Valentina

(Continued from Liberation.)

The man jumped down from his horse the moment it reached her. It seemed impressive and powerful. He was athletic and tall with bronzed skin and dark, short hair. He wore the telltale leather armor and red tunic of a roman soldier. Valentina knew he probably wore something that signified his rank, but she could not read the Roman army's insignia.

"I'm Marcus," the soldier said with a deep voice. Valentina gave him an insecure smile and said "Hi, I'm V..., I mean, I'm Silvia." Marcus moved closer until his chest touched hers. Her breath became heavy and his kept pace. "The Roman Empire would appreciate your support," he said and cupped her chin in one of his huge hands. His thumb caressed her gently and his hand would not let her bow down. "How?" Valentina asked him with a trembling voice. "By having sex with me," Marcus relied simply as he bent down to kiss her.

Valentina felt her breath fasten even more, her nipples harden and her pussy tingle. And still, was this the right thing to do? Should she fuck this guy here by the road?

Marcus put his arms around her waist and drew her even closer. His kiss was hard and easily convinced her.

Liberation, not a word she had ever really thought of before. It seemed odd to her now considering she'd been a slave all her life. It was just the way it had been. She was a slave. It was the order of things. Someone owned her and she worked for her owner without question.

And now she was free. She could make her own decisions, follow her own deicers. Whatever that might be.

Rome. That's where he'd told her to go. It was big enough there. She could disappear in the crowd. Say she was from someplace no one had heard of, make up a new name. Have a life and be liberated, he'd said.

First she would have to get there, and she didn't feel very liberated by having to walk all day and sleep in a barn or an outhouse in the night. Eating scraps and berries wasn't really very palatable either.

Hoof beats were nearing from the north, heading south, just like her and she hurried out of the way of whoever was rich enough to own a horse. The dust cloud hid the rider til he was almost upon her, and she couldn't make out his clothes or status until he halted right in front of her.