<strong>Manius and Livia move to the sands while all in the study go to the balcony</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd468/sybakrys/Amplus/article-1057070-050F37D70000044D-98_468x465.jpg)</div>It warmed his heart to know that he had not offended her and he was sure that his fondness for her increased as she promised to stay as long as he needed her here. He already felt an emptiness in his heart as if something terrible had happened to Valeria until finally he dismissed this as futile as he was sure that she was fine and had retired to their chambers. In the meantime someone who did have time for him was standing hand in hand in the hallway and she was called Livia. She was a worthy substitute for his wife. In fact substitute did not do her credit as it suggested that she was somehow inferior to the original and she was far from inferior. She was majestic in the way she presented herself and her confidence and beauty were second to none. So in short he was more than glad that Livia has accepted his proposal to stand with him and the longer she did this the more he forgot about his wife. In time this would most likely drive him mad knowing that if he were to try anything whilst he was married it would spell certain doom for his reputation. A reputation that was already in the hands of the large but powerful Matriana.<br/><br/>When he spoke to her next regarding showing her around the ludus, he observed a light gasp escape her welcoming lips. He had been forward yes and for a reason he was yet to fathom. If he was to pursue her in the way he was clearly displaying, he would have to dispose of an obstacle. His current wife Valeria. Little did he know that the fates had already put that plan into action.  In the meantime, he watched Livia as she considered his proposal. He hoped that she wanted him too and for a time he sensed she did and when she touched his heart his was convinced. There was hope in his heart once again and when she looked to him she had to feel his heart skipping.<br/><br/>Then she spoke and his dream faded as he was brought back into reality. She was right once again. Gossip would damn his dreams for now as she spoke of the servants and their tongues. At least she would join him on the sands as he had plans to show her that he still had what it takes to be Dominus in this or any house. Whilst she spoke she touched his face and as she did he moved pushed lightly against that so the touch became a subtle stroke. I light smile appeared on his lips as he spoke. “You are right of course and for now I will respect that. In the meantime let me take you to the sands where I will dispatch this dog to his doom.” Once dead he was sure that he could ask Livia once again if she still wanted that tour. Perhaps on the way back through the house there might be call for such an entangling of greatness. As he considered the possibility images of their bodies becoming one flooded his mind.<br/><br/>So before they headed down the corridor, Manius moved his hand from the accused and replanted it around the slave's ankle. After all he did not want to scalp the man. Well not yet anyway. Then with his other hand lightly holding that of Livia, he dragged the slave behind them as he walked with Livia to the sands.<br/><br/>Walking down the steep stairs was effortless as he dragged the now blooded and screaming slave. The slave, who was clearly not the brightest, was beginning to realise his fate as his composure had all but been removed. The man was in pain and he wanted the whole house to know it. The left side of his face had now been ripped off, initially from Manius’ little twist in which he tore the flesh and all it took to remove the rest was a drag of his fighting would be carcass down the hard tiled corridor until finally all Manius could hear, through the screams from the whaling slave, was the sound of his bony cheek scrapped along the floor. The accused tried to lift his head but even that was pointless as even then from time to time his head would hit the tiles. This was made worse when he was dragged down the steps and onto the sand. Manius hear several cracks from the man as various bones hit the steps with force until finally the sand of the inner courtyard could be seen sticking to the open wounds of the slave.<br/><br/>Along the way Manius instructed a female slave to inform all in the study that the entertainment had been moved to the sands and that she would need to escort them to the balcony and lounge area. At this instruction, she excused herself and journeyed up the stairs and within moments she had entered the study. She stood there with her pert breasts exposed and addressed the room. To her surprise they all turned to look at her. Perhaps they were expecting Manius to return as what seemed to be one hundred eyes starring at her expectantly. She coughed lightly to clear her nerves before sharing the Dominus’ request. “Dominus requires that all present please follow me as he would like for you all to be shown to the lounge and balcony area where tonight’s entertainment will begin.”<br/><br/>In the meantime, Manius felt that he had to get his slave to the sands fast as he did not feel it would be much fun to fight a virtually unconscious slave. Better he at least be able to defend himself for a time at least. Upon approaching the gate a guard seeing his distress open it without question and within moments Manius, Livia and the unnamed slave stood in the centre of the sands.<br/><br/>Manius took note that all that were to be punished, due the fighting earlier today, had now been either caged or fastened to poles. The efficiency of the Doctore had been noted but his earlier indiscretion still burnt deep in the heart of Manius. As he reflected on this for a moment, he felt that perhaps a replacement would be required. He nodded to the Doctore who stood by the mess hall to acknowledge his fast cleanup, before calling over a guard and demanded a sword and a mace from him. These weapons were promptly collected in time for the first of the guests to appear on the balcony.<br/><br/>So there he was, Dominus Manius Sertorius Atellus of Ludus Leonis Scopulus Tarraconensis standing on the sands with Livia Sabina Metalla who together were overlooking a slave that had been accused of murdering a visiting dignitry by the name of Bastian Grandis Fascinum a retired Primus Pilus. He glanced up to the balcony and could see Matriana, Bastian’s widow, looking on. Was that a smile he could see from her lips, he was not sure. He took the mace from the guard and tossed the sword several metres from the accused. Before addressing the slave he turned to face Livia. “Now stand back my dear as I do not wish for you to get hurt.” He then reluctantly released his hand from hers and kicked the slave several feet in the direction of the sword “Pick it up” he roared.<br/><br/>