When returned to house main, found Livia waiting by entrance to quarters.
Wore tunic light-blue made of fabric so fine appeared almost translucent under light midday streaming through windows tall of corridor.
Hair, usually styled in arrangements elaborate public, now fell loosely over shoulders in waves dark.
"Ah, returned earlier than expected," she said with smile that could not quite conceal anxiety. "How was encounter first with Tacitus and men?"
I studied for moment.
Noting tension subtle in shoulders.
How fingers toyed nervously with bracelet gold on wrist.
Was genuinely concerned about reception at ludus.
"Exactly as expected," I replied, keeping tone neutral. "Hostility, distrust, resentment over privileges perceived."
"That brute Tacitus," Livia muttered, frowning. "Should be honored to receive gladiator of caliber yours."
"In eyes his, am merely toy new of daughter Senator," I said with shrug slight. "Perception will have to change through action, not words."
Livia seemed momentarily unsettled by frankness.
But quickly regained composure aristocratic.
"Have had meal private prepared," she said, changing subject. "Thought might want to discuss impressions first of ludus... among matters other."
Gleam in eyes made clear those "matters other" likely involved repeat of pleasures previous night.
I recognized opportunity perfect to introduce request while most receptive.
"Would be pleasure," I answered with smile slight.
Quarters private of Livia looked even more luxurious in daylight.
Servants had set table low in atrium.
Covered with array impressive of delicacies.
Oysters fresh.
Fish seasoned delicately.
Fruits exotic.
Wine rare that, as Livia explained proudly, came from vineyards owned exclusively by family Cassius.
Once servants withdrew, leaving alone, Livia reclined comfortably among cushions.
Watching with mixture familiar of desire and curiosity.
"So, tell more about ludus," she insisted, pouring wine into goblets crystal fine. "Want to know everything."
I accepted glass.
Taking sip small before replying.
"Impressive, must admit. Superior significantly to establishment provincial in way every—equipment, facilities, quality of gladiators."
"Were Primi there?" she asked, leaning forward slightly. "Legendary are they, even among aristocracy."
"They were," I confirmed. "Briseus, Varius, Cato, Mors, Alexios, and Priscus. Skills truly extraordinary."
"Mors is favorite to watch," Livia said, eyes lighting with excitement. "No one knows name real or where came from. Some say was assassin elite before being captured and forced into arena. Others believe is prince foreign in disguise."
She paused, smiling.
"Of course, those are rumors extravagant just—but add to mystique."
"Mystery often matters more than truth when comes to reputation," I observed.
Livia studied moment.
Head slightly tilted.
"Speak like philosopher sometimes, not gladiator. Is... intriguing."
I recognized cue perfect.
"Observation and analysis are as vital to survival as strength physical. Speaking of which..."
I paused deliberately.
Setting glass wine down.
"Noticed certain... deficiencies in regimen training of ludus."
"Deficiencies?" Livia frowned, clearly surprised by criticism of what was considered facility best in Rome.
"Methods are efficient to point," I explained, maintaining tone carefully respectful. "But will never reach effectiveness maximum because do not isolate groups muscular specific properly."
"Understanding is not held."
"Body human consists of muscles distinct with functions specific," I explained, sliding closer.
"Traditional training develops some adequately, but neglects others that are just as vital for performance combat peak."
To demonstrate, lightly touched arm.
Tracing line from bicep to shoulder.
"Muscle this, for example, is crucial for pulling body or object. But training sword traditional develops mostly side opposite, creating imbalance that eventually results in injuries or weaknesses exploitable."
Livia shivered slightly at touch.
Clearly more captivated by contact physical than lesson anatomy.
But I continued methodically.
"With equipment specialized, could create regimen training that addresses weaknesses these, building physique more balanced and resilient."
"What kind of equipment?" she asked, interest finally captured.
"Bars raised for exercises pulling, platforms adjustable for lifting weights at angles specific, structures for work balance and coordination," I explained.
"Nothing too complex to construct. Could build self—if given access to tools basic and materials."
Livia smiled.
Clearly delighted at opportunity to provide something desired.
"Tools and materials are arranged easily. Will have delivered tomorrow. But..." smile turned more playful, "seems willing to share knowledge rather uncommon today."
"Knowledge is power," I replied simply. "And much is there could show you that will not find in texts Roman traditional."
To emphasize point, moved to sit behind.
Hands resting gently on shoulders.
"For example, have heard of points pressure in body human?"
"Points pressure?" she repeated, instinctively leaning back into touch.
"Spots specific where nerves and vessels blood converge," I explained, fingers pressing delicately at spot precise at base of neck.
"When stimulated correctly, can produce... effects intense."
Livia gasped softly as pressure sent wave of sensation down spine.
"How... how know this?"
"Knowledge Eastern," I murmured into ear, fingers moving to spot another between neck and shoulder. "Rarely studied by medici Roman, who are bound to theory Galen of humors four—blood, phlegm, bile yellow, and bile black."
Hands moved forward.
Finding points precise near collarbones.
"That is how made you wet so quickly night last," I said softly, smiling as shuddered in response. "By pressing points right, at time right."
"That is... extraordinary," she whispered, eyes half-closed as gave in to sensations.
"Body human is far more complex than medicine Roman understands," I continued, hands moving to points along back.
"Medicine Eastern recognizes pathways energy connecting organs and systems West believes to be separate."
Was deliberately blending concepts of pressure, medicine traditional, and understanding modern.
Mix that would sound like mastery refined to someone of era Roman this.
"Speak as if studied with physicians greatest," Livia remarked, turning to face with fascination renewed.
"Perhaps have," I replied with smile enigmatic. "Or perhaps learned from sources even more unusual."
Leaning closer, decided to take risk greater.
"Know, Livia, there is knowledge much that has been suppressed or ignored simply because does not fit narratives convenient."
"What kind of knowledge?" she asked, clearly intrigued.
"Consider how understand world," I began, choosing words carefully. "Gods controlling nature, intervention divine in affairs human, sacrifices and rituals to earn favor celestial."
Livia looked alarmed mildly now.
Eyes instinctively glancing at statue of Venus in niche nearby.
"Should be cautious when speaking of things such," she warned in voice low. "Questioning gods is considered heresy."
"Questioning is essence of knowledge true," I replied calmly. "Have ever considered gods might simply be concepts created to indoctrinate and control masses? Inventions human to explain what do not yet understand—and to maintain order social?"
Livia swallowed hard.
Clearly uncomfortable but equally fascinated by boldness of words.
"That is... dangerous to suggest."
"Dangerous because threatens power established," I agreed. "But let ask: why have never questioned beliefs these? Why is considered affront to seek truth about existence our?"
I paused.
Carefully watching reaction before continuing.
"If gods yours are so benevolent, why is there hunger so much, misery, and suffering? Why is Rome—who claims favor divine—driven by greed, power, and domination?"
"Speak as though know truths no one else possesses," Livia whispered.
"Do not claim to hold truths ultimate," I said, leaning back slightly to give space. "Merely suggest that humans are driven by forces fundamental that transcend cultures and eras."
I stood and walked to window overlooking city.
"Have observed that people, regardless of origin or status, are guided by impulses core seven—greed, gluttony, envy, wrath, pride, lust, and sloth."
Turned to face.
Noting how eyes followed with intensity almost hypnotic.
"These are balanced by virtues seven corresponding, but scale rarely remains in balance perfect. Is nature human, not will divine, that shapes actions our."
"Must think me fool for believing in gods," Livia murmured, surprising with vulnerability sudden.
"Not at all," I replied, returning to sit beside. "Beliefs provide structure and meaning. Question is not whether believe—but whether allow beliefs those to limit understanding of what is possible."
I took hands in mine.
Noticing how appeared both unsettled and captivated by conversation.
"Knowledge share with you—whether about points pressure or questions philosophical—represents fragments of possibilities larger. Mind truly free explores paths all, not only those sanctioned by tradition."
Livia studied for moment long before finally smiling.
"Are man most extraordinary have ever met," she declared, leaning to kiss. "Gladiator who speaks like philosopher, fights like warrior elite, and knows secrets bodily medici best could not dream of."
"So," she continued as parted, "these tools training specialized—would truly make difference significant?"
"Transformational," I assured, recognizing had just secured exactly what wanted. "With regimen structured properly, could develop capabilities physical that would seem nearly supernatural to observers common."
"Consider done," Livia declared with enthusiasm renewed. "Will have everything delivered tomorrow, along with space private for use."
"Generosity is appreciated," I replied with smile calculated. "And perhaps, in return, can show few more... points pressure have discovered to be particularly effective."
Eyes of Livia darkened with desire rekindled.
"Believe we have hours few before expected back at ludus for observation," she murmured, hands already working at folds of tunic.
As pulled closer, allowed self moment of satisfaction quiet.
Seed of doubt had been planted.
Not only about religion but about structure entire of knowledge Livia had accepted all life.
And through doubt that, influence over her would only grow.
Knowledge was power, indeed.
Especially when shared with precision to create dependency intellectual and emotional.
As hands found points pressure that would quickly bring to ecstasy once more, I reflected on how easily people—even aristocrats educated like Livia—could be manipulated through combination right of pleasure physical and stimulation intellectual.
Lesson that would serve well both in palace.
And in ludus hostile would return to tomorrow.