More days passed. Ashia enlisted the help of Oenomaus to sort out her men and their current skill. Most days were spent training them and raiding caravans at night. She was careful to do so in a way that would not raise suspicion to the temple, but the men were getting restless. All of them, and it was getting increasingly difficult to curb their thirst for Roman blood. Spartacus held games, in attempt to create unity among the rebels. Ashia herself, did not participate, but did not prevent her men from doing so.

She was seated upon the steps, watching as Spartacus called out the next challengers when Angelus fell to her side, a cup of wine in hand, which he offered to her. She took it and drank.

"Why does the She-Wolf not fight?" He asked in his deeply rich voice.

"She has no reason to."

He grunted in reply and was silent for a moment as he continued to drink. "Then perhaps she needs reason."

"What?" She turned her head slightly to look at him. He was smirking like a fool as he abruptly rose to his feet and went to share words with Spartacus. The man was strange but was her best warrior. She returned to watch the fight as Saxa and Mira defeated a woman and man whom she did not know.

Spartacus stepped forward. "An excellent victory. Next competitors. Angelus... Ashia."

Angelus stepped out onto the sands, glistening in the dying light and bouncing on his feet in excitement. Ashia slowly rose to her own and descended the steps, eyebrow raised. What mad strategy was this from the Greek? She passed Mira and Nasir who each reached out to touch her shoulder. She smiled at them before stepping out onto the sands, spotting Crixus from afar. He did not look pleased.

"Begin!" Spartacus shouted.

Xxxxxxxxxx

"I underestimated your skill absent sword." Angelus said, rubbing his jaw.

She rubbed her own. In battle, they were evenly matched, until both decided to go for a punch and nearly knocked each other out. "You are skilled as well." She stated as Mira brought her some wine.

"So, She-Wolf, tell me of your heritage. From where do you hail?"

"Egypt. You?"

"Athens."

She smirked. "The city of cloth and wood."

He laughed. "I have no argument for such a statement. It is spirited in truth. I left as soon as opportunity presented itself."

"To become a gladiator?"

"I wanted to be...immortal." He was quiet and Ashia touched his shoulder.

"You will be. You will be known as the man who assisted in the fall of the Eternal City. Every child then on will remember your name in fear and awe."

"Tender words, spoken absent deserving cause."

She rolled her eyes and handed him the half full cup of wine. "Find Adon and Kuros, I would have words before this night ends. If Bacchus has not drunk himself to death, bring him as well to the storeroom." She rose to her feet and walked back to her room. Thoughts were heavy on her mind. Her men were growing restless and so was she. Their skill was good enough to defeat Roman caravans, it was time to try their hand against legions.

She entered the storeroom and waited for the others.

"You called, She-wolf." Adon said, sitting next to her on a crate. Angelus moved to her other side. Kuros and Bacchus stood in front of her.

"I did. It is time the pack woke from its slumber and goes hunting once more. We have the advantage amongst the rebels. Under my command, we have the greater strength in numbers and weapons and we grow in skill with each dawn, as does our thirst for blood. It is time I would see it sated." Ashia looked at each of them. "It wounds heart, but I fear we cannot wait for Spartacus to give commands. We must make our own, tear ourselves free of any allegiance, and strike back at Rome."

"You have my sword." Angelus said at once. "To command as you will." She nodded to him.

"What of Crixus?" Adon asked. "Surely you would not part with him."

"My men cannot wait. I am of like mind. I will break words with him, but I fear they will not be met with amiable ear."

"Then you have my bow." Kuros said.

"And my axe." Bacchus agreed.

Ashia looked at Adon. "Will you follow me, Adon, as I once did to help you seek your freedom?"

"Why must we part from the others? There is greater strength in numbers."

"Do you choose them?" Angelus asked, taking a threatening step forward.

Ashia placed a hand on his breast and kept her eyes trained on her second. "Your hesitation is all that I need to believe that your heart no longer lies with us." Adon looked downwards.

"Fucking cunt." Angelus hissed.

"Aengus with take Adon's place in my council. Go." Her lieutenants departed and once again Ashia was left to her thoughts. She feared the Gaul's reaction to the words that would be shared on this night.

"You were absent during contest. Would you had stayed, you would have witnessed sounding defeat against Oenomaus and Gannicus." Crixus said as he stepped into their room.

She smiled. "Tis nothing. The Great Gaul remains undefeated in the hearts of his men."

"Honeyed words, absent cause." He said, sitting on their bed. "What weighs tongue?" He pulled her into his arms and held her, dark eyes gazing into her own. "Speak."

"When we will strike back at Rome?" She asked.

"When Spartacus declares intent."

"And if his declaration arrives too late?"

"Elaborate." He commanded. "Speak clear words and see them reach waiting ear."

"My men can no longer wait for Spartacus to declare intent. They thirst for Roman blood and I fear they will turn from me if I do not provide them with such. I am of like mind. The time to strike is now."

"You thirst for Roman blood, I know. But we must train and gather more men."

"You must train and gather more men." She corrected. "I have enough to stand against the Romans."

"Do not we all bear the same mark?"

"You made it very clear upon mad attack on the Romans, resulting in the fall of many of my good friends, that I am not of the Brotherhood. I am not a gladiator and not bound by the same bonds as you and Spartacus."

"I meant as rebels, enemies of Rome."

"That matters not. I must think of my men. They lift sword and shield and spear in my name, at my command. They thirst for blood, I must deliver drink."

"You would part from my side?" Crixus asked.

"I would do what I must." Ashia said softly.

"You cannot. I will not allow it." He hissed, holding her close. "We are meant to tear down the walls of Rome together. If you leave...I must stay. I owe Spartacus my life, my freedom and my support. He will lead us to victory."

"I cannot wait for long."

"Let us dispense with Glaber. Let us rip him from this fucking world and we will leave together. We will raise an army, and wage war against the Roman cunts."

Ashia swallowed. "As you wish." She said after a moment's hesitation. "I will speak with the others." She moved out of his arms to go relay the news to her lieutenants. Angelus was not pleased, but he understood. The others agreed as well and went to to tell the men.

"You are destined for great things, She-Wolf." Angelus said. "This rebellion will grow to heights the likes of which we cannot fathom. Staying here will not help us."

"Crixus is here." Ashia replied. Her Gaul was here. "Do you trust me?"

"You broke my shackles, gifted me freedom. You may command me as you wish. I am your will." He said.

"Then trust me. I know I cannot lead with heart instead of mind, but I won't part from him. Not...yet. There is still much to do, my friend. We have very little time. Tell the men to gather their things. When Glaber is stricken from this world, I want my wolves ready to depart."

Angelus dipped his head, but paused. "Do you love Crixus?"

"Love is a treasure that is rare in this world. I do not know its touch, but I care for Crixus. I would do anything to ensure the safety of my champion."

"Does he hold your heart?"

"My heart lies in pieces."

"What would it take...to gain such a thing?" Angelus asked.

She shook her head. "I cannot say. Go, rest. Rome will not fall with us sharing idle words. See my instructions implemented."

"As you wish...She-Wolf."

Ashia watched him leave with a sigh. She did not return to Crixus and instead took Aello on a walk outside the temple to clear her head. She sat down and formulated a new plan of action. They needed to force Glaber's hand, but how should they do so? She was alerted to the sound of someone approaching by Aello. She rolled onto her stomach and waited as the bushes parted and Elisaveta stepped out. "Elisaveta?"

Her former domina froze. "Ashia?"

Ashia waited several long moments before stepping out into the open. "Where have you been?"

"Gathering information. Glaber plans to strike the day after tomorrow. He knows about the temple. Ilithyia shared words, and now he marches against Varinius to slay Spartacus. The winner would gain the bitch's hand. You must prepare."

Ashia nodded. "Return then and be our spy. Stay safe."

Elisaveta nodded before pulling out a piece of cloth with something wrapped within. "Take this. Be careful, my dear. I would not see you taken so easily from this world."

Ashia nodded again as the woman took off. She looked down at the cloth and quickly lead Aello back to the temple to warn Spartacus. He was displeased about having so little time to prepare and he didn't entirely trust Elisaveta's testament, but he was no fool and could not simply ignore it. While he called his lieutenants, she retired to her room and open the cloth. Inside...was a golden wolf mask. A mask for the She-Wolf.

xxxxxxxxx

Read and Review!