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It's certainly a glimpse of a very different world-view from the pantheons of Classical gods and goddesses, never mind the abstractions of the philosophers - but one which probably remained current (in a multitude of different forms no doubt) among the ordinary people for whom we have so little written evidence.
Old belief systems often live on in a different form, transformed into rituals and remembered in certain prayers and phrases. I always wondered why Christ gave his apostles bread to eat, with the words 'this is my body', and wine to drink 'this is my blood'. A remnant of some ancient sacrificial ritual?
 
Goddess revered, O Earth, of all nature Mother,
engendering all things and re-engendering them from the same womb,
because thou only dost supply each species with living force,
thou divine controller of sky and sea and of all things,
through thee is nature hushed and lays hold on sleep,
and thou likewise renewest the day and dost banish night.)
Not so very different to modern Paganism.
 
Chapter 46

After Marius had left, both Aulus and Domitia made libations by sprinkling wine over the sobbing girl. Then they too left, leaving Amabilia with the priest and the five liberti. And of course also Julia, who was trying to comfort the girl.

The liberti soon were organized to stand around the girl and one by one they would take out their cocks and shove it into the girl to sprinkle her insides with semen. Amabilia wept as she was violated again and again, this time without any attempt to make her experience lust from it. Even the old man Canus took out his cock and shoved his erection into her. Amabilia had always regarded him as a father, since he had often comforted her when she was still a child. He had always been friendly with her and even when she was punished for mistakes, he often had made sure she was only punished lightly. The old man felt sorry for her and her fate, but he was also greatly enjoying the sensation of a young vagina squeezing around his shaft. Besides, why not take a little care of her in this way as it would likely be the last thing he could do for her. So he fucked her with decency and care, trying to make her enjoy it. Soon his semen was added to the rest, forming a pool of slimy seed inside her vagina and womb. A gift for the gods in this ancient fertility ritual.

When the men left, except for the priest and Julia, the girl was silently sobbing and she felt broken. Her vagina was aching and she felt so dirty and used, the humiliation was so complete, she wanted to die at this point. She was freshened up a little by Julia, who washed her face. But once she was coming around, the next humiliation was thrown at her. The priest came up with a rhyton (libation cup).

rhyton.jpg

It was made of silver and gold and it looked very old. The bottom was shaped like a bull’s head, but without the horns. The top was shaped like a tapered cup, adorned with images of men and women drinking from similar cups. But this artefact wasn’t for drinking, or at least not anymore. It was a ritual cup and Amabilia was shocked to discover how it was used. The priest held the bull’s head against her crotch. She gasped as the cold metal was pressing against her swollen and semen covered slit. But she wailed even louder as he pushed harder, wiggling the large silver object and slowly forcing it into her vagina. She gave a loud scream when the silver bull’s head forced her vaginal entrance wider than anything ever had before. It hurt so bad and it was so cold, she arched her back and kicked against the ropes holding her down. And if Julia had not held her head she would have banged her head onto the table in pure agony.

When the bottom of the cup was inserted into the girl, the upper part stuck out like an inverted horn or receptacle and soon the purpose would become clear. The priest held a little flask, made from blue tinted glass, and when he poured the contents into the horn, he spoke a ritual formula:

“Iumentis, conceptus ovium tempus, fetura, admissura, plus fetus, fertilis erit.”

(Translation: Livestock, breeding season, breed, breed, more offspring, be fertile)

Amabilia watched and gasped as she saw the contents of the flask dripping into the cup. The liquid was white and slimy and she recognized semen.

“What is that?” she whimpered. But neither the priest nor Julia answered. A second flask was poured into the cup, with the same chant performed by the priest. The girl whimpered as she felt something cold inside her heated vagina, the liquid slowly seeping into her by means of the open nostrils of the shaped bull’s head inside her vagina.

A third flask was emptied into the horn, this time with the largest amount of semen. The priest now added something to his chant, saying the words “bovis, canis, equus.” Which meant cow, dog and horse. Amabilia started to fight against her bonds again, yelling that she didn’t want that inside her. She understood it had been semen from animals the priest had poured inside her like some horrible libation and she was so disgusted by it, it sensed almost like her crotch was on fire. It wasn’t though and her body heat was enough to warm the semen and make it impossible for her to sense anymore. It was just the idea that made her panic, the idea of having animal semen inside her body.

“Oh goddess, bless this seed, bless this household, bless this family,” chanted the priest while he sprinkled more wine on Amabilia’s writhing body. Julia again wiped her face with cool wet cloth to calm her down. But as soon as she stopped writhing, which had greatly helped the semen entering her body, the priest took hold of the silver rhyton and began to turn and pull at it until it slipped painfully from Amabilia’s little cunt.

pestle.jpg

He then quickly took a large wooden pestle and pressed that against the girl’s leaking vulva. Amabilia cried out when the large object was forced into her vagina, forming a plug to keep all the semen of men and livestock inside of her.

Julia washed the girl’s face and whispered softly, that she was alright, that no damage was done. She knew of course the most terrible things were still to happen, but she tried to calm Amabilia, feeling very sorry for the girl.

They released the girl from the table and supported her while she was put on her feet. Amabilia could barely stand at this point and was shaking all over. The wooden object inside her vagina felt weird. She felt full, but also closed. The thin end of the wooden object was barely visible between her legs, only sticking out a small amount.

The priest and Julia each supported the girl by her arms as they accompanied her out of the room, down the stairs and into the courtyard. Walking was very awkward as the pestle inside her vagina moved with every step she took. But it kept plugging her most effectively as almost no semen escaped from her vagina.

In the courtyard a lot of people had gathered, mostly people living and working in the villa, but also people from other places at the estate. A crowd of almost fifty people, all looking at the naked girl, clapping their hands, singing, adorned with flowers. In the centre of the courtyard a bench had been placed and Amabilia was instructed to straddle it. As she was forced to sit down on the bench, with her legs on either side of it, she yelped as this caused the pestle to push a lot deeper into her vagina. But as they made her lie down forward, the wooden peg slipped on the wooden bench and stuck out of her vagina again.

“Remember,” said the priest with a loud voice, “do not disturb the object inside her front sheath. Her other openings are available.”

Amabilia felt a chilling inside as she listened to the words that were well received with applause and cheering. Two slaves had been appointed to tie ropes around Amabilia’s upper body, locking her in place on the bench that she was lying on. Her butt stuck out on one end of the bench, her head at the other end. Next they also tied her wrists together under the bench and her ankles were tied to the legs of the bench. She was immobilized and open for anyone wanting her. And apparently the gladiators were the first to go as they gathered around the young woman, dropping their undergarments and receiving applause for their impressive erections.
 
Chapter 47

The whimpering girl looked small and vulnerable, being naked and tied to the small bench. Felix of course had seen her naked before and also tied down, so he knew what to expect. But seeing her again and on full display, ready to use, made his penis erect as if he saw a naked woman for the first time in his life. With a grunt he uttered his disappointment of again being refused to enter her front sheath, but at least he could feast on the tiny rose between her buttocks. And feast on it he did.

Amabilia wailed and cried as she felt the massive penis of the Nubian enter her anus. After that she was mostly gasping for air when his huge shaft began to pound deep into her rectum, taking her breath away with every push and shove. It caused fierce cramps in her abdomen and it was very hard to deal with the pain that was inflicted on her. Then her head was pulled back by her hair and as this caused her mouth to open, another erect penis was shoved in there, where it started to fuck her against the ring of her throat, causing her to retch, gasp and cough loudly.

All around the scene the other members of the household were singing and cheering, ringing bells and striking drums, turning the rape into a festive happening. The ritual would bring prosperity to them all, so they believed. Not that anybody envied the girl for her position. Many felt sorry for her. But if she was going to die anyways, why not make the most of it?

Amabilia struggled hard with the enormous cocks that were pounding in her rectum and her mouth. Even if they would have been careful with her, it was difficult to deal with. But the two men raping her were not being careful at all. They raped her as hard and deep as possible and just when she thought things could not get any worse, bystanders also started slapping her buttocks or squeezing her tits. Each slap or pinch of her nipple, caused her frail body to jerk and she desperately fought against the ropes holding her in place. The spectators loved seeing her defiance and lively struggles, so that every time she seemed to succumb to the onslaught, they slapped her even harder to awake her.

Soon the first two gladiators emptied their balls inside her, filling both her rectum and her throat with warm slimy semen. As they left her, the girl coughed and cried, shaking all over. But she was hardly given time to recover, or even beg for mercy, as the beast from Gaul now stuffed his thick cock into her anus, to fuck her even more brutally than the Nubian had done. And her mouth was once again filled with an erect cock from the fourth gladiator. She had no idea who it was, but he at least was careful enough to allow her to breathe. Not many of the men that came later were going to be this considerate.

Not every slave was allowed to fuck the girl. Those who were not permitted to stick their cocks into her, could still offer their semen to the sacrificial girl. They masturbated and while some caught their seed in their hand, after which they smeared it in her hair or on her body, others sprayed their seed straight on her back. Even before the gladiators had all had their turns, her body was already covered with many globs of semen, both on her back and in her hair.

Some slaves in higher positions were allowed to fuck her and did so eagerly. Most of them were urged to first masturbate and only enter her to fill her with seed. Not that they wanted to take things easier on her, but it had been noticed she was already quite damaged from the rape by the gladiators and she needed to stay awake for the rest of it. There were of course still slaves who needed time to fuck her before they orgasmed, so the girl was thoroughly raped all the same.

In total 25 men deposited their seed in her anus and another 20 in her mouth. While there were also around 30 that smeared her body with their semen. When the priest finally declared this phase of the ritual to be over, she was barely conscious and even when the ropes were released she barely moved at all.

The dominus and the domina of the household now also entered the courtyard and the music stopped. There was a hush among the crowd. The filius familia was also with them and everybody had their eyes on him. He was carrying a mean looking scourge, with metal tips attached to the leather strands. An instrument of destruction if there ever was one. This was it. Everybody knew what was going to happen. It was the final stage before the actual crucifixion would start. A most brutal phase that half of them looked forward to watch, but there were also many who could not stand watching this and they already averted their eyes. Some of them would look through spread fingers after all, but there would also be those that really didn’t have the stomach for this and they would be ill from even being present to this. But everybody knew that it was a small price to pay for the prosperity of the entire family. And even in the circus people sometimes vomited, much to the laughter of those around them.

Were people still aware of the fact that this girl was just one of them? Of course they were. Many had known her from her childhood and they remembered the quiet but also cheerful girl that always went out of her way to please her superiors. They all loved her. Which made this both painful but also beautiful. They were really sacrificing somebody they cared for, bringing a great sacrifice to the gods. And those that were for some reason dissatisfied with their position, experienced enough fear to become content with their fate. If even this lovely girl could be sacrificed, there was nothing stopping their own destruction if their performance was not up to standards. Such was the Roman way.
 
A truly brutal scene, made vivid by your excellent writing! Looking forward to how you handle her whipping.
Talk about a brutal scene, I know, but the next will be much more brutal. I am actualy struggling writing it, but the story deserves it in detail. And Amabilia needs it to shorten her stay on the cross.
 
Almost a week without any post of me here. I apologize for that. I have not forgotten, on the contrary. But I have some difficulties writing the next chapters. I know exactly what is supposed to happen, that's not the problem. I just can't find the right words. Maybe I should not post stories before they are finished. Or maybe I should not write about executions, as they always give me trouble. The problem with giving your characters depth and a soul, is that you hesitate killing them. But don't worry, it will get done and I am sure it will be amazing - not going for anything less. ;)
 
Almost a week without any post of me here. I apologize for that. I have not forgotten, on the contrary. But I have some difficulties writing the next chapters. I know exactly what is supposed to happen, that's not the problem. I just can't find the right words. Maybe I should not post stories before they are finished. Or maybe I should not write about executions, as they always give me trouble. The problem with giving your characters depth and a soul, is that you hesitate killing them. But don't worry, it will get done and I am sure it will be amazing - not going for anything less. ;)
They take on a life of their own, don't they, Doragon? I think it particularly applies to stories written for a site like this, where you are getting feedback as you go on, and you feel the pressure of expectations. You take your time, my friend.
 
Chapter 48

Marius waited until they had positioned the girl. They raised her on her feet, but she wasn’t able to stand. So instead they tied ropes around her wrists and two gladiators held the ropes on either side of her. It was enough to lean against the ropes with their weight to stretch the girl’s arms wide and hold her up in a manner of speaking, though her knees were almost touching the floor. She groaned as the tension in her arms was excruciating. It felt like they were trying to pull her shoulders out of their sockets. In despair she tried to get her feet under her, to support some of her weight and make it easier on her arms. She managed to stand, but her legs were really trembling and shaking.

Behind her the young Roman aristocrat was looking at her small figure. She looked vulnerable, being a head shorter than most of the men around. Her naked body was frail. Why would he want to damage such a thing? He thought back to his talk with Aulus, who had reminded him of his duties, his responsibilities, but also of the fact how the girl would suffer a lot longer at the cross if she was undamaged. Marius had dreaded this moment when he had to scourge his love to a point where she would almost die even without being crucified. It felt like he was killing her himself.

However, what he had not foreseen, could not have predicted, was the sight she was offering to him. She was covered in semen, her hair sticking to her skin, which was patched with thick globs of foul slime. It made him sick. He had wanted her all for himself and here she was, drenched in the semen of even the lowliest slave. And it was all her own doing! If she had behaved with more self-respect and pride, and if she had not stabbed a Roman official, none of this would have happened. On top of that, if she had been more modest and had not made him fall in love with her, he would not be in this situation!

Marius gritted his teeth and the crowd grew silent. He slowly raised his arm and lashed out, striking the metal tipped bundle of leather against her soft back. Her body shook and then arched. But only moments later came the heart wrenching cry of the girl, when the pain had taken its time to travel from the nerve endings in her skin to her mind.

“We need to see blood,” said the old priest drooling. Marius looked at the deformed old figure and almost lashed out at that monstrosity. But instead he nodded. His own back was still sore with every move he made and it had been the same thing. Every lash needed to draw blood and his first was too weak.

In anger he drew his arm back again, ignoring the pain in his own shoulder and he lashed out with all the force he could muster. Amabilia gave a piercing scream as blood splattered from her back and flesh was torn open. Angered by her weakness Marius lashed out again and again, each time wounding the girl beyond comprehension. People around them gasped, cried, someone vomited, a woman laughed hysterically. A few people however, began to encourage their young master, not to show mercy and to give it to the girl. There was a bloodlust rising and those who felt pity with the girl, decided to stay quiet.

After only ten lashes, the girl had fainted and was hanging by her arms between the two gladiators. Marius was told to wait and the crowd hushed.

“Wait for her to come around,” said the priest with his whining voice. Marius looked at the girl he previously loved and now he felt nothing but loathing for her. Her back was already riddled with cuts and blood was oozing down to her legs. He looked at her lovely shaped buttocks, which he had caressed and loved so much. Their beauty made him angry, as even now he felt seduced. And no sooner did the girl come around, coughing, whimpering and slowly straightening herself up, or he lashed out at those beautiful orbs, cutting deep into her unblemished skin.

Amabilia wailed and trembled in shock as more pain crashed through her body. Each time she was lashed, it felt like flames were licking her skin, before a deep and fierce burning sensation went through the deeper parts of her body. Her head was aching, she felt nauseous and her own jerking and body spasms caused her arms to twist. The gladiators pulled so hard to keep her upright, they almost dislocated her shoulders, which made her ache even worse. The poor girl was in hell and in despair she tossed her head from side to side as more lashes were dealt to her backside, cutting her skin open from her shoulders down to the back of her thighs.

After 18 lashes, Marius felt his own back burning as his wounds had opened up again from the powerful movements of his entire body. He was panting and he stared through a haze at the collapsed bleeding girl in front of him. The gladiators eased the ropes down a bit, letting the unconscious girl sink to her knees while she hung forward with her head. The priest went up to her and shook his head after inspecting the wounds on her back. She could take no more.

“The gods will nonetheless be pleased, even if it’s not yet the right amount,” he croaked, “the girl’s pain cries out to them.”

All around them the music resumed, wine was poured and people started dancing. They celebrated the sacrifice they were making, despite the horror they just witnessed. A lot of wine was going around to handle the images in their minds.

Marius turned around, dropping the scourge from his now powerless hand. His tunica was covered with blood from his own back and he staggered back into the house. He felt so numb inside and he had lost all interest in whatever was taking place outside. With a dazed mind he got upstairs and into his room. He poured himself a cup of wine, drank it with a vengeance and then he collapsed.
 
Chapter 48

Marius waited until they had positioned the girl. They raised her on her feet, but she wasn’t able to stand. So instead they tied ropes around her wrists and two gladiators held the ropes on either side of her. It was enough to lean against the ropes with their weight to stretch the girl’s arms wide and hold her up in a manner of speaking, though her knees were almost touching the floor. She groaned as the tension in her arms was excruciating. It felt like they were trying to pull her shoulders out of their sockets. In despair she tried to get her feet under her, to support some of her weight and make it easier on her arms. She managed to stand, but her legs were really trembling and shaking.

Behind her the young Roman aristocrat was looking at her small figure. She looked vulnerable, being a head shorter than most of the men around. Her naked body was frail. Why would he want to damage such a thing? He thought back to his talk with Aulus, who had reminded him of his duties, his responsibilities, but also of the fact how the girl would suffer a lot longer at the cross if she was undamaged. Marius had dreaded this moment when he had to scourge his love to a point where she would almost die even without being crucified. It felt like he was killing her himself.

However, what he had not foreseen, could not have predicted, was the sight she was offering to him. She was covered in semen, her hair sticking to her skin, which was patched with thick globs of foul slime. It made him sick. He had wanted her all for himself and here she was, drenched in the semen of even the lowliest slave. And it was all her own doing! If she had behaved with more self-respect and pride, and if she had not stabbed a Roman official, none of this would have happened. On top of that, if she had been more modest and had not made him fall in love with her, he would not be in this situation!

Marius gritted his teeth and the crowd grew silent. He slowly raised his arm and lashed out, striking the metal tipped bundle of leather against her soft back. Her body shook and then arched. But only moments later came the heart wrenching cry of the girl, when the pain had taken its time to travel from the nerve endings in her skin to her mind.

“We need to see blood,” said the old priest drooling. Marius looked at the deformed old figure and almost lashed out at that monstrosity. But instead he nodded. His own back was still sore with every move he made and it had been the same thing. Every lash needed to draw blood and his first was too weak.

In anger he drew his arm back again, ignoring the pain in his own shoulder and he lashed out with all the force he could muster. Amabilia gave a piercing scream as blood splattered from her back and flesh was torn open. Angered by her weakness Marius lashed out again and again, each time wounding the girl beyond comprehension. People around them gasped, cried, someone vomited, a woman laughed hysterically. A few people however, began to encourage their young master, not to show mercy and to give it to the girl. There was a bloodlust rising and those who felt pity with the girl, decided to stay quiet.

After only ten lashes, the girl had fainted and was hanging by her arms between the two gladiators. Marius was told to wait and the crowd hushed.

“Wait for her to come around,” said the priest with his whining voice. Marius looked at the girl he previously loved and now he felt nothing but loathing for her. Her back was already riddled with cuts and blood was oozing down to her legs. He looked at her lovely shaped buttocks, which he had caressed and loved so much. Their beauty made him angry, as even now he felt seduced. And no sooner did the girl come around, coughing, whimpering and slowly straightening herself up, or he lashed out at those beautiful orbs, cutting deep into her unblemished skin.

Amabilia wailed and trembled in shock as more pain crashed through her body. Each time she was lashed, it felt like flames were licking her skin, before a deep and fierce burning sensation went through the deeper parts of her body. Her head was aching, she felt nauseous and her own jerking and body spasms caused her arms to twist. The gladiators pulled so hard to keep her upright, they almost dislocated her shoulders, which made her ache even worse. The poor girl was in hell and in despair she tossed her head from side to side as more lashes were dealt to her backside, cutting her skin open from her shoulders down to the back of her thighs.

After 18 lashes, Marius felt his own back burning as his wounds had opened up again from the powerful movements of his entire body. He was panting and he stared through a haze at the collapsed bleeding girl in front of him. The gladiators eased the ropes down a bit, letting the unconscious girl sink to her knees while she hung forward with her head. The priest went up to her and shook his head after inspecting the wounds on her back. She could take no more.

“The gods will nonetheless be pleased, even if it’s not yet the right amount,” he croaked, “the girl’s pain cries out to them.”

All around them the music resumed, wine was poured and people started dancing. They celebrated the sacrifice they were making, despite the horror they just witnessed. A lot of wine was going around to handle the images in their minds.

Marius turned around, dropping the scourge from his now powerless hand. His tunica was covered with blood from his own back and he staggered back into the house. He felt so numb inside and he had lost all interest in whatever was taking place outside. With a dazed mind he got upstairs and into his room. He poured himself a cup of wine, drank it with a vengeance and then he collapsed.
Nice work @Doragon
I like how you used her defilement as a catalyst for his anger towards her (he even blames her for it!) but then allude to his, possible, remorse when he returns to the house.
Looking forward to the next chapter!
 
Chapter 49

Amabilia woke to a hell of pain. Everything was hurting but her back was aching worst of all as it felt like she was on fire. Her mind had a hard time getting a grasp on reality. There were loud noises all around her and only slowly did she recognize music and singing. Then it also slowly dawned on her she was picked up and carried between two men. Her sight was blurry but she noticed how they were carrying her from the courtyard into the gatehouse. A large wooden cross was fitted against the wall at one side. Normally that was covered with banners, but now it was revealed. The wood was old, with dark patches from old sacrifices. And yet the wood was also shiny as it had been rubbed with fragrant oils. She wanted to scream and kick around, but all her body was capable of, was a slow blinking of her eyes.

The wooden cross moved out of her sight when she was turned around. A flash of pain went through her backside when she was pushed against the stipes with her bleeding and aching back. She cried out, but it sounded weak in comparison to the screams she had emitted earlier. With great difficulty she tried to turn her head and her own arm came into view as it was pressed against the patibulum by four strong hands. Her other arm was held at the other side as well. Her head dropped as she looked down to see hands holding her feet on a wooden block at the base. It was sloped so her toes were pointing downward. Her small breasts were quivering as she panted irregularly and her body was trembling uncontrollably.

A hand grabbed her by the hair to pull her head up and her blurry vision caught the priest holding four nails in front of her eyes. He said something, but she didn’t understand him. There was too much noise around. Besides, her blood was throbbing in her ears and she was unable to understand much of anything she heard. Her eyes stayed fixed on the terrible nails and she understood what they were. One of them was handed sideways and she followed it closely. Hands moved while holding her arm to free the spot at her wrist. There was some pressure there when someone pushed a finger against her skin to located the position of her bones. Her eyes stayed on the nail as it was raised, held by a strong hand of a man she didn’t recognize. The sharp point pushed against her skin and she winced as it pricked her. Then there was pain as it was pushed through her skin and into her flesh. Panic rose when she noticed a large hammer come into view. A short wooden handle with a heavy iron block, able to create enough momentum for the nail to be driven through her arm and into the wood behind. The iron head tapped lightly against the head of the nail, securing its aim and causing Amabilia to squeal.

Everybody grew silent and those that were allowed into the gate area, watched closely. Those outside stretched on their toes to see it as well. Anyone who could not see it happening, at least heard what was going on. The hammer hit the nail with a dry metal clanking sound. It was immediately followed by a loud scream of utter despair. Amabilia arched her back and tried to pull herself away from the cross. But she was no match for the six men that held her tight, though they had to push with all their strength to keep her in place. More clanking sounds as the hammer hit the nail again and again. The nail went through the girl’s arm, into the wood, until the bent part of it, which formed the nail’s head, was flat against her skin. Her arm had become one with the patibulum.

Never before had Amabilia experienced such pain. The aching back was already unbearable, but feeling the nail go through her arms was the most horrific thing she had ever felt. She imagined how her hand had been torn off completely, but she could not see. Her eyes were filled with tears and she saw red spots instead of normal light. It didn’t help that she banged her head against the patibulum, which they had not considered in advance. But now a hand was held behind her head to stop her from knocking herself out.

Again she screamed, when it felt like her other hand was also ripped off. The clanking sound had resumed but at the other side now, nailing her other arm on the opposite side of the patibulum. Why were they not simply killing her? Why this horrific torture? Why didn’t she pass out? But some pains were too severe to pass out from, though her mind and body did try to block certain elements of it. No longer able to see or hear clearly kind of protected her from the horror. However, her mind did fill in the blanks, which might be worse. In her mind her arms had turned to stumps, bone protruding from her flesh, blood spouting out against the wall. In reality her hands and wrists were neatly nestled against the wood, with only a slow trickle of blood dripping down from the nails that were holding her in place.

She was in so much pain, she didn’t recognize the sensation of her left foot pressed into place and held tight, before the nail was pushed into her skin. Only when the hammer fell and the nail was driven into her foot, did she realize what was happening down there. This time the pain was even worse as the nail didn’t go in between but right through the bones. The girl’s body shut down completely as she was unable to handle such pain. They had to hold her up in her unconscious state, but they didn’t stop to wake her up. Her right foot was nailed as well, locking both her feet in place against the sloping footrest.

The men finally let go of the girl and eased her down until she hung by her wrists. Her knees were bent now, her head leaning forward. The priest ordered for a bucket of water. There was silence. The bucket came and they threw water against the naked girl hanging from the cross. With a gasp she awoke and shook her head. The pain in her arms and legs was unbearable and she tried to pull her arms free to hug herself, desperately wanting to roll up in a ball. But her arms were immobilized and when she glanced sideways, she saw the nails holding her wrists attached to the cross. Looking down she also saw her bleeding feet, thoroughly fixed to the block below. She wailed as she tugged at her arms and legs in vain. Then she slowly lifted herself, pushing herself up against the nails holding her feet in place. Pulling herself up with her arms that were nailed to the wood behind. She gasped as the pain was incredible, but she didn’t faint this time. There was panic and confusion though and a struggle to keep standing, searching for the position that hurt the least. Finally she looked around, seeing all the people around her and the priest standing in front of her. When he noticed that she recognized him, he raised his arms high.

“Crucifixus est!” croaked the priest. Followed by the cheers of the crowd. Music resumed, there was clapping of hands, undulating sounds going around the courtyard and through the gate house. Amabilia’s cries and whimpers were hardly heard.

A procession took place. The members of the household came by, one by one, even the children, though they hid their faces for the most part. Not the grownups. The women dropped flowers at Amabilia’s feet. The men touched the nails that held the girl fixed in place. They rubbed her blood on their own arms or faces. And on rare occasions someone reached up and stroked the poor girl’s cheeks that were wet with tears.

Amabilia watched it all through a haze. Though the pain remained unbearable, it did dull a little. She tried to keep standing, though that really hurt her feet. But if she hung down, her wrists ached so bad, she quickly raised herself again. Her back also hurt every time she moved. But it also hurt when she stayed stationary. She could not escape the horror, there was no relief of the pain, there was no way out. And yet, in her mind a calmness was rising, an acceptance of her inevitable end. She knew it would end. There was a way out and though it was still far away, she felt something waiting for her at the end. A warmth, a silence, a sense of love. She looked at the distant presence and whispered “I am here..”

Nobody heard her whispers, but people noticed her new calmness, her resignation. And people were impressed. Some even came back to see her a second time, whispering about her strength and beauty. Amabilia didn’t hear much of what was being said or recognize a lot of people. But she did recognized Cornelia, not so much by her looks, but by what she said.

“Who is going to bake the bread, wash the lettuce and debone the chicken?” the old woman complained. But she did caress Amabilia’s face and added a soft “I’m going to miss you child.” Amabilia looked back at her and smiled.
 
She could not escape the horror, there was no relief of the pain, there was no way out. And yet, in her mind a calmness was rising, an acceptance of her inevitable end. She knew it would end. There was a way out and though it was still far away, she felt something waiting for her at the end. A warmth, a silence, a sense of love. She looked at the distant presence and whispered “I am here..”
A very interesting paragraph!
 
But not the truth of how much they were about to hurt her...

Astounding crux scene, Dragon!
Thank you for the compliment, I am glad it succeeded as it was quite a struggle to write, both in imagery as in capturing my thoughts in English.
 
Chapter 50

It was after midnight that the party finally dissolved and people went to bed or celebrate elsewhere. The courtyard grew quiet and a deep rest came over the villa. Marius awoke and felt sore, his back aching, his muscles stiff from having slept in a crumpled heap for some time. He poured himself some wine to stop the throbbing headache. His head did clear a bit and slowly he started remembering things. Then he realized he must have missed the crucifixion and his heart skipped a beat.

The young man raced out of his room and down the stairs, crossed the courtyard in a heartbeat and he ended up in the gate house, seeing his love hanging from the cross. His arms outstretched he ran up to her and whispered her name with a gasp and a sob. Having reached her, he raised her face and gulped. She looked so pale and her eyes were closed.

Louis-Joseph-Raphaël Collin - Femme crucifiée.jpg

“No, no, no,” he whimpered and in despair he put his hands under her armpits and tried to lift her up. It was like lifting a bag of sand as she felt so much heavier than before. Of course he noticed how her feet and wrists were secured to the cross and he could never lift her off the damned wall. His cry of despair echoed in the small gate house.

With feverish gestures he held her up with one hand and reached out with the other to feel how tight the nail was fitted through her wrist. There was no way to remove it, so much was clear. And the other nail in her other wrist was the same. Again he cried out while holding her up with both hands.

Amabilia groaned. Marius responded immediately, emitting a gasp of joy that she was still alive. He pushed his body against her to hold her up against the wood, while he used his hands to caress her face. He kissed her cold lips and whimpered.

“Amibilia, loved one, honey, are you still here? Please, say something, forgive me, please forgive me…”

The girl moaned and slowly opened her swollen eyelids. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying and she only saw him in a blur. But she heard his words, his voice and a smile slipped across her face. She tried to speak but her mouth was so dry. She tried to move but her body was beyond her control. Her arms and legs were mostly numb now, as was her back. She did feel him pressed against her and his warmth felt good. And slowly she regained enough of her vision to see his face close up before her eyes. She loved that face. She loved that voice. It made her smile some more. But she noticed the tears in his eyes, the pained expression on his face and she finally found the words to speak.

“Shhh….,” she said, “it is alright…. my love…. I…. forgive you….“

Marius felt his gut twisting and let out a painful sob.

“I am so sorry,” he whispered, “I … love you so much.”

The girl nodded, still smiling. She felt a deep tingling sensation in her groin and a longing for love. Something opposite of all the pain and torture.

“Pl…please…” she whispered, “love me….”

“I love you,” he said and he kissed her face with dozens of kisses.

“No,” she groaned, “make love… to me…”

Marius blinked. Did she mean that? Had he heard it right? He felt his penis responding and he licked his lips while he thought about the possibilities. Then he nodded and kissed her.

“Yes my love, I will make love to you one more time.”

With feverish gestures his hands pulled up his tunica and removed his loincloth. Then he tried to lower Amabilia a little, so her legs could spread. Only then did he notice the wooden object which was still stuck inside her vagina. He grabbed it and pulled it carefully out of her. The girl groaned but did not protest. She even tried to support her own weight and keep herself in the position he had put her in, so her love had more room to manoeuvre himself between her thighs. When Marius pushed his erect penis into her wet slit, she gasped with relief. This felt good. Marius also sighed and he pressed his mouth on her, kissing her deeply and for a long time, while he very gently moved his hips. Amabilia could feel him deep inside of her, caressing her insides, rubbing her sweet spot and slowly she felt her lust growing. Her blood began to rush, her heartbeat increased and she squeezed herself tightly around the rubbing penis inside her body. At the same time she answered his kisses with hunger.

Both lovers reached their peak at the same time and they moaned in pleasure. The girl looked into his eyes one more time, a thankful expression on her face. She then smiled before she emitted a gasp and looked up.

“Dear God,” she sighed. Then there was another gasp and a shock went through her body. She exhaled slowly and her body went limp. Her eyes remained fixed in an upward stare.
 
Epilogue

The sacrifice was made for several reasons. First of all to gain the goodwill of the gods, but also to appease the legatus and avoid any lawsuit against the family. And finally the crucifixion in itself was a deterrent for all the slaves to not even think about running away. Sadly, none of the goals were met.

Marius could not understand what had happened in the last moments he shared with Amabilia. After she had died, he loved and longed for her even more, but it was an impossible love. He blamed himself for everything and grew very depressed and he had terrible fits of anger. Aulus demanded that he got a hold of himself, and when the young man was incapable of doing so, he was sent off to serve in the legions of Rome. Marius served for ten years and returned a changed man. Only to discover the lands of his ancestors had also been transformed.

Quintus Paccius Flaccus died of his injury when his wound became infected because it was treated poorly by some quack who smeared horse dung on the wound to help the healing process. The magistrate turned his attention to the case, which resulted in a lawsuit that dragged on for years and in the end brought the Lucianus family to bankruptcy. Aulus had to sell off large parts of his lands, which had been in his family for centuries. He never overcame the shame of it and soon after, he died of a heart attack.

Domitia didn’t mourn over the loss of her husband and went back to the city. Soon she was the talk of the town as the woman who best knew how to organize orgies. She became famous enough to be invited in Rome and became part of the upper class in the Roman capital during the reign of Domitianus. However, after many years of partying, she also died, as she choked on a grape when she was alone in her quarters.

After Aulus had died and Domitia had left, the household was run by Verius Lucianus, who didn’t understand much about the business side of things. The more debts piled up, the more he locked himself in his rooms to study and one day he was found dead amidst a pile of scrolls.

Canus and Cornelia ran what was left of the household and they didn’t stop any of the slaves that tried to run away. Soon the entire estate was reduced to the villa with a handful of slaves.

Prixus and Verus, the two gladiators that held Amabilia during her whipping, were invited to Rome and became world famous gladiators when they fought each other but could not kill each other. They were pardoned and hailed as victors, after which they were freed and started their own gladiator school. Felix and Caturix were not so lucky as both died uneventful in the arena of Cassinum.

Braxus had enough with being a gladiator and he struck a deal with Verius. He was freed and he married Julia, who had indeed become pregnant and got a son with distinct Nubian traits. Braxus raised the boy as his own. There were two other children born and they lived in relative happiness in Cassinum, baking bread. One might say this story was actually their love story as that ended well at least. Though it would be too hasty to say it ended all bad for Marius.

Marius made a career in the army and rose to the rank of centurion. At one point he was stationed in Palestina, where he met a woman who could finally make him feel at peace about Amabilia. Not only did she teach him about real love, she also made him understand something about what had happened. Miriam was Christian and the more she explained about her faith, the more Marius understood what had happened with Amabilia. The girl had been called to God in her final moments. He converted to Christianity as well and took Miriam back home when his service time was over.

The estate as such was in shambles when he returned, many parts of it sold or left to waste. But the villa was almost the same as he remembered, including the old cross in the gate house. He turned this into a sacred place and started preaching there, slowly converting other members of the household to Christianity as well.

While Domitianus reigned and tried to eradicate Christianity, Marius made alterations to his villa by turning the gate house into a secret church and create a new entrance to the house at the opposite side. He and his household managed to keep their faith well enough hidden to escape prosecution.

Marius and Miriam had four children and lived happy lives. The chapel of Amabilia, with the cross, remained intact for centuries and became a place for pilgrims to visit. Even during the life of Marius, miracles were reported to happen there, many more followed later. People who got sick, were mysteriously healed after praying in front of the cross. Sadly in later times Amabilia was forgotten so she was never taken up in the circle of saints. But in life she herself had not even known about her calling.

The End
 
It was quite an experience to write this story. Though I had the outlines ready at the start, I had no idea how the characters and events would keep me spinning around and searching for words. Writing this was a rollercoaster. A writer often is not as much in control as he would like to be. Although I must say, I do love it when my characters start dictating me.

I do hope people will like this story. I also hope it serves as a tribute to our dear departed friend Praefectus Praetorio, as I intended.

Cheers,

Doragon
 
It was quite an experience to write this story. Though I had the outlines ready at the start, I had no idea how the characters and events would keep me spinning around and searching for words. Writing this was a rollercoaster. A writer often is not as much in control as he would like to be. Although I must say, I do love it when my characters start dictating me.

I do hope people will like this story. I also hope it serves as a tribute to our dear departed friend Praefectus Praetorio, as I intended.

Cheers,

Doragon
It was an experience to read it! Well done for seeing it through. And I for one am sure that PrPr would approve.
 
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