Eden: The Eighth Day Part 1

Vita watched as he strode closer to her, a seductive look on his face as his eyes gorged into hers. Standing naked, his chiselled body glistening with sweat, his damp hair tousled.

She could feel her heart begin to quicken and her hands shake. Then it was just the two of them. She was naked and her breath became short as she watched his eyes devour her perfect naked flesh. He stopped mere inches from her and she could feel the heat between them.

His hand rose to her face, tracing her parted lips; his eyes displayed pure passion as he let his hands wander down her neck, a finger tracing the line of her chest until his palm was brushing her breast. She could feel his gentle touch caress her nipple and she shivered.

His face came closer to hers and then he disappeared. She was running, the ground pounding beneath her feet, clouds of red dust leaving a trail behind her. She wiped her tear-stained face and clutched her chest, willing the sobs to cease.

Vita awoke to a hand shaking her shoulder. She opened her eyes to see a smiling Agil looking down at her. ‘Time to get up, miss.’

‘But it’s not yet light,’ she mumbled through sleep, silently cursing her mind for its exquisite lies.

‘I’ve had my orders, miss. Get dressed and meet me in the courtyard.’

She heard him leave and sat up on her bunk. She studied an angry scratch on her thigh, pulling away the culprit: a strand of scratchy straw, which was playing host to a small black bug. She threw it to the ground and stamped on it. She let out a groan as Malum’s words flooded back to her. She hated this dirty place, but this was paradise compared to the life she would have with Vulcan Bilo. Six days and counting. She sighed.

Vita strode beneath the column archway into the courtyard, the golden walls glinting in the moonlight. She was nervous and unsure what to expect. Domine Agil was standing proud in the centre, donned in his full centurion armour, helmet under arm, with another set at his feet.

‘Well, stop staring and put it on,’ he grinned.

‘But—’ she began. ‘What? I – I don’t understand.’

‘Well,’ he started. ‘You’re a woman now and it seems I’m not the only one believes a young woman ought to be able to fight as well as any man.’

‘But – I mean – who? Why? None of the other ladies learn to fight. Besides, I’m to leave the palace, what would be the point?’

‘Well, Miss Vita,’ said Agil, ‘it would seem somebody thinks you’re special.’ He smiled at her briefly before sadness entered his eyes. ‘I’m very sorry to hear what’s happening to you though. It’s a rotten business and you’ll be sorely missed. Better to have a little training than none though. And,’ he winked at her, ‘from what I hear, you’re quite a little fighter anyhow.’

Vita smiled at this. Domine Agil could always make things seem so much brighter. She would miss him. But he was right. She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep Vulcan at bay forever, but at least she might be able to land a good blow or two and give him something to remember her by.

‘So what now?’ Vita asked, from inside her metal skin. The skirt was old and must have belonged to a burly soldier as it skimmed her calves; the leather sandals were worn, the straps flapped around her calves with each step and the chest plate was so large it skimmed her chin and her arms stuck out as she moved.

Agil let out an enormous belly laugh at the sight of her. ‘You look ridiculous,’ he said, taking huge gulps of breath to calm himself. He clutched at his stomach, deliberately averting his eyes. ‘Let’s see what you got then,’ he said eventually, through splutters. ‘Land a blow on me.’

Vita circled the guard awkwardly, the weight of her armour making it difficult to move and the weight of her sword pulling at her sore ribs. She cautiously approached him with a look of amused suspicion. She had seen him fight and knew she would never land a blow. Still, she gauged his posture, as she had many times when Vulcan had attacked her. But she had never done the attacking before and Domine Agil stood as solid as a rock.

Agil grinned at her lopsided determination. She raised her sword to attack and lunged at the guard but the action caused her to flinch with pain. Domine Agil stepped to the side and laughed as she stumbled to regain her balance.

‘That was too clumsy. Try again,’ he said.

Vita raised her sword again and lunged, missing the guard and landing in a heap on the ground.

‘Come on, Vita.’ Domine Agil laughed.

Vita pulled herself up and charged the guard again and again but each time he stepped aside with ease, leaving her fumbling for balance and frustrated. The girl was tough. He’d seen her injuries yesterday and knew she must be in pain, yet she struggled on. ‘Again,’ he ordered, chuckling at her on the courtyard floor.

Vita couldn’t bear the pain anymore and the frustration was raging in her belly like a beast. Why was he torturing her like this? She was never going to land that blow and her sword and armour were heavy.

‘I’ve had enough,’ she said, pulling off her helmet and throwing it to the ground. She felt lighter. ‘I can’t do it!’

The smile left Agil’s face. ‘Do you think you can just walk away from your enemy, Vita? They will chase you down. Hunt you like a dog if they wish.’ His face turned dark with fear. ’And if you cannot fight your own pain and weakness, you will be their meal. Now, stand up and fight.’

Vita growled in anger as she pulled herself up into her crooked stance once more.

Domine Agil took pity on her. ‘You have two hands. Switch the sword if you’re in pain. And watch the direction of my feet.’

Vita scowled; she’d have even less luck with her other hand. She followed his order and staggered into position, watching his feet. He’s going to move right. She lunged right, but Agil moved left. ‘But you said—’ she started, as she lay face to face with the dusty ground once more.

Agil laughed heartily at his trickery and although she was tired and sore, the sound brought a chuckle to her own throat.

‘The first rule of fighting,’ said Agil with a smile as he extended his arm to her, ‘is not to trust your enemy.’

She faked a glare in his direction.

‘The second rule, is not to trust your eyes. Any good fighter knows his enemy is watching him and will trick him. You must trick him in return. Use every other sense, but your eyes must only be used for distraction. Now, try again with your eyes shut.’ He grinned.

‘This is ridiculous,’ Vita replied. ’If I can’t land the blow with my eyes how I am supposed to do it without? And I’m using the wrong hand.’

‘A good fighter will not be ruled by his weaknesses. You have to learn to use both hands equally well and then you will never be taken off guard. Now try again. Last time.’

Vita regained her composure. She took a deep breath and raised her sword, closing her eyes as she did so. Ridiculous. But as she stood blind on the tiled yard, her senses seemed to come alive. She could smell the fresh citrus of the orange trees mixed with a richer smell. Leather. She turned to where the scent was strongest. She could hear his sandals shuffling on the ground. But more than that, she just seemed to know, it was almost as if her mind could see through its own eyes and she could feel him swaying, deciding which direction to go. Left. Right and left again.

His foot shuffled and she lunged, expecting to end up on the ground again, but she stopped short as her sword hit something solid. She opened her eyes and saw nothing. Where is he? She heard the cough first, followed by a deep belly laugh and glanced down to see a dazed Agil staring up at her from the ground. She grinned with victory as she extended her arm to the guard.

‘Well, you have what it takes, little miss. I haven’t known a blow like that since the young prince. You’ve learned quickly.’ He grinned, happy that she at least stood a chance in the real world.

’The young prince? What? Kayin?’

’Oh aye, he was the best I knew ’til, well—’ he trailed off, looking at the floor.

‘The drink?’ Vita asked.

‘The drink! The devil’s juice. Ruined many a friend! I hardly entertain the stuff.’

The pair turned silent, each reliving their fonder memories of the prince.

‘Now, you need to practise, Vita,’ Domine Agil said, bringing her back from her thoughts. ‘Every day. You keep that armour out of sight, folks won’t take to it kindly. Do you understand? There’s something special in you lass, don’t waste it.’

Vita smiled.

‘Now away you go, before the palace wakes.’

’Ita Domine!’ said Vita, ‘Yes sir!’ She turned towards the Iron Gate. ‘Thank you.’ She turned as she neared the gate. ‘Agil? Who gave you the order to train me?’

‘I’m sworn to secrecy lass. But know you are not alone in this place.’ He gave her a warm smile.

She turned with a smile of her own and he watched her leave the yard. A shuffling behind him indicated a visitor. He turned towards a hooded figure emerging from the shadows.

‘You were right,’ Domine Agil said. ‘She’s something special that one.’

The figure nodded, staring after her for a moment, before turning to leave without a sound.

‘No,’ Agil muttered to himself, ‘you’re not the talkative type are you?’

The emperor barged through Vesta’s chamber door and charged towards the balcony where she sat, staring out across the empire.

‘Vesta!’ he called, and she turned towards him, her previously relaxed posture now tight with anxiety.

‘Yes, Malum,’ she said, standing up to address him.

He began to strip off his robes; his sagging skin wobbled with the movement.

‘But I thought you no longer desired me for those duties?’

Malum looked at her with disgust and confusion. ‘No,’ he said. ’That’s not the purpose of my visit. Once a turn is quite enough now, you don’t entice me like you once did.’

He stepped out of his toga, bending over to give her a sight of his hairy backside. ‘It saddens me that you should let yourself go. Had I known in the beginning what a burden you would become on my eyes, I should never have taken you to marry.’ He sighed with frustration.

If only, Vesta thought, but maintained her composure, nodding between forced smiles. ‘So to what do I owe this pleasure?’ she asked.

‘I need you to take a look at something,’ he said, turning to face her.

Vesta gasped in shock. ‘What’s happened to you?’ she asked, taking in the bubbling skin. The red evening light reflected off his seared torso, illuminating swells of oozing blisters, and masses of red eyes crying tears of blood and pus and accusing her. ’You did this,’ they seemed to say. The venom, she rejoiced. So it had taken effect.

‘I haven’t the faintest idea,’ he said. ‘That’s why I have come to see you. Perhaps you have some tincture?’

She walked across to him and examined his blistered skin. ‘I can give you some creams,’ she said, ‘but the blisters will have to burst and peel on their own and then you will have scarring.’ She looked at him doubtfully.

‘But what could cause such a thing?’

‘I can’t say I know,’ she lied. ‘Perhaps you have gotten too close to the lava.’

Malum looked thoughtful. ‘Perhaps. I need to find that blasted book. Curse that Tom Dulcas. I think, until it turns up, you will have to get back to your studies. Were you close?’

Too close. ‘I fear not, Malum,’ she said. ‘It’s a very complicated task you ask. Perhaps you could open the way for the citizens, though? I believe they are starving down in the town.’

His face turned dark once more. ’And spend all eternity with you and my son?’ He laughed. ’No, no Vesta. I need some fun in this world. The sooner you finish your studies, though, or we find that blasted book, we can put an end to this shambles.’

‘And then what?’ she asked. ‘What of the citizens, what of me and of Kayin?’

‘Hmm,’ he said. ‘Well the strong ones can go to the pits and the pretty ones to my bed, but I have no need for the others. They can go to the demons. I will allow you and Kayin to remain here.’ He redressed, pausing to survey his blistered skin. ‘I think it’s coming to that time again,’ he said to Vesta’s horror.

‘But Malum,’ she said, ‘surely not. The scars will heal and you are still as beautiful as you were twenty years ago. There have been enough innocent lives sacrificed!’ She felt the sting of his palm and raised her own to soothe her cheek.

‘Enough!’ he said. ‘And I think it would do our marriage some good if you took part as well.’

‘No,’ said Vesta. ‘Please. Not again.’

‘I won’t hear another word. I will leave after the Octavo fight and find some suitable replacements.’ He looked her up and down. ‘Perhaps some ebony beauty this time.’

‘Where’s all my darned staff?’ Marcia bellowed in the kitchen. ’That’s four now, four ungrateful wenches stopped turning up for work.’ She waved her hands, quite flustered.

Virgo, a sweet-natured serving girl, and Vita stared at each other, worried by the girls’ disappearance.

‘And I hear you’re leaving too next week,’ she pointed an accusatory finger towards Vita. ‘Well, you’ll have to do today, both of you.’ She moved her finger, pointing between the girls. She picked up a list and thrust it into Vita’s chest. ‘I need supplies from the market.’

‘With all due respect, Domina Marcia,’ said Vita, ‘why would you not ask the emperor for supplies? The stalls have become sparse as food goes scarce.’

Even Marcia’s resolve broke at this and she stared off in quiet contemplation. ‘Yes, so it would seem.’ But her resolve returned, just as quickly. ’His lordship has urgent matters to attend. Less cheek, young madam, and more work. I need them now!’

‘Where do you think he travels to?’ Vita asked Virgo as they descended the palace road. ‘Where could he go in this place for days on end?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Virgo. ‘It’s all a bit suspicious to me.’

Vita nodded. ‘But, then again, the man reeks of secrets and lies. I dread to think what that man keeps from us all. It wouldn’t surprise me if the entire empire is a lie.’

‘If only,’ Virgo replied, her eyes wandering into the distance. ‘What did Marcia mean when she said you’re leaving?’

‘The emperor has ordered it.’

‘Ordered what?’ said Virgo.

‘On my birthday, I am to leave the palace.’ Vita’s controlled composure kept her emotions safe. Virgo had her own troubles to contend with.

‘Leave? But where will you go?’ said Virgo, a mixture of hurt and outrage in her tone.

‘He is to hold an auction for my hand. I will go with whoever buys me.’ Vita shrugged.

‘Oh, Vita, I just pray there are some good souls left in this place. I don’t know what we’ll do without you. How could he do such a thing?’

‘I am not servant material.’

‘Well, no. But then neither am I. I’m much worse than you are.’

‘But you behave yourself,’ said Vita. ’I cause too many problems with my unruly ways.’

Virgo shook her head and Vita saw an uncharacteristic look of anger cross her face.

‘You know what the real reason is, don’t you?’

Vita looked at her blankly.

‘He made a promise to your father to protect you. Your father was too well respected in this place for Malum to break that promise, which means he can’t lay a finger on you. What use has he with a girl he cannot use for his own disgusting means?’

Vita looked at her, shocked. She had never heard Virgo say a bad thing towards anyone. ‘Virgo?’ she asked. ‘Has he hurt you?’

Her eyes welled up with tears and she nodded. ‘But not just me,’ she sniffed, ‘everyone I love has suffered to some extent at his hand. Just look at poor, sweet Petrus. What the emperor had done to him and yet he is still the most beautiful creature I know. How can Marcia still follow him like a lost sheep?’

Vita nodded sadly. ‘I know.’

‘Just promise me one thing,’ said Virgo, as they approached the market track.

‘If I can.’

‘If you find yourself in a better place,’ she stopped, taking Vita’s hand as she looked deep into her eyes, ‘never look back.’

They walked along the track and could see a few stalls in the distance. She worried about the townsfolk, how they would survive much longer with such scarce food, while Malum had storerooms overflowing with fresh fruit, meat and wine. At least at the palace she was fed, even if it was just the watery soups and solid lumps of bread that constituted her diet, but still, it was more than those on the outside had.

A couple of folks she passed began to glance in her direction. Vita felt the familiar pang of apprehension and clutched hold of Virgo’s arm. As they descended further she heard a few passing whispers and hisses in her direction.

‘Just ignore them,’ said Virgo. ‘I know none of it’s true.’

Vita smiled at her friend and clutched her tighter.

‘Witch.’

‘Murderer.’

The chants started coming. She let her mind extract itself and wander away to fantasy, tracing the beautiful dragon outline and Kayin’s hand resting on her shoulder and the warmth of his body surrounding her. But then she felt the sand pounding beneath her feet as she ran, terrified of what she had seen.

‘Ladies,’ a familiar slimy voice brought her back from her thoughts.

She looked up to see Vulcan, standing in front of them, blocking her way. He had a menacing smile on his face, which pulled at all his acne scars, making him look truly ugly. He ran his hand through his greasy hair.

‘I’ve got my cellar all ready for you, Vita,’ he taunted. ‘Are you looking forward to coming home?’ He laughed.

She went to push past him, but he grabbed her by the throat, leaning in so close to her that she could smell his sour breath. ‘When I do win that auction,’ he whispered, letting his eyes linger over her own for a few moments, as he absorbed her fear, ‘I will make you beg for the sweet release of death.’ He began to laugh again, released his grip and watched her fall to the ground. He strolled away, leaving Vita and Virgo staring at each other in fear.

With each strong thrust from behind, she felt her breasts being pushed against the smooth warm rock that she leant on. It felt exhilarating. She bit her lip and moaned, feeling the wickedness of the act spread through her like wildfire. She pushed her hand down into her wetness and felt herself rise to climax. He finished his deed, panting as he collapsed on the sand. She bent down and kissed him, a low chuckle escaping her throat.

‘How are you proceeding with the task I set you?’ he asked, between panted breaths.

‘I have little to report,’ said Sera. ‘Apart from knowing when people are going to walk into a room, there really is nothing spectacular about her, I don’t understand all the fuss.’

‘If you needed to know, I would tell you. But you don’t.’

Sera looked stung for a moment. ’But it might help me to know what I was looking for? What would a witch’s spell even look like? There’s no room for a cauldron or even a small bowl under ’er bunk.’

‘Imbecile,’ Malum muttered under his breath, annoyed with her stupidity. ‘You must find a way to provoke her. Force her to slip.’

‘Well,’ said Sera, ‘I might have an idea. See, I found out a little secret about her and I was thinkin’ to meself—’

‘I don’t care. Just get it done.’