The school’s practice yard lies warm beneath the morning sun. Valeria carries the sealed purse beneath her cloak, with Marcus beside her, while Aurelia, Nestor, Castor, and Pollux remain at home.
Murmilla enters through the side gate, her shoulder bound in clean linen but her stride steady. A broad-shouldered middle-aged steward watches from the office doorway, gray-haired and sharp-eyed in a dark wool tunic.
Murmilla
You promised lessons after I recovered. The shoulder moves well enough. I have come to begin, if you still offer them.
Marcus Flavius
Lessons, yes. Another bout, no. Not until the physician and the records agree that your shoulder is ready.
Murmilla sets her shield against the practice post and flexes the injured arm carefully. The movement is controlled, though a faint stiffness remains beneath the bandage.
the school steward
If this becomes regular instruction, I will record the arrangement. No exclusive service, no claim upon Myrina’s purses, and no private sponsor hidden in the wording.
Murmilla
Agreed. I want measure, footwork, and an answer to that turning retreat. Let the record say I came here to learn, not to purchase her future.
“"Before we begin, I want you to know that I am not one of those rich women who fight for fun. Since my father died, I have had to support the family. It is dangerous and dirty work, but it pays well, and I don't have a lot of other choices. You could say that I am a slave warrior, except that hunger is my whip, and debts are my chains."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +2)
Valeria Asiaticus
I am not one of those rich women who fight for amusement. Since my father died, I have supported my family. The work is dangerous and dirty, but it pays, and I have few other choices. You could call me a slave warrior, except hunger is my whip and debts are my chains.
The practice yard falls quiet. Sunlight catches the worn edge of Murmilla’s shield, while the steward’s stylus pauses above the wax tablet.
Murmilla
Then we have fought for different reasons, but not different necessities. I heard a rich woman’s confidence in the arena. Now I hear the cost beneath it.
Murmilla
She did not chase applause. She fought as though every coin had a household waiting behind it.
Marcus Flavius
That is why she trains carefully. A noble hobbyist can afford a mistake. Valeria cannot afford many.
the school steward
Recorded plainly: instruction between two independent fighters, with no patronage or claim upon future purses. Hardship explains the work, but it does not make her owned.
Murmilla
Then teach me honestly, Myrina, and I will teach you what my shoulder remembers. No pity, no purchase, and no lies between us.
“"I may have a rich woman's manners, because my father was a patrician, and once served as consul, but that doesn't put a single ass in my purse. I inherited nothing from my father but his home and his enemies, who are not quite done with me. You saw me pledge loyalty to the Emperor Claudius, the man who executed my father. It is what an honorable fighter does in defeat, he concedes."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Valeria Asiaticus
I may have a rich woman’s manners, for my father was a patrician and once served as consul, but that puts no ass in my purse. I inherited only his home and his enemies, who are not quite done with me. You saw me pledge loyalty to Emperor Claudius, the man who executed my father. An honorable fighter concedes in defeat.
The school steward’s stylus resumes its slow movement. Murmilla stands with her injured shoulder held carefully, while Marcus Flavius watches the words land without interruption.
Murmilla
Then your manners are inheritance, but your discipline is earned. You bowed to the Emperor without bowing your neck to every hand that serves him.
the school steward
Recorded plainly: patrician birth, lawful poverty, inherited enemies, and no surrender of independence. Loyalty after defeat is not ownership.
Marcus Flavius
That distinction kept you alive in the arena and outside it. Rome understands concession when it is witnessed. It understands chains only when someone tries to hide them.
Murmilla
She fights for bread, yet speaks like someone defending a name. I will learn from both.
Murmilla
Teach me, then, how to yield without disgrace and stand again without submission. I will bring the same honesty to your lesson.
“"Marcus can help us both with the footwork, but I am afraid my style of fighting is different from yours. A murmillo is the most basic type of gladiator. He represents a roman soldier, and is therefore heavily armed. Your great strength is close-in fighting. But I am lightly equipped, rely on agility, and try to avoid close-in fighting. I can perhaps help you with some sword moves, but only after your shoulder is healed."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +1)
Valeria Asiaticus
Marcus can help us both with footwork, but our styles differ. You rely on strength and close fighting; I rely on agility and distance.
Valeria Asiaticus
I can perhaps help with sword moves later, but only after your shoulder has healed.
Murmilla listens beside her shield, her bandaged shoulder held still. The distinction is practical, not dismissive, and the school steward records it without interruption.
Murmilla
Then footwork first. A Murmilla carries Rome’s weight, but weight is useless if the feet cannot place it.
Marcus Flavius
Exactly. I will teach you both to enter, turn, and recover without wasting motion. No sword work for that shoulder until it is sound.
the school steward
Recorded: shared footwork instruction, independent fighters, and no sword instruction for Murmilla before medical recovery.
Marcus Flavius marks three lines in the dust. Murmilla steps onto the first, and Valeria takes the opposite measure as the lesson begins with balance, turning, and controlled retreat.
Quest Complete
Train with Murmilla
Skill Upgrade: Athletics Superb→Legendary