Valeria leaves Castra Urbana with the blunted sword set aside and her hand freshly wrapped. Marcus Flavius accompanies her toward the Thermae Agrippae, carrying a small wax tablet.
Marcus Flavius
The practice record proves readiness, not invulnerability. Today we bathe, rest, and let the hand settle before asking it for more.
Steam rises beyond the baths’ entrance, mingling with voices, oil, and wet stone. Marcus chooses a quieter corner near the warm room, away from curious attendants.
Marcus Flavius
Warm water first, briefly. Then the cooler room, food, and sleep. Tomorrow, only walking and empty-hand footwork. The next blade session comes after that.
Valeria Asiaticus
The binding is clean, and the scar does not pull when my fingers close.
Marcus Flavius
I will mark each day here, but the tablet is a plan, not a chain. You may alter it when the hand gives us evidence.
He scratches three measured intervals into the wax and leaves space beneath them for Valeria’s condition and judgment. The baths wait ahead, while the next training session remains deliberately unwritten.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a shared training plan with Marcus Flavius
✓ Quest Accepted
Agree on training boundaries with Marcus Flavius
“She slips a few coins to a bath attendant to watch her gear, so no one steals it while she bathes.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -2)
At the Thermae Agrippae entrance, Valeria separates a few coins from her purse and places them beside her wrapped hand, sword belt, and clothing.
A young adult bath attendant, a slim man with curly black hair, olive skin, and a blue-bordered linen tunic, notices the offering and steps closer.
the bath attendant
For these coins, I watch the bundle until you return. No hand touches it without my call.
The attendant carries the gear to a dry niche beside the warm room and places it within his sight. The coins leave Valeria’s purse, a small but definite household expense.
Marcus Flavius
A sensible payment. Better a few coins spent than a stolen sword, or another quarrel over who was responsible.
The attendant gives Marcus a wary glance, then settles on his stool beside the bundle. Valeria enters the warm room, assured that her belongings remain under watch.
the bath attendant
Bathe without haste. I will call if anyone approaches your things.
Quest Complete
Establish a shared training plan with Marcus Flavius
Skill Upgrade: Melee Combat Superb→Legendary
“She relaxes in the warm Tepidarium and asks one of the attendants for a massage.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +1)
In the warm Tepidarium, Valeria settles against sun-warmed stone as steam softens the aches left by training. Her wrapped hand rests above the water, protected and still.
Valeria Asiaticus
When you have a moment, I would like a massage, especially across my shoulders and back.
The young bath attendant leaves his stool beside the guarded bundle and approaches, washing his hands in a shallow basin before kneeling nearby.
the bath attendant
Of course. Keep the binding dry, and I will work around the hand. Tell me if the pressure troubles you.
He applies warmed olive oil along Valeria’s shoulders and back, working slowly through the stiffness without disturbing her injured hand. The muted bathhouse murmur fades into a steady hush.
Marcus Flavius
Good. Let the muscles loosen. No training plan is harmed by rest taken before the body demands it.
The attendant finishes with lighter strokes and drapes a clean linen cloth over Valeria’s shoulders. Her bundle remains watched in the dry niche, and the hand’s binding stays clean.
“The massage complete, she tips the attendant and moves on to the caldarium.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
The massage ends in quiet warmth. Valeria draws a few coins from her purse, tips the bath attendant, and rises, keeping her wrapped hand above the water.
the bath attendant
Thank you. Your bundle remains safe in the dry niche, and the binding is still clean.
The attendant accepts the coins with a brief bow and returns to his stool beside the guarded belongings. Marcus gathers his wax tablet and follows Valeria from the tepidarium.
Marcus Flavius
Caldarium, then. Briefly. Heat may ease the shoulders, but we do not turn recovery into another trial.
They pass through the bathhouse corridor into the caldarium, where hotter air presses against skin and painted walls glow through drifting steam. Valeria settles her protected hand away from the heat.
Marcus Flavius
She spends carefully, rests properly, and still carries herself like a commander. Rome will notice that before it notices the scar.
“"Well, we need not linger in the caldarium, but I would like to visit the sudatorium. Everyone says it's the best part, and maybe I'll see someone I know.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -2)
Valeria Asiaticus
We need not linger in the caldarium, but I would like to visit the sudatorium. Everyone says it is the best part, and perhaps I will see someone I know.
Marcus nods and leads Valeria through a tiled passage toward the dry sweating room. The hotter air catches at her shoulders, while her wrapped hand remains lifted and protected.
Marcus Flavius
The sudatorium, then. Briefly, and with the binding kept dry. If Rome has placed an acquaintance in there, let Rome wait until you have rested.
They enter the sudatorium, where cedar benches line walls warmed by hidden furnaces. Valeria finds a place beneath a small vent and settles into the heat, fully arrived.
The dry heat loosens the stiffness across her back, but sweat soon dampens the outer edge of her hand’s wrapping. Marcus notices and pays an attendant two extra asses for fresh linen.
Marcus Flavius
There is your cost for curiosity: two asses and another change of dressing. Still cheaper than a reopened wound.
No familiar face appears among the quiet bathers, but the room grants Valeria its promised relief. Marcus waits beside the door as the fresh linen is brought.
“She fills her lungs with the clean, warm air and exhales, then repeats, then relaxes for a bit before moving on to the Frigidarium.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Valeria fills her lungs with the clean, heated air and releases it slowly. She repeats the breath, letting the warmth loosen her shoulders without troubling the dampened binding.
Marcus Flavius
Again, if you wish. The heat has done its work, and nothing is gained by making recovery another contest.
She rests beneath the vent for several quiet moments. Cedar, steam, and the muted scrape of sandals surround her while the renewed linen stays secure around her hand.
Marcus Flavius
That is enough. The frigidarium will close the pores, but enter gradually and keep the hand above the water.
Marcus opens the door, and cooler air meets the sudatorium’s dry heat. Together they cross the tiled passage toward the frigidarium, leaving the furnace warmth behind.
The frigidarium receives them with pale stone, clear cold water, and a sharp breath of air. Valeria arrives without haste, her belongings still guarded in the dry niche.
“Grimacing, she lowers herself into the frigid water.”
Valeria grimaces and lowers herself into the frigid water. The cold closes around her in a sharp shock, tightening every muscle while she keeps the wrapped hand raised above the surface.
Marcus Flavius
Slowly. Breathe through it. The cold is for recovery, not punishment, and your hand stays clear of the water.
Pale stone reflects the trembling ripples. Valeria settles against the bath’s edge, shoulders submerged, while Marcus watches the binding and counts the breaths in silence.
Valeria Asiaticus
The cold reaches the scar, but the binding remains dry.
Marcus Flavius
Enough when the fingers stiffen. We leave with strength preserved, not pride satisfied.
After several measured breaths, Valeria rises from the bath without haste. Marcus offers a linen cloth, and she wraps it around her shoulders while the protected hand remains steady.
They return toward the guarded niche, where the attendant still watches the sword belt and clothing. The recovery plan remains intact, and no further trial waits before tomorrow’s walk.
“Valeria yawns and stretches. "Is that all for today?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Valeria yawns and stretches beneath the pale frigidarium light, keeping her wrapped hand raised while the linen around her shoulders slips slightly.
Valeria Asiaticus
Is that all for today?
Marcus Flavius
Yes. The bathing, heat, cold, and rest have done their work. Nothing more strenuous today.
Marcus takes the cloth before it can touch the water and settles it more securely around Valeria’s shoulders. Her scar remains dry, and the binding holds.
Marcus Flavius
We collect your things, eat something warm, and walk home. Tomorrow remains walking and empty-hand footwork, provided the hand stays quiet.
At the guarded niche, the bath attendant rises and returns Valeria’s sword belt, clothing, and purse. The bundle is intact, and the small payment is recorded nowhere beyond memory.
Marcus Flavius
Your day is finished, and finished properly. Let the scar have the night.
Quest Complete
Agree on training boundaries with Marcus Flavius
New Gift: Peerless Contract Negotiation