A conversation between 2 slaves.?

A Conversation Between Two Slaves

Timandra paused in her efforts to clean her domina’s filthy gown, wiping her wet hands on her shift, her fingers red from scrubbing and the hot water. She found the physical labor a relief, she could concentrate on just the work, and felt she was atoning for her earlier failures, at least partly.

So engrossed was she in her work, she did not hear Quintus approach until he was nearly on top of her. She gasped, startled, then giggled when she realized it was the large friendly slave. “It is good you are cleaning your domina’s dress, little one. She should have sent one of us to find you, and not done it herself. But what’s done is done,” he smiled as the girl nodded, agreeing with him.

“I was not running away, Quintus, I swear it, but I-I could not stay here, I had to be alone, for a time.” her voiced quavered as she looked up at the towering eunuch, nearly a foot and a half taller than her.

He gazed down at the young girl, smiling gently. “I know you were not running away, but you are a slave, you do not have a choice of whether to be alone or not. And you know your dalliance with Vitalion in your mistress’s chamber was unacceptable.” She nodded, biting her lip. He paused, “How long have you been a slave, girl?”

Her brow wrinkled in thought, “It has been less than a year, I sold myself to master Timotheus at the end of the winter season, and became Brutus’s a short time later. Since then I have been,” she halted, searching for a word, then shrugged ”traveling with him to Rome, throughout the summer and fall. And I became domina’s slave only a few days ago.”

He nodded, “Yes, your purchase was overshadowed by Publius’s extravagance in acquiring Salome. But it was noted, as domina Carmilla’s first significant acquisition, aside from clothing.” He smiled at his own little jest, as did Timandra. “And, little one, you certainly made your presence known at the dinner in honor of the interesting poet in our midst.”

Timandra reddened at the mention of the incident, crossing her arms reflexively to protect herself. “I…am sorry for what happened, but Salome….”

Quintus’s eyes locked on hers, “Timandra, what you did could have had you put to death, and nearly did, do you know that?” She shrank back from him, her eyes wide, shaking her head, her long hair shifting behind her. “Publius was planning to kill you with the lash, and within his right to do it. Spilling the wine on the poet was a minor infraction, but attacking Publius’s property, Salome, infuriated him. You would not have survived ten strokes from him. Your domina defied the pater familia to save you.”

Tears sprang to her eyes, which she quickly wiped away. “I-I did not know. I knew domina was angry, but I thought it was only with me. I did not know.”

He smiled in sympathy, “I know, little one. That is why I’m telling you, and she reduced the punishment to five lashes, administered by her hand. She is very strong-willed for such a young girl. You are very lucky to have her as a domina.” He paused. “Though you would do well to keep her happy. I knew her father, and she is much like him in many ways. And she, like he, is not one to have as an enemy.”

“Quintus, you know so much, and I so little. You have been so kind to me, unlike some others,” she looked down for a moment, took a deep breath, then back up at him. “Why does Salome hate me so? Do you know? What have I done to her? She treats me with such venom…”

He smiled knowingly, “Timandra, have you looked in a mirror? Though I cannot enjoy women, I can appreciate beauty, and you are a rare beauty, girl. Despite your circumstance, you have a glow, a vibrancy that Salome, and nearly all others, can only envy, never achieve.” She blushed furiously at the compliment, shaking her head. He sighed, “Then perhaps there is no reason, but I know women, and I know slaves, and she is jealous of you, little one. It is plain to see. If it is not for your looks, then…” he shrugged eloquently.

“But Quintus, surely it cannot be for only that, even if I were beautiful…” she gestured helplessly, her hands upturned. “But she has hated me since the moment she saw me, half a year ago, in…Thessaloniki. If you say it is my appearance, then I cannot disagree, but I do not understand it.”

Quintus laughed, more of a giggle given his permanently immature voice. “Oh, little one, you are so innocent in many ways. Wars have been fought for a woman’s beauty, kingdoms won and lost for the hand of a lovely maiden.”

She shrugged, “It seems silly to me, but I am merely a slave, and not knowledgeable in these things.”

Quintus grinned, “In most cases, it probably is silly, but it is also human nature.” After a moment he continued, “I must be about my chores, as should you, Timandra. We will speak again.”

She smiled as he turned away, then returned to Carmilla’s dress, pouring more clean water into the vat.