Chapter Text
“Why does a fucking wall appear when we were set to finally put an end to them?” Crixus asked. “We could not face our own enemies but we could have taken mood out on his enemies!” Crixus pointed at Tutankhamun.
“The gods are satisfied.” The high priest Amun said as he exited the litter that was being borne by a group of novice priests. “You are victorious.” He gave a brief bow to the group.
“And what of Tushratta?” Tutankhamun asked. “Must I spend eternity expecting attack from the Mitanni?”
“Thebes will enjoy peace under your rule my pharaoh.” Amun said. “Just as our sister Sinuessa will enjoy plenty and prosperity under the guidance of her own king, Spartacus.”
“What is your meaning?” Crixus asked.
“The alliance built between Egypt and the rebels is meant to stand for eternity.” Amun said. “It is the reason that our gleaming cities now face each other across the river Styx. And they both await the return of their heroes.”
“If we are victorious; then we must return as conquering heroes.” Horemheb said.
“And what of those who do not stand with us?” Nasir said quietly. “They are not to be recognized.”
“The Oracle welcomes them with great ceremony.” Amun said. “As they wait for the time of reunion to welcome you in the same manner.”
“I will have the chariots prepared.” Horemheb said. “We must return in grandeur. Lagus see a messenger dispatched to the palace telling of our victory.”
“It looks like Sinuessa; yet I remember it seeming…dirtier.” Agron said as he stood at the rail along with Gannicus, Castus and several other rebels.
“It was much dirtier.” Castus agreed. “The city is gleaming; it screams wealth. A good thing that I am not the pirate I once stood. I would seek to strip such a city of its coin and valuables. Now I take satisfaction in knowing that those I call brother and friend have been granted such a place to call home for all eternity.”
“A crowd gathers.” Saxa said.
“A crowd of faces in which many seem familiar.” Gannicus said seeing several gladiators he was familiar with gathered including Barca and Auctus.
“Faces that eyes have not rested upon for too long a time.” Agron said catching sight of Duro and his parents.
Naevia was smiling as she caught sight of Diona and Melitta. “So many who were lost to us now wait to greet us.”
Castus busied himself with seeing the ship docked and secured. A woman that many did not know and only a few had caught a glimpse of stood waiting at the foot of the gangplank as the rebels and the few Egyptians made their way to the dock.
Sura smiled as she greeted them. “Welcome home; your loved ones wait with empty arms; eager to see them once again filled by those they hold to heart. Both here and across the bridge that spans the Styx.”
The rebels disembarked making their way to joyful reunions with their families and friends. Gannicus and Naevia made their way to Diona and Melitta. Agron made his way to his mother’s waiting arms. The city of Sinuessa turned itself to celebrating those now within her walls and waiting for those who had yet to arrive.
“Amun assures me that they will be waiting to welcome you with open arms.” Tutankhamun said as he approached the fire where Crixus and Nasir sat not wanting their misery to dampen the spirits of the celebration.
“Yet they do not celebrate with us now.” Crixus said as he got to his feet. “I would seek more wine to drown grief.”
Tutankhamun watched as the Gaul set off in direction of the revelers. “The gods placed you into my palace.” The pharaoh lowered himself to the ground. “Lagus speaks highly of you. He does not share his beer lightly. He has done so with me; and now with you.” Tutankhamun held a cup out to the Syrian.
Nasir glanced up “Gratitude.”
“Lagus tells me that you were able to get Ankhe and Suhad to act civilly.” Tutankhamun said. “You must tell me how you accomplished it.”
“It is simple. They both love you; yet it is a situation that causes grief to all involved.” Nasir said. “Ankhe does not love you as a wife should; her heart belongs to another; as does yours.”
Nasir stopped to take a sip of the beer. “We have been given paradise; that speaks of joy and happiness. You should reach for what makes you happy for eternity; and allow Ankhe to do the same.”
“When Aten blesses us again with his face; we set out for Thebes.” Tutankhamun said. “Ankhe and Suhad both consider you a friend; I would ask that you continue to be their friend.”
Ay stood on the balcony looking out over the mass of rebels filling the courtyard. He had counselled the queen against the invitation; but Ka’s arrival with two of the rebel leader’s generals and the Oracle Sura’s presence served to negate all concern.
Ankhe and Suhad had immediately latched onto Agron eager to learn more of the gladiator they had heard so much about from Nasir. Ka was introducing Gannicus to the joy of a well-brewed beer.
Ay was not expecting to have a delicate hand fall on his arm. Looking down he saw that the hand belonged to Sura. He straightened and addressed the woman. “May I serve you in some way?”
“You are an ambitious man;” Sura stated. “Yet your honor serves as balance; you have remained loyal to your pharaoh. The gods look favorably upon you for this.”
“I serve Egypt.” Ay said. “Yet I would be remiss if I did not hold reservations with so many unknown to us within our palace walls.”
“It can be difficult to trust others.” Sura said. “There is always the chance of betrayal from those you count as allies; a thing known well to me and to my husband. It is the gods who built this alliance. One that we shall all honor; lest we draw their wrath.”
The sounds of cheers in the streets of Thebes drifted to the palace. Sura smiled. “I move to reunite with the husband too long from my side; let us all welcome him and your pharaoh together.”
Castus glanced around taking note of the absolute joy that filled the very air. There had been too many reunions to count and new friendships formed as the rebels and the Egyptians feasted and danced. Melitta was happily speaking with Diona, Naevia and Sibyl while Oenomaus, Gannicus and Crixus looked on. Agron and Nasir were happily embracing each other while surrounded by the German rebels who had been joined by Duro and older couple. It was clear by the woman’s doting actions toward both Agron and Duro that she was their mother. The pharaoh was at the side of a dark-skinned woman; while Ka had his arms around a woman who wore the clothes of a queen. They were deep in conversation with Spartacus and the dark haired woman called Sura. Lagus was speaking with an older Roman man called Titus Batiatus who had been greeted warmly by Oenomaus. Oddly enough the man held the respect of all the older gladiators.
Those he now called his brothers were happy. It was a situation that Castus did not fit into. He was simply a Cilician pirate that had been forced into it by circumstance. Castus set his cup down and stood up; heading toward the docks where his ship awaited.
“You leave without words of parting?”
“Fuck the gods!” Castus said as he found his way blocked by Agron. “I only thought to see you free of the Cilician shit.”
“A thing that I have prayed for in the past.” Agron admitted. “Yet I will admit that you are not as much of a shit as I first thought; like that fucking Gaul. Nasir would want to wish you well before you depart; as would others.”
“Agron is not wrong in this.” Crixus said as he joined the two. “You have earned your place among us as a brother; we would not see you leave without a proper farewell.”
Castus grinned as he allowed himself to be led back to the celebration. He did fit in with these rebels after all.