It was hard to say whether he meant it to reassure her or threaten her, perhaps he hadn't decided on that yet. Aulus chuckled, 'Aphrodite is very sweet, despite what has transpired, I think she deserves all the kindness she can get.' Aulus gestured for her to sit if they would keep the conversation going for longer, 'You don't approve how Pesca treats her?'
She nods. "Very well. I can't restrain my warriors for too long, however. An Amazon chieftess guides her people, more than rules them, you understand."
Ouei sits, and begins to speak, surprising herself with how open she's being. Perhaps she just hasn't had anyone to talk to frankly in a long time. "She is sweet, yes." The Egyptian concedes. "However, her place is in her master's bed, not anywhere else. My master seeks to give her her freedom, and refuses to lay with her, even though that is what she wants, what is best for her. Which is why it's best if you don't encourage any delusions like saying she could be a medicus' apprentice."
"Let's just say, Flavia works for me, now." He drops the name of one of Flavia's senatorial allies that he wasn't aware of. "I have the names of them all. Help me, and you'll get the full list. I'll even let you use Flavia to lead your enemies into traps."
"I do understand. And I thank you." Anai nodded. "Is there any other issue to be discussed?" She asked.
'In her master's bed?' Aulus repeated, 'But surely, her being his daughter would preclude that, slave or not? The gods don't approve of such pairings.' 'I see, I apologise for that, I was just trying to ease her mind after what had happened,' Aulus said, 'Though, at the very least she'll do very well tending to a sick member of Pesca's family should it ever come to that.'
Claudia looked thoughtful, optimistic even. She was about to give a positive response but paused. "Wait, how can your trust her?" She asked, sceptically.
Ouei chuckles. "Perhaps your gods don't approve of it, but to the gods of my land? Such unions are holy." She drinks some more. "You remind me somewhat of my master, before I became his property." She looks him up and down. "He was kind, compassionate, sweet, like you. Of course, to survive, he had to learn to be hard, cruel. I wonder if you will do the same..." Her eyes scan his.
"She believes me to be an avatar of the gods." He shrugs. "Perhaps I am, I don't know. I did return from the dead, after all." He chuckles. "If you want proof, I can order her to do something that would be unforgivable to her allies in Rome. Perhaps kill one of them, or ruin a plan, etc."
'Pesca doesn't strike me as overly cruel for a man of his station, he's not weak but he's not a sadist either,' Aulus said, looking at Ouei, 'We will have to see how it turns out for me. I earned the respect of my men through combat prowess, I have yet to go wrong with being compassionate. Would you rather be at the mercy of a hard and cruel man?'
"Then I guess this is where we should wrap things up..." Anai sighted, not really eager to get from the table. "How's the morale?" She asked after a moment.
The Egyptian gives him a seductive look, reminding him of the way Maat tends to look at him, but with a slightly harder 'edge' to her expression, that hints of danger as well as pleasure. "If you'd like, I could help you understand..." She sits up slightly, and he's suddenly aware of the swell of her breasts and the curve of her ass.
Claudia winced. "If you can trust her... well killing one of them could not be enough..." She thought for a moment. "Heed my words, General, that woman is a snake. You might have charmed her, but I doubt it would last." She shook her head. "What do you plan to do now? Get a proper funeral?" She joked.
The woman stands, as do her bodyguards. "Amazons are always keen for a fight, Governor. Morale is good, they just don't trust the Nubians."
He gives her a nod. "Fair advice." He grins at the joke. "I plan to take back my army, and dispose of those who tried to betray me."
Aulus looked at her curves, being reminded of Maat, he did find her very attractive, 'Well, that is a surprise. You find the thought of being used by a cruel and hard man.... entertaining? Exciting?'
She moves forwards slightly. "Indeed, Aulus. There's a thrill to being helpless, at the mercy of someone whose power over you is absolute." She smirks. "You've felt a similar thrill, I'd assume, in combat. The uncertainty, the excitement? It's a similar feeling, to be with someone cruel." She reaches out, hand touching his thigh. "The night my master made me his... Was the best night of my life." She shudders. "If you'd like, I could show you how he felt." Her hand slips upwards.
