The Gladiator’s Master (18 page)

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.

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 sighed. “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 know 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.

Caelius took his place at the balcony next to Petronius and his wife. Now that the moment was here he was full of excitement. The men’s attitude had worn off on him. They weren’t afraid. They were exhilarated, and very sure of their skills.

Though, if he had become this distressed over a mere exhibition where the chance of injury was unlikely at best, he could not even begin to imagine how plagued he would be before the actual Lupercalia.

Excitement flowed through him. Anticipation. It had been too long since he’d fought, and even though this was just an exhibition and he trusted Demos, it was still a battle with spectators and live blades. He itched to feel the ripple down his arm as steel met steel.

“Do not hold back tonight, my friend. I look forward to a strong battle hard won.”

Demos chuckled. “Oh trust me, ‘Lion,’ I will hold nothing back.” The other man gave Gaidres a good-natured smirk. “I cannot believe he gave you such a grandiose title. I do not recall your skills in bed making any mountains move.”

Gaidres’s lips twitched. “Bed? Who has need of a bed? We spend more time up against the wall.”

“Filthy bastard. I do not need to know that!” Demos shoved him in the shoulder and glanced over as Hierocles approached to hand them their weapons to begin to warm up a bit while the opening bouts began in the courtyard.

“You brought it up.” Gaidres chuckled and dodged a swipe of Demos’s longer, heavier blade.

“I take it back.”

“Enough! Prepare yourselves,” the doctoré barked. “This is no time for children’s games!”

Kashta and Marius emerged first and Gaidres watched from the sidelines as they came forward to pay their respects before the balcony. He did his best to watch the match, not Caelius. Easier said than done. The exhibitions flew by, each one garnering the kind of attention from the spectators that must please Caelius. One by one until only his match with Demos remained.

“Fellow citizens, allow me to present the final exhibition for the night.” Caelius’s voice rang out. “The Lion of Fidena and the noble Demos will face each other not with practice blades, but with live steel!”