Varia

Age: 20

Birthplace: Rome

Fighting style: Thraex

History: Former slave Varia grew up under the auspices of the lanista, Lucius Balbus. Freed by Lysandra when the ludus was gifted to her by the jaded Balbus, Varia found herself living with a woman she idolised from the first moment they met.

Trained by the finest fighters in the Eastern Empire – including Lysandra herself – the young Varia is a gladiatrix without peer. But she is also a gladiatrix who never fights. Lysandra steadfastly refuses to let the girl step onto the sands of the arena and this disagreement causes a rift between them that only widens as Lysandra succumbs to easy living and a life of temple management.

Varia chafes at the yoke of what she believes is Lysandra's over-protection of her and when her offer to help the Spartan train for her forthcoming Imperial Command Performance is rebuffed, Varia's patience snaps.

She determines that she will go her own way and live life on her own terms – a decision that will test her, Lysandra and indeed the Gladiatirx Prima of all Rome – the most beautiful and deadly woman in the Empire – Illeana: the Aesalon Nocturna.