My master and I spent a few more days with his family. I was fortunate to have met them. They have been nothing but kind, caring, and welcoming, even to a foreigner and a person of lesser class than they are. Even if they struggle to care for themselves, they still offer their home, the food on their table, to me as if I was one of their own. It pains me to think how much they have had to sacrifice just to be hospitable towards me, let alone be as generous as they were.
We eventually came back to the military camp in the city. I spent most of my time reading the books my master had given me. It did surprise me at first when he gave them. Although, I did find it useful as it had given me more insight and knowledge on their language as well as the culture of the country...empire. While I had wished that I needn't know about such things, I must accept that my life has been brought here by the gods.
I suppose I should consider myself fortunate that my master had bothered to help me, even if it was without my knowledge. I don't know if I should be grateful or insulted that he thought I needed to be educated to be his servant. Regardless, I have been taught never to let knowledge go to waste.
That being said, I spent every second not spent following my master around reading these books, learning more of the way they speak, how they behave, as well as what is considered "well-mannered". Praise the gods that I did, as I would have been dead with what was in store for me in the future.
The afternoons would always be a troublesome time, as it would be the time when everyone would be awake, and as I spent my time in my master's tent reading, would be the most infuriating time of the day for me. The sound of men grunting, metal clinking, and even clicking of the horses galloping became infuriating noises to me over time. It seemed like soldiers knew nothing but combat and the occasional drink. Despite it being midday, the camp was still fresh with the stench of wine.
While the soldiers immersed themselves in training, duties, and debauchery, I noticed that my master spent most of his time training alone, on occasion with his friend. If he was not training he would be performing his duties more diligently than any soldier at the camp, or in the army for that matter. I found it very odd, so much so that I began to wonder whether this was really how he was. It surprises me that I am even mildly curious, yet I was.
It was a regular afternoon in the camp, I was in my routine of reading and learning what I could from the books that I was given. My master stood at the table by the entrance of the tent looking at maps. Servants are meant to be at their masters beckon call, and yet he pays me no mind as I am minding my own business. He truly is an odd master to say the least.
Quiet filled the tent, until the covers flew open. "Pamphilus!" a voice yelled, as the covers flew down to reveal a man in armor, similar to my masters', adorned in gold lining. The man was similar in height to my master, however, he looked much older, as his hair all the way to his well maintained facial hair had linings of silver. The few scars on his face and arms implied experience and his demeanor as a soldier implied that he is a one who seeks glory and revels in it.
"Arcturus?" my master responded, confused. "Sir, what are you doing here?" my master asked. "I came to personally invite you to my estate!" the man called Arcturus exclaimed. The loud ramblings of the man, to no surprise, was infuriating, however, I did my best to still myself and focused on my book. "I am humbled by the offer, sir, however my duties must take precedence." my master said. "The war is over, son. Now is the time of peace, as we have brought glory and prosperity to all of the empire." Arcturus said with a wide smile on his face and his chest puffed out as if to intimidate. I briefly glanced at their direction and I noticed Arcturus pause and noticed me as well. I quickly turned my glance back to my book, hoping that he would be distracted by anything else.
"I had heard that you had taken slaves now." Arcturus said. He walked closer to me, his eyes inspecting me from head to toe. It disgusted me to see a small mischievous grin on his face as he.... Admired me. His admiration was cut short when my master stood in between us. "Sir, the slave is mine." my master said. "I would suggest you keep your hands and eyes to yourself." He said with a much more stern tone. The slave.... It seems that he still thinks of me as such a lowly piece of property, rather than a human being. He simply means to protect what he owns.
Arcturus finally stopped looking at me and slowly backed away. "I'm sure she's splendid company on cold nights." Arcturus said, smirking like the devil himself. "Come to my estate, Pamphilus." He said. "We shall celebrate! I have also invited Marcus. You two shall experience the life of a proper nobleman." Before my master could say a word, Arcturus left, smiling.
My master began to rub the back of his head, clearly irritated by Arcturus. That would be one of the few things I can sympathize with. He turned towards my direction and I reacted by looking away from him as quickly as I could. “I… apologize for that….” he said softly. I wondered why he was apologizing, and why to me. He made it clear that I was his property, nothing more. When silence filled the air, I turned around hoping his attention was turned towards something else. However, what greeted me was the cool shine of his blue eyes. It had caused my blood to boil before, the cool, shining, innocence in those eyes I had expected to hide the devil itself ready to burst and claim me as his.
I’m not sure what I saw when he…I should not be thinking about this. I reminded myself that I was his property, I had to. Remaining deep in thought may cause me more harm than any good. He kept his eyes on me, however, to keep my mind from wandering I had to look away. “I must leave you with my family, it is the only place you will be safe.” As he stood, my body moved by itself and reached for his hand to grab. Our eyes met, his cool blue eyes looking back at mine. I had no idea why I had reached for him, all I knew was that I was uncertain… and afraid.
I took back my hand, and felt my face and body warm up from embarrassment. I have always hated feeling vulnerable. Ever since my city….my country fell, I had felt nothing but vulnerable, useless,.... bound. I had never understood how important hope and sense of humanity was to a human being, until it was taken away from me. Now, I cannot be described as human anymore.
My master knelt down and met my eyes again, and lowered himself to meet me. He put his hand on my cheek once more, his hands softer and warmer than before. “If I take you with me, I may not be able to….” I hated relying on my master. I hated putting my life in a foreigner’s hands. However, as I am constantly reminded, the choice was taken from me the moment their ropes bounded and marked me for life. Reminded by my fate, words could not form in my mouth to break my silence as I hung my head in shame. Before I had realized, my hands were warm. My master had taken my hands and wrapped them in his. “You must stay by my side. Whatever happens.” he said gently commanding me to. I had no more words left to respond. I simply nodded and put my life in his hands.
—
On the following day, my master made our way to his superior’s estate. My master had brought his friend as he was also invited, much to my annoyance. While his friend remained harmless compared to the other soldiers, he could never seem to shut his mouth. “What, pray tell, possessed you to bring your prize to such a prestigious celebration?” my master’s friend asked. “The reason would be none of your business, Marcus.” my master responded. Marcus looked at me, however, rather than the smiling and charming buffoon I was introduced to, his stare was more threatening, dare I say cold.
My master noticed his stare and brought him back to his senses. My master pulled Marcus near him and whispered into his ear. I wondered what he could be telling him but I inevitably paid it no mind. Eventually, we reached the gates of the estate. Vines enveloped the walls at the front of the estate, emphasizing its age and history, however, the gates gleamed with the shine of well polished gold. A sign of wealth and power being boasted to all who enter no doubt.
We were greeted by two servants that opened the gates for us. At first glance, it seemed they were treated well, having clean robes and presentable appearances. It had seemed as if I was being greeted by divine deities in the garden of the gods. However, I noticed the dirt on their feet and the subtle scars on the arms, these were slaves.
The slaves bowed their heads to my master and Marcus. As we were passing them by, I noticed that my master and his friend had an expression I did not expect. Their heads avoided looking towards the slaves but their eyes looked heavy, burdened, as their eyes looked towards the slaves. I had seen that expression countless times from my master every time he looked at me, however, this had been the very first time I had seen that expression on his friend. My master's friend had been a mystery to me for some time, I had always thought that he was an idiotic soldier like any other that boasted about his charm and handsome appearance. Have I been quick to make that judgment?
As we made our way through the garden, passing servants maintained the shrubbery and a statue of what seemed to have been the owner, Arcturus, displaying his might to all his guests with sword and shield in hand. The simplicity of such works and design speaks volumes for the vanity of the owner. Words could not describe what I was feeling. Pity for the poor souls that are in the service of such a master, Anger at the clear and prideful boasting of each and every statue and polished gold designs, and even Shame that I CHOSE to be dragged through this spectacle like a pathetic pet. My mind went blank from drowning in anger, shame, and pity all at once. There was no sense of humanity left in my body.
Before I had realized, we had reached the estate doors, where Arcturus was waiting for my master and his friend. He raised his arms and smiled happily for an embrace from either my master or Marcus, however, neither approached him. Instead, both shook his hand and stood up straight and stiff, as alert as a soldier guarding chambers of royalty.
“There is no need for such formalities here, sons.” the old soldier said to his subordinates in such a causal tone. “Forgive us sir, we simply wanted to show you our respect.” my mast replied. “Yes, especially since it is you who have honored us by inviting us to your home.” Marcus continued.
Arcturus walked towards my master and Marcus, and put his arms around both of them. “This is a celebration, boys. Tonight, we shall indulge in wine and food fit for the gods themselves.” With that proclamation, we entered the estate.
The estate was completely marble from the floor to the ceiling, gleaming white, and clear enough to be able to my own reflection. There was a set of stairs leading to a level upstairs on the right, and directly ahead was the dining hall, where we began heading towards. As we approached the arch leading to the dining hall, a woman appeared from the staircase. She was adorned with a crimson red robe with a golden bracelet and pendant, signs of noble wealth. Her hair was golden blonde and her complexion made it appear as if she was the daughter of Aphrodite herself. Her beauty was further expressed by her bright blue which seemed to reflect the beauty of the sea.
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“Hello father, I see you have brought guests.” the woman said, as she walked down the stairs gracefully. When she noticed my stare, she began looking back at me with a scornful expression on her face, making her transition from a beautiful goddess to a despicable witch. I immediately turned away, and noticed my masters’ expression, one of subtle disdain as his mouth struggled to keep the facade of a kind smile and his eyes struggled to keep from narrowing.
The woman noticed Pamphilus and immediately changed her expression into that of a graceful goddess, with a lustful hunger in her eyes. “Ah Pamphilus, I am so delighted that we are able to meet again.” the woman said, with a seductive smile as she subtly bit her lip. “A…. Delight to be able to be in your presence, Sera.” my master struggled to say. It seemed that he and this woman had met before and had an awkward relationship.
“Now, now, behave yourself Seraphina. There will be plenty of time to reacquaint with one another over dinner.” Arcturus suggested. However Seraphina kept her lustful eyes on my master. We then proceeded to the dining hall where I stood by my masters’ side while he, Marcus, and the two hosts sat at the table eagerly waiting for their dinner.
“So Pamphilus, Marcus, I hear that the two of you had been in numerous battles against the Greeks.” Arcturus began the conversation. “You two have made quite the name for yourselves and gained glory as well.” He continued proudly. “We simply did what was required to serve the empire.” My master humbly replied. “And proudly did we serve! With glory!” Marcus proclaimed raising his silver chalice, garnering a hearty laugh from Arcturus.
“I have heard the tales of your heroism and skills on the battlefield, Pamphilus.” Seraphina said, keeping her eyes on my master. “And what, pray tell, has m’lady heard in these tales?” my master asked. “How you skillfully faced down many Greeks with your fearsome combat prowess.” she said, as she fiddled with the edge of her chalice. “How you heroically led the charge on many decisive battles with your determination and intellect.” she continued, slowly emphasizing the words determination and intellect.
“It is like you are a heroic prince from an epic tale. It must have been quite the sight to see you on the battlefield.” she continued on before my master interrupted her. “I can tell you the majority of the tales you’ve heard are tall tales to say the least.” my master humbly explained. “As no one can best the combat skills of my friend Marcus. As for intellect on the battlefield, It was my duty, nothing more nothing less.” “Oh, but you mustn’t be so modest now.” she says as she comes closer to my master, her eyes subtly locked only onto him.
Before she could get closer, my master shifted his seat further away from her and towards me, halting her advances. “She is right, Pamphilus. Your feats are nothing to jest.” Arcturus begins to praise my master. “When I first laid eyes on both of you, you were commoners joining the Legion solely to feed yourselves and those you loved. Now, you emerge from this war as two incredible individuals who rose above stations.”
He praises the two of them and gestures to Marcus. “Marcus, you have become a feared warrior as you have constantly improved your skill with the blade.” he says with a proud smile, and proceeds to gesture to my master. “And you, Pamphilus, rose to be a Centurion. A symbol of one who leads their men to victory for the glory of all of Rome. An honor to be sure.” As Arcturus finishes his praises, he raises his chalice to commend my master and Marcus. “To glory in battle!” Arcturus proclaims, as they all followed suit and drank from their chalice.
The remainder of the dinner was relatively harmless. As I stood by my master's side, all four of them continued to chat and banter about various topics. Marcus and Arcturus would regale tales of heroism and glory on the battlefield of the long war. While my master kept Seraphina’s attention on him, he seemed to despise every minute of it. While I stood there, my mind wandered from one thought to another. However, mainly, my thoughts focused on the other servants……slaves that were in the same estate. A few were in clean robes and only stood by their masters’ side as I did, while others scrubbed the floors and picked up each and every scrap of filth on the floor in order to keep the grounds clean.
I should count myself lucky that I had not been given to a master like this, but how could I be lucky that I am in servitude unwillingly to a master that only thinks of me as property? “I am a pathetic excuse for a human being.” I thought to myself, as I spiral into a cycle of building anger towards my fate and inevitably accepting it. I noticed the marks on some of the women servants, there were red marks on their wrists with bruises and red marks on their legs, a few of them were taken by Arcturus as part of his “conquests”. As for the men, as well as a few women, bore long red lines visible on the back of their neck going down their back as well as the shoulder. They were whipped, treated like animals, maybe even worse.
The thought made my blood boil at its very peak. Deep in my raging thoughts, I hadn’t noticed that I caught the attention of Seraphina. “What do you think you are looking at, girl?!” She stood and walked towards me gracefully, trying her utmost to keep her composure. “Are you angered by my clear superior beauty?” She said leaning towards me, trying to taunt me.
She leaned in further to whisper in my ear, as the rest of the household bore witness. “No one would ever love you.” She whispers. “All you are is a slave, not worth calling a human being.” As she finished her insult, she slapped me abruptly with the back of her hand. My instincts told me to retaliate, and my hand formed into a fist, ready to fight her.
However, my master got up from his seat and got in between her and I, while I felt a hand grab my shoulder. It was Marcus. “I believe that’s quite enough, Seraphina.” my master said. Seraphina was shocked and confused. “What is the meaning of this?” Seraphina furiously asked. “I apologize, but Pamphilus can be quite possessive of his properties.”
Marcus said in a joking tone. “That woman is my property. If any is to punish her it should be the one who owns her.” my master said, giving a stern look to Seraphina and Arcturus.
“That would only be right would it not?” Marcus said. Seraphina and Arcturus looked at each other and nodded. Marcus then proceeded to pull me away towards the entrance. “Don’t worry, old friend, I will handle the punishment of this whore.”
Marcus said with a chuckle in his voice. I struggled as best I can but clearly saw that the praises given by Arcturus were rightfully earned. Marcus barely struggled handling me, as he effortlessly dragged me to the doors of the estate and threw me aside. I fell to the ground and prepared for the punishment that he claimed he would give me.
To my surprise, he closed the doors and simply let out a deep sigh. I felt tears fall down to my cheek as I prepared for what I thought would be brutal punishment but Marcus looked towards me and gave me the very cold glare he had been giving me ever since we had arrived at the estate. “Pamphilus was a fool to bring you here!” he yelled.
He began to yell and rant about everything that has happened in the night, as if he had been keeping this anger inside until it could go nowhere but out of his mouth through his words. “The damned fool relied on me to protect you if he could not!” He began yelling. “DOES HE THINK I’M SOME SORT OF GUARDIAN?!!” he continued to yell.
“AFTER WHAT I HAVE DONE?!?!” “THAT DAMN BASTARD!” Marcus continued to pace and yell until he threw a punch at one of the stone pillars and let out one last excruciating yell of pain and frustration.
After another deep sigh, he fell to his feet and his body became weak. “That bastard was right…” He quietly said. I watched him as he fell to pieces before my eyes. Had his strong, charming and handsome demeanor merely been a facade? I did not know what to think or feel at that moment as mixed feelings and thoughts rushed through my body and mind.
After a few moments that seemed to take an eternity each, Marcus stood and composed himself the best that he could and struggled to show his smile through the tears that fell from his outburst. “You were thrown into the fires of war without asking to be a part of it to begin with…” he began to speak, and turned to walk towards me.
“You were taken, as a slave, against your will…” “You were beaten, bruised, violated beyond possible human capacity…” as he came closer to me, I braced myself for what he might do.
Then, I felt a soft touch on my cheek, he wiped the tears away from my cheeks and spoke to me face to face. “..And yet the gods, put you in the care of one who is foolish enough to make me promise to do his duty when he cannot.” He said with a weak smile. “To protect….when he is unable to.” My master…..told Marcus to protect me?
He seemed to have dreaded coming here as much as I have and he wanted me nowhere near this place from the beginning. He had only been thinking of protecting me? Why would someone go so far……for someone they don’t consider to be human? Who is he? What am I to him?
“The gods have truly blessed you in your darkest hour.” Marcus said, wiping the last of his tears away. He knelt down to my level and he looked into my eyes. “I know you must hate me, and I know you must especially hate your master.”
“But he may surprise you, I’m sure he already has, has he not?” He is right. I did hate him, part of me had blamed it all on him. But I was also surprised by him in many ways and he is still surprising me.
After that whole ordeal, my master and I left the estate with Marcus without escalating the situation any further than it had. However, I could feel Seraphina’s cold glare at the back of my neck, like knives stabbing at my back. We had walked late in the night and Marcus went straight ahead to the tents of the other soldiers, while my master and I headed towards his tent.
A deathly awkward silence fell in the tent, as neither of us spoke a single word. After what seemed like another eternity, my master spoke. “I apologize for the trouble I have caused you.” Even now, he still surprises me. “I believed that Marcus needed to be able to protect someone to be able to move on from what he has done..” He continues.
“But it was unfair of me to put you in that situation, when it was my duty to be your protector.” I watched as my master let out small fits of frustration around the tent. Why?…..Why does he care for me?
“I should never have brought with me….I should never have…” my master looked away from me, but I knew.
Tears were rising in his eyes, as he struggled to compose himself in his frustration. As I watched him, I realized that he has treated everyone with such compassion. His family, Marcus, even to a few of his soldiers. And it is only now that I realized that he has shown me the very same kind of compassion. I thought I had lost all my humanity the moment I had been taken as a slave. Little did I realize, he would be the one to give me back my humanity by simply caring. For the first time after losing my country, my home, and my life, I have been given life by someone I would not have expected.
I slowly walked towards him and put my hand on his cheek, beckoning him to turn to me. Our eyes met, as I wiped the few tears that fell from his bright blue eyes and mustered the words I had been able to learn in his tongue.
“It is alright…” I said, as gently caressed his cheek. “I am safe…” I grabbed his rough hands with mine and held them together. For the first time in forever, I have felt warm and calm. “I am home…”
I looked into his eyes and he into mine, and we both understood the intent in our words. “Thank you….” I softly said as I laid my head on his chest. He has given me hope once more, and for that I will forever be grateful.