Glori ran her hand through her hair and impatience. She and Mando waited outside Courageous’ solar. She glanced at her bodyguard out of the corner of her eye and sighed. Her bodyguard stood with his normal stoic indifference. He was her pillar of support, her rock, and much like a chunk of Basalt he never spoke. Not that he wasn’t able, but more like he was a prison warden and words were his inmates. Like he lost some inner battle with himself for every casual syllable that passed his lips. For all that, the man was an Avena damned treasure, and she wouldn’t trade him for any other bodyguard in the kingdom.

Finally her brother’s solar door opened. As she stood and brushed some wrinkles out of her dress she saw Caligula walk out and frowned. Her cousin had some of the same features as the rest of the family, the classic strong jaw and nose, but she felt his dark hair and eyes gave him a less regal, and more sinister appearance. “Hello cousin, looking lovely as always.” He gave a swift half bow and continued on his way. His manners were always impeccable, as if he was trying to make up for the fact his father was only a duke.

Glori couldn’t say why, but she had never liked the boy. Her brother Courageous walked out behind Caligula as he walked away. “Sister, I hope you haven’t waited long. Come in.” As they walked into the room she glanced around. She rarely made her way to visit her brother's rooms. While her solar was plush and dainty, the perfect place for a lady to relax. Her brother clearly preferred dark wood and a more stately office style. He sat behind a large engraved desk and rang a bell. A moment later a servant came in from the side door and poured them both some fresh tea.

Glori sat on one of the chaise lounges instead of the hard chairs in front of the desk, and Mando took up position behind her. “Why was Cal here?” she blustered out. Courage looked at her over his tea cup. “My dear sister, you asked me to help you investigate this church…”

“You, I asked you to investigate the church. I didn’t expect you to bring in Cal.” Glori interrupted. “Glori, father has cracked down on security. I have a detail of a dozen guards that escort me to and from the army barracks. I haven’t had the opportunity to just go out and stretch my legs alone since Tiberius disappeared. So how exactly did you expect me to help you without soliciting outside help?” Courage's hands were folded together on the desktop as he looked at her in earnest. “Honestly, Caligula has always been like another brother to Honorius and I, I’m not sure what you and Tibi have always held against him.”

Caligula was their uncle, father’s brother, Dominus’ only son. His wife had died during childbirth and their uncle had long since recused himself from public affairs. He almost never left his duchy, secluded in his castle. Their cousin had spent most of his adult life in the castle with them, growing up with Honorius and Courageous. While the brother’s were close, the younger Glori and Tibi had always held him at arm's length.

Glori took a sip of tea to calm herself. Truthfully she should have expected this. She knew how hard her father had cracked down on security. If it wasn’t for the fact that she rarely left the castle she knew she would have it even worse. She was fairly certain her father had considered adding more bodyguards to her retinue. If it wasn’t well known that Mando was a nigh invincible swordsman, she would probably have half the castle guard following her around. She couldn’t even be sure what bothered her about Caligula.

He had really never done anything but be polite and courteous to her. Even the duels he endlessly fought never ended in death, and he was ever the gentleman in victory. “Fine, let him help. Did you find anything.” Her brother gave her a chuckle, and lifted a piece of parchment from his desktop. “a monotheism from across the pond. They worship some god called Zirddle, ridiculous name by the way, not much else. Frankly they seem to be giving back quite a bit, very popular with the orphans. Everything seems to be above board.”

Glori looked stunned. “That can’t be right.” “I’m sorry sister, but what did you think would happen? Did you think that the kingdom and the guard would allow some nefarious church to sprout up in or midst? I know you think you were partly responsible for being out with Tibi that night, but the truth is it had nothing to do with you. Tiberius is old enough to know he shouldn’t be out in the city after dark. Any city is dangerous after dark, despite our efforts to make it otherwise.

As much as I don’t want to think about it, he probably ended up on the wrong end of some cutpurses knife, and when they realized who it was they made him disappear.” Glori felt her eyes well up with tears. “I loved our brother too, but he's gone. Even father knows that. I’m sorry that I couldn’t help more.” Glori just nodded, not trusting her voice not to crack if she spoke. She gracefully rose and exited the solar. Her brother, didn’t understand. She hadn’t told Courageous about the quest, she knew there was more to that church than met the eye. Once things quieted down she would have to do her own digging. Tiberius was a live, and she would find him.

………………….

Tiberius was doing his best to get comfortable. His body felt weak from the lack of light and exercise. The man next to him had told him he could no longer feel his feet. Tibi knew that wasn’t a good sign, but decided against giving the new slave even more bad news. Everyone who had dozed off was startled awake as the door opened and the light of the lantern came in. Tibi felt dread deep in his bones when the sailor from before entered with five other burley men.

Tibi glanced over and saw the terror in the eyes of the girl that had been previously raped. Tibi had found out that her name was Starla. She was seventeen and an orphan, she made a living by selling flowers on the street. She had sold herself more than once when her flowers didn’t make her enough coins to eat, but she had kept herself from being forced into a brothel. TIbi admired her courage. This time they were even more rough. After the third man finished. Her screams and struggles had stopped. The men laughed as they left. Tibi noticed she made no attempt to cover privates with the dirty rags that she called clothes. In fact she didn’t move at all.

“Starla, it's going to be okay. We're going to get out of here. All of us.” Tibi heard a morbid chuckle across from him in the dark. “She's a dead lad. And none of us are getting out of here without shackles or a coffin.” Tibi felt his jaw drop. ‘No, she’s just scared.” “Stupid kid. She was dead before the fifth man even finished. Whether they were too rough or she just broke, who knows, dead is dead.” Tibi felt his gangly nails dig into his palm and he actively had to calm himself from making himself bleed. If his filthy nails broke the skin, he could very well get an infection. Anger flashed across his boyish eyes, no one could see him fume in the darkness. Logical. He had to be logical. If he was sick or dead how could he possibly get his vengeance?

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Tibi dropped to the ground in exhaustion. “Fool” Muttered Aldo from next to him. “You tire yourself out for no reason.” Tibi didn’t respond. He had been trying to do any exercise as he could manage with two feet of chain. The truth was that while yes he felt weak, he also felt stronger. He had stopped counting the days after Starla’s death. The very next day when the pirate had brought their gruel he noticed the body. It had already started to add to the pervading stink. He kicked it a few times for good measure.

When he realized the girl had died his only comment had been. “No more fun I guess.” He had then come back with others that had hauled her out and judging by the splash, unceremoniously dumped her body in the ocean. Tibi stewed in his hate. He would not fade into death, that greasy pirate would eventually make a mistake, and he would be ready to capitalize on it. So every moment of wakefulness he used to make himself stronger. While his Constitution had hit rock bottom, his strength had gone up as well as his willpower.

All of a sudden everyone felt the motion of the ship change. Hollers from above deck could even be heard in the hold. Not what they said, but they distinctly got the impression that something had changed. “Is it a rescue ship?” Tibi muttered to himself. With a deep sigh Aldo responded. “We’re here you idiot. Welcome to the Savage Sands.”

It was hours later when the ship had completely stopped. The slaves shifted restlestly, knowing they were one step closer to getting off this damdable ship, but also a step closer to being sold as human property. Tibi had recently opened a new perk option, and it thrilled him. He brought up his profile in his mind.

Tiberius Rex

Lvl - 5

Class - Slave (locked)

Sign - The Warrior (All weapons skill increase 25% faster)

Attributes: Free points 5 (locked)

Power - 9 (Substats: Strength 5 Speed 4)

Reason - 8 (Substats: Wisdom 4 Intelect 4)

Odds - 3 (Substats: Luck 1 Crit 2)

Finesse - 6 (Substats: Reaction 3 Agility 3)

Insight - 5 (Substats: Perception 3 Kinesic 2)

Lure - 4 (Substats: Diplomacy 2 Charisma 2)

Endurance - 6 (Substats: Constitution 1 Willpower 5)

Novice Combat Skills: Sword, Mace, Axe, Spear, Shield, Medium Armor

Novice Non-Combat Skills: Research, Riding

Would you like more info on skills? (y/n)

Racial Perks: Second Wind, Dauntless

Class Perks: (locked) Speak to your master about assigning class perks

Would you like more info on perks? (y/n)

He selected yes and pulled up the description of his new perks for the hundredth time.

Second Wind Perk gives a 50% refill of stamina when below 10% once per day.

Dauntless perk grants a logic bonus to any emotion based effects

Would you like more info on perks? (y/n)

The light flooded into the hold and the slavers flooded in. “No” Tibi thought, while he wasn’t in his best condition, he would get stronger, and then they would pay.

They still had shackles on their ankles and wrists as they trudged up the stairs to the deck single file. The scent of fresh sea air made several of the captives sob in relief. Tibi looked at the back of Aldo as he walked, the shit and piss stains forever staining the man’s rags. Tibi could see the red swelling and rawness around the shackles; several of these slaves would be lucky to survive if sepsis set in. Those in front of him began to stumble as they walked into the light of the sun for the first time in a month. Even activating dull senses for his eyes wasn’t enough to stop the searing pain of the bright light forcing him to shut them.

Then Tibi was standing on a rocking wooden deck. The sound of sea gulls and the surf, it was too much for some and he heard even more choked sobs. They were docked at a long peer, activity abounded. This was no small port, but clearly a huge trading hub. Tibi wasn’t sure what he expected, but it was probably more of a dilapidated rushed effort of a city. Instead what stood before him was high towering domes and a well built wall with highly detailed crenellations. It was a very rich man's effort at being prepared for war. Even the walls of Valeria didn’t reek of so much opulence.

The sailors were clustered on deck, unloading crates, outside of the handful assigned to keep a cursory eye on the captives, not much attention was paid. Their mistake was Tibi’s gain. It was a flash. A moment. He saw the sailor to whom all his hatred had been garnered and Tibi made his split second decision. He jumped forward with a speed and alacrity none would have expected of a beleaguered slave.

He wrapped his chain around the man’s neck before he could even draw the cutlass at his waist. Tiberius threw his weight down bringing the pirate's cruel smile crashing into the corner of a wooden crate. Tibi didn’t even have time to move before he felt a blade at his neck drawing blood. His hands still tangled above his head mixed with blood and brain matter. The quick movement had exhausted him greatly and his labored breathing caused the blade's edge to cut deeper into his neck.

“well if it isn’t our little golden goose. I have to say boy, even one as magnanimous as I am beginning to lose my patience.” The captain Tonka stood over him, dressed in his pirate best. He stroked his bearded chin as he spoke. “If there were any time at all for you to heal, I would flay the skin from your back with my cat, but as we can’t sell broken property, you’re in luck.” The captain glanced at the pirate next to him. “Get some chains, in fact, get me all the chains.” Tonka cast his baleful glare at Tiberius who returned it with every ounce of his being. Tonka was the first to turn away. “Here ye are captain.” Yelled out the sailor who had gone for the chains. A pile of them dropped at TIbi’s feet. This time Tonka smiled