I do not own any of the characters or basic story material, all rights belong to Stephanie Meyer. Oh! And I do not own any of the words found in the Iliad used in this chapter, they belong to Homer.

Once more, I'd like to thank all of my wonderful readers and reviewers, your feedback is marvelous! And according to my observations, the consensus is nay on a chapter in Edward's POV. I agree with you all, but thanks for the participation. On another tangent, the poem in the previous chapter was of my own creation, I tried to find a fitting Roman-era poem, but could not find one that suited my intent. Please sit back and enjoy chapter 10.…

Chapter 10: The Vintage and the Hearth

So intense was Master Edward's gaze that it felt as though my body was being swept away, like a small stream abducted into a larger mountain river. As the guests burst forth with their praise over his poem, I ducked into the servant's nook, my heart reeling. I swiped a hand across my cheek gently, just enough to shake the tangent emotions inside me, and to focus on the main courses arriving out of the kitchen. I walked towards Thia, chiding myself fiercely for even thinking that the Master might have looked at me in that way. Perhaps he had the gaze of another of the Roman beauties at the feast, there were certainly enough of them.

Tanya had yet to return to the nook, she was currently toying with some youth's heart at the table. I frowned and concentrated on helping Thia garnish the roasted piglets. Whilst we worked, the guests continued on with their conversation, and I couldn't help but pick up on some of the conversation. It made for quite a lot of amusement.

"My dear child! You have a born gift for language you do, it's simply divine! You must come to our Villa for the next moon harvest and recite that poem for our daughter, she's quite a lovely blossom you know…" Mistress Sordia's reedy voice echoed painfully to the servant's nook, Thia and I cringed at its volume. I wondered how her obese husband could stand it, he certainly couldn't run from it, I'd never seen such a gross interpretation of the human body in my life.

"Now Sordia my dear, we mustn't pester the Cullens, I'm certain Edward has some other young thing chasing after him, or two, or three…" Master Aphinus' rebuked. I could sense the insult in that comment, and it made my blood boil. How dare that fat viper of a man accuse my Master of chasing women? I may have been planning to run from this Villa, but for now such a prick was inexcusable! I flicked my gaze over to Thia, and I could see the angry glint in her eyes as well. We huffed together in silence.

"Master Aphinus, I can assure you that my son isn't in the habit of pursuing Pompeii's vintage." Master Carlisle's calm voice smoothed over any anger hidden in his comment, I admired his skill.

Master Aphinus rolled his beady-rodent eyes towards Master Carlisle, chagrin plain on them. "My apologies, Carlisle, I meant no insult, only jest. Your boy is highly sought after, and it seems a shame that he refuses to share a bed with a worthy wife. I myself was married to my first bride well before Edward's age. My daughter, Flavia, would be a good match for him, she has good hips about her." Both mine and Thia's lips curled in disgust over this bloated creature. How he talked of women! I wanted very much to tie his fat lips shut with a thick sheaf of twine. But instead, I continued to gently dress the piglets in their pepper-nut sauce. Behind me, Thia crossed her thumbs in the sign against evil. I chuckled darkly.

"Aphinus, my good man, it's best not try and sell your daughter to my brother. He's made his choice to dedicate his life to the arts. But I'm sure my Rosalie could fine a groom for your Flavia, she knows all the men who need a good wife in their lives." Master Emmett's voice was soft with amusement, and his wife smirked beside him. Mistress Alice cleared her throat and said in her sing-song voice,

"Gentleman, if we may, this is a feast, not a brothel. Let us continue with tonight's entertainment, I think you'll be quite engaged with our next act. Thia, Bella? Would you step out here please?"

I flinched so suddenly that the vat of olive oil next to me shook and nearly fell. I threw a panicked look towards Thia, but she only shrugged and towed me towards the table. If I had been born a feline, I would have had my claws out and shredding the fine carpet to escape. Fear rose and fell through me like a twisted song.

Thia looked prim and proper as we stood at the table, I tried to compose myself, and succeeded. Mistress Alice stood from her seat and retrieved two sheafs of paper, one red, one blue. We awkwardly accepted the papers from her and awaited instruction. The Mistress returned to her seat and folded her hands under her fine chin. "Do you two know the story of Andromache and Hektor, from Homer's Iliad?" I shook my head yes, Thia shook hers no. I had suspected that she might not know of it, the Greek work was not known among the slaves, who almost never learned to read. I gave her a gentle smile, trying to be reassuring.

"Slaves who know of Homer?! Haha! Lady Alice you do know just how to entertain us!" Brutus, the infamous former gladiator, who had killed so many, spoke in his deep baritone voice. "Come girls, let's hear what you have to say about this tale, ha! Slaves, why they can't even read!"

I lashed out far too quickly at this brute's words, pilling Andromache's words up from my memory, Philo had taught this chapter in the great tale to me most attentively. He said that the love expressed between prince Hektor and his bride told the most important lesson of all, what it means to give your very life to someone you hold the dearest. I carried the princesses' words with me ever since that lesson. And they flew to my lips now, like doves being released from a tight iron cage.

Dear husband, your valor will bring you to destruction; think on your infant son, and on my hapless self who ere long shall be your widow- for the Achaeans will set upon you in a body and kill you. It would be better for me, should I lose you, to lie dead and buried, for I shall have nothing left to comfort me when you are gone,

I spoke with all the convection I had in my heart, my voice held strong and sure, not a single tremble as I repeated the plight of Andromache. Gasps and startled squeaks could be heard around the lavish table. Yes, they were surprised. Thia glared at me in a mix of annoyance and bewilderment. I may have saved myself from embarrassment, but she was still up for task. I faced Mistress Alice and proceeded to ask for her mercy on the subject.

"My lady, I fear that the kitchen will be wanting staff at this moment, Thia will be sorely missed. Please allow her to aid those in need of her."

The Mistress smiled at me, it was slick with self-congratulations. I had the strangest feeling she knew this would happen. "Of course, Thia, thank you for thinking of the kitchen. You are excused." Thia hurried to the servant's nook and gave me a grin when she was well out of sight. I huffed at her just the tiniest bit. Mistress Esme turned to me, her amber eyes were soft and gentle, they held no contempt or irritation in them.

"Alice, my dear, who will play the part of Hektor now? I know how our honored guests here love this scene, and I would hate to disappoint them with it's cancellation."

It was Master Emmett who answered her with a fearsome grin on his face. "I think Edward should play the part, he is the best with poetry after all. Go on little brother, a little time with our newest help won't kill you."

Master Edward rose from his setting and padded toward me, he did not accept Thia's paper, but chose to repeat Hektor's words by memory. I stood strong and still, keeping my mind on Philo's lessons. I managed to stay focus even as my Master drew his breath and spoke in his voice of waves and wind the words of Hektor.

Wife, I too have thought upon all this, but with what face should I look upon the Trojans, men or women, if I shirked battle like a coward? I cannot do so: I know nothing save to fight bravely in the forefront of the Trojan host and win renown alike for my father and myself. Well do I know that the day will surely come when mighty Ilius shall be destroyed with Priam and Priam's people, but I grieve for none of these- not even for Hecuba, nor King Priam, nor for my brothers many and brave who may fall in the dust before their foes- for none of these do I grieve as for yourself when the day shall come on which some one of the Achaeans shall rob you for ever of your freedom, and bear you weeping away.

We continued, back and forth, like rocking ships, to speak of the plight of Andromache and her husband. All from our memories. When the tale was finished, I rushed to the safety of the nook and avoided glancing back towards the table, which sighed with admiration. I heard Master Edward take his seat and gently thank all of those who complimented his acting and voice. The next bit of entertainment was introduced as Thia and I rushed to prepare the last dishes for the night. Mistress Rosalie took to the floor with Mistress Alice and did a traditional harvest dance. This I did not see, but could hear whole and well by the way the crowd sighed with wanting.

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I fairly shouted with joy when I realized the main courses were finished as well as the desserts. At last we could rest! Well, as soon as the dishes were served and the guests had gone home…ah well, it did not matter to me, the work was nearly done.

Master Carlisle announced the presentation of the main courses, his guests clapped in anticipation of eating and then vomiting, as was expected. Thia snatched her tray of roasted piglets stuffed with wild greens and almonds, while Tanya selected to carry out the stuffed peacock, with its feathers still intact for decoration. The violent blues and greens of the bird would no doubt add to her image, vain thing. I managed to haul out the chilled eel, a heavy, but elaborate dish if anything. Its eyes had been replaced with sapphires, so that they seemed to glare with a royal sense at all who dared to feast upon it. Its teeth had also been replaced with ivory fittings that made the beast look like a monster risen out of the sea. The eel's skin shimmered green and black, rippling in the candle light, still trying to swim in its own manner. I placed the dish upon the table with a loud bang, startling a good many of the guests. I walked swiftly back to the kitchen, too embarrassed to look back.

"Graceful Bella, very graceful. I should take lessons from you on food preparation." Thia jested. I snorted at her.

"You try lifting a beast that's been stuffed with bread and cheese. Then we'll see just how graceful you are, piglet girl."

Thia gave me a light push. "Weakling, I could have lifted that eel with my very fingertips. But I really shouldn't talk much, you saved me out there." She lifted her eyes in gratitude.

I hugged her slight form, wary to not tangle our bracelets and what-have-you. "Don't think of it Thia, let's just make sure these fat swine and sows get out with full bellies and pride. Then you can take me to this party everyone keeps talking about."

She nodded and quickly snatched up a bowl as the first of the guests started to retch. She made many trips that night, as did I. How I hated the Roman customs at times.

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The cool breeze felt like a heavenly blessing upon my burning cheeks. The feast was over with, the guests fed and drunk, the food thrown to the dogs and the fish. The cleaning staff would take over from here. Thia and I were free to disrobe and join our fellows down at the beach.

I felt free and comfortable in my usual gown. I had returned the blue gown and necklace to Mistress Alice's room along with Thia's things. Tanya had seemed to disappear. I cared not about it. We walked slowly down to the little party, gossiping about this and that, laughing as well.

"Did you see how Master Brutus looked at you? And he says he doesn't fraternize with slave girls! Hah!" Thia elbowed me in the gut, for the third time that night. I chuckled and took back nothing.

"You're one to talk about boys! I saw how Master Edward acted around you, are you keeping a little something from me, eh?" She faced me with a manic curiosity.

I sighed, very dramatically. "Thia, the day that man wants to start something with me is the day Mt. Vesuvius spews fire from its top! It's impossible, he simply doesn't want anyone, and certainly not me. I'm just a slave after all."

"A slave who quotes the Iliad. Don't deny it Bella, you feel something for him, I may not be able to read words, but I can certainly read people."

I ducked my head, a slight blush on my cheeks. "Honestly Thia, I've never thought of him in that way. It's best not to get too attached to Masters. At least, that's what I've learned."

She tossed me to the side, a very serious look in her eyes. Rare for Thia. When she spoke, her voice was low and grim. 'You're going to try and run. Aren't you?"

My breath rushed out of me, and I scrambled for words, but could find nothing to say but the truth. "Yes, I'm going to try and find my freedom. How did you know?"

She looked past me, with eyes that seemed tired and aged, "Like I said Bella, I can read people. And you've been shouting your intentions for quite some time now."

I snatched up her hands and held them to me, "Come with me Thia, you don't belong here, to work and slave over Masters for the rest of your life. Find freedom with me, let's run away from here and seek our destinies elsewhere."

She hugged me, tears in her eyes. "I can't Bella. I don't know how to be free, I was born into this world, and I don't know if I could live without bonds. Besides, the Cullens are good Masters, I am treated well here." She spoke in a rush then, her tears turning into sobs. "Oh Bella, please, please stay! Don't run, they'll catch you, and sell you off. Please, you're my truest friend, don't leave!"

I hugged her back, tears springing to my own eyes, and burning their way into the world. "I can't Thia, I was not made for slavery. I want freedom, I want my children to live in peace, I want my husband to be of my own choosing. I want to see the world with my own eyes and learn as much as I can. I promised Thia ! I swore to my teacher, no, my father that I would run as soon as I was able, he never wanted me to live this way. And I will not remain a piece of some man's property."

She sighed, heavy with grief, and spoke again, her voice dead. "When?"

I answered her as honestly as I was able. "By the next full moon. So I can see my way to the road. Are you sure you won't come with me Thia? You're practically a sister to me."

Thia looked up at me, her eyes streaked with salt water. "No Bella, I can't leave here. It's my home now." In an instant, her voice lifted and her eyes brightened, "But at least we still have a month left together. You promise to say goodbye to everyone?"

"I swear I will." I said, smiling a bit.

Thia positively glowed then, "Good, now let's go down to the party!"

I followed her down to the beach, where music tilled softly into my ear drums and the bright night sky shone with heavens. I felt at once buoyed up, and laden with grief. But I swallowed my troubles and put a smile upon my face, it felt good to smile, even then.