His Lady

Nyxea sighed softly as she settled herself on her seat, only a couple of feet away from the Emperor's. It was well known that as the only heir of a very wealthy and famous trader-turned-general she had inherited her father's estates as well as his gold and title of Lady. Her house in the city, though humble in its size, was stocked with anything and everything befitting her station, including ample gardens and her own Roman tub. No one mistook her for a slave because of her clothes and the way she carried herself, even if her skin was more tanned than normal (her mother was Egyptian).

The olive green tunic that covered her generous curves and left her shoulders bare was held by a gold fibula, the carved dragon curled around the silky cloth to hold it in place, the golden ropes tied under her ample breasts and her waist emphasizing those curves. Her face looked delicate, yet her honey colored eyes drew the attention of many as she passed, clearly marking her as not pure Roman. Long loose curls, dark as night were tied up in an elaborate braid, golden silk strips intertwining around her locks.

Her attention was drawn towards the circular arena when the horns sounded the call. She didn't enjoy gladiator matches much. She always thought it was a waste when strong men died only for the entertainment of pompous lords or ladies that probably had more important things to do or spend their coin on. But she was here on a mission: She wanted a new slave. Not just any slave though, one that could act as a bodyguard for her and take care of her home. There had been several attempts already to ransack her home, most knowing who she was and that she lived alone now. She knew how to defend herself, something she had learned from her Egyptian mother before she passed away, but she was only one person, a small one at that. Besides, maybe this new slave could be good company in other areas as well...

Tyrius was ready for battle once more. It was the only excitment left in his life now. He could hardly remember his life from before being a gladiator. He had held a rather high military position, and he was rising then he was caught with the wife of a very important general... back then it seemed worth it.

uri, vinciri, verberari, ferroque necari "I will endure to be burned, to be bound, to be beaten, and to be killed by the sword"

The oath of the gladiato, he wasn't free, he was a slave, and that was a slave, he was a lucky one at that fighting other gladiators rather than beasts, and in one on one combats not in groups, that way he might win his rudis his freedom more quickly... or so he hoped at least.

He wasn't a man prone to kneeling or submitting, but right now there was nothing he could do, being as talented with the sword as he was he sometimes dared to dream of the day in which he would be granted his freedom once more.

Then the horn sounded loudly announcing the match was starting, he only had his gladius a galerus covering his right shoulder and a parma shield, at least such little equipment allowed him to move quickly.

He didn't know the contender, probably someone captured from a recent invasion, he didn't care, he rushed to his enemy and blocked and attack with his shield as his was blocked in the same way.

They kept fighting, his opponent was quite talented, but Tyrius wouldn't give up, he never did, they had made each other bleed profusely, blood that was readily absorved by the sands below them.

Tyrius saw an opening and bashed the mans head with the side of the head causing a loss of balance, in turn he kicked his legs making him fall to the floor.
Tyrius quickly stepped on his enemies hand and removed the gladius he had disarming him. As he did this the other's hand raised asking for mercy from the emperor.

In turn and holding his own sword at the man's throat Tyrirus looked up to the emperor as the public roared, his eyes did wonder slightly to the beautiful woman nearby, and for a second he was sure that whatever she requested would be obbeyed even if she opposed the entire audience, but he couldn't risk his attitude to seem insulting so he focused his eyes on the emperor.

Her eyes were glued to the action. The flash of swords, the strain of muscle as they swung their swords and gripped their shields in place to ward off a blow... It reminded her much of the duels she had seen during her youth in her mother's native land. Back then, her young orbs had followed the flash of daggers glinting in the sun, of gold armor moving along slender bronze shoulders, feminine bodies moving in a blade dance that had awed her since the first time she saw it.

Her musings were cut short when everything stilled, both men looking upwards towards the Emperor, waiting for his decision. Eyes following theirs, she felt them widen as the ruler turned to her, clearly wanting her to make the choice. Her cheeks reddened slightly as she heard the crowd's roar, some asking for forgiveness for the loser, most asking for his head. The pressure was incredible, but one stare above others pierced through: the gladiator who's sword hovered over the loser's neck. He seemed to try to read her before his eyes returned to the Emperor.

With a slow shake of her head, she heard the crowd sigh. They would not see a beheading today. Her eyes returned briefly to the Emperor, seeing him nod towards her and touch the chair beside him. Seems he wanted a word with her. Not daring to keep him waiting, she made her way to the offered seat, not glancing at anything or anyone else.

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Sometime later, after her talk with the Emperor, she found herself in a waiting room, lavishly decorated. She had bought the man who won the fight. The only thing left to see was if he would be grateful for it or not.

Tyrius was angry beyond measure, bought... he had been bought. His owner who was rather good to him, keeping him fed as long as he kept winning, he figured they had some sort of agreement. Then the bastard sold him, he did provided him a excuse, a lot of money had been offered to him.

Tyrius problem wasn't being bough, he didn't feel insulted at that, he had previous managers before, and the thought of this one trading him to someone else wasn't something that kept him up at night... the problem was something else, he wasn't bought by a manager but by a noble, and not to be a gladiator... had he earned his rudis he would probably become a freelancer bodyguard, now he was to become a bodyguard too... but, and it was a huge BUT he would remain a slave. The dream of freedom that kept him living had faded... and he was very angry.

He was taken into the room where his new owner was, it was a lavishly decorated room, his hands were tied in front of him with the rope that was used to make him move forward. His head was down, he kept expecting something to happen.

Something did happen as he dared to look up, he was expecting to see a fat pompous noble that wanted to brag of having a fierce gladiator keeping his house safe, what he saw was the strikingly beautiful woman that was sitting close to the emperor, this certainly surprised him... but the word slave kept gnawing at him.

Her head turned at the sound of footsteps, two figures slowly revealed by the sunlight streaming through the windows. She didn't keep her gaze long on the man pulling on the rope, but felt it move to settle on the man being led inside. Her eyes roamed his physique, noticing how badly the new wounds had been treated as well as the lean muscles underneath the sweat and dirt that had accumulated there during the fight. Standing, she took a step towards them just as he lifted his gaze towards her.

She felt her breath catch. For just a moment the anger and intensity in his gaze made her freeze, the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. He looked ready to pounce, ready to kill. It reminded her of a lioness she had seen once. Then his eyes changed slightly, turning a little confused.

Taking a breath, she slowly relaxed her body and gave a small nod. The man that had held the rope simply dropped it and turned around, leaving them alone in silence. Slowly, she walked closer, the silk of her dress barely making a whisper as it flowed around her while she knelt to retrieve the rope. Standing once more, she slowly started undoing the ties that held that piece of rope to the ones that held his hands together. Her voice, when uttered, was soft, slightly husky with a peculiar accent.

"What is your name, gladiator?"

She noticed her studying him, he kept his gaze down, then the man left them alone at her silent request. Tyrius was very tense about this situation, still not getting over the fact that he was sold... and apparently to this woman, unless he had been lend to, or was being studied.

She started to untie the knots slowly, he felt her skin briefly, it was very soft very unlike anything he had felt in a very long time.

"My name is Tyrius" then he bit his lip but managed to ask "are you my owner now?"

"Tyrius" she replied softly with a nod before frowning at his question. She could see the tension on his arms, muscles looking almost coiled. She even felt it the brief moments her fingers brushed along his skin, it feeling slightly rough but strong, sturdy under her fingertips. "In a figure of speech..."

Once the ties were undone, she looked up at him. He easily towered over her small, five-foot frame and, if he wanted to, he could probably tackle her to the ground and make her release the rest of his bonds without anyone noticing until it was too late. Noticing his gaze was down, she hesitated before placing her fingertips under his chin and raising it slightly so he could see her. Her face was calm, not betraying the sudden yolt of fear and adrenaline her previous musings had caused.

"My name is Nyxea. And I seem to be in need of a bodyguard..." she said, her attempt at sounding nonchalant before she turned serious. "I have seen you fight. It surprised me that you've been a gladiator so long and have not earned your freedom. I'll propose a deal of sorts. Protect me and my home for three winters. If everything is well at that time, you will be free."

"You will not be bound to me except by your word of honor. You will have food, a good bed, good clothes and the freedom to go where you please when not protecting me, should you choose to accept." She waited then, hands resting over the rope that held his hands together, waiting for his response.

He paused before answering, her hands on his muscles were examining him, when he had been bought before he was examined too, but not like this, not being so delicate.

He thought about what she said... she was offering him his freedom, something that he had been wanting since he became a gladiator.

"Nyxea the deal you propose is even better than remaining a gladiator, I dare to ask however... you said should you choose to accept, are you saying that I have a choice?"

"You have a choice, yes." she said softly before lifting her eyes to lock with his. She examined his face, taking in his reaction she she continued, her voice not wavering "You may choose to stay here. I will lie to the man who sold you and tell him you are not what I seek. I imagine you would win your freedom someday."

He thought of it, not for long however, she was right, if his freedom was to be granted it should have been a while ago, maybe it would wait until he was too old to fight, and by then he would have risked dying in the arena several times. Three winters wasn't that long... and what she was offering was certainly better than what he had by the arena.

"I won't reject your offer Nyxea, as you trust in my word I will trust yours. From now on I will keep you safe"

She smiled, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. The tension in her body eased and that pressure between her shoulder blades that had been present since the moment her father died lifted somewhat. She wouldn't be the only pair of eyes looking out for her safety anymore. With deft fingers, she released the last of his bonds and stepped away, letting him get used to the feeling of not having them.

Walking towards the door, she opened it slightly before stopping and looking back at him over her shoulder, the movement making the tips of her curls brush her bottom. "There's a small vase under the window filled with warm scented water and a towel for you. Once you are ready, go through this door. I'll take you to your new home and, once there, I'll treat your wounds properly." And with that, she stepped outside, closing the door behind her before sitting in a bench close by, waiting for him.

As she walked in front of him, he finally took a good look at her. Knowing what situation he was on made him feel slightly better, and while he knew he beauty was striking, it was his first time really looking, the exquisite fabric surrounding her body praised it perfectly, her unusual toned skin, and her sensual curls brushing her bottom just added even more.

He stopped and did as instructed cleaning himself with the warm water, something he hadn't had in a very long time, specially scented. After cleaning himself up as best as he could since he didn't have a change of clothes he dried himself up and went outside to meet her.

Lifting her gaze as the doors opened once more, Nyxea took in his appearance and frowned slightly. It would not do for him to go around with the ripped and dirty clothing, not because she was arrogant enough to not be seen with him, but because if he was bound by his word of honor then he deserved to dress like more than a slave, in her opinion. Getting up, she carefully unhooked the pin that held a cloak around her shoulders, feeling it glide softly along her skin before she walked closer to him, standing on her tip toes to wrap it around his shoulders, securing it quickly at the base of his neck. Standing back to get a better look, she nodded at herself.

"Its a bit short on you, but it should keep you warm until we reach the villa. We'll get you proper clothing tomorrow." With that, she led him outside. They passed brothels, bath houses, taverns, even a theater and a gymnasium before they reached her home at the foot of Palatine Hill.

The villa was modest, the structure itself fairly small compared to the palaces that occupied the Palatine Hill. It was decorated simply yet stylishly, the stone smooth and in a pattern that pleased the eyes. It did seem eerily empty of servants, though. Quickly, she led him to an unoccupied room close to hers, with a simple, but comfy bed inside as well as a two chests for his belongings and long table and chair.

Turning towards him once more, she gently ushered him inside. "I'll be right back to tend to your wounds." With that, she disappeared down the hall, heading for the kitchen.

She studied him, and he wondered what she was thinking, long ago he had spent time in more elevated circles of society, yet still the way her thoughts worked eluded him, the idea of promising his freedom was new, and that she would tend to his wounds... at all, not even by herself was very puzzling to Tyrius.

"Thank you" was all that he could muster in response to her doning of her own clothes to comfort him, something very unusual as well, he had never felt such a rich fabric against his skin, specially in the last years. Maybe she wanted him to look better in her company, but still in a way she was sacrificing her looks to make him be better.

They eventually reached her home, it seemed quiet, and it was much bigger than his latest accomodations, he was assigned his own bedroom, he wondered if the chest there were for decoration.

As she left him alone, he looked around the room, not daring to take the liberty to sit down or rest yet, he did however remove her cape, setting it aside for her to take.

This was a very unusual woman.

A few minutes later she returned, her arms holding a vase with fresh water, pieces of cloth and a needle and thread, should it be needed. Settling it all on the small table close to the bed, she sat on it and motioned for him to do the same. Dipping a piece of cloth in the water, she gently pulled his arm close to her and started cleaning around the closest wound.

"This is your room. You may do as you please here." she said quietly, having noticed he hadn't taken a seat before she returned, even though he was probably exhausted after his fight. As she continued to tend to the next wound, her eyes lifted to his for a second, noticing his slight confusion and even apprehension? Shaking her head a little, making some strands of hair brush along her shoulders with the motion, she added "You are my bodyguard now. Speak freely with me."

He shivered slightly as she tended his wounds, he was used to pain, but not the pain of having his wounds cleaned.

She told him to speak freely, so he decided to ask what was troubling him, it seemed that she was sincere, and for now... and until she chose to fulfill her promise she owned him.

"I want to know... why did you choose me Nyxea?, as a guardian, why do you trust my word, to not escape and to keep you safe? I'm not saying that you shouldn't trust me, I just wonder why you do... and furthermor, why do you promise me my freedom?"

As she listened to his questions and worries, she finished cleaning as many of the wounds as she could see and started applying a salve to help heal them. Her fingers were gentle and quick as she thought seriously about her answers. "I chose you because you deserve the chance to be free. I asked your previous owner how long you had been a gladiator... With your victories, you should've earned your freedom by now, if they ever intended to give it."

"As for why do I trust your word? You could've killed the man you fought today, before he could ask for mercy and you didn't." She paused then, looking up at him with a peculiar expression "If your word is not worth your honor, then I will die. My father once told me that a general doesn't order his men to give their lives for him and the Empire. They have to do it out of their sense of duty, or their swords will hesitate. I may have bought you, but I'm placing my life in your hands. That's a kind of trust that shouldn't be given lightly, and I do not."

Taking the pieces of cloth, she started to carefully bandage him as she continued to speak "If I live the three winters, you will have earned your freedom. You would've guarded my life, so I return you yours. An equal exchange of sorts."

Finishing his bandages, she got up the bed and turned towards one of the chests, taking a key from around her neck and opening it. Pulling out a tunic, she examined it, her eyes going to and fro from the clothing to him and back again. Nodding to herself as if satisfied, she placed the clean tunic in his hands, followed by the key. "This was my brother's room. All that's inside those chests that you want is yours to use. As is that." she said as she pointed to the table, a sword in its leather sheathe laying there.

He simply nodded at her answer, she was right, if he had chosen to he could have murdered the man he fought with today, it hadn't occured to him, but it was a well known rumor that when facing foreign gladiators the local ones would often go for the kill before they could give up.

He kneeled before her, and took her hand "You are giving me more than anyone ever has Nyxea" he kissed her hand "I will protect you with my sword and my life." a smirk crept to his face, proof that he was more relaxed "as funny as it is that you are the one giving me the sword."

He stood up, and turned his back to her, as he disrobed completely to put on the tunic she was giving him. As he was slowly dressing he asked her:

"You have said a few times, that if I fail you will die. I know that having a bodyguard is important, and I also noticed that this house is quite empty, still since it's my duty to protect you I must ask, is there anything that you are afraid of, some enemy or something I should be watchful of?"

Nyxea felt her cheeks heat up slightly as he kneeled before her and kissed her hand. Such a thing was only done for the Emperor and almost never for a woman. Turning away to give him some semblance of privacy as he changed, she could help remembering the little her eyes hand seen: the tones muscles, the scars marring his otherwise fair skin.

Thinking carefully of his question, she shook her head. "There is no particular person after me. Only men that want to take advantage that I am alone, maybe old enemies of my father." she said before hesitating "There is another possibility. Before my father died, he arranged a marriage for me with a councilman. If he has any enemies, they may come after me as well." he voice when she said the last was monotonous, face almost blank of any expression. It was clear what she thought of this arrangement.

Pushing those thoughts away, she looked out the window towards the garden outside. "If youd like, I could give you a tour of the place, or make us dinner, if your hungry."