Author's Notes :

This will be a historical fiction. I do want to caution you, however, that this is definitely an alternate universe. I am going to borrow a bit of Roman history and then make it into what I like. So for you history buffs out there, do not be surprised at the differences. Most of them will be intentional. For example, I know that Pompey was killed in Egypt before Julius Caesar ever died. For my story, however, he was not. He lives on. Julia does not die in childbirth. Also, I've taken the liberty of changing a few dates and times. For example, the method of heating the marble in the bottom of a bath with fires underneath didn't come around for a while but I'm borrowing it for my story. I'm also changing a bit of the way they dress to suit my fancy.

I guess the short version of all of that would be this. I am merely borrowing a concept and changing a lot of details. Don't be offended to find that your favorite Roman is dead when he should be alive, or vice versa.

Finally, this IS still a Phantom fic, just set in AU. I could not call them Christine and Erik, however, because it just ruined the Roman mood. So, I will give you a cheat sheet on names below.

Erik - Lucius Julius Caesar

Christine - Caelia

Madame Giry - Aemila

Jules - Aelus

Raoul - Marcus

The new characters will of course, have their normal names. Julia for example, the daughter of Julius Caesar who married Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey). There is a lot of history that goes into these characters, but I won't give it to you now. It'll be worked into the story. Also this is prewritten to a point, so I have plenty more to add.

I need you to review, though, and tell me if you're even interested in reading the rest?

(Last thought: The beginning is a tiny bit slow to introduce a few major characters. It gets exciting quickly, though!)

-M

(Okay, REALLY last thought: If there are any out there who really like the Roman culture and would like to help me with some of the historical facts as well as grammar and such, I could use a beta for this story.)

The concrete corridor the women filed through was hot and uncomfortable. The rough stone beneath their feet tore at already blistered flesh, and as they each found their place and were ordered to stop, the humiliation deepened. The loud and burly man at one end barked a command to them, causing the group of women to turn and face the windows evenly spaced through the wall opposite them. On the other side a whole host of people stood, staring intently and bickering amongst themselves. The next command filled them all with shame as they were forced to drop the coarse, tunic-like clothing they were wearing. There, before the hungry eyes of Rome, the slaves were put upon display.

Turning about in unison, the women meekly displayed their bodies and were then ushered out of the corridor so that the process could repeat itself again with men and children. The women were given a short reprieve, and were then brought out into the blistering summer heat once more. There they stood, shifting from one foot to the other at the edge of a large and dirty stage. A simple wooden plank was thrust into each of their hands, displaying a number crudely etched into the wood. The bidding would begin within moments, and the nervous tension that filled them all was tangible. It caused nerves to be frayed and patience to be in short supply. An unintentional stumble escalated into a fray that the guards had to separate, and numbers were exchanged - bumping the frightened young girl near the middle to the next to last position. She nearly dropped the plankard that was thrust into her hands, and her legs trembled so violently from fear that she could hardly follow after the stern man who had ordered her to the new position. Once there, she began what would seem to be the longest wait of her life. Waiting to see who would become her new Master.

"The gods will look favorably upon your request," a rather round man sputtered nervously in the direction of the shadow looming before him. Despite the noon sun that shone so brightly outside, and even illuminated most of the villa, the Masters' chambers always seemed so dark. No windows allowed light within and he kept only the absolutely necessary candles and lamps lit. In response to his statement, the round man know as Aelus only received a scoff.

"It's the acquisition of a slave, Aelus, really. I do not think your petty gods care at all."

Still trembling, the man nodded and bowed until he found himself in the hall. The heavy door closed with a slam and he straightened, taking a deep breath of relief. A brunette passed him in the hall with a basket upon her hip.

"In a bad mood today, 'eh?" She teased, pulling a ripe apple from her basket to toss toward the older man. He was calmed by her company and turned to stroll along with her. He did not understand why the Master insisted upon purchasing women intended to be sold as pleasure slaves to fill his household. A more plain and inexpensive woman could easily cook his meals and save a lot of money. It was not as though the shadowed man ever seen the ladies anyway. As far as Aelus could tell, the only time Lucius Julius ever left his room was when the Emperor himself sent for him.

Aelus could feel someone staring at him, and realized he had lost himself to his thoughts.

"Ah, no different than normal." He smiled to the young woman, and continued on his way with an apple in hand. "No different than usual..

Scarcely an hour had passed and yet Caelia felt as though she had been standing in that dusty lot for half of her lifetime. After a silent wait the line finally began to move, and if she stood upon tiptoe she could see the women being paraded about upon the stage. At the call of the auctioneer the bidding would start and a rush of voices would follow. How the poor man behind the podium could interpret a single word they uttered was beyond the pitiful girl in the back. Eventually, however, a price would be named and each girl would be taken off of the stage with tears in her eyes to face her new fate.

By the time Caelia was near to approaching the stage the crowd had dwindled somewhat and the roar of the bidding was not quite as loud. Nothing could prepare her for the utter terror she felt, however, as the comfort of the bodies about her was taken away and she was suddenly thrust into the limelight. All eyes turned to her as she attempted to cover herself as much as she could manage with her arms. The guard standing by her side nudged her roughly in the ribs with the end of his whip and she straightened only marginally.

"Too timid," she could hear the voices state.

"Too skinny,"

"Not enough up top," and so on until her face burned with shame.

When the crowd seemed to take little interest in the slave, the auctioneer intervened. He made a marginal profit off of each successful sale, and the higher the bidding the higher his portion. It would not do to let any girl go for so low.

"This one, gentleman, is apparently quite the little songbird."

Another rough nudge, nearly causing Caelia to fall upon the dusted floor, and she was thrust even more into their attentions. She glanced nervously toward the auctioneer, who had only a look of urgency upon his face.

"Sing!" He commanded, and Caelia opened her mouth to obey.

"Recordor mihi , recordor mihi..."

The notes were unsteady and quiet at first, causing some of the audience to laugh aloud. A bit of pride crept in amongst the horror and humiliation and Caelia burned at their rejection. She straightened, drawing her shoulders back to permit a better sound. Unaware of the beauty this transfused her once huddling figure with, she lifted her chin proudly and began to sing more fully.

Immediately the voices began to swarm in upon her, threatening to swallow her whole.

"Ten denarii!" One man yelled, only to be immediately trumped by another. Caelia hesitated in her song, but the man at her side urged her on.

"Sing, pretty bird. They are paying for your song." Somehow his words felt like an insult, but she had little time to consider such as he ordered her into different positions to display her body to the crowd - forcing her to sing all the while.

Although it seemed to stretch out forever, the moment was quickly over. Several hundred denarii, a rather low price compared to what some of the more physically appealing ladies had fetched, and she was taken away. The man whom collected her at the coin table was older and seemed entirely disinterested in her. He simply paid his debt and instructed that she follow. Caelia did so.

Traveling to the Bay of Naples took only a full day and night, and Caelia soon found herself on the threshold of a glorious villa. It was positioned in the most prime location on the west side of the cliff, affording a wonderful view of the sunset over the waters. The most unusual aspect to the architecture was the heavy porticullis suspended in the gateway. Caelia wondered with a shudder why a villa would need such fortification. She had little time to think about this, or about the gardens she passed or the magnificence of the hall she was led into. Instead she was ushered along quickly through the grand estate, where eventually she was met with an elderly woman.

"What've you brought me today, eh Aelus?" the old woman asked with little mirth, wiping her hands upon her apron.

"Prepare her," was all the man said with a smirk. He disappeared, leaving Caelia alone with the intimidating woman.

"Well, do you have a tongue?" She snapped after some time, turning to walk away. Caelia assumed she should follow and trotted along behind.

"Y-yes," she managed softly.

As if sensing the tension in the young girl, she turned with a sigh.

"I am Aemila, and if you are to survive here you will have to gather some courage about you. Really, it's not that bad. You will scarcely see Master Julius, and as long as you keep up with your chores you will do fine. Now come, surely you're starving?"

Comforted by the maternal tone the elderly woman took, Caelia nodded quickly and managed a squeak of a question.

"The man who brought me here, you called him something different. He did not.. what I mean to say is.. he does not..."

"No, my dear. He is merely a servant. The personal servant, actually, of Master Julius. You will meet your new owner shortly. Come, we have not much time. We must fill your belly and then give you a bath. You smell like a slave market!"

The older woman cackled with laughter at a joke Caelia did not get, and led the younger woman to a meal unlike any she had tasted in weeks.