Athenian Slave (Book 2)

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Charmion leant back against the wall of the Villa, looking out upon the stars above. Sending a prayer to the gods, thanking them for whatever reason they had for giving her this chance. She would never forget the workings of fate. How she had, at such a young age, managed to be thrown into a world full of dark pain and expectations which could never be met. Now, well now she had a chance to be free once more. While choosing to chain herself to the master who had been kind enough to show her what freedom was whilst still being in servitude.

With a deep sigh, she let all the air out of her lungs until they ached with the feeling. It was freeing in a way, she supposed, she had only been in charge of her body and mind for so long, and only in certain circumstances even then. Now, well now, it would change and she had no idea how it would be, only knowing it was going to be an adventure she would never be able to forget. Shaking her head to get herself back into the right frame of mind, she knew she needed to be able to take on her role once more when re-entering the gathering once more.

Taking once last glance of the star studded blanket of the night, she retraced her steps and took a hold of the refilled wine jar. Propping the considerable weight against her hip, she knew that it would be difficult for the first few guests she served, but by the time she was done with that, the weight was more comfortable to hold onto, and if she stood to once side for a while, it would be most time before having to lug around a full jar once more. Her gaze, however, never stopped on the guests before her long, as it swayed to the one figure in the room which stole the very air from her lungs.

It was that lapse in concentration which led to the demise of her night. As the guest gradually grew inebriated upon the quality wine Alexios was providing, they were growing rowdier and looser with their tongues and hands. The males in particular were growing lecherous with a roving eye, even with their younger wives stood at their sides as if oblivious to the actions of their husbands. Her gaze landed again and again on Alexios, as he talked with many males of his stature, proving time and again how low she was in the chain of life compared to him, yet he wanted her. As she poured a little wine refill for one wrinkled old male, with a glint in his eyes she did not like, she let her eyes wander to the fine figure of a male on the opposite side of the room to her. It was at that point that a withered old hand came out and cupped her breast. The way her arms were positioned made certain no one could see unless they were looking down from a height. The evil smile upon his face the only way of knowing anything was happening. Her entire body stiffened at the contact. She had no idea what to do now. If it had been before she had seen Alexios in the slave’s courtyard, she would have felt she had to do whatever this male wanted.

But she knew differently now. Alexios had given her a gift that was beyond any amount of gold or silver. If she never received anything again she would be a happy woman. But she was the one who had said to continue her role as slave at this gathering, so as to keep up the pretence. So what was she to do now? Her breathing increased as she paused, which gave the wrinkled male before her the time he needed to step closer, closing his hand painfully around her, his fingers digging into her flesh. She knew she would have bruises, she had too much experience in that behaviour not to know about how it would affect her. “Hmm, you look like a good slave. I wonder if Alexios will give me some time with you.” She wanted to shiver in revulsion, her mind shutting down. It was only when she felt a wet spot upon her tunic that she realised she was still pouring the wine.