Thread: The Concubine     (Fanatic/Nika)

Atticus felt a jolt run through his body when Alicia said I will not--. He was not accustomed to hearing such words. Only the most powerful of Rome spoke to him in this manner and when they did it was often done delicately and cautiously. Luckily the young woman sensed she was overstepping a boundary and tried to frame it as a request. But he still didnt like the tone it was delivered. And then she had the audacity to speak of terms. It was time to tech this young woman a lesson. You will not? he asks with a raised eyebrow. Fighting the urge to explode in a barrage of fierceness, Atticus takes another tack. He turns to Britalia and utters a short phrase in the guttural tongue of her homeland. The young red head bows and goes and sets the dress she is carrying on top of the pile of treasure from Rome. Then she walks over to the other slave girl, Femi. Standing in front of her Britalia whispers something to her and then strikes the young girl forcefully across the face with an open hand, staggering the smaller girl. Managing to keep her feet she stands up and assumes her previous position as a small trickle of blood dribbles from her nose. What Britalia told her was that this is for your masters insolence. Atticus says to Alicia. Picking up a scrap of cloth he walks over to Femi and gently wipes the trickle of blood away and then whispers to her quietly. Femi in return smiles and then nods. Walking over to Alicia he hands the scrap of cloth to the woman and then says Here take this. When you feel the need to blurt out an order, remember this. Then he turns and walks over to the bathtub. Running his hand through the warm water he starts to speak softly. You know this is one of two bathtubs in this whole wretched region. The other belongs to my second in command. It is a civility, a habit of sorts that I adopted from him. No matter how far from Rome it is necessary to be Roman. Bathing is one civility that separates us from the barbarian. There are some proper Roman baths that my father had built, when he subdued this land years ago, but we are days away from there. Anyway, my dear Alicia, Im offering you a chance for a warm bath. A way to stay a civil Roman. Then the thought occurs to the general that perhaps he has lost some of his Romaness. The beautiful woman before him was a Roman and expected some courtesy. Courtesy was something that had little place in a military atmosphere. He would try his best to be more considerate of Alicia as she makes a difficult transition. This thought struck him as odd as he had never been concerned about what a woman felt or thought. He chuckles to himself as he realizes that he is attracted to her. He continues Now Ive been honest with you and told you the truth. I will tell you something else that is the truth. I admire your fierceness, I really do. It is an attractive quality. But I will remind you, watch yourself. Especially in front of others. I wont tolerate insubordination in front of my slaves or men. He let his last words sink in with a pause as he looked into her beautiful blue eyes. Satisfied that his point is made. He says We shall have dinner within the hour. Please dont be late, and as a favor to me please let me see you in that beautiful silk dress. As he motions to the dress Britalia brought in. Then he turns and exits the room giving her her privacy. He goes over to his desk and combs through the dispatches. Going through the other gifts from home could wait.