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Rebellis Ludus

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"Get off the floor, Bellator... you're being sold."

It was a harsh statement from the slave's master, but not unexpected. The Lion bit back a groan as he forced himself to a sitting position; everything hurt. His master had promised that he would be sold if he lost another fight, and the pudgy old Human went and set him up against one of the wrestling champions of the city-- the Lion was fairly sure that his master had bet against him.

Although the gladiator was unable to see outside of the holding cell, he heard his master's voice accompanied by another. The ringing in his concussed head made it difficult for him to hear much of the second voice aside from the fact that it was male, and sounded younger than his master. His master certainly wasn't pulling any punches. "He may be useless to me now, but I won't part with him for less than fifty."

The calm speaker said something in a quiet tone that the Lion couldn't quite hear. His master's response was a scornful laugh. "Name? I used to call him Bellator but, at this point, I think Fractus would be more appropriate."

The Lion heard the sound of coin striking against coin and he had to squint his eyes as light came pouring through the door to his holding cell as it opened. He was able to hear the newcomer's voice much more clearly. "Lion, I have paid your master for your contract. Come. You are with me now."

The gladiator stared up at the Human, waiting for his eyes to adjust. He guessed his new master was probably half his old master's age, and likely half his weight. The young man was around the Lion's age but time and society had been decidedly nicer to him. Fighting back a wince then a groan, the gladiator got to his feet, mindful to put most of his weight on his right leg; he knew his place. "Yes, Dominus."

His new mater began walking immediately, a quick pace-- far faster than his older master had ever 'waddled'. The Lion did his best to keep up, realizing that it was his task to follow as surely as his master chose the speed. He was surprised however when, rather than fall further behind, he started to catch up; was his new master slowing his gait? No words were spoken between them until the Human chose a side-door on the long hallway and pushed it open. Turning to address the Lion, he looked up. "I secured the medicus room for the next hour. Go. Take a seat."

The Lion had heard from some of the other gladiators that the arena had several rooms dedicated to treating injuries, but he himself had never visited a medicus; they had been too expensive for his last masters. He obediently took a seat to where his new master had gestured; despite how much he tried to hide it, his movements were stiff and awkward. The seat in question was a wooden stool that smelled faintly of herbs, blood, urine, feces, and other fluids... mostly of blood. His master stood in front of him; while sitting down, the Lion was almost the same height.

When most Humans stared him down it was with an air of superiority and he was tasked with averting his gaze; something about his new master, however, made him pause, and he found himself staring. Rather than rebuke him, the Human simply spoke, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. "I want to inspect your wounds. You took quite a beating in the coliseum."

The Lion nodded. "Yes, Dominus."

The Human's hands were firm and sure as they began to undo the gladiator's harness. He was not used to being undressed and, more so, on the rare occasions when he'd been touched by a prior master it was usually an aggressive slap, punch, or strike. The young Human examining him was surprisingly gentle. More surprising than his soft touch was his next comment. "I have not often seen Lions with eyes as blue as yours... did your family hail from the northern lands, Bellator?"

The gladiator answered simply and to the point, as he'd been instructed when dealing with an owner. "I do not know, Dominus. I was born here. My mother was a slave."

The Human nodded at the statement. "I see. Now... move your right leg. Can you flex it?"

The Lion looked down at his leg; his master was pointing to his right one. He lifted his paw off the ground and slowly began to extend his knee, fighting back a wince. He made sure to keep his expression stoic, refusing to make a sound. As a fighter he'd been trained to ignore pain and to never show weakness. Somehow the Human saw through his facade.

"Yes... as I thought. Your knee."

The gladiator grit his teeth as the Human knelt down, resting a hand against the Lion's thigh and another against his knee. In a quick, decisive movement, he pushed hard against the knee while holding the leg otherwise in place. There was a loud pop and a split second of discomfort but, suddenly, all of the lingering pain is gone. Even before the slave was able to take stock of what had happened, the Human was already standing up. "There. Flex it again."

Looking down at his knee then back up toward the Human, he did as ordered even as he tried to process what just happened. Then, with a slow deliberation, he began to flex his knee again. The second time there is was no significant amount of pain; instead, the movement was smooth and fluid. Letting out a held breath, the Lion felt a little stress leave him; his injuries would not be permanent, which meant there was hope.

His thoughts were interrupted by a calm, direct order from his Dominus. "Speak to me, Bellator. Communication is important."

The Lion cleared his throat, and in a low, gravelly voice, did as his master demanded. "My leg is better."

The Human was quiet for a moment. "And?"

He could not recall the last time he was asked for any significant amount of input from a master so he wasn't sure what to say. "I have never had a medicus for a Dominus before. It is... strange to... be healed."

The Human's shrug was somewhere between dismissive and flippant. "Slaves are people the same as the Citizenry... just less fortunate. Now... what else hurts?'

The Lion's gaze dropped and he looked away; something about the Human was disarming, which meant that he knew he'd have to be even more on guard. Running a paw across the scars on his chest, the gladiator traced the outline of a slave tattoo he knew was there. "My face... but mostly my pride."

His master was quiet long enough that the gladiator chanced to look up, only to see the Human standing with a smirk on his face, apparently trying to avoid a chuckle. When he finally did speak, the Lion's new master stated "You are amusing, Bellator. I cannot for the life of me remember the last time I heard a slave mention that their pride was hurting. Perhaps there is some hope for you."

The gladiator was used to being laughed at by a master, but something about the Human's body language and tone suggested that it wasn't at the Lion's expense. Not precisely sure how to respond, the slave simply sat on the bench, awaiting direction. It wasn't long in coming as the small man stepped closer. "Look up at me."

The Lion did as commanded. "Yes, Domin--" he wasn't able to finish the words as the Human's fingers ended up in his muzzle. Shocked into inaction, the slave remained where he was as his master's dexterous digits began to feel around. They weren't there for long, pulled out before they continued their inspection on the outside of his muzzle.

The Human spoke as he continued the examination. "You still have all of your teeth... that is commendable. Nothing broken here... or here..."

Unfamiliar with being so intimately handled, the Lion remained where he was, passive and obediently letting the Human do whatever he wanted. He found himself licking the inside of his muzzle; his master tasted good. It wasn't a thought that normally went through the slave's head-- he had never tasted a Human before, and it wasn't a food association. The entire thought left him confused and frustrated. His focus shifted when he winced, the reflex escaping him while he was distracted.

His master's hands withdrew immediately. "Not a break, but it will take some time to heal. In the meantime, this should help."

The Human pulled a small wad of cotton out from one of several satchels adorning his belt and, held between his index and middle finger, shoved it into the Lion's muzzle. "Here... hold this in place behind your back teeth. Clamp down on it with your jaws... your discomfort will ease soon."

The young man's distinct flavor was present again, but overpowered greatly by something biter. Whatever coated the cotton it was intensely bitter, leaving a dry, astringent feeling on his tongue. He was so focused on his mouth's reaction that he didn't realize for several seconds that the ache in his jaw was gone. "Oof.. ih 'orkf."

The Human smiled again, meeting the Lion's gaze for a second time. "Yes... I am quite aware how well it works, which is why I used it... now don't talk-- just leave it there for a time. I wish to inspect your head."

Moving behind him and out of his view, his master began to dig his fingers into the Lion's mane, digits carefully, meticulously, and surprisingly pleasurably feeling around his skull. Once again the Human began talking to himself, murmuring something that sounded like it was in a satisfactory tone until he was done, at which point he spoke much more clearly. "Good... that knee you took to your head did not appear to cause any permanent damage. Has the ringing in your ears stopped yet?"

The Lion was surprised; he hadn't mentioned that to his master. Taking stock of his situation, the gladiator nodded, remembering that he wasn't supposed to speak. The Human sighed, moving around to the front so he could reach into the Lion's muzzle, pulling the cotton out, at which point he gestured toward the slave, who, prompted, responded verbally. "Yes, Dominus."

Nodding, the Human stowed the cotton. "Good... does anything else hurt... aside from your pride?"

Shaking his head, the gladiator realized he needed to maintain his indomitable will; he could not show weakness in front of a new master. "Nothing some rest will not heal, Dominus."

Something about his answer was apparently unsatisfactory. "I asked what hurt, Bellator, not what you need to heal."

Quickly correcting himself, the Lion clarified. "Sore muscles, Dominus. I am used to feeling this way."

That answer seemed to satisfy his new master, who nodded, finally standing back up. "Good. I had already planned a visit to the lavacrum for you... I believe it is safe to say that your sore muscles will calm down after a long soak in some warm water."

The Lion had heard of baths before, though, for slaves, that was usually limited to a barrel of cold water-- the idea of warm water was almost unimaginable. "You mean... a trip to the balneis? Are you sure a slave--?"

His master held up a hand. "The balneum? No. I am quite certain that you would not be well received in the public baths. I have several lavacra on my estate set aide for those under my care."

There was something about the way the young man used the term 'under my care'. Did he mean slaves? If so, why not call them that. He wasn't sure he liked the way his master was choosing to frame things; it left him ill-at-ease. Regardless, he was a slave, and that meant it was his responsibility to be responsive. Standing, the gladiator nodded. "I will travel as is required, Dominus."

The Human glanced over his shoulder, looking up at the Lion. "My estate is quite a walk from here, but I have prepared a carpenta."

The Lion knew what a carpenta was, but he'd never thought that he would ride in one. The covered chariots were usually reserved for nobility and the wives of the rich when they were moving about town. He obediently followed the Human to where the two-wheeled wagon awaited, its canvas top brushing against his mane as he stooped to get in, following after his master. The Lion noticed that the two Horse slaves drawing it appeared to be healthy and in good spirits; if nothing else, his Human master treated his servi well.

Once they were situated, his master lowered the flap, sealing them off from the world around them. "This will take us to my estate. I presume you've never ridden in a carpenta before?"

The Lion kept his expression neutral. "No, Dominus."

The gladiator stumbled when the carpenta started moving, saved by a quick grab of a wooden bar in front of him, but also a firm hand as his master reached out to steady him. Rather than call attention to his clumsiness or berate him for almost falling over, his master took an entirely different route. "Then you are far luckier than you realize... as of today, you are a member of my household. To the empire, you are a slave, but that is simply on paper. In all ways, you are a free man while you are in my care."

The gladiator wasn't able to keep an expression of surprise off his muzzle, but he quickly fought it back, maintaining an even tone in response. "Yes, Dominus."

Sighing, the Human looked up at him. "You do not have to call me Dominus, Bellator."

The Lion blinked. "But... you are my master."

The Human sighed, removing his steadying hand from the Lion so he could run it through his own hair. "Most of those in my care refer to me as Patronus or Nutritor, or even Cassius, but rarely Dominus."

The gladiator paused. "Cassius?"

The Human offered a succinct, matter-of-fact nod. "Yes. My name."

The Lion did not bother hiding his weariness or curiosity. "Your name? You are my Dominus. As long as I am bound to the arena then I should not use your name."

Cassius shrugged casually, as if the objection meant little to him. "If you enjoy the life of a gladiator then you may consider yourself a part of my ludus, yes... but that choice will be yours to make. Either way, you are now a member of my household-- free in all ways except the tattoo you wear. I care little for what the Empire thinks and their rules regarding slaves end once we are on my family's land."

The gladiator fought hard to keep a growl out of his voice; was he being teased? "I have a choice? I'm a slave, DOMINUS. A Lion born to be fought and killed in the arena."

The human glanced out of the corner of his eye at the Lion. "That is what the Empire expects of you as a slave, yes... but, while you are in my household it is your duty to do my will, and my will states that you are free to determine your own future. Nobody will think twice if you never reenter the arena... they understand that I am free to do with you what I will, and what I will is that you choose for yourself. If you wish to continue to fight then you shall be a gladiator for me. If you choose a different path then you will do that for me... and what I have decreed is that whatever you do for yourself, you do for me."

The Lion was not slow, but sometimes certain concepts took time for him to process, especially when they ran counter to everything he knew or expected. Some time passed before he was able to speak up. "I don't understand, Dominus... why would you do this for me?"

Cassius took a deep breath and, after a pause, responded. "What I do for you is something I do for myself, Bellator. Tell me: do you know of the Purpura Rosa clan?"

The question was asked with strange, casual indifference, as if his inquiry weren't an obvious 'yes'. Insofar as the Lion knew there was no slave, no citizen and most certainly no gladiator alive that didn't know of one of the most powerful slave-owning family in the Empire. "Yes... I know of them."

The Human's gaze returned to facing forward; they were out of the city by that point, heading down a long road toward an impressive-looking estate. Cassius' voice was muted, hiding what sounded like frustration, or anger, or possibly pain. "I had presumed as much... there are few in the Empire, and even in lands beyond that don't know of us."

The 'us' in the statement didn't go unnoticed. "You are connected to the Purpura Rosa clan, Dominus? I head that their last patriarch passed over the winter."

Cassius nodded. "This is true. I am the last member of my house. My father and his brothers died in the war and, as you say, my grandfather passed two seasons ago."

The realization sank in quickly, and the Lion realized the situation he was facing: the Purpura Rosa clan was well known for how ruthless they were with their slaves, often purchasing a lot of two score and whittling them down until only the two most 'ideal' remained. He wasn't sure how he managed to dare a response. "Then... you are the heir to the clan?"

The Human let out a single, scornful 'ha'. "I am the entire clan, Bellator. They are all dead and buried, sent to be sorted out by Pluto himself."

Silence prevailed for many long minutes, well past the time it took for them to draw near the estate. The carpenta passed through the gates, at which point Cassius dropped the canvas top. The equine servi came to a stop on a cobblestone pathway and they were approached by a middle aged Goat with a slave tattoo on his forehead; he was accompanied by a much younger Goat who shared obvious family features. The younger goat was several years younger than the gladiator, and did not have a tattoo like his... father?

The older Goat bowed with a warm smile. "Welcome back, Magister Cassius."

The younger Goat mimicked the older one. "It is good to see you again, Patronus."

Cassius' smile to the two Goats looked genuine ot the Lion. "Felix. Nero. I trust all was well in my absence?"

The elder of the two Goats nodded. "Of course. Lucian and his team have been completing the work on the stabula since you left. Myra and Sasha should almost have the festum prepared. I presume you wish to show our new brother around?"

The gladiator forgot himself, speaking up before he could stop the words from coming out. "Brother?"

The younger Goat spoke up. "My name is Nero, friend. When you've been freed by Patronus Cassius you become part of our family."

The Lion chewed on his tongue even as he said the word. "Freed..."

Cassius nodded to the Goats. "Help Verus and Draco get the carpenta stowed and get ready for the festum... I will show our newest addition to the lavacra."

Bowing to the Human, the Goats went to assist the Horses with putting the transport away and the Lion found himself following his Dominus off toward a side path leading to a medium sized stone building. Cassius didn't remain quiet for long. "Not everyone is comfortable right away here, Bellator... if you need time to yourself you will have it, but, tonight, those under my care will want to meet you. They knew I would be returning today with someone new."

The gladiator had many questions he wanted to ask, but he knew better than to speak out of turn. His Dominus apparently realized why he was silent and quickly added "You are welcome to speak your mind here."

The Lion wasted no time. "Why do you do this?"

Cassius opened the door, stepping into the room and then moving aside, gesturing the slave to follow him. "Why do I help people?"

Fighting to avoid making a face, the Lion clarified. "Why do you collect slaves that you say are not slaves?"

Chuckling, the Human walked into the next room. Following him, the gladiator was astounded to be surrounded by steam; he could feel the heat wafting off of the water. The room was finished in marble and the large pool had a walkway around its perimeter. The walls on both long sides of the room had alcoves which appeared to have a variety of cloth folded neatly. Cassius apparently withheld his answer until the Lion was finished staring. "Some call it altruism."

The Lion felt his ears go up in the simple answer. "Helping others for the sake of others?"

Cassius' smirk turned sour. "yes... but, in truth, I do it out of spite."

The slave froze. "Spite?"

The Human nodded, moving further into the room, where he began pulling long, fluffy towels out of the slots in the wall. "Yes. My family has enslaved, tortured, and ruthlessly abused men and women for generations simply because they were not Humans."

The Lion didn't quite get his master's point. "Many families do that, Dominus."

Shrugging, the Human began to disrobe. "Perhaps... but those were not my family, and, since I am the recipient of my family's entire estate, those riches are mine to do with as I please... and I wish to live my life in a way that is in opposition to those who have come before me. So, yes... if you wish, you may call what I do altruism... I am certain that Jupiter would get a laugh out of it regardless of my reasoning."

Shifting his weight from one leg to the other, the gladiator attempted to remain passive as the naked Human approached. Cassius' skin was devoid of fur and, moreover, lacked any blemish-- no scars and no signs of wear. He was beautiful like a statue and, as the Lion stood stock still, the Human began to undress him. A question came to the gladiator's mind as he attempted to distract himself from his master's gentle touch and proximity. "Dominus... if I am not a slave... what am I?"

Cassius didn't respond until the leather chest halter had fallen to the floor, at which point his hands moved to remove the Pteruges from around the Lion's waist. "You are whatever you wish to be. You are free. You are a member of this clan, should you wish to be. You may shed the name your masters have given you."

The last statement struck the Lion more firmly than any other that had been said. "Shed my name?"

The Human smiled, finally undoing the armored skirt, which joined the halter on the floor, leaving the Lion clad in nothing but his fur. "As easily as your clothes... now... come into the bath."

Cassius moved to the water, descending the steps without bothering to see if he was being followed; the Lion did so obediently without having to receive further encouragement. "If I am not called what my masters have called me, to what do I answer?"

The Human finally turned to face him again, walking backward into the bath to allow more room for the Lion. "Do you remember what your mother called you?"

The gladiator shook his head. "No. I was with her for a short time. I do remember she used to call me 'gold' because of my fur."

Cassius took a seat on a submerged stone bench along the side of the pool, finger on his chin as he thought. "Then, if it pleases you, you may be the Golden One, Aurelius."

It wasn't until he received a proper name from the smiling lips of one very strange Human that Aurelius finally began to feel like he might actually be free.