Scipio Metellus Slaver of Ko-ro-ba (2)

 

The caravan of Scipio Metellus pulled up to the gates of the small city of Abydos-Thebes. The little city, at the confluence of two small and unimportant rivers, was on the edge of the area of Ar’s influence and power. 

It had been captured by Marlenus of Ar, Ubar of Ubars during the days of his greatest power. The Home Stone of Abydos-Thebes, like the Home Stones of the other cities conquered by Marlenus had been taken and stored in the Central Cylinder of Ar. When the Home Stone of Ar had been stolen by Tarl of Ko-ro-ba, Abydos-Thebes had received back its Home Stone. It had not recovered full independence. The power of Ar loomed over all the cities of the central plain, and the Council of Abydos-Thebes was always wary of disturbing Ar.
The trade of Abydos-Thebes was the trade of Ar. The enemies of Ar were the enemies of Abydos-Thebes. When the armies of Ar marched; so also did the armies of Abydos-Thebes. Because Scipio Metellus was licensed and welcome to trade in Ar; he was licensed and welcome to trade in Abydos-Thebes. Scipio Metellus counted out his coins for the entry of five wagons and informed the Captain of the Gate, the First Sword of the Gate Company, that he intended to stay a day or two, then turn north to return to Ko-ro-ba.
“Welcome to Abydos-Thebes, then. Congratulations on your sales at the Fair of En-Kara and the theft of the Twenty Virgins at the Inn at the Ford.”
“Thank you, Captain, for your congratulations on the Fair, but I was nowhere near the Inn when the Twenty Maidens disappeared, never to be seen again.”
Scipio disclaimed any knowledge of the daring theft of Twenty Maidens. There were too many warriors seeking revenge or to steal the beauteous women.
Scipio Metellus presses a silver coin into the Captain’s hand.
“I trust you will be pleased to drink my health and yours this evening, First Sword. And here is another, so your men can drink with you. Good health to you, and your city.”
The slaver of Ko-ro-ba and his wagons entered the city plaza in front of the gate. A coffle of slaves acquired in his travels since the Sardar Fair trudge behind. A youth in the colours of the Slaver’s Caste stepped forward. His robes looked big on him; and a little worn, but clean and well mended. They were obviously hand-me-downs, passed down to him from an older member of the caste. So the youth was an apprentice, a beginner, a learner. Scipio Metellus smiled at him, welcoming and kind. Such an approach would disconcert the apprentice, used to being shouted at, harried and chivied from pillar to post. Such was the ancient custom.
“Scipio Metellus?” He seemed uncertain, wary of being mistaken. All young apprentices were used to being wrong, and being shouted at, so they could be trained up in the proper ways.
“Yes, boy. I am Scipio Metellus, I am pleased to meet a young caste brother. Welcome to our brotherhood.”
“I am, uh, uh, I am Myron, apprentice to Master Slaver, Atticus of Ar. I, uh,uh, I bid you welcome.”
“Tal, young Myron. What brings my friend Atticus of Ar to Abydos-Thebes? Is there a large sale?”
“Uh, Tal, Master Scipio. Uh, it is a matter of some delicacy. Uh, could we talk at the Slaver’s House? Sir?” He added deferentially.
Scipio smiled with good humour. He had once been a harassed apprentice.
“Certainly, but I must get my men, my wagons, my bosk, and my other beasts settled at some caravanserai first, then I will go to meet your Master.”
“Uh, there is room for all your men and wagons and beasts at the Slaver’s House the esteemed Atticus of Ar is renting. It is quite large.”
Scipio Metellus’s face showed a puzzled frown. “How does an entire Slaver’s House come to be vacant, young apprentice?”
Myron the Apprentice lowered his voice. “That esteemed Caste Master and Brother is the delicate matter. Perhaps we can discuss it there? It is in the plaza of Slavers, near the foot of the Abydos.”
The apprentice pointed to the most distinctive feature of the city of Abydos-Thebes; a large crag of black volcanic basalt towering over the rest of the city. The crag was about sixty Ah-rils (90 ft) high, and in extent about a pasang by a pasang and a half. On it, the apprentice explained, was the Citadel of Last Resort, the temple of the Initiates, the Cylinder of Administration, and “several Cylinders and Insulae providing accommodation for Free Ladies of means with no men to protect them.”
At the last, Scipio Metellus’s face grew contemplative, as it always did at the idea of unaccompanied Free Women. This was mere habit, as a guest of Abydos-Thebes, he was constrained to treat its Free Ladies as sacrosanct, at least while in the city. He might do some scouting though; it was his nature.
The caravan, led by Myron the Apprentice, took large main ways because of the wagons through the city to the Plaza of Slavers. It was about the 14^th Ahn, mid-afternoon, and the plaza was half deserted. Most of the great Slaver’s House still had beauties for sale displayed on the outside slave ledges of their walls, the better to entice prospective buyers inside. Myron led the way to one House. Alone of the Houses in the Plaza, it had a deserted air, with no slaves displayed outside in the sun. Its doors were closed. Scipio Metellus noted that the place over the lintel of the great doors into the Courtyard where the name and sign of the House should be, showed recently chiseled stone: the name of the House had been recently effaced.
Myron went to open the gates, as Longinus of Argentum unharnessed the yokes of bosk from the wagons. The wagons would be pushed into the courtyard, the bosk taken to the pastures of livery stable for safe keeping. A second apprentice, older than Myron, helped open the gates. The wagons were moved to the back of the courtyard; one yoke of bosk per wagon would be kept at the Slaver’s House, in case of need to make a quick exit. When possible, Scipio Metellus was a cautious man. It was his nature.
The second apprentice, older and more confident, approached Scipio Metellus. He wore new caste robes. It was clear from whom Myron had received the second-hand robes.
“Tal, Scipio Metellus. I am Phidias, apprentice to Atticus of Ar.” Welcome to the former House of the Brothers Hieronymus. I regret that the creditors have left nothing here, but the bare walls. But at least we have those.”
He smiled.
Scipio Metellus frowned.
 Unlike Myron, this Phidias was overconfident, and would receive different handling. “Where is my friend, Atticus of Ar? Where is water for men and beasts? Are there fires for cooking and comfort?”
“Alas Mighty Scipio Metellus, Atticus of Ar has been in meetings with the other creditors of the House of the Brothers Hieronymus. They have all been meeting with the Praetor every day for the past week. He has given me no instructions and we have no firewood. We have no buckets to fill the cistern from the well, and the cistern is almost empty. We have no slaves to fetch more food, or to draw water from the well. It is hard conditions here.”

The one-legged Longinus snorted and spoke.
“You have soft hands. When there are no slaves, men must act. You yourselves should have drawn water, and prepared fires. If you have no buckets, you should have found the courage to ask Atticus for money to buy buckets and firewood and food, and paga.”
The apprentice wilted. Clearly, he had done nothing, because he was afraid of doing the wrong thing. He had not wanted to disturb Atticus because Atticus was so occupied with recovering money from the bankruptcy proceedings.
Longinus gave orders; the stronger slaves were set to get buckets from the wagons and draw water from the well. This was first poured into the troughs; the welfare of the bosks came first. Later the slaves could drink. Other kajirae were set to taking buckets of fresh water from the well to the cistern. They too were thirsty, but would drink later, they had no permission to drink at present.
Things began to move. Longinus detailed two men to go to the fire market to purchase firewood and coal. Scipio Metellus took pity on Phidias.
“You know were the fire market is? Good. Take these two men and this money. Get firewood and coal for a week. My men will know how much. Have porters from the market carry the wood and coal. It is below the dignity of Atticus for my men, or even you to carry the fuel. Return quickly.”
Then he turned to Myron.
“We must hurry to the food markets, there is likely little left, but we will get what we can. I will accompany you.”
Scipio left through the gates, accompanied by Myron and escorted by two of his men. Lesley, the blonde barbarian he purchased at the end of the Sardar Fair heeled him. Two more of his men closed the gates behind him.
As they walked along, Myron dared ask a question of Scipio Metellus.
“Is she a barbarian, sir. It is hard to tell sometimes. I am sorry for asking, but I  am trying to learn all I can.”
“Good eye, boy. Yes, she is a barbarian, but she has been on Gor a long time. What city on the Slave Planet are you from, Lesley?”
“It was called Wellington, Master, in a land called New Zealand. I have been thirty years on Gor.”
In the food markets, Scipio Metellus purchased fruits, wines, paga, bread, and a couple of old vulos. They would not be good eating, but they were what was available. Porters, escorted by Scipio’s men escorted them back to the former House of the Brothers Hieronymus.  Slave gruel would be delivered tomorrow. For tonight the supplies in the wagons would suffice.
**
When Atticus of Ar returned to the former House of the Brothers Hieronymus, the place had less of a deserted look. Most of the slaves that Scipio Metellus had acquired in his journey from the Sardar Fair were dispatched to the slave pens of the Slaver’s House. For this night at least they would not need to sleep under the wagons. A few, including Scipio Metellus’s current personal kajirae, Leslie, Golden Key and Beaker prepared a meal for Scipio Metellus, Atticus of Ar, Longinus of Argentum, and the two apprentices, Phidias and Myron. From the courtyard came the sound of Scipio’s wagon men, carousing with a couple of recently enslaved free women. His escort of Riders of the High Thalarion, were encamped at the Livery Stable with the thalarions and the majority of Bosk. Scipio trusted the security of the Livery Stable, but when events allowed he was a cautious man. It was his nature.

Atticus watched the red-haired Beaker sway as she served the meal. There was no music, but there seemed to be music in her hips that only she could hear. The slave was even more delectable now than when he had seen her at the Fair. The collar suited her.
“Have you had her instructed in dancing then, Scipio? Or is it the natural rhythm and fire of the auburn haired slave?” asked Atticus.
Scipio Metellus laughed.
“It is neither. She has begged for lessons in dance and this is her way of reminding me. She is an impudent girl, not entirely pleasing in the forwardness of her suggestions. Two weeks ago, she was chattering about this and that, and when told to be silent, ‘gagged by the Master’s will’, she only remained silent for five ihn before chattering again. I put her in a slave hood with a penis gag for two days, to remind her what the primary purpose of a slave’s lips, a slave’s tongue, and a slave’s mouth was: to serve her master, not to weary him with her chatter. When the gag and hood were removed, she was quiet for two whole ahn.”
Longinus laughed. “It was the first time she had been quiet for that long since she was put in the collar. A good girl except for that.”
Scipio said. “She had lived a sheltered life until the collar. Everything she sees is new to her. Still she must learn to obey.”
Gold Key returned to the hall with a silver tray. Black wine, sugars, milks, cups. The apprentices were surprised to see five cups. Were they to share in such a luxury? Unheard of, to spoil apprentices this way!
Gold Key, knelt before Atticus and Scipio, unsure of whom to serve first. Atticus was the renter of the House, and therefore host, but Scipio had purchased the feast and it was served by his slaves. Scipio indicated with  a quick nod to serve Atticus first.
Quickly she served Atticus, Scipio, Longinus, and then the two apprentices. Phidias and Myron almost snatched the luxury drink from her outstretched hands; they were afraid that at the last moment they would be denied such a privilege. After the hot Black Wine was consumed, Longinus rose to leave the feasting room. Phidias nudged Myron to rise as well, the two apprentices knew that they should not linger when their betters were to consult. As Longinus was taking his leave, Scipio pointed to Beaker.
“She has been inopportune again, trying to beg, with hips, not her mouth for lessons, which for now, I have denied. Chain her hand and foot in the pens tonight, so she learns that she is only to move when it is pleasing to me”
Beaker almost said something, but she was learning her collar. Longinus back braceleted the girl, then bend her in the leading position. He had Phidias, take Beaker by her red hair and lead her away.
“We shall see if your apprenticeship has progressed far enough for you to  properly secure a girl for the night.”
Phidias adopted a stern dutiful expression. He would not shame the House of Atticus of Ar by being found wanting by the wagon master of a provincial Ko-ro-ban slaver, no matter how celebrated.
**
Lesley and Gold Key remained kneeling against the wall, as Scipio and Atticus talked and gossiped over some wine. It was not very good wine, but that was all that was available in the markets at the end of the day. Finally, Scipio moved on to more substantive matters.
“Tell me, friend Atticus, how do you happen to end up here, dealing with the bankruptcy of a provincial slave house?”
“First you must understand that Abydos-Thebes is a very conservative city, Not much changes; and what changes, changes slowly. Three hundred years ago, the Brothers Hieronymus were the third or fourth largest House in Abydos-Thebes, and ten years ago, they were still the third or fourth House in Abydos-Thebes. The partners were all descendants of the original brothers, a complex of cousins and second cousins, and nephews that I don’t think even they truly understand.”
Atticus continued.
“A few years ago, this generation of the Brothers Hieronymus grew dissatisfied with their standing as third or fourth among the Houses of Abydos-Thebes and desired to become a bigger House. But things move slowly in a provincial city like Abydos-Thebes, so they conceived a plan to open a branch in Glorious Ar, and by trading in what they called the Big Larma to gain in size on their provincial rivals.”
Scipio quoted:
“If they can make it there, they can make it anywhere.”
Atticus snorted:
“It is not so easy to establish oneself in Ar, although things went well at first for the two young men the Brothers dispatched there. Times were good; everyone prospered, even two young arrogant men from the provinces who mistook general good times for their own cleverness. In those years, even the street vendors, who leased a few slave shelves and sold on the streets fared well.
But times changed, supply routes changed, demand shifted, more barbarians came into the market, and the Brothers, both in Ar, and here in Adydos-Thebes lost money. They borrowed against stock they did not have, and mortgaged profits they did not realize. They were not honest in their dealings with the Caste, they were not honest with other creditors and lenders, and worst of all, they were not honest with each other. The branch in Ar concealed from the Brothers here, the extent of their losses; the Brothers here did not reveal their losses to the Brothers in Ar.”
Scipio Metellus shook his head at the amount of dishonesty in the world. Atticus continued.
“One night, the Brothers in Ar disappeared. They were gone, their stock was gone. There was nothing. They were pursued. One was caught and impaled. The other is still at large. The creditors in Ar, commissioned me to come to Abydos-Thebes and collect their losses from the Brothers here. I took tarn and came with two apprentices, cousins of the sister of my former Companion’s uncle. When we arrived the creditors here were emptying this House. I have been dealing with the Praetor and creditors for the last week. There will be little left for any of us. The Brothers here had fled as well. But there is some hope. Just before I left the Praetor, word came by tarn that six of the Brothers, their wagons, and their Companion and families had been captured. There will be some profit from that.”
Scipio Metellus said, “I find it difficult to believe that they were so dedicated to their Companions that they did not abandon them and flee farther and more quickly.”
“It was not devotion to their Companions; it was devotion to their wagons. The wagons had false bottoms, and in the false bottoms, was some treasure. How much do we not know.”
“Now tell me, my friend, do you have any thing to disclose to me? Some maidens stolen from an impossible tower perhaps.”
To be continued.