'Go right ahead,' said Memor. 'One archer might miss, but at this range, four . . .'
Lentulus grimaced and sheathed his sword. Content that he had won the confrontation, Romulus turned away.
The morning might prove different.
'Fucking great ox.' The lanista glared at Brennus. 'No excursions into the city till further notice. You're barred from the baths as well.'
The Gaul shrugged. He waited in case there was more.
Memor jerked his head in dismissal. 'Piss off. Before I think of a better punishment.'
Brennus obeyed. He was not worried about Memor and his threats. Astoria was a far greater concern. There had been too many men who seemed interested in Flavus' offer.
Chapter VII: The Lupanar
The Lupanar Brothel, Rome, 56 BC
Fabiola gazed uncertainly at the bare walls. The small cell was where the madam had led her after Gemellus had been thrown on to the street. The huge man who ejected him had smiled toothlessly at the new girl in an effort to seem reassuring.
The attempt had not worked. One violent master appeared to have been replaced by another.
Apart from the low bed she was sitting on, the only furniture was an empty chest and a tiny statue of a naked Aphrodite in the corner. The room smelt musty, but the floor had been washed and the worn woollen bedclothes were clean.
Fabiola hunched up in a ball, hands round her feet, rocking backwards and forwards. The manner in which she and Romulus had been ripped from Velvinna had severely dented her usual confidence, usually not even affected by Gemellus' beatings. Fabiola was terrified to think that she would never see her family again. Romulus was in mortal danger, if not dead already. Gods alone knew what would become of their mother.
For a short time the grief became all consuming. She was alone, sold to a brothel, with no chance of escape and could only imagine what would happen to her now. Silent sobs racked her. Soon complete strangers would be paying to have sex with her. Bile rose in Fabiola's throat. She felt degraded already.
It was all because of Gemellus.
The thought helped the tears disappear and a spark flared deep inside.
No weakness, only strength. No grief, just revenge.
Gemellus.
Women's laughter echoed in the corridor and Fabiola listened intently as they passed by. She might learn something useful.
' . . . told him he was the best lover I had ever been with. The fool swelled with pride!'
'Get a tip?'
'An aureus, no less.' There was a loud cackle and the pair passed out of earshot.
Fabiola sat up on the bed, mind racing. There was money to be made here. The aureus was more than she'd ever held in her hand. And the Lupanar seemed to be full of beautiful women of every race, clad in robes and dresses that left nothing to the imagination. Flimsy garments, intricate head-dresses and exotic jewellery filled her with wonder. In all Fabiola's years at Gemellus' house, she had never owned more than one threadbare shift. It was a small consolation to have been sold into the best brothel in Rome. But that thought was followed immediately, guiltily, by the memory of the scene when Gemellus had dragged her away, only a short time before. When Velvinna had realised he intended to fulfil his promise of selling Fabiola as well, her distress had partially overcome her fear of the merchant.
'Please, Master. Leave me one child!'
'This little beauty is worth far more than the brat.' Gemellus leered at Fabiola's curves. 'I'd fuck her myself if it didn't halve the value.'
'I'll do anything,' Velvinna wailed. 'Even make noise when you take me.'
'As if I'd bother! Used-up old whore,' Gemellus sneered. 'The salt mines are the only place for you.'
The salt mines? There was a heartbeat's shock. She had nothing left to lose. Velvinna threw both arms around the merchant's legs, weeping hysterically.
'Get off, or I'll sell you today as well!' He viciously pried tight fingers loose, throwing Velvinna to the stone floor.
The slight figure lay prone, sobs racking her body.
Gemellus laughed.
It was Fabiola's last sight of her mother. She had been dragged from the room and hauled away to the Lupanar. More tears flowed. Life seemed cruel beyond belief. But the self-pity did not last very long. Fabiola's spirit burned too fiercely to succumb, and Velvinna's oft-repeated advice rang in her ears: Make the best of every situation. Always.
Calming herself, Fabiola clenched her fists into the coarse wool bedclothes and offered a fervent prayer to the gods.
Protect Mother and Romulus.
Just an hour before, Fabiola had been gazing with wide, frightened eyes at the walls in the brothel's lavish reception area. Satyrs, fat cupids, gods and goddesses returned her stare from a brightly coloured landscape covered in rivers, caves and forests. On another surface were numbered depictions of sexual positions that customers might desire. Fabiola had shuddered, imagining Gemellus forcing her to perform the more outlandish ones. In the centre of the mosaic floor was a life-size statue of a naked woman entwined with a swan.
'Eight thousand sestertii,' mused Gemellus. 'Not a bad price.'
'That's what we agreed.' Jovina, the old madam, pursed painted lips in disapproval. Beady eyes shone from the powdered whiteness of her face.
Gemellus, well pleased, clutched the leather purse tightly to his chest.
'I know. What a little beauty.' He reached over, allowing himself a good feel of Fabiola's small breasts. She flinched in horror, but did not dare move away.
The merchant's hand dropped lower, searching for the hem of her tunic.
'No touching. She 's mine now.'
He removed his hand resentfully.
Fabiola looked at the floor, cheeks burning.
Gemellus smirked. 'A few moments alone might be worth it,' he said, hefting the money bag.
'It will cost. She 's a virgin, you know.' Jovina revealed decaying teeth. After many years at the Lupanar, men like Gemellus were easy to spot. She twisted a ring on a thin finger, watching the ruby catch the light. The crone carried a fortune on both hands, presents from satisfied customers. Jovina's services – and her discretion – were famous.
Fabiola shuddered at the memory of the examination that had just been performed to confirm her virginal status. She felt ashamed and violated. The madam's prodding fingers still burned her skin.
'Of course I know!' Gemellus snapped. 'By Jupiter, I resisted the urge to take the vixen for long enough.' He licked moist lips. 'How much for a night?'
Jovina placed a claw-like hand on the girl's head. The slight pressure made Fabiola feel remarkably protected.
'Fifteen thousand sestertii.'