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Thank the gods she was silent at last. His body sagged into the straw mattress but it only went so far before the straw settled against the flat slab of wood that held it all up. Still, it was far more comfortable than the floor and within minutes his breathing had rhythmed out into the cadence of sleep. His thoughts melted into the strange fringes of dreams and swirled together in meaningless images until a voice shattered the peace.
His eyes snapped open. He hadn’t caught everything but he picked out the words ‘food’ and ‘half starved’. Perhaps, he mused in irritation, she would lapse into silence if he maintained a stony facade. She had to be the mouthiest woman he’d ever encountered. Half starved indeed. Bruised. Bloodied. The woman threw these terms around like she understood what they meant; as though she had personally experienced them.
The pitifully small flame had almost died out but when he turned over, he could just make her out, laying there just staring up at the timbers. “What do you know of slavery other than buying them?” he muttered, his voice still half groggy from being woken up. She went on to tell him that if she owned slaves, which he would have laid down money she did, that she would treat them well and gave him all sorts of other platitudes.
“No one treats their slaves that well,” he said flatly. “Slaves are animals to their masters.” Lukos turned back over and ripped the blanket up, balling it in his fists under his chin. “You’ll see,” he promised, thinking of the slave market. It was a place that even he didn’t particularly like to visit and he never bought people from there unless a certain person was requested. Those were happier trips. When a person he’d been tasked to find was told they were going home. They didn’t seem to mind being paid for then.
“The crew are free to come and go,” he said after a minute when she’d leveled an accusation that he was keeping the men here by force. The only one actively being held against his will was Bianor and even he had stopped trying to leave years ago. After that he was sure she would quit talking but she kept going. He pulled the blanket over his head, toying with the idea of putting her back out onto the deck in her cage. She’d been safe enough all day...but night had shadows. It made men a little braver than they tended to be mid afternoon.
When she mentioned someone who was going to buy her in order to break her, he laughed despite himself again and came out from under the blanket one last time to level her with the kind of look she had to have received before. “No man is going to buy you just to see you broken. He’s going to buy you to fuck you.” After that he turned back over and refused to speak to her or look at her.
He pictured her up on the slave block. She looked better in this scenario than she did currently. Men would clamor for her. There were several women’s chitons in his possession and he knew just the one he’d sell her in. These were kept especially for noble women. To make them look, not like the daughters of high born houses, but like an unattainable idea that was now within easy reach for the right price. Lukos shifted and thought he heard a sniffle. Her chains clinked as she moved but otherwise she was silent. It was harder to go to sleep now that he knew she was crying. All the slaves cried but they usually reserved that for when he was asleep. He studied the grain of the wood until at last he fell into a shallow, restless sleep that left him irritable in the morning.
It was nearly pitch black in his room when he finally rose out of bed. He moved silently so as not to rouse her. From her constant stream of consciousness thoughts last night to her crying, he wanted to hear nothing more from her lips. With only the rustle of fabric, he slipped on his shirt and trousers, and gathered his weapons, boots, and belt to be put on outside in the short, narrow hall at the base of the stairs.
That done, he surfaced above deck to start making his rounds and to check on the rest of the slaves.
The sun was midway up in the sky before his door opened again. Lukos entered the room. In his arms was a water skin, a bowl of grapes, and a sack. He set these down and then settled himself on the floor, cross legged, keeping everything tantalizing close but just out of reach. A wicked smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Your name gets you water,” he said. “Your age gets you grapes.” For emphasis, he uncapped the water skin and tipped it up, taking a good long swallow. “There’s only so much water in here,” he sloshed it so that she could hear. “What is your name?”
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Thank the gods she was silent at last. His body sagged into the straw mattress but it only went so far before the straw settled against the flat slab of wood that held it all up. Still, it was far more comfortable than the floor and within minutes his breathing had rhythmed out into the cadence of sleep. His thoughts melted into the strange fringes of dreams and swirled together in meaningless images until a voice shattered the peace.
His eyes snapped open. He hadn’t caught everything but he picked out the words ‘food’ and ‘half starved’. Perhaps, he mused in irritation, she would lapse into silence if he maintained a stony facade. She had to be the mouthiest woman he’d ever encountered. Half starved indeed. Bruised. Bloodied. The woman threw these terms around like she understood what they meant; as though she had personally experienced them.
The pitifully small flame had almost died out but when he turned over, he could just make her out, laying there just staring up at the timbers. “What do you know of slavery other than buying them?” he muttered, his voice still half groggy from being woken up. She went on to tell him that if she owned slaves, which he would have laid down money she did, that she would treat them well and gave him all sorts of other platitudes.
“No one treats their slaves that well,” he said flatly. “Slaves are animals to their masters.” Lukos turned back over and ripped the blanket up, balling it in his fists under his chin. “You’ll see,” he promised, thinking of the slave market. It was a place that even he didn’t particularly like to visit and he never bought people from there unless a certain person was requested. Those were happier trips. When a person he’d been tasked to find was told they were going home. They didn’t seem to mind being paid for then.
“The crew are free to come and go,” he said after a minute when she’d leveled an accusation that he was keeping the men here by force. The only one actively being held against his will was Bianor and even he had stopped trying to leave years ago. After that he was sure she would quit talking but she kept going. He pulled the blanket over his head, toying with the idea of putting her back out onto the deck in her cage. She’d been safe enough all day...but night had shadows. It made men a little braver than they tended to be mid afternoon.
When she mentioned someone who was going to buy her in order to break her, he laughed despite himself again and came out from under the blanket one last time to level her with the kind of look she had to have received before. “No man is going to buy you just to see you broken. He’s going to buy you to fuck you.” After that he turned back over and refused to speak to her or look at her.
He pictured her up on the slave block. She looked better in this scenario than she did currently. Men would clamor for her. There were several women’s chitons in his possession and he knew just the one he’d sell her in. These were kept especially for noble women. To make them look, not like the daughters of high born houses, but like an unattainable idea that was now within easy reach for the right price. Lukos shifted and thought he heard a sniffle. Her chains clinked as she moved but otherwise she was silent. It was harder to go to sleep now that he knew she was crying. All the slaves cried but they usually reserved that for when he was asleep. He studied the grain of the wood until at last he fell into a shallow, restless sleep that left him irritable in the morning.
It was nearly pitch black in his room when he finally rose out of bed. He moved silently so as not to rouse her. From her constant stream of consciousness thoughts last night to her crying, he wanted to hear nothing more from her lips. With only the rustle of fabric, he slipped on his shirt and trousers, and gathered his weapons, boots, and belt to be put on outside in the short, narrow hall at the base of the stairs.
That done, he surfaced above deck to start making his rounds and to check on the rest of the slaves.
The sun was midway up in the sky before his door opened again. Lukos entered the room. In his arms was a water skin, a bowl of grapes, and a sack. He set these down and then settled himself on the floor, cross legged, keeping everything tantalizing close but just out of reach. A wicked smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Your name gets you water,” he said. “Your age gets you grapes.” For emphasis, he uncapped the water skin and tipped it up, taking a good long swallow. “There’s only so much water in here,” he sloshed it so that she could hear. “What is your name?”
Thank the gods she was silent at last. His body sagged into the straw mattress but it only went so far before the straw settled against the flat slab of wood that held it all up. Still, it was far more comfortable than the floor and within minutes his breathing had rhythmed out into the cadence of sleep. His thoughts melted into the strange fringes of dreams and swirled together in meaningless images until a voice shattered the peace.
His eyes snapped open. He hadn’t caught everything but he picked out the words ‘food’ and ‘half starved’. Perhaps, he mused in irritation, she would lapse into silence if he maintained a stony facade. She had to be the mouthiest woman he’d ever encountered. Half starved indeed. Bruised. Bloodied. The woman threw these terms around like she understood what they meant; as though she had personally experienced them.
The pitifully small flame had almost died out but when he turned over, he could just make her out, laying there just staring up at the timbers. “What do you know of slavery other than buying them?” he muttered, his voice still half groggy from being woken up. She went on to tell him that if she owned slaves, which he would have laid down money she did, that she would treat them well and gave him all sorts of other platitudes.
“No one treats their slaves that well,” he said flatly. “Slaves are animals to their masters.” Lukos turned back over and ripped the blanket up, balling it in his fists under his chin. “You’ll see,” he promised, thinking of the slave market. It was a place that even he didn’t particularly like to visit and he never bought people from there unless a certain person was requested. Those were happier trips. When a person he’d been tasked to find was told they were going home. They didn’t seem to mind being paid for then.
“The crew are free to come and go,” he said after a minute when she’d leveled an accusation that he was keeping the men here by force. The only one actively being held against his will was Bianor and even he had stopped trying to leave years ago. After that he was sure she would quit talking but she kept going. He pulled the blanket over his head, toying with the idea of putting her back out onto the deck in her cage. She’d been safe enough all day...but night had shadows. It made men a little braver than they tended to be mid afternoon.
When she mentioned someone who was going to buy her in order to break her, he laughed despite himself again and came out from under the blanket one last time to level her with the kind of look she had to have received before. “No man is going to buy you just to see you broken. He’s going to buy you to fuck you.” After that he turned back over and refused to speak to her or look at her.
He pictured her up on the slave block. She looked better in this scenario than she did currently. Men would clamor for her. There were several women’s chitons in his possession and he knew just the one he’d sell her in. These were kept especially for noble women. To make them look, not like the daughters of high born houses, but like an unattainable idea that was now within easy reach for the right price. Lukos shifted and thought he heard a sniffle. Her chains clinked as she moved but otherwise she was silent. It was harder to go to sleep now that he knew she was crying. All the slaves cried but they usually reserved that for when he was asleep. He studied the grain of the wood until at last he fell into a shallow, restless sleep that left him irritable in the morning.
It was nearly pitch black in his room when he finally rose out of bed. He moved silently so as not to rouse her. From her constant stream of consciousness thoughts last night to her crying, he wanted to hear nothing more from her lips. With only the rustle of fabric, he slipped on his shirt and trousers, and gathered his weapons, boots, and belt to be put on outside in the short, narrow hall at the base of the stairs.
That done, he surfaced above deck to start making his rounds and to check on the rest of the slaves.
The sun was midway up in the sky before his door opened again. Lukos entered the room. In his arms was a water skin, a bowl of grapes, and a sack. He set these down and then settled himself on the floor, cross legged, keeping everything tantalizing close but just out of reach. A wicked smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Your name gets you water,” he said. “Your age gets you grapes.” For emphasis, he uncapped the water skin and tipped it up, taking a good long swallow. “There’s only so much water in here,” he sloshed it so that she could hear. “What is your name?”
Her conditions were archaic. There was nothing about the small quarters that even remotely resembled the luxury and wealth she was accustomed to. And while she often bemoaned all of the fuss attributed with such frivolity, she couldn't help but wish she'd at least had the basics. Somewhere to bathe. A change of clothes. Something besides a rudimentary bucket to do her business in. A brush for her hair. Food. A bed. Things one never considered a luxury until they were stripped of you.
She did her best while the room was empty to try and sort herself out; brushing her fingers through her hair to remove some of the tangles. Her hair was a frizzy mess from the humidity on the boat. She braided it tightly against her scalp, though it was rather rough looking as her ladies maid was often responsible for doing her hair. But without any water, there was little she could do to clean herself up. She would just have to feel filthy. None of that compared to the thirst and hunger, though. Waking up after not having water for a full day, she felt dry. A headache throbbed in her temples and her mouth felt thick. Her stomach felt hollowed out and cramps twisted in her gut painfully.
She flinched when Lukos entered the room; instantly becoming alert. He carried an armful of items and moved to her; placing them down before he sat as well. She narrowed her gaze at him and grit her teeth; not sure what he was doing. ...But soon that became abundantly clear. It was smart. She'd give him credit for that. The sloshing of water in the skein made her tongue feel that much thicker. And he had fresh fruit. She clenched her fists; refusing to grasp desperately for either. Hazel eyes locked on his. "...What of the others. Did you offer them food and water?" Her voice cracked from the dryness of her mouth and neglect. With his reply in the affirmative, she let her shoulders ease against the wall. She couldn't understand why knowing her name or age was so very important to him. He could guess what her age was.. she was young..that was all that mattered. ...And her name? She'd never tell him her house so that didn't matter either. Sighing, as if she were resigned to her fate, she murmured dryly. "Phaidra. It's Phaidra. And I'm twenty-four." She held out her hand expectantly.
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Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
Her conditions were archaic. There was nothing about the small quarters that even remotely resembled the luxury and wealth she was accustomed to. And while she often bemoaned all of the fuss attributed with such frivolity, she couldn't help but wish she'd at least had the basics. Somewhere to bathe. A change of clothes. Something besides a rudimentary bucket to do her business in. A brush for her hair. Food. A bed. Things one never considered a luxury until they were stripped of you.
She did her best while the room was empty to try and sort herself out; brushing her fingers through her hair to remove some of the tangles. Her hair was a frizzy mess from the humidity on the boat. She braided it tightly against her scalp, though it was rather rough looking as her ladies maid was often responsible for doing her hair. But without any water, there was little she could do to clean herself up. She would just have to feel filthy. None of that compared to the thirst and hunger, though. Waking up after not having water for a full day, she felt dry. A headache throbbed in her temples and her mouth felt thick. Her stomach felt hollowed out and cramps twisted in her gut painfully.
She flinched when Lukos entered the room; instantly becoming alert. He carried an armful of items and moved to her; placing them down before he sat as well. She narrowed her gaze at him and grit her teeth; not sure what he was doing. ...But soon that became abundantly clear. It was smart. She'd give him credit for that. The sloshing of water in the skein made her tongue feel that much thicker. And he had fresh fruit. She clenched her fists; refusing to grasp desperately for either. Hazel eyes locked on his. "...What of the others. Did you offer them food and water?" Her voice cracked from the dryness of her mouth and neglect. With his reply in the affirmative, she let her shoulders ease against the wall. She couldn't understand why knowing her name or age was so very important to him. He could guess what her age was.. she was young..that was all that mattered. ...And her name? She'd never tell him her house so that didn't matter either. Sighing, as if she were resigned to her fate, she murmured dryly. "Phaidra. It's Phaidra. And I'm twenty-four." She held out her hand expectantly.
Her conditions were archaic. There was nothing about the small quarters that even remotely resembled the luxury and wealth she was accustomed to. And while she often bemoaned all of the fuss attributed with such frivolity, she couldn't help but wish she'd at least had the basics. Somewhere to bathe. A change of clothes. Something besides a rudimentary bucket to do her business in. A brush for her hair. Food. A bed. Things one never considered a luxury until they were stripped of you.
She did her best while the room was empty to try and sort herself out; brushing her fingers through her hair to remove some of the tangles. Her hair was a frizzy mess from the humidity on the boat. She braided it tightly against her scalp, though it was rather rough looking as her ladies maid was often responsible for doing her hair. But without any water, there was little she could do to clean herself up. She would just have to feel filthy. None of that compared to the thirst and hunger, though. Waking up after not having water for a full day, she felt dry. A headache throbbed in her temples and her mouth felt thick. Her stomach felt hollowed out and cramps twisted in her gut painfully.
She flinched when Lukos entered the room; instantly becoming alert. He carried an armful of items and moved to her; placing them down before he sat as well. She narrowed her gaze at him and grit her teeth; not sure what he was doing. ...But soon that became abundantly clear. It was smart. She'd give him credit for that. The sloshing of water in the skein made her tongue feel that much thicker. And he had fresh fruit. She clenched her fists; refusing to grasp desperately for either. Hazel eyes locked on his. "...What of the others. Did you offer them food and water?" Her voice cracked from the dryness of her mouth and neglect. With his reply in the affirmative, she let her shoulders ease against the wall. She couldn't understand why knowing her name or age was so very important to him. He could guess what her age was.. she was young..that was all that mattered. ...And her name? She'd never tell him her house so that didn't matter either. Sighing, as if she were resigned to her fate, she murmured dryly. "Phaidra. It's Phaidra. And I'm twenty-four." She held out her hand expectantly.
The way her eyes followed the water made him feel like perhaps he should have tried this first. What did surprise him was that she was adamant about knowing if the other slaves had been taken care of before she answered his questions. People did that sometimes; for their loved ones. It was common. What was not common was for a noble woman to care about anything other than her own personal safety and comfort.
He eyed her attempt at taming her hair. Even here she still seemed to need to maintain some kind of attempt at upkeep. What the point was, he couldn’t guess. It certainly wasn’t for him or anyone else on this ship.
“Phaidra,” he repeated, quirking his eyebrows at her. Whoever Phaidra was, it was not her. However, it was the closest she’d come to playing the game and so he handed her the water. He slid the grapes to her when she admitted her age, watching her eat with forced calm. “I wanted your name in case your parents want you back.” Spreading his hands in a gesture that for anyone else might have looked like an apology, he said, “It’s easiest if I know names and ages when I go looking.”
He didn’t ask about her skills. She was right about one thing; no man was going to pay attention to her skills and no wife would dream of buying her. This Phaidra would see for one thing, and one thing only. Such was the curse of the beautiful.
“Here.” The sack he pushed at her. “That’s a bribe so you won’t talk tonight.” Inside she would find cured meat and hard little disks that were best when soaked in broth to give them any kind of flavor whatsoever. Since there was no broth to be had, she’d have to do what the rest of the slaves and crew did and just suck on them until they were soft enough to chew pieces off of.
“When you’re done with your grapes, we’re going topside. I’m not sleeping in this room with you again until you’ve had a bath.” He stood up and then gestured at her body. “And I’m throwing that dress overboard.” It was a real shame. The material, the color, all of it would have fetched a handsome price but he didn’t have the ability to wash it properly, nor did he care to wait until he did.
As he was just about to leave the room, he changed his mind and shut the door again. Instead of settling near her as he had done before, he sat down on his bed and leaned so that this arms rested on his knees with his fingers meeting carelessly in the middle. “Where did Arktos find you?”
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The way her eyes followed the water made him feel like perhaps he should have tried this first. What did surprise him was that she was adamant about knowing if the other slaves had been taken care of before she answered his questions. People did that sometimes; for their loved ones. It was common. What was not common was for a noble woman to care about anything other than her own personal safety and comfort.
He eyed her attempt at taming her hair. Even here she still seemed to need to maintain some kind of attempt at upkeep. What the point was, he couldn’t guess. It certainly wasn’t for him or anyone else on this ship.
“Phaidra,” he repeated, quirking his eyebrows at her. Whoever Phaidra was, it was not her. However, it was the closest she’d come to playing the game and so he handed her the water. He slid the grapes to her when she admitted her age, watching her eat with forced calm. “I wanted your name in case your parents want you back.” Spreading his hands in a gesture that for anyone else might have looked like an apology, he said, “It’s easiest if I know names and ages when I go looking.”
He didn’t ask about her skills. She was right about one thing; no man was going to pay attention to her skills and no wife would dream of buying her. This Phaidra would see for one thing, and one thing only. Such was the curse of the beautiful.
“Here.” The sack he pushed at her. “That’s a bribe so you won’t talk tonight.” Inside she would find cured meat and hard little disks that were best when soaked in broth to give them any kind of flavor whatsoever. Since there was no broth to be had, she’d have to do what the rest of the slaves and crew did and just suck on them until they were soft enough to chew pieces off of.
“When you’re done with your grapes, we’re going topside. I’m not sleeping in this room with you again until you’ve had a bath.” He stood up and then gestured at her body. “And I’m throwing that dress overboard.” It was a real shame. The material, the color, all of it would have fetched a handsome price but he didn’t have the ability to wash it properly, nor did he care to wait until he did.
As he was just about to leave the room, he changed his mind and shut the door again. Instead of settling near her as he had done before, he sat down on his bed and leaned so that this arms rested on his knees with his fingers meeting carelessly in the middle. “Where did Arktos find you?”
The way her eyes followed the water made him feel like perhaps he should have tried this first. What did surprise him was that she was adamant about knowing if the other slaves had been taken care of before she answered his questions. People did that sometimes; for their loved ones. It was common. What was not common was for a noble woman to care about anything other than her own personal safety and comfort.
He eyed her attempt at taming her hair. Even here she still seemed to need to maintain some kind of attempt at upkeep. What the point was, he couldn’t guess. It certainly wasn’t for him or anyone else on this ship.
“Phaidra,” he repeated, quirking his eyebrows at her. Whoever Phaidra was, it was not her. However, it was the closest she’d come to playing the game and so he handed her the water. He slid the grapes to her when she admitted her age, watching her eat with forced calm. “I wanted your name in case your parents want you back.” Spreading his hands in a gesture that for anyone else might have looked like an apology, he said, “It’s easiest if I know names and ages when I go looking.”
He didn’t ask about her skills. She was right about one thing; no man was going to pay attention to her skills and no wife would dream of buying her. This Phaidra would see for one thing, and one thing only. Such was the curse of the beautiful.
“Here.” The sack he pushed at her. “That’s a bribe so you won’t talk tonight.” Inside she would find cured meat and hard little disks that were best when soaked in broth to give them any kind of flavor whatsoever. Since there was no broth to be had, she’d have to do what the rest of the slaves and crew did and just suck on them until they were soft enough to chew pieces off of.
“When you’re done with your grapes, we’re going topside. I’m not sleeping in this room with you again until you’ve had a bath.” He stood up and then gestured at her body. “And I’m throwing that dress overboard.” It was a real shame. The material, the color, all of it would have fetched a handsome price but he didn’t have the ability to wash it properly, nor did he care to wait until he did.
As he was just about to leave the room, he changed his mind and shut the door again. Instead of settling near her as he had done before, he sat down on his bed and leaned so that this arms rested on his knees with his fingers meeting carelessly in the middle. “Where did Arktos find you?”
She forced herself not to snatch the bag of water from him; taking it more calmy instead. There was no use in being contrite if he was acting civil. Two could play at that game and it would only make things easier on both of them if they managed to find some kind of menial truce that meant she would end up with fewer bruises. She lifted the bag to her dry lips and drank thirstily; not leaving much left in the skein. It tasted funny; probably because of the skein, but she didn't complain. It was wet and slightly cool and it filled the void. She watched him as he admitted that he wanted her name in case her parents wanted her back. Her first instinct was to immediately correct him; to tell him her name so he could contact her family. ...But such information could be detrimental to them. He could go back; find her house and rob them blind; take her mother...kill her father.. sell her brothers. Just as he'd done to all of the others he kept in cages outside. If he had no respect for her position, what made her think he would have respect for theirs?
She lowered the bag and narrowed her eyes. "Of course my parents want me back. You needn't bother looking. I've already asked you what your price is." She picked up the bowl of grapes and broke one off to eat. It wasn't much, but it was something. The firm shell broke between her teeth; flooding her mouth with sweet juice. It was worth telling him her age. ...Not that it was very important. "...Bring me back and I'll make sure you're paid." ...And arrested. And tried for your crimes. And made an example of what happens to Pirates who steal from noble families.
The bag was a bonus. She hadn't expected anything more than the grapes and water.. but salted meat and crackers? She could eat it all and be content but she decided to pace herself. With his declaration that he wasn't sleeping in the same room with her until she bathed, she flushed. She was not unaccustomed to getting dirty. In fact, she rather enjoyed it. But at the end of the day, there was always a warm bath waiting for her. She couldn't imagine what she had to look like. ...And she knew she smelled horrible. She was also not accustomed to having someone else's blood smeared across her face and staining her clothes. Before she could think about it she snapped at him. "I wouldn' look and smell like this if your men had left me alone."
He'd stood to leave again and she took a deep breath; thankful for it as she pulled off a few more grapes to eat. She reached into the bag and tugged off a piece of the cured meat to chew on as well. It was far too salty.. but she'd never had salted meats before; used to having fresh lamb and calf... chicken and fish daily. The idea that one needed to preserve cuts to eat at a later date was never considered.
He changed his mind, however, and sat on the edge of the bed; waiting for her to finish her food. With his question, she paused..thinking it through. She tried to decide if there was any harm in telling him..if it would jeopardize anyone she knew and she decided it wouldn't. She was far enough away from her own house, as well as the party for him to ever put two and two together. "Three levels up from the market. I'd left a party to find something more exciting to do. They cornered me in an alley." She glared at him; blaming him for their actions. "I was not in a poorer section. They didn't find me where you found the rest of your.... victims. They stalked me up several levels before taking me. If you think I'll apologize for fighting, I wouldn't hold my breath." She was growing angry again; the events of yesterday and how violently she was wrested from her own world were still far too fresh for her to repeat what happened without becoming emotional. Fortunately for her, her emotions never started with sadness or despair. She went straight to anger. It was something her mother had attempted to train out of her for years... but in that respect, she was too much like her father. Act first, think later. It'd served her well for a long time.. even up until yesterday. ...But sometimes, events and individuals were just too powerful to overcome and you succumbed to an outcome beyond your control. Now all she could do was watch and wait until she had the opportunity to act again.
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This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
She forced herself not to snatch the bag of water from him; taking it more calmy instead. There was no use in being contrite if he was acting civil. Two could play at that game and it would only make things easier on both of them if they managed to find some kind of menial truce that meant she would end up with fewer bruises. She lifted the bag to her dry lips and drank thirstily; not leaving much left in the skein. It tasted funny; probably because of the skein, but she didn't complain. It was wet and slightly cool and it filled the void. She watched him as he admitted that he wanted her name in case her parents wanted her back. Her first instinct was to immediately correct him; to tell him her name so he could contact her family. ...But such information could be detrimental to them. He could go back; find her house and rob them blind; take her mother...kill her father.. sell her brothers. Just as he'd done to all of the others he kept in cages outside. If he had no respect for her position, what made her think he would have respect for theirs?
She lowered the bag and narrowed her eyes. "Of course my parents want me back. You needn't bother looking. I've already asked you what your price is." She picked up the bowl of grapes and broke one off to eat. It wasn't much, but it was something. The firm shell broke between her teeth; flooding her mouth with sweet juice. It was worth telling him her age. ...Not that it was very important. "...Bring me back and I'll make sure you're paid." ...And arrested. And tried for your crimes. And made an example of what happens to Pirates who steal from noble families.
The bag was a bonus. She hadn't expected anything more than the grapes and water.. but salted meat and crackers? She could eat it all and be content but she decided to pace herself. With his declaration that he wasn't sleeping in the same room with her until she bathed, she flushed. She was not unaccustomed to getting dirty. In fact, she rather enjoyed it. But at the end of the day, there was always a warm bath waiting for her. She couldn't imagine what she had to look like. ...And she knew she smelled horrible. She was also not accustomed to having someone else's blood smeared across her face and staining her clothes. Before she could think about it she snapped at him. "I wouldn' look and smell like this if your men had left me alone."
He'd stood to leave again and she took a deep breath; thankful for it as she pulled off a few more grapes to eat. She reached into the bag and tugged off a piece of the cured meat to chew on as well. It was far too salty.. but she'd never had salted meats before; used to having fresh lamb and calf... chicken and fish daily. The idea that one needed to preserve cuts to eat at a later date was never considered.
He changed his mind, however, and sat on the edge of the bed; waiting for her to finish her food. With his question, she paused..thinking it through. She tried to decide if there was any harm in telling him..if it would jeopardize anyone she knew and she decided it wouldn't. She was far enough away from her own house, as well as the party for him to ever put two and two together. "Three levels up from the market. I'd left a party to find something more exciting to do. They cornered me in an alley." She glared at him; blaming him for their actions. "I was not in a poorer section. They didn't find me where you found the rest of your.... victims. They stalked me up several levels before taking me. If you think I'll apologize for fighting, I wouldn't hold my breath." She was growing angry again; the events of yesterday and how violently she was wrested from her own world were still far too fresh for her to repeat what happened without becoming emotional. Fortunately for her, her emotions never started with sadness or despair. She went straight to anger. It was something her mother had attempted to train out of her for years... but in that respect, she was too much like her father. Act first, think later. It'd served her well for a long time.. even up until yesterday. ...But sometimes, events and individuals were just too powerful to overcome and you succumbed to an outcome beyond your control. Now all she could do was watch and wait until she had the opportunity to act again.
She forced herself not to snatch the bag of water from him; taking it more calmy instead. There was no use in being contrite if he was acting civil. Two could play at that game and it would only make things easier on both of them if they managed to find some kind of menial truce that meant she would end up with fewer bruises. She lifted the bag to her dry lips and drank thirstily; not leaving much left in the skein. It tasted funny; probably because of the skein, but she didn't complain. It was wet and slightly cool and it filled the void. She watched him as he admitted that he wanted her name in case her parents wanted her back. Her first instinct was to immediately correct him; to tell him her name so he could contact her family. ...But such information could be detrimental to them. He could go back; find her house and rob them blind; take her mother...kill her father.. sell her brothers. Just as he'd done to all of the others he kept in cages outside. If he had no respect for her position, what made her think he would have respect for theirs?
She lowered the bag and narrowed her eyes. "Of course my parents want me back. You needn't bother looking. I've already asked you what your price is." She picked up the bowl of grapes and broke one off to eat. It wasn't much, but it was something. The firm shell broke between her teeth; flooding her mouth with sweet juice. It was worth telling him her age. ...Not that it was very important. "...Bring me back and I'll make sure you're paid." ...And arrested. And tried for your crimes. And made an example of what happens to Pirates who steal from noble families.
The bag was a bonus. She hadn't expected anything more than the grapes and water.. but salted meat and crackers? She could eat it all and be content but she decided to pace herself. With his declaration that he wasn't sleeping in the same room with her until she bathed, she flushed. She was not unaccustomed to getting dirty. In fact, she rather enjoyed it. But at the end of the day, there was always a warm bath waiting for her. She couldn't imagine what she had to look like. ...And she knew she smelled horrible. She was also not accustomed to having someone else's blood smeared across her face and staining her clothes. Before she could think about it she snapped at him. "I wouldn' look and smell like this if your men had left me alone."
He'd stood to leave again and she took a deep breath; thankful for it as she pulled off a few more grapes to eat. She reached into the bag and tugged off a piece of the cured meat to chew on as well. It was far too salty.. but she'd never had salted meats before; used to having fresh lamb and calf... chicken and fish daily. The idea that one needed to preserve cuts to eat at a later date was never considered.
He changed his mind, however, and sat on the edge of the bed; waiting for her to finish her food. With his question, she paused..thinking it through. She tried to decide if there was any harm in telling him..if it would jeopardize anyone she knew and she decided it wouldn't. She was far enough away from her own house, as well as the party for him to ever put two and two together. "Three levels up from the market. I'd left a party to find something more exciting to do. They cornered me in an alley." She glared at him; blaming him for their actions. "I was not in a poorer section. They didn't find me where you found the rest of your.... victims. They stalked me up several levels before taking me. If you think I'll apologize for fighting, I wouldn't hold my breath." She was growing angry again; the events of yesterday and how violently she was wrested from her own world were still far too fresh for her to repeat what happened without becoming emotional. Fortunately for her, her emotions never started with sadness or despair. She went straight to anger. It was something her mother had attempted to train out of her for years... but in that respect, she was too much like her father. Act first, think later. It'd served her well for a long time.. even up until yesterday. ...But sometimes, events and individuals were just too powerful to overcome and you succumbed to an outcome beyond your control. Now all she could do was watch and wait until she had the opportunity to act again.
“More exciting?” he shook his head and looked up at the timbers. His expression darkened when she told him she’d been followed in the market. It wasn’t that he was troubled that Hyrtius and the others had stalked her; it was where. “In the city?” he clarified. With her answer in the affirmative, he looked back up and balled his hands into fists.
“I suppose your name was worthless after all,” he said, rising. He’d had such plans. The trades and leverages alone would have tripled what he could get from poaching slaves. Because of her, he would likely not be able to make alliances with the wealthy of that city. People would have seen her taken, with Hyrtius dead as proof of scoundrels. Though her disappearance would likely not be linked to him directly, the elite would still turn up their collective noses rather than work with him.
Heavy footsteps plodded overhead and he glared up as though he could see Arktos through the beams. His faithful bear had unwittingly cost them all a fortune. When Phaidra declared that she would not apologize for fighting, his black gaze was drawn down to her. He stared at her with complete lack of understanding. “Why would you?” Who would demand an apology like that? “Hyrtius got what he deserved.”
Without another word he left the room.
He did not return to the room until an hour later. Raised voices on deck, his and Arktos’, might have drifted down to her but the argument hadn’t been long. Once told of their ruined fortunes because of his blunder, Arktos had erupted but ultimately came to heel. There was no disputing the facts. Now they had a dead crew mate and a mouthy noble woman who would not be able to give them twice the profit they’d planned.
When he did at last return, he brought Cilla with him. In her hand was a bucket of sea water. Her face was a bruised, purple mask, emanating out from her nose. She did not bother to hide her dislike of either Lukos of Phaidra.
“Phaidra,” Lukos tossed a clean chiton at her from the doorway. “If you think you can refrain from kicking Cilla again, she’s here to help you bathe. And you will assist her.” He shut the door and walked back up the steps, still disgusted with the whole business of what she’d told him earlier as well as her behavior toward the older woman last night. Phaidra had all but guaranteed that a good price would not be had for the midwife until her face looked a bit better. What was he going to do with two angry women for the next two weeks?
When the task was done, Cilla left of her own accord, obviously finding her cage preferable to being in Phaidra’s presence, or in the captain’s quarters. Lukos returned in the evening. He brought nothing else with him for her. “Before you ask,” he said as he removed his shirt. “All the slaves were doused with water before you were.” Turning his back on her, he took off his trousers and climbed into bed. It was more hope than expectation that she would be quiet for the whole of the night.
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“More exciting?” he shook his head and looked up at the timbers. His expression darkened when she told him she’d been followed in the market. It wasn’t that he was troubled that Hyrtius and the others had stalked her; it was where. “In the city?” he clarified. With her answer in the affirmative, he looked back up and balled his hands into fists.
“I suppose your name was worthless after all,” he said, rising. He’d had such plans. The trades and leverages alone would have tripled what he could get from poaching slaves. Because of her, he would likely not be able to make alliances with the wealthy of that city. People would have seen her taken, with Hyrtius dead as proof of scoundrels. Though her disappearance would likely not be linked to him directly, the elite would still turn up their collective noses rather than work with him.
Heavy footsteps plodded overhead and he glared up as though he could see Arktos through the beams. His faithful bear had unwittingly cost them all a fortune. When Phaidra declared that she would not apologize for fighting, his black gaze was drawn down to her. He stared at her with complete lack of understanding. “Why would you?” Who would demand an apology like that? “Hyrtius got what he deserved.”
Without another word he left the room.
He did not return to the room until an hour later. Raised voices on deck, his and Arktos’, might have drifted down to her but the argument hadn’t been long. Once told of their ruined fortunes because of his blunder, Arktos had erupted but ultimately came to heel. There was no disputing the facts. Now they had a dead crew mate and a mouthy noble woman who would not be able to give them twice the profit they’d planned.
When he did at last return, he brought Cilla with him. In her hand was a bucket of sea water. Her face was a bruised, purple mask, emanating out from her nose. She did not bother to hide her dislike of either Lukos of Phaidra.
“Phaidra,” Lukos tossed a clean chiton at her from the doorway. “If you think you can refrain from kicking Cilla again, she’s here to help you bathe. And you will assist her.” He shut the door and walked back up the steps, still disgusted with the whole business of what she’d told him earlier as well as her behavior toward the older woman last night. Phaidra had all but guaranteed that a good price would not be had for the midwife until her face looked a bit better. What was he going to do with two angry women for the next two weeks?
When the task was done, Cilla left of her own accord, obviously finding her cage preferable to being in Phaidra’s presence, or in the captain’s quarters. Lukos returned in the evening. He brought nothing else with him for her. “Before you ask,” he said as he removed his shirt. “All the slaves were doused with water before you were.” Turning his back on her, he took off his trousers and climbed into bed. It was more hope than expectation that she would be quiet for the whole of the night.
“More exciting?” he shook his head and looked up at the timbers. His expression darkened when she told him she’d been followed in the market. It wasn’t that he was troubled that Hyrtius and the others had stalked her; it was where. “In the city?” he clarified. With her answer in the affirmative, he looked back up and balled his hands into fists.
“I suppose your name was worthless after all,” he said, rising. He’d had such plans. The trades and leverages alone would have tripled what he could get from poaching slaves. Because of her, he would likely not be able to make alliances with the wealthy of that city. People would have seen her taken, with Hyrtius dead as proof of scoundrels. Though her disappearance would likely not be linked to him directly, the elite would still turn up their collective noses rather than work with him.
Heavy footsteps plodded overhead and he glared up as though he could see Arktos through the beams. His faithful bear had unwittingly cost them all a fortune. When Phaidra declared that she would not apologize for fighting, his black gaze was drawn down to her. He stared at her with complete lack of understanding. “Why would you?” Who would demand an apology like that? “Hyrtius got what he deserved.”
Without another word he left the room.
He did not return to the room until an hour later. Raised voices on deck, his and Arktos’, might have drifted down to her but the argument hadn’t been long. Once told of their ruined fortunes because of his blunder, Arktos had erupted but ultimately came to heel. There was no disputing the facts. Now they had a dead crew mate and a mouthy noble woman who would not be able to give them twice the profit they’d planned.
When he did at last return, he brought Cilla with him. In her hand was a bucket of sea water. Her face was a bruised, purple mask, emanating out from her nose. She did not bother to hide her dislike of either Lukos of Phaidra.
“Phaidra,” Lukos tossed a clean chiton at her from the doorway. “If you think you can refrain from kicking Cilla again, she’s here to help you bathe. And you will assist her.” He shut the door and walked back up the steps, still disgusted with the whole business of what she’d told him earlier as well as her behavior toward the older woman last night. Phaidra had all but guaranteed that a good price would not be had for the midwife until her face looked a bit better. What was he going to do with two angry women for the next two weeks?
When the task was done, Cilla left of her own accord, obviously finding her cage preferable to being in Phaidra’s presence, or in the captain’s quarters. Lukos returned in the evening. He brought nothing else with him for her. “Before you ask,” he said as he removed his shirt. “All the slaves were doused with water before you were.” Turning his back on her, he took off his trousers and climbed into bed. It was more hope than expectation that she would be quiet for the whole of the night.
For what it was worth, Lukos seemed genuinely irritated with what she told him; and not at her. For the first time since she'd been on the boat, she felt mildly vindicated. She'd known his men were in the wrong and clearly, he did as well. Yesterday he'd wiped the dead man's blood from her sword onto her cheek; as if repayment for taking his life. And now, he'd justified her actions in killing him. ....And his reward for understanding? ...Her silence. For once she wasn't sniping at him or calling him foul names a female of her status shouldn't know.
He glanced up at the floorboards and then, without warning, left the room. She glared at the door and gave it an exasperated look. He'd said she could go above deck and she was looking forward to getting out of the damp, dark little room. She wanted a bit of fresh air and to stretch her legs. She slumped against the wall in annoyance as she plucked another few grapes and shoved them in her mouth.
A few minutes later the angry voices of two men filtered through the ceiling. It was hard to understand individual words; like listening to someone speak underwater, but she could tell one of them was the captain. After a while, she grinned and finished her grapes in a better mood. She hoped he reamed whomever he was spitting at a new hole. Perhaps now he'd actually return her and this would all be one giant misadventure. She could be sleeping in her own bed within the week.
She ate some more of the cured meat and tried to eat the crackers, but they were next to impossible without chipping a tooth so she kept them in the bag. She was growing anxious when he reappeared with Cilla in tow carrying a bucket. He tossed a dark blue chiton at her and she caught it before it hit her face. It was rather plain and the material and stitching were not as fine as what she was used to, but it would do the job. Lukos slammed the door behind them and she glanced at Cilla; flushing violently as the woman set the bucket down in front of her. Her face was black and blue and she looked horrible. She'd probably broken her nose and she felt bad for that. Cilla was just a pawn in an argument she had with Lukos. She didn't deserve what she'd gotten.
Thalia stood up painfully and groaned. She unlatched the metal broaches on her shoulders so that the dress could fall around her ankles and she stepped out of it unabashedly. Cilla pulled out a rag and squeezed it out so she could help wipe off all of the dried dirt and blood that had caked on her since yesterday. Seawater wasn't the preferred method of cleaning, but it was better than nothing.
She didn't bother to wash her hair; it would have been like cardboard after rinsing it in seawater. Instead, she dressed in the new chiton and settled down to help Cilla bathe. She felt odd performing such a menial task on a stranger...but she supposed they were both literally in the same boat. When she was rinsing her face, she frowned and looked into her tired eyes. "I'm sorry.... For kicking you yesterday. You didn't deserve being put in the middle of our fight." She wiped her face down and the woman considered her apology before nodding solemnly. With their bathing both done, Cilla stood to leave but paused. Walking to Lukos's side of the room, she plucked up a comb and came back to Thalia's side of the room. "Turn around.. I will braid it so it is out of the way.." Thalia stared at her for a moment before giving her an appreciative smile and kneeling down so the woman could undo her rudimentary braid and comb her hair out properly before braiding it into a halo around her head so it was completely off her shoulders. It was a style that would last for a while, and wouldn't require brushing. She felt the braid and gave a sigh before hugging the woman. "Thank you so much..."
Cilla left after that; carrying the bucket with her and closing the door behind her. She'd expected Lukos to return after that, but he didn't. He didn't return for the remainder of the afternoon and into the evening. By the time he did, she was going stir-crazy. She'd stood to pace. She'd sat. She tried tugging on the chains to try to pull the ring free. She leaned back against them; using the chains as leverage to keep from falling. She bellowed at the ceiling in hopes that someone would hear her. ...Nothing.
Lukos wandered in wearily and tugged his shirt off; letting her know that the other slaves had had water dumped on them....which she found to be.. odd. Why would anyone want water dumped on them? She stood aside anxiously and looked away as he took off his pants and climbed into bed. For a long time she just stood there and stared at his form in the bed before her frustration got the better of her. "That's it?? I've been.. STUCK in this smelly...damp little room all day staring at the same four walls... and that's all you can say?? I'm out of my mind. The least you could do is let me walk above deck to get some fresh air... "
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For what it was worth, Lukos seemed genuinely irritated with what she told him; and not at her. For the first time since she'd been on the boat, she felt mildly vindicated. She'd known his men were in the wrong and clearly, he did as well. Yesterday he'd wiped the dead man's blood from her sword onto her cheek; as if repayment for taking his life. And now, he'd justified her actions in killing him. ....And his reward for understanding? ...Her silence. For once she wasn't sniping at him or calling him foul names a female of her status shouldn't know.
He glanced up at the floorboards and then, without warning, left the room. She glared at the door and gave it an exasperated look. He'd said she could go above deck and she was looking forward to getting out of the damp, dark little room. She wanted a bit of fresh air and to stretch her legs. She slumped against the wall in annoyance as she plucked another few grapes and shoved them in her mouth.
A few minutes later the angry voices of two men filtered through the ceiling. It was hard to understand individual words; like listening to someone speak underwater, but she could tell one of them was the captain. After a while, she grinned and finished her grapes in a better mood. She hoped he reamed whomever he was spitting at a new hole. Perhaps now he'd actually return her and this would all be one giant misadventure. She could be sleeping in her own bed within the week.
She ate some more of the cured meat and tried to eat the crackers, but they were next to impossible without chipping a tooth so she kept them in the bag. She was growing anxious when he reappeared with Cilla in tow carrying a bucket. He tossed a dark blue chiton at her and she caught it before it hit her face. It was rather plain and the material and stitching were not as fine as what she was used to, but it would do the job. Lukos slammed the door behind them and she glanced at Cilla; flushing violently as the woman set the bucket down in front of her. Her face was black and blue and she looked horrible. She'd probably broken her nose and she felt bad for that. Cilla was just a pawn in an argument she had with Lukos. She didn't deserve what she'd gotten.
Thalia stood up painfully and groaned. She unlatched the metal broaches on her shoulders so that the dress could fall around her ankles and she stepped out of it unabashedly. Cilla pulled out a rag and squeezed it out so she could help wipe off all of the dried dirt and blood that had caked on her since yesterday. Seawater wasn't the preferred method of cleaning, but it was better than nothing.
She didn't bother to wash her hair; it would have been like cardboard after rinsing it in seawater. Instead, she dressed in the new chiton and settled down to help Cilla bathe. She felt odd performing such a menial task on a stranger...but she supposed they were both literally in the same boat. When she was rinsing her face, she frowned and looked into her tired eyes. "I'm sorry.... For kicking you yesterday. You didn't deserve being put in the middle of our fight." She wiped her face down and the woman considered her apology before nodding solemnly. With their bathing both done, Cilla stood to leave but paused. Walking to Lukos's side of the room, she plucked up a comb and came back to Thalia's side of the room. "Turn around.. I will braid it so it is out of the way.." Thalia stared at her for a moment before giving her an appreciative smile and kneeling down so the woman could undo her rudimentary braid and comb her hair out properly before braiding it into a halo around her head so it was completely off her shoulders. It was a style that would last for a while, and wouldn't require brushing. She felt the braid and gave a sigh before hugging the woman. "Thank you so much..."
Cilla left after that; carrying the bucket with her and closing the door behind her. She'd expected Lukos to return after that, but he didn't. He didn't return for the remainder of the afternoon and into the evening. By the time he did, she was going stir-crazy. She'd stood to pace. She'd sat. She tried tugging on the chains to try to pull the ring free. She leaned back against them; using the chains as leverage to keep from falling. She bellowed at the ceiling in hopes that someone would hear her. ...Nothing.
Lukos wandered in wearily and tugged his shirt off; letting her know that the other slaves had had water dumped on them....which she found to be.. odd. Why would anyone want water dumped on them? She stood aside anxiously and looked away as he took off his pants and climbed into bed. For a long time she just stood there and stared at his form in the bed before her frustration got the better of her. "That's it?? I've been.. STUCK in this smelly...damp little room all day staring at the same four walls... and that's all you can say?? I'm out of my mind. The least you could do is let me walk above deck to get some fresh air... "
For what it was worth, Lukos seemed genuinely irritated with what she told him; and not at her. For the first time since she'd been on the boat, she felt mildly vindicated. She'd known his men were in the wrong and clearly, he did as well. Yesterday he'd wiped the dead man's blood from her sword onto her cheek; as if repayment for taking his life. And now, he'd justified her actions in killing him. ....And his reward for understanding? ...Her silence. For once she wasn't sniping at him or calling him foul names a female of her status shouldn't know.
He glanced up at the floorboards and then, without warning, left the room. She glared at the door and gave it an exasperated look. He'd said she could go above deck and she was looking forward to getting out of the damp, dark little room. She wanted a bit of fresh air and to stretch her legs. She slumped against the wall in annoyance as she plucked another few grapes and shoved them in her mouth.
A few minutes later the angry voices of two men filtered through the ceiling. It was hard to understand individual words; like listening to someone speak underwater, but she could tell one of them was the captain. After a while, she grinned and finished her grapes in a better mood. She hoped he reamed whomever he was spitting at a new hole. Perhaps now he'd actually return her and this would all be one giant misadventure. She could be sleeping in her own bed within the week.
She ate some more of the cured meat and tried to eat the crackers, but they were next to impossible without chipping a tooth so she kept them in the bag. She was growing anxious when he reappeared with Cilla in tow carrying a bucket. He tossed a dark blue chiton at her and she caught it before it hit her face. It was rather plain and the material and stitching were not as fine as what she was used to, but it would do the job. Lukos slammed the door behind them and she glanced at Cilla; flushing violently as the woman set the bucket down in front of her. Her face was black and blue and she looked horrible. She'd probably broken her nose and she felt bad for that. Cilla was just a pawn in an argument she had with Lukos. She didn't deserve what she'd gotten.
Thalia stood up painfully and groaned. She unlatched the metal broaches on her shoulders so that the dress could fall around her ankles and she stepped out of it unabashedly. Cilla pulled out a rag and squeezed it out so she could help wipe off all of the dried dirt and blood that had caked on her since yesterday. Seawater wasn't the preferred method of cleaning, but it was better than nothing.
She didn't bother to wash her hair; it would have been like cardboard after rinsing it in seawater. Instead, she dressed in the new chiton and settled down to help Cilla bathe. She felt odd performing such a menial task on a stranger...but she supposed they were both literally in the same boat. When she was rinsing her face, she frowned and looked into her tired eyes. "I'm sorry.... For kicking you yesterday. You didn't deserve being put in the middle of our fight." She wiped her face down and the woman considered her apology before nodding solemnly. With their bathing both done, Cilla stood to leave but paused. Walking to Lukos's side of the room, she plucked up a comb and came back to Thalia's side of the room. "Turn around.. I will braid it so it is out of the way.." Thalia stared at her for a moment before giving her an appreciative smile and kneeling down so the woman could undo her rudimentary braid and comb her hair out properly before braiding it into a halo around her head so it was completely off her shoulders. It was a style that would last for a while, and wouldn't require brushing. She felt the braid and gave a sigh before hugging the woman. "Thank you so much..."
Cilla left after that; carrying the bucket with her and closing the door behind her. She'd expected Lukos to return after that, but he didn't. He didn't return for the remainder of the afternoon and into the evening. By the time he did, she was going stir-crazy. She'd stood to pace. She'd sat. She tried tugging on the chains to try to pull the ring free. She leaned back against them; using the chains as leverage to keep from falling. She bellowed at the ceiling in hopes that someone would hear her. ...Nothing.
Lukos wandered in wearily and tugged his shirt off; letting her know that the other slaves had had water dumped on them....which she found to be.. odd. Why would anyone want water dumped on them? She stood aside anxiously and looked away as he took off his pants and climbed into bed. For a long time she just stood there and stared at his form in the bed before her frustration got the better of her. "That's it?? I've been.. STUCK in this smelly...damp little room all day staring at the same four walls... and that's all you can say?? I'm out of my mind. The least you could do is let me walk above deck to get some fresh air... "
He’d thought it was odd that she kept standing there while he laid down but the silence lulled him into assuming she would be about like she’d been all afternoon. That assumption was the first of many mistakes. At her first outburst, he sat up and stared at her. She must be very high born to have a mouth like hers.
“You have obviously lost your mind if you think I’m taking you up now,” he said flatly and laid back down. The weight of her glare was an almost physical touch on which he turned his back. There was no peace to be had staring at the wall, however. She refused to be silent. A strong urge to backhand her again overcame him and he half raised up to do it but the side of her face was still bruised from the last one.
He was not interested in keeping her any longer than necessary.
She rattled her chains at him in a clear threat that he would have no sleep until she got her way. This, right here, was why he did not deal with nobles as slaves. They were terrible. Sitting up, he swung his legs over and sat there, daring her to keep looking at him. If she could be infuriating, so could he.
“Fine. You want to go topside? Let’s go topside.” Lukos stood but he didn’t reach for his shirt or trousers. Instead he came at her lightning quick. The cabin was small and it didn’t take more than a few steps before his arm hooked around her body and to force her against the wall. With his free hand he worked at one shoulder clasp, and then the other. He with his same hand he took hold of her chain and stepped back, ripping her toward him, the chain loudly clinking against the metal ring as it came free.
“Ready to go?” His chest rose and fell rapidly and he half grinned, half glared, not quite able to decide if this was funny or if she’d simply made him angry.
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He’d thought it was odd that she kept standing there while he laid down but the silence lulled him into assuming she would be about like she’d been all afternoon. That assumption was the first of many mistakes. At her first outburst, he sat up and stared at her. She must be very high born to have a mouth like hers.
“You have obviously lost your mind if you think I’m taking you up now,” he said flatly and laid back down. The weight of her glare was an almost physical touch on which he turned his back. There was no peace to be had staring at the wall, however. She refused to be silent. A strong urge to backhand her again overcame him and he half raised up to do it but the side of her face was still bruised from the last one.
He was not interested in keeping her any longer than necessary.
She rattled her chains at him in a clear threat that he would have no sleep until she got her way. This, right here, was why he did not deal with nobles as slaves. They were terrible. Sitting up, he swung his legs over and sat there, daring her to keep looking at him. If she could be infuriating, so could he.
“Fine. You want to go topside? Let’s go topside.” Lukos stood but he didn’t reach for his shirt or trousers. Instead he came at her lightning quick. The cabin was small and it didn’t take more than a few steps before his arm hooked around her body and to force her against the wall. With his free hand he worked at one shoulder clasp, and then the other. He with his same hand he took hold of her chain and stepped back, ripping her toward him, the chain loudly clinking against the metal ring as it came free.
“Ready to go?” His chest rose and fell rapidly and he half grinned, half glared, not quite able to decide if this was funny or if she’d simply made him angry.
He’d thought it was odd that she kept standing there while he laid down but the silence lulled him into assuming she would be about like she’d been all afternoon. That assumption was the first of many mistakes. At her first outburst, he sat up and stared at her. She must be very high born to have a mouth like hers.
“You have obviously lost your mind if you think I’m taking you up now,” he said flatly and laid back down. The weight of her glare was an almost physical touch on which he turned his back. There was no peace to be had staring at the wall, however. She refused to be silent. A strong urge to backhand her again overcame him and he half raised up to do it but the side of her face was still bruised from the last one.
He was not interested in keeping her any longer than necessary.
She rattled her chains at him in a clear threat that he would have no sleep until she got her way. This, right here, was why he did not deal with nobles as slaves. They were terrible. Sitting up, he swung his legs over and sat there, daring her to keep looking at him. If she could be infuriating, so could he.
“Fine. You want to go topside? Let’s go topside.” Lukos stood but he didn’t reach for his shirt or trousers. Instead he came at her lightning quick. The cabin was small and it didn’t take more than a few steps before his arm hooked around her body and to force her against the wall. With his free hand he worked at one shoulder clasp, and then the other. He with his same hand he took hold of her chain and stepped back, ripping her toward him, the chain loudly clinking against the metal ring as it came free.
“Ready to go?” His chest rose and fell rapidly and he half grinned, half glared, not quite able to decide if this was funny or if she’d simply made him angry.
She could feel that familiar white-hot rage bubbling up from her core again as he all but laughed at the idea that she was going to walk around the deck when it had been the only thing she'd been looking forward to in this miserable hellhole all day. She'd never considered herself a spoiled person... but in comparison to the other women being held right now, she may have been. To expect a decent amount of dignity and freedoms had never been denied of her. If she wanted to go somewhere, she went. ...Well....she usually went with an escort so that things like this didn't happen, but the idea of being told no.. you can't take a simple walk around the upper deck? It was inhumane! Apparently, he still had every intention of treating her no better than a slave. Her chains had been on all day; her skin still felt raw beneath them and they were heavy.
She grit her teeth and began banging the chains against the floor; the wall.. repetitively over and over. If it didn't bother him, it most definitely bothered his crew wherever they were sleeping as it was far louder than her own voice. They'd both found their own ways of getting what they wanted. He bribed her with food and water, she just annoyed him in every way possible she could think of. Any time she considered how Diomedes would tell her to shut the hell up and throw something at her, was how she would annoy him.
His patience for her antics lasted far less time than they did last night, however, because in an instant he flung himself from the bed and stalked the short distance to where she stood. Her heart leapt into her throat and she shrunk away; expecting him to hit her again, but instead, he spun her around and pushed her against the wall. She shrieked in protest; fighting as he tugged at the clasp at her shoulder that held her gown on and she caught it before it fell to the floor. Tugging at her wrist, he pulled him to her and undid one to pull it through the ring. Hissing down at her with a gleam in his eye, he pinned her against his nude body. Her cheeks flushed violently at the idea that he was so close with no clothes on and she shoved away from him. "Let go of me...you stink." He didn't... actually he smelled like the ocean and the sun and the outdoors. It was a far better smell than the rest of the room. But she'd never let him know that. Pushing away, she stared at him and raised her chin; refusing to let him get the better of her. "Is that your intent? To humiliate me? Make me walk around as naked as you are?" She gave a huff and dropped her gown shamelessly. "Fine. Let's go." She stepped out of the puddle of her gown and stalked to the door; flinging it open to go upstairs. If he thought not having clothes would make her change her mind, he had another thing coming. You could only humiliate someone who was willing to be humiliated and she'd never been shy in her appearance. After all. They were only clothes.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
She could feel that familiar white-hot rage bubbling up from her core again as he all but laughed at the idea that she was going to walk around the deck when it had been the only thing she'd been looking forward to in this miserable hellhole all day. She'd never considered herself a spoiled person... but in comparison to the other women being held right now, she may have been. To expect a decent amount of dignity and freedoms had never been denied of her. If she wanted to go somewhere, she went. ...Well....she usually went with an escort so that things like this didn't happen, but the idea of being told no.. you can't take a simple walk around the upper deck? It was inhumane! Apparently, he still had every intention of treating her no better than a slave. Her chains had been on all day; her skin still felt raw beneath them and they were heavy.
She grit her teeth and began banging the chains against the floor; the wall.. repetitively over and over. If it didn't bother him, it most definitely bothered his crew wherever they were sleeping as it was far louder than her own voice. They'd both found their own ways of getting what they wanted. He bribed her with food and water, she just annoyed him in every way possible she could think of. Any time she considered how Diomedes would tell her to shut the hell up and throw something at her, was how she would annoy him.
His patience for her antics lasted far less time than they did last night, however, because in an instant he flung himself from the bed and stalked the short distance to where she stood. Her heart leapt into her throat and she shrunk away; expecting him to hit her again, but instead, he spun her around and pushed her against the wall. She shrieked in protest; fighting as he tugged at the clasp at her shoulder that held her gown on and she caught it before it fell to the floor. Tugging at her wrist, he pulled him to her and undid one to pull it through the ring. Hissing down at her with a gleam in his eye, he pinned her against his nude body. Her cheeks flushed violently at the idea that he was so close with no clothes on and she shoved away from him. "Let go of me...you stink." He didn't... actually he smelled like the ocean and the sun and the outdoors. It was a far better smell than the rest of the room. But she'd never let him know that. Pushing away, she stared at him and raised her chin; refusing to let him get the better of her. "Is that your intent? To humiliate me? Make me walk around as naked as you are?" She gave a huff and dropped her gown shamelessly. "Fine. Let's go." She stepped out of the puddle of her gown and stalked to the door; flinging it open to go upstairs. If he thought not having clothes would make her change her mind, he had another thing coming. You could only humiliate someone who was willing to be humiliated and she'd never been shy in her appearance. After all. They were only clothes.
She could feel that familiar white-hot rage bubbling up from her core again as he all but laughed at the idea that she was going to walk around the deck when it had been the only thing she'd been looking forward to in this miserable hellhole all day. She'd never considered herself a spoiled person... but in comparison to the other women being held right now, she may have been. To expect a decent amount of dignity and freedoms had never been denied of her. If she wanted to go somewhere, she went. ...Well....she usually went with an escort so that things like this didn't happen, but the idea of being told no.. you can't take a simple walk around the upper deck? It was inhumane! Apparently, he still had every intention of treating her no better than a slave. Her chains had been on all day; her skin still felt raw beneath them and they were heavy.
She grit her teeth and began banging the chains against the floor; the wall.. repetitively over and over. If it didn't bother him, it most definitely bothered his crew wherever they were sleeping as it was far louder than her own voice. They'd both found their own ways of getting what they wanted. He bribed her with food and water, she just annoyed him in every way possible she could think of. Any time she considered how Diomedes would tell her to shut the hell up and throw something at her, was how she would annoy him.
His patience for her antics lasted far less time than they did last night, however, because in an instant he flung himself from the bed and stalked the short distance to where she stood. Her heart leapt into her throat and she shrunk away; expecting him to hit her again, but instead, he spun her around and pushed her against the wall. She shrieked in protest; fighting as he tugged at the clasp at her shoulder that held her gown on and she caught it before it fell to the floor. Tugging at her wrist, he pulled him to her and undid one to pull it through the ring. Hissing down at her with a gleam in his eye, he pinned her against his nude body. Her cheeks flushed violently at the idea that he was so close with no clothes on and she shoved away from him. "Let go of me...you stink." He didn't... actually he smelled like the ocean and the sun and the outdoors. It was a far better smell than the rest of the room. But she'd never let him know that. Pushing away, she stared at him and raised her chin; refusing to let him get the better of her. "Is that your intent? To humiliate me? Make me walk around as naked as you are?" She gave a huff and dropped her gown shamelessly. "Fine. Let's go." She stepped out of the puddle of her gown and stalked to the door; flinging it open to go upstairs. If he thought not having clothes would make her change her mind, he had another thing coming. You could only humiliate someone who was willing to be humiliated and she'd never been shy in her appearance. After all. They were only clothes.
Lukos laughed and let her go when she shoved violently away from him. He did not care for the way she demanded things of him as though whatever it was she wanted was a basic right. She was pampered and spoiled; exactly the type of person who, when broken, would likely never get that high spirit back. It was a little petty but he liked making her uncomfortable.
She hissed that he stunk which drew another mocking laugh. At that he knew he’d won. He lowered his arms and made to step around her to reattach the chain on the wall. What this bratty, lying, useless girl did not seem to understand or care about was that he had only a precious few hours to himself. Ever. Now that she was here, making his life miserable, not seeming to fully appreciate her precarious situation, he had no time. The least she could do was sit down and shut up.
As he looked at her, however, his gloating smile began to fade. The eyes that bored straight into his weren’t the meek, defeated ones he’d hoped for. They were hard and bright. He watched in utter disbelief as she let go of the gown she’d been clutching to her chest and let it fall away. There she stood, tall, determined, and beautifully naked.
He swallowed hard.
As though she was the one in command, she declared in an emperious voice that now, at last, they would go up onto the deck. He clenched his teeth together and tightened his grip on the chain, barely resisting the urge to yank it hard enough to pull her off her high and mighty throne. Somehow she’d turned this around and he felt...less than. A feeling he’d sworn would never control him again.
The way that she was glaring at him, daring him to stop her made the brand on the back of his shoulder prickle as though it was still healing. He raised his chin and leveled her with a malevolent glare. Without a word, he turned and opened the door, tugging her along behind him. They stepped into the gloom of the short passage outside and started up the stairs.
The one blessing in all of this was that the majority of his crew was below. A storm was on the horizon and no one liked sleeping in the rain. Arktos and another man were still working to move the cages down into the hold. One could not leave people topside in the rain and expect them not to get sick.
Arktos openly gawked as he came to the top of the stairs. Lukos ignored him. The slave woman inside the cage watched unabashedly, her eyes shifting from him to the girl behind him and back again in confusion. “Not a word,” Lukos muttered as he passed Arktos and stepped up into the wind.
Arktos didn’t bother to hide his open stare of the girl either and he gave her a long, leering look before descending down into the hold.
Most of the cages were in the hold already, leaving a good portion of the deck open for their ‘walk’. After a minute, he dropped her chain. It landed on the timbers with a loud clunk. Let her walk around on her own. He was tired and he turned, leaning on the railing and stared out at the water, still silver from the moon on this side of the ship. The sky to his left, however, was boiling with black clouds.
He turned to watch her every so often as she took in the air. It was hard to ignore that she was naked and every time he came close to thinking things he shouldn’t, he turned his gaze back to the water. What he would not admit to himself as he fought to hide the barest hint of a smile, was that she’d gained an ounce of begrudging respect. She would bow to him, he vowed. There were ways of breaking her without intimidation, since that clearly wasn’t working.
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Lukos laughed and let her go when she shoved violently away from him. He did not care for the way she demanded things of him as though whatever it was she wanted was a basic right. She was pampered and spoiled; exactly the type of person who, when broken, would likely never get that high spirit back. It was a little petty but he liked making her uncomfortable.
She hissed that he stunk which drew another mocking laugh. At that he knew he’d won. He lowered his arms and made to step around her to reattach the chain on the wall. What this bratty, lying, useless girl did not seem to understand or care about was that he had only a precious few hours to himself. Ever. Now that she was here, making his life miserable, not seeming to fully appreciate her precarious situation, he had no time. The least she could do was sit down and shut up.
As he looked at her, however, his gloating smile began to fade. The eyes that bored straight into his weren’t the meek, defeated ones he’d hoped for. They were hard and bright. He watched in utter disbelief as she let go of the gown she’d been clutching to her chest and let it fall away. There she stood, tall, determined, and beautifully naked.
He swallowed hard.
As though she was the one in command, she declared in an emperious voice that now, at last, they would go up onto the deck. He clenched his teeth together and tightened his grip on the chain, barely resisting the urge to yank it hard enough to pull her off her high and mighty throne. Somehow she’d turned this around and he felt...less than. A feeling he’d sworn would never control him again.
The way that she was glaring at him, daring him to stop her made the brand on the back of his shoulder prickle as though it was still healing. He raised his chin and leveled her with a malevolent glare. Without a word, he turned and opened the door, tugging her along behind him. They stepped into the gloom of the short passage outside and started up the stairs.
The one blessing in all of this was that the majority of his crew was below. A storm was on the horizon and no one liked sleeping in the rain. Arktos and another man were still working to move the cages down into the hold. One could not leave people topside in the rain and expect them not to get sick.
Arktos openly gawked as he came to the top of the stairs. Lukos ignored him. The slave woman inside the cage watched unabashedly, her eyes shifting from him to the girl behind him and back again in confusion. “Not a word,” Lukos muttered as he passed Arktos and stepped up into the wind.
Arktos didn’t bother to hide his open stare of the girl either and he gave her a long, leering look before descending down into the hold.
Most of the cages were in the hold already, leaving a good portion of the deck open for their ‘walk’. After a minute, he dropped her chain. It landed on the timbers with a loud clunk. Let her walk around on her own. He was tired and he turned, leaning on the railing and stared out at the water, still silver from the moon on this side of the ship. The sky to his left, however, was boiling with black clouds.
He turned to watch her every so often as she took in the air. It was hard to ignore that she was naked and every time he came close to thinking things he shouldn’t, he turned his gaze back to the water. What he would not admit to himself as he fought to hide the barest hint of a smile, was that she’d gained an ounce of begrudging respect. She would bow to him, he vowed. There were ways of breaking her without intimidation, since that clearly wasn’t working.
Lukos laughed and let her go when she shoved violently away from him. He did not care for the way she demanded things of him as though whatever it was she wanted was a basic right. She was pampered and spoiled; exactly the type of person who, when broken, would likely never get that high spirit back. It was a little petty but he liked making her uncomfortable.
She hissed that he stunk which drew another mocking laugh. At that he knew he’d won. He lowered his arms and made to step around her to reattach the chain on the wall. What this bratty, lying, useless girl did not seem to understand or care about was that he had only a precious few hours to himself. Ever. Now that she was here, making his life miserable, not seeming to fully appreciate her precarious situation, he had no time. The least she could do was sit down and shut up.
As he looked at her, however, his gloating smile began to fade. The eyes that bored straight into his weren’t the meek, defeated ones he’d hoped for. They were hard and bright. He watched in utter disbelief as she let go of the gown she’d been clutching to her chest and let it fall away. There she stood, tall, determined, and beautifully naked.
He swallowed hard.
As though she was the one in command, she declared in an emperious voice that now, at last, they would go up onto the deck. He clenched his teeth together and tightened his grip on the chain, barely resisting the urge to yank it hard enough to pull her off her high and mighty throne. Somehow she’d turned this around and he felt...less than. A feeling he’d sworn would never control him again.
The way that she was glaring at him, daring him to stop her made the brand on the back of his shoulder prickle as though it was still healing. He raised his chin and leveled her with a malevolent glare. Without a word, he turned and opened the door, tugging her along behind him. They stepped into the gloom of the short passage outside and started up the stairs.
The one blessing in all of this was that the majority of his crew was below. A storm was on the horizon and no one liked sleeping in the rain. Arktos and another man were still working to move the cages down into the hold. One could not leave people topside in the rain and expect them not to get sick.
Arktos openly gawked as he came to the top of the stairs. Lukos ignored him. The slave woman inside the cage watched unabashedly, her eyes shifting from him to the girl behind him and back again in confusion. “Not a word,” Lukos muttered as he passed Arktos and stepped up into the wind.
Arktos didn’t bother to hide his open stare of the girl either and he gave her a long, leering look before descending down into the hold.
Most of the cages were in the hold already, leaving a good portion of the deck open for their ‘walk’. After a minute, he dropped her chain. It landed on the timbers with a loud clunk. Let her walk around on her own. He was tired and he turned, leaning on the railing and stared out at the water, still silver from the moon on this side of the ship. The sky to his left, however, was boiling with black clouds.
He turned to watch her every so often as she took in the air. It was hard to ignore that she was naked and every time he came close to thinking things he shouldn’t, he turned his gaze back to the water. What he would not admit to himself as he fought to hide the barest hint of a smile, was that she’d gained an ounce of begrudging respect. She would bow to him, he vowed. There were ways of breaking her without intimidation, since that clearly wasn’t working.
What was she thinking? What had she done?
She'd expected him to fold... to tell her to put her bloody dress on and go upstairs. That's how battles were won, after all. He wasn't about to wander about naked as day on the top deck and, therefore, neither would she. Right?
Wrong.
With an irritating set, he stalked towards her, chain in hand. His jaw was clenched and determined and she paled a bit as he marched out the door in all the Gods had given him..dragging her with him. She fumbled behind him, but when they climbed the stairs and met Arktos, she raised her chin defiantly. She wouldn't allow a bunch of pirates to think anything less of her. Summoning the unabashedness of Aphrodite, she climbed the steps and stepped out onto the deck.
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders as Lukos dropped the chain; effectively dropping her leash so she could walk free. She glared back at him and gave the chain a yank; pulling it closer to her so she could gather it up and hold it so it wasn't dragging behind her. Then she wandered out onto the deck. ...Thankfully, there weren't many people here... most going below deck due to the rain. And the further she walked away from him, the easier it was for her to be nude. Like walking about one's bedroom after a bath. The air had cooled considerably ahead of the storm and there was a breeze heavily scented with rain. It smelled amazing; so much better than that stuffy, musty old room. She wandered towards the railing that overlooked the dark clouds and rested her hands atop it; leaning forward and letting her head fall back so she could take in the breeze. Her shoulders relaxed and a goofy smile crossed her face. She was never meant to sit still indoors for very long. She needed the fresh air; the wind and sun and rain as much as she needed food and water.
A thick drop of rain fell on her forehead; like a greeting from Zephryus. The boat swayed with the waves; pitching more drastically than normal. From here the internal queeziness wasn't' as strong. She could stare out at the distant, dark horizon and right herself. She stared down at the churning waves that slapped against the wooden sideboards of the boat; wondering if she should be concerned about the storm. Such events were responsible for shipwrecks, after all...and she doubted very much the captain had enough honor to set her or the other slaves free if the ship were sinking. Collateral damage and all.
She wished she could feel the sun. To get the recharge she needed earlier in the day; let it warm her skin and remove the chill of Lukos's bedroom. She rolled her neck as she leaned back away from the railing while holding it; stretching out her shoulders. She looked back at Lukos to see what he was doing and averted her gaze quickly; forgetting he was nude. Honestly, he was so stubborn. It wasn't too much to ask for fresh air, food, and water. It was the very least her family offered their slaves. They were also afforded comfortable living quarters, though shared, fine clothing to delineate their status and their house's wealth, and a day off to tend to their own affairs. Broken slaves just didn't serve as well. If they were content, they served more readily as there was nothing they could want.
She turned and walked the length of the deck by herself; completely oblivious to her nudity; having grown quite comfortable in her skin. Fingers toyed with the links in the chain she carried and she breathed in the salty sea air with deep breaths. The raindrops grew thicker and the boat pitched from side to side. She kept a steady hold on the railing as she walked so she wouldn't stumble across the deck.. but she wasn't a clumsy person and she adjusted to the movement easily. The rain was cool, but refreshing and she stopped to stare up at the clouds so the large droplets would fall on her face. She ran her tongue over her upper lip to collect the fresh water; it tasted so much better than the water from the skein. It washed away the salt that was left behind from her "bath" earlier. Her face and shoulders already felt cleaner; less gritty than the leftover salt that clung to her skin.
When goosebumps skittered across her arms and a shiver ran down her spine, she took a deep breath and made her way back across the deck to where Lukos waited. Her cheeks were flushed and her nose was a little red with the cold, but she was in good spirits. She may even let him sleep tonight. Letting go of the railing, she moved with the pitch of the ship to take quick steps to a beam he stood near; wrapping her hands around it as she spoke to him. "There now.. still plenty of time for you to sleep and I may let you now.." Her eyes sparkled slightly. Her skin was shiny with the rain; it clung to her dark lashes and dripped off her chin. Thankfully her hair remained tightly braided so she wouldn't have to contend with it.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
She'd expected him to fold... to tell her to put her bloody dress on and go upstairs. That's how battles were won, after all. He wasn't about to wander about naked as day on the top deck and, therefore, neither would she. Right?
Wrong.
With an irritating set, he stalked towards her, chain in hand. His jaw was clenched and determined and she paled a bit as he marched out the door in all the Gods had given him..dragging her with him. She fumbled behind him, but when they climbed the stairs and met Arktos, she raised her chin defiantly. She wouldn't allow a bunch of pirates to think anything less of her. Summoning the unabashedness of Aphrodite, she climbed the steps and stepped out onto the deck.
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders as Lukos dropped the chain; effectively dropping her leash so she could walk free. She glared back at him and gave the chain a yank; pulling it closer to her so she could gather it up and hold it so it wasn't dragging behind her. Then she wandered out onto the deck. ...Thankfully, there weren't many people here... most going below deck due to the rain. And the further she walked away from him, the easier it was for her to be nude. Like walking about one's bedroom after a bath. The air had cooled considerably ahead of the storm and there was a breeze heavily scented with rain. It smelled amazing; so much better than that stuffy, musty old room. She wandered towards the railing that overlooked the dark clouds and rested her hands atop it; leaning forward and letting her head fall back so she could take in the breeze. Her shoulders relaxed and a goofy smile crossed her face. She was never meant to sit still indoors for very long. She needed the fresh air; the wind and sun and rain as much as she needed food and water.
A thick drop of rain fell on her forehead; like a greeting from Zephryus. The boat swayed with the waves; pitching more drastically than normal. From here the internal queeziness wasn't' as strong. She could stare out at the distant, dark horizon and right herself. She stared down at the churning waves that slapped against the wooden sideboards of the boat; wondering if she should be concerned about the storm. Such events were responsible for shipwrecks, after all...and she doubted very much the captain had enough honor to set her or the other slaves free if the ship were sinking. Collateral damage and all.
She wished she could feel the sun. To get the recharge she needed earlier in the day; let it warm her skin and remove the chill of Lukos's bedroom. She rolled her neck as she leaned back away from the railing while holding it; stretching out her shoulders. She looked back at Lukos to see what he was doing and averted her gaze quickly; forgetting he was nude. Honestly, he was so stubborn. It wasn't too much to ask for fresh air, food, and water. It was the very least her family offered their slaves. They were also afforded comfortable living quarters, though shared, fine clothing to delineate their status and their house's wealth, and a day off to tend to their own affairs. Broken slaves just didn't serve as well. If they were content, they served more readily as there was nothing they could want.
She turned and walked the length of the deck by herself; completely oblivious to her nudity; having grown quite comfortable in her skin. Fingers toyed with the links in the chain she carried and she breathed in the salty sea air with deep breaths. The raindrops grew thicker and the boat pitched from side to side. She kept a steady hold on the railing as she walked so she wouldn't stumble across the deck.. but she wasn't a clumsy person and she adjusted to the movement easily. The rain was cool, but refreshing and she stopped to stare up at the clouds so the large droplets would fall on her face. She ran her tongue over her upper lip to collect the fresh water; it tasted so much better than the water from the skein. It washed away the salt that was left behind from her "bath" earlier. Her face and shoulders already felt cleaner; less gritty than the leftover salt that clung to her skin.
When goosebumps skittered across her arms and a shiver ran down her spine, she took a deep breath and made her way back across the deck to where Lukos waited. Her cheeks were flushed and her nose was a little red with the cold, but she was in good spirits. She may even let him sleep tonight. Letting go of the railing, she moved with the pitch of the ship to take quick steps to a beam he stood near; wrapping her hands around it as she spoke to him. "There now.. still plenty of time for you to sleep and I may let you now.." Her eyes sparkled slightly. Her skin was shiny with the rain; it clung to her dark lashes and dripped off her chin. Thankfully her hair remained tightly braided so she wouldn't have to contend with it.
What was she thinking? What had she done?
She'd expected him to fold... to tell her to put her bloody dress on and go upstairs. That's how battles were won, after all. He wasn't about to wander about naked as day on the top deck and, therefore, neither would she. Right?
Wrong.
With an irritating set, he stalked towards her, chain in hand. His jaw was clenched and determined and she paled a bit as he marched out the door in all the Gods had given him..dragging her with him. She fumbled behind him, but when they climbed the stairs and met Arktos, she raised her chin defiantly. She wouldn't allow a bunch of pirates to think anything less of her. Summoning the unabashedness of Aphrodite, she climbed the steps and stepped out onto the deck.
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders as Lukos dropped the chain; effectively dropping her leash so she could walk free. She glared back at him and gave the chain a yank; pulling it closer to her so she could gather it up and hold it so it wasn't dragging behind her. Then she wandered out onto the deck. ...Thankfully, there weren't many people here... most going below deck due to the rain. And the further she walked away from him, the easier it was for her to be nude. Like walking about one's bedroom after a bath. The air had cooled considerably ahead of the storm and there was a breeze heavily scented with rain. It smelled amazing; so much better than that stuffy, musty old room. She wandered towards the railing that overlooked the dark clouds and rested her hands atop it; leaning forward and letting her head fall back so she could take in the breeze. Her shoulders relaxed and a goofy smile crossed her face. She was never meant to sit still indoors for very long. She needed the fresh air; the wind and sun and rain as much as she needed food and water.
A thick drop of rain fell on her forehead; like a greeting from Zephryus. The boat swayed with the waves; pitching more drastically than normal. From here the internal queeziness wasn't' as strong. She could stare out at the distant, dark horizon and right herself. She stared down at the churning waves that slapped against the wooden sideboards of the boat; wondering if she should be concerned about the storm. Such events were responsible for shipwrecks, after all...and she doubted very much the captain had enough honor to set her or the other slaves free if the ship were sinking. Collateral damage and all.
She wished she could feel the sun. To get the recharge she needed earlier in the day; let it warm her skin and remove the chill of Lukos's bedroom. She rolled her neck as she leaned back away from the railing while holding it; stretching out her shoulders. She looked back at Lukos to see what he was doing and averted her gaze quickly; forgetting he was nude. Honestly, he was so stubborn. It wasn't too much to ask for fresh air, food, and water. It was the very least her family offered their slaves. They were also afforded comfortable living quarters, though shared, fine clothing to delineate their status and their house's wealth, and a day off to tend to their own affairs. Broken slaves just didn't serve as well. If they were content, they served more readily as there was nothing they could want.
She turned and walked the length of the deck by herself; completely oblivious to her nudity; having grown quite comfortable in her skin. Fingers toyed with the links in the chain she carried and she breathed in the salty sea air with deep breaths. The raindrops grew thicker and the boat pitched from side to side. She kept a steady hold on the railing as she walked so she wouldn't stumble across the deck.. but she wasn't a clumsy person and she adjusted to the movement easily. The rain was cool, but refreshing and she stopped to stare up at the clouds so the large droplets would fall on her face. She ran her tongue over her upper lip to collect the fresh water; it tasted so much better than the water from the skein. It washed away the salt that was left behind from her "bath" earlier. Her face and shoulders already felt cleaner; less gritty than the leftover salt that clung to her skin.
When goosebumps skittered across her arms and a shiver ran down her spine, she took a deep breath and made her way back across the deck to where Lukos waited. Her cheeks were flushed and her nose was a little red with the cold, but she was in good spirits. She may even let him sleep tonight. Letting go of the railing, she moved with the pitch of the ship to take quick steps to a beam he stood near; wrapping her hands around it as she spoke to him. "There now.. still plenty of time for you to sleep and I may let you now.." Her eyes sparkled slightly. Her skin was shiny with the rain; it clung to her dark lashes and dripped off her chin. Thankfully her hair remained tightly braided so she wouldn't have to contend with it.
The wind picked up and he watched the sea. Under the sliver of moonlight, it looked like a great, breathing beast, its body heaving up and down. The Aceton rose as one of the monster’s breaths puffed up the water beneath them before the ship slid down into the trough of the wave before coming up again. Heady scents of salt and rain mingled in the air and he closed his eyes, breathing it in as the wind whipped his hair about.
Only here on the merciless ocean was he free; free to think, free to do as he pleased. Or he had been, at least. At that thought he turned around, leaning his back on the railing this time with his arms crossed over his chest and watched her as she wandered on the other side. She moved as though she didn’t have a heavy chain trailing her every step. Her body was well formed, strong.
Now that she was naked, he could see the muscles of her legs and calves. They betrayed secrets she probably would rather have hidden from him. It was obvious that exercise was not foreign to her. He narrowed his eyes and let them wander over her, taking in her arms again; arms he knew for a fact could heft a sword with enough strength to ram it through a man twice her size. Still, she was soft in the right places too and he didn’t ignore those either.
Glancing away, he looked east to find the storm front breaking loose. Rain poured over the water and he turned away from her then, waiting for it to come. The first droplets splattered the top deck before racing across the rest of the ship. Like her, he turned his face up, catching fresh water on his tongue.
He was barely aware of the way the boat rocked beneath him. Its timbers groaned against the swells pushing them up toward the sky only to drop them suddenly into the bowl of the wave, crashing against the next wave rearing to meet them. Thunder rumbled distantly and he wondered idly whether he would one day die by Zeus’s hand or Poseidon’s.
It was the sound of her chain dragging that jerked him out of his reverie. He glanced over his shoulder and caught her outline before turning his gaze back to the waves cresting beyond. Two dorsal fins surfaced then. A third broke the surface of the water as a long, sleek grey body shot into the air and gracefully arcked before splashing back beneath the waves. If the sun had been shining, the pod of dolphins would have been visible beneath but for now all he could see were the outlines of the ones playing close to the ship.
Rain felt in sheets, obscuring the dolphins from view. They were the only two still on deck and the ship pitched hard enough that he felt it was necessary to hang onto the railing. Still, as much as he had not wanted to come up here with her, he was loath to go back down. Her voice carried over the wind, with the air of giving him permission to take her back down to the room.
“Quit speaking to me like you’re a free woman,” he said without inflection. When he looked back at her, the way she was gazing at him, the teasing light in her eyes made something stir deep in his chest. It was uncomfortable and he didn’t like it. If he had been the one to meet her in that market place, she would not be looking at him with that mischievous glint now. Her eyes would have alighted on him, possibly averted immediately, and they would never have spoken.
His bronze skin would have immediately labeled him to her as low born. Not worth speaking to. And for all that she had said about how well she would treat her slaves, they were still that; slaves. They were not equals. Even now, when she was his captive. She was still acting as though she had some control or say in how she was treated.
He did not want her to be nice to him or to see him as some sort of equal. What he wanted was her fear, her disgust; for her to look at him with the purest amount of loathing. That made it easier to hate her and treat her the way she deserved. Like the animal he was sure she would become in time.
Lukos turned and stared back out at the water but there was nothing to see but rain. The dolphins were probably gone, safe beneath the waves and storm. Lightning forked overhead and thunder boomed. A massive wave tossed the boat up. Reflex made him reach out to catch her arm as water rolled over the deck.
Without waiting, he drug her away from the beam and moved to the stairs. He did not trust her to be able to get there by herself, or to navigate them as water gushed down them around their ankles. Crying rose from the hold over the clamor of voices. No one would be getting sleep as long as the storm continued.
At the base of the stairs, he pulled her ahead of him and guided her back to the room with his hand on the center of his back. The ship groaned and he found himself stumbling against the wall as he waited for her to open the door. Only a little water rolled over the passageway as most of it cascaded down. It would have to be bailed out later but they were alright for now.
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The wind picked up and he watched the sea. Under the sliver of moonlight, it looked like a great, breathing beast, its body heaving up and down. The Aceton rose as one of the monster’s breaths puffed up the water beneath them before the ship slid down into the trough of the wave before coming up again. Heady scents of salt and rain mingled in the air and he closed his eyes, breathing it in as the wind whipped his hair about.
Only here on the merciless ocean was he free; free to think, free to do as he pleased. Or he had been, at least. At that thought he turned around, leaning his back on the railing this time with his arms crossed over his chest and watched her as she wandered on the other side. She moved as though she didn’t have a heavy chain trailing her every step. Her body was well formed, strong.
Now that she was naked, he could see the muscles of her legs and calves. They betrayed secrets she probably would rather have hidden from him. It was obvious that exercise was not foreign to her. He narrowed his eyes and let them wander over her, taking in her arms again; arms he knew for a fact could heft a sword with enough strength to ram it through a man twice her size. Still, she was soft in the right places too and he didn’t ignore those either.
Glancing away, he looked east to find the storm front breaking loose. Rain poured over the water and he turned away from her then, waiting for it to come. The first droplets splattered the top deck before racing across the rest of the ship. Like her, he turned his face up, catching fresh water on his tongue.
He was barely aware of the way the boat rocked beneath him. Its timbers groaned against the swells pushing them up toward the sky only to drop them suddenly into the bowl of the wave, crashing against the next wave rearing to meet them. Thunder rumbled distantly and he wondered idly whether he would one day die by Zeus’s hand or Poseidon’s.
It was the sound of her chain dragging that jerked him out of his reverie. He glanced over his shoulder and caught her outline before turning his gaze back to the waves cresting beyond. Two dorsal fins surfaced then. A third broke the surface of the water as a long, sleek grey body shot into the air and gracefully arcked before splashing back beneath the waves. If the sun had been shining, the pod of dolphins would have been visible beneath but for now all he could see were the outlines of the ones playing close to the ship.
Rain felt in sheets, obscuring the dolphins from view. They were the only two still on deck and the ship pitched hard enough that he felt it was necessary to hang onto the railing. Still, as much as he had not wanted to come up here with her, he was loath to go back down. Her voice carried over the wind, with the air of giving him permission to take her back down to the room.
“Quit speaking to me like you’re a free woman,” he said without inflection. When he looked back at her, the way she was gazing at him, the teasing light in her eyes made something stir deep in his chest. It was uncomfortable and he didn’t like it. If he had been the one to meet her in that market place, she would not be looking at him with that mischievous glint now. Her eyes would have alighted on him, possibly averted immediately, and they would never have spoken.
His bronze skin would have immediately labeled him to her as low born. Not worth speaking to. And for all that she had said about how well she would treat her slaves, they were still that; slaves. They were not equals. Even now, when she was his captive. She was still acting as though she had some control or say in how she was treated.
He did not want her to be nice to him or to see him as some sort of equal. What he wanted was her fear, her disgust; for her to look at him with the purest amount of loathing. That made it easier to hate her and treat her the way she deserved. Like the animal he was sure she would become in time.
Lukos turned and stared back out at the water but there was nothing to see but rain. The dolphins were probably gone, safe beneath the waves and storm. Lightning forked overhead and thunder boomed. A massive wave tossed the boat up. Reflex made him reach out to catch her arm as water rolled over the deck.
Without waiting, he drug her away from the beam and moved to the stairs. He did not trust her to be able to get there by herself, or to navigate them as water gushed down them around their ankles. Crying rose from the hold over the clamor of voices. No one would be getting sleep as long as the storm continued.
At the base of the stairs, he pulled her ahead of him and guided her back to the room with his hand on the center of his back. The ship groaned and he found himself stumbling against the wall as he waited for her to open the door. Only a little water rolled over the passageway as most of it cascaded down. It would have to be bailed out later but they were alright for now.
The wind picked up and he watched the sea. Under the sliver of moonlight, it looked like a great, breathing beast, its body heaving up and down. The Aceton rose as one of the monster’s breaths puffed up the water beneath them before the ship slid down into the trough of the wave before coming up again. Heady scents of salt and rain mingled in the air and he closed his eyes, breathing it in as the wind whipped his hair about.
Only here on the merciless ocean was he free; free to think, free to do as he pleased. Or he had been, at least. At that thought he turned around, leaning his back on the railing this time with his arms crossed over his chest and watched her as she wandered on the other side. She moved as though she didn’t have a heavy chain trailing her every step. Her body was well formed, strong.
Now that she was naked, he could see the muscles of her legs and calves. They betrayed secrets she probably would rather have hidden from him. It was obvious that exercise was not foreign to her. He narrowed his eyes and let them wander over her, taking in her arms again; arms he knew for a fact could heft a sword with enough strength to ram it through a man twice her size. Still, she was soft in the right places too and he didn’t ignore those either.
Glancing away, he looked east to find the storm front breaking loose. Rain poured over the water and he turned away from her then, waiting for it to come. The first droplets splattered the top deck before racing across the rest of the ship. Like her, he turned his face up, catching fresh water on his tongue.
He was barely aware of the way the boat rocked beneath him. Its timbers groaned against the swells pushing them up toward the sky only to drop them suddenly into the bowl of the wave, crashing against the next wave rearing to meet them. Thunder rumbled distantly and he wondered idly whether he would one day die by Zeus’s hand or Poseidon’s.
It was the sound of her chain dragging that jerked him out of his reverie. He glanced over his shoulder and caught her outline before turning his gaze back to the waves cresting beyond. Two dorsal fins surfaced then. A third broke the surface of the water as a long, sleek grey body shot into the air and gracefully arcked before splashing back beneath the waves. If the sun had been shining, the pod of dolphins would have been visible beneath but for now all he could see were the outlines of the ones playing close to the ship.
Rain felt in sheets, obscuring the dolphins from view. They were the only two still on deck and the ship pitched hard enough that he felt it was necessary to hang onto the railing. Still, as much as he had not wanted to come up here with her, he was loath to go back down. Her voice carried over the wind, with the air of giving him permission to take her back down to the room.
“Quit speaking to me like you’re a free woman,” he said without inflection. When he looked back at her, the way she was gazing at him, the teasing light in her eyes made something stir deep in his chest. It was uncomfortable and he didn’t like it. If he had been the one to meet her in that market place, she would not be looking at him with that mischievous glint now. Her eyes would have alighted on him, possibly averted immediately, and they would never have spoken.
His bronze skin would have immediately labeled him to her as low born. Not worth speaking to. And for all that she had said about how well she would treat her slaves, they were still that; slaves. They were not equals. Even now, when she was his captive. She was still acting as though she had some control or say in how she was treated.
He did not want her to be nice to him or to see him as some sort of equal. What he wanted was her fear, her disgust; for her to look at him with the purest amount of loathing. That made it easier to hate her and treat her the way she deserved. Like the animal he was sure she would become in time.
Lukos turned and stared back out at the water but there was nothing to see but rain. The dolphins were probably gone, safe beneath the waves and storm. Lightning forked overhead and thunder boomed. A massive wave tossed the boat up. Reflex made him reach out to catch her arm as water rolled over the deck.
Without waiting, he drug her away from the beam and moved to the stairs. He did not trust her to be able to get there by herself, or to navigate them as water gushed down them around their ankles. Crying rose from the hold over the clamor of voices. No one would be getting sleep as long as the storm continued.
At the base of the stairs, he pulled her ahead of him and guided her back to the room with his hand on the center of his back. The ship groaned and he found himself stumbling against the wall as he waited for her to open the door. Only a little water rolled over the passageway as most of it cascaded down. It would have to be bailed out later but they were alright for now.
The waves pitched the boat like flotsam in the ocean; up the crest of a giant hill, and down the side of a canyon before crashing in the waves; the ocean water splashing over the deck. The first few steps of trying to figure out how to stay upright were precarious and she fumbled about. But she learned if she kept her knees bent, she could ride the boat through the wave. In a way, she was thankful she'd been stripped of her dress so it didn't tangle about her legs. She was sure she would have tripped over them several times already and possibly gone overboard.
She kept her hands firmly on the rails as walking became more precarious and then to the beam near him. He was far from amused and she sighed as he snapped at her. Clearly, her talk with him this morning had long been forgotten. Her eyes flashed and she leaned forward. "I am a free woman." ..She wouldn't let him forget it either. He had no right to take her. He'd already justified the killing of his crew member. So he kept her against her will. Most slaves were indentured; they owed something to their Master that needed to be paid off to gain their freedom. she owed him nothing. ...But he was right. If she had seen him the market, she would not have looked twice at him. Not just because of his class rank and the bronze of his skin, but because she very rarely noticed men at all. Her attentions had never been on the opposite sex as she'd always had more entertaining pursuits. She was never one to sit with the girls at court and gossip about the gentlemen there and how strong or good looking they were. They all seemed rather showy and she was a woman who put value in actions over appearance.
No, she wouldn't have noticed Lukos in the market. But kidnapping her and tying her up in his quarters had definitely earned her attention now, whether good or bad.
The boat pitched sideways and she clung to the beam. Lukos reached out and grabbed her arm for safety, but then dragged her to the stairs. She hurried forward; her sandaled feet splashing through the water as she grabbed on to another railing to help her down the stairs. The cries of the women below decks caught her attention and she frowned; looking back in their directions as Lukos nudged her forward towards his room. She wrapped her hand around the latch and stumbled forward as the boat pitched again. She couldn't see how any of them could rest during this.. she doubted she could even sit in the same position on the floor.
As the boat pitched back again, she resisted the angle of the boat, but the floor dropped out from beneath her and jumped forward; stumbling into him as they slammed into the wall. Her hands went to his shoulders to catch herself so she didn't fall; her elbows bent between them and her chains keeping her body from fully pressing against his thankfully... though when she looked up, his face was centimeters away. Pinned as she was between him and the wall, she flushed and cleared her throat awkwardly. She gave a strangled chuckle before wriggling out of his hold to go find her dress; as a tingling feeling set low in her belly. Plucking the gown off the floor, she pulled it up over her hips and breasts; clasping the shoulder closed. At least it was dry and felt warm. She was glad she'd left it.....otherwise, she'd be sitting in wet clothes for hours.
She grabbed the ring she was tied to as the boat shifted again. Groaning she gave him an exasperated look. How was she supposed to manage through this? She'd be broken and bruised all over by the next morning.
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The waves pitched the boat like flotsam in the ocean; up the crest of a giant hill, and down the side of a canyon before crashing in the waves; the ocean water splashing over the deck. The first few steps of trying to figure out how to stay upright were precarious and she fumbled about. But she learned if she kept her knees bent, she could ride the boat through the wave. In a way, she was thankful she'd been stripped of her dress so it didn't tangle about her legs. She was sure she would have tripped over them several times already and possibly gone overboard.
She kept her hands firmly on the rails as walking became more precarious and then to the beam near him. He was far from amused and she sighed as he snapped at her. Clearly, her talk with him this morning had long been forgotten. Her eyes flashed and she leaned forward. "I am a free woman." ..She wouldn't let him forget it either. He had no right to take her. He'd already justified the killing of his crew member. So he kept her against her will. Most slaves were indentured; they owed something to their Master that needed to be paid off to gain their freedom. she owed him nothing. ...But he was right. If she had seen him the market, she would not have looked twice at him. Not just because of his class rank and the bronze of his skin, but because she very rarely noticed men at all. Her attentions had never been on the opposite sex as she'd always had more entertaining pursuits. She was never one to sit with the girls at court and gossip about the gentlemen there and how strong or good looking they were. They all seemed rather showy and she was a woman who put value in actions over appearance.
No, she wouldn't have noticed Lukos in the market. But kidnapping her and tying her up in his quarters had definitely earned her attention now, whether good or bad.
The boat pitched sideways and she clung to the beam. Lukos reached out and grabbed her arm for safety, but then dragged her to the stairs. She hurried forward; her sandaled feet splashing through the water as she grabbed on to another railing to help her down the stairs. The cries of the women below decks caught her attention and she frowned; looking back in their directions as Lukos nudged her forward towards his room. She wrapped her hand around the latch and stumbled forward as the boat pitched again. She couldn't see how any of them could rest during this.. she doubted she could even sit in the same position on the floor.
As the boat pitched back again, she resisted the angle of the boat, but the floor dropped out from beneath her and jumped forward; stumbling into him as they slammed into the wall. Her hands went to his shoulders to catch herself so she didn't fall; her elbows bent between them and her chains keeping her body from fully pressing against his thankfully... though when she looked up, his face was centimeters away. Pinned as she was between him and the wall, she flushed and cleared her throat awkwardly. She gave a strangled chuckle before wriggling out of his hold to go find her dress; as a tingling feeling set low in her belly. Plucking the gown off the floor, she pulled it up over her hips and breasts; clasping the shoulder closed. At least it was dry and felt warm. She was glad she'd left it.....otherwise, she'd be sitting in wet clothes for hours.
She grabbed the ring she was tied to as the boat shifted again. Groaning she gave him an exasperated look. How was she supposed to manage through this? She'd be broken and bruised all over by the next morning.
The waves pitched the boat like flotsam in the ocean; up the crest of a giant hill, and down the side of a canyon before crashing in the waves; the ocean water splashing over the deck. The first few steps of trying to figure out how to stay upright were precarious and she fumbled about. But she learned if she kept her knees bent, she could ride the boat through the wave. In a way, she was thankful she'd been stripped of her dress so it didn't tangle about her legs. She was sure she would have tripped over them several times already and possibly gone overboard.
She kept her hands firmly on the rails as walking became more precarious and then to the beam near him. He was far from amused and she sighed as he snapped at her. Clearly, her talk with him this morning had long been forgotten. Her eyes flashed and she leaned forward. "I am a free woman." ..She wouldn't let him forget it either. He had no right to take her. He'd already justified the killing of his crew member. So he kept her against her will. Most slaves were indentured; they owed something to their Master that needed to be paid off to gain their freedom. she owed him nothing. ...But he was right. If she had seen him the market, she would not have looked twice at him. Not just because of his class rank and the bronze of his skin, but because she very rarely noticed men at all. Her attentions had never been on the opposite sex as she'd always had more entertaining pursuits. She was never one to sit with the girls at court and gossip about the gentlemen there and how strong or good looking they were. They all seemed rather showy and she was a woman who put value in actions over appearance.
No, she wouldn't have noticed Lukos in the market. But kidnapping her and tying her up in his quarters had definitely earned her attention now, whether good or bad.
The boat pitched sideways and she clung to the beam. Lukos reached out and grabbed her arm for safety, but then dragged her to the stairs. She hurried forward; her sandaled feet splashing through the water as she grabbed on to another railing to help her down the stairs. The cries of the women below decks caught her attention and she frowned; looking back in their directions as Lukos nudged her forward towards his room. She wrapped her hand around the latch and stumbled forward as the boat pitched again. She couldn't see how any of them could rest during this.. she doubted she could even sit in the same position on the floor.
As the boat pitched back again, she resisted the angle of the boat, but the floor dropped out from beneath her and jumped forward; stumbling into him as they slammed into the wall. Her hands went to his shoulders to catch herself so she didn't fall; her elbows bent between them and her chains keeping her body from fully pressing against his thankfully... though when she looked up, his face was centimeters away. Pinned as she was between him and the wall, she flushed and cleared her throat awkwardly. She gave a strangled chuckle before wriggling out of his hold to go find her dress; as a tingling feeling set low in her belly. Plucking the gown off the floor, she pulled it up over her hips and breasts; clasping the shoulder closed. At least it was dry and felt warm. She was glad she'd left it.....otherwise, she'd be sitting in wet clothes for hours.
She grabbed the ring she was tied to as the boat shifted again. Groaning she gave him an exasperated look. How was she supposed to manage through this? She'd be broken and bruised all over by the next morning.
While she might have been glad that their excursion had been without clothing, he wasn’t. She was slippery and hard to hold onto. While she had chosen to wear her sandals, he was barefoot. The boards were slick under his feet. When she finally wrenched the door open, it crashed against the outside wall with a bang. He slipped a little as he followed her inside.
The ship righted itself and for a moment he stood just behind her, about to bend down and pick up her chain from the floor. At that moment an outside wave slammed the starboard side and pitched them both across the room. Shrieks from the hold abruptly cut off as the door banged shut.
Without control the two of them were tossed about. He winced as she reached out instinctively, her fingers digging into his shoulders so that they were together when they hurled against the wall. His hip hit hers painfully and metal dug into his chest. Thunder reverberated overhead but it did not drown out her shallow breathing.
Lukos’ attention had been on everything else, but as the ship tossed a fraction less, he finally allowed himself to look down at her. His hands were splayed against the timbers on either side of her head. What little skin contact they did have was cold, wet, and strangely heated at the same time. No thoughts formed in his mind. Everything was strangely blank.
Another crack of thunder and she cleared her throat, bringing him back to himself. He didn’t move though. She gave a odd trilling laugh before wiggling away but he didn’t step back. Her body slid against his until all that met him was the wall. As she went to the other side of the room, he leaned his forehead against the harsh grain of the wood, listening to the rustle of fabric as it slid over her skin.
After a second, he too reached for his clothes, pulling on his trousers first. The air in here was stale and damp but being wet made it chilly. He donned his shirt and went barefoot over to his bed but he did not sit on it. Instead he sat at its foot on the floor, his knees drawn up to his chest, watching her hang onto the metal ring. She gave him an exasperated look as though willing him to make the storm stop.
“You’ll be fine,” he said. “I doubt even Hera could devise a way to kill you.” It bothered him that they’d been so close. His heart had raced and blood had pounded in his ears. She’d been hurling insults yesterday, implying that he hadn’t been with women in so long that he’d had to resort to other means and while she’d been wrong about him resorting to using a crew mate, she was right about the other part; He hadn’t had human contact in so long he’d almost forgotten the feeling.
It was there now though. Damn her. There was no need to imagine her naked since she’d been prancing around that way for the better part of half an hour. Now she sat huddled down in her blue chiton that made her no less appealing.
He pressed his fist to his mouth and looked elsewhere. She was bound for the slave market. There was no having her even if he wanted her. Which he did not. Clearly.
“I can’t let you wander the ship now,” he said after a few minutes. “Not alone.” Truthfully she probably couldn’t have ever wandered the ship alone but especially now. To upset her he said, “I don’t want your value decreased. Phaidra," he added heavy emphasis on her name to make sure she knew he didn't believe for a second she'd told him the truth.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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While she might have been glad that their excursion had been without clothing, he wasn’t. She was slippery and hard to hold onto. While she had chosen to wear her sandals, he was barefoot. The boards were slick under his feet. When she finally wrenched the door open, it crashed against the outside wall with a bang. He slipped a little as he followed her inside.
The ship righted itself and for a moment he stood just behind her, about to bend down and pick up her chain from the floor. At that moment an outside wave slammed the starboard side and pitched them both across the room. Shrieks from the hold abruptly cut off as the door banged shut.
Without control the two of them were tossed about. He winced as she reached out instinctively, her fingers digging into his shoulders so that they were together when they hurled against the wall. His hip hit hers painfully and metal dug into his chest. Thunder reverberated overhead but it did not drown out her shallow breathing.
Lukos’ attention had been on everything else, but as the ship tossed a fraction less, he finally allowed himself to look down at her. His hands were splayed against the timbers on either side of her head. What little skin contact they did have was cold, wet, and strangely heated at the same time. No thoughts formed in his mind. Everything was strangely blank.
Another crack of thunder and she cleared her throat, bringing him back to himself. He didn’t move though. She gave a odd trilling laugh before wiggling away but he didn’t step back. Her body slid against his until all that met him was the wall. As she went to the other side of the room, he leaned his forehead against the harsh grain of the wood, listening to the rustle of fabric as it slid over her skin.
After a second, he too reached for his clothes, pulling on his trousers first. The air in here was stale and damp but being wet made it chilly. He donned his shirt and went barefoot over to his bed but he did not sit on it. Instead he sat at its foot on the floor, his knees drawn up to his chest, watching her hang onto the metal ring. She gave him an exasperated look as though willing him to make the storm stop.
“You’ll be fine,” he said. “I doubt even Hera could devise a way to kill you.” It bothered him that they’d been so close. His heart had raced and blood had pounded in his ears. She’d been hurling insults yesterday, implying that he hadn’t been with women in so long that he’d had to resort to other means and while she’d been wrong about him resorting to using a crew mate, she was right about the other part; He hadn’t had human contact in so long he’d almost forgotten the feeling.
It was there now though. Damn her. There was no need to imagine her naked since she’d been prancing around that way for the better part of half an hour. Now she sat huddled down in her blue chiton that made her no less appealing.
He pressed his fist to his mouth and looked elsewhere. She was bound for the slave market. There was no having her even if he wanted her. Which he did not. Clearly.
“I can’t let you wander the ship now,” he said after a few minutes. “Not alone.” Truthfully she probably couldn’t have ever wandered the ship alone but especially now. To upset her he said, “I don’t want your value decreased. Phaidra," he added heavy emphasis on her name to make sure she knew he didn't believe for a second she'd told him the truth.
While she might have been glad that their excursion had been without clothing, he wasn’t. She was slippery and hard to hold onto. While she had chosen to wear her sandals, he was barefoot. The boards were slick under his feet. When she finally wrenched the door open, it crashed against the outside wall with a bang. He slipped a little as he followed her inside.
The ship righted itself and for a moment he stood just behind her, about to bend down and pick up her chain from the floor. At that moment an outside wave slammed the starboard side and pitched them both across the room. Shrieks from the hold abruptly cut off as the door banged shut.
Without control the two of them were tossed about. He winced as she reached out instinctively, her fingers digging into his shoulders so that they were together when they hurled against the wall. His hip hit hers painfully and metal dug into his chest. Thunder reverberated overhead but it did not drown out her shallow breathing.
Lukos’ attention had been on everything else, but as the ship tossed a fraction less, he finally allowed himself to look down at her. His hands were splayed against the timbers on either side of her head. What little skin contact they did have was cold, wet, and strangely heated at the same time. No thoughts formed in his mind. Everything was strangely blank.
Another crack of thunder and she cleared her throat, bringing him back to himself. He didn’t move though. She gave a odd trilling laugh before wiggling away but he didn’t step back. Her body slid against his until all that met him was the wall. As she went to the other side of the room, he leaned his forehead against the harsh grain of the wood, listening to the rustle of fabric as it slid over her skin.
After a second, he too reached for his clothes, pulling on his trousers first. The air in here was stale and damp but being wet made it chilly. He donned his shirt and went barefoot over to his bed but he did not sit on it. Instead he sat at its foot on the floor, his knees drawn up to his chest, watching her hang onto the metal ring. She gave him an exasperated look as though willing him to make the storm stop.
“You’ll be fine,” he said. “I doubt even Hera could devise a way to kill you.” It bothered him that they’d been so close. His heart had raced and blood had pounded in his ears. She’d been hurling insults yesterday, implying that he hadn’t been with women in so long that he’d had to resort to other means and while she’d been wrong about him resorting to using a crew mate, she was right about the other part; He hadn’t had human contact in so long he’d almost forgotten the feeling.
It was there now though. Damn her. There was no need to imagine her naked since she’d been prancing around that way for the better part of half an hour. Now she sat huddled down in her blue chiton that made her no less appealing.
He pressed his fist to his mouth and looked elsewhere. She was bound for the slave market. There was no having her even if he wanted her. Which he did not. Clearly.
“I can’t let you wander the ship now,” he said after a few minutes. “Not alone.” Truthfully she probably couldn’t have ever wandered the ship alone but especially now. To upset her he said, “I don’t want your value decreased. Phaidra," he added heavy emphasis on her name to make sure she knew he didn't believe for a second she'd told him the truth.
She slid down on the wall in front of him to sit; only a few feet separating them in the small space. She wasn't tied to the wall, but it didn't matter. The way the ship pitched, there wasn't really anywhere else on the ship she'd rather be but in this room. It was closed and condensed and drier than most places. Even if it was next to impossible to keep from rolling all over the place. When he told her not even Hera could kill her she stared at him for a long moment then stifled a smile. It was the closest thing to a compliment he'd given her.
She tucked a lock of wet hair behind her ear and caught herself from tumbling over with one arm as the boat lurched again. She wondered why he didn't go to bed. His obligations with her were complete. She'd gotten to walk around above and stretch her legs... breathe in the fresh air. If he wanted so badly to sleep, he was now free to do so. "I may have Hera on my side, but I've never been very familiar with Poseidon...." She'd never traveled by boat anywhere. She'd never had to. Athenia was large enough and everything she'd needed was on the mainland. She let a long moment pass; the lightning flashed outside and the waves crashed against the boat. He looked at her and informed her that he'd never be able to let her walk around the boat unaccompanied now and she raised her brow. "...It was an option before?" After he spit out her name, she gave a sigh. "Yes of course.. or you could just bring me home and I can pay you." She said it flatly; like it was an obvious choice that he was refusing to acknowledge... and it was.
Sighing, she changed the subject. "So then you'll have to accompany me then. ...Perhaps tomorrow we can wear clothing." She glanced up at his bed and she twisted her hand in the cuff. "...So.. if you aren't going to use the bed, may I? I don't see how I'm possibly going to be able to sleep on this floor..." Not to mention that it was rather cool now that she was soaking wet. She couldn't imagine how the women below deck were fairing. A pang of sadness rippled through her; especially when she thought of Cilla. She wished she could help them, but she could barely help herself.
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She slid down on the wall in front of him to sit; only a few feet separating them in the small space. She wasn't tied to the wall, but it didn't matter. The way the ship pitched, there wasn't really anywhere else on the ship she'd rather be but in this room. It was closed and condensed and drier than most places. Even if it was next to impossible to keep from rolling all over the place. When he told her not even Hera could kill her she stared at him for a long moment then stifled a smile. It was the closest thing to a compliment he'd given her.
She tucked a lock of wet hair behind her ear and caught herself from tumbling over with one arm as the boat lurched again. She wondered why he didn't go to bed. His obligations with her were complete. She'd gotten to walk around above and stretch her legs... breathe in the fresh air. If he wanted so badly to sleep, he was now free to do so. "I may have Hera on my side, but I've never been very familiar with Poseidon...." She'd never traveled by boat anywhere. She'd never had to. Athenia was large enough and everything she'd needed was on the mainland. She let a long moment pass; the lightning flashed outside and the waves crashed against the boat. He looked at her and informed her that he'd never be able to let her walk around the boat unaccompanied now and she raised her brow. "...It was an option before?" After he spit out her name, she gave a sigh. "Yes of course.. or you could just bring me home and I can pay you." She said it flatly; like it was an obvious choice that he was refusing to acknowledge... and it was.
Sighing, she changed the subject. "So then you'll have to accompany me then. ...Perhaps tomorrow we can wear clothing." She glanced up at his bed and she twisted her hand in the cuff. "...So.. if you aren't going to use the bed, may I? I don't see how I'm possibly going to be able to sleep on this floor..." Not to mention that it was rather cool now that she was soaking wet. She couldn't imagine how the women below deck were fairing. A pang of sadness rippled through her; especially when she thought of Cilla. She wished she could help them, but she could barely help herself.
She slid down on the wall in front of him to sit; only a few feet separating them in the small space. She wasn't tied to the wall, but it didn't matter. The way the ship pitched, there wasn't really anywhere else on the ship she'd rather be but in this room. It was closed and condensed and drier than most places. Even if it was next to impossible to keep from rolling all over the place. When he told her not even Hera could kill her she stared at him for a long moment then stifled a smile. It was the closest thing to a compliment he'd given her.
She tucked a lock of wet hair behind her ear and caught herself from tumbling over with one arm as the boat lurched again. She wondered why he didn't go to bed. His obligations with her were complete. She'd gotten to walk around above and stretch her legs... breathe in the fresh air. If he wanted so badly to sleep, he was now free to do so. "I may have Hera on my side, but I've never been very familiar with Poseidon...." She'd never traveled by boat anywhere. She'd never had to. Athenia was large enough and everything she'd needed was on the mainland. She let a long moment pass; the lightning flashed outside and the waves crashed against the boat. He looked at her and informed her that he'd never be able to let her walk around the boat unaccompanied now and she raised her brow. "...It was an option before?" After he spit out her name, she gave a sigh. "Yes of course.. or you could just bring me home and I can pay you." She said it flatly; like it was an obvious choice that he was refusing to acknowledge... and it was.
Sighing, she changed the subject. "So then you'll have to accompany me then. ...Perhaps tomorrow we can wear clothing." She glanced up at his bed and she twisted her hand in the cuff. "...So.. if you aren't going to use the bed, may I? I don't see how I'm possibly going to be able to sleep on this floor..." Not to mention that it was rather cool now that she was soaking wet. She couldn't imagine how the women below deck were fairing. A pang of sadness rippled through her; especially when she thought of Cilla. She wished she could help them, but she could barely help herself.
He let out one of his mocking laughs when she mentioned that he could take her home. “No I can’t. I’m not going back to your city for a long time.” They would not go back because, among other various reasons, he couldn’t trust her not to have her people hunt him down. The Aceton had enough enemies without her family paying anyone to sink her.
Leaning his head against the wall he kept his gaze away from her. It bounced from the floor right in front of her to over her head, the corner, the ceiling, the door, his feet, the bed, the table, the trunk threatening to slide across the room; literally anywhere but on the person he was speaking to. This room was too confined for the two of them. She was not like any other woman he’d been forced to share this space with. It felt like her will to aggravate him filled the very air, making him almost claustrophobic. There was no escaping her eyes or her mouth.
He finally glanced at her in time to catch her sigh as her gaze drifted to his bed. As she asked to use it, he stared at her in disbelief, his eyebrows inching up as the corners of his mouth turned down. His eyes narrowed. What kind of gall did this woman have?
Lukos rose from the floor, easily keeping his balance as the ship rolled beneath him. Within three steps he was crouched in front of her almost nose to nose, backing her against the wall. He could smell the salt water still left on her skin and the rain in her hair. There was something else there that he couldn’t put a name to but he didn’t try. All he wanted was a certain kind of shock on her face or a hardness about her eyes. Her request smacked of familiarity with him that she should not have. Obviously she didn't hate him enough or she wouldn't bother to ask to use so personal a possession.
“The only way you’re getting in that bed is if we share,” he said. Standing up, he backed away from her, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it carelessly across the room. Thunder rumbled outside, less than before as though the storm was dying down. A sure way to force her to back down, he decided, was to sleep naked again. More than likely she would not strangle him in his sleep with her chains. If she did she wouldn’t make it off the ship alive and so he saw no reason to chain her to the wall again.
He turned his back to her and let his pants drop again before climbing into the bed. A wicked smile played across his lips. This time, he was absolutely sure, that she would not dare be so bold as she was before. She’d called his bluff about walking the deck naked and then he’d called hers. That, he felt, should let her know how perfectly serious he was when he spoke. Let her sleep on the floor. It would do her no harm.
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He let out one of his mocking laughs when she mentioned that he could take her home. “No I can’t. I’m not going back to your city for a long time.” They would not go back because, among other various reasons, he couldn’t trust her not to have her people hunt him down. The Aceton had enough enemies without her family paying anyone to sink her.
Leaning his head against the wall he kept his gaze away from her. It bounced from the floor right in front of her to over her head, the corner, the ceiling, the door, his feet, the bed, the table, the trunk threatening to slide across the room; literally anywhere but on the person he was speaking to. This room was too confined for the two of them. She was not like any other woman he’d been forced to share this space with. It felt like her will to aggravate him filled the very air, making him almost claustrophobic. There was no escaping her eyes or her mouth.
He finally glanced at her in time to catch her sigh as her gaze drifted to his bed. As she asked to use it, he stared at her in disbelief, his eyebrows inching up as the corners of his mouth turned down. His eyes narrowed. What kind of gall did this woman have?
Lukos rose from the floor, easily keeping his balance as the ship rolled beneath him. Within three steps he was crouched in front of her almost nose to nose, backing her against the wall. He could smell the salt water still left on her skin and the rain in her hair. There was something else there that he couldn’t put a name to but he didn’t try. All he wanted was a certain kind of shock on her face or a hardness about her eyes. Her request smacked of familiarity with him that she should not have. Obviously she didn't hate him enough or she wouldn't bother to ask to use so personal a possession.
“The only way you’re getting in that bed is if we share,” he said. Standing up, he backed away from her, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it carelessly across the room. Thunder rumbled outside, less than before as though the storm was dying down. A sure way to force her to back down, he decided, was to sleep naked again. More than likely she would not strangle him in his sleep with her chains. If she did she wouldn’t make it off the ship alive and so he saw no reason to chain her to the wall again.
He turned his back to her and let his pants drop again before climbing into the bed. A wicked smile played across his lips. This time, he was absolutely sure, that she would not dare be so bold as she was before. She’d called his bluff about walking the deck naked and then he’d called hers. That, he felt, should let her know how perfectly serious he was when he spoke. Let her sleep on the floor. It would do her no harm.
He let out one of his mocking laughs when she mentioned that he could take her home. “No I can’t. I’m not going back to your city for a long time.” They would not go back because, among other various reasons, he couldn’t trust her not to have her people hunt him down. The Aceton had enough enemies without her family paying anyone to sink her.
Leaning his head against the wall he kept his gaze away from her. It bounced from the floor right in front of her to over her head, the corner, the ceiling, the door, his feet, the bed, the table, the trunk threatening to slide across the room; literally anywhere but on the person he was speaking to. This room was too confined for the two of them. She was not like any other woman he’d been forced to share this space with. It felt like her will to aggravate him filled the very air, making him almost claustrophobic. There was no escaping her eyes or her mouth.
He finally glanced at her in time to catch her sigh as her gaze drifted to his bed. As she asked to use it, he stared at her in disbelief, his eyebrows inching up as the corners of his mouth turned down. His eyes narrowed. What kind of gall did this woman have?
Lukos rose from the floor, easily keeping his balance as the ship rolled beneath him. Within three steps he was crouched in front of her almost nose to nose, backing her against the wall. He could smell the salt water still left on her skin and the rain in her hair. There was something else there that he couldn’t put a name to but he didn’t try. All he wanted was a certain kind of shock on her face or a hardness about her eyes. Her request smacked of familiarity with him that she should not have. Obviously she didn't hate him enough or she wouldn't bother to ask to use so personal a possession.
“The only way you’re getting in that bed is if we share,” he said. Standing up, he backed away from her, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it carelessly across the room. Thunder rumbled outside, less than before as though the storm was dying down. A sure way to force her to back down, he decided, was to sleep naked again. More than likely she would not strangle him in his sleep with her chains. If she did she wouldn’t make it off the ship alive and so he saw no reason to chain her to the wall again.
He turned his back to her and let his pants drop again before climbing into the bed. A wicked smile played across his lips. This time, he was absolutely sure, that she would not dare be so bold as she was before. She’d called his bluff about walking the deck naked and then he’d called hers. That, he felt, should let her know how perfectly serious he was when he spoke. Let her sleep on the floor. It would do her no harm.
