“Well, of course, if you’re to work with me I’m sure you’ll be more productive given that you’re comfortable with your line of work,” he commented as he glanced down at the man after he’d mounted up onto his own mare. He listened to Tempus’ response to his question and a bonafide Cheshire grin spread across his features as he nodded. “Tempus, those words are probably the wisest thing you’ve ever said, or ever will say. These beasts are some of the most honest creatures I’ve ever met, you’d do better to work with them than you ever would to work with any man. They’ll never steer you wrong, I swear to you,” he said with a soft chuckle before nudging his horse forward in tandem with Airlea, assuming that their new ward would follow. It wasn’t likely that the man would flee, and even if he did he’d likely not even make it out of the city walls before he was caught either by one of his two new masters or another one of the various free men in the city. Having been placed into a very simple shift he was clearly a newly purchased slave, and on top of such a fine horse, it’d be obvious just what was happening. The slave seemed likely bright enough to realize that fact, as well, and so Eryx didn’t bother even attempting to secure him and his horse.<br/><br/>Airlea smiled warmly back at the slave as he addressed her and she nodded, “In front of others you should seek to address me in more proper manner, but while among friends feel free to speak casually with me. It is a habit I hold with all of my slaves and servants,” she replied kindly before busting out in a soft tittering bout of laughter as he mentioned Eryx’s title. “My dear, if you were to call poor Eryx Master in any serious tone I think his poor heart might just explode.”<br/><br/>Eryx huffed at the playful jab to his dominance, but then he couldn’t grow even the slightest bit irate as it was a very true statement. “I have no desire for you to call me master, Tempus. As far as I’m concerned we’re on equal ground, my friend. You’re a man, the same as I, I’m sure we don’t come from dissimilar backgrounds. I was a slave as well, in my youth,” he explained while flashing a fond smile back at the man. “As Airlea mentioned, it may benefit you to refer to me as such in company if only to prevent from raising any questions, but when you are in the company of only us feel free to relax and speak freely. I understand that make take some getting used to, coming from where you were prior, but I hope it will be a pleasant change of pace.” Eryx spoke gently, kindly, believing that he fully understood the psychological background their new companion was coming from. He was an empathetic man, easily able to slip himself into the skin of others and take on their emotions, their pain. It was extraordinary for a mortal man to be able to feel so deeply when most could only feel their own internal dialogue and was one of the few effects of having such a brilliantly radiant soul.<br/><br/>“The only expectation I truly have of you, Tempus, is to do your work to the best of your ability and to do it without question. Aside from that, you may do with your time as you please … My only boundary is that you remain on the property unless I explicitly request you leave. I need to keep some sort of tabs on you. But I want you to feel free to express yourself, your thoughts, desires, feelings. I want you to be yourself with me, not just the slave you think I wish to have,” he finished reaching over the small space between them to rest a hand on Tempus’ shoulder. He gave the man’s muscular flesh a firm squeeze, a friendly, familiar, comforting gesture, and he then turned forward as continued on the road towards the family’s estate.<br/><br/>It didn’t take terribly long for them to arrive as they moved along at a brusque walk. The estate was extensive and absolutely gorgeous. Upon entering into the first set of walls that lined the edge of the property they were greeted with rolling vineyards, the Athenian coastline a perfect climate for the growth of the sweet summer grapes that the family used to make their signature wines. Beyond that laid a number of large fields, each dotted with the forms of calmly grazing horses, adding to the idealistic scene. It wasn’t common practice for horses to have turnout space, but Eryx swore on the Gods themselves that it helped with his performance and so Airlea had petitioned her father to have some of their vineyard space shifted to use for her equestrian program. Clearly, he’d accepted the cause, and now their stables completely empty during the days as the horses soaked up the sun and grazed on fine forage. The family home itself was indicative of Grecian style manors of the day. With large pillars along all sides, the building was shaped in a massive square with a courtyard in the center that the women of the family often used to lounge in. Much of the structure was outside, all of the halls of the home were outdoors, but covered, and man doors faced towards the outside of the home, though many others faced in towards the courtyard. It was a rather massive house, build for a massive family that frequently found itself entertaining company. Despite the ample space, however, Eryx motioned towards the large barn that sat a little ways away from the main house. “ That, Tempus, is where we do a majority of our work, and it is also where we’ll live. I imagine we’ll be sharing a room, I doubt you want to sleep with the house slaves, it’s rather crowded in the communal bedrooms.”