DISCLAIMER: From the small effort I made to research this time period, I'm certain all history majors will judge this story complete and total fiction. This would bother me more if it were not a work of, well, fiction. Yes, I could have tweaked instead of twisted what we know about antiquity. It probably would have made very little difference to the main concepts of the tale. But, this story is most unusual for me. It is coming to me as it is regardless of what history tells us about the past. Perhaps, I'm channeling a distant ancestor tired of our history being ignored. Maybe she'd like the Celts to get their due. We saved civilization but nobody seems to care what we were doing before that. I mean, I'm sure we were busy building our own civilization before we were consumed by a cultured carried on a tide of faith.

FEEDBACK: Tell me you love it, hate it, or could not care any less… p.phair@comcast.net

WARNINGS: Many of my customary vices; all sorts of sex, rape, violence, foul language, tortured history, evil, good, wicked awesome good, theft, lies, transgressions, slavery, war, hunger, despair, and all around very barbaric behavior.

PROMISE: As long as the ancient Celt haunting my dreams continues to tell me this story, I'll keep writing it down. This is what any generation would call a…

# Fair Trade

## by phair

Chapter 4

The warm hand on Ainninn's shoulder brought her easily back to wakefullness. She was not startled to see Mery standing over her. The woman was smiling and seemed genuinely happy Ainninn woke so pleasantly.

“The morning is more than upon us. Your friend was leary of trying to rouse you from your well deserved slumber,” her voice held a hint of humor.

“He was afraid I'd hand him his head?” Ainninn chuckled as she sat up.

Mery allowed a laugh to escape before replying, “He was more afraid you would admonish him for not calling sooner. His exscuse is nearly as poor as your own. The man was snoring deeply until moments ago.”

“You treated him well?” Ainninn was sincere with her question.

Mery's dark cheeks darkened even more so. “The truth is closer to him treating me well.”

“You like the brute?” Ainninn was stunned. “He frightens all our women folk away. Bad temper, bad manners, bad breath; there is no hearth keeper willing to let him near an unused daughter.”

“Perhaps,” Mery aknowledged, “Finntan needs a used slave more than an untried virgin.”

Ainninn nodded agreement as she stood and stretched. A quick look across the room reminded her of her newest acquisition. The slave sat brooding but quickly lowered her face to hide any trace of resentment her features still held.

“Your meal is prepared and waiting in the hall beyond your door. Finntan will be there shortly. He insisted on dressing himself in his own clothes,” Mery explained.

“What of my clothes?”

“I can get them if you like but the Roman look suits you well. In the heat of the day you may be glad for the lighter linen,” Mery suggested.

“We were hoping to be off today.”

“No, that will not happen,” Mery lowered her voice. “Master Paullus would meet with you but he remains in Rome. His wife, in his stead, will make your acquaintance this evening. May I speak plainly if it is to warn you, Ainninn?”

Ainninn took Mery by the arm and moved them to the far corner of the room before answering in Greek. “You should warn me but be cautious of the woman. She's no Viking. She is Suebi and knows many words of the Gauls. She claims not to understand your tone and to know nothing of finer tongues like Greek and Vulgate.”

“You don't believe her,” Mery stated.

Ainninn shook her head unsure. “She's a captive and an unhappy one at that. To believe, I would have to trust. I rarely trust those unhappy with their lot.”

“Few captives are happy, Ainninn. You are wise to doubt,” Mery agreed with the woman. “But, I'll not play you with this delicate information. My Master's wife is his leash holder in most affairs. She hides behind drapes to keep her ears filled with her guests' affairs. Later, in his bed, she tells him the moves to make and he abides her.”

“Why would he be lead so?”

“My Master knows his better. And, there is none in Rome better at any game than Aemilia.”

“And, why trust me with this? I'm a stranger here. A barbarian to every Roman way. Why share the secret of your house with me?” Ainninn was suspicious of Mery's motives.

Mery frowned, “You said yourself moments ago, do not trust the unhappy. You are not unhappy. And, you are no stranger or barbarian to me. You look more like me than any in this room or under this roof this very morning. We are tied to the same waters of life even if you've yet to bath in them.”

“You think me family but I'm not. My mother was my father's means to an heir. He wanted his fame continued and cared not for the vessel to carry it.” Ainninn allowed a rare moment of bitterness to find a voice. “She was nothing to him but a gift to be used. She bore me out but spoke not of these waters of your home. She did not even tell me her true name. Instead claimed, to her end, to be nothing more than his bride.”

“You are wrong in your anger. She renamed herself with a brag of his title. Does an unhappy captive willing take on her Master's glory? Had she wished it, she could have denied him his offspring.” Mery folded her arms across her chest with confidence, “You blame his claim on her when you should praise the sun god she allowed him to hold her. Your very life would not be if she wished otherwise.”

Ainninn studied the woman for a moment. She realized the slave was better able to argue than she would ever be. Even if the subjects of the argument were unknown to Mery, she made their causes her own.

“Are you an unhappy captive?” Ainninn asked with shift so abrupt it started Mery to stuttering. “Are you passionate for a dead slave's lot or for the lot you carry? Tell me what you seek. Perhaps, it is common to us both or,” Ainninn smiled and winked, “perhaps, I can make it common to us both.”

Mery looked about ensuring no other had entered while they were so heatedly engaged. Satified they were alone, save for the unwilling third party, she shifted trying to find her courage before she finally spoke.

“Your man, he is kind. At least, he was so to me. I've not felt like this for another. Even free in the land I was born to, I've not met such gentleness. You say as he did, he's alone with no cook or keeper of his fire,” Mery said.

“It is true. No one will have him. He's a beast around hearth.”

“I've no issue with his ways. It is quite funny to be truthful. Like a great bear, he is unaccustomed to delicate furnishings. He needs a hand to still his before the shattering starts.”

“Agreed. A woman could change his roughness but how does one get a kind heart to tame the bear when the bear needs taming before a kind heart would care for him?” Ainninn smiled thinking she understood what resolution Mery was moving toward.

Mery wrung her hands trying to starve off her fears to ask for what she desired most, “Any kind heart ignoring that bear is a fool. This pathetic slave before you sees no taming needed. Finntan only needs a hand to hold his and guide his strength fairly.”

“How could I achieve this feat?” Ainninn laughed. “I am out of my wits with you. Just tell me how to proceed and I will do my best to make it so. I've no objections to the taming of my favorite bear.”

“I've some coin. Gotten honestly with no deceit. Betting on sport. Particularly the sport of the Viking who you now claim as Suebi. She won in spectacular fashion yesterday and I've nearly enough for my price. If I gave it all to your care would you purchase me for him?”

Ainninn was stunned. “You don't know me, woman. I could rob you and blab your ridicule of your masters and be on my way across the sea leaving you to suffer. Why would you bring this akward day upon yourself?”

“Three reasons I took a chance and it is a great chance which likely will turn out badly for me if I have misjudged you,” Mery admitted. “First, you are my tribe regardless of your claims no. Second, you saved the condemned from the cross simply because it was right to do. And, last but the most important piece, Finntan praises your every more. If I'm betrayed in this then there is no one left to trust ever.”

Ainninn was silent for a moment before nodding her agreement, “I'll not knowingly betray you. I'll do my best to make this purchase occur. But, if this Roman woman is so clever as to lead a Senator by the nose, what chance do I have to have my way?”

“She leads a Senator by his short hairs,” Mery corrected. “You'll not have that problem with her. She loves coin. Especially, if the coin is unknown to her husband. He'll not notice me gone as he barely notices me here. She wins at each turn of it.”

“How will I begin the negotiation?”

Mery smiled, “She is a fine hostess. She will ask what you need for your comfort. You'll ask for me to keep.”

“That simple?” Ainninn was skeptical.

“Yes, the Romans are actually that simple.” Mery frowned with a new worry, “We linger too long. Your breakfast waits.”

“I'll take the fault of it,” Ainninn calmed her. “I'll see to my meal. Can you do something for the Suebi? Some food but no meat for her. Water but no wine. Feed her and see to her body's needs but do not release her from her shackles. She's a worry to me.”

“You are wise to be cautious. She's been much trouble,” Mery said. “Are you sure you shouldn't just drown her?”

Ainninn laughed heartily as she strolled away. “I may do just that! I'm off to dine. You see to your work.”

* * *

Blissful hours were spent lounging in the baths. Then time seemed to stop and linger too long for old men with dull tales of long dead heroes. Ainninn found herself wondering why the dead heroes did not rise from their tombs and strike these droning fools down for ruining perfectly exciting war stories with pompous words of groveling praise. Finntan nodded off twice only to snort himself back to wakefulness with a deep snore. Who could blame him. The Greek words made no sense to him. As Finntan's head bobbed fighting slumber, Ainninn found it hard to contain her humor but managed the task. She was less skilled at hiding her frequent yawns.

The lady of the villa had kept them waiting in the sticky heat all afternoon in the main dining room. Even the endless fanning of the slaves could not cool the stifling air. Ainninn stood to leave once only to be guided back to her divan by a very worried Mery. The woman's fear was enough to still Ainninn's temper. She liked the woman and more than that she liked the way Finntan liked the woman. He was happier than she'd ever seen him. It was enough to make Ainninn keep her emotions under a firm hand for Mery's sake.

The trumpeters on either side of the door heralded an entrance just as the sun sank half way into the horizon. Mery motioned for Finntan to stand but for Ainninn to remain seated. Mery herself bowed low. The slaves fanning the room merely bowed their heads so they could keep to their assigned task.

“Welcome guests,” a graying woman entered with a flourish that defied both her age and portly frame. “Nile dweller, tell the imbeciles I've welcomed them to my home,” she directed Mery with a thickly accented Vulgate common to the slums of Rome.

Mery looked toward Ainninn who betrayed no understanding of the slight. “Mistress thinks you are ignorant of her words. What would you have her believe of your skills?”

“That I speak my own words quite well and a little Greek but let her continue to believe I know nothing of her insults,” Ainninn stated it like friendly conversation but Mery saw a predatory glimmer in Ainninn's eyes. “Thank her for the hospitality. Tell her we are most grateful.”

“Mistress, your guests are thankful for all you have provided them,” Mery translated.

Aemilia grinned as she reclined on her sofa. “Of course, they are. Compared to the caves they crawled out of a nest of palm leaves near a sewers gaping mouth would be an improvement. Tell them some pleasantries about my trip back from Rome and how happy your Master is with the agreement reached.”

“My Mistress continues to insult you and wishes me to heap upon your ears platitudes of good tidings from Rome,” Mery's tone gave no hint of her disdain for her owner.

“Tell the sow for me that I'm glad to be finished with this business and I'm ready to leave her foul land,” Ainninn looked directly at Aemilia and flashed a dazzling smile as she spoke.

“Mistress, she is very glad to hear this news. However, your guest is eager to take her leave in order to return to her father. She is anxious to share news of the agreement with him.”

Aemilia made a grand, sweeping gesture spreading both arms wide as she said, “Tell that filthy barbarian she'll take her leave when I am ready to let her. We'll eat this night and she'll be off at dawn. Be gracious. Say something about enjoying my humble home for one more evening before her arduous journey back to her den and her cretinous father. She probably fucks the beast.”

Ainninn's face flushed in anger before she could steel her features. Her lips drew back in a contemptuous snarl as she glared at her hostess.

“What's wrong with her?” Aemilia questioned with worry. “Why does she bare her teeth at me?”

“What should I say?” Mery asked. “Your game is too dangerous to lose over an insult.”

Ainninn shifted her attention to Mery. Her anger continued to burn but realized the slave was right. Ainninn had come to Rome as a diplomat so she could not afford an ugly scene.

“Tell her I understood the foul language only and I do not approve.”

“Mistress, your guest understood the curse and wishes it not be repeated.”

“Oh, a prude,” Aemilia feigned deference to Ainninn. “Tell her I spent too much time traveling with soldiers and my manners grew weak on the journey. I meant no harm. Make her smile, Mery, or you will suffer for my embarrassment.”

“Will you but smile for my benefit?” Mery asked solemnly.

Ainninn grinned and nodded to Aemilia. “Tell her I will forgive if she but grants me a gift before dinner.”

“Mistress,” Mery began to say.

Aemilia interrupted, “She's smiling so don't continue if there is bad news to follow. Your skin will pay the price for taxing me with a story of her wounded ego.”

Mery shivered slightly and Ainninn spoke up. “Tell her I want you as the gift. I will not settle for less. If she says no then I will withdraw my agreement to the treaty. She has deeply insulted me. Only a prize of such beauty can make up for her slight. Go on, tell her.”

“Doing so is risky,” Mery cautioned. “Your people might suffer if she is angered too much.”

Ainninn gave a dimpled smile. “As you have been telling me for days, you are my people. Tell her what I've said, Mery.”

“What is all the jabbering about?” Aemilia was growing impatient.

Mery took a deep breath and quietly explained, “Mistress, your guest is truly stung by the curse. It is unacceptable to her, the daughter of a chieftain, to have coarse words spoken. Her people usually take the tongue from an offender.”

“WHAT?” Aemilia was duly alarmed and sat up straight to protect herself.

“However, your guest appreciates your ignorance of her ways and will settle for a slave.”

“What does she plan to do with the slave?” Aemilia asked with a hint of revulsion in her voice.

“I do not know for certain. Perhaps, a surrogate for the usual punishment,” Mery ventured.

“Is she looking for anyone in particular?”

Mery turned to face Ainninn and said, “I'm thinking I should seem very afraid when you speak next.”

Ainninn did not speak. She just pointed at Mery. The slave gasped and dropped to her knees. Immediately, she buried her face in her hands.

“You? She wants you? Figures.” Aemilia huffed. “Fine, tell her I agree and stop crying or I'll cut your tongue out myself.”

Mery stood with shaking knees and kept her head bowed. Finntan, watching the scene play out, was happy he could not understand the Roman bitch. He was quite sure he'd need to slit her throat for whatever words she was uttering. But, he sensed he had a part to play now and leaned over to Ainninn.

“It might be best to make our exit. While it is most entertaining making a fool of the Roman, I worry your sport tests the limits of good sense. Tell her we need to be off to bed. Losing a meal will hurt neither you nor I,” Finntan advised.

Ainninn grunted agreement and spoke in a near growl to Mery, “Tell her I accept the gift as an apology but I've no desire to allow her more chances to offend me again. We will be off to our quarters and leave on the morning tide.”

“Mistress,” Mery made sure her breath hitched as she spoke. “Your apology is acceptable but your guests insist on retiring for the evening. The events of the last few days have been too much and they want to quit your presence and then your country at sunrise.”

Aemilia grimaced knowing she lost her chance to gather information. “Fine. Off to bed with them and you too. I hope she uses a dull blade to hack off your wagging tongue. Be gone. Out of my sight!”

“We should make haste,” Mery suggested.

Finntan stood and took Mery by the arm. He tugged her toward the doorway but did not cross. He waited for Ainninn to leave first.

For her part, Ainninn sat a moment longer and finished her wine. She stood slowly keeping a level gaze on Aemilia. A brief nod of her head, then Ainninn proceed Finntan out of the room. As she strolled back to their assigned rooms, Ainninn heard muttered curses the mistress of the villa hurled at her slaves. It filled Ainninn with a joy no meal could ever bring.

TBC

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