Ah, Capua. Nowhere like it. Okay fine; many places in Rome are like this. There's a villa, where Roman nobles oversee the enslavement of foreigners, and the training of gladiators.

The Romans seem to think Pulvus has potential as a gladiator. He doesn't know whether to hope they're wrong or right.

Quintus Lentulus Batiatus is the lord of this villa. He is the lanista here. And from what Pulvus has heard on the way up here, his ludus is never short-staffed. Pulvus isn't likely to have an encounter with him during his prolonged stay here...and that's alright with him.

The cells here disgust Pulvus. At least they've got him in one all to himself.

Upstairs, the Roman nobles are attended to by much more feminine slaves. Pulvus tries not to think about that; he's got to figure out how he's going to survive the ludus.

The doctore here is an Egyptian arsehole. He's Ulpius. Pulvus hates getting on his mean side. He's sure the other gladiators agree with him on that.

But as it soon becomes apparent, that's one of the few things he has in common with the majority. Day by day, the ludus will soon prove that.

In the ludus, Pulvus does his best. He defends himself, he bends, he stands strong... The Capua sun always hurts...as does the rain, whenever it comes. He's sure only the Lanista-who stands in the terrace of his villa, watching the training in a perfectly sheltered spot, next to his wife-ever enjoys it when there's a rain.

The Lanista's wife is hot... Alas, he mustn't dwell.

With luck, Pulvus bests every gladiator in the ludus. He starts out with a few defeats...but they're all minor prices, considering what would likely happen to him in an arena. Part of him wants to be in an arena. The other part would rather get executed by the Doctore-or worse yet, the Lanista.

At long last, Pulvus's skill in the ludus annoys Gannicus. Gannicus is a Celt, and the Lanista's champion. He demands a practice fight with Pulvus. With that, everyone in the ludus-including Doctore-stands aside...

On the terrace, the Lanista watches. His wife stands next to him, like an aesthetic statue with narrowed eyes.

Gannicus charges, and the fight is on. He's fast, angry, and strong. Pulvus has really got to work harder than what he's used to against him. Pulvus isn't sure how long he can hold up...

Alas, Gannicus bests him. All around, the other gladiators laugh.

Above, the Lanista retreats into his villa. His wife, however, stays outside a little longer.

That was a thrilling fight. Alas, Pulvus has got a long way to go until the arena.