by Lynn, R.
“Those women were a waste of time,” he spat. “They were sent to the Graecostadium. There they will be auctioned and no doubt end up in a whorehouse or as temple prostitutes.” He showed his crooked grin as he trailed his finger over Sellah’s cheek.
Sellah clenched her fists but held back her tongue. That had been her worst fear, being sold to use for a man’s pleasure. She was thankful that was not her path, but at the same time a great sadness filled her. Some of the girls were young, too young for their fate.
Kaeso pointed across the street to a man approaching a dark wooden door. On the door was a tablet with a name written on it. The man flipped the tablet over before going inside.
“Watch closely girls, for you will soon see the names of your friends written on those slates,” he snickered while patting Flavius on the back.
Sellah looked away in disgust. She did not agree with how women were treated as objects, and the thought of what was happening behind that door made her feel ill.
“What will happen to us?” she summoned the courage to ask.
Flavius approached her and ran his hand down her cheek once more. “You will be cleaned up and offered for sale at a private event. No doubt you will share the same fate as the other girls. Your owner will at least be privileged.”
He pulled her hair back with force and pressed his mouth dangerously close to hers. “If you ask me, it’s a waste of money. What you have to offer is no different than the other girls, other than your color.”
He shoved her head away and turned his back. She wanted to lunge at him and strangle him, but something inside told her that now was not the time.
“It’s too bad,” he continued, “we have to follow orders. It would have been a sight to see all the dirty Venalitii slave traders vying to buy you,” he finished as he turned his back
and moved a few paces away. She jolted forward, stretching her arms to get hold of him, but the rope fastened around her neck held taut when the two other girls stood their ground. Accalia shot a wary look at Sellah, motioning with her eyes for her to calm down.
She knew Accalia was right; the fight she needed to fight would not be with Flavius. She needed to save her energy. Begrudgingly, she returned to her place against the wall. Barely making it back before Kaeso took hold of the lead rope and started pulling the three girls through the streets, with Flavius following close behind.
After being led thorough various streets and alleyways, they came upon an ornate white stone building. Its beauty stood-out against the dark walls surrounding it. Kaeso pulled to the side and beckoned Flavius to take the lead. They followed after him through a large archway in the white stone. As soon as they crossed the threshold a plump older woman shuffled up beside them.
“Greetings my Lord, I am Orla. What services may I offer you today?”
He pointed to the girls. “They need to be cleaned and perfumed. Also, send for a tonsor. Something needs to be done with their hair.” He flicked a dirt encrusted lock off Accalia’s shoulder.
Orla slowly raised her eyes and looked over the girls. When her gaze landed on Sellah, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped in shock.
“Is that her true color?” she blurted out.
“Hmm?” Flavius asked as he turned to see what she was
talking about. “Ah yes, our Vindobonian girl. She is
extraordinary isn’t she? Believe me, there is not a drop of dye
on her head,” he boasted.
“I know just the tonsor to send for,” she said. “He will be
thrilled with the job, and I will have three goddesses ready
for your return.”
Flavius brushed her aside as he surveyed the building. “Do
you have security? Or should I leave Kaeso to insure the girls
do not attempt escape?”
“We have but one way to enter or exit. You can sit at the
tavern across the way and watch while you partake in the gift
of Bacchus and Rome’s best wine.” She laughed when the
two men eagerly nodded their acceptance.
Without waiting for them to leave she escorted the girls
into the bathing room, closed the door and ushered them onto
a stone seat. “I figured you three could use some time away
from them,” she offered with a polite smile.
Her gesture surprised Sellah.
“Thank you. That was kind,” Accalia spoke up. “I know how you must feel. I myself was sold at
Graecostadium when I was around your age,” Orla explained. “We will not be auctioned there. We are above the worth
of common slaves,” the unknown girl spoke.
Sellah and Accalia glared at the girl and the older woman
smiled and shrugged.
“No, I suppose you are not. That is why you are here.” As
she spoke she diligently untied the girls bindings then turned
to Sellah.
Sellah rubbed at her raw neck. The open flesh stung, but it
felt far better than it had when bound.
“Now please, take off those dirty rags and clean
yourselves.” Orla pointed to a long, steaming bathing pool. Sellah could not wait to be in the water—her muscles were
sore and her skin almost black with dirt. Without a worry
about modesty, she did as Orla instructed, pulled off her
stola, and jumped into the pool.
The water quickly relaxed the girls, and thoughts of where
they came from or where they were going were now far from
their minds.
“I’m Accalia,” she said, sticking out her hand in greeting
to the unknown girl.
“Nadria,” the girl replied without opening her eyes or
taking Accalia’s hand.
Sellah shook her head and offered Accalia a shrug of
confusion.
“I could get used to this life,” Nadria groaned as she
stretched her arms in the warm waters.
Neither Sellah nor Accalia responded to the girl, but for
some reason she continued.
“I will you know. I am young and beautiful. A man of
status is sure to fall for my charms,” she said, nodding toward
her chest.
Sellah shook her head at the girl and Accalia politely
replied, “I wish you the best.”
“I do not need your wishes,” the girl snapped as she swam
to the other side of the pool.
Sellah opened her mouth to speak but closed it when she
heard Orla’s feet slapping against the polished stone floor. “Ladies, wash this into your hair. The tonsor is waiting in
the other room.” Orla handed the two girls vials of oil before
heading over to Nadria.
Sellah opened her bottle, the sweet aroma of myrrh filled her nose. “I hate that we are cleaning ourselves just for those interested in buying us,”
“I feel that way too,” Accalia admitted as she looked longingly toward a window that poured soft light onto the pool. “We must take advantage of this moment and enjoy it, we do not know what our future holds. This may be our only chance to be treated so fine.”
“Unless you’re Nadria,” Sellah teased, causing Accalia to giggle out loud. It warmed Sellah’s heart to see Accalia smile. She knew this woman had made a huge sacrifice for her son, and yet she was still willing to offer kindness to those around her. Sellah wished that one day she could be as good hearted as her.
“Let me help you with your hair,” Accalia offered as she made her way over to Sellah.
The girls laughed together as they rinsed each other’s hair and waited for their turn with the tonsor. Sellah had never had a person of profession do her hair, and if it were not for the reason why, she would have been extremely excited.
T he lavender oil felt heavenly as it was massaged over Sellah’s body. Her ski
n greedily sucked it in, taking advantage of moisture after the long fast that had been forced on it. When they finished, they draped her in blue silk and tied gold bindings around her waist. Never in her life had she felt such fine fabric against her skin. She looked to Accalia and Nadria and smiled as she smoothed her hands down her robe.
Nadria raised her nose and scowled at Sellah. “I wouldn’t get used to it if I were you. No doubt you two will be sold to a lowly street merchant.”
“What have we done to deserve such foul treatment from you?” Accalia asked, genuinely upset that she was not able to befriend the girl.
“You exist, that’s all,” Nadria retorted as she left toward the tonsor room. Accalia stood frozen in shock at the rudeness of the girl.
She had endured the same fate as they, and yet instead of
being bound in a sisterhood, as Sellah and Accalia were, she
had separated herself and elevated herself above them. “I am growing weary of her attitude!” Sellah snapped. The two girls followed after Nadria to the tonsor. When
they entered his room, he dropped what he was doing with
Nadria and shuffled over to them. His wrinkled hands went to
Sellah’s cheek and gently stroked her soft skin.
“Skin like pearls and hair like a ruby. Who is this jewel
before me?” He smiled a warm, fatherly smile that made
Sellah instantly like him. “Orla, you have outdone yourself. I
can now die a happy old man for having the privilege of
seeing Venus in human form.” He winked at Sellah and made
his way to Accalia. “And you, what a Babylonian beauty. I
have never seen such perfect women as I have today!” he
beamed.
Sellah looked over the tonsor’s shoulder at Nadria. Her
arms were crossed and her features firm; no doubt she didn’t
like anyone directing attention away from her. Taking the
opportunity to school the girl, Sellah offered a large smile
and turned to the tonsor.
“Thank you, sir, for calling myself and my friend Accalia
beautiful. Your words are too kind,” she said, purposefully
leaving Nadria out.
“Finish my hair, tonsor!” Nadria demanded, having had
enough of an exchange she was not a part of. With a flick of
his hand, the tonsor sent one of his attendants to see to her.
She was not pleased that he himself did not go, but to
Sellah’s relief Nadria didn’t bother arguing.
After giving quick instructions on how to pin up Accalia’s
hair to another attendant, the tonsor turned to Sellah. “Come child, let me tame your mane.”
Grabbing her hand, he escorted her over to a seat and began pulling a comb through her long red hair. “It would be a shame to put your hair up,” he said, mostly speaking to himself as he continued working away. When he was satisfied that there was not one knot left in her hair, he walked over to a table and retrieved a box of brightly colored ribbons.
“Although your hair is perfectly colored on its own, I thought it would look nice to weave a ribbon in the front, pulling it off your beautiful face. Would you like to pick one?” He offered a box with a range of colors.
Without answering, she reached into the box and pulled out a blue ribbon, almost the exact match to her silk robe.
“Good choice. Not only does it match your garment, but it will make your eyes shine!” He beamed as he took the ribbon and went back to working on her hair.
Sellah felt like a princess. She had been lost in the kindness of the tonsor and had completely forgotten the purpose of her royal treatment. When she looked up, she saw Flavius and Kaeso standing in front of her, with Nadria and Accalia’s hands bound in iron shackles.
Accalia offered her a quick smile of understanding. Sellah had not even heard them enter, and seeing them now snapped her back to reality. The tonsor exchanged greeting with the men and turned back to Sellah. She was sure he noticed the look of sorrow that replaced her childlike wonder of a mere moment ago. When he spoke it was confirmed.
“Don’t worry child, a rare jewel like you will not be
squandered. You are a treasure without measure, and
someone will see that,” he whispered in her ear.
She looked up into his kind old face and smiled. “Thank
you, for everything,” she returned, hoping he would
understand the full meaning of her words. As she stood and
prepared to make her way over to the guards, the tonsor’s soft
old hands gripped her arm.
“Wait, I have something for you,” he said, reaching into
his pocket and pulling out a worn cloth. After unwrapping the
object, he held the cloth out to Sellah. Inside was a beautiful
silver and alabaster amulet, in the shape of an eagle with a
flower in its beak.
“Oh, I cannot accept this. It is far too valuable,” she said
as she gazed at the precious object before her.
“What is it?” Nadria huffed in a jealous pout. No one
bothered to answer her, so Nadria crossed her arms and
turned away from the exchange.
“You cannot rob me from blessing you!” the tonsor
smiled. “It is a simple amulet. I am afraid it will never be able
to match your beauty,” he finished.
“It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!” she
replied in genuine infatuation.
“It was my daughter’s, and you remind me of her.” At his last words she took her attention off the amulet and
rested her gaze upon his face. The grief from losing a child
was ever present in his eyes. Sellah wished she could
somehow give relief to this man who had just offered her a
moment of freedom in her life of captivity.
Even though it was inappropriate for a woman to touch a
man uninvited, Sellah could no longer hold back, and she
threw her arms around the tonsor. “Thank you, I will always treasure this gift.”
He held her and then took the amulet and with shaky hands worked to pin it to her robe. When finished he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
“Enough of this. We need to be on our way!” Kaeso pulled Sellah to him. Speedily the guards worked to bind her hands, and as they did Sellah never took her eyes off the tonsor before her.
“Goodbye precious jewel,” he waved as they were forced out of the room and escorted at a fast pace through the bathhouse and onto the stone street where an open supply wagon awaited them. Flavius lowered the platform and Kaeso shoved the girls in.
“We are in a hurry now, thanks to your little exchange with the tonsor.” Flavius ripped the amulet off Sellah’s robe. “What do you think this will fetch us?” He asked Kaeso as he mounted his horse.
“That was a gift to me. You cannot take it!” she demanded, not caring what his response would be.
He waved the wagon driver into motion and turned to Sellah. A low growl of a laugh escaped his throat. “When will you learn that you cannot demand things of me. You are but a slave!”
Nadria snickered to herself, happy that Sellah was now upset. When the wagon hit a bump in the road, Sellah took the opportunity to jab her elbow into the girl’s side.
After a few moments of fondling the amulet, Flavius lost interest and called for the wagon to stop. He leaned from his horse to the cart and pinned it back on Sellah’s robe, taking an extra moment with his hands near her chest. She did not
care for his disgusting act but was thankful that her gift was returned to her. She sighed in relief when Flavius and his horse rode to the front of the wagon and they were back on their way.
They pulled in front of an unmarked building with a long queue of people waiting to gain entran
ce. Kaeso tugged at the rope, dragging the girls from the protection of the cart into the open street. Bitingly cold air whipped at Sellah shoulders.
He escorted them through a side door to avoid the line and led them into a large open room. Despite its warmth, Sellah much preferred the street, for it had a friendlier feel about it. In the room men in chains lined up against the far wall, and stone pedestals with half naked women on them flanked the opposite one.
“You girls will be placed here,” Flavius said as he pointed to the row of pedestals. As if on command Kaeso unfastened Sellah and lifted her up onto one of the pillars. He then did the same for Accalia and Nadria.
Another man entered the room and went straight to examining the women. “You men did a fine job preparing them. This one will bring in a nice sum.” He pointed to Sellah and rubbed his chin in thought. “In fact, I want to do a sealed bid on her. Fetch me a slate tablet!” he yelled to his servant.
“Sealed bid?” Flavius asked.
“Yes, those interested in purchasing her will write their name and the sum bid on a tablet around her neck. This way
there is more competition, as everyone will want to highly outbid the one before them. With this method I got twice the
worth of a breeding calf last week. We use this technique on all our most treasured items,” he explained.
Sellah shuddered at his use of the word treasure. She did not like being called this by a strange man. She much preferred the old tonsor’s use.
“I will be ushering in the clients in a few moments. Please go to the host and submit your information,” the man instructed as he turned and walked away from Flavius.
The men followed his command leaving the girls alone atop the pedestals. Sellah took a moment to comfort Accalia. She had been eerily quiet since the bathhouse, and Sellah assumed it was nerves—their fate would be determined tonight after all.
“Accalia, are you all right?” she asked. Accalia opened her mouth to answer Sellah but was quieted by a mass of people entering the room. Most of them looked around, taking in the items for auction, and when they saw Sellah, they stared in amazement.
“Tonight, we have many treats available for purchase,” the host announced as he gestured around the room. “Please take a moment to view the items and then join us in the auction room.”