With a shrug of his shoulder, Arktos dropped her unceremoniously. She barely caught herself as he did; stumbling a bit on her knees before she pushed up; brushing her hands off and slowly standing. Her hair, as if it wasn't a mess before, was a disaster now. The perfectly done style the women in the village had fashioned for her was now a tangled disaster of a birds nest. The main thickness of it felt lopsided and she blew a lock of hair out of her eyes as she rubbed her knees.

Without much excitement in his voice, he told her it wasn't wise to insult the cook and she looked up at him quickly; her hazel eyes wide. "He's the....cook?" She said so incredulously as she straightened. Ugh.. of course, he was. Gods forbid she catch a break on this boat. She gave a longsuffering sigh and stared up at the sky as if cursing her misfortune. Great. Now he'd probably slip poison into her dinner.

Her cheeks chest and shoulders were still flushed from the excitement and she glanced around. Basically every eye, both crewman and slave were on them. She pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest; frustrated with having been dragged out of the room when she'd not even done anything wrong. As if taking it as a clue, Lukos asked her calmly why he thought she was trying to escape and she had the decency to look at least moderately abashed. But he told her not to wander the ship alone for this reason and she gave him a whithering glare. "I wouldn't dream of it...but staring at the same four walls for 18 hours a day is...mind-numbing... "

She waved at the back of the ship and murmured something about dolphins under her breath. Arktos furrowed his brows and nudged her shoulder hard enough she fumbled a step forward and glared at him. "I was watching the dolphins... ok? ...They're jumping the wake." Arktos looked up at Lukos in the way he did that she never understood...they had some weird silent communication. "...Should I go back now and be invisible?" She said it sarcastically, but she was pretty sure he was quite happy with that arrangement. And truthfully, if it kept her out of a cage or unchained, she'd stare at the same 4 walls until she lost her bloody mind.

She gave a dramatic sigh as he stepped up and took her arm; becoming accustomed to not being able to walk without some brute dragging her about by the arm. She stumbled along beside him, falling into step so it was easier before he turned and called Arktos to come to bring her the rest of the way downstairs. He nudged her towards Arktos and she glared back at him. "I can WALK on my OWN..." And she did just that... for a few steps until Arktos took her arm as well. She clenched her teeth; wishing...WISHING she had her blade. She was beyond sick of being "escorted".

She climbed down the steps as he muttered about women not belonging on ships and she gave him a tight smile as she stared up at him. "I couldn't agree more. Yet here you are, with a cargo hold FULL of them." He opened the door for her and told her not to leave and she rolled her eyes. "Where would I go?" Why everyone all of a sudden assumed she'd leave was beyond her. She'd stayed in the room every day she was on the bloody ship. When she stepped inside, he reached out and grabbed her backside; nudging her forward and she yelped; spinning to level a murderous glare at him as he closed the door in her face. She gave an annoyed huff and plucked the comb off the table and sat down heavily on the bed with nothing better to do then to take apart and brush out her hair.

By the time he came back later in the evening, she was, again, going stir-crazy from sitting around so long and starving because she didn't trust the food the cook sent to her. She'd eaten some fruit, but anything made was thoroughly suspicious..especially after what had happened between her and the man.. Her hair had been brushed out and braided loosely against her shoulder to keep it off her face. She was laying on her stomach on the bed toying with the teeth on the comb. When he entered, she looked up and sat on the edge of the bed quickly; eager to go for her walk. Her food was left on the table untouched, including the water. He'd made her thoroughly paranoid in telling her the man she attacked was the chef on the boat. He turned and leaned against the door; staring at her darkly; as if expecting a fight as he told her that the next day she'd have to wear the chains. She stared at him for a long time with those hazel eyes. She'd seen that they'd sailed into port earlier and it seemed the ship was happy to keep everything on board until the morning. ...Including herself and the other people they'd captured. She crossed her arms over her chest...annoyed that he was still planning on selling her. But if he wasn't going to bring her home, selling her was the next best thing. As soon as she met whoever purchased her she'd have them send a letter back to Athenia; to either Persephone herself, or her parents; pleading her case. They would immediately send any amount they desired. They would be foolish not to accept. "You're still going through with this." When he gave the affirmative she sighed. "Fine. It's either agree to this or have you hold me down and do it anyways and I really would rather not exhaust myself. Now. ...Can we go for a walk?"

She stood and followed him out so they could go above deck and she followed her same routine; this time staring up the hillside of Midas. She'd never been to the city before, though she didn't know where she was....he'd never said. She'd never left Athenia. Lamplight twinkled in houses all the way up the hillside and she wondered if there were people here her family knew. If she knew where she was, she would be able to recall some names; someone well connected.

Unlike tonight, she didn't try to talk to him. Like the anticipation before a storm, she had too much nervous energy to say anything to him. And frankly, she was angry. She'd spent over a week trying to convince him she wasn't a slave and he ignored all of it. When he decided she'd had enough time, she followed him back downstairs again and climbed into the bed; facing the wall. She folded her arm beneath her head and ignored him as he climbed in. Tonight she wouldn't roll over and sleep against him... she wouldn't sleep much at all.

The next morning when the room began to turn grey, Lukos rose and Thalia rolled over to watch him as he put on his boots; still laying on the bed as she stared up at him. She felt horrible. Hungry and exhausted beyond belief. And now he would march her wherever he intended to take her, chained and then sell her off like a barrel of wine. It was heartless. As he picked up the cuffs to chain her, she sat up and held out her wrists for him. When he bent down to put them on, she stared at him. "Take me home, Lukos. ....Whatever price they give you I'll triple it." Her voice implored him to come to his senses; to do what was right. She didn't fight him when he folded the cuffs around her and locked them. Instead, she just lowered her chin and shook her head; resigned to his decision. When he turned his back to leave, she twisted the necklace he'd given her around her fingers and gave it a sharp tug. The chain broke away easily and she dropped the trinket on the bed before standing up to follow him out of the room.

There was really only one way to describe the day as it was. Surreal. It was like she was walking through some sick nightmare where she was just floating through the motions while everything inside of her was screaming to fight; to get away and break free. She kept hoping Lukos would change his mind. That he'd have some sort of crisis of conscience. He knew this was wrong. She knew he knew that and yet here he was, trailing her behind him like a dog on a leash as he made final orders on the ship. He wouldn't even look at her while she stared holes into the back of his head.

Was she compliant? Playing the game? Falling in line? It probably appeared so. But in her mind, she was anything but. Had he been polite with her from the beginning things may have gone easier. Well...maybe not from the VERY beginning. But at least since the mouse incident. After he stopped trying to figure out if she was a virgin. And she would have never allowed someone to kidnap her without an all-out brawl. But there were a lot of times where his tactics of "persuasion" were far from ideal and it just resorted in a needless battle that only ended up exhausting both of them, and hurting her. ..Or him if she could get in a good enough swing.

When he sat down to eat, she waited. And when she was sure she wasn't going to be poisoned from eating the same food, she dug in as well; starving from the day before. She figured the cook wouldn't try to poison Lukos. His food was safe.

Finally, they set off from the ship. Lukos with his hands clasped about the chain and her walking behind him. She kept her arms folded over her chest; defiant to the end. The trip was mortifying. She felt like an animal. And the way people leered at her? As if she was some sort of sub-human was downright infuriating. She was of noble blood. From a royal house. Her father was a well-known politician and her brother a commander of the Athenian army. And yet here she was, being traipsed through the street like a dog. As they began climbing up, she looked up the hill curiously. "Where are we?" When he finally told her she stumbled a bit. Colchis? They were in Colchis. She gave a derisive snort. Of course, they were. She ran through her list of people that her father would have connections with in the kingdom. Their King was Tython. She'd never met the man, nor his wife. Diomedes had told her about Vangelis, but not in so many words. She wasn't even sure if the two men knew each other, but at least it was something. If she could convince whoever purchased her to take her to the palace, it could be sorted out. "It would be more profitable for you to lead me to the top, Lukos. Take me to Tython."

Again he refused and she cursed his stubbornness. There was no reason they couldn't both get what they wanted. ....Well.. the idea for it was there at least. If he presented himself in front of the King of Colchis demanding money in exchange for a girl of nobility from Athenia, he'd either be laughed out or taken prisoner himself.

She climbed the hills and stairs that led up to the higher levels easily; happy for the exertion as it seemed like weeks since she'd had anything meaningfully challenging. She kept her gown lifted so she didn't trip on it, but otherwise had little problem with the excursion. When they arrived at the gate and a boy approached, looking her over, Lukos told him to fetch his Master and hooked his arm over her shoulder possessively. She grit her teeth and stepped out of his embrace. She wasn't his and he couldn't make himself feel better by trying to assuage her. She got into this mess alone and it was up to her to get herself back out.

When the boy re-emerged, he opened the gate and allowed them entry. Thalia stepped through first, but then waited for Lukos to lead as she didn't know where she was going. She dropped her hands by her side as they entered the courtyard. It was a fine garden; well maintained and elegant in its own right. The house was whitewashed and large with ornate ironwork decorating the doors and windows. She followed him up the stairs to the small portico and then into the entryway. Marble floors with mosaic inlays greeted them with tall ceilings and ornate decor. There was a running fountain in the center and gold filigree along the walls. Extensive plasterwork painted vibrant colors and a large staircase that led to a second story. It was a grand house... One she would be accustomed to in Athenia. She followed him into a side room and a man in a long white chiton with gold meandros along the hem greeted them. He wore a gold olive branch crown on his balding head and he had a rounded portly stomach. He was damp with sweat and he gave an insipid sigh and greeted Lukos with wide arms. "Lukos.... I was not expecting you...though I cannot say that I am disappointed. Come in, won't you.. have some wine..."

But his eyes didn't linger on Lukos for very long. They soon turned to Thalia and grazed from her face, then slowly down her body as if drinking in every inch of her. She felt exposed. Dirty and she wrinkled her nose as his tongue darted out to lick his upper lip. She crossed her arms uncomfortably over her chest and looked away; not wanting to say anything to offend the man as she still had to convince him to give her her freedom.

"Oh my....you've outdone yourself this time, old boy. Is she pure? Broken? Well behaved?" Thalia snorted and immediately turned it into a cough to cover her lapse in social etiquette. He didn't seem to notice the breach and gave a bit of a wince. "She's not sickly, is she??" His voice took on a bit of a horrified edge and he hesitated to step any closer.

The chains rustled as she clenched her fists. His hand ran over her neck and he lifted her hair for the fat little man to look her over; inspecting her like a prized horse. Lukos introduced her with her fake name and it was good he did because the ridiculousness of his story could never go along with her real name. When he lifted her chin, he turned it just so the man could look at her profile. Thalia leveled Lukos with a glare that could singe the flesh of his skull. But the man was clearly wealthy. She had everything to gain if he purchased her as he valued money and stature; it was clear as day. She could easily leverage both in order to gain an audience with the king and to get home. And if not? ...Well.. he was no Lukos or Arktos. He wouldn't make her work near as hard to get away from him. In short, she had to put up with this...performance until Lukos was gone and then she could plead her case.

His story grew more outlandish as his hands settled possessively on her shoulders; like he was leaning against a cart of goods he had to sell. He told him how his men got too handsy and she looked up at the ceiling; tracing the ornate stencil work with her eyes as if she listened to this and looked at Imbrasus any longer she'd likely lose what few graces she had. Lukos's fingers slid beneath her chiton and her cheeks flamed bright red; her vision narrowing as she fought to damper the rage that was coiling inside of her.

Lukos was right about one thing. Imbrasus enjoyed spirit. He enjoyed slowly breaking the girls he purchased until there was nothing left of them but the hollow shell that they used to be. The more spirit she came with, the more she was worth to him. If he knew how much Thalia had, he wouldn't have balked at any price that was named. But her deception would serve her well in the end. Whether she had any conceivable talents meant little to him; all that mattered was how much she would scream before he spread her legs. "Oh, lovely... I do enjoy when they sing.."

From there they began to haggle pricing; how much she was worth. It was a question she'd wanted to know from the beginning that he wouldn't tell her. Probably because he wasn't quite sure. Imbrasus grew closer, and Lukos pulled her back until he stepped in front of her; denying her buyer the chance to see him. She considered wrapping the chain around Lukos's throat. It would be easy to do now... he was thoroughly distracted.. they both were by her submissiveness. And she'd seen no other men in the house aside from the boy.

Fingers tightened around the cord of the chain near her wrist and she stared at the back of his head. Finally, they settled on a price that was most outlandish. And while the idea of being sold infuriated her to no end, she decided that it was at least nice that it was a worthy sum. Imbrasus summoned the boy to bring out his funds and Phaedra turned to have her cuffs released; rubbing her wrists as he did so. She kept her chin down but glared up at him through her thick lashes; cursing him with her gaze. She'd never been so humiliated in her entire life. She would be glad to see him go; he wasn't even worth the fight anymore. She scowled and gave him the same disgusted look she'd leveled on Imbrasus upon first seeing him and stepped away from him as the boy brought out a small chest of coins. Imbrasus had him set it on the table and he sorted through it; counting out the agreed upon price before walking back to Lukos. "There there... everything is as it should be. You drive a hard bargain, Lukos I'll give you that... but I'm sure I'll be well pleased... well pleased indeed." His tongue darted over his sweaty lip again before he turned back to Thalia; his gaze lecherous and hungry. "I'm sure you have many things to attend to, no? I think I'd like some time to get to know our new pet... Basil will see you out." The boy hesitated and shifted around Lukos; walking out to lead him to the door he'd come in from. Thalia didn't watch him go. Her hands remained at her waist; rubbing her wrists subconsciously as Imbrasus set down his wine glass. When the door was closed behind Lukos, he took her arm gently. "Come girl.. have a seat on the sofa there..I'm sure you've had a long journey and are quite weary.."

Imbrasus led her to a small sofa and bade her sit; offering her rich pastries and some wine.. She was beginning to believe she'd misjudged the man and her shoulders eased as she took a seat. "Thank you, my Lord.. that is very kind of you. Though I'm afraid Lukos lied to you. About almost everything." Imbrasus sat near her and raised a thick brow. "Did he?" He sounded quite startled and he leaned forward and took the jeweled chalice up so he could take a sip of wine. Encouraged, Thalia continued. "My name isn't Phaedra. It's Thalia of Nikolaus. I'm from Athenia. We are a noble house and my father is a respected member of Congress. My brother is a commander in the Athenian army. Those men.. kidnapped me and they've held me for almost two weeks. You have been deceived. But if you bring me to Tython, I can assure you that I will have what you paid returned to you threefold. My family will not take lightly that I am missing."

Imbrasus stared at her incredulously as she told her story. It was an encouragement to know that he was listening. When she'd finished, he gave a horrified grunt. "Oh you poor dear..." He patted her leg..and while Thalia didn't much like the familiarity, she put up with it as she was clearly getting her way. "Oh...tsk tsk.." His hand gripped her leg tighter and pushed up her dress. Thalia tensed. "You seem to be under the impression that I didn't know that Lukos lies about his merchandise... I'm well aware.." Thalia's face paled and he slipped closer to her; setting his glass down so that his other hand could take hold of her other thigh so he could yank her down on the sofa. She scrambled to sit up but he was heavy and he used his weight to incapacitate her. His hand clasped her wrists tightly and his mouth covered hers; licking her lips as his other hand pushed between her legs. She felt bile rising in her stomach and she tried to fight him off. When his tongue invaded her mouth, she bit it and he gave a yelp and pulled away. Thalia scrambled away from him; off the couch and his grin turned lecherous. "Oh yes.... well worth the price indeed.. Faustus!" He wiped the blood from his mouth and a man about Lukos's size entered the room. "Take her upstairs.. Make sure she cleans herself up and then have her wait in the room for me."

The man nodded and took hold of her arm. Thalia attempted to wrench it away, but it was vice-like. She stared around the room for a weapon; anything but there was nothing. He grabbed her other arm and moved her from the room as she erupted in fury; fighting him with everything she had; leaving Imbrasus behind in the drawing room to dance with glee at the prospect of bedding her that night.

Faustus was probably used to dealing with unruly girls. After all, it seemed to be Ibrascus's proclivity to have ones that fought. But even he struggled to get Thalia up the stairs. Finally, he ended up resorting to what Arktos and Lukos always ended up doing; swinging her up and over his shoulder with a grunt. But Thalia wasn't chained. With her hands loose, she was free to pummel him to oblivion. By the time he'd brought her to a room to wash up, they were both breathing heavy. He dumped her unceremoniously on the tile floor where two women were bringing in buckets of hot water to fill a tub. Thalia scrambled away from Faustus; her eyes searching for something; anything she could use as a weapon but the room was quite bare. "Either you strip down or I do it for you." Her attention snapped back to Faustus as he spoke and she glared at him. "Go to hell." He took a broad step to her and she immediately swept her foot out; knocking his legs out from under him. But she didn't have a broom or anything to keep him down. She stood to run and he caught her ankle. She yelped as he yanked her back and she was slammed down to the ground beside him. He rolled over so his chest lay on top of hers; grinning viciously down at her.

"Sometimes when Ibrascus is done with his girls, he hands them off to me when he's had his fill. I hope you retain some of your spirit afterward. I could find no greater pleasure finishing you off.." Thalia spit in his face and he tensed. Glaring down at her, he hauled her up in one move; his arm locked tightly around hers'; pinning them to her torso and he lifted her off the ground before dumping her into the tub. For a moment he held her under; keeping her head beneath the hot water. The realization that he could drown her and that she had no leverage to pull herself up caused her to thrash around in the water which spilled over the sides of the tub. When she wasn't sure she was going to be able to breathe again.. when the pain in her lungs became too much and her body hiccupped in the attempt to breathe in, he finally pulled her up by the front of her dress. As soon as her mouth exited the water she gasped for breath; sputtering and choking as she gripped his arm; her nails dug into his flesh. In one move he'd put an end to her screeching and fighting. "Don't make me do it again. Take off your gown and let these lovely ladies clean you up. Ibrascus can't stand uncleanliness." He nudged her as if threatening to hold her under again and she flinched; gripping the side of the tub with her hands as she glared up at him. But she didn't fight him again. Instead, she spoke with a choked voice. "Get out." Faustus chuckled and shook his head. "Not a chance. But I'll be happy to stand over here and watch. Give me a show, why don't you. Make it worth my while."

Thalia leveled him with a withering stare and turned her back to him; pushing the shoulders down on her gown so she could push the wet material off her. She unlaced the belted cord around her waist and pushed the material down her waist and hips before shimmying out of it and handing it off to one of the girls. The other set to unbraiding her hair and then the two of them washed it and scrubbed her skin until it was pink from the heat and the bristles on the brush. When she was finished; they helped her up and wrapped her in a sheet to dry off. Faustus leaned against the wall and watched everything. Thalia felt nauseous from his leering. The women rubbed perfumed oil on her skin and worked it into her hair until it shone. Sitting her down, they braided it intricately around her head; much like the women in the village had, but with more training.

Faustus pushed off the wall and grabbed a gown that was hanging up; thrusting it out to her. "Put this on." Thalia took it warily and held it out. It was sheer. Snorting, she shook her head. "I'm not wearing this." Faustus shrugged. "Suit yourself. It's either that or nothing at all." He reached for the sheet that was wrapped around her and gave it a hard yank; tearing it roughly away from her. She fought to hold it, but he tossed it into the bathwater and then turned to leer at her. "Nothing it is.." Thalia grit her teeth and shook out the gossamer fabric before pulling it over her head, though she didn't know why she bothered. It didn't cover anything; only teased the soft curves and lines beneath. The shadow of her nipples and the triangle between her legs were quite visible. She crossed her arms over her chest and he took one of them; leading her barefoot from the bathing room; shaking it free. "Covering yourself will only make it worse."

He brought her down the hall to another room where a bed was set up, as well as a table full of things Thalia had no interest in knowing what they were used for; whips, knives, rope, chains, and any other items were lined up neatly against the table. He brought her to the open floor in the middle of the room between the table and the bed where a rope hung from a beam in the middle of the ceiling. She tugged away from him, but he held her in a vice-like grip. His other hand snaked out and wrapped around her waist; his hand wrapping around one of her breasts; squeezing it painfully as she struggled to fight him off. It only made him chuckle. He pulled the rope from the air and, folding himself over her back, he held her arms with one hand, while he wrapped it tightly around her wrists with the other. With the rope secured, he stepped away from her and went to the wall where the end of the rope was wound about a hook. He unlatched it and tugged it until her arms were pulled tight over her head with only her toes to keep her level on the ground. He wrapped the rope back up around the hook. Thalia was stretched out in such a way there was literally no way for her to defend herself. She held on to the end of the rope and she could attempt to kick, but she didn't have much leverage to do so. It just caused her to flail awkwardly; spinning around on the floor.

Faustus left the wall and went to her; taking her chin in his hand. "Oh yes... I will have fun with you. Save some of your strength for me, won't you?" He then left the room and her in silence; trussed up from the ceiling. She stared up at the rope and the beam but it was all quite solid. She literally had nowhere to go.

Ibrascus let her hang there for several hours. When he came in, she had no idea what time it was, but it was still light out. He closed the door behind him and turned to look at her; his hand held out effeminately by his side. His mouth moved up in a slow smirk as his eyes moved down the full length of her body. "Lovely.. simply breathtaking.." He went over to her and grazed a hand over her waist; skimming the back of his wrist over her breasts. "Let me down... make it a fair fight." Her voice was menacing and he chuckled merrily. "Oh, I'm sure you will. If you're very good, I just might let you down. But later, of course." He turned her to face the table. "Let's have a little fun first, hmm?"

Yes... Ibrascus enjoyed when she screamed. When she didn't, he only used his "toys", as he called them, more forcefully on her. The whip was the worst. He used it on the back of her thighs; across her stomach; against her breasts; over her backside. They left angry red welts. The chains would bruise, but they didn't break the skin. She understood now how much she'd hurt Lukos when she'd hit him with hers... save the punishment was tenfold. He saved the knives, though she couldn't understand for what. By the time he'd finished an hour later, she was shivering, and he was turned on; sweaty with the exertion of torturing her.

He went to the wall and untied the rope that hung there; letting it go. Thalia immediately fell to the floor; not even bothering to catch herself. He walked over to her and bent down; unwinding the rope from her wrists to free them as he would need them separated for his next round. Thalia stared up at him; tears streaked down her face, but her glare was murderous. He released her wrists and stood back up; breathing heavily as he made his way to the bed; checking the cuffs and chains that were strung through rings on the wall. Thalia closed her eyes. Her body throbbed in pain; every inch of it felt raw. Breathing on her arm caused her to flinch. Imbrascus took his time; lighting lamps against the impending darkness.

She wrapped her hands into the rope, sliding her thigh up beneath her with a flinch as she pushed herself off the ground to prop atop her elbow. Ibrascus waddled back to her; eager in his step and with every bit of strength she had left, she used her leg to sweep his. They were like thick trunks as the man was heavier than the other two she'd swept... that and she didn't have as much fire left...but never the less, he still fell with a heavy thud. Thalia scrambled quickly over to him and wrapped the rope around his neck twice before he was able to try to stop her; she twisted so her bare feet were propped against his shoulders and she tugged up as he flailed against her. Her heartbeat thudded in her temple and she gasped; choking back sobs as she strangled the man with the only thing she could reach right now. If she relented, he would be able to yell...to gain the upper hand and she couldn't let that happen.

Finally, his body convulsed below her and she continued to hold him; refusing to let him breathe again for what he'd done. And when he finally stilled, she held on still. Until her arms shook from the muscle strain. After he'd been silent for several minutes, she finally eased her hands. She gasped for breath and let go of the rope; exhausted from the fight. She checked to ensure that the man was dead before falling back on the floor; her arm draped over her waist as she stared up at the ceiling.

Dusk was falling; the room was turning grey but for the lamp that he lit in the corner. She knew she had to get up; to keep moving, or her muscles would begin locking up and it would only get harder later. And she still had to get passed Faustus. Her battle wasn't over. She rolled over onto her elbows and pushed herself up; pulling her thighs up beneath her to push herself to her feet. She stumbled once before she was able to get herself up; using the table that held all of his 'toys'. Standing, she leaned against the table, until her body was able to grow accustomed to being on its feet again. Her arms burned from being pulled from the rope for so long. She grabbed Ibrascus's wine glass and drained it immediately, before reaching for a vessel of water. She drank until her thirst was quenched; gasping between gulps. Grabbing an orange, she tore it open and shoved pieces in her mouth. She would need as much strength as she could get and as quickly as possible. And while her body throbbed, it was easier to stand on her feet.

She finished the orange and then padded barefoot over to a wardrobe; pulling it open. She found a chiton and pulled it over the one she wore as quickly as she could; wrapping the cord around her waist loosely as even their thin straps hurt. There were even women's sandals to choose from and she found some that she could slip on easily before she walked back to the table. She tore some meat off a leg of lamb and ate some more fruit before she tucked a sheathed blade between her breasts, a short sword on her back, and another dagger to hold on to. Knowing she couldn't delay her exit much longer, she jumped up and down a few times to get some adrenaline pumping before she pulled open the door; expecting Faustus to be waiting outside. ...But the hallway was vacant. She slipped out silently; rolling her heals so her feet made no noise as she stuck to the edge of the wall. "Going somewhere?" Faustus stepped from the bathing room and Thalia spun around to face him; dazed a bit from the sharp movement. He strode to her purposefully and Thalia reared back and flung the blade at him. It embedded itself in his throat, and he immediately stopped; a look of shock in his wide eyes. He felt the knife there and Thalia hurried to him; giving him a hearty shove so he stumbled into the room. He fell backward; gurgling in his blood as he stared up at the ceiling and Thalia closed the door quickly behind her so the servants wouldn't check on them for some time.

She continued her exodus from the house then; down the stairs and to the front room where this had all begun. She found the boy cleaning up and she slipped up behind him; pulling the short sword from her back as she grabbed him by the hair and placed it against his throat. "Where is the box..." The boy whimpered and pointed towards the door he'd left out of earlier and she pushed him towards it so he could show her; keeping the blade to his throat as she held him to her chest while he lead her to what she requested. When they located the money, she had him fill a satchel with all of the coins and took them from him. She could barely see straight through the throbbing pain that pierced through her head, but she fought through it. With his role filled, she spun him around, reared back and slugged him in the face with the hilt of the sword. The boy immediately slumped to the ground...but at least he was alive which was more than she could say about his master upstairs.

With a hand full of drachma she could charter a ship wherever she liked. She had no need for a king she didn't know. She left the house quickly then; wanting to put as much distance between her and what she'd done as she could before anyone was alerted. She descended the stairs and stepped out into the courtyard; tying the satchel of drachmas to her hip as she sheathed the shortsword. She looked up in time to see Lukos freeze; a reaction she mimicked with one of her own. Adrenaline flooded through her system and she sucked in a breath as he frowned oddly at her. Without hesitating, she immediately turned to the side and took off; running to the edge of the courtyard before jumping a short wall. She hiked up her skirts and ran full tilt down the hill; veering off to descend a flight of steps to another street below it. She had no idea where she was going; she just knew she needed to lose him, and then get down to the harbor eventually to charter a boat. There was no way he was letting him catch her so he could attempt to sell her again. She could hear him behind her; giving chase and she pushed her body harder as she ran; her sore legs screamed at her; the muscles in her thighs burned. She knew she couldn't keep this up. Already her lungs were burning, so as she turned down another set of steps; determined beyond all measure to get away from him. She wasn't going back. She'd never go back. When he finally caught her she cried out; but not out of frustration, from the pain of being touched at all. Being tackled to the ground was enough to cause her to pass out. Her vision blurred as she struggled weakly to pull away from him. But with the adrenaline fading and the weight of his body pressed against every bruised and raised welt on her, she just didn't have the strength in her. "I'm not... going.. Back!" She twisted in his grasped and pulled the blade from between her breasts; shoving it up against his throat so he had to either get off her, or he'd get cut.

Lukos's hand swept out and before she could turn the blade to cut his wrist, he took it away. Pushing her arms away easily, he knocked her out with the hilt and she fell limp and quiet beneath him. She didn't wake as he crawled off of her and picked her up. She didn't make a sound as he carried her through the streets and down to the dock where the Acetone was waiting, or when he yelled orders at Arktos to prepare the ship. Or when he carried her down the narrow flight of stairs and laid her down; removing the shortsword and satchel of gold from her person. The day's events had taken their toll on her body and as much as she would kick herself for allowing it to be weak enough to succumb to him, there was nothing she could do to make her body any more resilient to what had happened than it already was. The fact that she was able to escape and then run from Lukos afterward said more about how much she could take than how long she would remain passed out in that tiny cabin she was beginning to grow accustomed to.

And she would remain passed out through the night and into most of the next day. It wasn't until late afternoon that she finally stirred with a groan. Her senses were dulled and her head throbbed painfully. She attempted to lift her arm but it felt like she had bricks resting on every part of her body. She gave a whimper that came out like a squeak and stopped moving. The rocking of the boat was what sunk through first. The familiar smell of damp wood and hay. She opened her eyes; squinting against the bright sun from the back window. Her vision was blurry and it all made her head throb even more but she saw Bianor sitting in a chair near her table before she closed her eyes again. Her stomach fell as she realized she was back on the ship.. that despite her fight, she couldn't keep the pirate from taking her again. He'd likely sell her off to the next highest bidder and pocket the profit. And this time, she wasn't sure she'd be able to fight back.

She heard the chair scrape as Bianor stood, and the door to the room open and close as he went to tell Lukos she was awake. Her mouth felt thick from not being used for almost a full day; from not eating or drinking. The only caveat in here ordeal was that Ibrascus left her face and jaw alone. So the only thing in her head that hurt was where Lukos had struck her and the migraine that ensued. It was the rest of her body that throbbed from the chains and whip.

When Lukos entered the room she opened her eyes enough to glance at him for disturbing her before closing them again. She hadn't moved from the way he lay her last night and the idea of doing so made her physically ill with apprehension. She sucked in a breath and spoke in whispered tones to keep the throbbing in her head at a minimum. "Why?? ...You got your money.. Why couldn't you just leave me alone?"