Half focused on surroundings.
Half on men observing from balcony.
Rule first of territory hostile any: identify hierarchy power immediately.
Ludus was impressive, had to admit.
Much larger than establishment provincial where had initially trained.
With equipment quality superior and facilities clearly designed to train gladiators dozens simultaneously.
In center of courtyard main, men several were already training.
Some in combat simulated.
Others in exercises strength and agility.
All paused momentarily to observe arrival.
Silence sudden more intimidating than insult verbal any could be.
"Lanista Tacitus awaits in office main," informed guard escorting, indicating building on side opposite of courtyard.
I crossed space open.
Conscious of gazes hostile that followed.
Was not difficult to understand resentment.
Arrival with escort from house main.
Clothes quality superior.
Rumors that certainly already circulated about relationship with Livia.
In eyes of men these, was intruder privileged.
Not gladiator who had earned place.
Dynamic familiar in hierarchy masculine any.
Whether modern or ancient.
Newcomer was always tested.
Especially if perceived as receiving treatment special.
On way to office, passed group of gladiators particularly impressive training in area separate.
Unlike others who used equipment training standardized, these used weapons and armor almost equivalent to those of combat real.
One of them—man of proportions monumental with arms tattooed in patterns tribal elaborate—interrupted exercise to deliberately block path.
Was significantly taller and heavier.
Mountain of muscles cultivated by years of training brutal.
"So you are toy new of princess little," he said in voice deep, eyes running over with disdain evident. "Looks like lowering standards she is."
Gladiators other around laughed.
Creating circle informal that effectively blocked route escape any.
Guard escorting had conveniently disappeared.
Indication first clear that "encounter" this might be something planned.
I maintained expression neutral.
Quickly assessing situation.
Confrontation physical at moment this would be error strategic.
Outnumbered.
In territory unknown.
Against opponents of skill still undetermined.
"Prefer to present self adequately to lanista before meeting brothers gladiator new," I replied calmly, using term "brothers" deliberately. "As tradition demands."
Giant seemed momentarily surprised by response controlled.
Clearly expected fear or arrogance.
Not composure.
"Tradition?" he repeated with laugh harsh. "Speak of tradition while sleeping in palace and fucking domina? While wearing clothes fine and being brought in carriage like aristocrat?"
I perceived movement peripheral.
Tacitus and men other two had left balcony.
Now observed scene closely.
With indication no they would intervene.
Test, then.
Not just physical, but of temperament.
"Did not choose arrangements these," I replied, keeping voice uniform. "Just as did not choose to come to ludus this. Follow orders, like gladiator any."
"Orders?" Giant advanced step one, deliberately invading space personal. "We follow orders from Tacitus and doctores. You follow orders from cunt you are eating."
Provocation crude was calculated to incite reaction emotional.
I recognized tactic easily.
Had seen variations in environment masculine predominantly every.
From armies northern to prisons modern.
Force newcomer to react impulsively.
Thus establishing dominance through response emotional.
Instead of retreating or attacking, I simply maintained position.
Eyes fixed on those of provocateur without showing reaction any to vulgarity.
"If lanista orders me to train with you, will train with you," I said calmly. "If orders to fight against you, will fight. Until then, prefer to reserve energy for training formal."
For moment tense, giant seemed to consider attack physical direct.
Muscles tensed visibly.
Jaw clenched in frustration at lack of reaction satisfactory.
"Briseus." Voice of Tacitus cut through silence. "Have finished circuit training I assigned?"
Giant—Briseus, apparently—retreated reluctantly.
"No, Doctore."
"Then suggest you resume, unless prefer to spend afternoon carrying bags sand like novices."
Briseus cast look final of contempt before returning to exercises.
Gladiators other dispersing equally after moments some of hesitation.
Tacitus approached.
Studying with expression illegible.
At side, men two from balcony maintained distance respectful.
"Controlled," commented lanista finally. "Interesting. Most react with fear or aggression when Briseus confronts them."
"Reactions emotional rarely benefit in situations of disadvantage numerical," I replied simply.
Flash of surprise crossed face of Tacitus.
"Observation unusually pragmatic for gladiator common."
He gestured indicating building nearby.
"Come. Matters we have to discuss before training formal begins."
As headed toward office, felt gazes of gladiators drilling into back.
Contact first established.
Impression first formed.
Had not been warm.
But also had not been disastrous.
Environment hostile was exactly what expected.
Now needed to navigate carefully between demonstrating skill sufficient to gain respect basic.
Without fully revealing capabilities until moment appropriate.
Challenge real was just beginning.
In office austere of lanista, Tacitus sat behind table simple but constructed well.
Men other two positioned strategically.
Younger one near set of scrolls organized meticulously.
Giant dark-skinned simply crossing arms by door.
Effectively blocking exit.
"Am Tacitus, lanista of Ludus Cassius for years fifteen," he began without preamble. "This is Cassius, medicus our and strategist. And Numidius, second in command and trainer principal."
I inclined head slightly in acknowledgment.
"Senator informed about... arrangements special," continued Tacitus, disgust evident in voice. "Will sleep in house main and have certain... obligations beyond training gladiator. Not how prefer to conduct ludus, but wishes of family Cassius are orders."
He paused.
Studying with intensity critical.
"However, while in courtyard this, under supervision, will be treated like gladiator any. Will be no privileges special during training. No exceptions to rules ludus. Understood?"
"Perfectly," I replied. "Expect not treatment different."
"Good. Because will not receive it."
Tacitus leaned slightly forward.
"Men I train are best in Rome. Many have fought for decades. Several are champions established, with victories dozens against opponents elite. Triumph provincial little means less than nothing here."
"Understanding is held of difference in caliber," I assured.
Young Cassius stepped forward.
Unrolling scroll.
"Received reports about training previous. Style murmillo, mainly, with experience some in techniques hoplomachus."
Voice was surprisingly melodious for someone of appearance such austere.
"Combination interesting. Unconventional."
"Adaptability is valuable in arena," I commented.
"Theory versus practice," intervened Numidius, speaking for time first.
Voice was deep as thunder distant.
"Many speak of adaptability. Few survive long enough to demonstrate it."
Tacitus nodded in agreement.
"Today will only observe. Tomorrow will begin training basic so can assess capabilities real, not reports exaggerated from ludus provincial."
Devaluation deliberate of abilities previous was tactic obvious.
Diminish expectations.
Establish dominance hierarchical.
Test reaction to criticism unfair.
I simply nodded.
Showing offense no.
"As Senator may have mentioned," continued Tacitus, "debut will be at games Jupiter, in weeks six. Time minimum for preparation adequate, but considering... status special, insisted on presentation accelerated."
"Weeks six is time sufficient," I replied with confidence controlled.
Smile cold appeared on face of Tacitus.
"Will see. Games Jupiter are not exhibition trivial to entertain plebeians drunk. Attracts elite of Rome, including Emperor himself occasionally. Incompetence is not tolerated."
"Who would be opponent?" I asked, maintaining tone practical.
Men three exchanged glances quick.
Communication silent some occurring.
"Not yet determined," replied Cassius finally. "Will depend on performance during training. Tacitus would not risk reputation of ludus by putting against opponent inadequate—either superior too or inferior."
Answer evasive was revealing.
Either had not decided.
Or preferred to keep in darkness for reasons strategic.
"Meanwhile," continued Tacitus, rising to indicate meeting formal was ending, "suggest observe training today carefully. Will learn more about environment new by observing than explanation any could provide."
When left office, courtyard training was now active completely.
Gladiators dozens involved in exercises various under supervision of trainers assistant.
Tacitus led through groups.
Occasionally explaining structures training specific.
But mainly letting absorb environment on own.
Difference quality compared to ludus provincial was impressive.
Here, even gladiators newest demonstrated technique refined and conditioning physical exceptional.
Veterans, then, operated on level completely different.
Speed, precision, and strength combined in displays of skill martial that few in world modern could equal.
Particularly notable was group select training in area elevated at end far of courtyard.
Only men six.
Each clearly specialized in style combat specific.
Demonstrating techniques so advanced attracted glances admiring even from gladiators other.
Tacitus noticed interest.
"Primi," he explained with pride evident. "Elite of ludus. Each champion established in style."
I observed men six with attention redoubled.
Mentally cataloging characteristics.
Besides Briseus, giant tattooed who had confronted, there were:
Man thin but defined, using swords short two with speed impressive—style dimachaerus, rarely seen even in Rome.
Gladiator middle-aged with face marked by scars, manipulating spear and net with precision almost supernatural.
Fighter masked, covered completely except for eyes, using techniques did not recognize from school gladiatorial conventional any.
Man young of appearance aristocratic, clearly Greek by structure facial, wielding sword and shield with elegance studied.
And finally, observing more than participating, man older whose body, though still impressive, showed signs of years of combat.
More mentor than competitor active.
"Varius, Cato, Mors, Alexios, and Priscus," identified Tacitus, following gaze. "Along with Briseus, represent pinnacle of what ludus produces. Men who do not just survive in arena, but conquer admiration even of senators most demanding."
"Impressive," I commented sincerely.
"More than impressive," corrected Tacitus. "Legendary. Each worth more than gladiators common ten. Senator Cassius built reputation political of family on victories of men these."
Detail revealing.
Ludus as tool political, not just entertainment.
Information potentially useful for understanding dynamic broader between Senator, establishment, and gladiators elite.
"And what about me?" I asked directly. "Where fit in structure this?"
Tacitus turned to face.
Expression hardening again.
"You? At moment, fit nowhere. Are anomaly. Whim of daughter of Senator, not gladiator true of Ludus Cassius."
Frankness of statement was almost refreshing after layers of manipulation political in house main.
Here, at least, lines were demarcated clearly.
I was intruder.
Would need to prove worth through blood and effort.
Not through favoritism.
"And what need to do to change perception that?" I asked, maintaining tone respectful but direct.
Something resembling approval reluctant passed over face of lanista.
"Demonstrate that are more than body pretty to warm bed of domina. Prove that belong in arena, not just in chambers private."
Was test and challenge simultaneously.
Door narrow to acceptance potential, if could navigate complexities of environment hostile.
"Will begin tomorrow," I replied simply.
Tacitus nodded briefly.
"Training starts before dawn. Arriving late will result in punishment, regardless of who warming bed at night."
With that, lanista moved away to supervise aspects other of training.
Leaving me alone to observe and absorb environment.
As day progressed, remained consciously peripheral.
Observing more than interacting.
Mapping dynamics social.
Identifying alliances and rivalries among groups various gladiator.
Behavior had learned both in training military modern and through instinct survival in environments hostile.
First understand terrain completely before committing to course action any.
Eyes kept returning to group elite.
Primi, as Tacitus called them.
Not just for demonstration skill impressive.
But for dynamic internal they displayed.
Was hierarchy clear even among them.
With oldest—Priscus—apparently serving as leader unofficial.
And masked one—Mors—maintaining distance calculated even from companions elite.
Interesting.
Complexity additional beyond division obvious between elite and gladiators common.
At midday, when gladiators most headed for meal communal, was approached by servant young who informed should return to house main for "duties additional."
Announcement, made loud enough to be heard by gladiators several nearby, provoked looks disdainful and comments derogatory barely disguised.
Message was clear.
While they trained and suffered, I enjoyed privileges special.
Distance social had been widened deliberately.
Making integration potential any even more difficult.
As followed servant from ludus, felt gazes heavy following step every.
Day first had established tone.
Would not be welcome here.
Respect any would have to be earned through demonstration unequivocal of value.
Probably through pain and blood.
Nothing did not expect.
Nothing could not endure.
Rome was not conquered in day.
Neither would Ludus Cassius be.
But conquered it would be.
One drop of blood at time.
One victory at time.
Until all acknowledged what already knew.
That gladiator true stood among them.
And freedom awaited those with will to seize it.
Game continued.
Stakes higher than ever.
But resolve burned bright as flame unquenchable.
Path to liberty stretched ahead.
Paved with steel and determination.
And blood of those who would stand in way.