The Chariots Slave

by Lynn, R.

  “Will he truly be all right?” Her eyes were pleading for the truth.

  “He is strong, Sellah. Do not worry.” Orla smiled as she noticed Sellah hesitate to go to Thaddius. “I must go make

  arrangements. Can you stay and tend to Thaddius?” “What about finding Lucius?” Sellah responded.

  “If I see him, I will tell him Simeon’s instructions. But for now, Thaddius needs you.”

  Sellah quietly walked over to Thaddius’s cot. Orla watched her look at him for a moment before leaving and giving them privacy.

  When Sellah was certain she was alone, she began to speak.

  “Oh stupid Thaddius, look at the mess you have made,” she smiled as tears streamed down her face. With a shaky hand she wiped them away. “How are we supposed to know what to do without you? You are foolish and reckless, but I know you have a good heart. You desire to do what is right, even though your pride often gets in the way.”

  She sniffed back the tears as she hesitantly raised her hand and brushed the hair off his face. “Simeon has asked me to become his wife,” she whispered as she thoroughly looked over his face, hoping for some form of a reaction. When she did not see what she was looking for, she pulled her hand back from his hair.

  “He is a good man,” she continued, feeling as though she needed to explain everything to Thaddius. “He would love me and take care of me.”

  A single tear rolled down her check and landed on Thaddius’s swollen face. His eyes fluttered open and he looked up at her. Their gazes met and remained fixed for a heart stilling moment. Then Thaddius opened his mouth to form a response.

  “He will love you,” he gasped, each word causing great effort and even greater pain. “But you will never love him.”

  Sellah pushed herself back from the bed, alarmed and humiliated that Thaddius had heard her confession. Her hands shook and her heart beat rapidly as she beheld him, afraid of what he would say next.

  “Did I win Sellah? Did I save you?” She bit her lip as she thought over his question. “Yes,” she said through her tears as she nodded her head and looked down at him. “You saved me.”

  Satisfied with her response, Thaddius closed his eyes and fell back into much needed sleep.

  “W hoa!” Lucius screamed as he raised his hands and

  tried to calm the bucking horse. “How am I supposed to race tomorrow if she won’t let me on the chariot?” he asked. “I don’t know,” Simeon said as he paced back and forth trying to think of something. “What if we use the other lead? He is not as skilled as Diana but at least he will let Lucius drive.” He offered his suggestion to his father who had been helping at the trigarium.

  “That could have worked, except the horse wounded its leg, remember?” Vettius replied.

  The men gathered in a circle talking as Diana bucked wildly behind them. They had been trying for a good portion of an hour to get one of the men, anyone at this point, on her cart. But she would not have it.

  “Rope her down and stabilize her while Lucius climbs up,” one of the guards suggested.

  “Thaddius would be furious if he finds out you restrained Diana,” Vettius warned.

  But the men did not listen to the warning and set to task anyway. Four men surrounded the rearing mare, each armed with pegs and rope.

  “On my count!” Simeon yelled. “One, two, three!” As a team, the men threw the ropes over Diana, and at the same time caught the ropes being thrown at them. When they had confidently secured the ropes with their hands, they pegged them to the ground.

  This allowed Simeon to grab Diana’s reins and hold her steady. She rocked her head and shook her mane while blowing warm air out of her nostrils.

  Sellah watched from the hill, and even from the distance she could tell Diana was distressed. She worried about what the mare would do.

  “Quickly Lucius!” Simeon ordered. As instructed, Lucius climbed up onto the cart. This time Diana did not buck, but remained steady under the restraints. He grabbed the reins, braced his feet, and held fast to the side of the chariot.

  “All right, I am ready!” Lucius announced. Once more the men threw the ropes releasing Diana and Simeon dropped the reins. As soon as she was free, she reared onto her hind legs, tossing the chariot to its side. Lucius struggled to hold on but was unsuccessful. His body flung out of the cart and landed on a rocky outcrop.

  “Damn it, Diana!” Simeon yelled as he ran to Lucius’s side to see if he was injured.

  “Find another driver. I’m done!” Lucius rolled over clutching his arm to keep his new injury secure. “That horse has a demon within!”

  Sellah sat nervously by as she watched the men yell at

  each other and Diana stomp her foot and shake her mane. The horse was stubborn, maybe even more stubborn than Thaddius. But stubborn or not, she was their only chance. They had to find someone to drive her.

  Wishing there was something she could do but knowing she had nothing to offer frustrated her. It seemed as if no one would drive and that Barachius would win by default. And that meant they would soon suffer the same fate Nadria had.

  She decided she would go talk to Accalia. Accalia would know what to do. She was always there to comfort Sellah when she needed it most. Just as Sellah was about to push herself up off the ground, she noticed Diana charging toward her, chariot in tow.

  Knowing that the horse was spooked and in a dangerous frame of mind, Sellah remained still, hoping Diana would pass her by. Yet despite her efforts the horse seemed to be headed straight for her.

  The men noticed Diana’s sudden movement. Simeon screamed for the horse as he ran after, worried about what Diana would do to Sellah. But all Sellah could do was focus on the charging horse. Slowly she stood and held out her hands.

  “Whoa Diana, whoa,” she gently spoke as she brought her arms up to show she meant no harm. Diana slowed her gallop into a trot and eventually came to a full stop before Sellah. Once she realized she was not about to be trampled by horse and cart, Sellah allowed herself to breathe.

  “You had me frightened for a moment,” she said as she rubbed the horse’s snout.

  Diana blew air into her face and nudged her head into Sellah’s neck. Sellah giggled as she pushed the horse back.

  Simeon had given up running and was regaining his breath a few yards away.

  “Sellah, just back away slowly,” he instructed.

  “She’s harmless,” Sellah argued.

  “Harmless? She could have killed Lucius!”

  Sellah turned to argue with Simeon, but as she did, she felt something fall across her shoulder. Hesitantly she raised her hand and found Diana’s reins. She grabbed the leather straps and turned back to Diana. The horse stomped her foot and shook her mane once more.

  She smiled and took a moment to pat Diana’s snout before dropping the reins so she could continue her argument with Simeon.

  “Simeon, just come get her…” She was cut off midsentence by Diana once more pushing the reins over her shoulder.

  “What are you doing?” she asked as she turned to address the horse. But before she could fully turn around, Diana nudged her toward the chariot.

  Sellah took a step in the direction before pausing. Could the horse really be communicating that she wanted her to be the driver? As if to confirm her thought, Diana once more nudged her toward the chariot.

  It couldn’t be, could it?

  She had to try. If Diana would let her drive, then that could be the answer to their dilemma. Maybe she could save them, save Thaddius and Simeon.

  “Yes Diana,” Sellah hesitantly agreed as she walked toward the chariot.

  “What are you doing?” Simeon yelled. And when she did not reply, he began to run to her. “Sellah, don’t be foolish,

  walk away. Sellah! Don’t get in that cart! Listen to me.” But Sellah did not listen, she used the wheel as a step and pulled herself into the chariot. As soon as she was balanced, Diana took off in a sprint around the circus track.

  “S
top!” Simeon yelled as he ran after them. “Sellah grab the reins—pull back!”

  “W hat other choice do we have?” Lucius questioned.

  Simeon paced back and forth before the group. “No! Sellah is not competing, that is final!”

  “But Simeon,” Sellah cut in, “I am the only one whom she allows on the cart.”

  “It is too dangerous, Sellah.” His worried eyes worked over her face. How could he not fight to protect her. It was all he had known to do.

  “Do not worry for me, I will be fine.”

  “Sellah do you understand what you are saying? Watching the sport is one thing, driving in it is another! Out of the forty charioteers that entered, only twelve remain, and we are only at the fifth arena.” He paced back and forth searching for anyone to agree with him. “Father please, tell her it is foolish.”

  “Sellah, Simeon is right, it is foolish,” Vettius’s kind eyes searched her eyes for any sign of hesitance, and when he saw none, he knew she had made up her mind. “But it is also foolish to let Barachius win, for life under his rule will be worse than death in the arena,” he finished.

  Simeon was not impressed with his father’s response and kicked at a nearby rock.

  “Thank you, Vettius,” Sellah whispered as she looked to Simeon for permission. “Simeon, you must understand that your father is right. If I don’t try, we lose. What other options do we have? Tell me, if you can think of one, anything, then I will listen.”

  Simeon held his brow as he tried to think of anyone that could take her place. But try as he might, no other choices were available. He had attempted to drive Diana numerous times, and the horse would not allow him access either.

  “Sellah please, I can’t lose you. I lost Esther, and I am not strong enough to lose you as well!” he pleaded as he fell to his knees and hugged her waist.

  She knelt down before him and lifted his face, so that he could look into her eyes. “Fate has sent me here for such a time as this. I must trust the gods’ plan.”

  “We can run away! Come lets go now,” Simeon pleaded as he desperately clutched her hand.

  “And if we are caught?” she asked, trying to show him life on the run was no way to live either.

  “I will fight for you. I will protect you!”

  “I know you would. But right now, it is my job to fight for you, for this domus, for all these people. Simeon, look around you, there are dozens of lives at stake here. Not only mine.”

  Simeon lifted his head and looked at the men standing around him. She was right. He hated to admit it, but she was right…

  ***

  “…Put another robe on her. We need to fill out her form so

  she looks more like Thaddius,” Vettius instructed Accalia who diligently tended to Sellah. Ever since Sellah told Accalia what she was going to do, Accalia would not leave her side.

  “If I put another robe on her, she will overheat. We cannot risk her fainting and falling out of the cart.”

  Sellah rested her hand on Accalia’s arm. “I am fine, please one more robe.”

  “This is foolish, Sellah, I beg you to rethink this?” Accalia pleaded as she firmly gripped Sellah’s shoulders.

  “Believe me, I have already tried,” Simeon grumbled from his perch at the back of the room.

  Although he let Sellah go ahead with her plan, he was not happy about it and let everyone know by his lack of help.

  “Here,” Vettius said, interrupting the conversation to shove gloves into Sellah’s hands. “You should wear these to hide your feminine hands.”

  “What of her face?” Simeon asked, “and her hair?”

  “We can bind my hair, and we must find a helmet to cover my face.”

  “No charioteer uses a face cover. It will be obvious,” Simeon tried to reason, hoping he had found the objection which would unravel her plan.

  Vettius left Sellah and walked over to Simeon. “They will assume Thaddius does not want his injuries shown, nothing more,” he explained as he placed his arm around his son. “Walk with me,” he instructed.

  Simeon dragged his feet as he was pulled away from Sellah by his father. “Shouldn’t we stay and help?” he asked.

  “We are helping, we are finding a helmet with a covered

  face. There is one in the villa from when Thaddius practiced

  with swords,” Vettius explained.

  “Why do you need me to go? I should stay with Sellah.”

  Vettius stopped short and pulled Simeon around to face him.

  “Son, pining over someone who does not belong to you will

  only end in heartbreak.”

  On hearing his father’s words, his face dropped. “But I

  have asked her to marry me.” He didn’t understand what his

  father was trying to say.

  “And what of her response?” Vettius asked.

  “She… she wanted to take some time and think it over.” “You are a good man. Do you not deserve a woman who

  already knows in her soul she wants you? Hesitation is not a

  sign of love.”

  “I will wait until she does then. Why are you saying these

  things?”

  “Because I love you and I worry for you,” Vettius

  reminded as he pulled his son into his arms for an embrace. “I am fine. If I had to compete against Thaddius himself

  for her heart I would!” Simeon pulled out of his father’s

  arms.

  Vettius did not say another word. It was that exact thing

  that had him worried. He could tell that Sellah had feelings

  for both men, though in different ways, but he could also tell

  she would not act on them.

  No, Sellah was a martyr; the proof could be seen by what

  she attempted with the tournament. She would rather die

  alone than hurt either man. He would bet his life on it.

  “I t’s time,” Vettius announced as he helped Sellah out of

  the cart and toward the chariot. They had kept her concealed there so the other competitors would have less time to notice that she was not the same size as Thaddius.

  “Remember, if anyone says anything to you, do not respond. Grunt or nod your head, but do not speak!”

  Simeon and Vettius escorted her over to the back of the chariot. Diana and the other three horses were already hitched and decorated in the team colors. She pulled out of Vettius’s arms and walked over to Diana.

  “I need your help. I’m scared,” Sellah admitted into the horse’s ear. Diana blew warm air out of her nose and nuzzled into Sellah’s neck. It was a familiar action, and it helped to comfort Sellah.

  “Thaddius, you need to get on your chariot,” Simeon instructed as he heard the trumpets resound.

  It took Sellah a moment to realize he had been addressing her. She stroked Diana’s nose one more time for good measure and turned to the men.

  Because of all the layers of robes, it was hard for Sellah to lift her legs high enough for the step on the wheel. Vettius and Simeon ended up having to lift her up onto the chariot.

  “I see you have not fully recovered. Your slaves need to help you onto your cart.” Jiao sneered, as he pulled his team up next to Sellah.

  She bit her lip in reminder to keep silent and shook her head in frustration.

  “He is fine. Fine enough to beat you once more!” Simeon spoke up.

  “So you need your slaves to lift you and fight your battles. Is there anything you are capable of doing on your own?” he taunted.

  Sellah reached down to the dagger strapped to her waist and loosened it from the scabbard. She then proceeded to slam it into the wooden rail of her chariot and point at Jiao.

  “Always a show off!” Jiao snorted before directing his team away from Sellah.

  When he was out of ear range, Simeon started to laugh. “That was such a Thaddius thing to do.”

  She forced a smile. Realization of what awaited her in the aren
a finally sunk in. Her body felt awkward and foreign on top the chariot. She was out of her element here. She grabbed at the reins, and the worn leather was another reminder that she lacked the experience the chariot’s normal driver had.

  She mimicked what she had seen Thaddius do and looped them around her left forearm securing herself to her team. How she wished his strong arms were wrapped around her, were supporting her. But now atop the chariot she was alone. It was all up to her.

  Her feet were drawn like magnets to a spot where the paint had worn down to raw wood. She put one foot in each place and couldn’t help but notice the difference in size of feet by the way her feet were lost in his imprint.

  Grabbing onto the side of the chariot with her other hand, she knew she was ready. Her moment had come. All she had to do now was find the courage to speak the word that sent Diana and the team into motion.

  “You must go to the starting gates,” Vettius finally spoke. Upon hearing his voice, Sellah was snapped away from her thoughts and looked at her supporters. Accalia, Simeon, and Vettius stood beside her, watching her with anxious eyes. They all had so much at stake in the next few minutes.

  “It is time,” Vettius reminded.

  As she could not speak for fear of others hearing, she raised her hand and placed it over her heart, over the amulet

  that she had fought to wear. She took one last moment to look at her companions and memorize their faces. It was obvious that they were struggling to hold back tears. It was in their eyes, in the reflection of the love they had for her, that she found the strength to do what was needed. She might die. But if she had her way, they would live.

  “Hijah!” The horses started out in a trot and the movement of the chariot almost rocked her from her feet. She clung onto the side while she looked back over her shoulder at her three dearest friends.

  And she watched until she saw Accalia crumple to the ground in tears and Vettius rush to her side. Simeon did not move but stayed frozen in pain as he watched Sellah ride