Skaia (96 page)

Gallia was unexpectedly thoughtful. “My father worries, too,” she confided. “He has supported Caesar. But he worries now that he pushes for too much.”

Thaddeus agreed. “If the man had been willing to set up a new consulate, I suspect we would not be looking at this alternative.” The remainder of their talk centered on what Glauca would need for the trip.

As Thaddeus had suspected, Thaddia was more difficult to convince—worrying that her betrothal would be delayed if they left the city. In the end, Thaddeus promised to sign the papers with the Razium family earlier than he had intended. “The actual betrothal ceremony will not be held until next fall, Thaddia,” he insisted. “Hopefully, most of the danger will have passed—and your brother will be back to witness it.” She was at least somewhat mollified at the prospect of having Glaucus participate, but still upset.

When she left his office, Thaddeus threw down the papers he had been holding, and headed to the kitchen.
Slaves are easier
, he thought.
They can’t complain or question.

Only they did. “Are we all staying here?” Phaelas asked, very distinctly implying they were being left behind for the slaughter.

“
Hardly,” Thaddeus replied bitingly. “But definitely you, Phaelas. Pick as few as you can to get by with. The house will be closed with only minimal maintenance.”

“
The gardens?” Skaia ventured. “No one but me…”

“
Quiet!” Thaddeus all but shouted. Then, “We’ll speak of it later,” he said more gently. “Get outside, now.” With Skaia gone, most of the others were dismissed as well, and Thaddeus sat down with Phaelas and Castor to finish working out the details.

Skaia was watering plants in the peristylium when Thaddeus approached him. He looked up, left the garden, and went to his master. “Who will look out for it, sir?” he asked fearfully. “Master Paulinus would be most upset if it failed to thrive.”

“
He would be even more upset if his family was caught up in the midst of a civil war,” Thaddeus snapped, most certainly not in the mood to hear such drivel, though he calmed himself at the pained look on Skaia’s face. “I will see that a gardener comes weekly to attend to it. Will that be satisfactory to you?” he asked sarcastically.

Skaia blushed and lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Master. I… I know I shouldn’t question you. Whatever you decide is fine, sir.” And he meant the words. He was well aware of his status now. A beloved slave. But still, only a slave, with no right to protest the master’s decisions.

Thaddeus stared at the bowed head and accepted the boy’s surrender. His anger dissipated completely, and he embraced Skaia, taking comfort from his closeness.
At least I can still control something
, he thought.
And have someone I can count on.
He remembered what his father had said about Lucius, and thanked the gods again that he had this constant presence in his life. And he stroked Skaia’s back softly.

It was a difficult trip with the baby, and such a large traveling party. To complicate things even further, Castor was ill and required near constant care. But the country villa was welcoming when they finally arrived. Gallia liked it immediately, and walked the grounds with Glauca held protectively in her arms and Fraca at her side.

Thaddeus and Skaia had resolved their conflict during the journey and when they dismounted, they were both grateful to be back in the country once again. It reminded them of the last summer they had spent there, with Paulinus and Lucius.

Slaves from the villa had made space for all the city slaves, and began showing them around even as Thaddeus and the rest of the party went to their own quarters. The fresh country air and sunshine seemed to agree with Castor. After only a few days, he started getting up every morning and breakfasting with the other slaves. Though he limped badly now, and used a walking stick, he strolled the grounds close to the villa almost every day, frequently encountering Gallia, who welcomed his company.

Skaia made time in the first days to show Gotus and Aulus around the estate. Neither man had seen woods, or a river, since their sale into Thaddeus’ home so many years ago. Gotus was especially pleased. He talked of all the changes he’d been though since coming to the Suetonius family.

“
First there were those dank little cells. Then, when we were given the upstairs quarters, with windows and access to the sun and fresh air, I thought that things were as good as they were ever likely to get. But this…” He threw his arms wide to embrace the open space and the softly flowing river. “…this is almost unbelievable. Something I never thought I’d see again in my life.”

“
Enjoy it while you can,” Aulus laughed. “We’ll be sent back to Rome soon enough.”

Gotus grinned and pushed Aulus into the water. “Spoil sport,” he called out.

It was just a gently ebbing pool, but Aulus was flustered. “My clothes are soaked,” he complained. “Phaelas will whip the skin off my back. And yours, too, for causing this mess.”

Skaia grabbed Gotus’ arm and jumped in the water as well, laughing loudly as they splashed the water high. “Phaelas isn’t here,” he reminded his friends. “Besides, Thaddeus gave us the entire afternoon. We’ll dry before we have to go back inside.”

The three men spent carefree hours exploring the woods and river rocks, before the sun began to lower. A welcome time of freedom under no one’s control—a time to treasure. Though Skaia found himself wishing Thaddeus was there…

It was not long, however, before a routine was established. Each city slave was assigned some duty, but nothing that took the entire day. The few country slaves were freed up as well with all the extra help, and the two groups soon became friends as they worked and played together.

With Thaddeus’ permission, Skaia was soon busy assessing and beginning repairs of the garden in the internal courtyard of the villa. “It’s been neglected badly,” he told Thaddeus one night as they sat outside in the bright light of the full moon.

“
Pornecia would be appalled,” Thaddeus agreed. “She loved the villa, and especially this garden. She planned so much more for it. But she was busy with the children later…” He remembered his wife playing with her babies in the open grassy areas. Glaucus had been a little terror in those days, constantly pulling up anything with a bloom.

“
Did Master Paulinus help, Master?”

“
We’re alone, Skaia. Call me Thaddeus.” He looked up at the night sky. “My father was not so interested in gardens back then. He had to handle all the business affairs of the estates, and he was a senator for many years.”
Until he quit…

“
Why didn’t you…” Skaia started to ask, but stopped himself. Thaddeus seemed to enjoy the gardens, but he had never shown an interest in their design or upkeep. Skaia had never even seen him with dirt on his hands.

Thaddeus answered a different question. “I did hold various offices for many years when I was younger. I was a censor twice and an aedile several times, responsible for maintaining the curia. Once, even the streets through the forum,” he laughed. “Perhaps that is why my protectorate is constantly pushing me to clean them up.”

Skaia smiled at his master’s memories. “If there is still an aedile for the streets, Thaddeus, could you not put pressure on him?”

Shrugging, Thaddeus’ tone was bitter when he spoke. “I have no influence any longer—and most leaders now are more concerned about keeping their offices than in doing their jobs.”

In truth, Skaia knew little about the workings of the city’s administration. And he cared even less. “May I have permission, sir, to gather help for this garden? I think Gotus would enjoy it. He has become quite good…”
Since Paulinus died.

Thaddeus nodded. “I’m sure Pornecia’s spirit will assist you in your efforts.” He pulled Skaia up. “Let’s go to bed.”

As Thaddeus had feared, things got worse in Rome. Gallia’s own family arrived in Umbria shortly after Caesar was assassinated. The Galliani family had actively supported him, and they were now too afraid to remain in Rome. Their own country villa was just a day’s journey from Thaddeus’, and Gallia would frequently take young Glauca to visit her parents, staying there a week at a time. Thaddia would often accompany them on these journeys, enjoying the company of other well-to-do ladies.

The news that Glaucus was safe, and would join them in the summer, was gratefully received. He had been away far longer than any of them had expected, probably because of the troubles in Rome. With only the preliminary information Thaddeus had received, he began to plan celebrations for the homecoming. Part of that included assigning two additional men to Skaia and Gotus, to help renew Pornecia’s garden.

Skaia’s time was freed up to some extent, but this was quickly taken over by Gallia and Glauca. The baby girl was crawling now and into everything, and Gallia frequently insisted Skaia was the only one who could handle her.

Although the boy never complained, Thaddeus began to notice his exhaustion and took action on his own, calling Gallia to his rooms after dinner one night.

“
Where is Skaia?” she asked after looking around.

“
In the courtyard garden, trimming the grass. He was too busy with Glauca today to supervise Gotus.”

“
Glauca is fussy tonight,” Gallia said, either ignoring or not understanding Thaddeus’ point. “Can you send him to my rooms when he’s finished?”

“
No, Gallia,” Thaddeus sighed. “Skaia has other duties with me in the evenings. I have begun to think you may need a nanny for the child. Festa is not so busy in the kitchen here. Do you think she would do?”

Gallia was shocked at the suggestion, and objected immediately. “No, Father. Skaia is the only one Glauca likes. Can’t you find a gardener to handle his chores?”

Thaddeus actually considered her request for a moment. Against all his expectations, Glauca and Gallia had become very dear to him. But then he shook his head. “A woman would be more appropriate, Gallia. There’s a young free girl here as well, the smithy’s daughter. I suggest you interview both her and Festa, and choose one.”

“
But I want Skaia. And he adores Glauca.”