Purchased for 180g


Heartless
[June 11th, 3rd Century AD. Lines of chained slaves from different houses are making their way into the Ludi for today’s big event. Yet another gladiator battle; however for Lucia, it was going to be her first. Not fully aware of what was ahead, she desperately tries to gather information for her survival. She starts with Elena, the tall girl with black hair who was chained in front of her.]
ACT I
Scene I: Entering the Ludi
[Enter Lucia, Elena, Markus, Castiel, and others]
LUCIA:
Elena, what is going to happen when we get inside?
[Elena turns around only for a moment to give Lucia an annoyed stare. The boy across from Lucia turns to face Lucia.]
MARKUS:
Shouldn’t you know what happens in gladiator fights by now?
[He spoke with an unrecognizable thick accent.]
LUCIA:
I only know the tales from travelers that visited my town as a child. I don’t belong here.
[She falls forward a little bit as the chain she’s connected to starts moving again.]
MARKUS:
You look like you belong more than I with all that dirt on your face, did they not clean you up before sending you straight into battle?
[Markus brushes his cheeks with a chuckle. Lucia cringes. The boy chained behind Markus looks up from his daze and notices the two bantering.]
CASTIEL:
Leave her alone Markus, why do you always have to mess with the ladies?
[Markus rolls his eyes and turns forward again.]
LUCIA:
Oh it’s okay, he wasn’t bothering me.
CASTIEL:
No gladiator should disrespect another unless met in battle.
[Lucia blushes.]
Did I hear you say you are not from around here?
LUCIA:
I ran away from home. My father wanted me to have an arranged marriage; while fleeing I got caught by slave traders and they took me to the Ludus Lykos.
CASTIEL:
I see. That’s a rough transition, can you fight?
LUCIA:
A little bit, I knocked out one of the slave traders when he was trying to capture me.
CASTIEL:
If you would not have fought back you may have been more fortunate and sold somewhere else.
LUCIA:
Maybe, but I wasn’t thinking straight. And you? How can such a fine young man like you be playing gladiator?
CASTIEL:
This life was chosen for me, my parents were gladiators when they were younger. They bought their freedom and had me, but died when I was young. I was sent back to the Ludus Dacicus because no one would take me in.
LUCIA:
Oh, forgive me for asking.
[Lucia frowned, then realized she was nearing the front of the line ahead.]
CASTIEL:
It is alright. I live comfortably here at Ludus Dacicus because of my parents' legacy.
[Enter Maren]
MAREN:
Lucia! What are you doing? Don’t you know not to talk to the other gladiators? Go inside straight to the armory. We will talk about this later.
[Maren looks down on Lucia with disappointment, she uncuffs the chain connecting her to Elena and another girl behind her. Elena quietly laughs to herself while walking to the armory. Lucia looks back to see Castiel heading to the other male armory and then runs to catch up with Elena.]
[Exit Castiel and Maren]
ACT I
Scene II: Inside the Armory
LUCIA:
What is so funny?
ELENA:
Your ignorance.
LUCIA:
You should’ve told me. I am ignorant, and if you wouldn’t have ignored me I wouldn’t have talked to them.
[Lucia sits down on a bench inside the armory, and puts her palm to her head.]
ELENA:
I don’t like talking to newcomers. They go so quick, better to not form an attachment. Plus it’s more effective to be scolded by the lanista, you probably wouldn’t have listened to me.
[Elena hesitates]
The crowd gets a kick out of two “lovers” fighting against each other.
LUCIA:
[Lucia winces a little.]
Lovers? I did not even know them.
ELENA:
They don’t know that. All the game master cares about is bringing in money from bets.
LUCIA:
I thought betting was banned?
ELENA:
That does not stop the mad men of Rome. I’m surprised you did not know, even the emperor participates in betting.
[The two lose track of time arguing until Maren comes back with papyrus, handing one to each girl in the room]
MAREN:
These are your fighting assignments for the day, make sure you are prepared for your fight in advance, you never know what will happen, arrangements may be changed.
LUCIA:
[Lucia walks up to Maren and bows her head down.]
Lanista, I would like to apologize for my inappropriate behavior, I didn't mean to upset you.
MAREN:
I will let this one slide because you are new here, but if I catch you talking to them again, you’re going to get yourself killed. Until then stick with Elena.
[Lucia nods gratefully, Elena lets out an annoyed sigh]
Your assignment is later today. I hope to see you up in the stands cheering on your sisters.
[Exit Maren]
ELENA:
Come on, let's go Lucia.
ACT I
Scene III: Participant Stands
[Lucia and Elena begin making their way to the participant stands, the crowd thickens and Lucia loses sight of Elena. Lucia begins to panic a little, pacing through the crowd.]
LUCIA:
Elena! Elena!!
[Enter Castiel]
CASTIEL:
Why hello there, we meet again.
LUCIA:
Yes, it seems our paths have crossed once again.
CASTIEL:
Like fate?
[Castiel laughs nervously.]
No, I was looking for you to apologize for the scene earlier.
LUCIA:
It’s okay, but I am not supposed to talk to you.
CASTIEL:
[Castiel bows his head a little disappointed.]
I see, when is your fight set for?
LUCIA:
Just after noon.
CASTIEL:
Would you come sit with me and watch the chariot races?
LUCIA:
I’d love to, but I don’t want to take any risks. Plus I really need to find Elena.
[Lucia tries to back away.]
CASTIEL:
The girl with the dark hair who was in front of you earlier? If we stay here maybe she will come back to where you lost each other?
LUCIA:
That’s not a bad idea. I will stay, but only for a little while.
[Enter Armin]
ARMIN:
There you are dear, my best fighter, Castiel. Are you enjoying the races so far?
CASTIEL:
Yes, the competition looks tough today.
LUCIA:
Do you two know each other?
[Armin appears shocked that she doesn't know who he is.]
CASTIEL:
This is Armin, he is the game master.
[Lucia lets out a small gasp remembering what Elena told her earlier.]
ARMIN:
I see we have a new face in the arena, who is this Castiel?
CASTIEL:
An acquaintance I made entering the Ludi. Now I am helping her find a friend.
ARMIN:
Dear, what is your name?
[Armin points to Lucia.]
LUCIA:
It’s Lucia.
ARMIN:
Nice to meet you, Lucia.
CASTIEL:
[Castiel grabs Lucia’s hand and stands up.]
We have to get back to finding Elena now.
ARMIN:
Hold on a minute, stay with me. Tell me, what Ludus are you from dear, Lucia?
LUCIA:
Ludus Lykos, Sir.
ARMIN:
Interesting, yes.
[Armin thinks for a moment.]
Did you know that you two are from rival Ludus’?
CASTIEL:
Not until now, but we are not in competition.
ARMIN:
What if you were? The crowd would go wild. You two can go now, good luck finding your friend, Lucia.
[Exit Castiel and Lucia.]
Where was I?
[Armin raises his arm and snaps his fingers three times.]
[Enter Adrian.]
ADRIAN:
At your service Lord Armin.
ARMIN:
Can you arrange Castiel from Ludus Dacicus ,and Lucia from Ludus Lykos to fight? I think it would be delightful.
ADRIAN:
Let me look at the schedule and see what I can do.
[Adrian nods his head then frowns.]
Looks like it can happen, but the fight will have to be soon.
ARMIN:
Perfect. I am so excited, thanks dear.
ACT I
Scene IV: Somewhere in the crowd
[Not long after Maren had to track Lucia down and inform her that her fight was being changed, which is where she found her once again with Castiel. This time, they were embraced at the hands.]
[Enter Maren, Castiel, Lucia and others.]
MAREN:
Lucia! I can’t believe you’re with him again? I warned you once and you still disobey?
[Lucia immediately lets go of Castiel.]
LUCIA:
I’m sorry, I lost track of Elena, and Castiel found me and was helping me find her again.
[Castiel nods in agreement.]
MAREN:

Yeah well that’s not what it looks like. You should have reported right back to me. Now you have wished something horrible upon yourself.
[Lucia looks up confused.]
LUCIA:
What do you mean?
MAREN:
The game master has decided that you two are going to fight for his amusement.
[Lucia lets out a loud gasp, beginning to tear up.]
Let’s go, now. We have to prepare.
[Exit Maren and Lucia.]
CASTIEL:
What am I to do? I can not kill her, but I do not want to die either. I hardly know Lucia, but I feel so connected to her. Maybe it will not escalate to a death match? Is it worth taking that risk going into the fight? I am no slave, but she is. I could run away, but I would be disowned from the Ludus. If I left she would likely be killed by the hand of another, I can not let that happen. I think I love her So many thoughts, emotions, coming through. I can't think straight.
[Exit Castiel.]
ACT I
Scene V: In a preparatory room
[Enter Castiel, Lucia, and others]
[Castiel and Lucia stand side by side awaiting the doors to open where they will have to fight until the game master is satisfied.]
CASTIEL:
[Castiel looks down at Lucia with sadness in his eyes.]
I can not fight you.
LUCIA:
Me either, you are the only person here who has shown me kindness in a long time.
CASTIEL:
We have to impress the summa rudis enough that it does not lead up to death.
LUCIA:
[Lucia hesitates.]
And if we don’t?
CASTIEL:
One of us will have to die.
[Fin.]