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.
“When supper is over and the stories are told, Valeria takes Marcus aside and tells him, "I think you are a good model of Castor and Pollux. They have no father to show them how a man should behave."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +1)
Supper ends with the last of Marcus’s African stories, while Castor and Pollux argue over which elephant sounded most frightening. Nestor sends them to clear the bowls.
Valeria draws Marcus aside near the household shrine, beyond the twins’ eager questions. The hearth paints warm light across his weathered face and the patched walls.
Valeria Asiaticus
I think you are a good model for Castor and Pollux. They have no father to show them how a man should behave.
Marcus grows still, the flask of watered wine resting between his hands. From the next room, the twins’ voices rise and fall over the washing of dishes.
Marcus Flavius
That is a grave compliment, Valeria. Their father would have wanted them taught courage without cruelty, and duty without servility.
Marcus Flavius
I can offer them habits, stories, and the truth when it is safe to tell it. I cannot replace the man they lost, but I will not leave the lesson empty.
He inclines his head toward the adjoining room, where Castor and Pollux begin another noisy dispute. Then he raises the flask in a quiet pledge before returning to them.
“"I just wanted you to know you will always be welcome here. Te tamquam domi tuae sentias. What are your plans for tomorrow?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Valeria Asiaticus
I just wanted you to know you will always be welcome here. Te tamquam domi tuae sentias. What are your plans for tomorrow?
Marcus lowers the flask, visibly struck by the welcome. From the adjoining room comes the scrape of bowls and the twins’ muffled argument over whose turn it is to dry them.
Marcus Flavius
Then I accept the shelter, Valeria, and the duty that comes with it. Tomorrow I will report to Castra Urbana before sunrise, unless Decimus summons me sooner.
Marcus Flavius
After that, I will return here. I can inspect the roof repairs, review your household ledger with Nestor, and take the boys through their exercises if Aurelia permits it.
Aurelia glances over from her needlework, hearing the practical shape of his answer. Nestor pauses beside the doorway, his expression reserved but approving.
Aurelia
She permits it, provided the exercises do not become a campaign. This household has enough soldiers without turning supper into a military council.
Marcus Flavius
Agreed. I will come after the morning report, bring no trouble to the threshold, and leave the boys with more discipline than noise.
“"I didn't mean should should work for us. I just wondered if you have any more training in mind. If not, I may go wander by the gladiator school. And of course, if you want to visit us, you are welcome. I meant what I said."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +3)
Valeria Asiaticus
I did not mean that you should work for us. I only wondered whether you had more training planned. If not, I may visit the gladiator school. And you are always welcome here. I meant it.
Marcus Flavius
I understood. Tomorrow’s plan is walking and empty-hand footwork. If the scar stays quiet, I will add balance drills, but no blade yet.
Marcus inclines his head, accepting both the distinction and the welcome. Aurelia’s needle pauses, while Nestor watches him with measured approval from beside the doorway.
Marcus Flavius
Go to the gladiator school if you wish, but do not let them turn curiosity into a bout. I will come here after the morning report.
Marcus Flavius
There is more. The Castra Urbana clerk will let me reserve the quiet practice yard for your next witnessed assessment, without Decimus attaching any patron’s claim.
Aurelia
Then the house welcomes you, Marcus. Come after sunrise, and bring your exercises, not an army.
Marcus raises the flask in acknowledgment. The household settles around the answer: tomorrow has a plan, the gladiator school remains Valeria’s choice, and his welcome here is plainly understood.
“"I didn't plan any activities at the gladiator school. I just wanted to see who was there. Most of these women are slaves to are forced to fight, and I cut them up and then bragged about it, so I feel responsible. I don't expect to stay long. I'll be back in time for your walk."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +2)