I clasped Helvius’s shoulder in new respect. Of all the players in this drama, Helvius probably possessed more virtus than any of the others.
Aemil had come with Marcianus, who’d been at the ludus when a frantic Cassia and Helvius had arrived.
“Always glad to see you back from the Palatine in one piece,” Aemil said, lifting his cup to me. “And this time, the Caelian.” He frowned. “But I can’t believe that a former proconsul of Vestalis’s prestige bothered to slip a curse into Rufus’s cell. He hadn’t even planned to kill him, had he? That was his servant’s idea.”
“I believe the curse came from Daphnus, Chryseis’s new husband,” I said with conviction. “Maybe he paid someone to tuck it there, or maybe he pretended to be an admirer and gave it to Rufus himself, telling him it was a good-luck charm. If I see Daphnus again, I will ask him.”
And shake him. Would Rufus have been unlucky enough to come under Silvanus’s power and killed if Daphnus hadn’t cursed him? Curses were tricky things, not to be undertaken lightly.
Regulus was the only one who hadn’t stopped by. He’d been helped back to the ludus by Livius’s guards to sleep off the poison and his adventure. He’d no doubt blame me for the entire episode.
But I’d forgive him. Regulus had saved us tonight when he’d kept Vestalis from rushing for help while I battled with Silvanus. I’d thank him later and be amused when he spit at me.
As dawn neared, Cassia shooed everyone out. They left cheerfully, the ladies still dancing after they’d hugged and kissed Cassia and then me goodbye. Gaius led them away, and Helvius went with them, the lot accompanied by Aemil and Marcianus, who’d see them home safely. Aemil was already growling at the girls to cease their prancing and pay attention to where they were going.
Cassia closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a breath.
We studied each other for a time. There was much to say, and yet much I should not. We had spoken all the words, and Cassia had written many of them down.
I made for my bunk and fell upon it. I closed my eyes then snapped them open when I was instantly transported back into the cell where I lay immobilized in the dark.
Cassia removed my sandals and draped a blanket over me, setting the burning oil lamp on the windowsill above me.
“We’ll keep this lit for a while.” She straightened a fold of the blanket. “Good night, Leonidas.”
I mumbled something in response. Cassia drifted off to put the room to rights, singing under her breath.
I didn’t need the light, I realized as I closed my eyes again. The lamp would burn out in time, but it didn’t matter. Cassia’s voice would carry me through any darkness.
In the morning, we ate breakfast as though nothing had happened, breaking the bread Cassia had fetched from Quintus the baker.
Afterward, she drew out tablets and scrolls, as usual, ready to make her notations for the morning.
“What will you do today, Leonidas?” she asked, pen poised.
“Visit Gnaeus Gallus.” I shoved in the last of my bread and washed it down with very diluted wine. “And tell him I will join him in whatever building job he wishes.”
“I thought you might.” Cassia smiled in satisfaction. “Will you have a reading lesson first? I think you are ready to write out the letters on your own.”
I set down the wine cup and flexed my hand. “I know how to wield a sword, not a stylus.”
“You did fine with the board. Now you will simply trace the same letters on the wax.”
I was doubtful, but I let her set an open, unused tablet before me, the leather hinges uncreased, the yellowish wax pristine and unmarred. Cassia pulled her stool beside me and laid the wooden board with the alphabet nearby so I could refer to it.
“We’ll start with something simple. You can learn to write Leonidas.”
I studied Cassia in her plain tunic, neatly belted, her black curls caught at the back of her neck, every thread of them in place. The curve of her cheek, her crooked nose, and her dark eyes had been a beautiful sight as she’d burst into the cell last night, crying out when she’d seen me struggling to move.
“No,” I said in a quiet voice.
Her brows went up in perplexity. “No?”
“Teach me how to write the name Cassia.”
Cassia gazed at me for a long moment, her lips parted, then she flashed me a sudden and warm smile and guided my hand to form the letter C.
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this foray into Ancient Rome and the continuing adventures of Leonidas the Gladiator.
I had the idea for this book while writing Book One (Blood of a Gladiator)—I was curious about Aemil and the other gladiators of the ludus, and wanted to write more about them. Gladiators came from all walks of life and all corners of the empire, whether captured in battle (e.g., Ajax, Herakles, and Praxus), sentenced to the ludus for crimes (Leonidas), or voluntarily joined the life either to pay debts or in search of fame (Rufus). They usually served a term of five years, after which time they could stay on if they wished or leave as a freedman. Most chose to remain at the ludus, either fighting more bouts for prize money, or as trainers. Many, like Aemil, opened their own schools.
While it’s popularly believed that gladiators fought each other to the death on a daily or weekly basis, in reality, the games were few and far between. A gladiator in Imperial-era Rome might fight only twice a year, usually at Saturnalia and one other seasonal festival, such as the spring equinox. Games were costly and elaborate productions, and if anything went wrong, such as the riots in Pompeii that shut down gladiatorial games for a decade, the aediles who sponsored them were held responsible.
Also, most gladiators survived their matches. Evidence from tombstones and other inscriptions show gladiators often losing or fighting to draws and living to fight another day. A well-trained gladiator was expensive to replace—the sponsor of the games had to pay lanistas like Aemil a high price for each gladiator who died. Gladiators did die in this combat, of course, but the average number of deaths has been put to around 16 percent.
Even so, gladiators were expected to fight hard and put on a show, risking death in the course of the entertainment. A life Leonidas readily walked away from.
We will see more of Aemil and the other gladiators in the ludus as the series continues.
I decided to set this book in February, which led me to research on the month itself: The word February derives from februum (plural februa) which means an object used in a purification ritual. February saw many such purification festivals, as this had once been the last month of the year. (Julius Caesar reformed the calendar to have the year begin January 1, but he kept the length of February to its traditional 28 days). Lupercalia purified the city for the coming year and brought fertility, Parentalia honored deceased family members, Terminalia honored the god of boundaries, and Fornicalia blessed all the grain ovens. A very busy month for Ancient Romans!
Again, thank you for reading. Leonidas and Cassia’s adventures will continue.
To stay informed of when new books or audio editions will be released, sign up for my email alerts here:
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Also by Ashley Gardner
Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries
Blood of a Gladiator
Blood Debts (novella)
A Gladiator’s Tale
* * *
Captain Lacey Regency Mystery Series
The Hanover Square Affair
A Regimental Murder
The Glass House
The Sudbury School Murders
The Necklace Affair
A Body in Berkeley Square
A Covent Garden Mystery
A Death in Norfolk
A Disappearance in Drury Lane
Murder in Grosvenor Square
The Thames River Murders
The
Alexandria Affair
A Mystery at Carlton House
Murder in St. Giles
Death at Brighton Pavilion
The Custom House Murders
* * *
Kat Holloway “Below Stairs” Victorian Mysteries
(writing as Jennifer Ashley)
A Soupçon of Poison
Death Below Stairs
Scandal Above Stairs
Death in Kew Gardens
Murder in the East End
Death at the Crystal Palace
* * *
Mystery Anthologies
Past Crimes
About the Author
Award-winning Ashley Gardner is a pseudonym for New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley. Under both names—and a third, Allyson James—Ashley has written more than 100 published novels and novellas in mystery, romance, historical fiction, and fantasy. Ashley's books have been translated into more than a dozen different languages and have earned starred reviews Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist. When she isn’t writing, she indulges her love for history by researching and building miniature houses and furniture from many periods.
More about her series can be found at the website: www.gardnermysteries.com. Stay up to date on new releases by joining her email alerts here:
http://eepurl.com/5n7rz
Copyright
A Gladiator’s Tale
Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries, Book 2
Copyright © 2021 by Jennifer Ashley / Ashley Gardner
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.
Cover design by Kim Killion
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