Spartacus

The noble House of Batiatus stands humbled!

Humbled by the blessings

the gods have seen fit to shower upon us.

And by the presence of the most revered citizens

in all of Capua,

come to join in celebrating the patronage

of Legatus Claudius Glaber!

The man himself regrets the duties of the senate

prevent his attendance,

but he would see us properly addressed,

his words delivered

by pleasing tongue of trusted wife.

Good citizens of Rome's favored sister.

It is with great pleasure that

I, Legatus Claudius Glaber, bestow upon

Quintus Lentulus Batiatus

my patronage,

and all encompassing benefits.

No man in all of Capua is more deserving

of such esteemed privilege.

Good Batiatus should be held as example

to a city mired in shadows and treachery.

The guiding light of his virtuous heart

providing illumination in these dark and troubling times.

For this reason and too many others to give voice...

Still yourself.

I lend my full and unconditional support

to the honored position of aedile.

Aemilia failed to mention you had mind towards office.

Oh, I admit to none, good Sextus.

Until the Legatus broached the subject.

Aedile is but a breath below magistrate.

Um.

We should dine, and discuss the matter further.

My heart to Legatus Glaber and his support.

In the hopes that you will share it in the coming days,

I present a gift of blood!

Two legends of the arena,

to face each other sine missione!

No quarter given!

No mercy shown!

Behold, Crixus!

The savage Gaul!

And who shall attempt to tame him?

There can be but one man.

Spartacus!

Slayer of the shadow of death!

He is of a form, is he not?

He stands a god.

Crixus...

I have given my answer.

Let us finish this.

Begin!

You speak of dangerous things.

We live in dangerous times.

Many yet hold Crixus our true champion.

Count me among them.

Doctore.

I would work the palus.

Permission for Spartacus.

Have you traded words with Hamilcar?

He is with us.

But Castus and the other Gauls

refuse to grab cock without

Crixus holding their balls.

Where does Rhaskos stand?

The same.

Our numbers are yet shallow.

We must gain Crixus' support

and see them rise.

The fucking mad mans still under lock and key.

How will you turn him to cause

if you cannot break words with him?

Being champion yet affords privilege.

A way shall present itself.

Answer!

It best "present" fucking soon.

Did I tell you to stand?

Glaber falls to patronage,

and the men of influence greet me

as a fucking brother!

A day of shining glory.

Marred by darkening cloud.

I beg a word, Dominus.

In private.

Doctore,

well spill sour thoughts,

and hear them sweetened.

Glaber's mercenaries punish absent cause.

The men suffer at their hand.

It is a burden that must be endured

I have no time for such petty concerns.

With respect, every ludus requires

the attention of its lanista.

I seek a loftier title, one far removed from the arena.

You would see your family's heritage a thing of memory?

No.

Yet I tire of the dust and drudgery,

and I would have my interests in blood and sand

overseen by someone with more attentive eyes.

Someone who has forever proven loyal.

You would entrust the ludus to a slave?

A slave, never.

I had thought to make announcement at the celebration,

but you force my hand.

My advocate is drawing up papers granting your freedom.

Freedom?

No longer shall you be my Doctore.

You will assume the mantle of lanista,

and be warmly greeted by your name,

Oenomaus.

I had thought the news to please.

Apologies,

I have heard rumor.

One that has vexed sleep.

Well give voice, and dream again.

Barca was not granted freedom.

Instead he met his end, at your hands.

The rumor is true.

Yet absent reasoning.

Barca was dispatched to deliver

a simple message to Ovidius.

Instead he slaughtered the man and his entire fucking family,

against command.

I had no choice but to take his life,

before the magistrate discovered the deed

and pulled us all to ruin.

And Ashur?

Did he aid in this "choice"?

When you are lanista,

you shall also be faced with decisions

grave of consequence.

And know your measure by how your blade falls.

Can you yet feel him move,

eager to make entrance into the world?

How do you divine a boy?

Because the gods fucking favor us.

Glaber's patronage,

access to the upper strata of Capua,

the promise of political office.

Everything we have bled for,

finally within our grasp.

We are truly blessed.

I deliver but glorious news this day,

to be met with tempered response!

Joy is restrained to lend clear mind to celebration.

Glaber's patronage may have paved road to the elite,

but they are of ravenous appetite.

And what meal would you suggest

to see them sated?

One that only the house of Batiatus can prepare.

Spartacus, Slayer of Theokoles,

in a contest to the death.

We have already presented such diversion

at Numerius' toga virilis.

Varro was no match for the Champion of Capua.

We must give them what was denied that night.

What all of Capua longs to see,

but only a privileged few under our roof

may bear witness to.

The Champion of Capua,

Spartacus in a fight for his life

against the only man who has ever defeated him.

Is this your fucking hope?

That the fallen Gaul is granted opportunity

to regain position?

Out.

You mistake intent.

I would see Crixus dead,

for offenses committed

against the House of Batiatus.

Then we stand as one in such regard.

Oh your tongue named cause of doubt.

Crixus is the only gladiator to pose threat to Spartacus.

And there is yet political advantage

to parading the bringer of rain

as I campaign for office.

Then we must ensure Spartacus victorious.

And Crixus fades from memory.

That will be all.

Patronage comes with unfortunate attachment.

A fact I am well aware of.

I am reminded of the first time you stood before me

in this office, a savage in chains.

Now you stand as death, made meat and bone.

It was your hand that forged my purpose.

Yet it is upon your shoulders

the House of Batiatus has been so elevated,

and continues to rise.

Two days hence we play host to the most influential in Capua,

in celebration of patronage.

Although a closer look at the Slayer of Theokoles

be the true draw.

A great honor.

Will the men be displayed in the villa?

The Legatus would frown upon such storied tradition.

You and the others will be confined to the square.

And how will our guests have view?

From purchase of the balcony.

No eye will be denied