<strong>~ Liliana on the grounds of her home ~</strong><br/><br/>The piercing cry of a falcon on hunt in the skies broke through Liliana’s sentimental reverie of her fondly missed friend. As she uncurled from her lounging position on the lectus, Aemilia immediately appeared beside her to receive the water glass. Lightly placing her bare toes on the ground, Liliana arched and stretched her back as Aemilia fastened her soft golden sandals back on her slender feet. Gathering the diaphanous billows of pale green fabric around her as she rose from the cushions, Liliana leisurely strolled out of her peristyle gardens and toward the falconer’s enclosure.<br/><br/>Liliana had always had an affinity for animals, and was particularly intrigued with the restless, wild hearts of untamed beasts. As a child on her father’s farm, she had enjoyed the comforting and entertaining companionship of the varied domesticated animals that shared their home and land. But the animals of the wild...those creatures who roamed free and unbowed to man’s taming hand...those were the animals that truly spoke to her heart.<br/><br/>Upon return from one of his many visits to Asia, Gnaeus had brought a fascinating novelty back with him. Having been introduced to a sport previously unknown to him, Gnaeus had been appreciative of the intricate art of falconry, and knowing of his wife’s tender affection for wild creatures, had made offers to his already wealthy host that could not be refused. His host had grudgingly parted with several of his prized birds of prey, and one of his esteemed falconers. Back at home, Gnaeus had spared no expense to nurture and show off his newly acquired investment.<br/><br/>As he had anticipated, Liliana had been immediately enamored of the beautiful yet deadly aerial predators, and more than enthralled by the relationship between the birds and the falconer. The devotion of the falconer to the birds in his care was clear; but Liliana was extremely intrigued by the compulsion that had the unrestrained bird flying free to soar in the skies and hunt, but instead of killing and eating it’s prey and remaining at liberty, the majestic bird would unfailingly bring it’s hard-earned prize back to the human, voluntarily returning to captivity. Witnessing that inexplicable relationship bond always left her breathless, her heart beating rapidly in excitement.  To dominate a creature by force, by breaking it down either physically, mentally or emotionally - that was a relationship that held little interest to Liliana, other than an occasional lurid fascination perhaps. But to have a wild creature grow to love and trust you, for there to be no physical collar or chains to enslave it to you other than its true, fervent desire to strive with all it’s being to please you - the headiness of that kind of power was beyond intoxicating for Liliana.<br/><br/>Liliana brought this aspect of her personality into the relationships she held with her slaves as well. None of the slaves in her household were captured against their will; all of them had either voluntarily submitted themselves to service or their families had, the opportunity to serve a vital pathway to a better life for the lowly of birth or those of adverse fortune. Liliana treated all her slaves as loyal servants and not soulless chattel like many other slave owners were wont to do. To most, slaves were less than human, existing only to serve the needs and whims of their masters. No mistake - Liliana absolutely believed in the hierarchy of society - there had always been masters and slaves, predators and prey, and there always would be. The balance was a necessary dance that moved life in a smooth rhythm, and both partners in the dance had vital roles to play; one without the other would cease to have meaning. Thus, to keep life in balance, the prey requires the predator just as much as the predator requires the prey, and the slave needs the master just as the master needs the slave. The delicate balance of the natural order of things.<br/><br/>Just as Liliana approached the patiently waiting falconer, the magnificent aerial hunter screamed yet again, its chilling wail the only warning of the impending death from above for some unlucky creature. Watching the graceful, beautiful animal in flight, Liliana’s hand trembled slightly as she held it over her eyes to shade them from the bright sunlight. Licking her parted lips, her pulse raced as the hawk folded its wings tightly against its body and dove at breakneck speed to strike down an unfortunate bird in mid air.  A sharp intake of breath and quick dilation of her pupils as Liliana responded to the common and yet extraordinary act of violence and graceful, deadly skill of the bird.<em>Such a beautiful, wondrous creature</em>she marveled, not for the first time envying the mysterious falconer’s close relationship with the magnificent creature.<br/>