When finally left chambers of Livia, sun was already beginning descent toward horizon.
Hours had passed quickly.
Filled with pleasures physical and conversations that drifted between philosophy and planning practical.
Livia had promised not only materials for equipment training.
But also space private small adjacent to quarters where could implement methods without observers unwanted.
In corridor, encountered one of servants older household.
Man named Marcus who, had noted during days few in palace, seemed to enjoy position relatively privileged within hierarchy domestic.
"Dominus Lucius," man greeted respectfully, inclining head.
Title honorific did not escape notice.
Clearly, servants had been instructed to treat with deference far greater than position technical warranted.
"Marcus," I replied with nod brief but cordial. "Seem to know house this well."
"Have served family Cassius for years nearly thirty," servant confirmed with pride evident. "Since Senator was only tribune military young."
"Impressive," I remarked, recognizing source potential of information valuable. "Imagine have seen changes many over years."
"More than could count, dominus," Marcus said with smile carefully neutral that nevertheless suggested volumes of stories untold.
"Perhaps can speak more time another," I suggested. "Always have valued wisdom that comes from observation patient."
Comment clearly pleased servant.
Eyes gleamed momentarily with appreciation for recognition uncommon.
"Would be honor, dominus. If require anything, do not hesitate to ask."
"In fact," I seized opening, "would appreciate if jug of water fresh could be sent to quarters. And perhaps fruit some."
"Immediately," Marcus assured, bowing again before departing to fulfill request.
I continued toward quarters.
Mind already working through exercises would implement while awaiting equipment Livia had promised.
Limitations of environment current were significant.
But not insurmountable for one with knowledge of techniques training advanced.
Upon entering chambers, immediately began moving furniture to create space adequate in center of room.
Bed and tables side were pushed against walls.
Clearing area sufficiently large for movements complex.
First, needed to assess condition physical current.
Despite training intense in ludus provincial, there were muscles specific regimens Roman simply did not develop properly.
Particularly stabilizers of core and muscles back certain essential for movements advanced.
Began with series of drills evaluation.
Push-ups in variations progressively harder.
Work abdominal from angles different.
And finally, test true: attempt at planche full.
One of exercises most demanding even for athletes modern well-trained.
Positioning on floor, planted hands firmly.
Fingers forward.
Slowly, lifted body.
Shifting weight onto arms as tried to keep legs extended parallel to ground.
Result was immediate and informative.
Muscles trembled violently.
Managed to hold position for seconds two only before body gave way.
Was not surprising.
Planche full required balance extraordinary and strength specific in shoulders, chest, and core that training ancient simply did not provide.
"Interesting," I murmured to self, sitting back to evaluate result.
Body, though conditioned impressively by standards Roman, had deficiencies specific that would need to be addressed systematically.
Decided to try progressions more basic.
Planche tucked—knees drawn to chest—would be starting point more realistic.
Resuming position, this time with knees bent, managed to hold steady for seconds nearly twenty before muscles began to fail.
"Better," I observed, lowering self with control. "Base solid for progression."
Then moved to exercise another fundamental of discipline advanced.
Handstand.
Using wall for support initial, kicked legs up into position inverted.
Arms locked out.
Position felt far more natural.
Likely due to training gladiator, which, though not involving inversions, still developed strength significant shoulder and arm.
Gradually moving away from wall, tested balance free in stance inverted.
After attempts few and falls controlled, managed to hold position for seconds almost thirty.
Surprisingly good for try serious first.
"Progressions handstand push-up will come faster," I concluded, lowering self. "Planche will require work foundational more."
Knock discreet interrupted analysis.
Marcus had returned with jug large of water fresh and tray of fruit, as requested.
"Gratitude, Marcus," I said, accepting items. "Question, if may—how does system water work in house this?"
Inquiry seemingly innocent was calculated to start conversation about infrastructure.
Information potentially useful for plans future.
"Is one of most sophisticated in Rome, dominus," servant replied with pride evident. "Family Cassius has connection direct to aqueduct Aqua Claudia, with reservoir own at level upper of property. Water flows by gravity through pipes lead to fountains various and baths in house."
"Impressive," I said sincerely. "And for water hot?"
"Furnaces dedicated heat tanks specific for baths main," Marcus explained. "System hypocaust beneath floors keeps rooms warm in winter. Senator Cassius always has valued advancements finest in comfort domestic."
Information was valuable.
Confirmed that residence already had infrastructure hydraulic relatively advanced for era.
Which would make adaptations potential easier.
"Fascinating," I replied. "Always have been interested in systems practical that improve life daily."
Marcus seemed genuinely surprised at interest.
"Curiosity uncommon for gladiator, if may observe, dominus."
"Come from... origins diverse," I said with smile enigmatic.
When servant finally departed, turned attention to water.
Drinking directly from jug, reflected on limitations of systems hydraulic Roman.
Impressive for time their.
With aqueducts, baths public, and systems sewer unmatched for years thousand over after fall of empire.
But still primitive by standards modern.
Lack of pumping efficient meant reliance near-total on gravity for movement water.
Without taps valve proper, control flow was rudimentary.
And use of piping lead, though ingenious, introduced problems health Romans barely understood.
"Possibilities interesting," I murmured, considering adaptations potential.
System pumping manual simple could be built with technology available.
Perhaps using principles piston and valves one-way.
Controls flow more efficient could be designed in wood treated or ceramic glazed.
Removing need for metals advanced.
Challenge real would be justifying innovations such without raising questions too many about origin of knowledge.
Would need to present them as adaptations of technologies existing from lands distant.
Not as concepts fundamentally new.
Setting jug aside, returned to exercises.
With baseline now assessed, began to develop routine full that could be implemented even without equipment specialized:
Progressions planche beginning with planche tucked.
Handstands and progressions toward push-ups handstand.
Variations push-up advanced for isolation muscular targeted.
Work L-sit for development core.
Routines isometric for groups muscular neglected.
Over hours next, worked methodically through exercises these.
Adjusting intensity and volume according to responses of body.
Onset gradual of soreness muscular was welcome.
Sign of tears micro that, with recovery proper, would translate into growth significant.
Between sets, drank water and ate fruit.
Providing hydration and carbohydrates simple essential for recovery efficient.
Supplement medicinal provided by Servius would be applied later.
After session main.
When night finally fell over Rome, ended with series of stretches.
Aspect another often neglected by regimens training ancient.
Flexibility proper not only prevented injuries but also expanded range of motion.
Crucial for techniques combat advanced.
While holding stretch final, mind was already mapping adaptations potential for system water personal in quarters.
With access to reservoir main of house, could potentially create setup small but efficient offering convenience far greater than arrangement current of jugs and basins.
Servant different—man young did not recognize—appeared at door with expression hesitant.
"Dominus, Doctore Tacitus sends word that training initial tomorrow will begin before dawn. Requests presence in courtyard main at sign first of daylight."
"Message received," I replied, noting surprise slight in eyes of youth as took in exercises unusual. "Inform him will be there promptly."
When servant left, finished session.
Applying amount small of supplement medicinal to areas most intensely worked.
Liquid had scent distinct of herbs concentrated.
Absorbing quickly into skin and producing warmth almost immediate localized.
As prepared for rest, mind organized observations of day.
Ludus was environment hostile but not insurmountable.
Livia provided resources valuable and influence potentially critical.
And program training personalized, once implemented fully, would give edge physical significant that few would understand fully.
Tomorrow would bring test first true in ludus.
Evaluation formal of abilities under eye watchful of Tacitus and that of Primi.
Would need to calibrate performance carefully.
Showing skill enough to establish credibility baseline while keeping capabilities more advanced in reserve for moment strategically chosen.
As finally lay down to rest, thought last before sleep was curiously not about strategies or manipulations.
But about dreams vivid from night previous.
Memories intertwined of lives two separated by time countless were gradually converging into perspective unified.
Soldier modern and gladiator Roman merging into identity single with purpose crystal-clear.
Whatever circumstances extraordinary had created situation impossible, now embraced challenge fully.