Servus Max

Advisory note: It features some harsh treatment. 

Max is a slave at the castle of the ruling monarch Cyrus and his demanding wife and queen, Helen. He is a young man who came from a noble family of a neighbouring tribe, but they were attacked by Cyrus' army. 

After a siege, they surrendered, hopeful that it would bring more lenient treatment. However, it made no difference and Max finds himself being trained as a servant and slave of the ruler and his wife at their castle, lucky to have been spared.

Helen: Ah, there you are Max. Next time, come immediately when called. Understand!
Max: Yes, mistress Helen. At your service. Max bows his head.
Helen stroking his chin: Look at me Max. You look...uncomfortable.
Max: I just...have never been a slave before. I came from a noble family.

Helen: Well, get used to it. This is your life now. Do you understand what you are?
He swallows hard: A...a servant? A slave?
Helen laughs softly: Oh darling, you're so much more than that. You're property. My property.
His eyes widen: But when we surrendered, your negotiators said we'd retain some rights.
Helen laughs: What else were we supposed to say? We wanted to end the siege so our soldiers could move on to their next conquest.
Max: I...I see.

Helen sends him off to the kitchen to assist the royal household Chef, Miriam.
Miriam: Here, help me prepare these vegetables.
Max begins scrubbing the dirt off them and cutting them into pieces. His anger simmers but not shown.
Helen arrives at the doorway: Miriam, how's our new slave performing?
Miriam: Adequate, Mistress. Though his knife skills need work.
Helen smirks: Everything about him needs work. Typical of those who rule. They don’t have domestic skills. But we'll shape him properly, won't we Miriam?
Miriam: Of course ma'am, he'll learn.
Miriam walks over to Max's work and wants it done more quickly: You're too slow. Move your hands faster. Max does as she says.
Helen: That's better. See Max? Improvement already. Though you've got years of training ahead.

Max keeps his eyes down: Yes Mistress. I'll work harder.
Helen: Good. Turns to leave, Oh and Max? No dinner tonight. You took too long with those vegetables. Lessons must be learned.

Max nods, finishes peeling the vegetables and Miriam has him scrub the kitchen benches. When dinner arrives, he helps put the food on the dining hall table and stands back, hungry but without food tonight.

Time passes and the conquering rulers are assembled with some invited guests.

King Cyrus speaks: Would anyone like their wine glass refilled? Max, attend.

Max: Yes Master. He begins pouring carefully.
Helen whispers in his ear: One drop spilled and you'll regret it.
His hands trembling slightly: Understood Mistress.
Guest: Where did you find this one Helen? He's unusually...compliant.
Helen: Oh, he wasn't at first. But they all break eventually. She laughs. Shall we retire to the hall?

Max follows behind the group as they leave the dining room to a large entertaining hall, he being ready to serve any needs they have.
Helen: Max, fetch more wine.
Max: Right away, Mistress.
Guest: You always did have a way with your slaves, Helen.
Helen smugly: It's all in the wrist action, darling. And demonstrates with imaginary whip motion.

Max serves the wine and stands silently in the corner, listening to their laughter, his new reality becoming a normal reality. They then head to bed, Max sleeping in a small room nearby, ready for any demands.

King Cyrus arises early and calls Max: Get my battle attire ready. There is more conquering to do.
Max obliges and Cyrus departs. Max returns to his room to get a little more sleep.

As he prepares breakfast, he works next to Servus William. He looks at Max to see if there is a feeling of anger in his eyes. He then whispers.
William: I'm escaping tonight. An accomplice would be helpful. I can see you're not fully indoctrinated either.
Max: I'm in. He glances around and sees that kitchen head Miriam is otherwise engaged.
William: Meet me at midnight here. Miriam glances over and notices they are talking.
Miriam: You two had better be discussing breakfast preparations.
William whispers as Miriam walks away: Midnight. Don't be late.

Max returns to his room and is summoned by Helen and he stands at the foot of her bed. Helen decides she wants a foot massage to help her go to sleep.
Helen kicks off her slippers: Massage my feet Max. Properly. Mmm...that's good. A bit harder now. Harder Max. Don't make me tell you again. Smiling, much better. Now...the other foot and don't stop until I say so. 

She looks down on him with a hint of admiration. You fought bravely with your soldiers to resist our army. Longer than most, young as you are. Breaking you is so satisfying. Enough. Back where you belong.

Helen changes into her nightwear and sleeps well. At midnight, Max peeks out of the door to his room and sees that the guards outside the Queen's room are not looking his way. They are always on guard outside while she is there. 

He stealthily slips away down the hall. William is waiting, anxiety etched on his face. The consequences of being caught are not worth contemplating. They go through a disused and seemingly unknown passageway. It leads to a door and into the garden. If there is security, they don't see any and after climbing a wall, head into the forest.

William: They will discover us gone in the morning. We have to move fast.
They head down to a river and find a canoe moored to a jetty. They untie it and head upstream, straining their muscles against the flow. It will take them to the mountainous region where runaway slaves are known to hide. Going down stream will take them through a city with toll gates and guards.

The next day, their escape becomes apparent and muscular warriors are dispatched in all directions to find them. Their journey is taking its toll physically and is too slow. In hindsight, it was a mistake to use the river. On foot may have been better in the long run. 

When they see warriors scanning the river, they pull under some low hanging branches. Then suddenly, three warriors burst upon them and drag them out of the canoe. They struggle but are no match for the strength of their captors. They pin the runaway pair to the ground and tie their hands behind their backs. Lifting them to their feet, they look at them with anger.
Warrior 1: Stupid little rats think they can run from us? 
Warrior 2 to Max: You belong to Queen Helen! How dare you disgrace her! You also embarrassed the guards outside the Queen's room. 

They're dragged back through the forest, knowing what awaits them. Helen stands waiting, arms crossed, fury radiating from her. The warriors throw them at her feet.
Helen starts talking: How dare you run away! Max doesn't look up.

Helen grabs Max’s chin: Look at me when I'm speaking to you! She then slaps him. You embarrassed me, Max!
Helen then turns and backhands William: You! Corrupting my property! To the warriors: Take him to a punishment cell.
Helen: As for you Max...you're going to learn a harsh lesson.

Helen leads him inside, the castle doors slamming shut behind them.
Helen: You're going to learn your place once and for all. There is no mercy for runaway slaves. She throws Max into a dark room. I will be back soon Max. The door locks behind him, leaving him alone in the dark, dank space.

Hours pass before the door opens again, revealing Max sitting with his head bowed. Helen is holding a whip, and there are three warriors with her. Two warriors grab Max roughly, his shirt is removed and they stretch him out on a bench, face down. They hold his wrists and ankles firmly.

Helen smiles: Ready for your lesson? She nods at the third warrior. The whip lashes across his back. He holds back from screaming, just exaggerated reactions to each blow. Then quite unexpectedly, she says stop. Max was expecting more. Does Helen have a soft spot for him, he wonders, hidden under her demanding demeanour? 

Helen: Never...embarrass...me...again!
Max: I...I won't, Mistress!
The door locks again. Max slowly gets up from the bench, his back stinging. He sits, trying to find a posture to ease the soreness, but to no avail. He can't even put his shirt back on. 

Morning brings Helen's return, and she beckons him. He is shivering from the cold cell and hunger.
Helen: You're coming with me. Everyone needs to see what happens to runaway slaves.
She leads him through the castle to an inner courtyard. The other servants are told to stand in line. Max is made to turn his back to show his stripes.
Helen speaks to the lined up slaves: Let this be a lesson to all of you! She moves her hand in a twirling motion and Max turns back to face the other servants. Disobedience has consequences!
Helen then pushes him inside: Now maybe you'll behave. 

She returns to her living quarters with Max in tow.
Max: Mistress Helen. If I may speak. Helen nods. I really am sorry, it was stupid. How could I expect to escape your most able warriors? I swear I will never do this again, not just because of the punishment but because I realise you are my mistress. I want to serve you. Please believe me.
Helen: I want to believe you Max...but you'll need to prove it.

The next morning Helen arrives with something he hasn't seen in days. Food. 

Helen: Eat. Then we'll begin.
Max: Thank you Mistress!
Helen: Now...let's see how sincere you really are.

Days pass in a blur of servitude and careful obedience. Slowly, Helen sees a change in attitude, a desire to please, her smiles more frequent. She looks on with approval. 
Helen says one evening: You're improving Max. Perhaps William's corruption is finally wearing off.
Helen now feels satisfied that Max will fulfil all she requires in this slave who is closely associated with her and her mostly absent husband king. Max knows where he now belongs, in servitude.