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Lukos’s stomach still roiled, even from the few days they’d been at sea. His cagemate was a boy who was around ten or so but much smaller than Lukos, who was two years the boy’s junior. They’d both been taken from the mines, along with three others. All five children had a hollow, quiet, sallow look about them. A day into the journey, Captain Sophos had taken issue with one of the boys and tossed him into the sea. That had been enough for Lukos. He didn’t say a single word after that. Not about being hungry or thirsty. In the time they’d been sailing, he’d only been fed once and had vomited it up. He’d been given water several times but the rations were small and never constant.
He lay on the floor of the cage, dully staring out from the bars into the darkness of the hold. The ship was cavernous to him. Cavernous and damp. It creaked constantly. Boots thudded two decks up. A drum pounded from the deck immediately above them, where the rowers sat. The slave cages sat on small platforms, tied down so that they wouldn’t topple over. Bilge water spewed around them. It smelled like shit and piss.
He shifted and turned the other way, facing the stairs. The ship rocked hard and he and his cagemate rolled into the bars. Just as they’d found their equilibrium, the ship pitched the opposite direction. He didn’t dare make a sound, not even when his elbow jammed against a sharp corner, earning him a cut. He could never trust where Captain Sophos or the vile first mate would be at any given moment. The other boy had been thrown over the side of the ship for crying too much. That had cured the other boys of any tears they wanted to shed.
Again, the ship rocked and then his stomach bottomed out when the ship felt like it went into a freefall. He did not know that they were careening through the Hydra’s Teeth island chain or that they had just narrowly escaped a whirlpool. All he could see were the thinnest shafts of light and the dim square of the doorway where someone would enter to come get them. It took an interminable amount of time but the ship leveled out and sailed tranquilly again.
The drumming stopped and he heard the groaning and scraping of the oars sliding inward on their wooden railings. Men shouted to one another and a thunder of feet clamped and pounded above. “What’s happening?” Typhian, his cagemate asked.
“Shh,” Lukos hissed. He pushed his unruly hair away from his eyes and clung to the bars, hardly daring to breathe. What he did not know was that the Aceton was gliding into the serene, natural crescent harbor made by Sophos’s private island. He did not know that this would be where he was to live for nearly the rest of his life.
All he did know was that boots were coming down the stairs and men were tromping into the hold to come and jerk the cages off the platforms and lift them up into the blinding sunlight. Lukos bit the inside of his cheek as their cage was lifted. He tried to be as still as possible while the men grunted and hefted the cage up the stairs and then across the huge deck.
White light blinded him and he blinked, peering around. From what he could make out, there were quite a few trees. More trees than he’d ever seen. The island was steep and boasted mostly forest, but he gawked at the pristine stretch of white beach as the cage was trundled down the gangway and then dropped unceremoniously on the dock. He was surrounded by barrels and crates and course sacks of grain.
Until he was told to stand, he wouldn’t, though he desperately wanted to. Instead he sat, peering around at the strange people who’d gathered.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Lukos’s stomach still roiled, even from the few days they’d been at sea. His cagemate was a boy who was around ten or so but much smaller than Lukos, who was two years the boy’s junior. They’d both been taken from the mines, along with three others. All five children had a hollow, quiet, sallow look about them. A day into the journey, Captain Sophos had taken issue with one of the boys and tossed him into the sea. That had been enough for Lukos. He didn’t say a single word after that. Not about being hungry or thirsty. In the time they’d been sailing, he’d only been fed once and had vomited it up. He’d been given water several times but the rations were small and never constant.
He lay on the floor of the cage, dully staring out from the bars into the darkness of the hold. The ship was cavernous to him. Cavernous and damp. It creaked constantly. Boots thudded two decks up. A drum pounded from the deck immediately above them, where the rowers sat. The slave cages sat on small platforms, tied down so that they wouldn’t topple over. Bilge water spewed around them. It smelled like shit and piss.
He shifted and turned the other way, facing the stairs. The ship rocked hard and he and his cagemate rolled into the bars. Just as they’d found their equilibrium, the ship pitched the opposite direction. He didn’t dare make a sound, not even when his elbow jammed against a sharp corner, earning him a cut. He could never trust where Captain Sophos or the vile first mate would be at any given moment. The other boy had been thrown over the side of the ship for crying too much. That had cured the other boys of any tears they wanted to shed.
Again, the ship rocked and then his stomach bottomed out when the ship felt like it went into a freefall. He did not know that they were careening through the Hydra’s Teeth island chain or that they had just narrowly escaped a whirlpool. All he could see were the thinnest shafts of light and the dim square of the doorway where someone would enter to come get them. It took an interminable amount of time but the ship leveled out and sailed tranquilly again.
The drumming stopped and he heard the groaning and scraping of the oars sliding inward on their wooden railings. Men shouted to one another and a thunder of feet clamped and pounded above. “What’s happening?” Typhian, his cagemate asked.
“Shh,” Lukos hissed. He pushed his unruly hair away from his eyes and clung to the bars, hardly daring to breathe. What he did not know was that the Aceton was gliding into the serene, natural crescent harbor made by Sophos’s private island. He did not know that this would be where he was to live for nearly the rest of his life.
All he did know was that boots were coming down the stairs and men were tromping into the hold to come and jerk the cages off the platforms and lift them up into the blinding sunlight. Lukos bit the inside of his cheek as their cage was lifted. He tried to be as still as possible while the men grunted and hefted the cage up the stairs and then across the huge deck.
White light blinded him and he blinked, peering around. From what he could make out, there were quite a few trees. More trees than he’d ever seen. The island was steep and boasted mostly forest, but he gawked at the pristine stretch of white beach as the cage was trundled down the gangway and then dropped unceremoniously on the dock. He was surrounded by barrels and crates and course sacks of grain.
Until he was told to stand, he wouldn’t, though he desperately wanted to. Instead he sat, peering around at the strange people who’d gathered.
Lukos’s stomach still roiled, even from the few days they’d been at sea. His cagemate was a boy who was around ten or so but much smaller than Lukos, who was two years the boy’s junior. They’d both been taken from the mines, along with three others. All five children had a hollow, quiet, sallow look about them. A day into the journey, Captain Sophos had taken issue with one of the boys and tossed him into the sea. That had been enough for Lukos. He didn’t say a single word after that. Not about being hungry or thirsty. In the time they’d been sailing, he’d only been fed once and had vomited it up. He’d been given water several times but the rations were small and never constant.
He lay on the floor of the cage, dully staring out from the bars into the darkness of the hold. The ship was cavernous to him. Cavernous and damp. It creaked constantly. Boots thudded two decks up. A drum pounded from the deck immediately above them, where the rowers sat. The slave cages sat on small platforms, tied down so that they wouldn’t topple over. Bilge water spewed around them. It smelled like shit and piss.
He shifted and turned the other way, facing the stairs. The ship rocked hard and he and his cagemate rolled into the bars. Just as they’d found their equilibrium, the ship pitched the opposite direction. He didn’t dare make a sound, not even when his elbow jammed against a sharp corner, earning him a cut. He could never trust where Captain Sophos or the vile first mate would be at any given moment. The other boy had been thrown over the side of the ship for crying too much. That had cured the other boys of any tears they wanted to shed.
Again, the ship rocked and then his stomach bottomed out when the ship felt like it went into a freefall. He did not know that they were careening through the Hydra’s Teeth island chain or that they had just narrowly escaped a whirlpool. All he could see were the thinnest shafts of light and the dim square of the doorway where someone would enter to come get them. It took an interminable amount of time but the ship leveled out and sailed tranquilly again.
The drumming stopped and he heard the groaning and scraping of the oars sliding inward on their wooden railings. Men shouted to one another and a thunder of feet clamped and pounded above. “What’s happening?” Typhian, his cagemate asked.
“Shh,” Lukos hissed. He pushed his unruly hair away from his eyes and clung to the bars, hardly daring to breathe. What he did not know was that the Aceton was gliding into the serene, natural crescent harbor made by Sophos’s private island. He did not know that this would be where he was to live for nearly the rest of his life.
All he did know was that boots were coming down the stairs and men were tromping into the hold to come and jerk the cages off the platforms and lift them up into the blinding sunlight. Lukos bit the inside of his cheek as their cage was lifted. He tried to be as still as possible while the men grunted and hefted the cage up the stairs and then across the huge deck.
White light blinded him and he blinked, peering around. From what he could make out, there were quite a few trees. More trees than he’d ever seen. The island was steep and boasted mostly forest, but he gawked at the pristine stretch of white beach as the cage was trundled down the gangway and then dropped unceremoniously on the dock. He was surrounded by barrels and crates and course sacks of grain.
Until he was told to stand, he wouldn’t, though he desperately wanted to. Instead he sat, peering around at the strange people who’d gathered.
Her little legs could never carry her fast enough. She tripped over her feet and her hair always fell in her face despite her mother's attempts to tame the wild mess. Sometimes Billa would take olive oil to the curls in an attempt to soothe the wildness, but it never lasted long. Skylla was always moving, always active. Sometimes she'd get into a fight and some other kid would pull her hair and mess up all the effort her mother had put into making her look somewhat presentable.
Being so tiny, Skylla didn't really appreciate it. She hated sitting still while her mom fussed. She just wanted to run and explore and avoid chores. Her father never made her do anything and she milked it for all it was worth. It didn't matter that Sophos was often mean to her. He was her papa and she loved him more than anything.
Especially her mother.
So when the Aceton came into view from one of the small cliffs by the old temple to Ares, Skylla's eyes went wide. He was back! They were all back! "Hey!" Skylla called to a few of the other kids who were playing close to the temple. "They're back!" the little girl squealed, taking off down the pathway and leaving the rocks she had been gathering in her dress behind.
Her gown tripped her sometimes and Skylla almost wanted to ask her Billa to cut it short. But no. She wasn't going to ask Billa for anything because it often meant negotiating the woman playing with her hair and she hated braids. Stubborn to the ends of the earth, she was in another stubborn, spoiled cycle of pretending she didn't have to follow any rules.
After all, her dad ruled this island! That was reason enough for her to avoid any duty at all, right? If he didn't make her do anything, that meant everyone else couldn't, too!
Bolting along the path, through the large grove of trees, through the tiny village and right onto the docks, Skylla's bare feet slid a little. Trying not to get splinters in her toes, she ended up sliding right onto her butt in front of a metal cage holding too boys. With her skirt landing in a not so flattering position, Skylla squeaked and quickly pulled the hem of the fabric down with heat coloring her cheeks. Embarrassed, the girl pushed herself back to her feet, standing on her tip toes to try and look over the top of the cage to catch sight of her father.
He seemed busy and she couldn't help but push out her bottom lip into a pout, crossing tiny arms against her chest. It was only really then that she took real notice of the boys, approaching the cage with curiosity in her eyes. "Hello..." she mused shyly, her dark eyes wide, "Why are you in cages?" Skylla was leaning forward, whispering through the bars like Sophos might come up behind them at any time.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Her little legs could never carry her fast enough. She tripped over her feet and her hair always fell in her face despite her mother's attempts to tame the wild mess. Sometimes Billa would take olive oil to the curls in an attempt to soothe the wildness, but it never lasted long. Skylla was always moving, always active. Sometimes she'd get into a fight and some other kid would pull her hair and mess up all the effort her mother had put into making her look somewhat presentable.
Being so tiny, Skylla didn't really appreciate it. She hated sitting still while her mom fussed. She just wanted to run and explore and avoid chores. Her father never made her do anything and she milked it for all it was worth. It didn't matter that Sophos was often mean to her. He was her papa and she loved him more than anything.
Especially her mother.
So when the Aceton came into view from one of the small cliffs by the old temple to Ares, Skylla's eyes went wide. He was back! They were all back! "Hey!" Skylla called to a few of the other kids who were playing close to the temple. "They're back!" the little girl squealed, taking off down the pathway and leaving the rocks she had been gathering in her dress behind.
Her gown tripped her sometimes and Skylla almost wanted to ask her Billa to cut it short. But no. She wasn't going to ask Billa for anything because it often meant negotiating the woman playing with her hair and she hated braids. Stubborn to the ends of the earth, she was in another stubborn, spoiled cycle of pretending she didn't have to follow any rules.
After all, her dad ruled this island! That was reason enough for her to avoid any duty at all, right? If he didn't make her do anything, that meant everyone else couldn't, too!
Bolting along the path, through the large grove of trees, through the tiny village and right onto the docks, Skylla's bare feet slid a little. Trying not to get splinters in her toes, she ended up sliding right onto her butt in front of a metal cage holding too boys. With her skirt landing in a not so flattering position, Skylla squeaked and quickly pulled the hem of the fabric down with heat coloring her cheeks. Embarrassed, the girl pushed herself back to her feet, standing on her tip toes to try and look over the top of the cage to catch sight of her father.
He seemed busy and she couldn't help but push out her bottom lip into a pout, crossing tiny arms against her chest. It was only really then that she took real notice of the boys, approaching the cage with curiosity in her eyes. "Hello..." she mused shyly, her dark eyes wide, "Why are you in cages?" Skylla was leaning forward, whispering through the bars like Sophos might come up behind them at any time.
Her little legs could never carry her fast enough. She tripped over her feet and her hair always fell in her face despite her mother's attempts to tame the wild mess. Sometimes Billa would take olive oil to the curls in an attempt to soothe the wildness, but it never lasted long. Skylla was always moving, always active. Sometimes she'd get into a fight and some other kid would pull her hair and mess up all the effort her mother had put into making her look somewhat presentable.
Being so tiny, Skylla didn't really appreciate it. She hated sitting still while her mom fussed. She just wanted to run and explore and avoid chores. Her father never made her do anything and she milked it for all it was worth. It didn't matter that Sophos was often mean to her. He was her papa and she loved him more than anything.
Especially her mother.
So when the Aceton came into view from one of the small cliffs by the old temple to Ares, Skylla's eyes went wide. He was back! They were all back! "Hey!" Skylla called to a few of the other kids who were playing close to the temple. "They're back!" the little girl squealed, taking off down the pathway and leaving the rocks she had been gathering in her dress behind.
Her gown tripped her sometimes and Skylla almost wanted to ask her Billa to cut it short. But no. She wasn't going to ask Billa for anything because it often meant negotiating the woman playing with her hair and she hated braids. Stubborn to the ends of the earth, she was in another stubborn, spoiled cycle of pretending she didn't have to follow any rules.
After all, her dad ruled this island! That was reason enough for her to avoid any duty at all, right? If he didn't make her do anything, that meant everyone else couldn't, too!
Bolting along the path, through the large grove of trees, through the tiny village and right onto the docks, Skylla's bare feet slid a little. Trying not to get splinters in her toes, she ended up sliding right onto her butt in front of a metal cage holding too boys. With her skirt landing in a not so flattering position, Skylla squeaked and quickly pulled the hem of the fabric down with heat coloring her cheeks. Embarrassed, the girl pushed herself back to her feet, standing on her tip toes to try and look over the top of the cage to catch sight of her father.
He seemed busy and she couldn't help but push out her bottom lip into a pout, crossing tiny arms against her chest. It was only really then that she took real notice of the boys, approaching the cage with curiosity in her eyes. "Hello..." she mused shyly, her dark eyes wide, "Why are you in cages?" Skylla was leaning forward, whispering through the bars like Sophos might come up behind them at any time.
Lukos kept his back to the bars as he watched men setting more cages here and there. All of them held people. Some he knew, some he didn't. A few had darker skin than he'd ever seen. Those were ones he watched with unabashed interest, though whenever he caught sight of Captain Sophos or the first mate, Hermion, he jerked his eyes downward.
Hermion stalked down the gangway, tossing a huge sack of grain down near to the cage containing two of the other boys taken. Lukos looked out of the corner of his eye at Hermion as the man kicked the other cage and shouted. Typhian started to breathe fast beside him but Lukos elbowed him hard in the ribs. If Typhian cried, it might attract the first mate to come here. At that, Typhian shot Lukos a hard glare but submitted and did not burst into tears.
Huge white birds cawed overhead. Boots tromped in hollow thuds. Men shouted, and then he heard a sound that was so out of place, so confusing, it made him grab the bars and look around. Children, laughing, tumbled one right after the other, around the beach and onto the docks. He pushed his mop of dark curly hair out of his face and watched a little girl race towards the ship.
How many children had this man captured? And why were they so happy? He didn't understand. Everything he'd experienced up to now had been night and day different to what his own mother had done for him. Perhaps not the notion of a master; that was the same. But the harshness and the total willingness to kill them if they made the captain annoyed - that was new.
He watched, dumbfounded, as a little girl darted onto the docks. Her gait was unsteady and all it took was a minor thing to send her tumbling headlong across the dock. She landed right in front of him. He was too young to pay her skirt and its position on her any notice. He was simply fascinated that she was apparently free to roam around.
Typhian, too, was interested. Because Typhian was so small, Typhian and Lukos looked to be the same age. Neither of them were that much older than she appeared to be. She wasn't paying them any attention, though. She was looking at the ship.
Lukos gave Typhian a look. Who or what did she want from there? And why? After a few seconds of pouting, she finally looked down at them and spoke.
She whispered and Lukos didn't know what to tell her, because no one had told him. All he knew was he was here against his will. "I want to go home," he dared but that was his mistake.
Hermion happened to pass them right at that moment. "Get away from them, Skylla," he growled and then rammed his boot hard enough against the cage that Lukos knocked his head on the bars. "They're not playmates."
Lukos glared at Typhian's back. He was too young and naive to contemplate retribution, but he was nursing some serious hatred.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Lukos kept his back to the bars as he watched men setting more cages here and there. All of them held people. Some he knew, some he didn't. A few had darker skin than he'd ever seen. Those were ones he watched with unabashed interest, though whenever he caught sight of Captain Sophos or the first mate, Hermion, he jerked his eyes downward.
Hermion stalked down the gangway, tossing a huge sack of grain down near to the cage containing two of the other boys taken. Lukos looked out of the corner of his eye at Hermion as the man kicked the other cage and shouted. Typhian started to breathe fast beside him but Lukos elbowed him hard in the ribs. If Typhian cried, it might attract the first mate to come here. At that, Typhian shot Lukos a hard glare but submitted and did not burst into tears.
Huge white birds cawed overhead. Boots tromped in hollow thuds. Men shouted, and then he heard a sound that was so out of place, so confusing, it made him grab the bars and look around. Children, laughing, tumbled one right after the other, around the beach and onto the docks. He pushed his mop of dark curly hair out of his face and watched a little girl race towards the ship.
How many children had this man captured? And why were they so happy? He didn't understand. Everything he'd experienced up to now had been night and day different to what his own mother had done for him. Perhaps not the notion of a master; that was the same. But the harshness and the total willingness to kill them if they made the captain annoyed - that was new.
He watched, dumbfounded, as a little girl darted onto the docks. Her gait was unsteady and all it took was a minor thing to send her tumbling headlong across the dock. She landed right in front of him. He was too young to pay her skirt and its position on her any notice. He was simply fascinated that she was apparently free to roam around.
Typhian, too, was interested. Because Typhian was so small, Typhian and Lukos looked to be the same age. Neither of them were that much older than she appeared to be. She wasn't paying them any attention, though. She was looking at the ship.
Lukos gave Typhian a look. Who or what did she want from there? And why? After a few seconds of pouting, she finally looked down at them and spoke.
She whispered and Lukos didn't know what to tell her, because no one had told him. All he knew was he was here against his will. "I want to go home," he dared but that was his mistake.
Hermion happened to pass them right at that moment. "Get away from them, Skylla," he growled and then rammed his boot hard enough against the cage that Lukos knocked his head on the bars. "They're not playmates."
Lukos glared at Typhian's back. He was too young and naive to contemplate retribution, but he was nursing some serious hatred.
Lukos kept his back to the bars as he watched men setting more cages here and there. All of them held people. Some he knew, some he didn't. A few had darker skin than he'd ever seen. Those were ones he watched with unabashed interest, though whenever he caught sight of Captain Sophos or the first mate, Hermion, he jerked his eyes downward.
Hermion stalked down the gangway, tossing a huge sack of grain down near to the cage containing two of the other boys taken. Lukos looked out of the corner of his eye at Hermion as the man kicked the other cage and shouted. Typhian started to breathe fast beside him but Lukos elbowed him hard in the ribs. If Typhian cried, it might attract the first mate to come here. At that, Typhian shot Lukos a hard glare but submitted and did not burst into tears.
Huge white birds cawed overhead. Boots tromped in hollow thuds. Men shouted, and then he heard a sound that was so out of place, so confusing, it made him grab the bars and look around. Children, laughing, tumbled one right after the other, around the beach and onto the docks. He pushed his mop of dark curly hair out of his face and watched a little girl race towards the ship.
How many children had this man captured? And why were they so happy? He didn't understand. Everything he'd experienced up to now had been night and day different to what his own mother had done for him. Perhaps not the notion of a master; that was the same. But the harshness and the total willingness to kill them if they made the captain annoyed - that was new.
He watched, dumbfounded, as a little girl darted onto the docks. Her gait was unsteady and all it took was a minor thing to send her tumbling headlong across the dock. She landed right in front of him. He was too young to pay her skirt and its position on her any notice. He was simply fascinated that she was apparently free to roam around.
Typhian, too, was interested. Because Typhian was so small, Typhian and Lukos looked to be the same age. Neither of them were that much older than she appeared to be. She wasn't paying them any attention, though. She was looking at the ship.
Lukos gave Typhian a look. Who or what did she want from there? And why? After a few seconds of pouting, she finally looked down at them and spoke.
She whispered and Lukos didn't know what to tell her, because no one had told him. All he knew was he was here against his will. "I want to go home," he dared but that was his mistake.
Hermion happened to pass them right at that moment. "Get away from them, Skylla," he growled and then rammed his boot hard enough against the cage that Lukos knocked his head on the bars. "They're not playmates."
Lukos glared at Typhian's back. He was too young and naive to contemplate retribution, but he was nursing some serious hatred.
Skylla had no particular love for Hermion. He wasn't her father and he was rude all the time. She didn't make the connection that her father had taken the children against their will, her six-year-old mind just settled on the fact that there were more children on the island now! This was wonderful! She was so bored with the current playmates. There were only so many times they could skip stones across the ocean waters or climb to the top of the temple.
But only when her dad wasn't on the island. Otherwise, they all stayed far away simply because everyone was so excited to have their parents back on the island. Skylla had a tendency to impress her tiny self on her rather uncaring father regardless of whether he wanted her or not. Sophos never really wanted anything to do with her, but she was too young to see that he didn't actually give much of a lick about her.
Staring defiantly up at Hermion as he kicked the cage, the little girl put both of her hands no her hips. "And why not? They're just like me! Why can't they play?" then she was turning to face the shore were a few of the other kids were jumping about, tripping over each other in their excitement for their fathers to return. She bent forward a little, giving herself more a defiant stance as she stared down Hermion.
He was being so rude! These boys were kids. They should have been allowed to run around and explore with her! That was why they have been brought here, right? Just for her. She even nodded to herself, affirming her own silent conversation. Her gaze drifted back to both boys, her features lighting up. That's right. They would be her playmates! There could be no other reason that her papa had brought them here. Children were a joy, right? That was what her mother always said!
It was then that she spotted her mother looking for her from the docks. Squeaking, she slipped around the other side of the cage, hiding in Lukos' shadow and praying Hermion wouldn't give away her location. When she thought the man was no longer paying attention, she spoke quietly at Lukos' back. "Where did you come from?" Skylla asked. This was a purely selfish question. No place could be better than the island! Nowhere! It wasn't possible. This island was her home and it should have been good enough for anyone.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Skylla had no particular love for Hermion. He wasn't her father and he was rude all the time. She didn't make the connection that her father had taken the children against their will, her six-year-old mind just settled on the fact that there were more children on the island now! This was wonderful! She was so bored with the current playmates. There were only so many times they could skip stones across the ocean waters or climb to the top of the temple.
But only when her dad wasn't on the island. Otherwise, they all stayed far away simply because everyone was so excited to have their parents back on the island. Skylla had a tendency to impress her tiny self on her rather uncaring father regardless of whether he wanted her or not. Sophos never really wanted anything to do with her, but she was too young to see that he didn't actually give much of a lick about her.
Staring defiantly up at Hermion as he kicked the cage, the little girl put both of her hands no her hips. "And why not? They're just like me! Why can't they play?" then she was turning to face the shore were a few of the other kids were jumping about, tripping over each other in their excitement for their fathers to return. She bent forward a little, giving herself more a defiant stance as she stared down Hermion.
He was being so rude! These boys were kids. They should have been allowed to run around and explore with her! That was why they have been brought here, right? Just for her. She even nodded to herself, affirming her own silent conversation. Her gaze drifted back to both boys, her features lighting up. That's right. They would be her playmates! There could be no other reason that her papa had brought them here. Children were a joy, right? That was what her mother always said!
It was then that she spotted her mother looking for her from the docks. Squeaking, she slipped around the other side of the cage, hiding in Lukos' shadow and praying Hermion wouldn't give away her location. When she thought the man was no longer paying attention, she spoke quietly at Lukos' back. "Where did you come from?" Skylla asked. This was a purely selfish question. No place could be better than the island! Nowhere! It wasn't possible. This island was her home and it should have been good enough for anyone.
Skylla had no particular love for Hermion. He wasn't her father and he was rude all the time. She didn't make the connection that her father had taken the children against their will, her six-year-old mind just settled on the fact that there were more children on the island now! This was wonderful! She was so bored with the current playmates. There were only so many times they could skip stones across the ocean waters or climb to the top of the temple.
But only when her dad wasn't on the island. Otherwise, they all stayed far away simply because everyone was so excited to have their parents back on the island. Skylla had a tendency to impress her tiny self on her rather uncaring father regardless of whether he wanted her or not. Sophos never really wanted anything to do with her, but she was too young to see that he didn't actually give much of a lick about her.
Staring defiantly up at Hermion as he kicked the cage, the little girl put both of her hands no her hips. "And why not? They're just like me! Why can't they play?" then she was turning to face the shore were a few of the other kids were jumping about, tripping over each other in their excitement for their fathers to return. She bent forward a little, giving herself more a defiant stance as she stared down Hermion.
He was being so rude! These boys were kids. They should have been allowed to run around and explore with her! That was why they have been brought here, right? Just for her. She even nodded to herself, affirming her own silent conversation. Her gaze drifted back to both boys, her features lighting up. That's right. They would be her playmates! There could be no other reason that her papa had brought them here. Children were a joy, right? That was what her mother always said!
It was then that she spotted her mother looking for her from the docks. Squeaking, she slipped around the other side of the cage, hiding in Lukos' shadow and praying Hermion wouldn't give away her location. When she thought the man was no longer paying attention, she spoke quietly at Lukos' back. "Where did you come from?" Skylla asked. This was a purely selfish question. No place could be better than the island! Nowhere! It wasn't possible. This island was her home and it should have been good enough for anyone.
He was so confused and fascinated by this little girl. Why wasn’t Hermion tossing her into the water? Lukos had never seen a lagoon before and didn’t know what to call it. He also hadn’t seen that this natural harbor was in the shape of a crescent or that there was a little village on the far side of the lagoon. The village was currently hidden by the Aceton’s hull which blocked his view of anything on his right side. To his left was nothing but thick trees and through the little cracks of light between tree trunks, he could see more ocean. A dead end.
Hermion moved away from the cage and from the little girl, throwing her a look of loathing but doing nothing else. More children swarmed and he was dumbfounded. Women followed these children and he was slowly realizing that these people must live here. His situation in life had not changed, then, he realized. He was still a slave, only he was no longer going to be one that would go to the mines, nor would he serve in the house with his mother.
At the thought of her, his eyes burned and he roughly wiped his eyes with the back of his grubby hand. He missed her and, though he was eight, he knew that he would never see her again. His throat closed up and he wanted to bury his face but the little girl darted around the cage suddenly, distracting him. Since Hermion was gone, he twisted around to follow her progress, still miffed by her buoyant personality. Typhian too, was curious but the thin boy’s eyes kept drifting up to the ship, knowing they were going to get screamed at any second.
"Where did you come from?" The little girl asked.
“We’re from Magnemea,” he sniffed loudly and earned a cuff on the back of his neck from Typhian. Lukos narrowed his eyes at his cage mate. “Don’t touch me,” he said. Typhian was not afraid but didn’t make another move. All he said was, ”Shut up, dumby.”
Captain Sophos appeared at the top of the gangway, looking down on the dock. He noticed Skylla talking to two of the new boys but that wasn’t much of a concern. What he did want was for the slaves to be loaded into the caves. Since there wasn’t anywhere to keep the new recruits for now, they could stay there.
“Load the slaves,” he barked.
Men stopped messing with crates, barrels, or sacks. They moved to the cages and lifted them up, two men to a cage, and began to haul them across the docks. A man in his thirties, one Lukos would come to know as Catos, was one of the men who lifted his and Typhian’s cage.
”Move, Skylla,” Catos nudged the six year old with his bare foot. Lukos grasped onto the bars to keep himself from rolling every which way while the cage bobbed up and down. His big dark eyes were no longer on the little girl, but on everything he could see from here. Though he still wanted to cry, he didn’t dare. Not with the captain looking right at him.
The island was a strange shape, crested on the top like the back of a spine, a ruined temple of Ares sat almost at the top. The slope was steep but beneath that, a little to the right, was a huge cave, complete with wooden gate. It was into this that the slaves would be loaded and then locked into for the time being, like they were cattle.
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He was so confused and fascinated by this little girl. Why wasn’t Hermion tossing her into the water? Lukos had never seen a lagoon before and didn’t know what to call it. He also hadn’t seen that this natural harbor was in the shape of a crescent or that there was a little village on the far side of the lagoon. The village was currently hidden by the Aceton’s hull which blocked his view of anything on his right side. To his left was nothing but thick trees and through the little cracks of light between tree trunks, he could see more ocean. A dead end.
Hermion moved away from the cage and from the little girl, throwing her a look of loathing but doing nothing else. More children swarmed and he was dumbfounded. Women followed these children and he was slowly realizing that these people must live here. His situation in life had not changed, then, he realized. He was still a slave, only he was no longer going to be one that would go to the mines, nor would he serve in the house with his mother.
At the thought of her, his eyes burned and he roughly wiped his eyes with the back of his grubby hand. He missed her and, though he was eight, he knew that he would never see her again. His throat closed up and he wanted to bury his face but the little girl darted around the cage suddenly, distracting him. Since Hermion was gone, he twisted around to follow her progress, still miffed by her buoyant personality. Typhian too, was curious but the thin boy’s eyes kept drifting up to the ship, knowing they were going to get screamed at any second.
"Where did you come from?" The little girl asked.
“We’re from Magnemea,” he sniffed loudly and earned a cuff on the back of his neck from Typhian. Lukos narrowed his eyes at his cage mate. “Don’t touch me,” he said. Typhian was not afraid but didn’t make another move. All he said was, ”Shut up, dumby.”
Captain Sophos appeared at the top of the gangway, looking down on the dock. He noticed Skylla talking to two of the new boys but that wasn’t much of a concern. What he did want was for the slaves to be loaded into the caves. Since there wasn’t anywhere to keep the new recruits for now, they could stay there.
“Load the slaves,” he barked.
Men stopped messing with crates, barrels, or sacks. They moved to the cages and lifted them up, two men to a cage, and began to haul them across the docks. A man in his thirties, one Lukos would come to know as Catos, was one of the men who lifted his and Typhian’s cage.
”Move, Skylla,” Catos nudged the six year old with his bare foot. Lukos grasped onto the bars to keep himself from rolling every which way while the cage bobbed up and down. His big dark eyes were no longer on the little girl, but on everything he could see from here. Though he still wanted to cry, he didn’t dare. Not with the captain looking right at him.
The island was a strange shape, crested on the top like the back of a spine, a ruined temple of Ares sat almost at the top. The slope was steep but beneath that, a little to the right, was a huge cave, complete with wooden gate. It was into this that the slaves would be loaded and then locked into for the time being, like they were cattle.
He was so confused and fascinated by this little girl. Why wasn’t Hermion tossing her into the water? Lukos had never seen a lagoon before and didn’t know what to call it. He also hadn’t seen that this natural harbor was in the shape of a crescent or that there was a little village on the far side of the lagoon. The village was currently hidden by the Aceton’s hull which blocked his view of anything on his right side. To his left was nothing but thick trees and through the little cracks of light between tree trunks, he could see more ocean. A dead end.
Hermion moved away from the cage and from the little girl, throwing her a look of loathing but doing nothing else. More children swarmed and he was dumbfounded. Women followed these children and he was slowly realizing that these people must live here. His situation in life had not changed, then, he realized. He was still a slave, only he was no longer going to be one that would go to the mines, nor would he serve in the house with his mother.
At the thought of her, his eyes burned and he roughly wiped his eyes with the back of his grubby hand. He missed her and, though he was eight, he knew that he would never see her again. His throat closed up and he wanted to bury his face but the little girl darted around the cage suddenly, distracting him. Since Hermion was gone, he twisted around to follow her progress, still miffed by her buoyant personality. Typhian too, was curious but the thin boy’s eyes kept drifting up to the ship, knowing they were going to get screamed at any second.
"Where did you come from?" The little girl asked.
“We’re from Magnemea,” he sniffed loudly and earned a cuff on the back of his neck from Typhian. Lukos narrowed his eyes at his cage mate. “Don’t touch me,” he said. Typhian was not afraid but didn’t make another move. All he said was, ”Shut up, dumby.”
Captain Sophos appeared at the top of the gangway, looking down on the dock. He noticed Skylla talking to two of the new boys but that wasn’t much of a concern. What he did want was for the slaves to be loaded into the caves. Since there wasn’t anywhere to keep the new recruits for now, they could stay there.
“Load the slaves,” he barked.
Men stopped messing with crates, barrels, or sacks. They moved to the cages and lifted them up, two men to a cage, and began to haul them across the docks. A man in his thirties, one Lukos would come to know as Catos, was one of the men who lifted his and Typhian’s cage.
”Move, Skylla,” Catos nudged the six year old with his bare foot. Lukos grasped onto the bars to keep himself from rolling every which way while the cage bobbed up and down. His big dark eyes were no longer on the little girl, but on everything he could see from here. Though he still wanted to cry, he didn’t dare. Not with the captain looking right at him.
The island was a strange shape, crested on the top like the back of a spine, a ruined temple of Ares sat almost at the top. The slope was steep but beneath that, a little to the right, was a huge cave, complete with wooden gate. It was into this that the slaves would be loaded and then locked into for the time being, like they were cattle.
Skylla couldn't hide her curiosity. Even with her mother looking for her on one side of the dock and her father staring down at her from the other. Her tiny fingers reached to touch the metal bars of the cage. Dark eyes wandering both boys, she shifted excitedly from foot to foot, wanting to ask both of them so many more questions. "What did you do in Magnemea?" she asked first, noting that the first boy was starting to tear up.
Now she felt bad. Did she smell? Did she say something bad? Why was he starting to cry? It seemed strange to her. She cried when she was upset, but she couldn't remember ever seeing a boy cry. It made her a little uncomfortable but it didn't dampen her spirit or her need to know more.
But the sharp calling of her father for everyone to load the slaves and remove them from the docks made her jump. Whirling around sharply, she gazed up with wide eyes at her father. Scrambling back to her feet, she actually smacked Catos' bare foot when he nudged her out of the way, looping around his back to gaze up at Sophos. Little legs bounced a little excitedly and she almost burst forward to greet her father.
But then Billa was behind her, putting both of her hands on Skylla's shoulders and pulling her backward. "There you are," her mother croned at her, spinning her right around and away from Sophos. "You know better than to be up on the docks when everyone is working," Billa scolded her, pushing her ahead of Catos and the other men carrying the cages. "You could have fallen into the water," Billa fussed.
Skylla tried to shake her mother off, "I just wanted to see papa," she complained, then brightened up, "I made new friends!" the girl turned to look up at Lukos and Typhian in the cage, "See, momma?" she asked, huffing when Billa spun her right back around and nudged her ahead of her.
"I don't think your father brought these boys to the island to be your friends, Skylla," Billa tried to explain it to her gently, knowing how worked up her daughter could get. "They're here to work. Just like everyone else," she was holding onto Skylla's left shoulder and nudging her closer and closer to the edge of the docks without giving another glance back to Captain Sophos. Billa wasn't keen on approaching him yet, if at all. She never knew what mood he would be in at any given time and if the island hadn't been so tiny, she would have avoided him entirely.
Skylla kept trying to look behind her and to the cage as she stepped onto the sandy beach of the lagoon. "But mo-" Skylla started to protest once more, frowning deeply when her mother once more righted her forward and started her attempt at marching her toward the little shack they shared. Skylla threw another glance behind her, frowning at the boys who were supposed to be her friends.
This was so unfair.
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Skylla couldn't hide her curiosity. Even with her mother looking for her on one side of the dock and her father staring down at her from the other. Her tiny fingers reached to touch the metal bars of the cage. Dark eyes wandering both boys, she shifted excitedly from foot to foot, wanting to ask both of them so many more questions. "What did you do in Magnemea?" she asked first, noting that the first boy was starting to tear up.
Now she felt bad. Did she smell? Did she say something bad? Why was he starting to cry? It seemed strange to her. She cried when she was upset, but she couldn't remember ever seeing a boy cry. It made her a little uncomfortable but it didn't dampen her spirit or her need to know more.
But the sharp calling of her father for everyone to load the slaves and remove them from the docks made her jump. Whirling around sharply, she gazed up with wide eyes at her father. Scrambling back to her feet, she actually smacked Catos' bare foot when he nudged her out of the way, looping around his back to gaze up at Sophos. Little legs bounced a little excitedly and she almost burst forward to greet her father.
But then Billa was behind her, putting both of her hands on Skylla's shoulders and pulling her backward. "There you are," her mother croned at her, spinning her right around and away from Sophos. "You know better than to be up on the docks when everyone is working," Billa scolded her, pushing her ahead of Catos and the other men carrying the cages. "You could have fallen into the water," Billa fussed.
Skylla tried to shake her mother off, "I just wanted to see papa," she complained, then brightened up, "I made new friends!" the girl turned to look up at Lukos and Typhian in the cage, "See, momma?" she asked, huffing when Billa spun her right back around and nudged her ahead of her.
"I don't think your father brought these boys to the island to be your friends, Skylla," Billa tried to explain it to her gently, knowing how worked up her daughter could get. "They're here to work. Just like everyone else," she was holding onto Skylla's left shoulder and nudging her closer and closer to the edge of the docks without giving another glance back to Captain Sophos. Billa wasn't keen on approaching him yet, if at all. She never knew what mood he would be in at any given time and if the island hadn't been so tiny, she would have avoided him entirely.
Skylla kept trying to look behind her and to the cage as she stepped onto the sandy beach of the lagoon. "But mo-" Skylla started to protest once more, frowning deeply when her mother once more righted her forward and started her attempt at marching her toward the little shack they shared. Skylla threw another glance behind her, frowning at the boys who were supposed to be her friends.
This was so unfair.
Skylla couldn't hide her curiosity. Even with her mother looking for her on one side of the dock and her father staring down at her from the other. Her tiny fingers reached to touch the metal bars of the cage. Dark eyes wandering both boys, she shifted excitedly from foot to foot, wanting to ask both of them so many more questions. "What did you do in Magnemea?" she asked first, noting that the first boy was starting to tear up.
Now she felt bad. Did she smell? Did she say something bad? Why was he starting to cry? It seemed strange to her. She cried when she was upset, but she couldn't remember ever seeing a boy cry. It made her a little uncomfortable but it didn't dampen her spirit or her need to know more.
But the sharp calling of her father for everyone to load the slaves and remove them from the docks made her jump. Whirling around sharply, she gazed up with wide eyes at her father. Scrambling back to her feet, she actually smacked Catos' bare foot when he nudged her out of the way, looping around his back to gaze up at Sophos. Little legs bounced a little excitedly and she almost burst forward to greet her father.
But then Billa was behind her, putting both of her hands on Skylla's shoulders and pulling her backward. "There you are," her mother croned at her, spinning her right around and away from Sophos. "You know better than to be up on the docks when everyone is working," Billa scolded her, pushing her ahead of Catos and the other men carrying the cages. "You could have fallen into the water," Billa fussed.
Skylla tried to shake her mother off, "I just wanted to see papa," she complained, then brightened up, "I made new friends!" the girl turned to look up at Lukos and Typhian in the cage, "See, momma?" she asked, huffing when Billa spun her right back around and nudged her ahead of her.
"I don't think your father brought these boys to the island to be your friends, Skylla," Billa tried to explain it to her gently, knowing how worked up her daughter could get. "They're here to work. Just like everyone else," she was holding onto Skylla's left shoulder and nudging her closer and closer to the edge of the docks without giving another glance back to Captain Sophos. Billa wasn't keen on approaching him yet, if at all. She never knew what mood he would be in at any given time and if the island hadn't been so tiny, she would have avoided him entirely.
Skylla kept trying to look behind her and to the cage as she stepped onto the sandy beach of the lagoon. "But mo-" Skylla started to protest once more, frowning deeply when her mother once more righted her forward and started her attempt at marching her toward the little shack they shared. Skylla threw another glance behind her, frowning at the boys who were supposed to be her friends.
This was so unfair.
The cage bounced and he struggled to keep his balance, until he fixed himself in the very corner. Typhian had taken the opposite corner and the two of them stared at each other for a few seconds. It was a case of trying to keep the cage balanced on the shoulders of the two men who had picked them up. Though Lukos didn’t particularly want taken anywhere, he also really didn’t want the cage to topple over with him inside it.
They soon passed up a strange looking woman, who he realized was the girl’s mother. The woman’s skin wasn’t quite as dark as some of the others on this dock, but she wasn’t Greek. He knew that. And at the moment, he’d have given quite a lot for her to be taking him with her and the little girl. She was as tall as his own mother, who had dark hair too. The resemblence between Billa and his mother ended there, but she was as close as he’d seen since that last morning, when he’d neglected to even say goodbye.
Tears slid down his cheeks and he hid his face his shoulder as they passed Billa and Skylla. He’d been taken captive and was on a strange island with people he didn’t know, but he still had a little bit of pride and he didn’t want anyone to know he was crying. Typhian didn’t bother to hide his fright. The other boy stared hard at Billa and Skylla, cheeks blazing with heat, tears rolling down his face. He, personally, was convinced that they were going to be killed and that the captain had come all this way just to end them here.
The walk up the hill was mildly terrifying. The cage bounced with every step Catos and the other man took. Lukos was positive that they couldn’t hold the cage much longer and that he was going to be dropped. His knuckles were white as he gripped the bars. His bare feet were flat against the bottom of the cage and he stared at the dark, jagged hole that was the cave entrance.
It was a wide, dry cave with a flat, smooth floor, like many, many people had walked on its surface and worn away the rough spots. There was minimal light inside it, due to natural holes in the ceiling. A few sunspots warmed the ground. The part about the cave that served Sophos best was that it was relatively short and had no other exits. There were small, dark holes in the back of it, but far too minimal for even a child to fit through. This made it an ideal spot to keep slaves or prisoners.
Other slaves were already inside, milling about, arms crossed over their chests. They were adults and underfed at that. It had been days since anyone ate and no one had the energy to even attempt escape. Just as Lukos gained a slight understanding of his surroundings, the world upended. Typhian’s body slammed into his as they both tumbled out of the now sideways cage. His shoulder hit the floor first and he groaned when Typhian landed on top of him. The two of them watched from their painful heap as the other two boys from Magnemea were also dumped unceremoniously onto the stone floor.
After that, a large wooden door rolled across the entrance of the cave, locking them in with total strangers. The four boys huddled together, casting furtive glances at the slaves, who were doing the same in return. No one spoke as the utter hopelessness of their situation finally descended. Lukos backed against a wall and hugged his knees to his chest. His missed his mother more desperately than he’d assumed possible. How he was supposed to live without her, he did not know, but he was still breathing. That was brutally unfair and astounding. He decided he just had to keep on breathing...because obviously the impossible was happening. Keep going. Somehow, someday, he might be able to go home.
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The cage bounced and he struggled to keep his balance, until he fixed himself in the very corner. Typhian had taken the opposite corner and the two of them stared at each other for a few seconds. It was a case of trying to keep the cage balanced on the shoulders of the two men who had picked them up. Though Lukos didn’t particularly want taken anywhere, he also really didn’t want the cage to topple over with him inside it.
They soon passed up a strange looking woman, who he realized was the girl’s mother. The woman’s skin wasn’t quite as dark as some of the others on this dock, but she wasn’t Greek. He knew that. And at the moment, he’d have given quite a lot for her to be taking him with her and the little girl. She was as tall as his own mother, who had dark hair too. The resemblence between Billa and his mother ended there, but she was as close as he’d seen since that last morning, when he’d neglected to even say goodbye.
Tears slid down his cheeks and he hid his face his shoulder as they passed Billa and Skylla. He’d been taken captive and was on a strange island with people he didn’t know, but he still had a little bit of pride and he didn’t want anyone to know he was crying. Typhian didn’t bother to hide his fright. The other boy stared hard at Billa and Skylla, cheeks blazing with heat, tears rolling down his face. He, personally, was convinced that they were going to be killed and that the captain had come all this way just to end them here.
The walk up the hill was mildly terrifying. The cage bounced with every step Catos and the other man took. Lukos was positive that they couldn’t hold the cage much longer and that he was going to be dropped. His knuckles were white as he gripped the bars. His bare feet were flat against the bottom of the cage and he stared at the dark, jagged hole that was the cave entrance.
It was a wide, dry cave with a flat, smooth floor, like many, many people had walked on its surface and worn away the rough spots. There was minimal light inside it, due to natural holes in the ceiling. A few sunspots warmed the ground. The part about the cave that served Sophos best was that it was relatively short and had no other exits. There were small, dark holes in the back of it, but far too minimal for even a child to fit through. This made it an ideal spot to keep slaves or prisoners.
Other slaves were already inside, milling about, arms crossed over their chests. They were adults and underfed at that. It had been days since anyone ate and no one had the energy to even attempt escape. Just as Lukos gained a slight understanding of his surroundings, the world upended. Typhian’s body slammed into his as they both tumbled out of the now sideways cage. His shoulder hit the floor first and he groaned when Typhian landed on top of him. The two of them watched from their painful heap as the other two boys from Magnemea were also dumped unceremoniously onto the stone floor.
After that, a large wooden door rolled across the entrance of the cave, locking them in with total strangers. The four boys huddled together, casting furtive glances at the slaves, who were doing the same in return. No one spoke as the utter hopelessness of their situation finally descended. Lukos backed against a wall and hugged his knees to his chest. His missed his mother more desperately than he’d assumed possible. How he was supposed to live without her, he did not know, but he was still breathing. That was brutally unfair and astounding. He decided he just had to keep on breathing...because obviously the impossible was happening. Keep going. Somehow, someday, he might be able to go home.
The cage bounced and he struggled to keep his balance, until he fixed himself in the very corner. Typhian had taken the opposite corner and the two of them stared at each other for a few seconds. It was a case of trying to keep the cage balanced on the shoulders of the two men who had picked them up. Though Lukos didn’t particularly want taken anywhere, he also really didn’t want the cage to topple over with him inside it.
They soon passed up a strange looking woman, who he realized was the girl’s mother. The woman’s skin wasn’t quite as dark as some of the others on this dock, but she wasn’t Greek. He knew that. And at the moment, he’d have given quite a lot for her to be taking him with her and the little girl. She was as tall as his own mother, who had dark hair too. The resemblence between Billa and his mother ended there, but she was as close as he’d seen since that last morning, when he’d neglected to even say goodbye.
Tears slid down his cheeks and he hid his face his shoulder as they passed Billa and Skylla. He’d been taken captive and was on a strange island with people he didn’t know, but he still had a little bit of pride and he didn’t want anyone to know he was crying. Typhian didn’t bother to hide his fright. The other boy stared hard at Billa and Skylla, cheeks blazing with heat, tears rolling down his face. He, personally, was convinced that they were going to be killed and that the captain had come all this way just to end them here.
The walk up the hill was mildly terrifying. The cage bounced with every step Catos and the other man took. Lukos was positive that they couldn’t hold the cage much longer and that he was going to be dropped. His knuckles were white as he gripped the bars. His bare feet were flat against the bottom of the cage and he stared at the dark, jagged hole that was the cave entrance.
It was a wide, dry cave with a flat, smooth floor, like many, many people had walked on its surface and worn away the rough spots. There was minimal light inside it, due to natural holes in the ceiling. A few sunspots warmed the ground. The part about the cave that served Sophos best was that it was relatively short and had no other exits. There were small, dark holes in the back of it, but far too minimal for even a child to fit through. This made it an ideal spot to keep slaves or prisoners.
Other slaves were already inside, milling about, arms crossed over their chests. They were adults and underfed at that. It had been days since anyone ate and no one had the energy to even attempt escape. Just as Lukos gained a slight understanding of his surroundings, the world upended. Typhian’s body slammed into his as they both tumbled out of the now sideways cage. His shoulder hit the floor first and he groaned when Typhian landed on top of him. The two of them watched from their painful heap as the other two boys from Magnemea were also dumped unceremoniously onto the stone floor.
After that, a large wooden door rolled across the entrance of the cave, locking them in with total strangers. The four boys huddled together, casting furtive glances at the slaves, who were doing the same in return. No one spoke as the utter hopelessness of their situation finally descended. Lukos backed against a wall and hugged his knees to his chest. His missed his mother more desperately than he’d assumed possible. How he was supposed to live without her, he did not know, but he was still breathing. That was brutally unfair and astounding. He decided he just had to keep on breathing...because obviously the impossible was happening. Keep going. Somehow, someday, he might be able to go home.