Author's Note, Thanks again to kenjisato for editing and suggestions.
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Antonia Larcia was not in the habit of attending slave sales in the nearby village. But her steward, Castus, had persuaded her that more slaves were needed for the estate, and this time, perhaps out of boredom, she joined him on this warm summer morning. Besides, the household could use more servants, and here, she could approve of them herself on the spot.
She stepped out of her litter some distance from the transactions, preferring to observe from afar. But as her steward approached her, something caught Antonia's eye among the various collections of human flesh on display; it was a shock of red hair. And it belonged to a lovely young woman, or barely a woman. And even from this distance, she could see the look of abject terror on the woman's face, her body shivering with fear.
And the young woman had good reason to be afraid. The man her slave trader was haggling with was a neighbor of Antonia's, and she knew his reputation. Partly in pity, and partly in finding herself attracted to this apparition of innocence, she gave her steward orders.
"Castus, see that young slave? Buy her. Get a good price, if you can. But be sure to get her."
Castus scampered over to the slave dealer, and after a terse conversation, he turned to Antonia to confirm the deal had been made before leading the slave girl to another servant who would take her, as well as the other new slaves, to the villa. As this new slave followed the servant, Antonia observed, the closer she came the lovelier she looked. The slave never raised her head, for if she had, she would have seen her new owner admiring her.
Perhaps, it was the Fates that compelled Antonia to come on this day. But she felt released from whatever it was that brought her here, and returned to her litter, where her retinue carried her away and back to her villa.
On returning to the villa, Antonia was greeted by several servants, as well as the freedwoman, who managed the household.
"There is a new slave arriving. She will be hard to miss, red haired... and young. Have her sent to me when she arrives."
She proceeded to her private chambers, where she found several slaves doing chores and her chief attendant and slave, Terentia, an Ethiopian, who helped her take off her palla, leaving her finally able to relax in only her tunic.
"A pleasant trip, Mistress?" Terentia asked.
She was one of the few slaves who could address the mistress directly, and the other slaves in the room looked at each other in trepidation.
"Fine," Antonia started, "There was one slave. I decided to buy her. I think she will be a fine addition to my personal attendants."
Antonia sat in a chair and refreshed herself with wine and water a slave brought to her.
"Interesting slave," Antonia started, "A lovely young woman. And very pleasing to the eye."
She proceeded to the portico to escape the heat of the day, where fruits of various kinds and other delicacies were brought. There, she enjoyed them, as well as the breeze that prevailed there in the afternoon.
While Antonia finished her wine, a slave appeared with the red-haired one following her. Antonia saw her arrive; her head held low. Antonia dismissed the other slaves, and with Terentia giving them a sharp look, they quickly departed.
Terentia looked over this fair-skinned young woman and moved to Antonia's side, as if staking her position.
"I am Antonia Larcia, your new owner. What is your name?"
Without lifting her eyes from the floor, she replied, "My father named me Rufina, Mistress."
Antonia laughed, "An appropriate name. And your father?"
"A Greek. He tutored our Master's son."
"A Greek! And your mother?"
"A Briton, Mistress."
"Ha! That would explain your hair. How old are you?"
"But eighteen, Mistress."
"So, how was it you were sold?"
"My father died a few years ago, and he was a favorite of the Master, so he guarded me."
"What did you do there?"
" Laundress, Mistress."
"Ha! Some care."
"But it was to protect me!" Rufina protested, briefly looking up at her mistress for the first time.
"Know your place, girl!" Terentia exclaimed. "Speak only when told to."
Rufina returned her eyes to the floor, as Antonia held up her hand to stop Terentia. "It is all right. Tell me, how could he protect you as a laundress?"
"To keep me out of the household..." she trailed off.
"And?"
"His son... I think he was trying to keep me away from his son. And when Master died, the son's wife had me sold immediately."
"Ah," Antonia sighed, "I understand now. Tell me, are you a virgin?"
Rufina blushed and nodded.
"The Fates were with you, today. That man negotiating for you? You would be his sex slave by now if not for my intervention. Rufina, look at me."
Rufina lifted her head and got her first good look at her new mistress. She was thirty, she guessed, and beautiful. And resplendent in her elegant tunic and jewelry. And beside her, a tall Ethiopian, who had a beauty of her own, perhaps in her early twenties, and lean, and who looked upon her more imperiously than the mistress.
Antonia, for her part, looked deeply into her newest slave's eyes, and was captivated. Her face was as smooth and white as pure alabaster. And added to her green eyes and red hair made her seem like a wood nymph, despite the deferential look on her face. It was a face that Antonia wanted to see smile, but not today.
Antonia started, "I come from an ancient equestrian line. My husband died some years ago in battle, leading a legion for Rome, and leaving me mistress of this household. There is no master here, I am mistress here! I control all on this estate. In this section of the villa, only female slaves are allowed. And you will be one of my personal attendants. Terentia, here, is my most trusted attendant, she will train you in the ways of the household. And her room is down the hall; you will sleep there."
Terentia turned to Antonia with a surprised look, to which her mistress shot back a piercing eye, reminding the Ethiopian of who ruled this villa.
