Skaia (12 page)

“
I… I sent him for breakfast already,” Glaucus said. “So we could both work on the packing.” Glaucus paused to wipe his eyes. “He should be back by now. Should I send him to Castor right away?”

Thaddeus was disappointed to see Glaucus so upset about the damn slave
.
But he nodded in agreement and got up to dress. “You go ahead, and I’ll talk to Castor. Oh, shit—and you’ll need someone else to help you pack. I’ll have Castor send someone.”

Glaucus had calmed himself in the face of his father’s composure. “Thank you, Father. I’ll send Skaia to Castor.”

Thaddeus watched his son leave.
So
, he mused,
Glaucus has finally fucked his pretty slave. After accepting that he can’t take him to Greece.
He would like to think that Glaucus wanted to remind the slave of his mastery. But he knew it was far more likely that Glaucus was making some foolish attempt to reassure Skaia at being left behind.

And his son had almost cried over hurting the slave. This could not be allowed to continue. Thank the gods that Glaucus was leaving the city. And that Skaia would be in
his
hands.

Skaia was almost hobbling when he came back to Glaucus’ room and set the breakfast tray down near the bed. Glaucus seldom ate in his room but they had talked about doing it today, since they would be packing. Of course, that had been when they hoped Skaia would be going, too. They were supposed to share breakfast while they packed together.

As Skaia started to change the sheets, he wondered where Glaucus was. Until he saw the blood. He had grown used to the pain, had convinced himself it was nothing, but the sight of the stains on the sheet made him involuntarily clench his ass and he felt nauseous. He was sitting on the bed when Glaucus returned and looked up without standing. “I… I made a mess in your bed. I’m sorry, Master.”

Glaucus pulled him to his feet and embraced him. “Shut up, you foolish slave. I’m the one to be sorry.” He let Skaia stand back. “I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know.” Tears filled Glaucus’ eyes and for a few moments Skaia froze.

But then he held Glaucus and comforted him. “It’s not so bad, Master. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Glaucus pulled back. “That’s what father said too,” he smiled happily. “He’s sure you will recover.” He didn’t notice Skaia’s look of dismay when he spoke of his father. He turned Skaia to face the door. “Go to Castor now. Father has told him what happened. Castor will care for you.”

Skaia came incredibly close to arguing, but stopped himself. As much as he wished Thaddeus didn’t know, or even Castor, it was too late now. And he thought he needed help. The sharp pain was back, and he was feeling more wetness between his legs. As terrified as he was at the thought of being touched
there,
he knew it would happen. He forced himself to walk away when Glaucus pushed him.

Glaucus was oblivious of his slave’s anxiety. Or his limp. “Don’t worry, Skaia,” he called out. “Castor will send someone to help me pack. Just go and get yourself looked after.”

Looking back, Skaia bowed his head. “Yes, sir.”
No arguing,
he told himself.
No complaining.
He obediently left to find Castor, limping to the kitchen and standing by the door, waiting for Castor to acknowledge him. The other household slaves were just finishing breakfast, and Castor was assigning tasks.

Only after he was done with this duty, did Castor look at Skaia. “Come.” Skaia walked to him carefully, eyes downcast, and Castor studied his movements. “You don’t seem so bad,” he said skeptically. “Master Thaddeus said you were just faking to gain sympathy. I see he was right.”

Faking?
Skaia looked up finally and met Castor’s eyes. “I feel better now,” he lied. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“
Are you really torn?” Castor asked impatiently when Skaia started to turn away.

Skaia looked at him, frightened even more by his tone. “I… I don’t know, sir. I bled. Is… is that what the blood means, that I’m torn?”

Castor was even surer now that this pampered boy was making up his distress. Anyone would know if their flesh tore. “Go in the washroom,” he said coldly. “I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

When Castor came in, Skaia was still standing, his tunic still in place. Castor made no attempt to hide his anger. “I didn’t realize you were so stupid you didn’t know to prepare for an examination. Strip and bend over the table.”

Skaia looked at him silently for a moment and when he spoke, his voice was trembling. “I’m still bleeding.” He held out his loincloth.

Yanking it from his hand, Castor was surprised to see the large red stains. He took a deep breath before speaking more kindly. “Remove your tunic and bend over the table, Skaia. Carefully.”

Skaia obeyed, dropping his tunic onto the floor. Castor frowned at the carelessness but he said nothing of it, just moved between Skaia’s legs after seeing steaks of blood, and probed between his buttocks. There was more blood. Too much. He kept his voice calm. “Stay here, Skaia. Don’t move. I need to get some supplies.”

Castor was startled to see Thaddeus standing in the doorway, watching the boy. “How bad is it?” the master of the house demanded.

“
Bad enough. I’m surprised he was able to walk.”

Thaddeus looked at Castor and frowned. “Don’t tell my son. If Glaucus asks, say he’s doing fine.”

“
Yes, Master.” Castor bowed his head, and hurried from the small room.

Thaddeus walked across to Skaia. “You heard me?”

“
Yes, Master.”

“
The same applies to you. If Glaucus comes looking for you, tell him you’re alright. Do you understand me?”

“
Yes, sir.” Skaia turned his head to look at Thaddeus. “Master, am I going to die?”

“
Everyone dies,” Thaddeus grinned.

Skaia barely suppressed a sob and turned his face away. “Glaucus mustn’t know, sir,” he said with some urgency. “Not before his trip.”

Thaddeus was surprised at the comment and looked at Skaia more carefully.
The slave truly thinks he’s dying,
he realized.
And his only concern is to protect Glaucus.
Thaddeus touched the boy’s pale shoulder gently. “No,” he agreed. “Glaucus must know nothing of this. He mustn’t start his journey by worrying for you.” He removed his hand. “Castor will take you to my room when he’s done. I’ll look after you there.”

Lifting his head from the table, Skaia asked, “Why?” 
Why can’t I die here with people I know?

The old Skaia,
Thaddeus thought.
The bold youngster who questioned orders.
He smiled to himself, but his voice was harsh. “You forget yourself, slave.”

Skaia laid his head down on the table again. “Sorry, Master.”

Just as he’d said when he was a child
. Thaddeus had to force himself to leave without looking back.

When Skaia was sure Thaddeus was gone, he allowed himself to cry.
I’m ready to die,
he thought.
With Glaucus gone. It wouldn’t be so bad,
he told himself.
I’m grown now. I’m not afraid.

By the time Castor returned, Skaia had calmed himself. He did no more than flinch slightly when Castor probed between his buttocks again. It was painful, but he thought he gave nothing away. Castor finally spoke again when he showed Skaia a large bone nozzle attached to a skin. “This must enter you as well. The liquids will infuse you with healing herbs. Hold it, Skaia. Do not let the fluids escape until I tell you.”

Why,
Skaia wondered.
Why do this if I’m dying?
But as his anus was breeched, the pain drove away any other thoughts. Small whimpers escaped him as the nozzle was forced deeper, and his insides filled with something hot.

Castor felt the boy’s muscles tense and spoke comfortingly. “It’s almost over now. Just hold the water a little longer. Then I’ll pack you and you can go to bed.”

“
Bed?” Skaia twisted his head around again. “Why?  Am I not dying?”

“
What?” Castor asked in confusion. “In all probability, you’ll be fine. I was torn much worse the first time I was taken. We’ll see if there’s more blood when the water comes out.”

Skaia said nothing, just found himself hoping that Thaddeus was wrong. And then he thought about what else Castor had said. He had been taken, too
. Had bled as I am bleeding, now.
And he had recovered. Skaia wondered how such a thing had happened to Castor, how he had dealt with it. But of course, he wouldn’t ask.

As the long minutes passed, Skaia had to fight the urges of his body not to release the fluids. Just in time Castor put a bucket between his legs and the waters rushed out, some of it spilling down his legs and onto the floor. But Castor didn’t complain. Indeed he seemed pleased. “There is very little blood. As I suspected, you’re only torn at your entrance.” Skaia remained silent, though he was embarrassed that Castor cleaned his legs and buttocks. He even remained silent as the small, clean cloths were pushed inside him, bringing back the awful ache. “I’ll change these tonight,” Castor said gently. “For now, I want you to rest.”

“
Yes, sir.” Skaia started to get up, but Castor stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You’ve been very brave, Skaia. I know that hurt. Lean on me and I’ll help you.”

Skaia did as he was ordered and sat on the bench when Castor told him. But he flinched badly at the pain when the packing pushed against his torn tissue. “It hurts, Castor.”

“
I know. Just a few more minutes, Skaia. Hold on.” Castor picked up the boy’s tunic and pulled it over Skaia’s head, then lifted him to his feet again. “I’ll help you to Master Thaddeus’ room now.”

Skaia leaned on him heavily. At least until they entered the kitchen and Skaia saw Glaucus. Then he pulled away from Castor abruptly and stood on his own. “Master Glaucus, why are you here, sir?  Have you finished packing?”

Glaucus grinned sheepishly. “Almost. But I was worried about you. How are you feeling, Skaia?”

Forcing himself to smile, Skaia answered, “I am well, Master Glaucus. Your father will look out for me. I am going to his rooms to rest.”

“
My father?” His father had said he would care for Skaia, but Glaucus hadn’t considered he would keep Skaia in his own rooms. And he knew very well that Skaia was afraid of him. “You’re really content to stay there?”

I wasn’t given a choice,
Skaia wanted to scream.
And, no, I’m not content.
But when he spoke, his voice was even and controlled. “Yes, Master. Unless you don’t want me to…”

“
No, no, it’s not that,” Glaucus hastened to say. “If you’re content, it’s fine with me.”

“
Yes, Master.”
Please leave… I need to lie down… Please leave.