Skaia (39 page)

Paulinus looked at Lucius and grinned. “Cheer up—I’m not asking you to do it.” Turning back to Skaia, he was still smiling. “Would you mind doing the digging?  Lucius and I can do the dividing.”

“
No, Master. Whatever you wish, sir.”

Paulinus thanked him, and then joined Lucius on the bench.

Skaia removed his new shoes to leave near the bench, and then stepped into the garden. The small digging tool was where he’d left it yesterday and he started to work. Periodically, he would hear laughter from the bench as Lucius and Paulinus teased each other. It made for a pleasant background as he struggled to loosen the large clumps, with Lucius coming from time to time to pick them up.

When all the old grasses were dug, Skaia glanced in the direction of the bench. Lucius was just bringing a tray. With three cups. Hoping one was for him, he approached cautiously.

Paulinus looked up immediately and smiled. “I was just about to call you. Get a bench from my rooms and join us here.”

“
Honeyed water,” Lucius said as he handed Skaia the cup. The three of them sat together, though only Paulinus and Lucius talked. Skaia listened as they discussed dunking their feet in the new pool on hot days.

“
Won’t the water get dirty?” Skaia dared to ask.

“
Of course it will,” Paulinus smiled. “That’s why I’ll insist that Thaddeus lend you to me a few times a week to clean the pool.”

Skaia laughed softly. “I’ll be glad to, sir, if I can dunk my feet too.”

“
Of course, absolutely,” the old master grinned. And Skaia felt warmed—in a good way—at the obvious affection.

Lucius picked up one of the new shoots he’d pulled from a clump. “These are all we’re keeping, Skaia,” he explained. “We’ll only need small holes to start them. The old clumps will be trashed.”

“
Speaking of digging holes,” Paulinus interjected, looking at Skaia, “I think your break is over and that the ground must be prepared.”

Skaia stood and bowed respectfully. “Yes, Master. Thank you for the water.”

“
There will be only twelve new plantlings,” Lucius called out as Skaia re-entered the garden. “You choose where they go.”

Skaia looked to Paulinus for confirmation, but the old master was already pulling at another old clump. He nodded to Lucius and began to study the existing plants around the statue of Ceres. It brought back memories of Paulinus patiently explaining the significance of the goddess, to both him and Glaucus when they were children. Goddess of growing plants. Such a deity was not known in his homeland, but this garden, and this statue, had come to be dear to him over the years. He knelt briefly to honor those feelings before he started to dig.

When the new holes were ready, and all the plants divided, Skaia and Lucius went to the outside water pipe. Lucius unplugged it and Skaia filled the bucket.

After all the grasses had been replanted and watered, Skaia sat back on the walkway near Paulinus’ bench. He was tired. But it was a good tired and he was satisfied with what he’d done. “We need the tall scrubs, sir, before it will look right,” he said.

Paulinus chuckled softly. “That’s the way with gardens, Skaia. They are always in the midst of becoming. And as soon as they are done, we must begin anew.”

Skaia looked up and smiled. “Then there will always be work for gardeners, sir.”

“
Indeed,” the old man agreed with a broad grin. “But I’m hungry now, and the sun is overhead. Lucius, can you find Gotus to bring our lunch?”

Skaia stood before the other slave could answer. “I must wash and go back to Master Thaddeus now, sir. He told me to return when you had lunch.”

“
Not yet, Skaia,” Paulinus protested. “You can wash your hands and feet first. And Gotus will be bringing cloths for your foot. Stay until he gets here.”

Will you protect me if your son is angry?
Skaia started to ask. But then just sat on the bench and started to scrub the dirt from his hands when Lucius brought the bucket and brush. Before he was satisfied with the cleanliness of his feet, Gotus appeared with a tray of cheeses and sliced fruits.

“
Take them inside out of the sun,” Paulinus instructed. “Then help Skaia put the cloth around his foot and get his shoes on.”

Lucius gave Paulinus his hand to assist him as they walked inside. Although, as Skaia watched, he wondered who was helping whom…

“
I don’t want to wash your feet again,” Gotus said irritably, as soon as Paulinus was gone.

“
I’m sorry, Gotus,” Skaia apologized softly. “I would never have asked you at all. I can do it myself.”

Gotus smiled, more than willing to let his annoyance pass. “Did Paulinus tell you about the pool?”

Skaia looked up. “Do you know about all the changes?  All the new rooms?”

“
Castor told us yesterday, after Thaddeus finally selected a builder. We’re all very thrilled to get out of the basement,” Gotus grinned. “Especially Meera.”

It’s cooler in the basement,
Skaia thought, but also realized that if he had been kept in those cells for all these years, he would hate them too. “Master Paulinus told me today,” he said as he dried his feet. “It all sounds very exciting.”

“
Didn’t Thaddeus…”

Skaia shook his head and reached for the cloth in Gotus’ hand. “I have to hurry now, not to be late.”

Gotus sighed as he knelt to help Skaia pull on the sandals. “I thought you’d know before the rest of us. I was upset you hadn’t told me.”

“
Master Thaddeus doesn’t often… talk to me, Gotus.”

Gotus nodded and stood back as Skaia got to his feet. “Castor says you’re going to the baths with him today.”

Skaia wasn’t sure what to say. He knew Gotus would have loved such a trip. And he sincerely wished he might trade places with him. But it was Thaddeus who made such decisions.

When the old master stepped outside, Gotus hurried away. Skaia, of course, remained to be dismissed. “Thank you, Skaia, for your hard work today,” Paulinus said sincerely.

Skaia bowed deeply. “You are very welcome, Master Paulinus. I always enjoy working with you.”

Paulinus smiled as he watched the boy walk away, understanding very well why his grandson had been so taken with this slave.
He takes after me.

After Skaia had washed his body thoroughly and changed into the fine tunic Castor brought, he went back to Thaddeus’ chambers. His master was not there yet, and rather than let his anxiety get even worse, Skaia looked about for something to do.

As usual, Thaddeus’ desk was messed and he moved to put it to order as he always did. He was shifting papers, and had his back to the door, when Thaddeus came in.

“
What the fuck are you doing?”

Skaia jumped, spinning round to face him. “Just trying to make your desk look neater, sir.”

“
Don’t
ever
touch my desk. Didn’t I tell you that before?”

Skaia put the papers back and shook his head. “No, sir. You said I must never read your scrolls again, sir.” He stepped backwards, feeling the familiar chill of fear. “I’m sorry, Master.”

“
At least you’re not crying.” Thaddeus snapped as he looked through various stacks. His anger abated when he realized nothing had been disturbed. “It’s fine,” he said turning to Skaia. “You didn’t mess anything.”

“
I’m sorry, sir,” Skaia repeated anyway. “I will never touch it again, sir.”

In that case, it will never look this good again,
Thaddeus thought, regretting his outburst. The guildsmen had whined all morning and made demands there was no way he could meet. He could sympathize with their anger, but he certainly had no control over street-cleaning or taxes. Shaking off his anger, he looked at Skaia’s feet. “You have different shoes.”

“
Yes, sir. Master Paulinus thought I should. He took the old ones away and borrowed these. I’m sorry.”

“
Stop babbling and stop saying you’re sorry.” The angry edge was back in Thaddeus’ voice.

Skaia fought back sudden tears. “Yes, sir.”

Thaddeus sighed and slumped in the chair before his desk. “It’s not your fault,” he admitted. “I should have taken care of the problem. No doubt, father will give me another lecture about it.”

Glancing up, Skaia thought he heard Thaddeus laugh. And indeed, the master’s face was covered with a smile. For the first time since the day he was bought, Skaia thought the man… handsome. He looked down quickly, his cheeks starting to burn.

Thaddeus looked at him curiously, wondering what the boy was thinking. But he didn’t ask. Only refilled his purse, and started for the door. “Come.”

Skaia followed him. This time, they left by the main entrance, and Skaia got a good view of the front of the house. There were huge potted plants outside. When Thaddeus stopped, Skaia did, too, and touched one of the shrubs. Softer than he would have thought. “These are beautiful, sir. Where do you get them?”  Realizing he had spoken without permission, Skaia flinched and awaited an angry retort.

But Thaddeus only smiled. It was wonderful to be outside, away from men begging favors. Even from the builder. And it was wonderful to see Skaia’s eyes light up. He touched the same plant. “These are from the farm in Umbria. Father propagated them from cuttings.”

Encouraged by the tone, Skaia asked another question. “What are cuttings, sir?”

“
You’ll have to ask my father,” Thaddeus answered, not quite as cheerfully as before. “I don’t understand such things.” He started walking, and Skaia dropped into place behind him.