Thread: Ancient Rome (blushing-rose and casketslinger)

Aurelia shivered slightly in the morning mist. The rags that she wore went some way to protecting her modesty, but did nothing to shield her from the slight breeze that blew through the market square. She wished she could retreat to the shelter of the barn, but the shackle around her leg prevented her from doing so. Her real name was Karin, although she doubted shed ever hear it used again. Even that had been stolen from her, replaced by a Roman one that would be easier for her future master to pronounce. As she hugged her arms across her chest to try to warm herself up, she reflected on the past few weeks, and how her life had changed completely. One month ago she had been on English soil, a member of a small tribal village. She had lived in a small hut with her mother and her mothers husband Brennus. Life had been simple. She used to spend most of her time fishing, or weaving nets to trade with the rest of her clan. They hadnt been prepared for the ambush didnt see the Roman soldiers until they attacked. Usually a decent fighter, Karin hadnt even had time to grab her spear before she had been tackled to the ground. She had fought with her hands and nails until she felt a blow to the head, and remembered no more. She had woken up a day later, and had immediately wished that she hadnt. In the time she had been unconscious, her village had been decimated. Most of the men had died fighting, save for a few who had been subdued and were bound with the rest. Those who were too young or old to be useful had been disposed of with brutal Roman efficiency. The lucky ones who had survived were informed that we were to be taken to Rome, and sold as slaves. The journey took a little over a month. In that time, Karin had grown thin and unkempt. She had been defiant, at first, until the soldiers discovered that while beatings might not subdue her, punishing the children in the group for her disobedience certainly would. She had not fought again after the first time. When they had arrived in Rome, the women who had not been deflowered were separated from the rest. Karin had broken from the group to hug her mother farewell and had earned herself the purple bruise that was still visible on her cheekbone today. Her mother had been sold yesterday, along with the rest of her tribe. Karin had been saved for a special market today. A sharp prod in her side woke her from her reverie. The slave market had begun to bustle, and the trader wanted her to stand straighter with her arms by her sides, to show herself off to potential buyers. Karin reluctantly did as he commanded. Compared to the rest of the girls from her village, she stood out. While they all had the Celtic look about them, with red hair and pale skin, Karins brown hair and brown eyes made her look more suited to Italy than England. Her mother had never spoken about her father, but Karin suspected that she was a child of the last Roman invasion of her country. Apart from the bruise on her cheek, her skin was smooth. She stood at around five foot seven, and her breasts were pert, although shrunken slightly through malnutrition. Another prod in my side reminded her to keep her gaze respectfully on the floor, as the market opened for business.