Blood and Sand (pm first)

[musicankane]

Darius Marius stood on the auction dias dressed in nothing more that a loincloth and chains. Though he stood prood and powerful behind his eyes hid fear. How had his life come to this? A slave. A broken man with nothing but fate at his back. He thought back to the privious two weeks in which his family was merely on a trip through the countryside looking for better farmlands to make home.

They had ridden for months without incident. Until they crossed a Roman patrol out looking for pilage. Darius had no choice but to fight them. Fight or sit back and watch his wife and daughter be raped by the fowl bastards. Little did Darius know that killing the men only ignited his troubles further. One of the men had been the son of a senator. High ranking and powerful.

He had also been unaware that the very Senator was coming through the woods not minutes behind his family's attackers. They crippled him and made him watch in horror as they slit his family's throats. Darius roared with sorow and rage. He pleaded to be killed too, for them to finish him so that he may join his family in the afterlife.

Death would not come for Darius. Not yet anyway. That was clear as he was stared at by potential buyers. Maybe he would get lucky and someone who buy him simply to kill him quickly.

For Darius had nothing left to live for.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You have to pick one, Lydia." Came the hissing voice next to her ear.

Lydia glanced towards her impatient brother, Antony Julius, as his dark gaze burned with an inner fire. He was known for his quick temper and even quicker blade. It was because of his foolishness that they were there that day, trying to save their family name. He had always been free spending with the money that their father had left them upon his death. Their once proud household was now in dire straits and since she now held the purse strings, she was in charge of what they were after that day.

"There are not many left." He pleaded with her.

"This is my inheritance, Antony. You've already done enough damage." She murmured back, her dark gaze sliding back to the dais where a man stood waiting for his turn at auction.

She was dressed every inch the lady of Rome. Her tunic was pristine, her blonde hair curled tightly and piled on top of her head to show off her long and slender throat. She was not a vain woman, but at 23 she had managed to rebuff the advances of men that sought to make her their wife simply for the sake of a pretty face and a fruitful body. She had vowed a long time ago that she would be no mans and she intended to keep things that way.

There was something about the way that the man on the dais stood that caught her attention. He was strong of body, but he also seemed so strong of will too. He didn't cower. He didn't bow. He seemed resigned, angry...and fearful. What had he seen in his life, she asked herself as the auction started in earnest.

There was certainly interest. There were many uses for a man like him, but she only needed him for one purpose. She needed a fighter.

She raised her hand to enter a bid, a sigh of relief exiting her brother's lips as he finally sat back to watch her negotiate a price.

 

[musicankane]

Darius found himself tense as the auctioning began. Buyer put in bids for all the men on the platform. None of them looked particularly inviting as masters. Darius listened as his cost grew higher and higher to his grimace. Each bid that added coins to his price meant that his new owner would only have ever increasing expectations for his value.

Darius had killed six highly trained Roman men at the same time. A feat that surely the buyers have heard of and perhaps even desired. Darius and his family had once lived far to the North where the lands were cold and harsh. Survival meant one had to be good with a blade, quick enough not to be hunted by wolves and sharp enough to handle brutal unchecked Barbarians. Darius had grown up fighting for his life and his family.

When he daughter was born, he and his wife had only remained in the homeland long enough for their little girl to grow memories of it. Then they migrated South in the hopes of finding a more peacefully life as farmers. Instead Darius had found hell in becoming a murderer and a broken man.

Not all the buyers were tainted greedy sows. Darius found his gaze met with a very attractive noblewoman. She would be a noble to be attempting to buy a slave. Her clothing sure didn't look cheap. Perhaps being a man servant to a beautiful woman would not be the hell he antisipated. Though hell is surely what he deserved. Better to be a pig farmer forced to live in the mud. He deserved nothing But pain and suffering for all his days. Until the moment when Hades would claim him to have him suffer eternity.

He hung his head and awaited the news of his new master.

 

[heartofcourage]

The bidding got higher and higher, but Lydia would not be dissuaded. By the time that half of her money had been promised, everything suddenly stopped. She dared to hold her breath as the man controlling the auction called for more bids. She didn't dare look around, her eyes focused on the man that now had his head bowed as he waited to hear his fate.

"Sold."

That one word carried so much weight, not just for the slave, but also for his new owner. He was a means to an end and he very well might be the one that kept her from living in the gutter. Lydia glanced down as she felt her brother's broad hand on her arm, squeezing it tightly as he let out a long sigh of relief. It was only then that she dared to breathe herself.

"I'll pay." Antony announced, rising from his spot beside her.

Lydia wasn't a fool. She didn't trust her brother with money, especially not her own. She knew that whatever was left over would go into his pocket for a night of debauchery later on. She carefully reached into her pouch, pulling out just enough to cover the fee and placed it into his broad palm.

"Have him cleaned and dressed properly." She said as she stood on her own, readying to make her own exit to wait for the both of them outside. "And do not be foolish with this, Antony. We do not have room for error."

His look was dark. He didn't like being told what to do by his baby sister. He was a proud man, one that would never admit to his faults and she seemed to relish in the idea of bringing them up time and time again. She was her own force of nature, as stubborn as their father had been the sharp tongue of a harpie.

"You can trust me." He insisted as he took the coins and made his way to pay the people.

Lydia watched him go, her lips pursed tightly in a dower line. "No. I can't." She said softly to his retreating form before she finally moved to exit the building and wait.

 

[musicankane]

Darius was brought forth before his new master, his first master. He had learned only basic amounts of so called slave etiquette. For before this he had been his own man and had never owned slaves of his own. The concept was not foreign to him, but still he found him brought forth with his head down and unsure. Though it had appeared a woman had won the bid for him, it was a man who passed over the coin that seals DArius' fate.

He was brought to a cart and told to climb into the back with the dirt and they hay. From the slave market he watched the town roll by until it faded behind him like a distant memory. The home he was brought to stood at the base of a mountainside, made of fine stones arranged in a pattern of wonder Darius was beside himself to think such homes could be built. Let alone to think he would be a slave here.

The same man who paid for him pulled his chains and forced him out of the cart. "Come on you fuck." The man muttered more to himself than to Darius. Inside the house appeared far more grand than he could have thought. Yet despite the obvious wealth that had gone into building the home, there were hardly any servants around catering to the needs of the owners. Perhaps that was why Darius had been bought, to help with the clear shortage of hands.

The man pulled him along in a hurry, not allowing Darius to gather his barings and learn what he could of the home's layout. Instead he was quickly brought to a pit of water in a stone floor and pushed into the warm depths. It had been a long time since Darius had anything that could be called a warm bath and this one was the best bath he had ever had. What few servants there were, came to him to wash his back, despite his protests of being able to do it himself, they could not be deterred.

Once cleaned and dry Darius was dressed in a simple robe and taken to a dining room where the woman he had seen at the market sat at a long table, picking at varius fruits set atop it. Darius was robed, but still chained and he bowed his head before her, "I am taken to assume it is you I shall call master?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Another four servants gone, she thought to herself as she sat at the wide table of her dining room. Her father had specially commissioned that table and at the time it was one of the largest in the empire. He had enjoyed entertaining people, putting on a show for those that he saw as his peers. Now, Lydia was simply trying to keep everything afloat.

She had kept on those men and woman who sorely needed a home. She was particularly fond of a slave boy named Marcus. He was 8, precocious, fiercely loyal and hardly ever left her side. She had known him since his mother died in childbirth and she had practically helped to raise him. She treated him as if he were her own flesh and blood.

At that moment, he stood beside her, fanning her in the heat of the day as they awaited the arrival of the man from the auction. She was picking fruits when he arrived, glancing up towards him as he finally spoke. She didn't reply immediately as she offered an orange towards Marcus, giving him a fond smile and a tip of her head as he dropped his fan and scampered off with his treat.

"I bought you for a large sum of money, yes." Lydia finally said, glancing towards the stranger with her wide dark eyes. "The title itself leaves a bad taste in my mouth, however. My brother might not see things the same way that I do."

It was a warning for this man, one that told him to keep his tongue in check around the volatile Antony least he find a knife buried deep in his gut. There had been more than one servant who learned that the hard way and more than one were buried just beneath the mountain because of their troubles.

"Have a seat. We have much that we have to discuss." She said as she motioned towards the empty chair at her right side. "And I will have someone bring you a meal if you are hungry."

 

[musicankane]

Darius watched her carefully. He was unsure on what he was to do, but he needed to judge the woman slowly. Would she be cruel? No, luckily for him it didn't seem that she would be. However she had already warned that he must mind his thoughts and his tongue around her brother, the man that had escorted him.....home? Still it would good to know who was to be avoided if possible.

She gestured him to a chair and offered him of food. He gave her a small smile, "I thank you...madam? Food would serve me well, I have not eaten in four days. I fear that my manners at the table would not be suitable with my hunger." He told her keeping his head bowed.

He tentatively took the seat she had offered, the chains rattling loudly in the echoing hall. "May I ask what duties are to be expected of me? I am afraid I am not talented in housely duties but I shall try my best." He told her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Until I can be assured of my safety, you will be confined to your room in the servant's quarter." Lydia answered simply, motioning towards a serving woman who nodded and hurried off to prepare a meal for her owner and her new guest. "Your reputation proceeds you, sir. While I have bought you to use that brute strength, I do not wish to find my neck beneath a blade or a strong pair of hands any time soon."

Lydia was a practical woman, one that was completely unemotional. It was a strange thing to see, but that mask of calm had saved her life many times before. The same couldn't be said for her mother who was as irrational as the day was calm. The day her father sent her away when Antony was 7 and Lydia only four was a day that was still burned into her memory. The screams had echoed everywhere around the villa. She could still hear them in her nightmares.

"I am a very proud woman, you will come to find. I do not tolerate disrespect brought upon this household or my family name from servants. My own flesh and blood does enough of that for my liking." She told the man that she had just bought, pushing the bowl of fruit in his direction and motioning for him to eat his fill as they waited for the meal to be brought. "I will find out what your strengths are and use them to both of our advantage."

 

[musicankane]

Darius listened to her carefully, she spoke in riddles but her meaning was there. His strength is what she desired but he saw no need for heavy lifting or power around the house. There were no crops that needed tending, or heavy equipment that would be required to harvest them. So what need did she have of his strength?

She expressed desires to not having a blade at her throat, a desire that many people often shared. The comment was like a piece of the puzzle coming together, much to Darius' grim realization. He was chained still, as if she were afraid of him yet she had purchased him anyway. His reputation, she told him, it could only mean his feat at taking down six trained Romans at once had been made known. Perhaps it explained the price she had paid for him.

He opened his mouth to speak but she instead slid a bowl of fruit before him, gesturing him to eat. His stomach roared to life and stifled any protest he was about to make. His hands grabbed fruit so hastily that he crushed more that he got into his mouth. Sweetness burst through him, and he swallowed more than he chewed. Juices ran down his arms and made his hands sticky, but only seconds passed before the bowl was empty. He really hadn't been aware of even what fruit had been there to begin with.

He took a breath and reached for a cloth to wipe his hands, the chains snapped tight with a loud clang, leaving the cloth just out of reach. So he looked up at her, "You are to fight me in the arena?" His stomach tightened at the thought. "My reputation is not well deserved Master. I only bested those men because I had the element of surprise, not because I had superior skill. I doubt I will be so lucky against a Gladiator."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You will be trained, of course." Lydia said, watching as he devoured the fruit like a man dying of hunger.

She felt pity for him. Th slavers were notoriously cruel, but starving someone to this point was unnecessary. They were all still human after all. She made sure that her servants were cared for, even at her own expense from time to time. There were nights when she went to bed with hunger nawing at her belly because it was better for the people that depended on her to eat.

Reaching towards the linen napkin, she pushed it closer to him as he struggled for it against his chains. "I cannot stomach the idea of sending someone to their certain death. It is not what I wish for you. However, I do not have a choice in the matter."

Her problems were not his. He didn't need to know about her money problems or the brother that was leaching her dry day by day. Those were her troubled alone to bear.

"If in five years you are still here I will give you freedom. A plot of land to farm and anything you might need to get started." She said softly, the serving woman returning with a simple meal of hearty bread, lamb and olives for them both.

She didn't move to touch her own bowl. Instead, she watched him with dark eyes, making ire that he understood what was in front of him.

 

[musicankane]

Darius looked at his hands only to find the cloth in them to wipe the juices from his fingers. Her purpose for him left his heart heavy with grief. He was to fight, to kill, all for her gain. As much as he didn't want to do it, he had no choices in the matter. He was a slave and he would be wise to not forget that.

The bowl of meat and olives was set before him and he looked at it for a long moment. Perhaps this was a good thing. He could die in the arena and be with his family in the afterlife. Besides if he was to be her champion, it meant that he wasn't just an expendable body as with any other Battle master that could have bought him.

Perhaps even he may get revenge on that fucking senator who murdered his family. Many senators favored gladiators and even owned a few themselves. if Darius was lucky he could face those champions and slaughter them, breaking the public's favor with the senate.

Darius reached for meat and looked up at his master with a smile. "I will fight then. I suppose I should call you Domina now. With this meat I shall promise to do my all to bring you glory." He took a big bite and let his smile spread.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lydia nodded slightly as he seemed to accept his lot in life now. It would make things much easier, she decided as she watched him eat with gusto. Glancing towards the servant that had brought the bowl, she gave another nod of her head, telling her that they would need another. He should eat his fill and go to bed with a full belly knowing that he was safe for the time being.

"Marcus!" Lydia called, watching as the little boy came scrambling at her words, a half eaten orange in his hands and a bright look in his dark eyes.

She stood from her seat, a hand brushing through his black hair as she gave him a motherly smile. "You may eat at the table with our new friend. When you're finished, please show him to his room."

Glancing back at the man that she had purchased, she realized that she didn't know his name. Perhaps in time he would tell her and she decided not to ask.

"You will be sharing a room with Marcus. He's a quiet little boy, but very helpful. If there is anything you need, please ask him." Lydia said as Marcus slipped into her seat and started to eat the meal of meat and olives with gusto.

 

[musicankane]

Darius watched and listened to her commands. He had decided that it would be easier oN him if he obeyed her without qUestion. "Yes Domina." He said, confirming her orders. Darius ate the second bowl just as eagerly as the first. When he finished only a little olive oil remained in the bottom of each dish.

The boy, Marcus, got up once they finished and grabbed at him motioning him to follow. Darius rose and shambles after the boy, wondering just what his room would entail. He expected some kind of barren cell of a room. Dirt floors and bars to lock him in place.

What he got was nothing even close. The room wasn't large but it was far more than he had expected. The stone floor was clean and polished. There were two beds on either side of the room with mattresses too thick to be used by slaves. The blankets were warm and inviting. Darius almost felt all the energy drain from him that instant.

Marcus tugged on his arm, then pointed to the far bed near a window of all things. The window had bars on the outside serving as a reminder that he still was a slave. But it was welcoming to have a window to begin with.

Darius nodded, "Thank you."

Marcus jumped onto his bed in delight and curled up on top of the covers.

Darius was about to stagger to his bed, suddenly feeling his exhaustion all at once. But a voice stopped him, "Slave!"

Darius turned to see a big man holding a set of keys in his hands. "Your master commands that your chains be removes while in your room."

Relief sagged from Darius, he moved to the man and let his chains be removed. "The Domina is kind."

"You would be wise to make sure she stays that way." The man pushed Darius into the room and shut the door. Darius sighed, it was a nice cell but still a cell.

He collapsed onto his bed, stunned awake by how wonderful it felt. But he was asleep before his eyes closed.

(Ooc: I don't know why, but I kind of imagine Marcus as a bit not right in the head.)

 

[heartofcourage]

Lydia was exhausted as she sat in her dimly lit room. Before her were papers of debts that had been accrued after her father's death. Many of them were from her brother, but since he didn't have a single piece of gold to his name, she was forced to shoulder the burden of keeping her once proud family afloat. She could be a hard mistress at times, but deep in her core, she was scared, frightened, and lonely.

She would seek out the best training that she could afford for her new slave. Tiberius was a former Gladiator himself who had bested men twice his size and lived to tell his story. He was an old friend of her father and she hoped that she might be able to sweet talk him into training at a lower fee. There wasn't enough money to go around and she didn't know how she was going to continue to make ends meet.

Her belly growled in hunger, announcing that it wished to eat. She let out a long sigh, rubbing at her face with her palms as she decided that it was time for bed. Her meal had gone to feed the hungry man that looked as if he hadn't seen an act of kindness in so very long. Her morning meal would go to him too. Perhaps she would eat midday.

With those thoughts clouding her already weary mind, she stripped from her clothing, carefully tucking away her best tunic before she slipped between the sheets of her bed. Perhaps things would look better in the morning. They always tended to.

 

[musicankane]

Darius was shaken awake by small but rapid hands. He jerked to his senses as Marcus stared worried at him. The boy motioned rapidly, encouraging him to waken and hurry to his feet. Darius leapt to his feet, "Okay okay Marcus I'm woken, calm yourself boy." He growled, which sent Marcus bowing and backing away.

The sun already burned brightly through the window and Darius worried how much of the day he had slept away. He hadn't slept as soundly as he had last night in far too long, and it showed in his laziness. Darius hung his head in shame. Fine day as a slave off to a start already to upset his master.

Marcus tugging on his hand jerked him from his thoughts. "What?"

Marcus pointed to clothing on the wall and pointed back at him. Darius nodded, "Alright alright, your message is well received." Darius grabbed the tunic and pants from the wall, putting them on quickly.

Once dressed Darius was lead back to the dining room where Domina was speaking with a man who looked so battle hardened, Darius feared a war would break through the door at the very moment. The man turned to Darius upon his entering the room, his eyes roamed Darius up and down in judgement.

"This is the man you wish to become a champion?" The man said, moving forward to stand before Darius. Darius grunted as the man nudged and poked on him. "Well he is at least strong. Here is hoping that he but has some skill to back it up."

"Very well Lydia I will train this man. More to see what he can become, your choice makes me curious." He told her.

Lydia was her name. DArius had to hide a smile. At least his beautiful master had a beautiful name to match. Luck of the Gods has indeed found him. "I will do my best." He said with a head bow.

The man turned to him, "I suggest you eat, this afternoon you may wish for death." He made a final glance toward Lydia. "I beg your leave Lydia, there is much I must prepare."

 

[heartofcourage]

Lydia had tried her hardest to convince Tiberius that the man was worth his time. Of course, Tiberius had heard about the slave that had taken down Roman soldiers that had been well armed, but he was man that was hard to impress. She was slightly nervous when her slave appeared, Marcus at his side. Little Marcus had done his best to keep the newcomer on a set schedule, but she knew that he was probably exhausted from his ordeal. There would be no punishment this time.

When Tiberius announced that he would indeed train him, Lydia let out a long sigh of relief. That was the news that she needed to hear. "We will talk about payment later then."

She stood to see Tiberius off as the serving maid brought out the mid day meal. Her brother had not shown up for the breakfast that had been prepared. More than likely, he was off somewhere that he shouldn't be, wasting more of her money like the leach that he was. He didn't understand that they were barely able to hold their heads above water. Instead, he focused on drunken debauchery.

Lydia soon returned after Tiberius was gone, taking her seat at the head of the table as Marcus came to her side and another place was set for the newcomer. She didn't make it a point to dine with her servants, but there were times when she certainly enjoyed the company. She looked markedly different from the day before. She was dressed in a soft, plain wool gown of a dark yellow color. Her feet were in plain sandals and her hair was left loose, tied back with a plain leather string. She valued comfort above anything else when she was at home and not having to play the grand lady of her estate.

"I trust you slept well. Marcus was afraid that he would not be able to wake you." Lydia murmured as Marcus looked between the two of them with his great dark eyes. "I do not care if you sleep the day away, but be warned that Tiberius is a harsh taskmaster in his training. Do not make him send Claudius after you."

Claudius was the hulking man from the night before, the one that didn't mince words and had released him from his bonds. He acted as protector of the household, especially protector of Lydia when her brother was in one of his drunken rages.

 

[musicankane]

Darius was midway through the meal placed before him. His hunger did not deem the ravenous frenzy that he had shown the night before. Lydia returned and told him of what was to come for him. Darius bowed his head, "Apologies Domina, I had not expect such a comfortable bed. You honor me and yet I shame you on the very first morn by laziness. I swear it will not happen again."

He finished his food and glanced toward the big man to serve as enforcer of the house. Darius smirked toward the man, "You shall be a man I will never wish to battle."

Claudius ignored him.

Darius shrugged and turned toward Lydia. "What will you have of me then Domina, until my training is to begin?"

Tiberius appeared in the doorway. "It begins now slave. Prepare yourself for your hell has not yet begun."

Tiberius was true to his word. Darius sat at the table beaten, broken, and bloodied that very night. Both eyes swollen shut, he pawed blindly for the food that was supposedly in front of him.

Tiberius spoke, "Lydia, he is not cut out for battle. Not yet...however he has more determination than I have seen in some long while. I believe that determination could be morphed into talent for battle, if given time. I will return in two days time, give him rest and allow him to heal. I am not easily impressed, yet I stand as such. I know it is not my place to how a master treats her slaves. But this man perhaps deserves reward drink and pleasure."

Darius of course heard none of this. His head pounded with such pain that he could not hear nor see of what was happening around him. "TIBERIUS TRAINS WITH POWER HAND DOMINA!" He shouted to barely hear himself. "I AM EAGER TO IMPROVE! I BELIEVE HE WILL MAKE ME POWERFUL FOR YOU!"

 

[heartofcourage]

The news that her new slave would do well in the arena was welcome. It meant that she had not invested poorly. She listened to Tiberius's warning that he needed to rest, pleasure, food and drink and she let out a long sigh of a broken woman. If there was anyone out there that would understand her troubles, it was Tiberius.

"I cannot afford those luxuries." She said to him in a soft tone as she heard her slave yelling at her from the table, his head ringing from the boxing that Tiberius must have given him during training. "Antony spends enough to keep me firmly in debt."

She wouldn't take a handout. Lydia was much too proud for that. She felt guilty that she could not give her servants the things that they needed, save a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Perhaps that was all that they really needed in the first place.

"I will come up with something to reward him, though." She promised her old friend, thanking him again before she allowed him to leave and she took her spot at the table.

She saw him struggling to reach the meal that was in front of him and she let out a long sigh. His would not be an easy road, but she wanted to make his time with her at least pleasant. She reached out, taking his large hand in her own and placing it securely on the plate.

 

[musicankane]

Darius's vision remained blurry, even as soft hand placed his on the plate of food before him. He could blindly grasp for the food now and he nodded, "THANK YOU!" He said loudly. He ate slowly, his jaw hurt to much to chew quickly. Part of him delighted in the pain, it showed him that he was alive, that there was progress he could work towards.

As he ate, he thought of his family. It hurt his head to think of them, and hurt his heart that he could no longer clearly recall them. He sobbed, softly but gave no indiciation of anything more of his physical pain. Once his food was finished he looked toward his master.

"Domina..." He whispered, "May I be bathed? I fear your wonderful bed, should not be caked in my blood."

The toll on the day had him so weary that it was hard to speak, hard to hold up his head even. In the chair he sat, he but slumped.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lydia watched as he ate, her eyes missing nothing. He was a proud man who had been through a lot. She knew that he had been captured with his family and it didn't take a scholar to know that his family had probably been disposed of. She knew that heartache very well. It was never a pleasure to lose someone that you loved so dearly.

"Do not worry about the bed." She said softly as she stood and motioned to Marcus. "Get some sleep. In the morning, you shall have a bath."

As Marcus dutifully led him away, Lydia let out a tired sigh. She was exhausted, mentally and physically. She wished that the Gods might take pity on her and give her a glimmer of hope that she so sorely needed. As she walked through the hallway of the villa, she paused as she heard the noise of her brother's snoring. He had been out the night before, drank himself into oblivion and had not come out of his room since he had returned home in the early morning.

She peeked her head inside, glancing towards the oil lamp at his bedside. He was still asleep, an arm thrown over his eyes. Next to him on his bed stand was a small pile of gold. He might have been lucky the night before. She would never know, but that little bit of money would go a long way. Silently she made her way towards it, taking a few coins from the top before she silently exited again. It would be enough to give her new slave what he wanted without draining her own purse.

 

[musicankane]

In the morning when Marcus woke him Darius found his eyes healed enough to open. The ringing in his ears was gone, and all of his wounds had at least closed. He moved slowly though so that he would not reopen anything of note. His sheets had blood all over them and he shook his head with a sigh, it had been out of his hands, still he had wished he could have cleaned himself at least before falling to the mattress.

Marcus led him back to the dining hall, Darius able to walk with his entire body aching but no worse than last night. It seemed Tiberious was fantastic with him, in the sense that when he beat the shit out of him, it was done in a way that would heal quickly. Darius now knew why he would only be given two days to heal. By tomorrow he would be able to fight.

His Domina sat at the end of the table when he entered the room. Food half eaten before her. "Good morning Domina." He told her carefully finding his seat. "I will be ready for further training in the morrow. I find myself eager for battle, something I had never thought myself capable of." He explained with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sleep had not come easy for her the evening before. The stolen coin from her brother weighed heavily on her mind, but she knew that Tiberius would not steer her wrong. Lydia was weary when Marcus and the slave came in for their morning meal.

She was a bit taken back as he announced that he was ready for further training. It seemed a little blood thirsty to her, but she would not dissuade him. She needed him to have the instincts of a killer and she hoped that he would hold his own against the other gladiators.

"Claudius will be taking you into town today." She announced, sliding the pouch of gold coins across the table towards him. "Tiberius suggested a reward and a reward I will provide. You may spend this on anything that your heart desires."

 

[musicankane]

Darius felt the pouch of gold in his hands. What could he possibly want to buy? Claudius nudged the chair as Darius finished his meal. "Hurry yourself, I will not wait for a slave." Darius looked at the man with irritation. "Do not gaze at me with such a glare or I'll rip your fucking eyes out slave!"

Darius rose slowly from his chair. It was odd that the head of the house was far more kind than that of her own guards. Though it made much sense. The guards had to be quick to rage and action in order to provide protection. Darius was taken outside where a cart waited to take him into town.

On the ride Darius played with the pouch of gold in his hand, wondering what he was suppose to do with it. Perhaps he could buy some clothing....no he would not be allowed to where much in the arena or training. He had no desire for anything that he could think of. That alone bothered him, was he already such a slave that he had no desire for personal possessions.

The cart came to a stop in front of a large building, the sounds of lust from within clearly heard. Claudius came around and motioned Darius out of the car. "We are here. Go take care of your needs quickly, this street smells like piss."

Darius stood on the street looking at the building. "A brothel? Why would I spend coin here?"

"Domina has been advised by Tiberius that spilling seed makes a man more focused for battle. So get to it so that we may be back at the house." Claudius explained.

Darius looked at the building and then the pouch. A slow smile spread across his face. He turned and patted Claudius on the chest. "I better get to work then."

Three hours later Claudius stormed into the lobby of the brothel furious. DArius was chugging rich wine and had a whore on his lap feeding him fruit. "SLAVE!" CLaudius roared. Storming over her grabbed the whore and threw her from Darius' lap. "Why do I find you flooded in wine and not cock in whore?"

Darius smiled and handed Claudius a cup of wine, "Drink Claudius, you are too uptight man."

Claudius slapped the cup from his hand and jerked him to unsteady feet. "You disobey an order! Come the Domina will hear of your shit!"

Claudius slugged Darius unconscious and took him back to the house to face the Domina.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lydia was not happy as she paced back and forth in front of her two slaves. Claudius had a furious look on his face and the other seemed woozy from a hit to the head. She paused in her pacing, looking between the two of them before she thought of her words carefully.

"Claudius...I put my trust in you to keep this household safe. You overstep yourself from time to time." She said, her eyes locked on his so that he made no mistake just how upset she was. "That money was for him to spend however he saw fit. Your anger has brought shame to me. Tiberius will give you punishment when he arrives in the morning."

With that, she dismissed him with a flick of her wrist, turning her eyes towards her newest slave. "And you. Three hours in a brothel is not conducive to your training. Three hours ate up all of your coin. Are you as reckless as the other men in this household?"

 

[musicankane]

Darius did not understand her anger. One moment she say that the gold was for him to spend as he saw fit, then she berates him for how he spent his money. He hid a smirk as Claudius was announced to have punishment. Then he bowed his head deeper.

"Apologies Domina. Claudius brought me to the brothel to spend the coin and I simply did as I thought I was supposed too. I did not buy a woman though....the memories of my family are but too fresh to think of such things. So instead I spent time entertaining drink so Claudius would think I laid with a woman. I did not know I was to make a sound purchase or I would have never done as I did." He kept his head low and hoped he would not be punished the same as Claudius.

"Tiberius had made mention of spilling seed would but increase my focus in combat. I assume Claudius had the best intentions at heart by seeing my focus strengthened." Darius explained, thinking he may help Claudius have reduced punishment and get on the guards good side. Possibly to avoid being hit so hard in the future.