Part 330: Sully A

I told you to drop and give me 50, maggot, but it looks like you just dropped!

*Pant, pant* Can't... we... take... a break? I'm feeling... dizzy. Wine. I need... wine and bread. And some... cheese...

What's that, maggot? I can't heeear you! Now get up. Warm-ups are finished-- it's time to start training for real!

Oh, for the love of all that's holy! Please, have mercy... Urk... A-all right. I'm up. Wobbling, but up. What's... next?

Good, Gaius. Very good.

Wh-what?

I pushed you as hard as I knew how, but you still haven't given up. Everyone else who attempted my training had run home to Mommy at this point.

If I knew running away was an option, I would have fled long ago.

Heh. You're just saying that. I can see in your eyes that you're ready for more!

The only thing I'm ready for is death's sweet embrace...

Although now that I have my breath back, perhaps I could do another round. Truth be told, this exercise has a way of lifting a man's spirit's.

Oh? Do they need lifting?

I often brood about my misspent youth, when I was but a mere bandit. Mayhap there is something to this "good for the body, good for the soul" flapdoodle.

Though more likely, I'm just too tired to think clearly.

Or maybe my training is actually taking effect.

This is great, Gaius. Look how much you're learning! Tomorrow we meet an hour before dawn-- we have a lot to get through.

Argh. Please tell me that today was not just a primer for the horror to come...

(I can't believe I'm actually starting to enjoy this madwoman's company.)

Stop mumbling, maggot! You've still got 23 laps to go!

Right!