by E J Pay
A small settee sits next to a chair in the corner. On the settee is the man I love most in the world. Gileaus. I reach for him, but my chained arms keep me bound to the bed. I say his name and his eyes lift to meet my gaze. His beautiful face is covered in bruises, marred by the butt of a whip, cut by its tip. His lip is split. His eyes are blackened. His hair is a matted mess of tangles and blood. What have they done to my Gileaus?
“What was that you said, Athena? Are you calling for your fiancé?” Every light feeling I felt as I saw my love turns to darkness at the sound of that voice. A low chuckle reverberates throughout the room. My blood runs cold.
“I must thank you, Athena,” Demetrius says from the darkened corner behind Gileaus. “I have been wanting to get rid of Juri for years. You came along and took him on in less than a week. Really, how can I repay you?”
“Let Gileaus come to me.” My voice is firm. My hands are trembling. My hamsa and pearl scorch my skin.
“Certainly, Athena,” Demetrius says in his sneaky tone. He steps into the light of the room, grasps Gileaus by the shoulder, and forces him from the settee. I wince as Gileaus moans. He stumbles forward, falling face first on the bed by my feet. His clothing is torn and he is covered in filth. Bruises and dried blood cover his skin. I reach out and touch his cheek with my fingers. He turns his head to look at me through his swollen eyes.
“What have you done to him?” I ask Demetrius who is still chuckling in the corner.
“What have I done to him?” he laughs. “Why do you assume I did anything to him? Oh, okay I give up. It was me. But Athena, it worked. You’re little Gileaus told me everything I needed to know to figure you out.”
Gileaus moans, “I’m sorry, Athena. I had to make it stop.”
I brush my clean fingers across his filthy, bruised cheek. “There is no need to apologize, my love. I understand.” A tear falls from my face onto the white linens beneath me. I raise my eyes to the only other person in the room. Demetrius.
“There’s no need to try any of your mind tricks on me, Athena,” he says. “I’ve already alerted the guards that if I behave foolishly they are to kill you. Master Abraxas will know soon enough of your powers.”
I look into Gileaus’ face. His eyes are heavy. “Sleep, my love,” I tell him. “Go ahead and sleep.”
“Yes, do go ahead and sleep young master Gileaus,” Demetrius mocks from the corner. “There is plenty for your fiancé and me to discuss. You don’t need to be a part of any of it.” He waves his hand in the air as though he is swatting away an annoying fly. My stomach turns at the sound of this evil man’s voice. Gileaus surrenders to the heaviness and falls asleep at my feet.
“You mustn’t be too upset with him, Athena,” Demetrius continues. “After all, it is because of Gileaus that your quarters have been…upgraded.” I look around the room, taking in the fine finishes and rich furnishings. Another tray of food waits next to me on the bed, the green pudding, clear water, bread, and even some meat. The smell hits my nose and all I want to do is feed it all to Gileaus.
“I don’t understand,” I tell Demetrius.
“Oh, then I shall explain it to you,” he answers. He moves from the corner to the chair, placing his feet on the settee. “As you can see, the beatings and such that were carried out on your fiancé here did nothing to make him tell me about you. But once you were the one suffering, he changed his tone. He promised to tell me all about you if I promised to take care of you.
“But what kind of promise is that, I ask you? I needed evidence first, you know. I wasn’t going to risk myself to maybe get information. So, your little Gileaus here told me about your medallion. He said that without it, you tend to kill the people around you. That’s when I decided to give Juri the chance to test the theory for me.
“He had been talking about that stupid medallion since you got here. He said that a specimen as fine as you deserved a better looking chain about your neck…” Demetrius chuckles again. “Pardon me. I find chains about necks very entertaining, you know.” My stomach turns as I listen to this torturer.
“Anyway, I acted as though a fine necklace was a great way to get you to open up. It took a while for the right necklace to arrive, but when it did, you did not disappoint. I cannot begin to tell you how giddy I was when I found out what happened. Poor Juri never saw it coming. Or did he?” Demetrius leans forward and looks me in the eyes. “Did you see fear in his face when you were killing him? It’s a very unique expression. I like it.”
I remain quiet. My stomach turns again. “You see, once I…persuaded your young Master Gileaus to tell us more about this mythical creature he called fiancée, I realized we have a real live sorceress in our midst.
“Of course, your man did hold out for quite a while. We knew some kind of power was used on our guards at the Spiro estate. At first, we thought it was Gileaus here, but efforts to draw the power out of him were futile. Then imagine our surprise when your guard let you go.”
My cheeks burn at the memory of that first display of my powers in this fortress. Demetrius continues the monologue of his genius.
“We assumed Gileaus would have more information about you than you were sharing. We…pushed him quite a bit, but it wasn’t until we pushed you that he was willing to give us any more information. Your love did well.”
I look down at Gileaus, passed out at the foot of my bed. My heart breaks for him. For what he suffered for me. I touch his face again and let my tears flow freely from my eyes. Demetrius sits silently.
“Fix him,” I order.
“Oh, the creature thinks to make a servant of me,” Demetrius snarls from his chair. “I’m sorry, Athena. It doesn’t work that way.
“Oh, who am I kidding? I’m not sorry. You see, you are going to serve me as I serve Master Abraxas. He is quite powerful, you know. Together, we will find a way to rule Greece.”
“Who is Abraxas?” I ask.
“Didn’t your guards already tell you, Athena?” his sneer is infuriating. I want to slap him. I hold back. Not for my sake, but for Gileaus’. “Master Abraxas is a politician of no small note here. Of course, he has bigger plans for himself, for Greece, for the world.
“He is traveling from the coasts of Jaffa just now on business, you know. I expect him soon. I expect you to be more… pliant when he arrives.”
“I will do nothing for you,” I say, a tremor in my voice. I wouldn’t do anything for this evil being or anyone he works for. But everyone has their breaking point. Demetrius knows mine.
“Oh, I don’t expect you to do anything for me, Athena,” he says. “But I imagine there is a great deal you would do for our young Master Gileaus here.”
My eyes flick down to my Gileaus. He is still unconscious, still numb from the pain that has been inflicted on him. It is true. I will do anything for him.
Demetrius chuckles his low, evil laugh from the chair and my eyes return to his. His eyes are filled with mirth. The man is pure evil, finding entertainment in pain and dominion over others. My eyes are filled with fire. Demetrius’ eyes twitch once when he meets my gaze. The only thing sparing his life and mine in this moment is the man between us. Demetrius knows it.
“So long as you do as you are told, Athena, no more harm will come to your fiancé. Though I cannot promise that his accommodations will be as nice as yours, I can promise that the beatings will stop and his wounds will be tended to. You may see him once a week if you are a good servant. Anything further must be discussed with Master Abraxas.”
“What does your Master Abraxas want me to do?” I ask him.
“Oh, he is not only my master, Athena,” he replies. “He is yours now, too. And you are a very lucky girl for it. You and I will be bringing to pass a greater regime than the world has ever known.
“But as for his specific wishes, well, he will let you know that in time.” There is quiet for a moment before Demetrius asks, “Do we have an understanding then, Athena?”
“We do,” I whisper.
/>
“Oh, excellent! You have 15 minutes to be with your fiancé. Though you may find the exchange a trifle one sided.” Demetrius chuckles to himself as he leaves my room, closing the door behind him.”
I spend the next 15 minutes trying to wake Gileaus and feed him. He barely moves, but I am able to get some of the water into him. That is a start anyway. If he doesn’t return to me in one week’s time in better condition, that will be the end for all of us. He will be cared for or I will kill us all.
Finally, several guards enter my room to take Gileaus with them. Fire fills my eyes.
“Treat him well!” I shout at the guards. They do not look at me at all but still lift Gileaus gently from my bed. He is laid on a pallet between them and carried from the room. Tears flow unchecked from my eyes as my love is taken from me.
A low chuckle echoes down the hall.
Chapter 29
In the ensuing days I am given the opportunity to show my powers. Demetrius is always in the room when I work. I start by growing small seeds into flowers. I move to levitation as I ask the items in my room to move for me. The objects have been in this place for a very long time. They have seen much. They pity me and are ever willing to do what I ask them. They know my life depends on it.
Paintings move from wall to wall. Animal skins on the floor animate and move about the room. A knife slices through my bed linens.
With each thing I do, I prove myself to Demetrius and to the guards who attend him. At first, the guards are silent. They are under orders to not communicate with me in any way. But eventually, even they cannot keep completely to themselves. The animated animal skins tap their arms and make them jump. Demetrius laughs at their discomfort. When the knife slices my bed curtain, a few let out a gasp. With each sound, movement, or interaction, the offending soldier is taken out and whipped. Demetrius always attends those. He demands perfection from his guards, but he takes pleasure when they must be punished for their imperfections. I would have driven him to slice himself to bits, but I haven’t seen Gileaus yet. Everything hinges on Gileaus.
At the end of seven days, my heart beats with the excitement of the promised visit with Gileaus. I must know how he is faring since I have complied. Captain Juri regularly broke his promises to me or hid his intentions behind his requests. Demetrius enjoys letting me know his plans and demands. He horrifies me and he likes it.
“Well, Athena,” he says on the seventh day. “You have done very well under these new circumstances. If only I had known, I could have had you in finer accommodations from the start.”
“Where is Gileaus?” I ask. “It has been a week. You said I would see him once a week.”
“This is correct,” Demetrius says as he strokes the Grecian beard on his chin. “And see him you will. But first, I have a little surprise for you. A gift for your good behavior.”
I’m not sure I want to know what kind of gift Demetrius has for me.
“Certainly you would like to be bathed before you see Gileaus,” I feel my heart sink at the insinuation. Demetrius laughs, lightly. It is an unnerving change for him.
“No, no, Athena. I will not be bathing you. I don’t run that line, you know. But I do have someone here whom I think you will actually allow to bathe you without burning them alive.
“You may come in now,” he says to a person waiting outside the door.
At first, I don’t see who he is speaking to. All I can see is the large amphora of water and towels they carry in their arms. Then I see the fingers. Fingers I would know anywhere because that is how we communicated. By sign. He has brought Namaah.
She enters the room and her face lights up in a bright smile when she sees me.
“Oh, bah,” Demetrius says. “What is there to be so happy about woman? It is only the bathing of a girl.” Then he turns his attention back to me.
“You see, Athena. Namaah here is a very valuable woman to have around. She cannot talk. She cannot tell anyone anything she hears or knows. Unfortunately, that means we didn’t get any information from her about you or the Spiro family. But it also means that she will keep our secrets.”
Namaah’s eyes glisten while Demetrius speaks. He only knows we worked in the same household. He doesn’t know how well we know each other. He doesn’t know how we communicate.
“Mind you,” he continues, “we still tried to get her to speak. I can’t help myself sometimes. But I figured a little reminder of the home you left might help your spirits be even more willing for the cause.
“I’ll leave you to it, then.”
Demetrius leaves and closes the door behind him. Namaah rests the vase and towels on the settee and runs to my side. She takes quick stock of my condition. My wrists and ankles are healing from the ropes that held them bound for days, but they are still encased in metal. First, she cleans my wounds, gently. I feel her tenderness in every touch. Tears roll down her cheeks and we are both silent as she does her work.
I remember how well Namaah cared for me when I was first brought to the house of Spiro. Her care was the only connection I had to the outside world for so long. She is still my connection. Once she has finished cleansing my body, Namaah helps me into a fresh set of robes. She brushes my hair into a gleaming set of curls. She places braids at my temples, fixing them together at the back of my head. Once I am cleaned and dressed, Namaah moves to a dresser that sits under the window of the room. She looks carefully through the drawers and finds a case of oils. She opens them, smells them, and chooses several to mix together. She brings the mixture to me in a delicate, ceramic bowl from the dresser and applies the oil to my wounded wrists and ankles. The smell is soothing and the effect is calming.
I feel the strain of my situation melt in the care of my friend. The raw burning that has attended my body is cooled as the oils are applied to my inflamed skin. I am grateful for her knowledge and skill. Namaah has been a faithful servant to many by force. She is a faithful friend to me by choice.
When she finishes, Namaah sits next to me and touches my cheek. I see the pain and concern in her eyes. She wants to know that I am okay. I assure her that I am alright. The damage afflicted on me is limited to starving and beatings. I can bare those. I ask after Gileaus.
She has seen him. She tells me that his room is clean and he is being fed. She has been allowed to serve him and has helped to heal his wounds as well. He is safe for the time being. But she has also overheard Demetrius talking to his closest guards. He has plenty of plans for Gileaus if I don’t do what he asks of me.
It was a reminder from a friend instead of a warning from a captor. Namaah has faith in me. But she also wants to be sure I understand the risks. I assure her that I will be careful.
I ask about any others that were captured in the raid. Spiro’s footman was taken, but she hasn’t heard his screams in days. She assumes he is dead. Rhea, Alcmenes and Heracles were all able to escape. One or two maids were captured, tortured for information, then sold. I am sick inside over the suffering of this household. There is a knock at the door.
Demetrius steps inside.
“Ah, I see Namaah has taken very good care of you, Athena. She will be rewarded.” Namaah nods to Demetrius, ever the consummate servant - humble, obedient, respectful of her master’s wishes and grateful for his kindnesses, no matter how little they come. I love Namaah. I could never be like her. I obey and behave so I can find a weakness, so I can conquer and escape.
“That will be all, Namaah,” Demetrius continues. “Athena has another visitor.”
Namaah kisses my forehead and rests her hand on my cheek, communicating so much with her eyes. She leaves the room and my heart quickens. I will see Gileaus. I will know how he is doing. And I will be clean and beautiful when he comes.
But Gileaus will have to wait.
Demetrius gives a low bow to someone outside the door and with a flourish, he motions for them to come in.
Again I do not see the person as they enter the room. Instead, I see fabric. It is a fine
wool, the kind that is imported from India. The robe is long and trimmed in gold. But the main body of the garment is purple. I hold my breath as he enters.
His face is strong and broad. His nose is angular. His jawline is chiseled. His hair is in ringlets that settle at the base of his skull. He wears a small gold crown around his forehead and hair. His face, though handsome in the Grecian style, is filled with a contemptuous stare. He raises his chin in the air when he sees me. A large pendant of Jade hangs around his neck.
He may be an impressive man to anyone else in Greece. But to me he is the man in the purple robe. To me he is the man who killed my Dom.
“Master Abraxas,” Demetrius says, still in his bow. “This is the young girl I told you about. This is…”
“Pearl,” Abraxas finishes the sentence as he looks me in the eye. Demetrius stands and looks confused. He knows me as Athena and doesn’t know how to correct his master.
“Her name is Pearl,” Abraxas repeats. “Though who knows what name she has told you.”
“She has been known as Athena, here,” Demetrius says. There is a note of embarrassment and anger in his tone. He is embarrassed in front of his master. He is angry with me.
“Athena, interesting,” Abraxas says aloud. “The goddess of wisdom and war. And tell me, Demetrius, has she earned that name?”
Demetrius is silent for a moment. To admit that I have outsmarted him makes him look the fool. To deny our interactions leaves him open to suspicion.
Abraxas laughs to himself and it is strange to hear someone laugh at Demetrius’ discomfort.
“Don’t worry, Demetrius,” he says. “You don’t have to answer.” He looks about the room for a place to sit. He sees the chair in the corner but the settee by its side is still covered in the towels and vase used to bathe me.