Copyright 2014
Cross Communications
All Rights Reserved
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Afterword
Chapter One
Nardine stopped pouring wine for the lanista when she heard Gaius scream from the floor of the arena. She tensed as she turned to watch the battle below —three men against one, and Gaius the lone opponent. Across the amphitheater, patrons stood and screamed and women ripped their tunics from the breasts. The thirst for blood touched almost all in the coliseum. One of the three brutes stomped on Gaius’ chest after clubbing him with a mace. Nardine heard his wail of defeat. Tears began to form at the corners of her eyes as she watched the three gladiators trample him and strike him again and again, drawing blood that sprayed everywhere.
Nardine carried the cup of the wine to the lanista , who shouted and cursed. “He is better than this,” he screamed. “I bet much coin on him, the churl. I thought he could outlast these three nobodies. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Nardine silently agreed. Unbidden, the tears spilled onto her cheek as she turned away, drew a deep breath and steadied herself. As a slave, she had no control over what went on in the arena. She must go on with her duties, no matter the bloodshed. Gaius would want her to go on living. She did not want to sink into the despair she experienced after her first lover, Matthias, died. She had missed having a man in her life since the death of Matthias, another gladiator, several years ago. He had died violently in the arena, and she had mourned for him. Now, the same thing would happen again.
Both the lanista and his wife Cornelia knew that Gaius and Nardine loved each other; Cornelia had brought them together. But it wouldn’t do for Nardine to be seen crying while she performed her duties. Her heart ached, but the volatile mistress could punish her on a whim. And watching Gaius die had been punishment enough.
*****
The next morning in the kitchen Nardine chopped vegetables for the luncheon meal. She had spent the night alone in her cell. The mistress, Cornelia, had not forced her to sleep with another gladiator after the match the previous day. She seldom went to gladiators, as she spent most of her time here in the kitchens or in the physician’s chamber. She had only been gifted to Gaius as a fluke, when another female slave became ill. Nardine rejoiced over the luck that brought her to Gaius’ bed. Courteous and respectful, but not a particularly agile man between the sheets, he loved Nardine, and she appreciated him.
As she worked, Matthias came to mind. A young, green , gladiator, he’d brought her nothing but joy in the bedroom. She remembered him for many months, grieving, before her heart began to heal. How would she ever now recover from Gaius’ death? He was not as skilled a lover as Matthias, but he had a warm heart and devoted himself to her. How could he be replaced? For years she had dreamed of leaving the ludus , and watched her friend and fellow slave Rue wed another gladiator, Ducius. They both walked free after the ceremony, and Nardine wished with all her heart she could walk out with them. Ducius, a champion gladiator, had won Rue from the lanista as part of a bet on a match. But Nardine realized her future would be quite different from Rue’s, no matter what fortune had in store for her.
Claudia, Rue’s replacement, strode into the kitchen, hauling a pail of water. “It is quite hot out by the well, Nardine. I think I would prefer to stay here in the kitchen and keep you company,” she said as she sat down at the same table.
“I might not be very good company today, Claudia. I am remembering Gaius.”
“Ah yes, Gaius, the man of few words. He was a
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