Author's Note: Wow! Thank you to all my reviewers 'cause you definitely got me more enthused about writing this LoL! I'm trying to sort out some ideas (I got quite a few too) for future chapters but keep the reviews coming!
Chapter Note: This chapter is more about what her time was like while kept captive in the slave market and you are being introduced to a new character that will have great importance later on in the story (muhahahaha!).
Chapter Two: The Slave Maenra
She was to be auctioned off within the next month, Briseis, now the slave Maenra, had discovered. She had been trapped in this slave market prison for more than 20 days and every one of those 20 days had been both long, tedious, and torturous toward her mental state. She went though the same routine daily, ate the gruel provided to her three times a day, slept in her cell, and then went to the guarded bathing room at night. The bathing room, she had to admit, was the most welcomed part of the evening. The escorted trip gave her the chance to socialize with the other female prisoners and learn more about those that kept her captive.
The other women prisoners were actually alot like herself, princesses of far and neighboring kingdoms and abducted for the reason of their beauty and their chastity while others were daughters of wealthy merchants or slaves by origin. Either way, all were treated equally by the warden. Inside the bathing room, however, some princesses still had their snobbish determinations to maintain their previous stations and boss those of 'others' around. Briseis kept her distance from all the gossips that were scattered in small groups amongst everyone, not all that interested in what they really had to say about her, others, or conflicting kingdoms. They had naught but much else to speak of and most of their talks all but left Briseis angry and resentful anyway. They relished in other people's misery because they would then have something solid to talk about amongst themselves. Even the thought of it all was appalling and absolutely disgusting.
Night had fallen more quickly than the last day, Briseis noticed, for the familiar, beastly guards came to escort her out with haste. They walked with her in silence throughout the cell ward and into the main hall, standing outside the double doors with watchful eyes as Briseis walked forward and alone into the bathing room. The bath quarters were completely occupied at the late hour as it usually was and Briseis ignored the shushed voices and curious stares that she received from the other women. They knew she was going to be among the first to be auctioned off soon. And thus, the news of the event gained her alot of unwanted attention.
Slipping her sandals silently off her bare feet, Briseis went to the far side of the bathing room where she could be alone for awhile. The eyes that bore onto her back upon her entrance lost interest and soon strayed elsewhere. Utterly relieved, Briseis began to slip out of her clothes. Her plight body sank easily into the over-sized tub and the rising steam from the water's clear surface teased and smacked with slow ease along her soft skin. Sighing at the pleasantness, Briseis allowed her head to loll gently back against the side panel, her eyes closing as she let herself relax for once.
"You know," a familiar voice chided gently, "If you keep doing that one of these days you're going to fall asleep, sink to the bottom, and drown."
Briseis' lips curved into a ghost of a smile. "Good evening to you too, Ctimene," she greeted, not moving or even blinking from her comfortable position. "Perishing in a large pool of warm water is the least of my worries."
The comment made the other woman snicker and crack a smile as she stepped into the pool next to her. "Still looking on the bright side of life, I see," she noted dryly.
"MmmHmm."
"Maenra, is what everyone speaks of truth?"
Briseis opened her deep brown eyes and stared at her new friend intently. "yes," she answered, her eyes reflecting sadness as she saw the disappointment written on the other woman's face. "The reasons why, I do not know of."
Ctimene, another princess much like herself, gazed at her with a somber expression. The younger woman was no older than 21, younger in age than Briseis herself, with striking and mature features that were unusual for a young woman of her years. Her skin was pale and almost flawless and she had the most beautiful hair! Her locks were the rich color of auburn, long and straight, a feature rare among the female population. Her eyes were just as stunning as her hair, a rich shade of green that matched the tones of rippling hills and meadows.
Some people found her looks to be an oddity, but Briseis thought she was beautiful. Having the ability to stick out amongst crowds of women had a very positive outcome for her, as was being snubbed by over-zealous princesses. It had given her more personality and open-mindedness.
"I know why," she replied quietly, her eyes turning stormy.
Briseis just stared at her, her silence bading the girl to go on.
"You are among the first to go because you are different among their collection of princesses," she answered sincerely. "You are the most beautiful and are not only smart but also less childish as the others here. Not many slave owners would want to buy a slave, princess born, that behaves like a brat and throws fits of hysterics. They know you are calmer and more intellectual, therefore you can gain them a fortune."
"I should feel flattered but considering the circumstances, however, I do not. I only feel dread."
Ctimene smiled sadly at her. "As do I. I won't ever see you again and my hair is so odd in these parts that I'm afraid I will remain here until my time of youth is done."
"Have faith. You will get out just as I will," Briseis assured, "and then you will escape and return to your home."
Ctimene shook her head sadly. "My homeland is too far and unknown, I wouldn't even know where to escape to. And I'm afraid that, unlike your kind family, mine would turn me away. They would see the brand and believe me to be tainted. I would wish rather to be dead than to be casted out by my own people."
She smiled suddenly, a thought coming to her. "I will go to Troy and search for you if a means of escape suddenly presents itself. Perhaps one day, I will meet you there."
"I hope so," Briseis spoke softly, "maybe I will..."
"Your family seems warm and accepting, they will not turn you away as mine would," Ctimene replied, soothing the other woman's worries, "And your city sounds so wonderful! I have no doubts that living there would seem almost like a dream."
A smile graced Briseis' lips as she thought about it, "Yes, it is... you are a good friend, Ctimene, I wish I had met you under better circumstances."
"And I as well," She agreed, "I hope to see you again after our time here."
Briseis nodded. "Is it true that it is within three weeks?"
"Aye. He auctions off a few royalty at a time. It makes things look less suspicious to everyone and he makes more money."
"By Apollo, one of these days that man will pay dearly for his crimes," Briseis cursed under her breath.
Ctimene's eyes widened out of fear and her eyes scanned to check the room. "Maenra, you should not say such things," she whispered.
"I know you wish for it just the same as I do and it will happen. But, never mind that now," Briseis replied warily, her somber mood suddenly shifting. "Can you help me with my hair?"
More to come! Please read and review!