Skaia (73 page)

Castor looked over his shoulder. “Thank you, Phaelas.”

Phaelas only shook his head, and went back inside.

Nicea’s eyes were wide as he walked through the streets of Rome, for once not staring at his feet constantly. Thaddeus took note of him from time to time, thinking he behaved much as Skaia had on the first few trips he had been allowed outside the domus.

When they arrived at the small bath house, Thaddeus moved to the boy’s side. “This can’t be entirely new to you. Surely, Athens has such things?”

“
Yes, Master. But not so grand. And our buildings do not have arches and domes. Your Roman buildings are so… large.”

“
Still, they are copied from Greek architecture. In so many ways, Rome has been modeled from Athens.”

“
Yes, Master.” The young slave lowered his eyes, embarrassed to be addressed so casually by a master.

Glaucus watched with impatience. “He doesn’t need everything explained to him, Father. Besides, our friends will be waiting for us.”

Thaddeus was surprised at Glaucus’ comment. His son hadn’t
wanted
this slave, but surely he didn’t dislike him. “Of course it isn’t necessary, Glaucus. But everything is new to him.”

“
I understand well enough. He’s ignorant. But we don’t have time to dawdle with him.”

“
We have all the time we need, Glaucus.” Thaddeus gave up as his son sighed loudly at the comment. “Alright. We’ll go in.” But he turned to Nicea before he followed Glaucus. “Since you bathed this morning, you will have no duties today. Just accompany me and watch.”

Nicea nodded and spoke very quietly. “Thank you, Master.”

Antius and Bessus were waiting inside, but Flavius and Trestus had not yet arrived. The four men talked quietly as they waited, and Nicea stood back. When the others arrived, they all went to the changing room.

Walking to his father, Glaucus glanced at Nicea. “Why did you have to bring him?” he asked irritably. “No one needs their own slave in the bath houses.”

“
Your grandfather always brought Lucius,” Thaddeus snapped, not caring that the others heard him. He had been pushed just a little too far. “Glaucus, as I recall, I am still head of this family.” He stared Glaucus in the eyes, until his son finally relented and looked away. “If I choose to bring a slave, it is my right. And I hardly need
you
to tell me what to do.”

Glaucus looked at his father again, sheepishly. He knew, of course, that Thaddeus was right. The pater familiaris owned his family in much the same way he owned his slaves. It was not likely his father would banish him, or disinherit him for something so minor, but the legal possibility existed.
And I certainly should not be attempting to challenge his authority.
He looked at his friends and their fathers, shamed that they had heard him do anything so foolish. Then, turning back around, he apologized. “I’m sorry, Father. I was entirely at fault.”

Thaddeus hardly wanted to be at odds with his son, and after only a moment he embraced Glaucus warmly. “You are a man now. You are old enough, and have my permission, to make choices for yourself. But I do not relinquish that right for myself.”

“
Yes, sir.”

Antius laughed, breaking the tension. “Your father has grown as soft on slaves as your grandfather was. Though I hardly thought it would carry over to this one,” he said, looking boldly at Nicea. This time everyone laughed, even Trestus, though he glanced sympathetically at Nicea for just a moment.

The remainder of the day went without any further confrontations. More stories came out, and for the first time, Thaddeus heard how Glaucus fought with the guards when the group was attacked. He was torn between pride and censure; but quickly settled on the former. “I’m glad your weapon’s training was fruitful, Glaucus. But when you travel, for the gods’ sake, leave your safety to the professionals.”

At some point, Thaddeus noticed that Abrahm, the old Jew, had entered. He excused himself to greet the man. “I didn’t see you earlier, or I would have asked you to join us.”

“
Not necessary,” Abrahm smiled. “I see you’re with your son and your friends.” His eyes rested on Nicea for a moment. “Surely, you haven’t sold that red-headed boy?”

“
No. Skaia belonged to my son, and has returned to his service,” Thaddeus answered, motioning Nicea forward and introducing him.

Nicea started to slip to his knees, but the old man caught his elbows. “No need, boy.” When Nicea looked up, Abrahm audibly gasped at the sight of his eyes. “You do know how to find handsome slaves,” he said, smiling at Thaddeus.

Another man, possibly Egyptian, Thaddeus thought, joined Abrahm and together the two men left to find a table of their own, leaving Thaddeus to return to his friends.

“
A Jew?” Flavius remarked when Thaddeus was back. “You do have the strangest friends, Thaddeus.”

Thaddeus just smiled and shifted the conversation back to their sons, listening as Antius announced that Senators Scipio and Marius had accepted their invitation to the following night’s party. “And they won’t be seeking further contributions,” Flavius laughed, lifting his cup.

Daylight was beginning to fade, and everyone finished their wine in preparation for returning home.

Glaucus and Thaddeus talked excitedly of the party on their way, though Thaddeus worried somewhat that Marius would pressure him again to run for the Senate. He had not told Glaucus, in fear his son would encourage it as well. From time to time, Thaddeus glanced back at Nicea, though he no longer spoke to him. He thought the young slave seemed content, even if his eyes stayed focused firmly on the ground again.

Putting an arm around his son’s shoulder, Thaddeus hoped to convey his own apology for their earlier dispute. “Is it true that you will report to Scipio?” he asked. “Antius mentioned it this afternoon in the hot pool.”

“
I heard it too, Father. Even that my first mission has been decided. If it’s really Sicily, I will need a whole new wardrobe,” he grimaced.

“
You don’t need to shop,” Thaddeus assured him. “We’ll call in a tailor.”

That news further assured Glaucus. “I have heard that Titus Galliani will attend as well. Do you think he will bring Gallia?”

“
To meet her new husband?” Thaddeus grinned. “If the girl is anything like Thaddia, she wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Thaddeus called Nicea to him as they walked to the dining room. “Assist Gotus tonight. You should learn how to serve at dinners.”

“
He knows these duties already,” Glaucus commented. “After all, he served dinner to Trestus, Bessus, and me for the last several months.”

Thaddeus smiled, most definitely not wanting to argue with Glaucus again. “Of course, but he needs to learn how things are done in our home. And adapt to our ways.”

“
When did you become so concerned for slaves, Father?” Glaucus asked, careful not to seem accusing.

When I came to care for Skaia,
Thaddeus thought. But he did not say it. “When did you become so unconcerned, Glaucus?”

Glaucus shrugged. “It is the way of things. I learned on my trip that one slave is much like another, though some are better to take to bed than others, of course,” he grinned after glancing at Nicea. “But, none of them are significant.”

Exactly what I wanted you to learn,
Thaddeus thought.
Fuck.

Thaddia and Crassus welcomed them eagerly, and the previous discussion was quickly forgotten. The children also spoke of the dinner that Antius would hold, excited that they could attend. Thaddeus absolutely beamed at his children, thinking that Paulinus would be very proud of them.

As they began to eat, the discussion centered on clothing. “I had Meera lower the neckline of my peach tunica,” Thaddia announced, “so I would look more like a woman than a little girl. And today, Thera and I shopped for new shoes.”

“
Where did you get money?” Thaddeus asked in surprise. “You didn’t tell me about a shopping trip.”

Thaddia grinned. “From Phaelas, of course. I’m the woman of the household now. He has to give me what I want.”

No, he doesn’t,
Thaddeus thought. And resolved to speak to him. As well as Meera. “What of you, Crassus?  What are you wearing?”

“
Just my patterned tunic. I should have new shoes too, Father. My sandals are scuffed.”

Thaddeus shook his head. “Have your slave polish them. Castor has all the supplies.” He ignored Crassus’ frown.

“
Your shoes should be polished also, Father,” Glaucus suggested. “They look a little rough.”

If I had Skaia, they would be.
The boy always took care of such things without being told. “I’ll put Nicea on it tomorrow. At least, they hardly show under a toga.”

“
I seldom wore a toga on the journey,” Glaucus laughed. “I’d forgotten how they hide your legs.”

With dinner finished, the family retired to one of the smaller side rooms to play a game and continue talking. Gotus and Nicea began to clear the dining room.

“
So Thaddeus took you to the baths today,” Gotus commented as he accepted a stack of plates from Nicea. “Did you see Antius naked?”

“
What?” Nicea was shocked at the question. His voice and face reflected it.

“
You heard me,” Gotus smiled. “Is Antius as fat around the middle as he looks?”

Nicea said nothing for a moment, completely unsure of how he should react. “Why did you not ask Skaia?” he finally got out.

“
I did, but Skaia doesn’t like him,” Gotus grinned. “I think he exaggerated.”