After the practice lesson, Valeria carries her blunted sword beneath the Porticus Octaviae. Murmilla carries Lucius Fabius’s sealed report, while Marcus accompanies them through the shaded record court.
Between Greek and Roman libraries, Fabius waits beside a stone table with two witnesses: a middle-aged woman in a blue-bordered stola and a thin young man carrying wax tablets.
Lucius Fabius
The proposed employer is present, and the terms are written. Nothing is agreed until every question has an answer and every revision is witnessed.
The Prospective Employer
I am Claudia Varena, keeper of a small training household near the Campus Martius. I seek daylight instruction in balance, restraint, and practical discipline.
Claudia places the unsigned tablet on the table. It names payment, witnesses, daylight hours, and a right of departure, but leaves several duties described only as “appropriate.”
Murmilla
Then “appropriate” must be defined. I will not fight, work at night, surrender my earnings, or accept duties beyond instruction without a separate agreement.
Marcus Flavius
Ask who supervises her, where lessons occur, how payment is witnessed, and whether illness or injury changes the right to leave. Ambiguity is where ownership hides.
“"There is some question about the word 'appropriate'. We need to make her duties clear. She is not to work at night or surrender her earnings or perform duties beyond instruction without a separate agreement. Also, she would like to know who will supervise her, how payment is witnessed, and what rights she has when sick or injured."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -3)
Valeria Asiaticus
“Appropriate” must mean instruction only. Murmilla will not fight, work at night, surrender her earnings, or perform other duties without a separate witnessed agreement.
Valeria Asiaticus
“Who supervises her, where do lessons occur, and how is payment witnessed? If sickness or injury prevents work, what protects her right to leave?”
Valeria’s careful questions sharpen the quiet court. The irritation beneath her clean palm dressing shows when she steadies the tablet, but she does not withdraw her hand.
Claudia Varena
“I supervise the household myself. Lessons occur in our enclosed yard by daylight. Payment is entered monthly before two witnesses, and Murmilla keeps it directly.”
Claudia Varena
“Sickness or injury suspends lessons without penalty. She may leave on notice, and no absence converts into debt. Duties beyond instruction require a separate written agreement.”
The thin young clerk strikes the vague phrase from the tablet and records each restriction. Claudia signs the revisions, but her mouth tightens at the public scrutiny.
Claudia Varena
“I accept these terms. I will say plainly, however, that such suspicion makes trust expensive. If this arrangement succeeds, your household’s recommendation will matter to mine.”
Quest Complete
Find Murmilla reputable employment under written safeguards
New Gift: Unbreakable Contract Negotiation