Her school of gladiators had far and away the highest Prestige, so the editor of the games expected her to provide someone good to entertain the crowd. Rather than Danaos, who has really been getting far too much exposure, she selected the equally skilled murmillo Hero. He ended up facing one of my gladiators; the spear-armed secutor Alumnus. This would be the top-billed fight of the day.
And here's all of the gladiators parading for the crowd. On the left the dimachaerius Severus (Tertius) would be facing Catherine's retiarius Justina, whilst the opening fight of the day would be between two novices - my secutor Crixus against Tertius's laquearius Silvana.
Silvana did a great job of keeping Crixus at a distance with judicious use of her spear and lasso. She managed to knock away his sword at one point.
But she couldn't keep Crixus at bay forever. He closed rapidly, and lost his shield to her skillful lasso-work, but kept focused on the attack and wounded her a couple of times.
Injured and unable to dodge Silvana was no match for the secutor in a close fight, and was soon down on the sand seeking mercy. But the fight had been too short and the crowd wanted blood. Her career ended at the first fight.
This gave me a point of Prestige and my first win in five or six games. Crixus would also be eligible for a skill.
The second fight saw Justina the retiarius against Severus the dimacherius. Severus was slightly more experienced, and it showed.
Despite some enthusiastic net attacks, Justina was soon on the defensive, as Severus simply ploughed forward, attacking with both swords.
Justina was soon badly wounded. On her last hit in fact. A swing of her net saw Severus lose a sword. Confident he could finish her he left it on the sand, and turned for for the kill ...
... but a last, desperate attack Justina whipped her net around his legs, and saw Severus fall heavily to the sand. By a fluke she had dislocated his knee, leaving him defeated on the ground. The crowd were favourable, though; they'd had some blood already, and both gladiators had fought to their last. They spared Severus.
This gave Catherine two prestige for a win against a more highly skilled gladiator, but cost Tertius a point of Prestige. Justina was also due a skill.
The final fight saw Alumnus and Hero facing off. Both were especially proficient with their weapons, although Hero had the edge in stamina.
Alumnus started with a rapid charge which caught Hero flat-footed and saw him driven back.
Alumnus kept up the pressure, dancing around Hero's unshielded flank and jabbing with his spear. But eventually Hero got in an attack on Alumnus's unshielded side, and inflicted a deep and nasty wound.
Alumnus kept fighting, but was tiring fast from his exertions. Hero was tiring too, but with an edge in stamina he saw Alumnus fall first.
Tonight's feline emperor was Mr Wednesday. He'd had enough of these little playthings disturbing his rest, and ordered Alumnus dispatched. This gave Catherine a point of Prestige for the win, and cost me another gladiator; one with a skill as well. I've now lost five, if you're keeping score.
So after the evening's exertions, Catherine is way out in front with 12 Prestige, Tertius is down to 5 Prestige, whilst I have managed to increase mine to 4. Once again this leaves Catherine topping the bill in the next games, so we'll be seeing either Hero or Danaos in action. Maybe both.
We must obey the furry overlords
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