Journey's End

by LJ Maas

  “Gabrielle... little one, it’s all right.” I turned around and took the sponge from her grasp, grabbing her hand, and stroking the top of it with my thumb.

  It took a few heartbeats for her to look into my eyes with her own hesitant gaze.

  “I wear my battle scars with pride... especially these.” I winked, returning the sponge to her hands, and turning my back to her once more. I knew my jest put her at ease, once I felt her hands on my skin.

  We chatted about nothing in particular for a spell until I was finally able to entice Gabrielle into the bath. By the time I gave her the same treatment, she just graced me with, she turned and began to massage my neck and shoulders, carefully avoiding the scratches. It felt incredible and muscles that I hadn’t used in seasons, screamed out in relief.

  “My Lord?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Remember when I spoke to you about Petra’s mother... Anya? I was wondering, My Lord... ”

  My senses were now on alert, but I willed the rest of my body not to betray me. I had the oddest feeling that I was being set up for something. Now, being the target of feminine wiles was not necessarily a new thing to me, but being on the receiving end, with Gabrielle as the conniver, well, that was certainly different. I smiled to myself and silently cheered the girl on. Come on, little one... let’s see what you’ve got.

  “Yes... what were you wondering Gabrielle?”

  “Well... she still isn’t completely healed from her recent illness and she has three small children. Petra would help more, but he is a palace messenger, and--”

  “How is the boy doing, by the way?” I interrupted. I could see where this was going now. Gabrielle became friends with the boy’s mother and was making a petition to keep them in the castle. Rather transparent, but Gabrielle probably didn’t have much experience in strategy and subterfuge.

  “Oh, Petra, he is fine and healthy, My Lord. He is a good worker and has become a favorite messenger of all in the castle. Captain Atrius says Petra has the makings of a fine soldier, perhaps even an officer.”

  Gabrielle continued my massage as she spoke, but one of her tidbits caught my attention, more so than the others.

  “When did Atrius say this?” I questioned innocently. When in Hades had Gabrielle been speaking with the Captain of my army?

  “Yesterday, My Lord, I spoke with him when he came to Anya’s roo--” Gabrielle’s voice froze in mid syllable.

  I felt her entire body freeze, and when I turned to look at the girl’s face, her hand went up to the mouth that still hung open in surprise. She immediately lowered her eyes from my gaze, a heavy silence hanging in the air between us.

  “Gabrielle... ” I paused, but my slave refused to raise her head. “Gabrielle, are you hiding something from me?”

  “Yes, My Lord,” she answered in defeat. “I’ve done nothing wrong, I swear, My Lord, but I promised that I--”

  Again, she clamped her mouth shut, but by this time, I figured it out. One of the reasons why slaves, especially the master’s body slave, had few if any friends was for this simple reason. Slaves are not allowed to keep secrets. Any person, indentured or not, knew that if they confided in the master’s slave, their secret would soon be made known.

  As whenever I thought back on the life my young slave has endured, my heart opened up and I felt an agonizing pain envelope my chest. I reached over and tilted the chin, watching the muscles in her jaw clench as she willed herself not to shed the tears that brimmed her eyes.

  “Little one, have you made a promise to someone, to keep a confidence?” I asked knowingly.

  She uncharacteristically nodded her head, seemingly unable to answer. I couldn’t help but smile gently.

  “Then we can’t have you breaking your promises, can we? After all, how would that look... the woman that belongs to me, breaking her word? I think it might reflect poorly on me. Don’t you agree?” I responded tenderly, always prudent enough not to say, my slave.

  When Gabrielle finally raised her eyes to meet my own, I saw her brighten as she noticed what I’d hope she’d see there. Gods, I wonder if she knows it yet, that I would refuse her nothing.

  “Thank you, My Lord,” Gabrielle threw her arms around my neck, pressing our bodies together.

  My own arms found their way easily around her. Eyes closing in soft delight at the way she felt against me. My eyes snapped open when I felt her lips on my neck, tongue and teeth suddenly nibbling on a sensitive earlobe.

  “Oh, no you don’t,” I laughed, pushing her an arm’s length from my body. That intensity of an inferno was once again blazing in those emerald eyes and I realized the small blonde was in a mode to thank me, as only she could do. She looked at me with a coy expression and I laughed even harder. Pulling her against me once more, I whispered into her ear.

  “If I let you take me like you did last night, I won’t be able to sit a saddle for a week.” Then I kissed the edge of the small ear, only to feel a strong embrace from the slight woman.

  When I reached in to tease the ear with another delicate kiss, Gabrielle’s lilting laughter rang out, completely filling my senses. I’m not yet sure why, but her laughter acted as more of an aphrodisiac on my body, then her teasing kisses. For a brief moment, I almost said, to Hades with riding. Nothing seemed more important to me than being with Gabrielle. It was at an extremely great sacrifice, and with some incredible effort, that I pushed the girl away, all the while screaming in my head, by the Gods, take me woman!

  “Out, now,” I laughed again at what looked like a pout, situated on Gabrielle’s face.

  It was definitely true... this girl was going to be the death of me.

  * * *

  I finished dressing, at last pulling on my boots, while Gabrielle sat in her robe at our dining table, pouring a hot mug of tea for the both of us. We conversed a little over our morning meal. I told Gabrielle what my day held, and she explained that Anya would be giving her another sewing lesson. I completely forgot about the beginnings of our earlier conversation.

  I was gulping down the rest of my tea, preparing to strap my sword into place on my hip, when Gabrielle’s words filtered through.

  “This will probably be the last time Anya will be able to instruct me, for a while at least. The work she does is hard, and with her still recovering from her illness... I don’t want to take up her time.”

  “What work does she do here?” I asked, falling right into the trap without even realizing it was set for me.

  “She works in the Palace laundry, My Lord.” Gabrielle answered. Her face never even hinted at the fact that I was being manipulated.

  “What?” I turned around to face Gabrielle. “Do you mean to tell me that the woman who apprenticed under Messalina, is working in my laundry? That’s insane!” I shouted.

  “Perhaps you know of something she would be better suited to, My Lord?” Gabrielle innocently asked.

  “I should say so. She’d be a lot better use as my seamstress, than my laundress.” I replied.

  “Excellent suggestion, My Lord.” Gabrielle smiled up at me.

  I froze. What else could I do once I realized that I’d just been played like Terpsichore’s lyre? Hera’s tits, this girl is good.

  I turned my back on her and walked across the room, stopping in front of a heavy marble table that I used to play King’s Men on. It only came up to my knees and wasn’t very large, it was square with a geometric pattern inlaid on the top. It took three men to carry the thing in here, but I rarely had anyone to play against anymore.

  “Gabrielle, come here.” I ordered, and the young girl was instantly at my side. Without even looking at her I gave a little defeated sigh and continued.

  “Gabrielle, have you ever played King’s Men before?” I asked, picking up one of the playing pieces. They were all carved from pieces of Jade, in a variety of shapes. Warriors, centaurs, and horses, they were divided into two equal sets, one in green jade, and another in lavender.

  I casually exam
ined the piece in my hand, at last looking down into my slave’s confused face.

  “No, My Lord.” She answered.

  “Tonight I will begin teaching you the moves, then we will advance to the nuances of the game. I have the oddest feeling, little one, that you will excel at it.” I returned the piece to the table and stared down at the young woman, a smirk situated on my face.

  “Why do you have that feeling, My Lord?”

  “Because,” I lowered my voice, leaning down until our noses were nearly touching, “it involves cunning and strategy, both skills I believe you possess in abundance.” Saying that, I covered the remaining distance and kissed the tip of the girl’s nose. I grinned down and her and Gabrielle lowered her head to hide her smile.

  I tilted her head back up with the assistance of two fingers under her chin. We gazed into one another’s eyes, and I wanted Gabrielle to know that she may have beaten me this time, but I knew I’d been played. Even as I searched those lush, green eyes, I believe Gabrielle understood that I knew also.

  I reached over and kissed the top of that blonde head. “Gabrielle... you have indeed become a worthy adversary.”

  Thank the Gods; the girl at least had the decency to look up at me with an expression of chagrin.

  * * *

  I leaned upon the stone wall of the corridor, listening to the sounds of their laughter behind the wooden door across from me. I could have let it go, but I easily figured out the secret Gabrielle was keeping, and even though it involved a trusted friend, I didn’t want anyone in my palace thinking they could be entirely free of my eyes. So, I waited patiently outside of Anya’s rooms, waiting for the right moment.

  Anya’s daughters were becoming the darlings of the palace, to be sure. I think children have always been my weakness... well that and small blondes, I thought with a smile. Over the years, I have allowed children a liberty around me that few others have ever been granted. I chuckled softly under my breath as I remembered what happened earlier this morning.

  After having left Gabrielle in my rooms, I made my way to the great public chamber within the palace. I have come to detest this place and vow that I will make more of an effort this season to change the way things look. It is the large hall, where the public gathers to see me preside over matters of the realm. The only real reason I detest the place is that it was fashioned at a time when I was rather full of myself. Everything was set up to give me the air of a mighty ruler. After twenty some seasons as Conqueror, I have learned that looks are the last thing to make a ruler powerful. Ah, why does it take age to learn these lessons?

  The hall was created with a raised platform, upon which an ornately carved throne sat. In previous seasons, I enjoyed the image this created. However, on my fortieth birthday, I had the monstrosity of a chair hauled out and burned. I ordered one of the more comfortable chairs from my private chambers to be installed, nowhere near the dais, I might add, and I held court from there. It was more informal and less intimidating to the uneducated villagers who often traveled great distances to bring a petition to my attention. Nowadays, it wasn’t unusual to see children racing about or hiding behind their mother’s skirts. Perhaps that’s why Anya’s two girls slipped past the guards so easily.

  Demetri, my headman, who I was watching carefully these days, was droning on and on in regards to some petition regarding a group of slaves who mutinied, aboard a vessel bound from Amphipolis to Corinth. There was an outcry from some, that the slaves were free citizens captured illegally. Knowing of Demetri’s involvement here in Corinth with the unlawful traders, it didn’t surprise me, when he was the one to speak for the ship owners from my home city.

  My headman’s eyes suddenly went wide and I was pulled from my current musing as to why I made it illegal to kill idiots like this in the first place. It seemed like it would solve so many problems. I looked down in surprise to see both of Anya’s girls at my knee, smiling broadly, each tugging on a pants leg.

  Silence reigned for long moments throughout the great hall and I could see that some waited in fear over what I would do next. My temper still preceded me and in all fairness, most of the public had no chance to see how I have changed in the last few seasons. Looking down at these beautiful children, however, it never even entered my head to scold them. Their trusting smiles were as much a balm to this old warrior’s soul as the ones I received from Gabrielle.

  “We know you.” The oldest girl said, beaming up at me.

  I motioned the guard away, who ran up to intervene, and scooped both girls into my lap. Poor Demetri. The look on his face, when I told him to continue, was priceless. He became so distracted by the girls who squirmed, giggled, and pointed at him, that he started to babble. As for myself, I must admit that I was surprised at my own reaction. I remember distinctly, how absolutely terrified I was at the prospect of being near these small bundles of delight the first time. Now, there was not only no fear, but I actually paid little attention as one girl tugged gently on strands of my hair, the other playing with the laces of my shirt, all the while, I was listening attentively to Demetri’s monotonous diatribe regarding slavery and Greek law.

  One of the girls began poking me in the ribs and hit a particularly ticklish spot, causing a burst of laughter from me, which I covered by pretending to clear my throat. I grabbed the offending hands, but now it became a game to the youngster. Quickly realizing that I was beginning to look less than regal in my current state, I brought the morning’s session to a close.

  “Free the slaves and send the vessel back to its owners,” I interrupted.

  “Lord Conqueror, surely you--”

  “What part of my command aren’t you clear with?” I asked Demetri, rising from my chair and silently motioning to the two girls to stay put. They both quieted instantly and sat obediently in the chair I just vacated.

  “But, they’re slaves, Lord Conqueror... and the ship’s owners--”

  “The question of their slavery appears to be in some dispute.” I said abruptly, walking to stand in front of the man. I admit; I always enjoy doing this. I stood nearly a head taller than any man in my court and occasionally, physical intimidation was the only thing men like this understood. “Free each and every slave and give them ten talantons of silver from the palace coffers. Return the ship to its owners and be done with it.”

  “But, Lord Conqueror, surely the ship’s owners deserve some recompense also.” Demetri whined.

  I’d already turned to go, but I moved back in front of him, to tower over the man and hissed in a low tone. “Their compensation is the fact that I am giving them their ship back and not impounding it. Plus, the fact that am not dispatching a unit of men to arrest them all as illegal slave traders.”

  “We are finished. I will hear more petitions this afternoon.” I said, turning my back.

  I walked back to the girls and quickly scooped them into my arms, carrying them from the great hall. Their giggles could be heard throughout the halls and I thoroughly enjoyed the looks of amazement that greeted me.

  * * *

  “Hello, Atrius,” I smiled at my Captain’s expression of complete surprise as he closed the door to Anya’s rooms.

  “Lord Conqueror,” he bowed his head, a worried smile crossing his features. “So, your Gabrielle told you after all?”

  “Gabrielle?” I asked in surprise, to cover for my young slave. “No, actually. You see, I always wondered why you were the first one there that night I beat that young lieutenant to a pulp. A few things began to add up and I realized that you would have had to be here for a purpose. It’s not like you to wander the halls of the palace for no reason. Then it dawned on me that you certainly may have had a purpose... here in the rooms below my own.”

  “I certainly didn’t mean to bring dishonor, to the lady Anya, or you, Lord Conqueror.” Atrius said stiffly. I could see that he was wondering if he were actually in trouble or not.

  I pushed myself from the wall I’d been leaning against. Slapping the soldi
er on the back, I laughed. “Come on, my friend. Let’s have a drink, shall we?” I said, leading Atrius up the stairs, to my own study.

  * * *

  “So, when did all this start?” I asked Atrius, pouring the both of us a strong cup of port.

  Atrius shook his head and I could sympathize completely with the look. His expression told me that he was wondering that same thing.

  “I went to take Petra there after I showed him around the messenger’s area that first day. I saw her there, all small and weak and... well, I don’t even know how to explain what I felt.”

  I crossed the room and handed the Captain one of the heavy silver goblets, continuing to stand there as I thought about his answer. Yes, I understood his feelings completely. It seems the same affliction struck me down while in a castle in Ambracia, when I stood there, looking down at a small slave in her bare feet. I physically shook my head to bring myself into the present.

  “So, dear Captain,” I began. “Seeing as how Anya is living here under my protection, I rather consider it my duty to see that her reputation is not sullied. What are your intentions toward the woman?” I asked, but when I saw Atrius begin to bristle, I realized he didn’t recognize the jest for what it was.

  “I have done nothing to dishonor the woman, Lord Conqueror.” He said through clenched teeth, rising out of his chair.

  “Relax, my friend,” I laid a hand on one shoulder and pushed him back to his seat. “I was only joking, Atrius.” I grinned down at the man.

  The Captain smiled at that, shaking his head back and forth. Finally, a silence hung between us and when I looked over at him, he was concentrating his gaze on me.

  “You have changed much, Lord Conqueror.”

  “For good or ill?” I chuckled in response.

  “It is good... it is very good. When I first came to know you, it was your skill as a warrior that drew me to fight by your side. After nearly twenty seasons, I have witnessed your very best, and your very worst, yet I have always been willing to die with a sword in my hand for your ideals. I was there in the days when the people called you, Lion, and I always believed in you and the reasons that you fought to keep Greece ours. I’m not a man that’s above asking for a little help and I prayed to Athena, on more than one occasion, that you would one day return to the ideals of the Lion. It’s good to know the Gods still listen to an old soldier’s prayers.” He finished and I turned toward the window to blink away sudden tears.