The Chariots Slave (10 page)




 

had courage.

“There is nothing you could wager that would bring me
fear.” Thaddius spoke the words in hopes of discouraging
Barachius. However, his words did just the opposite; they
seemed to fuel his purpose.

“Good. I wager that a rider of the green will defeat a rider
of the blue in the Grande Maximus tournament. It is the
empire’s largest and most difficult tournament. And this year,
they have raised the arenas from three to six. It is not for the
weak at heart, so therefore it is only fitting that a green shall
win.” Barachius held his plump chins in the air as he spoke,
his eyes smiling in victory.

Thaddius could not stand to see him so smug, and once
again without thinking, let the impulsiveness of Thaddius
overpower the sensibility of Dominus. “That is an easy wager
to accept. Why not sweeten it with a cost?”

Instantly the forced smile on Barachius’s face turned
genuine. Thaddius couldn’t help but swallow the knot
forming in his throat. Why had the offer of sweetening the
pot with a cost pleased Barachius so? He was afraid to find
out.

“My dear Thaddius, that is a grand idea. And I suggest the
ultimate of costs to wager. Your land, your title and your
trigarium for mine. If the blue wins, you take everything I
own. But if the green wins, you, this domus, your servants
and this trigarium will be mine. But of course, if you feel that
blue will lose, feel free to decline this wager even though it
was made before your men. I will let you back out. Only your
word will be tarnished. No one will trust it or you again. So
take the bet or lose your good name, what shall it be?”



*

Barachius paused as he watched the color drain from
Thaddius’s face. The boy was stubborn though, he had to
give him that. If he had not noticed the change of color, he
would have thought his words did not wound. Thaddius had
held his fear well.

***

 

Sellah sat at the edge of the salt pool, wearing nothing but

her bathing stola. Her legs dangled in the warm salt bath,
swishing around as she held the latest poultice Orla had made
to her sore neck. Leaning back against the rock wall that
separated the woman’s pool from the men, Sellah heard the
door to the men’s chambers open and the sound of feet
slapping against the tile floor.

At first she did not pay any attention to the new guests,
men and women had been coming and going all day. But as
she sat quietly and tended to her rapidly healing body, she
couldn’t help but overhear their conversation.

“It all worked out far too well. With the blues out of the
way, the green team will be unbeatable. How did you
possibly convince Thaddius of such a wager?” one of the
men asked the other.

Upon hearing Thaddius’s name, Sellah’s curiosity was
aroused. She stilled her legs and leaned back to better listen
in on their conversation.

“It was a simple task. In fact, I manipulated the foolish
boy so that he made the offer himself. It is precisely why I



should be in command of his land and trigarium. He has
proven that men’s business is best left up to men.”

The voice was so familiar. Sellah worked hard to try and
place where she had heard it before.
“The blues are known to be fierce competitors. Are you
certain it is a safe wager?” the first man asked.
“It is more than safe. Since his father’s passing, the boy
has not set foot on a circus. And my sources tell me that he
only recently acquired new drivers. I went to his domus two
days past to see for myself. Two of the new drivers have
already injured themselves. At most he will have one
unskilled man competing in the tournament. And despite the
skill of his lead horse, it will not withstand what I have
orchestrated.”
Sellah worked quietly to push herself closer to the wall so
that she could catch a glimpse of the men talking. She had to
know who it was that threatened Thaddius.
“What have you planned?” the first man pressed.
“What the blue team does not know is that the green team
has acquired new drivers. Ten drivers to be exact, the best of
the world. Including Jiao Xen from the Republic of Seres.”
“Jiao Xen! But he is a legend. It is said that he is equal in
skill if not surpassing that of Thaddius himself.”
“Yes, it is true, and with ten competing against only one, I
will soon own Thaddius’s land, title, and everything else that
belongs to him including those bitches he stole from me at
the auction. I will have my way with everything he holds
dear.”
Instantly Sellah knew it was Barachius behind the wall.
How had he convinced her Dominus to wager his entire
estate on a race that was sure to be fixed? She had to warn



Thaddius. The door was only a few feet away. She could
crawl there slowly and quietly, but the extra time it took
would risk them catching her. No, she knew she needed to
run, to run to Orla and to somehow make it back to the house
of Thaddius before Barachius knew she had overheard his
plan.

She pushed her body up off the ground, crouching down
so as not to be seen by the men over the wall. Just then the
door to the men’s chambers burst open, and the sounds of
slapping feet on the tile floor announced more visitors. This
gave her a much need distraction to get to the women’s
quarters unnoticed. She did not hesitate but bolted for the
door, slamming it behind her once she made it through.

“Heaven’s child, what has disturbed you?” Orla asked.
“I must return to my Dominus immediately!” Sellah went
about the room frantically gathering what few belongings she
had together.

*

“Hush child, you are not fully recovered. Another day
would do your aches wonders.”
“Orla, I must return. Please trust me, I need your help.”
Seeing the desperation in Sellah’s eyes, Orla agreed to help.
Sellah threw her arms around the old woman in gratitude.
“Thank you, Orla. Now please arrange transportation for me
back to the villa. So little time remains.”
Even though she was still confused at Sellah’s change in
disposition, Orla rushed off to hire a cart to take Sellah back.
After finding her a means to return home, Orla returned to
Sellah, stopping only to grab a handful of fresh poultices to




 

send with her.

It worried Orla to see her leave when she was not fully
healed. But she knew, no matter how much she tried to
convince her to stay, she would not. Sellah had such a
determined, even desperate, look.

In the short time she had known Sellah, the girl had been
honest, humble, and selfless. So whatever it was that
bothered her must be serious, and Orla would be damned not
to help.



“G ratitude Orla, you have been most kind to me.” Sellah
threw her arms around the woman and held her close. She
had become very attached to Orla and would miss her.

“Of course child, be safe, and I hope to see you soon. Not
as in past times but in good health!”
A smile made its way to Sellah’s face. How she would
miss the maternal manner by which Orla addressed her. It
was something she had not experienced for a long time.
“I will do my best! Oh and Orla, please do not tell any of
your guests that I have been here. It is of utmost importance.”
There was a trace of confusion on Orla’s face, but she did not
press further. Sellah loved her even more for that.
“I will keep your presence unknown. Now take these,” she
said as she placed three small cloth packages in Sellah’s
hand. “When you feel pain, just chew on one of the pouches.
I have stuffed them with healing herbs. It is bitter but it
works!”
“Thank you Orla.” Sellah smiled as she swayed on her
feet, eager to get going, yet wishing she could stay.



*

Orla sensed the tension in the girl. “You had best be on
your way, the cart awaits you out front.” Taking one last look
at Sellah, Orla pulled her back into her arms. Something told
her that this was not the last time she would see the girl. But
the same something warned her that when she saw Sellah
again, it would not be under happy circumstances.

She wanted to never let her go. But she knew that Sellah
was made for more than a common bath attendant. The girl
was going to achieve great things.

*

Sellah took a moment to shove the pouches into her
satchel and turned to leave. She allowed herself one last look
at the building before she ran out the door into the busy
street. As usual, people stopped and stared at her uncommon
coloring. But she paid them no attention. She was on a
mission. A mission to save Thaddius. Tossing her bags into
the cart, she hopped in after them and gave the driver
directions to take her to Thaddius’s villa and to do so
promptly.

Despite the speed of the cart, the trip was not as
uncomfortable as the last one had been. Although she was
still sore in places, her body had mended remarkably well.
Orla really was good at her trade.

As they passed the Coliseum, Sellah turned her head so
she would not have to look upon it. But even passing under
its shadow had made her stomach turn. When the sunlight



again warmed her exposed shoulders, she felt great relief. She
would stay focused on her mission to warn Thaddius.

As they came to the front gate of the villa, Sellah gasped
in disbelief. The throngs of women had more than tripled in
size since her first encounter with them.

They screamed Thaddius’s name, pleading for him to
come to the gate and greet them. Their calls were so loud she
could hear them clearly even though she was still a ways
down the road.

“We cannot enter this way. It’s too dangerous. They will
rip the cart apart!” The driver yelled this over his shoulder as
he pulled back on the reins and slowed the horse.

“Pass them by and go to the entrance for the Trigarium.
The person I seek is most likely there anyway!”
The driver did as instructed and drove around the women.
Both he and Sellah watched in awe as they passed them.
“Is it always like this?” he asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Sellah answered as she watched one
woman lose all her dignity as she tried to climb the gate.
“What do they come for?”
“Thaddius,” she sighed in frustration. Her cheeks blushed
from her response. Why should she care if all these women
wanted her Dominus. She didn’t care, did she?
“I really must take up charioteering,” he mumbled under
his breath.
She tried to ignore his comment, but it had bothered her
that a man would desire such attention. And she wondered if
all men thought the same way.
The cart came to a sudden halt, pulling Sellah from her
thoughts.
“Why do we stop?”



“We have arrived,” the driver answered.
“Oh.” Sellah looked around and was embarrassed to see

Thaddius and a group of men motionless before the cart,
staring at her in anticipation.

She wanted to hide, to turn around and go back. But now
was not a time for cowardice. She needed to tell Thaddius
what she had heard. She grabbed her satchel and jumped
down from the cart. Her need outweighed her manner, and
she forgot to thank the driver for getting her there so swiftly.

“Sellah? Why have you returned? I did not send for you!”
Thaddius shoved the rope he was holding into the hands of
the man beside him and made his way to her.

“I need to talk to you,” she said, forgetting to address him
respectfully.
“Watch your tone and your demands,” he warned.
“Thaddius, this is not a time for pride. I am trying to save
your life!” The words came off her tongue before she could
filter them, and instantly she regretted what she had said.
Even more so when she noticed the strain of anger building
on his brow.
He raised his hand to strike her, but before he had time to
lower it, she fell to his feet. Her sweaty hands stuck to the dry
ground. She licked her lips and paused, giving herself a
moment to find the right words.
“Apologies, Dominus. I am driven with my need to protect
you. I spoke out of turn. Please, before you punish me hear
what I have risked to tell you.” She did not take the chance of
looking up to see how he reacted to her now. She hoped her
apology was enough for him to put trust in her.
Thaddius turned and addressed the men. “Go to the stables
and tend to the horses. Leave us in privacy.”