Happiness
Chapter 7
�Hungry?� he asked, as she languidly sat up.
�Very,� she nodded eagerly.
Damon got up and walked between the piles of merchandise up to a stand with swords and knives. He picked out a small dagger with a wide blade, tugged it behind his shirt and went toward the door.
�Where are you going?� Leila asked in alarm.
�To get us something to eat,� he said imperturbably. �Just wait here. I�ll be back soon.�
�But how�� Her question hung in midair, as the door closed softly behind him.
* * *
About half an hour later � what seemed almost an eternity to her � she heard a soft sound of footsteps outside. The door opened, and Damon walked in, carrying a large tray filled with food that ranged everywhere from meat to fruits.
�How did you get all that?� Leila�s mouth opened in amazement.
�Tricks of the trade, my dear girl,� he grinned slyly, setting the tray down next to her.
�What trade?� she asked, hungrily eyeing the food.
�The unsurpassed art of stealing,� he said in a mockingly triumphant tone.
She looked up at him with an expression of reproach and surprise mixed on her face.
�Well, are you going to eat or admire my skills?� he teased, breaking off an appetizing piece of meat and digging into it with his teeth. �Mmm. � Tasty �,� he murmured, closing his eyes blissfully.
Leila felt her mouth water at this sight. Her stomach roared like a hungry lion � she could not bear it any longer. Without so much as a word, she jumped on the food in front of her.
***
Several uneventful weeks have passed in the sea. Thanks to the art that Damon mastered even as a child, they were able to enjoy good food throughout the whole journey. In fact, Damon managed to lead this art to perfection, as he moved stealthily across the ship to the cook�s cabin and disappeared moments later just as noiselessly, unseen by anyone. And since the poor Roman cook had no idea where to or how was the food disappearing, he thought it best not to mention anything to his master for fear of being whipped himself.
The end to their calm sailing came when the ship was already only a few yards away from the shore.
Leila was awakened suddenly by a loud commotion outside the door of the hold. Someone was coming down the stairs, stepping heavily on the wooden floor. She turned to Damon, who was still sleeping on the floor beside her, and tugged on his shoulder.
�Wha�� he began, half-awake, and cut himself short, noticing her finger fly up warningly to her lips. He listened for a moment, then grabbed the knife and crossed the room in what seemed to be but one swift motion. Seconds later he was standing by the door, his knife ready for action.
***
�The ship will be docking soon, master,� Silas announced walking into the cabin.
Titus turned away from the window and nodded to his silver-haired servant, �Very well, Silas. Get the torch and come with me to the hold. I want to pick out the things to put out in the market.�
�Yes, master,� the old servant bowed and exited to come back a few minutes later with a burning torch.
The couple slowly made their way down the stairs to the hold with Silus lighting the way. At the door the servant stopped respectfully, letting his master go in first.
Titus opened the door, and a split second later he felt a cold blade press against his throat.
***
�Do not move,� Damon whispered threateningly, pressing the heavy Roman against the wall. �You!� he nodded at Silas, �get inside and close the door behind you. If you so much as make a move or a sound � he dies.�
Silas obeyed silently and stood in the middle of the room, his torch throwing ghostly shadows on the walls.
�You would not dare kill me, slave. I know you,� Titus uttered angrily in a voice hoarse from the pressure on his throat and, perhaps, fear.
�Oh?� Damon leaned heavily on the Roman � their faces now almost touching, their eyes burning holes in each other. �And what would stop me? Conscience?�
The tone in which he said this last word sent streaks of cold sweat down the ship owner�s back.
�Do you honestly think, sir,� Damon hissed, �that I would risk getting caught and killed just to keep my conscience clear?�
Titus didn�t have to hear the answer to that question � he could read it in the dark flaming eyes that bore into his. He swallowed hard and nodded slightly as in recognition of Damon�s temporary authority.
An almost imperceptible smile touched Damon�s lips, and, without taking his eyes off the Roman, he instructed Leila to find a rope and tie Titus� hands behind his back. He repeated the same procedure with Silas, adding the two mouth gags as a final touch. A few minutes later the ship stopped, having moored to the shore. Damon took Leila by the hand and addressed the prisoners, �Well, gentlemen, we must take our leave of you. It has truly been a pleasure.� And with a mock bow he exited, dragging the girl behind him.