The ludus.

Claudus Milia had been born Ahkmanet in the upper Nile long enough ago that he barely remembered the name and language of his youth. He had been captured when his province had risen against the Romans' lackey governor.

The Romans were tyrants but they were honest tyrants. Khemseneset was a list and a thief. In the end the Romans replaced him but not before crushing the rebellion and enslaving the rebels' children.

Ahkmanet had been shipped, sold, shipped further and resold until he wound up in the ludus. He'd trained as a secutor but made his debut as a lacquerius. After a nearly fatal munus the lannista had him retrained as dimachaerus and thraex.

The Thebean awoke slowly. His body ached from yesterday's munus. Ahkmanet had been paired with a popular and successful hoplomachus called Teras from a rival ludus. Teras was nearing 50 wins and his freedom, and the crowd had for mercy but the Editor called for death. Ahkmanet had executed the gladiator but would be a hated face in the arena.

The lannista had been paid extra for Cluadus' obedience. None of which made any difference to Claudus who was just sore. The doctori had rubbed him down and stitched up the worst of his wounds but the bout had ended less than a day ago and Ahkmanet agonized as he hauled himself off his pallet.

No sooner than the powerfully built young man was upright the doctori was calling forth the slaves for morning exercise. Claudus grumbled under his breath in Latin and made his way to the central yard. Several gladiators gave him respectful nods as he stepped into the dust off the yard.

"Begin!" commanded the doctori and the gladiators started the routine of calisthenics. Claudus' wounds screamed and his battered body ached with every motion but Claudus made no sound or outward sign. He was one closer to 50 wins, fame and freedom. Pain be damned

"Come along, Julia. Don't you want to meet the new gladiator who bested the current ludus in yesterday's games?" Lyarris Cinna questioned her reluctant sister.

Julia shook her head mournfully and answered, "No, I think not. You can go on alone. I'll wait here."

At the ludus the lanista and dominus paced in the atrium as he waited for the nobles to arrive.

"What have gods wrought upon my house?" he asked the slave who managed the books and calendar for the business of training and renting gladiators.

"I can only guess, dominus." the Lusitanian answered in his accented Latin.

Lucius Celer cast a hard look at his slave, but said nothing.

"Send someone to doctore and fetch up Claudus. Have them clean him up. It must be about mess with Marius' Teras. Not like there was a thing we could do about it. If they have anger, let them take it to editor Gaius."

A short time later the gladiator was brought into the atrium where two armed guards stood ready. Claudus Milia worn only a freshly polished belt, a clean loin cloth and sandals. The stitches along his shoulder showed red through the bandage. A large purple bruise marked his chest and several angry red welts marked his legs.

"Well, Claudus. I had hoped to earn more coin off you, but I may not have opportunity. Message has reached me that nobles - high ranking nobles - would see you."

The Thebean slave kept his eyes down, "Apologies, Dominus - I did as editor directed, no more, no less."

"That may be but it may be of no consequence."

The lanista rubbed his jaw, trying to find a way toward profit from this, but without knowing what the patricians wanted it would be difficult. Lucius was glad that Claudus was at least well disciplined. Perhaps they would both live, in which case he could sell the gladiator to them and at least cut his losses...

A moment later one of the household girls bowed into Lucius' atrium, "Dominus, Lyariss Cinna has arrived."

"Pardon?" the lanista asked. Uncertain that he'd heard the name correctly. "Lyariss Cinna - **the** Lyariss Cinna?"

"Yes Dominus. Domina has had several slaves beaten for the state of the Vestibulum already."

Lucius Celer sighed heavily, "I imagine she has. Have them taken to doctore - quietly. I will tend to my wife when this is finished."

He looked at Claudus, "Lokk presentable, will you?"

The lanista and master of the house returned his attention to the house girl, "See the lady Cinna in, please." He checked the fall of his clothes and tried to look confident and self assured.

A moment later and the slave girl bowed into Lyariss Cinna's presence, "Lady Cinna, Lanista Celer is pleased you have come to our ludus, please follow me." she said, her eyes cast at the floor in front of Lyariss.

Lyarris nodded, with a"Yes, thank you." and followed the maid inside, green silk skirts swishing behind her.

She walked into the ludus, where a bald haired man waited for her, clad in a toga, and he bowed.

Lucius was a Roman citizen. Barely, if he were honest with himself, and he generally was. The woman who walked through his atrium door was far more than that. This was the Emperor's daughter in law, or would be soon.

He waved the slave girl out of the room and prayed that Pluto and Jupiter would keep the gladiator quiet.

Lucius bowed but allowed himself to look at her, "My lady..." he said, awe plain in his voice, "I was told to expect nobility, but you are more than Senatores. What will it be my pleasure to do for you, Lady Cinna?"

In reply to Claudus Milla (msg # 6):

Lyarris replied, "Thank you for the welcome. I came here to meet the new gladiator who bested the current ludus in the gladiatorial game yesterday."

There. She had tried to come straight to the point, unlike Julia, who never did.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Tue 04 June 2019.

Lucius swept his hand toward Cluadus who stood near the exit to the rear of the villa and the ludus proper. "I had heard that might be the case and had him brought in from the training yards. Lady Cinna, allow me to present, Claudus Milia. Winner of the opening ordinarius of yesterday's games."

Claudus for his part had watched from under down turned brows as the noble woman had entered. Her clothes marked her as unwed and of both high status and wealth. The display was the thing in Rome, and the Thebean had learned his lessons well. It would be well worth looking for her in the stands. Her clothes would marker her, even if, as so many respectable Roman women did, she wore a veil to the games. Large bets on him could certainly increase his standing in the ludus, with dominus, and with the public.

Claudus walked across his dominus' tablinum with an easy, fluid grace. He was unfazed by his near nakedness before the staid and modest Romans. He'd been born at the root of the Nile, where skin was as common as linen was in Rome. His olive skin shone in the light that spilled in from the peristylium as he stepped forward and bowed.

"Lady Cinna, I am honored beyond measure. I trust you found the contest enjoyable - it was a near thing, well fought by Teras to all but the editor, it seems." He said, eyes downcast.

Lyarris smiled. "Yes, I enjoyed it very much." She turned her head to the ludus that stood next to  Lucius Celer. He was an olive-skinned man who appeared to have hailed from Aegyptus, and she said "I am honored to meet you, Claudus Milia. You fought well, I thought."

The gladiator threw a downcast glance at his dominus before he replied. At his Roman master's slight incline of his head, Claudus answered.

"Your plaeasure honors me again, Lady. When next I fight, I will look for you in the crowd."

Lucius almost choked. On what he wasn't sure - he had neither food nor drink - the fool slave had far over stepped his bounds.

"SILENCE, slave!" he roared suddenly.

Claudus did not flinch at the sudden outburst but stood stock-still, eyes on the floor rather than looking at either of the Romans.

The owner of the troupe of gladiators, and the ludus that trained and housed them, looked at the noble woman, "Apologies, domina." Using the word a slave uses for it's mistress was a calculated risk, but the gap between their stations were likely broader than what separated Lucius and his slaves.

"He will be whipped presently. You may oversee, if you like."

He motioned to the guards, "Haul him to the yard and tie him to whipping post. Fetch Azir from the laquearii yard - none are more skilled with a whip."

He gestured toward the rear exit of the house, "This way, domina. The balconies over the training yards are through the gardens."

In reply to Claudus Milla (msg # 10):

Lyariss smiled and was rather surprised to see the way that Lucius Celer treated his gladiator.

The gladiator left the room, and Lyarris followed Lucius Celer out through the rear exit and through the gardens, which she knew Julia would love if she saw them.

As a lanista, Lucius was little more than a pimp in the eyes of Roman society. A very wealthy and successful pimp. He lead Lady Cinna through attractive gardens, where well mannered slaves tended equally well mannered plants and flower, to the fortified ludus proper.

"Lady Cinna, the Ludus Celer. One of the last privately owned gladiator schools in all of Rome and her holdings." Well equipped and attentive guards opened the gate and admitted Lucius and his guest.

Limestone stairs took them up to the editorial box of a small but elegantly appointed watch tower. Below the Roman citizens spread a facility the consisted of three separate walled training yard, a small arena with seats for a hundred spectators, barrack enclosed with each yard and a manned wall surrounding the entire thing.

Lucius turned to the soon-to-be Empress of Rome, "We can watch from here, or if sound of lash entices, we may join doctore in the yard."

Claudus walked stoically to the post, and took the ring where he was to be tied in his hands, pushing off the guards. "I need not be tied, I will take the lash." The guards looked to the balcony, and Lucius looked to Lyariss, "Lady Cinna, I leave it to you - slave was forward with you, not I. Tie him or nay?"

Lyarris thought to herself. She did hate seeing whippings, but she had been asked for her opinion, so she answered"If he so wishes it, he need not be tied."

She did think that the Ludus Ce!er was a wonderful place to gaze upon, and wished her sister was here.

Lucius nodded to the doctore in the training yard who in turned grunted something inaudible at the gladiator.

In the yard Claudus looked over his shoulder at Lyariss and winked as he took hold of the shackles, "Get on with it." he sneered a tthe doctore.

The doctore stepped back and shook loose his whip. An instant later and it shot through the space between the doctore and Claudus like a bolt of lightning thrown by Jupiter himself. A long red cut opened on the gladiator's back, but he mad neither move nor sound.

Another lash fell, then a third. A fourth and fifth followed with the gladiator soundless. He knuckles were white and his muscles strained in the hot Rome sun but he stood rock solid.

The doctore looked to Lucius for instructions, "Five more! Do not beat the fight out of him. Instruct in manners only."

Five more times the whip bit home, each striking fire across Claudus' back. Each time he refused to yelp or flinch, holding himself rigid and taught against the shackles. When the last blow fell, Claudus drew a heavy breath and bowed to Lucius and Lyariss.

He then turned to the doctore, "If we are finished, I have training to attend to.

Claudus willed himself upright until he was out of sight of the balcony before he stumbled and went to his knees. Several slaves moved to aid him but he waved them off, pushing himself to his feet.

On the balcony Lucius turned to his elegant guest, "Again, my lady, apologies. He is a skilled combatant, but his manners are rough. Should you need gladiators, I assure you I have several who are better suited to polite company."

Lyariss watched as the gladiator was whipped, noticing that he had winked at her before he took the lashes. She admired his bravery, though. After he had bowed and left, and she answered Lucius, "There is no need to apologize. Perhaps you could introduce me to some of the other gladiators?"

Lucius was torn. If one of the gladiators impressed her it could lead to opportunities at The Coliseum or Circus Maximus. A chance to provide gladiators to the biggest games, funded by the richest men in Rome.

However, another embarrassment like Cluadus could Doom the ludus to the barely legal brawls in the back alleys or worse.

"Perhaps madam would like to look over the training yards." He suggested, angling for a way to display his fighters without affording the slaves a chance to embarrass him.

He pointed the way to one of the barracks that housed the dimachaeri and thraex and their training areas. "From here we can see how Cluadus trains after his lesson in manners. The other Thracians and Dimachaeri will be eager to best him. Let's see how strong his fighting spirit is, shall we?"

He called down do the doctors to have Claudus spar with one of the established Thracians.

Claudus expected a particularly difficult day of training but had not anticipated a match against Hadrianus. The Goth was the best known of the ludus' sword fighters and had made his displeasure at the previous day's pairings well known.

Had he not just been beaten Claudus would have welcomed the opportunity. Today, he dreaded it. The strength and agility he relied on were all but completely gone. At the doctor's order he took up the pair of wooden swords and made salut to his owner and his guest.

Lucius nodded to the doctors and turned to Lady Cinna, "We do offer bodyguards and sword training as well."

As the bout began Cluadus circled carefully, exaggerating how severe yesterday's injuries were, trying to draw Hadrianus in.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:26, Tue 02 July 2019.

In reply to Claudus Milla (msg # 16):

Lyariss delightedly followed Lucius to the training yards, and watched Claudus prepare to train with a Thracian gladiator whom she recognized.

"Really? How delightful.'' Lyariss replied, upon hearing that Lucius trained bodyguards. Of course, she needed no sword training, as one of her father's slaves had taught her and she would regularly train with him so as to not go stale.

Hadrianus was no fool, he was nearly a decade the young Claudus' senior and had been a skille warrior before he was captured by the legions and sold into slavery. He'd seen the boy earlier in the day and while freshly whipped, there was no reason for Claudus to shield his side qite so drastically.

Hadrianus feinted, trying to draw the younger fighter into exposing his trap. The boy was smarter than Hadrianus had expected and did not tip his hand, instead he shuffled back, knocking the feint away with his lead hand.

Hadrianus decided to change tactics and circle to Claudus "strong" side, droppimg his square, Thracian shield in mock carelessness. He thrust with the sica toward Claudus' left side but fully expected the response to come from his right.

Claudus' right hand sword tipped and Hadrianus exploded to that side, raising the shield to catch the boy in the wrist.

Claudus had seen Hadrianus make the move before and very nearly over-committed to the feint but managed to have the top edge of the shield hit the tip of his wood sword rather than his wrist as Hadrianus had intended. As it was the impact sent a shock along his arm and his hand tingled.

But the feint had worked. Hadrianus was extended to his left, his shield arm extended and raised. Claudus, every the showman rather than warrior, swung his left hand sword into Hadrianus' ribs.

A soldier would have thrust, ending the fight but Claudus had been trained in the ludus. The bleeding gash would please the crowd and his attention to his lessons was not missed by the lannista who watched.

"The boy is good." he says to his noble guest. "Surprising how much energy he has." He suddenly points, "Oh, but look - the boy is really good - look how Hadrianus' has tensed, and is hunkered down behind his shield - he's angry. But look at Claudus, loose and fluid. Quite a good investment, that one."

In reply to Claudus Milla (msg # 19):

Lyariss nodded in delight. It was so thrilling, watching this.

Claudus could see he'd gotten the best of Hadrianus and decided to press the mental advantage first. He knew his owner and the fancy guest were watching, and circled to face them, putting Hadrianus' back to the lannista.

Once he'd turned the fight, Claudus, looked up - knowing Hadrianus would think him an idiot - and gave a quick salute with one sword to the spectators.

Lucius, grinned, "The Egyptian will buy a nice house in Pompeii!" he said to his guest.

Hadrianus rose to the bait that Claudus had thrown him and lunged forwardtrying to drive the rudus into Claudus' belly but the younger fighter saw it coming and brought his own training sword down just behind the Gaul's thumb.

Hadrianus hand flew open and the wooden sword spilled to the dust. Claudus gave a wolfish grin and kicked the sword into Hadrianus' feet. Claudus nodded at the sword and put both fists on his hips.

Hadrianus would either have to take a step back to pick it up or bend awkwardly - neither of which would look good.

Beside Lady Cinna Lucius grinned, "That one's a money maker." He summoned one of his slaves, "Send word to to Ludus Magnus that Hadrianus is for sale. They asked after him last week. The time to sell is now."

In reply to Claudus Milla (msg # 21):

Lyariss merely smiled, and had to giggle at the fact that the current champion of the arena was defeated. "You sell your gladiators to others? I had heard things like that."

Lucius'brows knitted together in confusion for an instant before he gave the noblewoman a smile, "Oh, absolutely. Just as when your household needs a new cook or maid, you purchase one - or at least a girl to train. But if you want a skilled cook, you purchase one. Ludii are largely the same. Ludus Magnus is short on Thraex, Hadrianus is one I can spare so I'll sell him to the Imperial Ludus and purchase a few untrained youths - I need another retiarius, a lacquerius and a spare murmillo. Ludus Magnus will have the thraex they need and I, gods willing, will have the gladiators I need for the future."

He leaned on the railing and waved the fight off, "Back to training, all of you." He yelled down.

Hadrianus swore and lunged at Claudus but the doctore intervened. Lucius made a face but did not comment before he turned to face his guest.

"The hard part," he said with an amused smile, "is knowing what the crowds will want to see. One of the things I have are women. If the demand for gladiatrixes continues to grow, business may be very good."

In reply to Claudus Milla (msg # 23):

Lyariss gasped in awe. Yes, she had heard of female gladiators, but had never met one. Or seen one fight, for that matter.

Lucius noted the Lady's reaction and thought he might plant a seed.

"Shall we head over to the gladiatrii's taining yard, Lady Cinna. They are gaining popularity - perhaps at the next games, if you would like."

---

As the lannista and his guest walked across the estate to the women's barracks, Claudus found the masseur to get his wounds treated and a rub down.

After the treatment he hurried to the kitchen and got his gruel of barley, fruit and beans and ate quickly before returning to his training.