Decimus summons Valeria from the Castra Urbana yard to the Colosseum quarters. Marcus accompanies her; Aurelia, Nestor, Castor, and Pollux remain at home. The sealed school and city records travel with them.
In the quarters, a plainly equipped Murmilla waits beside a scarred practice post. She is an adult woman of sturdy average build, with sun-browned skin, dark hair braided beneath a weathered bronze helmet, and a short sword at her hip.
Decimus Severus
There is your opponent, selected for the lawful bout. No palace favorite, no private grudge, and no altered instructions hidden in the margins.
A purse record lies sealed on the table between Valeria and the Murmilla. Two clerks stand ready beside it, while Marcus watches the seals and the fighter alike.
Decimus Severus
The purse is public, witnessed, and paid at the gate. No patron accompanies it, no added demonstration follows, and no obligation survives the match.
Murmilla
I was told only to fight the named bout. If the record says one contest, then one contest is what I give you.
Marcus Flavius
Good. Let the seals speak before swords do. Rome has enough surprises without inventing another one here.
“"Good. I'm sure you will fight honorably, as the people of Rome expect and deserve. I bear you no malice. We will next meet in the arena."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Valeria Asiaticus
Good. I am sure you will fight honorably, as the people of Rome expect and deserve. I bear you no malice. We will next meet in the arena.
Valeria offers the words across the sealed purse record, her tone measured and public. The clerks record no challenge, only the clear expectation of an honorable contest.
Murmilla
Then you have my respect, and my word. I will meet you in the arena without spite, and fight only as the bout requires.
Murmilla touches two fingers to her breast, then lowers her hand. The gesture is simple, but the room accepts it as a soldier’s pledge.
Marcus Flavius
That is settled better than most Roman agreements. Let the seals, the purse, and the witnesses keep faith with both of you.
One clerk adds the exchange to the bout record. Decimus leaves the purse untouched, and the scheduled contest now carries no private grudge, hidden condition, or added obligation.
✓ Quest Accepted
Fight the scheduled bout against the Murmilla
“She goes home to rest before the fight.”
SUCCESS (Good Health, rolled +0)
Valeria leaves the Colosseum with Marcus and carries the sealed records beneath her cloak. The walk home is steady, though the morning’s examination leaves her hand throbbing beneath its wrap.
Marcus Flavius
Home first. No drills, no errands, and no clever argument with anyone who thinks rest is weakness.
At the Asiaticus house, Aurelia opens the door before they knock. Nestor clears the household ledger from the table, while Castor and Pollux surrender their usual questions after one look at Valeria’s guarded hand.
Aurelia
The bout is settled, then. Good. Put the records away and sit before Rome finds another use for you.
Nestor replaces the dressing with clean linen and oil. The supplies cost two asses from the household reserve, a small but definite subtraction from bread and roof money.
Valeria Asiaticus
The hand is sound, but rest is part of keeping it so.
Valeria lies down beneath the household’s patched coverlet. Outside, the twins whisper over their game, Aurelia tends the hearth, and the sealed bout records remain safely beside the family ledger.