Ancient Italy

A wide grin etched its way on the big man's face as he eyed Glentus hungrily. The two men walked up and climbed onto the platform. They each listened to the words of their Dominus before saluting him and turning to one another. Glentus had been a thief before being captured and made a slave. A sneaky little man who could get into your room, fuck your wife, kill your children and you would never even wake. He and Decimus were at odds the day they met. Both being criminals in their past lives they saw each other and instantly had to make the other submit to show dominance. Like two wolves they had been circling each other for months but now the time had come to end it once and for all. Decimus lowered into his ready position. Shield up and sword at the ready as Glentus did the same.

"Today you die little rabbit."

Decimus growled. Glentus chuckled.

"We will see cow. I'll try not to fuck your corpse."

"With what cock?"

Decimus fired back before charging. The bull rush was a tactic Decimus had grown rather fond of while training. Something he'd never done in the legion. Doctore had showed him that in short, controlled bursts these seemingly mad charges could be used to not only mask your true intention but unnerve his opponent. With little room on the small stage Glentus had to act quickly to avoid being run over and attempted to roll past the big man. Exactly what Decimus had hoped for. As Glentus rolled on his left Decimus swung back with his shield catching the smaller man on the back sending him sprawling to hard, wood of the stage. Decimus tried to finish it right there with a stabbing lunge on his downed opponent but Glentus was much to fast for that and rolled out of the way. As Glentus scrambled to his feet he swiped at the big man closest leg but Decimus had picked his foot up in a hurry to avoid the attack. Decimus turned and swung down hard. Glentus brought up his sword to block but the blow had far too much force behind it for the small man to absorb and Glentus dropped to a knee. Glentus now put both hands to his shield to protect him from the blows Decimus was raining on him. After the fourth strike and not being able to breach the small man's defense from above Decimus switched tactics and brought his knee up. With Glentus holding his shield up he had no defense for his head and face. A result of which caused him to take the full power of the big mans knee to the face. Bone broke and blood spattered much to the other gladiators watchings delight. Glentus fell back, his face ruined as it poured blood. He coughed and blinked hoping to clear his vision. It worked long enough for him to see Decimus bringing his shield down like a guillotine. Glentus only barely avoided losing his head right there as he rolled again this time savagely lashing out with his sword as he rushed to get out of the way. The act of desperation awarded Glentus a shallow superficial wound on the big man's back. In immediate reaction Decimus whipped around with his blade in an arc. His blade sliced cleanly through the smaller man's chest leaving a deep, nasty gash. Glentus yelped out in pain and dropped to a knee. Releasing his shield it fell to the dirt below with a clatter. Decimus loomed over him with a chuckle.

"Your life is no longer yours to fight for little woman."

Decimus said before delivering a swift kick to the mouth that put him on his back. Decimus then knelt over him with his shield to the smaller man's throat and his sword poised to end his life in an instant. The big Roman then turned his head to see what fate his dominus would choose for Glentus.

The blazing sun stood down on the slave market, as if Helios himself wanted to burn everything to ashes. The horrific smell of sweat, blood, and vomit hang in the air, and the sound of bids being shouted was deafening.
Most of the people around were either the slaves, who was to be sold, or the filthy lot, who bought the slaves, the Romans.
The only thing slaves could expect, when they were bought, was a life with hard work till the day they died.

The rope that tied Giulio’s hands together had left aching red marks on his wrists, but that didn’t matter
He was about to be sold as some kind of animal, not that they viewed him any different, in their eyes slaves were just cattle.

He stood in line with some girls, barely as old as himself, whining, crying, and complaining.
Couldn’t they just shut up…?
Giulio sighted and looked out at the crowd, looked at the scum of Rome.
The old men who sent hungry looks after the young girls like a bunch of pigs and the senators and wealthy men, had their fun watching the gladiators, mutilate each other.
When the pink haired girl, rather pretty, was being auctioned off and the fat bloke offered 100 Denarius for her, he almost felt sad.
The girl seemed like she hadn’t tried this before, and now she was going to be some chubby guy’s sex toy?
“200 Denarius”
He smirked as the soldier yelled the magic word, so there was a justice left in this wretched world after all?

As he was hauled away to be sold, the smirk disappeared and he hid his face behind a curtain of black wavy hair.
“Let’s see. Your name is Calix Dorotheus correct?”
He just nodded but clenched his hands together in contempt of this laughable little man.
He knew the humiliation of the next 3 sentences.
“Calix Dorotheus. 17 Years old. Former Prostitute. Any biddings?”
Giulio couldn’t do anything than block out the sound as until he would be dragged off to somewhere, it was always like this.

“Sold for 10 Denarius”
An elderly, scrawny man came and took the rope.
“Ready to work?”
“Is it better, than being groped on by strangers?”
Giulio answered with a monotone voice.
“Sure…Well you’re going to help out at the Lotus, so the gladiators stay healthy and you’re helping keeping the place clean”.
“Fine”
The old man sighted heavily.
“Youth nowadays”.

The lanista stepped in before the killing blow. "Trainee Decimus. You are victor. You display grace in combat and have the form of a born champion. Surely the gods have destined for you to become a great gladiator whose name would echo throughout generations, to be spoken like a legend to young boys by their fathers. Welcome into the brotherhood my warrior. You are to recite the sacramentum gladiatorum, the gladiators' oath. Pledge yourself to be beaten, burned, or die by the sword in pursuit of glory."
He then motioned for a servant to heat iron to burn the letter 'B', which stands for Buteo, onto Decimus's forearm.
"As for Glentus, you will be given another chance to hone your skills in hopes that you too, may enter the sacred brotherhood, for I am a merciful Dominus."

The Doktore said, "Thank you Dominus, next is Ambon and Tavish take the stand and begin." Ambon and Tavish stepped up the the stage they saluted the Dominus and began. Ambon stood there in no stance and waited for the other man to start the fight.

"I commit my flesh, my mind, my will. I swear to be burned, chained beaten or die by the sword."

Decimus vowed on his knees by the fire light before his now blood brothers. The hot iron touched skin and seared the brand into his flesh. Decimus growled in pain but did not recoil. Once the brand was set Decimus rose and took his place with the other Gladiators to watch the Ambon's bout. Decimus did not know what to think of the Gual. Sometimes he thought the man too kind and therefore weak but there was a fire in his eyes that the big Roman respected. Decimus crossed his arms over his broad chest to watch the fight with interest.

(OOC: It seems that Tavish dropped out. I don't see him in the character tab. If you want Addrinvan you can pit Ambon against Agron?)

Gnaeus was put off for half a second by the girls comment. He wasn't really expecting to be thanked for taking someone into a life of servitude. He didn't let his surprise show for long though.

he reached out when she looked toward the ground, grabbed her by the chin and forced her to look back up at him. He didn't do this roughly, but it was gentle either. Still holding her chin he turned her head to side to side, examining her like he would any new tool or purchases. Giving a grunt of apparent approve, Gnaeus went to retrieve his horse, motioning for her to follow. "You'll be handling my equipment for the short term girl. once I have y thing ready for shipment to rome you will then be tasked as acting as a handmaiden for my wife, as well as any other duties that may arise in the near future, understood."

He didn't wait for a response. Gnaeus started off toward his manor in Capua, soon to be home within an hour.

Raine sat on the horse silent for a while. Before she replied to what she would do. "Okay." She mumbled before the horse hit a bump and caused her to almost fall off before she regained herself. "Woah." She said looking and the horse and petting it. "Soft." She mumbled softly and chuckled to herself. 'I wonder why this even happened.'

Things always had a reason. Even the reason why she was snatched out of her home. Her parents had giant gambling problem and decided to bet her in it. Her hair had attracted many, but soon were turned away. They had lost the bet, as always. So the people had come to get her, selling her to the closest auction market. She had been oblivious to it though. She had the tendency to forget harmful things that had happened to her.

About an hour of riding to Gnaeus' manor, they had arrived. "Lovely." She said, getting off the horse behind her new master. There wasn't a hint of sarcasm in her voice. She truly meant it for once. "This wife of yours. Is she pretty?" She questioned in a curious voice.

The Doktore yelled out, "It seems that Tavish has died from fright the match up will be changed to Ambon vs Argon, Argon please step forward." Ambon recognized this man as a true warrior, but still did not get into a stance, but he did throw his shield away. Ambon said, "That should even the odds a bit." His sword slashed out in a blur Argon barley moved out of the way in time, the slash took a bit of Argon's ear with the blade. Before Argon could recover Ambon had flipped the blade around and stabbed straight for Argon's face. Argon seemed ready this time and he easily blocked with his shield. This left Ambon's ribs open for a powerful strike, yet when Argon swung Ambon was gone. He was at the end of the stage ready for Argon's next move.

The nimble Agron, recomposed himself from the Gaul's rage.
"Good. It seems you have learned well from the Doctore.
I can see you are not unfamiliar with the ways of the sword. But,
everything you've learned outside these walls are meaningless
in the arena.
This hour, Gaul, you will have to strike at me as though I were the
monster of Crete. Or an abomination of Hades.
Or surely you will die at the edge of my sword. Come,
if you cannot prove yourself worthy of my opponent,
you will meet nothing but a horrendous, miserable death
on the blood-soaked sands of the arena.
Seek now to absolve the life in my limbs.
Desire to send my soul to the murky depths of Hades."
At this word, Agron closed the distance as does a eagle on it's prey...

The gladiator on the left of Decimus chuckled and smacked his arm.

"He's good that German."

Decimus just grunted unimpressed.

"He talks too much..."

The new brother in blood standing beside Decimus laughed.

"A denari says he leaves the Gaul in a pool of his own blood."

Decimus turned to look at him with a smile.

"What are you? A Thracian right? You even got that to spare? I hear Thracian's trade only the sweat from better mens backs."

The Thracian laughed heartily.

"A currency we borrowed from the Romans. I am Raize of Thrace and my skill as a Dimachaerus has earned me more than a few coins."

He replied with a sneer. Decimus laughed. He liked this Thracian. He extended his hand and Raize gripped his forearm firmly.

"I am Decimus, of Rome and you're on."

The noise from the arena overpowered everything else, as Giulio, and some other the newly bought slaves, got a tour of the place where they would be working from now on.
Worn-out men and women ran across the dusty courtyard nonstop, either with bandages or buckets of water for cleaning.
“You’re working in the cantina, feeding the gladiators, or work at the healer where the wounded get nursed. There will also be several other chores for you to do. Understood?”
The guard yelled brutally but he only received a unanimous answer.
“If you slack off, you will be punished. If you skip your chores, you will be punished.
If you try to run away, you will be punished!” the guard shouted, and looked at the lot following him around.
“You are only mere slaves; you are easily replaced by another low life such as yourself”.
He said in a threatening tone, and glared at a tall, unwashed boy.
Even though the boy was almost as tall as the guard, he looked like he had seen the gates of hell.

Giulio had been set to work in the kitchen, serving food to the gladiators.
And now he stood bended over a steaming kettle, filled with something mushy.
The mush reeked of over seasoned vegetables, leftover meat, and something he didn’t even dared to guess what was.
He made a grimace as all the muscles in his back were aching, from stirring in the large pot.
“They are actually eating this?”
He said cynically, before looking at his swollen hands filled with splinters from the large wooden spoon.
“I believe they are”. Whispered the girl, on the other side of the kettle, and took over the stirring spoon.
“I’m Cardea by the way”
Giulio just nodded and took one of the handles on the pot, so they could drag it out to the front.

Time herself seemed to have stopped in the midst of the loving brawl.
A peaceful frenzy. A melodious clashing of swords. A graceful dance of death.
Like two youngsters tempting the hands of fate, playing with fire in the absence of grown men,
Yet all the more exciting to flirt with danger herself.
So too were Ambon and Agron, who, in the midst of chaos, felt no real disorder at all!

The Dominus, impressed with the Gaul, sought to end that there in hopes of greater excitements.
"Well fought Gaul." The Dominus congratulated. "You show great form and promise to the House of Buteo. Welcome into the sacred brotherhood young warrior."

Decimus stared dumbfounded before he and Raize exchanged confused stares.

"So...who won?"

Raize asked. Decimus just shrugged his shoulders with a grunt.

Ambon said, "We are just getting started, your not stopping us now Dominus the fight isn't over yet he is still breathing!" Ambon feinted left then attacked right, Argon blocked but Ambon spun and kicked Arogon's shield open. Ambon stabbed straight out, but his sword only met the steel of the Doktore's blade the Doktore's fist then smashed into Ambon's face with all the strength of the gods behind it. The Doktore yelled out,"You dare disobey the Dominus's orders fool? Slaves hang him up over the cliff show him what disobeying gets you!" The Doktore turned to the Dominus and said,"I'm sorry Dominus some just need to be taught a lesson before they become gladiators."

Decimus burst out in booming laughter before he slapped Raize on the back.

"You owe me a denari Thracian bitch!"

He said hardly able to breath. Raize groaned but conceded defeat. The other gladiators all rushed up to the stage to pull down Ambon. Decimus waded through the crowd to reach him. Pluto would suck his own cock before he missed this. He pushed and shoved his way to reach Ambon amidst the mass of bodies. He wrapped one massive arm around the man's neck and squeezed before beginning to drag him towards the cliff. The other gladiators all cheered and howled in excitement as they watched and or helped the big Roman haul the disobedient slave to the edge of the cliff.

"Skilled, promising, yet this Gaul displays a fool's aggressiveness..." The Dominus disaproved. "Stop Doctore. For this is not the first time I have beheld a man with a willingness to kill beyond his own good.
Ambon, although this match against Agron has not produced any clear victor, you displayed skill in sword that more than qualifies you. Heat the irons, brandish him with the mark. I approve him.
However, over the next few weeks Doctore, you are to discipline this man of a beast in patience and self-restraint,
so that he may channel his natural tendencies of murder and competitiveness to fights in the arena, not against fellow brothers."

Decimus paused as Dominus spoke. Once the words fell from his masters mouth Decimus released Ambon with a rough shove, tossing the German into the dirt.

"Today it seems the gods smile upon you whelp."

Decimus growled as he loomed over the man before turning to join the others. Decimus stood back by Raize where he had been earlier.

"A tad overzealous to deal out punishment to your fellow brother eh Roman? A fact that Dominus noticed."

Raize said with a raised eyebrow. Decimus grunted unconcerned.

"Doctore says hang him. Dominus says not to. I care not either way. I know my strengths and restraint is not among them."

Giulio staggered over to the food table, to set down the bowls.
His arms burned like hell, because he had been working all day without breaks.
At least he could take a break soon enough, hopefully.
“No. Ehm…what I mean is that you can’t turn silver into gold, no matter how much you want it.
He really wasn’t as nice as Amica thought, and I totally tried to tell her but she wouldn’t listen”.

The read-headed girl, Giulio had met in the kitchen before, now followed him around yapping about nothing and everything.
Much to his discomfort…
“How annoying… yakking away, like that”
He mumbled under his breath, trying to ignore the irritating girl.
“Are you listening? Hey... Hey are you listening at all!” she kept calling with her strident voice.
“Hhhmm” he just answered, and took some of the bowls Cardea held in her arms.

“Ok, so she fell in love with this guy right? And then he dumped her in front of his friends!”
She shrieked and, unluckily, pushed Giulio so he dropped a few of the bowls on the floor.
“Oh no! Why did you do that¬?”
She asked and stared at Him.
He first stared at the sharp pieces of painted clay and porcelain, and then he stared up into the ceiling.
His pulse started to beat a little faster and his breath got a little shallower.
“Jeez, you’re such a klutz”, she said, nagging on him. But Cardea piped down as soon as Giulio turned around, glaring at her.
“If looks could kill, I would be ecstatic” He thought before hissing angrily at her.
“Get out in the kitchen now! Try to do your job right!”

A day and a half later
The arena was booming with the chants of the people yelling for Ambon to die. They all knew that he was the Gaul general who had killed their friends and family. They knew and chanted, "Ambon to death!" again, and again, and again. The Three gladiators that were Ambon's opponents surrounded him. Ambon used his sword and kicked up sand at the one directly in front of him, then he spun around and slashed the one behind hims throat. Then Ambon side kicked the gladiator beside him in the knee cap his leg snapped. Ambon spun to the side and clanged swords with the one that he kicked sand in his eyes. The man slashed Ambon across the face, but that did not stop him from knocking the other mans sword away and cutting his arm off. Ambon kicked that man to the ground then threw his sword into the downed mans stomach then he walked away. Before Ambon was a few feet away the one with the broken knee grunted Ambon whispered, "Don't move Gaul you were one of my soldiers I don't wish to kill you." The man's eyes grew wide open and he said, "Ambon you must kill me or the soldiers will come out and kill you." Ambon said, " We will leave it up to the Roman dogs then" Ambon picked up a sword and pressed it against the mans throat and looked up at the Dominus waiting.