Page 7 of Brother at Arms

Lucius regarded me in bewilderment. “Truly? The gladiators I knew in the provinces were allowed to go where they pleased, as long as they fought in the games. Some had their own homes and families. I imagined I’d have Xerxes to look after me while I figured a way out of my conundrum.”

I’d witnessed the relative freedom of well-known gladiators in my youth as I’d followed my builder from town to town in the rural areas north of Rome. Aemil, on the other hand, kept close guard on us because we were expensive and would cost him much if we were injured, killed, or arrested. He’d been somewhat less restrictive with Xerxes, allowing him to spend nights at Marcella’s farm, but Xerxes had never missed training or bouts.

“In any case, Xerxes is gone,” Lucius said mournfully. “Herminius’s henchmen have followed me to Rome. I don’t know if they mean to give me to the magistrates or simply kill me.” He turned a fearful gaze on the pair of us. “What are we going to do?”

Chapter 3

I rose abruptly from my stool, barely stopping myself from pushing Lucius out the door to entrust his life to Fortuna. I did not want whoever was hunting him to follow him here, endangering Cassia, not to mention everyone else in this lane.

“How much did Herminius believe you stole?” I asked sternly.

“Oh, about a hundred aurei. Not all in coins. In goods as well.”

Cassia gaped, and my chest constricted. A hundred aurei was twenty-five hundred denarii, which could rent a man a fine domus with slaves to run it, or keep him in sumptuous cloaks, gold armbands, and the best wine for years.

Lucius watched us with hope in his eyes. He’d come to Rome certain Xerxes would solve his problems, only to find his brother dead and no one to aid him. He tried to mask his desperation behind his swagger, but the worry was there.

If Lucius couldn’t prove his innocence, well he knew, he’d die either by a hired killer’s knife or by sentence of execution.

We might face that execution with him, depending on how angry his former master was. The wisest course of action would be to send Lucius off and wish him well.

But he looked at me with Xerxes’s eyes, with Xerxes’s certainty that all would come out right.

There is nothing that can stand up to Leonidas and Xerxes. I heard my friend’s voice from the past, felt his hard slap on my shoulder.

Then Xerxes would turn and face the bullies who’d challenged us in the streets, raising his arms and bellowing like an enraged bear. I’d stand quietly, arms folded, until the bullies, thinking better of their bravado, sidled away and fled.

Xerxes would laugh until he doubled over, fists pressed into his belly. Did you see their faces? I’m for the popina. Let’s drink until we can’t walk home.

Until the sword thrust that killed him, Xerxes’s optimism had never wavered.

His words and laughter faded, and our apartment came back into focus.

“How many people know Xerxes was your brother?” I asked.

Lucius shrugged. “A good many. I boasted of him all the time. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my puny little brother Manius had become a famous gladiator. I know one is not supposed to associate with gladiators if one wishes to get on in the world, but I couldn’t help myself. People were impressed.”

“If Herminius’s toughs followed you to Rome, they will guess you went to find him,” I said. “Septimius or Plinius, whichever guard at the ludus sent you to me, will tell anyone I was Xerxes’s friend, and see no reason not to. They told you.”

“It was Septimius,” Lucius answered. “He was as flummoxed to see me as you were, until I explained. Do you think he’ll send the ruffians here?” He rose, peering out of the windows in alarm.

The ledge beyond, which was the roof of the shop below, blocked the view of the street, but Lucius didn’t venture out for a closer look.

“Septimius won’t give up information without good reason,” I said. “But if you didn’t tell him you were in danger or ask him not to mention where you’d gone, he might not know to keep his mouth shut.”

People sometimes sought me when they had a problem to solve, and the guards at the ludus would send them to me without worry.

Lucius withdrew into the shadows. “I apologize, Leonidas. I never meant danger to follow me here. I’ll go.” He sucked in a breath. “Not certain where, but I’ll find something. I’ve navigated remote caravan towns without mishap, and surely, I can navigate Rome. I’m resourceful.”

“There is one place he might hide,” Cassia said.

I sent her a quizzical glance. “The ludus? Aemil might not let him stay. He told me last time he was tired of taking in my strays. Besides, him looking so much like Xerxes won’t remain quiet for long.”

“Not the ludus.” Cassia spoke directly to me, bypassing Lucius. “Somewhere further afield.”

A place, in fact, we’d been discussing before Lucius blundered into our lives.

“Will it be safer?” I asked. “What about for Marcella?”