Greeks and Romans: A Medieval Journey

Chapter 7 ~ Corinth

Jason didn’t arrive the next day, or even the day after that. So instead of waiting all day and night for him to show up, the party decided to head to Corinth for a few days, and then see if Jason comes every day by returning to the meeting place at regular intervals.
When the small group arrived outside the gate of the city of Corinth a few days later, the prisoners weren’t in very high spirits. For one thing, the shackles had to be tighter than normal in order to please council leaders. Also, Kendra had to treat them a little worse than she usually does in order to blend in more.
Upon entering the city, Kendra and her mother went straight to the capital hall. One of the council members, a man named Adonis, greeted them.
“What are you doing here? This is a building for council members only.” The man said.
“Ah, but I am of more seniority than a council member. Tell me, do you want a war with Sparta?”
“What are you talking about? How could my not letting you in this building make me an enemy of Spara?”
“Because I am the emperor’s niece. My name is Kendra, nice to meet you. Oh, and if you don’t believe me, look closely at my mother. You will recognise her as Laura, the emperor’s sister.”
Adonis looked closely at Laura, out of curiosity, and found that she did look strangely alike the king’s sister. “I do apologize, my lady. I did not know. Please forgive my ignorance on this matter. You are welcome in this building anytime you like. Would you like me to take those rats off your hands?”
“No, and they are not rats. They may be scum, but they are also men. Take me to your prison, for I would like to see what other scum you have.”
“Yes, my lady. Right away my lady. Follow me.”
Laura and Kendra shared a glance. In those few seconds, they agreed silently for Kendra go and check out the prison with Octavius and Sethon, and for Laura to stay and guard the rest. Kendra motioned for Sethon and Octavius to follow her, and followed Adonis.
They arrived at the prison a little while later. Kendra was horrified at the way the prisoners were being treated. She didn’t say anything, of course. Instead she asked, “Can you give me the keys to the cells and leave me alone with the prisoners? I need to see something.”
After handing her the keys, he replied, “Yes, my lady. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“You can send a messenger to Sparta. Tell my uncle that my mother, Laura, and I escaped from the Romans’ grasp and are coming home.”
“I will do as you asked, my lady. Please excuse me.”
“Very well. Thank you, Adonis. You have done me a great service.”
“I am honored, my lady.” With that, he left the prison.
As soon as he was out of hearing range, Kendra asked Sethon and Octavius if they could go around to all of the cells to see if there was anyone that they knew here. If there was, they were to tell Kendra who they were and what significance they had to them. The prisoners hastily agreed.
With the keys in hand, she watched as Sethon and Octavius scanned each cell, searching for anyone they knew. It was a while before they found anyone, and Kendra could tell that the person they found was worth the wait.
“Grandfather! I had not dared to hope I would find you here!” cried Sethon, tears of happiness gleaming on his cheeks. When she unlocked the cell and let the grandfather out, he cried, “Oh, thank you Kendra! Thank you for doing this for me! I won’t forget this!”
“No problem, Sethon. I am happy to do this. What is your grandfather’s name?”
At last, Sethon’s newly released grandfather spoke with a deep voice, slightly raspy from lack of use. “My name is Tiberius and I feel the same way as my grandson does. Hey, is that Octavius? It is so great to see you again, old friend.”
“And you as well, Commander.” said the general. He seemed almost, (but not quite) as happy to see the old commander as Sethon was.
“As we are among friends somewhat, there is no need for formality. Oh, and Kendra... thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Sethon, you understand he’ll have to become my prisoner now, right? That is the only way he’ll ever be free of this place. Tiberius, can you agree to that?”
“Yes I can if it means getting out of this torturous place. Could you at least tell me where I will be heading after we get out of here? I just want to know what will become of me.”
“Of course. You will be going to Sparta. Although, I will not let you suffer in their prisons as you have here for all these years. I will ask permission from my uncle to allow me to make some changes to their prisons, as well as keep you and the others in my own separate prison. Do not worry, as I will make sure you are somewhat comfortable.”
“So I’ll just be moved from one Greek city to another, larger one? What’s the point?”
“Here, I cannot guarantee you’ll be treated well. If you are my prisoner and come to Sparta with me, however, I can make sure you at least aren’t abused. Plus, you can see your grandson whenever you like.”
“Very well, I will go with you and my grandson to Sparta.” Tiberius said, his voice growing not so raspy anymore.
“Good. We will leave in a few days. Meanwhile, I will convince my ‘friend’ Adonis to let me and my mother keep you and your companions in a private keep. Also, I will let a few of you out at a time to check and see if there are anyone you know here still in the prison.”
“That would be great. If you ever need political or strategic advice, know you can always come to me.”
“Nice to know I can rely on you, Tiberius. Do not worry, you will be safe with me. Sethon knows this.”
“I’ll find out for myself, but I think we will get along.”
“I know we will.” Kendra showed one of her rare smiles.
“I’m glad. Now, could you please explain to me the rules or restrictions of me being your prisoner? I wouldn’t want to break them accidentally, if you know what I mean.”
“Sure, I can explain it to you, but I think you might rather have Sethon tell you, for he probably sees some things that set off my temper that I don’t.”
“What, the bones of steel captor actually has a weakness?” Tiberius asked sarcastically.
“Hey, I’m not like this all the time! Also, how is things that set off my temper like saying things against my family or uncle a weakness?” Kendra asked.
“I apologize if I offended you, as I did not mean to. I humbly ask you to forgive my mistake.” said Tiberius with all the remorse he could muster.
“Do not worry, as I will not hurt you for such a simple mistake. I am not a slave trader, so I will not act like one.”
“I am glad, as if you were a slave trader, I would be beaten and whipped right now. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Now, I think you need to see where you were going to be staying for the next few days, am I right?” Kendra asked.
“You are. Also, I would like to see who I might spend the rest of my life with. With your permission, of course.”
“I will certainly allow you to see your companions, and I believe you might know a few of them. Do the names Commander Heru and Galloran sound familiar?”
“I know Heru very well, but I am not sure I know this Galloran person. Still, I am sure I will like him, and Sethon said there were more than two other prisoners with him. Are the rest staying in this city as prisoners, or what?”
“No, the rest are not staying here. The only reason I said only those two names to you is that I didn’t think you would know the others.”
“I can see why you would do that. Now, where are they? I am anxious to meet them.”
“Good to hear you have an open mind. Let us go and meet your new companions, shall we?”
“I will follow wheresoever you were to take me,” replied Tiberius.
“Good to hear,” Kendra said. Raising her voice so she was yelling she called, “Adonis! I would like you to take me to see my new keep. After I drop these three off in the keep, I would like to speak with the council.”
Adonis brought a new face with him. As soon as he got over the fact that Tiberius was going to be going with Kendra, he introduced the stranger as Council Member Kyros. Apparently the council hadn’t bought my story of being the emperor of Sparta’s niece.
“I am the emperor’s niece. Why don’t you send a messenger to Sparta—by horse of course—asking if he had a sister named Laura. Then you will know what I say is true.”
“How do I know I can trust you and my messenger won’t be expecting an ambush?”
“Well, I guess this’ll have to do. A way of making sure you get what you want, like an insurance policy. Let’s say my uncle doesn’t have a sister named Laura. Then, I will gladly let you take me as a prisoner to his court. Does that sound fair?” Kendra asked.
“Perhaps. You understand that until the messenger gets back from your father’s court, you will not be able to leave the city without an armed escort.”
“I can live with that. However, I am supposed to meet one of my friends tomorrow. He will get suspicious when or if I show with an armed guard from this town.”
“Do you care to explain what you are meeting your ‘friend’ for that is so important?” asked Kyros.
“He is following up on a suspicion of mine.”
“And what might that suspicion be exactly?”
“That my father might—possibly—be alive and not off on some slave ship somewhere in Rome,” Kendra replied.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise. Still, we must at least send three guards with you. Can your ‘friend’ deal with that?” the council member asked.
“I think so, but can you make it two instead?”
After a long pause, Kyros reluctantly replied, “Fine, if you want to be left alone that bad.”
“Thank you. It means alot to me that I have discussions I don’t want the whole world to know in private.”
“I hope in the future you won’t be asking us for anymore favors, as we will be more reluctant to fulfill your requests if you do. Understand?”
“Yes, and thanks again. May I go see my keep now?” Kendra asked.
“I will take you there, and I hope it meets your standard.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure it will,” reassured Kendra.
“Then follow me.” With that, the council member led her and her companions through a long corridor, out onto a vast green lawn, and inside a tower that Kendra assumed was her new keep. “There you go, all set for Your Highness.” He made the title sound like an idiotic term for some reason. Then he left.