"Like the instructor?" Arsinis laughed. "If so, could you even stay at home, Melisanda? 'Get up, run now... Melisanda, stop eating, spar with me... Melisanda, carry this rock and run ten laps around the courtyard!'" Arsinis exaggeratedly imitated Matonis's stern tone.
"If you'd like, I could tell the instructor what you just said. Let's see who ends up carrying that rock for ten laps!" Melisanda retorted with mock seriousness.
Arsinis quickly pleaded for mercy, and Melisanda let him off the hook.
Arsinis then asked, "Are we really preparing to attack the Lucanians?"
"Do you think we're training this hard just to defend Amendolara?" Melisanda scoffed. "That would be such a waste of our strength!"
"Hey, do you think—" Arsinis grew excited. "If we conquer Lucanian lands, could I take a Lucanian woman as my wife? I've seen many new citizens' Lucanian wives lately—tall, robust, and hardworking.
They have a charm different from Greek women..."
