<strong>~Porcius, outer courtyard, fetching Marcus~</strong><div class="floatright">(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f162/shadowjewel/Character%20pics/Porcius-1.jpg)</div><br/><br/>As the wagon carrying the new Gladiator rolled up to the otter courtyard, Porcius was swapping news with one of the other Guards on Duty. Turns out he hadn’t been afforded the rest of the day off as he would have liked after the long days trailing after Galo; an incident with one of the new slaves had left a guard without an ear, sending him off duty for a time. The remaining Guard had been reshuffled accordingly and Porcious had wound up without his evening off, stood outside the main gates with only a cup of weak wine, a stool to perch on and the friendly convocation of his fellows for comfort.<br/><br/>It was a poor trade.<br/><br/>Nudging the man next to him with he elbow, he enquired “What's this then? More new blood? Wasn’t the lot from this morning enough?”<br/><br/>The guard next to him, a tall but portly man of deceptive strength and speed, peered at the wagon and it’s cargo as it approached, then his eyes widened and he laughed. “Ha! It’s him! It’s Murellios’ dog, Marcus.”<br/><br/>A slow grin spreading across his face in recognition, Porcius drawled, “Really? Manius has brought Murellios’ champion fighter? Ha! I wonder how he pulled that off...”<br/><br/>“Probably the usual cock sucking and bribery.” murmured the other Guard, amused.<br/><br/>Porcius chuckled under his breath as he strode towards the cart. Behind him a couple of guards drew heavy batons in case this one decided to rebel. Intercepting the driver, he asked, bluntly, as he inspected the slave, “This Marcus?” The driver nodded and Porcius clapped his hand on the smaller man’s shoulder, who to his credit did not stumble. Leaving the man to report his arrival, Porcious stepped closer to the cage, looking the Gladiator up and down.<br/><br/>The gladiator was a brute; small eyes, scars and impressive muscle. Porcius was faintly impressed he still had both ears. He smirked, “Well, another rooster for the ring, eh? Rioghan is going love you, handsome.”<br/><br/>Stepping back he gestured for the other guards to fix the man’s bindings, open the cage and bring him into the Ludus. Pausing to make sure things were done and the man didn’t struggle, he strode off towards the main gates, which were opened as he reached them.<br/><br/>Glancing back at the gladiator as he reached the Doctore’s cell, Porcius couldn’t help but be amused. Flanked by two guards and followed by two more, his hands bound, the gladiator was still somewhat imposing - but more then that, he was experienced. He would give the new blood from earlier in the day something to be worried about...<br/><br/>He knocked harshly on the door, calling through the wood, “Doctore, we have ourselves a new Gladiator, sent from our good friend Murellios himself...”<br/><br/>Distantly the yells and clatter of a brawl reached his ears... Porcius smiled.