Before she could leave another merchant called to her and held up a beautiful necklace made with what looked like coral and aquamarine. She went over and politely admired it.
“It’s lovely sir, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be appropriate for a servant.” He eyed her.
“Though I don’t recognize you miss, you don’t carry yourself like a servant.”
“If I wasn’t it would be highly irregular for me to be in a market unescorted.”He gave her a look that told her he didn’t believe her for a second. Perhaps he thought her a lady who was playing at being a servant to be in the market place. It wouldn’t be unheard of.”I assure you sir, I am what I say I am.”
“Whose your master then?” he grinned at her challengingly. She cast her eyes down at his wares, hiding her expression under the guise of examining them a little more carefully.
“The giant, sir.” There was a long moment of silence before she looked up. He looked agape and she fought the blush that crept up her throat. His look turned from surprise to wariness.
“I didn’t know he kept another servant, just that dark looking fellow.”She cleared her throat and fiddled with one of the bracelet’s.
“Demitri.”
“Whats that?”
“His name’s Demitri…. the servant.”
“I see.” His expression darkened even more. She let out a little sigh and looked him in the eye squaring herself.
“I was part of the last sacrifice.”His expression changed again, and he blinked at her while taking a step back. If it was possible she felt even more uncomfortable under his gaze. She hoped it hadn’t gotten out what the sacrifice had been for. “This is very nice.” She said holding up the amber bracelet she’d been toying with. “How much is it?” He still looked stunned, but answered quickly, automatically.
“Half silver.” He was a professional after all. She nodded and slid the appropriate amount over the counter and tucked the bracelet into her purse, deciding not to bother haggling.
“Thank you,” she replied smartly. He nodded back at her and she turned to leave. Her movement must have snapped him out of his shock as he called to her.
“Miss, wait.” She paused and looked back.”You’re the one who stayed for the others?” Well that much had gotten out at least. It made sense, as an explanation was needed when this own towns offering had suddenly come home the very next day.
“Yes.” She waited for a response, but received only a nod. She nodded back and adjusted her basket. She kept her head straight and avoided looking back, but she couldn’t fail to see the merchant speaking to his neighbor and pointing her out as she turned a corner to leave the market square.
She was careful to keep her eyes to herself and her head pointed forward as she made her way back to the cart road, so it wasn’t until she felt a hand on her shoulder that she noticed Alexia approaching her. She turned in surprise toward the hand and recognized the face in front of her with a start.
“It is you!” the pretty girl breathed with wonder. She was clearly one of the very wealthy of the region as she wore a rich red and gold dress with golden stitching. They had all been wearing simple white robes the day of the sacrifice, so it had been difficult to see who was the most affluent.
“Alexia.” She replied with a pleasant smile. “I’m glad to see you well.”
“Yes. And you.” She stopped and frowned. “You are… well?”Calliope smiled softly.
“Yes. I’m fine thank you.”
“Are… are you still…” She trailed off unable to will herself to speak of their unusual circumstances.
“Yes.”
“I see.” She look down at her hands and they both just stood there a while. There were two more women with her, one was older and the other about the same age and clearly a servant. Calliope smiled politely at them. Alexia noticed and introduced the older woman as her mother, and realized she didn’t know Calliope’s name.
“Calliope” she offered and bowed slightly. The woman wasn’t quite elderly, but the years had begun to diminish her so that she stood shoulder height with the two younger woman. She more than made up for her height with her presence however.”Alexia tells me you convinced the monster to let the others go. I’m curious as to how this was accomplished. The elders were concerned they would have to send the women back, that there was some sort of trickery.” Calliope did not miss the accusation in her voice, but remained placid and bowed again slightly.
“I assure you, there will be no repercussions. He merely agreed that he would not need so many… servants. I convinced him that one might suffice. It was not difficult, considering everyone was quite upset, something he finds somewhat distasteful.” She arched her brow at that, but seemed more curious than suspicious.
“And how was it you were chosen?”
“I volunteered.”
She nodded. “That is what Alexia and the others said… but it seemed odd that anyone should agree to stay there alone.” Calliope had nothing to say to that and merely tipped her head noncommittally.”Well, at any rate I’m glad of how it turned out for our sake, and you have our family’s gratitude.”
She nodded again and returned the warm smile that Alexia gave her after her mother’s words. Calliope bowed again. “I should probably be going, I’m expected…”They both bowed and nodded conciliatory.
“Of course… and if you should need anything..” Alexia added with a blush.
“Thank you, you’re very kind. Good day to you both.”She took her leave and continued back down the path , waiting until they were out of sight before exhaling.
She wondered how her own family had taken the news that the other girls had been returned, but not their daughter. She sighed…. probably not well.
She remembered the bracelet her sister had gave her again… which caused her to remember the one she’d just bought. She retrieved it and put it on, lifting her wrist to the sun when she away from the eyes of the towns people. The amber shone a deep golden red. It reminded her of Thelios and those strange gleaming eyes. A shiver ran through her and her mind wandered to what he might be up to… and if there were any nymphs involved. She started to feel irritated and angry, but stopped herself and chided herself for her ridiculousness. What should she care? She was just a slave. She should be happy, no… ecstatic, that things turned out as well as they did. She was treated well, given food and fine clothes, and had pleasant company. That was more than many had.
She entered the caverns again reminding herself that the first time she’d done so she’d been expecting death. This time she was merely looking for lunch. If that wasn’t an improvement in circumstances, she couldn’t think of anything that was. She tended the sheep for a few hours, collecting them from where ever they’d wandered while she was gone and went inside to clean up.
Demitri came in to find her in the kitchen arranging little green bundles in a pot.”So that’s what you wanted vine leaves for.” He muttered over her shoulder.
“Do you like dolmades?” He shrugged as an answer. “Well good, more for me then. They’re my favorite.” She smiled and wiggled one in the air. “These were my last meal you know. My mother made them for me my last night at home. Hers are better than mine of course… but beggars can’t be choosers.” She put the last few in and poured water over top and slid the pot back over the oven. She was wiping her hands on a rag and turned to find Demitri giving her an odd look.”Are you alright?” she asked frowning at him.
“Yes. Are you?”
“Yes… why are you looking at me like that?”He shrugged again and turned away, packing up some tools he’d left out on the table. She stood and watched him silently; she worried he might be cross about something.”I have the rest of the money… did you want it back?” He shook his head at the tool bag.
“That’s yours.”
She looked down thoughtfully, and noticed her bracelet. “Are you upset about the bracelet?”
He turned to look at her blinking, “what bracelet?” She held her wrist up. “Why would that bother me?”
“I don’t know… if it’s the dolmades, you don’t have to eat them.” She offered hopefully.
He laughed. “I’m not upset.”
“Then why do you look like you are?” He sighed and paused, looking at her. “It’s just… often I forget your… circumstances. You’ve taken it all in stride so well, it’s easy to do. When you mentioned your last meal…” he shrugged, “I guess I just felt bad is all.”
Her heart softened even more towards the gruff man.”It’s not your fault.”
“Well, not technically… but I’m partially to blame.”
“How is that?”
“It was my idea.” She was more curious then upset and pushed him to continue… which he did, if reluctantly.
“Well it’s like this… I can avail myself of professionals when the need strikes me… but Old whats his name can’t and went awful long stretches without companionship. Sooo… I told him he ought to do what the others do and get him a few women to have around. He didn’t take to the idea at first… but I guess after a time it grew on him and he decided he had plenty of sheep, and more than enough gold to last him a few lifetimes, so he figured he’d ask for women.”
“Clearly they misunderstood the request.”
“Clearly.” He cleared his throat. “So that’s probably why I was looking at you funny. Just guilt getting to me is all.”
She smiled at him.”You know… I thought you were a bit of a prick at first, but your really very sweet.” She walked over and gave him a peck on the cheek making him laugh at her again.”I’m calling dibs on the tub though” she added with a grin, “I smell like sheep.”
“Get used to it” he muttered morosely.