Esca
I had been out hunting for the fancy guests that would arrive tomorrow from Rome when I heard her scream. That voice…I was running faster than I ever ran in my life, something drove me towards her. I just knew I had to get to her in time. It was the only thing that mattered. And when I saw…what these bastards were doing to her…I don't think I have ever felt that much rage in my life. She looked so fragile, so innocent. I had no choice but to protect her. I had no choice but to fall for her the moment I laid eyes on her. Her skin, the color of melted gold and the eyes so dark, so warm, so beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen such a beautiful creature in my life. The mere thought of her being touched by those bastards fills me up with more rage than I thought I could feel. Oh were I a free man! I would make her love me. I would make her mine. But I am a slave. Unworthy to worship the ground she walks on and yet…I carry her and she lies her head on my shoulder…so innocent, so naïve. She is completely oblivious to her charm. But maybe that is for the better. Oh were I a free man! I should never let her out of my sight, my precious little jewel. How I loathe the fact that I am bound to Marcus…I am bound to bring her to him…but if he should lay a hand on her, if he should as much as think about…No Marcus wouldn't do that. He will be nice and polite and considerate…how it is expected and he will guide her safely to her destination…I am sure of that.
She is so trusting. And she knows I am a "savage" and yet does not refrain from my touch. She even asked for my name! But she is still shaken up…which is probably why she is crying again. How do I get her to stop? I want her to laugh, to be happy, I don't ever want to hear her cry again! I slide down the next tree with her and sit her on my lap, afraid that she might protest and full of joy when she doesn't. I would love to make her forget what she had to experience tonight, but I am not worthy of her, so I am content with her sitting on my lap for a half hour, mumbling to her how happy I would make her if my life was still mine to give to whom I wanted. It is getting later and later and I have to be back at Marcus's by sunrise or I risk being flogged. Not that I would care normally, but I don't want her to see me like this. But considering the hour…I don't think it can be avoided. I am never going to be back on time. Maybe I should prepare her. I am fairly sure she doesn't know that a slave is carrying her right know. An untouchable. When I say "my master's house" I feel her stiffen. Realization at my status finally hitting her and I am waiting for the disgusted shriek and the order to be put down. But it never comes. Instead I feel her hide her face in my chest and my heart speeds up, flutters uncontrollably in my ribcage, when she starts to apologize for her people. I tell her to stop, that it is not her fault, that she is not responsible for the mishaps of Rome but she doesn't listen, until I gently cup her face so she has to look up at me and into my eyes. For a second I forget what I wanted to say, I even forget how to breath and then have to avert my eyes, scared that she saw the longing in them, she stopped rambling though, so it worked. She seems so tired, exhausted even. No wonder after a night like hers. I have so many questions I want to ask her, so many things I want to tell her but for both our sakes I lock my heart away and start to hum her to sleep, whispering in Brigantes to her every now and then, how much I would love her, how I would keep her safe forever. If only I had my freedom.
She doesn't stir when I get up and continue on the almost non existent path towards the home of Aquila, that is now my home as well. No. Not my home. My cage...my prison. I have to surpress the urge to just turn and disappear in the woods with my prey. I am almost certain I could do it. I could outrun my masters men and outsmart the dogs he would send after me in the morning. And then I would have her to myself...For a split-second I let myself consider this possibility but then I remember the trust I saw in the girls beautiful eyes and I cannot bring myself to betray her like that. Maybe she didn't flinch away from my touch tonight but then I came to her in a moment of weakness...she needs me...she probably only tolerates me because she has no other option. She needs me. The realization makes me grit my teeth. If only I had dyed that day! Marcus is no cruel master. In fact were he of my kin, we might have been friends, but since he is a Roman and therefor my sworn enemy that shall never be. I will not forgive what they did. My mothers face when my father...I will not forget. I cannot. Hatred fuels me and my strides become longer. Suddenly I am sickened by my behavior. How could I have said all this to a Roman girl? How could I have feelings for one of THEM? And one I don't even know at that? Once again the image of my dying mother appears before my eyes and I look down on the girl sleeping soundly in my arms. So beautiful...so deceiving I am sure. I shut my eyes for a second and with that lock all the feelings for this maiden away. She is a Roman and belongs to a people of murderers. Her people enslaved me. Took my honor. It is my duty to despise her. It's as simple as that. Or it should be...
Lavinia
I awaken to the first beams of sunlight. For a second I am confused as to where I am and I stiffen when I realize the soft rocking movement I am feeling isn't that of the ship that brought me to Britannia but it is the steps of the man carrying me. I want to scream but cannot make a noise. Instead I open my eyes so wide I fear they might fall out. When I hear the man say: "You're awake. Good. We're almost there." The events of last night come rushing back to me and I feel the sudden urge to throw up. Those men...I was almost...But I cannot allow myself to fall apart now. Not again. Not while I am with him...My savior...and a slave...The realization hits me with full force. I let a savage slave hold me and rock me to sleep! Blood rushes to my face and I am filled with shame. How could I? But then again...he did save me...and as far as I can tell nothing inappropriate happened. Or at least nothing that anyone would ever know about. My reputation...my family's reputation would not suffer because of this...it mustn't. Therefor the man...Esca...I recall...I have to make sure he keeps quiet about what happened. If my brother were to find out...He would run mad with rage...
"You...", my voice is hoarse and barely audible. I can feel Esca tilt his head slightly in my direction. I clear my throat. "You said we are almost there?"
He answers with a curt nod but doesn't spare me a glance. "Your master's house?" Another nod. In the sunlight he looks even more frightening than last night when I saw him kill my attackers. His skin was so pale and the contrast makes his hair look so red it could very well be soaked with blood. The thought makes my stomach churn and I exhale loudly to calm my growing fear. That earns me a sharp look from the very source of my anxiety. He saved me. My voice falters when I speak up again: "Could you...I mean...Would you...Do you have to tell your master what happened last night?"
I see his brows furrowing and his stare is so piercing I feel as if he could see right through me. "You don't want my master to know what happened?"
I nod but otherwise stay silent, too mesmerized by his eyes to even breathe.
"Why?", the word is barked like a command, in a voice used to giving commands and seeing them obeyed. How unfitting for a slave!
"I don't want to upset my brother. He was gravely wounded and is not yet fully recovered...", I don't want to admit to a slave that I am ashamed of what happened. That I think it is my fault My family's honor was almost destroyed forever.
Esca doesn't answer but comes abruptly to a halt and mumbles something under his breath. "can you stand?", he asks gruffly. "I think so." When he sets me down, steadying me with his hands at my waist, the ankle still pains me, but it is bearable. "I can stand on my own now. Thank you." I say when he doesn't let go of my waist immediately. He snaps his hands away at that. And I feel a sudden cold where his hands have been only seconds ago. "Why are we stopping? Are you tired? He must be. He carried me through the woods all night!
He gives me a look that can only be described as offended. "No. I am not tired. … they are here. " I can hear it too then. Barking dogs in the distance. The sound of hooves on the soft ground, the voices of men yelling commands and...Esca draws his knives and I step back. The fear must be visible on my face because he is quick to say: "I promised to keep you safe. I will keep my word." His voice is grave with honesty and I cannot help but believe his every word. The barking is closer now. Much closer. "Stay behind me." he says and pushes me against a tree, his eyes never leaving the bushes from which the dogs must be emerging. The moment the first dog appears I realize what's happening. Esca is a slave. He spent the night out. Away from his master and without permission. His master probably thinks he tried to run..."NO!" I scream and rush forward, not even thinking of the huge dog rushing at me. They could not do that! It wasn't his fault! I must tell his master that he rescued me! Suddenly Esca is in front of me again. Slightly crouching like one of the lion's I saw at Colosseum. When the dog goes for his throat I fear the worst. The movement is so swift my mind can barely register it, but moments later I hear a howl, so heart-wrenching I know there is no more saving this dog. Esca is standing again, bloody knife in hand, while the dog lies slain at his feet. Two more appear but they don't attack but stand a few feet away. Growling and baring their teeth but too afraid to strike. And then the riders appear. Six men, four of them I recognize immediately as simple Roman soldiers. The others are clad in much finer cloth, their horses are of a finer breed and the give an air of superiority which is distinctly recognizable as the air of Roman nobility. "There you are! Did you really think you could escape us, savage pig?", the man's voice is a sneer that sends a shiver down my spine. I see Esca's back straighten, his head is held high and even though I know he is a slave I could easily mistake him for a Roman General for his pride and bearing. The Roman's eyes find the dead dog lying at Esca's feet. "You will pay for that, slave. I shall whip you to death for touching what is mine!" He rowels the horse, whip ready in hand while Esca doesn't even blink, ready to take whatever is about to hit him. For a second I stand paralyzed by the scene that is about to unravel in front of me but then I scream so loud it feels as if my lungs will explode and I try to move in front of Esca trying to shield him from the terrible, undeserved blow that is about to hit him. But once again Esca moves with a sheer inhuman speed. Knocking me out of the way and taking the blow himself instead. I hear a scream and for a second I think the whiplash forced Esca to cry out in pain but then I see Esca still standing. Unmoved. His mouth pressed together tightly, while his shirt is slowly darkening with his blood. The scream I realize then came from the second nobleman of the party. "Lavinia!" he screams, before jumping of his horse and rushing to my side in one swift, fluid motion. "Marcus?", he looks older, thinner and undeniably sadder than I remembered him but the man that is now crushing me in a bear hug, is undoubtedly my brother.