After the modest offering, Aurelia leads the family home. The Magistrate remains with them, while the official messenger carries Varro’s refusal away through the afternoon streets.
Bread and olives appear beside the household ledger. Nestor counts the remaining coins into separate piles for rent, food, and Valeria’s continued training.
Nestor
Rent and food can endure a short delay. Training cannot, if the next appearance is to earn anything safely.
The Magistrate
She may compete under her registered arena name without accepting a patron. Require a public venue, written terms, and witnesses for every payment.
Castor and Pollux hurry in from the lane, speaking over each other. Several neighbors have heard that Myrina may appear again, and wagers are already being whispered.
Castor
The Circus people say a crowd is demanding her return. But two strangers asked whether our house is hers.
Pollux
A public bout could fill the ledger. It could also show Varro exactly where to look.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the household’s agreement to a public, witnessed arena bout
“"That exhibition looked good, and I collected three purses, but there was a worm in the apple, namely Lucius Cassius Varro. I'm not sure why he has it in for me, I'm not interested in politics, but he is most persistent. I would do well to limit my matches to the Colosseum. I know I can trust Decimus Severus, and the pay is good."”
The household falls quiet around the ledger. Three purses have strengthened its columns, but Varro’s name lies across them like a stain that no payment can erase.
Valeria sets the Theater of Marcellus contract aside and marks the Colosseum rolls as her safer road. The choice narrows her opportunities, but leaves the arena under Decimus Severus’s authority.
Aurelia
Then let Varro keep his private invitation. We will seek the Colosseum, where terms are public, witnesses are present, and his hand cannot masquerade as generosity.
Nestor
Three purses have paid more than bread. They can cover the lawful account, preserve your training, and repair what the winter has damaged. We should not risk them chasing every offer.
Castor
Decimus Severus will put your name on the list again, surely. The crowd already knows Myrina.
Pollux
And if Varro asks why, we say nothing. Let the records show only where she fights and who pays her.
Nestor records the decision beside the three purses: future matches limited to the Colosseum when possible, with public terms and no patronage. Aurelia closes the ledger, and the household keeps its course.
Secure a public Colosseum bout
Quest Complete
Secure the household’s agreement to a public, witnessed arena bout