New story! So excited. I'm going to try my hand at an AH one which is going to be a little different. I'm also setting it a long time ago in ancient Rome, so I'm going to try and keep the writing as in context as I can. I know that the names are going to be all wrong and I considered changing the last name to Cullenus but it made me giggle every time I wrote it so I decided not to.
Any and all opinions are welcome.
Chapter one
The sun baked the sandy streets of Rome as my brother and I trudged reluctantly towards our destination. The dirt of the streets stained my feet and the robes I wore. I did not like going to the market. If I had been sure it would have been safe I would have gladly sent my wife. As it stood this was not an option. The slave market was no place for a woman. It was not really a place where anyone should be but that was not my decision to make. Romans and freed men would not do the kind of work that slaves would do on principle. Why should they? That was what slaves were for.
I took my last deliberate deep breath as my brother and I arrived. Even at a distance I could smell the market. The stench of filth, human filth and lots of it. I felt my brother grip my arm with his massive hand and I looked up, "I can't stand it either, brother. We'll do this quickly." Emmett blue eyes stared into my green; unusually serious.
To anyone who didn't know him his expression would seem threatening, but I recognised discomfort. In fact a lot of expressions looked threatening on Emmett, but only because of his emormous build. Although six feet tall and well-built, I looked small next to my elder brother.
At times like this I actually found his bulky presence reassuring, as I had when I was a child and I trusted that all I needed was my brother to protect me.
But in truth, I didn't like being here and there was nothing I could do to quell the feeling. Regardless of the place, I didn't like the necessity to own slaves, but I had little choice. I spent so much time away from home and one woman couldn't handle it alone. Not even one as tough as my wife. We already had one male slave, a young man named Michael and a girl whose name was Lauren. They had been with us almost a year. In another year I would free them. I never kept a slave longer than two years, I always freed them; it was my father's habit. My brother and I both adopted it in turn.
Now we were going to have three slaves. We could afford it and another would be helpful. It was another one I could, and would, free in two years. I nodded to Emmett and we walked into the market. It was one of the most undignified places I had ever had the misfortune to see and in my time with the army I had seen many. As a doctor I saw the most truly horrifying sights.
The very sands of Rome seemed dirty here, and it seemed unlikely that they could ever be made clean. The smell seemed to slither through the air; saturating it. The smell that was coming from the rusty cages filled with people. Thin, underfed, beaten people. I wished that I could afford to buy them all, but if I did I wouldn't be able to feed them. Besides, more would arrive tomorrow.
Reminding myself that I was here to help at least one of these poor souls I started to examine the people. They peered out from between the bars; terrified of being chosen and afraid of being left there forever. "What about him?" asked Emmett.
He pointed to a very young man with darker skin. I couldn't identify his homeland but he looked sturdy and strong. I nodded, "Good eye. He looks too young to be so big."
"Well, if he's still growing you might have to alter the doorways. Come here lad," my brother Emmett beckoned to the boy. He hesitated but then shuffled forward past the others and stood in front of the bars. "Yeah, he's a big one all right. You understand me boy?"
"Yes." There was trace of an accent in his voice but he spoke clearly enough.
"And he understands. That's a good start right there." Emmett seemed quite proud of his find and I had to admit that he had a right to be. He was a strapping lad and I got the feeling that if I was fair with him he would work well and be loyal. I was rarely wrong when I got those kinds of impressions.
I nodded at Emmett who smiled broadly and then I looked over my shoulder, trying to spot the trader here. My eyes fell on all the miserable people crammed into the cages and I felt another stirring. It was similar to guilt. Why was my life so good compared to these people? Why did I have that priviledge? Why had the god's we worshipped chosen me?
I was trying to ignore all the blank expressions around me when something caught my eye. I thought I was looking at an empty cage for a moment but no, there were heaps of rags on the bottom. I was wondering why there was an empty cage when all the others were so full and then the rags moved. It was such a feeble movement that I wasn't sure if I had imagined it. But then I heard a very weak cough.
Perhaps it was just curiousity. As a doctor I naturally wanted to see what the problem was, it was my job to help. As I neared the cage I could see two figures, one was lying on the floor and the other was huddled on top. It was unusual to see only two people. All the other cages were crammed with people, waiting to be bought.
Once I was close enough I bent down for a better look and was immeditely startled. I almost toppled over in shock as the figure on top leapt to its feet with a hissing noise. It was a woman, she was short and her hair inky black hair had been cut close to her head. Her figure was slim and girlish but I guessed her age as mid-twenties. I looked again at her hair and saw that it had been hacked off in tufts. It had probably been done as a punishment, perhaps she had tried to escape. It was done to demoralize the women but it had not had the desired effect here.
This small female was clearly some kind of devil. She was dressed in the usual rags but I barely noticed them; her eyes had my attention absolutely. The expression on her face was one of pure malevolence. She hissed and spat at me, warning me away. At first I thought that she was afraid that I might hurt her, but then I realised that she was crouched over the other figure on the floor of the cage.
This one too was female but other than that there was little that was similar. They both had very pale skin, much lighter than was common in Rome where the sun soon made it's power clear, but the figure on the floor was taller and perhaps a little younger. Her limbs seemed oddly delicate. She had long brown hair that would fall past her shoulders if she was stood up and she was sweating slightly. There was no colour at all in her face, unlike her shorter friend who looked livid enough to attack me if the opportunity presented itself.
Slaves did not usually behave this way, they were beaten into submission as quickly as possible so they could be sold easily. I wondered at the constitution of this small girl; it would obviously take a lot to break her, yet there were no lash marks on what I could see of her skin.
Emmett had wondered over to see what had caught my attention and the small imp's hissing grew louder in response. "Easy girl," I said automatically. Then I was ashamed, I sounded as though I was speaking to an animal.
"Which one caught you're eye, brother?" Emmett raised his eyebrows suggestively but I ignored the implication. I might not always have been faithful to my wife, Tanya but I had never interrferred with my slaves. That way lay trouble and Emmett knew it.
"I think that one is unwell," I pointed to the prostrate girl. I knelt down again and stared at the imp. She met my eyes harshly, her lip still drawn back in a sneer, "Listen to me woman. I'm a doctor and I don't intend to hurt you or you're friend." She looked at me in surprise, perhaps she had forgotten what it was like to be spoken to politely. "I think that you should let me check your friend's heart and lungs." The girl hissed quietly again, "I won't touch her unless you say I can."
The little imp stared at me for a few more seconds then abruptly she nodded and skittered backwards a few inches. Emmett made a concerned sound, "That little thing might bite you Edward."
I didn't break eye contact, "No she will not." I said, absolutely convinced of the fact. I reached slowly through the bars of the cage towards her and her friend. She had moved back slightly but she was still close enough for me to feel her breath on my skin. My fingers closed around the wrist of the uconscious girl. I found her pulse and counted out the beats. It was a lot weaker than was healthy. I moved my hand to her chest. I wished that there was some way I could listen to it, but this would have to do. Her breathing was steady but my hand only rose a little.
During my brief examination I could feel the other girl's eyes watching my every movement. Her devoted attention spoke to me, I had seen it before. My mother watched my father that way, she watched Emmett and I that way. I knew what her expression meant, it was unconditional love. I wondered if they were sisters, after all siblings did not always look alike. Emmett and I were proof of that.
I withdrew my hand from the cage and stood up again, concerned for the girl. Her heart and lungs didn't worry me nearly as much as the heat I felt coming off her skin. The fever would prove most dangerous and might even be causing the other symptoms. Even if it did not kill her, there was a chance she would die as a result. Slave traders didn't like to risk their property spreading disease around to each other.
"Well?" said Emmett, "Will she live?"
I immediately wished my brother had chosen his words more carefully. The little imp in the cage seemed to tense all over, the colour drained from her face as she waited for an answer I didn't want to give. Her eyes bored into my face and I found it hard to speak, "I...I am not sure. She needs care."
"I look after her," the girl spoke quietly and with a different accent than the boy and she still managed to startle us both. Her silence had seemed absolute; perhaps a form of defence but now she looked afraid. Afraid for her friend I guessed.
"I'm sure," I replied, "But..." my voice trailed off. My eyes had drifted down to the other girl. She truly was fragile looking, even her features were slight. Her skin reminded me of alabaster and I realised that I found her beautiful, even sweating and covered in dirt. With that realisation another followed, I did not want her or her friend to die here. I looked up at Emmett and he grinned.
"I thought you were getting a man?" I did usually do just that, as did Emmett and my father. Particularly as I spent so much time away from home, a man could serve as protection as well. Though I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to fight the imp in the cage.
"That girl will live if she comes home with me, if she stays here she'll die," I said simply.
The imp gave a gasping sob and clutched at her friend's hand. All of her earlier hostility gone, her voice almost broke with tears, "Then please take her. I beg you," it did not sound as though begging came easy to the girl. She tried though and her sincerity was obvious. I could see that the idea of separation caused her pain, but she wanted her friend to live.
I knew I was on the cusp of doing something stupid and I recognised that this was the moment to stop myself from going any further. It was madness to take home a sick slave. It truly was, but I already knew that I was going to do that much. Even without the girl's plea, I was already decided. But now I was about to make things worse...or better, depending on your point of view. I sighed and crouched down one more time, "I came here to buy a man slave, but I could be persuaded to take a woman. However your friend here can't do the work I need doing yet." I let that sink in for a moment, "Could you?"
She stared at me, confused for a moment, then her eyes widened, "You...you would take us both? Away from here? Together?" She clearly couldn't believe was she was hearing.
I nodded, "Yes, but I want something from you."
"Anything," she breathed.
"I want your loyalty and your promise that you will work hard for me, that you will do as I ask. If you agree I will do everything I can to help your friend." I knew I would have done so anyway, but I was sure that this would be the best way to tame this girl. If I gave her a reason to be grateful to me there would be no need to break her and I didn't want to have to. I found that I admired her fire; I didn't want her to lose it.
"I swear to the gods I will do anything you ask...Dominus." Again I felt the sincerity in her gaze.
"What is your name?" I asked.
"Alice." She said and I could hear the excitement she was trying to hide in her voice.
"Then I believe we have a deal, Alice." The imp...my imp nodded and I got to my feet without another word.
I stared around and saw a tall black man some distance away. He was pushing food into one of the cages. I nodded and Emmett followed as I headed towards him.
"You came here for a man and you are going home with two women. I'm sure Tanya will be delighted." Emmett said witha chuckle.
"I'm sure," I said my voice heavy with irony. I could imagine the situation that would greet me when I returned.
"What will you tell her?"
"That I chose the slaves I wanted. I have to pay for them after all." I could hear the defensiveness in my voice. I didn't want to analyse my actions too much. I wasn't going to change my mind so there was no point, "Anyway, I don't think that little devil will disappoint. She will work hard."
"What of the other one? What if she carries some contagious disease?"
"She doesn't, her friend would have caught it from her. No, most likely her problems are simpler. She needs food and rest and to be out of this baking sun. The things all people need."
"I don't think I'd have the nerve to take them home to my wife," said Emmett, with a trace of horror and a little amusement in his voice.
"Not all people fear their wives as much as you do, Emmett." I didn't add that I too was a little afraid of Rosalie.
"Not all people love their wives as much as I do, Edward." The condescending tone of his voice annoyed me a little too much.
"You're welcome, by the way." I snapped. I knew it wasn't a nice thing to do but when he mocked me it shut him up to be reminded that he had me to thank for Rosalie, twice over.
Emmett instantly looked apologetic. It was the one thing he was never insincere about. "Yes, thank you again brother."
I sighed, my irritation gone as quickly as it had come. "As I have said, you're welcome."
Emmett changed the subject, "I'm only half serious anyway." He glanced over his shoulder. "I don't know if I could have left them here. I still wouldn't have taken them home though. I would just have given them to you as a gift." He grinned at me widely.
"What a wonderful gift. Two women, one of them unconscious." I laughed, I couldn't help it.
"My way they would have been a gift, now you're going to pay money for them."
"True," I said with a shrug. I couldn't fault his logic there.
"But if you are not going to buy that boy I think I might. Rosalie wants a new horse and she doesn't like the way our slaves handle them. That boy looks strong enough to handle anything." He indicated back the way we had come.
I waved a hand, "Of course. If you think you can find a job for him. I'm sure he would prefer it to here."
We neared the man, "Good day citizen," I said loudly enough to get his attention over the hoards of scrabbling slaves. The man turned and nodded, "I would like to purchase two slaves. My brother would like one, if you would be so kind."
XXX
The man had driven a hard bargain. He had confided to us that he was new working at the market and he wanted to make a good first deal. Still, Emmett had paid more for the boy, Jacob...and yet his wife would be happier.
Alice was staring at us both avidly as we crossed towards the cage. She looked as though she couldn't quite believe what was happening. When the man opened the cage I saw her chest heave and I wondered for the first time, how long they had been here. The man nodded and clasped my arm and then led Emmett off to collect the boy. I looked down at my 'property'. That was how he had described them, it made me feel ill.
"I'm going to pick her up," I said to Alice. She nodded cautiously but she moved out of the way so I could get my arms around the other girl's form. She seemed to weigh almost nothing and she whimpered as I moved her.
"It's going to be allright beautiful," I heard Alice whisper, "You're going to be allright."
I began to revise my earlier opinions. Perhaps they were lovers rather than sisters. Alice hadn't corrected me when I called them 'friends' after all. As I got to my feet with the frail girl in my arms I looked down at her. In the sun her skin seemed to glow and I was again struck with how ethereal she looked. She was a pale Venus in my arms and I misgave. Perhaps what I was doing was not a good thing. It was not good to view ones slaves in such a way.
"Shall we go Dominus?" Alice's voice penetrated my momentary haze and I looked into her big eyes. They were wet and she was biting her lip but I knew she was not sad.
What could I do? Tell her that I had changed my mind and that I was going to leave them here? I did not have it in me to be so cruel. I looked again at the girl in my arms. Yes, she was beautiful. Alice was right, but I wouldn't let that matter. I would help her get well, then she and Alice would live with us for two years. Then I would free them both and the cycle would begin again. That was how I did things.
I cradled the girl against my chest and nodded to Alice, "Yes, we'll go now."
XXX
Emmett's new slave, the boy Jacob guided our horses to my house as directed and took the girl from me as I dismounted. When I had righted my clothing I turned to take her back and saw the boy staring at her. I didn't blame him, she was a beauty, but I was still irrationally irritated. I cleared my throat and held out my arms. The boy started and handed her to me, keeping his eyes on the ground.
I took her from him without a word and Alice scampered to my side, climbing down from Emmett's horse unaided. "Would you like to come in?" I asked my brother.
Emmett gave me a grin, "Not today brother. I should get the new boy home for Rosalie to approve." I suspected he wanted to get home for other reasons too. He didn't like being away from Rosalie for long periods of time. It was the main reason he had resigned from the army and focused on building his reputation in the construction world. I nodded and thanked him for accompanying me to the market.
I led Alice into the courtyard of my home and invited her to take a seat. We had a large table and benches in the yard for eating outdoors, but she shook her head staring about her in wonder. Michael appeared and went out to tend to my horse, Seth. He was good with animals and I knew I would be sorry to lose him when the time came.
Deciding to face the music immediately, I called out for Tanya. She would hear my voice wherever she was, as our house surrounded the yard in blocks. The main building was directly ahead of me with a small reception chamber before it. It consisted of the main room for entertaining and living, a family room and an enclosed garden with a bathing pool. Our bedroom, bathroom and two others for guests were directly above this.
To the left there were the servants quarters and and the stables where we kept six horses. On the right were the kitchen and washrooms. Our home was more than sufficient for our needs, in fact for only two people it might be considered extravagant, but I agreed to every improvement Tanya suggested.
She didn't like living here much so I tried to keep her happy by appealing to her love of excess. Tanya frequently requested that we move out of the city. We could certainly afford to do so, but I liked the constant activity and insisted that we stay put. I also argued that it was easier for me to get patients this way, when I was not travelling.
Tanya appeared suddenly on the balcony off our bedroom, cutting into my thoughts. She stared down at me and my entourage for a moment.
"But you said you were going to get a man slave." Tanya actually took it better than I expected. She just seemed confused.
"Well, I decided on these two instead." I prayed to the god's that she would let it go. Although Tanya was a good person she didn't seem to feel as I did about our good fortune. She had always had money and her first husband, my second cousin Peter had been wealthy. It was just the way things were as far as she was concerned. She had the true arrogance of the rich; she assumed she was entitled to her luxury somehow. If I tried to explain that my conscience wouldn't allow me to leave these two girls to their fate, I doubted she would understand.
"But why?" Tanya persisted. She didn't realise that this wasn't the right time for this conversation. Alice was stood close behind me and I was still carrying her unconscious friend.
The girl did not weigh very much but I was still holding an adult in my now aching arms. "Because I decided to." I snapped at her. I rarely spoke to her roughly and she looked surprised. "I had a good feeling about this one, her name's Alice. And her friend will be fine soon."
Tanya recovered quickly and pretended she hadn't noticed my bad mood. "They will have to share a room. We only have one."
I nodded curtly and she strode back into the house. I was about to stalk away, but I was stopped when my father suddenly appeared in the doorway. He had obviously been waiting for me to return. "Greetings father." I said, sighing inwardly. Wonderful. "If you would excuse me a moment."
My father, Carlisle, nodded and waved a hand, "Of course son, take your time. I'm in no hurry."
I turned to the left and led Alice through to the bedroom that had been prepared for our new man. I lay the sleeping girl down onto the bed. Her cheeks seemed to have gained a little colour, pink stained the white marble now and I reached out to check her heart again. It was still beating unsteadily and if anything her skin was warmer than before.
Moving her about had probably not helped, but it was obviously better than the alternative. As soon as I straightened and moved away, Alice instantly dashed to her side. I would not need to worry about this patient, she would be well tended. Though I wouldn't have minded tending to her myself, she certainly was a beauty.
I shook myself and and spoke quietly. "I need to go and speak with my father. I will ask Michael to bring you some water so you can wash. And some food, you must be hungry."
Alice looked up at me and I couldn't understand the expression on her face; at least I was sure it wasn't hostile, "Thank you, Dominus."
I nodded and, feeling a little uncomfortbale, I left the room. I passed Michael on my way to the main room and gave him his insructions. Then when I couldn't put it off anymore, I took a deep breath and joined my father. Ordinarily I looked forward to his visits, but then I didn't usually quarrel with my wife in his presence. He was never harsh with me, he didn't need to be. If a trace of a frown crossed his face I knew he disapproved and that meant I had done the wrong thing.
"Again, greetings father. What a nice surprise." I fixed a cheerful smile on my face and embraced him warmly.
Carlisle couldn't hide his small smile, but he returned my welcome. "You might be pleased to see me son, but I don't think you liked my timing." He raised an eyebrow and for a moment looked so much like Emmett it shocked me. Other than my bronze coloured hair, which I had gotten from my grandfather Aro, I looked very like our father. I have his same build and the same jaw. The only thing I had in common with my mother, Esme, was my green eyes.
But the expression he wore now was so similar to my brother, that I knew there was no point in keeping up the charade. He would see through it anyway. I dropped the pretense of manners and my shoulders drooped, "Did I mention how annoying it is that you know me so well? It's one matter with mother..."
"I know son, I'm sorry." Carlisle clapped me on the shoulder, "Just try to..."
I knew where he was going with this and I tried to head him off. "I know, I know. I do try."
"It's difficult for her, surely you can understand that." Carlisle looked at me hopefully; he had never entirely gotten over his guilt about my marriage to Tanya. He felt as though he had let me down somehow. He and my mother had not approved, but Esme had been grieving for her favourite cousin Peter. He had been a lot younger than her, only a few years older than me in fact but he and Esme had been close. My father had been distracted by my mother's grief and it had been decided quickly
"I do uderstand and honestly, you just happened upon us on a bad day. When I went to the slave market I was planning on buying a man. Instead I bought two women, one of whom is unconscious and running a fever." I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. I tried not to do it too much, it made my hair stand up in all directions. "And I knew that she would not be pleased. I just...did it anyway."
"Why did you do it then son?" Carlisle's voice was soothing. He wasn't even trying to sooth me, it was just the effect it had.
I sighed and tried to put my feelings at the time into words, but they wouldn't go. They were not rational after all. "I just couldn't leave them there." I said finally. "The sick one would have died and the other...well, I don't think Alice would want to live without her friend."
"It's not wrong to feel compassion. Please don't think it is," Carlisle was looking at me in concern. "I'm proud that you want to help people."
"It's not that it's...why these two imparticular? I just couldn't leave them behind. When I felt the girl's heart beat and realised how likely it was that she would die..." my voice trailed off again. "I just couldn't leave them."
"I'm glad you couldn't son." He gave me a smile and I felt lighter. It seemed that no matter how old I became, I would always be glad of my father's approval as I would always consider his disapproval. His opinion meant everything to me.
Feeling better about the world in general I got to my feet, "I should go and apologise to my wife."
Carlisle nodded, "I only came by to see if you would oblige by hosting a birthday party for your mother? I would like to surprise her and have the whole family for dinner."
"Of course, I would be honoured. I will let Tanya plan everything. She will be delighted, everything will be beautiful and Michael will be ordered about mercilessly for the next month." I said with a grin.
Carlisle got to his feet and thanked me, "I'm sure it will be wonderful. I will handle the invitations, but remember to keep it a secret." I nodded and escorted my father to the door, sending my love to my mother.
Tanya came down the stairs as I re-entered the house. Her expression was guarded and I began to feel guilty. She had not been rude to me, she had merely asked why I had changed my mind about the man slave. Carlisle was right, he usually was.
"I apologise for my manner before. Going to the market put me in a bad mood." I said quietly. It was a reasonable excuse.
Tanya seemed to accept it. She smiled hesitantly, "Are you hungry? Lauren has just served dinner."
In fact I was ravenous though I hadn't noticed it up until then. "Yes, shall we?"
I seated Tanya before sitting opposite her. She still looked on guard, but I had a secret that I suspected would help with her mood, "My father asked if you would be so good as to host a party for Esme's birthday? Just family, so around twenty people?" I asked the question as though it was of little consequence but her face lit up immediately.
XXX
After dinner Tanya announced her intention to retire. The looked she gave me implied that she would like me to join her, but I couldn't seem to summon the energy. I made my excuses and she went alone.
I tried to tell myself that I didn't know why I wasn't in the mood, but I did. I was curious about the two young girls and how they were doing. I was so curious that I knew that I would not be able to concentrate on anything else.
There was no reason that I should not go and check, but for some reason I was nervous about doing so. After several minutes of starting to go and then changing my mind, I decided I was behaving like a child. At the very least I should go and check on the girl...it occurred to me that maybe I should find out her name. I got to my feet and headed out into the well lit courtyard. Dark had fallen completely now and the sounds of the city were everywhere. Rome never really seemed to sleep, there was always something happening. If not here then nearby.
I moved quietly down the darkened passage, if Alice and her friend were asleep I didn't want to disturb them. There were no torches lit in here and there was only the illumination the moon provided.
As I rounded a corner that put me in sight of their door, I was startled. There was a shape huddled against the door. It was too big to be either one of the women and for a moment I wondered if it was an animal. But it wasn't. It was a man.
Michael was hunched over peering through a small gap between the door and the jam. I could see that there was light coming from inside the room so the women were probably awake.
A rage I had not felt in many years surged through my veins and I almost attacked him noisily then and there. But I remembered in time that today I had gained two new members of my household. Their first night here should be an improvement on their previous surroundings, it should not be more frightening.
I moved silently towards Michael, I didn't even pause as I slipped my arm around his face and covered his mouth. For a moment he tried to struggle, but I hissed, "Silence!" and he stopped immediately.
Keeping my grip on his face, I dragged him out of the corridor. Once we were back in the courtyard I flung him away from me onto the ground. He cowered on the floor with his hands over his head. He was the very picture of subservience.
I paced back and forth for a few seconds, still trying to get my temper under control. Finally I stood over him and stared imperiously down, "Michael, would you say that I am a fair master?" He trembled a little, I did not raise my voice but I was confident I didn't need to. My feelings were clear even as I hissed my words, "Answer me!"
"Yes Dominus, very fair." Michael mumbled his words to the ground, he didn't raise his head at all.
"I am so glad to hear it." I said sarcastically. "I happen to agree with you. I believe that I always try to treat people fairly. Tell me, in the year you have been here, have I ever had to beat you?"
"No Dominus."
"No, I didn't think so," as I spoke I walked over to the stables and selected a heavy leather riding crop from the row on the wall. "You know Michael, most slaves do get beaten by their master's regularly."
"Yes Dominus, I know." The trembling of his voice was almost pitiful, but I felt nothing. Men who liked to spy on women might one day be tempted to take it further. I needed to squash it now.
"Then let me tell you something else. I have never beaten a slave yet." I swished the crop through the air and it made a very menacing sound. Then I knealt down and grasped his chin again. Once I had dragged his eyes up to mine I glared hard at him. "But that is only because I have never had to. And as I think of what you just did I am coming dangerously close to beating you to death."
The colour drained out of Michael's face, "Dominus I..."
"Silence!" I hissed "I am only going to say this once, if you lay a hand on what is mine, I will cut it off. If I catch you looking at them again I will pluck out your eyes and if you ever step down that hall again I will remove your feet." Sweat broke out over his forehead and I let go of his chin. "Am I making myself plain?"
"Y...Yes, Dominus." Michael's voice was trembling violently.
"From now on you will sleep in the stables with the rest of the animals. Once you have finished you tasks for the day you will retire there and not leave until the morning. You will do this every day until I decide otherwise." I pointed to his new room.
"Yes, D...Dominus."
"Go. Now." Michael scrabbled to his feet and almost ran to the stables. I wondered if I had overdone it. I had no real intention of mutilating the boy, but then I realised that I didn't care. His behaviour appalled me and if threatening him prevented a repeat it was worth it.
I took a few calming breaths. I had almost forgotten what I had been doing in the servant's rooms in the first place. Now I fought to steady myself as I retraced my steps. When I reached the wooden door I knocked. It was opened a crack by Alice. Her expression was almost agressive at first, then she saw who her visitor was and she relaxed infinitesimally.
She stepped back and allowed me into the room, "Did someone bring you something to eat?" I asked. My eyes automatically drifted to the bed. The girl was still sleeping, perhaps oblivious to her change of location. Alice had cleaned her up and her skin looked even paler than before. I wondered if she and Alice had been taken captive somewhere in the north; somewhere where the sun was not as strong.
Alice nodded, "Yes thank you Dominus. Michael brought us some food." I doubted that she intended to show her feelings so clearly, but I could see them anyway. She liked Michael about as much as I did right now.
"Has he bothered you in some way?" I could feel the rage coming back again. If she told me now that he had done something I would take no responsibiliity for my actions.
"No, he hasn't." She didn't say the word 'yet'. Her voice was low but her eyes watched me closely.
"He won't bother either of you. I have seen to it, you have my word. He will be sleeping elsewhere from now on, you and your friend can have a room each when she is recovered." I met her gaze squarely, "If he does anything he shouldn't, you must tell me immediately."
Alice nodded and she let out a breath I hadn't noticed she was holding, and for the first time she smiled a little. It changed her face entirely and for a moment I saw under the imp to the girl. I returned the smile and then turned to the bed. "Has she woken up yet?"
"She drank some water and soup before. But she didn't seem to really wake up." Alice was frowing in concern.
"That's a good thing. Try to make sure that she drinks plenty of water." I reached down and checked her temperature again. She still felt very warm. I would have to tell Alice to keep her body uncovered if she got any warmer.
"Dominus?" I heard Alice speak behind me but I was having trouble tearing my eyes away from the girl. I had just noticed how her hair lay on the bed. It was an unusual shade of brown and it was distracting me.
I managed to concentrate enough to say, "Hmm?"
"Did you want to have me now?" Her voice had become tiny.
"Hmmm...what?" It took me a minute to accept that I had heard what I thought I had heard. Alice thought I was expecting her to...
"Did...did you want to have me now?"
I got to my feet and turned around at the same time. I was not at my most graceful. Alice was watching me with wide eyes. My voice just wouldn't work. When she reached for the neck of her dress I knew I was out of time. "No, Alice no. Stop. You don't have to do that."
She just looked confused, "But you said..."
"What did I say? When?" I couldn't understand what had led to this moment. If anything my interest was directed at her friend. And I had squashed that impulse immediately if not thoroughly enough.
"You said that I would have...that I should do anything you ask. I thought..." Her face was colouring and I knew that she was very embarassed.
I knew that I would have to handle this carefully if it was not to become a problem. "Oh no. No." I gripped the top of her arms. "I am honoured that you would offer yourself like this. Truly, Alice. But that is not why I bought you and your friend. I am not the kind of man who interferes with their slaves."
"But, men..." Alice bit her trembling lip.
I had a horrible feeling I knew what she was about to say. If I had taken advantage of her offer, I would not be the first one to do so. I knew that many men did bed their slaves regularly, and I couldn't claim moral superiority. I had spent my share of time at the city's brothels. But those women were professional, it was a rationalisation but I believed the difference was an important one. "Alice, I am different than them. I won't do that to you." I was horrified to see Alice's eyes filling with tears. "Please don't cry. I am very flattered but I just don't do that."
"No, it's just...I've always hated...and I thought it would..."
I heard what she was trying to say, "It's allright. It's going to be different here. You will both be safe here."
Alice nodded, "Thank you Dominus."
There was so much raw gratitude in her expression that it almost made me uncomfortable. A small part of me wanted to ask her about it, but in truth I really didn't want to know. "Get some sleep now Alice, Lauren will probably want to work you hard tomorrow."
She nodded, there were still tears on her face but again she looked happy. I smiled and let myself out of the room. I was still angry and I wasn't sure why, but the idea that someone had forced themselves on Alice and her friend appalled me. I attributed it in part to the fact that her friend seemed so helpless. I assumed that she was not always so, but still the images plagued me.
I was half way out of the servants quarters before it occurred to me that I still had not asked Alice the name of her friend. I turned around and knocked on the door again. Alice opened it wide this time. She seemed a little more relaxed and I wondered how afraid she been today; she had been expecting me to visit for a different reason after all.
"I meant to ask you, about your friend."
"Yes?" She seemed confused and for some reason I found it embarassing that I didn't know her name. I had bought her from the market and I hadn't bothered to ask something so basic.
"What is her name?"
Alice smiled, "In our original language, her name is Bella."
"Thank you Alice, good night."
"Good night, master."
She closed the door quietly and I started back towards the main room. I had bought a slave whose name literally meant 'beautiful' in my language. How appropriate.