Skaia (87 page)

Thaddeus called a meeting of all the slaves in the household, and explained that Gallia would become their new mistress when she and Glaucus married in two weeks. “She may be very young, but I want you all to show her respect. I don’t expect her to be knowledgeable enough to be efficient for some time, so please, relay any concerns you have about any of her orders to Phaelas. He will bring them to me.”

At the frightened looks on some of the faces, he assured all of them that he would support them in anything reasonable. “I will not allow her to come here and be a tyrant. Nor will I allow any major changes, without explaining them first. Duties and responsibilities will not be taken from you. And I promise to resolve any problems promptly.”

He glanced around, and saw there was still much concern among his slaves. “This will be a change for all of us. I cannot promise it will not be… challenging. But I do expect you to try and be patient. And not to go running to Phaelas with every little complaint you have. If any of you should become very unhappy, I will see that you are placed elsewhere.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he held his head high. “Are there any questions?”

One of the older men stepped forward hesitantly. “Do you mean, you will sell us, sir?”

“
I do. Any other questions?”

All the faces before him reflected some degree of fear now. There were no more questions, and so Thaddeus dismissed them, looking to Skaia when they had all gone about their daily business. “Well, how did it go?” he asked.

“
You’ve frightened them all thoroughly. They will obey you, sir. The threat to be sold will make them put up with anything.”

“
Why?” Thaddeus questioned, taking the boy’s arm and leading him towards Paulinus’ bench.

Turning, Skaia met his eyes. “Do you really not know?” he asked incredulously. When Thaddeus shook his head, Skaia tried to explain. “You… this place… provide the only stability in our lives, sir. And… and, well, you are good to us.”
In so many ways.
“Most masters would care nothing about their slaves’ concerns over a new marriage.”

Thaddeus stared at the garden while he sat and thought about what Skaia said. He had not felt particularly generous in calling the slaves together to tell them of what was happening, but then again, he knew that Antius or Flavius would not likely do the same. They did not feel the way Paulinus had—or Thaddeus did—about slaves. As stewards of their lives. Indeed, his friends seemed to be constantly selling and buying slaves. In his household, it was a very rare occurrence. “Do you think I am too soft?” he mused.

Skaia grinned at him. “I am probably not the best one to judge such things, sir. But, everyone thinks you are far too soft on me.” His fingers played idly on Thaddeus’ knee.

“
Too soft, eh?” Thaddeus smiled, covering the boy’s hand with his own. “Then let us return to our rooms, and I’ll show you my hard side.”

Bowing his head, Skaia looked up impishly from beneath his long lashes. “That is probably a very good idea, sir. You have not been hard on me for over a day.”

Thaddeus laughed aloud. “Brat. You’re very lucky I like you.” He stood, and began to walk away.

Skaia said nothing as he rose and followed. But he silently thanked Belenus that his master did like him.
I am indeed fortunate.

Thaddeus did not see his smile.

The slaves, of course, were not allowed to attend the elaborate wedding ceremony at the Galliani home, but they stood outside Thaddeus’ domus, and waited patiently to welcome the young bride to her new home. When she arrived, she was covered in garlands of flowers, and she smiled happily. Though the smile was not directed at them, Skaia knew he relaxed, and he suspected the others did as well.

Gallia’s mother embraced her, until Glaucus came to her side and pulled his bride away. Attia smiled as he took possession of her daughter, wistfully recalling memories of her child as a little girl, growing up. She swallowed her tears, and listened, as the couple continued their wedding ceremony.

Glaucus stood proudly beside Gallia, as she repeated the traditional vows, giving her consent to the joining.

“
Where you are Gaius, I am Gaia.”

Lifting her over the threshold at the street, Glaucus carried her to the atrium. Her slave woman, Fraca, held the wedding torch, and took it across to the wood that was prepared in the atrium fireplace. Gallia’s parents, and a few close friends, followed and watched as the new bride took the torch from her slave, and lit the fire. When it was burning brightly, and the torch was doused, the ceremony was complete. Gallia turned and gracefully threw the spent torch among the guests. Trestus caught it, and waved it over his head laughing.

Wine was served to the few guests who had come to witness the final event of the wedding. It was consumed quickly, and the guests dispersed rapidly, pausing only to offer final words of congratulations to the new couple.

After walking Gallia’s parents to their litter, and seeing them safely off, Thaddeus invited all the slaves to watch as Gallia made her first offerings to the household gods at the lararium. When this small ceremony was complete, everyone cheered. Gallia turned to them, and in an unrequired and unrehearsed moment, she thanked them all sweetly for their warm welcome.

“
Your master,” she said, looking at Thaddeus, “has told me you are all worthy and kind. I will try very hard to maintain his traditions.”

Thaddeus embraced her, and kissed her forehead. “Welcome to my family, Daughter.”

And as the new couple finally made their way up the stairs to their bedroom, they did so to the sounds of yet more cheering.

Thaddeus spoke briefly to Crassus and Thaddia, before bidding them goodnight and returning to his own rooms. He grinned as Skaia followed him in through the door. “Get me out of this damn toga,” he laughed, pulling at the folds of fabric.

Smiling, Skaia helped Thaddeus undress, and then assisted his master in donning a robe.

Touching the boy’s face gently, Thaddeus’ eyes bore down into his slave’s. “I’m sorry I couldn’t take you with me. Except for how long everything lasted, I think you would have enjoyed the ceremonies.”

“
I understand, sir. Though I wish Castor could have taken part.” Skaia folded the toga carefully and put it away. When he turned back to Thaddeus, he was still smiling. “You can tell me about it now, though. I want to hear everything.”

They sat at the small game table, and Thaddeus willingly recounted the day’s events to the raptly attentive slave sitting across from him.

“
Mistress Gallia is very beautiful, sir,” Skaia commented when Thaddeus was done. “Master Glaucus is a very lucky man.”

Thaddeus laughed. “Do you think so? She has very definite opinions of her own. I fear Glaucus will have his hands full with that one. But he’s very taken with her for the moment, so it should be peaceful for a while.”

Skaia looked at him curiously. “You expect difficulties, sir?”

“
Unfortunately, yes. And probably over you.” He tapped the boy’s nose playfully. “Just be careful.” Skaia understood well enough what was being said, and he nodded.

Thaddeus had him set up a game of Tabula, and they played quietly for a while, until Skaia looked up from the board and asked another question. “Sir, will Fraca stay with them tonight…all night?”

Grinning, Thaddeus replied, “Yes. Gallia’s servant will stay close to her at all times. And display the bloodied sheet come morning.”

“
Bloodied sheet, sir?”

Thaddeus laughed, even as he realized his slave would understand little of such things. “Gallia had best be a virgin. And virgins always bleed when they are first taken. The sheet will prove not only her virtue, but also that the marriage has been consummated.”

Skaia considered the words. He had bled after the first time with Glaucus. But then also with Scipio. And occasionally with Thaddeus. “Will… will she only bleed this one time?”

“
Except for her monthly cycle.”

Skaia had heard some talk among the female slaves, and had at least some understanding of what Thaddeus meant. But it would embarrass him to ask about such things. He went back to the other subject still on his mind. “Does Fraca stay even when they make love?”

Thaddeus nodded and then grinned. “Would an audience make you nervous, Skaia?”

“
Yes, sir.” Skaia was thinking of the awful dinner with Antius and Flavius, when everyone had watched.

The boy’s tone had been serious, and Thaddeus refrained from teasing him. “Did you not have this custom in your country?”

“
I don’t know, sir. My sister… she was to be married, but she never talked of such things. At least not to me, but I was only a child.”

“
Did your sister have a slave?”

Skaia shook his head. “My whole family… we had no slaves, sir. We were poor. Only clan leaders kept slaves.”

Thaddeus nodded. He had thought as much. He studied the game board again and made his move, signifying the end of the conversation. Skaia lost quickly, and Thaddeus looked at him curiously. “You don’t have your heart in it tonight, do you? Would you rather go to bed?”

“
No, sir. I’m not sure what I would like.”

Sitting back, Thaddeus studied Skaia’s face. The boy was disturbed about something. Perhaps Glaucus being with Gallia? “Put out the lamps and get into bed,” he whispered. “I can think of some things that might distract you.”

Skaia managed a small smile as he stood to obey. “Yes, sir.” Sex was not what he wanted, either. But as usual, Thaddeus’ lips and hands soon fired his body.

The next morning, Skaia watched as Fraca delivered the sheet to Thaddeus. His master examined it only a moment before returning it to Gallia’s slave woman, apparently satisfied, and Skaia then followed him to the dining room, behind both Crassus and Thaddia, who had watched as well.