Chương 20: The songs of the garden slave

( 1710 BC ; Babylon )

Early men had not yet invented bricks , especially in their earliest civilisations . But still they had learnt how to build and create structures of the most amazing, simple and grand designs .

From the pyramids of Egypt and the Aztec temples , humanity has shown even in it's past , it has always strived for ingenuity and greatness . This greatness was very evident in the city of Babylon .

From the river Euphrates , the city rose with buildings of the simplest materials ; stone , sand and mud . What one's mind would imagine to be grotesque structures from such materials , were infact things of beauty . Each home , elegant , furnished and adorned with the objects and lives of the citizens .

Palm trees , coconut trees and shrubs grew along the river's banks with reeds . The roads were gravel and sand , filled with people on feet or on animal forms of transportation . The air was hot , musky and held the scent of camels and camel spit , but no one minded .

The city was filled with the diverse multitudes of the then present world's people . Traders , merchants and many types of people from Egypt in the south , the Caucasus mountains in the north and the nomads of the east and west all came to the city . Where else could one buy , sell and meet everyone across the world but at the centre of the world .

It was Utopia for all those who could reap the benefits of the citadel . But for those who could not , for the poor , the ill and unfortunate ... it was Hades .

...

Carey looked up at the sun , shining bright like a ball of orange fire in the purple and blue sky . Another day had passed with him still alive and yet he felt no happiness or need to rejoice .

He stood in a garden , palm trees at its edges , with urns of water on the four walls . The garden was seventeen feet across , a perfect square . There were strips of water ways and boulders randomly placed around it . The garden had grass and shrubs with flowers growing in placements of stone and dirt . In the centre was the largest boulder and above it was a canopy of mud , sticks and rocks . This was where Carey was , sitting on the ground by the entrance looking up at the sky .

He sighed softly and looked next to him , where a stack of fine clothes were . They were clothes he had been told to wear by his master ; Tyris . The same man who had called out to him as he washed in the water .

After being knocked unconscious , they had taken him to the city . When he awoke he had found himself inside of this beautiful garden , shackled to a boulder . Then Tyris had come to explain why he had taken him .

" I want you to be my singer . My entertainer at parties and gatherings with my friends .* Tyris had said with his deep voice .

" Why me ? " Carey had asked him , holding the chain he found on his leg .

" I like your voice . That is all . " Tyris had said , " I will have you sing for my father and mother tonight , they will enjoy it . "

" Yes , master ." Carey had said accepting his fate , " May you free me now ? I will not run away . "

" I ... will not . Slaves are not free in my home until they prove themselves ." Tyris had said , and then he had looked at Carey's body , " But if you wish , you can serve your body to me . A male concubine is free by my choice ."

Carey had been horrified at such a sentence . He was fine with slavery , he had expected and prepared himself for that . But to be a sexual slave ... he would never do it . When Tyris saw the pale look on Carey's face , he sneered and left him alone .

So Carey had become the slave of Tyris's garden . He never left the place , bathing in the water urns and being fed in the morning and afternoon scraps from his master's table .

It was not a good life , he knew that but it was a different life . He prayed to his ancestors often that he'd be freed and happy once more .

But that day he was exceedingly sad and anxious . Tyris had come in the noon and told him to prepare for a special event .

" My sister is being married and father wants you to sing at her party. " Tyris had said , he had then placed the clothes next to Carey .

" You will wear this . Not your barbarian clothing ."

" Yes , master . Will ... I be free for the evening ? " Carey had asked boldly and Tyris had narrowed his eyes .

" No , you will not . You seek your freedom too much to be trusted . You will sit on the rock and sing from there . " He had said and Carey had bowed his head accepting his fate .

Now he looked at his shakled ankle and at the clothes . He wasn't stupid , he knew if he failed to please his master he'd be punished heavily . Even killed .

....

Tyris took another bite from the roasted hare and layed back in his seat . Around sat three women each aiming for his attention and music played around him.

His sister's wedding had been lovely and the party celebration was beyond lovely . He felt glad that his father had convinced his inlaws to celebrate at his home . He wanted to see his sister happy before she left with her new family .

He also wanted to show his newest servant , the one called Carey . Never had found a more entertaining and alluring person . His old slaves were not as submissive nor as attractive . He wished the servant boy had given in to be his concubine , but he was content with singing .

He opened his eyes and looked at the canopy , where Carey sat on a boulder singing with musicians playing next to him . A blanket covered his lower half , blocking sight of the chain holding him . His father had told him to free the servant but Tyris didn't trust him . He didn't want to lose him either .

" Singer ! " He called out and Carey looked at him , " Sing something lively ."

Carey bowed his head a fraction in acknowledgement as he thought of what to sing . After so many songs , he'd ran out of pieces to sing and thought about improvising . But what to sing ?

Something lively , he thought and opened his mouth to sing .

* A boy does wander through the blooming trees .

He's known neither love , nor peace .

I was born alone , he says , I have no home .

I live amongst trees , I live and dance with the bees .

I'll die , then I will know peace .

I will be - *

A hard slap landed on Carey's cheek and he was instantly silenced . Tyris stood straight and rigid , his face a mask of anger .

" I said something lively and you sing about death ? Is this a funeral , fool ? " He asked Carey harshly and the boy shook his head .

" Answer me ." Tyris said through gritted teeth .

" No , master Tyris ." Carey said , using the name he was told to .

" Sing something better , more cheerful. " He said and sat down on the nearest boulder .

People had their eyes on the two of them , waiting to see what would happen . This was entertaining , some thought and others looked at Carey with scorn or pity .

Carey wiped a tear from his eye and opened his mouth to sing again . This time he sang of something close to his heart ; of him and his sister .

* Where the wind blows across the sand .

Where the sun shines on the the mountains .

There lies the two , brother and sister , dancing and laughing .

So come , breath in me , live in me and I will dance with them too .

Breath in me wind , and i will breathe , come sister and breathe too .

Where you've gone , I can't follow , but your voice I still hear .

In the mountains and the wind where we danced .

One day the wind will breathe in me and then breathe no more .

Then we'll dance , you and me , on the grass on the mountains .

So sing , sister and laugh sister , yes , sing .

So I will dance amongst the tombs , until I dance with you . *

Carey stopped when a sniffle came from his throat , his heart had never felt so heavy . He wanted to cry for his sister so much .

Tyris saw him stop and start to cry and his anger turned to rage . Such an impudent slave ! He thought getting up .

" Stop ! " A voice said behind him .

He turned around and faced the person , when he saw who it was , he felt a chill rise throw his body .

Carey , who had calmed himself looked at the new person too . He saw a tall man with , coco brown skin , wearing a black and brown garment , tied with a sash on his waist . He was looking at Tyris but when he noticed Carey's scrutiny , he gave a smile .

" Why are you here ? " Tyris asked the man .

" I was invited , for courtesy I believe . " The man said moving next to Tyris , " I'm glad I was here or who knows what other cruel act you would do to your servant ."

" He is my servant . I do as I please with him ." Tyris said and the man nodded his head . He moved closer and placed a hand on his shoulder .

" You were about to hit him , weren't you ? On your sister's wedding ? Couldn't you wait ? " He asked in a small whisper .

" He lacks discipline . I'm teaching him . " Tyris said back .

" But he's already bound . I'm sure he already obeys you without fail . " The man said and Tyris's blood turned cold . He tried to turn but the man applied more pressure on his arm stoping him .

" I do not need to remind you how the king feels about slavery . A chained person on a rock , he'd be furious ." The man said in a whisper , " If you want your family to still be alive and well off , you will not make me say something that might make that so . Right ? "

" Yes ." Tyris said softly .

" Good ," the man said and looked at Carey with a brilliant smile .

" Sing sprite . I love your voice . It is magical ." The man said and Carey nodded his head .

Who is he , he wondered .

Little did he know he had just met his freedom face to face .