On the Nile [Nyoko and Seraph]

[Seraph]

Normally they didn’t travel so far to catch their prey, but the usual type wasn’t gaining them as much profit as usual. It had been hard to find something unique that would bring the attention of the high-rollers at the auction, especially something unique and sturdy. They had found a few young men, boys really, who were strong in the body and able to work. They had been snatched up quickly and had remained with them as they searched for a final piece to add to their collection. The bandits had heard that women had been selling relatively well lately in the markets, but rumor wasn’t always fact and they stuck to mostly what they knew sold. Slaves for manual labor were always needed, and the sturdier they were the better they were. They had taken one woman just to be on the safe side.

“If we don’t get these ones in soon…” someone grumbled as he took a look at the men who had wilted considerably under the heat of the desert. They had stopped at an oasis for a rest when the sun got too high and set up a series of small tents. “We might not have anything to sell when we get there.”

The leader frowned and nodded, “When the sun begins to set we’ll begin to move again. Make sure they’re feed and watered.” The livelier they looked the better they sold, he hoped for a relatively good haul this time. The last few times they had been meager pay-outs at best and he was hoping for something more. He, like most of the bandits, did have a lady or two at home to take care of, whether they wanted to admit it or not. He had a few children; two of which worked with him on raids. A few bags of grain would be a blessing for the dry season when food tended to get a little scarce.

It would take another few hours to make it to the city on the Nile, the thriving place of all of Egypt. If they had been closer to the sea, they would have gone to Alexandria, which tended to be another prosperous place to sell off slaves. He wouldn’t mind owning a slave or two of his own one day, but first he would have to make sure he had enough money for taxes. Their actions were mostly overlooked as long as they paid those to the Pharaoh, but if they didn’t. He shook his head and waited for all of the new chattel to finish their mild dinner and for the sun to go down. Like most, he closed his eyes and prepared to take a light nap. There was little else to do in such hot temperatures under the noon-day sun.

----​

The marketplace was bustling as always. Vendors sold their wares, spices clouded the air, and beggars wailed against the walls for coins. The bandit group, kindly referred to as slavers most of the time, had taken their wares to the auction courtyard in the center of the marketplace. The officials of the city had laid down a platform of marble to show off the slaves as the nobility or their vassals bid on each of them. Of course, however, the Pharaoh’s own always took the finest slaves as no noble wanted ill-words to darken his ear on their affairs. To do so could mean great troubles for them and their family, and many of them enjoyed the perks of their stations.

If the normal marketplace was bustling, this area was a beehive of activity; buyers shouted their offers to the man on stage or whispered offers to someone behind the scenes to get a slave pulled from the stage quickly. Sometimes a slave was only up for moments before they were snatched away to another home, one that might be kind or not. Usually, since slaves were property, most masters were kind. One did not abuse their cow if they wanted it to work well, and the same respect was paid to a slave, and depending on the slaves station within a home, they were given benefits. Long time slaves could have a small room to themselves, or a soft bed in their master’s rooms if they were a close slave. It all depended on how one acted.

 

[Nyoko]

She heard the bandit leader bark orders about meals; food and water would be very welcome in this desert weather. When it was her turn to take rations she was pushed to her feet and her hands unbound so she could eat. "Make it quick." She was told and given some bread and a cup of water. She never acknowledged her captors, just did as she was told because she knew the consequences if she didn't. When she was first taken from her camp a few days ago one of the other slaves had attempted escape. She watched in horror as the bandits had caught up with the runaway and made an example of him in front of the rest of the group. She had quickly learned not to cross the bandits, but she was still bitter about her situation. She slowly munched on her meal, greedily drinking the water. She had noticed she had gotten more water then some of the other male slaves, but wasn't sure why. She was also the only female to be capture from her home, and the only one with the bandits. So they kept her close. She always rode a horse instead of being forced to walk like the others. Once she finished her meal her hands were bound in front of her again and she was taken to sleep near her captors. Her body was more valuable then the male slaves, because she was the only female captured. The next day they were on the move again, she was placed on a horse and rode along that way.

After a long journey they arrived at the city. She had never been here before and the sights were interesting, she was a very curious girl, but soon her concern grew once they arrived at the market. It seemed like forever as the male slaves where sold on the market. She was to be the last sold. Finally her turn came and she shakily walked up onto the platform. She was afraid, scared at all the eyes watching her, someone would take her, but who was another story. Apparently she was worth a lot because her bidding started high. The bandits rattled off prices and she just stood there, her frail figure, and her dark hair that hung down to her shoulders. She was actually quite a beautiful woman, and many of the men looked at her, it wasn't often a beautiful foreigner was sold here.

 

[Seraph]

The bandit leader nodded finally at the bargain they had made, 15 bags of grain for the woman and a goat. Not too bad when one thought about it, probably more than she was worth, at least in a smaller village. In the lap of luxury that was the city, she would most likely survive. The labor in the villages would have been too much for the bird-like frame of the young woman they had captured. He motioned towards his men to begin to gather up the bargained amount from the auctioneer's bounty. The men hadn't sold nearly as well as she had, bringing in only 5 bags of grain apiece but it was more than enough for the small village they lived in. Perhaps with any luck, a few of his men would be able to trade some of the new 'credit' for seedlings or other tools they would need.

They left without another care towards the people they had slaved off.

When the young woman was brought before the crowd, there was an almost instant reaction as nobles sent their slaves running forward to bid on her. She was an exotic creature in the midst of the softly tanned skins and raven-black hair, adorned with braids and gold pieces. Even her clothes were slightly different which caused some of the women to lean forward to stare a little more in interest. One man dressed in a light tunic that came down to his knees with a red wrap around his waist walked forward and pointed at the young woman, "The Pharaoh will pay for that one."

The servant, or even a relative of the auctioneer, jumped to it and moved passed his employer to scurry the delicate creature off the bidding platform. The man looked her over with a jaded eye and spoke, "Do you have all of your teeth? Are you sickly?"

 

[Nyoko]

Being up in display for all to see was quite the embarrassment for her and she kept her eyes low as she was sold off. Finally she heard someone call the final bid on her, and she looked up, only to hear the Pharaoh himself had bought her. She quickly wondered if that was a good thing or a bad thing for her. She shifted her feet and reached up with her bound hands to wipe her hair out of her eyes.

Her eyes scanned the crowd for the man who had bought her on the Pharaoh's behalf. She knew enough about this culture that such a high king wouldn't bring himself to going into the slave market. The more she thought over her situation the more she realized that she might be living in the luxury of the Pharaoh himself. Still she was afraid, scared she wouldn't be treated properly, like the bandits did to the runaway in the desert. She missed her home, her family and now she was sold off in foreign land to the king.

She walked off the platform when ushered to and found a curious man in her face. Instinctively she pulled away from him, wondering what he was doing until he asked questions. "No, sir..." She said quickly. Her captors had taken decent care of her, she was a bit dirty, but healthy nonetheless. She glanced up at his face and looked away quickly, unsure of how to act in such a society. She knew one wrong look and someone could strike her down. That she had heard from her village, the men who visited this marvelous city always brought back to most interesting stories. Maybe someday she could go back and tell her story as well.

 

[Seraph]

The man nodded as he circled out her and lightly touched her hair and then her arm, "Do you bath regularly? Have you had children? Do you know how to clean?" He shot off question rapidly, as if he was trying to see how far he could scare the young woman into herself. If she couldn't hadn't such easy questions, there would be strong doubt that she could hold up to the duties in the palace, or the reprimands should she fail a task. "Well, girl?"

He looked to the boy who stood nearby, "Does she have a name, yet?"

"Not that we know, sir," he replied honestly with a slightly frightened gaze towards his Uncle on the platform; he always hated dealing with the Pharaoh's men, they assumed everything and though they paid handsomely at times, they never were the easiest customers. If a slave had an imperfection, they would send them back up on stage and after being pulled down that was always a sign to other bidders that something was wrong with that one. "S-she just came in today, sir."

"Hmmm," he mulled it over before nodded, "If she isn't addled and can do her jobs, 4 sacks of Royal grain."

 

[Nyoko]

Her eyes followed the man as he walked around her, but only winced at his initial touch, she was meek and timid, but as long as he didn't hurt her she would be fine, "I haven't bathed since I was captured, no children, sir. Yes, I know how to clean..." She replied, wondering why the man spoke so fast. Her captors had taught her a few things before bringing her here. They told her to always answer when she was spoken too, and never appear sickly, that was a big one they had said.

She kept silent as they discussed her name, of course she had one, but it was in her tongue, and would keep it to herself as long as she could. Part of her hoped this man would take her, sure wondered what the inside of the Pharaoh's palace looked like. She would be obedient and do as she was told, but she still hated how she had been brought her. She was in the most talked about city in all the world and came only as a slave, limited freedom and bound to one man all her life.

Her eyes were curious, and she learned fairly quickly so doing her jobs wouldn't be a problem she was sure.

 

[Seraph]

The man nodded, "She'll do." He didn't hesitate in grabbing her firmly about the wrist and started to walk quickly away from slave market. He didn't speak for some time and continued to move quickly through the streets as a guard fell into place beside them. Like his master, he didn't speak to her as they moved through the city. Soon it became clear that they were moving into the living area of those who had a higher standing in society. The streets were cleaner, the houses more spacious, and fewer people mingled in the streets. Those that did were servants and slaves, most of them dressed relatively well and they stared in interest as the trio moved through the streets until they passed through the temple area. He looked at the girl, "You will be known as Omo from now on.

"You will report at dawn to your foreman who will give your tasks for the day--you are not to complain. You will fall to the ground when the pharaoh passes, and you will not speak in his presence, should he appear before you, without being spoken to first. Even then you shouldn't speak unless asked a direct, unavoidable question. Do you understand, girl?"

 

[Nyoko]

The girl followed without protest, not that her protesting would be beneficial anyways. She looked around curiously as she was dragged through the streets, she almost had to jog to keep up, but she saw many interesting sites as they walked through the city. Her eyes had never seen such a place, so many people, and so dirty. Well things weren't so dirty once they entered the richer area, but she had no idea how to tell the difference between, servant, slave and citizen. She would ask someone later. She only looked at the man dragging her along when he spoke, "Omo?" She repeated, such an odd name, but she didn't complain of course.

"Yes, sir." She said after he spilled out all his words about the rules, "Sir, where do I meet the foreman?" She asked, and wondered so much more. She wondered if she would serve the Pharaoh personally or just work in his household. Would she ever get to see her new master or just this foreman this man spoke of. Her mind was full of so many questions, but she held her self-control and kept silent. She would eventually learn everything about her new life, but for now things were still new and confusing.