While Iunia and Marius hosted a small number of close friends, Nike could not sleep on her back due to the extravagant punishment she received before and after the meddling patrician left. She ran her tear soaked fingers though her unimpressive blonde hair while even the air seemed to sting the lashings on her back. She remembered times before Marius married that unintelligent and vain pig of a woman Iunia and felt as if she had been robbed of something that had always been given to her, Marius’ friendly affection.

Loyalty was expected, and in her case, easy to give Marius. Sometime around midnight, Nike felt parched and needed a drink of anything most desperately. The other slaves in the quarters slept, and she decided to risk sneaking out to the kitchen to fetch the desired beverage.

The party had quieted down and left an hour before that and Iunia was busy with her nighttime beauty rituals. Marius enjoyed the society his wife brought to the house, while it was a degree or two lower than he was used to, they were very Epicurean and a breath of fresh air from his stoically inclined father who rather enjoyed quoting the statements of Xeno with dinner. He didn’t remember why he was in the kitchen, it probably had something to do with getting away from the poppy scent in the main room that he never really approved of, he was however surprised to see Nikephoros wandering in silently to get a cup of water.

“Nike, you were absent tonight at the banquet? Usually you serve us.” Nike froze on the spot, upon hearing her master’s voice and tried to imagine she was invisible, when this failed. She had to confront him. She hoped he had not seen the scarring on her back.

“Master, yes. I could not because I could not remove the smell of fish from my hands. Mistress Iunia thought it best rather than appall the guest.” She replied demurely and went to find a plain terra-cotta bowl and walk towards a small basin of water. Before Marius could reply he saw a glimpse of her back in the faint light and ran to her side, concerned,

“ Nike, your back. What did you do to receive such a beating?” Nike hid her wincing face as Marius’ hand brushed the scars by accident.

“ I displeased Mistress Iunia.”

“This seems very severe for a small offense.” He replied and made her sit down at the small table. Nike hung her head, not in shame but to hide her tears from Marius. “Nike you can look at me, you’re very nearly my best friend.” Nike blinked away tears and tried to make herself look put together, she faced him but could not speak to Marius and instead rested her head against his shoulder rather boldly.

Were it any other man, she would have been pushed away, but it was Marius, HER Marius? He, though hesitantly, put his arms around her. He hadn’t been this close to her since his wedding. Nike caught this vibe and separated herself,

“I’m sorry Master it was imprudent of me.” Marius, shook his head and set his hand on her shoulder gently,

“You are very dear to me. You should not be afraid to take comfort in me now and then.” Nike blushed, and let herself settle into him once more. Marius sighed as he was careful not to irritate the scars on Nike’s back. Though his wife wanted him to see him as soon as her beauty rituals were complete, Nikephoros, his childhood friend, seemed to abolish all that.