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I did not care for Varinius'
hand upon you.
Nor I.
The girl, Naevia.
What did he say?
Dead.
The slaver told not
of her death,
but of her suffering
in the mines!
I stand with Crixus.
And will see Naevia
from bondage.
I move for vesuvius.
Those that would live, join me.
Noble Varinius!
I offer apologies.
My soldiers have been
set to higher purpose!
Into the mines, quickly!
At this very moment,
they close on Spartacus!
You're safe, you're safe now.
Crixus?
Take Naevia to a safe place!
Naevia!
Halt!
Swing around to the left!
I got her!
You made me run.
I *** hate running.
I would see Tychos to ground.
Far from Roman hands.
More come.
Right!
There is no time for it.
It does not *** matter.
We shall all join him soon.
Spartacus shall fall.
Is that not the reason
for my presence in Capua?
To *** with reason.
The absence of your
troops from the games
was an insult to good Varinius.
The Republic would bear
far greater slight,
were I to turn from purpose.
Seppius has been searching
for the Thracian for months.
How came you to divine
he would make attempt
on the mines at Lucania?
Because the gods
themselves presented it,
through voice
of humble servant.
Lucretia?
Her counsel moved my hand.
Perhaps your course
was justified then.
I pray it true.
Otherwise offense has been made
upon the ramblings
of a madwoman.
We have moved past this,
Ilithyia.
In spirit, at least.
Let us make it a thing
of the flesh, with celebration.
Here within these walls,
to pay tribute owed.
An excellent notion!
Well received, yes?
It would stand the more
grievous insult to refuse.
You honor me.
The honor is mine.
I only thought to help.
By plying that preening ***
with celebration
in our own house?
Our house is in Rome, Gaius.
And I would speed return.
With Varinius' support,
you will have Seppius' men.
Now worth their weight in ***.
When Marcus returns to us
with Spartacus as Lucretia --
You place too high
a value on her.
She will drag us to ruin
when it plummets.
Lucretia continues
to prove herself
worthy of such estimation.
Would that my own wife
held the same.
Spartacus.
She needs a moment.
She needs to *** move.
How quickly would
your feet carry,
after months condemned
to that place?
She is not alone
in needing rest.
The lack of it sets
nerve to edge.
We will find higher ground,
better defended if set upon.
Can you walk but a little more?
She will make it.
Come on.
The weight of her increases
with each step.
Perhaps it is time
to lighten burden.
I swore a promise to Crixus.
She is the man's heart.
Would you again
tear it from his chest?
Crixus is dead.
And I would be free
of his woman,
before we ***
share the same fate.
We move for Vesuvius,
to rejoin Agron.
All of us.
Speak of this again
and the Romans will be
the least of your concerns.
Tychos.
One of the lesser men.
Let him serve as a warning.
That Rome is not
so easily defied.
Their numbers dwindle.
Yet ours follow
at more rapid pace.
We still hold the greater sum.
Spartacus and his men
are gladiators.
A handful of your men would
stand pale shadow against one--
Roman soldiers know
something of death,
and the dealing of it.
Do not measure their worth
against common slaves.
Slaves, true.
But far from common.
Move absent proper force
and see the rank
of the dead swell.
Your men are spread too thin
throughout the forest.
A single man
carried by swift purpose
could return
with reinforcements
Carry word to the other squads.
We do not rest.
Tribune--
See this to its end in the name
of Gaius Claudius Glaber.
Turn from your charge,
and I'll put a sword
in your *** back.
Varinius is a man
of the highest regard.
See his cup always full
and all desires met.
Am I understood?
Domina.
Yes, Domina.
Bathe and prepare yourselves.
Seppia.
Apologies, I was not
told of your arrival.
None required.
I came seeking
Lucretia's counsel.
A thing desired by many
it would seem.
Your words set her to path.
Mine?
You are forever extolling
the virtues of marriage.
Wisdom of years
has finally proven master
over fatuous youth.
You've found a husband
so quickly?
If the gods bless such a union.
I shall entreat them
on your behalf.
With their favor,
Varinius shall be yours.
Varinius?
Is he not handsome?
And tall and strong
and of means?
The form of a man every
woman longs to call her own!
He would make a husband
to rival all others.
I must prepare myself
for his celebration.
I would catch his eye,
and with it see the rest
of him swiftly follow.
You have made
impression upon her.
As have you.
No longer is pilgrimage
needed to Delphi.
Those seeking the consideration
of the gods need only bow
to the Oracle of Capua.
I am but humble vessel,
offering a mere
taste of their will.
Then Seppia shall find tonight
a bitter draught.
Varinius is a praetor.
As is your husband.
Yet Varinius
rises more quickly,
and one day shall
hold title of consul.
The wife of such a man must
possess refinement and poise.
Traits yet lacking
in a spoiled little girl.
Perhaps you would
have me petition
the gods for a different union?
One closer to heart
The morning ***
has better chance
of crowing to such heights.
Your husband
believes otherwise.
As does your father.
When Marcus returns
absent Spartacus,
you shall be revealed
as what you are.
An empty vessel,
barren of life and prophecy.
See yourself
dressed for tonight.
I have no doubt my husband
will wish to parade you about
as favored pet.
Your husband's trust
is valued gift.
Yet yours would prove
the greater treasure.
Line them up.
The faith placed in me
is not mislaid.
Spartacus proves
where I predicted.
Praetor.
This is all that
stand captured?
Many more lay dead
in the mines.
Your Gaul returns
to you at least.
Where is Spartacus?
He fled into the woods
with a clutch of slaves.
Marcus gives chase.
Alert me the moment
he is sighted upon road.
To the cells.
Move!
Even aided by
your divine guidance,
he stands with empty hands.
He will yet find
Spartacus between them.
The gods --
Your tongue writhes
absent their purpose.
Was Naevia not found
in the mines, as I foretold?
And who so condemned
her to such a place?
Juno?
Or a Lanista's wife,
more earthly bound?
Your prophecies bear
the stench of opportunity.
Oenomaus --
-- was delivered by
your dead husband's man.
A toad who has seen
his share of wounds.
I wonder if he could
mend them as well
Do not think me the fool,
as my husband and father.
You and I have
unfinished affairs.
And I would see
them draw to a close.
Get in!
Again to this
House of *** and ***.
A fate I alone should bear.
The risk was known to us all.
*** risk and ***
the *** Romans.
I stand with you,
in this life and the next.
The bonds of brotherhood.
They have always run
deep within these walls.
Oenomaus!
What has happened?
How did you come here?
I was a fool.
That now stands
in fellow company.
Their fault lies
only in following me
on impossible journey.
Naevia lives.
We liberated her
from the mines.
Love.
You fall to ruin for love.
She is my heart.
She is a woman.
A delicate creature
at the best of times.
They are moved by desires
unknown by the men
that place trust in them.
She lives.
That is all that matters.
Shhh.
You are safe now.
You are safe.
You do not rest?
I would not see
another of us fall.
Not even the gods could have
done more to prevent it.
A thought holding
no comfort to the dead.
Naevia.
Liscus!
Nasir!
He risked life, to save my own.
A most impressive showing!
It staggers to think
this house so recently a tomb.
These walls truly present no
evidence of witnessed horrors.
Such memories shall soon
be cleansed from thought,
never again to darken mind.
I long for such a day.
Let us hasten it
with ample libation.
I fear Mercato may lose himself
in the bottom of a cup,
and forget that
we are of position.
I would never make
spectacle of myself.
Come then!
I would test the strength
of your resolve.
And my own as well!
I have never beheld
sour Gallienus
in such high spirits.
This celebration already
proves clever suggestion.
To be made brilliant,
if Spartacus'
capture were to be announced.
The gods may yet bless us this
night with unexpected gifts.
Let us entreat them
with wine and song!
Our voices to carry
to Olympus itself!
This house once sat
perched within its reach.
I have worshiped here
myself upon occasion.
Good Cossutius.
I had not heard
you were in Capua.
He comes for my games.
And to remove himself from
the prudish eyes of Rome.
Both just cause.
Come.
Let us enjoy spectacle.
Truly a feast for the senses.
Even I stand speechless.
Then I shall seize
upon rare moment,
to honor noble guest.
Good citizens of Capua!
Your Presence
here in this house
once stood cursed is testament
to your courage and faith.
Faith not only in me,
in the body
of the Senate as well.
Represented by beloved
Albinius and noble Varinius.
A man worthy of celebration
for his generosity
in providing distraction
with games to ease
troubled thoughts!
See how they admire you.
The girl takes
your counsel to heart.
And I repay
your kind attendance
with welcome
news of retribution.
My soldiers return with news
of Spartacus' imminent
capture
and offer in advance the lives
of the few surviving remnants
of his most trusted men.
These gladiators
these slaves, were responsible
for the deaths of many
of your noble kin.
And they will pay.
with blood.
Praetor Varinius.
Pressing concerns forced hand
in preventing my men
from presenting at your games.
I offer you the lives
of these enemies of Rome,
to balm unintentional wounds.
Cut the pig!
Come on, we want blood!
Gratitude for this honor.
And for your tireless pursuit
of the villain Spartacus.
Yet I cannot accept.
I cannot accept
because to do so
would rob the people of this
city of deserved pleasures.
Let these men not
fall here tonight
in the honor of a single man,
but in the arena
before all of Capua!
Water!
Drink.
The boy fought well.
Would this were wine,
to send him properly
on his way.
You speak of him
as if already gone.
Then he speaks the truth.
We have settled this.
Come to reason.
There is more blood upon
the ground than yet within him.
Even if we carry him,
he will not survive.
But he will leave a trail.
One that the Romans
shall follow.
We cannot just leave him.
No.
We cannot.
You would take his life?
I would but sever
dangling thread.
It would be a kindness.
You will not touch him.
Then do it yourself.
Put him from misery,
as you did Varro --
Crixus.
He survived worse.
Against Theokoles.
The boy too will live.
If his wound
is sealed with fire.
A fire would call
the Romans down upon us.
Then we must be quick,
and be gone before they arrive.
And if we are not?
We do not have enough men.
No.
We do not.
Find Agron and bring
all to purpose.
We will follow as swiftly
as we are able.
I fear it will
not be swift enough.
Trussed as game
awaiting slaughter,
yet the man still
eyes us as prey.
The fire will soon be
put from rebellious eyes.
A fitting end
to your games, Varinius.
It shall be a day
etched in memory.
I cannot wait to see their
blood spill upon the sands.
Nor I.
Yet should they not fall here,
in the very place they
robbed our beloved cousin
Sextus of his life?
A man dearly missed.
It is a pity he shall
not be honored this night.
Would the greater honor
not be before all of Capua?
We are politicians, are we not?
Let us come to middle ground,
and see everyone satisfied.
Choose a single man,
and let us make sport of him
in memory of your cousin.
A most judicious compromise!
Seppius is not the only
one who stands injured.
The gods themselves took note
of the horrors
inflicted upon Lucretia.
And pluck her from
the shores of the afterlife
to voice their desires.
Should she not choose
what blood is shed
beneath roof she once
claimed her own?
She has been most
sorely grieved.
If there are no objections?
What mortal dares
defy the gods?
Only one who would
draw their wrath.
Varinius has seen
fit to allow us
a taste of the blood to come.
A single man,
to be sacrificed to this house
where so many lives were stolen
by Spartacus and his jackals.
To be chosen
by its former domina,
the gods themselves
guiding her hands.
The gods have chosen.
This one.
We shall draw lots,
and cut but shallow
to prolong the game.
Seppius to stand first,
in honor of fallen cousin!
*** the lot
of you Roman ***!
Do not think that the gods
have shown you mercy.
I but delay your passing,
so that I may savor it.
My life is gladly given.
For Naevia's.
She lives?
Far from your *** grasp.
News greeted with joy.
I would have her hear
of your final moments.
In the arena you held so dear.
And the crowd which once
cheered your name
spitting upon you.
And when you fall,
it will not be as champion.
But as a common slave.
Absent honor
and absent glory and your name
forever lost to history.
Let this ***
speak now of Romans!
First blood has been drawn!
Who stands next?!
Remember, do not cut too deep.
I would not deprive
everyone fair turn!
Varinius in town
but a handful of days,
and already outshines
your husband.
The man does exude presence.
The breast!
But your heart was
always set upon Gaius.
It is a deceitful thing
that has led many astray.
Yet mistakes of youth need
not forever haunt maturity.
You would see
marriage dissolved?
I do not hold such power.
That decision lies
in trusted father.
Gaius is not without
considerable fault.
Yet it would not lend
favorably upon our name.
You carry his child,
and he yet holds
position of praetor.
He is not the only one
with such title.
It would seem the gods
favor less mature schemes.
Strike it from your thoughts,
as I have from mine.
He is fading.
Fetch something for him
to clutch between teeth.
When it is done,
we must smother
fire and move quickly.
I've seen that look.
And the blame
it inflicts inward.
None other deserve it.
We chose to do this.
Even *** Liscus.
Glaber does not send
his men against Liscus.
He sends them against me.
And all suffer because of it.
Yes.
It is because of you.
That we are free.
What are you doing?
We must close your wound.
I am to be branded with fire.
As a true gladiator would.
You have earned your place
among the brotherhood.
Hold him down.
Do not cry out.
The fire!
Quickly!
Take my sword! Go!
Come, it is your turn.
I have never held one before.
My brother would not allow it.
Well, then it falls to more
experienced hands to guide you.
Come.
You do not care for
your master's affections?
I am slave to no man.
Yet you bow and scrape
toward Varinius' purpose.
But aids me in pursuit
of Spartacus.
I would have done so as well.
Absent attempt
to *** your sister.
Magistrate.
A word.
Hmm
Now place the tip
against flesh,
and feel it part
at your desire.
I
I cannot.
Apologies --
Our honored guest asks too much
of inexperienced hands.
Your wife does not shy
from taking life.
That is how you sate desire,
for love or vengeance.
Without hesitation.
It is a sight, is it not?
All of Capua laid at your feet.
It is not the view,
but quiet respite
from celebration that draws me.
And I have shattered it
with prattling tongue.
Apologies.
Linger.
I would not sweep you
from perch once your own.
It seems a lifetime ago
I called it so.
Time flees from us all.
Leaving regret for what might
have been churning in our wake.
I fear we share much
in such regard.
A husband lost.
A wife
Dearly missed.
Let us turn to common joy,
of friend and daughter.
Ilithyia.
The name fails to lighten
troubled thoughts.
Give them voice,
and see them fly to the heavens.
I have not the lungs
to shout so loud.
Then whisper desire to me.
And I shall entreat the gods
to see them satisfied.
Your counsel would
be much appreciated.
Where's Fortis?
We avoided one squad of Romans.
A second we could not.
I lost Fortis
in the woods as we fled.
Which direction?
The one which you travel in.
We shall break to the west,
and hope to miss them
before righting course.
And if we do not?
Then they shall learn
that a wounded animal
may yet bare teeth.
You overreach.
And hot tears burn in result.
Turn from him.
And dry your eyes.
Let us leave
this *** house.
And see memory of this night
fade in warm embrace.
Yes, brother.
Crassus, yes!
Yes, I have dined and bathed
with him upon many occasion.
A man large of coin
small of ***.
His wife has often
spoken of it.
In far grander terms.
Seek more wine.
I shall join you presently.
Your eye flits from young
to younger still.
If celebration stretches,
I fear to discover you with
a newborn clutched in hand.
Ilithyia, I would
not see my jest
towards Crassus reach his ear.
And what do you offer
to purchase my silence?
What is it you seek?
Favor for your husband?
I have secured many
for him over the years.
Perhaps it is time to place
myself higher in concern
It would be well deserved.
Why do you chase after
simple little girls,
barely formed of breast?
They are unencumbered.
Of marriage
and obligation
And if a woman your equal
stood removed from such?
We speak in ever
tightening circles.
I would see them
come to a point
My father never favored Gaius.
If a more suitable
husband with equal title
and greater promise were to
make his intentions known
You play a dangerous game.
With stakes worth the risk.
Your name
wed to my father's
power and wealth
to rival Crassus himself
Gain your father's approval
to dissolve your marriage
and find me as wet
with desire as you now stand.
*** the gods.
Fortis.
Back the way we came.
Liscus!
Did I not *** warn you?
A serious wound.
But you should
live if --
Call the remaining squad.
It will not make a difference.
Spartacus is possessed
by the gods themselves --
Spartacus is here!
Bear arms!
You will draw them to us!
And we will fight until
the last drop of Roman blood --
I am not a Roman.
And I will not
*** die this night.
We must move before more come.
I am done running.
Do not ***
let this be for nothing.
Live
and see many Romans fall
You really believe
this will save you?
Maneuvering my father's
*** inside you?
You mistake intent --
Do not attempt to twist
*** word to advantage.
I will not be placed
beneath your heel again,
you withered ***.
You think so low of me?
Based upon lasting memory
of blood and betrayal.
I've done many things
to hurt you.
Because I was jealous.
Of your position
and your beauty.
Your youth.
Moved by base passions
which served only
to wound my own heart.
I would do anything, Ilithyia.
To erase injury
my actions have caused.
You remember what
happened between us?
I remember everything.
Do not think I will be
so easily threatened.
Again, you mistake intent --
Mistake is yours.
I will dash your head
against the stones
as I did Licinia
Wait!
With tales of how you lost
wits and came to me.
Your father --
Will not mourn the passing
of a faded ***.
He will dissolve your marriage!
That is the reason
I took him to my thighs.
To sway him to your cause
of wedding Varinius.
That is what you desire,
is it not?
Even if it were,
why would my father
be moved by serpent's tongue?
The gods speak through me.
He sees wisdom
in their counsel.
I did it for you, Ilithyia.
To secure future
for you and your child.
I would mend rift between us.
One torn by my own
foolish hands.
Perhaps it is I
that have been foolish.
To ever doubt such dear friend
was blessed by the gods.
Laughter and drink
have done much
to dispel darkening gloom.
Good.
But yet I fear shall
see split head come morning.
You stand satisfied then?
In all things.
Let us set past aside,
and look towards
deserving future.
Words of significant worth.
Come, I would break more
with you before sleep claims us.
Apologies for earlier doubt.
This evening has proven
most advantageous.
Yes.
I long to see what
dawn shall bring.
Vesuvius.
How far?
Half a day's journey.
Take Nasir.
I will hold them back
for as long as I am able.
No.
I stay by your side.
Naevia.
♪
