In movement that transcended training conventional gladiatorial, I executed technique of counter-attack learned in lands distant.
Minimal dodge lateral followed by redirection of opponent's force.
Left hand seized attacker's wrist while body rotated upon axis precise.
Using momentum of enemy to unbalance him.
Germanic warrior, surprised by recovery sudden and technique unknown, failed to adapt.
Own momentum betrayed him.
Body projecting forward as I completed movement with twist precise.
Shoulder dislocated with crack audible.
Scream of pain cut through air.
But I had already completed sequence.
Drawing with speed surprising small dagger Damascus hidden in protection forearm.
Applying it precisely at base of skull Germanic.
Death instant.
Without suffering prolonged.
Mercy efficient taught in mountains frozen world distant.
Only spearman remained.
Staggering with wound serious to shoulder and neck.
Blood quickly soaking chest painted.
Still maintained posture combat.
Refusing surrender.
Crowd had momentarily silenced.
Collectively stunned by violence brutal and turnaround dramatic.
Then, like wave rising, roar deafening emerged.
Approval frantic for spectacle extraordinary they were witnessing.
In seats noble, reactions diverse were manifesting clearly.
Gallo seemed to have aged ten years in minutes.
Face pale and decomposed while assistants tried discretely to console him.
Young Porcius had abandoned completely pretense of disinterest.
Leaning so far forward seemed about to fall into arena.
Eyes fixed upon me with intensity almost scientific.
"Impossible," he muttered repeatedly. "Technique completely unknown... recovery inexplicable after trauma cranial severe..."
Julia Porcia had stood completely.
Applauding with enthusiasm unbridled.
Face flushed with excitement.
"Divine!" she exclaimed to none particular. "Absolutely divine!"
Tribune Cornelius and Metilius exchanged glances significant.
Communication silent occurring between them while Senator Cassius nodded approvingly.
Livia maintained expression studiedly composed.
Though gleam intense in eyes betrayed fascination genuine with spectacle of skill and blood.
I advanced methodically against spearman wounded.
Movement now completely transformed.
Posture gladiatorial theatrical had been replaced by efficiency lethal cold.
Economy precise of movement that reflected training military modern completely alien to arena Roman.
Spearman attempted attack desperate.
But movement clumsy was easily deflected.
With precision clinical, I executed counter-attack direct.
Thrust clean that penetrated chest Germanic.
Finding heart with precision anatomical modern.
Warrior tribal widened eyes in surprise final before collapsing definitively.
Three opponents neutralized in combat genuine.
Without staging or artifice.
Silence momentary preceded explosion deafening of acclaim.
Crowd had witnessed something transcending display gladiatorial conventional.
Demonstration of lethality authentic that satisfied thirst primitive for violence genuine rarely satiated in arenas choreographed carefully.
I remained briefly motionless.
Blood dripping from cuts various.
Head still partially confused by collision between memories modern and ancient.
Slowly, forced myself to reconnect with moment present.
Consciously reassuming posture and behavior appropriate.
Turning to platform elevated, executed salute formal final.
Arm extended, fist over heart.
Senator Cassius had risen.
Applauding vigorously with enthusiasm genuine.
Beside him, Livia practically vibrated with excitement.
Eyes fixed upon me with intensity that transcended interest casual mere.
Tribune Cornelius remained seated.
Expression studiedly neutral.
But posture revealed satisfaction evident.
Behind him, partially obscured, Metilius observed with intensity analytical characteristic.
Not spectator mere, but evaluator clinical.
In box side, Gallo had disappeared.
Discretely withdrawing after witnessing collapse of bets substantial.
Quintus, on other hand, had abandoned pretense all of dignity.
Celebrating openly with enthusiasm almost childish.
Young Porcius remained in place.
Now completely motionless.
Only eyes moving as they followed each gesture with attention predatory.
Expression combined fascination intellectual with something more.
Recognition disturbing of anomaly fundamental that others had missed completely in excitement of moment.
As medici and assistants finally entered arena for care medical, I allowed myself moment brief of reflection internal.
Memories fragmented triggered by trauma represented both resource valuable and vulnerability potential.
Training from lands distant had saved life.
But demonstration of techniques completely alien to tradition gladiatorial Roman would certainly raise questions among observers sufficiently perceptive.
Simultaneously, glimpses of life original Lucius - family, childhood, connections emotional - introduced variable additional.
Not merely question of knowledge modern or skills adapted to world Roman.
But conflict potential between identities fundamentally distinct.
As I allowed medici to guide me from arena under applause continuing, I recognized that threshold critical had been crossed.
Game had ascended to level significantly more complex.
Requiring not just adaptation strategic.
But integration conscious of elements seemingly contradictory.
Survival physical was temporarily assured.
Challenge subsequent would be navigating consequences of demonstration extraordinary I had just provided.
Both for patrons potential and for self.
"Extraordinary! Simply extraordinary!" Quintus practically danced around room medical while Servius treated wounds.
Owner ludus had abandoned pretense any of dignity.
Behaving like child on day Saturnalia.
"Senator Cassius himself standing and applauding! Even Tribune seemed impressed! And invitations have already started arriving - from Capua, from Rome, even suggestion for games imperial next year!"
While Quintus continued monologue enthusiastic, Servius worked in silence.
Cleaning wounds, applying ointments, stitching cuts deeper.
Eyes, however, revealed more than concentration professional simple.
There was curiosity evident as he observed me.
"Need to examine head," he finally said, interrupting celebration of Quintus. "Blow was strong. May be concussion."
"Of course, of course!" Quintus agreed distractedly. "Take care good of him! Champion our deserves best! I will provide personally supplies finest!"
With promises exuberant more, owner finally left to "prepare reception worthy" for visitors important who would certainly come.
When alone we stood, Servius continued examination methodical.
Especially attentive to area impact on head.
Fingers skilled palpated gently, assessing damage.
"Contusion serious, but apparently no fracture," he finally commented.
Then, in tone casual: "Recovery surprisingly quick, considering force of blow."
Was not exactly question.
But clearly sought explanations.
I measured response.
"Have taken blows worse. Body learns to recover."
"No doubt." Servius prepared mixture analgesic, working with slowness deliberate. "And also learns reflexes specific, apparently. Reaction yours after impact was... unusual."
"How so?" I asked, testing how much physician had noticed.
"That technique recovery using pain self-induced. You bit tongue in way specific while controlling breathing."
Servius applied paste medicinal to arm, without averting gaze.
"Method sophisticated to regain consciousness after trauma cranial. Not something taught in schools medical any I know."
Observation revealed perspicacity disturbing.
Servius had noticed details that others would have missed completely in chaos of combat.
"Instinct survival does things strange," I responded vaguely.
"Certainly." Servius finished dressing before continuing. "Just like technique neutralization that you used afterward. Precision anatomical notable. Almost... modern in efficiency."
Comment final contained implication disturbing.
Suggestion that Servius suspected something beyond ability exceptional mere.
I maintained expression neutral.
"Experiences ancient bring advantages unexpected," I finally commented.
"No doubt." Servius collected instruments methodically. "Experiences of origins diverse that give adaptability exceptional."
Before I could respond, door opened and Atticus entered silently.
Posture communicating urgency.
"Tribune wants to see you now," he announced without preamble. "Metilius is with him."
"Does condition medical permit it?" asked Servius, reassuming professionalism.
"Am fine," I responded, rising cautiously. Pain persisted, but was diminished considerably by treatments. "Where should I meet them?"
"In quarters private Tribune, not in residence official," Atticus specified. "Discretion seems to be priority."
Significant, I thought.
Meeting private immediately after demonstration public indicated urgency unusual.
Probably related to aspects specific of performance that raised questions.
"Will go immediately."
"Care medical last," Servius intervened, preparing flask small of liquid amber. "Analgesic for pain. Take half now and rest after meeting."
I accepted flask.
Drinking half as instructed.
Liquid tasted bitter, but effect was almost immediate.
Alleviating discomfort considerably.
"Gratitude," I said sincerely.
Servius nodded professionally.
But gaze contained message unverbalized.
Curiosity unsatisfied, questions not formulated but clearly present.
Another observer dangerously perceptive, I thought as I followed Atticus from room.
Benefit of skills modern came with risk of being noticed.
Path to quarters Tribune was made discretely.
Avoiding streets main where celebrations continued.
Entire city seemed transformed into festival.
Citizens celebrating spectacle with abandonment typical.
"Made impression strong," commented Atticus as we walked through alley. "Especially in part final, after blow head."
Again, observation perceptive disguised as comment casual.
I noticed pattern emerging.
Several observers noting inconsistencies.
Changes technical after trauma.
Elements that did not match training gladiatorial conventional.
"Instinct takes over in moments critical," I responded naturally.
"Of course." Atticus gave look evaluative. "Instincts formed by experiences previous. Particularly... efficient."
Before we could continue, arrived at entrance discrete to quarters private.
Unlike residence official used for functions public, location this clearly served for matters Tribune preferred to keep from eyes curious.
Interior was surprisingly austere for man of position elevated.
Furniture functional, decoration minimal, organization meticulous.
Reflected mentality military.
Not indulgence typical of aristocracy.
Tribune waited in room central.
Examining documents spread over table simple.
Metilius remained silently near window.
Apparently observing street.
But clearly attentive to everything in environment.
"Ah, excellent," commented Cornelius upon noticing arrival. "Are you in condition to talk?"
"Perfectly," I confirmed.
"Good." Tribune indicated seat available while reorganizing documents. "Performance yours exceeded expectations in aspects various. Especially phase final after blow head."
Was not compliment casual.
But assessment clinical.
Focus specific on change technical after trauma cranial.
I maintained expression neutral.
"Survival requires adaptation," I responded simply.
"No doubt." Tribune exchanged look with Metilius before continuing. "Adaptation based on foundations established previously. Foundations... unusual for gladiator common."
Implication was now explicit.
Recognition direct of inconsistencies observed.
I measured next steps carefully.
"Experiences diverse bring advantages diverse," I offered, keeping response deliberately vague.
"Experiences that seem to transcend limitations of province this. Perhaps of empire this."
Metilius finally left post by window.
Approaching with interest evident.
"Techniques you demonstrated after trauma reflect methods that are not documented in school combat any known."
Was confrontation direct.
Though carefully framed as observation scientific, not accusation.
I recognized need for response substantive that would satisfy curiosity without revealing truth whole.
"Fragments of memory sometimes emerge under stress extreme," I finally admitted. "Training prior to loss memory. Techniques that body preserved even when mind forgot context."
Explanation was technically true.
Though strategically incomplete.
Acknowledgment of knowledge anomalous attributed to past mysterious pre-amnesia.
"Fascinating," commented Metilius, genuinely intrigued. "Consistent with theories certain about memory muscular that survives impairment cognitive. Body remembering what mind conscious cannot access."
Tribune seemed equally interested in explanation.
Though focus remained pragmatic.
"Regardless of origin specific, capabilities demonstrated confirm potential exceptional for functions we discussed previously."
He removed document sealed from among various spread on table.
Handing formally to me.
"Transfer official to service personal after period adequate of recovery. Compensation for Quintus has been increased significantly after demonstration exceptional, ensuring cooperation enthusiastic."
He paused briefly.
"Questions about techniques unusual will be managed discretely."
Was confirmation definitive of arrangement discussed previously.
Transfer to service direct of Tribune.
Elevating status from gladiator mere to associate operational.
Also included guarantee implicit of protection against curiosity excessive about origin of abilities.
"Gratitude for trust," I responded formally.
"Trust based on assessment objective of potential," Tribune clarified pragmatically. "Circumstances political current require associates with... capabilities non-conventional."
Before he could elaborate, knock discrete on door interrupted conversation.
Assistant personal of Tribune entered after permission.
With expression of urgency controlled.
"Pardon intrusion," he began respectfully. "Representative of Senator Cassius requests audience immediate with gladiator victorious. Message indicates 'opportunity temporally limited extremely'."
Tribune frowned briefly before reassuming control complete over expression.
"Naturally. Complication anticipated manifesting promptly itself."
He turned to me.
Evaluating momentarily.
"Audience must be granted for courtesy political obvious. However..." he made pause significant, "commitments established already remain priority regardless of offers subsequent."
Was simultaneously instruction and warning.
Permission for meeting accompanied by reminder about agreement already formalized.
"Understanding is perfect," I assured.
"Excellent." Tribune made gesture dismissal formal. "Atticus will accompany as representative official of ludus, ensuring propriety of interactions all."
As we prepared to leave, Metilius approached for comment discrete:
"Abilities exceptional often attract attention - both beneficial and problematic. Recommend caution in demonstrations public future."
Warning was clear.
Skills modern inadvertently revealed represented both advantage tactical and vulnerability strategic.
"Advice valuable," I assured.
Game had evolved once more.
Stakes higher.
But path to freedom clearer.
Blood upon sand was price small for liberty.
And I was willing to pay cost.
Whatever demanded.