<div class="floatright">(http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzyh74SNkD1r7wrq1o1_250.png)</div><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: comic sans ms;"><strong>Valoria on a mission</strong></span></span></div><br/>Throughout the trip, Valoria was anxious as the request of the corruptor of virgins and innocents echoed through her mind. A favor. More like a death sentence by beheading if Aelia ever caught wind of this treachery. What have I done? The question bounced of the corners of her mind despite knowing it was not actually her fault she was in this predicament. She kept her eyes lowered to her feet, afraid that her gloomy disposition might be picked up upon by those around her. Like Aelia. The vivid memory of her childhood stirred in her mind.<br/><br/>She’d been taking lessons from her mother on the proper way to scrub the floors alongside her sister when there was crashing sound from somewhere in the house. Almost instantly, her mother rose up to her feet before scurrying off to find the cause of the sound. Of course, the twins were close on her heels, and it wasn’t long before they noticed that those who keep them were heading in the same direction as well to discover the reason for the disturbance. Her mother gasped upon seeing what exactly was broken since it was the priceless glass statue given to Aelia’s mother by a traveling merchant, who told her of its being created by the Gods. Of course, the story was very likely not true, but the woman treasured the item as if it were hand given to her by Jupiter himself. Everyone knew to be careful with the statue, and now it lay in broken pieces on the floor.<br/><br/>Aelia, her father, and mother blanched at the sight of broken glass on the floor before turning their eyes on the reason for this atrocity. It was not long after that the slave woman was stripped of her clothing before being tied outside for punishment. Valoria's mother tried pull the twins away so that they would not witness it, but she stopped upon noticing Aelia next to her father. It confused Valoria as well since she couldn't hear the whispered words exchanged between daughter and father, but they seemed perfectly pleased about something. There was a long whip in Aelia’s father’s hands as he tested its speed by cracking it harmlessly through the air. Suddenly, he handed the whip over to his daughter, and Valoria nearly fainted in shock. She could even hear the shocked gasp of her mother who was too entranced to pull the twins away from witnessing the act of violence. The hilt was too heavy for Aelia to hold on her own so her father stood behind her as his fingers covered hers. He intended to teach her the proper way of punishing slaves and servants in her future household. He guided her hand until the first strike of the whip hit the woman’s naked, vulnerable back. The woman screamed while Aelia laughed in delight as she basked in the moment along with having her father’s undivided attention. Laughter and screams echoed throughout the night. Valoria trembled before swallowing hard to compose herself.<br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxl8lfdU8G1r7wrq1o1_250.jpg)</div>The carriage moved quietly enough with only a few bumps of the wheel shaking its occupants. Even the sun seemed to offer a bit of relief to those traveling along the roads. In Aelia’s mind, she knew that the temperature lowered due to her being favored by the gods. If she wasn’t on this journey, Gaius and his little band of cronies would sweat and smell something unpleasant upon their arrival to Livia. She wasn't pleased with his action of allowing a lesser servant than himself to deliver the message of their departure since she could sense a subtle message in the action. Was he attempting to remind her that he wasn't the lowest level of a slave? She sincerely hoped not since all of them were the same in her eyes. Tools to be used and then thrown out when they've wore out their welcome in front of her eyes. It pleased her nose that the scent of horse and human feces no longer assaulted her nose as they moved further and further away from the city. Aelia enjoyed the country scenery since it reminded her of fond childhood memories where she would ride her house on the estate without much of a care in the world.<br/><br/>With the city firmly behind her, she began once more to think of Livia. Although excited to be back in the woman's presence, she felt a little leery as well since it was hard to trust anyone fully but family. Why exactly did she specifically request for her and not another one of her little friends? The thought twisted and turned in her mind as she lifted up her feet to be massaged by the lovely fingers of Latona. She thoroughly enjoyed the woman's touch since her fingers had enough strength to conjure the sweetest moans of pleasure from her lips. Her eyes closed as she relaxed in the feeling before pressing a grape to her lips. "When we reach our destination, I want you two to stay by my side until dismissed. I have to make sure Livia has these animals in cages before allowing myself to relax." She didn't open her eyes to see her slaves expressions since it occurred to her that there were still many unanswered questions about the life of a ludus.  A frown curved at her lips since she wasn't in the mood for Gaius' company.<br/><br/>Following a little distance away from the last carriage was a group of six desperate rebels intent on making away with a few goods and coins from the travelers. They noticed the symbol of the Dux Bellorum, but hunger burnt away their fears of retribution. Silently as a pack of wolves, they waited the perfect moment to strike.