There was a part of Gannicus - an angry, ugly part - that had doubted all along that the rebel slaves would ever find true freedom. He had counted himself amongst their number, as an enemy of mother Rome - they were all destined for death (hopefully) or enslavement (less optimistically), but fighting the cause was at least a fairly decent way to die.

But being a gladiator once more was at least better than being a house slave. At least as a gladiator he again had that fleeting moment of selfish glee and singular intent.

"And in turn they would seize life from veins and claim it their own," Gannicus finished Nasir's sentence in a low, resigned voice. Then, remembering Agron and Melitta in the Arena, he added: "And that of those you hold close to heart."