Solonius arrives to provide protection to Lucretia, who feels that she cannot handle all of the guests by herself. In the absence, the slaves in the villa are preparing for the evening ahead. Despite Quintus' misgivings, they both decide to return to the ludus before morning. In Neapolis, Quintus and Titus find nothing of worth. The elite of Capua, among them Petronius, are invited to the ludus for a night of pleasures. That night, Quintus leads Titus away from the ludus to Neapolis under the pretense of scoping out new gladiator talent. Gnaeus follows through as the rest of Gladiators begin to look at him differently. Oenomaus then sternly orders him to comply with his demands, exercising his power as Doctore for the first time. Gnaeus mouths off to him, as Oenomaus lashes out at him with his whip. The next day, Oenomaus commands Gnaeus to switch weapons to the trident and net, assuming the style of the Retiarius. Melitta leaves him, but when she spends the night with her husband, she fantasizes about Gannicus. Gannicus replies that he cannot stop thinking about her. She tries to stay out of his way, and tells him that what happened between them would be best ignored. On her way to Oenomaus' chambers, Melitta is stopped by Gannicus. Titus realizes that Gannicus does not fight for his house, and refuses to accept him as champion. Titus calls Gannicus into the villa and questions him on his loyalty and will to be champion. Later, they tell Quintus of their meeting, and he says they should take advantage of the opportunity he tells them to invite the man to the house-he will distract his father in the meantime.Īshur and Dagan return to the ludus, where they are met with hesitant congratulations, for the other gladiators still do not consider them brothers. They spy Petronius, an eligible bachelor and a man of interest to Gaia.ĭespite having met her before, Petronius does not recognize Gaia, and instead approaches Lucretia with interest, having heard of the pleasures of their ludus from Quintilius Varus, much to Lucretia's horror. Lucretia hints that he will soon be returning to Sicilia, but Gaia talks of leaving the house to escape him. While the games continue, Lucretia and Gaia roam the markets, talking of Titus and his influence of the household. The battle is short and Caburus wins, removing the heart of his opponent. With the minor games over, Vettius introduces his champion, Caburus.
Lucretia comforts Titus with honeyed wine. Ashur finishes the man by bashing his head in, claiming the kill as his own, to Titus's disapproval. Forced to the ground, his opponent is about to make the final strike when Dagan stabs the man from behind. Dagan shows himself to be a talented fighter and makes his first kill in the arena, but Ashur is beaten back and loses his helmet. As they have not truly earned the mark of the brotherhood, Oenomaus tells them that this will be their test. Below, Ashur and Dagan prepare for their first battle. The retiarius, who fights in a style new to Capua, wins the battle. SynopsisĪs some of the last battles in the old arena of Capua take place, Quintus and Titus observe from the stands. Gannicus finds himself on unstable ground. Lucretia reluctantly agrees to her husband's risky plan.
The House of Batiatus is caught in the power struggle between the younger and elder Batiatus.
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