Entourage departing from ludus was significantly more impressive than had anticipated.
Carriages luxurious three formed core of procession.
Central one, adorned with insignias golden of family Cassius, carried Livia.
Second, only slightly less ornate, had been designated for me.
Third transported handmaidens and slaves personal.
Escorting group were guards mounted eight on horses gleaming.
All veterans military in service exclusive to household senatorial.
Completing retinue, wagons two carried luggage, provisions, and servants additional.
"Impressed?" Livia asked with smile satisfied as noticed me watching preparations final.
Had personally come to oversee departure.
Ignoring conventions social suggesting woman of rank should send envoys instead.
"Certainly more elaborate than arrival at ludus," I replied, recalling cart plain that had brought in chains months ago.
"Rome demands certain... presentation," she explained, adjusting bracelet gold on wrist. "Journey is as important as destination when comes to preserving appearances."
When finally departed, Quintus stood at gates ludus.
Waving enthusiastically as if personally responsible for affair entire.
Smile on face barely concealed greed in eyes.
Clearly calculating value of compensation received and benefits future such connection might bring.
To surprise, shortly after leaving city, carriage of Livia slowed to stop.
Moments later, door to carriage own opened.
Revealing face smiling.
"Journeys long are terribly dull alone," she declared as gracefully climbed to join.
Ignoring look slightly uncomfortable of guard holding door.
"And much we have to discuss before arriving in Rome."
As procession resumed, Livia settled comfortably in seat across.
Eyes studying with mixture familiar of interest aristocratic and desire barely disguised.
"Days three journey to Rome," she commented, accepting goblet of wine hastily provided by servant. "Time enough to prepare properly for what awaits."
"Imagine it is significantly different from province," I replied, accepting goblet myself.
"Like comparing lantern to wildfire," Livia laughed. "Rome is... overwhelming for those who have never witnessed it. Noise, smell, crowds, grandeur. Even prepared well often feel lost in days first few."
"Have you been to Rome before?" asked Septimus, commander of escort, supervising transition carriage.
Tone held hint of curiosity genuine beneath formality professional.
I considered reply carefully.
Recognizing opportunity to reinforce backstory constructed.
"Believe so, though circumstances are... hazy," I answered with smile enigmatic. "There are images, impressions that feel familiar when think of city. Perhaps as merchant, or guard caravan."
Answer vague was calculated to create sense of mystery without offering specifics that could be disproven easily.
Also suggested status previous as man free rather than slave.
Detail that might prove useful in future.
"Intriguing," Livia commented, clearly pleased with answer. "Man without past but with skills few can match. Almost like character from tragedy Greek."
"Stories Greek rarely end well for protagonists," I observed with smile faint.
"Roman ones, on other hand..." Livia leaned forward slightly, voice dropping to tone more intimate, "often feature ascents spectacular. Slaves becoming freedmen influential, foreigners rising to positions of power, outsiders transforming into figures essential."
Over days three next, carriages traveled steadily along Via Appia.
Road main connecting peninsula southern to capital imperial.
With each day passing, signs of nearness Rome became more evident.
Traffic increased.
Estates larger and more elaborate.
Milestones military better-maintained.
At night, entourage stopped at villas belonging to allies family Cassius.
Properties rural lavish where were greeted with banquets and accommodations fine.
For me, stops these offered glimpses valuable into network Cassius of influence and role of Livia within it.
Became clear that despite youth and behavior occasionally impulsive, Livia was respected and even feared by many.
Name carried weight enough to mobilize resources significant with notice minimal.
Approval was visibly coveted by hosts.
During stops these, Livia insisted that I join meals as guest, not as servant.
Distinction that clearly confused and even unsettled attendees some.
Was declaration public of status special.
Carefully calibrated to establish position unique without violating blatantly norms social core.
At night, away from eyes public, Livia visited chambers assigned discretely.
Visits nightly these brought not only satisfaction physical mutual.
But opportunities valuable for me to deepen influence over her.
"Must warn you about father," Livia said on night final before reached Rome.
Bodies still intertwined after hours of pleasure shared.
"He will see you primarily as investment, not person."
"As any senator Roman would view gladiator," I replied, fingers lazily tracing patterns across back bare.
"Yes, but with him, there is... intensity particular."
Livia propped herself on elbow one.
Eyes suddenly serious.
"Father sees everything and everyone through lens of utility and return. Including daughter own."
Was note of bitterness in voice that hinted at wounds old.
Potentially exploitable.
"How did he react to news of transfer?"
"As expected—initially with skepticism, then with analysis cold of costs and benefits."
She sighed, brushing strand of hair from face.
"Agreed mostly because saw potential for profit political and financial, not because values wishes mine."
"And what do you desire, Livia Cassia?" I asked, voice deliberately soft, almost hypnotic.
She studied for moment long before answering.
As if weighing how much to reveal.
"Control over destiny own," she said finally. "In Rome, women of station mine are coins to be exchanged in alliances political, not people with desires own. Father is already negotiating marriage to senator allied old—man three times age with wives previous four in grave."
"And you have plans other?"
Smile slow spread across lips.
"Let us say envision future different. One that potentially includes you, depending on how things develop."
On morning of day third, finally approached outskirts of Rome.
Even miles away, city announced presence.
Skyline dominated by structures monumental.
Road now congested with traffic of kinds all.
Air thick with smell unmistakable of fires thousands, people, and animals concentrated in place one.
"Prepare yourself," Livia said, face lighting with excitement genuine as pointed into distance. "About to cross Tiber. On side other lies heart of world."
When finally crossed bridge and passed through gates city, transformation was immediate and overwhelming.
Streets narrow overflowed with activity.
Vendors shouting offers.
Nobles in litters borne by slaves.
Soldiers on patrol.
Citizens common hurrying about tasks daily.
I absorbed everything with attention meticulous.
Not just grandeur architectural expected of capital world.
But details revealing of how city truly operated.
Bribes discrete passed to guards gate.
Markings territorial subtle that outlined areas controlled by factions various.
Signals unspoken exchanged between people seemingly unrelated.
Rome was far more than temples and palaces.
Was organism living.
Web complex of power, money, and influence that few understood fully.
"What do you think?" Livia asked, clearly delighted by expression focused.
"Impressive," I answered honestly. "Not just in scale, but in complexity. Every street seems to tell stories multiple at once."
She smiled, pleased with perception.
"That is why people ordinary get lost here—not just physically, but in understanding of how things actually work. Rome has layers many, and few are visible at glance first."
As progressed through districts increasingly affluent, streets widened.
Chaos gave way to order controlled.
Guards private became more frequent.
Buildings more imposing.
People more finely dressed.
Finally, entourage turned onto road broad flanked by trees plane ancient.
Revealing series of properties monumental guarded by walls high and gates elaborate.
"Welcome to Palatine," Livia announced as carriage slowed. "Home of Rome real—not one pilgrims and plebeians see, but where power true resides."
Gates ahead opened.
Revealing estate Cassius impressive.
Series of buildings elegant arranged around gardens designed meticulously.
Guards in uniforms distinctive lined respectfully as carriage main passed.
While servants ran ahead to prepare reception.
"Father will surely be waiting," Livia commented, tone casual but betrayed by tension sudden in shoulders. "Rarely misses chance to assert dominance over... arrivals new."
"Understandable," I replied calmly. "Territoriality is instinct basic, especially among those at top of hierarchy."
Livia cast glance appraising.
Clearly surprised by remark.
"Continue to surprise with insights these. Not kind of perception one expects from gladiator ordinary."
"Perhaps was once advisor royal to king distant some in life past," I offered with smile enigmatic. "Observing dynamics power can be as much talent natural as skill developed through necessity."
"Story far more interesting than amnesia convenient," she replied with smile appreciative. "Like idea—advisor foreign mysterious, lost to intrigue court, forced to fight as gladiator."
"Stories best are ones that could be true," I said, testing angle new on origins fabricated.
Carriage finally stopped before entrance main of estate.
Where servant elderly with posture impeccable awaited alongside others several.
"Remember," Livia whispered as door was opened, "father values ability and utility above all else. Show potential—not just as gladiator, but as asset strategic. And never, ever appear to challenge him directly."
With words those, she stepped gracefully from carriage.
Instantly resuming posture of aristocrat Roman disciplined.
Transformation was striking.
From lover passionate to daughter of senator powerful in seconds.
I followed.
Aware of stares evaluative from servants and guards.
To them, was anomaly fascinating.
Gladiator received at entrance front, not quarters slave.
Walking steps just behind daughter of senator as if guest of rank notable.
"Welcome back, domina," servant greeted with bow precise. "Senator Marcus Cassius requests presence—and that of gladiator—in study private as soon as are suitably refreshed."
"Of course, Titus," Livia replied formally. "Please prepare accommodations appropriate for Lucius Mordus in wing east, as discussed."
"Already arranged, domina."
Tone of Titus was perfectly neutral.
But eyes briefly evaluated me.
"Shall send messenger when bath is ready for... guest?"
"Please do." Livia turned to me, expression now carefully composed to show interest formal only. "Rest and refresh after journey. Shall meet again for audience with father in hours two."
With that, she moved into house.
Flanked by slaves two who appeared almost magically at side.
I was led through path different.
Across garden side where vegetation arranged meticulously created illusion of privacy natural.
Accommodations "wing east" turned out to be suite luxurious traditionally reserved for guests of status significant.
Diplomats foreign.
Allies political important.
Partners commercial valuable.
Message was clear.
I occupied position anomalous in hierarchy household.
Not servant common, but certainly not equal.
As servants silent prepared bath and arranged clothes new suitable for audience upcoming, I assessed situation methodically.
Estate Cassius would serve as base operational and ground testing in months coming.
Place where every interaction, every move would be watched and evaluated by observers multiple with agendas often conflicting.
Heart of empire lay before me.
Power genuine within reach.
But also danger unlike any faced before.