Valeria enters the Theater of Marcellus arena with her injured hand freshly bound and her weapon ready. Torchlight glints along the marked stage.
Across the sand, Myrina waits beneath the painted arch, balanced and watchful. Among the backstage attendants, Titus Celer remains concealed, separated from the sealed lead strip and temple archive.
Marcus Flavius
Guard the hand. Win the decisive touch before the spectacle grows larger than the match.
Marcus Flavius watches from the wings, one hand resting near his sword. Beyond him, attendants keep moving, giving Celer cover while the audience murmurs.
the stage official
Myrina, take your mark. The theater has paid for a contest, not a delay.
The stage official raises the signal. Myrina lowers her center of gravity and angles toward Valeria’s bound hand, testing the distance without yet committing.
The signal falls. The crowd inhales as one, and the first opening appears between Myrina’s guard and Valeria’s ready blade.
“Valeria is puzzled. Her opponent seems to carry no weapon. Is this to be a simple execution, or is she facing an unarmed combat specialist? She circles warily, fearing a trick.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -2)
Valeria circles warily, keeping her bound hand behind her guard. The opponent carries no visible weapon, yet her shoulders stay loose and her feet never cross.
Valeria Asiaticus
No blade. Her hands are the weapon.
The opponent pivots with Valeria, revealing hardened knuckles, a low stance, and practiced balance. This is no helpless sacrifice, but an unarmed specialist waiting for contact.
the unarmed gladiatrix
Good. You noticed before reaching for me. Most fighters learn only after the first mistake.
Valeria widens the distance and tests one angle without striking. The crowd, expecting blood, grows restless as the two women measure one another in silence.
Her caution succeeds, but the cost arrives at once: the tight bandage slips across her swollen finger, sending a sharp pain through her grip.
the unarmed gladiatrix
There it is. Protect the hand, and you surrender the bout. Use it, and I will take it from you.
✓ Quest Accepted
Win the bout against the unarmed gladiatrix
“She continues to circle warily, watching her opponent's feet, which may betray her intentions. The unarmed gladiatrix will have to close the distance to attack, and Valeria's sword has more reach. BUT Valeria is not fooled by the boxing stance, at some point her opponent will surely attempt a kick, which will put her momentarily off balance.”
SUCCESS (Great Melee Combat, rolled +1)
Valeria continues her measured circle, keeping her sword between them and watching the gladiatrix’s feet rather than her feinting shoulders. The distance remains hers.
Valeria Asiaticus
Her lead foot turns before the strike. The kick will come from that shift.
the unarmed gladiatrix
Still studying the ground? Then let the ground teach you.
The gladiatrix advances behind her boxing guard. Her lead foot pivots sharply, and her rear hip turns with it, betraying the kick before her leg rises.
Valeria keeps her blade at reach and angles aside. The kick cuts through empty space, leaving the unarmed fighter briefly twisted and her balance exposed.
Marcus Flavius
There. Do not chase her. Make the opening answer to your distance.
The crowd roars at the failed attack. Valeria remains composed, sword ready, while the gladiatrix plants her foot and hurriedly rebuilds her stance.
“Valeria continues to circle warily, watching her opponent's feet.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +2)
Valeria continues circling, sword held between them, her injured hand guarded. Her attention stays fixed on the gladiatrix’s feet, tracking each pivot across the sand.
the unarmed gladiatrix
You will not look at my hands. Sensible. Feet tell the truth before the body obeys.
The gladiatrix shifts left, then settles her weight evenly instead of kicking. Valeria reads the feint, keeps her distance, and preserves the favorable angle.
Marcus Flavius
Good. Let her spend herself searching for your hand. You have the measure now.
The crowd’s impatience rises around them, but Valeria’s circling denies the spectacle its expected collision. Her blade remains ready, and the opponent finds no opening.
the unarmed gladiatrix
You make caution look like defiance. Very well. I will give Rome something worth watching.
She lowers her shoulders and begins a tighter circle, feet whispering over the sand. Valeria has the distance, the angle, and a clear view of the next movement.
“She backs away slowly, forcing the other to shift her stance.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)
Valeria backs away slowly, preserving the blade’s reach. The unarmed gladiatrix follows, forced to widen her stance and reset her hips to avoid overbalancing.
Marcus Flavius
Exactly. Make her feet answer you. Do not give her the hand.
The gladiatrix’s tight circle breaks. One foot scrapes a shallow line in the sand as she shifts her weight, her shoulders tightening despite her controlled expression.
the unarmed gladiatrix
You retreat without yielding. That is an unpleasant lesson.
A murmur passes through the theater as spectators recognize the change. Valeria now holds the wider angle, while her opponent must cross open ground to reach her.
the unarmed gladiatrix
Then I will stop following and make you come to me.
The gladiatrix settles into a guarded crouch, feet planted apart. The initiative remains with Valeria, and the crowd waits for her next measured choice.
“Valeria circles warily, watching the feet.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)
Valeria circles warily, keeping her blade between them while her gaze follows the gladiatrix’s feet. Each pivot confirms the angle, and the unarmed fighter cannot close without exposing herself.
the unarmed gladiatrix
You read the feet well. Then read this.
The gladiatrix shifts her lead foot inward, then settles without striking. Valeria does not bite on the invitation, maintaining reach and forcing the crouched fighter to adjust again.
Marcus Flavius
Hold that measure. Her stance is narrowing, and she knows you have seen it.
The crowd’s impatience swells, but Valeria’s disciplined circling keeps the bout under her control. Sand gathers beneath the gladiatrix’s heel as she searches for a safe approach.
the unarmed gladiatrix
You make Rome wait for every answer. Let us see how long your hand can endure it.
Valeria completes another measured arc, eyes fixed on the feet. The favorable angle remains hers, her injured hand protected, and the next opening belongs to her judgment.
“The other woman is waiting for Valeria to lunge at her, so she can riposte. Valeria takes a sudden step forward, but immediately steps back, hoping to trick the other into a premature attack that will throw her off balance.”
SUCCESS (Great Melee Combat, rolled -1)
Valeria steps sharply into measure, presenting the opening, then withdraws before the gladiatrix can seize it. The feint draws the expected riposte, but the retreat costs her bandage, which loosens across the injured finger.
the unarmed gladiatrix
There. You came for me at last.
The unarmed gladiatrix lunges after her, weight committed too far forward. Her fist cuts past Valeria’s shoulder, and her planted foot skids in the sand, leaving her balance broken.
Marcus Flavius
Now. Take the angle, not the hand. Make her pay for believing the invitation.
Valeria has the opening she sought. The gladiatrix twists to recover, exposed along one side while the crowd erupts at the sudden reversal.
the unarmed gladiatrix
A trick dressed as courage. Clever, Myrina, but your hand is failing.
The loosened bandage slips farther, and blood beads beneath it. Valeria still controls the distance, but every further exchange now taxes the injured finger.
“She slashes at the exposed leg.”
SUCCESS (Great Melee Combat, rolled +2)
Valeria turns through the opening and slashes at the exposed leg. Her blade scores the gladiatrix’s thigh, forcing her to recoil and abandon the broken stance.
the unarmed gladiatrix
A clean touch. You found the only answer I left you.
The crowd surges to its feet as the unarmed fighter retreats, one hand clamping above the cut. Valeria’s loosened bandage hangs from her wrist, but her sword remains steady.
Marcus Flavius
Do not follow. Let the wound and the distance speak for you.
The gladiatrix circles away, testing her injured leg without lowering her guard. The officials exchange a quick glance, recognizing that Valeria holds the decisive advantage.
the unarmed gladiatrix
They will call this spectacle finished unless I make them believe I can still take you.
She lowers her center and advances cautiously. Valeria keeps her blade aligned with the wounded leg, controlling the measure while the theater waits for the next exchange.
“Valeria backs away, as the other limps forward on a wounded and bleeding leg. Time is now on Valeria's side, she only has to avoid a further engagement to win.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +2)
Valeria backs away in measured steps, keeping her blade between them. The unarmed gladiatrix limps forward, her wounded leg unable to close the distance.
Each attempted advance costs the gladiatrix balance and breath. Valeria yields ground without yielding control, preserving her injured hand and refusing every invitation to engage.
Marcus Flavius
Good. Let time defeat her. Keep the measure and let the officials see who still commands the bout.
the unarmed gladiatrix
You deny me the ending, then. Very well. Let Rome judge whether patience deserves its applause.
The gladiatrix tries once more, but her wounded leg falters before she can reach striking distance. She raises one hand and steps back, conceding the contest.
the stage official
Enough. The advantage is clear. Myrina wins by superior measure and control.
The theater erupts. Valeria lowers her sword only after the officials intervene, while attendants approach the defeated fighter and Marcus signals her toward the wings.
Quest Complete
Win the bout against the unarmed gladiatrix
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Superb→Legendary