Gannicus was not a man who cared to carry a shield. It wasn't his style - quite literally. Having always fought in the style of dimachaerus, the murmillo fashion of carrying a shield was better left to slower, stronger men. Fighting in the Roman legionary style sat badly with Gannicus; he preferred two swords or two fists, and nothing else.

But the arena had been a painful, powerful lesson in how much Gannicus needed to change his approach. No longer could he rely on the narrow categorisation of conflict that came with the arena brawls of old - this was a free for all, where he should now expect strange new weapons - and talented men who knew how to wield them. He had never used a shield in the arenas before, but now perhaps was a good time to start.

"But what of metal?" He prompted, before changing tack with his second question with a more obvious line as he added:

"In the land you call home, how does a man defend himself from such deadly aim?"