Circe was quiet as she was shoved into the men's slave quarters. Quiet enough to draw suspicion. Saying too little or too much could land a slave in a highly fatal position. Compared to the whimpers of other girls and the silent hatred of others she managed to let off no emotion, a talent that failed to be a charm in this kind of perverse court. It dawned on her as she continued to walk that there was no point in entertaining romantic fantasies; slaves couldn't afford that kind of luxury.
One by one those girls who had come with her had been shoved into separate compartments, forced to face what or who was behind it. Circe didn't know where they were anymore; they had entered at a different part of the building this time, and the complex hallways were enough to give anyone a bitter headache. As time dragged on, she became the last one left, alone with this bulky guard. Just looking at him, Circe knew what kind of man he was. The kind that spared false kindness to those who could pay for it. Circe felt him run his calloused hand through her brittle hair and stroke her neck. Falling into her inner self, she remotely saw what happened. Shadows and darkness. A bitter corner where no one could hear her screams, or lack there of.
Shaking her head, she rammed back into her body, her eyes flickering about the stone corridor. She was on the cold, wet floor. Her head was pounding fiercely as she rolled to her back. Closing her eyes, she tried to grasp what had happened. Someone had called something-what was it? A name, yes, that's what it was. The guard had dropped her and left her there with little care to her welfare. Brushing her hands over her eyes she shakily sat up—only to gaze into the eyes of the slave Altecus. Quickly standing up, she stepped backward so quickly that she fell against the wall.
"What do you want?" Her voice was cold; the voice she usually reserved for the aristocrats of society. Not feeding into her cold reception, he studied her quietly before finally speaking.
"My team was just released from work, as it were. You were being dragged by that guard back here, and I found that it would be....polite," he smiled suddenly, amused, "If I were to help you."
Looking about, Circe saw that there were no windows or doors. "How could you have known that?" She asked suspiciously.
"My jewel rank is higher than that of the guards, and am therefore able to tap into their thoughts."
"You wear a jewel higher than Opal?"
He smirked slightly, raising his left eyebrow at her. "I knew you were quick. Most don't observe details like that."
"Yeah, because they're more concerned with being raped," she hissed, instantly regretting getting snappy with him. After all, it wasn't his fault, was it?
"Stay here much longer," he said quietly now, "And the fear will be mutual. Come with me if you want to stay safe." Turning sharply, he stole down the corridor, walking so quietly that you couldn't even hear his footsteps. Following after him, as quietly as she could, she whispered things at him as they went.
"No one knows you're up here, do they?" She glanced up at him. Why wasn't anyone keeping an eye on the more powerful male slaves?
"There was a bit of a crises up at the palace, so no, they don't know." They passed the rest of the trip in silence, each with their own thoughts. Coming upon his cell, Altecus quickly opened the door and motioned her in, his eyes darting down the corridor for others present. Coming in almost right behind her, he gently closed the door. Moving into the main section of his room, Circe looked about silently, uncomfortably.
"I'd keep an eye out for that guard if I was you," Altecus said quietly, bending down to remove his work boots, caked in dirt. "He may get nasty verbally, but not physically—in public anyway. You'd do well to stay out of his path night and day, especially night."
Silent for a moment, Circe finally spoke. "I want to thank you, Altecus. You spared me the other night from brutality when you could have easily over taken me. And now, once again, you have saved me."
Smiling slightly he eyed her with his piercing gaze. It reminded her of her father's eyes. Strong, honest eyes. "I wouldn't say easily. I don't have it in me to hurt a woman such as yourself. The kind I always dreamed of serving." She blushed deeply, praying to the darkness that he couldn't see in the night. "But, of course, you are most welcome."
"Serving?" she ventured after a few moments of loud silence. "Did you ever serve a Queen, Altecus? Where do you come from?"
Sighing, he looked away. "I was born in a small village in Little Terrielle. My mother was a hearth witch, and my father served in the Queen's fourth circle. He was a good man, and he treated my mother like a Lady. He taught me everything I know, even tried to get me a spot in court. But then Hayll's shadow fell over us, and I haven't seen the sun since. I was taken captive and sold into slavery for perverse delight of aristocratic men and women." His voice grew bitter with his last words, and he seemed to draw into himself, no longer talking to Circe but explaining something tragic to himself. Shaking his head, he said quietly, "And where do you come from?"
Taking a deep breathe, she eyed him. "I lived in a small town in Glacia. The territory was ran by a man named Hobart, who let his bizarre appetites slowly eat away at the land. Taking over the town for what wealth it might bring, he sold several of its citizens, me included. I never saw my family again." That was the first time she had ever told anyone of her past; she always drew away from anyone who had asked before. Bringing her hands to her face, she tried to block out the tears from Altecus. Tried to block out her past.
He didn't need any words as he drew her in and cradled her in his arms. He had wanted to touch her the instant he saw her. Not for sex but for something deeper. His father had once told him that males need physical contact with those witches they serve, especially their queen. Something about her told him that she could be something great—was something great. Something he could believe in once again. And that's how they spent the night, cradled in each others arms, finding peace for the first time in years.
Circe took a deep drink from the clay cup in her hand, running her left hand over her brow in the blazing sun. Huddled in the group of other women, she listened to their gossiping chatter. Some of it proved rather interesting, while most of it, however, proved petty and useless. Turning around, she spotted there, off in the distance, the guard that had tried to overtake her last night. Quickly turning back around, she looked off into the fields, searching for Altecus. He was there alright, but too preoccupied with getting whipped to look up to often. They had made eye contact several times, and small hidden smiles, but the fear of getting yelled at was overbearing. Oh, she needed to get his attention. She wanted him to know the reason if she didn't show up tonight.
"You Bitch! Trying to hide from me." The guard came up quickly behind Circe and spun her around, his hand clamping down on her throat. "Did I give you permission to leave last night?" He shook her when she didn't answer, couldn't answer. "Well, did I?!"
Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see people looking at them, and feel others with their eyes locked on her. But, most importantly of all, she saw Altecus in the distance, a dangerous anger flickering his eyes as his hand gripped his shovel tightly. But he didn't get a chance to move, or to strike. Just that instant, the slave master came over and broke up the fight. Stumbling away, Circe saw the guard directed to another part of the compound. Clasping her throat, she was quickly led away by Dragona and Toki. Toki kept releasing bursts of questions, while Dragona was wise to remain silent. Ignoring them both, she let them lead her back to their room, only to find that Rain was not there. Quietly thanking Dragona and Toki, she firmly yet gently asked them to leave her be. Falling back on their pathetic bed, she sighed deeply and loudly. A quiet knock on the door, however, had her sitting up rather quickly.
"Come in," she said, her voice strained with fear and pain.
The door slowly opened as an elderly poked her head through. Circe sighed with relief as she leaned back on her elbows.
"Rain…" The woman hobbled into the room, forgetting to close the door as she came over to Circe.
"Oh….I saw it all. Poor child. Stay away from them, Circe, stay away from them all." Her voice was filled with concern but obviously Rain was out of touch with present times. Circe couldn't just stay away. Not now. Not in this world. Smiling to indulge her, and a weak smile at that, Circe clasped the old woman's hand.
And it was so that later that day, as the diamond sky danced overhead, that Circe clasped Altecus's hand. They had been silent for quite awhile now. Only with one another could they find silence. It was comical, yet true. So bitterly true.
"It could have been worse," Circe finally said, looking up into his glacier eyes.
"Yes, and it will get worse as time goes on," he said bitterly, his eyes scanning hers. Pulling his hand away gently he ran his hands through her hair. "Unless someone does something about it....."