Alexios sneaked passed the workers by hiding in the wheatfields. There he saw his father standing on the porch with his arms crossed, glaring at him.
"Pater, I was just taking a little walk."
"Don't lie to me, boy. The lokhagos told me everything. Inside. Now."
Aegeus entered the villa, followed by Alexios.
"Do you have any good reason for what you did at the market?" said Aegeus.
"I was saving a friend." said Alexios.
"Thatscoundrel you call friend have caused nothing but trouble! And look what he brought you to! Abandoning your lectures! Skipping work! Instead, you rather go chased girls in the market town!"
Alexios lowered his head.
"... Tomorrow, you are going to the agoge."
"What?!"
"You wanted to be a soldier, yes? Then maybe the agoge will shape you into a man."
"Pater, please-"
"I don't want to hear your complains, boy! You will enter the agoge whether you like it or not!"
"No!" Callidora ran towards Alexios and she wrapped her arms around his leg, "I don't want big brother to go!"
"Callidora!" Rhea went and pulled the little girl away.
"You left me with no choice..." Aegeus exited the villa and went back to the farm.
Alexios sighed, before he walked to his room.
"He did it for your own good, Alexios." said Rhea.
"He's hates me." said Alexios.
"Your pater and I are worried of what you will become... You're no longer a child, Alexios. Remember that."
Alexios walked towards his room then he slammed the door shut.
"Mater..." said Callidora, "Are they going to take big brother away?"
Rhea crouched down "Yes, my dear."
"But why? Big brother didn't do anything bad."
"He will not go away forever, little one."
The very next morning, Alexios sat at the porch while his father stood and watched him. Then, two hoplites arrived on foot.
"You and your friend caused quite a trouble, boy." said one of the hoplites.
Alexios glared back at the hoplite.
"Will the agoge turned him into a man?" said Aegeus.
"Many boys become strong and honorable men after their training years end. I assure you, your son will bring honor to your family after the agoge."
"Good... Alexios, go with them."
Alexios got up then walked towards the hoplites.
"Alexios."
Alexios stopped then turned his head.
"I... Earn your shield, boy..."
Alexios only turned his head as he walked away with the two hoplites.
"And thus began my time in the agoge with the rest of the boys in my village. We were trained how to raise our shield high, how to thrust our spears and how to fight with our swords. They taught us how to formed a phalanx, a formation that turned men into impenetrable wall.The elders would tell us stories of great greek heroes during the time of our ancestors before the Romans, and beforeThe Cataclysm."
After four years, I have became stronger than before. Me and the rest of the boys have become men. So our training as ended, and we all returned to our homes."
Callidora was tending the farm with her parents when she spotted someone in a short red tunic walking towards them. After the person was close enough, Callidora finally recognized who it was.
"Alexios!" Callidora gently placed the basket full of vegetables to the ground before she ran towards her big brother and wrapped her arms around him.
"Callidora! You've gotten bigger!" said Alexios.
"Of course I did. You've been gone for four years, did you not?"
"Alexios!" Rhea ran to her son and embraced him, "Look at you! I almost could not recognized you, my son!"
"Alexios." said Aegeus as he walked slowly towards Alexios.
Alexios pulled out a large round object wrapped in fabric behind his back. He unwrapped it to reveal a bronze shield to his father, "I've earned my shield, father."
"Yes, you have." Aegeus put his hand on Alexios's shoulder, "Welcome home, my son." a smile carved on the old man's face.
Three weeks later...
Alexios was busy helping with the crops with his father and the workers. After a whole day of work, both father and son rested inside the villa.
"Are you tired?" said Aegeus.
"I should be the one to ask you. You are old." said Alexios.
"I am not that old, boy."
The two stopped to looked at the shield Alexios brought home.
"Pater, were you proud of me when I brought home that shield?"
"Yes, my son. So you should be proud of your shield that you brought as well, instead of just hanging it on the wall."
"Pater... I am a man now, yes?"
"I don't see you tried to run to the market to chase celtic girls anymore."
"Then do I have permission to decide my own path?"
"I let your brother be a scholar."
Alexios was hesitated before he speaks, "Tomorrow, I want to go to the city."
"Why?"
"... I want to join the legions." Alexios noticed his father became upset, "Pater?"
"Alexios... Is this not enough for you?"
"Pater, I didn't meant I am ungrateful-"
"Then what more do you want?"
"I just want to make my own path."
"You will stay in this village and you will never go with the romans! I forbid you!"
"Then what purpose of me going to the agoge and if you can't even let me decide for myself, and instead want me to stay here forever!"
"Enough! I will not hear anymore of this nonsense!" Aegeus stormed out of the villa.
Furious, Alexios took the shield off the wall then threw it across the room.
"Alexios! Where are you going!" Aegeus called out for his son, who was walking away from the villa.
Alexios ignored him as he walked away faster.
"Alexios!" Aegeus dropped his farming tool then ran towards Alexios and grabbed his shoulder.
"Let me go, old man! I will not stay in this farm for the rest of my life!" Alexios pulled himself away from his father.
"Don't do this to your family, Alexios! This is your home!"
"What purpose am I bringing the shield and honor to this home when you can't even let me decide! Just let me go!"
"Fine... Then go and chase that dream of yours... But never ever come back."
Alexios turned around and continued walking away.
"Don't go!" Callidora ran towards Alexios. She grabbed his hand and she tried to pull him back.
"Let him go, Callidora! He made his decision!" said Aegeus.
"You have to let me go, Callidora. I can't stay here anymore." said Alexios.
"Why do you have to go now, brother? Why?" said Callidora as she struggled to held back her tears.
Alexios sighed. He gently released Callidora's hand, "Please, take care of pater and mater for me." Alexios continued walking away, leaving his sister behind.
Callidora's tears flow on her cheeks and her father came to her to comfort her. Aegeus watched on as his son walked away from their lives.
It is the dead of the night, and Alexios continued on walking on the side of the road as he looked for a place to sleep on. Then, he heard rustling coming from the bushes. Before he could react, someone threw a net on Alexios.
"Get him!" said a male voice coming from the dark.
Alexios was being pulled down on the ground. One of them drew a sword on Alexios's neck.
"This looks like a strong one, and young too. He'll fetch a high price." said the slaver.
"Let go of me or I'll kill you!" said Alexios
"A fighter, eh?" said the slaver.
With a quick move, Alexios lunges at the slaver. With his hand on the slaver's throat, the young man pinned the slaver down on the ground before he was hit in the head and was knock unconscious.
The sun shined on Alexios's face and he opened his eyes to see the sky moving ontop of him.
"Hey, you." said an old voice.
Alexios got up and found himself in a metal cage in a moving cart without any clothing, and his hands tied by a rope.
"You're finally awake."
Alexios turned his head and saw an old celtic man, also naked and with his hands tied, "W-Who are you? Where am I?!"
"What do you think, lad? We're slaves to the romans."
"Slaves?!" Alexios got up then shook the metal bars, "Let me out! I don't want to be a slave!"
"It's no use. Might as well accept it."
"This is not what I wished for!"
"Neither do I, but what can we do? Either this, or death. Just pray that they won't sell you to a cruel master."
"Listen here, old man! I didn't ran away from my village just to become a slave! I was on my way to the city to join the legions!"
"Where are you from, lad?"
"I'm from the greek village!"
The old man started chuckling, "You? A greek? What makes you think they'll accept you to the legion? Listen here, lad. The romans don't care about us. All they care is the taxes and resources we provided."
"What are you talking about?"
"Have no one told you? You greeks have been growing food for the romans to fatten themselves, and all the raw materials they used to built their city was taken from us celts. And if that's not enough they made slaves of us for their lazy nobles." the old man spat at his side.
"... And what do we get in return?"
"In exchange, the romans will spare us from the cross."
Then, a large shadow went passed them. They looked up and saw the aquedact above them.
"Looks like we're here." said the old man.
"Where?"
"The city... The Great Empire."
Alexios got up on his feet to get a better look of the city. The cart brought them throught the main city gate, and Alexios was mesmerized, "I've never been to the city before."
"Should have kept that way, lad."
The cart stopped at the marketplace and the slavers opened their cage.
"Get out!" said the slaver as he lashed his whip at the metal cage.
Alexios and the old man got out of the cage while being pulled from by the rope. Another slaver dragged the two slaves to a pole before he tied the rope to it, preventing their escape. Alexios tried to pull the rope from the pole.
"I won't do that if I were you." said the old man.
"Hey!" one of the slaver saw what Alexios was doing and immediately whipped him, leaving bleeding marks on his back.
"Told you."
"And are you just going to let them sell you!" said Alexios.
"There's really nothing else we can do, lad. Except maybe making yourself look useful."
Then, a beautiful roman noblewoman followed by some handmaiden stopped and looked at the slaves.
The slaver forced Alexios to face the noblewoman, "You better behave, boy."
"What do we have here?" said the noblewoman.
"Two strong slaves, madam." said the slaver, "A young greek and an old celt."
The noblewoman observed the old man for a moment, before she sets her eyes on Alexios. She looked up and down at the young's man's body, before looking at his face.
"This one is a bit feisty. If you're not careful, he'll try to escape or worse. I suggest the celt. He looked like he accepted his fate."
The noblewoman grabbed Alexios's chin between her thumb and index finger before looking at him in the eyes, "How much for the greek?"
"For you, seven hundred denarii."
"Deal." the noblewoman signalled her handmaiden to give the denarii to the slavers.
The slaver untied the rope from the pole before handing it over to the handmaiden.
"Come now." the noblewoman smiled at Alexios before she turned around and walked away.
The handmaiden followed her while she pulled Alexios with her.
"W-Wait! Stop! I can clean myself!" Alexios struggled to free himself as the handmaidens washed him clean.
After they finished, one of the handmaiden gave Alexios a tunic and a loincloth before they left him alone in the chamber. After putting on his new clothing, he heard a male voice calling for him.
"Are you the new slave?" said the voice.
Alexios turned around and saw a middle aged man in long robe, "Y-Yes."
"Good. Follow me."
The man led Alexios around the large luxurious villa owned by the noblewoman who bought him earlier. They then stopped at a large atrium in the very center of the villa.
The man gave Alexios a bucket and ragged cloth, "Clean this up.", then the man left Alexios behind with his duty.
"Malaka..." Alexios sighed.
The thought of joining the legion still played in Alexios's mind. But now since he's now a slave, he wondered how will he ever get out of it.
"Excellent work." said the noblewoman.
Alexios lifted his head and saw the noblewoman.
"Sorry, am I bothering you?"
Alexios looked around and realized how cleaned the atrium now.
"What's your name, boy?"
"Alexios."
"Alexios. You may call me Lady Flavia." said Flavia, "I assume you've already met Priskos, the one who ordered you to clean the atrium floor?"
"Yes, I did."
"I see." Flavia started walking around while admiring Alexios's work, "I'm having a party tonight, Alexios. I hope you know how to serve wine. Can you do that?"
"Yes, my lady."
"Good. You may rest once you're finished with the floors." Flavia turned around then walked away.
Alexios turned his sight away from the noblewoman before he continued with his chore.
All of the high class citizens were enjoying the party held by Lady Flavia, with musicians enriching the party with their music. Meanwhile, Alexios and Priskos walked around serving the guest with expensive wine.
Then, one guest arrived at the party. Everyone turned their heads, all the chatters and music immediately stopped at the sight of a mighty centurion. The steel armored warrior took off his helmet, revealing the face of a middle-aged man with a battle scar on the left of his lip, scowling at everyone at the party.
"My husband!" said Lady Flavia, "Glad you could make it!"
The centurion grunted before walking towards his wife.
The musicians resumed their music. The guest moved aside to make way for the centurion. Alexios was in awe to witness the centurion.
"Wine!" the centurion shouted with his eyes locked at the young slave boy.
Alexios's heart jumped. He quickly walked towards the centurion while carrying a jug of wine. But he tripped due to his nervousness and he accidently spilled the wine at the centurion.
Without saying a word, the centurion kicked Alexios's face while he was still on the floor, "Useless vermin!"
"My lord!" Priskos quickly ran towards the centurion and bowed down, "Please forgive him, my lord!"
The centurion drew his gladius then he placed the tip of the blade under Alexios's chin before gently lifting it up, staring at the young man's face with blood dripping on his wound, "Another slave? Is one not enough?"
"This is my house under my family's name, Vitallion." said Lady Flavia, "I can as many slaves as a pleased."
Vitallion withdrew his gladius before he sheathed it back. He wiped the wine off his armor before walking off.
Priskos quickly went to Alexios to help him get up, "What were you doing, boy?! The centurion would have killed you right here!"
"I-I..." Alexios gripped his head in pain, "I tripped..."
"Get him inside, quickly." said Lady Flavia.
As Priskos led Alexios inside, Lady Flavia told her guest that she would be joining them soon. Inside the slaves quarters, Priskos sat Alexios down on his bed. Lady Flavia sat beside Alexios with a wet cloth on her hand
"Hold still." said Lady Flavia as she started wiping the blood from Alexios's face. "I apologized for my husband's behaviour. You may rest for tonight. Priskos..."
"Yes, my lady?" said Priskos.
"Please return to the party and tend the guest."
"Yes, my lady." Priskos exited the quarters to return to the party.
Meanwhile, Lady Flavia wrapped Alexios's wound with a bandage. After she was finished, she got up then began fixing herself.
"I must return to the party. You can rest here for the rest of the night." Lady Flavia exited the slaves quarters.
Alexios held his bandaged head, and he could felt the stinging pain from his wound. The young slave then laid down on his bed, only to just stare into the ceiling for almost an hour or two. He still remembered why he's in the city, and that was to join the legions.
But fate has other plans, and he found himself being a slave to a roman noblewoman with outstanding beauty despite her age. More than that, she was very kind to him. Almost like a loving mother... The thought of his family stays in his mind. He never had a chance to say goodbye to his mother.
The last person he spoke to before he left was Callidora, his dear little sister. She was always so close to him, and he remembered how people in the market would mistaken for a couple. And he wondered how his older brother would reacted if he finds out he ran away from home.
Alexios's eyelids grew heavier the longer he laid there. He closed his eyes, and started falling asleep.
"Uh, so it wasn't the first time you were taken into slavery." said Naofumi, "I wish it was easier for me to handle you back then."
"Did he really have to abandoned his family?" said Raphtalia.
"Please, continue." said Mercy.
"You're really into this, do you know that?" said Naofumi.
"Yes, please go on. I wanna hear more about our big brother." said Sadina.
"Alright, fine... For months, I became a slave to Lady Flavia..."
"... Her husband was always away, so I don't have to be worried about him. For months, I have come to love Lady Flavia. Her loving nature, even if I am her slave, she treated me like her own son."
Priskos, a fellow greek, taught me everything I need to know about living in the great city. He's like a father, always telling me to be safe when I am in the city to buy supplies. He told me how most romans were not so fond of us greeks."
Alexios entered the villa from the back while carrying a sack of potatos. He entered the kitchen and saw Priskos working with the chefs.
"I brought what you asked for." said Alexios.
"Good. Put it over there." said Priskos as he slapped at a table.
Alexios carefully placed the sack of potatos, "Priskos, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes, go on."
"Why do the romans hated us?"
Priskos's expression changed to despair, as if he remembered a terrible memory.
"Priskos?"
"Just be grateful Lady Flavia sheltered you, like she did with me. Now go, Lady Flavia's expecting you."
"But, what about my ques-"
"You do not need to know about it. Now go!"
Alexios left the kitchen without the answers. He made his way in the villa and found Lady Flavia resting on her lectus.
"Alexios. Come." Lady Flavia gestured her hand to invited Alexios.
Alexios walked closer to Lady Flavia and waited her order, "I'm at your service, my lady."
"I never told you this, my boy. Tell me, do you have a family?"
"My lady?"
"You must have a family, Alexios. How else would you be born? Unless the gods brought you here themselves."
"I don't have a family... Not anymore."
"What happened? Please, tell me."
Alexios took a deep breath as he muster the strength to speak, "I ran away from my home before the slavers caught me."
"Why?"
"... My father wanted me to take over the family farm. I wanted to join the legions instead... But my father disagree. So I ran away."
"A noble ambition. Perhaps I could tell you mine?"
"Would you like me to fetch you some wine?"
"No need. Your company is all I need." Lady Flavia moved aside and patted an empty space beside her, "Come, sit with me."
Alexios was reluctant at first, but he then sat next to Lady Flavia.
"It was always been my dream of having a child of my own. The gods answered my prayers and gifted me a boy for me to raise." Lady Flavia placed her her hand on her belly. "I remembered how my son would ran around the villa, cheerful without a care in a world."
Back then, my husband's will always have a smile on his face whenever our son greeted him. He will always make excuses to return home..." Lady Flavia held back her sorrow, "But a plague struck the city years ago... It took my son away. And because of the illness, I was not allowed to hold my son when he..." a single tear fell on her eye.
"I'm sorry..." said Alexios.
"... Alexios?"
"Yes, my lady?"
"Do you still want to join the legion?"
"Yes."
"Then I will make it happen. I only need one thing for you."
"Tell me."
"Let me adopt you. Let me be your mother, and you will be my son."
"Lady Flavia... This is all too sudden."
"Everyday I prayed to the gods that they will bring back my son. Please, Alexios. Fullfill my wish, and I may fullfill yours."
"Yes, mother. Please, adopt me."
Lady Flavia leaned closer and wrapped her arms around Alexios, "Thank you... Marius."
"Marius?"
"It was my son's name. My husband gave it to him. And now I gave it to you, my son. You are no longer a slave... You are part of my family... Marius"
"So Marius wasn't his real name?" said Sadina.
"Have you been paying attention?" said Naofumi, "It's getting late. Atla and Keel, go to sleep."
"Can't we stay up abit longer? I wanna know more." said Keel.
"Yes, please continue. I found this really interesting too." said Atla.
"Listen to Master Naofumi. You two need your sleep." said Raphtalia.
Naofumi got up then headed to the door, "I'm putting Alexi... Marius's memoir back. You two better be laying on your bed when I return. And I mean on your own beds in your own rooms." Naofumi walked his way towards Marius's room.
Inside Marius's room, Naofumi returned the memoir back inside the drawer and rearrange everything back by memory.
