Seven Hills
By Susan L. Carr
skeeter451@mysticmuse.net

Rating: PG
Uber Setting: Ancient Rome
Disclaimer: All non-original characters herein belong to persons such as Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, WB, etc, etc, etc, rather than me, myself and I. No compensation is received by me, only the pleasure I take in writing it.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse, Through the Looking Glass, LiveJournal
All others, please ask.
Feedback: Always welcome.
Spoilers: None.
Author's Notes: Although I am fascinated with history and prefer stories with historical accuracy, I take liberty with the events surrounding the characters and places in this story. Any errors of fact are purely my own.
Dedication: I've wanted to write something for my Aussie friend Chris Cook and all the wonderful readers at The Kitten Board for a long time now. I hope y'all enjoy.
Pairing: Willow/Tara
Summary: Willow's insatiable curiosity gets her in trouble and a beautiful patrician comes to her rescue.
[hr]Part 1
Bread

The Romans call it Iamnia; its residents name their home Yavne. For many, the town was a refuge after the wrath of Titus destroyed their temple, for others it was a corner outpost in a remote province, where lonely legionnaires counted the days until they could return home to Rome. For one young girl, it was like a prison, just one small speck in a vast Empire waiting to be explored.

Willow, daughter of Ira the town's apothecarius and respected Council member, sat at the scribe's desk in her father's herbarium reading a treatise by the famous Greek physician Dioscorides. The scroll was written in the good doctor's native Dacian, but Willow easily read the distant land's language. She was taking notes on a small scrap of parchment, idly translating the names of plants into Latin, Hebrew and her native Aramaic.

It was late afternoon of early winter, the mild Judean sun beginning its final descent toward dusk. A basket lay on the clean sandy floor next to Willow, empty and forgotten as the redhead bent her head studiously over the scroll.

"Willow!"

For the second time that day, Willow missed her mother calling her. She had snuck in the cool and dark room the moment her father and his apprentice left to meet with the Council as they did each afternoon.

Willow's mother strode briskly into the room. She was dressed in a plain, but obviously high quality blouse and skirt with a homespun kerchief covering her hair. "Willow!" she yelled again startling her daughter so the end of the scroll slipped from her hands, off the desk and unrolled until it was stopped by Sheila's sandal-clad feet. "What are you doing? I sent you to the baker an hour ago!"

Willow glanced guiltily at the empty basket sitting neglected next to her. "Um, well…just reading."

Sheila's hands left her hips and crossed over her heart in a gesture of heartbreak. She looked up at the rough-hewn ceiling. "What more can I do, O Master of the Universe? My willful daughter will be the death of me!"

Willow rolled her eyes at her mother's theatrics and she began to gather up the scroll. "I'll leave now and be back before you know it, Mama."

"You should have been back already," Sheila admonished. "What are you reading anyway? What's so important you have to disobey your own mother?"

"Dioscorides' new treatise," Willow said excitedly. "It's the latest herbal expanding his De Materia Medica. I was thinking I should translate the Dacian. Do you think I can borrow some parchment, Mama?"

"No!" Sheila said horrified. "Dacian? Since when do you read Dacian?"

Willow blushed. "Um, I found a book of poems by Ovid written in Dacian," she explained. "I compared that to his Latin version and, well…"

"Oh Willow," her mother said. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you. Your father has punished you time and time again for defying him. When are you going to learn?"

"I'm sorry, Mama," Willow said. She picked up the basket. "I'll go now."

Sheila watched as the young girl hurriedly left the room, her skirts swishing around her ankles, the basket now swinging from her arm. With a sigh she hurried back to her duties.

[hr]
Willow walked quickly through the town. Merchants, artisans, servants, government officials and soldiers all crowded the street. Yavne had been an important center for the Jewish people since the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem years ago. With the gathering of the Council, a group of elders, priests and important men who had survived the disaster, the town was turning into a thriving metropolis. The Council, which included her father, was working hard to preserve the traditions of the past.

Willow thought briefly about Daniel, the boy her family had betrothed her to when they were children. Daniel, along with many able-bodied Jewish men, had been taken from Jerusalem by the Roman who ordered the destruction of the temple. General Titus had given his father, the Emperor Vespasian, thousands of slaves who were immediately put to working building the Flavian Amphitheatre in Rome. Willow heard the giant colossus was nearing completion and for his sake she wished Daniel had survived the harsh sentence he was given simply for being a young man living in Jerusalem at the time of the rebellion.

Willow and her family had been more fortunate. Her father's skill had spared him and his family and due to Ira's foresight, their flight to Yavne had been relatively effortless.

Fortuna favors the wise. Willow shook off the heretical thought and then noticed a small flock of birds pecking at a trail of breadcrumbs leading to the baker's. She suddenly remembered her mission and hurried down the street.

To Be Continued…

_________________
The Mystic Muse
Now featuring Elvis in eBook format!

Susan:

I like what you've got so far! I know what you mean about being a stickler for historical accuracy. I actually ended up abandoning a WWII fic I was working on because I was making myself crazy over the details. Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading more, hopefully soon!

-bk

Yes more please I love storys and I as so glad you are writing for all of us

I'm really liking the setting to this. Waiting eagerly for more!

_________________
-diamondforever

diamondforever's fanfiction archive

Oh, this is a great beginning. I can't wait to see where you go with it. More soon? Please?

Uberfic, yay! I love the Roman Empire setting - not one I've studied myself excessively (I mean, besides reading lots of Asterix books and watching Xena episodes, of which I think Asterix is probably closer to reality, magic potion and all. Oh, and The Life of Brian, as soon as I got to Willow being in Judea), but even so, the whole notion of it... such an enormous area of the world more or less united, aware and conversant with all its parts, yet still with such great distances and so few ways to effectively travel them. It's very easy to imagine Willow's frustration, stuck in her little town with the rest of the world seeming so far away, but with scrolls and literature at her fingertips hinting what's out there.

I'm looking forward to her journey - physical or just character-wise, whichever it turns out to be. Her curiosity getting her into trouble isn't difficult at all to imagine - it's in character, and already we've seen that it's something she's been through already. But she really is very bright, teaching herself a foreign language by comparing translations - and her motto, 'Fortuna/fortune favours the wise', certainly suggests that she has faith in her mind - if not in what she knows already, then at least in her potential to learn.

_________________
Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass - Every world needs a Willow and Tara.

That for me is the fun part. I am finishing up writing a novel set in Chicago in the 1920's and the most fun has been doing all of the research into that time period.
I was discussing this with Amber when I met her again this summer in response to her talking about the challenges of avoiding anachronisms in her Victorian setting for "Ghosts of Albion."
I said that I had much the same vexing concerns when you have a plot point or an idea that hinges upon something being available or accessible in whatever period you are in.
That being said,
Susan, I look forward to how your tale here plays out and how that beautiful patrician can rescue Willow so that they can get down to a toga party for two.

_________________
I can deny chicks in chainmail nothing.
Amberhol-from the land of sky blue waters.
No Mere Music Hall, This my novel available directly from rosestindog@gmail.com.

Susan,
What an exciting and different start. I know nothing about this period of history so I'll be expecting to learn as I read.

_________________
Menorah Tales | Working It Out | Random Bits

Part 2
A Woman's Worth

The tall woman sighed and moved toward the open balcony that looked out from the family's urban home on to a busy street in the City of Paestum. She tied back the heavy curtain which covered the opening and the bright sunlight filled the room. The woman paused to look down at the diversity of people going about their business. She looked in the direction of the forum as the loud cheering of multiple voices filled the air.

"Please, Tara," a warm masculine voice said from within the room. "Let us continue."

Tara turned back and walked back to the table. She took a seat next to a blonde-haired woman dressed in a simple tunic and sandals, in contrast to her own richly-appointed stola. Across from them was a dignified man with graying hair also dressed in a simple woolen toga, but of a better quality than the other woman's. Scrolls covered the table and scroll-filled capsa rested on custom-built shelves. In one corner, a small straw and herb-filled mattress rested on a raised pallet and a personal chest made of unadorned wood, but secured with a metal lock, sat at the foot of the bed.

"Now, Tara…what do you remember of the Germanic tribes we discussed during our last session?" the man asked.

"That every citizen was worth a set amount to be paid by a murderer to prevent a blood feud," she answered.

"Correct…mostly," he said. "However, even certain slaves had a set value, depending on their function, but often the price was paid to the slave's master rather than the family or clan." He paused and glanced at the blonde woman who was looking at the open balcony with a wistful expression on her face. The occasional cheers from the forum seemed to interest her. "And what was this 'man-price' called, Buffy?" he finally asked.

The woman continued to stare, obviously not listening.

"Buffy?" Tara prompted.

"What?" she asked and then blushed and turned to the man. "I'm sorry Master Giles," she said. "What did you say?"

"What is the Germanic term for 'man-price'?" Giles repeated.

"Um…" she paused as she thought a moment and then her face brightened. "Oh! Weregild!" she said triumphantly.

Tara smiled in indulgence at the other student. "The older term is wargaz meaning 'strangler'," she said to Giles, knowing he expected her to know the information.

"Correct," Giles said. "Etymologically, were is from the Latin for man and gild is their word for gold."

"So why isn't it Viraurum instead of Weregild?" Buffy asked, confused.

Giles looked at his student with a nonplussed expression on his face. "Your ability to create new words never ceases to amaze me, Buffy."

Buffy ignored the jest. "So what was a woman's worth?" she asked.

"Caesar described the Germanii as total barbarians," he replied. "That was, perhaps, his excuse to conquer them, but in any case, among the various tribes, a woman's worth is dependent on her 'bride price' – a dowry – if you will, however the groom paid the bride's family."

"Well, then I guess I don't have any value in either society!" Buffy fumed and crossed her arms in indignation.

By this time, Tara was laughing at the two and Giles sighed. "I think that's enough for now, girls," he said and started to roll up his scrolls.

Tara stood hurriedly. "Buffy, stay and help Giles clean up and then please join me. I'm going to go find out what's going on."

"Yes, Domina," Buffy said with a smile, knowing how it annoyed Tara. Giles glanced up at the two under his brows, a small smirk on his lips.

"Buffy!" Tara exclaimed as she spun around. "I've asked you never to call me that, unless Father or Donus are home." Tara paused as she realized that Buffy was teasing her. She shook her head, turned and left the room.

"You shouldn't tease her so, Buffy," Giles admonished. "She allows you far more liberties than any other slave in this household."

"I know, Master Giles," she said. "I can't imagine what my life would be like if Tara wasn't my mistress. It's just that I can't help but have a little fun with her now and then."

"I realize that," he said. "I also take advantage of her kindness, but you must remember to be careful. The consequences to her could be disastrous should her father learn of the path that Tara has chosen…the same path that had such tragic results for her mother."

Buffy's face paled as she remembered that horrible time and how Tara herself had barely escaped the same fate as her mother. She knew her life wouldn't be worth a single copper as were it not for Tara and the privileges and education she received as the woman's personal servant. But more than that, her love for Tara as a friend inspired her protective streak. She would not want anyone with as kind and gentle a nature as Tara's to suffer.

She nodded emphatically. "You're right, Master Giles," she said. "I'll do everything I can to protect her."

"Very good, child," he said. "Now, go along and attend to your mistress. I'll finish here and head to the public baths. Perhaps I can find out what's causing this ruckus!" He threw an annoyed glare at the balcony.

[hr]Tara rushed down the stone steps to the main floor of the house and hurried through the peristylium. In the vestibule, she found several slaves lining the walls and a dark-haired woman wearing a stola in a similar style and adornment as her own.

"Faith!" Tara said. "What is going on?"

Faith turned to look at her cousin, a worried look on her face. "My uncle – your father – has arrived from Rome. Pallas ran home to tell us that he and your brother are making announcements in the forum and then they will come here. We are to be ready to greet them."

Tara paled at the news and Faith reached out a hand to steady her cousin.

To Be Continued…

_________________
The Mystic Muse
Now featuring Elvis in eBook format!

Ooooo...the suspense! This is a very exciting followup to a very intriguing start. I can't wait for more. I'm a medievalist at heart, so my knowledge of the earlier time period is much sketchier, but I really find your take on it fascinating. More please!

I'm a little surprised at the scarcity of feedback here. I'm wondering if it's because folks just don't like the story or they don't like me or they're just not interested in Ancient Rome or interest in W/T is diminishing. I hope it's not the last one, although the other reasons do little for my ego.

Anyway, on to the replies...



Oh no! That's a shame. You shouldn't give up on it just because you don't know something. If you don't know it, make it up! If it sounds true enough, you've got that wonderful thing called verisimilitude.

But, I admit I am doing my research. I stayed up late the other night to watch a program on Vespacian, the Emperor during the time this story takes place. What a great documentary and I'm already trying to figure out how I can get Willow to meet Josephus (and of course Pliny the Elder).



My pleasure.



Yay Uber-fic! I've been wanting to get on LG for years and I've had this story in mind for you for a long time. Thanks for the banner by the way and thanks again for helping me with my insect reflection problem for part 2.

And being an archaeology student this era of the Empire fascinates me endlessly because we know so much about Roman life from this period. And with the ending of the Jewish wars which Willow's family fortunately survived (but alas, not poor Daniel), the Empire was entering its last, great period. The Flavian Dynasty was good to the Empire. But again, it achieved that greatness thanks to their victory in the Jewish wars.



Ha, proper Roman women didn't wear togas! Women wore the stola, a long, loose tunic or robe, with or without sleeves. Only prostitutes, women convicted of adultery or divorced women wore the toga, at least by the time of the Empire. Laborers and slaves wore mainly tunics. Of course, the style and quality of the clothing depicted the person's status, rank and office.



Thanks Deb. That means a lot.



Well, like I said in the disclaimer, I know I won't get everything right, but I'll do my best.

Sorry I missed posting replies between chapters, but when I finished the story I had to get to work, but I wanted to post it for y'all. I have another story in progress and my plan is to work on that one week and this one the next. So hopefully I'll have updates every fortnight (grin at Chris... )

--->Susan

_________________
The Mystic Muse
Now featuring Elvis in eBook format!

I feel your pain, Susan. I too am currently suffering from a lack of feedback on my stories, and while it was OK to start off with, now I'm really beginning to wonder why I should put as much effort into writing them as I should, since I have no real indication that they're even being read.

On the plus side, however, I am reading this one, and I enjoy it. Please continue.

_________________
Avatar Images Courtesy of Kirari-PGSM.net
The Star Witches Saga | Under the Sea | The Moonlight Densetsu Chronicles | Going the Distance | Slippery When Wet | Short Fics by Sith

this story's very intriquing...can't wait to read more!!!

_________________
"To days to come."
"All my love to long ago.

I hope, we'll have more happy ever after
I hope, we can all live more fearlessly...

~Jas

Susan,
I am greatly enjoying this story of Willow and Tara in Ancient Rome.
That's what the HBO series needed more of, reasons for us to identify with the characters.
Tara, as befitting her caring and compassionate nature, would naturally be lenient and afford Buffy privileges unknown to other slaves.
Unlike most women in the lower classes in Ancient Rome, Tara is letting Buffy achieve some semblance of book learnin' so she can actually make a life for herself outside that of concubine, whore, etc.
Do not fear that your work goes unnoticed as you are in good company in chronicling the tales of Willow and Tara but the art of the crafted response has been strained of late.

_________________
I can deny chicks in chainmail nothing.
Amberhol-from the land of sky blue waters.
No Mere Music Hall, This my novel available directly from rosestindog@gmail.com.

Wow, Susan Carr is wrighting on the Kittenboard. You're not able to know that but Mysticmuse was actually my first W/T-Fanfic-Side. Thanks for that anyway.

Please don't fear for your story not being read. I do not hope there is a lack of interest in W/T by now, too. For myself there is another reason for not leaving FB before. Until yesterday I didn't get through to your story. Unfortunatly real life forces me to do something else despite reading W/T related FF once in a while. And there are a lot of stories I'm already following by now.

Yours is really worth it. I so love AU and I so love historic stuff. You managed really well to give the story an ancient touch but also keeping the charcters in line. Willow is still Willow even in ancient Judea and Tara is still Tara with the whole being nice to everyone and being angry with Buffy for calling her domina. Wonder whether she will be with Willow also if she calls her that. Okay - mind out of the gutter.

Wonderful how Willow managed to get her Mother angry after two seconds being in the story. I so can imagine how she will get herself in trouble. But I like it that she is comfortable with her brain and dares to go for education.

And the second chapter introduced us to Tara's secret. What happened to her mother? And what threatens Tara? Maybe some of the secrets will reveal with her father's and brother's arrival.

Anyway thanks for sharing this thrilling story and I will wait (im)patiently for an update.

_________________
She's not drivin stick anymore?

Susan - Ooo. Tara's nobility (sounds familiar somewhat) and Buffy is her personal servant? Nice. I love the inclusion of Giles and Faith in the story. I'm wondering if the way of Tara's mother was magic and if so, how this will tie in with Willow the scholar. I am very impressed with your inclusion of the appropriate vernacular!

Re: dearth of fb. It's my observation that posts on the Kitten Board are way way down. I mean all over the board and not just on DCP. I'm currently very happy with the fb to Waiting but I'll be the first to admit that I was very disapointed with the fb (or lack threof) to Menorah Tales. Last week I went out of town for 6 days and when I got back, I was still the last person to have posted on the Exercise thread. More importantly, that had only moved it half-way down the page. I take that as a strong indicator of a general lack of readership/posting.

_________________
Menorah Tales | Working It Out | Random Bits

I doubt that it's a lack of interest in the stories that are posted so much as it is that we're just a bunch of lazy kitties. I mean, I'm online all day, so I check Pens as compulsively as I check my email, but that's probably not the case for most folks. Y'know?

(Also, Susan, I'm not always a big proponent of strict historical accuracy in AU fics. Sometimes that's just half the fun. So don't worry about it too much, 'kay?)

Interesting set-up - Tara the 'enlightened noble', with Buffy more her friend than her servant, yet there's clearly something nasty in the family about to show up. Again the contrast between the pros and cons of Roman civilisation, with broad education alongside slavery, and the suggestion that people of power can get away with too much (so, y'know, quite unlike nowadays...) It's not much in the way of insight, but I don't like the sound of Tara's father at all

(I admit, I've been lazy with feedbacking of late. And writing, come to think of it. I'm trying to do better on both.)

_________________
Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass - Every world needs a Willow and Tara.

Ok... you got my attention, now gimme more!

_________________
"Nothing in the world is the way it ought to be. It's harsh, it's cruel, and that's why there's us. Champions. Doesn't matter where we come from or what we've done or suffered, or even if we make a difference. We live as if the world is as it should be, to show it what it can be." -- Angel

I'm loving this story. please more