Librarea is a nineteen year old Gladiatrix, a female Gladiator, claimed by House Aelius since she was only seven. She dreams of nothing more than to fight through to her twenty-first birthday when the law states that she will finally be released from her duties as a warrior. But just like her father before her, she may never make it.
Heath, a vicious opponent who was narrowly beaten in their matching, has decided it isn't enough. He's been granted a Kill Match and the prize, if Librarea wins, is more than just her life, but the life of her sister as well.
*
All I could dream of were Liv's screams and by morning I was exhausted. I woke before both boys, their peaceful faces making it impossible for me to want to wake them. They deserved to rest a little longer before the horrors of reality woke them. I snuck to the door still in the clothes I had put on the day before, too pained to have changed out of them. Carefully, I pulled the door open, cringing at the slight creak of the hinges before stealthily slipping out. Just as I was closing it tightly behind me, I could feel the presence of someone else.
"Good morning, Ferus."
The deep baritones of Marcellus threatened to echo down the hall. I turned to my right signaling for him to be quiet and to follow me. Remarkably he complied, a carefree shrug being his only response. I moved down the stairs, not bothering to acknowledge him. When we reached the first floor he lightly grabbed my shoulder spinning me around to face him.
"Would you like to tell me what that was all about before I drag you back to your room?" He questioned.
I roll my eyes at his ridiculous threats.
"Both Nile and Nero were still sleeping soundly. I have better manners than to wake them us, so I decided to get breakfast myself. I didn't expect you to still be mulling about my hall." I raise my eyebrows in suspicion, demanding an explanation.
"Save those looks for the others, girl. They don't scare me." He grinned. "But because I'm in a good mood, I'll answer you. Nero didn't want you sneaking out. He also doesn't trust that friend of yours, so he asked me to stay and be sentry." He walked past me toward where the kitchen was located. "He's pretty intelligent. It only took a few hours and here you are. Well, as long as I'm here too we might as well get some food."
Marcellus walked a few steps then waited for me to join him. I shook my head in disgust but knew I had no choice. If I wanted help it would do me some good to learn when to pick my battles. Even though I didn't care for my companion, it was minute annoyance. I followed him through the house and into the kitchen.
Sweat beaded relentlessly on my brown and I cursed myself for how weak I was becoming. I hated sustaining serious injuries, simply because of the time it took to retrain my muscles to obey. By the time we got there, I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to make it back. Thankfully, Marcellus was in an especially cheery mood and didn't force me to swallow my pride and ask him for help. He simply moved a sitting still against the wall and went about shuffling through the pantries. I quickly took a seat, all but flopping myself down from relief.
My ribs felt as if they might push through skin if I moved another inch and my lungs threatened to quit being useful all together. I could barely head Marcellus' movements over my heavy panting. I closed my eyes focusing on deep breaths and the tiny cracks throughout my spine that followed several of them.
"Ah, Barret, you beast. I knew you'd have something good tucked away." Marcellus' giddy lilt interrupted my meditation and I opened my eyes.
He turned to walk back toward me, looking rather triumphant.
"If you say one word to the cook, I will blame you entirely." He warned. "And we both know who he'll believe." I nodded knowing the truth of his threat.
Slowly he unwrapped the parcel in his hand, splitting his plunder in half and handing it to me. I moved the odd ball in my hand, inspecting it's seemingly gooey texture.
"What is it?" I implored.
He rolled his eyes dramatically, as if I were a bane on his soul.
"They're pulmentum's. Barret only makes them for himself unless they are specifically requested by Lanista Aelius or the Etruscan. He doesn't want to waste his time making them for peasants. At least that's what he's told me. I'm not entirely sure what's in them, but I know they're unlike anything else I've ever tasted." He popped one in his mouth, closing his eyes and smiling as if he was in Heaven.
I turned mine over once more, then smelled it. Sweet scents that reminded me of goats milk wafted to my nose, a spicy undertone mixing in with each breath. It looked to be meat with cheese and salt but I couldn't figure out what else. I shrugged and popped the bite into my mouth. Instantly my eyes dropped closed on their own accord. The spicy and sweet aroma staying true to the taste of the item with just a hint of saltiness. The meat tore easily, exposing the creamy center. I bit down and a light crunch was found bringing a new nutty flavor into the mix. I finished, licking at my teeth and trying to consume what was left of the flavor. I opened my eyes to a beaming Marcellus.
"So?" He tapped his fingers against his side impatiently.
I moved my tongue around one last time, making sure it was entirely gone.
"That was... unexpected. It's like a jumble of all of the perfect foods rolled into a tiny, little ball. How does he get away with not making these all of the time?" I asked.
Marcellus laughed, throwing another one into his mouth.
"They apparently take a very long time to make. Weeks, I was told. I only know about them because I was training with Alexander when he requested a few. Since then I've been snooping around the kitchen as often as I dare, taking some from Barret's personal stash." He said.
I smiled at him, shoving the feelings of disdain I had for him becoming a Guard aside. I genuinely liked him and this just added to the many reasons why were had gotten along as children. I threw another one in my mouth and was sad to see only one left in my palm. Before I could ask if there were more, a very angry Nero came storming in, towing along an equally irritated Nile in his wake. I looked to my sentry and smiled again.
"Looks like we've been caught."
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