“If you wish, I could speak with the men.”
Caelius touched Gaidres’s arm. “Thank you.”
Gaidres still looked as if he wasn’t sure what had just happened. “If you have no more need of me, I will go and see to it.”
Of course he had need of Gaidres. He needed him the way he needed breath and food. But he just smiled again. “Of course.”
Gaidres cared. That eased all the frustration and confusion he’d been feeling. Only now he had to be careful not to push the other man too hard. As much as he longed to return to Fidena with Gaidres as his acknowledged free lover and not a gladiator, Gaidres wasn’t ready for that step.
In truth, he suspected that if Gaidres knew the direction of his thoughts he’d put up such walls that it would be months before Caelius could wear them down again. He must be patient and try not to be obvious about his own feelings. He thought he had managed so far, but he wasn’t in the habit of keeping his mask on around those who mattered the most.
Patience and time…that was all he could give Gaidres now, no matter how much his heart longed to give more.
“You’ve returned.”
Gaidres glanced up as Hierocles approached. “Dominus thought it best to not be away from the ludus for long. The Lupercalia is fast approaching and he is keen to oversee the training.” That wasn’t exactly true. Caelius would have much preferred to remain in Caere indefinitely, but it was not feasible with so much to be done. He would miss the easy way of things there, as well, but here was where he belonged. Even if Caelius refused to see it.
“I have been training. Perhaps you could mention as much to him.” Hierocles’s jaw tightened. “You do have his ear.”
Gaidres bit back a sigh. He did not relish the idea of crushing a man’s hope, but it would be crueler to let Hierocles think anything could come of it. “You should not. That time has passed. Dominus has made his decision and Doctoré agrees.” Hierocles and the others would not recover their strength enough to ever set foot in the arena again. However much they might wish to, and however much he might understand that wish. It was impossible.
Hierocles narrowed his eyes. “And do you? Agree?”
“I do. I am sorry, Hierocles. Be grateful, Dominus has given you other duties and has no desire to see any of you leave his household.” He clapped the other man on the shoulder. “I understand your anger, but it is not Caelius who deserves the blame.”
Hierocles pressed his lips together and looked away. “No. You are right. He is not to blame.”
“Good. See to helping unload the wagons and then find your bed. There is much to do before the Lupercalia.” Gaidres was relieved when Hierocles left to do as instructed. It would be a hard adjustment, but the former gladiator would make the transition.
They all had adjustments to make, but for the first time since Caelius had arrived in the ludus and announced his plans for change, Gaidres had hope. His lover might be right. Perhaps there was more to be had from this life he’d found himself in than revenge. Perhaps.
Hierocles tossed another blade onto the pile. Dominus had ordered only the best equipment for his ludus. There wasn’t a flaw or weakness to be exploited among any of the swords favored by Argon. The exhibition was in only a few days and Argon had done nothing to fall from the dominus’s favor. If anything, his influence had grown.
It would be Argon fighting with bared blades at the conclusion of the exhibition. Argon and his closest friend, Demos. He must have spent the last month on his knees, sucking the dominus’s cock for such a favor. And then to hear that Argon would likely battle in the primus at the Lupercalia…It had sent Hierocles into a fury.
If only he had known ahead of time that the dominus had planned to take Argon with him on his journey. There had seemed to be a falling out between them and he had rejoiced, until he’d woken up one morning to find both of them gone. At first he’d worried over what poison Argon was whispering in the dominus’s ear, but as the weeks passed, he began to hope that they wouldn’t return and if they did Argon would be out of practice. He’d been wrong on both counts.
Hierocles ground his teeth together and selected the finest blade. If a flaw could not be found, a flaw would have to be created. He glanced toward the door of his workshop, but the guard was paying him no mind. One of the girls from the villa had come down to bring the meal and whisper sensual promises in the man’s ear.
He hefted the blade in his hand. This would be the one Argon chose. It had perfect balance and a fine grip. He stoked the fire higher and laid the sword over the coals, concentrating the heat on the center where most of the blows would land. When he was a boy he had worked at a forge with his uncle and he still had some skills, enough that he’d been able to convince the dominus that he was the ideal person to care for the equipment.
He listened to the murmur of voices behind him as he waited for the blade to reach the proper dark yellow color. His heart raced and sweat trickled down the side of his face.
He pulled out the blade and tossed it into the barrel of water, smirking in satisfaction at the serpentine hiss that came from the hot blade. Once the blade had cooled Hierocles pulled it from the water and examined it. Excitement stirred in his gut as he carried it to the table. After he repolished it no one would be able to tell it had been tampered with. And if he had done it right, the blade would not last through a battle.
Argon would not fight in the primus. He deserved no such honor and Hierocles refused to allow it. One way or another, Argon’s downfall would happen in a few days. Whether through disgrace, injury or death, he did not care. He picked up the polishing cloths with a sneer, imagining everything that could go wrong when this blade failed the arrogant Thracian.
The final exhibition would be glorious and if it brought embarrassment to the dominus, that was only another pleasure to savor.
Chapter Fifteen
Gaidres leaned against the smooth, stone wall, arms crossed over his chest, and watched with amusement as Caelius scurried about. He’d been doing just that all morning, preparing this, changing that, adjusting the other thing. It was rather entertaining to see him ruffled.
“No! No, that won’t do. Fetch the wine I asked for, not this watered-down stuff!” Caelius immediately looked guilty. “I did not intend to bark at you,” he told the young woman clutching the wine jug. “Just go and get the other wine. And make sure everyone knows I insist the finest be served today.”
Gaidres’s lips twitched as Caelius turned and their eyes met. “Calm yourself, Dominus. It is not Jupiter himself coming to pay a visit.” He looked so tense.
Caelius sighed and threw up his arms. “I know! I am not normally so on edge, it is just…” He shrugged. “I do not know. I am on edge, aren’t I?”
“Very much so. You should sit. Have a cup of your fine wine.”
“You’re right. Of course you’re right. Come, will you join me?” He gestured to his chambers and Gaidres followed. Once in private, Caelius took his hand, leading him to the couches. “Sit with me. Assure me again that everyone is prepared for this and that nothing will go wrong.”
“You worry too much. What could go wrong? The men have trained hard, you have prepared a feast for the ‘noble citizens’ attending…it will be fine.” He often wondered why a man with such soft emotions had ever thought he could run a ludus.
Caelius sighed. “I know you do not care for the idea of entertaining these people, Gaidres, but it is necessary.”
“I know, Dominus. I know what they want and I shall give it to them. You do not need to worry that they or you will be disappointed.”
“It is not you nor the other men in the ludus who concern me. I know that you will put on a display worthy of all the months of hard work you have put into training.” Caelius took the cup of wine Gaidres handed him and sipped it when Gaidres cast him an insistent glance.
“Then what else troubles you?” Gaidres reclined next to him.
Caelius hesitated a long moment, then sighe
d. “It takes more than just the skill of gladiators for a ludus to be successful. I only want to make sure the setting is worthy of the spectacle I know you will provide. I don’t want anything that I have overlooked to cast a pall on the evening.”
Gaidres laughed and dropped a firm kiss on his lips. “You? Overlook details? Be serious, Dominus.”
Caelius cast him a suspicious glance. “I’m amusing you, aren’t I?”
“You are indeed.”
“Are all the weapons and armor in order? I should check on the medicus and make sure he has everything he needs.”
Gaidres hauled him back down when he started to rise. “Dominus, you have gathered the best people for these tasks and you know well they can handle what you have set them to do. Do not undermine what you have built by fussing over them. Hierocles knows what he is about with the equipment and the medicus has been prepared for days. All will be well.”
Caelius met his eyes and Gaidres saw them go serious. “I worry for your safety.” He rushed to continue before Gaidres could say anything. “I know in my heart all will be well and you are a brilliant gladiator. I have seen you train and do not doubt your skill. I cannot help my worry. It is in me, as I’m sure you know by now.”
Gaidres shrugged dismissively. “There is naught to worry over, Dominus. I fight Demos this eve and he is as skilled a warrior as any. You will not lose your champion in such a match.”
Caelius gave him a fierce look. “You are not just my champion, Gaidres, and well you know it. You are my lover, as well.”
Gaidres tensed. Why did Caelius insist on bringing emotion into things? “I am replaceable in that regard, Dominus. It is as champion that you would be hard-pressed to find another to match my skill.”
Caelius’s face tightened for a moment, and then he seemed to rethink his stance. “I think you do not give yourself proper credit, my gladiator.” He shifted on the couch to slide one long leg over Gaidres’s hip as they faced each other. “Your skills are not only in the arena. My body feels the echoes of your skills last eve.”
“As well it should. I lingered long over it,” Gaidres replied, relieved that Caelius seemed to set aside needless worries. “Still, you’ve had many lovers before me and will have many more when I’m gone.”
“I may be able to attract lovers, Gaidres, but not many so willing to feed those oh-so-unnatural desires of mine.” Caelius slid his hand along Gaidres’s naked thigh. “Who else would ride me with abandon or let me beg without shame?”
Gaidres’s mouth went dry, recalling with perfect clarity the times Caelius had done just that. It would likely always make his cock throb to think of it. “Those who would not indulge you in such things are fools.”
Caelius slid his hand higher, cupping Gaidres’s cock through the subligar. “Tonight after the celebration is over we can indulge to our hearts content,” he said in a husky voice.
Gaidres groaned. “Because there is no time now.” He wanted nothing more than to fuck this man until he could no longer think. Until the turmoil inside him abated enough for him to draw a breath.
“You need your full strength for the exhibition, as much as I might like to drain you here and now.” Caelius removed his hand and leaned in to offer a kiss, which Gaidres took until he felt that it would not be only himself who would long for the end of the day.
He broke the kiss with a rough growl of frustration and caught the gleam in Caelius’s eyes. “My discomfort amuses you?”
Caelius shook his head with a soft laugh. “No. The knowledge that poor Demos has no idea he is fighting a man promised something much more enticing than glory if the battle is won.” He stole another quick, hard kiss, murmuring against Gaidres’s lips. “Best him swiftly, my gladiator, that I may reward you when it is done.” Then Caelius pushed away and rose, adjusting his robes, his cheeks flushed with desire.
Gaidres watched him for a moment, then pushed to his feet, as well. “I must go and prepare, Dominus. Attempt not to worry yourself sick over this gathering. It will be a triumph, I am sure.”
“It will be, and all because of you and your men.” He touched his fingers to Gaidres’s jaw and smiled. “Be safe, my lion. I wish to hear you roar tonight.” He walked out with a soft snicker as Gaidres cursed behind him.
“Soon enough you’ll see what you’ve roused in me,” Gaidres called after him.
Caelius only laughed. “I look forward to it greatly.”
Caelius moved about the atrium, pleased with how the celebration progressed. The restoration of the atrium to its former glory filled him with pride. The colors of the new mosaic tiles surrounding the shallow pool drew the eye. Discreet braziers kept the open-aired room comfortable as wine and food flowed. Musicians played as a background to the murmured conversation.
He couldn’t seem to dispel the lingering sense of disquiet. It wasn’t just Gaidres who concerned him either. He had come to know all the men in the ludus, all proud, all worthy and all determined to make a name for themselves. And not all would live to an old age because of these games and entertainments. Not all would even live past the Lupercalia. At least Gaidres no longer seemed to seek death, and that was a comfort.
He wanted this night to be a success for all of the men and had addressed the ludus earlier, letting them know of his pride in the work they’d done.
Petronius approached him. “You surprise me, Caelius. I didn’t think Craxus’s villa would ever recover from his depredations.”
Caelius signaled for more wine as he acknowledged the other man. “It took quite a bit of work and much coin, but it kept me occupied.”
“After your wife’s death we thought you’d lost the heart for politics. Yet here you are, opening your ludus just in time for the festival.”
“You must know by now that once I decide on a course of action, I rarely change my mind.” Hierocles drew Caelius’s attention. Gaidres’s men were ready to be seen.
“It will be most interesting to see what changes you’ve wrought in your ludus.” Avid curiosity laced Petronius’s voice.
“You need not wait any longer.” Caelius strode forward to capture everyone’s attention. “Good citizens of Fidena, before we move on to the highlight of this evening, allow me to give you a firsthand look at the men who will be competing at the Lupercalia. Here is the offering of the House of Laraniia!”
Gaidres kept his eyes straight ahead as, one by one, he and the other gladiators filed into the atrium. There were a good number of guests and Gaidres didn’t make eye contact with him. But Caelius watched him as he and the other men drew to a halt and clasped their hands at their backs, heads held high.
Caelius sensed his guests’ eyes on the men, raking them, gauging their strength and worth. He began at the end of the line and announced each gladiator in turn, with some mention of their skill, or a feat they were known for. Something to rouse the crowd’s interest.
And then Caelius reached his lover. Gaidres’s steady forward gaze faltered and their eyes met. Caelius saw the surge of pride in Gaidres’s eyes and he knew his own gleamed with pride in return.
“And finally, my friends, I present to you the champion of the House of Laraniia. The Lion of Fidena! Born of Thrace, forged to steel in the heart of this very ludus!”
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Caelius continued.
“I assure you, you will not soon see his equal upon the arena sands! And you, my most noble of counterparts, will be the first to see him battle, this evening against brave Demos.” Caelius chuckled. “Let us only hope Demos does not succumb too quickly to the Thracian’s sword!”
At that, Demos gave him a sidelong look, amber eyes sparkling. “Oh ho, going to toss me on my back, are you? We’ll see about that, you prideful ass.”
Gaidres barely suppressed a grin. “It won’t be the first time you’ve sprawled on your back for the better man,” he teased in the same barely audible whisper.
Caelius’s mouth twitched as he tried not to chuckle. It was good to kno
w that Gaidres had friendships within the ludus. Demos must be a worthy man indeed to have won Gaidres’s respect.
He stepped aside so the crowd could get another look at the men of his ludus and as he did he gave the doctoré a smile of approval. He would have to make sure that everyone received something special for all the hard work they had put into training. It showed in their bearing and as he turned away he saw that even Petronius looked impressed.
“And now for the evening’s entertainment.” Caelius gathered his guests’ full attention again as they murmured in speculation. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed hosting a good celebration and seeing to the gratification of all his guests. “Unlike my parties in the past, there are no dancers and all the other enticements I’m known for.”
He could feel Gaidres’s eyes on him and stole a glance in his lover’s direction, noticing his amusement. “Tonight, the House of Laraniia will give you most worthy citizens of Fidena a taste of what you can expect at the Lupercalia.”
He nodded to the doctoré so he could lead the men back out to the ludus as the murmurs rose again amid sounds of appreciation. “Come, my friends, to be delighted and amazed.”
Petronius fell into step beside Caelius as he led the way to the expansive balconies overlooking the sparring area. “You’ve missed your calling, Caelius. You should have gone into oration instead of law.”
“Aren’t they one and the same?”
Braziers warmed the balcony, though the air still had a bite to it. As his guests found good vantage points, Caelius frowned and excused himself to seek out Felix. “See to it that the men have hot wine and warm food waiting for them when they return from their exhibition,” he said in an undertone, cursing himself for overlooking any detail.
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