22 chapter 22 : Rome Will Bleed

Apollos and Ajax each arrived with their 160 men at their base and were greeted respectfully by the sentries and guards guarding the gates.

 The base of Orion's men was a different place from where Orion himself lived, it was an old abandoned military fort that they had restored. Orion himself lived in the villa on a hill near the fort and the only way to his home was through the fort itself.

 Each of the men could go to town whenever they wanted to have fun because they were each extremely well paid and enjoyed great freedom.

 The only obligation they had was to train rigorously and report for the missions where they were chosen.

 …

 Apollos once in the fort went to greet the others with Ajax who were disappointed because Vayline was still on a mission with her two ships just like Stratos and Demiclas.

 He and Salma saw each other but were too embarrassed to start any discussion. They still said a few words before Apollos left her to go and rest from his trip.

 Ajax meanwhile had gone out to go drinking with Theokoles and Nubia, a decision he quickly regretted because looking at the muscular couple in front of him, he couldn't help but cry thinking of Vayline still on a mission.

 [At headquarters]

 Salma went back to the villa to find Galatea who was leading the training of the youngest.

 Knowing that Galatea was one of Orion's generals despite being as young as them for some, she had their admiration and obedience.

 Each of them trained hard and did not fail to study the lessons left by Orion.

 Salma came and looked at Galatea and nodded but the girl only looked at her coldly. She waited for the young girl to give the children a break before coming to talk.

 Salma: Gal, I know you hate me but you have to listen to me.

 Galatea : What else do you have to tell me ? You cheated on my brother again ?

 Salma: Stop !! I tell you again, it was an accident!

 Galatea : We'll see if Orion says the same thing!

 Salma: So give me a chance to talk to him about it and explain myself as soon as he returns.

 Galatea : Very good, but you'll have 24 hours upon his return to do it otherwise, I will be happy to do it myself.

 She left immediately, leaving Salma to her thoughts. She was afraid, afraid that Orion would turn away from her forever.

She knows that what he despises above all else is betrayal and she betrayed him.

 Meanwhile, outside the fort gates, the soldiers saw a man walking towards them. The man's hair was like his clothes, totally dirty and in poor condition, he looked like a beggar.

 (Guardian 1) Galeos: Hey Kenan, do you see that ?! In more than a year since we have lived here, this is the first time that I have seen a resident of the city come towards us.

 Kenan: Maybe it's someone who came to pick herbs, there's a lot of them in the neighboring hills. It may also be a poor drunkard who comes to beg for food! Look at his condition, poor man!

 Galeos: Poor or not, he has no interest in going any further. If he advances again I should chase him, our job is to prevent any danger from crossing this entrance.

 Kenan: Danger ?! Look at this poor and tired man. He represents a danger ?! You seem to forget in what state the boss took us with him. Don't look down on anyone for their condition.

 The man was walking towards them calmly and this began to disturb the guards who began to call out to him.

 Galeos: Hey tramp, this isn't a public place! I'm going to ask you to turn back and go back to your shithole!

 Kenan: Stop it right now, Galeos! (turns towards the man who was still walking nonchalantly) Sir, can we help you?! You are in Lord Orion's land, please stop and speak. 

 The man stopped and gave them a soft smile, with the dirt on his face they couldn't even effectively make out his features. Disgusted, Galeos threatened the man with his spear, telling him to leave. However, the man did not move and asked…

 "Can I have some water and some food please ? I've just come back from a long way and I'm really hungry."

 The man asked with a voice that contrasted from his image, his voice was both soft and clear. Listening to this request, Galeos began to burst out laughing to mock the man.

 Kenan : I don't see what's so funny. This man is hungry, look at him! Lord Orion pays us extremely well, we can easily afford to give this man some food.

 Galeos: WHAT WE HAVE, WE DESERVED, NOT HIM.

 The man just stood there without saying anything, listening to them argue until he decided to continue on his way.

Galeos' reaction was quick, he immediately tried to grab the stranger by his shoulder.

 "Now I will give you one last warning before i use violence. You are on Lord Orion's property and we have nothing to give you here! Get out or I'll break your arm" Galeos said with an extremely cold tone, he was completely serious.

 [A few minutes before]

 In the villa, Galatea was sharpening her sword when Phobos, who was perched near her, suddenly flew away before you start yelling. She immediately recognized this signal, Phobos had spotted someone it knew. 

 She has known this eagle since her childhood and knew how to recognize every signals it gave.

 Without waiting, she took her weapons and followed Phobos towards their target, the direction given was the gates.

Believing there was an important person or perhaps Orion , Galatae frowned and sped up her run towards the place.

 [Now]

 While to calm Galeos, Kenan tried to restrain his friend when the man ignored them and began walking faster towards the fort.

 This time, even Kenan tried to restrain him by force yet the stranger easily avoided their attempts at contact.

 They tried in vain to grab him but the man, as if he were wind, managed to calmly dodge their hands and the worst thing was that he did it without even looking at them.

 "Alright son of a bitch, you asked for it" Galeos brandished his spear and attacked the man, it was an attack intended to seriously injure him.

 Kenan : GALEOS DON'T DO THAT!

 However, to the surprise of the two guards, while the tip of the spear was about to touch the stranger, he once again dodged the attack with ease.

Both were forced to recognize that this man was not simple and even Kenan put himself in an attack position.

 Kenan : Listen stranger, now that we're here you're going to have to tell me your identity and the real reason you came here.

 If you refuse to speak then we will treat you like a spy and kill you.

 The man didn't say anything but just kept a smiling face. The two men knew what they had to do and immediately attacked the man at the same time but the same scenario happened and the stranger always avoided their attacks without any effort.

 "Holy shit! What is this guy?! He avoids all our attacks as if he was playing with us, he doesn't even intend to counterattack" Galeos said to himself.

 Kenan had a solemn face as well as he unsuccessfully tried to attack the man.

Galeos and Kenan like all of Orion's men were in no way weak, they were trained almost every day for over a year by Orion and his lieutenants.

 Together , they could take on nearly 20 soldiers without any problem, but yet they couldn't even touch a starving man.

 "It's okay, we can stop here guys. I just want to go home!" the man stated calmly. The two men, completely stunned, wanted to talk when suddenly…

 *KEEEEEEEEEEEEEHH*

 A brown eagle came and landed on the stranger's shoulder, it was Phobos. Kenan and Galeos immediately recognized him and looked at each other before noticing the armed crowd near them who had been attracted by the commotion. When one of them wanted to take a step further...

 " WAIT !! HAVE YOU BECOME CRAZY THAT YOU DON'T EVEN RECOGNIZE YOUR LORD ANYMORE ?! " 

 As soon as they recognized this voice, they were immediately paralyzed. It was Galatea, the youngest of Orion's lieutenants but also the most talented even if she was not the strongest.

 People after understanding what she said looked at the stranger intently with obvious shock in their eyes.

 Their lord was of great beauty and unspeakable elegance! Bearing in mind, the man in front of them looked like a tramp or a madman.

 Orion raised his head then brushed the dirty hair out of his face before looking at Galatae with a satisfied smile. Despite the grime on his face, this time, all his men were forced to recognize his silver eyes.

 "My little sister still has the instincts and eyes of an eagle" he said tenderly while caressing Phobos.

Galatea listened to him and ran quickly into his arms.

 In the five months since Orion had left, leaving only a note, she had never stopped being worried about him.

 The others were still in shock, especially Kenan and Galeos whose legs were shaking thinking about his previous attitude.

 Orion has always asked his men to have a courteous approach to everyone regardless of the condition of the individual as long as that person is respectful. Yet he did not hesitate to mock and despise his Lord.

 " Shit !! I really am an idiot!!! » he whispered as his eyes grew watery. He was a slave transported as cargo on a ship when Orion found and rescued him.

 He clothed him, fed him, trained him and gave him back his dignity but he disrespected the one who gave him everything.

 Orion: Let's go back to the villa, I need a bath and a big meal!

 "Yes, but first and foremost, the bath! » Galatea responded by pinching her nostrils!

 Orion: Hey !

 Galatea : But it's the truth big brother, you really smell bad. Besides, where have you been and why do you look like that now ?!

 Orion: I'll tell you later, for now... (he looked towards Hector) Kenan the celtic , you were on that slave ship heading to Sinuessa in Vallee almost two years ago, weren't you?!

 Kenan : Y-yes! You remember me, lord?

 Orion: I remember each of my men, I remember your names, your origins and your stores. You are not disposable pawns but men who have chosen to follow me. The least I could do would be to take an interest in you.

 "You do me honor my lord !" Kenan said while bowing.

 Orion: I appreciated your attitude earlier, tomorrow you will come to the villa. Each of my lieutenants has a captain under him except Galatea. I wish you could help him in the future, If you agree. 

 Kenan : It will be a pleasure!

 Orion: Galatea , do you agree ?

 Galatae: I don't have anything to say, I trust your choices. 

 "Okay, let's go. I really need this bath!" he said as he left with his young sister at his side.

 Kenan stood there completely stunned while the others congratulated him.

 Galeos was also silent, he thanked the gods that Orion had ignored him, he was not too jealous of Kenan because he knew that his attitude had been bad.

 Orion and Galatae arrived at the villa where he found the children training. None of these children nor any of the villa staff could recognize him and wondered who he was and why such a person was entering their lord's abode.

 Orion ignored everyone and went to his baths. When Galatae gave his identity to the handmaidens, They immediately wanted to take care of him but he wanted to be alone. 

 Orion washed himself and with the help of a rudimentary liquid soap made by himself, he cleaned himself properly.

He shaved his beard, his hair was very long but he preferred to leave it like that. 

 While he was washing, Galatea asked the women to prepare something to eat. Salma entered the villa in a hurry, she had been informed of Orion's return and was eager to see him.

 Later, it was Apollos' turn to come, then Ajax and Theokoles with Zena.

 Zena's role was special. Because even if she defended herself well, her specialty was not combat, Orion had replaced her role as eighth star to place Galatae there.

 However, Zena's influence was not any weaker.

 Among the celestials, there were not only men but also women. They also had to undergo simplified combat training except for those who choose to be pure fighters like Nubia.

 Women were responsible for household chores but only laundry and meal preparation, the rest of the tasks were mixed in execution. Orion didn't want them to feel obligated to do anything so they were paid for their services.

 For all these operations within the headquarters, it was up to Zena to take care of them.

Her role was very important and she took it very seriously while attracting the respect of other women.

 …

 In the evening, in the villa around a large table, Orion and his lieutenants ate and talked. However, the atmosphere was not good.

Orion had intelligence far beyond that of any human, he could know things just by looking at people's body language.

 In front of him, he saw Galatea sometimes looking coldly at Salma and Apollos. They kept their heads down a little too much and avoided looking Orion in the eyes.

 Orion watched as Ajax who usually likes to joke remained silent with an embarrassed look on them.

Immediately, without even any confession Orion understood the overall situation.

 "Apollos, Salma!" he called out to them and surprised them, they looked at him with stress, especially Salma.

 Both: Boss ?

 Orion: When did you do it and why ?

 *Cough*

 Ajax immediately swallowed his food wrong while Theokoles and Zena gave confused looks. They didn't understand anything about the situation.

 Galatea , impressed and shocked by her adoptive brother's words looked at him completely intrigued while asking

 "How did you guess about them?!" 

 Orion: Did you think I was joking when I told Kenan that I knew every one of my men ? 

 Apollos: Boss, this is all my fault. I wanted-(interrupted)

 "When did you do it ?! This is what I asked my friend" Orion stated calmly, he wanted a simple answer.

 Apollos: Nearly three weeks ago boss!

 Orion: Why did you sleep together ?

 Theokoles and Zena were completely shocked when they heard this, they all knew that Salma was going to be Orion's wife later but he was betrayed by her and the man who is his second-in-command, the one he trusted the most. 

 Salma: Orion I know I disappointed you but-(interrupted)

 Orion: I asked a simple question, didn't I ?

 Apollos: We have consumed the blood of Venus! It was to celebrate something, we didn't want to-(interrupted)

 Orion: So that was why? Okay then, listen to me carefully…

 Orion spoke and the two offenders began to have beads of sweat on their foreheads, Ajax, Zena, Theokoles and Galatea immediately became attentive.

 Orion: You seem to forget that you are not my slaves! All of you are free people.

 I'm not going to punish you for what you did, only the esteem I had for you took a big hit and my view of you two will never be the same again.

 They realized what he really meant, a punishment only lasts for a while but a lost esteem completely destroys the value you have with a person forever.

 Apollos had a serious look, he would have liked to be punished than to have his value with Orion destroyed forever. Salma was also completely in tears, Orion will now have a dark look on her.

 Orion: Well, let this matter not leave the confines of these walls and despite your disobedience and this betrayal, you remain lieutenants until other, more reliable people can replace you.

 This time it was too much! Apollos wanted to speak but a single look from Orion dissuaded him, he didn't know why but something had changed in his lord, radically.

Salma was in tears this time, Zena didn't even know how to speak with her anymore.

 "I'm exhausted, have a good night and don't miss your training tomorrow!" 

 Orion said as he stood up to retreat towards his chambers. As he walked, they couldn't help but notice how long his hair had become.

 …

 Five days have passed for all the ships to return with the benefits of their trips. By the morning of the fifth day, the last ships commanded by Stratos were visible offshore towards Crete.

 Barely after docking, Stratos made his way directly to Orion's villa. He knew from others that his lord was back so he went directly to meet him because he had serious news to convey to him.

 It didn't take long for them to begin a discussion about Stratos' journey and the benefits of various transactions in Roman territory.

It is this opportunity that Stratos was waiting for to announce something terrible to Orion.

 Stratos: Boss, all business operations have been carried out as planned and our profits are great, very great. However boss, I don't have all good news. Something terrible has happened in Capua.

 Orion: What then ?

 Stratos: Spartacus and Oenomaus led a rebellion which was accompanied by a series of massive murders at the Batiatus house during a special evening where a fight was organized between Spartacus the champion and Segovax whose potential was greater than that of Crixus himself .

 Orion: Is this the bad news ? I find it quite good (laughing)! So Segovax has overtaken Crixus uh? I bet it to that bastard Batiatus.

 Stratos: Boss that's not all, among the guests there were several big names of the republic and all these people are dead including Ilithya the wife of the praetor Glaber and especially Tertulla, the beloved wife of senator Marcus Licinius Crassus.

 Orion's gaze became extremely serious and he had a bad feeling.

 Orion: Continue

 Stratos: During Spartacus's escape, he and the other slaves initially hid for weeks in the sewers of Capua, pillaging a few villas but even despite all that, it was not enough to make up for their lack of food. So, they received help from outside, it was Marius your friend who did it.

 Orion: Holy Marius, this bastard always has a good heart Afterwards ! 

 Stratos: Everything was going well for them until Glaber and his army came to Capua for them. He was the one the senate had sent because he was the one who sponsored the ludus of Batiatus and also the one who took Spartacus to Capua. After knowing that Glaber was there, Spartacus and the others left Capua but that's where it became tragic.

Glaber had placed a large bounty on all Roman traitors who in any way helped the slaves during their escape. This is how, out of greed, one of Marius's servants denounced him.

 *BADUMP*

 Orion listening to this last part had his heart jump, he looked at Stratos while a tear fell from his right eye,

 "What happened next?!" he asked painfully.

 Stratos: Marius... his wife... the children... all my lord, all were crucified after being tortured.

 Orion didn't say anything, he didn't even do anything but Stratos could swear that The place had become extremely cold and Orion's eyes had turned murderous.

 Orion: Thank you for your hard work my friend, you can go home and rest. Don't forget to let others know later too, they need to know.

 Stratos: Y-Yes boss.

 As he left, he clenched his fists before turning to look at Orion who couldn't help but cry over this tragedy.

He and his men knew Marius' family personally but now something like this happened.

 This pain, sadness, and sorrow was so great that for the first time, Orion showed cowardice, he immediately and unconsciously locked away his emotions so as not to bear the weight of the emotional shock . His gaze was cold and deep at the same time when he whispered

 "Rome will bleed."