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9

T he air in the ludus was thick with anticipation for the upcoming fight. I could feel it as I made my way through the corridors, the usual pre-fight tension amplified by whispers of the night's special attraction. The dragon. Even now, the memory of that magnificent beast sent a shiver down my spine. It would be an honour to win it, and of course, if we didn’t win it, it would be because we were all dead. On the other hand, if we did win it, at some point we’d be ordered to fight against it and while I had faced some terrifying creatures in the arena, a dragon was on a different level altogether and I didn’t fancy our chances. I pushed the depressing thoughts aside. I had more pressing matters to attend to.

I found Drusus in the courtyard, surrounded by a group of bedraggled individuals in chains - new slaves he was considering for purchase. The sight of them, eyes downcast and shoulders slumped, made my stomach turn. I'd been in their position once, long ago.

"Drusus," I called out, approaching with what I hoped was casual confidence. "A word, if you have a moment."

He turned, his eyes narrowing slightly as he saw me. "Marcus. Shouldn't you be preparing for tonight's fight?"

"I'm ready," I assured him. "This won't take long."

"A minute,” Drusus grunted, then turned back to the slave trader. "Continue," he barked.

I stood silently as Drusus resumed his inspection of the slaves. His eyes roved over each body with cold calculation, assessing their worth as if they were cattle at market. It was a familiar scene, one I'd witnessed countless times, but it never failed to make my skin crawl.

"This one," Drusus said, pointing to a young woman with haunted eyes. "What are her skills?"

The trader grinned, revealing a mouthful of rotting teeth. "Ah, she's a fine one, that. Trained in household duties - cooking, cleaning, mending. And..." he leered, "she's got other talents too, if you catch my meaning."

Drusus grasped the woman's chin, turning her face this way and that. She didn't resist, but I saw a flicker of something - hatred, perhaps, or simple resignation - in her eyes. "Might do for the kitchen," Drusus mused. "Or for entertaining some of our more... discerning guests."

He moved on to a burly man with calloused hands. "And this one?"

"Strong as an ox, that one," the trader boasted. "Good for heavy labor. Bit simple in the head, but follows orders well enough."

Drusus prodded the man's muscled arms, then shook his head. "No finesse. Useless in the arena, but maybe for heavier domestic work. I’ll take him." He turned to a younger man, barely more than a boy. "What about him? Any fighting experience?"

The trader shrugged. "Quick on his feet, from what I've seen. No idea if he can fight though. He’s not shown much spirit since we picked him up."

Drusus circled the boy, who stood straighter, a hint of defiance in his stance. "Might have potential," Drusus muttered. "But he'd need extensive training. Not worth the investment."

As Drusus continued his assessment, I found myself growing increasingly uncomfortable. It wasn't just the casual cruelty of his appraisal, but the way he spoke about their potential uses. Especially when it came to the women. I couldn't help but think of Livia, of the way Drusus looked at her sometimes. It made my blood boil.

"Nothing exceptional here, though I’ll take the bigger one and the first woman," Drusus finally declared, turning back to me. "What did you want to discuss, Marcus?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "It's about Livia," I began.

Drusus's eyebrows rose. “Livia? What about her?"

"She’s asked if she can start to train as a gladiator and I think she has potential," I said, even as my conscience fought against the words. "I'd like your permission to train her, if she passes a test I have in mind."

Drusus stared at me for a long moment, then burst into laughter. "Livia? A gladiator? Have you lost your mind, Marcus? That little girl?"

"She's strong, determined. She's been watching our training sessions. I think she could be good, with proper instruction."

"She's not exactly built for it," Drusus said dismissively.

"She’s not big, no," I argued. "But she could be quick and deadly, and she’s going to look damn good in the armour. The crowds would love it." I hated talking about her this way, but I knew she wouldn’t mind. Drusus wanted one thing - Profit. I intended to use that to my advantage.

Drusus seemed to consider this for a moment, but then shook his head. "No. Livia's too valuable where she is. The men like her. Some of our investors have taken a fancy to her as well. Can't risk damaging such a... useful asset."

The casual way he spoke about Livia, as if she were nothing more than a piece of property to be used and discarded, made me want to punch him. But I kept my face neutral. I couldn't afford to let my emotions show, not now.

"Think about it," I pressed. "Training Livia would save you having to buy a new fighter. Surely a new kitchen slave would be cheaper? You’ve just picked that one up already." I nodded at the woman stood behind Drusus.

Drusus's eyes narrowed, a calculating look crossing his face. I held my breath, hoping I'd struck the right chord. Money was always the best way to get Drusus's attention. Drusus stroked his chin, a habit he often displayed when weighing a decision. "You make an interesting point, Marcus," he said, his tone measured. "But you're overlooking something crucial. Livia isn't just a kitchen slave. She's... multi-purpose."

I felt my jaw clench at his words, but I forced myself to remain calm. "How so?" I asked, though I dreaded the answer.

Drusus smirked, a look that made my skin crawl. "Come now, Marcus. You're not naive. Livia's popular with the gladiators, isn't she? Keeps morale high. And some of our more... influential investors have taken quite a liking to her. Do you know how much easier it is to secure funding when you can offer a pretty young thing as an incentive?"

I felt a surge of protectiveness, coupled with a hot flash of jealousy. The thought of Livia being used in such a way made me want to lash out, to defend her honor. But I knew I had to tread carefully. Showing too much concern for her could backfire spectacularly.

"I understand that," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "But there’s no reason she couldn’t do both, just release her from her domestic duties to train.”

Drusus shook his head. "And what happens when she gets injured? No one wants to fuck a girl with hacked off limbs or ugly scars. She'd lose all her value."

I bit back a retort about Livia's value being more than just her body. Instead, I tried a different approach. "She doesn't have to fight the most dangerous matches. We could start her off small, build up her reputation. The anticipation alone could be profitable."

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of interest in Drusus's eyes. But then he scowled, gesturing at the slaves still standing silently nearby.

"Look at this lot. Not a single one with real fighting potential. I need new blood in the arena, not some kitchen wench playing at being a gladiator."

I opened my mouth to argue further, but Drusus cut me off with a wave of his hand. "Enough, Marcus. I've heard your pitch. I'll think about it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to."

"Is this really the best you have to offer?" Drusus turned back to face the slave trader. "I need fighters, not kitchen scraps and whores!"

The trader, to his credit, remained calm in the face of Drusus's fury.

"My apologies, noble Drusus. The recent conflicts have made quality stock hard to come by. Perhaps if you were to consider some of the more... unconventional options?"

"Unconventional? Yes. I need something new, something different! The crowds are getting bored with the same old matches. I need something that will make them sit up and take notice!"

The trader's eyes gleamed with a cunning light. "If it's truly something interesting you're after, I might have just the thing. But I must warn you, it's not for the faint of heart."

Drusus leaned in, his interest clearly piqued. "Go on," he said.

"I have a specimen in one of my cages. Truly unique. But perhaps it's best if I show you rather than tell you. If you'll allow me a moment?"

Drusus nodded impatiently, and the trader scurried off towards a line of covered cages at the far end of the courtyard.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "I understand your concerns about Livia. But I truly believe she has potential. If you'll just give her a chance-"

Drusus cut me off with a sharp gesture. "You're like a dog with a bone, aren't you? Fine. If you really think she'd be any good, then try her out. But if she fails, she goes right back to the kitchen. Understood?"

I nodded, relief washing over me. "Thank you, Drusus. You won't regret this."

He snorted. "See that I don't. And Marcus?" His eyes narrowed. "Make sure you remind Livia that this doesn't let her off her night duties. I want her in my room tonight after the fight."

I felt a blaze of protectiveness, mixed with a sharp stab of jealousy at the thought of Drusus touching her. But I forced myself to remain calm, knowing that showing my emotions would only make things worse. Drusus owned Livia. He had more right to her body than I did.

"Of course," I managed to say, my voice tight. "I'll make sure she knows."

"Good. Now, where's that blasted trader with his 'interesting specimen'?"

As if on cue, we heard the sound of chains clanking and a scuffle of feet. The trader reappeared, leading a figure shrouded in a heavy cloth. My curiosity piqued despite my lingering anger.

"Behold," the trader said with a flourish, pulling away the cloth.

I couldn’t help but stare. Standing before us, wrists and ankles chained, was a Talfen. Even hunched over as he was, I could see the distinctive features of his race - the black skin, the white hair, the sharp teeth visible behind snarling lips.

Drusus's eyes widened, a mix of disgust and fascination on his face. He circled the Talfen, examining him as one might a prized horse. "Where did you get this... creature?" he asked, his voice hushed.

The trader puffed up with pride. "Quite a find, wouldn't you say?"

I watched in horror as Drusus continued his inspection, my mind reeling. A Talfen in the ludus? It was unthinkable. These were the monsters imperial soldiers were trained to fight on our borders. Creatures that bore evil magic and inhuman desires. Yet, here was one, about to be sold like any other slave.

Drusus circled the Talfen slave, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of disgust and fascination. I stood rooted to the spot, unable to look away from the bizarre scene unfolding before me.

"Well built," Drusus muttered, prodding at the Talfen's muscled arms and chest. The creature tensed under his touch but remained silent, his eyes burning with barely contained rage. "How did you come by such a... specimen?"

The trader's face split into a wide, greedy grin. "He's half Talfen. Bought him from one of the villages near the border. They were eager to be rid of him, as you might imagine."

I felt a chill run down my spine. Half Talfen? I'd never heard of such a thing. The Talfen were monsters, inhuman beasts that raided our lands and slaughtered our people. The idea of one breeding with a human was... unthinkable.

Drusus seemed equally shocked. "Half Talfen? How is that even possible?"

The trader shrugged, his casual demeanor at odds with the gravity of the situation. "From what I gathered, his mother was a village woman. Father was a Talfen raider that clearly ravaged the poor woman and deserted. Would have been better if he’d killed her.”

Drusus nodded, but at these words, the Talfen slave suddenly lunged forward, straining against his chains.

"Liar!" he snarled, his voice a guttural growl that was halfway between human speech and animal noise. "I wasn't sold! I was taken against my mother's will!"

I instinctively took a step forward, my hand moving to the hilt of my sword. But Drusus stood his ground, meeting the Talfen's furious gaze with cold contempt.

"Silence, beast," Drusus spat. "You're the product of an inhumane rape by a monster. No mother would want a child that reminded her of that."

The Talfen's face contorted with rage and pain. For a moment, I almost felt sorry for him. But then I remembered what his kind had done to our people, the countless lives destroyed by Talfen raids. Any sympathy I might have felt evaporated instantly.

"You know nothing!" the Talfen roared. "My mother loved me! She protected me!"

Drusus laughed, a harsh, cruel sound. "Protected you? By selling you to a slave trader? Some love."

The Talfen's response was swift and unexpected. He reared back and spat directly in Drusus's face.

Time seemed to slow. I saw the glob of saliva arc through the air, saw it land on Drusus's cheek with a wet splat. I saw Drusus's eyes widen in shock, then narrow in fury.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I had stepped forward. My fist connected with the Talfen's stomach, driving the air from his lungs. He doubled over, gasping and choking.

Drusus wiped his face, his expression a mix of disgust and grudging approval. "Thank you, Marcus," he said, his voice cold. "It seems this beast needs to learn some manners."

He grabbed the Talfen's hair, yanking his head up.

"Listen well, creature," he hissed. "You belong to me now. You'll fight in my arena. And if you don't, you'll die screaming for the entertainment of the crowd. Do you understand?"

The Talfen glared back, hatred burning in his eyes, but said nothing. Hmm, maybe they could learn.

Drusus released him with a shove, turning back to the trader. "I'll take him," he declared. "He might do well in the arena. And if not..." A cruel smile twisted his lips. "Well, the crowd will still love seeing a Talfen ripped apart."

"Dominus," I said, my voice low. "Are you sure about this? A Talfen in the ludus... it could be dangerous."

Drusus turned to me, his eyes narrowing. "Are you questioning my judgment, Marcus?"

I swallowed hard, knowing I was treading on dangerous ground.

"No, of course not. I'm just concerned about the safety of the other gladiators. The Talfen are known for their savagery."

"Exactly," Drusus said, a gleam in his eye. "That savagery will make for excellent entertainment in the arena."

I felt my unease growing. "But what if he turns that savagery on us? On the other slaves?"

Drusus waved a dismissive hand. "He'll be properly restrained when not in the arena. And if he causes any trouble..." He patted the whip at his belt meaningfully.

"Don't worry yourself about it, Marcus," he said, his tone patronizing. "You're a gladiator. Your job is to fight, not to think. Leave the decisions to those better equipped to make them."

I bristled at his words, but kept my face carefully neutral.

"Of course, Dominus," I said, forcing the words out. "I apologize for overstepping."

Drusus turned back to the slave trader, a look of grim satisfaction on his face. "We have a deal," he said, his voice firm. "I'll take the Talfen off your hands."

The trader's eyes gleamed with barely concealed greed. "Excellent choice, noble Drusus. You won't regret it."

As they began to discuss the specifics of the transaction, I found myself studying the Talfen more closely. His skin was black, but not black like mine. Mine was dark but still had an element of warmth underneath it. His was true black, like leather a tanner had dyed. It seemed unnatural to me, but then I had heard of humans to the south that had skin as pale as the moon, so I supposed it wasn’t that strange, and he was half human. Despite his alien features, there was something undeniably human in the way he held himself - proud, defiant, but with an undercurrent of fear he couldn't quite hide.

Drusus's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Marcus," he called, beckoning me over. "Listen carefully. I want you to oversee the Talfen's training."

I felt my stomach drop. "Me?" I asked, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.

Drusus nodded, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Yes, you. You're one of my best fighters. If anyone can whip this beast into shape, it's you." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And if he proves too difficult... well, I trust you to handle that situation appropriately."

The implication was clear. If the Talfen couldn't be trained, it would be my responsibility to eliminate him. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to nod. "I understand, Drusus."

"Good," Drusus said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Get him settled in the pens. His training begins tomorrow at dawn."

I frowned. “The pens, Dominus? Not the barracks?”

“As you said, Marcus, these creatures are known for their savagery. I won’t risk my other assets. He’ll sleep in the pens like the other animals.”

I nodded stiffly, hiding my discomfort. As much as I distrusted the Talfen, treating him like an animal felt wrong. But I knew better than to argue further with Drusus.

As Drusus turned away to finalize the purchase, I found myself face to face with the Talfen. His eyes met mine, a mixture of defiance and resignation in their depths. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.

"Come on," I said. "Let's go."

I led the Talfen through the ludus, acutely aware of the stares and whispers that followed us. The other gladiators and slaves pressed themselves against the walls as we passed, their faces a mixture of fear and disgust.

The Talfen walked silently beside me, his chains clanking with each step. I found myself stealing glances at him, trying to reconcile the monster I'd always imagined with the being walking beside me.

As we reached the pens, I paused, turning to face him.

"Listen," I said, keeping my voice low. "I don't know what you are or where you came from. Here, we’re all nothing and no one. But that makes us equals. I can train you, help you survive in the ring, but I won’t tolerate… if you want to survive, you'll do as I say. Understand?"

The Talfen met my gaze, his strange eyes unreadable. After a long moment, he nodded once.

I led him to an empty cell, gesturing for him to enter.

"You don't trust me," he said. It wasn't a question.

I met his gaze steadily. "No, I don't. You're Talfen. Your kind are murderers and rapists."

"And what are you?" The creature shot back. "A slave who kills for the entertainment of others. How are you any better?"

His words stung more than I cared to admit.

As I locked the door behind him, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. This wasn't just a monster from our nightmares - this was a thinking, feeling being. And now he was caged like an animal.

As I turned to leave, the Talfen spoke, his voice a low growl.

"You fear me."

I glanced back at him, surprised. "I'm not afraid of you," I said firmly.

He gave a harsh laugh. "Not you specifically. Your kind. You fear what I am."

I stopped, turning to face him fully. "We don't fear you," I growled. "We despise you. Your people are monsters who raid our lands and slaughter innocents."

The Talfen's lips curled into a sneer. "And what do you think your empire does to my people? You're the true monsters here. You are the one locking me in a cage like a beast. Why are you doing this?"

I paused, considering my answer carefully. "Because it's my job," I finally said. "And because if I don't, someone else will. Someone who might not be as... understanding."

The Talfen snorted, a surprisingly human sound.

"Understanding? You humans understand nothing."

I felt a flare of anger at his words, but forced it down. "Maybe not," I conceded. "But I'm willing to learn. Are you?"

He merely glared at me, and I sighed.

“What’s your name?”

There was a long pause before he answered.

"Tarshi," he said, his voice low and guttural.

“I’m Marcus. Your owner is called Drusus, but you will refer to him with respect as Dominus. He is the one who decides if you live or die, whether in the arena, or in the ludus. Keep that in mind the next time you find your pride ruffled by his words.”

Without waiting for an answer, I walked away.

As I made my way back to my own quarters, my mind turned over the recent changes to the ludus. Training the Talfen would be difficult enough, but I also had Livia to consider. How was I supposed to prepare her for the arena while also dealing with this new, potentially dangerous slave? I'd grown up hearing stories of Talfen atrocities, been trained to view them as nothing more than savage beasts. But the being I'd just locked away... there was intelligence there, and pain, and a complexity I hadn't expected.

I reached my cell and sank down onto my pallet, my head in my hands. And then there was the matter of my own conflicted feelings. I wasn’t sure whether it was just because it had been a long time since I’d taken a woman to my bed, but I couldn’t get Livia out of my mind. Her soft hair, the smooth skin of her body, a contrast to the callouses on her hands. I had been a warrior long enough to know those callouses weren’t from scrubbing pots and floors. They were formed from years of weapons training. It was what had really convinced me to give her a go in the arena, much as I didn’t want her there. Something was driving her, some fire in her belly that had nothing to do with me. It fascinated me. As much as my head told me I should keep my distance, something inside me needed more. Not just her body though. I wanted to know her, to know what had kept her eyes from developing that flat, deadened look I saw all the time in the eyes of other slaves. In my own. Her fire excited me for the first time in a long time, and I wanted to taste it again.