Another new story, I hope you enjoy!

Time: 79 AD

Location: Italy

Prologue

Italy is expanding during a particular time where the economy is flourishing and trade comes in from ports all over the world. Trade has become a way of life for coastal towns as more and more people take the chance to move outward from the inland towards the coast. A young teenager is about to embark on the journey of his life in a particular town, which will be forever etched into the wall of history and time.

End of Prologue

Bentan Bascarro walked through the city street with a few of his house servants as he walked through the market. He looked up into the turquoise sky, filled with drifting clouds as he smiled and held onto the end of of his robe before he looked down the street towards a favorite shop of his. People moved about the street, some pulling wagons filled with food or other particular trading goods. Bentan looked over as a few young kids played tag and ran through the street in front of him.

"Look out! Do you not know the presence of whom you are in!" a nearby city guard said as one of the boys looked up into Bentan's face and shrunk away.

"Calm thy self guard, I'm not bothered by his youthful play at all." Bentan said as he looked at the guard who took a kneel before standing up and returning to his post. Bentan looked down at the kid before he knelled down to his level and smiled at him.

"Take this coin for the trouble he caused." Bentan said as he handed the boy a golden coin as the young boy looked at it in his hands before throwing his arms around Bentan.

"Now, now, run on to your friends before they forget you." Bentan said as he smiled and hugged the boy back before he stood up once more and watched the young boy run off before disappearing through the streets. Bentan continued on his way as he listened to the sounds of the city, people calling out for people to buy their goods, the sounds of kids laughing, the sound of women bartering for fair priced jewelry.

"Ah! Bascarro my friend!" came a familiar voice as Bentan walked into a shop before passing under a curtain of beads before seeing a older man standing walking through the store.

"Ah Nicoli Frongillo! Nice to see you again my friend!" Bentan said as the older man draped one arm around his back as his servants stood back at the door.

"What have you come to look at today my friend? I've gotten a few new necklaces from Rome, said to have graced the very hand of Aphrodite herself and bring love to whomever wears them." Nicoli said as Bentan watched the man walk back into the back before bringing out a box adorned with carvings of Greek Gods and Goddesses. He watched as the man carefully undid a latch on the box before opening it up and setting out a few necklaces encrusted with gems of all sizes and colors. Bentan smiled as he noticed one right off the bat as he reached forth and carefully picked up on of the necklaces.

"Ah, a fine choice my friend. A rare ruby, I've heard it can only be mined from the very side of Mt. Olympus." Nicoli said as he closed the box and watched Bentan dangle the necklace in front of him, watching as light sparkled off of the ruby embedded in the silver chain.

"I'll take it, but I also came here for a new broach for mother. Tomorrow is a special day and I want to commemorate it by gifting her with a beautiful broach." Bentan said as he set the necklace down onto the counter.

"Etan! We have a customer! Bring out thee broaches!" Nicoli said before Bentan saw a young looking teen venture from the back, wearing a slave's clothing as he handed a box to Nicoli and stood there awaiting his neck command. Bentan was drawn to the slaves beautiful brown eyes which turned to look at him as Bentan smiled at him.

"Bentan Bacarro, and you are?" Bentan asked as the slave looked bewildered over the fact someone of high importance was even speaking to him before he looked away.

"Etan Verduchi my lord." Etan said as Nicoli looked at his slave and waved him off with a grunt before opening the box and producing three golden broaches all in different animals shapes.

"Do not bother my help dear friend, it be hard enough to get him to work properly. Back to the back with you, go on!" Nicoli said as the slave flinched away as Nicoli raised his hand into the air before rushing to the back, out of sight.

"Must you always be so barbaric towards the slaves Nicoli?" Bentan asked with distaste in his voice as the owner rolled his eyes.

"I don't see where you went wrong boy, to be the governor's son and still have sympathy for the slaves is beyond me. You could have anything you so please, any man or woman or vessel out there and yet you spend your time aiding the poor and feeling sorry for the slaves." Nicoli said as he slid the broaches towards Bentan. Bentan looked down at the broaches, noticing one was a eagle, the other a horse, and the last being a snake.

"Mother always did love horses, I'll take that one." Bentan said as Nicoli gathered up his necklace and broach together.

"That'll be thirty gold coins my lord." Nicoli said before Bentan rolled his eyes and produced a small sack from under his robe.

"Bring out your slave." Bentan said as Nicoli looked at him in question before calling out Etan once more, the slave coming forth from the back as Bentan opened up the small little sack and produced forty gold coins. He pressed thirty of them onto the table for Nicoli before walking forth and reaching forth to take Etan's hand before the other flinched back. Bentan looked at him before gently reaching forth again and taking his hand and opening it up before placing the other ten gold coins into it.

"Get yourself something to eat my friend, and sleep at one of the inn's tonight if you can." Bentan said with a sympathetic smile before taking his items and walking out, not before looking back and smiling at Etan who was still standing there in bewildered shock before closing his fingers around the golden coins and looking at his hand.

What do y'all think? Please review!