Skaia (23 page)

Skaia’s face was devastated… and Gotus could only offer practical advice. “There is almost always something good in life, Skaia. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Glaucus may have cared for you, but he is gone now. Do what Thaddeus wants. Submit to him. You will live—and the only hope is in life.”

Somehow Skaia held back his tears. He could agree with Gotus on some level. But he desperately wanted to believe that Glaucus cared for him—and would again.

In the end, his only recourse was the same. Satisfy Thaddeus and live to see Glaucus again.

And hope…

The next day, Castor informed Skaia that he must resume his normal duties. “Be careful, Skaia,” he warned the boy as he was leaving Thaddeus’ rooms. “I’m not sure why Master Thaddeus has treated you so well, but do not take it to mean he will ignore your failings. Obey him. Please him. Do
not
invite another beating.”

Skaia accepted the counsel without comment. He knew as well as Castor that Thaddeus did not like him. But regardless of Thaddeus’ reasons, regardless of the dangers he might face, he found himself looking forward to being active again—to doing something productive.

Still, as he looked around Thaddeus’ rooms, he was pleased that someone had cleaned the floors. Little else had been done, however, and Skaia began his work by changing the bed linens. Then he dusted all the furniture and straightened Thaddeus’ clothes in his tall cabinet.

After polishing his master’s shoes and boots, he stretched several times, pleased that he was so flexible again. Without really thinking, he looked through the master’s games. Thaddeus had everything Glaucus did and a few others Skaia had never seen.

But he was not so interested in games and moved to Thaddeus’ desk. He only glanced at the papers there, something to do with crops on the farms, and then his eyes were drawn to the many scrolls Thaddeus kept in an open cabinet. Cautiously, he pulled one out and found it was a history of the Punic Wars. He started to put it back—and then remembered Glaucus’ fascination with Hannibal.

Curious now, hoping to learn more of this strange man, he sat on the floor and unrolled the scroll. The writing soon captured his attention—explaining the long-standing conflict between Rome and Carthage. In the first of the wars, Rome had defeated the Carthaginians fairly easily, driving them from Sicily. But this Hannibal was more clever and attacked Italia from the north, reclaiming much of what Rome had taken and even defeating some of the northern cities. He seemed a serious threat until Rome actually invaded Africa, taking Hannibal prisoner and destroying his base of support.

There was more, but the door had opened and Thaddeus strode in. Skaia stood quickly, still clutching the scroll and bowed. “I’m sorry, Master,” he apologized immediately. “I know I shouldn’t have… I’m sorry.”
And I’m about to get another beating…

But Thaddeus did not seem terribly angry, only took the scroll, glanced at its contents, rolled it closed, and put it back in his cabinet. “Some light reading, Skaia?” he asked sarcastically as he sat.

“
I… Yes, sir.” Skaia was mortified.
I hardly need to know about a Roman war—why do I act so stupidly?
“I’m sorry, sir,” he concluded lamely.

Thaddeus knew, of course, that Skaia could read, though he had never really considered that the boy might enjoy it—or actually be interested in learning.
How interestin
g. Something to be considered on another day. But for now, he wanted to see the boy’s back. “Strip.”

Skaia obeyed and held his breath as he waited to be told to lean against the wall. But the order did not come. Instead, he felt Thaddeus’ hands upon his back. “You’ve healed well.”

“
Yes, Master. Castor said… ” Skaia stopped talking. He did not want to disobey another rule and surely earn a punishment.

“
What did Castor say?” Thaddeus inquired calmly.

Oh, Belenus…
“He said, sir, that you have been very kind to me and that I must be more obedient. So… so you do not whip me again.”

Thaddeus laughed softly. “Obviously, he hasn’t talked to my father.” He turned Skaia to face him and looked at his young body. From the front, the boy was fine. Even his abused nipple was almost normal again. Thaddeus tried to ignore the urge to order Skaia to his bed, refusing to need him. “Go back to your pallet,” he ordered. “Tomorrow, I will set you to work.” He watched the boy walk away. “Oh, and Skaia…” The slave stopped. “Do not touch my scrolls again.”

“
Yes, Master,” Skaia answered softly, more than grateful that Thaddeus had not chosen to punish him for his foolishness.

Thaddeus did not even try to resist his body’s urges when Skaia brought his water the next morning. He spread his thighs and Skaia climbed between them without being told. The boy was better now, and he seemed almost eager. Thaddeus simply lay back and let him work, enjoying both his hands and his mouth.
I’m too easy in the mornings,
he thought as he felt his climax approaching.

But Skaia was sucking him greedily and he didn’t bother to fight the overwhelming urge. He moaned loudly as he pumped his seed, aware of the soothing motions of Skaia’s throat. It was not until the waves of pleasure subsided that he realized the boy had taken him so deeply. His scrotum actually rested against Skaia’s chin. He patted the red curls as Skaia cleaned him.

He only spoke to the boy after he was dressed. “Have Castor give you a good tunic today once you’ve cleaned up in here. When I’m through with my wretched meetings, I’ll take you into the city with me.”

Skaia met his eyes, at first not believing what he’d heard, and then unable to hide his excitement. “Really, sir?  Into the city?” His voice was almost jubilant, and Thaddeus came close to laughing at him.

Until he remembered that Skaia had almost never left the domus. Except the few times when his father insisted he needed the boy’s help, on days when Lucius was not well. Eight years without ever seeing any of Rome. “Yes, really, Skaia,” he smiled. “I’ll even take you through the forum.”

Skaia nodded happily, all his doubts and worries forgotten. He hurried from the rooms with the chamber pot and Thaddeus did laugh as he watched him go. It was almost like seeing the child Skaia had been, when he’d played gleefully, without fear, with Glaucus. Thaddeus’ own happiness faded at the thought. He had been responsible for turning that happy child into the fearful boy he’d become.
My plan…
It was more than a little disconcerting to realize he regretted at least some of what he’d done.

Sighing, he pushed the uncomfortable thought away and left for his meetings.

The morning tasks went quickly for Skaia, and he was very pleased with the tunic Castor brought him. Finer than anything he’d ever worn before. And long. Touching his knees, even after it was belted. He knelt on his pillow in the corner of the room, waiting impatiently for Thaddeus to return. He looked up when the door opened and was disappointed to see Gotus.

“
What are you doing, Skaia?” Gotus asked in confusion. “Why are you in the corner? Why are you kneeling?” 

Skaia stood quickly, but was hesitant to meet Gotus’ eyes. “This… this is where Master Thaddeus expects me to be when I’m not working.” No one else knew of his close confinement. He wished Gotus did not. “Do… do you know why the master has not come for me?”

“
I have no idea,” Gotus replied. “He called me to his meeting as it was breaking up and said he needed you. Do you know why?  What’s happening?”

“
He said he would take me with him today. I thought he’d come back for me. Did he… did he seem upset?”

Gotus shrugged. “Only a little more so than usual. There was a lot of shouting in the meeting. That would upset him.” He looked at Skaia more closely. “Have you upset him?  Is that why he makes you stay in a corner?”

“
No… That’s not the reason. It… it is just his requirement for me.”

It was obvious Skaia did not want to discuss the matter and Gotus let it pass. “Well, we’d best be going. He said he would be waiting in the atrium. We need to get there before he decides to leave you behind.”

“
Yes, sir. I’m ready.”

Sir?
Gotus realized Skaia must be very nervous. “I’m sure everything is fine,” he tried to assure his friend as they walked through the hallways. “And you can tell me about the trip when you get back.”

Skaia nodded and managed to smile as they entered the great open room.

Thaddeus was watching them both as they approached. Gotus bowed quickly and turned away, and Thaddeus continued to stare at Skaia as he walked forward, thinking he looked… not handsome.
Pretty
. Almost feminine, except for his jaw line.

He led the way to a side entrance and Skaia fell into place behind him and followed respectfully with his head lowered. Skaia felt his excitement growing and he looked around from time to time, though he was careful not to attract Thaddeus’ attention. He remembered his trips with Paulinus, but he and Thaddeus were already well past the street where Paulinus went for plants. When they left the area that Skaia knew, he felt his heart begin to race.
Rome. I’m really going to see Rome.

They seemed to have walked a very long way when Thaddeus motioned Skaia forward. “We are just entering the forum. It is Rome’s heart—the center of commerce and government.” He was obviously proud. As they continued to walk, Skaia looked around in wonder—at the large beautiful buildings and the throngs of people. He kept closer to Thaddeus, but was still thrilled at everything he saw, even when they moved away from the bustle and into narrower streets.