The Ergastulum
Part 5
Simban unhitched Keres from the sled, removed her wrist bindings, then
scooped her up and carried her from the arena. "You did well girl," she
murmured mostly to herself-Keres had lost consciousness. The worn out slave
awoke with a start when warm, salty water stung the wounds on her back. She
found herself in the bath partially submerged in a steaming cistern.
This sea salt brew will open your wounds and clean them," said an
effeminate man as he stroked her arms under the water. "Shhhh, relax Greek," he
added. "Revel in the healing of the waters. I am Varna, a eunuch, of
Macedonia. Lordess Simban wants you revitalized."
Varna continued the underwater massage and soon Keres drifted off to
sleep thanks to the tepid water and the gentle kneading. When her wounds were
cleansed, Vana gently plucked her flaccid form from the salty cistern and placed
her in a scented, warmer vessel immediately adjacent. Still oblivious, Keres
did not appreciate the scent and texture of the caldron's concoction of honey,
olive oil, goat's milk and myriad herbs swirling around her. After several
minutes, she was lifted free of the soup and taken to a padded pallet. Varna
placed her gently on her belly and applied soothing ointment and salve to her
lesions. While she slept, Varna rubbed liniment into her joints and finished
off his work with a light sprinkling of peppermint oil. The smell of fresh mint
stirred Keres and she managed, in spite of her near catatonic state, to open her
eyes. The steam in the enclosed bath with the fresh smell of soaps and spices
almost made her forget the awful ergastulum and the suffering she had endured.
Her place in reality was recognized when she saw the rest her fellow
captives trudging into the bath having finished in the arena. Most looked as
though they would collapse at any moment. One man, older but of fine physique,
strode regally with almost a smile on his face. He was striped and bleeding as
much as the others from the various whips the Romans employed, yet it looked as
though he was capable of withstanding much harsher conditions. He stood taller
than most and displayed a furry, barrel chest and proportional biceps. He had
short blond hair with only a hint of graying at the temples. His manhood was
unlike any she had seen before. It appeared the thick flaccid penis wore a
gladiator's helmet! 'What manner of man costumes his intimate part?' Keres
thought. 'How odd...though not unappealing...the Roman's must occupy strange
lands indeed.' Then she recalled she had seen gagged and racked in the arena
today. The clamps attached to his genitals prevented her from noticing then.
Celt punished in the arena
Keres started to drift off again but Varna ceased his rubbing and
offered an outstretched arm to assist her to her feet. "Come my dear, Lordess
wishes you to report to her in her quarters. Do not fear-I heard her speaking
to her sister Lena. She was impressed with your prowess so I'm sure you are not
to be punished. I will escort you to her rooms and stay with you unless ordered
to leave. This is indeed unusual for Simban to take to a new slave so quickly.
While I suspect she simply wishes to learn about you, be on your guard and
maintain your manners-you've seen firsthand that she is not one you wish to
anger."
Keres nodded her understanding and padded slowly behind Varna as they
began to leave the bath. As she shuffled past a mostly male group preparing to
bathe, the blond man who piqued her interest before smiled widely at her and
nodded in a silent greeting. Keres was too shocked that he had noticed her to
feign coyness and she stared brazenly as the man's penis began to become
engorged before her. Not looking where she was going, she stopped short when
she was embraced by a dusty, bleeding Andara.
"Keres! Yet again we feared for your safety!" Surprised how relaxed
and clean Keres was, Andara stepped back and added, "I suppose worry was not
called for! You appear as fresh as if you are ready to attend a party!" Varna
slapped the perplexed Andara across her open mouth: "Quiet woman! You are not
to speak here! And, your filth has gotten on this clean beauty...and after all
my preparations. Away with you!" Varna scolded and he brushed dirt off Kere's
chest and belly. Keres smiled at Andara and silently mouthed "Later" to her
twin. Varna stopped his fussing, took Keres by the hand and proceeded through
the bath's exit. Still watching her sister in amazement, she started when the
blond man--erect before Keres just moments earlier--touched her shoulder.
Sporting now an immense erection, the first Andara had seen in the ergastulum,
the man encircled her waist in a fond embrace and pulled her down into the warm,
saline bath. Eris finally entered the humid bath area after having been ordered
to sweep the arena free of dung with several others. She stepped down into the
nearest cistern thanking her gods she had survived the day. She was too
fatigued to notice her sister being kissed deeply by the blond strange man.
Varna and Kerses ascended several sets of steps en route to Simban's
billet. They emerged from the ergastulum into a clear, cool night. Kerses
stopped to breathe the first fresh air encountered in over three weeks since
being taken from her home. "Come along my beauty," Varna said, "we are expected
immediately." The pair arrived at Simban's door and Varna rapped thrice then
pushed the door open, "Approach smartly and stand erect-arms to your side-speak
only when spoken to-after you my darling..."
Kerses straightened to her full height. In spite of the care
administered, her body ached and joints popped. Her nipples strung from the
rings through them as she adjusted her posture. She wound through a dark main
room guided by flickering lights and soft voices. Turning a corner she saw
Simban-reclining naked on a deep, sheepskin covered low couch. A young
red-haired girl massaged her feet while an equally young boy massaged her
temples. Kerses stopped immediately before the trio and waited. The two
adolescents, naked as well, seemed content in their duties and sang softly while
catering to Simban's comfort. Finally the girl whispered, "Lordess, the Greek
is here" and she lowered her head to take Simban's toes into her mouth one at a
time. Simban's eyes fluttered open and she softly said, "Welcome slave...take
some wine and join me here."
Kerses was unable to react. From a day filled with abuse to a softly
lit and scented room of pleasure and delight-she ran scenarios through her mind
as to what this might lead to. However, she hadn't had wine for so long and
decided to partake before the offer was withdrawn. She stepped to the boy's
side and filled a chalice with dark red wine and returned to her original
position. Simaban watched her closely and said, "Sit here next to me and enjoy
the wine." Kerses did as ordered sitting near Simban's midsection.
Simban beckons Keres to her bed
"Boy," Simban muttered, "attend to this one." The boy smoothly
transitioned from Simban's head to Keres's feet. With warm, smooth practiced
hands he caressed and kneaded her arches. Simban placed her hand at the small
of Kere's back and traced small circles with her fingertips. "Your vigor is
amazing slave. It is evident you have incredible athletic prowess-does it come
naturally? Have you received formal training in you gymnasium? You may speak."
Kerses had just begun to enjoy the boy's attention as she dreamily
replied. "Until the menses, I competed in races with the young men...winning
most sprints and distances. Once I began to flow, I was prohibited from
competitions."
"That is the way," Simban commented. "I too was denied developing my
full physical potential. I trained in secret with Lena and our older brothers.
The eldest, Janof, was a warrior who lost a leg in battle. He also trained me
in the arts of combat. This knowledge has served me well here. Lean back
slave-let the boy apply his expertise." Simban moved her hand from Keres's back
to her belly to gently ease her down. Now lying next to Simban, the boy applied
his strong fingers along Keres's calves and thighs. Simban shifted to her left
side. Raising her head and propped on pillows, Simban stroked Kere's belly then
shifted to touch the left nipple ring. "These will remain affixed Greek. Take
care to flick them periodically to ensure they move freely. With a deft finger,
Simban flipped the ring causing Keres to wince.
Feeling her first stab of pain since before the bath, Kere asked in a
hardened voice, "Why am I here African?"
Unfazed by the insolence, Simban replied calmly, "Again whore, you will
address as me only as Lordess. I have you here to reward your ability. While
the food and conditions in your cell are adequate to maintain your health, here
your prowess may be developed through conditioning, wine and mental stimulation.
I will have you as my charge with the intent of your becoming an ergastularius."
"No Lordess," replied Keres with sarcasm punctuating the address. "I
will not be a pawn for Romans to use to torture their vanquished."
"I will not argue with you Greek," Simban stated. "Your fate is
completely in my control. You will train as my ergastularius. You're talents
will not be wasted in the fields. However, I think you as yet don't realize the
benefits of what I am bestowing-your loyalty will be required and I realize
that, especially in one as strong willed as you, concurrence and participation
must be given freely."
The slave attending Simban had completed her massage and repositioned
herself along the tops of the African's legs. She nestled her head into the
black woman's pubic region. Keres noted the girl's red curls bobbing as the
girl worked. The young boy assumed the same position on Keres. She pulled her
legs together tightly to deny him access.
"Open you legs slave, Simban instructed, "Let the boy finish his task or
I'll have him whipped and skinned alive as you watch."
Keres responded and the boy sought out her sex with his agile tongue and
red painted lips. His hands glided beneath her buttocks as he snuggled himself
into her crotch. In spite of herself, Keres enjoyed the comfort of intimate
human contact.
Reaching down to stoke her girl's red tresses, Simban purred, "If you
won't comply with what I believe is in your best interests and will make the
most of your innate abilities, your training will continue as slated with the
others...and you may be sure that I will break you. I'm sure you've noticed my
scars Greek-I was once as proud and certainly stronger than you. Kaeso broke me
within one circuit of the moon."
Keres had gone limp from the boy's attentions and was feeling guilty at
enjoying the sensations. In a whispering, quaking voice, she replied: "I told
the Roman in the arena and I'll tell you African-one of us will die in your
attempt."
"Then it will be." Simban leaned into Keres and kissed her long and
deep as her fingers joined the slave boy's tongue in working her toward frenzy.
The slave girl burrowed yet deeper into Simban's drenched sex. Gentle and rough
strokes alternated amid gasps and grunting from all the participants; they soon
reached a heated crescendo and collapsed into a heaving pile of sweaty, entwined
torsos. After several still minutes, the young slaves rose and returned with
more wine and warm, moist towels to gently wipe the bodies of the two older
women. The boy then procured a thick cotton sheet from a nearby trunk, and
joining the three females, pulled the coverlet around them. The young slaves
spooned into the backs of the women. "Sleep well Greek," Simban mumbled with
her face close to Keres's. "Tomorrow will seem as it will never end for you."
Keres felt Simban's hot breath and faintly heard the promise of more grief. Not
understanding why she felt little fear, Keres replied in a hushed tone, "Bring
the challenge African." She would not become a willing slave for the Romans nor
would she be broken-this she swore to her gods as she drifted off amid cozy
companions-at least for this night.
In her sisters' cell, Eris and Andara too were snuggled with new
companions. The blond Celt stallion had satiated Andara in the bath driving her
to multiple orgasms. She had no idea that these hairy beasts from the far
reaches of the Roman Empire, known to her only through the tales of travelers,
were such proficient lovers. His substantial member had been relentless as it
drove deep into her. The pleasure it gave her erased her pain and Andara
reveled in the sensations. She was a virgin until the moment he invaded her.
She'd heard that a woman's first sexual encounter often was painful and damaged
the organs. In this case however, there was naught but ecstasy. As she
prepared for the arrival of the god of sleep, Andara silently prayed for the
safety of her sisters and thanked Zeus for delivery of the Celt. She didn't yet
know his name and preferred it that way for the moment. She dreaded that his
appearance was only a dream and she didn't want to face the potential reality of
loosing him.
Andara felt sympathy for Eris and whispered, "Sister, this Gaelic
blessing may be yours as well if you wish." Eris thanked her sister but vowed
to maintain her chastity for her husband whose fate following the Roman raid was
unknown. The Mongol Xua sat at Eris's side with downcast eyes. As Andara and
the barbarian began yet another session before them, she turned towards Eris and
spoke in stilted Latin: "I apologize for what I must do again Eris. I have no
choice. I have no skills of interest to the Lordess and am too afraid to deal
with the punishments she orders."
"I understand," Eris replied softly. "Until I cease making milk, this
is perhaps for the best. When my breasts are engorged, running is unbearable.
You made it possible for me to survive today-do what you must."
With that, Xua bent to take Eris's nipple into her mouth and begin the
expression of her nourishing milk. With eyes closed, Eris leaned back against
the cell wall and permitted Xua to complete the task. Soon after, all were
asleep except for Xua who had switched breasts and was nursing contentedly.
The next month of training was brutal for the entire new slave
population. All felt a variety of whips. The Romans especially preyed upon the
weaker of the captives. While not exactly sure of the time, Andara speculated
that they spent at least six hours per day in a full out sprint and three hours
trotting bearing heavy loads. Many of those who failed to maintain the proper
obedient decorum were suspended from posts within the arena. All who ran were
ordered to strike the poor wretch as they passed. During watering periods, an
ergastularius would apply the lead-tipped floggers to the screaming person or
slash at them with daggers.
Andara endures another flogging
One portly man was suspended with his head immersed in a container of
water and his hands bound behind him. Only by pulling himself out of the water
using his weak abdominal muscles could he keep from drowning. His lack of
strength would not keep him free for long and he had to repeat the procedure
every few seconds. In a perverse solution, Simban found that striking his
testicles provided the impetus needed for him to jerk from the water when his
gut muscles gave out. The blows caused him to inhale quantities of water and
his twitching in pain was often accompanied by violent choking. During the 30
days, several slaves graduated to work in the fields. Out of the original 50
people, perhaps 25 remained in training. Those left had paired up to have some
friendly human contact: men with women, women with women and men with men.
Andara was smitten with the Irishman and took comfort from him in his mammoth
arms and ever-willing organ. Eris had surrendered any form of modesty and
reveled in Xua's attentions. Though she had stopped producing milk, she still
found real pleasure with Xua at her breasts and their feelings for each other
amplified to extended lovemaking. While they worried for Keres, they knew she
remained within the ergastulum as they saw her as they entered the arena each
day.
The sensuous night spent with Simban ended abruptly for Kerses.
Sometime during the hours of darkness, Kaeso and Gylo had entered Simban's
chamber and drug the slightly inebriated protesting woman to the torture
chamber. She was racked and whipped and then suspended in the arena for the
first runners to abuse as they entered in the morning. She naturally received
terrible abuse for defying Simban. When she wasn't bound or racked or being
flogged, Keres carried, pushed or pulled nearly impossible weights in the arena.
Keres subjected to the rack
She spent the nights of those next few days in a solitary cell with
little food and no time for baths. As invariably happened, Keres would spite or
mock an ergastularius and her solitary time would be spent in locked in painful
positions and an assortment of torments.
Her nipple rings would be affixed with weights or small cages holding
pairs of rats. On one occasion, a cylindrical cage holding two mice was
inserted deep into her anus. The vermin would fight in the cage causing great
swinging and sharp, constant pains and eliminate the chance to sleep. Another
night Kerses was chained kneeling upon a large stone phallus so it was solidly
imbedded between her legs. Her position prevented her from rising and clearing
the implement. Unable to straighten, she fought all night to keep from sliding
down further. The agony in her groin was matched well by the cramping in her
legs. Gylo took her impaled position as an opportunity to remove her nipple
rings and pierce them again to accommodate rings of a larger diameter. The old
ring removal initiated blood flow that was halted when Gylo inserted a
wide-diameter blazing spike through the sensitive tissue. "These will support
much heavier weights Greek--without dislodging." After they were affixed and
Keres was hoarse from screaming, Gylo's flagellum inflicted wounds on the
vulnerable breasts and belly. Once her skin was thoroughly striped and oozing,
Gylo turned to her back and flailed until he tired and Keres collapsed
unconscious upon the full length of the phallus. She was wakened in the morning
with heavier weights affixed and another scourging.
Kerses held erect on a phallus as Gylo prepares to pierce her nipples yet again.
Keres had so far refused to yield in spite of her sisters imploring, as
they would pass her in the arena being whipped or suspended before them.
After the 30th consecutive day of torment, Simban entered Kere's dark
cell just before dawn. Keres hung suspended horizontally with heavy weights
attached to her nipple rings. The terrible constriction of the ropes, amplified
by her own weight, the metal hanging from her breasts, and the month of
mistreatment had taken a terrible toll. Covered in old sweat, dried fecal
material and urine, Simban barely recognized the bleeding, moaning, hanging form
swaying above her as the formerly vital woman.
Simban grapped a handful of matted hair and pulled Kere's head back.
"You are beaten Greek. Your strength is being sapped and your body is
deteriorating. Surrender your will and the pleasure of being an ergastularius
will be yours. You will be free of a permanent life in the darkness of this
ergastulum and free of these instruments of obedience that cause you agony.
Will you come to my chamber tonight?"
Keres wanted to bite Simban's nose as it was close enough to touch but
she lacked the leverage to lunge forward as well as the strength. Instead, she
faintly declared, "no."
Keres suspended when Simban arrives.
"Stupid, stubborn, stinking Greek," Simban bellowed. "You've withstood
punishment for a month, you have proved your mettle-now surrender!" Keres only
stared straight ahead. Letting Keres's head drop, Simban called for Gylo. "My
patience is gone Greek. No more simply wearing you down. Gylo, get this bitch
down and hang her by her teats. When she is crazed with the pain, then rack her
on her back on the floor. Get water down her-copious amounts until her belly
swells--then clamp her rings to the ceiling chains and rip them from her teats!
Make her feel it Gylo-take your time." Gylo did as ordered. He unfastened
Keres from the timber holding her aloft and rebound her so she stood vertically.
He then coiled ropes around her breasts and pulled her up on her toes. Within
minutes the terrible pain seared into her chest and Keres wailed deeply. When
he was sure the agony was at its peak, before numbness set in, Gylo cut the
suffering girl free and she collapsed on the floor. Quickly gathering the
ropes, Gylo attached her wrists and ankles to rings on the floor and racked her
tight. He dropped the timber formerly holding her aloft and attached it by
chain to her nipple rings.
More breast torture applied to Keres
Without receiving further instructions from Simban, Gylo hauled down on
the rope holding the timber and through a pulley stretched Keres's breast out in
a severe jerk. Once she was secured and the pull to her chest pulling her back
from the floor, Gylo left the cell to obtain the water need to fill Keres's
tortured body. He would need at least three galleons-possibly more and a
funnel. He knew the girl would die under this final torment. Why wouldn't see
yield to Simban's demands he wondered. This wasn't a bad life in the
ergastulum. Certainly it was demanding and the treatment of the captives was
often terrible. But, considering the alternative-a slow, agonizing death, this
was wonderful indeed.
Simban knelt next to the gasping Greek woman as she wailed in misery.
"If you could see, you'd notice that the tension at your breasts is tearing the
rings through your nipples-then I imagine you can feel that...You will soon have
the additional misery of your belly being filled beyond capacity. That
additional load will rip these rings free. Once you are again flat on you back
with a bloated belly, I intend to have Gylo fetch your sisters to watch as he
mounts you. He will ravage your sex while I sit bouncing on your belly. I
assure you Greek, your stomach and bladder will rupture. So I believe you
should understand now slave-you are to die very soon. You won't be here to help
your sisters as they take your place here."
Gylo returned with his supplies and silenced Keres's howling with a
strip of leather inserted into her mouth. Kneeling over her head so his knees
locked her head facing up, Gylo began pouring the fetid liquid along the leather
and into the sputtering woman's mouth. As she filled, Gylo worked the wet
leather deeper into her throat and Keres found drawing air impossible. Her
belly rapidly began to rise as Gylo picked up another vessel to add more water.
Working up the little air she could, Keres expelled a throat full and wheezed,
"I yield!"
Celt punished in the arena Keres started to drift off again but Varna ceased his rubbing and offered an outstretched arm to assist her to her feet. "Come my dear, Lordess wishes you to report to her in her quarters. Do not fear-I heard her speaking to her sister Lena. She was impressed with your prowess so I'm sure you are not to be punished. I will escort you to her rooms and stay with you unless ordered to leave. This is indeed unusual for Simban to take to a new slave so quickly. While I suspect she simply wishes to learn about you, be on your guard and maintain your manners-you've seen firsthand that she is not one you wish to anger." Keres nodded her understanding and padded slowly behind Varna as they began to leave the bath. As she shuffled past a mostly male group preparing to bathe, the blond man who piqued her interest before smiled widely at her and nodded in a silent greeting. Keres was too shocked that he had noticed her to feign coyness and she stared brazenly as the man's penis began to become engorged before her. Not looking where she was going, she stopped short when she was embraced by a dusty, bleeding Andara. "Keres! Yet again we feared for your safety!" Surprised how relaxed and clean Keres was, Andara stepped back and added, "I suppose worry was not called for! You appear as fresh as if you are ready to attend a party!" Varna slapped the perplexed Andara across her open mouth: "Quiet woman! You are not to speak here! And, your filth has gotten on this clean beauty...and after all my preparations. Away with you!" Varna scolded and he brushed dirt off Kere's chest and belly. Keres smiled at Andara and silently mouthed "Later" to her twin. Varna stopped his fussing, took Keres by the hand and proceeded through the bath's exit. Still watching her sister in amazement, she started when the blond man--erect before Keres just moments earlier--touched her shoulder. Sporting now an immense erection, the first Andara had seen in the ergastulum, the man encircled her waist in a fond embrace and pulled her down into the warm, saline bath. Eris finally entered the humid bath area after having been ordered to sweep the arena free of dung with several others. She stepped down into the nearest cistern thanking her gods she had survived the day. She was too fatigued to notice her sister being kissed deeply by the blond strange man. Varna and Kerses ascended several sets of steps en route to Simban's billet. They emerged from the ergastulum into a clear, cool night. Kerses stopped to breathe the first fresh air encountered in over three weeks since being taken from her home. "Come along my beauty," Varna said, "we are expected immediately." The pair arrived at Simban's door and Varna rapped thrice then pushed the door open, "Approach smartly and stand erect-arms to your side-speak only when spoken to-after you my darling..." Kerses straightened to her full height. In spite of the care administered, her body ached and joints popped. Her nipples strung from the rings through them as she adjusted her posture. She wound through a dark main room guided by flickering lights and soft voices. Turning a corner she saw Simban-reclining naked on a deep, sheepskin covered low couch. A young red-haired girl massaged her feet while an equally young boy massaged her temples. Kerses stopped immediately before the trio and waited. The two adolescents, naked as well, seemed content in their duties and sang softly while catering to Simban's comfort. Finally the girl whispered, "Lordess, the Greek is here" and she lowered her head to take Simban's toes into her mouth one at a time. Simban's eyes fluttered open and she softly said, "Welcome slave...take some wine and join me here." Kerses was unable to react. From a day filled with abuse to a softly lit and scented room of pleasure and delight-she ran scenarios through her mind as to what this might lead to. However, she hadn't had wine for so long and decided to partake before the offer was withdrawn. She stepped to the boy's side and filled a chalice with dark red wine and returned to her original position. Simaban watched her closely and said, "Sit here next to me and enjoy the wine." Kerses did as ordered sitting near Simban's midsection.
Simban beckons Keres to her bed "Boy," Simban muttered, "attend to this one." The boy smoothly transitioned from Simban's head to Keres's feet. With warm, smooth practiced hands he caressed and kneaded her arches. Simban placed her hand at the small of Kere's back and traced small circles with her fingertips. "Your vigor is amazing slave. It is evident you have incredible athletic prowess-does it come naturally? Have you received formal training in you gymnasium? You may speak." Kerses had just begun to enjoy the boy's attention as she dreamily replied. "Until the menses, I competed in races with the young men...winning most sprints and distances. Once I began to flow, I was prohibited from competitions." "That is the way," Simban commented. "I too was denied developing my full physical potential. I trained in secret with Lena and our older brothers. The eldest, Janof, was a warrior who lost a leg in battle. He also trained me in the arts of combat. This knowledge has served me well here. Lean back slave-let the boy apply his expertise." Simban moved her hand from Keres's back to her belly to gently ease her down. Now lying next to Simban, the boy applied his strong fingers along Keres's calves and thighs. Simban shifted to her left side. Raising her head and propped on pillows, Simban stroked Kere's belly then shifted to touch the left nipple ring. "These will remain affixed Greek. Take care to flick them periodically to ensure they move freely. With a deft finger, Simban flipped the ring causing Keres to wince. Feeling her first stab of pain since before the bath, Kere asked in a hardened voice, "Why am I here African?" Unfazed by the insolence, Simban replied calmly, "Again whore, you will address as me only as Lordess. I have you here to reward your ability. While the food and conditions in your cell are adequate to maintain your health, here your prowess may be developed through conditioning, wine and mental stimulation. I will have you as my charge with the intent of your becoming an ergastularius." "No Lordess," replied Keres with sarcasm punctuating the address. "I will not be a pawn for Romans to use to torture their vanquished." "I will not argue with you Greek," Simban stated. "Your fate is completely in my control. You will train as my ergastularius. You're talents will not be wasted in the fields. However, I think you as yet don't realize the benefits of what I am bestowing-your loyalty will be required and I realize that, especially in one as strong willed as you, concurrence and participation must be given freely." The slave attending Simban had completed her massage and repositioned herself along the tops of the African's legs. She nestled her head into the black woman's pubic region. Keres noted the girl's red curls bobbing as the girl worked. The young boy assumed the same position on Keres. She pulled her legs together tightly to deny him access. "Open you legs slave, Simban instructed, "Let the boy finish his task or I'll have him whipped and skinned alive as you watch." Keres responded and the boy sought out her sex with his agile tongue and red painted lips. His hands glided beneath her buttocks as he snuggled himself into her crotch. In spite of herself, Keres enjoyed the comfort of intimate human contact. Reaching down to stoke her girl's red tresses, Simban purred, "If you won't comply with what I believe is in your best interests and will make the most of your innate abilities, your training will continue as slated with the others...and you may be sure that I will break you. I'm sure you've noticed my scars Greek-I was once as proud and certainly stronger than you. Kaeso broke me within one circuit of the moon." Keres had gone limp from the boy's attentions and was feeling guilty at enjoying the sensations. In a whispering, quaking voice, she replied: "I told the Roman in the arena and I'll tell you African-one of us will die in your attempt." "Then it will be." Simban leaned into Keres and kissed her long and deep as her fingers joined the slave boy's tongue in working her toward frenzy. The slave girl burrowed yet deeper into Simban's drenched sex. Gentle and rough strokes alternated amid gasps and grunting from all the participants; they soon reached a heated crescendo and collapsed into a heaving pile of sweaty, entwined torsos. After several still minutes, the young slaves rose and returned with more wine and warm, moist towels to gently wipe the bodies of the two older women. The boy then procured a thick cotton sheet from a nearby trunk, and joining the three females, pulled the coverlet around them. The young slaves spooned into the backs of the women. "Sleep well Greek," Simban mumbled with her face close to Keres's. "Tomorrow will seem as it will never end for you." Keres felt Simban's hot breath and faintly heard the promise of more grief. Not understanding why she felt little fear, Keres replied in a hushed tone, "Bring the challenge African." She would not become a willing slave for the Romans nor would she be broken-this she swore to her gods as she drifted off amid cozy companions-at least for this night.
In her sisters' cell, Eris and Andara too were snuggled with new companions. The blond Celt stallion had satiated Andara in the bath driving her to multiple orgasms. She had no idea that these hairy beasts from the far reaches of the Roman Empire, known to her only through the tales of travelers, were such proficient lovers. His substantial member had been relentless as it drove deep into her. The pleasure it gave her erased her pain and Andara reveled in the sensations. She was a virgin until the moment he invaded her. She'd heard that a woman's first sexual encounter often was painful and damaged the organs. In this case however, there was naught but ecstasy. As she prepared for the arrival of the god of sleep, Andara silently prayed for the safety of her sisters and thanked Zeus for delivery of the Celt. She didn't yet know his name and preferred it that way for the moment. She dreaded that his appearance was only a dream and she didn't want to face the potential reality of loosing him.
Andara felt sympathy for Eris and whispered, "Sister, this Gaelic blessing may be yours as well if you wish." Eris thanked her sister but vowed to maintain her chastity for her husband whose fate following the Roman raid was unknown. The Mongol Xua sat at Eris's side with downcast eyes. As Andara and the barbarian began yet another session before them, she turned towards Eris and spoke in stilted Latin: "I apologize for what I must do again Eris. I have no choice. I have no skills of interest to the Lordess and am too afraid to deal with the punishments she orders." "I understand," Eris replied softly. "Until I cease making milk, this is perhaps for the best. When my breasts are engorged, running is unbearable. You made it possible for me to survive today-do what you must." With that, Xua bent to take Eris's nipple into her mouth and begin the expression of her nourishing milk. With eyes closed, Eris leaned back against the cell wall and permitted Xua to complete the task. Soon after, all were asleep except for Xua who had switched breasts and was nursing contentedly. The next month of training was brutal for the entire new slave population. All felt a variety of whips. The Romans especially preyed upon the weaker of the captives. While not exactly sure of the time, Andara speculated that they spent at least six hours per day in a full out sprint and three hours trotting bearing heavy loads. Many of those who failed to maintain the proper obedient decorum were suspended from posts within the arena. All who ran were ordered to strike the poor wretch as they passed. During watering periods, an ergastularius would apply the lead-tipped floggers to the screaming person or slash at them with daggers.
Andara endures another flogging One portly man was suspended with his head immersed in a container of water and his hands bound behind him. Only by pulling himself out of the water using his weak abdominal muscles could he keep from drowning. His lack of strength would not keep him free for long and he had to repeat the procedure every few seconds. In a perverse solution, Simban found that striking his testicles provided the impetus needed for him to jerk from the water when his gut muscles gave out. The blows caused him to inhale quantities of water and his twitching in pain was often accompanied by violent choking. During the 30 days, several slaves graduated to work in the fields. Out of the original 50 people, perhaps 25 remained in training. Those left had paired up to have some friendly human contact: men with women, women with women and men with men. Andara was smitten with the Irishman and took comfort from him in his mammoth arms and ever-willing organ. Eris had surrendered any form of modesty and reveled in Xua's attentions. Though she had stopped producing milk, she still found real pleasure with Xua at her breasts and their feelings for each other amplified to extended lovemaking. While they worried for Keres, they knew she remained within the ergastulum as they saw her as they entered the arena each day. The sensuous night spent with Simban ended abruptly for Kerses. Sometime during the hours of darkness, Kaeso and Gylo had entered Simban's chamber and drug the slightly inebriated protesting woman to the torture chamber. She was racked and whipped and then suspended in the arena for the first runners to abuse as they entered in the morning. She naturally received terrible abuse for defying Simban. When she wasn't bound or racked or being flogged, Keres carried, pushed or pulled nearly impossible weights in the arena.
Keres subjected to the rack She spent the nights of those next few days in a solitary cell with little food and no time for baths. As invariably happened, Keres would spite or mock an ergastularius and her solitary time would be spent in locked in painful positions and an assortment of torments. Her nipple rings would be affixed with weights or small cages holding pairs of rats. On one occasion, a cylindrical cage holding two mice was inserted deep into her anus. The vermin would fight in the cage causing great swinging and sharp, constant pains and eliminate the chance to sleep. Another night Kerses was chained kneeling upon a large stone phallus so it was solidly imbedded between her legs. Her position prevented her from rising and clearing the implement. Unable to straighten, she fought all night to keep from sliding down further. The agony in her groin was matched well by the cramping in her legs. Gylo took her impaled position as an opportunity to remove her nipple rings and pierce them again to accommodate rings of a larger diameter. The old ring removal initiated blood flow that was halted when Gylo inserted a wide-diameter blazing spike through the sensitive tissue. "These will support much heavier weights Greek--without dislodging." After they were affixed and Keres was hoarse from screaming, Gylo's flagellum inflicted wounds on the vulnerable breasts and belly. Once her skin was thoroughly striped and oozing, Gylo turned to her back and flailed until he tired and Keres collapsed unconscious upon the full length of the phallus. She was wakened in the morning with heavier weights affixed and another scourging.
Kerses held erect on a phallus as Gylo prepares to pierce her nipples yet again. Keres had so far refused to yield in spite of her sisters imploring, as they would pass her in the arena being whipped or suspended before them. After the 30th consecutive day of torment, Simban entered Kere's dark cell just before dawn. Keres hung suspended horizontally with heavy weights attached to her nipple rings. The terrible constriction of the ropes, amplified by her own weight, the metal hanging from her breasts, and the month of mistreatment had taken a terrible toll. Covered in old sweat, dried fecal material and urine, Simban barely recognized the bleeding, moaning, hanging form swaying above her as the formerly vital woman. Simban grapped a handful of matted hair and pulled Kere's head back. "You are beaten Greek. Your strength is being sapped and your body is deteriorating. Surrender your will and the pleasure of being an ergastularius will be yours. You will be free of a permanent life in the darkness of this ergastulum and free of these instruments of obedience that cause you agony. Will you come to my chamber tonight?" Keres wanted to bite Simban's nose as it was close enough to touch but she lacked the leverage to lunge forward as well as the strength. Instead, she faintly declared, "no."
Keres suspended when Simban arrives. "Stupid, stubborn, stinking Greek," Simban bellowed. "You've withstood punishment for a month, you have proved your mettle-now surrender!" Keres only stared straight ahead. Letting Keres's head drop, Simban called for Gylo. "My patience is gone Greek. No more simply wearing you down. Gylo, get this bitch down and hang her by her teats. When she is crazed with the pain, then rack her on her back on the floor. Get water down her-copious amounts until her belly swells--then clamp her rings to the ceiling chains and rip them from her teats! Make her feel it Gylo-take your time." Gylo did as ordered. He unfastened Keres from the timber holding her aloft and rebound her so she stood vertically. He then coiled ropes around her breasts and pulled her up on her toes. Within minutes the terrible pain seared into her chest and Keres wailed deeply. When he was sure the agony was at its peak, before numbness set in, Gylo cut the suffering girl free and she collapsed on the floor. Quickly gathering the ropes, Gylo attached her wrists and ankles to rings on the floor and racked her tight. He dropped the timber formerly holding her aloft and attached it by chain to her nipple rings.
More breast torture applied to Keres Without receiving further instructions from Simban, Gylo hauled down on the rope holding the timber and through a pulley stretched Keres's breast out in a severe jerk. Once she was secured and the pull to her chest pulling her back from the floor, Gylo left the cell to obtain the water need to fill Keres's tortured body. He would need at least three galleons-possibly more and a funnel. He knew the girl would die under this final torment. Why wouldn't see yield to Simban's demands he wondered. This wasn't a bad life in the ergastulum. Certainly it was demanding and the treatment of the captives was often terrible. But, considering the alternative-a slow, agonizing death, this was wonderful indeed. Simban knelt next to the gasping Greek woman as she wailed in misery. "If you could see, you'd notice that the tension at your breasts is tearing the rings through your nipples-then I imagine you can feel that...You will soon have the additional misery of your belly being filled beyond capacity. That additional load will rip these rings free. Once you are again flat on you back with a bloated belly, I intend to have Gylo fetch your sisters to watch as he mounts you. He will ravage your sex while I sit bouncing on your belly. I assure you Greek, your stomach and bladder will rupture. So I believe you should understand now slave-you are to die very soon. You won't be here to help your sisters as they take your place here."
Gylo returned with his supplies and silenced Keres's howling with a strip of leather inserted into her mouth. Kneeling over her head so his knees locked her head facing up, Gylo began pouring the fetid liquid along the leather and into the sputtering woman's mouth. As she filled, Gylo worked the wet leather deeper into her throat and Keres found drawing air impossible. Her belly rapidly began to rise as Gylo picked up another vessel to add more water. Working up the little air she could, Keres expelled a throat full and wheezed, "I yield!"
