Valeria steps away from the frigidarium wrapped in linen, her sword belt and belongings restored. Marcus remains beside her as the bath attendant disappears into the warm corridors.
Marcus Flavius
Tomorrow begins with walking, then empty-hand footwork: forward, back, across the line, and recovery to center. No blade until the hand proves quiet.
The bathhouse noise softens behind them. Steam drifts through the passage, and the guarded niche now stands empty except for damp footprints and a few scattered drops of water.
Marcus Flavius
You endured heat and cold without turning either into a contest. Tell me what you noticed during the regimen, before I decide what tomorrow requires.
He lowers his voice, granting her the brief privacy of the quiet corridor. Beyond the entrance, Rome waits with dust, traffic, creditors, and the long walk home.
Marcus Flavius
The scar is sound, but her habits reveal more than any official seal. If she names the weakness herself, she may correct it before the arena does.
“"I feel much more relaxed. The massage certainly helped. The Sudatorium cleared out my sinuses and the Frigidarium closed the pores. I feel like a new woman."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +2)
Valeria Asiaticus
I feel much more relaxed. The massage helped, the sudatorium cleared my sinuses, and the frigidarium closed my pores. I feel like a new woman.
Marcus listens in the quiet corridor, one hand resting on his wax tablet. Behind them, steam fades into the cooler air near the bathhouse entrance.
Marcus Flavius
Good. That is the recovery I wanted, not merely endurance disguised as discipline. Your shoulders are loose, your breathing is clear, and the scar has stayed quiet.
He glances toward the clean binding, then checks the fingers without touching them. The hand remains dry, steady, and free of the strain that marked earlier training.
Marcus Flavius
Tomorrow we test whether that ease survives movement. Walking first, empty-hand footwork after. If the hand remains quiet, the blade can wait one day longer.
Marcus turns toward the street and gestures for her to follow. Outside, dust and traffic replace steam, while the measured walk home begins without haste.
“"You're welcome to come home with me. The boys enjoyed hearing about the African campaign and the strange animals you saw there. I'm sure they'd like to hear more."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -2)
Valeria Asiaticus
You are welcome to come home with me. The boys enjoyed hearing about the African campaign and the strange animals you saw there. I am sure they would like to hear more.
Marcus studies her for a moment, then folds the wax tablet beneath his arm. Together they leave the baths and take the dusty road toward the Asiaticus house.
Marcus Flavius
Then I will tell them about the elephants, the desert roads, and the beasts that made seasoned soldiers reach for their spears.
At a crowded fountain, Marcus buys a small flask of watered wine for the walk, spending two asses from his purse. A pair of idlers, two young adult human men in faded tunics, one lanky and one thickset, with sun-browned faces and dusty sandals, notices him beside Valeria and whispers at the sight of the former soldier.
Marcus Flavius
Let them wonder. A household visit is less dangerous than another secret meeting, and the boys deserve a story without a sword in it.
The house appears beneath its patched roof. Castor and Pollux rush into the doorway while Nestor looks up from his lesson, and Aurelia sets aside her needlework.
Castor and Pollux
Marcus, did you truly see elephants? Were they larger than the carts? Tell us everything!
Marcus Flavius
Inside, then. I will begin with the elephants, but you must let an old soldier finish one sentence before asking seven questions.