"Yes, it went well."
"Did you manage without the kitchen?" Halcyon expected Thora to become confused by her words. However, Thora's Greek tongue was much stronger.
"Yes... it took more time."
Halcyon nodded, and she nearly asked more until the marks on Thora's neck caught her attention. She stepped into Thora's space and removed her hand from the hilt.
Tensing, Thora allowed her owner to touch her tender skin and averted her gaze overtop of Halcyon's head.
"What is this?"
Thora finally looked down into a fiery green stare and replied, "It is nothing."
"Ares's balls," Halcyon said bitterly. "You will tell me who touched you."
Thora stoned her features and wished Halcyon would end the discussion, especially because she had just returned home.
Halcyon was determined to find out the truth, reaching up and pushing the chiton off Thora's shoulders. Once the chiton pooled at her feet, she was able to see the bruising over Thora's now bare side.
Thora clenched her hands and struggled with her nude form in front of Halcyon but had suffered much worse since her enslavement.
"Tell me now why my husband touched you." Halcyon could tell Thora wanted to argue with her, so she quietly said, "Before he tells me."
Thora swallowed her pride. "He fought with me about the fire."
"It was not your fault."
"He believes different." Thora hesitated and bit her bottom lip. "I rather him attack me instead of Glauce."
Narrowing her eyes, Halcyon turned on her heels and returned her hand to the xiphos, almost prepared to draw it. Once out of the courtyard, she called for Cesare, who listened to her instruction.
"I need you to draw a bath for me and have Thora assist you." She started to the steps to go upstairs. "And I want Glauce to prepare the meal."
Thora hastily drew her chiton over her body again. She tightened the straps before Cesare came into the supply room.
Cesare frowned and softly asked, "Did she see?"
"Já."
Cesare blew out a breath but nodded. "Let us hurry." He went in search of Glauce then joined Thora in the bathing room.
Together, they brought buckets of water from the well, warmed them, and filled the in-floor bath. Thora selected Halcyon's favorite oils for the bath. She set them aside, then decided to check on her owner.
Cesare went into the kitchen to see if Glauce needed help. He assisted her with a few things, then left the supply room. He was confused why his owner had yet to come down for her bath. He went upstairs and to the thalamus that Halcyon and Euclid shared on occasion.
"Perfect timing, Cesare," Halcyon said. She instructed Cesare to stand over by Thora.
Cesare remained rooted for a beat and stared uneasily at Halcyon's position under Euclid, who was nude.
Thora had her hands behind her back and nervously glanced at Cesare when he came to her side. She was unsure whether to be grateful for Cesare's company or bothered by the fact they both had to stand witness over the master bedding their owner. Her eyes lowered to her owner's bronze armor, which leaned against the wall. She lifted her attention when Halcyon spoke to Euclid.
"It has been so long."
Euclid was ravaging his wife's neck with his mouth. "Too long, Halcyon."
"You cannot leave tomorrow without first having me," Halcyon whispered in his ear. She raised her bare, muscular legs over his waist.
Euclid laughed softly and nipped at the crest of Halcyon's breast. He brought his hips down closer and followed Halcyon's silent plea. Halcyon allowed the charade further until she felt him deep enough in her. She bit her lips against her frustrated breath and dug her nails into his back.
Thora was breathing hard, and her heart pounded against her chest. She wished to sink into the wall and vanish from the room. Once before, in Athens, she had been a witness to another sexual encounter between three Greeks. Thora only prayed she was not requested to join, much like the last time.
Cesare watched on without care. He had watched many times in the past. Thora's uneasiness went unbeknownst to him.
Thora's attention was drawn to the blood on Euclid's side. Somehow, Halcyon had caused it. She was almost certain Euclid would react poorly. Slowly, Thora's memories from last night filled her. Halcyon looked just as trapped as Thora had been. Her stomach tightened, and she struggled with her angry emotions.
Halcyon turned her head to the right, and she caught the expression on Thora's face. She had seen Thora angry many times before this, but Thora was enraged now. Halcyon was certain what had transpired last night between Euclid and Thora. She let out a low growl and suddenly rolled her body to the left. Euclid was startled and lost his dominant position. His features darkened, and he opened his mouth to protest. However, he was silenced by Halcyon's kiss. Within beats, he lost control as Halcyon rocked her hips against him.
Thora watched her owner control her husband from her position on top. She dropped her head again and slowly, her rage ebbing about last night.
Cesare glanced at Thora and sensed her mixed emotions. Cesare dared to stretch out his left hand and touch Thora's arm. He held her arm as he hollowly stared at Halcyon dominating Euclid.
Euclid grew louder, and he matched his wife's movements. Halcyon leaned back, her eyes closed, and her mind placed her somewhere else. She quickened the pace and pleased her husband faster. Euclid's hands held his wife's hips. He helped rock her against him harder.
Halcyon's lips voiced no pleasure. She hastened the motions in hopes to end their intimacy sooner. She was relieved by Euclid's messy orgasm. She dismounted and bestowed him a quick kiss and a fake smile.
"Thora, is my bath ready?"
Thora was frozen, other than her eyes going from Euclid to Halcyon.
"Go check it for me." Halcyon freed Thora from the room, the smell, and especially the sight. She then ordered Cesare to collect a clean chiton for her and take it to the bath.
Halcyon had retrieved her red exomis near her armor and gazed over at Euclid. "I will see you for the last meal." She was happy to leave Euclid after performing her wifely duty.
Euclid had just caught his breath after the frantic, uncontrolled intimacy. He attempted to reply, but Halcyon was already gone.
After donning her tunic, Halcyon went downstairs into the courtyard. She passed the supply room where Glauce was preparing the evening meal. She entered the bathing room and saw Thora pour another bucket of hot water. Thora set the bucket aside and went to the open doors. Just as she was about to seal them, Cesare arrived with a chiton. Thora took it then closed the doors after Cesare left.
Halcyon disrobed from her dirty tunic, then descended the stone steps into the small bath that was large enough for three people. She moaned at the warm water that soothed her tense, strained muscles. Slowly, the lilac scent eased her mind.
Collecting her owner's favorite soap, Thora sat beside the edge of the bath, next to her owner, and placed the soap on top of the drying linen.
"Your Greek has improved," Halcyon said. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the stone wall of the bath, near Thora.
"Yes... thank you." Thora studied Halcyon's relaxed features, deciding their private moment was her best chance to make a request. "Yarikh wishes that I learn to read and write as well."
Opening her eyes, Halcyon twisted her head and peered up at Thora. It was unheard of that a slave could read, much less write. "Has he taught you how?"
Thora shook her head. "No." She failed to tell that Yarikh had gone to the agora to purchase parchment and fresh ink for his kalamos. "He not told to teach me." But Yarikh planned to show her the basics, in secret. Regardless, Thora hoped that Halcyon would agree to formal lessons.
"Do you wish to learn?" Halcyon posed. She had been schooled at a young age on how to read and write. Rarely did women learn such skills, but Halcyon's father had deemed it necessary after his wife passed away so early. Halcyon stood to inherit her father's for
tune, and the skills behooved her. Furthermore, Sparta encouraged women's education.
Thora gave a low nod. "Já."
Halcyon turned her gaze away, hiding her smile at Thora's habit to switch between Norsk and Greek tongue. Gradually, the smile fell away as she thought about the request. In truth, Halcyon admitted if Thora could read and write, it would integrate her further into Spartan society. "Then, if that is what you wish, Yarikh shall teach you."
Thora stared in awe and nearly asked why her wish was granted to her but held back, simply saying, "Thank you."
"Ekki at þakka," Halcyon replied in Thora's native tongue.
Thora wistfully smiled at Halcyon's willingness to learn some of her language. It warmed her that her owner made an attempt to speak Norsk and yet caused Thora to miss her homelands. She reached for the soap and held it out to Halcyon.
Opening her eyes, Halcyon sniffed the soap's distinct scent and took it. She lathered her body, then returned the soap to Thora's larger hand.
Thora wetted her hands and waited until Halcyon was seated in the bath again. It took nearly two months after Halcyon purchased her for them to garner enough trust that Halcyon allowed Thora to clean her hair. Halcyon put her head underwater for a moment and came up again, then long fingers started working the soap through her black tresses.
Since coming to Sparta, Thora noticed many women had shoulder length hair, but it was the younger women, like Selene, who had long hair to her mid-back. Thora concluded unmarried women in Sparta kept their hair long, while the married ones had short hair between their chin and to just past their shoulders.
Halcyon's hair had indeed been quite long after growing it since childhood. The day of her marriage, her hair was cut off, and Euclid came to her to consummate their marriage. From that day forward, Halcyon wore her hair just past her shoulders.
Halcyon accidentally moaned when Thora hit a strained muscle at her neck. She had pulled it during her time at the barracks. She was surprised when Thora massaged the strained muscle and bent her head forward for better access. Nobody had paid attention to her body's needs in the past.
Thora withdrew her hand and softly said, "You are worn from being gone."
Halcyon knew that Thora meant her training at the barracks. "It is my duty." She sank under the water and rinsed the soap from her hair.
Thora stood up with the soap and returned it to the wooden shelf on the wall, placing it in the proper spot beside the other two soaps. She looked at Halcyon, who climbed the steps out of the bath. Thora retrieved the linen and approached with it.
Halcyon was offered the linen, but for the first time, she pushed it back into Thora's hands. "You." For once, she was too tired to do the work herself.
Releasing a low breath, Thora nodded and unfolded the linen then proceeded to dry Halcyon. It was the first time she had such a close view of Halcyon's muscular body. She also counted at least eight distinct scars, one being deep on Halcyon's right shoulder. The scars whispered stories about the former battles, and Thora's respect grew for her owner.
Halcyon opened her eyes after Thora finished drying her body and her hair. Thora collected the clean chiton and helped Halcyon into it. Last, they put on the girdle around her waist.
"Þakka fyrir," Halcyon softly offered.
Thora smiled at the thank you and nodded. "Ekki at þakka."
Halcyon was a few hands shorter than Thora. She found it suitable as she had to gaze up at the blue sky, much like she did into Thora's eyes. Eventually, her attention was drawn down to Thora's discolored neck. Again, she touched the angry skin.
Swallowing hard, Thora wished to ask about earlier, in the bedroom, but bit down her questions for once. Now was a bad time because Halcyon was exhausted and obviously still bitter about Euclid's mistreatment.
After picturing the possible fight between Thora and Euclid, a slow burn started in Halcyon's stomach and climbed into her chest. She took personal offense to the fact her husband damaged her slave, especially when Thora was innocent of the fire. To add to it, Halcyon viewed Thora as her slave, solely. She ruled the finances and property in the marriage.
Thora saw Halcyon's bitter expression and collected the smaller hand into hers. For the first time, she felt the renewed calluses in Halcyon's palm. "It is done," she said, hoping to close the door on the past.
Halcyon sighed and freed her hand. "You are correct." She moved toward the door. "Come." There was much to do tonight before sunset, when Halcyon would start her duty shift as the king's guard. At first light, her husband would leave for the barracks, and this evening's dinner was her only social event with him.
Heeding the command, Thora carried the damp linen and the dirty tunic; both needed to be cleaned now.
Halcyon stepped out of the bathing room and into the courtyard. She cast a glance over her shoulder at Thora, who turned left. As Thora walked toward the steps to the second floor, she met Halcyon's gaze. For a brief instant, she and Halcyon held a silent conversation of understanding before they parted ways. Thora had indeed missed Halcyon's presence and was glad her owner had returned home.
Chapter Eight
Halcyon dug her nails into the dory's wood and released a worried sigh as the public meeting continued in the bouleuterion. She feared the outcome of the discussions, especially for her king's safety. With a roll of her shoulders, she adjusted the bronze armor that clung to her sticky body. Even without her helmet, she was still warm under the early morning sunlight. Only moments ago she had completed her evening rotation as the king's bodyguard and looked forward to going home, especially with Euclid gone. However, her king requested she joined him at the bouleuterion.
"We must act quickly," King Leonidas urged the council. Like Halcyon, he stood on the stage before the seated elders, who were fanned out in the bouleuterion. Higher up were women of various ages and stature in society.
One elder, Dromeus, rose from his seat and said, "As you know, my king, it is the second day of the Carnea Festival. We would be smote by god Carnus, and even Apollo, if we engaged in any war activities during this sacred time."
Leonidas toyed with a ruffle in his chiton, an agitated tell of his deteriorating mood. He parted his lips, and biting words almost left his mouth until a soft hand eased him. He looked at his wife and silently conceded to her.
Queen Gorgo removed her touch and smiled at the elders. "Yes, the festival's laws are of utmost importance to all." She folded her hands in front of her. "And so is the safety of Sparta."
Dromeus was still on his feet. He often spoke for the whole of the council and continued to do so quite freely. "My queen, we do greatly appreciate the information you revealed from the tablets that Demaratus sent us, but we cannot act until after the festival."
"But we can prepare," Gorgo said.
Dromeus hesitated at the idea, but he heard agreeing murmurs from either side of him.
"We can prepare our men," Gorgo continued louder, gaining favor with both the elders and the women above them. "Because Xerxes will come here... to Sparta... to our homes. And we cannot rely on Thrace or Corinth or even Athens to stop him."
Leonidas shifted in his sandals as the elders whispered amongst each other. The tide was slightly turning in his favor, but it was hardly enough. He feared that waiting nearly a fortnight would mean Sparta's end. From months ago, he recalled the warning from the Oracle at Delphi about his future, and he realized it was about to come true. To his right, he exchanged a glance with Halcyon and made a final choice.
"Until then, I and my three hundred hippeis will march north and meet King Xerxes and his army in battle."
For several heartbeats, a silence loomed in the bouleuterion. Then a chorus of questions and demands fell from the elders. Many rose to their feet, but it was the women's claps from the back of the bouleuterion that overwhelmed the council's voice.
Gorgo studied her husband and read the determination in his hard features, knowing there were no words that would change his mind. She
understood his duty as both a king and a hoplite, and she would honor his decision.
After much of the clamor subsided, Dromeus made a final attempt to disarm the king's suicidal plans. He turned his full attention to the silent hippeus, Halcyon, beside the king and asked, "And will the Iron Edge march with her king?"
"With honor," Halcyon declared with finality.
* * *
Waking up sharply, Thora sensed the morning was late and glanced about the empty room, realizing Glauce was gone. The window's mat gleamed with morning sunlight. She jumped from her bedroll and pulled off the mat for more light. The sunrise had passed a while ago, and Thora rushed to get into her chiton, cursing several times. Her heartbeat matched her speed.
Once out of the room, Thora heard voices down in the courtyard. She recognized her owner's voice, and she silently cursed again. Thora cringed, rushed to the stairs, and started down to the courtyard. Instantly, green eyes turned to Thora as she descended the steps. Halcyon's voice faded away after Thora approached her and Yarikh.
Yarikh peered up and was somewhat smug, but he turned serious after Halcyon spoke.
"Thora, you are late." An amused note hung in Halcyon's tone. She wore her red tunic, still not fully changed from her guard duty.
Remaining calm, Thora gazed down at them, as they were seated on the bench beside the pool. "I... slept not well," she said dejectedly.
Halcyon was studying Thora's features, which were indeed dark. Lately, Thora had dealt with a lot, especially the incident with Euclid. She tilted her head. "You have been busy."
Thora's attention flickered to Yarikh, who was keenly interested in Halcyon's words.
"Perhaps it would be best if you tutored this morning, Yarikh." Halcyon turned toward him, at her right. "If you do not mind."
"Of course." Yarikh dipped his head in agreement.
Halcyon gazed up at Thora. "Then you can cook only the last meal for the day."
Thora was confused by the reduced duties, expecting to be punished, not rewarded.
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