A Paradise Lost

Imperium Romanum

July 15, 1521

After a month of sailing, their ships landed in the Port of Rome. Queen Raya was horrified to see half-naked men and women that were compressed inside a cage. Some of the men were chained. Some of them were silent. There were also some who were sleeping due to exhaustion. It seemed like they were arguing over something in their own language.

“Welcome to Rome.” Ahmad announced their arrival.

“Ahmad, why are these people treated cruelly? Are they criminals?” Queen Raya asked.

“There may be some who were criminals.”

“If they are not criminals, why are they treated like animals.”

“They are slaves either bought or forcefully abducted from different countries.”

“That’s not right. They are human beings like us. They should be treated with human dignity regardless if they’re criminals or not!”

“I’m sorry my queen if the sight appalled you.”

“It upsets me to see them in an unimaginable inhumane state. Is there anything we can do to set them free? I’m willing to pay whatever price they want as long as they will set these people free and let them return to their respective countries.”

“I understand that your country is beautiful with civilized people. However, things are different with these country. Even if you will give all your treasures to the king of Rome to let all their slaves go, they will abduct another slaves again from another country.”

“That’s insane!” Queen Raya couldn’t stop her tears from falling.

“I know very well the ins and outs of slave trading business since I’ve been a slave trader all my life. Trust me. You will just be wasting your treasures if you will pay their greedy king and officials to let their slaves go. You are only giving them more resources to buy more slaves.”

“I understand you, Ahmad. Thank you. I felt so blessed that I meet you. Thanks to Yahweh for sending you to us as our guide. I don’t know how far we will progress in this journey if not because of you.”

“I also felt blessed that I meet you, My Queen. I never thought that in an ordinary sunny day, my life would change in a snap of a finger.”

“I can’t help it but feel upset for these people. I’ve never known hardship all my life. Not even one person in my kingdom nor even slaves have ever experience hardship in my country. Our country is overflowing with gold, precious stones, plants, and animals whether in air, in land, or in water. When I see the suffering of these people, I feel like I don’t deserve the good things in life.”

“I’m sorry, my queen. If only there is anything I can do to cheer you up.”

“If there’s nothing that you can do to let these slaves go, then there’s nothing in this world that can cheer me up.”

“Do you still wanted to speak to the king of this country?”

“Yes, but we will only bring 20 talents of gold and precious stones as a gift offering so that their royalty will commune with us. Actually, they don’t really deserve any gift at all with the way they're treating their slaves cruelly. Can you speak their language?”

“Yes, my queen.”

“What language do they speak?”

“They speak both Latin and Greek but Latin is their main language.”

“Can you speak and write both of their languages?”

“Yes, my queen.”

“Superb.”

“Do you know the way to their king’s palace?”

“Yes, my queen.”

“You never cease to amaze me, Ahmad!”

“Thank you, my queen!”