'You have lost everything.'
The melodramatic words had amused Brennus. So had every fighter in the
It had given Brennus some hope.
He tried to remain solitary but men were drawn to his friendly character.
In the
scissores
ludus'
Things had changed when Astoria had arrived in the
ludus
Brennus had quickly claimed the Nubian for his own and had thus exposed a weakness in his emotional armour. Such was the Gaul's reputation that none dared touch Astoria, confining themselves to lewd comments. But her presence was a source of intense jealousy among a small group of less successful fighters. And now, with Memor's threats, Brennus feared more for Astoria's safety than he did his own. He grimaced. Maybe a long bath would help him forget the
Brennus refilled the purse, tossed him a coin and walked naked into the
When he had bathed in the
, the resident body slave oiled his skin, scraping it clean with an iron strigil. Moving on to the
hypocaustum
Some time later, Brennus sauntered in better humour from the bathhouse door. Dusk was falling and across the yard his cell door was ajar. Flickering light shone from candles that Astoria would have lit. He smiled in anticipation, imagining her naked.
A woman's scream pierced the air.
It was immediately cut short.
Brennus sprinted across the yard, his drying cloth falling unnoticed to the ground. He ripped open the door to find four of the men he least liked inside. His fears had been fulfilled. Since Spartacus' rebellion, only champion gladiators were allowed to keep weapons in their rooms. And in Brennus' absence it had been easy for the group to overpower Astoria and help themselves to some of his.
Two now waved swords threateningly at the Gaul while the other pair sat on the bed, mauling Astoria with greedy hands. The Nubian's shift had already been ripped off, and she was vainly trying to cover herself with her hands. As she whimpered, he noticed a thick welt rising on her cheek.
A vein in Brennus' neck pulsed with rage. 'The fancy boys and Lentulus,' he sneered. All his other weapons lay on the far side of the room.
'Don't come any closer!' Titus' voice wavered although the Gaul was unarmed.
The three
collegia
lictores
murmillones
'What are you doing with these scum?' He moved closer to Lentulus, the fourth intruder.
The Goth swallowed hard and stepped back, keeping his sword pointing towards Brennus.
The big Gaul smiled coldly. 'Leave now and I'll be nice. I won't even kill any of you.'
Unsure, Lentulus turned to Titus, the ringleader 'He's full of shit!' retorted the
'Tastes sweet, Lentulus.'
'Keep him over there, boys!' Flavus laughed too, an erection visible through his loincloth. 'It won't take long with this bitch.'
Lentulus was still gazing between Astoria's legs with fascination.
There was only a moment to act. Brennus darted forward, swinging a huge fist into the side of Lentulus' head. The Goth collapsed, sword dropping to the floor. Before Brennus had time to pick it up, Titus lunged forward. Desperately the Gaul dodged to one side, but the blade sliced a long, shallow cut on his chest.
As another thrust followed, Brennus caught the sharp iron in his left hand. Ignoring the pain, he gripped the
murmill
Titus' eyes bulged with terror and he let go of the sword, trying frantically to break Brennus' powerful grip. His efforts were futile. Within moments the
Curtius jumped up when he saw his brother struggling to breathe. 'Hold the girl!' he screamed at Flavus, launching himself across the room, weapon raised.
Half strangling Astoria, the evil-looking
gladius
'Bastard!' Distraught with grief, Curtius slashed madly at Brennus, who simply ducked under the blow.
He leaned forward, burying his blade deep in the
The
Placing a huge hand on Curtius' chest, Brennus shoved him backwards.
There was a sucking noise as the razor-sharp metal pulled free, allowing air to rush into the chest cavity. Curtius' body sagged on to the sandy floor, pouring blood.