Helia smiled sweetly at Owen's description of Roman Gladiator's, happy to see that her information was indeed correct.  Rome had always held some interest for her. As the Empire's rival nation she knew there was a very good chance she could one day be sent there on assignment.  As such, she had done some basic research into the culture, more so of the common people as they held a great interest for her personally. The Gladiator's she had begun to learn about just for this visit, as Intel had suggested a few might be in the party.<br/><br/>Helia waited until everyone had boarded their carriages and simply raised her hand, at this motion, the Raven guard closed ranks and lined up to either side of the row. They would keep the crowds at a respectful distance to prevent incident or injury. The children sometimes got rather excited and could easily tumble beneath the wheels and be crushed. This had happened but a few years ago. Helia had the guard disciplined strongly for the death of the child, though she herself had received her own punishment for acting above her place.<br/><br/>"There will be a show? How delightful!" she chirped honestly, Helia did truly enjoy many forms of art so this would indeed be a treat. "Ah, how kind of you to offer your companion to ease an elder's troubled soul. Alas, it is not my permission that would need seeking. Raul answers to the Emperor. I can tell you the only protocol I think might prohibit it is if the Emporer took a fancy to her. But that is for the two of you to discuss."<br/><br/>The litter was lifted smoothly as the parade began their journey to the Palace. At Owen's mention of her Mark, a slender hand came up to rest on her shoulder. "This? It is a Mark. Here we have a place we call the Night Court. Some might call this nothing more than a pleasure district. And it is, but it is much, much more.  All are welcome to the Houses there, those born high and low. We seek the gods grace and blessings there.  A fully filled out Mark represents that the adept has reached Mastery, it also means they have paid off their purchase price and are free people.  I hailed from the 13th house of Kailu,  it is the only house not freely available to the public and is where our Blessed Ruler picks the bulk of his Harem from. My Mark is a map of my progress and is my pride, there is no other Mark like it in these lands."<br/><br/>As she spoke she took care not to let slip that unlike other houses, the 13th never were granted freedom.<i> We are granted titles, lands, the illusion of freedom. But we are never captain's of our fates.</i>