The Chariots Slave

by Lynn, R.

  The strange man from earlier approached the host and whispered in his ear. The host listened intently and then threw up his arms to make another announcement.

  “Excuse me, Lords and Ladies, tonight there is also one sealed bid on our lovely Vindobonian girl.” He pointed to Sellah, giving the attendees time to take her in. “I assure you that is her true color, not a drop of dye has touched her hair!” he added.

  There were many gasps, and most of the crowd made their way over to her pedestal so they could look her over more closely. Some even went as far as to write their names, and what they were willing to pay for her, on the slate around her neck.

  It felt surreal being treated as an object not a person, and Sellah did not know if she should smile at those interested in her or glare.

  Men and women across the room raised their voices and began to applaud. This distracted Sellah from her small crowd, and she looked toward the sounds to see two men enter.

  “Thank you, Thank you!” one of the men replied. She wondered who he was and why they cheered. She noted that he was handsome and held himself with an air of authority. And she watched as he scanned the items for sale. When his eyes came upon her, he stared with a look no others had offered. It still bore intrigue and confusion, but for

  some reason Sellah thought it also offered pity. He stayed frozen, staring into her blue eyes. Women approached him, frustrated at his lack of acknowledgement, and the one who escorted him to the auction pulled at his arm, trying to drag him away from Sellah’s gaze.

  After a few moments of struggle, he gave in and followed the man over to the wall where the male slaves were chained. She watched him as long as she could until he disappeared into the crowd.

  *

  “Calista, look at our luck, that’s Thaddius. He is the very

  image of Eros himself!” one of the girls in attendance giggled to her friend.

  “Don’t lie Guya, he is much easier on the eyes than Eros!” the other replied.

  “I have to meet him. I’ve dreamt of this day ever since he won the Ludi Magni race!” She clapped her hands in anticipation. “Look at that, the gods favor his domus as even his manservant is handsome!” Guya swooned.

  “Guya, I have an idea,” Calista whispered to her friend. “One that will merit Thaddius’s strong arms to wrap themselves around my body and his eyes to dance with mine!” She smiled as she loosened the strings of her silk tunic and took off in a determined march toward him. Just as she was about to cross his path, she feigned tripping and gracefully fell into him.

  Guya giggled as she watched the scene unfold. Just as her friend predicted, Thaddius wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to her feet. “Careful my lady,” he grinned as his eyes worked over her body, landing on her now overly exposed chest.

  “I am called Calista my lord. How will I ever repay you?” she teased, wagging her chest and biting her finger.

  * Thaddius wrinkled his brow and shook his head. It was as obvious an attempt to get him to bed her as any he’d ever saw. He laughed to himself, women will have to start being more creative than that to win his heart.

  “Calista, no need. It is what any gentleman would do,” he smiled as he made attempt to walk away. She bolted after

  him, trying to grab his arm, but was intercepted by his servant, Simeon.

  “My master needs to carry on with business. However, if you wish to continue this conversation,” he said mockingly, “then come to our villa at sundown. He usually chooses someone to take to bed from the throngs of women begging at the gate.”

  It was obvious to Thaddeus that Calista was insulted by Simeon’s words. But she maintained her confidence as any woman of quality breading would do.

  “I am not some whore who will beg for a man’s bed,” she snapped. Simeon raised his eyebrows at her before allowing his eyes to wander down to her half exposed chest. Growling at him, Calista clutched her silk tunic, covered herself and stormed away.

  Thaddeus chuckled at the scene, he had no doubt she would be among the women at the gate this evening. They almost always came. And he knew if Simeon saw her, he would make sure to remind her of her words. Simeon loved taunting the woman. No doubt because he was jealous he did not have such a following.

  He watched Simeon escort the girl away then run through the crowd to his side. As his friend neared Thaddeus grabbed two cups of wine off a servant’s tray, offering one to Simeon.

  “Tell me again, Simeon, why did we attend this event tonight?”

  “There are skilled drivers for auction, and now that you are Dominus, it is unwise for you to compete in the next race.”

  “It is what I live for Simeon. It is how I am known!”

  ‘Thaddius the great charioteer, approached the Grande Maximus with no fear. Robed in the blue of the Veneta team, he is Thaddius the champion of Rome!’

  He sang as he wrapped his arm around his friend and

  vigorously tousled his hair, spilling some of his wine on him in the process. Those who were close in proximity to the young men joined in with Thaddius’s song.

  Simeon struggled to free himself, and once loose of Thaddius’s iron grip, rubbed down his unruly curls. “Jokes aside Thaddius, you are Dominus now. And who better to train the new drivers than yourself, a past victor? Your drivers can race for the honor of your family’s trigarium and team Veneta. Your face can be seen carved into stone and painted on buildings, and when your new drivers become victorious, they will continue to bring you honor,” Simeon explained.

  “You are not helping. In fact you argue for me. The people will never allow their champion to resign!” Thaddius motioned to those still singing his song.

  “If you do not take seriously the responsibility of Dominus, then Barachius,” Simeon spat as he pointed at the man across the room. “He will ruin everything your father worked hard to achieve. Not only does his domus have drivers on the Prasina team who are rivals to our drivers on team Veneta, but he tries to buy your land. You cannot leave it unmanaged in order to keep up with training,” Simeon reasoned.

  “I am not my father! You are starting to sound like his advisor Acestes, he already reminded me of my duties tonight. The problem is I do not wish to own land and to be a magistrate or member of senate. All I wish is to race, to keep

  team Prasina enjoying the taste of second place.” Thaddius clasped his arm over his chest to further prove his love to his friend.

  “It is not a matter of wish, it is a matter of responsibility. And you are now responsible to keep up your family name,” Simeon instructed.

  “Wish, I wish you were his bloody son, so that you could run the estate and I could race!” Thaddius jested.

  “I am but your humble servant, my lord!’ Simeon laughed.

  “And one who runs his mouth far too often at that!” Thaddius smiled as he grabbed Simeon and put him in another headlock and walked over to inspect the drivers for sale.

  * On the far side of the great room, Barachius studied each of the girls on auction with keen intent. His meaty hands taking in their forms as much as his sight had. Sellah watched as he licked his plump lips. His chins swayed with his movements. She had seen how he treated the other women and it sickened her. Now he was before her, and it took every ounce of strength not to kick the man. He grabbed a cup of wine from his servant and gulped it back, spilling some of the contents down his face and chest. She shuddered in disgust; this man was a pig in every sense of the word.

  When he drained the cup, he threw it to the ground, making his servant bend down to pick it up. His fleshy arms wagged as he reached up to touch Sellah’s exposed leg.

  “Hands off my Lord,” a guard ordered. “I have been instructed to see that this one’s petals remain un-bruised,

  until she is sold. They wan’t top denarii for her.” “Is that so?” He waddled over to Accalia. “And what of this one, are her petals ripe for the plucking?” As he spoke, he traced his hand up her thigh. Accalia fought back tears and stood bra
vely as he threatened abuse with his movements.

  The look on Accalia’s face made Sellah flash back to her mother, lying dead on an empty barrel.“Don’t touch her!” Sellah screamed, unable to control herself any longer. She jumped down from her pedestal and quickly manoeuvred through the crowd to Accalia’s side.

  “Please, do not risk yourself for me,” Accalia cried as she wiggled back on her stand.

  But Sellah ignored her warning and stood firmly between the man and her friend.

  Barachius laughed as he wobbled forward. He pressed himself so near to her that she could smell his sweaty stench. “And who is going to stop me?” he grinned, flashing his crooked smile.

  He took another step closer, and Sellah met his advance with a knee to his soft belly. He grunted and fell back, landing on his rear. The echoing sounds of startled onlookers faded and the room fell silent as they awaited what fate Barachius would bestow upon the girls.

  With great effort he forced himself back onto his feet. Pausing a moment to catch his breath before grabbing a sword from a nearby guard. Barachius then raised it, tip to Sellah’s throat.

  *

  Thaddius turned when he heard the commotion and caught the last of the exchange between the unusually colored girl and Barachius. He did not want Barachius to punish the girl. He couldn’t bear to see her perish. Yet he did not know her. She was a simple slave, and slaves needed to stay in their place.

  He hesitantly stepped forward, his body willing him to stop what his mind reasoned to let happen. He struggled to control his calm when the words Simeon recited replayed in his mind. “You are Dominus now.”

  Simeon was right. He was a Dominus now, and he needed to act the part. Pushing his emotions aside, he stood by, waiting to watch the curiously colored girl fall to her death.

  Barachius flicked at the slate board around her neck as he read the names of those interested in buying her. “My, my you are a popular choice this evening,” he announced. She did not flinch but held his gaze.

  “Just know I will own you, and you will work very hard to repay the debt for your actions tonight.” He snarled at her, spit spewing from his mouth.

  “I would rather die than be in service to a monster like you!”

  Thaddius’s stomach tightened— he knew what would come now. Barachius would not stand for such disrespect. Just as he thought the words, Barachius lifted his arm wielding the sword.

  “Do not harm her!” Simeon warned.

  Thaddius snapped his attention to his servant. As had Barachius, who wanted to see the man who dared oppose him. Barachius’s eyes worked over Simeon’s garments and a sly smile appeared on his face.

  “You are but a mere slave. You have no command here. I

  will spill her blood and pay her seller her worth. There will

  be no loss, except to one who dare’s defy me. You best not

  add your name to that list boy.” Barachius once again lifted

  his blade to the throat of the uncommonly colored girl. Thaddius knew that Barachius was not offering an empty

  threat, though Simeon did not seem to be concerned. The

  look in Simeon’s eyes worried Thaddius. Would his friend

  risk punishment? Thaddius watched him walked over to the

  girl and push away Barachius’s blade. He could sense the girl

  gasp in air and relax her stance. He too gasped, but his stance

  was anything but relaxed. He was sure Simeon would now

  die.

  “I said, do not harm her!” Simeon firmly repeated. Thaddius’s jaw dropped open. He had known Simeon his

  entire life; they were raised together and were practically

  brothers. Except one bore the title Lord and the other Servant.

  Yet until the passing of his father, they had treated each other

  as equals. He had never seen Simeon act so bravely or so

  foolishly for that matter.

  “What is this, that slaves dare to defy me today?”

  Barachius threw his hands up in frustration and looked about

  the room. “I will show you why it is not wise to do so,” he

  grunted as he raised his sword, intending it for Simeon. Thaddius reached out and gripped Barachius’s fleshy arm,

  causing the man to pause. “He was speaking on my behalf,”

  Thaddius announced. “I wish to buy these women, and I do

  not want them marked.” His voice was calm and demanded

  attention.

  Hatred seeped out of Barachius as he regarded Thaddius.

  Thaddius, once again, publicly humiliated him. The first

  when he refused his offer to buy his land in front of the counsel last week and now this. By the look in the man’s eye’s Thaddius knew this would be the last time he would let himself be openly defied. Thaddius would pay, and Barachius would make sure it was costly.

  “What would a charioteer want with two slave girls? Do you not have enough women freely offering themselves to you?” Barachius taunted.

  Thaddius ignored the jest and turned his attention back to the host.

  “They are not for sale. They are to be auctioned,” the host announced.

  “What would you get, ten, twenty denarii? I will pay you one hundred for the pair!” Thaddius threw a pouch of coins to the man.

  The host greedily eyed the coins as Thaddius looked about the room at the shocked patrons. After taking some time revelling in the angered look of Barachius, he let his gaze drift over Sellah’s face. Her blue eyes locked with his as she curiously studied him.

  “No women has sold above thirty denarii!” Barachius snapped. This drew Thaddius’s attention away from Sellah.

  “Is there a problem, Barachius? Had you hoped to add these women to your brothel but do not have coins to surpass one hundred denarii?”

  “I do not want those bitches. I want to buy her,” said Barachius as he pointed to Nadria.

  *

  Sellah couldn’t believe what was happening, she had been

  saved and Nadria cursed. Nadria sent a frightened look to Sellah. Despite the earlier attitude of the girl, Sellah felt sorry for her. No one deserved to go to Barachius, not even her.

  T he ride to Thaddius’s villa was a long and quiet one. Sellah clutched tightly to Accalia’s hand, thankful they would be together. Despite their curiosity to the passing world, the girls kept their gazes to the floor of the supply wagon.

  Sellah was afraid to lock eyes with Thaddius again. The first time had stirred up a series of emotions in her that were unfitting.

  Plus with her eyes down she did not have to look upon the manservant Simeon. She could feel his eyes on her, and she wasn’t sure how to act. After all he had saved their lives. She glanced up to offer him a smile and noticed him looking at her amulet. It reminded her of the valuable treasure she was given. She ran her fingers over the eagle and it helped to calm her nerves.

  As they neared the gate, loud screams filled her ears. She

  slid across the seat so that she could peer out the side of the wagon.

  A dozen or so woman were struggling to get to the front of the group, and guards worked hard to push them back. She pulled Accalia to her so that she too could see what was before them.

  Simeon smiled as he watched the girls try to piece together the scene. “They come for Thaddius; he is very popular with the ladies,” he laughed. “This is why we must ride like produce in an supply wagon. It offers much needed concealment from the girls.”

  Sellah turned in time to see Thaddius glare at his friend, warning him with his eyes to silence his tongue. She smiled and returned to Accalia, watching in disbelief at how unbecomingly the women behaved. As the cart enter the gates, the guards struggled to push back the now desperate women. Hands and various items were tossed into the wagon and the women threatened to rip Thaddius out. Simeon diligently pushed back every advance, and the wagon slowly made its way into the domus with Thaddius unharmed.


  As soon as they were through the gates, Thaddius jumped out and stormed off toward the horse stalls.

  “My apologies,” Simeon said. “Give me a moment while I go talk to him.” He ran off after Thaddius, with the guards in toe, leaving the girls unattended. Sellah turned to Accalia and gave her a look of invitation.

  “Oh no, we should stay here and wait for them to return!” Accalia warned.

  But Sellah did not listen to her friend’s caution; instead she took off after the men. She passed Simeon who had stopped to talk with another man and continued silently after

  Thaddius. When she came upon sounds of frustrated arguing, she hid behind a fig tree.

  * “My Lord, how was your time at the auction?” an older gentleman asked as he approached Thaddius.

  “Not now, Acestes, I require a moment of peace.”

  Ignoring Thaddius, Acestes pressed on, “Did you acquire any men tonight?”

  Thaddius sighed and turned to the man. “I purchased two women,” he answered as his hands worked hard at massaging his brow.

  “Women? But my Lord we already have seven servant girls. This is a waste of your coin.”

  “Do not tell me what I already know.”

  “Did you procure them for sexual reason? Because my Lord, there is a multitude at the gate who will freely satisfy those needs?”

  Thaddius was furious with Acestes’ assumption. He clenched his fists and came face to face with the man. “I did not buy them for self-gratification. I purchased them to free Simeon from an altercation he got into with Barachius!” His frustration was obvious.

  “I see. Well, my Lord, I understand your connection with the boy. But I must warn you, as your father’s most trusted advisor, your father’s success was based primarily on the obedience of his servants. He was a bold and relentless Dominus at times but well respected by all. Simeon frequently disrespects you in public. You must not allow him to go unpunished for this.”