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

Chapter XXXIV

We found ourselves walking through thick forest brush on our way towards Vesuvius, the silence between Agron and I almost a deafening noise cancelling out all the chatter surrounding us. I would occasionally find myself looking over to him as we walked side by side with Donar on his other side rambling about wanting to rest for food and wine. Agron refused such indulgences, claiming we needed to reach the mountain to prove to the others this was the better of the ventures.

Still no words spilled towards my ears.

I had often dreamed of what escape might be like, how the world would feel. What the air and wind would be like when touching freed skin. Though in all honesty this felt more of a cage than slavery in the House of Batiatus did. Constantly receiving reports about where the Romans were or how far we had walked from any water and food sources. Very few among us even knew how to hunt, and from the head count taken before we left the others. We had three even capable of cooking food. There were no hunters, gatherers or home makers among us.

I wasn't even sure how to skin an animal if I had managed to catch something, did Agron know how to hunt? He had spent all those years with our mother and Duro with our people. Did they hunt for food then? Perhaps he would be able to teach me how to catch rabbits and deer.

"What do you think Jana?" I heard Donar ask as I looked over at the two of them with loads of confusion swirling around within my eyes.

"Of what?" I questioned.

"Agron letting the Syrian stay with the Gauls."

"Wise choice. Spartacus would see no harm come to the boy, and he did say he knew how to make dealings at the mines. He would be greatly improving their chances of success."

Donar shrugged, "Fools errand. Looking for a girl who held meaning to only one man."

Agron shot a look over at Donar, one that I could hardly see from where I was standing. "I meant in a romantic manner. I would not risk my life for a woman who I was not fucking." He stammered out.

"I suppose." I sighed, "Though I do see Agron's point of view in the situation... Naevia will not be the girl I once knew. As I will not be the girl she once knew... I worry she and I will struggle to find common ground to remain as close as we once were." I admitted.

"Thought brings a cold chill to my bones." I finished saying as Agron's arm rested on my shoulder. "Then use what is ahead as sight to warm cold bones." He pointed as my eyes followed the desired path to a small ruined villa in the distance a small distance before the mountain.

"Have you sent scouts to see if it is safe?" I asked him as he grinned arrogantly. "No, but surely something that destroyed would be empty from anyone looking to kill us all." He shrugged as we continued to walk forwards.

Donar began to tell those around us to make way towards the small villa off to the side as the sun had finally begun to set. I looked over to my brother once again, "What it is?" I asked him.

"Something is wrong." He told me as his voice slowly grew colder, "Wrong?" I asked.