The Slave's Gladiator

Chapter 1: The Slave

The crack of the wooden carriage wheels forced Hadriana's back against the stone column. Leaning forward, the movement tapped her bronze tag against her neck. Did the master get another one? So soon?

The stallion's heads tossed while the wooden carriage continued along the stone way up to the estate. Where edges of wood met, silver reinforced joints and walls. Reaching toward the stairs of the domus, the driver left off his carriage with a pained grunt.

Making his way to the wooden doors, Hadriana leaned as close as she dared. Yelling burst free from behind and the culprit was quickly pulled out by the hair. The woman had to be at least twenty seasons old. Dark hair, dusty and lifeless, fell down to her knees while soiled sheepskin draped her sun-kissed skin. Sunlight reflected off a bronze slave tag.

It is another one. Her heart dropped. And one so young. She must have just risen into adulthood. Had her village been killed as well? Or did her parents have no choice but to sell her?

The woman yelled again, before she shot forward. Pft! A giant wad of spit smacked the driver right in the face. As his hand shot back, Hadriana turned away. The smack that followed echoed throughout the whole courtyard.

"You wretched beast!" Hands pulled her hair. "Do that again!" He snarled. "Do it again!"

Nails dug into the stone column. If I don't stop him, Calvus will kill her. She needed to alert her master and fast. Turning away, Hadriana headed inside. Deep in the office, her master sat hunched over a dark wooden desk.

Sharp green eyes flickered up at her footsteps while ink dropped from the metal tip in his hand. "This better be good."

Hadriana lowered her head. "Master." She didn't dare look into those hostile eyes. "Calvus has returned with a new slave for the estate." At the returning scratches, she dared to speak again. "He is being a little rough with her, sir."

A pause. "This regards me how?"

Her knees buckled. Her head pressed against the ground in a sign of respect. "I fear she won't be much use to the estate if she is damaged." And then I would have to clean up the body. She couldn't handle seeing another one.

Not again.

The master's chair creaked. Footsteps echoed until his sandals feet were before her. After what felt like eternity, she dared to look up.

His hand grabbed her chin."Very well." His gaze met hers. "Be quick in preparing a new place for her." Hadriana suppressed a shudder as his thumb brushed her lips. Don't pull away. Do not pull away.

His gaze roamed over her face a little longer before, without another word, he straightened and left the room. A relieved sigh left her lips. Alright, Hadriana. That's all you can do for now. Straightening, she followed her master back out to the front of the domus.

"I'm just teaching this one some manners." Calvus's hold on the woman's arm tightened. "She's feistier than the usual ones." Her master, who must have already scolded Calvus, simply sighed.

"Then she'll learn like the other ones." Her master waved his hand. "Let her go."

For a second, Calvus' grip tightened even more. With a snarl, he threw her to the ground. "Stupid slave." Hadriana grimaced at the impact of the ground. Instantly nearly pushed her forward, only catching herself just as she was about to take the step.

Swallowing, she turned her head away. I'm sorry.

"Hadriana." Her master gestured to the new slave.

Now, Hadriana moved toward the glaring woman. "Follow me." At the woman's head tilt, Hadriana simply turned and walked away. If you know what's good for you, you would follow me right away. A few minutes later, the sound of hurrying steps had her sighing.