<strong>Aulus, SW corner of training grounds facing cliff side</strong><br/><br/>The young soldier would have to indeed thank the guard for allowing him to observe the training grounds of the Ludus, under condition though that he kept at the southern side of the grounds to prevent distraction.  A condition which Aulus would honor with noble cause.  True to his word he remained at the southern end of the grounds, eventually moving to the cliff side out west.  He kept his distance though less to worry the guard, Antonious and himself.  Aulus though wasted no time in looking at how these slaves and gladiators behaved, since he had only known roman soldiers, and the small encounters with barbarians which ended up either dead or sent to Roman Provinces.  He wouldn’t be surprised in fact if perhaps one of these slaves was of the Pontus origin.<br/><br/>His observation would be interrupted at a sudden gust of wind that blew against the sand lifting it to life around Aulus.  Naturally harmless like any other gust of sand.  Yet so long as he remained here he was be entranced by a degree of nostalgia of a recollection but only a few years ago.  Ah yes….how this place if you exclude the estate and grounds, reminded him very much of his travels to the East with the Legion.  Even now his memories which he had hoped to have been ridden or could even forget resurface to scarred mind, unable to break the spell even when remaining entirely awake.  Mars would toy again with his little puppet, reminding him that despite being an innocent young man, there was also son of mars calling for freedom, by any means necessary.<br/><div align="center">Training - Spartacus- Blood and Sand - Soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfhIh-rWxeA#ws)</div><br/>The mixture of sand escaping the confines of the ground and the unyielding heat left his mind locked in a hypnosis that distorted where he was truly.  One minute he was staring at a building housed in the back of the training grounds (to the North), the next his eyes filled with images of what seemed to be Tigranocerta during the first invasion of the Armenian capital.  He remembered that battle as clear as the day he fought there.  The sound of a bird filled the skies as Aulus dared to look up. His sky blue eyes looked upon a carrion gracing him with his presence reminding him what will happen when his life passes.  These birds always knew when blood was about to be spilled.  Back in Tigranocerta he remembered fleets of these scavengers ready to feast upon the freshly dead.  Mars’ first trick would be the sight of cataphracts approaching him.  Aulus eyes unfolded the fear he once beared during his first battle with these war machines.   Men mounted on beasts bred for war covered in armor leaving no spot unguarded.  Their spears tall and forged to stop even Roman armor, and their swords stung like any other.  What made them so well know was their lack of fear and their numbers.  He remembered this battle where his commander, a man named faced an army that heavily outnumbered him, with no hope of victory.  His only solution a attack from a hill directly at the enemy cataphracts.<br/><br/>His body was filled with adrenaline as he watched the cataphracts surround him.  Each one attempted to pass by and skewer the young man.  Each attempt was a failure for with all that armor the calvary soldier held, Aulus carried no armor making him quicker, and more agile.  Each pass was met with a perfect perry, as if he was like a wind and practically untouchable.  Mars would most likely be showing slight amusement by such a display but without blood there could be no true enjoyment, for that was the Roman way.  This illusion was not something  so attention grabbing from those outside Aulus dream for if anyone was seeing him he would look like he was before: observing.<br/><br/>The dream however continued to get out of hand, and Aulus knew he had to put a stop to it.  Recalling that very he remembered how he attacked such creatures.  For all that armor that guarded these war beasts persona, they failed to protect the legs of their horses.  His gladius, of custom design unsheathed from there scabbards gripping tightly in his palms.  His body crouched into a low position performing a sweeping motion to attack the horses unarmored legs.  The wounds which normally would erupt in a spray of blood distorted the image into a gust of sand taking the entire figure with him.  With that attack his mind was able to snap from his hypnosis recalling back to reality.  He was still in the shame observational position, but his hands were behind his back grasping his two blades by the hilt.  His body exhaled deeply as he released his grip from them.  How he wished these memories would stop haunting him.  Of course that would all be an afterthought as the sound of Antonious voice caught his attention from a sudden beckoning from his guardian.  “Aulus my boy, could you come help me with this satchel. You seemed to have tied it a little to tight for me.”   A foolish error, but a cautious one, so to prevent any of the merchants goods from escaping.  Aulus stood from his kneeling position moving back east to the outer courtyard to help with Antonious’ request.<br/><br/><strong>Antonious, temporary setup in the outer courtyard (roughly same time as Aulus’ flashback)</strong><br/><br/>Even passing through the first obstacle, Antonious only would be met with another obstacle.  While he was allowed inside with Aulus into the Ludus he had to remain out in the outer courtyards.  Apparently, at least from what Antonious could predict, the carriage from early was carrying a noble family to visit the Domina and Dominus.  If that were the case it was probably better this way then.  Perhaps he could get lucky and attract even more business with the unexpected guests. Of course that was but an afterthought as Antonious maintained his temporary set-up.  With all the wares spread out on the table, he could allow anyone to conduct business with them so long as they payed the proper coin.<br/><br/>Mercury’s fortune would smile on him as Antonious would see a new guest enter the Ludus (Liliana).  Much like the guests like earlier, she had arrived in a carriage as well, establishing a being a member or part of the Roman nobility in the province.  From Antonious’ point of view she was indeed a flower to indeed behold.  Her skin so beautiful, even if he could not touch, would be as soft as silk or even water.  Hair so fine and course like the finest breeds of female mares, it shined like the finest of jewels.  Clearly she was of good pedegie, and to be alone.  Strange how that was, normally women like her would be married, at least one would think.  Of course her mind was set on the fine stock of slaves being broken in preparing for their initiation of becoming gladiators.  Also there was the view of the gladiators which no doubt would curl the blood of the woman but in a more intoxicated form.  However, he needed to attract her attention if he had any chance to make a profit.<br/><br/>“My dear lady, perhaps I could interest you in some assorted goods?  Perhaps some fine jewelery to appease even the mightiest of gods.”  His stretch of the word god of course relating to the gladiators.  Reaching for one of the satchels that contained another assortment of jewelery seemed to have been tied to tight for Antonious’ flimsy fingers.  The boy certainly did a good job in keeping anything from escaping. “Aulus my boy, could you come help me with this satchel. You seemed to have tied it a little to tight for me.”<br/>