I DO NOT OWN SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA. THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MENTIONS OF RAPE; READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Marketplace. Capua, Ancient Rome. A week later.
Lisa laid on the cot with dried eyes. She had spent the first 3 days sobbing her guts out, but by the 4th morning, she just didn't have it in her anymore. Caelus Suedius Peregrinus had sought to take the fight out of her and the piece of shit had all but succeeded in his unholy venture.
After Lisa had spent a week being raped, barely fed, and cruelty washed, Caelus came into her cell again. She braced herself to be violated once again, but instead he pulled her up to her feet and drug her out to the main holding area were a group of naked female slaves were lined up; connected by rope links around their necks. Before Lisa could ask what was happening, her neck was linked up with the other girls.
"Walk bitches!" The slaver commanded as he began leading the slaves out of the pen and into the dust filled streets of Capua. As the women were marched out, Lisa was overcome by a tsunami of humiliation. Everyone man, woman, and child in the streets could see her nude body that was bearing a fine layer of dirt after a week in captivity. The only comfort was that very few people paid attention. There were a few jeers from some men, but the townspeople mostly went about their business, as if naked slaves were an everyday occurrence.
As Lisa was made to walk, she was greeted by the horrid sight of 3 male slaves chained to a post, being flogged with a cat o' 9 tails. One main screamed out in agony as the whip tore of chucks of flesh from his back. For the first time since arriving in this Hell, Lisa felt a sense of relief. If being raped day in, day out wasn't bad enough, her flesh could also be torn up by a whip.
Eventually, Peregrinus ordered his slaves to halt on the side of the street as he began hawking his wares to the people of Capua. Lisa fought bitterly to hide her tears as her humiliation was overwhelming. She had been a proud woman, a promising student, now she was a slave; a piece of meat on a slab. Several men and women came up to express interest in purchasing the merchandise; as well as to grope the slaves. As Lisa felt like she couldn't stomach any more humiliation, she saw two proper looking Roman gentlemen walking side by side. One was middle aged while the other seemed older by far. With them, was a tether beautiful looking woman with strawberry blonde hair. Next to her, an even prettier woman with tan skin and dark hair.
"Did you catch the manner of his eye, as he gazed down from the pulvinus; Fucking Vettius." The younger man gripped as the group made their way through the shit and muck of Capua's streets. "Barely free of his mother's tit, yet carries himself above lanistas of more deserving years."
"Youth often imagines itself swollen beyond its worth." The strawberry blonde haired woman replied.
"Time will cure him of the condition, as it does all foolish young men." The older man replied.
"Time is what he holds in abundance, if we are excluded from the games..." the younger spoke with anxiety as these games that he spoke of were clearly of great importance.
"Vettius is but shit from a shit hole." The strawberry blonde as the older man stopped dead in his tracks. At first, Lisa didn't notice him, but when she snuck a look, she saw that his eyes were upon her.
"What grabs the attention of good Solonius?" The younger man asked.
"A fine offering of female flesh, Batiatus." The man named Solonius answered as he pointed Lisa out to his companions. They looked at the slave who had caught good Solonius's eye.
"You've a fine eye for slaves." Caelus said with a grin as he walked over to the group. "This is a fine bitch, brought over from the shores of Greece. She is intelligent, has impeccable manners, and for you men folk; she is a virgin!"
"A virgin, you say?" Batiatus replied with a nod towards his friend.
"Her cunt is yet untouched by hands or cock; a fine addition to any household. The price is 700 denarii; my fairest price." The slaver insisted. Lisa locked eyes with Solonius, silently begging him for relief from the daily rapes and indignation.
"You should make purchase of this slave, Batiatus. She would be of great aid to Lucretia." Solonius said to his friend with eagerness.
"Why look to me, Tis your cock that grows hard at the sight." Batiatus jested.
"I have no wife that requires body slaves, but good Peregrinus claims this slave to be among his best, and does Lucretia not deserve the best?" Solonius offered.
"She is of a fine form, I could find use for her." Lucretia reasoned as she caressed Lisa's cheek.
"Very well, a deal is struck. I'll send my man with the money before day's end." Batiatus said as the Lanista and the slaver shook hands.
"By what name is she known?" Lucretia inquired with curiosity.
"I didn't care to ask, good lady." Peregrinus admitted sheepishly.
"You should bestow a name of your own choosing." Solonius offered as Lisa was tempted to tell them her name, but was wary of angering these Romans.
"I shall call her...Atalanta, she was a famed Greek huntress." Lucretia decided after a few moments.
"A fine choice; gods willing, Atalanta shall be of great service to you." Batiatus said as he kissed his wife deeply. As the newly minted Atalanta was led away by a rope around her neck, she couldn't tell if she had escaped this Roman Hell Or merely entered the next level.
REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED