I trudged through muddy streets with my bloody hands held in front of me, letting them lead me wherever I must go. I tripped over my feet and landed on my face, but my attention was on my fingers. When a drop of water merely touches the tips of my fingers the liquid will continue to flow down my arms as thick blood.

I had given up trying to wipe or rub the stream off my arms because only physical blood can be removed. This blood I am seeing must be the product of my mind full of guilt, but why am I seeing this now? When I have been fighting for most of my life, why do I see blood now?"

I see a lone traveller scurry through the streets and I ran up to the person, calling out frantically. I see they picked up their pace to escape me. I tapped their back, "Excuse me, can you help me with one thing? It will not take longer than a blink."

"What do you want?" A man shook his wet coat, sending more water into my face. Then, he suddenly regretted what he had done and shook his head to tell me he cannot help. "Find someone else."

"We are the only ones crazy enough to be on the streets in the pouring rain. Please, just tell me if you see blood on my hands. Look," I thrust my bloody hands at him and he moved away, shaking his head vigorously.

"You are the insane one. I am trying to find shelter and you are asking me about blood on your hands?" He grunted and stole a glance at my hands. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, there is blood on your hands. Now I must go, goodbye."

I was too shocked to watch the man squeeze through two houses into what I assumed to be an alleyway. I turned my palm to face the ground, wondering whether the blood would drip onto the ground or not. I sighed, "It seems as if this blood is stuck to me. Of course, with all I've done, I will never remove this."

"Marik, what are you doing in the rain? Are you mad?" A familiar voice called to me as I passed a tavern full of merry noises. Sebastian had been drinking a cup of wine at a table under a palm leaf canopy. He looked drunk and happy to see me. He raised the cup to his head, "Come, have a drink with your only friend!"

"You know I don't drink," I said, but I walked over to his table despite refusing his invitation. "Why are you not drinking inside?"

Sebastian chuckled, setting the cup down with a loud bang. He shook his head as he wheezed, holding a dainty hand under his nose. My friend laughed until he started to cough and I watched, confused. "Why are you outside?"

"I went to a new place to learn. Sebastian, look at the men staring after you with so much lust! We are getting out of here." I grabbed beneath his armpits and lifted him off his chair and called to the tavern's owner. "Sir, I will pay for my friend. I hope he did not give you any trouble."

"No, not at all!" A bearded man shook his head as he stepped out of the house to meet me. His eyes fell on my friend's bare shoulders and I felt disgusted by his expression. "Just for the beautiful lad, I'll let him drink every day without charge."

"You wish he drinks every day!" I summoned a bag of silver coins into my palm, coiling when I see blood still latched onto my fingers like leeches. "Take the payment, leave us alone!"

The pub owner tossed the bag in the air to catch it as it fell. He smiled a crooked smile like the crook he was. He still had the nerve to stare after Sebastian in the same way my boys stared after voluptuous women. He made me sick!

"Keep staring and I'll show you how lovely Marik Valerius can be." I lifted my friend onto my back and held him as if he was a child riding his father's back. I smirked when the tavern owner dropped the bag of money to study my face.

Black hair, confirmed! Violet eyes, confirmed! Powerful aura, definitely confirmed. This was the image of Marik Valerius, Vales' God of War. Is it not odd that only soldiers and noblemen recognize my face? Ordinary citizens only know my features.

The bearded man held up his hands to apologize. "I'm sorry, I did not recognize you. I did not mean any harm to your friend."

"Yes, good, but I think you should apologize to him instead of me. Remember your wife or I suggest you remove that ring on your finger." Then, I mumbled under my breath. "He's worthy of being my deputy. I know he can easily defeat you during normal circumstances but he is too drunk."

I spoke louder for the men in the background poking their noses out the window. "If I discover one of you have tampered with his drink, you and your whole family will be extinguished like flames. Continue drinking your bitter poisons!"

Livid, I stomped away with Sebastian on my back. I winced when his big friend suddenly became hard as a rock. I glanced back at him, realizing he was getting drenched by the rain. I rushed out of the tavern out of madness and now I see that I was being foolish.

"Sorry, Brother Marik. Your authoritative tone was so sexy I accidentally became aroused." Sebastian placed his chin on my shoulders and giggled. His moving head massaged my tense muscles. "I love you, do you know that?"

"I don't love you," I muttered and pushed his face away from mine. With every breath he released, I smelled ale and wine. "You're drunk, why?"

"Don't ask questions," my friend grabbed my wrist and turned my face with his other hand. He stared into my eyes as he tilted his head. Unexpectedly, his wet lips pressed onto mine and as quickly as it came, it left. "You drank wine? What a hypocrite!"

"What did you just do? Hideous men were ogling while you drank. You have the time of day to kiss me?" I placed both my hands under his knees to keep him on my back. I shuddered, not liking the feeling of my friend kissing me in the rain. "I drank because of Zoticus."

"Zoticus, is that the Krasean's name? He could make you drink?" My friend laughed loudly into my ear. "You're a virgin when it comes to drinking and women. Tell me, did he also lead you to a woman?"

"Yes, I think, I don't know. But it is not what you are thinking!" I urged myself to walk faster through the rain. This conversation took an odd turn which I did not wish to finish. "I met a fortune-teller because of him. You know I'm drunk when I start seeing crazy people."

"Some crazy people are not what they seem, Marik. Did she predict your past, present and future? Did she give you anything?" Sebastian rubbed the corner of my mouth with his hands. He is truly drunk to the point he dares to do this to me. "She must have spoken about you and the slave, Zoticus? I think he's lucky to have you as his master."

"He feels so lucky," I muttered. "If he feels that way, he would not have attempted to kill me and himself. He's a brave man."

"He should be if he's a legendary warrior's slave. Will you take him to battlefields with us?" My friend asked groggily. He sounds sleepy yet he wanted to be talkative. "The host at the House said he has a background in warfare. I do not understand how temple priests can participate in a war."

"He is not a Valesian priest, keep that in mind. Cithenian priests can fight in battles and would you like to hear something so absurd?" I knew I had piqued my friend's interest as he leaned into my cheeks. I hoisted him higher on my back. "Cithenian priests can engage in sexual activity."

My friend blew into my ear, laughing until his cold forehead slammed into my shoulders. "Are you saying that a priest has gotten more action than you? Surely, you are bound to die alone and a virgin!"

"Why are you my best friend?" I grumbled, rolling my eyes. I would stop him from poking my cheeks but both my hands are occupied. "Sebastian, why do you weigh more than a cow? Your friend is also huge, calm it before I chuck you off!"

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"Don't worry, we are close to your house. Brother, I would like to meet the slave before going back to my house. Can I see him?" Sebastian pinched my cheeks, making them numb in his warm fingers. My friend chuckled loudly beside my ear and slapped my face with three fingers. "Why are you looking at me like I will hunt him?"

"You are a monster and an animal, I don't know what you will do when drunk! Let me warn you, he is a tough one. He is not like the regular slaves in your family's house." I smirked, imagining my friend trying to approach Zoticus. "He may scratch your nose if you approach his baby."

Sebastian removed his face from my shoulders to gawk at my ear, his jaw hanging. "He has a child? I thought he was a priest so did the House not show us his child? You are truly a lucky bastard, getting the golden slave and his child!"

I pressed tilt my head to push his away, concentrating on finding the correct road to our neighbourhood. I feel his hot breath fanning my neck, "Stop that right now! Zoticus' child is not his but a baby girl we found outside the city. Did you know parents would abandon female babies? I thought those cases were merely rumours!"

"Yes, I did." My friend's voice faded into the sound of falling rain. He sounds disappointed, sorrowful. "My little sister disappeared through that way many years ago."

I gulped, feeling guilty for reminding him of his sibling. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you carried those memories with you and babbled loudly in front of you. Why didn't you tell me about her?"

Sebastian shrugged on my back as I carried him to my house's gates. He licked his lips, slurping beside my ear. "I didn't want you to know about the depressing tradition. I was thinking you'd be better off thinking humans are less evil than you thought."

"But I'm a warrior," I set him down to disable the barrier for a moment. I grinned when Sebastian yawned. "You're tired, I'll let you use one cubiculum as the other two are occupied by Zoticus and the baby girl. Her name is Lorica, I named her myself!"

"Lorica?" My friend slapped his knees, then lurched forward. He threw his stomach's contents onto my leg once again. He noisily wiped his mouth, giggling sheepishly. "I should do this tomorrow because I'm having a streak! Instead of food or drinks, what else should I spew onto you?"

"I'm going to kill you!" I growled as I turned around to face my wobbling friend. I held out my hands, preparing to attack. Then, I pounced to grab his long red hair. "Do it again! I dare you to do it again."

While we wrestled like children, the locks on the gate doors clicked and the gates opened. My friend and I paused, arms and legs suspended in the air. We watched the gates open by themselves.

"Marik, where were you? You were gone for a long time and I thought you were buying milk for Lorica!" Zoticus had placed an enchantment over the house that evaporated rain as soon as water touches the house. How could he modify my house without my knowledge? "Is he your deputy?"

Zoticus nodded towards Sebastian, his eyes narrowing into tiny slits. In his arms was Lorica whom he had dressed in miniature clothing I did not own. He must've made the small articles of clothing himself.

Sebastian stared back at the man holding a baby. As he was still drunk, he acted tipsily. A finger was thrust towards the sky. "My friend must be treating you so well that you dare to call him by his name. You should be calling him Master! Is he using you in the be-"

I slapped a hand over his mouth, grimacing when Sebastian licked my palm. My friend is a freak! I lightly kicked my fiery-haired friend's ankle. "Sebastian, calm yourself! I allowed him to call me Marik and if you want to keep your future children, do not provoke me. I will damage your jewels."

That shut him up instantly. Once he was silent, the three of us entered the gardens to enter the house. It felt odd to walk from heavy rain to dry air. Zoticus' magic was impressive to me.

"Is this your baby girl?" Sebastian gushed beside the other man. I did not know my deputy liked children until he quietly squealed in Lorica's presence. He did not wish to wake her from her deep slumber, yet he needed to adore the small babe.

"Marik and I found her in the garbage collection just outside of Orotica. I'm surprised he allowed me to keep her." Zoticus rocked the baby in his arms, smiling proudly. He acted as if he had birthed the child himself. "I thought the general would have killed her."

We wove through the house to make our way into my gigantic chambers. The curtains have been tied to their columns, opening into the other rooms. Sunlight poured from the dome above my bed. This must be Zoticus'doing.

"My friend may look like a pain in the behind, but he does have soft spots for animals and young children." Sebastian flopped onto my bed and claimed it with his wet body. After staying under the bright light, his clothes were dried. "Zoticus, do you like Marik?"

"I would like him if we were not in this situation. If I'm not trying to kill him, if he isn't my master and if we aren't enemies." Zoticus leaned against a pillar, tilting his head back to rest it against the alabaster column. His yellow hair fell over his face. "You're both drunk. Why don't you two sleep together?"

Sebastian shifted on my bed to pull a seductive position, holding a hand under his chin. He ran one hand along his thighs and legs. He puckered his lips and closed his eyes. "Marik, you have been able to resist women. However, you can't resist me!"

"Not in Lorica's presence!" Zoticus gasped behind me, shocked to witness Sebastian's seductive position. His hand held Lorica's fragile head and he leaned towards me to whisper in my ear. "Where did you find your friend for him to be this wonderful? How much did he drink on a stormy day?"

I shrugged, not knowing the answer to that question. "I only found him slouching in front of a tavern. You will not be able to imagine the number of hungry wolves surrounding him."

"I see," Zoticus murmured softly as he lightly patted the Lorica's small back. He came to stand beside me, watching my friend with golden eyes. "He must've been drinking to forget sad matters. Does he drink often?"

I joined him in watching Sebastian wail on my bed. I shook my head, not knowing whether my friend is a heavy drinker. I did not know his family killed daughters and I only knew what he tells me. What he tells me is not much.

"He needs time to himself, come with me so we can give him space. Once he is sober and realizes he was a dramatic king he will quickly leave for his own house." I hope Sebastian would find his way back to his house soon. Although we are friends, having him in my house is uncomfortable.

Zoticus' sandals clacked behind me, against the alabaster floor. In silence, he carried Lorica and himself after me into the triclinium. "Marik, do you wish to hold Lorica?"

I shook my head as fast as possible. "No, I will surely drop her. Besides, she is not my responsibility but you are."

I waved him over to the table surrounded by stone benches and wooden benches. I could not control my eyes as they rolled on their own. "I should burn those splintered wooden benches."

"You should not do that," Zoticus said whilst seating himself on one of them. He made a few noises for Lorica before looking up at me with a bright smile. "Wood is for slaves, right? Shorter stone benches are for women and the gold bench is for the head of the house."

I clenched my fists, angered by the sight of different benches. I stomped over to Zoticus whose face quickly filled with fear. I gripped his left shoulder, urging him to get up. I did not see why he should sit on such an uncomfortable seat.

In my house, Zoticus is not a free man yet he is also not a slave. I hoped to tell him this as soon as possible.

"You're referring to the other Valesian households. In the house of Valerius, you are not going to sit on splintered benches nor will you sleep on dirty floors." I looked into his glistening eyes, nodding slowly. "Outside, you are my slave. Here, you are Zoticus."

I guided him up, helping him hold Lorica for a moment. I sighed a huge sigh of relief when the man grinned at me. I snapped my fingers until the table became laden with trays of food. Then, I guided Zoticus to a long stone bench.

Using both of my hands I pushed him down. I let go to pull the table towards us and jumped over the bench to sit near him. "I'll take Lorica for a bit. Don't be shy and take whatever you want. Roasted pig, lamb, cow meat? If you're wondering, I stored food in my energy. I forgot I had all these."

Zoticus scanned the table, making my heart pound in my chest. His tanned arms reached out to take a clear jug full of milk. Carefully, he removed the lid and brought the cup to his nose. His eyes widened as his eyebrows furrowed. "Why do you have breast milk?"

"That is -what?" I accept the jug held out towards me and took a sniff of the milky liquid. My cheeks reddened as I attempted to recall the origins of this milk, but I could not. "I don't think that matters at the moment, will you feed Lorica with it? I can do it for you but I'll need a small spoon."

"No, Lorica would not allow you to feed her," he said after staying silent. His bright eyes bore holes into the sides of my head. Quietly, he reeled in a plate of sliced fruits and separated the red fruit from everything else.

I watched, intrigued by his eating habits. I watched his eyelids slide closed after a cherry was popped into his mouth. I gripped onto the baby girl, noticing my hand covered her whole abdomen. "She's so small and sweet. If I did not become a soldier, I may have become a young father."

Zoticus paused with wide eyes, then attacked me by spitting a cherry seed at my cheek. He had left a section untouched but drenched in his saliva. He pointed at the seed sliding down my face, laughing lightly. He seemed very amused by my misfortune.

I used my right hand to shove the fruit tray closer to him. My heart skipped a beat when I heard an 'oof' because I had flung the tray right into his ribs. I quickly apologized as others would apologize to people of higher status.

When I should be the master, I am apologizing to the slave? If Sebastian was sober he would remind me of the norms I have ignored for Zoticus.

I have broken at least five by giving the man a chance to fill his stomach. I may have broken more for letting him try to kill me, letting him save a child, letting him have his own cubiculum and whatever else I have done today.

I am a man who puts in all his effort once he starts. If I broke so many rules and norms, I might as well make Zoticus a freedman. Only the luckiest slaves receive their freedom from owners. I know about my freedom, but not because someone freed me.

I had to bite my own leg to escape the trap.