Icarus reluctantly watched her walk away, resisting the urge to call her back. His chest was fluttering and he wanted to know more about this woman, but he knew she wouldn't like it if he just asked questions about her. He suspected that Clemency was being forced to do this, either for money or something else, but he couldn't prove it and when he had tried to ask, Clemency had shut him down. To his annoyance, Icarus realised he was attracted to Clemency. Not to her body, but to her face. Not in a sexual way but in a romantic way. Maybe he could-
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud yell of, "I told you my price, now either pay or find some other tart!"
Icarus turned on his stool and spotted Clemency in between two intimidating-looking men. She was glaring up at one of them, the one that was holding her wrist in an iron grip.
"See, I think that's too expensive," leered the man holding her. "How about you cut the price down for us, eh, sweetheart? Down to…say…zero."
"No!" Clemency yelled, fear showing on her face. "I don't work for free and I certainly don't work without consent! You do not have my consent!"
The man smirked. "Aw, I don't? Man, what can I do about that?" He pretended to think for a moment. "How about we go somewhere quieter?"
He began to drag Clemency towards the stairs, leading up to the rooms where the sex workers did their job. Clemency struggled hard and screamed for help, as the second man walked right behind her, making sure she kept going.
To Icarus's disgust, nobody was standing up for her. Nobody was even glancing her way. Just as Icarus stood up to do something himself, he saw the second man reach round and grope Clemency's breast, causing Clemency to scream again and begin crying.
That was the final straw.
Drawing his sword, Icarus charged forward and, without hesitation, ran the second man through with it. The man staggered back in shock, blood pouring from his wound. "Do you know what the punishment for rape and attempted rape is?" snarled Icarus.
Before the man could reply, Icarus kicked his foot up between the man's legs, with all the force of a seasoned legate. The result was extremely close to having his privates actually crushed between two stones, which was the punishment for rape and attempted rape. Icarus knew that the man was not going to have any kids now. Even if he wasn't going to die.
Then Icarus spun round to face the man in front, whose eyes briefly widened in shock, before Icarus stabbed him straight through the heart, killing him instantly. The two men's bodies fell to the ground at the same time.
Icarus sheathed his bloodied sword and turned to Clemency, whose hands were covering her face. She was crying in fear, her body shaking. Icarus took off his cape and draped it over her shoulders, causing her to look up.
"You were forced into this trade, weren't you?" Icarus asked softly.
Clemency hesitated, before nodding slowly.
"You don't belong here." Icarus knelt down in front of her, looking directly into her eyes. "Look, I'll have to sort this out with General Octavius, but as soon as I'm able, I'll be back for you. I will pay the brothel to let you go, and then you'll be free. Okay?"
Clemency stared at him in shock. "W-Why would you do that for me?"
Because I love you.
"Because you don't deserve this. You've been forced to do this for too long."
"H-How do I know you won't just leave me here?"
Icarus gently took her hands. "I promise you," he said sincerely. "I will be back for you. If I do not come back, it is because I'm dead. No other reason will stop me from coming back. No matter how long it takes, I save you from this place."
Clemency pushed herself up and hugged Icarus tightly around his neck, almost crying again. "Th-Thank you, Icarus."
Men shouting sounded from outside. Icarus looked round, then reluctantly detached Clemency and placed her back on the floor. "I have to go," he whispered. "Good luck."
Clemency caught his hand as he stood up. "I…I love you."
Icarus's heart skipped a beat, but he just put on a brave smile and said, "I love you too, Clemency." He gave her hand a squeeze, then took a silver dagger out of his belt and placed it in her hand. "If anyone tries to do that to you again, kill them. I will personally make sure you aren't punished for it. Nobody deserves to be raped."
Clemency drew the dagger in to her chest and clutched it tightly. "Thank you. Good luck."
Icarus gave her one last smile, before heading out to meet the men who were about to come in.
"Icarus!" one of them gasped.
Icarus smiled at the man. "Hello, Septimus. I need you to take me to Octavius."
"But…why?"
"Because I killed those men in there," Icarus replied, pointing. "I will gladly explain everything to Octavius, but you must take me to him."
Septimus bit his lip. "Icarus…"
"Please, Sep."
Septimus slowly nodded and glanced at the Optio next to him. Optio Kaius drew himself up and said, "Alright, men. Rufus, Septimus, you two take Legate Icarus to the general. The rest of us will clean up inside."
The two legionaries he had named came up to him and stood awkwardly on either side of him as the rest of the group disappeared inside. With one last contented look back through the window at Clemency, Icarus allowed himself to be led away.