Pov Eleanor: Hmm...Hmm... W-Where am I, I glanced around my surroundings--As I felt the low thrum of the ship-My hands felt warm-Just the perfect warmth. As my fingers traveled to the surface of whatever it was-Then I gasped slightly-It was a hand-Not small enough to be a women's. My heart thrummed louder than necessary as I dared to look at it-A man, His damp dark hair hovered over his nose as he seemed to be asleep on the chair that was beside me. His grip ever so tightening-As I flinched. Then slowly--his eyes began to flutter open.
My breath caught as soon as his honey-like gaze met mine-his lips parted. His voice came out low-soft, Eleanor...? he asked to himself more than me. he gazed at me-his eyes never leaving mine-Eleanor...he breathed. As I felt something inside me twisting-His honey orbs seemed to be more clouded now-And the way he said it made me shiver. Who was he? how does he know me? Seeing my conflicted face-He then rose up--his chest falling quickly as he leapt to the door-Just as he was about to leave, he paused-then gave a quick glance to my side, "get ready, we have arrived" he said.
I glanced at him--and caught his face, it seemed too stoic now-As if to quickly mask whatever he had in his mind. He then walked out without a word.
I sat there-My face drenched in tears, oh lord what is going to happen now...? I tucked away a strand of my blonde locks as I ran a hand through my neck-The scars haven't faded yet...
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Author's pov: The men of the ship commanded the women and girls to get in line--As they were at the dock and are now ready to de-boarded. The women didn't utter a word-as they one by one began to head out-As sunlight kissed their skin.
Eleanor walked out--her eyes darting to the bright blue sky on top of her as she felt the urge to sigh and smile-her hair fluttered furiously against the wind-as she completely made her way out--The air tugged at her white cloth as she seemed to be struggling to keep it-her hands clenched at the edges of her modesty--trying desperately to keep her composure.
The men who were handling the other women watched her struggle--Their seemed to be glued to her, lips curled smugly--No one stepped in.
Just then--OUT! OUT! OUT! Flaytus's back was turned as he yelled for the remaining women to come out--Then his gaze fell to one of his men--How his eyes seemed to be fixed on something or someone--Flaytus's eyebrows furrowed as he turned to the object of person of attraction--WHAT ARE YOU-His voice fell silent--as he watched Eleanor struggle under the gaze of the other men--His clenched-His jaw ticked as he made his way to her.
Eleanor's head seemed to be low--Just then a strong pair of arms caught her wrist. Eleanor flinched as she then slowly raised her chin to meet his face--The same man who had said her name as if that meant something to him. He glanced at her-at how flushed her face was-At how helpless she looked. He then without a word draped her nimble body with his cloak--Their fingers barely grazing.
She glanced at him-Though he didn't spare her another glance as he then walked away--Her eyebrows furrowed, why is he like this to me... she thought as she glanced at the cloak now clinging to her body. She then slowly made followed the others.
Their whispers clung to her back--As the whole interaction seemed to be pressing on her.
-----The sun seemed to be daunting as the city of Byzantium-Roared with enthusiasm. Music and art clung at the air and the occasional roars of cheers from the hippodrome (which is like the colosseum-but slightly different) There they entered the slave market-Just near the dock--Where Unlike the screams of joy-Only the yelling of desperate slaves were imminent. the smell of blood, sweat and fear seemed to be daunting Eleanor and the other women as they seemed to be taking quick glances at the market-at the terrible condition of the other women and children. Some seemed to be dragged out and sold-And some were sold to Tavernas (Think of it like an ancient night club, a place for entertainment)
The women and girls were soon taken to one--As buyers drove to the venders--Their malicious eyes roaming the girls. Some-where quickly sold and some were sold to Taverns.
Eleanor's face was red with shame--as she gazed at one of the buyers from the corner of her drenched eyelashes--The man's eyes were vulgar as he seemed to be talking to one of the men that brought her-Catching her eyes from time to time, his lips curled in a dirty smirk-Just then-his smile dropped.
His eyebrows jointed as his face seemed to be redder than a tomato--WHAT? SOLD? HOW? WHEN? The commotion seemed to be attracting attention from the other vendor as they glanced at him--their eyes were curious.
Just then-a strong tap fell at the man's back--His eyebrows furrowed as he turned to look back--Though his collar was quickly yanked by a pair of arms. The man's gaze met him in shock--The same honey-orb, Flaytus's-The emperor's son. The man's breath caught as he watched him as he leaned in closer-His breath hot against his face--as he felt the anger seep in through his cloth.
I-I... His words fell silent as he then whispered, his voice-low, lethal, don't you dare make a scene... he murmured, his grip tightening. he then felt the silence stretch through the crowd--as the vendors watched--Even his men seemed to be staggered by his intervention.
His gaze then fell to a faint, weak, figure-Eleanor, how her eyes locked into him, how her lips quivered. His gaze softened just a bit-Then he tore his gaze away reluctantly--Then he let the man go. he then turned to face the crowd-his voice echoing with command--As the emperor's son, I have decided to free one of the slaves! the crowd erupted in protest as they seemed to not agree with the decision of his. Eleanor watched as they crowd began to turn in on him--Her face dripping with guilt as she met his--He glanced at her and without a word his palm high up in the air-signaling them to stop. The crowd did--waiting impatiently, sensing that he had changed his mind.
He then without looking away from her gaze: I'm not changing my mind for I am the rightful owner of every single one of you! his voice pressed-AND WHO EVER TRIES TO DEFY ME... his gaze then returned to the crowd, Will meet their end! I can assure you that! he said, his words were final.