Unconditionally (Spartacus FANFIC -- Gannicus/Caesar/OC)

Chapter XVII

As I made my way back up to the villa I noticed Ashur lingering in the shadows, "Do you spy on me Ashur?" I asked him as he shook his head and approached me. Pulling me into the shadows with him, he looked haunted by words. "You were right." He informed me as I raised my brow at him. "About what?"

"The gifts, Barca returned with was a man. A man who the slaves belonged to. Once Dominus had learned who bought them he killed the man." He told me as I continued to stare at him.

"A monsters life bears me no concern, how was I right?" I asked again.

"I didn't care for his demise either, it was that he was willing to go any length to gather information." He told me, "I mean I had seen before the reach of his will yet, this was a Roman citizen."

"Who purchased the slaves? Demanded Dominus' life?" I asked curiously as he looked around us. "Ovidius."

"The Magistrates cousin... interesting. Why are you telling me this anyway, what is your angle?" I asked him as we began to walk back up to the villa. "Position. I will never replace you, that would be impossible. However... I want position and I want to fight again." He told me.

"I think we both know your days in the arena are over, you are becoming more valuable to him in the villa." I told him as he laughed, "I won many fights, I could show prominence again." He told me. "Well heal that leg and we shall see."

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I stood next to Naevia on the balcony as we watched Spartacus and Crixus train with Oenomaus. To what end I wasn't sure, the two would never work together but always at an odds. Sure I could speak to Crixus, he was trusted friend yet he would never listen. He hated Spartacus because he in his mind stood for nothing. Spartacus stood for an honor that we just did not understand, love. Naevia looked over at me, "Domina tried to speak to Ilithyia about having Crixus removed from the games." She whispered to me.

"Such a thing would never come to pass." I told her as she looked over at me, "Why do you seem upset?"

"Apologies, Naevia. I just did not sleep well last night." I told her, it wasn't a total lie. I hadn't been sleeping well the past few nights. Thoughts of the fight in the arena, and dreams of Gannicus had kept me up most nights. Oenomaus had to halt my learnings to be rested for Spartacus and Crixus.

"I have noticed, maybe ask Dominus if you can be finished with your duties earlier tonight? He has Ashur now too does he not?" She asked me.

"Ashur is a dog he keeps on a leash. He is little else to Dominus, yet I feel Dominus is drastically underestimating his usefulness. Ashur is smart, and cunning... Should he not get what he wants from Dominus, he will find it elsewhere." I told her as Dominus looked back to us.

"What do you think Jana? What would you say of the odds?" He asked me as I watched Oenomaus beat the two men back again. "I say if they do not start fighting as one, we will be out a champion, Dominus." I told him softly as he nodded. "I fear you are right."

Oenomaus had removed his chest piece and had begun to speak to the two men as we watched intently. I couldn't quite hear what he was telling them but he was likely telling them how Theokoles fights, and how he had injured him. Oenomaus was never proud of being saved in that fight, he always spoke of how it was his greatest defeat, an honorless win. He then picked up his swords again reminding me of Gannicus as he had fought in the same style. 

"The games tomorrow, and yet he presses them." Domina spoke softly.

"To their benefit. I have business in town. It'll take me until late into the night." Dominus told her as she stood there staring off at the men as the fought below. "Lucretia?" Dominus spoke again having not earned and answer from her. "Business." He told her again, as she looked at him with eyes that spoke wonders of her not paying attention. "Yea, business, I heard you." She told him.

"If you would prefer I delay..."

"No, I have diversion." She told him as Naevia and I glanced at each other before turning attention back to Crixus. "Ilithyia's coming with her Priestess."

"May the gods grant us miracle." He told her, before turning to me. "Jana." He spoke sternly.

"Yes, Dominus." I spoke before following him back into the villa. "Dominus?" I questioned him.

"I want for you to send for Ashur and Barca to accompany me to the market." He asked me as we stood in the room of champions. "I can protect you." I told him as he let out a sigh.

"That I have no doubt. Yet, tonight I seek revenge and the outcome of such I would not wish to befall your eyes." He told me, as conflicted as I was starting to become with this house. Be it in remaining loyal or not, I still wanted to attend my duties.

Freedom was in my mind always, freedom meant finding and being with Gannicus again. He has been from my arms too long thought, I did have thoughts that he had long forgotten of me. It had been years since we last looked upon one another, the chance that he has moved on and found love elsewhere were beyond high. Yet I would always hold onto the hope that he was waiting for me.

"Fine, We are seeking out those who made attempt on my life. I know you above all other wish nothing more than to see such a man's life put to an end yet, I wouldn't have you take these lives. I demand pure revenge, Ovidius attempted to maneuver me. Once I learn the name of the man behind him I intend to put an end to his entire family." He told me as I nodded, Ashur and I already knew who was behind the attempt on his life. I had told him to play along with Dominus game until the player reveals himself. Moving to quickly could cost us our own lives.

"Yes, Dominus. I will watch over Domina's on goings for you then." I told him as he smiled putting his hand on my shoulder. "Was a man ever more lucky?" He questioned me before walking away from me. "Yes. There was a man more lucky." I spoke to myself before making my way to the ludus below.

Once I had found Ashur and noticed he was speaking to Spartacus I felt my stomach drop. I knew the man better than he ever assumed, and his hatred for Crixus knew no bounds. If he were talking to Spartacus in attempt to sway him into killing Crixus he was sending Spartacus to his own early grave. I flattened out my robe before making my way closer to the men as they all ate, "Barca, Ashur. You have been summoned by Dominus." I told them as they both nodded before returning to their cells likely to change.

"What does Dominus require a gladiator and a snake for anyway?" I heard Crixus say from behind me as he approached me. "Protection and information." I told him before turning to him, "You should find yourself bathed and oiled, the likeliness of you being summoned is fairly high." I told him as he let out a long breathe. "It is not like I wish this to be asked of me." He told me, likely knowing I was thinking about how he was hurting Naevia with his trips to Domina's bed.

"I know, we do but as commanded. You commanded to show a false love, and I a false ..."I paused as he looked at me, "A false happiness." I told him.

Crixus smiled to me softly, "You tell me not to hurt Naevia yet, I could hurt her by disobeying Domina." He told me, "Melitta used to tell me all the time; 'we do what we must for this house.' words have never been more true... Crixus..." I asked him as he looked at me, "Try... try to fight with him. Do not waste your life in this fight over a hatred towards another man. Live, if not for honor and glory. For Naevia." I told him as I walked away from him.

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