Night settles over the Asiaticus house as Valeria returns with the sealed contract. The creditor and contract advocate remain outside, leaving her with Aurelia, Nestor, Castor, and Pollux.
Nestor clears the table while the twins carry chipped bowls and a single lamp. Aurelia receives the tablet, turning its seals toward the flame.
Aurelia
The advance is secure, then. First bread, oil, and the debts that threaten to bring strangers through our door.
Nestor
And repairs to the roof before winter. A household cannot prosper if the rain attends every lesson.
Castor and Pollux
What about your sword? If Myrina is famous, she must have a better one than the old practice blade.
Aurelia
Myrina is a useful name, but names become cages when other people sell them. Three bouts may repair much, or leave us paying for a funeral.
She sets the contract beside the empty bowls. No messenger interrupts, no palace seal arrives; only the quiet house weighs what the money can mend first, and what risk it purchases.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain my family's trust in my arena terms
“"Whatever happens, know at least that you will make it through the winter. My sword is good enough, and I may buy a better one if Fortuna permits, but not if it means taking food from my family. Gladiators are guaranteed a simple funeral, and I require nothing more. Do not squander your children's future on a fancy funeral. As for the name, it is borrowed from an ancient Amazon queen, but it is only a stage name, and nothing more."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +1)
Valeria Asiaticus
Whatever happens, know that we will make it through winter. My sword is good enough, and I will not take food from my family for a finer one.
Valeria places both hands on the sealed contract, steadying it beside the empty bowls. The lamp flame trembles, but the household remains gathered and listening.
Valeria Asiaticus
Gladiators are guaranteed a simple funeral. I require nothing more. Do not squander your children’s future on a fancy funeral.
Aurelia
Then the purse will serve the living first. Bread, oil, the roof, and debts. Nothing bought for display will outrank those needs.
Valeria Asiaticus
As for the name, Myrina was an ancient Amazon queen. It is a stage name, and nothing more.
Nestor
A borrowed name may still carry a woman safely through the noise. So long as you remember who returns through this door.
Castor and Pollux exchange a solemn glance, then set aside their questions about swords. Aurelia draws the contract closer to the lamp, and the family begins counting what winter can be made to spare.
Quest Complete
Gain my family's trust in my arena terms