by Lexi Hots
“I care not.” Taleela snapped, her green eyes flashing. “Take these poor creatures to my personal stables before you herd them with the rest, I will inspect them myself before that animal gets his lecherous paws on them.”
“As you wish, my Domina.” The huge man bowed again and dragged the cowering girls away.
Taleela Ignatius, eldest daughter of the senator, Caius Ignatius, and wife of the influential noble Altus Denarius, watched the seven hapless women being herded along. One among them, a blue eyed, blonde, pale of skin and soft of body, caught the tall redhead’s eye. That one would not last long as a slave meant to satiate the lust of brutal gladiators. She exhaled deeply and strode off in the direction of the stables that were allotted to her personal chariots. Two tall, well-built women carrying heavy cudgels followed her in.
“Leave us.” She commanded the man awaiting her as she walked into the hay strewn, mold covered grounds.
Barascu bowed, deftly catching the small pouch of gold she tossed at him, and briskly walked away, leaving his cargo at her mercy.
“I am Taleela Altus Denarius, Domina of the House of Denarius.” She coldly addressed the seven young women, her hands firmly resting on her curvy hips. “Upon a whim I can have you all slain this instant. My word is law.”
A few of the captives whimpered, one, dark haired and taller than the rest, stared at her boldly. The blue eyed blonde she had earlier noticed, pressed her dimpled chin to her chest and stared at her feet, breathing unevenly.
“You… and you.” She pointed at the two. “Step forward.”
The dark haired one stepped up defiantly but the blonde shuffled hesitantly.
“What is your name?” She demanded of the dark haired one.
“I am Alexia of Gaul.” The tall woman in chains replied with pride.
“You show me no respect, woman of Gaul.” Taleela stared coldly into her eyes.
“You must earn it, woman of Rome.” Alexia’s grey eyes shone with defiance.
“I will.” The Roman noblewoman smiled briefly, turning her attention to the blonde. “And you, what is your name, little one?”
“I… I… Milaca… of… of Anglos, my Domina.” The terrified girl stared at Taleela’s sandaled feet.
“Anglos, far away from across the great sea… and well bred too.” Taleela smiled at her and turned to her twin bodyguards. “Remove her shackles and bring her to my chambers, but before that help me earn the Gaul’s respect.”
The two hefty armed women fell upon Alexia, clubbing her with their cudgels several times as Taleela walked away with a laugh. Milaca shook with fear, as did the other five watching their fellow captive being brutally bloodied.
“You will learn your place her, wretch.” One of the armed bodyguards spat at the semi-conscious Alexia. “Had you insulted the master, your skin would be peeled off your body. Domina is much too lenient.”
*-*-*
“My… my Domina?” Milaca all but whispered as she stood by the curtained doorway of the lavish interior that opened up to Taleela’s private chambers.
“Ah, my beauty from Anglos.” Taleela looked up from her wooden bath tub filled with scented water and rose petals. “Come in.”
The blonde walked slowly up to the centre of the room, keeping her eyes on the smooth stone floor. Two other women were in the room, not the Domina’s twin bodyguards, but more like her personal attendants.
“Milaca, you serve me now.” Taleela smiled. “Your master has graced me with the gift of you.”
“I… I shall do my… best, Domina.” The young girl replied shakily.
“Of course you shall.” Taleela smiled sweetly. “Anything less is punishable.”
“Yes, my Domina.” Milaca’s eyes were glued to the base of the tub.
“Now come, disrobe yourself and come in here to bathe me.” The Domina of Denarius beckoned.
“I… I… yes, my Domina.” The blonde shyly dropped her hastily adorned rags and looked around apprehensively.
“Don’t keep me waiting, my dear.” Taleela said impatiently, splashing water around playfully.
The young blonde gingerly stepped into the tub of warm water, instantly feeling the relief in her tired limbs. Days of travel in chains across wild country and slave markets had left her all but barely alive. She considered herself fortunate to have been picked by the lady of the house. Fears of being raped and ravaged by brutal men had plagued her mind ever since she was captured from the lovely green glens of her lush homeland.
“Leave us.” The noblewoman commanded the other two slaves and turned her attention to her new toy.
Milaca stared at the fragrant petals floating on the soothing waters, terrified at the prospect of being alone with such a powerful woman. Her delicate skin had Goosebumps rising all over, in spite of the warm fragrant water.
“Have I earned that Gaul slave’s respect?” Taleela suddenly asked, making the blonde cringe.
“I… I…” She stammered, a cold chill creeping up her spine.
“Did you see Liana and Luisa instill some respect in her? A lovely pair, are they not? Gifted to me by Claudius of Pompeii at the last Autumnal Festival.” Taleela laughed, splashing water playfully around her. “Was the Gaul’s blood as red as mine and yours?”
“I… my Domina, I… yes, her blood was red.” Milaca shivered despite the comforting warmth of the water.
“I have earned your respect, haven’t I?” The green eyed, redhead grinned at her hapless companion. “And if I ever stand to lose that respect, perhaps my protective twins can earn it back.”
“Never, m-my Domina.” Milaca’s eyes welled with tears as she pictured the two brutal women waving their heavy, metal studded cudgels.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Taleela purred, lifting up the pretty blonde’s head by her chin and staring into her blue eyes. “Obey me without question and the rewards will be great.”
“Yes, my Domina.” The young blonde’s voice wavered as she felt the roman’s hands slither all over her naked body under the water.
“Excellent, my pretty.” Taleela whispered, her lush red lips almost brushing Milaca’s dry cracked ones. “Here, under my care, you will learn that a woman does not require only a man to satisfy her needs.”
Milaca’s blue eyes went wide as the other woman stuck her long slippery tongue into her mouth and her slender, yet strong, hands grabbed and squeezed her pert young breasts hard. She couldn’t help moaning aloud as a perverse sense of pleasure rippled through her young body. Her sheltered life in the family farm told her nothing of the pleasures the world outside had to offer. Her youthful body shook with fear and longing at the same time, and her subservient mind dutifully gave in to the older woman’s advances.
“Oh, my beautiful Anglos.” Taleela moaned as she slipped her hand between the young blonde’s thighs. “So soft and tender.”
Milaca grew bolder, slowly spreading her legs and giving more access to her mistress. Taleela welcomed the opportunity and guided her blonde slave’s slender hand over her own moist arousal. The warm water heightened their pleasure as the two women drew ever closer, their smooth bodies gleaming in the scented water and oil.
“My Domina.” A deep voice sounded outside the curtained doorway.
“Who dares disturb my bath?” Taleela looked up in annoyance at the sound of the familiar voice.
“It is I, Antonius, keeper of the House of Denarius.” The voice softly replied.
“What manner of urgency makes you impede my bath, Antonius?”
“The master, my Domina.” The old housekeeper kept his voice low. “The master wishes you to accompany him at the games this eve.”
“I have no interest in witnessing great oafs and animals fight for their lives.” Taleela arrogantly dismissed the notion.
“The master wishes you by his side.” Antonius persisted. “His eminence, Senator Tiberius of Capua, is in attendance and the master desires your presence for the games and the feast.”
/> “Oh, very well, Antonius.” The Domina gave in with a bored expression. “Prepare my chariot, I shall be without shortly.”
“Very good, my Domina.”
*-*-*
“Ah, my beautiful Domina, you look more pleasing to the eye every day?” The slender man in elegant robes of fine linen and silk nodded his grey haired head earnestly.
“If that were true, my Dominus.” Taleela smiled disdainfully at her husband, her displeasure of being there in the boisterous and raucous arena evident on her expression. “Your eye has been anywhere but on me every day.”
“Come, come, my love.” Dominus Altus Denarius laughed and waved at the heavyset man seated beside him in the regal enclosure over looking the centre of the sand strewn arena. “Allow me to present Senator Marius Tiberius of Capua.”
“Senator, it is good to see you again.” Taleela bowed at the elderly statesman. “My father speaks highly of you.”
“Taleela, my child.” Tiberius smiled widely. “How fares your esteemed sire?”
“Caius is as tough as ever, my friend.” Denarius laughed. “And we will have time enough for such talk at the feast tonight… look to the sands - the gladiators have lined up to salute us.”
Taleela followed her husband’s gaze, turning her nose up at the motley band of muscular fighters standing on the sand in the arena below, their crude weapons and scant armor gleaming in the mid-afternoon sun. Each of them were prepared to shed blood, even their own, for the price of a day’s bread and wine.
“So this is the might of Denarius.” Tiberius of Capua nodded in appreciation. “Much has been told of your champion, the Northman. Where is he?”
“He arrives now.” Denarius gestured at the eastern gate as it creaked open. “Behold!”
An even louder roar reverberated across the arena as the largest man ever seen in Rome, decked in leather and steel armor, wielding a massive flat-bladed broadsword in each hand, strode into the bloodied sand. The crowd began chanting his name as his heavy boots crushed drying bones and broken metal shards with every step to the center of the pit.
“So this is the prized fighter you have been so enamored with?” Taleela sneered at her husband.
“Ganon is indeed a prize… and it is the gold he brings me that has ensnared my heart, not the man.” Denarius smiled at his leering wife patiently.
“Why is he in need of female slaves in such vast number?” She asked him, eyeing the giant down on the sands curiously.
“He is a man of great prowess, my dear.” Her husband explained, caressing her smooth arm. “The slaves keep him satiated and strong.”
“And under your control.” Taleela said dryly.
“Undoubtedly.” Denarius smiled at her, raising his cup of wine. “Now watch, the battle begins.”
“Whom does he fight?” Tiberius leaned closer as the dozen other gladiators surrounded the gigantic Ganon.
“All of them.” Denarius replied with a smirk and sipped his wine.
“Alone?” Taleela raised a well singed eyebrow.
“Yes.” Her husband licked his wine-stained lips, an avaricious gleam in his dark eyes.
“This is worth watching.” Taleela muttered under her breath and focused on the heavily muscled gladiator as he braced himself against his dozen attackers.
*-*-*
“Twelve men, armed and as powerful… vanquished in less than a quarter turn of the glass.” Tiberius went on as he accepted another slice of honey-roasted pork. “Truly, your Northman is a warrior sent by the gods themselves.”
“Indeed, my good friend.” Denarius nodded, glancing around the lavish banquet hall and spotting his wife. “It is as if Mars himself possesses the man.”
“Would you consider ever selling him?” The squat man eyed his host squarely.
“Not for all the wealth of Rome, Caesar’s included.” Denarius laughed and waved at Taleela.
The redhead nodded in acknowledgement and walked up to the lavish table her husband was entertaining his noble guests at. Milaca timidly followed her new mistress, feeling out of place in the bustling banquet the House of Denarius hosted in honor of Tiberius of Capua.
“A new slave?” Denarius inquired, eyeing the beautiful blonde from Anglos.
“Yes, my love.” Taleela smiled, bowing her head slightly at Tiberius and then at her bemused husband. “You gifted her to me, earlier today.”
“I did?” The grey haired noble looked at Milaca with keen interest. “Only the best for you, my love.”
“As always, Altus, your love for me is endless.”
“Let us drink to that.” Tiberius raised his goblet in a pudgy fist. “…and to eagerly awaited news of an heir to the Denarius Estate.”
“Mercury is yet to bear such news, Senator.” Taleela smiled sardonically.
“Ah, yet seven years is much too long.” Tiberius wiped his lips with a piece of white linen.
“Our love grows ever stronger, my friend.” Denarius placed his arm around his beautiful wife’s shoulders. “In time we will bring you the news of an heir.”
“And speaking of love, I am given to understand that you have more amorous entertainment arranged for this night, friend Altus.”
“Indeed, my friend.” Denarius smiled slightly. “When the fires and music of the banquet diminish, we will witness the less brutal aspect of my prize fighter.”
“Ganon has talents other than for slaying?” Tiberius’ pale eyes went wide.
“You shall soon see for yourself.” Denarius held out his wine cup to Milaca for a refill.
“As would I, my dear husband.” Taleela said sweetly. “I find it hard to believe a man so brutal can make a desirable lover… by his prowess in the arena it would appear that he can only brutalize his mate.”
“Far from it…” Denarius grinned, sipping his wine. “Ganon entertains on silken sheets as much as he does on the sands of the arena.”
“I await that aspect with much anticipation then.” Taleela nodded, eyeing Milaca. “And I will have my slave here accompany me.”
“As you wish, my dear.” Her husband waved casually, turning his attention to the matters of state Tiberius began talking about.
“Come, Milaca… let us leave politics to the politicians.” Taleela rose and walked away with the blonde in tow. “I must have some more of the sweet wine that you bring with you.”
“Wine, my Domina?” Milaca looked bewildered for a moment.
“Yes, my pretty Anglos… sweet wine from the far west.” The taller woman drew her into a side corridor and moved away between the darkened columns, her hands drawing the blonde in close to her.
*-*-*
“The darkness shall keep us hidden, so that our performers may not be hindered by our presence.” Denarius whispered as he settled down on a cushioned divan.
“Yet they know that we are here, watching them?” Taleela asked tonelessly, glancing around at the very private chamber in her husband’s palace she had rarely visited in the past.
“They do… but they need not see us.” He replied, nodding his head at Tiberius reclining on the divan to the left of him.
“Who are these women displayed before us?” Taleela scanned the six naked women kneeling down before the large bed in the centre of the room. She recognized them as the ones she had inspected that morning, including the arrogant Gaul.
“Slaves; freshly acquired.” Denarius smiled tightly. “Though one seems to be amiss.”
“And they will perform this night, willingly?” Taleela asked quickly to divert his attention from them.
“No, they are here to watch, and be made aware of what is to be expected.”
“Ah, they are the cast for the next performance.” The redhead smiled, glancing quickly back over her shoulder at Milaca crouching behind her divan.
“Yes… and here come the ones for tonight’s show.” Denarius waved at the large man stepping into the lamp-lit centre of the room.
“Is that Ganon? …he appears different
without all that armor and cleaned off the foul blood.” Taleela’s green eyes went wide at the sight of the seven foot tall blond giant in a white toga towering over everything, a smug grin on his ruggedly handsome face.
“Indeed, he does.” Denarius chuckled. “You might even find him desirable…”
“And goats would preside as guests of honor on banquet tables.” She snorted, though her eyes told different as they ran amok over his broad shoulders, deep chest and powerful arms and legs.
