Kitabı oku: «Samos», sayfa 5

The road continued north. As they approached the peninsula that was once the great and impregnable Tyre, small houses gave way to increasingly large warehouses. The fleet of ships docked at the bottom was no longer formed by fishing boats; most of them were cargo vessels, or warships, probably from the same city.

The man turned again toward the wall, in that place slightly further from the coast, and entered through another small door, zigzagging through a few streets to end up in a square full of merchants who exhibited their items on the ground in view of potential buyers. Weavers, cattle ranchers, horticulturists, scribes, fortune tellers, healers, charm sellers; everything one might need could be found in that square. They crossed it through the centre and entered cul-de-sac, which ended up in a small courtyard preceded by a large arch. They headed to a door on the right. A servant greeted the man and opened the door. They entered another inner courtyard, which looked more like an orchard than the inside of a house. Tall palm trees stretched up to the sky and rounded orange trees scattered the courtyard, surrounded by thick, low hedges forming a geometric structure around the trees. The small group stopped under the shade of the palm trees.

In the middle of the courtyard, an old man, now in his forties, gave instructions to a gardener while he looked closely at the leaves of an orange tree. The group waited in the shade, apparently waiting for that man. Time passed slowly while the old man inspected the leaves of the orange trees. The two young men, standing, guarded by their companions, occasionally looked in anger. Almices saw how the other boy had cried when he was taken away from his mother which continued throughout their journey. Now they both looked nervously at the enclosure. The old man approached the small group and looked at them as he headed to the man who had bought them. They began to speak in that language, they glanced from one boy to the other. The old man then addressed them in Greek.

"Good morning, I am Abta, a Tyrian merchant and from today your new owner.” Almices was surprised that the man addressed them in Greek. “I have acquired you because I need strong, young hands for my harbour business and I also need the port people to speak Greek. You are Greeks, are you not?”

"Yes," Almices confirmed, while his partner looked down.

"You must know that I like to call my slaves by the place from which they came. I understand that one of you is from Naxos and the other from Samos. Which of you is Naxos?”

"Me," the other boy muttered glumly.

"Well, then from now on we'll call you Naxos and you, Samos," he concluded looking at Almices. “Now Aylos,” – referring to the man who had bought them, “will explain to you how the order works in my house. You must bear in mind that I am very strict with slaves. At the least trouble, I will sell you or have you executed; yet if you serve me as you should, I may at the end of your days grant you freedom to die as free men. But that depends on you. If you have any skills or if you possess any special virtues, I want to know, anything you think is important can be passed on to Aylos and he will bring it to me. If you do not behave as we hope, you will be punished. If, on the contrary, you exceed my expectations, you will live much better than you could have lived in your places of origin, you will not be short of women and if you want over the years to have a family you will also be allowed, as long as it is with the members of my property.”

The boys did not know how to answer, although their addresser did not expect a response from them either. Abta once again addressed Aylos in the foreign language and then returned to the garden contemplating again the green and lanceolate leaves of his precious orange trees.

* * *

When she was brought down from the platform, Janira did not understand what was going on. She tried to resist, grabbing at the handrails. Once inside the shop, an older woman, over thirty, had her feet shackled and placed a smaller, lighter chain around her neck. She tried to explain to the woman that they were mistaken, that her siblings were still on the platform, but they all spoke that strange language that she did not understand.

The woman nervously left the shop, dragging Janira with her. She was pleased with her new purchase. It had taken her a lot of time and cajoling to convince her husband to buy a slave to take over her chores in the business. Her friends told her that she would never have the chance to acquire a slave to help her and her two daughters in the tavern. They needed more hands without having to pay any wages for this, the most practical solution was to buy a cheap slave. She would have liked to have paid the same for some of the older ones, but her budget was small and had to settle for the little one. The girl would eventually become helpful and she could shape her to her liking. On the other hand, it would not be a problem with her husband, her biggest fear was that he could be unfaithful with anyone, including a slave.

Janira grabbed the chain with her hands to avoid jerking her neck, she knew what shackles on her ankles were capable of, and did not want to imagine what could happen to her neck. They entered the city centre and wandered through the intricate alleys. The journey was not long. Soon they arrived at a two-story building. The woman opened the door and entered the tavern. The little one had never been in one before, but she knew by Telma’s description what the tavern of the village was like, even though she had never stepped foot in it. Her sister had told her that men gathered there to drink and eat and that some even had room to spend the night. It was a large room, with half a dozen extended tables where several guests drank and ate in the midst of the yelling. The girl lowered her head, feeling embarrassed. Her mother always told her to avoid these places, because self-respecting girls should never step foot in one. The ground was full of food scraps and insects scurried in search of it. Janira felt disgusted. She turned her eyes away. On the left, a bar separated the space with the tables and the kitchen area. A large man grabbed some plates of food by dipping his fingers in to hold them better and carry them to one of the tables. Next to him, a girl about twenty years old carried some jugs in one hand to the same table, and swatted flies away with the other hand. The smell of stale food flooded the room. In the background there was a staircase that accessed the upper floor, the woman tightened the chain and led her to the bottom of it; there they went through a door next to the staircase and entered a small backyard, surrounded by high walls belonging to the adjacent houses. A small wooden shed filled with holes between the planks remained with the door open. The woman stopped and spoke in that foreign tongue while pointing to the shed.

Janira deduced that she should be there, in the shed, she did not know what to do or how to please that lady. The woman approached the young girl’s neck and released her from the chain, then left the yard leaving her alone. Janira heard a bolt latch on the other side of the door. She felt his neck and looked around. The courtyard comprised of a small enclosure about ten or fifteen steps wide, its high walls made it impassable. The shed was the only construction; next to it, a small shrub, slightly taller than her, gave the enclosure a little colour. She headed toward the shed. She stopped to see that it was already occupied by a couple of goats. She never liked goats; they had such strange eyes. Almices once told her they were evil beings, but necessary for their milk and cheese. She curled up at the door of the shed, scared of disturbing the animals. If only her mother was here, she would hug her with warm arms. What happened to her siblings? Had they been sold together? She remembered the oath made hours before in the cart, and prayed to the gods, just like her mother had taught her, asking them to be reunited, so they could find each other.

* * *

Nerisa felt her heart shatter as she climbed down the steps on the platform. When they entered the shop, she grabbed her companion in misery. They both looked at the two men who had bid for them. They left the store, removed the shackles, and tied them to the back of a cart loaded with jars and containers. The men climbed into the ox drawn cart and they set off. The girls would have to make the way on foot.

They walked for three long days to the southeast, always on foot, stopping several times a day to rest, taking advantage of the watering holes for the animals that were on the way. They passed several villages and the people they saw were usually indifferent to the girls. In the evening of the third day, the small group faced a small hill and the men smiled looking down the hillside; in front of the group, the western sun lit the sky with its orange glow and flooded a huge field of vines that almost completely surrounded a small group of houses protected by a stone wall. From their location they could see the people inside the enclosure. Animals and people went about their chores waiting for the end of the day. The group took the gentle path down to the enclosure. The two men spoke animatedly, pointing to the vines. Cleanta, as the Greek woman was called, whispered quietly to Nerisa.

“They are talking about the state of their vines, apparently our destiny are those houses there. I suppose we will soon know what the moiras have in store for us.”

“They don't look like bad people," Nerisa replied, surprised by the first words her companion had spoken since they began their journey. I think they need people to work on their land, so much vine must need a lot of attention.”

“You're amazing, Nerisa, you've lost your parents and separated you from your siblings, you've become a slave and your voice is firm and sure.” Cleanta looked at her with admiration.

“Don't think I'm so strong. My father taught us that we always had to behave according to the moment. I do not want to be a slave. I will do everything I can to get out of this situation and return to my siblings. Therefore, there is no point in fighting, I have to wait for the perfect opportunity, and you should do the same.”

"Go back, me? Where to? I am sure my father has sold me to pay off his debts and continue playing, and my mother has done nothing to prevent it. No, Nerisa, I do not have anywhere to go back to. It is all the same to me. When they took us to the cart to sell us, I realized how stupid it had been to think my father would free me. I have no family, just some distant relatives on my mother’s side who live in Rhodes, so I am alone.”

"You're with me," Nerisa said, without any doubt. “My older sister was raped and killed a couple of weeks ago. You are the same age. I want to be your little sister.” Cleanta was in awe of her companion’s determination.

"You're nine years old, but when you speak, you sound older than me. I am surprised by your fortitude.” She seemed to hesitate for a moment. “Okay, I'll be your older sister.” They held hands as the men continued to guide the cart and talk about their subjects, oblivious to the girls’.

They were already a short distance from the grounds when a couple of black dogs crossed the door toward them barking and wagging their tails from side to side. Behind them two boys ran up to the cart.

"Hi, Dad," the children exclaimed in unison, addressing the older one of the two men. Tanned and lively, Nerisa guessed that the little one would be about ten years old and the other about fifteen. Cleanta was translating the conversation in a low voice.

"Hello, children. How has everything been here?” The man smiled as he guided the cart toward the entrance.

"Very well," the older boy answered this time. “The work you ordered is finished and the preparations for the celebration are almost ready.”

"Well, run to your mother and sister while we unhook the ox.” The boys ran toward the big house; the cart was heading to a stable on the left, inside the perimeter of the farm. The grounds were spacious, almost as large as Narisa’s village. There were a dozen buildings inside. The stables must have taken up a third of the space. Two buildings of different heights towered over the complex, located in the centre of the enclosure. They certainly had to be the master’s quarters on the farm. On the right, a group of single-storey houses, more fragile in appearance, appeared to Nerisa as dwellings for the local peasants and slaves.

A peasant opened the stable doors and went inside. The men jumped down and left the ox there. They then left the stable, leaving Nerisa and Cleanta tied to the back of the cart, as if they were part of the vehicle.

“Hi, honey! I’ve missed you.” The older man embraced the woman who had just arrived. A younger woman stood next to them; the other man blushed when she saw her.

“Say hello to your future wife, don't be shy.” The older man addressed his traveling companion, ushering him to approach the young woman.

“Hi Thera, the journey has seemed forever away from here.” The young couple were blushing as they looked into each other's eyes, keeping a safe distance between themselves. A laugh distracted them from their thoughts.

“My daughter, future son-in-law, I have allowed you to bring a gift to celebrate your imminent wedding.” He winked at the other man and turned toward the cart approaching the girls.

“This is one of the perks. Two slaves so that you, my daughter, can devote all your time to your husband and my future grandchildren, and to make you all the things in the house.” Cleanta and Nerisa looked at each other, no translation was necessary. They belonged to the new couple.

V

The midday sun fell gently over the port of Tyre. Ships loaded with exotic goods departed toward all the commercial ports of the Mediterranean. In turn, other vessels returned to port loaded with materials from the different lands that formed the Mediterranean coast. It had been two years since the coastal city of Agriento was besieged and taken by the Romans, getting ever closer toward their alleged goal of dominance over the Mare Nostrum, which they were slowly establishing with the help of gladius. During that time, the children of Hermes Theopoulos became slaves. Two years during which Almices, who was already twelve years old, had become Samos, one of many slaves at the house of Abta, a rich merchant from Tyre.

“The boat has finally arrived! Samos, grab your things and get to work.”

“Coming, Aylos. I need a moment to grab the stock list.”

“Come, Samos, the ship has to be dispatched before the sun goes down.”

The young man collected the lists of goods that should arrive with the ship, a folding table, a small stool, and his writing equipment and followed Aylos. They left the warehouse that Abta owned at the foot of the wall, in front of the port, and headed hastily to the dock. The large cargo ship cast off its moorings. The sail was already gathered and the movement on deck indicated the next offloading. Samos unfolded the table next to the dock and sat down on the stool, preparing his belongings to start the inventory of the goods received.

When Naxos and he arrived at Abta's house, he first thought about escaping so he could search for his sisters. Both spoke Greek and, as they knew later, that was the main reason why Aylos selected them to work in their port business. Once settled in the slaves’ quarters, the foreman discovered that Samos also knew how to write Greek. That factor greatly interested him and within a few days Aylos sent the two boys to work together in the warehouses. Samos' work consisted of controlling and detailing in writing the goods that arrived at or departed from Abta's warehouses, while Naxos helped with the stowage of the goods.

During those two years, Samos and Naxos had established a strong friendship that was initially happened because of their shared language and a common situation in a strange world. Soon Samos began teaching Naxos the secrets of Greek writing during the few hours they were not working, while also practicing what they were learning from the new language, Phoenician, which they heard every day in the city. They did not leave Abta’s house for the first weeks always guarded by Aylos or other slaves. They witnessed how slaves that attempted to escape were punished. A middle-aged slave, whom they had seen a couple of times, escaped, taking advantage of working by the port, evaded the guard surveillance, and, as the boys heard, managed to leave the city. Two days later, the head guardsman hunted him down with some huge dogs; rumours said they were almost as big as horses, who after a short chase tore the wretch apart. The slave’s remains were returned to Abta's house and exposed for several days in the courtyard of the slave's quarters as a warning. The boys temporarily removed any attempt to escape, trying to adapt to their new situation.

Half a year later, they could fend for themselves by speaking Phoenician. Aylos always watched their movements. When he realized that Naxos also wrote in Greek, he also used him as a scribe at the port, thus creating a binomial between the two young men; while one controlled the arriving goods, the other took care of the one leaving the warehouses. Both boys were always vigilant, like most of Abta's slaves; but they soon began to enjoy some privileges, such as better food or less physical effort, which guaranteed them, despite their slavery, a better quality of life.

"How is the unloading going, Samos?” the young man was startled to hear the familiar voice behind him. Old Abta was not usually present during unloading operations.

"Master.” Samos lowered his head looking at the ground, just as they taught him. “The merchandise is of good quality and the agreed amount has arrived. The cedar wood is very good, and the Tartessian silver that we have already received is also of the best quality. We will soon finish unloading and proceed to dispatch the goods that the ship has to take back.”

"Well, when you're done dispatching the ship, I want to see you in my quarters. Aylos will bring you to them.” The merchant walked to the end, where the wagons were, and took an expert look at the cedar trunks that the porters stacked on them; about twenty slaves placed them on the wagons under the inspection of several guards, including the foreman. He stayed for a while contemplating his slaves. Then, without saying goodbye to any of them, he made his way to the warehouses.

The ship's unloading took a little longer than expected, but finished without any problems. Samos stamped the goods received with the seal of the house of Abta, a robust bull with its head down, ready to charge and a huge sun on its back. He left his equipment under Aylos’ supervision and went to the warehouse, there Naxos had already controlled the goods that Samos had sent him and in turn had prepared the list of the new goods requested to reload the ship. They had a few moments of rest until the new items were ready to board the ship.

"Has Master Abta been here?” Naxos looked at him curiously.

"Yes, he happened to check the weight of the silver you unloaded, we opened the coffers, weighed them, we kept the silver again and lacquered the boxes, then took he them with the escort to the house. Why do you ask me?”

"He told me to report to his quarters when he had finished dispatching the ship. I feel uneasy, I don't know what I could do to upset him.”

"Why do you think he’s upset with you?"

"Come on, Naxos, we have been here for two years. When have you seen him call any of us to his quarters?”

“He may have changed my ways," joked Naxos, making a lewd face with his tongue. He may no longer like young girls and prefer to broaden his horizon.

"Don't be stupid, that's not what I was thinking.” Samos looked more serious. “Our work is very dangerous.”

"Don't talk nonsense, Samos. What is dangerous about writing down what we load and unload?”

"A lot! What do you think would happen if you had counted one hundred silver items and there were only ninety-nine? Or if you write that fifty bottles of wine are coming out and more than fifty leave the cellars? Don't kid yourself about our work, Naxos, it may not be physically challenging; but the responsibility on our shoulders is very great and if we make a mistake, I don't think Aylos or Abta would hesitate to feed us to the pigs, so we eat and sleep better than most.”

"You may be right, brother; but you know that you have nothing to fear, I don’t think Aylos or Abta question your honesty. There must be another reason why he wants you to go to his quarters. He may release you.”

“Abta freeing someone? Nonsense, I have never met anyone as greedy as him.”

The cargo was already ready to leave the warehouses for the ship, this time it was Naxos who collected his belongings to check that the goods arrived safely at the dock and were shipped. They hugged goodbye and Naxos set off with carts full of grain and tanned leather toward the dock.

Samos reviewed the goods unloaded from the ship again, except the silver that Abta had already removed. He checked that everything was in order and waited for Aylos to arrive at the warehouse to accompany him to the house.

“Have you finished reviewing the goods?” the foreman's voice startled him from behind.

"Yes, Aylos, I am ready, the only thing I have not been able to check is silver, the rest I have checked with the warehouse manager and it is already controlled.”

"Don't worry, the silver has already been reviewed by Naxos before. Now we must go home before the end of the day.”

They said goodbye to the warehouse manager and crossed the wall on their way to Abta's house.

"I have a question to ask you," Samos asked anxiously.

"You can ask me, but I don't know the answer.”

"How do you know what I want to ask you?"

"I don't know what Master Abta wants from you. I don't think you should worry, if the master had something bad to tell you, I would already know about it.” The foreman made a gesture imitating a whip. As always, he smiled. Samos recalled the first lashes he received at Abta's slaves' quarters on the day they were bought. Over time, the foreman had proved to be a faithful servant to his master and a staunch defender of discipline among slaves. He was one of the three foremen who controlled them. Aylos watched the port slaves, those who worked directly in the master's business. As for the other two, one was in charge of the slaves at the house and the other of the slaves that worked the lands that the master on the outskirts of Tyre. Both Abta and his son Abten generally addressed only the foremen. The father controlled the port and the house, delegating the management of the field to his son.

They continued to walk along the streets of the city, crossed the large, multi-coloured, and bustling square, and entered the alley that led to the courtyard entrance. There they went through the door that Samos went through when he first arrived at the house, entered the courtyard and the images of the past returned to Samos' mind. He remembered when his master changed his name and remembered the oath, he made with his sisters that same day.

"Wait here, in the garden. Master will arrive soon. And remember, do not snoop around; you may not see it, but the master has eyes everywhere.” Aylos said goodbye and disappeared through a side door.

Samos took advantage to contemplate the beautiful orange trees. Spring also reached that little corner of the world and the orange blossoms perfumed Abta's courtyard giving it an idyllic feel. He had only been there once before; but a flurry of memories came to mind that had been blurred by the monotony of the days. Almices then remembered his sisters playing in the cave next to the beach, laughing and cleaning sand away from the shells, he remembered fishing with his father, being held captive by Zamar and Telma’s tragic death. The melancholy and pain of those days again seized Samos' heart. Tears threatened to flood his eyes when a sound behind him startled him.

"I see you've dispatched the ship promptly." Abta approached from a corner of the courtyard. The slow and safe tone of his voice was in keeping with his rich clothes, giving him a princely air.

"Yes, master," Samos, troubled at the idea of this thoughts being discovered, became nervous before his master.

"I’m sure you're wondering why I've made you come." Abta enjoyed watching the boy become more anxious.

"Whatever it is will have been well decided, master," Samos replied, well-taught by Aylos.

"As you know, most of my slaves in the port speak Greek.” The young man nodded. “I need someone trustworthy to monitor all my transactions. Until today my faithful Poliyiros, Greek like you, was my personal slave. He accompanied me on all my business in Tyre and on the occasional trip.” Samos listened with uncertainty, he knew the old Poliyiros, a very reserved, low-mouthed slave who often accompanied Abta on his visits to the port and to whom he had occasionally spoken. “Well, Poliyiros died today without warning me” Abta's tone sounded reproachful.

“I am sorry, master.” Samos remembered that several days ago he did accompany Abta to the port.

"I am sorrier that I have been left without an accountant. Well, you will be his substitute.” Samos looked at him astonished, he could not believe his ears. “I know you speak and write Greek perfectly, that since I bought you have learned Phoenician and that you even dare to write it.” The boy blushed again, feeling a secret that he believed was well kept uncovered. “Surprised?” Samos did not answer right away, he remembered the words of Aylos, Abta has eyes everywhere.

"Yes, master," he said still looking at the ground. “I have learned to write some Phoenician.”

"Well, from tonight you will begin to live with the other foremen. For several months you will receive lessons to learn how to write correctly in Phoenician and you must also learn to speak and write in Latin and Egyptian. They are vital languages for my business. From now on, you have the same powers as the foremen; if another slave does not obey commands, you must punish him accordingly. And if the slaves under your responsibility fail to fulfil their roles, you will receive the corresponding punishment in the first place.”

"Sir, I'm only twelve years old," the boy tried to object.

"Better, this way I can mould you how I like, without bad influences. You should know that Poliyiros was born slave in this house and that he took the place you take now when he was only eleven years old, and a lot has happened since then. He was the slave in charge of my father's favourite accounts and when I took over, more than fifteen years ago, he was already doing the job perfectly. Of course, I expect the same from you. Now you can leave the way you entered, Aylos is waiting outside and will give you instructions for tomorrow.” Samos was dismissed by his master and disappeared behind the door. Aylos waited in the courtyard, congratulated him on what most slaves would consider a sort of promotion. He explained in more detail what his new roles would consist of. He revealed that he became one of the four slaves most respected by Abta, which meant having access to hard-to-imagine luxuries for many free men. He also warned him of possible problems with other slaves, who gained enough credibility over the last few years to be able to access the position he now held.

When Samos returned to his former home, he told his fellow worker. Naxos did not understand why his friend was assigned to other quarters, the change in Samos' situation inside the house also implied a distance between the two of them. From now on they would only see each other when the master visited the warehouses. He also did not understand why, being the oldest, Abta had chosen Samos. Almices patiently tried to make him understand that he had had nothing to do with the master's decision, that he was still a slave like him. Aylos was waiting in the slave yard and the conversation between the two young men could not be delayed any longer. They embraced each other strongly; but that night, and without their being aware of it, the friendship that united them would gradually be filled with resentment, without both of them being able to foresee its future consequences.

* * *

The tremendous punch knocked Thera on the floor. The metallic taste of warm blood flowed down her throat as a fine thread escaped from her trembling lower lip, which had collided with her teeth on impact, crushing the tender flesh. Thera pleaded between sobs, while her attacker's yelling rang throughout the house. The little baby, asleep in his basket until then, woke up startled by the noise and started to cry.

"Please, I swear I won't do it again.” Her aggressor looked at her with contempt, his blood was boiling and did not stop. He took a step back to gain momentum and kicked her in the stomach.

"Whore!” Her husband spat. “I have told you I don't want you to leave the house for anything!” Thera continued to stir in pain on the floor, while trying to protect her body with her hands. The baby's cries, which were getting louder, flooded the room.

"Please, I beg you, Klidio, do not hit me anymore,” her husband laughed sardonically, and continued to beat her blow after blow, either with his fist, or with his foot.

"Enough!” Cleanta entered into the room shaking her arms in an attempt to end the scene. Stop, master, don't you see that you’re going to kill her?” Klidio turned to her. The veins in his head were throbbing so much that they could explode any minute. Now this imbecile, meddlesome slave was coming to tell him what to do.