Chapter 5

This happened in the last chapter: Hadrian Anthonius, High Attendant at the temple of Hera, has used the trump roll to snatch Sam from the other bidders at the auction. Jack found out he had also been bought by Hadrian, who gives them the names of Jason and Atalante.

Glossary: Domus: house. Atrium: a large open area in the center of a building, often with a basin collecting rainwater. Vestibule: entrance hall. Triclinium: dining room. Latrine: toilets. Dona: Lady.

The domain was magnificent. Surrounded by fields of vine and olive trees, the gardens were offering higher trees providing shadow during the hot hours of the day. The domus itself was of white stones that kept the heat out. In the middle of the buildings was an atrium, a courtyard where a basin provided freshness and the possibility to bath. Some grass and a bench under a tree made this little in-house garden very attractive. It was surrounded by a gallery opening to the different rooms of the house. Upon their arrival, Hadrian summoned his household in the vestibule to introduce the newcomers.

There was his wife Ophelia, five children aged from five to thirteen and the oldest son Orion with his young wife Agatha. Hadrian and Ophelia also had two married daughters who lived in the city with their husbands, and a son who was an officer in the legion. To serve the family and take care of the domain, many servants were needed. Those serving in the house had been called in to welcome the newcomers. Neither Jack or Sam could believe their eyes. All the servants were disabled in one way or another! Hephaestus, the supervisor, could have given a lesson to Teal'c about body building, but his leg had been cut under the knee and he had a prothesis. A man on crutches was missing an eye. A woman had so extensive scars that she was disfigured... It was quite creepy and Jack suddenly wondered if he had misjudged the man who had bought them. Was he mistreating his slaves into cripples? But those people looked happy and very fond of their dominus, adults and children both.

"I'm sure you are both hungry and tired" Hadrian said. "We will have dinner. Tomorrow you will be shown around and Hephaestus will assign you to your duties. Come now" he said, holding Helen's hand and leading all his people to the triclinium, a large room where food was already waiting on low tables. A slave was holding a basin of water at the door for all to wash their hands before the meal, and two young men served wine cut with water before joining the others. The newcomers were astonished to see the slaves sit along with their owners and share the same meal of cold meat, cheese, fruits, nuts, olives and bread. Helen was sitting on the dominus' couch, where the youngest of his daughters had joined them. Jack and Sam sat awkwardly on the couch facing them, but Ophelia invited Sam to join her in another cluster of couches where she had settled with her daughter-in-law. The man on crutches took her place at Jack's side and introduced himself as Horatius.

"Ah Horatius" the dominus said. "Jason will take over your duties while your leg heals" He turned to Jack and explained "He broke his leg the other day, falling from a difficult horse he was training. He has many duties in the house and on the farm, he will tell you all about that tomorrow" he smiled to both men. Horatius seemed to be a nice guy in his thirties, well-built with board shoulders, and Jack wondered what it was he would be set to do. He really hoped he would be spared from training horses!

"So Horatius.. How long you've been here?"

"I came here for about fifteen year ago. Before that, I was a fisherman. One day I was fishing with my friends on a boat, we were attacked and taken slaves by pirates. When we were walked to the city, someone threw stones at us. That's when I lost my eye. Our dominus bought me and called me Horatius. From the hero Horatius Cocles, who lost his eye defending a bridge all alone against a whole army" he explained proudly. The others had listened to Horatius, seemingly enjoying the short story. As soon as he was done, Penelope wanted to tell her own story and how she had been named after Odysseus's wife because of her talent for weaving. The slave master was about to tell how the dominus had deemed his handicap a good reason to name him Hephaestus, when said dominus rose to his feet to ask for silence and offered to tell how he had chosen names for the newcomers. Cheers welcomed the proposition and everyone settled to listen carefully, nearly forgetting to eat.

After a very agreeable evening, the servants were sent away. Helen was sent to the children's room where she would sleep and serve her young mistress with a couple of other slaves. Hephaestus took Sam and Jack to the slaves' quarters and showed them to a cell with a couple of straw mattresses on the floor. Despite being in a basement, the slave's quarter were clean and light with walls painted white and small windows under the roof.

"Usually, male and female slaves don't share cells but the dominus says you are a couple. This will be your cell. The domus has latrines" he said proudly "at the end of this corridor. Daphne is the wake-up slave, she'll fetch you in the morning. Dress down and put those on, they are our dominus' colors, anyone will know you belong to him" he said, handing them white tunics with a blue ribbon at the bottom. Sam was satisfied with it, since it was a bit longer than the one she had been given after the sale.

"You will call me Master, and the members of the family "Dominus" or "Dona". Have a restful night" Hephaestus said.

"Er.. wait a minute will ya" Jack stopped him. "You wanna tell me why... er.. no offense but... Why is everyone crippled here?" Hephaestus smiled before he answered, sensing the worry in the new servants.

"You don't have to worry, you will be well treated here. Our dominus is a good man and he sees beyond one's body. He uses to buy crippled slaves who would otherwise be sent to die in the mines because no one else would buy them. He gets them cheaper this way, so he can buy more of them, which reduces the work load on each of them. They are also grateful and loyal to him"

"So... what happened to your leg?"

"I tried to escape from my first dominus and the ring crushed my ankle. As a punishment for my attempt to escape, the dominus had my leg sawn off. Slowly."

"Oh my god!" Sam exclaimed in horror, covering her mouth, afraid she would be sick any minute.

"I was lucky Dominus Hadrian was willing to buy me after that"

"Yeah well.. We... are... not crippled. So why did he buy us?"

"I do not know Jason, but you can be sure he has a good reason"

"He said he bought me in the name of Hera...?" Sam said.

"Ah!" Hephaestus beamed "Then he will take you with him to the temple, you are very lucky Atalante!"

"Hey" Jack wanted to know "Is it usual for slaves to eat and sleep with the masters here?"

"We only share our dominus' meal on special occasions, like when newcomers are introduced to the household. We usually eat in the kitchen or where we are stationed for work. But it is usual for trusted servant to sleep in the family's rooms to serve and protect them during the night. You will be taught all about that when Polydeus rises again. Now you should rest"

"Right. Thanks. Good night Hephaestus"

Sam and Jack were left alone, awkwardly standing at the entrance of their cell and watching the two straw mattresses occupying most of the floor. After a moment, Jack turned around toward the end of the corridor.

"I'll go and check the latrines"

"Good idea" Sam said, following him. They found the room, were a torch was burning, and stared, slack-jawed, at the five seats along the wall.

"Those people aren't big on privacy, are they...?" Jack grumbled.

"You can say that again" Sam muttered, walking into the little room and studying the accommodations. "That's actually very ingenious Sir. There is a stream under, acting as a toilet flush!"

"Cool" Jack commented, before he made a face "but I'm less impressed by the toilet paper..." He was pointing at a doubtful swamp floating in a jar full of smelly water.

"Eeeeww!" Sam cried. "We definitely have to find our own swamps or whatever, but I'm not using the common one!"

"We should do that. No way I'm touching that... thing either... Maybe you could find some leaves or grass or whatever for yourself while I take a leak?" he suggested. Sam left him with a nod, and when she met him again he was lying on one of the straw mattresses in their cell.

"Did you find soap anywhere Sir?"

"Not sure. I used something looking like oily ashes from a pot just outside the latrines' door, there was a small basin with running water I assumed was the washbasin"

Sam thanked him with a smile and went back to wash her hands. Then she stretched on the other straw mattress and watched the Colonel for a moment as he was trying to find a way to open and remove the ring at his ankle. Giving up, he lifted his eyes and met Carter's.

"What?" he asked.

"I was thinking that it's a little awkward that people think we are married and all, but I'm sure glad you are here with me Sir"

"Yeah, me too" he smiled. "I just hope Teal'c is OK"

"Yeah... And I hope we get to meet Daniel soon at the temple"

"Me too. Hopefully you'll find a way to remove those things, and escape. Let's get some rest now. Night Carter"

"Good night Sir"