Skaia (13 page)

Leaning toward Skaia, Glaucus kissed his forehead. “I have to go back to packing now. I’ll see you later. Go rest and take care of yourself.”

“
Yes, Master.”

Glaucus walked away, and Skaia reached desperately for Castor, who caught him just before he fell.

Thaddeus returned to his rooms late in the afternoon. It had been an extremely busy day. Morning appointments as usual. Then checking to be sure that the guards he’d hired were properly equipped and ready. He’d gotten to the baths late and rushed to get home. Now, he only wanted to rest before tonight’s large dinner that he was hosting for Glaucus and his friends.
And their families.

The antechamber in his rooms had been unused for years, but it was here that a pallet for Skaia had been laid. Thaddeus noted the boy’s presence as he passed, but didn’t stop to acknowledge him.

He slipped off his outer tunic and sandals, before climbing into bed. As he positioned himself comfortably, he silently thanked the gods for Castor. The old slave had done most of the planning for tonight’s celebration, relieving him of the worry. Very briefly, he thought of Skaia lying on the floor, but soon enough he was asleep.

Skaia shifted a little, trying to ignore the pain, and his hunger. He wished he’d eaten, or at least had a drink of water this morning. But then he might need the chamber pot, and he doubted he could walk that far.
If he even knew where it was.
He wanted to laugh, suddenly finding the situation absurd, and was almost overcome by the impulse, until he thought of Thaddeus.
Glaucus’ father would not be amused.

Finally, though, the door opened. Skaia shifted and started to get up, but Castor told him to lie quiet as he walked to Thaddeus’ bed and woke him. “It is getting dark, sir. Your guests will be arriving any time now.”

Thaddeus waved him away impatiently and closed his eyes again, wanting to rest for a few minutes more. When he got up, he went to wash his face, cursing that his water was cold. He turned, and addressed Skaia. “I hope your pretty ass is better soon, so you can do some work around here.”

“
Yes, Master,” Skaia called from the antechamber, pushing himself up. “I’m sorry, sir.”

Thaddeus pulled on a fresh tunic, and walked to his door. He stared down at Skaia. “Are you really better?  Has the bleeding stopped?”

“
Yes, Master. Castor says I will not die.”

Thaddeus flashed his fierce grin. “He’s wrong. Everyone dies.”

After all the guests were seated, and dinner served, Castor returned to look after Skaia. “Can you come to the kitchen with me?”

“
Yes sir,” Skaia confirmed. But when he stood, he had to reach for Castor’s arm. With just a little support, he made it without too much difficulty. Castor took him to the washroom and had him lean over the table, lifting the boy’s tunic above his hips. He called for one of the kitchen girls to bring hot water, and more clean cloths.

Castor removed the old packing cloths, pleased there was no fresh blood. Then he gave Skaia another enema and put healing ointments inside him. Skaia groaned at the intrusion, unable to stop himself, but did not try to pull away. This time, Castor soaked the fresh cloths with oil before he inserted them into the boy’s body. They went in more easily and would be more comfortable for Skaia. When he was done, he patted Skaia’s buttocks gently. “You’ve been a very good boy today, Skaia.”

A good boy.
Oh, how Skaia hated those words. They reminded him yet again he would always be a slave. Always be only a boy. But he said nothing.

With the necessities taken care of, Castor saw to Skaia’s other needs, sending him to the chamber pot in his own room, giving him water, and a small amount of bread. Finally, he had Skaia walk around the kitchen, and asked if he was feeling better.

“
Yes, sir.”

“
Are you speaking truthfully this time?” Castor asked sternly.

Skaia met his eyes. “Yes, Master.”

“
Do not call me master. That is reserved for the free men in the domus. You damn well know that.”

Skaia lowered his eyes again, so very weary of being wrong. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir.”

Shit,
Castor thought.
That wasn’t what I wanted.
But he returned the boy to Thaddeus’ room and made sure he was settled comfortably before leaving to attend his many other duties.

Thaddeus performed well as host of the night’s party. He was cordial to his guests and talked extensively with Bessus and Trestus, friends of his son, sons of his friends, who would be part of the excursion. They were all attractive young men, but, of course, Thaddeus thought Glaucus was the most exceptional of the three. His heart filled with pride when he looked at his son. Almost as tall as he was. And well muscled from all his wrestling and arms practice. Thaddeus looked around again and wondered if Flavius and Antius felt the same about their own children. By the time he called one of the slaves for another cup of wine, he was smiling to himself and had definitely decided Glaucus was superior to the others.

He thought everything was going very smoothly when he finally joined Antius and Flavius at a side table for a moment of relaxation. “Our sons are very handsome young men,” he said proudly. “And when they return home, they will be ready to take their rightful places in society.”

“
Assuming Glaucus has gotten past his softness for that red-haired slave boy,” Antius grinned. “Bessus and Trestus are teasing him unmercifully about wanting to take the brat to Greece.”

Thaddeus was stunned.
Glaucus had spoken of that to his friends?
And now their families knew. And gods only knew how many others. It could be disastrous. There was little a patrician family couldn’t do, but putting anything beyond duty to the State and one’s family was one of them.

Such stupidity could ruin Glaucus’ standing—ruin his position in society before he ever assumed it. Kindness to slaves was one thing. Looked down on, but not ruinous to a family’s reputation. But to be so fond of one that it interfered with one’s duties?  It was unspeakable. Thaddeus fought to remain calm, to give away nothing of his concern. It was not too late. With Glaucus gone, the blame could easily be placed on the slave.

Thaddeus got up and, as he hoped, the others did, too. He mingled among his guests again, trying to be cordial, but his thoughts turned much too often to Glaucus’ slave. Wondering about the relationship Skaia shared with Glaucus. Even comparing the two.

The slave had started out taller than his young master, but Skaia’s growth had not matched Glaucus’. His son had a beard now, and needed to be shaved every few days. Skaia’s face had remained hair free. Even the hair in the slave’s groin was paltry. And there was nothing in his armpits. Glaucus was tall and strong and tanned. Skaia was small and slender, his coloring pale—like a painted whore.

Thaddeus’ thoughts drifted again to his son’s bedding of the slave. He was not upset it happened, just wished it had happened sooner. Glaucus should have just taken the little bastard years ago without worrying about it. Never should he have let himself care for the damn slave—and never, ever should he have revealed his feelings to his friends. Gods only knew how many others would learn about it.

He was grateful to have the unpleasant train of thought interrupted when Flavius joined him. “The stars are bright tonight. It should be pleasant tomorrow when our sons leave the city.” Trivial conversation, but it served its purpose. Thaddeus patted Flavius’ shoulder fondly and smiled as they joined their children.

Shortly afterwards, people began to take their leave. And finally, only Glaucus and Thaddeus were left in the vicinity of the atrium, except for the anxious slaves in the background, eager to begin the clean-up and retire to bed. Thaddeus put his arm around his son. “Are you ready?”

“
Yes, everything is packed. My trunks just need to be loaded in the wagon come morning. The dinner was wonderful,” Glaucus said as he looked up at the night sky. “A splendid send-off. Thank you.” He turned to face his father. “I just wish Skaia had been well enough to be here. I’m going to miss him while I’m gone.”

Withdrawing his arm, Thaddeus held back the diatribe he was tempted to unleash. “Your slave will be fine, Glaucus. I am going to keep him with me, and work on his training while you’re gone. I think you may have been too lenient on him. He forgets his place entirely too often.”

Glaucus felt a shiver of apprehension. “Father, I’m perfectly happy with his training. He suits me very well. I don’t want you hurting him.”

Thaddeus frowned at Glaucus’ protective words. “You are far too attached to him, Glaucus. It isn’t healthy to be so concerned for a slave.”
And our friends know.
But he didn’t say that to Glaucus, or any of the other things that ran through his mind. Instead, he tried to soothe his son’s feelings. “I won’t hurt him. He just needs to be reminded of what he is.” Thaddeus forced himself to laugh. “Some extra sternness is exactly what your slave needs.”

Glaucus did not back down. “Father, I’m serious. Don’t hurt him.”

Thaddeus stared at his son for just another moment before embracing him. “You’re too soft,” he said very quietly. “But, I won’t hurt him. I promise.”
Not much.
And what I do will be for your own good.
You’ll realize that someday.

In spite of their disagreement, Glaucus was excited about his trip and he didn’t want to leave home with hard feelings. “I know you’ll look after him for me. I trust you to do what is best,” he said, as he stepped back from the embrace. “I just want to see Skaia before I go to bed. To make sure he’s comfortable.”