Skaia (91 page)

Glaucus sighed. “You think I should have better control of my wife.”

“
Do you disagree?”

“
No, Father. It’s just that I seem to have lost my way.” He took a large swallow of wine, finding this confession very difficult. “I feel resentment about Gallia’s insistence that we go so often to watch the gladiators.” He hesitated a moment. “And that she… she made me give up Skaia.”

Thaddeus’ hand slipped possessively to Skaia’s neck again, and his fingers touched the collar. Glaucus’ eyes were drawn to the action, and he re-read the inscription, declaring Skaia to be the property of his father.
Ridiculous for me to be upset. I was the one that gave him away.
Still, the idea of Skaia wearing a collar, marking him as his father’s personal possession, was upsetting.

“
Why do you make him wear the collar all the time?”

“
You may answer, Skaia,” Thaddeus said softly.

Skaia was thoroughly humiliated and wished desperately that he could just disappear. But he couldn’t, of course, and so lifted his head to meet Glaucus’ eyes. “Master Thaddeus does not force me, sir. I have consented freely.”

Glaucus leaned toward him, his expression quizzical. “Why, Skaia? You hated your collar when we were children.”

Clearing his throat, Thaddeus stood up. “I think I will go to the kitchen for some more of that delicious cake. Skaia, take my seat. You two can talk privately while I’m gone.”

When Thaddeus had left the room, Skaia felt at the solid part of the collar as he answered Glaucus’ question. “My master wants me, sir. And this collar…” he bowed his head, knowing his face had reddened, “this collar helps me remember that.”
At times like now…

“
Do you think I didn’t want you?” Glaucus threw out the question like an accusation.

Of course I know you didn’t want me!
Skaia thought.
You never let me near you.
He didn’t look up until he was sure he could speak without betraying his anger. “Your life is full of new things, Master Glaucus. Your career and your marriage… I think you might have liked to have me around, once.” He looked down again, not at all sure what he could say that would not antagonize Glaucus. “But that time is past. You are a man now.”
Something I can never be…

“
So, you’re not angry with me?” Glaucus’ tone had mellowed.

Skaia shook his head. “No, sir.” It surprised him to realize it was almost true. He was with Thaddeus now, and Thaddeus was all he wanted.

“
Look at me,” Glaucus ordered, and Skaia looked up immediately. “Are you happy with my father?”

There was no hesitation. “Yes, sir. I am.” His eyes held Glaucus’ stare steadily.

Glaucus nodded and lowered his eyes, seeming to think for a few moments before he looked up again and spoke. “I’m glad, Skaia. I have not forgotten our childhood together—I want you to be happy.”

You show it strangely,
Skaia thought. But he responded appropriately. “Thank you, Master Glaucus. I will never forget the time I spent with you, sir.”

“
I will never forget you, either, Skaia,” Glaucus said with unexpected melancholy. “You have come to represent my… my youth, when my life was not so complicated.”

Skaia was surprised that Glaucus would sound desolate, when the whole world was open to him. “You are still very young, Master Glaucus. And very powerful. Your life stretches out before you, with infinite possibilities.”

“
You never could just agree with me, could you? No wonder my father calls you a brat. You are still too impudent,” Glaucus smiled.

Shrugging, Skaia felt satisfied that Glaucus was no longer so serious. “I thought it was just because he liked me, sir.”

Glaucus laughed. “I’m sure he does. Probably, knowing father, he likes you because you are impudent.”

“
Don’t tell me you’re encouraging him, Glaucus. My slave may never let me win a game again!”

Thaddeus had re-entered the room without their noticing. Skaia started to get up, but Thaddeus shook his head. “Stay,” he gestured, carefully putting a small cake laden tray down on the table beside the game board, before pulling up another bench for himself.

They all ate for a few minutes in silence, and then Skaia got up to fetch a cloth to clean their hands, Thaddeus drawing him back to his seat once he returned, before turning to his son. “Did you think of anything, Glaucus? Is there some way for you to control your wife without destroying your marriage?”

Glaucus grimaced. “That’s a very blunt assessment. We’ve only been married two months, Father.”

“
And you’re almost ready to leave for a year or more. Your wife will suddenly find herself without any major support, and
I
will not cater to her.”

“
Masters,” Skaia said very quietly and meekly, “is that perhaps the solution you need?”

“
What?” Glaucus asked sharply.

Thaddeus spoke more softly. “What is it you’re thinking, Skaia?”

“
As your mission gets closer, Master Glaucus, will you have so much free time?” Skaia asked guardedly.

For several moments, Glaucus looked at Skaia as if he were insane. And then, in an instant, he understood what the young slave was saying. “No, of course not!” he exclaimed, his face lighting up. “I need to start spending all my afternoons in the curia with Senator Scipio. Many of my evenings as well.” He turned to face his father, smiling. “I will not be available to cater to Gallia either, as the trip to Sicily gets closer. She will have to approach you to be her host for all the events I must miss. You can refuse her, Father.”

Thaddeus raised his brows. “So, I must be the one to say no, because you cannot?”

Glaucus looked almost sheepish. “There are things I must have from her. If I make her angry…” His skin flushed. “I may not have a son waiting when I return home.”

“
Then, perhaps you should spend a night away from her bed,” Thaddeus suggested. Glaucus was even more confused, and it showed in the expression he gave to his father. Thaddeus turned to Skaia. “Please wait outside; I must talk privately with my son.”

The boy obediently stood, bowed, and left.

“
Your wife,” Thaddeus continued, once they were alone, “is over confident in believing you will do whatever she wants. I think that, when you gave Skaia up so easily when she asked, Gallia became convinced she could dictate everything in your marriage. Don’t misinterpret me, Glaucus, I am very glad to have Skaia as my own. But I think, for your own sake, you must correct this impression.”

Glaucus considered his father’s words. “I am not saying I will take your advice—but what exactly would you suggest?”

“
Select one of the female slaves, and spend the night with her in your grandfather’s rooms. There’s Festa in the kitchen, who is fairly attractive. Or, if you don’t mind an older woman, there is always Meera. Perhaps if Gallia realizes you are willing to exercise your rights as her husband—by not spending every moment with her—she will come to see that she must court you, instead of the other way round.”

“
Oh, gods—how did it come to this so quickly?”

Thaddeus was caught between having sympathy for his son and feeling the urge to shake him. “It’s really very simple. You’ve given her everything she has asked for, and never once set boundaries… from the overly hasty betrothal, to agreeing to hold the marriage too early, to continuing to go to entertainments that hold no interest for you.”

Glaucus handled Skaia’s Latrunculi pieces for some moments, placing them randomly. And finally looked up. “I know you are right. I came here halfway hoping you would say what you did. I promise you I will assert myself, and not push all the responsibility onto you,” he said, his voice and face much more confident.

“
So, we’ve come to agreement,” Thaddeus smiled. “I will favor Skaia less blatantly. And you will look out for your own interests.”

“
Skaia is a good boy,” Glaucus commented. “You will have no problem with him.” He grinned. “I suspect I will have a far harder time with Gallia.”

“
I will back you up in whatever way I can,” Thaddeus said seriously. “But please remember, if you cannot handle your wife, you will have an even harder time handling the men who will report to you.”

Glaucus met his father’s eyes as he stood to take his leave, realizing Thaddeus’ concern. “I am grateful for your perspective. Thank you, Father.”

The two men walked together to Thaddeus’ door, and embraced before Glaucus left. Skaia silently watched his former master climb the stairs to his own rooms, before turning to join Thaddeus once again. He looked at the game board, and saw that his pieces had been moved. Silently, he put the game away, asking nothing about the conversation between father and son. And when Thaddeus ordered him to bed, he obeyed without question.

“
My head hurts,” Thaddeus told him. “Rub my back and shoulders.” Skaia obeyed without question, and as Thaddeus’ tension eased, he thought of how grateful he was for Skaia’s simple, quiet presence. It was not that his slave was simple-minded—far from it—but he was, simple. His needs were basic. He obeyed every order he was given, making no demands in return. And he met every need Thaddeus had, and brought him joy.
Like Lucius did for my father…

Skaia suspected he would no longer attend Thaddeus at the baths, but he was still upset when Thaddeus confirmed it the next day. He knew he would miss seeing Nicea and Abrahm, and would miss hearing the gossip of powerful men. But he accepted the restriction without comment, knowing Thaddeus’ reasons.

Thaddeus ruffled his hair gently. “Thank you, Skaia, for not arguing. I will attempt to make this up to you in private.” He kissed Skaia’s lips, and the boy smiled as Thaddeus left his rooms.

After a while, Skaia realized the advantages of staying home. He had more time for the gardens, and yet more time to be with Gotus and Castor. The three of them would meet frequently in the peristylium, and though Castor had weakened and could do nothing to help, he obviously enjoyed being outside, where he favored Skaia and Gotus while they worked with his memories of the family and household through the years.

Gotus was not much surprised when Skaia explained why he was left home so often, but when he talked to the other slaves, he explained it as Skaia having fallen from favor. At first, Skaia was upset when he heard this gossip, but it opened more doors of companionship for him. And now, when he ate dinner at the great table in the kitchen, he was once again invited into conversations.

The consequences of Glaucus’ talk with his father soon became apparent. He began working late almost every day, and sometimes even missed eating dinner with his family because he dined with others who would also be going to Sicily. Gallia had complained bitterly in the beginning, but Thaddeus either supported his son or simply ignored her comments, so she soon stopped. And after Thaddeus had sternly refused twice to attend gladiatorial combats with her, Gallia had given up asking him. It seemed Glaucus had flatly refused as well, since on the occasions when he and Gallia did go out, it was usually to the chariot races or the theater. Thaddeus would even join them on occasion.