Plot summary
As the summer heat continues, enemies Spartacus and Crixus are commanded to take on an unbeaten champion named Theokoles, the "shadow of death". Doctore, being the only warrior to have fought Theokoles and lived, is charged with preparing the two men for the drought-breaking primus, but receives little satisfaction from either man. Spartacus tries to find common ground with his arch-enemy but Crixus remains stalwartly opposed to sharing any of the glory. Meanwhile, after the visit of a fertility priestess, Lucretia is denied a chance to conceive as Crixus, distracted by Naevia, declines her advances.
Meanwhile, the wounded Batiatus continues his own investigations into the attempt on his life, and exacts blood vengeance on Ovidius, the cousin of Magistrate Calavius, and his family. In the arena, Theokoles is finally bested by Spartacus and the drought breaks once Theokoles dies, earning Spartacus the titles of "Slayer of Theokoles" and "Bringer of Rain". However, Crixus is critically wounded in the encounter and is taken away to recover.
Credits
Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. HTML formatting and reference markers removed.