Interlude – Crassus' Table
The chamber was silent but for the crackle of the brazier. Marcus Licinius Crassus, wealthiest man in Rome, stood over a map, his hand brushing tokens that marked legions and rebel movements.
A messenger knelt before him, trembling. "My lord… another convoy lost. Hundreds dead. Their wagons stolen."
Crassus did not look up. "Spartacus."
"Yes, Dominus. But… there is more." The man's voice faltered. "They speak of another. A boy. Black hair. Eyes like the sea. He fights with two blades as if the gods themselves guide his hand. They call him Gemina Ferrum. Twin Steel."
Crassus finally raised his gaze, dark eyes sharp. "A boy?"
"Not a boy, Dominus. A storm in flesh. Soldiers swear he commands water, that he heals from wounds no man should survive. Some call him touched by Jupiter. Others—" the messenger swallowed hard, "—call him monster."
Crassus was silent for a long moment. Then, with a faint smile, he placed a token beside Spartacus on the map. Two flames, side by side.
"Spartacus burns with rage. Rage can be quenched." He touched the new token. "But this boy… storms do not quench. They wait. They gather. They break empires."
He looked to his son, Tiberius, who stood stiffly at his side. "If Rome would endure, we must learn not only how to kill a man… but how to unmake a legend."
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Chapter 2 – Wolves at the Gate
The rebel horde poured across the countryside, driving Rome from villa after villa. But now they stood before something greater: the walls of a city.
The gates loomed high, iron-bound and guarded, the walls thick with archers. Crixus snarled at the sight, gripping his sword.
"We storm it now. Let us show Rome there is no stone strong enough to bar us!"
Spartacus shook his head. "And bleed half our strength in the attempt? No. We must be cunning."
The men muttered. Fear gnawed at them.
Ivar stepped forward. Cloak whipping in the wind, twin swords at his back, his sea-green eyes scanned the walls like a hunter studying prey.
"Walls starve without rivers. Soldiers starve without bread. Men starve faster than stone."
The rebels turned to him, listening.
He pointed toward the aqueducts that snaked into the city. "Break their water. Poison their supplies. Let fear and thirst open gates steel cannot."
Spartacus' lips curved into a rare smile. "You would starve them into surrender."
"I would starve their hope," Ivar answered.
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The Siege
By night, the rebels struck the aqueducts, collapsing stone with hammers and fire. Water spilled uselessly into fields, soaking the earth.
The next day, Roman soldiers on the walls shouted down threats and insults. But their lips were dry, their faces pale.
Rebels cut caravans before they reached the gates. Grain burned, wagons overturned, soldiers slain in the dirt. Inside the walls, bellies shrank.
Days turned to weeks. The city withered.
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The Breach
At last, under a red dawn, the gates opened. Desperate civilians fled, trampled underfoot as rebels surged in. Steel clashed in narrow streets, but the fight was brief. The defenders were too weak, too hungry.
Spartacus fought at the front, roaring victory. Crixus claimed blood and spoils, his rage unspent.
Ivar walked among the civilians, offering bread from Roman stores, his sea-green eyes steady. To some he was savior. To others, omen. Children clung to his armor as if to a god.
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Aftermath
That night, the rebels feasted in the conquered city. Spartacus raised his goblet. "Rome calls us beasts. Today we prove them liars. We take not only their walls, but their pride."
The men roared.
But Ivar sat apart, silent, sharpening his blades. He watched the freed celebrate, the Romans tremble, and he whispered thanks to the gods for every scar the day had given him.
Spartacus approached, voice low. "Your plan won us this city. Your mind strikes deeper than your blades."
Ivar's gaze stayed on the fire. "Steel breaks walls. Hunger breaks empires."
Spartacus studied him. Once again, he wondered if the gods themselves had placed this boy at his side.
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⚔️ Do you want me to continue into Chapter 3 (Episode 3 – Men of Honor), where tensions grow in the rebel camp and Crassus begins studying Ivar's tactics, or pause for a short interlude showing Roman civilians' perspective — whispering of Twin Steel as both protector and executioner?