Re: Escaping the Colosseum (Closed,R?)

[questor]

He saw his opponet and raised a brow. He was a big one. Taller then him, and a lot more beafier. He did not look to smart but what that lacked his height and size made up for. Marcus knew that the man would try to beat him down by sheer power. But Marcus was not dumb. After the two faced the emperor and raised their swords saying "For those of us about to die, we salute you.", the two squared off and the match was on. Brutus tried to cut him in two but Marcus side stepped easily and began to move around the big Gaul.

He found that the big man knew how to use the sword as he tried to prick him with his and it was parried and a swing from the Gaul's sword almost took his head off. So it went, both of them clashing swords, making sparks fly. Each trying to find an opening. Marcus had an idea that this man was use to wining his fights quickly, overpowering his opponents. But Marcus would not let him do that. He moved about the arena making the Gaul follow him, wearing him down. Soon the big man was sweating profusely and there was anger in his eyes.

Now that was something that Marcus wanted to see. Let the man become angry and soon he would begin to mess up . Soon enough the Gaul was doing that and Marcus began cutting him, on the arm, the legs, the chest, slicing away the straps that held his armor on. The crowd roared with pleasure as he began cutting the Gaul down to size. Now Marcus saw fear in the mans eyes. He knew that he was tiring and would not be able to keep up with Marcus much more.

Marcus finally decided to end the fight. He manuvered himself so he could kick the mans feet from under him. The Big Gaul went down, his sword flying from his hand. He looked up at Marcus breathing hard knowing what was coming next. Marcus looked up at the Emperor and knew what what the answer would be. He then looked at the big man and something stirred in his heart. He stepped back from the Gaul and rammed his sword into the sand of the arena and then again looked up at the emperor. All went quiet for a moment in the stands and then one shouted. Marcus the Merciful." The chant was taken up by everyone else and all their thumbs were raised in the up position to tell the emperor to spare the Gaul's life.

The Emporer looked down at Marcus and grinned. It looked as if he was going to give the thumbs down, but brought it to the up position. The crowd went wild, with shouts and applause. He stuck his arm down to the Gaul who took it and stood up with Marcus' help. He nodded to the Gaul and then retrieved his sword and exited the arena.

The other gladiator's looked at him with questioning looks. All Marcus did was shug his shoulders and take a seat.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Leotie watched the match and could hear the crowds cheering figuring out several things but was a little confused when Marcus put his sword in the sand, hearing the crowd once more she listened and waited to see what would happen. Both of them came out of that match alive, she always thought one would die and moved away from the slit when he came back in and thought, she had a lot of questions but thought to ask them later on and instead went over when he sat down in silence and looked at him briefly, automatically checking for wounds that way due to her previous occupation but then just sat down thinking for a moment and listened to the announcement of the next match, listening out for any she knew used spears and were against those that used swords. Upon hearing one she would head bad to where she had been to watch picking up the different styles they used as well. Heading back breifly she waited "You get hurt anywhere?" whispering so others wouldn't hear her.

[questor]

He smiled warmly at Leo. "No I am not hurt." He sat there listening to the crowds. For three years now he had fought in the arena. He had killed more men there then when he was with the Legion. Killing had now become easy and with out regret. In battle one was defending the empire and killing your enemy was necessary. But in the arena, you killed not because you were defending anything, or for honor or empire, you killed to please the crowd, kill or be killed.

He thought back on some of those he had killed in the arena. They had been good men once, and because of someone or something they had been taken and sent to be gladiators. Some had skill with their weapons,others had not. He had started liking the crowds cheers and it seemed he began to like killing. But all had changed out there with the Gaul.

Ra Num came over to him. "You did not kill. Why did you spare his life?"

He looked up at Ra Num. "I don't know my friend." he told him. "The Gaul fought hard and well. He was a good man and fighter. When I looked down at him............." he shook his head. "I can't explain it." It was then that a idea began forming in his head. He looked around at all the other gladiators there. Many knew him and respected him.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Leotie smiled a little when she heard he wasn't hurt and looked up when Ra Num came over, asking a question she too wished to know the answer to. Hearing his response she leaned forward on her hand thinking herself. She couldn't understand now why blood was shed for entertainment speaking quietly once more she spoke up. "Why must blood be shed for entertainment anyway, it's a waste of human life" she said, she hadn't yet noticed that an idea seemed to have sparked in his mind. "Also if they are good enough to fight in the arena then why not use them as soldiers and how do they know the people want blood shed they might not be as thirsty for it as the emperor thinks" making sure she was careful about the pitch of her voice.

Outside in the arena cheers were heard as the next pair went out to fight each other for the others life, the clash of swords and spears was easily heard from where they were. "That's it I'm getting out of here" she muttered under her breath. Only then did she notice that he seemed to have something in mind and nudged him "Something on your mind?"

[questor]

Marcus looked up when Leo said she was getting out of there. "Stay here. You will be safer." he told her. "I still have a match and Ra Num has his." when asked about if he had something on his mind, he just smiled. "Perhaps." he told her. Ra Num went out to his matches and his foot work and spear wielding was a thing to see. He to had a following in the crowds and they cheered him and called out his name.

Again Marcus was called out and again the crowed roared his name and rose to their feet to applaud him. He smiled as he looked up at them. Yes applaud now, we will see how you feel later. he thought to himself. His opponent was a braggart and one he did not mind killing. "No mercy for you." he called out to Marcus as they begun their match. "I will gut you like a fish." Oh he was good and gave Marcus some competition and even was able to get a couple cuts in on his left arm and leg. But Marcus finally whittled him down until he lay in a pool of his own blood, that the sand seemed to greedily soak in.

When he returned to the ready room the crowd was going wild. He was bleeding from his sword wounds but did not seem to mind them. From one of the entrances to the ready room the huge frame of Brutus emerged. He walked up to Marcus and looked down at him. "You spared my life. You had the right to take it, yet you did not." He stuck out a huge arm and hand, "I owe you my life." he gave a slight bow. "Should you ever need anything that I can help you with, I am your man. " Marcus took the outstreached arm, clasping Brutus' fore arm with his hand and Brutus his.

Brutus then had to leave as he was not apart of Claudius' gladiators. Marcus smiled as his idea began to take shape in his mind. They waited till all had fought and those that had survived were escorted back to the compound of Claudius.

[Rose for the Hunter]

She frowned a little when he wouldn't tell her what he was thinking which only made her even more curious as to what on earth he was up to now. She watched as he headed back out and once more she could hear the cheering crowds yelling out his name. Leo watched as everything took place once more have gotten back to the slits to watch the match that took place. When he came back she was seated back where she had been before thinking a little before over hearing the conversation between Brutus and Marcus under the endless roars of the crowd because of the blood shed.

When they were escorted back to the compound she went over and spoke quietly "Seriously what are you thinking Now I do know you're up to something Marcus" She looked around the compound briefly once more noticing the different races "Also you got hurt, make sure to clean out the wounds or they'll get infected" sighing a little she sat down and later on went to get them both their meals brining his back with her before she settled herself thinking about something herself, it was important to her at least. "So you basically have to entertain the crowd as well as fight?" she questioned.

[questor]

There were those that took care of the wounds of the gladiators. His wounds were cleaned, stiched up and bandanged. A couple more scars for him to show off. He looked at Leo when she again asked what was on his mind. "Later, when the time is right." he told her. When she asked about entertaining the crown as well as fighting, he shugged his shoulders. "The people are bored. Bored with their everyday lives. The majority that come to the games are those that have muldane lives. Clerks, merchants, farmers and the like. They work their lives in quite and peace and have nothing to worry about, no excitement. The games, gives them that excitement. To see others battling for their lives gives them something into their lives."

He took his bowl of stew and chunk of bread and began to eat. "Originally it started off as watching punishments being metted out. Grudges against one another, setting disputes, and the like. People enjoyed it, probably to much. Then one of the emperors of the past had a grand idea. Why not make slaves fight to entertain people. So now it is something on a very grand scale through out the empire."

[Rose for the Hunter]

"Their wasting human life still" she muttered and began eating her own stew using the bread to collect up the leftovers after she'd finished off and took her bowel back as well sitting down and listening once more. "Surely there are other ways they could be entertained?" frowning as she thought about it, not mentioning anymore about what eh was thinking, leaving it until he told her. "I heard a little about it when others would go to watch the punishments but aren't they still considered that since people who've supposedly committed crimes are brought down here to fight, they most likely use that excuse and most likely find any reason to send someone down here now days."

Soon she stood up to head back to her bunk, she planned on having a bath later on so wanted to catch a little bit of sleep so she still got enough in for the next day and also wanted to stretch out her wings as well. "I'm heading back then"she said to him while a lot of them headed off to the baths after their meal since a lot had been fighting that day and those that returned wanted to relax. She used these moments to have some time to herself in the 'room' and stretched her wings out checking the feathers "Maybe my moult will come sooner that I thought, good thing to, if I can fly again..." she muttered to herself and preened her wings with her fingers.

Meanwhile some of the other Gladiators were congratulating Marcus on his matches that day, some asking why he hadn't killed Brutus others talking about the braggart he'd won against. "Not long now and you'll earn you're freedom out there Marcus" said one of them. "You've defiantly won the crowd over as well, jsut hear them cheer you're name out" laughed another.

[questor]

Freedom. Well that was the hope of every gladiator. Win the crowd, win the emperor over. Be freed. But that would never happen to Marcus. The noble was influencial and would make sure the emperor never freed him. The only freedom he would have would be in death. Well that way anyways. As the others went off to t he baths, he held Ra Num back a bit. "How many gladiators do you think there are here in Rome?" he asked his friend.

Ra Num shugged his shoulders. "Perhaps a thousand." he said. Marcus nodded, and out of that thousand perhaps only five hundred were skilled ones. The rest new recruits or training. But a thousand men. It could work. There were only the Pletorian Guard within the city. The legions were mostly in the northern lands with perhaps a legion a couple days march from Rome.

Ra Num saw h im th inking and looked at his friend, "What are you thinking of? If it is what I think you are, you are mad." he grinned, "But Such a madness that might be spread."

"Feel out some of the men and I will talk to some of the others. Find out what they would do if they were free." he told him and then they continued on to the baths. Later he would return to them with Leo so she could bath and have privicy.

Once done he returned to his quarters and watched Leo. He smiled as he thought of what he had learned from the men he had talked to. All wished to be free, to perhaps return home or maybe go somewhere and start anew. If they thought that way, what about the others that were owned by men like Claudius. "Come lets get you to the baths."

[Rose for the Hunter]

Having rebound her wings she looked back at him when he came in and nodded getting up and speaking "What are you planning, Marcus and yes I will keep asking until I get an answer from you" she said to him quietly but bluntly as she headed to the baths with him, once there she made him turned around and unbound the wings first since she could at least use those to cover herself up before she stripped down and then hid her slim form quickly in bath water, letting a light sigh pass her lips before speaking "Well going to tell me yet?" she questioned him waiting to see what reply she'd get.

Leotie made sure to clean out her wings and body still uncomfortable with him being there especially after yesterday. Ruffling her wings in the water she checked the growing flight feathers and smiled a little before turning around her arms folded on the side as she looked to him for answers still.

[questor]

He laughed and sat down once she had stripped and got into the water. "Planning. Well just thinking right now." he told her. "I have been her three years now. For a gladiator, that is a very long time. The life expectency of a gladiator is less then a year. It is time to leave, but that is not going to be easy. Alone it is impossible, but with many it might just work." he kept his voice down so no prying ears would hear.

"A lot hinges on other gladiators. Most hate it here, but some relish it. They love the killing and maiming. They also like the high born women that come down here to have sex with them. It seems that the women have a thing for a man that kills." he chuckled. He had his fair share of lovely women that asked for him. Oh and he enjoyed them well.

He waited a bit and then asked, "Are you ready to return to the room." he stood up and turned his back.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Leotie listened to him and spoke "I doubt many like having to live down here, unless they lived on the streets previously and I bet a lot of them like the high born women" she said to him in a hushed voice "but in reality it's just another way for those greedy nobles and merchants to make money" sighing she moved out of the water once his back was turned "Just about ready" she moved her wings to cover herself up before she pulled on her tunic with some of the fabric sticking to her a little but hid her wings well and just carried the straps and material instead since she'd most likely go to sleep when they did get back in the room.

Ruffling her wings on her back when they got back she let them stretch out and sat down on her mattress thinking speaking in a hushed tone again "Problem with your plan is how are you going to get so many men to escape this place, you'd have to plan very carefully." she spoke softly but then just laid back on her mattress thinking herself "If I could fly again I'd be of more use" she muttered "also why have you lasted so long surely you'd be free by now if it's been three years?" she questioned "ah, wait you mentioned that noble probably pulling strings to keep you in here" still lying with her wings spread out to stretch them and also to relax as she stared up in the darkness.

[questor]

"Yes indeed the noble." he sneered. "I would love to get my hands about his neck. But yes he has been insturmental in keeping me here. He has tried many times of having me killed by sending in those he thought could best me. They were fighting for their freedom and thinking nothing but that. I was fighting for my life, therefore I had the advantage. They wanted to live to get their freedom, I on the other hand had no such thoughts." he chuckled.

"As for getting the others to join, well I think most would rather die trying to escape then in t he arena. Those that do not want to join, well they will not have to worry about anything again. I am still trying to work out the details up here." he pointed to his head. He had been a Centurion. The Commander of a chohort, five hundred men. He knew tactics of the legions, he knew what it took to command and keep five hundred men clothed, armed, fed and quartered and lead them into battle. Weapons would be the hard thing to get, unless they were in the ready rooms of the arena. His plan was forming in his head. "Now get some sleep." he told her.

[Rose for the Hunter]

"I see how that would be an advantage and most likely true when it comes to others" she said to him and rolled onto her front since it was usually more comfortable for her wings. "As for weapons, there'll be a way in somehow between matches without the guards, that'll be something to figure out" she said half drifting off anyway so pulled her blanket over her still lying on her front. "One more thing before we both sleep, the guards usually don't head into the mountains so maybe that'll be a good place to be, also with herbs and other stuff there it's easy to treat anyone if they get injured and survive while escaping and good night Marcus" she said finally before she went to sleep her wings loosely folded on her back and sleeping peacefully throughout the rest of the night.

Morning was quick to come but over sleeping due to having awakened several times during that night made her exhausted. Waking up she realised it was a little late partly since she could hear the others stirring around them and was quick to get up once that was noticed not caring much about Marcus's presence she simply turned her back to him and began sorting herself out for the day once more, she tied her hair up to make it easier too before pulling back on the top of her tunic. "Marcus you awake?" she asked looking over her shoulder.

[questor]

"Am I awake?" came his voice from the door. He was standing the watching her. "You know you should keep this completely shut when you are putting that stuff on. " he could not help but grin. "Might not be me coming in the door you know." He came into the room and put a couple things on his bed and then turned to her and said. "Won't matter much in a bit though. Ra Num has told me all that he talked to wanted out of here. Now we but have to get with the others in the various compounds."

When she was ready, he again left to go back out to get their morning meal and continue to practice. "You will also need to learn the use of the sword. If your spear is broken or knocked away, you will need something to defend yourself with." he took two practice swords and handed her one. First he showed her where to hit a person with the swords, edge, and then the point. Which should be done first, what would slow one's opponent down, what could maim. Then the real lessons began, parring blows, moving, bluffing, and the like. It would take time to learn it all, one day would not cover everything nor make a swordsman of her. But they had time. His plan also would not be a day in the making. It would take some time to get it all together.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Turning when she heard him she turned a little red and was quick to finish "I thought it was closed properly" she said to him before she had her morning meal and then went to practice watching what he was doing and simply nodded before trying to mimic the movements which she found varied from those of a spear and had a little trouble getting it right."For the other compounds you could wait until the matches again, I doubt that'll be long at all" she said to him quietly. Spending more time practicing with the wooden sword on her own figuring out basics and working on the movements.

Time passed quickly and a daily routine began to set into place, learning more about the movements she would need to execute during a match and practicing with others as well she used her agility to the best advantage she could. Also discovering the armour was a little too heavy for her liking she didn't wear a helmet and just kept with leather armour, but the thought of having to kill another didn't settled well.

"How much longer until this plan of yours?" she questioned him "Because if it's soon enough then I know the perfect time" she said quietly.

[questor]

Several days had passed and he kept up his training with Leo with the sword. There were matches, there were always things going on in the arena. Whether it was gladiators fighting, or wild animals verses slaves or gladiators or filling it with water and having sea battles. There was always something going on there. The gladiators were always there it seemed. This made it easy for Marcus to find out how the other gladiators felt. He found Brutus and had him check those of his master. Ra Num went to others as well and with in the next few days they got word back on the feeling of freedom. Many wanted to know what was in mind but Marcus didn't want to say anything just yet.

When Leo asked he smiled. "Soon. I already know the time we need." he told her. He had an idea of when they would strike. They needed real weapons and that was in the ready rooms of the Arena, along with armor. It was not as good as that of the legions but was better then nothing. The trick was going to be overcoming the guards at the gates that lead out into the city. They were always unarmed and guarded by soldiers to and from the arena. He had it already arranged with one of the gladiators who had nimble fingers to get the key to the gate. After that it would on the gladiators to fight their way out of the city.

"With in the next day or two." he whispered into her ear. "Now practice." he used the flat of the wooden sword on her ass to get her motivated. He chuckled and squared off with her in practice.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Listening to what he said she almost heaved a sigh of relief but instead held it back thinking a little to herself. Her wings had grown out in the past few days as well which luckily hadn't been noticed, about to move she glared at him when he 'motivated' her and squared off with him as well before she went in first not expecting to hit him but was working on trying to tire him out first by aiming for vital parts so he would block, she tried to use as little energy as she could thinking to herself on how to move. Another trick she'd developed was using her male opponents to help flip herself over their backs without using her wings, it always put them off guard and was something she could achieve as well due to her body being used to flying.

Frowning little since he seemed rather a hard man to wear down but then remembered that he had been there about 3 years now also she couldn't get into position to move behind him. Waiting for him to make his move now as she kept her energy back so she wouldn't get tired.

[questor]

He grinned as she was begining to get good at the use of a sword. He showed her the use of the sword without a shield and with one. The small shields afforded some protection, they were lighter then those carried by the legions. Those one could make a shield wall out of and keep the enemy beyond and use their spears to kill them. But they were heavy and one could not fight with the sword with them. "Well they young boy that came to us has learned much." came a voice from the shadows. It was Claudius. "Trained by you in the sword and spear, he will indeed make some money for me. I think I will arrange a match for him today's games. "

Marcuse knew he would not be able to talk him out of it. He didn't think Leo would make it through a match. She had been trained some yes but he didn't know if she would be able to kill. He didn't know if she had it in her to do that. He looked over at Ra Num and a couple others and nodded. The day would be as good as any for their plans. He stopped the practice session with Leo. "Today is the day then. " he grinned.

Everyone readied themselves. Again as in the past they were escorted to the Arena. But this time the light fingered one, who had been a thief before he was caught, had the keys. Marcus sent runners throughout the arena ready rooms. It was not long before the others were armed and armored. Claudius was there smiling. But that smiled faded and a look of terror filled his face and eyes when two of the gladiators grabbed him. Another gagged him and soon enough they were heading back towards the gate that lead out into the city. Others converged from the depths of the place. With them were their masters, bound and gagged. Those gladiators that would not join them lay dead in the ready rooms.

Quietly the gate was opened and a few went through to take care of the guards at the upper ramp. Then the gates were flung open and the gladiators surged forth. "Stay close to me Leo." he told her, as they began to move through the streets.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Leo turned her attention to the merchant listening to what was said but a simply frown crossed her lips. When in the ready rooms she could hear everything that was going on standing up she moved to where the others gathered. Even so she still held a spear and a sword which appeared shorter than the others attached to her waist nodding at what was said to her after the huge commotion in the colosseum. Crowds were screaming and yelling and running from the building, climbing over one another just to get out of there. More guards came to try and contain them, Leo looked to Marcus briefly but then went back to her thoughts trying to keep close.

Looking back she noticed a few were injured and others helping them "Marcus, move towards the mountains, some are already hurt from the scuffle." she said softly "also want me to head up to see if we can find a quicker route?" she asked him. They were already out of that place so there was no point in hiding the wings plus she really did want to try and help. However, she soon turned hearing something heading over to one of the newbies who'd gotten struck in the leg and looked to it quickly covering it with some cloth and getting one of the others to help the man get up. Guards had began to try and block out all their exits and trying to drive them back to the arena's in which no doubt they'd be killed or punished by those their lives were bought by.

[questor]

They were in the streets of Rome. People ran from them screaming, baring doors and windows as the retreated indoors. Marcus was in the lead of the gladiators. The others were looking to him for leadership. So when the first of the pretorion guard showed up it was him that stood in the front facing them. Net men with their tridents came forward. The nets were thrown, the soldiers could not move due to the closeness of the buildings and each other. They had blocked the street with locking shields, but that did no good when the nets were thrown. They caught the shields and the gladiators pulled on them with the help of others and dragged the soldiers and shields forward, breaking the shield wall.

Spear men then came forward and took care of the soldiers. Then they were moving again. "We stay together." he told Leo. "Once we reach the city gates we must take them and keep them open until we are all out of the city. The Pretorian Guard will not follow us. The Emperor would be to afraid of having them to far away from him. There will be no others to stop us and will be a couple of days before any pursuit can be made. By then we will have wagons for the wounded, and horses."

There were some other soldiers in the city, but not as many as one would think. Rome was over confident. Thought itself unconqureable. Those that tried to stop them were delt with swiftly and without mercy. In each man's heart and soul now lay the seeds of freedom and they were going to do what it took to have it. Brutus stood on one side of Marcus and Ra Num the other as they forged ahead. Marcus kept an eye on Leo making sure she was there by him.

Finally the broad avenue that lead to the city gates was reached and there was the bulk of the soldiers that were trying to block their escape. They had been trained in fighting only in one way, not that of the gladiators. Their ranks quickly broke when the gladiators attacked. Some being dragged back by the net men where they were speared or stabbed by swordsmen. Others were ran through by the trident men and others died under the sword and the many tricks that the gladiators had learned to use. Soon the gates were open and the gladiators that lived ran through them. Many of their comrades lay dead on the avenue, but they died free men.

The people outside the walls scattered and ran for their lives as the gladiators emerged. Here there were wagons of merchants coming into the city. These the gladiators siezed and used to load on the wounded and others. Some unhorsed people on horseback and took their horses. Soon almost a thousand men and one young woman was moving towards the mountains as fast as they could go.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Leotie went up with the others when they got to the shield flipping over the one at the front and using her spear in the back of his neck with her sword being used to block the other guard. She then found and opening and shouted it to the others so they could find it "There are less men near the right side" she shouted and continued where she was. Moving herself to where the others were she helped them and even used a couple to help herself get over some of the taller ones she couldn't reach. It wasn't long until they were through.

Once the mountains were reached Leotie recognised the lands and spoke "A little south of here is a large forest, not many enter it due to the wild beasts but it's big enough to keep this many people hidden for some time, plus there's plenty of fish there as well" she pointed out only having been there a few times herself. Dearly wishing to fly she gazed up at the sky briefly but refused to now. In the city the guards soon became concerned about the number of missing nobles and merchants they began their search for them swiftly after realising at the moment it appeared hopeless to get the gladiators back.

The forest they headed too was dense and full of life with beasts that matched those of man and others that were far smaller in size. Leo got to work once injured men were set down and searched for herbs to help them heal, not speaking a word she also asked for any spare cloth they might have or even bandages if possible to help stop infection and bleeding. While she tended to one with a head injury they spoke to her and quickly she became alarmed "You act like a women caring for injured men in such a hurried fashion"

"It was and still is my job, also I doubt any of you know about medicine" she said to them "Plus here there is none of that modern medicine only herbs as well" pointing out something rather valid and then began tending the to the newbie with the injured leg. "Spear wound" she muttered and cleaned it out carefully before properly bandaging it once more.

Once the Nobles and merchants were found they went down to see if any were left but discovered the others dead, it was a grim situation. Soon enough though they would send out others to find the missing men, and to drag them back in order to entertain the city's thirst for blood.

[questor]

It had taken them two days of forced march to get to the mountains. In Rome the Emperor was to say the least highly pissed. Claudius and the others had been left behind once they had gotten out into the city and the alarm had been raised. The emperor was cursing them and threatening them with all manners of punishment. A number of the Petorian Guard had been killed as well as other soldiers in the escape of the gladiators. The people had been terrorized and demanding action.

Those that the wagons, horses and goods had been stolen from demanded restitution. Nobles and senators pressed for swift action before the gladiators decided to turn their attention to their estates. Indeed Marcus already had plans for that. He would raid them for everything they needed to escape over the mountains and make it to the East Coast. There he hoped to find ships that could take them somewhere else.

As Leo was tending to the wounded. He told her. "No sense in keeping up the ruse." Especially after one had compared her to being a woman. "When you are done come to my fire. There is much to talk about and preperations to make. For by now word will have reached the Legion stationed two days ride from Rome and they will be marching to come after us and bring us back." he put a hand on her shoulder and left it there for a bit.

[Rose for the Hunter]

"Ok then I'll come after I'm finished as for the ruse It's best they just figure it out themselves" she said to him as he kept his hand there for a bit and shifted on wing int eh straps to nudge it gently. Finishing up looking after those injured an headed over the where he was to listen to what was being said. She sat down cross legged having taken the wing straps off beforehand since she needed to use them to help one of the others so her wings moved a little on her back every now and then. "Well then where are we heading first?" she questioned"We can use the wagons of course but it's best to only take what is needed, I doubt they'll be room to hide much more" she said thinking a little to herself.

"Also if I'm correct you'll be looking for ships won't you I know one of them has a couple at least, they should be able to hold all of us" she said "we might need to start collecting food supplies and fresh water" she sighed trying to be logical and listened to what else was said as well.

[questor]

Brutus, Ra Num, and a few others were there. Leaders of the the other groups of gladiators. All looked at Marcus as the leader of them all but these were like his lieutenants. "It will take a long time to reach the east coast. We have a long way to travel and through the mountains. It will be a rough go of it. The wagons will only be useful if we stay to the roads through the mountains. These I am sure we will find guarded. Riders will be sent to bring forces from the east to block our path. "

He looked around the campfire, "Let them." one said, "We will do to them as we did to those in Rome." There were many acknowlegements on that comment.

"Perhaps." he said. "But there are other legions in the east and the one that now probably is marching to cut us off from the pass through the mountains. That is five thousand trained men against less then a thousand. We surprised them, but this time they will be ready for us I think. We must prepare and as Leo has said gather supplies for the journey to the coast. As they are sending forces to block us from the path here we will head south and raid the rich estates for what we need. Horses, food and more weapons. Save our strength and let them march and expend their energy. Tired men do not fight well."

After a bit more talk Marcus too Leo to a tent that had been erected for him. "How grows your wings." he asked her. "Soon it will not be possible to hide them. So best to end the ruse now." He chuckled. "Let them see that a woman has fought beside them and killed Roman soldiers. " he smiled at her. He was begining to see her in a differant light. She was now not a scared, empty minded woman of Rome. One that would run away from the first sign of danger screaming her lungs out. She was a fighter, as good as most of the men there.

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