<strong>~ Guard Captain Burrus, re-enforcing some order at the Ludus Training Grounds ~</strong><br/><br/>The two guards assigned to stand at the end of either side of the slave line, probably should have done something about the tall warrior woman. But to be honest, they found it far more entertaining to cross their arms and watch as she boldly tried to strangle one of the other slaves. Laughs were barked in a demeaning manner as they presumed the female wasn't actually strong enough, nor had the balls, to actually kill the man. More fool them.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Guard Captain Burrus had an eagle's eye on the situation. One hand hovering over the hilt of his still sheathed blade, while his sapphire eyes narrowed at the scene that unfolded. This would not do, but he would not act, not yet. For one, this was the Doctore's arena. Secondly, it was all part of the slave assessment to observe rather than directly act, and so he dutifully awaited the Lanista's signal before jumping into the fray. At last, a silently raised hand was given. One guard immediately tugged on the chain that connected the wrists of each slave together.<br/><br/>“Back in line!” He harshly barks, trying to force the gathered slaves back into their ordered positions.  The other briskly moved behind the slaves, stopping behind Ryann to let the dull, flat side of his sword sheath whack against her left butt cheek.<br/><br/>“That's enough out of you, wench!” Had it been a male, the punishment would've been different, but already she was getting special treatment. From the guards, at least, though the strike was not absent brute force. Hovering behind her, he leered at the satisfactory red mark left in his wake. Any further movement from her would result in a second strike.<br/><br/>The first guard now moved to Berenagrius, seeing the giant of a man approaching towards the Doctore as a threat. He had not been called to move, and he had not been spoken to, therefore he had no right to target words at his superior. With a nod from a strict Burrus, who was yet to move from his protective position near the Domina, the lesser guard interrupted Berenagrius' speech. The man had already said far too much to the point of insulting the Doctore's position. Nothing was missed, and nothing would go unpunished. Yet the poor guard was a litle awestricken by this slave's sheer height. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he more timidly struck out with the flat side of his sheathed blade, against the slave's calf muscles. It was more of a tap to gain attention.<br/><br/>“You would speak when asked and not before, dog!” He tapped again for good measure, then pointed with sheathed blade towards the slave line.<br/><br/>Burrus meanwhile, shook his head lightly as he observed. Suffice to say, he was sharing the Domina's unspoken opinion. This rabble wasn't worth decent coin. Yet his attention was caught a little too late by the strange, pictish woman. Amongst all the chaos, she had somehow managed to avoid attention. Now she had gained it, but it was too late. “Jupiter's cock,” he cursed hoarsely under his breath. The freed animals was just, embarrassing. At once, chains were pulled again to keep the slaves in line, while two other guards together with various slaves, sought to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. There wasn't really anywhere the animals could run to, what with the main gates sealed shut, unless they sought to jump over the cliff face. While the guards caught hold of reigns and cruelly beat down the barking dogs to submission once more, the deeply baritone voice of Burrus rung out amongst the noise.<br/><br/>“Enough!” With a sharp slice of metal against leather and wood sheath, Burrus drew his sword as he stormed towards the pict woman in long strides. Despite her unsettling whinnies and barks and snarls, he made it his duty to grab hold of her long hair with his free hand, and pull her to submission. He didn't care if she fell to her feet; he would drag her upon the sands if need be. She could struggle all she liked, but he would see to it that she was brought back to her place. If these slaves wished to act like uncultured and wild animals, then he would treat them as so. Starting with this pict. Bringing the woman back to the other slaves, he finally flung her free with the release of her hair. Standing rigidly straight in his polished, bronze armour, he rose his sword to point the tip at the row of slaves.<br/><br/>“Cocks and Cunts! You<em>will</em>remember your position.” He hoped his drawn, highly polished silver, catching the light of the midday sun, would be enough to demand his authority over them. A stern gaze examined each and every one of the slaves in line. “You will show silence! You will show<em>respect</em>! And you<em>will</em>show order! You will submit yourselves to inspection." He paused in his barking to point his blade tip to each of them in turn, his voice darkening with the duller, quieter quality, full of threat. "'less you seek the sting of this blade between your breast.”<br/><br/>He was of course, calling their bluff. Burrus would never strike down a slave to the death, but he did see the need to instil a little fear. Perhaps now the Dominus and Domina could finally step closer to inspect the stock without any further distractions. Stepping back, hesitating to sheath the sword just yet, he cast a glance towards his superiors.<br/><br/>"Dominus." A cant of his head declared he was ready to step back and permit the master of the villa space. If anything, the stint of freeing animals and fighting amongst themselves, had perhaps only shown these new slaves the camaraderie of the Ludus occupants.<br/>