A very important decision was being made.
"Honos."
"No. Fides."
"Shh," Julia said, flapping her hand at them.
Her eyes poured over the menu. I could see them jumping back and forth as she read over each description. Her mouth silently followed along, like it would help her taste each option. Brutus and Antonius waited impatiently on each side of her.
It was the start of a new week and Corinna had paid me in advance for the prize won during the archery training. And true to his word, Brutus let Julia have the first one to make up for using her as a human shield.
"It's very important," I whispered to them.
Antonius scratched his head. "Is it really, though? Just pick your favorite."
No, you don't understand." I shook my head, stepping to the side. "When it's free, you have to make it worth it."
"But you're not even spending your own coin on it," Brutus replied in confusion.
"Exactly."
"I don't get it."
I shrugged. "Well, Julia does."
"Okay, I know what I want," she said suddenly.
We all listened with rapt attention.
"Between those two options, the Honos and the Fides, I want..." She clicked her tongue, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "I want the Cupid. Pear and rosehip sound different!"
They both complained in disappointment and I raised my brow. Should I tease them? "Hey, now. Were you hoping she'd share it with you?"
Antonius looked disgusted. "What?"
"Gross. Besides, what would be the point of even offering it?"
That clearly insulted her. "You don't have to make it sound so awful. What's wrong with you guys?"
Brutus quickly stumbled over his words. "Oh, no I didn't mean…"
"Right, that's not what I—"
Biting my lip and cringing, I escaped from the mess I accidentally started to make the smoothie. Thankfully they moved away from the counter as they started to argue. I'd been totally forgotten.
When I called her name, she cut them off to grab her drink. "Alright. Just go. We've got to go back now anyway," Julia said to them. "I'll be right behind you.
But when she took the glass from the bar, she stuck her tongue out at me and winked. Then twirled around to skip after them. I narrowed my eyes after her and then snorted. It all came down to strategy in this game of love, apparently. I wondered how it would end and which of them Cupid would pick.
There were no other patrons in the courtyard and no one else was walking in, so I took the opportunity to bring two drinks to the ludus. I'd finally gotten some banners and hung one up over the gate—announcing the shop was closed for a break—on the hooks Felix had helped me install the other day.
I came across Quintus first, spying him training against targets of pillars and straw figures. He didn't have all his gear on, equipped only with a shield and his sica.
The gladiator tumbled to the ground, rolling forward, and slashing the figure across where the thighs and gut would be.
"Now that's a finishing move," I teased. "I thought this was supposed to be a mercy fight."
He turned, catching sight of me and nodded. "Max."
"But can you do it while wearing the helmet?"
"Of course," Quintus answered, amusement tugging on his lips. His eyes slid to the cups in my hands.
I held out one of them. "Brought you the Fortuna."
He tilted his head back slightly as he looked at me down his cheekbones. "I didn't ask for it, though."
"I know," I said shrugging. For some reason his bluntness stung a little. "I just figured based on last time, for good luck...I can always give it to someone else, Quintus."
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His wry smile widened as he reached out to take it. "But I also never said I didn't want it."
"Oh, good," I exhaled, a weak laugh coloring my voice. "So, how do the omens look for your fight tomorrow?"
"I thought it wasn't a death match," he quipped as he took a sip before putting it down.
"It's not, but Ludus Invictus only keeps winners, you know." I smirked. "And so what? Of course I want you to win. You're Quintus Aelius, the Thraex of Romachia."
"If you say so. I assume you and your friend will be watching the games?" Dirt and straw clung to his skin with sweat, partially obscuring the tattoos.
I shook my head. "She won't be able to come with me. Sat's family runs a bakery and they need her help tomorrow. Hold on, you're starting to look like one of the straw men yourself."
He stood still as I set the other glass aside to pick off some of the larger pieces and brush the rest away.
"There," I said in satisfaction. “I expect to see nothing less than you as the vict—”
His hand shot up in an undercut. I flinched back at the sudden motion. On instinct, my left arm lifted to block his other hand. I could hear Felix whispering in my head. He'd always taught me to make every touch do damage if possible—make it hurt to either end it quickly or convince them to reconsider.
“Watch the return jab,” his voice said. “Slip aside with the blade of your hand into the back of his arm, elbow in the side if you can, and—” My fist slugged Quintus across the side of his face.
My heartbeat was racing as I jumped back. He stood like that for a moment, twisted to the side, his eyes sliding to me. I couldn't tell if he'd let me do that or not.
“What in the gods’ name was that for?”
He gave a wry grin, working his jaw. “We all know you've been underestimating yourself, Max. Forgive me.”
I crossed my arms angrily. “If anyone tries to test me like that again, I'm going to be pissed."
“Of course.”
I picked up the glass again with a huff and stalked off. Hopefully Praxedes wouldn't try to do the same.
“Like father, like daughter,” I heard him say with a chuckle as I turned the corner.
I ventured further into the compound when heard pained grunts. I followed the sound to see Flavia hitting her with a wooden staff. It smacked against Praxedes's arms before jabbing her hard in the chest.
She stumbled back a step, wincing. "Come on, Flavia. I know you can hit me harder."
The murmillo shifted her weight. "You asked for it," she said flatly before kicking Praxedes in the gut.
The sound of impact was followed by the rush of air from her lungs. She doubled over slightly but didn't lower her fists or stop moving on her feet. It took quite a few moments for her to finally take a gasp of air.
"That's quite the training routine, Prax" I observed skeptically. "Why don't you take a break?"
"Not...yet," she managed to force out. Slowly, she straightened and took a deeper breath. "I need to stay used to feeling pain and fighting through it. I already took too long to recover from that kick."
I squinted, putting down the smoothie. "I guess that makes sense? Anyway, I also came to see if you—both of you—wanted to watch the fights from the stands with me tomorrow. Experience it from the other side for a change!"
"Really? That sounds fun!" Praxedes clapped her hands together excitedly.
"And let you have her all to yourself? I can't have that." The three of us turned simultaneously to see Ursus. His smile dripped honey. "You'll count me in, Max. Right?"
Her face soured. "Not alone. Flavia will be there. That's already too many people and you're just going to block the view, you lumbering giant."
The other gladiatrix looked away. "I'm going for the food."
He laughed. "See? She doesn't have time for your poor sense of flirting."
"Still more appealing than yours." Praxedes huffed and slapped her cheeks. "Okay I'm ready again. Give me your best hit. I need to block out Ursus completely."
Ursus rubbed his hands together, turning to me. "How about you do the honors? This may be one of your only chances to swing at Prax without her trying to hit you back."
I pursed my lips. "I think my flirting was devastating enough," I said with a wink and he roared with laughter.
Flavia hefted the staff in her hand. I was curious to see what she'd do next, but what I wasn't expecting was for it to crack against Praxedes's shins.
Twice.
In the same spot.
She went down on her good side with a surprised and agonized cry, curling up and rolling around as she clutched them. I flinched, feeling my own shins smart with phantom pain.
Ursus hauled her onto her feet. "Walk,” he instructed, shifting into his stern trainer's voice.
Expletives that would have made Corinna proud flew from her mouth as she hobbled and around on legs that kept buckling. Then her brother rounded the corner, halting immediately.
"What in the gods' names...?"
"We're making a spectacle of her pain, apparently," I explained.
Flavia stole a sip from the smoothie. "And it's a glorious sight."
"Isn't it always?" He yawned and rubbed the back of his neck. "Anyone want some fried fish? I'm going to get some."
Everyone grimaced and shook their heads simultaneously.
"Hey, join us tomorrow!” I said eagerly. “Watch the games from the stands this time."
He quirked his eyebrow, looking around. "Already quite the crowd, no?"
Ursus waved it off. "We can get a legionnaire or two stationed nearby to help hold off all of my eager fans."
"Oh, all my eager fans," Praxedes mimicked him in a mocking voice.
He crossed his arms, face smug. "Jealousy suits you."
I bit my lip to swallow a laugh. "Okay, don't kill each other. I've got to get back. And tell Corinna and Tiber if you see them!"
When I got back to the smoothie bar, Ignatius was waiting. I groaned inwardly wishing I could take a hit to the shins instead. He seemed particularly cranky with a glower darkening his face. And maybe I'd been just too busy to pay attention before, but his muscles were particularly pronounced; it would be intimidating to see him as an opponent in the arena. Or standing before me at a smoothie bar.
"I'll have your usual ready right away," I called out as I hurried over.
"I don't want that today. Give me the Maximus."
My feet tripped. "What?"
He ground his teeth. "The. Maximus."
“No, I heard you. I'm just surprised—nevermind.”
I stopped talking and made the drink in silence. When I finished, I slammed the glass down on the bar. The sharp sound cracked through the air. But when he reached for it, I didn't let go, staring at the ugly expression on his face.
"I know you look up to my father and want to impress him. I get that," I said quietly. "But, Ignatius, how do you think he'd react if I told him you've been a real shit to me?"
His eyes snapped to mine.
I released my hand. "I won't though. I fight my own battles, but seriously. Futue te ipsum. Go screw yourself."
He took the drink and walked away without a word.
Obviously, very important. Which smoothie name is most important?
