<strong>~ Liliana unexpectedly taking her leave from the courtyard of the Ludus Leonis Scopulus Tarraconensis ~</strong><br/><br/>Suddenly a muffled commotion was heard outside the ludus, the sounds of gruff rebuke countered by urgent demands as Liliana’s carriage driver burst through the outside entry doors.<br/><br/>“Rufius! Whatever possesses you?” Liliana’s concerned reprimand greeted her driver as he hurried up to her, panting with his efforts.<br/><br/>“Apologies, Mistress Liliana! But I have just been informed of dire news. Your husband’s ship has returned to port unexpectedly; Master Nerva has been gravely injured and is being returned to you seeking your care.”<br/><br/>The color immediately drained from Liliana’s face as grim concern took hold, her fingers grasping tightly to Aulus’ arm as she steadied herself.  “Apologies, my dear Aulus,” her worried violet eyes were wide and pleading as she looked earnestly into Aulus’ blue gaze. Nodding her distracted goodbye to Antonius as well, and glancing briefly to the other party as they were being escorted within the interior of the ludus, Liliana gathered up handfuls of her light green silks to lift the hem of her gown as her running sandaled feet swiftly carried her outside the ludus to her waiting carriage.<br/><br/>Climbing quickly into her carriage, Liliana’s thoughts were swirling with concern for her husband; his plight must be dire indeed for him to have turned his ship around. He was of very hardy stock and had suffered easily through many a hardship before; but now...‘twas true the man was approaching the age where health maladies took a heavier toll then they did in his younger days. Her worried thoughts fully on Gnaeus, Liliana’s ambitions for sponsoring a gladiator and her desire to assist Aulus would have to wait for another day.<br/><br/>The carriage jerked away from the ludus with a creaking of wood while plumes of dust spurted from beneath the wheels as the driver flicked the reins sharply, urging the horse to as fast a pace as was prudent. Unbeknownst to Liliana, Rufius, or any within the ludus, Liliana was departing with more than she had arrived with, notwithstanding the gift of wine she had left behind.  For in fact right below Liliana’s delicate feet, hidden between the wooden support slats underneath the carriage, a small form curled up and held on tightly as the rough ride jostled her tender body. The young girl would be dirty and bruised by the time the carriage unknowingly brought her to Liliana’s villa; however, the girl was more than grateful for the painful transport.<br/><br/>Having accidentally come across the gruesome discovery of the bodies of two beautiful and gentle slaves - murdered at this very ludus! - on the heels of watching in horrified disbelief as the Dominus had flung a slave over the cliff to his death for merely a small infraction, the terrified girl had made a desperate decision. Fearing for her very life should she remain within this ludus, the young slave had chosen to hope for her life to be safer in the hands of the gentle-looking lady she had seen lingering in an extended visit in the courtyards. And, mustering up all her courage - and significant skills at slipping by unnoticed - she had escaped from the ludus and hidden beneath the lady’s carriage. Her petite body was wedged into an opportune but tiny space beneath the carriage, hidden well from any who might glance in the carriage’s direction.  Her small hands clenching tightly to the rough wood, with splinters beginning to dig into her soft skin, Aishwa tearfully prayed that the beautiful lady was as kind as she appeared and that she would accept her for her own.<br/>