Snippet #1804580

The noise from the arena overpowered everything else, as Giulio, and some other the newly bought slaves, got a tour of the place where they would be working from now on.
Worn-out men and women ran across the dusty courtyard nonstop, either with bandages or buckets of water for cleaning.
“You’re working in the cantina, feeding the gladiators, or work at the healer where the wounded get nursed. There will also be several other chores for you to do. Understood?”
The guard yelled brutally but he only received a unanimous answer.
“If you slack off, you will be punished. If you skip your chores, you will be punished.
If you try to run away, you will be punished!” the guard shouted, and looked at the lot following him around.
“You are only mere slaves; you are easily replaced by another low life such as yourself”.
He said in a threatening tone, and glared at a tall, unwashed boy.
Even though the boy was almost as tall as the guard, he looked like he had seen the gates of hell.

Giulio had been set to work in the kitchen, serving food to the gladiators.
And now he stood bended over a steaming kettle, filled with something mushy.
The mush reeked of over seasoned vegetables, leftover meat, and something he didn’t even dared to guess what was.
He made a grimace as all the muscles in his back were aching, from stirring in the large pot.
“They are actually eating this?”
He said cynically, before looking at his swollen hands filled with splinters from the large wooden spoon.
“I believe they are”. Whispered the girl, on the other side of the kettle, and took over the stirring spoon.
“I’m Cardea by the way”
Giulio just nodded and took one of the handles on the pot, so they could drag it out to the front.