He got to his feet and whirled away. He was aware of an angry muttering amongst both the veterans and the novices. He realised it would not be seen as fair to free one who had performed so poorly and yet send more worthy fighters to the blocks. To show favouritism could cause havoc in the ludus if the women thought one of their number was receiving good treatment that they had not earned. He glanced at the women already condemned, who looked on sullenly. Some of them were no-hopers, extra mouths to feed, and that meant more overheads. But he had made his own bed. He turned back.
‘I understand from Catuvolcos that there is an illness amongst the novices,’ he called loudly, causing the hubbub to quieten instantly. ‘I was unaware of such before the day’s contests. This might be a reason for your pathetic displays today. However, I am not an unreasonable man.’ He glared at the women, silencing any contradiction. ‘I shall not be so lenient again.’ He raised his arm to the condemned. ‘ Missio!’ he said.
A cheer erupted from all the women, veterans and novices both. As one they rose to their feet, whooping and shouting, for none enjoyed the sight of those they had come to know being expelled from the ludus. As he walked away, they began to chant his name, showing their appreciation of his clemency.
He jerked his head in Lysandra’s direction. ‘Have her taken to the infirmary.’
XII
Balbus had a slave wake him before dawn the following day and bring him a hot cup of mint tisane: the lanista found he could not face the day without his morning brew. Even so, rising at such an unearthly hour was far from pleasant. He sipped the herbal infusion, his hand idly playing with the sleeping Eros’ golden hair. The youth stirred and opened his eyes blearily.
‘Must you go?’ he mumbled.
‘Business is business.’ Balbus said gently. ‘I want to ride to Halicarnassus and I know how you hate horses. I shan’t be gone long.’
‘Just make sure you are not.’ Eros’s hand moved under the cotton sheet, stroking the lanista’s thigh and began moving inwards languidly. ‘You know what you’ll be missing.’
Balbus felt himself jerk in response, swelling into life. He chuckled. ‘I have appointments,’ he said, placing his cup to one side. ‘I must get going.’
‘Feels like I’ve got you going already.’ Eros disappeared beneath the covers.
Balbus sighed, and gave in to the delicious warmth as Eros took him in his mouth. Time enough for business later.
It took a day and a half for Balbus and his bodyguards to ride to the city of Halicarnassus, leaving the lanista somewhat saddle sore. Still, for all that, he usually enjoyed his time on the road, finding that the occasional foray away from the comforts of home had an invigorating effect.
Balbus loved the city. As he and his guards stabled their horses, he recalled with fondness his early days in the place that had made him his fortune. Living on a small inheritance, he had invested wisely and had made enough money to buy a share in a small but profitable inner-city ludus. From there, he had never looked back. He reminded himself to make a donation at the shrine of the goddess, Fortuna. Balbus was always careful to honour her, as she had always looked out for him.
The horses stabled, Balbus booked himself and his entourage into a reasonably priced tavern on the outskirts of the city before going about his business. There were accounts to be settled, supplies to be purchased and a dozen other minutiae that had to be taken care of. Of course, he could delegate tasks, but Balbus prided himself on his business acumen and knew that, whilst Fortuna may have a hand in his success, hard work and the personal touch provided its own reward.
It took some hours to attend to these matters and it was mid-afternoon by the time Balbus felt that he could indulge himself in a trip to one of Halicarnassus’s excellent public baths. He let the busy cosmopolitan atmosphere wash over him as he threaded his way through the crowded streets. Many of his social standing preferred to travel in a litter, but not Balbus. He had no wish to miss out on the vibrant hum of the city by being encased in a box. And he was big enough to admit to himself that he enjoyed the occasional recognition his work as a successful lanista afforded him.
As always, the baths were crowded, but not overly so. Balbus liked to visit the more exclusive facilities that, in his view, were well worth the extra expense. There was a time for frugality and a time for extravagance. No use in wealth if one could not enjoy it, he told himself as he languished in the deliciously warm waters. He had lolled luxuriantly for some time, eyes closed, senses soaking in the perfumed air, when his relaxation was interrupted.
‘Greetings, Lucius Balbus.’
The lanista opened his eyes, recognising the voice at once.
‘Septimus Falco,’ he said, smiling. ‘Greetings.’ Falco was a young man, not yet in his thirties but, like Balbus, he had made his fortune early in life. They were long-time business associates, the glib younger man a promoter of some repute in Halicarnassus.
‘Are you here on business or pleasure?’ Falco asked him.
‘A little of both, of course. Do you have anything for me?’
‘Always, Balbus, always. You’ll be pleased to hear that Fat Aeschylus is making another bid for government, this time as aedile.’
Balbus chuckled. Fat Aeschylus was an Asiatic Greek with more money than sense, who had been trying to buy his way up the political ladder for more years than Balbus cared to remember.
An accepted part of political manoeuvring was to provide games for the public in an attempt to secure votes from the plebs.
Unfortunately for Aeschylus, the plebs were happy to enjoy his entertainments, but were well aware that he was not taken seriously enough to be considered a viable candidate for office.
Aeschylus however, was a fan of female combat in his games and Balbus was his preferred supplier. And, if his bid for the office of aedile were successful, it would mean that, alongside supervising public works, Aeschylus would also be responsible for sponsoring the games for the province. ‘Good news for all of us,’ the lanista said, nodding.
‘Indeed. But this time Fat Aeschylus is going to the expense of hiring another lanista to provide women to fight. He feels that he can offer the plebs more by pitting one school against another.’
Balbus was scandalised. ‘That’s absurd,’ he said. ‘My fighters have always provided him with excellent quality.’
‘Of course,’ Falco soothed. ‘He’s just looking to increase interest in his spectacle and you can’t really blame him. You know how fast the mob gets jaded; and you have to admit, it’s highly ostentatious. The teams of women together with male fighters — that makes four schools.’
Balbus mulled that over. He considered it a professional slight, but he had no intention of missing out on the business. He would overlook any bruises to his pride as long as his purse was not similarly dented.
‘I understand that you have recently acquired some new stock, Lucius.’ Falco was always well informed. ‘How are they shaping up?’
‘Extremely well,’ the lanista responded. Even if some of the latest novices had been extremely poor, Balbus was not about to give any impression other than a good one. ‘As you know, I have an excellent eye for quality merchandise and my recent purchases are no exception.’
‘Yes, I saw your new girl at Frontinus’s recent games.’ Falco’s gaze became feline. ‘The dimachaera. She was impressive.’
‘Oh, her.’ Balbus grinned at his young countryman. ‘Very dangerous, that one. She’s from Greece.’ He paused for effect.
‘Sparta, in fact.’
‘Really?’ Falco’s eyes lit up. Like most Romans he was enamoured with tales of ancient Sparta and its illustrious Three Hundred.
Already, in his mind’s eye, he was probably creating scenarios where he could use her famous background to the most profitable advantage. ‘We could use that to increase the interest in her.’
