<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/3/36/Livia.jpg)</div>Livia moved slowly with a regale gait down the length of the balcony to the stairs that led to the sands. Caris bit her lip, her eyes widening considerably. The Domina had only ever gone to the sands when Patrocles or the Doctore was on hand, anything was capable of happening. In her opinion those who had been fighting were nothing short of barbarians, happy to slice open her throat in the blink of an eye. As she kept her distance behind Livia, she wished her Domina would at least order her to get Patrocles, as inept as he could be at least he kept Livia safe. She glanced over her shoulder wondering what part of the house the two were in now and fumed inwardly wondering if his penchant for pretty young things had extended to the other servant girl.<br/><br/>At the top of the stairs, Livia looked down on to the sands to note that indeed all weapons were cast down. The legionnaire had been the last and had done so with much hesitation but she had expected as much. With a more relaxed air though she was very much alert, she walked down the steps and out into the blazing sun again. Caris moved rapidly behind her with lifting up a parasol to shade her. The dark eyes scrutinised them both as she beckoned to a young man to gather the weapons. At least not all of the staff had fled it seemed, some had stayed on with the Ludus because some had family close by.<br/><br/><strong>"Return his weapon to him" </strong>she ordered, indicating the soldier and instantly the youth ran forward picked up the swords and whip with speed and caution, afraid to get too close in case either turned on him. He wasn't sure what weapons belonged to the soldier so stood with his arms  held up for him to take his pick.<br/><br/><strong>"You both fought well though it was not a sanctioned fight. By rights I should have you punished"</strong>she looked to the strange awe inspiring woman before looking to the soldier,<strong>"And you ..."</strong>she wasn't sure just what she was to do with him or why he was even here at the Ludus.<br/><strong>"Much has happened, Manius has fled. Taking what servants and gladiators as were loyal to him. His wife ... dead. His guest ... dead. I would see no other deaths in this house, this day. The gladiators remaining are mine now and will be cared for my way and not as you have been until now."</strong><br/><br/>Slowly she paced regarding those on the sands and noting a few others moved from the gladiators quarters to hear her.<br/><strong>"I have a champion but I see so much potential here for more than simply one. Feast and ... fuck well this night for tomorrow your training at the hands of Ludus Metalla begins."</strong>She turned to the centurion.<br/><br/><strong>"You were a guest, come with me. I would hear what dealings you had with Manius before you leave" </strong>with a wave of her hand she bid him to walk with her. Her gaze fell once more to the strange woman and she smiled at her. Livia had never been in the possession of a female gladiator before and found herself warming to the prospect mightily.<br/><strong>"Go wash, there will be no chains this night. No separation of gladiators and prospects. This is a new beginning. Tomorrow you will all train for your right to belong."</strong><br/><br/>Gathering her toga so it would trail overly much on the dirty bloodied sands she ascended the stairs, Caris lowering the umbrella and stepping to the side to allow the soldier to follow Livia as she had asked of him. The only room that Livia knew was fine to speak in was the study from earlier and it was to that room that she entered, motioning to Caris to fetch them something to drink.