The infirmary door opened with unnecessary force, revealing Quintus in all his agitation. The ludus owner entered like a contained storm, his face alternating between relief and poorly disguised fury. Behind him, Marcus remained at the entrance, his expression more measured, though his eyes revealed genuine concern.
"By the gods!" exclaimed Quintus, quickly approaching the examination table. "When I received the initial report, I thought we'd lose you before dawn."
Lucius allowed his eyes to open slowly, as if the effort were almost excessive. "My lord," he murmured, voice deliberately weak. "I apologize... for the inconvenience."
A flash of something resembling guilt crossed Quintus's face. "Inconvenience? An attack against my most valuable property goes far beyond inconvenience, boy."
Servius intervened gently, the voice of professional accustomed to calming exalted spirits. "He's still confused, sir. Toxin affects spirit and mind, even during recovery."
Quintus breathed deeply, visibly trying to control his agitation. "What do you remember?" he asked Lucius, leaning in to better examine his condition.
Lucius frowned, as if the effort to recall were painful. "Training... real weapons. A scratch. Insignificant, I thought. Then... darkness and fire in veins." He closed his eyes briefly, a slight tremor running through his body. "Fragments only... distant voices... Servius working... pain."
The performance was meticulously calibrated — sufficient details to confirm the poisoning narrative without accusing anyone specifically, apparent physical vulnerability combined with moments of lucidity suggesting imminent recovery.
"Poisoned," Quintus practically spat the word. "Right under my nose, in my own ludus."
"Was the weapon identified?" asked Lucius, eyes half-open, feigning effort to concentrate.
"Yes," replied Marcus from the entrance. "A specific sword, not originally designated for the session. Switched at some point during preparation."
"Sven," murmured Lucius, as if the name had emerged involuntarily in a moment of clarity.
The comment produced exactly the desired effect. Quintus and Marcus exchanged glances heavy with meaning.
"Do you remember him specifically?" pressed Quintus.
Lucius hesitated, as if trying to organize fragmented memories. "The confrontation... days ago. He lost. Then, during exercise... too close. The scratch..." He stopped, apparently exhausted by the effort.
"Rest," instructed Servius, positioning himself slightly between Lucius and Quintus. "Memories will return with time. Forcing the process can cause setbacks."
Quintus nodded reluctantly, his expression hardening. "Varro is already interrogating the arsenal guards. And as for Sven..." a humorless smile crossed his face. "His sudden religious devotion won't protect him much longer."
"Caution recommended, sir," intervened Marcus. "Circumstantial evidence only, so far."
"Circumstantial?" Quintus pointed at Lucius. "My most valuable investment almost died! Tribune Cornelius himself is waiting for updates on his condition. Senator Cassius's games approach, and someone deliberately sabotages my plans!" His voice had progressively risen.
"I completely understand the gravity, sir," replied Marcus with studied calm. "I merely suggest that complete investigation before irreversible actions will benefit everyone involved."
The ludus owner breathed deeply, visibly forcing himself to recover composure. "When will he be fit to resume training?"
"Two days for basic recovery," replied Servius promptly. "Perhaps three for full capacity. The body needs to completely expel noxious humors."
"The Tribune is anxious for specialized training to begin," commented Quintus, more to himself than others. "Metilius already shows characteristic impatience."
The name provoked an imperceptible reaction in Lucius, though externally he maintained the appearance of semiconscious convalescent. The mention confirmed that the mysterious specialist remained present and waiting to begin evaluation.
"Possibly... tomorrow," murmured Lucius, apparently making significant effort. "I don't wish to... delay important plans."
Quintus studied him with evident surprise. "Admirable dedication, but it benefits no one if you collapse during initial training."
"Perhaps an intermediate solution," suggested Marcus. "Preliminary evaluation session, purely observational. Would allow Metilius to begin the process while respecting recovery needs."
The suggestion clearly pleased Quintus, who nodded enthusiastically. "Excellent proposal. Complete physical training awaits adequate recovery, but conversation and theoretical evaluation could proceed without additional risk."
"Acceptable from medical standpoint," agreed Servius after apparent consideration. "As long as the period is limited and with adequate supervision."
"It's established then." Quintus seemed considerably more animated. "I'll report to the Tribune that, despite cowardly sabotage attempt, our plans continue essentially unaltered." He turned to Lucius, his expression softening slightly. "Recover well. I promise those responsible for this outrage will face appropriate consequences."
When Quintus finally withdrew, Marcus remained briefly behind, studying Lucius with indecipherable expression.
"Curious how events unfold sometimes," commented the lanista. "An attempt to eliminate you seems to have significantly strengthened your position."
Lucius allowed his eyes to close, as if yielding again to exhaustion. "Fortune... unpredictable," he murmured.
Marcus observed him for another moment before nodding briefly to Servius and withdrawing silently.
When footsteps moved sufficiently away, Servius approached the examination table. "A masterfully interpreted piece," he commented in low voice. "The casual mention of Sven, the suggestion of fragmented but incriminating memories... Quintus practically condemned the man based on your insinuations."
"Even better," replied Lucius, opening his eyes completely, all pretense of weakness momentarily abandoned, "Marcus clearly suspects something more elaborate. His final observation was revealing."
"Does that worry you?"
"Not necessarily. A skeptical man is frequently more valuable than a credulous one. Truly useful allies are never completely deceived — just guided toward conclusions that benefit both."
The physician nodded, absorbing this perspective. "And tomorrow's session with Metilius? Much earlier than planned."
"Actually, this favors us," replied Lucius after brief consideration. "Passive observation brings fewer risks than physical demonstration. It's an opportunity for us to evaluate each other mutually in circumstances I can control better."
Servius didn't seem completely convinced. "Metilius isn't a common instructor. He observes more than just physical abilities."
"Precisely why this anticipated meeting benefits us," explained Lucius. "My apparent fragility during recovery offers perfect excuse for any unusual behavior. It can be attributed to poison effects, not my true nature."
The physician considered this logic before nodding slowly. "Risky strategy, but might work. Still, exercise extreme caution. Metilius is perceptive in a way few men are."
"Naturally," agreed Lucius. "I need to prepare adequately. Any additional information about his methods would be extremely valuable."
"I can say little with certainty," replied Servius. "Metilius belongs to an ancient philosophical order few know. In Alexandria, I heard rumors about their methods. They developed sophisticated techniques to evaluate exceptional minds and identify those with rare talents."
"What kind of talents?" asked Lucius casually.
"Extraordinary mathematical abilities, uncommon memory, reasoning capacity that transcends the ordinary." Servius seemed genuinely uncomfortable. "They say they seek individuals with minds capable of comprehending truths that common philosophers only glimpse."
"And how do they identify them?"
"Through tests apparently simple but profoundly revealing. Strategic games, enigmas, moral dilemmas — all designed to reveal not just intelligence, but the very nature of person's thinking."
Lucius absorbed this information carefully. The prospect of being evaluated at such deep levels would require his complete attention.
"Valuable information," he acknowledged calmly. "I'll be prepared."
Servius studied him with uncommon intensity. "You don't seem particularly disturbed by the possibility of being examined so deeply."
"Excessive worry only hinders," replied Lucius simply. "Better to analyze what we know, prepare for what we can predict, and remain flexible for what we cannot."
The physician continued observing him for a moment before nodding slowly. "Your mind functions in remarkably different way from most. Almost as if..." he left the sentence incomplete, apparently reconsidering what he was going to say.
"As if?" pressed Lucius, curious about Servius's perception.
"As if it had been trained by unknown philosophers," completed the physician carefully. "With methods that favor pure reason above all else."
It was a perceptive observation that approached truth without completely reaching it — precisely the type of evaluation Lucius hoped Metilius would also make initially. Sufficiently uncommon to merit attention, insufficiently specific to raise dangerous suspicions.
"Circumstances shape mind in unique ways," he commented neutrally. "Now, to prepare for tomorrow, I need genuine rest, not just feigned."
Servius accepted the subject change, returning to his medical activities. "Real recovery will benefit your appearance. I have some herbs that will significantly accelerate the process."
While the physician prepared his mixtures, Lucius allowed himself a moment of genuine reflection. The game had dramatically expanded in complexity. What had begun as simple survival strategy in hostile environment had evolved into confrontation with forces possessing deep knowledge and sharp perception.
Metilius clearly wasn't mere combat instructor or common philosopher — he represented an ancient order with sophisticated evaluation methods. This realization, simultaneously challenging and intriguing, introduced new dimension to his situation.
I need to adapt my approach, he reflected. Not just demonstrate ability, but do so in way that seems exceptional without being inexplicable.
While mentally formulating his strategies for the imminent encounter, Lucius recognized that the next phase represented a genuine test — not just of his physical or intellectual abilities, but of his capacity to navigate between demonstrating sufficient value to maintain interest of powerful patrons, without revealing too much about his true capabilities.
The real game had finally begun.