Halcyon shifted under Dromeus's stern gaze. She halted his next attempt to further question her by saying goodbye to the councilman. Quietly, she left the building and found Cesare waiting for her on the street.
"Home, ěra?"
After a nod, Halcyon headed for her house set across the city. The autumn equinox had passed over a month ago. The day's cooler temperature offered relief from the summer's earlier swelter. Halcyon had made promises and was now fulfilling them. As she grew closer to the latched gate of her home, she felt her stomach pitch, then roll. Her damp fingers nearly dropped the sealed parchment.
Cesare pushed ahead, unlatched the gate, and held it open until Halcyon entered the courtyard. He closed the gate and quietly went about his chores.
Halcyon neared the kitchen and noted that Glauce was busy preparing for the day's last meal. She swept through the house but never found the target of her interest. After a little thought, Halcyon went to the second most likely spot. Next to the home, the small stable held three horses and three more empty stalls.
In the last stall, a tall, sunny-haired beauty continued brushing the white mare. Cheimon happily received the attention and thanked the human with a nudge. A loving pat to Cheimon's neck signaled the end of the brushing session.
"Thora," Halcyon said gently.
Thora returned the brush and left the stall, then met Halcyon halfway in the stable.
"Come with me." Halcyon guided her slave to a wooden bench near the stable. She often practiced in the open space, but today it was different. They sat facing the field far behind her home. For a moment, Halcyon watched the helots working hard in the field.
Thora followed her owner's gaze and considered the uglier life that she most likely had missed because Halcyon purchased her. She tore her gaze away and focused on her owner.
Halcyon retrieved the document and held it out, delicately. "This is yours." She had no idea how the document would change everything, especially for herself.
Thora grew excited at the power in the document. She unfolded it and attempted reading what she could, because her reading skills were still meager. The most important words burned into her mind and were sealed by the artistic wax symbol at the bottom. She ran her fingertips across the wax seal to ensure it was real. Each bump and dip unshackled her from her life as a slave.
"I am a freedwoman," Thora whispered.
Halcyon bowed her head and said, "You are no longer mine." Her voice cracked, and the storminess was clear in her eyes.
Such truthful words lifted Thora's ice blue eyes to her former owner.
Halcyon shifted on the bench and assumed her calm composure that her hoplite mentors had drilled into her over the years. "At first light, you are welcome to leave here. I will provide you with anything you require."
Thora's features softened at the kind offer. Halcyon may have been an irritable owner, but she was still generous in her own right. She slightly dipped her head, then cautiously asked, "And if I wish to stay?"
Halcyon slightly parted her lips, but nothing was forthcoming. Thora's question was sharper than a dory, cutting through her armor and flesh until it pierced her heart.
Thora eased Halcyon's discomfort with a soft touch to the knee. "I miss my people and my homelands, but... this is home." She searched the green eyes that studied her. "You are family to me."
Halcyon released a low, strained breath after the unlikely confession. Nearly a month ago, she had searched for Thora across the countryside. Perhaps it was to save Thora from re-enslavement or even death. Perhaps she wanted to drag Thora home. All those ideas died when she realized Thora was ready to be free. Halcyon had promised she would free Thora, if they returned to Sparta where it could be done. Today her promise was complete.
Halcyon remembered that Thora had been unsure about following Halcyon back to Sparta where her bonds awaited her. But Thora trusted her word, and they were always drawn to each other. Thora not only returned with her but also to a demolished owner and slave relationship. The destructive storm between them had left emotional debris. Day by day, they cleaned up the pieces until an unsuspecting friendship replaced the previous relationship.
All the remolding of their bond softly came from new routine and, later, common ground. Thora continued her usual daily routines around the home, upon Halcyon's request. Glauce and Cesare easily followed Thora's leadership. And Gorgo no longer came to the house.
Then one day, Halcyon offered to show Thora how to remove the rust from Thora's blade. Under Halcyon's instructions, Thora renewed the rusty xiphos until her blue eyes were reflected in the blade. A few days later, she schooled Thora on how to hold the short sword, along with a few slashing techniques. Eventually, sword lessons became a nearly daily event in the late afternoons, and she secretly respected Thora's natural skill with the blade.
"Halcyon?" Thora asked softly. She watched the memories fade from Halcyon's features.
Slowly, Halcyon focused on Thora seated beside her. For only the second time, Thora had whispered her name, yet it made Halcyon's heart thunder. She saw the certainty in Thora's features that this was now home. "Stay," she replied tenderly after covering Thora's hand. She imagined a full life shared with Thora and even her future child. Bitterness about the pregnancy no longer gripped her heart, especially with Thora at her side.
Halcyon's whisper flooded Thora's chest and washed away the last doubtful fragments. Thora smiled, in relief and happiness. Halcyon's feather-light touch to her flushed cheek drew Thora's head down, closer. At first, Thora held her breath until Halcyon's lips brushed across hers. A wild bolt cut through her stomach and made Thora moan.
Sliding her hand behind Thora's neck, Halcyon gently pulled until their lips finally sealed together. She returned the moan when their mouths parted for the first time. Emotions danced between the soft caresses of their tongues. All the difficulties had led to this moment. And all the fears that Thora's freedom meant loneliness for Halcyon were gone.
As Thora drew back, she ached at seeing the salty droplets that fell from Halcyon's eyes. Like Halcyon, she trembled at both the excitement and the unknown ahead of them. There was much to be discussed, but it was less important than their closeness. Thora leaned down again and grazed her nose across Halcyon's own. She rekindled their earlier kiss, slow and tender.
What Thora once had in her homelands was a memory. Her family had been torn apart, and her husband dined with the gods. Norsk war and strife had enslaved her, but it was Greece that unbound her from the past. And Halcyon had unexpectedly become her home. Together, they found freedom in each other.
The End
Glossary of Terms
Note: Terms listed alphabetically.
Agora: Originally an open assembly location in the town for political meetings, but later added a market where merchants sold their goods. In Sparta, commerce was discouraged by the government but supplies, materials, and wares were still necessary for daily life. Typically male helots and slaves went to the agora to minimize outside ideas and news from passing onto the Spartan citizens.
Andron: The portion of the house solely reserved for only the men, especially the husband. Typically political functions were held in the andron by the husband, and the nicest décor was located in the andron.
Aspis: A three-foot-diameter wooden shield carried by hoplites. The aspis allowed for hoplites to cross rivers since it was made of wood. Its concave structure also made it easier to move bodies after battle. In Spartan culture, the aspis was bronze coated with the symbol for Lambda upon it. It was the highest regarded weapon and to lose it was a disgrace.
Bouleuterion: A building where the council of citizens (boule) met during ancient times. Often it was located near the agora.
Chiton: An article of clothing worn by both men and women in Ancient Greece. The chiton was single piece of linen or wool fabric that was draped over the body, pinned at the shoulders, and a belt was worn across the waist or hips.
Chlamys: A short pi
ece of cloak usually made from wool.
Chous: A transport jug for holding wine often found in the agora. The plural form is choes.
Dory: A six to ten-foot-long spear that also had a "spike" butt end for counterbalance. The dory was a hoplite's main weapon and was often used to stab at the enemy. However, it was rarely thrown like a javelin.
Drachma(s): Ancient Greek currency that literally translates to "to grasp." The drachma was used throughout all the Greek city-states, except for Sparta.
Ĕra: A title that translates to the "lady of the house" in relation to her slaves. Only slaves called their female owners ěra.
Ĕrus: A title that translates to the "lord." Only slaves called their male owners ěrus or ěre.
Exomis: A piece of Greek attire similar to a tunic that left the right arm and shoulder uncovered for optimal fighting.
Gastrin: A traditional dessert in Ancient Greece that is similar to baklava that originated in Crete. The pastry was made from several layers of dough that included sesame seeds, pepper, and poppy seeds then sweetened with petimezi (grape sugar).
Girdle: A thin belt worn by both men and women in Ancient Greece.
Gynaikeion: A portion of the home or a building especially reserved for only the women, including the wife. The room(s) or building tended to be remote and away from the public eye.
Helot: A lower class of serfs in Sparta, often considered slaves. They handled daily chores, farmed, and were tradesmen, allowing for Spartan citizens to focus on training, war, and politics.
Heraea Games: An ancient athletic competition similar to the Olympics that was sanctioned for women. However, women had to wear chitons during the competition unlike men, who competed in the nude.
Hippeus: A wealthy cavalryman of the Greek army that had the money to afford a warhorse. More than one cavalryman was known as hippeis. However, in classical Sparta, a hippeus did not ride a horse and remained on foot as regular military. A Spartan hippeus was distinguished from other hoplites by the fact they were chosen and assigned to a Spartan king as the royal guard. Often three hundred hippeis swore loyalty to the king.
Kalamos: An ancient writing instrument similar to the quill, but made from reed plants. A single piece of reed was cut to length and given a sharpened point to hold ink.
Kline: Ancient Greek furniture comparable to a modern-day sofa. It was often made from wood or bronze then a lavish mattress was added on top for the wealthy. The kline was typically used at dinner, and the person would eat lying across but in an upright position.
Oinochoe: Literally translates to "I pour" in Greek. It is a wine jug or pitcher commonly used around the Greek home. There were eight styles in Ancient Greece. Most oinochoe were decorated or undecorated and came in clay or metal.
Ouranē: Ancient Greek chamber pot.
Pais: The Greek word for young male lover.
Peplos: A full length of robe-style cloth only worn by Greek women. It was often rectangular in design and hung from the shoulders then folded vertically. Typically it was worn with a belt.
Polis: A polis translates to "city-state," which is the government, people, and citizenship in Ancient Greece. Plural version is poleis.
Skyphos: A two-handed cup made for wine. They were deep and often made from clay, but also from silver. Skyphoi is the plural version.
Symposium: A type of social party that literally translates to "to drink together." The party was hosted by aristocrats and meant for men so that they could converse, drink, debate, and be social.
Thalamus: The great bedroom of the master and mistress of the house. Often, but not always, the great bedroom opens to the courtyard. The finest furniture and ornaments are held within the great bedroom.
Triobol: A form of ancient Greek currency that equaled about half a drachma.
Xiphos: An iron forged sword about twenty to twenty-four inches long and double-edged. It was considered the hoplite's secondary weapon to the dory. Spartan hoplites were rumored to use a shorter xiphos about twelve inches long.
About the Author
Cameron North started creative writing at an early age as a teenager and always had a soft spot for strong female leads in books, comics, television, and movies. Later, she began sharing her work and dreamed of becoming an author. Eventually all her efforts with writing have brought her to publish LGBTQ+ books that are sci-fi, fantasy, historic, and romance in nature. Every book is full of heart and passion for both the characters and the plot, loving the journey each time.
Born in Maryland, Cameron enjoys the rural Eastern Shore and the Chesapeake Bay, especially boating on the rivers. She graduated with a business degree in Information Systems due to her love for computers and technology. Currently, Cameron works full-time and dedicates all her free-time to her writing and publishing. Her other hobbies include raising chickens, gardening, airplanes, and traveling abroad. Today, she continues to live on the Eastern Shore and sharing adventures with her wife, dog, cat, and flock of chickens.
To learn more about Cameron's published books, please visit WASP Publishing's website at www.WASPpublishing.com
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Email:
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Also Written By Cameron North
The Triple L
Western Historical Lesbian Fiction
Coming Soon
Wicomico Slow
New Adult Contemporary Romance Lesbian Fiction
September 2019
Thora Page 15
