A Special Gift

The moon is fully in the sky by the time we are passing through the sprawling outskirts and into the city proper. Luckily for us we find Beneventum to be a vibrant city with an active nightlife. Benefiting from its position along the Appian way it enjoys all of the niceties of the larger centers along the coast but at a more manageable size for a bumpkin like me. After crossing a grand bridge that spanned the Sabato river we see a theatre, an imposing stronghold, an arch dedicated to the great Augustus and another still being constructed for the current Emperor Trajan, a library, many temples, and of course inns and shopping stalls galore.

Along the way Rosa said that for practical purposes she would not advertise her Amazon heritage. It pained me to hear her say this as I knew how important it was to her to be able to be herself, and I told her that would proudly stand by her side if she did want to reveal it, but to lessen our hurdles she said that while in Beneventum she would keep herself a secret. It would certainly make things easier.

The very first thing we do is find an inn that looked reputable enough that we could trust leaving our possessions unguarded for a short time. Although the proprietor does notice Rosa’s brand we neither ask about nor are informed of the inn’s **** policy and in return we add a nice gratuity to the cost of the room when we pay which he promptly pockets. There is a little nod of understanding between us, don’t ask-don’t tell.

With our belongings safely locked away we take the key and our money and head back out into the streets of Beneventum before everything closed up for the night. Our spirits high we walk the stone streets hand in hand. It is not long before we notice an odd pale white glow coming from a bustling open area just up ahead. Curious we head in that direction.

The street open up into a wide central piazza that was the beating heart of this city. In this main square there were minstrels and storytellers, acrobats and jugglers, shops and a market, and food stalls aplenty. Locals and visitors alike browsed the wares, partook of the entertainments, and gathered to talk and socialize. What made it truly special though was a crescent of thirteen free standing marble pillars that surrounded on three sides a statue of Luna upon her chariot. Each of the pillars glowed with the brilliance of a full moon illuminating the whole area in the goddess’ soft radiance. Rosa and I look at each other in wonder at the sight of it.

Despite a full day of travel behind us we head into the piazza hungry for all this place had to offer. We listen to some spirited lyre music. We watch a comedy troupe and laugh until our stomachs hurt. At the prodding of Rosa we even join in on a group dance, my clumsy steps alongside her flawless grace making us stand out from the rest. Our only regret is that we’d not come across this place earlier or when we fresher. We both wished it could stretch on for many more hours. From three separate food stalls we put together an affordable but delicious meal of a spicy fennel and fava beans, a Greek delicacy called dolmas, a quarter of a roast chicken, along with a flat bread and a cup of sweet wine which we share. Finding a bench near the central statue we sit with giddy smiles and share our nighttime picnic as we watch all the people go about their nocturnal business.

“Noctiluna.” Rosa reads out the inscription on the base of the monument. “The night-shiner. Have you ever seen anything like this Quin?”

“Never.” I say. Looking over to my smiling **** my breath is taken from me. Bathed in soft wan light of Luna’s pillars Rosa’s exotic beauty shone even brighter. Staring at her I whisper. “It’s wonderful.”

She glances over to me and flashes me a bashful smile. She pauses a long moment. I sense she wanted to say something so I wait. Eventually she says. “I need to go do something.”

“Go do something? Go where?”

“Lady’s business.” She says in her strong Lady voice. “Wait here for me.”

“You’re going alone?”

“Don’t worry Master, the city is well patrolled.” She was right about that. Just sitting here I could see half a dozen of the city watch. Holding out her hands she asks me. “May I have some money please Master?”

“Oh, yes. Of course.” I say. What’s mine was hers. Besides, she earned this coin. I give her our pouch of denarii.

“Thank you!” She peeps as leans up to give me a peck to the cheek. “Don’t you dare follow me. I won’t be long.”

“Where are you…” I call after her but she was already gone. I watch her hurry back the way we came and down the darkened street, her white capelet fluttering out behind her as she disappears from sight. Looking up at the lit up the regal Luna in her gleaming silver horned crown I wonder how that weird old cultist had lured me away from my faith in the pantheon. The promise of salvation and the prospect of connecting with my father again were powerful draws, but in my heart of hearts I knew it was his other offering that truly brought me under the sway of his magic. The vain hope of a marriage that could not be. I let out a frustrated sigh and shake my head. Focus on tonight Quin, not on impossible dreams. Rosa warned me not to fall in love. Rosa knew better. She knew we had to enjoy this moment, right now, and not worry about a life we couldn’t have. Regardless of the reasons behind my brief religious infidelity I felt guilty. I had heard among the crowd that there was temple to Ceres to the East of the city and I would make a point of stopping there to reconnect with my goddess on our way out.

I wait and I watch, Rosa never far from my thoughts. She must have seen a shop back that way. Probably going to get a new flute. Even now it angered me that those nasty soldiers broke her flute. Assholes! It was such a fine and delicate instrument, fitting for my petite ****. And yet, had we not met those military men tonight wouldn’t have been possible. I guess it all worked out in the end.

I was just starting to worry about Rosa when she reemerges from the street she had disappeared down. She walked with her capelet pulled all the way around her though I could tell she carried something in her hands. The little smirk on her face told me she was excited to show me. As she gets near I go to stand but she motions me to stay seated. She walks straight up to me to stand over me.

Looking up at her I could see the excitement in her eyes. Her capelet parts and she holds her purchase out toward me. Instead of a flute though she reveals a tight coil of red rope. The rope is maybe twenty or thirty feet long and as thick as my index finger. I look up to her then back down to the rope in her hands. She pushes it toward me so I tentatively take it from her.

“What’s this?” I whisper.

“It’s yours.” She says. “A gift.”

In my hands I feel the stout rope. It was heavier than it looked. The special color alone told me this was no common working rope, but it was the feel of it that really set it apart. Strong yet incredibly pliable and supple to manipulate. Soft to the touch yet with a texture that could hold a knot tightly. The rich vermilion color was unique to my eyes, I’d never seen a red quite like it.

“You bought a rope?”

“Yes I did.” She says. “We just had enough. Took almost all of our money but thankfully it was enough.”

“All of it? You spent all of our money on a rope? Just…a rope?” I object meekly even as I continue to feel its lovely texture in my hand. We could have used that money for so many more practical things than this. This was an extravagance we couldn’t really afford. I knew what this rope was for and I knew I would be feeling it soon. Tonight! This was so irresponsible…yet so wonderful! “It’s too much.”

“Oh shush.” She says. “We still have enough for a bath in the morning. And once on the road we’ll get by, we always do.”

“Rosa…”

“I’m allowed to spoil my boy if I want to.” Her voice cracks with emotion. Clearing her throat she adds. “That is a Lady’s privilege.”

“But…but…” I say quietly as I try and fail to hide my silly smile. Letting out a gasp I just give in and accept it. “Yes my Lady.”

Rosa lays her hand over mine and looks down into my eyes. “Oh Quin, if I could I would buy you gleaming chains and fine silks in every color to highlight your beauty. You would have togas and gowns and elegant negligee to show off your incredible body. You would have a collar and cuffs worthy of your obedience. If I were a queen I would buy my boy all of the nice things he deserves. My boy would have everything his heart desires.” Reaching up she cups her hand over my warm blushing cheek and she whispers. “My beautiful boy.”

“You are a queen!” I bow my head lower and blink happy tears from my eyes. I am overwhelmed. Never had a gift touched me so deeply. I push my cheek into her soft hand, I nuzzle into it and kiss her palm then turn to put my cheek to it again. “I’m just a… I don’t deserve...”

“Stop that. You do deserve it. You are a good boy.” She says as she wipes a tear away with her thumb. “Goodness, you’re going to make me start crying too!”

“I’m sorry.” I laugh. “I’m just…so happy.”

“Do you like the color?” She asks.

“Yes Lady.” I whisper. “Oh yes.”

“You should know that is a very special shade of red my boy. Only the priestesses of Venus know how to make this pigment.”

“It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen its like.”

“Are you sure?” She smiles. “Look around Quin.”

I quickly wipe my tears away and raise my head to start scanning the people and buildings in and around the piazza. I see some red togas, some red on the various signs, and even a red building. None had this particular hue however. Having an example of what I’m looking for I keep scanning and after a moment I catch it. A woven bracelet of exactly this color. It is worn by a free woman in her thirties standing alongside what I assumed was her husband as he bargained with one of the merchants. She stood close to him, her hands folded in front of her and her head bowed slightly. On her face was a calm contented smile. Around her neck a tight fitting necklace, not so different from a collar. She stood among the crowd yet apart from it. An island of tranquility among the din of the crowd.

As if sensing she was being watched she turns her head to look at me. Upon seeing the rope in my hands her smile widens. Our eyes meet and there is a moment of connection even though we were so far apart. I clutch the rope closer to my chest and smile back at her. With a look of understanding she gives me a very subtle nod then lowers her eyes once more. A moment later her husband turns to her and she looks back at him with a joyful obedience exuding from her. He looks upon her lovingly, nothing but adoring devotion in his kind yet firm expression.

“They have given themselves to each other.” Rosa whispers. “He wears the purple of being her Sir.” As she says it my eyes go to his deep violet sash that he wore draped over his shoulder and down to his opposite hip. “I had nothing left to get myself such an item.”

My gaze drifts back to my Lady and her flowing violet locks that faded to pink at the tips. My eyes begin to flow freely once more. I couldn’t stop them. Her gift wasn’t simply a tool for bondage but a symbol of her dominance over me for those who knew what to look for. Weeping joyful tears I bring the gift to my face and feel the coils against my face and lips. I hold the precious gift with all of my great strength.

“You like it?”

“Oh Lady!” I sob. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say thank you.”

“Thank you!”