Annotated 20-11
Of course, while these two are damn compatible lovers, there’s more going on here than just a good time in the sack. We’re also playing the getting-to-know-you game that decides the difference between passionate flings and ongoing life partners. Scipio knows a lot of who Fr’Nj is thanks to “how they met,” but now it’s time for Silent Cal to open up.
Before we had even figured out Fr’Nj, Phil emailed me this: We haven’t developed Scipio’s backstory much of anything at all. Someone in the comments picked up on the historical reference of his name and wanted to know if we’ll see Roman Fighting.
It occurred to me that Scipio strikes me as the type of fellow who was once a gladiator that then became freed and turned to mercenary work. Maybe he was instrumental to the liberation of his people. Maybe this is something he and Frigg can bond over, in their weird co-antagonistic way.
Do you dig on that?
More about his path from warrior to ruler tomorrow.
Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis, and the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, Conan, destined to wear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow. It is I, his chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!
Huh. I always figured he was a prized gladiator, hence the royal treatment in the last panel. Never occurred to me he overthrown a ruler and freed his people.
I’d guess that even prized gladiators didn’t get a throne, would give them ideas above their station. Though knowing the Romans they might just think the idea was hilarious so who can say.
I can dig it. Though I expected more he got made a vassal due to his fighting skill than that he usurped someone else’s throne.
I guess it could be both, though.
Scipio’s fighting flashback here reminds me of one of Gravedust’s flashbacks near the end of the story, around the scene when he fought Iver. Not sure why, it just stands out.
I mean, gladiators don’t need to be slaves in a fantasy setting. They could just be mercenaries who do it for the fame and money.
(This was meant to be a reply to Lurklen)
Even in reality some gladiators weren’t slaves, the Roman emperor himself occasionally got in the ring. Granted those matches were usually a bit rigged but still