Hanoue (Part III)

Hanoue was embarked on the ship to Egypt, and General Kalomlahkuff remained in Rome. He decided to live in Rome as a dissident, while protesting king Strogforth rulership. Hanoue's husband was devastated about the lost of his wife. The Roman soldiers' reports indicated that, his wife was probably rubbed and killed by some prisoners, who had escaped on the night she was missing. His older sister moved with him to help take care of the children. Since Hanoue was well known in Rome, the Roman people mourned her for seven days. General Kalomlahkuff had established himself comfortably in Rome, after asking Caesar for a political asylum. It was granted to him with great pleasure, because Rome and Troy had always been competitive enemies, therefore they saw the opportunity to use the General a a spy against Troy.

The voyage in the sea started very calm for Hanoue. After the first week at sea, they encountered a terrible storm. Part of their embargo had to be thrown at sea to reduce the burden on the ship. Finally after a day and a night through the storm, the ocean was calm again. Hanoue was completely disoriented, and started to miss her children. She left her cabin, went on the upper deck, and asked to see the Captain. She was lead to the compartment of the ship where she was allowed to meet him. He rose from his seat behind his desk at the sight of Hanoue. He dismissed the crew members who came with her, and asked her to sit down. Hanoue opened her mouth to begin to talk, but he signaled her to remain silence, while he poured some wine in a glass for her. He then handled the wine glass to her. She drank it, while both remained silent and looking at each other. The Captain finally broke the ice, and asked Hanoue for her name. She told it to him. Hanoue also told him about the kidnapping and how she was forced to embark the ship. She was directed blind folded to a cabin in the lower deck, and then sedated through her nostrils with ether. She was not aware about the passing of the time either, when she told the captain she wanted to return to her children and her husband. He told her, they had been at sea for three weeks now, and in another week they will reach Cairo. Hanoue was devastated, and revealed her true identity to the Captain.

He asked her why she never asked the Roman authority for help. She did ask, but she was sold as a slave to them, therefore she was not allowed to return home to her father. The captain of the ship had compassion for Hanoue, he approached her,bent slightly over, and touched her face, Hanoue looked up as the Captain placed his lips on top of hers. She started to tremble, because she was never kissed like this before.

TO BE CONTINUED