Chapter 9 – The Conflict Begins
Inside Gaius' ludus, 30 private guards came out with gladii and shields, along with Gaius and two personal slaves.
When Gaius saw the number of men Septimus had brought, he frowned. He had not expected this young man to bring armed men to his gates. Originally, he had planned to take those foreigners as slaves; after all, as foreigners outside Rome, they had no rights in the Republic.
But upon seeing Septimus' strong reaction, he began to hesitate. Thirty experienced gladiators with the potential to become champions or legends were not a fortune Gaius would give up easily.
"Young Septimus, what are you plotting by bringing so many men to my ludus? Let me warn you, the city of Capua is nearby. If you are reckless, the prefect will judge you," Gaius shouted furiously at the sight of Septimus.
"I've come for the 30 volunteers. I will take them, and we will be at peace," Septimus said coldly, raising his arm.
With the movement of his arm, the clone guards he had brought formed into combat formation, unsheathing their gladii.
Inside the city of Capua, it was difficult for a large number of men to be armed with gladii (Roman swords); for that reason, Septimus only carried pugiones (Roman daggers). But outside the city of Capua, Septimus lost such scruples and equipped his clones with full gear.
Today Septimus had brought 40 clones armed as private guards, with Roman armor, Roman shields, and gladii, prepared to confront Gaius.
Upon seeing the formation of the clone soldiers, Gaius began to hesitate. He did not know whether Septimus would dare to attack. He was friends with the prefect of Capua and could use his influence to suppress him, but Septimus' readiness to strike made him waver.
With a slight, almost imperceptible hand gesture, Gaius ordered a slave to quickly notify the prefect of the city of Capua.
The mere act of having 40 fully equipped private guards outside the city of Capua would be considered a transgression in the eyes of the Roman Senate. Normally, one would have between 2 and 10 private guards, or between 20 and 30 if a wealthy person had different places to protect. Now Septimus had deployed 40 private guards. Gaius himself only had 30 because he maintained a ludus with nearly 200 gladiators.
"My patience is limited. Hand over the 30 volunteers and I will leave, or your head will be mounted on a spear," Septimus said coldly. He had no intention of negotiating, nor did he fear the prefect of Capua.
The 40 clone guards began advancing slowly in an attack position.
Seeing this, Gaius began to sweat coldly. He did not understand Septimus' irrationality. If the prefect of Capua accused him, he could end up executed or crucified. While Gaius hesitated and mentally prepared himself to confront this reckless young man, a slave came running and whispered a few words into his ear. Gaius' face turned ugly instantly.
Gaius received the news that the 30 slaves he had thought obedient had subdued the doctore of the ludus and, taking advantage of the guards' absence, had seized the gladiators' stored weapons.
Gaius knew he would gain no advantage and that the situation would only worsen. He hesitated no longer.
"Very well, young Septimus, take your 30 scum. I hope it is worth having me as an enemy," Gaius said with a murderous glare toward Septimus.
Septimus paid no attention to his look and, without addressing him further, kept his private clone guards in formation.
Soon, 30 gladiator clones armed with various weapons approached on alert. Seeing them, Gaius looked at them coldly and ordered his private guards to clear a path.
Having recovered his 30 gladiator clones, Septimus withdrew with his clone guards to the villa.
As he watched them leave, Gaius stared in the direction they were heading with a murderous look. He would not leave the matter like this; he planned revenge.
He turned to the slave at his side.
"Inform the prefect of Capua, Aulus Fabius Rufus, that a theft of 30 gladiators has been committed on my property and that the thief is named Septimus Novius. Also withdraw 10,000 denarii as a token of my gratitude," Gaius said, grinding his teeth in anger.
Meanwhile, Septimus installed the 30 gladiator clones in his new ludus. He planned to maintain that ludus with 300 clones, of whom 250 would serve as gladiators and 50 clones would handle the daily management of the ludus.
Having completed the incorporation of personnel, before Septimus could enjoy the services of the slave women, an unwanted visitor knocked at the villa's gate.
At the entrance of the villa's perimeter wall, about 60 auxiliary guards, along with a 30-year-old man with an arrogant air, were arguing with 10 clones serving as private guards.
Septimus had kept few private clone guards visible, to prevent people from suspecting that inside his villa half a legion and a large number of men were concealed.
"I am the prefect of Capua, Aulus Fabius Rufus. I tell you that your dominus is in serious trouble and is accused of theft. Step aside," Aulus said pretentiously while directing his guards.
After receiving Gaius' message and bribe, Aulus had set out with his auxiliary guards. He already had some knowledge about Septimus and knew he was a wealthy young man who traded a new product popular in the Republic known as white sugar.
Now, using the incident of the 30 slaves as a pretext, he could attempt to seize the formula for white sugar. That was why, upon receiving the news, he moved as quickly as possible with all his auxiliaries to Septimus' villa.
Seeing Aulus' impatience and that of his auxiliary guards, the 10 clones guarding the gate raised their weapons.
When Aulus saw that these private guards dared to draw their weapons, he grew angry.
"I am the prefect of Capua. I represent Rome. Drawing weapons against me means opposing Rome," Aulus shouted angrily and arrogantly at the 10 guards.
At that very moment, Septimus arrived, bringing 50 private clone guards.
Seeing reinforcements on the other side, Aulus' auxiliary guards instantly went on alert, adopting combat stances.
On the other hand, Aulus remained calm and scrutinized Septimus. He was not afraid of being attacked. As prefect of Capua, he represented the Roman Senate, and attacking him meant attacking the Senate of Rome, a crime punishable by crucifixion.
"Are you Septimus Novius? You are accused of theft and of maintaining an excessive number of guards," Aulus shouted arrogantly upon seeing Septimus.
Aulus addressed the crowd surrounding Septimus.
"My guards will take Septimus and those 10 guards for their crimes. Anyone who interferes will be opposing Rome," Aulus shouted.
Septimus frowned and, with a slight gesture of his hand, his private clone guards drew their weapons and formed an attack position.
Aulus was surprised and grew even angrier at this situation. Seeing that these men dared to draw weapons against a prefect, his rage continued to rise.
"Guards, attack. Let us see if these men dare to strike a prefect," Aulus shouted angrily.
His auxiliary guards were also confident they would not be attacked. In this period of history, the authority of the Roman Senate was strong, and few in Rome dared to challenge its authority.