chapter 4

on one of Solon's wheat fields, he was always punctual, he never complained about the work he was assigned to do , he always did it obediently.

he was always so friendly with the other labourers and they all adored him. the fact that they were all Athenians made it easy for them to get along .he was always in the most enthusiastic mood, it was always sort of difficult to not be happy around him.

even though their work was more of slavery than a job, he always made it a little less miserable.

Ever since the Euphatrides gained more power over the Athenians, all the Athenians were forced to sell off all the properties they owned, if they were to live. and apart from that they had to pay working tax each month, failure in doing so would lead to serious punishment which included death.

Uriel had sold all his assets in order to pay tax, which costed more if one had a spouse or family.

Today wasn't any different he came in with the usual charismatic tone.

" you all look gloomy, did someone die , or are you all hungry this early morning" he teased

" It's tax collection day today, have you forgotten " said Archibald Uriel's every close friend.

" oh my, you have to be kidding me, so soon, and I don't even have anything to offer this month not even money "

" how could you have anything to offer when they have stripped us of all we had, and only pay us 5 gold pieces each week, for all the hard labour we endure under the blazing sun with no days off,

this is pure slavery" Archibald complained.

"what's with the chit chat over here, get to work you lazy animals, that wheat won't harvest it's self. instead of working your over here chatting like little girls." said one of the Euphatrides who was in charge of the fields.

" master solon and his men will soon be here, and I don't want him to find you animals lazing around , so get your sorry selves to work " he kept nagging everyone like he always did, it was a habit of his to ridicule the poor, he seemed to find pleasure in doing so.

and we had gotten used to him nagging all the time it eventually became a part of us, after all his nagging never brought our spirits down. and him knowing that he wasn't about to crash our self esteem, always infuriated him.

A few moments later, we were all asked to line up near the field mangers tent.

we all knew what it meant, tax collection time.

" oh no what will I do, I have nothing to offer, If only I hadn't spent my last few gold pieces on wine last night." Uriel was so worried that sweat started dripping down his face, he knew that there were consequence to not paying tax. the last time someone didn't pay tax, they ended up stoned to death.

and Uriel couldn't help but think that, that is what awaits him.

" line up in a straight line you useless things. as you will soon be glorified with master solons presence " said the field manger August

" glorify more like scorn us with his presence " Archibald scoffed while rolling his eyes.

everyone who heard him couldn't help but cackle a little

" would you all shut your forsaken mouths , the master is approaching" said August with a stern look on his face.

" oh he is already here" August ran over to solon to welcome him.

" you are welcome master solon, it is a pleasure to have you here " he said

"whish I could say the same thing about being here " solon said in a tone of disgust, while looking at us as though we were a pile of rotting carcasses.

" excuse me master, but why did you have to bother yourself coming all this way, you could have sent your men to collect the taxes" August asked

" shut up your voice is annoying me " solon replied.

"yes master ,sorry master " August apologized, and bowed his head down .

solon then stood in front of the labourers, " I assume you all know why I am here right?, I am here to collect tax , I usually send my men to do it but today I felt like seeing the people who work on my field , so without wasting anymore time start paying up". solon motioned his men to start collecting.

Uriel was so uneasy at that moment if only the ground would open up and swallow him.

The men were getting closer and closer to him " I am doomed " he thought.

Uriel was so worried that he didn't notice solon walk up to him.

" what's wrong you seem uneasy, do I scare you young man " solon asked

" Not at all, it's just that ummm "

" just what young man, speak clearly "

"it's just that I don't have anything to give as tax today " he replied looking at ground avoiding eye contact.

" oh I see, then you are right to be uneasy, because there are consequences to such insolence, you do know that, don't you?.

" yes I do know that , master solon" still avoiding eye contact.

"But you see the thing is that I have nothing left to offer, I have sold everything I owned just to pay tax, now the only thing I have left is my wife and daughter"

"A daughter you say, how old is she " asked solon "

" she is only a few months old "

"come with me I would like to speak to you in private "

solon led Uriel inside the tent

"sit down young man"

Uriel sat on a wooden stool while solon sat on chair so luxurious it that it looked like a throne.

" with out wasting anytime, how about I make you deal " solon said with a devilish smirk on his face

" what kind of deal " Uriel asked

" You sell off your daughter to me, in exchange you won't have to ever pay tax again"

" what?!" Uriel was shocked to hear this and solon still had that smirk on his face

" but why would you be interested in a child " he asked

" I want her to work in my brothel, when she is of age, but until she is of age she will have to live there so as to adjust to the surrounding "

" I am sorry master solon , but I can't do such a thing to my daughter I just can't "

" look young man, it's either you sell me your daughter , or I kill you , your wife and your daughter too ,so choose wisely "

" I guess I have no choice but to sell off my daughter, ohh my, how will I break this news to Abigail ?, this will totally break her heart."

" okay master solon, you may have my daughter, in return I won't have to pay tax ever again. "

"wise choice young man," solon said flashing a wide smile.