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 foul language and smut! If that is not your cup of tea, turn back now.
Pairings: There is multiple pairing in this story. Gannicus has more than one partner in this story. However, Gannicus/Melitta is my end game. If you are offended by multiple pairings of the characters, then this story is NOT for you.
If you are like me and just want Gannicus naked as often as possible, then read on. LOL
Chapter 60: non ducor, duco: I am not led, I lead
Rome: Circus Maximus: lower-level slave holdings
Within the dank confines of the slave holdings under the Circus Maxximus, Gannicus stood in his holding cell as two of Aurelius' slave girls painted his naked body a golden hue to, according to Octavia, "make his appearance as Apollo more authentic."
Whatever the fuck that meant, he thought, closing his eyes and gritting teeth as one of the women began to smooth the golden paint along his cock.
"Juno's cunt!" he gasped, when she swirled her thumb along the head in a maneuver designed to make a man excited. It was a move he especially enjoyed. He glanced down at her and found her gazing up at him, a teasing smile upon her lips. She was a comely thing, and his natural instincts arose without thought, and he grinned. "Do not stop there," he said, winking at the slender brunette. "I would die a happy man if your smile were the last, I was to see."
Batiatus walked in just in time to hear his gladiator flirting with a slave girl stroking his cock. "Do you not have a bountiful supply of cunt to choose from?" the lanista crowed, as he entered the cell, surprising his gladiator, as well as the girl, but his grin spoke of his jest. He would not deny his gladiator his pleasures. Gannicus was a "God of the Arena", and if he wanted to fuck every slave in Aurelius' domus, as long as he did not get caught by Octavia, Batiatus cared naught.
"Apologies Dominus," Gannicus said.
Batiatus grinned. "Ah. None required. "I would see you well satisfied," he said, coming to stand before his gladiator as he was elevated to a true God! It nearly made his own cock rise to the size and hardness of his champion's! "Just don't allow your mistress to set gaze upon you seeing needs met elsewhere. I would of course have to deny knowledge of such a thing."
Gannicus nodded his agreement, but Batiatus' arrival had put end to flirtation, so he did not need further warnings. However, there were words he would see broken between himself and his Dominus regarding this purse and his future earnings. And he would have them now. The girls finished applying the paint to his legs, even the tops of his feet were painted.
"Dominus, I would have words...in private," Gannicus said, a deep frown marring his brow as he contemplated the conversation he was about to have. He had hopes Batiatus would honor promised word. If he refused, Gannicus knew not how he would react to such a thing.
Seeing the frown on his champion's face, Batiatus nodded. "Leave us," he said to both the slave girls, as well as the two guards in attendance. "You look concerned," he told his champion, handing him the white and gold subligaria he was to wear in the ceremony as Apollo. "Speak and see scowl removed."
With a practiced hand, Gannicus began wrapping the fabric around his body. It was made of Sindon linen, soft to the touch, another gift from Octavia. Which, although he hated to admit, he now appreciated such fine garments next to his naked body, far better than rough wool. He supposed he would never have to wear wool again, since he now believed Octavia would never allow him to leave her.
"Dominus, I would see my purse for this contest, as well as all future proceeds applied towards purchase of freedom for Melitta, Diona and my son. As you promised."
Batiatus was not a fan of having a slave remind him to keep word. "Not yourself?" he asked, his ire beginning to rise. "Or are you so certain the Roman public will cum at the sight of you, award you the Rudis, and you will not need my hand to see freedom?!"
Gannicus shook his head. "I am not applied to such intent, Dominus. You shall forever have use of my swords because I will never be free of Octavia," he said gruffly, shoulders not quite as thrust back as was the gladiator's norm. "Yet, I would see others held dear to heart towards such an end. Can we come to agreement?"
The gladiator was silent as he pulled on the golden sandals and tied the laces behind his knees. He waited for his Dominus to reply to his offer.
Gannicus' words were of a nature he had longed to hear, but his manner in speaking worried mind. Batiatus needed his champion to remain his cocky, arrogant self to maintain his dominance within the arena. A broken gladiator was of no use to him.
"I would not see you to such a belief." Batiatus handed Gannicus the white and gold balteus belt. "Has Octavia broke words regarding permanent arrangement?"
Gannicus shrugged as he wrapped the thick white leather around his trim waist and tightened the ties. "Dominus, you do not want to hear tale."
Quintus rolled his eyes. "I would not have fucking asked if I did not," he replied, but when his champion still hedged, the lanista grabbed his champion by the shoulders, uncaring of golden paint. "Gannicus, speak fucking mind! I would hear why you appear broken pup seeking last rites!"
Gannicus explained the morning's events. "She wants children Dominus. Plural." He shook his head. "I will never be free," he said softly. "But I would see those dear to me to such a fate."
"Jupiter's fucking cock, Gannicus!" Batiatus snapped. "Where has your strength of purpose gone?"
The blonde gladiator's head snapped up. "Huh?"
"You stand here absent ambition for greater purpose than for what you now hold?"
"I stand here a realist, Dominus," he rebutted. "The woman has much wealth and power. Do you truly see yourself capable of terminating her desires for me?"
"I see myself as your Dominus, the man who owns your fucking papers."
"And what does that matter when a woman such as Octavia demands my presence in her bed? Demands that I plant seed in her belly?" he asked, reminding Batiatus of words he himself had said in days past. "You yourself gave voice to my circumstance when you told me I must please this woman no matter my choice."
"And that still holds true," he admitted. "However," he added when Gannicus' head dropped. "You can change circumstance."
"In what manner?" the blonde gladiator asked, raking a hand through his hair in frustration. "I have done as instructed. The woman has lost heart to me, yet her love has become web entangling me so thoroughly, I cannot see my way clear." He sighed. "When first I fucked Octavia, she demanded I not fill womb with unworthy fucking seed," he told Batiatus with an ironic smirk. "Yet now, she wraps legs around waist, holding me hostage when it's my time and tells me our children will be product of our love!" He snorted. "What love!"
"Those were her words?" Batiatus asked, surprise evident on his face,
"Verbatim," Gannicus replied, shaking his head, still stunned by earlier conversation. "She goes so far as to say her husband would accept such a thing! A Roman noble claiming a slave's babe as his own?" The blonde gladiator scoffed. "The woman has not simply lost heart, she has lost fucking mind!" Gannicus turned to Batiatus, his frown even deeper upon brow. "If you have advice as to how I can avert this fate... Please Dominus, break fucking words and I will rejoice in the hearing."
Batiatus was, in truth, too stunned to reply. That a woman of Octavia's means would want to have a gladiator's child! More than one child, according to his champion. It was beyond shocking. Yes, Gannicus was a handsome beast, but he was still a slave. It boggled the mind. And to think Claudius would accept such a thing?! Quintus could not imagine it. If Lucretia ever... He struck it from mind. Thought too repugnant to imagine.
When Batiatus remained silent, Gannicus nodded brusquely and pulled on the golden arm bands he was to wear as well. "You see. There is no hope. Can we now strike bargain now?"
Batiatus was silent for a moment before he gave way. "I will see it done," he told the gladiator. "All future proceeds from your contests will be put into a ledger and applied towards purchase of those you hold dear."
"Gratitude," the blonde gladiator said. He held out his arms. "Absent harp and bow. I am ready."
"Such a thing leads me to wonder was lyre intentionally misplaced?" Quintus joked, smiling, yet Gannicus did not return grin, and Batiatus was unhappy with his champion's demeanor. He was absent normal grin and bravado. "See spirits raised," he said. "I once promised to end contract with Octavia after we achieved status in Rome. Do you recall?"
"I do," Gannicus replied. Surely Batiatus would not break contract so soon.
"Give me a moment to see if I can relieve you of this duty," Quintus said.
"What does it matter? My fate is sealed," Gannicus muttered.
"Juno's cunt, Gannicus! I asked for a fucking moment! Can you do that before you start planning your fucking funeral?"
"I have no thoughts to dying, Dominus," Gannicus said wryly, smirking at the man's words.
However, some of the lanista's words did find way through thick skull. Batiatus was a schemer, the gladiator was well-aware of how the man's mind worked, if anyone could find way out of the mire of piss, shit and cum he now found himself, it was Batiatus.
"I stand surprised that you would see me free of the woman's embrace, Dominus. She offers much coin to the ludus."
Batiatus nodded. "I can do naught to see it so presently, but I told you I would see bargain severed after we secured position in Rome. We are a cunt hair away from that time, Gannicus. Have faith." Batiatus took hold of his gladiator's shoulders once again and met his champion's dark gaze. "You will not be forced to serve as this woman's stud. Of this, I can promise without hesitation."
Promise had been made before Octavia's more permanent appetites became known. Would he really walk away from her coin? Not quite believing what he was hearing, Gannicus searched the man's eyes, seeking truth there. What he saw made him believe Batiatus was either world's best liar, or he meant words he was breaking. "You give word on this?"
"I would," Batiatus replied easily. Just then the lanista snapped his fingers and his face took on the crafty expression Gannicus recognized. The man was plotting course.
"You have solution earlier than planned?" the gladiator hedged.
Quintus nodded his head with a smile. "In fact, I might at that," he said chuckling. "Recall bargain struck when I caught Melitta in your cell."
Gannicus grunted in acknowledgment. It carried both wonderful and terrifying memories for him. "What of it?"
Batiatus came and put his arm around his champion's shoulder. "If you were to be freed here in Rome, it would make contract with Octavia nullified. Roman law states a slave who is freed through manumission is not obliged to carry out contracts made by his or her Dominus." (1)
Having no idea of Roman law, Gannicus depended on Batiatus to break words of truth. "There is such a law?" he asked, once again maintaining eye contact to gauge legitimacy of Batiatus' words.
"De manu missio," Quintus said.
"Released from the hand," Gannicus replied gruffly, feeling hope begin to rise.
"Exactly. Through manumission you will be released." In this, he was not lying. Slaves from wealthier, more privileged houses had even earned Roman citizenship through manumission. (2)
"But I would not be freed by manumission. I would be freed by winning the Rudis," Gannicus said, brows drawing down slightly again as he questioned circumstance. "Does it matter, the manner in which I am freed?"
"No," Quintus informed him. He placed a hand on Gannicus' shoulder, reassuring the gladiator. "It matters not. All you must do to remove yourself from Octavia's grasp, is charm the Roman crowd as you have in Capua." He clapped the blonde gladiator on his back. "Do that and she will have no say in where you put your cock."
Gannicus' reaction was immediate. Relief swept through him like wave, and in the wake of that emotion, his entire presence changed. His shoulders straightened, his brows lifted, his charming smile reappeared, and his eyes brightened. In fact, he gazed at Batiatus with something close to affection. "Gratitude, Dominus," the gladiator said, humbly. "I will do my part to keep her drenched in pleasure until such time as you sever ties, or I earn my Rudis."
Quintus grinned at his gladiator's words. He squeezed his shoulder again as a sign of good will, thanking the Gods he had already discussed what Gannicus would do if offered freedom. "That is all I ask."
"No small feat," Gannicus said with rueful grin, "but one I shall accomplish."
Having seen to lightening his man's mood, Batiatus then offered words of encouragement. "Use today's ceremony towards convincing the Roman crowd that you are the gladiator they should cheer for in the Primus. Argonaut is popular. You shall be more so." He wrapped a hand behind his slave's neck, and drew Gannicus to him, so they were eye to eye. "Charm the Crowd, shoot the fucking Python, win the Primus and see words we speak this day bear fruit and become truth."
"Is that all?" Gannicus replied with a chuckle, before he swallowed laughter and gave a nod of acquiesce. "I will see it done."
Batiatus was pleased with his gladiator's mood, however, with the turn of events of the day, he wanted to do more to further Gannicus' motivation. He would give the gladiator a day with the one he held most dear. "I would see you to your own desires today," the lanista said mysteriously.
"Dominus?" Gannicus questioned, unsure what that meant exactly.
Quintus did not reply, instead he called back the slave girls and guards back in. "The hour grows late. We must prepare you for opening ceremony. Octavia insisted Apollo be presented absent shackles, so unfortunately, you could not be a part of the Pompa Circensis procession through the city, but you will be making grand entrance from the gates where the chariot riders enter the stadium," Batiatus told him.
Gannicus was not surprised to hear the Ludi Apollinare Aedile would hesitate to allow a gladiator, absent shackles, to drive through the streets of Rome with only a driver to stand as guard. He smirked, that would be foolish at best. "I understand Dominus. I will not disappoint."
Batiatus was certain Gannicus could be champion of Rome, if he simply set mind to that purpose. "Of that I have no doubt." He turned to leave but paused for a moment. "There's a saying, Gannicus, where the mob goes, so goes Rome. You win the mob in your favor, and fortunes will rise, fees for contests will rise as will chances for winning freedom in the arena. It all comes down to winning the mob."
"I am to purpose, Dominus," Gannicus replied, once again standing before the slave girls as they repainted the areas Batiatus had disturbed.
Quintus nodded. "It can all be had. You simply need to make it so." And with those parting words the lanista left, leaving behind a gladiator who was in far brighter spirits than when he arrived.
After Batiatus left, the girls had to repaint his back and shoulders, the pretty brunette with sky blue eyes, who he had previously flirted was next to him and Gannicus gave her an alluring smile as she slid fresh golden paint along his shoulders and onto his chest and belly and lower. He caught her hand before it slipped into his subligaria. "My Dominus did not grab cock, but I must confess I enjoyed your hand painting me earlier," he teased.
The girl flushed bright red, but her answering smile was flirtatious. "If you ever desire company, you only need to ask. I am called Sophia."
In another time, he would have taken advantage of that invitation. "Gratitude Sophia, but your Domina might take issue with that request."
The girl gasped and by their own accord her hands flew away from him as if he were on fire. "You're Gannicus!" she gasped, "the gladiator she is infatuated with." Her light blue eyes roamed his body. "Sentiment becomes understood." The young slave worried her bottom lip as if contemplating whether he would be worth angering her Domina. Finally, she sighed and turned thought to other purpose as she handed Gannicus the white and gold pallium he was to wear.
Gannicus raised a brow at the short light weight cloak like garment but said nothing. It was made of the same Egyptian Sindon linen Octavia favored and of a much higher quality of any pallium he had ever worn. Far too luxurious for a slave. His were usually of rough wool, this was a welcome change upon his body; the gladiator supposed it was garb suitable for a God.
Sophia's blue eyes kept lingering on his body and Gannicus recognized desire there. He winked at her, earning another flush from the pretty slave as he flirted with the girl.
"You are dangerous," she said breathlessly.
Now that he had discussed a way out for him, Gannicus felt as if a weight had been lifted and saw no harm in his flirtation. "In another life, I would show you I do not bite...unless asked to do so," he replied with a wink.
"Domina would have head if she could read minds," Sophia teased.
Gannicus chuckled huskily. "Rest assured she will never hear of it from my tongue."
The other slave, an older girl, not nearly as comely and obviously used much harsher than Sophia, if scars upon back and thighs were to tell tale, snorted and rolled her eyes. "Save smile for the Domina, gladiator," she said, tightening the ties on his manicae. "And you!" She pinched Sophia on her arm, hard enough to leave a welt. "Set mind to task, not on what is under his subligaria, silly girl, or see flesh removed when word of your behavior finds its way back to Domina!"
Sophia rubbed the red mark standing out bright on pale flesh. "And from whose tongue would such words drop, Javia?"
Javia remained quiet, but the implication was clear.
Gannicus' eyes flew to the older slave. "You would cast accusation upon friend?"
"She stands not as friend," she replied. "She is but a slave, as am I. As are you."
Gannicus' eyes hardened. "I may stand as slave, but I stand the slave fucking your Domina. A word dropped from my tongue to her ear would see you absent voice, stripped of flesh." He leaned down to whisper into the girl's ear. "Speak ill of Sophia, and I will be forced to tell Octavia it was you who grabbed cock for pleasure, not her."
Javia's dark eyes darted to the guards standing at the entrance of the cell as if she meant to call out to them.
Gannicus snorted. "They are too fucking far away to hear words and if you alert them, I will be forced to speak my peace to them first and then Octavia."
Sophia's eyes widened at his defense of her, but a small smile turned her lips upward as she gazed at the handsome gladiator with something akin to hero worship.
"You would dare?" the other slave asked, her anger at him held in check only by her rising fear.
"I would," he replied. "Choice is yours, Javia, shall we leave this conversation in dust and shadows where it belongs, or am I to bend Octavia's ear when next I am in her bed?"
The woman shook her head. "Apologies," she said. "I saw nothing."
Gannicus shot a wink at Sophia. "None required," he replied, his mood restored even further at the look of adoration the pretty slave girl bestowed upon him.
In that moment, two guards came forward. One tall and muscular, one short and wiry, both were scarred from many battles waged. It was obvious the men had once been soldiers. The tall one signaled to Gannicus. "Gladiator. It is time," he said. "I have been instructed to present you chains removed. Do not make me regret following command," he warned, hand on his sword.
Gannicus laughed outright. "I am absent sword man. I have no desire to see the shores of the afterlife this day."
The man nodded. "Then let us go," he said as he and his fellow guard assumed position on either side of Gannicus to escort him from the cell.
"Wait," Sophia called out, just as they were leaving. She ran up to Gannicus, the golden laurel in hand. "You cannot make appearance as Apollo without this."
He rolled his eyes at having to wear such a thing, but again, the hero worship on the attractive girl's face had him bowing so she could place it upon his head. "Better?" he asked with a roguish smirk.
Sophia sighed. "Apollo weeps with envy at your beauty."
Both guards snorted at her words, and Gannicus' booming laughter could be heard as he followed the guards along the underground tunnels of the stadium as they made their way to the gate that opened to the track.
Capua: Batiatus Ludus:
Diona and Naevia were scrubbing the atrium floor. There was a bucket between them, and they were whispering quietly as they cleaned.
Suddenly Naevia reared back. "Dominus is going to do what?" she nearly shouted.
"Lower voice," Diona hissed, quickly glancing around to see if dearest friend had drawn undue interest. "I'd rather the entire Ludus not hear my news, Naevia!"
Naevia flushed. "Apologies," she said, her shock still evident upon her lovely face. "I am but surprised by your words, is all."
Diona chuckled. "You should have borne witness to my own last evening when Dominus announced plan."
"You and Gannicus...married." Naevia shook her head. "What do you think he will say of it?"
Diona swallowed thickly. "I do not care to think of it," she admitted. "He is in love with Melitta, Naevia. I did not wish it."
Naevia's brow shot up. "Did you not though, even if only to yourself?"
Diona's cheeks flushed a pretty shade of rose. "I wished for him to return affections. Not to have Dominus force hand. I would never wish that upon him." Diona's green eyes wandered off for a moment, staring into space. "Not even to make heart's desire come true." A tear rolled down her cheek and Diona hastily wiped it away.
"Why is Dominus doing this?" Naevia asked quietly, dipping her scrub brush back into the pail of soapy water, before resuming chores. "Did he give reasoning behind decision?"
"He did," Diona said, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her eyes as she too went back to scrubbing the tiled floor while they talked. "Dominus has somehow taken it to mind that Gannicus has lost heart..." Naevia's eyes widened, but Diona shook her head. "Not to Melitta, but to the Roman. Dominus is of a mind that Gannicus loves that Roman woman!"
Naevia giggled. "What seized brain to make Dominus think such bizarre tale?"
Diona snorted and rolled her eyes. "Gannicus did it to himself," she replied. "It was from his lips the lie dropped."
The girls moved a few paces away, to work on another part of the floor. Naevia immediately returned to subject. "Why would he do such a thing?" she asked, her confusion obvious.
Diona leaned closer to the other girl, and in a whisper, she told Naevia a shortened version of how Titus had continued to confront Gannicus regarding relationship with the Roman and how Gannicus had almost confessed all to Oenomaus once when he was feeling especially guilty, how Batiatus had caught him... "So, Batiatus demanded Gannicus break words with Oenomaus, and explain it was the Roman he lost heart to. Oenomaus told Dominus, and we now stand involved with consequence to take place when Gannicus returns from Rome."
Naevia leaned back on her heels, and blew out a breath, exhausted from the hearing of it. "This house... the secrets and lies slither among the halls like serpents, ready to strike."
Diona nodded. She herself had nearly become a casualty of this house and its secrets. "How well I know it. If Gannicus had not taken me as his..." The pretty brunette shook her head, and a small tremor wracked her slender frame. "I would have been forced to stand as whore, Naevia."
"Strike it from thought, Diona. You were spared such a fate."
"By Gannicus' hand I was spared, but it weighs heavy on mind because I know, if he had not saved me, I would have lost myself or gone mad. I have memory of wishing the next man to take me would take life as well as body."
"Diona!" Naevia cried. It had been so very long since she had heard such words fall from her mouth. "I had nearly lost memory of such days." She wiped away her tears and Diona's. "They are gone, and I would see them banished forever to dust and shadow, where they belong."
Diona's smile brightened as she saw who had just entered the atrium. "See such talk banished now," Diona said quickly. She turned her back and wiped her eyes again, making sure her tears were all gone. "Kleos," she said as the boy made his way to her a skip in his step.
Kleos came to a stop before them, careful to not step where they were cleaning. He greeted Naevia with a friendly hello, before he turned to Diona. "Diona," he began, "may I ask you a question?"
Diona recalled Gannicus' stories regarding Kleos and his questions. Surely, the boy was not as bad as his father described.
"Yes, you may," the pretty brunette replied, with a smile for her new roommate.
"You are to be married to my tad, yes?"
Diona nodded. "Dominus has made it so. Yes."
"Do you love my tad?"
His dark eyed gaze, so like his father's, made her feel as if he could see into her soul.
Diona hedged. "I have strong emotions for him."
He nodded at her answer, but Kleos was not done yet. "Do you want to marry him?"
Naevia began to smile at the boy's determination to find truth.
Diona gave her a look that wiped smile from face. She chose her words very carefully. "Kleos, I could be very happy married to your tad," she admitted, "but I am not yet certain of your father's wishes." She took his hand. "Dominus has decreed it so, but I would hear from your father's lips to my ear before I say it shall be."
He nodded. "What am I to call you now?"
Diona's brows drew down. "Call me?" She was not sure she understood. "Explain, Kleos."
"Well, Gannicus stands as father, and I call him tad. Since you will be my mother when you marry him. What should I call you?"
Diona's green eyes widened. She had been wrong. Gannicus had not exaggerated at all. The boy had a way of dragging out your secrets. "Kleos, I..." She paused, utterly unsure how to answer that question.
Naevia came to her rescue. "Kleos, that is a very important question which perhaps would be best asked when your father is back from Rome." She took a piece of hardened honey treat from her pocket. She had planned to give it to him later, but decided now would be opportune time to distract him; she handed him the candy. "Do you not think Gannicus will want to be included in picking a name for Diona? Perhaps he will even have a name in his native tongue, like tad."
Kleos eagerly took the candy and popped it into his mouth, as he appeared to be giving Naevia's advice real thought.
Diona could have kissed her dear friend. "I think he would be hurt if we did not include him, Kleos. What do you think?" she asked the boy, wanting to ensure he was not feeling as if she did not want him to call her mother.
Kleos scoffed. "Nothing hurts my tad," he said. But then he nodded. "Perhaps you are right. Best we wait to ask him." He gave Diona a small smile. "Think you he will have a special name I can call you in Celtic?"
He looked so eager. He had never had a mother. The only woman in his life had been that old hag, Seraphina. Diona about cried. "What would you like to call me, Kleos?"
He scuffed the toe of his new shoes for a minute before he raised those big, beautiful eyes. Eyes so like his father's. He gave her a small, almost shy smile; quite unlike his usual brashness. "I have never had a mother," he confided softly. "I would like to call you mother..." He paused and then asked, "Do you want to be my mother?"
Naevia had to look down lest the boy see watery eyes.
Diona too barely managed to blink back the rush of tears. Her heart ached for the boy. "I would be honored to be your mother, Kleos." She smiled when Kleos' grin made appearance.
"You would?" His grin was now stretched wide.
"I truly would," Diona confirmed, knowing she was making commitment Gannicus may take exception to, but Diona was past caring. Kleos obviously wanted her to say yes, so yes it would be.
Kleos looked pleased, but then he frowned. "But I do not wish to hurt my tad's feelings if he is not included," the boy said.
Diona took his hand and brought him close to her. "What if, for now," she said in a whisper, "you think of a name you would call me. A name shared just between you and I. How would that be?"
"Something I would call you, like mother, but not yet?"
Diona nodded. "Exactly."
Kleos hugged Diona tightly. "I would like that very much." He released her and stepped back and studied her for a moment. "Can I speak of my choice at vesperna?"
"You may," she told him with a smile.
He was about to leave when he suddenly stopped and came back. "Naevia, apologies. I did not give proper thanks for the candy." He flashed her that smile that was so much like his father's... both girls grinned in return. "A man should always thank a pretty girl for favors given. That is what my tad says."
And with that, the boy skipped off towards the Ludus, seemingly without care in the world.
"From the mouths of babes," Diona said, with a roll of her eyes. "I wonder what favors Gannicus spoke of when he gave that advice?"
Both girls watched Kleos leave the atrium. It was obvious the youngster would one day stand as charming as his father.
"I cannot imagine," Naevia said, giggling. She noticed young Kleos was not headed to the kitchens. "Where does he go?" she asked.
"He is to work with Oenomaus," Diona told Naevia with a smile. "Dominus has decided to continue Kleos' instruction while Gannicus is in Rome."
Diona sighed as she recovered from Kleos' manner of questioning. She now stood believer of Gannicus' stories regarding the boy's interrogations. She still felt hot and flushed and emotional from his questions. "Bless you Naevia!" she murmured. "When he asked what he should call me after..."
Diona didn't finish, so Naevia did for her. "You mean after you marry his tad?"
The brunette's green eyes widened. "Tongue seized up dry as the sand within the arena!"
Naevia chuckled. "A fact well noticed presently," she teased.
"Give moment to become accustomed to such a thing," Diona replied with a flip of her hair.
Naevia let subject drop and moved on to another; one that tugged at heart. "When he said he wished to call you mother and asked if you desired to stand as such." Naevia shook her head "I had to look away for fear I would cry," she admitted softly, wiping her eyes yet again.
"You are not alone." Diona said.
Naevia brought up the topic that both girls were thinking, but did not want to broach. "You told Kleos you would be honored to be his mother. What will you do if Gannicus balks at joining hands with you?"
"I cannot let it seize mind." She sighed. "If concern was only for myself..." Diona shrugged. "It would hurt, but I have accepted where Gannicus' heart lies. I would stay as we are now, and not give it another thought, but there is Kleos to think of."
Naevia nodded. "That boy has heart set to you as his mother."
"And he shall have it, Naevia," Diona said with more force than the other girl had ever seen from her friend. "And if Gannicus does not like it, then he will have to put another's needs before his own for once." The green-eyed brunette began to attack the floor as she were gladiator and the floor her opponent. "Kleos will never know another day of rejection," Diona whispered fiercely. "This I vow."
Naevia grinned at her friend. "I think perhaps Gannicus will be shocked when he returns from Rome. He left here and you stood meek tabby cat. He will return to face a lioness guarding her cub!"
Diona stared at Naevia for a long moment before both girls burst into laughter.
"Lioness indeed!" Diona snorted, but it was just what they needed to lighten their moods. They finished off the floor in record time after that.
Rome: Circus Maximus:
Sophia's comment about Apollo weeping at his beauty caused Gannicus to laugh, and his laughter could be heard throughout the tunnel as he was escorted to the gates that led to the stadium track.
"Look at the golden God, Duratius. He laughs as if absent worry of what the day shall bring."
Hearing his brother's voice, Gannicus paused, searched for and found Barca and Duratius standing in front of one of several gates that led to the sands of the Circus. Several other men, obviously gladiators, were lined up behind the gate as well.
"A moment," he said to the guards.
"Just one," the short, wiry guard replied, allowing Gannicus to make way to where his brothers were standing.
Duratius and Barca met him halfway, both laughing gleefully as they eyed his golden body, fine clothing and the laurel wreath on his head.
Duratius gave a slow whistle. "Such a pretty boy. If I did not enjoy cunt so much, I might be persuaded to fuck ass, despite shit on my cock!"
The blonde rolled his eyes, flipped him a rude finger gesture, but basically ignored that comment. "Did you take part in the Pompa Circensis?"
"We were," Barca said. "What of it?"
The blonde gladiator frowned. "I was told we were not taking part. Why were you chosen?"
Both Duratius and Barca held up their hands and Gannicus realized they were both wearing shackles. In fact, all the gladiators wore manacles, but him.
"Reason becomes clear," he said.
"Count yourself fortunate brother," Duratius complained. "I thought we would never arrive at Circus Maximus. It was long fucking walk, and my feet hurt."
Gannicus gave a short bark of laughter. "You stand gladiator ready to die upon the sands, yet whine like child about aching feet!"
Duratius cocked an eyebrow and waved a hand at Gannicus and his costume. "This coming from pretty little man painted gold, wearing a crown and a stola."
A massive mountain of a man approached. He was a gruesome brute with a heavily scarred face, dark hair and a full beard; he bore the scars that gladiators often had, but the ones upon face were not from combat. "You are Gannicus, God of the Arena?" His thick accent placed him from Germania.
"I am," he replied. "And you are?" Although Gannicus was already somewhat certain this was Argonaut.
The big man's green eyes roamed the blonde gladiator from head to toe. "Argonaut would rather fuck you than fight you," he taunted.
Gannicus laughed in the man's face. "Argonaut can try, but Gannicus will sever tiny cock and feed it to him."
Barca and Duratius chuckled at Gannicus' comment.
"He might only have a nub, brother," Duratius said. "It would make meager meal."
The Batiatus gladiators laughed, having no problem ganging up on outsiders.
The man smiled, showing off rotting teeth. "Ha! Argonaut has cock of a God! Pretty Capuano champion will feel it up ass when I fuck you after I defeat you in the arena!"
Duratius and Barca's grins disappeared. They could tease their brother, but another gladiator doing it was not to be tolerated. They stood on either side of Argonaut, glaring at him.
"Bigger than you have tried...and failed. As will you," Gannicus replied.
Argonaut, who stood half a foot taller than Gannicus, was all solid, thick muscle. He smirked at the two gladiators eyeing him for a beating. "Are your watch dogs going to protect you, pretty little darling?" he growled and barked like a dog, then he started laughing. "God of the Arena, eh? Must Argonaut fight your pets before getting to the God himself?"
"I need no watch dogs," the blonde gladiator retorted, cocky grin firmly in place. "I am perfectly capable of ending you when we face each other upon the sand."
"Gladiator," the taller of his guards said, interrupting the verbal sparring and alerting Gannicus to the time. A black and gold chariot arrived at a gate three down from where the gladiators were standing. "This way," the guard said with an inclination of his head, letting Gannicus know it was his vehicle.
The blonde gladiator flashed a smirk towards Argonaut, an arrogant tilt to his chin. "My chariot awaits, literally."
As Gannicus got to the chariot, he glanced back at the other gladiators, only to find Argonaut still watching him with something far more deadly than mere rivalry. He had never faced the German before so there was no history of disrespect, like he had with some of Vettius' men. Their match was not supposed to be sine missione, no mercy given... So why was the man staring at him as if he had burning desire to end him? Gannicus' did not know, but his instincts, were screaming at him to beware the huge German. The man's intensity irritated, and the blonde gladiator blew the ugly cocksucker a kiss and then turned his back on him, dismissing him.
Argonaut was put from mind as he began inspecting the chariot. It was black and gold, Severus and Aurelius colors. He sighed, for all intent and purpose the woman owned him, but he would make use of opportunity she presented. He would charm Rome and earn his freedom upon the sands.
Rome: Circus Maximus: Noble Pulvinus: Center of Track.
Batiatus was beyond excited. The stands within the Circus were full to bursting. The screams of the crowd deafening as he and his party made their way to their seats upon the pulvinus. Finally! The House of Batiatus had arrived upon glorious destination. Rome and the Circus fucking Maximus! It was a true testament that a man with ambition could rise above humble station and achieve glory beyond words. He was hard pressed not to skip his way to their seats, so great was his joy. That is until he spied the snake Tullius amongst honored guests within the luxurious pulvinus assigned to the host of the event.
"Jupiter's cock!" he said aloud, causing Lucretia to glance his way. He inclined his head towards Tullius and his wife gasped.
"To what purpose does she invite the viper into our midst?" Lucretia hissed.
"I know not," Batiatus replied, just as quietly. He very nearly turned around, so great was his animosity upon seeing the man who had tried to have his greatest champion torn from grasp standing amongst the nobility taking seats within the lavishly adorned accommodations; that is, until the man took seat in back row.
Witnessing Tullius' seating, Gaia chuckled and leaned forward so her words were not overheard. "To give public testimony to the man's lowering of position." The brunette nodded her head towards the blonde sitting in the first row. "I would even be so bold as to say she demanded man show face today to ensure humiliation was complete."
Batiatus' grin spoke volumes of his opinion on the matter. "Gaia speaks true. Look to where the man is seated."
Lucretia took note it and she too suddenly laughed. "How the worm has turned," she chortled, mood brightened immediately. She looped her arm through Quintus', her step and spirits lighter. "Come husband. Let us take our seats in the front row and see serpent wither and die as he chokes on his own venom."
As soon as they took their seats in the front row to the right of Octavia, the blonde leaned over to Batiatus and whispered, "Tullius has dared bite the hand that has fed him well," she told the lanista. "Present position in the farthest row of the pulvinus is only the beginning to his fall from grace." Her grin was positively wicked. "Trust words, Claudius and I are not done with the man."
Batiatus chuckled. "Memory of the man already fades," he said cheerfully, turning to meet the eyes of his nemesis. "But it does lighten the heart to see him so firmly neutered." Batiatus laughed outright to see the rage flash upon the merchant's face for just a moment before he hastily wiped it from countenance. "Yes," Quintus said again, turning back to the pompa taking place signaling the start of the ceremonies, "it does lighten heart indeed."
Claudius, seated to Octavia's left also leaned in to greet Batiatus and his party. "It is quite the spectacle this year," he said. "As you can see it is a marvelous display of the people's interest in your champion. From what I was told by Aediles Verenius and Belicius, this is a record-breaking crowd." His handsome face broke into a wide smile. "A glorious display to honor Apollo."
Cossutius, greeted Gaia, then Quintus and Lucretia. "Your man has already inspired over three hundred thousand Romans to attend opening ceremonies, Batiatus," he informed, shocking Quintus with the actual number of people in attendance. "Set gaze upon yonder hills..." he waved a bejeweled hand at the two hills on either side of the grand stadium that were filled with spectators who had been unable to gain entrance to the Circus Maximus. "All anxious to view this Capuano God representing a God!"
Quintillius Varis, who was also in attendance added, "Your Gannicus is truly upon every Noble tongue, Batiatus. After his contests in Cossutius' games and my own Vinalia, we have expounded on his glory and now all of Rome is eager to witness this God of the Arena!" He glanced towards Melitta who was standing silently behind Lucretia. "I would be eager to, yet again, see him in all his glory in other, more pleasurable ways, as well."
Melitta visibly flushed and lowered her head at the man's reminder of him watching Gannicus take her so publicly.
Lucretia stiffened in her seat, but thankfully, Senator Vettia appeared at that moment, and Varis' comment was forgotten in the greeting of such an important guest.
Magnus Vettia greeted Aurelius and Octavia first as they were his hosts, but his gaze quickly turned to Gaia. "Has a man ever gazed upon such beauty? One fit to rival Venus herself. We are here to honor a God, yet a Goddess sits here before me," he finished with dramatic flourish.
His flowery speech had desired result, Gaia flushed with the youthful exuberance she once pointed out in Diona, but said she no longer possessed; apparently, she could indeed still blush. "You flatter," she replied, but it was obvious she enjoyed the flattery.
He took his seat that had been saved next to Gaia. "I merely speak truth," he said, taking her hand and placing a kiss upon the soft skin of her knuckle. "You are a rare gem, Gaia. One I would like to see more of."
Varis and Cossutius, seated directly behind Gaia, both chuckled at such grandiloquence.
Cosutius smirked towards Vettia, "I never knew you possessed such flowered tongue, Vettia. Why do you not let it loose upon the Senate floor?"
Varis chuckled and added his two cents. "He saves such eloquence for one deserving of it." His gaze went to Gaia with a spark of new interest there now that Vettia had openly declared affection.
Octavia rolled her eyes at the rampant flirting directed towards Gaia; however, she was not unhappy with an apparent rivalry for her friend's hand. Vettia was an important man, having Gaia as his wife would be a boon to her husband's political agenda, but Varis possessed a far greater purse and had political contacts because of his wealth that would also benefit. Either would be a perfect match and helpful to Claudius. Therefore, she planned to do her utmost to see Gaia achieve goal of finding a husband of consequence.
Octavia raised a noble brow and gave both men an evaluating glance. "Perhaps you both should produce cock, allowing Gaia to make informed decision." Her grin was playful, and the entire group of nobles laughed at her ribald jest.
"What a delightfully wicked suggestion, Octavia," Gaia said, creating further laughter within the group of men surrounding her.
Octavia turned back to Quintus. "Did you see to Gannicus?"
Years of schooling features helped Batiatus keep straight face as he told her the man was content and ready to honor both House Aurelius and Apollo this day. "He will charm the crowd as he always does," he told the blonde Roman.
Her smile was one of a woman in love. "I have no doubts about that, Batiatus," she replied. "Your gladiator could charm a Vestal Virgin out of her robes!"
Batiatus erupted in laughter at her comment. "You do not need to convince me of the man's appeal. The whores in the ludus used to fight to see who serviced the man for fucks sake!" he quipped.
It was true. Gannicus never lacked for female admiration, but Batiatus realized his comment might be misunderstood. One word from her tongue would see fortune dry up like drop of rain under desert sun. His eyes shot to her, and nearly wilted with relief to see her laughing at his comment.
"Yes, he is an alluring animal." Octavia was breathless as she added, "I fucking cannot wait to see him as Apollo. He will be magnificent!"
(1) Manumission or de manu missio was the act of releasing of a slave by their owner. It does literally mean a releasing from the hand. I took creative license regarding the law stating slaves were not responsible after manumission though.
(2) There were differing degrees of manumission. It depended a lot on either the slave and their abilities or their owners' wealth and position. Slaves that were educated or who were owned by the wealthy were sometimes offered full manumission, which entitled them to Roman citizenship after being released.
Thank you everyone for the continued support of this story. I am having a blast with it again. Hope you all are as well. :)
