friendship with one hand while holding knife in the other. However, he was a politician and knew better than to tip his hand, so he presented an expression of gracious geniality when the blonde merchant stopped before him.

"Tullius," he said, smiling jovially, giving away none of his inner mind's workings. "And what brings you to Jupiter's temple this fine morn?"

"I've come to pay my respects to the Gods of course," Tullius retorted, waving an arm towards the twenty-foot-high statue of Jupiter (dressed in flamboyant blue and purple robes, seated upon his throne and holding a lightning bolt in either hand) that marked the entrance to the temple.

"Ah," Claudius hummed, nodded his head, "as you should. We all must make penance for our sins, should we not?"

Aurelius' sparkling blue eyes bored into Tullius, and for one tiny split second, the Capuano's smile slipped at the Consul's words. On one hand, Claudius could simply mean all good Roman's should pray, however, on the other, his words could be interpreted as a threat. Tullius understandably viewed them as a warning and sought to offer obligatory assurances of goodwill.

"As should we all," he replied ambiguously. "In addition, I also come with offer of my humble gratitude for your most cordial invitation to the games. It was most gracious, and I am deeply honored," Tullius said with an inclination of his head, smile firmly in place.

"None required," Claudius returned, clapping Tullius on the shoulder as if they were dearest of friends. "I made offer with firm purpose in mind and I'm most pleased to have you here. I was, however, shocked to hear of the underhanded attack made against the gladiator my wife chose to represent my house. A cowardly act for certain," Claudius added with a shake of his head and a cunning smirk. "Have you any news? Does the magistrate know who would commit such a foul and dastardly deed?"

Tullius' eye twitched as he weighed Aurelius' statement. "I am pleased to be here as well, and it is with saddened heart that I feel I must confess a startling development relating to the assault on Gannicus…" Tullius let out a sigh. "It is a suspicion I have…absent proof, mind you, yet one I have recently come to suspect as truth."

Claudius' brow lowered at that. "Oh, and what startling development is it you speak of?" Aurelius asked. With his hand on Tullius' shoulder the consul began guiding the merchant away from the religious sector of the central market forum and towards the political sector across the center square. "Walk with me," he said, "and explain meaning behind your words."

A plan had quickly formed in Tullius' crafty mind as soon as the merchant was faced with the real threat that Aurelius held him responsible for the offensive strike against Gannicus. Such a thing would ruin Tullius for sure; the Capuano could not have it and was willing to sacrifice anyone to remove himself from suspicion, even those who had been most loyal to him.

"It is in regard to my apprentice, Vettius…" Tullius answered, leaning in to Aurelius as if they were conspirators. "As you know, I wanted to purchase Gannicus, but was unsuccessful in my venture."

Claudius nodded his head. "The situation was made aware to me," he said, "but what has that to do with the events at the exhibition?"

Tullius gave a dramatic sigh. "When I lost Gannicus, I was upset…" He affected a rueful grin. "To put it mildly." The merchant shrugged. "My apprentice was aware of my aggravation and…" He hesitated, as if he did not want to say what he had to say next.

"And…?" Aurelius prompted, brow cocked as he studied the merchant warily.

"And…" Tullius replied, "I fear, in his efforts to please me he may have…"

"Overstepped his boundaries…" Claudius supplied, sotto voce.

Tullius nodded as if put upon and weighed down by the possibility. "Yes. As much as it pains me to say it. I fear Vettius hired Gannicus' attacker for me. To satisfy the grudge I have against Batiatus."

"Indeed," Aurelius said softly. "Let us discuss this theory of yours further, shall we?"

The Batiatus Ludus:

Oenomaus entered the tablinum to find Titus sitting behind his desk waiting for him. "Dominus," the big Doctore said, "you summoned me."

"Yes," he said. "While Tullius is in Rome, the Magistrate has devised a means to keep citizens at home rather than traveling north to the capital for the Apolloinares." Titus picked up one of the many parchments littering his desk and waved it at his long-time friend and Doctore. "Sextus is hosting a festival here in Capua to honor Apollo and requests two of our gladiators to compete in his games."

Oenomaus' surprise was evident in the widening of his eyes. "But what of Tullius? I am certain that coward did not approve such a thing."

Titus shrugged. "Tullius is in Rome and, in truth, I care not for the reasoning behind Sextus deciding to use his own mind for once. Our men have opportunity to fight in Capua once again and I say we take advantage."

"An opportunity not to be wasted for certain," Oenomaus said.

"Exactly," Titus agreed. "How goes Crixus in his training?"

"He is doing well. He lives for being a gladiator which makes him willing to learn." He smirked. "As you know, getting words through thick skull is usually most difficult task."

Titus chuckled, wheezed and then started to cough. Naevia rushed forward with some honeyed wine, which he accepted with a word of gratitude. "Is he ready to take on Gannicus?"

"Not presently," Oenomaus answered with a small chuckle. "But one day…" He gave a nod of his head. "I believe the Gaul will make a fine champion, Dominus."

Titus looked down at the request from Sextus he'd received earlier that day. "The opponents we would face would be Greggo, a Murmillo and Spraxa, a retiarius. Who would you suggest we offer as opponents?"

"Crixus is Murmillo and fights well against Gnaeus. He is ready for such a match. Why not offer in kind, Dominus? Submit Gnaeus as a match for Greggo and Crixus to go against Spraxa."

Titus nodded his head happily. "Very well, old friend." He chuckled with the gleeful joy of a small boy. "Shall we tell the men. It does an old man good to share some good news for a change."

Oenomaus smiled, pleased to see Titus in such an affable mood. "It does indeed, Dominus," he said, helping the old man from his chair and walking with him out on to the balcony to make fortunate announcement.

*8*

Inside Batiatus villa:

Kleos skipped into the kitchen, hoping to steal a treat of some sort, most favorably a honey cake; the new cook, Aria, made them far better than Seraphina ever had. He liked Aria. She was nice to him, even if her daughter drove Kleos mad! But Aria always had a kind word for him unlike the previous cook, and for just a moment, Kleos felt a twinge of sorrow for the loss of the woman who, despite her ugliness towards him, had been a constant in his life since he was a babe. However, before he became melancholy he recalled what the woman said about his tad murdering his mother, how she had kept them apart and called his father such horrible things. He thought of the things she had vindictively whispered about Melitta, who was never anything but kind to him, and Kleos let that painful feeling in his chest go. He was better off without Seraphina's bitter hate poisoning him, he decided.

"Oh, and just look what the cat has dragged into the kitchen," a voice said, drawing Kleos' attention to the other side of the kitchen. "What do you want, Kleos? Looking for more free honey cakes?"

Kleos rolled his eyes when he saw Tara, Aria's daughter. She was only a year older than Kleos, but she liked to act as if she was far older and made the boy a bit daft when she teased him the way she did.

"It isn't your concern why I'm here, Tara," he told her, "so keep your mind to your own business."

He felt proud of that reply and his chest puffed out at shutting Tara up for once.

Aria turned to look at the two children arguing in her kitchen. The young woman was new to the Batiatus ludus, having been purchased only days before Batiatus had left for Rome with his gladiators. Aria had heard Kleos was the champion's son, so she had tried to have her daughter be nice to the boy, but Tara was stubborn and strong willed. Aria shot her daughter an exasperated glance. Kleos was a sweet boy and she had no idea why her daughter chose to pick on him.

"Kleos," she said, calling the boy over to her. "Is your sweet tooth acting up again?" she asked with a soft smile for the young lad.

Kleos blushed profusely and shuffled his feet. He got tongue tied whenever he looked at the pretty cook with her big blue eyes and golden hair. It was like she glowed; Kleos swallowed nervously, trying to think of how his tad would behave around such a pretty girl. Everyone knew his father had a way with the ladies, Kleos wished he could be like that.

"Uh-huh?" he said, staring at the new shoes Gannicus had gifted him, while nodding his head.

Aria gave his soft blond hair a playful rub. "Look what I saved for you from the morning's meal." She pulled out a small item wrapped in a piece of cloth.

Kleos' head shot up and when she unwrapped the cloth to show two honey cakes inside, a grin, so like his father's spread across his face. "Are those for me?"

She nodded. "I know they are your favorite."

"Gratitude Aria," Kleos breathed, his face turning the shade of a ripe apple when Aria smiled at him again.

Tara gave a small snort from the corner where she was drying dishes from the midday meal. "Please," she whispered. "Everything's his favorite."

"Hush child!" Aria rolled her eyes at her daughter. "Never you mind Tara," she told Kleos. "She is in a mood."

He glanced over his shoulder and scowled when Tara stuck her tongue out at him. He turned away in a huff. "She is always in a mood," he grumbled, taking a bite from one of his cakes while pocketing the other for Diona.

Aria noticed her daughter giving the handsome young boy furtive looks and decided she might know why her daughter picked on Kleos. With a mysterious smile, she told him, "It is the ways of us women, Kleos. We do not always act as you think we should. If your father has not explained that to you yet, you'll learn that soon enough on your own I suspect."

Kleos grinned. "The women swoon for my tad."

"Ha!" Tara snipped. "I highly doubt that."

Kleos rounded on her. "They do!"

"That's impossible," the girl retorted, sticking her nose up in the air.

"And why is it impossible?" Kleos demanded.

"Because, the slaves all say you look just like your father and if that is the case, it is simply impossible that anyone would lose presence of mind to swoon over him!"

"Tara!" Aria exclaimed.

Kleos stomped over to her. "You take that back!"

Tara ignored her mother's aggrieved expression and crossed her arms over her chest, facing young Kleos down. "Make me."

"You are a mean girl!" Kleos said.

"And you're a baby," Tara replied.

Kleos' face went bright red and he gasped, but before the boy could get even more upset, Aria grabbed her daughter by the elbow. "You stop it this instant young lady!" she said firmly. "We have only just arrived in this ludus. Would you have us thrown out for being cruel to the other slaves?"

Tara, thoroughly chastised, lowered her eyes. "Apologies mother," she said.

"It is not I who needs your apologies," the pretty cook said. "Apologize to Kleos," Aria demanded of her daughter.

Tara looked like she would rather chew rusted nails but offered an apology just the same.

Kleos smirked and debated to not accept the offering, but then his eyes fell upon Aria and his little heart fluttered. She was so beautiful… "Apology accepted," he muttered, and decided to get away from the man spirited girl while he could. With one last longing glance at the new cook, Kleos bid them farewell and went off in search of Diona. His tad's woman had become his closest friend since his father left. He just had to find her so could complain about how mean Tara was still being. Plus, he wanted to give her the honey cake he had for her; Diona always gave him the prettiest smiles when he brought her treats from the kitchens, even if she did usually end of sharing them back with him.

*8*

Rome: Palatine Hill: Severus Domus.

Lucius walked the halls of his family's domus with another man dressed in a bright tunic in gold, blue, red and green. Severus had not yet donned a toga and was still attired in his military garb as he inspected his home, deciding what needed to be done to make it more than simply hospitable. He had not lived in it in years, not since his father had passed a few years previously and, while still serviceable as a place to lay his head, it had a tarnished look, Lucius did not care for. The tapestries were faded, as were the rugs. The furniture outdated. He wanted everything to be new again. He wanted it to shine like the palace it was when his sister had lived amongst the walls. If he had his way, she would be back sooner rather than later.

"I would like to replace all the furniture, add new drapes, in gold and purple. I want new tapestries hung along the rear wall of the atrium, they must be of gladiator contests. My sister has a fondness for the games. I will also need a new bed in my bedroom as well as the guest cubiculums. My bed will be custom made of black marble of course," he added with a smirk.

The man Lucius had hired to oversee refurbishing his estate nodded enthusiastically. "I can arrange everything. Leave it to me."

Lucius nodded. "How long will it take? I plan on staying in Rome this time and will not be leaving after the Apolloinares." A callous smile curled his full lips upwards. "Despite what my sister might wish."

The dark hared man in the lively tunic gulped at the off-putting smirk Severus gave. His eyes were reptilian in their coldness, unnerving the man. "I could have everything you wish for within a months' time."

Lucius nodded, pleased. "Then I suppose I will simply have to stay with my dearest sister until such a time when my own domus shall be livable."

The man handed him a ledger listing all Lucius' requirements. The Roman Imperator signed it after going over it and handed it back to the decorator. "I will arrange for a line of credit to be established through my brother in law. Bring me the receipts at his domus. Yes?"

Seeing an opportunity to meet with Aurelius as well, the man was once again enthusiastic. "I will do that, sir," he said and took his leave, happy for the business, but having no desire to remain in the company of such an intimidating man as Severus.

Lucius chuckled as he watched the man run from his domus as if Pluto and his beasts from the underworld were after him. He enjoyed making people uncomfortable. Speaking of uncomfortable… He went to Cecilia's room to inform her to have her belongings packed and readied to be transported to his dear sister's domus within the hour. To his surprise, she was not there. His eyes narrowed dangerous. He had told her to go to her room, and if there was one thing Lucius Severus demanded, it was his orders to be obeyed.

Where had Cecilia took herself off to? He knew the little bitch was hiding from him. His cock hardened as he recalled her tears earlier that morning when he reminded her of her place in his life. If she knew what was good for her, she would get used to it because until she was married, Lucius planned on keeping her where she belonged, on her knees, where, according to his way of thinking, all women belonged. He would just have to hunt her down.

The thought restored his mood. "Cecilia," he sing-songed, his voice made even more frightening in its joyful tone; Lucius was never joyous. "Come out little cousin. I promise not to hurt you for disobeying me…" He waited, a sadistic twist to his full lips. "At least not too much," he added softly, and his maniacal chuckle was chilling.

*8*

Palatine Hill: The Aurelius Domus.

By the time Batiatus and Gannicus returned to Octavia's property, the chariot instructor had arrived and was waiting for them in the open area by the arena. The chariot was a two-person rig built for racing. Each of the large wheels were attached to the ends of a sway bar that ran under the carriage, allowing the wheels to shift; this gave the chariot easy maneuverability around turns at higher speeds (2). The vehicle was being pulled by two matching white horses that the instructor called Arabians.

Much to Gannicus' annoyance, Barca and Duratius had also noticed the newcomer's arrival and quit their training to make their way closer to where the instructor awaited. They wore identical shit eating grins and Gannicus exhaled a long sigh as he imagined the teasing he would receive later for this newest misadventure Octavia had embroiled him in.

Gannicus hesitated, narrowing his eyes on his brothers in irritation as they propped their elbows upon the short end of the wall to watch him. "Should you not be training presently rather than standing around, watching me and making yourself useless?"

"We are taking a much-needed break brother," Barca replied, throwing Gannicus a cheeky wink.

"To cheer you on in your endeavor," Duratius added, his grin widening when Gannicus growled out a curse directed at his mother of all things!

"Gannicus!" Batiatus called, regaining the Celt's attention. "Come. You'll need to retrieve the items you'll be carrying with you in the chariot."

The instructor, a large man that stood a few inches taller than Gannicus told the gladiator, "It would be best if you learned balance in the manner with which you will be riding on opening day. Whatever you will be carrying as Apollo, bring it forth so we can practice maintaining your footing in like fashion."

Gannicus' eyes rolled as he heard Barca start to laugh behind him. The Beast had been present for the fitting of the costume he was to wear.

"Don't forget the harp, Gannicus," Batiatus reminded.

'And his humiliation was complete', the gladiator thought as behind him he heard Duratius exclaim, "Harp? What bloody harp?"

"The one that he gets to carry on opening day in his golden chariot," Barca replied much to Gannicus' extreme chagrin. "Just wait, you will see."

Duratius burst into a round of laughter. "Fuck the Gods, your jesting!"

When Barca said he was not ribbing him, Duratius' guffaws grew even louder.

Gannicus flipped both men a lewd finger gesture behind his back, letting them know just what he thought of their laughter before he entered their quarters to retrieve his Apollo accoutrements…including the blasted harp!

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So, this chapter was more plot driven than the last one. Yes? :) Tullius is in town. Lucius is in town. Thing are going to start getting exciting from here on out people. ;)

Well, I am off. Let me know what ya'll think of this chapter. Remember, reviews are love my friends. :)

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Footnotes:

(1) Ancient Romans used bees wax to produce molds of the human face for busts and sculptures. In fact, they even used the wax to produce funeral masks of their male ancestors so that during funeral processions, actors or another relative could "fill in for the missing links of the genealogical lines" (Gannon, Live Science, 2014).

(2) According to historians, the first chariot was created around 2000 BC. Ancient Romans (most likely) borrowed the design from the Etruscans, however, they improved on it by creating better wheel maneuverability with the use of a bar that shifted under the carriage of the chariot, as well as a suspension system.