Home, it was just a stone throws away from here. Syros was where I was born, raised by my mother and father and stolen from when I was just six. Barbarian raids were regular across the Aegean. My parents never thought it would be them to lose their home, child or lives. I think they are dead at least; I hope they are. Ten years would be an eternity wondering where their daughter may be, who had her in their possession. That’s all I was now a possession. Magister Sid, a fat man with an even fatter appetite.
He had paid for me back then. Used me to clean his toilets, carry his food and dress his sheets. I was too young for what he wanted. He had others for that. Even today in the middle of the main hall, seated upon a mound of red and gold cushions. Nefta a dark-skinned goddess from Egypt and Fernando an Iberian sheep herder were his specials. Magister Sid cherished them and dress them in the best of wares. He fed them while leaving me now two days without food.
My skin had become dry even in the moist air of the island. My white hair fell out last year and I did my best to cover the bald spot on the side of my head. I was thankful the day of my womanhood had never come, or I would become a special to him.
As I was watching Nefta and Fernando feeding and massaging Sid a lanky gentleman joined us. He looked clean and well kempt in his jet black attire and gold laced vest. The tall black hat on his head made him look taller than he was. His eyes red and fixated on me.
“Ah, Magister Sidonis, what a pleasure.” His words were honey but the look in his eyes showed poison.
Coughing on bread Sidonis pushed Nefta from him to see his guest.
“Ah… Oh, it’s you. Come to get me to go to one of your blood shows?”
The man looked at the two hanging on Sidonis and sneered briefly.
“I would never dream of that again. I think you lost ten pounds that day. Quite unfortunate.” A sly smile lifting the corner of his mouth.
Sidonis sat up face turning red, “You sir are a despicable creature. The things you do-”
“What I do?” The man snapped back. “What I do is provide for others. I entertain while you lay here dying slowly surrounded by your riches.”
“What do you want!?” Sidonis asked furiously.
“Ah, now that is what brings me here today. What I want.” His red gaze went back to me.
His face looked to glow as his smile reached ear to ear.
“I want her.”
Me? Why would he want me? Sidonis must have felt the same as he and his toys laughed.
“Haha? You want her?” Arm reaching out. “She’s worthless.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind giving her to me?” He asked without humor.
Sidonis paused for a long time, his laughter having died out. Was this offer serious?
“Never.” Sidonis finally said. “I have plans for that one.”
Red eyes brightened up and the man practically jumped.
“Plans?” He rushed front of Sidonis, crouching down to bring them eye level.
“What sort of plans might that be?”
Sidonis wrinkled his nose, “Sane and proper.”
The man tilted his head to the said showing a frown.
“Are you tying to wound me?” He laughed. “Maybe you should be more straight and to the point!”
His right handle fiddled within his golden vest pulling a thin dagger. Holding it by the blade he sniffed its handle and licked his own lips. Offering the handle to Sidonis he smiled a wide toothy grin.
“If you mean to wound me, please do it properly.”
I was not sure what I saw on Sidonis’ face, fear didn’t cut it. He seemed almost disgusted at the offer of the dagger.
“Put that away! Or… Or I’ll get the… guards.” Sidonis nodded his head firmly.
The dagger didn’t move though. The man sat there bobbing the dagger by its blade. After a moment of staring at Sidonis he turned facing me, a smirk on his lips.
“You must enjoy your pets Magister. And who am I to fault you?” He leaned in closer to Sidonis.
He whispered words I could not hear, Sidonis’ eyes going wide caused mean to lean away from the group. Nefta screeched suddenly, but silenced when the man ran the dagger over her throat. Fernando looked to be in shock when the dagger went through his neck. I couldn’t believe it, my hands covered my face as I pushed myself away falling onto the floor. The man left the group, Nefta and Fernando laying across Sidonis’ chest. He came right for me, tall hat shadowing his face only allowing me to see his red gaze and pearly white smile.
“I think it’s time you come with me.”
What choice did I have? He had just killed Magister Sidonis and I would lose my life if I said no… Right? My body is still shaking and when the man squatted down, his red eyes piercing. A wash of calm stopped my shivering, my heart even took pause . That moment, the time we starred at one another was an eternity.
“Remember this feeling. This… Calm.”
He reached a hand cupping my cheek, his thumb running along my boney cheek. His hands were soft, like a pillow I could just fall asleep. I closed my eyes, I didn’t want to forget this feeling, I wanted it to last forever.
“Not now. We must go.” He said the luster of his voice vanishing.
Jerking my eyes open I blushed realizing what I was doing. He stood up leaving his hand down to lift me to my feet. I had a better view of Sidonis and the others. He cradled their bodies, a smile snuck on my lips.
The man took me away from the main hall and out onto the terrace looking over the island. The fresh salted air revitalized my mind, clearing the fog of what just transpired. The sun was high, its heat surrounding me. I felt alive, free. I was free. I laughed and ran from the man to the edge of the terrace grabbing its walls and looking over the edge. The sea was right there, ready and waiting for me to come to it.
He came up from behind me pointing to a ship sitting at the port.
“That right there, that is my ship.”
“Isn’t that a merchants ship?” I asked.
“Yes, and fitting a very rich merchant.” He was smirking.
I looked at the ship then back at him. He sounded overjoyed, excited. It didn’t look natural. His words defied the cruelty on his face. I loosened my grip on the wall of the terrace and felt weakness now overcome me. I wasn’t free, no, why would I be so lucky?
On the walk to his ship I said nothing, I followed with my head down watching my pale bare feet press through the gravel trail. How could I have been so stupid? Did I really think I was free? What freedom is there from a man who killed my owner?
When gravel was replaced by cypress planks I raised my head seeing the large redwood ship in greater detail. Gold highlighted the trimming and many men worked barrels and crates off the ship to the shore.
“This is my Aeternum.” His hands raised high. “Your Aeternum.”
He lowered his arms smiled right at me.
“For you are now Master K Ks.”