P. J. Mann

AQUILA ET NOCTUA

Foreword

This novel is a work of fiction; however, there are historical references to a particular period, and some clarification has to be made. The novel starts with the end of the third Jewish war (135 CE).

In 70 CE, Jerusalem had been completely sacked by Emperor Vespasian's eldest son Titus. The Romans wrapped up a horrifyingly bloody suppression of the Second Jewish Revolt (ca. 66 CE), which ended in 73 CE at the final siege at Masada. The city was razed to the ground after it, and the all-important Temple was looted. People still inhabited the ruins, and the Jews still lived in Judaea.

In 129/130 CE, Hadrian promised the Jews he would rebuild Jerusalem. His promise initially excited them, until they learned the truth; the Romans were rebuilding the city as Aelia Capitolina, complete with a temple to Jupiter. The process started with plowing the land, which distressed the Jews. To till the holy land of Jerusalem was forbidden. This launched the Third Jewish War, led by Simon bar Kochba, who styled himself as the Messiah (this also distanced the Jewish Christians from the Jews, as the Christians already believed Jesus was their Messiah). Many people died during the war (~580k in its suppression). Afterward, due to the history of rebellion, Hadrian decided to merge Judaea with Syria and called the entire province, Syria Palaestina.

Whether Hadrian named the city Aelia Capitolina before or after the revolt is ambiguous. Cassius Dio says that is the cause for the rebellion, but Eusebius claims it was done in tandem with the provincial renaming. Regardless of the order, Hadrian's name change sought to remove the Jewish identity from the land. Jews and Christians were banned from the region afterward, and from then on, it was mostly known as Palaestina and Aelia Capitolina, instead of Judaea and Jerusalem. Jewish sources still called it the Land of Israel, though.

I have placed the renaming of the city of Jerusalem in Aelia Capitolina as claimed by Eusebius, in tandem with the Provincial renaming after the conflict.

Sources: Ariel Lewin- “The Archaeology of Ancient Judaea and Palestine”

Peter Schäfer- “The Bar Kochba War Reconsidered”

Ronald Syme- “The Wrong Marcius Turbo” in the Journal of Roman Studies

Cassius Dio 69.12-15

Glossary.

Atrium: The atrium was the most important part of the house, where guests were greeted. The atrium was open in the center, surrounded at least in part by high-ceilinged porticoes that often contained only sparse furnishings to give the effect of a large space. In the center was a square roof opening called the compluvium in which rainwater could come, draining inwards from the slanted tiled roof. Directly below the compluvium was the impluvium.

Impluvium: An impluvium was basically a drain pool, a shallow rectangular sunken portion of the Atrium to gather rainwater, which drained into an underground cistern. The impluvium was often lined with marble, and around which usually was a floor of small mosaic.

Exedra: The exedra was a large, elegant room usually located off the peristyle garden. It was used for formal entertainments and lavish dinner parties.

Peristyle garden (garden): The peristyle garden, was an open courtyard within the house; the columns or square pillars surrounding the garden supported a shady roofed portico whose inner walls were often embellished with elaborate wall paintings of landscapes.

Couch (lectus): The lectus, or couch, or bed, was perhaps the most important item of Roman-style furniture. Used for sleeping, sitting, relaxing or eating, the lectus was a wooden frame supporting crisscrossed leather straps that held a mattress stuffed, originally with straw, and later with wool or feathers.

Exedra: The exedra was a large, elegant room usually located off the peristyle garden. It was used for formal entertainments and lavish dinner parties.

Sestertius (pl. Sestertii): was an ancient Roman coin. During the Roman Empire, it was a large brass coin.

Chapter 1.

The sun shone brightly in the sky on that late summer day. The successful campaign in the territories of Palestine brought new glory to the Empire and filled every corner of the city with celebrations.

The massive military action, planned by Emperor Hadrian, had brought about the final defeat of the rebellious Jews in the third Jewish revolt.

Jerusalem was renamed Aelia Capitolina in honor of the victorious emperor and as an ultimate humiliation to the rebels. The prisoners were sent all over the Empire to be sold as slaves while the Roman generals and commanders were decorated in the public square of the Forum.

It was a joyful period throughout all of Rome, and it should have been no exception for Marcus Tiberius Numida. However, something weighed heavily on his mind and alienated his soul from the revelry.

He wandered through the streets of Rome, not paying attention to where he was going, until he found himself in the slave market in the Forum.

Several specimens of males and females, crammed into cages, peered from between the bars, waiting to be yanked out and pushed to line up behind the merchant. Their eyes revealed fear and confusion.

Each merchant touted the good properties of each slave they were selling, wildly gesticulating to underline their words to attract customers, as crowds of curious people and potential buyers gathered around.

The sobs of the waiting slaves and the clang of their chains against the bars, combined with the din of the curious onlookers and the raucous voices of the merchants. The stench of bodily fluids melded with the scent of food that was sold in the square.

Most of the slaves wore dirty rags that barely covered their bodies; others were completely naked.

Marcus Tiberius looked around absentmindedly. He was not interested in buying a slave, but an eleven-year-old boy caught his attention. He stood in a composed, almost haughty way.

His eyes, swollen from tears, showed confusion, fear, and despair. Every time he turned his head to look at the main cage to look at his family, the merchant snarled and hit him to face the throng.

Despite his ragged clothes and the coat of grime on his body, he stood erect with a defiant flash in his brown eyes.

Whoever buys it will have to spend a lot of time washing it to see what hides underneath, he smiled.

The merchant seized the opportunity to seal the first deal of the day. “Can it be that Marcus Tiberius Numida is interested in a purchase?”

Marcus Tiberius turned his gaze toward him, a bit upset to be disturbed from his thoughts.

“It is hard to believe that this little thing could be of any interest to anyone, especially when its filthiness does not allow one to see what it looks like. What is it, a male or a female?” he asked in a sarcastic tone.

With a sudden move, the merchant ripped away the cloth covering the child’s body. “He is a male, as you can see.”

Marcus walked steadily toward the little boy. When he was close enough, he looked deep into his eyes and then started to examine him thoroughly.

He opened his mouth and looked at his teeth; they were perfect.

On close inspection of the slave’s body structure, he noted the strong, perfectly proportioned body, not ruined by the barbaric circumcision practiced by the Jews.

Marcus Tiberius smiled, satisfied, and took the boy’s little hands in his own; he felt them, beyond the dirt, unexpectedly soft and delicate. He looked down at the bare feet, swollen and bleeding.

It occurred to him that they had never walked without shoes before and probably would require time and care to recover fully.

“This one has probably never worked in its entire life. How could it be useful?” he asked.

The merchant smiled broadly, showing his teeth. “Oh, but this slave is a remarkable one. Despite its age, it is quite educated; it can write and read,” He placed his hands on his protruding belly.

“And how much are you asking for it?”

“2500 Sestertii.”

In silence, Marcus Tiberius scrutinized the boy from head to feet, then burst out laughing. “2500 Sestertii for this little thing? Today the sun must be too hot. Either that or you’ve gone crazy. Say 1000, and I’ll buy it,” he looked at the boy whose defiance seemed to turn into fear of something he could not forecast.

* * *

The little boy considered his situation, why do they talk about me like I’m not even here? I have never been so shamed before; like a horse at the market.

The large chain that enclosed his neck was heavy and hurt his shoulders; he looked at himself and thought that he had never been that dirty.

Before he was brought to Rome, his skin glistened with the aromatic oil his mother used to massage his body with.

His hair used to be clean and combed, held by ribbons. His clothes were tailored with the finest fabrics, and he wore sandals to protect his feet.

The boy closed his eyes as he recalled that picture and those feelings, but desperation replaced the memory as he realized that those times were gone, and they didn’t belong to his life anymore.

Then, he turned his gaze and looked back at his mother and father in the cage. He could not see his little sister. Maybe she is behind them.

He glanced at Marcus Tiberius, almost begging to be purchased, when the merchant slapped him. “Look down, slave, you are not worthy of looking a Roman straight into his eyes,” he yelled.

The little boy lowered his gaze immediately without making any sound.

Marcus Tiberius smiled lightly. “Do you understand my language?”

“Yes, Sir,” he replied, keeping his gaze lowered.

“Which other languages can you speak?”

“Greek and Aramaic, Sir. I have been introduced to the principles of mathematics and philosophy too. I’ll be helpful if you buy me, Sir.”

Impressed, Marcus Tiberius looked at the boy as if wondering whether he was telling the truth. “Are you lying?” he asked, fixing the boy with a fierce stare.

He could not verify whether the boy was telling the truth. Once the purchase was made, it would be difficult to return the slave, if it turned out to be unfit for the duties for which he was purchased.

He did not intend to buy a slave who told lies; he needed to trust them. Moreover, he knew from experience that severe punishments rarely succeeded in correcting this kind of behavior.

* * *

The boy looked at him in surprise. No one ever doubted my words, and for a good reason; I am not a liar! How can he even think about it without even knowing me?

He knew that this sort of lie would have been short-lived, and the consequences of this would have been something he was not looking for.

“I am not a liar, Sir,” he cried, standing tall trying to keep calm.

Marcus Tiberius started to seriously consider purchasing the boy; he could become useful in many ways.

His son, Flavius, was about the same age, and this slave could be the perfect companion. He could serve as an interpreter during trips to the Middle East, and he could help him as well with translations. If Marcus allowed him to continue his education, he would become more and more useful.

“Do we agree, then, for 1000 Sestertii?” he asked, looking at the merchant.

“You must be in the mood for jokes; I can come down to 2000, nothing more,” he said chuckling.

Marcus Tiberius started to feel impatient, and besides, he hadn’t come to purchase a new slave, at least, not one that filthy. He began to lose his temper. “1100, last offer. You don’t want to have me as an enemy, believe me,” he hissed.

The merchant backed off. He knew he was an influential man with powerful friends.

“So it shall be, Marcus Tiberius Numida. The slave is yours for 1100 Sestertii, although, you know that his value is higher than this price.” Marcus Tiberius handed him the money he kept in a leather purse, and the trader released the boy’s neck from the heavy chain.

“What’s your name, slave?” Marcus Tiberius asked the boy.

“My name is Saul, Sir,” he replied, shyly keeping his voice low, peeking at Marcus Tiberius.

At those words, the merchant grabbed him by the hair, forcing him to his knees. “From this day on, you will address him as a Master, you worthless little beast. Apologize for your insolence, slave.”

The boy started to cry, realizing the depth of the desperate situation he was in.

“Forgive me…Master,” he sobbed, almost whispering, hoping from the bottom of his heart that his new Master would take him away from that square and the merchant as quickly as possible.

Marcus Tiberius looked at him and lent him a hand. “I forgive you, Saul. Take my hand and stand up; we’re going home,” he said in a gentle tone.

Without daring to look up into his face, Saul gently took his hand and stood.

Marcus Tiberius held the boy by the wrist and started to walk home in silence, wondering about the quality of his new slave.

Saul limped, struggling to keep up with Marcus Tiberius. With each step, pain rose in his chest, stabbing his heart like sharp blades, grabbing his soul, and choking every breath. He didn’t know how far Marcus Tiberius’ house was, but he knew he could not walk much longer at that pace. He felt like dying, and at that moment, he realized the thought came not to haunt his heart, but to give relief to a pain he wasn’t sure he could endure.

He fell to his knees, gasping for air.

“Master…” he said, struggling to rise. Tears filled his eyes.

Marcus Tiberius glanced down at the weeping thing on his knees in the dirt, and for the first time, he felt something he never experienced before in his life. He had mercy.

He knelt in front of him and scrutinized the state of his feet. “You can’t walk any farther.” As he had with his son in the past, he took Saul in his arms and continued to walk without saying a word or peering at him.

For Saul, it was hard to believe that a Roman who addressed him as an object had mercy in his heart. Shyly, he peered at him, feeling confused. Marcus didn’t seem upset that he had to carry him; he looked as if he was almost smiling. Maybe I’m imagining it.

Saul could never have predicted the recent changes in his life, nor could he guess what awaited him in his new house as Marcus Tiberius’ slave. He stared blankly at his new Master; he missed his family and worried about what happened to them.

He looked at his Master and, without conscious thought, smiled at him. He laid his head against Marcus’ chest and listened to the strong and regular beating of his heart.

Marcus Tiberius noticed and felt pleased. Knowing he should have been firm with him, as he was with all his slaves, he maintained a serious expression.

When they arrived home, he set Saul on his feet as soon as the ground evened out. As Marcus Tiberius released him, he locked his eyes on Saul, and with a stern expression, he lightly slapped the child’s face.

“This is not to punish you for something you have done, Saul, but rather because, in this way, I’m going to remind you of your position. I am your Master. You are my property, and I have the right to do to you whatever I judge appropriate, whether it is a reward or a punishment. Do you understand?” he asked severely.

Saul’s heart stuttered at his words

“Yes, Master. I understand… thank you,” he said, averting his eyes.

“Good, Saul.”

As they entered the house, the first thing that caught Saul’s attention was the impluvium, the large pool that collected the rainwater from the opening in the ceiling. He’d heard people talking about it, but had never envisioned how big and beautiful it would be.

The water reflected on the walls the daylight coming from the ceiling, illuminating, and giving life to the paintings decorating the environment. He marveled at the effect, amazed by the richness of the details.

Colorful mosaics decorated the floor, and sunbeams spilling through high windows bathed most of the room in a warm light.

“Master, this is so beautiful,” he said, almost whispering. Caught up in admiration of the decorations, colors, and richness, he could not focus on a single detail.

Marcus Tiberius didn’t reply. He called someone.

At his call, two slaves arrived. “Yes, Master?” They looked at Saul with their eyes open wide.

“What’s that, Master?” the younger one asked.

Marcus Tiberius smirked. “This is my new slave. It will help me with the translations and travel with me as an interpreter. It will also be a companion for Flavius. Your duty is to make it look like a living creature and take particular care of the feet.

“Master, it will take an entire week. I hope the merchant hasn’t stolen your money,” the older one said.

He stared at her. “I want it ready for this evening.”

“Yes, Master, as you wish.” She took Saul by the hand. “Let’s go, whatever you are.”

Realizing he could speak freely to her as an equal, he took the chance to stand his ground. “My name is Saul, and I am a boy, not a thing.”

She laughed. “You’ve got some attitude. Off with that, son, or you might find yourself in trouble.”

They walked through the house until they reached a room with a large pool. Water streamed from one wall to the opposite one collecting into a pool placed in the middle.

The room was opened to a large inner garden, and finely decorated columns sustained its roof.

As the younger female slave gathered balsamic oils to massage Saul’s body and feet, the older one passed a hand through his hair, disappointed.

“How did you get that dirty?” she asked, mostly to herself.

Saul glanced at her and chuckled; she seemed to be very kind as she caressed his hair gently, remembering him of the times when his mother combed him.

He immersed his body in the water of the pool and started to scrub the dirt from his body, helped by the other two slaves.

After four baths, the older slave approved. “Well, what do you know? Now you resemble a boy. How old are you?” she asked as she patted his body with a soft cloth to dry him.

“I am eleven. What’s your name?”

“My name is usually too complicated for everybody to pronounce correctly, so let’s say that you can call me Nana. I mostly supervise the other slaves and the proper running of the house. When dirty, tiny things like you come in, I have to take care of them as well.” She started to comb his hair.

The younger one shook her head disconcerted. “Such a little child. I am Cassandra and help Nana with her tasks. Is your mother still alive? Where is your family?”

Saul sighed recalling the events, “we were brought here together from my homeland. I was the first one to be sold. I’m confused to understand what has happened to me.”

The tone of his voice turned a bit melancholic.

Cassandra remained silent and stood to gather clean clothes for him. It was the first time she’d seen such a young child brought into slavery. Until that moment, she had thought slaves had to be at least fourteen years old to be sold.

Cassandra felt glad for him; he was brought to a good house where their Masters behaved in a fair way toward them. For herself, she hoped one day to be set free to return to her village, hoped to find something left of her family and friends.

“Now, Saul, sit down and let’s have a look at your feet.” Nana’s gentle fingers examined them. “Our Master was right; they really look terrible… but the wounds are just superficial and with the right care, they will heal completely.”

“Ouch,” he yelped as she touched an open wound.

“Oh, did it hurt that bad?”

“A bit; you took me by surprise.”

She continued to massage them with a balm, which was believed to heal the wounds faster.

Cassandra came back carrying a pair of sandals, a tunic, and a loincloth. “Here you are, Saul. Now you’ll have clean clothes all the time,” she said as Nana continued to massage his body with oil, which had that earthy and woodsy aroma capable of soothing his senses.

He considered himself, happy to recognize the semblance he had when he was a free boy with his family.

His dark, wavy hair softly fell upon his shoulders, and his skin smelled fresh. The clean clothes wrapped around his body gave him revived sensations he thought were lost forever. Like a spell, those feelings were back for him—except he was a slave.

He had a Master who owned his body and soul; he wasn’t free anymore and probably never would be again.

“Look at yourself, son. You are so beautiful,” Nana said, proud of the results achieved.

“Maybe we can make you look even better.” Cassandra gathered his hair and bound it with a red ribbon from her own locks. “Our Master had an exceptionally good eye when he chose you. I would never have expected to find such an adorable creature beneath all that dirt.”

Nana smiled. “You’re right. Surely Master will be pleased with the result. You’re ready, Saul.”

“What kind of person is our Master’s son? I’ve understood I should be his companion,”

Nana replied, “Fear not; he is a kind person, as all our Masters are, so I think you won’t have any problem with being his companion. Neither do I think that you will ever find any difficulty in following Master Marcus Tiberius’ orders. He is a severe person, but never cruel or unfair. He expects the best service from us, but I can’t recall him punishing any of his slaves as much as it occurs in other Masters’ houses.”

“What is going to happen now?” he asked.

“Well, in this house, we have three Masters. You already met Marcus Tiberius, the man who bought you in the market square. Besides him, there is his wife, Mistress Flaminia, and their only son, Master Flavius.”

“First, we will go to Master Marcus Tiberius. If he thinks you are ready, he will introduce you to his wife, and eventually to their son. This is the way he likes it to be.”

She stood and walked him through the house, holding his hand in her own. As they crossed the garden, Saul saw a group of slaves sitting in a circle around a woman whom he guessed to be Mistress Flaminia.

The garden bloomed with flowers and plants he never saw in his life. It was extremely well kept, adorned with beautiful statues and fountains at every corner. He thought his Master had to be a wealthy man, and it reminded him of his home.

Saul came from a wealthy family, but they did not have slaves. He had never thought he would become a slave in Rome, a slave of the same culture that had fascinated him so much.

Immersed in his thoughts, he arrived at the working room where Marcus Tiberius kept himself busy, reading a few papers that were placed orderly on his desk.

“Master, your slave is ready,” Nana announced. He raised his eyes and looked at Saul, who kept his own lowered so as not to meet his Master’s gaze.

Saul felt the pressure of the moment, praying not to disappoint. His heart was beating faster, his hands started to feel damp with sweat, and he just wanted to be anywhere else but there under the scrutinizing gaze of his new Master.

Chapter 2.

Marcus Tiberius stood speechless. He couldn’t believe his eyes; nevertheless, there he was, that filthy creature barely identifiable as a human being he’d bought that morning, transformed into a godly creature.

Red ribbons bound the dark hair gathered on his head; his tunic fitted along his body following its immature yet perfect proportions.

It was as if the gods came down to celebrate that boy with their gifts. Apollo gave him the delicate beauty of his youth, Venus the grace, and the torches of the underworld proudly burning in his black eyes were the precious gifts of Orcus.

Marcus walked toward him as if mesmerized. He felt caught in a spell, unable to take his eyes away from him. “Leave us alone…” he said, as if in a trance, and the two female slaves silently left the room.

Saul felt Marcus Tiberius' eyes upon him and fought the urge to squirm. He couldn’t exactly define his feelings. He wasn’t scared; perhaps the unpredictability of what was going to happen made him nervous.

Marcus Tiberius caressed Saul’s face, from his cheek to his chin, and gently raised it to meet his eyes. “You look almost scared, Saul. Do I scare you?”

“No, Master. I am confused. I guess I have to learn what my place is from this moment onwards,” struggling with the urge to avoid Marcus’ eyes.

“I’m not cruel to my slaves, but I think I understand your feelings. You have been in contact with our culture, so slavery should be something known to you.”

Switching languages, he released the boy’s chin.

He knew he could have checked at least his languages skills at the market, but he felt being rushed by the merchant and overlooked that chance

“You said you can speak Greek.”

“Yes, Master, I have been learning Hellenic language and culture since I was four years old,” he replied promptly being confident about the level of his education, with a bright smile on his face.

Marcus Tiberius smirked. “Very well, you spoke the truth, and I appreciate that,” and he walked away from him to the other side of the room where there was a wooden bench.

Saul remained in silence, observing every move of his Master until he sat down.

“Saul, come here and take a seat,” he ordered gesturing toward the floor.

Saul walked toward him and sat at his feet, looking up to meet his eyes.

“I bought you because, for some reason, you impressed me at the market. As soon as I saw your beauty today, I realized I made an excellent choice, but I need more than that,” Marcus Tiberius explained. “From you, I need the skills you’ve shown me, and I need loyalty. I don’t know if I have that from you. Loyalty to me under any circumstances. I must be able to trust you with my life. Without that, you are useless to me.”

Saul thought he could understand the point of his request, and in the market, he had felt the crazy desire to be owned by Marcus Tiberius; he had wanted to be bought by him.

“Master, I don’t know how I can convince you; I will do whatever it takes to serve you at my best. However, I am only a boy, and I know nothing about slavery.”

Marcus Tiberius smiled at that simple, innocent, and sincere answer and felt in his heart that he hadn’t made a mistake when he decided to buy him.

“Saul, you are going to become an essential tool in my work; moreover, my son has suffered much, missing a companion, and your role with him will be just as important. I will not accept a single fail on that.”

He paused, staring into Saul’s eyes, trying to understand whether he would be worth his trust or not. “Your tasks will include helping me with translations and accompanying me during my trips as I might need an interpreter. You will continue your education so your skills will improve, and you can be more helpful. Concerning my son, Flavius, he is a bit older than you, but I believe he will appreciate the presence of someone of about his age in this household.”

Saul listened to his Master in silence, nodding from time to time to let him know that he was paying attention.

Marcus Tiberius caressed his face. “You are only a boy, Saul, but you are smart, and I understand you have been born as a free man. I want you to see me not only as your Master but also as a guide. Now come with me; we are going to meet my wife, Flaminia,” he said, taking his hand in his own.

They walked through the house to the same garden he had walked through from the bath.

As they approached the Mistress with the small group of slaves from earlier, she rose with a warm smile and walked to meet her husband.

“Who is this little child?” Flaminia asked, considering Saul from head to toes.

“His name is Saul, and he is my new slave; I bought him this morning. He is going to help me with my job and will accompany me on business trips. I thought that he could, as well, be a good companion for Flavius.” He glanced at both the boy and his wife.

She caressed the boy’s hair. “How old are you, Saul?”

“I am eleven, Mistress.”

At that answer, her expression turned serious, almost worried as she peered at Marcus Tiberius. “Isn’t he too young?” she asked, concerned.

“The merchant certainly didn’t share your opinion. He might be young, but he is smart. I believe he can adapt to his new life as a slave quickly enough. As a companion for Flavius, it is better if he is young. You are worrying excessively,” he replied with a careless tone in his voice, trying to hide the turmoil agitating his soul since that slave came into his life.

She turned her face toward Saul, then again to her husband, not entirely convinced by his reasoning.

“Leave us alone, please. I want to know him better,” she said, looking at her husband. She put her arm around Saul’s shoulder, and guided him away, leaving the other slaves continuing their work, without waiting for Marcus Tiberius’ answer.

She sat on a bench, allowing Saul to sit at her feet and, with a quiet expression, considered him. “Tell me something about you, Saul.”

He raised his gaze up at her and tried to collect his thoughts. “I honestly don’t know what to say, Mistress. I was born into a wealthy family. My father was a textile merchant, and my mother took care of my little sister and me. He hired a teacher from Greece, who taught me the Hellenic and Latin languages. I have always been fascinated by your culture and by the power of Rome, but I never expected I would be part of it. Concerning my feelings…I don’t know what to say. The only thing certain in my mind is that my life is never going to be the same.”

“My husband was right. You speak with wiser words than a child’s. I am confident you will soon find in your heart the answers to your questions, Saul.” She caressed his dark hair.

“Do you still have a family? You said that you had a father, a mother, and a sister. Where are they now?”

“They were at the auction with me; I hope that my sister will be sold with my mother.” He beseeched her with wide eyes.

Afraid of what the answer would be, he asked, “Mistress, is it possible for a five-year-old girl to be sold without her mother?”

She shifted her gaze away from him, searching for the right words, unsure of what she should say to make him feel better.

Certainly, she knew there wasn’t a particular age to be sold as a slave, but she didn’t want to upset the boy.

“I don’t know for sure, but don’t you worry; everything will be fine, Saul,” she replied, trying to be diplomatic in her answer.

In her heart, she knew she was not quite telling him the truth, and generally, with other slaves, she wouldn’t have much cared. However, she felt uncomfortable in front of that child, who meekly accepted his slave status with courage and dignity, asking for certainties she could not grant.

His eyes, looking at her as if to ask for mercy; his young age, his beauty, and his innocence were something she could not resist.

“You are really beautiful, you know that? We should take care of this precious gift, and this red ribbon is truly lovely with your dark hair,” she said, changing the topic.

Saul smiled at her. He realized he’d asked a question which didn’t have a simple and univocal answer, so he remained silent.

He remained in silence, thinking about his situation. He knew that, as a slave in Rome, he had no rights, but it seemed as if God had been merciful to him as Marcus Tiberius and his wife showed themselves as kind Masters.

He had no idea how many slaves lived in the same house, but he thought there were probably many, as Marcus Tiberius seemed to be a wealthy man.

He glanced around confused as if trying to find some answers about what was expected from him. He tried to familiarize himself with the place and the smells.

He knew the Romans had slaves and that the treatment reserved for them varied with the character of their Masters, but he didn’t know how he was supposed to behave.

Mistress Flaminia looked at him, trying to guess his thoughts, although she could imagine that a child who was born free would have a difficult time understanding the meaning of slavery.

Suddenly, she realized that, in all likelihood, the last time he ate was the previous day.

“Tell me, are you hungry?”

Saul turned his eyes up to her and seemed hesitant to answer the question. “I am, Mistress,” he replied ashamedly lowering his gaze and twisting his fingers.

She stood and called a man who was walking across the garden.

“We have a new slave in this household; he was purchased this morning. Take him to have a proper meal, and when he is done, bring him back to me.”

He bowed his head. “Yes, Mistress.”

The tall man looked at Saul, “Come with me,” he said and walked away.

His strong body structure reminded Saul of a warrior, and he wondered whether his duties within the household were those of guarding and protecting their Masters.

They walked away to a room that he guessed was the kitchen, as there was a massive table with chairs, a fireplace, and storage closets for pots and food.

“Now, sit down and I will see if I can find something to fill up your belly,” the slave said, disappearing to a sort of backroom.

Saul noticed that each slave wore a collar. He wondered whether this was the one he’d heard about, where the name of the owner was inscribed. He wondered when or whether his neck would be enclosed in a similar one, defining him as a slave, as mere property—a living creature, but not a person— a pet, perhaps.

He sat on a chair at the table and considered the entire day and his situation. Now that he was thinking about it, he realized that he was indeed hungry as his empty stomach rumbled.

After a while, the same slave returned with an abundant portion of food in a bowl. “The slave who takes care of the kitchen is out to run a few errands, so I just gathered what I found. I guess you should be really hungry, so go on and clean your plate; your day is not over yet,” he said, sitting in front of him.

“Thank you,” Saul said as he dug into the food. In between bites, he asked, “What’s your name?”

“I am Caleb, and you are?” the slave asked, looking amused at the boy.

“I am Saul,” he replied, continuing eating.

“Welcome. Do you already know your duties?” Caleb asked, trying to imagine what that little and delicate creature could be useful for.

“I understood that I will be Master Marcus Tiberius’ interpreter and translator. Moreover, I will be his son’s companion; I haven’t yet met him, and I hope he will like me.”

“You won’t have any problems. Master Flavius is a mild-natured person, exactly like his mother.”

“Caleb, I was born as a free man, and I don’t know anything about slavery.” He wanted to ask how a slave is supposed to behave. As he tried to form the words, Caleb spoke again.

“Son, from the moment our Master bought you, you ceased to be a person. You are nothing more than a living tool to serve him; you obey unconditionally whatever he orders. You shall never question his orders, nor will you talk back to him. However, in this household, you will be allowed free time, which you can spend any way you prefer, even frequenting the Thermae, or joining us at the tavern. Your life, from this day forward, must be selflessly devoted to serving your owner, nothing else.”

Saul looked at him and sighed.

“Are you still hungry, son?” Caleb asked, looking at the empty bowl.

“No, thanks, it was enough.” Saul rose from the chair almost impatiently, eager to meet Flavius.

“Then I guess there is nothing left to do but bring you back to Mistress Flaminia.”

“Are you a warrior?” Saul asked.

The corners of Caleb’s eyes crinkled as he laughed. “I’m not a warrior, but I take care of the security of the household, coordinating a group of other guards.”

“You are so big.”

“It is not me who’s big; it is you who is tiny, my puny friend.”

They walked back to the garden, where Flaminia awaited them sitting on the same bench, enjoying the fair weather. “That was fast. Have you eaten already?” she asked.

“Yes, Mistress, thank you.”

Caleb was dismissed and Flaminia guided Saul through the rooms of the house. Until they arrived at a room, where a boy read by the light of several oil lamps that illuminated the area.

Saul’s first impression was that his Master had his thoughts focused somewhere else, as he tapped his finger against the wood of the table. On the other hand, maybe the topic might have been somewhat difficult.

As they came in, he raised his head, looking at his mother and Saul with questioning eyes, “Who’s the boy, Mother?”

“He is your father’s new slave, purchased this morning, and he will serve as his translator on his trips.”

Flavius eyeballed Saul. “He must be pretty educated. How old are you?”

“I am eleven, Master,” Saul kept his eyes low.

“Eleven? Mother, he is just a child. I am thirteen, and even if I tried my hardest, I could never act as an interpreter, and to translate from Greek takes me forever. Which other languages do you speak?”

“Greek and Aramaic. The last one is my mother tongue, Master.”

“Very impressive.” Flavius walked around Saul, considering him from head to feet. “Do you also have a name, Slave, or do we have to figure out one for you?”

“Master, my name is Saul,” he replied, feeling like he was again on the market, ready to be sold.

“I like your name, Saul, and I like how you look. You are beautiful. Did Cassandra use one of her ribbons to hold your hair? She is our only slave who likes to keep her hair combed like that. I like it.”

Flavius lifted one hand to caress his cheek. “Your skin is very soft and nicely tanned; is it always that way?” He turned to Flaminia. “Mother, may we spend some time alone?”

She nodded and left the room in silence.

As she departed, Flavius returned his focus to Saul, “So, now that we are alone, tell me something about you,” he ordered.

“What do you want to know, Master?”

“Hmm. Where are you from?”

Saul started to tell him about his family and the education he received, “When the revolt started, we were forced to leave our house and take refuge with my uncle in a nearby village. We hoped we could hide there until the end of the conflict, but we were captured and brought to Rome to be sold as slaves.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Flavius asked, interested.

“Yes, I have a younger sister; she is five years old and very dear to me,” Saul gasped.

“I guess it would be nice to have a sister or a brother. Being the only son is not as good as one might think; it gets kind of lonely,” Flavius said, taking a pause. “So, you are a Jew.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I see. Well, I have no problems with it, but you’d better not make it public, or you might get in trouble,” Flavius warned.

Flavius considered what else he might like to know about the new slave. “Do you know if your parents were already planning to find you a girl to marry?”

“No, Master; I can’t say. I think I am kind of young for that. In my country, a man gets married when he is about thirty years old, and anyway, it doesn’t matter anymore.” Bitterness colored Saul’s voice.

Flavius continued explaining, “once, I heard my parents talking about that. I’ve never thought about girls and, at the moment, I'm not interested anyway. I like them, but I’ve never thought about them in that way, especially, I never thought about marriage. I would be afraid my father would choose a girl I don’t like. I’d want a wife like my mother; she is kind and sweet, and my parents got along pretty well.”

Saul looked at him and smiled, lowering his gaze. He liked the way Flavius talked to him like a friend rather than a Master. This comforted him, but it also scared him. He was afraid that if Flavius continued to treat him that way, he couldn’t adjust to his position within the household, leading him to commit dangerous mistakes with the other Masters.

“Maybe you are too young, but have you ever thought about girls?” Flavius wondered.

“No, Master.” Saul pondered what he meant by that question.

“What do you like to do, then?”

“I can’t say, Master. When I was home, I enjoyed reading in the shade of the trees in our garden or riding horses.” He tried to remember those times, but those memories seemed already too far to be reached.

“Then we have something in common. I like riding horses. Maybe we will go riding together sometime. Do you know if you have to go to school?”

“Yes, your father wants me to continue my education so I can serve him better.”

“I’m sorry for you; this means you will come to school with me. Our teacher is a good one, but he is too severe sometimes.”

Flavius walked behind Saul, and placed his hands on his upper arms, then laid his chin on Saul’s shoulder whispering in his ear. “But something is not working between us, Saul.”

The warm touch of Flavius’ breath against his neck gave a cold shiver along Saul’s spine and barely was able to move. “Did I disappoint you, Master? Please forgive me and let me know how I should behave,” Saul begged as his heart beat faster.

Flavius turned him to look into his eyes. “Saul, when we are together, I wish you to stop calling me Master, please. My name is Flavius. I can’t see you as my friend if you continue to remind me that you are a slave here.”

“But I am your slave.”

“If you are my slave. you should obey my orders without questioning them.” Flavius grinned.

“Yes, Master.” Saul felt unsure what Flavius meant.

“Then, Slave, I order you to call me by my name when we are alone,” he stated with a victorious smile on his face.

“As you order, Master,” Saul replied.

Flavius cringed at him and gave him a gentle slap on his cheek. “I’m sorry, Flavius,” Saul lowered his head.

“That’s better, Saul. Don’t forget it! I hope I haven’t hurt you.” Flavius disliked violence and couldn’t stop feeling guilty about hitting his new companion.

“No, you didn’t hurt me, and you were right; I disobeyed you.”

“So, if you are going to school, then you’ll probably start tomorrow. Generally, Rufus walks with me, carrying my tablets, but I’d prefer walking with you. You are a boy like me, and we might have more things to talk about. I like you, Saul.”

“Thank you. I like you too, Flavius.”

“When you smile, you look like an entirely different person, you know? You look better than when you are serious. Let’s go see Father, so we will know what his plans are for you.”

They walked to the room where Marcus Tiberius was working. “Father, I’ve met your slave. Will he come to school with me? When is he going to start?” Flavius asked, excited.

Marcus Tiberius raised his head to answer his son. “Yes, he will study with you starting tomorrow, then I don’t have any plans for him for the entire day so you can make use of him in the way you see fit. This will generally be the rule until I have other tasks for him, or until he has to travel with me.”

As Flavius and his father spoke, the profound difference between them became clear to Saul. One wanted a friend; the other had bought a slave and showed indifference and coldness toward him.

It seemed to him that Marcus Tiberius was convinced of his slaves’ inferiority; he considered them his belongings as much as his clothes or his house. A bit more than his horses, but not nearly comparable to a human being. But he was fair and didn’t give him any reason to fear in his presence.

Flavius, like his mother, treated the slaves mostly as servants, not as inferior creatures.

“Father, I was thinking of riding horses in the woods after school. May I bring Saul with me? He told me he can ride.”

“You may go tomorrow. As I said already, I don’t need him. The following day, Saul must work here immediately after school,” Marcus Tiberius said.

Flavius clapped enthusiastically, glaring at his father and then at Saul who gazed at the floor in silence.

“What do you think about it, Saul?” Flavius asked.

“I… Thank you, Master,” he mumbled almost whispering curling his toes.

Flavius noticed his discomfort and the change in Saul’s behavior in front of Marcus.

Glancing at Saul’s moving foot, Marcus said, “Son, you can dismiss Saul if you don't need him anymore” and walked away from the room, leaving the boys alone.

“He looks severe, but he is not evil,” Flavius tried to assure him. “Did somebody show you where you are going to sleep?”

“No, not yet.”

Flavius peeked out of the room to call somebody, and Caleb appeared. “Did you call, Master?”

“Yes, show Saul where his sleeping quarters are. And show him the house. Be sure he won’t feel lost,” Flavius ordered.

Caleb grasped the boy’s hand. “I’ll take care of him. Come with me. There are new clothes ready for you.”

“How long have you served here?” Saul asked as they walked to the slaves’ quarters.

“About fifteen years,” Caleb replied, his tone curt.

“Have you served other Masters?”

“I had another Master before coming here. I served him for ten years. When he died, I was again for sale.”

“Do you still remember when you were free?” Saul asked.

“I was born as a slave, but I guess, for people like you, it is better not to remember when you were free. It can be more of a curse than a relief. Maybe one day you will understand what I mean. You are too young, and you just became a slave.”

Saul remained silent, considering whether he should try to forget about his family, his house, his hometown, his country, and everything he called home.

As they arrived at a big room, he objected, “I don’t think I can forget about my mother, father, and my sister.”

The room they entered was dim, but he could see beds divided by curtains.

Through a tiny window opened at the top of the wall near the ceiling, he could see the sky darkening as the sunset.

Caleb looked at the boy, trying to find the right words to say to the child. His duty, besides coordinating the guardians of the house, was to ensure that the slaves of the house behaved. If there were anything to be reported, he would inform his Master, and when the Master decided upon a punishment, Caleb was the one to administer it.

He had never been responsible for children, and Marcus Tiberius hadn’t yet ordered him to mentor Saul to make sure that he would behave properly. He felt uncertain about how to behave with the boy.

“Saul, it is impossible to forget about your family, but it is better not to think about it. You are a slave, and your life’s worth depends upon the service you deliver to your Master.”

Saul looked down as tears filled his eyes.

“Anyway, son, this is where you are going to sleep. Maybe you had better accommodations in your own home, but this is comfortable enough.” Caleb pointed him to a bed at the end of the room.

It looked small and poorer in comparison to the one he had at home. There he had a room all for himself; the sheets and blanket were confectioned by his mother using the finest textiles his father was trading. From a larger window, he could see the neighbor’s fields. The floor was covered by a colorful carpet on the tones of red and white.

However, as Caleb suggested, Saul shook his head to cast away that thought.

On a bench beside the bed, Saul saw new clothing, neatly folded.

“That is your new wardrobe. Since you will go to school, it is essential that you always have clean clothes to show your Master’s wealth and to show that he takes care of his slaves. Rufus will walk with you and Master Flavius. Whenever you need to know how you should behave, or you have any questions, you can ask me. In this way, you will avoid putting yourself in a situation which might lead to punishment,” Caleb warned in a stern tone frowning and crossing his arms on his chest.

Saul looked at him and felt like his mind was blank. He was nothing but a tool to serve his Masters, and he remembered well what his teacher had told him about slavery in the Empire. He remembered many stories about cruelty, which he hadn’t seen so far in this house, and prayed that he would not.

“Master Marcus Tiberius behaves justly toward us, but you shall never disobey or disappoint him, or you will face punishment. Even if I can't recall the last time, he did it, it is advisable not to dare your luck or his patience. When he has guests, he will show his best slaves to them, and I guess he will include you in this group. Give them all due respect as if they were your Master. Don't speak unless asked to do so, and don't attract too much attention; this might put your Master in a shady position and lead you to face his anger.” Caleb explained.

Saul listened carefully; he knew the Romans were capable of extreme cruelty, and all that he wanted was to live in safety.

“Thank you, Caleb, but concerning tomorrow, I think we can manage on our own to carry the tablets—I can manage.”

“It will be heavy; you are so small…”

“Let’s do it this way,” Saul interrupted. “If I find them heavy, then the following day, Rufus will help me. Otherwise, he can concentrate on other duties,”

“You should discuss this with Rufus or Nana, who is the slave managing the house duties. Let’s eat before going to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, and you need your rest.” He guided Saul to the kitchen.

Chapter 3.

They reached the kitchen where other slaves were already gathered for their meal.

Saul recognized Cassandra and Nana and greeted them with a casual nod. Nana spoke first, “Look who’s here. Hello, Saul, how was your day? Have you met all of our Masters?” Nana asked.

“Yes. I like Master Flavius. He has been very friendly to me; he treats me more like a friend than a slave. I am afraid that I might forget my position when I am with him.”

Her spoon halfway to her mouth, Cassandra said, “You can’t imagine how much he missed having a companion his own age in the house. He is kind like his mother; we all love Mistress Flaminia. Master Marcus Tiberius scares me a bit, but he is fair with us.” Bitterness entered her voice. “He is a severe person, and he makes it clear we are nothing more than his belongings.”

“Cassandra, don’t scare the boy; he is new. Saul, I am Tessa. Come eat something. Please sit down,” she said as she went to get food for him. Tessa worked as the main cook for the family and, together with Nana, she was one of the oldest slaves in the house. Everybody respected them for their experience in life’s matters. She was brought from the Celtic territories and sold as slave when she was just a child. Her memories of her free life faded away like shades in the mist.

Saul scarfed down his meal eagerly. Despite his previous meal, he felt hungrier than he thought, and his stomach didn’t seem to be satisfied yet. As he reached the kitchen, his stomach started to rumble again.

“That is what I call a healthy appetite, son. Don’t you worry, I’ll get you more,” Tessa said, noticing the empty plate.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know why. Generally, a light dinner is sufficient, but now I feel so hungry.” Saul stuttered, slightly shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, there is enough food in this house to calm your appetite,” Caleb laughed.

“Thank you, but I think I am going to sleep. See you tomorrow?” Saul stood up from the chair.

“Sure, Saul. I'll come to wake you up. You just try to sleep well tonight, by the way, my name is Rufus. I will walk with you and Master Flavius to school.”

Rufus was a man on his thirties and was acquired by the family ten years before. He worked for Marcus Tiberius as a physician and had an ambulatory in the city, quite close to the house of Flavius’ teacher. His profession brought him to lose some of the empathy he had by nature. He knew that to be a good physician, one needs to be as distant as possible from the patient.

“Isn’t he adorable? So young and sweet,” Nana said as she started to clean up before the arrival of the next group of slaves.

“I am still a bit perplexed,” said Caleb, with a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Why?” Nana asked.

“Usually, for new ones like Saul, who have never been a slave, Master Marcus Tiberius puts me in command of their training. This time, I didn’t have any order from him. I'm wondering what he has in mind.”

“Caleb, the boy has such a mild nature, it won’t be any problem for him to adapt to his position as a slave here. He realizes his status perfectly, and from my point of view, he doesn’t need any further training, as you call it.”

“Hmm,” Caleb mumbled.

Saul slowly undressed and went to bed. Yet the dormitory was empty as the other slaves, generally either helped with the final chores or entertained with each other in the kitchen. He felt tired, but sleep did not come to wipe away the sadness and loneliness inside his heart. In the silent darkness, his mind went unavoidably to his family. His father, his mother, his sister and, from there, to all the things that made up his life as he had known it.

When he found it difficult to fall asleep, his mother used to sing him a lullaby. She would sit down beside him, caressing his forehead, and sing in her sweet, gentle voice. He could almost hear her.

He closed his eyes and the same lilting danced in his ears.

When he opened them, although the melody played in his heart, his mother and his family and his home were far away. He rose from his bed and looked up at the sky. Before he realized it, he was singing the same lullaby.

His harmonious voice filled the quiet night air, carrying the melody through the halls, rooms, and corridors of the house, soothing, caressing the air and the sleep of the people living in that house.

The clear notes drifted to the slaves still gathered in the kitchen, having a last chat of the evening, and planning their duties for the next day. As if mesmerized, Nana and the others stood and followed the song until they arrived at Saul’s bed where he sat, looking at the sky through the small window and singing, sadly, his lullaby.

Nana knew that no noise was allowed after dark, especially from the slaves’ rooms, and she knew she should stop Saul before their Masters heard him. However, his voice was so mellow and pure that she thought it was coming directly from the gods rather than from a little boy. She found herself unable to stop it.

Saul’s voice faltered song as soon as he realized he wasn’t alone. Disappointment crossed the faces of those gathered around his bed, charmed by his simple yet gloomy melody.

The slaves were not the only ones attracted by the song. Flavius opened his eyes and realized that he wasn’t dreaming; that the melody must have been real. Who is singing at this time of the night?

He stood up and walked toward the door of his room, trying to determine where the music came from. When he realized it was emanating from the slaves’ quarters, he immediately thought that Saul was probably the singer and smiled.

He went back to his bed, closed his eyes, and let the melody soothe his soul, hoping Saul would sing it again, but only for him.

Marcus Tiberius awoke at the same moment that Saul stopped singing. He looked at his wife, peacefully sleeping by his side, and felt unsure whether he just had a dream or if someone was singing in their house.

“Saul, darling, that was the most charming song I've ever heard, or maybe it was just your voice that made it magic,” Nana said as she walked to him.

Saul stood up from his bed and looked at her as if he was waking from a dream. He didn’t realize that somebody had heard him. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t want to disturb anyone.”

“You didn’t disturb me at all, but I hope none of our Masters heard it and were annoyed, or you might face your first punishment.”

Saul felt regretful and afraid that their Masters had heard him; his heart was beating faster in anticipation of what sort of punishment he had to expect for such behavior. The curious thing was, he had never sung before.

Cassandra entered the room, looking around whether she could hear any noise coming from the rooms of their Masters. “Nana, now you are the one who is scaring the boy. Apparently, nobody heard him, or they would have been here already.”

“My mother used to sing it when I couldn’t fall asleep.” He couldn’t stop the tears pooling in his eyes. “I miss her so much.”

Nana sat on his bed and held him tightly against her. “Saul, darling, I am so sorry. Please don’t cry. Everything will be fine, and we will be your family. I know I can’t be like your mother, but I will be whenever you need me, when you can’t fall asleep, or whenever else. We all feel like that sometimes; we all miss our families, our houses, our countries, whatever meant home to our hearts, but rules are rules,”

Cassandra motioned to the other slaves to leave the room. “Come on, you all, let’s leave them alone, and not a word about it to our Masters. If none of us heard that song, then there will be no trouble for Saul.”

Nana continued to caress Saul, tracing soothing circles on his back. “Shh.”

Cassandra whispered. “Everything is calm. It is time for us to go to rest as well.”

“Shh, he just fell asleep.” Nana eased him onto the bed.

“He’s so cute.” With a gentle hand, Cassandra removed the ribbon from his hair. “Tomorrow, I will fix his hair before he goes to school.”

The rest of the night passed peacefully, yet too soon, Rufus came to wake Saul up.

“It’s time to get prepared for Master Flavius,” he said, gently shaking his shoulder.

Automatically, Saul got up rubbing his eyes with the back of his hands. He tried to recollect his thoughts, and as he realized where he was, he grabbed his new clothes and walked to the same pool where he bathed the day before to wash his face. He glanced the surroundings still immersed in the semi-darkness of the dawn, slowly waking up from the drowsiness, and walked to the kitchen.

He felt already hungry, and he got something to eat, while Cassandra combed his hair the way she did the day before. When he was ready to present himself to Flavius, Rufus accompanied him.

“Good morning, Master,” Saul greeted, shaking Flavius on his bed warily.

Flavius opened his eyes and yawned. “Good morning, Saul. Are you ready for your first day of school?”

“Yes, I am.” The lump in his throat eased when Flavius said nothing about hearing singing.

As Saul helped him dress, Flavius chuckled, “I noticed someone singing last night, and I guess I know who it was.”

Cold shivers of fear traced a path down his backbone. “I am truly sorry. Did your father wake up?” He tried to control the trembling that was taking over his body.

“Don’t you worry. You are not in trouble, and I am not going to tell anyone,” Flavius reassured him.

“Thank you. I promise it will never happen again.”

“I hope it will. I love your voice, and I liked the melody. You have to sing for me when I ask you.”

“When you order me, I will obey,” Saul lowered his head, unable to hide his smile of relief.

“Let’s go to school,” Flavius said rushing to dress up and get ready to leave, helped by Rufus.

Saul grabbed the bag with the waxed tablet and slung it over his shoulder. His knees threatened to buckle under the weight, but he could not withdraw his words; therefore, he had to carry them at least for that day. He hoped that the school was not too far from their house.

They started their journey in the semi-darkness of the early morning hours, proceeding silently. Saul concentrated on carrying the bag.

“That bag must be heavy for you to carry,” Flavius said, stopping for a moment at the side of the road.

“It is; Rufus allowed me to carry your tablets for today, but I am wondering whether this was a good idea,” Saul said between pants.

“Or I can carry mine.”

“No. It is my task.” Saul placed the bag on the ground, massaging his aching shoulder to rest a bit.

“I don’t care what I am or what I’m not supposed to do. I do what I want, and you shall not question me,” Flavius warned, taking his tablets from the bag.

Saul hung his head. “Thank you. I thought I could do it.”

“Now it will be lighter,” Flavius said, starting to walk away.

Saul lifted the bag on his shoulders, relieved at how much lighter it felt. He rushed to catch up to Flavius.

As he caught up, Flavius said, “I like Rufus not being with us. Let’s do this every day. When we arrive at this exact point, I will carry my tablets. Since I’m not going to tell anyone, nobody will know that I am helping you.”

“It is very kind of you. You are totally different from your father,” Saul observed. He understood he should have been more diplomatic in his statements and wondered whether giving such an honest opinion about his own Master could be considered disrespectful.

“I don’t like his attitude either, but he is very demanding toward me as well. This is his way. I've heard some people treat their slaves more cruelly than their horses. I guess it was only by the favor of the gods that your people were enslaved rather than us. Maybe one day I might be sold as a slave; the gods can be vengeful,” he said as they walked the streets, past vendors setting up their stalls.

The sun rising in the sky promised a hot day as it chased away the chilly air of dawn.

“Here we are. This is our teacher's house. He was once a slave, but then he was freed,” Flavius explained as they approached the entrance divided from the street by a simple curtain made of rough canvas. The curtain was leading to a room. A heavy wooden door divided that room from the house of the teacher.

For a moment, Saul wondered whether he could also hope for freedom one day.

A young boy greeted them, with a disdainful smirk on his face. “Flavius, you are late.”

“Caius, maybe you arrived earlier than usual, rather than I am late. Anyway, this is Saul.”

“He is your new slave? Where is Rufus?” Caius asked as he considered Saul from head to feet.

“Yes, he is my father’s new slave; however, hold on before you think about being disrespectful to him. He is younger, but more educated than us.”

“A slave is a slave, no matter how educated he might be. He is coming to school with us?” he asked with a disparaging shade in his voice.

“Off with that tone, Caius, and yes, he is coming with us,” Flavius grunted.

Saul stood silent, not knowing how he should behave. Caleb probably forgot to tell him.

At that moment, the teacher appeared from a door on the opposite side of the room. He was a tall man on his forties, with a thin spidery figure. The wrinkles on his forehead lowered his eyebrows and gave him a perpetual disappointed expression, like a constant frown. This was enhanced by complete baldness.

“Hmm, three students, one of whom I don’t know. Who are you, son?”

“He is Saul, and he is my slave,” Flavius offered.

The teacher became serious and frowned even further giving him a devilish expression. “I don’t remember directing that question to you, Flavius Numida. Let the boy speak for himself. When I need something from you, I will ask you.” He turned to Saul. “Now, tell me, who are you?”

Saul felt intimidated by the teacher’s expression and didn’t know what he was supposed to answer anymore.

“Well, apart from my name and the fact I am Master Flavius’ slave, I guess there is not much else to say. I come from the Judea Province; my father was a merchant, and before we were brought here and sold as slaves, we were living in Jerusalem,” he answered, looking down.

“You mean Aelia Capitolina, Saul,” corrected Caius with a teasing tone in his voice.

“I-I, yes,” he replied in a low tone of voice.

“So, we have a student from Jerusalem. That is interesting. Are you ashamed of your roots, son?” he asked, emphasizing the name of the city.

Saul studied his feet. He certainly felt ashamed; however, he felt more humiliated at admitting in front of people like Caius that he was a creature, considered inferior by every Roman citizen. It did not matter whether Flavius treated him like a friend; he knew that he was his Master, and there could never be a fair, egalitarian relationship like the one he probably shared with Caius.

The old teacher’s face relaxed into an almost humane expression. “Saul, in this class there are no masters or slaves. What I see are three young boys willing to become educated, successful adults, nothing more,” he explained, glancing with a severe stare at Caius.

“Yes, teacher.” Caius pulled a face, looking up impatiently.

The older man returned his attention to Saul. “I suppose you can speak Greek as well,” he asked, switching languages.

“Yes, Sir, I can,” he responded in Greek.

“Very well. We can start the lesson, even if the other two students are, as usual, late. Take your seats.”

As he gestured for Saul to sit beside Flavius, Antonius and Julius ran into the room, with flushed faces and huffing.

“Where are your manners? You don’t come inside other people’s houses running like Hades is chasing after your souls,” the teacher thundered.

“We are sorry, Teacher.”

“You will remain longer this afternoon so you can think about the meaning of being on time for your duties.”

Antonius winked at Julius, and he smiled. They sat down, not even noticing the new student.

“By the way, as you might have already perceived, there is a new student with us. His name is Saul. I hope you will accept him and give him all due respect. Now we can start the lesson.”

Julius flashed a smile that Saul felt was more valuable than any words. Antonius cast a quick glance in his direction, then gave him a quick look, but he turned his gaze downward as the teacher turned to face him.

In the late afternoon, class was dismissed, except for Julius and Antonius.

Caius gave just a brief sign with his hand and left, in the direction of the Thermae, where he used to spend his after school. He wasn’t impressed by Saul, but something in that slave made him smile, as he walked the streets.

“I’m sorry you have to remain longer,” Saul said to Julius.

“Antonius and I, we often arrive late. Every day, we meet in the Forum so we can walk to school together. On our way, there is a merchant who sells the sweetest dates in all of Rome. You have to try them.”

“But then you will be late again,” Saul observed.

“Trust me, it’s worth it. See you tomorrow.”

As the boys walked away from the school, Flavius asked, “What do you think about your first day? You seem to have sympathy for Julius,”

“The teacher reminds me of the one I had when I was at home. I guess they all look and behave the same. He was always disappointed for some reason. I never saw him smile. And, yes, Julius seems to be a kind person, more so than Caius. I can’t yet have any opinion about Antonius.”

“Caius wants to show himself as a tough guy, but he is not too bad. He just does not trust people at first, particularly Rome’s enemies, which, in this case, is you. You were brought here as a slave because your people were our enemies.”

Saul mulled it over. He found it difficult to consider himself or his people as enemies of Rome. They had been conquered; from his point of view, Rome was the enemy.

“Concerning Antonius,” Flavius continued, “he is a really shy person and entirely dependent on Julius. He does exactly what he says; it seems like he needs a leader and found the right one in Julius. I don’t know what he will become as an adult, maybe a soldier, but I’m afraid he’s not brave enough. Well, we’ll see.”

“What would you like to be?” Saul asked.

“Me? I think I’d like to grow as a man of the law, a lawyer or a judge, although, I’m fascinated by the diplomatic careers too… We’ll see. At the moment, I am curious to see how skillful you are on horseback.”

“I am keen on showing you.”

They walked for about half an hour before arriving at the family farm, and they could get rid of the tablets they were carrying.

A slave emerged from a horse stall, “Good afternoon, Master. Are you here to ride?”

“Yes, we’d like the best horses available. This is Saul, he is my father’s new slave.”

“Good afternoon, Saul,” the slave glanced at Saul, with a hint of curiosity, and greeted him as he led them into the stables. The scent of the hey together with the smell of the horses and their feces, triggered in Saul old memories about the animals of a close-by farm. Those images vividly returned in front of his eyes like he was magically brought back to his home. Saul deeply inhaled with a smile on his face.

“You can choose the one you prefer,” the slave’s voice interrupted Saul’s thought, bringing him abruptly to his reality.

Saul looked around disoriented, and with a sigh, he watched Flavius approaching the stalls.

Flavius poked his head over the door of each stall, then pointed to a chestnut gelding near the end. “I’ll take Adorantus this time. Dilectus seems to be tired today. Saul, come and choose yours.”

Saul approached each stall, peeking inside and looking carefully at each horse. After a couple of rounds, he decided upon a black mare “I’ll take this one. What’s its name?”

“She is Puerina, and she has a great character. She will be gentle if you are not an experienced horseman,” Flavius replied with a daring tone in his voice.

As the slave approached with a saddle, Saul said, “Don’t bother with mine. I can prepare it myself.”

After a few minutes, they rode together into the woods. The sense of freedom given by the wind through his hair and the feeling of competition with Flavius brought him to smile and chuckle.

After about one hour, Flavius stopped his horse as they reached the top of the hill. “Come, Saul, let our horses rest a bit. You are very skilled for a boy of your age,” he said, dismounting. “You don’t talk a lot, do you? Perhaps I am the one who’s talking too much.”

“I guess I am short of topics. It is not easy to understand my life. I have no more plans for the future; I am not going to school for my own sake, but to be more useful to your family. My Master rules my life, as he owns it, he decides my days, my schedules, my tasks. I am what he wants me to be,” His voice flickered. “I am thankful to you for treating me like a friend and giving me the illusion of a normal life, but this is just an illusion; it is not real. One day, you will leave to serve the army, and after that, how much time will pass before you establish your own family? Three years, four; no matter, I won’t be different from what I am now—a slave. What will become of me when my Master dies? Will I be sold like his other properties?”

Flavius felt strangely confused. None of his slaves had ever talked to him like that. Never had anybody dared to speak his soul as Saul did, if he didn’t consider the days during the Saturnalia festivities. If his father had heard that, Saul would have been punished, but Flavius didn’t feel offended. Instead, he realized the value of a slave who, with bravery, would tell him the reality without being offensive or disrespectful. Something hurt in his heart.

He hugged Saul, holding him tightly.

“You’re right. You are one of our properties, but I can certainly recognize your value; for this reason, I am not going to sell you away. I will take care of you for as long as I am alive.” He released his hold on Saul, then grasped his shoulders and looked straight into his eyes.

Saul’s lower lip quivered. “You and your family have treated me in a fair way, and here I am being disrespectful. Please forgive me.”

“No need to ask for forgiveness. I appreciate your frankness. I guess it is important also for a Master to understand the feelings of his slaves. I don’t believe you can do your best if your owner does not take any pride in your duties. A well-treated slave serves better than a mistreated one,”

“I just need time,” Saul whispered.

“I need a friend, and I like you more than the other boys. When I ordered you to call me by my name, I did it for a reason. Life at home is lonely without a companion my age. As soon as I saw you, I realized I was given a chance to end my loneliness.”

Saul thanked God for having mercy on him, for him being sold to fair Masters.

Saul glanced at Flavius, “thank you, Flavius.”

His friend sat on the grass and patted the ground beside him, inviting Saul to do the same. Flavius laid his head on Saul’s lap. “Sing for me,” he ordered.

The idea of singing in daylight made Saul feel uncomfortable, but he knew that Flavius had been waiting the entire day to hear him sing.

“I know it might sound foolish, but since last night, I can’t forget your voice and the way it reached my heart.”

Saul’s heart heard the plea in his voice, sensed it came from Flavius his friend, not Flavius his Master. He knew the request would have been made even if he were free. It felt good.

Saul closed his eyes, trying to relive the memory of his mother singing to him. He took a deep breath and sang the same tune from the previous night. He hoped that the gentle breeze whistling through the trees would bring his voice to his mother, that she would know her son had been sold to a good Master and she shouldn’t be afraid for his fate. Her son didn’t need her song anymore, so he would sing the melody for her, letting the wind carry his voice to her ears and to her heart. He knew she was listening and felt her smiling.

Flavius concentrated on the song. Saul’s voice caressed his soul. It transported his senses high in the sky to a foreign land he never visited, but of which he had heard a lot about. A place far away, surrounded by hills where olive trees stood under the scorching sun. He saw the contrast between the fields, pastureland and the bare territories, burned by the sun. He saw a land where thousands of stars brightened the night, and where fantastic things used to happen.

Saul’s voice, soft, gentle and sweet, cast a spell, so full of emotions Flavius could touch with his hands. The intensity and passion made him wish it would never stop, and when Saul’s song ended, Flavius felt a sense of loss washed over him.

“That sounded even better than last night; maybe I was too sleepy to appreciate the beauty of your chant.” Flavius sat up. “The gods gave you an extraordinary gift.”

Saul played with a rim of his tunic. “Before last night, I’d never sung. I’m glad it pleased you. I'll sing for you whenever you desire,”

“The day will soon be over; we'd better go back home, or we will be in trouble. However, this time, I will be the one blamed. As a Master, I have to take care of both of us—your needs, along with mine.”

Chapter 4.

Their horse rides became a sort of tradition, and after school during the summer period, they went to the farm every time Marcus Tiberius didn’t need Saul’s services.

There in the woods, Flavius would ask Saul to sing for him, and every time, he was charmed by Saul’s voice, as his beauty stunned his senses and pleased his soul.

The following year, in March, as they returned home after their ride through the woods, they found Marcus Tiberius waiting for them.

“Flavius, you are later than usual. What happened?” he asked with a severe expression on his face, and arms crossed on his chest.

“I’m sorry, Father. We were riding and didn’t realize the time was passing so fast,” he tried to justify.

“No matter, dismiss Saul and come with me to my working room. I need to talk to you.”

Flavius looked at Saul. “You may go. See you tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Master, thank you.” Saul turned, walking away from the main room.

Flavius and Marcus Tiberius walked silently together to the working room. “Did I upset you, Father?” Flavius asked, worried.

“No, son. I'm not angry, but time is flying, and you are soon going to be fourteen years old. It is time to think of your future, particularly your career. Do you have any idea of what you would like to become?”

Flavius didn’t know how to answer. Law or a diplomatic career were his targets, but it wasn’t easy to choose.

“I-well, I am not quite certain yet. We talked about it once, and I told you I would be interested in becoming a lawyer or a diplomat,” he replied, unsure.

“I believed so. That's why I have been thinking it over and came up with the perfect solution. Starting tomorrow, you will spend two weeks working with Lucius Claudius Blasio; he is a well-known lawyer and might give you an exact idea of what it is like to work as a lawyer. After that, you will change for another two weeks, working for Publius Julius Fulvianus, who has extensive experience in the diplomatic field. He will show you his job, then I will allow you two weeks to make your final decision, so you can be educated for your career.”

Flavius remained open-mouthed. This was stunning news, for which he felt grateful to his father and excited for the perfect opportunity.

“Father, I cannot believe this. I have no words to say. Thank you,” he mumbled.

Marcus Tiberius smiled. “Another step will be finding a suitable wife for you, but for that we have some time, so let’s not rush the events.”

Flavius didn’t pay attention to what he was saying; his mind was fully concentrated on the following four weeks, which would seal his future career.

Suddenly, his expression turned pensive and glanced to his father. “But I won’t have much time to spend with Saul.”

“He will be busy helping me with my work so, in any case, you won’t have much time to spend together. Don’t worry, there will be time to entertain yourself with our new slave,” Marcus Tiberius replied, chuckling.

“Yes, Father,” Flavius replied.

Marcus Tiberius sighed. His son was growing quickly into manhood, and yet his behavior was, from time-to-time, still childish. He hoped the following four weeks would help him to gain the maturity he should have for his age.

“You may go now. Soon it will be time for dinner.”

When he was alone in the room, Marcus Tiberius went to lie down on the couch, thinking of his son, his career and, eventually, his future bride. He thought that Saul needed to know about the changes in the plans, particularly for what concerned his daily schedule, so he called for having him in his presence.

After a while, Saul appeared in his room. “Did you call for me, Master?”

“Yes, I did. You have gone to school for about ten months already. How is it going?” Marcus Tiberius asked, trying to find a suitable way to update him about the change of plans for the following four weeks.

“It is going very well. Our teacher is a knowledgeable one. Thank you for allowing me to continue my education with him,” he replied.

“Come nearer. Why are you so far away?”

Marcus Tiberius watched him as he walked and found himself intrigued by that tiny, graceful figure. As Saul drew close, he caressed his soft hair.

The scent of horses on the slave’s skin aroused him. He shook his head, trying to focus.

“The reason I called you is that I have arranged four weeks for my son, during which he will be working with two of the most influential people in Rome. The first one is a famous lawyer, the other a well-known diplomat. I hope he will be able to decide on his career so that his education might have a final and steady direction. This means he won’t have much time to spend riding horses with you or entertaining himself with your company. Anyway, I will need you every day from tomorrow on to work with some translations. Eventually, Flavius will spend the evenings with you,” Marcus Tiberius explained, caressing the skin on Saul’s arm absentmindedly.

Saul nodded, aware of the gentle touch on his skin. He thought he was becoming fond of Marcus Tiberius and wished to stay with him for the rest of his life. Being in his presence was relaxing, giving him a feeling of safety, that nobody could harm him ever.

Marcus Tiberius sighed, continuing to caress his soft skin, then he abruptly stood and smiled. “Now, you can go. Be sure to have a bath to get rid of the horse. See you tomorrow, immediately after school,” Marcus Tiberius ordered, dismissing him.

“Yes, Master, thank you.” Saul obeyed and walked toward the bath.

There, in the light of the oil lamp, he cleaned himself carefully. He made sure to use the same aromatic oils Nana used on his skin after the bath he had the day he was bought at the market. He ran his fingertips on his skin, recalling how it felt when Marcus Tiberius touched him.

That night, Flavius could not fall asleep. He was too excited about the next two weeks and the deal his father could seal for his career.

Lucius Claudius Blasio was well known for his abilities, and he was the most in-demand lawyer in all of Rome.

Aspiring lawyers would give all their possessions to get this chance. He didn’t know how to show his father the gratitude he felt in his heart.

He turned many times on his bed, to no avail. Thoughts of his future ricocheted in his head. A few hours before it was time for the slaves to awaken him, he finally fell asleep.

In the morning, a gentle shaking welcomed Flavius to the new day, the most important one in his life, so far. “Good morning, Saul. Do you know why today is going to be the best day of my life?” Flavius asked, jumping out of his bed.

“Yes, Master, your father informed me. I’m so happy for you. This will be a fantastic chance for your future,” Saul said, as he and Rufus helped Flavius dress appropriately for the occasion.

“You can say that again, my dear Saul,” Flavius replied excitedly.

Rufus said, “Master, I will pick you up from school at midday and accompany you to your working place. I will do this every day. It shows your wealth when you are seen to have a personal slave taking care of your needs.”

“I’d rather have Saul accompany me,” Flavius pouted.

“Master Marcus Tiberius needs him for his work,” Rufus insisted.

“Yes, sure.” Flavius shrugged.

After a while, the boys were ready to walk to school. As they arrived at the place where they were supposed to divide the weight of the tablets, Saul shook his head.

“No, Flavius, not with that dress; you can’t allow yourself to get dirty or to ruin it. I will carry them every day by myself. They are heavy, but I can manage on my own,” Saul objected, continuing to walk. He tried to convince himself that these efforts would at least be beneficial to the development of his body.

As he carried the bag of tablets on his shoulders, he thought about how he was not an equal like Caius, even though his master tried to treat him like a friend.

They arrived at school with Saul already exhausted, but he knew that he had the whole day to concentrate on the lessons. He would do his duty, getting the most out of it for excellent results, to show Marcus Tiberius that the investment in educating him wasn’t a mistake.

For the whole day, Saul considered his relationship with Flavius and realized that there wasn’t any need for his master to behave like a friend.

He needed to convince Flavius to behave as his father did, as a Master was supposed to, not as a friend. He decided to talk to him as soon as the first chance arose.

The time at school passed too fast for Saul but too slow for Flavius, who anxiously waited for the beginning of his working day with Lucius Claudius Blasio.

He could not focus on anything his teacher said and didn’t much care either. He knew that Saul would follow carefully and explain the lessons to him later that evening.

In the middle of the day, Rufus appeared in the classroom to bring his Master to his first day at work.

Saul waved, “Have a good day, Master; I will be waiting for you at home to hear about your first experience and explain to you what we have done at school. I could see you weren't paying attention today.”

“I will call you as soon as I return home.”

“Thank you, Master,” Saul whispered, watching them go out of the classroom.

“Have they left you all alone, Slave?” a voice asked behind him.

He turned his face and saw Caius smiling at him. “So it seems. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go. My Master needs my services today. See you tomorrow, Caius.” He loaded the tablets’ bag on his shoulders.

Caius shook his head and watched him go. “See you tomorrow, Slave!” he yelled.

The days grew longer, and the new season announced itself with a chilly wind, although it was supposed to be spring. Saul shivered at the brisk change in temperature. He wasn’t used to colder temperatures, and, that evening, he was sure the wind blew as cold as the breath of death.

He hurried through the streets of the city, hoping to arrive soon at home where it was warmer, and he could release his shoulders from the weight of the tablets.

On that evening, the road felt longer and harder, and he missed Flavius. Not so much for the fact that he would have carried his own tablets, but mostly because he would have talked to him, making the distance feel shorter.

Relief flowed through him when he spotted Marcus Tiberius’ house.

When he arrived at his Master’s room out of breath, he said, “I’m sorry, Master, were you waiting for me?”

Marcus Tiberius looked at him and beamed. “You came just in time, Saul; you’re not late at all. Come closer.” He stood up and looked at him, puzzled. “Is anything wrong?”

“No, Master. I guess I’m a bit tired. Without Master Flavius, the trip felt longer.”

“Let's start, then. I need you to translate this text. You can go to work at that small table, and I will take care of other documents here.” Marcus Tiberius handed him a pile of written papers.

Saul looked at them and replied in a quiet voice. “Yes, Master,” and went to his workstation, wishing to forget the bitterness in his heart.

He could not understand why he felt bitter, and what was the real reason for it. Then an idea grew in his mind, an idea that scared him.

He was envious because, one year ago, he was supposed to have had the same life and opportunities as Flavius—but now everything was lost forever.

Saul was aware that he should have adjusted to his new life and be thankful to God that he was sold to a good Master. However, as he saw Flavius leaving with Rufus, excited about his career opportunity, Saul felt incredibly sad in his heart.

Raising his gaze toward Marcus Tiberius, he watched him work, oblivious to what happened around him. Saul felt comforted by the view of his Master with a creased forehead, dedicated to his work. It gave a sort of relief to his restless soul. The man embodied the difference between a miserable fate and Saul’s present life. and again, he squirmed at the realization of being ungrateful, for complaining about the life that man gave him.

Saul shook his head and tried to concentrate on his work, hoping to forget his futile complaints, and for a while, he was entirely absorbed in his duties.

“Saul,” called Marcus Tiberius.

“Yes, Master.”

“You looked worried. Do you have something to share with me?”

Afraid his thoughts were too loud, reaching his Master’s heart, he shook his head. “Why does your head say no, but your eyes say yes?”

“Because my thoughts are not worth mentioning, Master.”

Marcus Tiberius smiled at him. “How is your work proceeding?”

“I’m almost ready.” Saul beamed proudly and returned his attention to his work. Minutes later, he stood and handed the papers back. “Now, I’m done.”

Marcus Tiberius looked closely at the translations, “Very well, Saul, very well, but I’d like to know everything that goes through your mind. Tell me your worries.”

“I feel ashamed of them.” Saul lowered his gaze to avoid looking into his eyes.

“I gave you an order. You don’t have any right to disobey me,” Marcus Tiberius reminded him.

“I felt envious of Master Flavius, for he is everything I once used to be,” Saul said, lowering his gaze and twisting his fingers.

Marcus Tiberius frowned at Saul and grabbed his hands in his own. “Forget the past; that life does not belong to you anymore. Now you are my slave in my house. When I brought you here, I stated explicitly that you were something that I own; you replied you understood. This happened about one year ago.”

“I know, Master, and I’m terribly sorry about these thoughts. I’m doing my best to acclimate to my new life. Please don’t be upset, Master. I'll try harder not to disappoint you.”

Marcus Tiberius caressed his face with the back of his hand. “I’m not going to punish you. I know you are a smart boy, and I expect you to fit perfectly into your new life.”

A profound sense of shame and guilt pervaded Saul’s heart. He didn’t deserve such a kind Master if he could not be the slave he needed.

Tears fell from his eyes. “You need a better slave, Master,” Saul whispered.

“I already have the slave I’m looking for.” Marcus Tiberius held him and stroke his silky hair.

Saul relaxed against him, as the gentle stroking soothed his pain away. He hoped the shame grabbing his soul would disappear as well.

“Thank you, Master,” he muttered, hoping not to be heard as he meant it only for himself.

“Wipe your eyes, Saul,” ordered Marcus Tiberius in a gentle tone. When he complied, his Master said, “I don’t need your services anymore. Soon my son will be home, and if I know him as I think I do, he will ask for you. You know your duty. Remember your place and what you are. Don’t make me punish you,” he warned.

“No, Master.” Saul bowed and left the room.

He felt hopeless; he needed to talk to Caleb, but he was busy with other duties. What am I going to do?

A voice interrupted his thoughts. “Saul, just the person I wanted to see. Come, I need to tell you everything,” Flavius yelled.

They walked together to Flavius’ room. “How was your day?” he asked, hoping to gain some of his Master’s excitement for himself.

“For Juno, I had the most hectic and greatest day of my life. Lucius Claudius Blasio is an incredible person. He is such a talented lawyer, and I have so much to learn from him,” Flavius said in ecstasy walking around the room randomly, making it difficult for Saul to follow him.

“So what do you think? Would you like to become a lawyer?”

“It is still too soon to know. I will decide after the period with Publius Julius Fulvianus. I already know it will be a difficult choice, especially if the experience I have with him is as great as the one I had today.”

Saul smiled, but his soul was tormented. Flavius grabbed him by the shoulders. “What’s going on?”

Saul hugged him, grabbing tightly to his toga. “Flavius, I can’t do this anymore,” he wept, barely holding back the tears.

Flavius couldn’t understand what he meant, but he held him tightly. Sitting on the bed with him.

Saul avoided his eyes.

“Saul, please tell me what’s wrong,” Flavius said, caressing his cheek.

“I can’t be your friend; can’t you see? Your father bought me as a slave. I can’t act like a friend with you and as a slave with your parents. Please, I need you to understand me. If you truly are my friend as you claim, then I am begging you to be my Master and behave as a Master is supposed to,” Saul pleaded.

Flavius felt the need to do something to help him. He thought he was already helping him by behaving like a friend, or maybe he was just helping himself without considering the needs of his slave.

Disconcerted, he remained silent for a while. “I’ll make a deal with you, as I think I understand what you mean. I will behave as a Master, but I will be waiting until you are ready to be my friend. When that day comes, call my name and I will understand.”

Saul had thought it would be harder to convince Flavius to behave like his father.

“Yes, Master,” Saul replied, feeling like a weight had been lifted off him, happy his Master understood.

Flavius smirked at his confusion. “Very well, Slave, now help me change,” he ordered.

Saul sighed relieved and helped his Master change from the toga to a more comfortable tunic.

“You can go now. I don’t need you at the moment. If I do, I will call you.”

“Yes, Master.”

After Saul left the room, Flavius shook his head. “I hope you know better than me what’s best,” he murmured to himself and left to meet his father.

“Flavius, I thought you were entertaining yourself with Saul,” said Marcus Tiberius, surprised to see his son so early.

“I dismissed your slave. I had better things to do, and I wanted to tell you everything about the day I had with Lucius Claudius Blasio.”

The sudden change in attitude toward Saul made Marcus Tiberius suspicious. Only the day before, he treated him as a friend, riding horses together and spending all his time with him. Then, suddenly, he indifferently cast him aside like an obsolete item.

“What happened between you and Saul? Did he misbehave?” Marcus Tiberius asked sternly

“No, Father. He is one of the best slaves you ever purchased. Why are you asking?”

“Because of your sudden change in attitude toward him.”

“Father, if I don’t find a slave useful, I dismiss it; that’s all. But it didn’t misbehave or disappoint me

Marcus Tiberius wasn’t convinced by his answer. It made him even more suspicious, but he decided to let it go. Soon he would need to travel with Saul for one entire month, then he would clarify the situation.

Days later, Saul’s neck, like all the other slaves, was enclosed in a metal collar with the name of his Master inscribed upon it. It stated that if he declared missing by his Master, there would be a reward for whoever returned him. Once returned, he would receive punishments he didn’t even dare to imagine.

From the following day on, Saul carried all the tablets; that is the job of a slave, and a master is not supposed to help him on his duties, Saul pondered, struggling to carry the weight on his shoulder.

There was an awkward silence between them, as they walked trying to fit in each other role.

After school, Saul knew he could take the road back home at an easier pace. Marcus Tiberius would be busy and didn’t need him for the rest of the day. As he left the room, he watched Flavius and Rufus walking away.

Antonius and Julius had to remain at school overtime as a punishment for being late.

“Look at yourself. You look like a dog watching his owner going away,” said Caius.

Saul turned his face to him and smiled bitterly.

“Nice collar, Slave. Is your Master afraid that you will escape?” Caius teased him, touching the collar.

“I’m not going to flee. I have no reason to,” Saul mumbled.

“Don’t take it so bad. Are you busy this afternoon?”

“No, Master Marcus Tiberius doesn’t need me today.”

“Come with me. I’m going to the Thermae. Have you ever been there?” Caius asked.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Let’s go, Slave.”

“How come you don’t have any slave to carry your tablets?” Saul asked, surprised.

“My family can’t afford a slave just for that purpose; we aren’t as rich as Flavius’ family. Besides, my father believes it won’t be good for me to get used to being lazy.”

“Here we are, Slave. Soon we can get rid of these tablets and get more comfortable,” Caius patted on Saul’s shoulder as they entered.

“You never call me by name.”

“That doesn’t concern me. You are just a slave, and that’s how I am going to call you. Does it upset you?”

“To be honest, yes, but I guess you’re right. Indeed, I am a slave, but not yours,” Saul admitted.

“Excellent point, Slave,” Caius chuckled, putting his arm around his shoulders in a friendly manner.

Saul wasn’t actually upset with his way of addressing him. What surprised him the most was that, besides this detail, Caius was not so terrible. He was the closest thing to a friend he’d ever had since brought to Rome.

Flavius was right, and the fact that Caius asked for Saul’s company that afternoon meant he had started to trust him and was willing to get to know him better.

They spent their time playing ball with other people that were there. It felt easy even for a slave to join the game together with free people. However, those were not belonging to the wealthy population, and some of them were once slaves who had been freed by their Masters.

The Thermae consisted of a large area, not only dedicated to the baths, but to all those activities that were considered beneficial for the body and soul. The area dedicated to the physical activities was located in an inner porch; meanwhile, the pools were placed in the interior of the building.

After a few hours, Saul came back home, certain he would have the evening free unless Flavius wanted to talk to him about the day, he’d had with Lucius Claudius Blasio.

He arrived at the same time as Flavius and Rufus.

“Saul, are you coming home only now?” Flavius asked.

“Yes, Master. Since Master Marcus Tiberius didn’t require me to help him with his work, I’ve spent the day with Caius.”

“Really?”

“Yes, he asked me to accompany him to the Thermae, and I agreed.”

“I wouldn’t expect that he would have done something like that. It generally takes more time for him to trust somebody. Then again, I thought he would never trust you since he always calls you a slave without ever using your name,” Flavius said with a sneer.

“It was a surprise for me, as well. How was your day?”

“Another incredible one. I am so excited. The more time I spend with Lucius Claudius, the more I wish to become exactly like him. He is such a formidable lawyer.”

“You can’t imagine how happy it makes me to hear how positive your experience has been, Master,” Saul said sincerely as they walked to the house.

“Come with me to my room, and I will tell you about it,” he ordered.

“No. I need to have a talk with Saul. Maybe after,” interrupted Marcus Tiberius from the doorway of the house peeking from the heavy door with a calm expression on his face.

Saul looked at Flavius as if to ask for help, pondering if he needed to be afraid.

“Just go, and when you’re ready, come to my room.”

Saul walked with Marcus Tiberius, trying to guess whether he was upset about the day out with Caius without asking permission, but as they arrived at his room, Marcus Tiberius beamed at him.

“I have checked your translation today, and you did an impeccable job. Your translation was up to the highest standards. I only wanted to say that it was an honor for me to show this as the work of one of my youngest slaves, the work of a child, as a matter of fact.”

Saul felt like a massive stone just fell from his heart as he looked at his Master in awe.

“Thank you, Master, I…,” he said blushing. He had no idea what he could say to make his Master understand that he would do anything for him.

Marcus Tiberius looked at him, amused; he wanted to laugh, but he forced himself to keep a stern expression.

“You know we are leaving for one month in August. We are traveling alone, as the other slaves are required for other duties and they can’t leave for such a long period. This means you will look after all my needs. It won’t be easy, but I am confident you will be able to deal with your duties.”

“I’ll do my best, Master,” Saul said with a few fast nods of his head.

“And now, we’re coming to another topic: Flavius. The reason I arranged these two working periods for him is not for the sole purpose of helping him find his career path, but also to find him a wife. Lucius Claudius Blasio and Publius Julius Fulvianus have a daughter each. Both are beautiful, well-educated, and have a refined taste in decorating. Their fathers would agree to give them as wives to Flavius, but they want to know if he is worth the contract. In theory, this will be a winning situation in both cases, but I want to make sure that Flavius will achieve the career he is aiming for, and I hope that he will have a devoted wife like his mother,” Marcus Tiberius confessed.

“Is he going to get married soon?”

“No. I intend to arrange Flavius’ wedding when he returns from military service, when he is twenty years old. However, the engagement ceremony, together with the marriage contract, should be sealed relatively soon. I will handle this as soon as I return from my trip.”

“Master, why are you telling me this?”

“Because I don’t know whether Flavius has ever thought about getting married, and the news might come as a surprise. I need to know if he ever talked to you about it.”

“Yes, Master. He believes that you are trying to find a wife for him, but I am afraid he is not ready for such a commitment.”

“It is admirable that he has given some thought to the subject. I know I should have been firmer with him, but he is my only son. He is the best gift the gods granted to us, and I’m afraid I have been too kind or too soft with him thus far.”

“Someone has to put him in front of his responsibilities, Master.”

Marcus Tiberius looked at Saul thoughtfully. “Hmm…” he mumbled. “Well, I will think about it. You are dismissed. I guess Flavius is waiting for you.”

Saul headed to Flavius’ room. He wanted to share with him the praise he just received from his Master, but he thought it might be better if he kept it to himself. Likewise, he shouldn’t say anything about the discussion with Marcus Tiberius about Flavius’ wedding arrangements. He realized that the discussion was supposed to remain confidential; not even under torture would he reveal the nature of their talk.

“Master, did you want to see me?” Saul asked, carefully peeking from the door.

“Yes, come in. What was it my father needed to talk to you about? Are you in trouble?”

“No, Master, he just wanted to remind me of the trip on which I will accompany him next August,” he replied vaguely.

“He will stay away for one month. I might need your help here.” he pouted, crossing his arms on his chest.

“I’m sorry, Master,” Saul said, lowering his gaze.

He sensed Flavius was upset about his father's decision, but after all, Saul was his slave; he’d bought him for that reason. Being Flavius' companion was a side duty whenever Marcus Tiberius didn’t need him.

“Master, one month will pass quickly, and you will have plenty to do; you won't even notice I'm gone,” Saul said, trying to make him feel better.

“No, I will surely miss your presence. We go to school together, we study together. You are the nearest thing to a friend.”

“How about Caius?”

“Caius is your friend; he never asked for my company before,” Flavius protested.

“You might invite him to be your friend. He is not as wealthy as you. He might think he is not good enough to be your friend.”

Flavius shook his head. “You are so patient with my stupid complaints. I will miss your advice.”

“That’s why I am your slave, to help you, Master.” Saul winked.

“Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about the perfect day I had with Lucius Claudius Blasio. He brought me to the Forum. I was so excited, and he introduced me to some of his colleagues and said remarkably kind words about me. If only I could have the fantastic opportunity to work with him.”

“Well, if he had kind words for you in front of his colleagues, I guess it is feasible,” he reassured him. “So, do you think you are starting to make up your mind in that direction? Are you going to further your education in Law?”

“There’s still a possibility that I will like working with Publius Julius Fulvianus better. I am still uncertain, but I have time to think about it. Well, I have to go talk to my father; I guess he wants to know how the day went. You are dismissed, Saul. See you tomorrow morning.”

Saul also felt confused, but for very different reasons. Over time, he realized that he was thinking less and less of his family and the life he had in Jerusalem. His thoughts were entirely focused on his duties, the school, his feelings for Marcus Tiberius, the strange friendship with Caius, and other daily things.

Most of all, his thoughts converged to his Master; he felt affectionate toward him, and his appreciative words had more value than those of any other person. He needed Marcus Tiberius to be proud of him, to stroke his hair, to glance at him.

Marcus Tiberius felt more like a father to him than a person who owned him as an object. He was almost sure that his feelings were requited and didn’t think that Marcus Tiberius would sell him for any reason. He felt loved.

He barely spoke a word as he consumed his meal in the kitchen with the other slaves. He wanted to finish his dinner quickly so that he could go to bed, immersed in his thoughts about the feelings he was developing for Marcus Tiberius until sleep claimed him, giving relief from his working day.

Chapter 5.

Days followed one another with impressive speed. The first two weeks of working with Lucius Claudius Blasio ended with Flavius’ biggest regret for the ending of an enlightening period, as well as with enthusiasm for his next two weeks.

He had never met Publius Julius Fulvianus but felt intimidated by his power and fame. He was probably a more influential person. The evening before meeting the politician, sleep refused to come to comfort his restless spirit.

Hoping fresh air would help, he walked out to the inner garden and gazed up at the full moon shining in the cloudless sky. He lay on the grass, thinking he probably would have found peace of mind in Saul’s singing. It was forbidden for a slave to make noise after dark, but maybe it would help me fall asleep. After pondering the situation, he decided to wake Saul. A slave’s purpose is to serve his masters at any time of the day or night.

Flavius tiptoed to the slave’s quarters, holding his oil lamp up to help him find Saul’s bed.

“Saul,” he whispered, shaking him gently.

Master?” he asked, unsure if he was just sleeping.

“Shh, come with me; I need you.”

Saul stood and dressed, then followed Flavius to his room, hoping not to wake up anyone in the house.

“What’s wrong, Master?” Saul asked as they reached his master’s room.

“I am so excited about tomorrow that I can’t fall asleep; I need you to help me.”

“What can I do?”

“Sleep with me; I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.”

Saul smiled with drowsy eyes and crawled into bed beside Flavius. Saul remembered how his sister used to run in to sleep with him during thunderstorms, or when she was upset. He held Flavius in his arms and caressed his hair.

“I am so worried about tomorrow.”

“Everything will be as smooth as oil. I’m sure you will return in the evening with the same enthusiasm you had after the first day with Lucius Claudius Blasio. All you need to do is believe in yourself,” Saul replied, stifling a yawn.

Flavius hugged him and, fell asleep, dreaming of how difficult it would be to choose between the two careers if Saul was right, and he loved both jobs.

In the morning, Rufus, not finding Saul in his bed, went alone to wake up Flavius. When he entered the room, he could barely keep himself from laughing at the sight of Flavius and Saul hugging each other, peacefully sleeping.

“Master; Saul. Wake up, it's time for school,” he said gently.

“Hmm, good morning, Rufus. Saul,” said Flavius, rolling onto his back.

“Good morning, Master. I hope you slept well,” said Saul as he got up from the bed.

“Yes. I can’t even recall the last time I slept as well as last night.”

“I’ll take care of Master Flavius. You go get ready for school,” Rufus said.

Saul hurried, ready to wear new clean clothes and search for Cassandra to take care of his hair.

“Look at yourself. Your hair is so messy that I barely recognized you,” she said as he entered the kitchen.

“I have been sleeping with Master Flavius, and I guess that sleeping together in his bed can mess up everything.”

“Whatever. Come, I will fix your hair,” Cassandra replied, patiently starting to comb his hair.

For Saul, today wasn’t supposed to be different from the others. After school, he rushed home, eager to work with Master Marcus Tiberius.

Everything seemed to run smoothly. Until Flavius burst into Marcus Tiberius’ room in a fury, followed by a panting Rufus.

“What is this?” Marcus Tiberius yelled as he saw his son’s eyes full of fear, hatred, and anger.

“Father, we need to talk. Dismiss all the slaves,” he ordered.

“How dare you speak to me like that?” Marcus Tiberius slammed his hand on the desk.

“Dismiss them!” he yelled, his voice trembling.

“Saul, Rufus, leave us,” Marcus Tiberius ordered.

Flavius waited until they were alone, then he fell to his knees and started to cry.

“Please, Father. Don’t make me go again to work with Publius Julius Fulvianus. Please.”

Marcus Tiberius walked to his son, then held him in his arms and tried to soothe him. “Flavius, please tell me what happened. Why are you no longer interested in working with him?”

“That man is a monster. I can’t believe what he did,” Flavius sobbed.

“I can’t understand anything if you don’t tell me exactly what happened, in chronological order,” Marcus Tiberius commanded, starting to lose his patience.

Flavius stood and parted from his father. He inhaled and let out a long breath, trying to calm down.

“I arrived at his place, and we were introduced. I was terribly excited and told him how much I appreciated the privilege of being there. He was very kind, then asked that Rufus wait outside. Filthy animals are not welcome in my working space, he said. I didn’t object, but I thought it was terribly rude to address my slave like that, particularly a well-educated one like Rufus. However, I followed him to the living room. He invited me to sit so we could have a preliminary talk before he showed me how the two weeks would be spent together. He called a slave and ordered something to eat and wine; the slave came immediately after, bringing food and pouring the wine for his Master and me. I was impressed by the extreme care he took in serving us.

“When we spoke after the slave left, I was fascinated with the Publius Julius’ experience, and I was sure I could learn so much working with him. Anther slave arrived, bringing water and dried fruits, but the enthusiasm for the food was, eventually, only mine. I have no idea why, but Publius Julius stood and started to yell at that poor slave. Not satisfied with just yelling, he beat him up, as I’ve never seen done, even to an animal. I felt shocked and stopped him.

“I grabbed his hand and asked him to quit hitting that poor man. As far as I could see, he didn’t do anything wrong. Publius Julius looked at me and laughed, telling me that there isn’t any other way to deal with those beasts. When they do not meet the satisfaction of their Master, they need to be punished so that they will never make the same mistake again. I asked what his fault was, and he simply said that he annoyed him with his presence.

“Do you understand what kind of person he is? I told him I couldn't tolerate sharing the same roof with a person who enjoys cruelty. I left, taking Rufus with me, running as fast as I could and as far as possible from him,” he said, still trembling.

Marcus Tiberius sighed. He had been unaware that Publius Julius had this side to his character. He probably would have acted the same way as Flavius had, however, at that point, the question was how to solve the situation in a diplomatic way.

“I'm not blaming you for leaving Publius Julius’ house after what happened. I will find someone else to give you experience in this career,” Marcus Tiberius said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“That won’t be necessary, Father. I have decided to be a lawyer. In this way, I might be helpful to people who seek justice and protect people like that poor slave from people like his Master,” Flavius replied firmly.

Marcus Tiberius smiled and hugged him. He knew that it was a shock to see a defenseless man, even a slave, brutally mistreated. For that reason, he always treated his slaves in the best way possible. He wanted to obtain their loyalty, not by fear, but by respect and gratitude.

“I’m sorry you had to experience this. I know how it feels. I hope you will continue, for the rest of your life, to treat your slaves in the same way they have been treated in this family,” he said.

“Of course, Father. I could never harm someone who has, at no time, done anything hurtful to me,” Flavius replied.

“Well, in this case, I will talk to Publius Julius, and I will inform him of your decision. You can go now. I still need to finish my work with Saul.”

“Yes, Father. I will tell him to come here. I wish to be left alone until tomorrow morning, to think and calm down.”

“I can give an order to the slaves, but your mother will come to talk with you as soon as I tell her what happened. She will be upset as well.”

“That’s fair enough. Thank you.” Flavius walked away.

Flavius walked to the porch. “Saul!” he called when he saw him sitting on a bench.

“Yes, Master,” he answered, standing.

“You can return to my father’s room; he needs to finish his work.”

“Have a pleasant sleep Master,” Saul said, then returned to Marcus Tiberius. He was curious to know the reason for Flavius’ burst into the room and his strange behavior, but confident that if there were something he needed to know, Flavius would mention it in the morning.

Saul and Marcus Tiberius continued their work as if nothing had happened. When it was time for Saul to be dismissed, Marcus Tiberius held him by the shoulder.

“Flavius had a particularly unpleasant day. Let him sleep tomorrow morning as well. Please excuse Flavius with the teacher; tell him that he is ill and will probably be back tomorrow.”

“Yes, Master, as you order.”

Flaminia appeared in the door of Marcus Tiberius’ working room “Are you busy?”

“No, please come in. I need your advice,”

“What happened? I saw Flavius running to his room after sending Saul to you.”

“He got upset about something that happened at the house of Publius Julius Fulvianus. They were together when he beat up one of his slaves without any plausible reason. According to Flavius, he had been extremely violent and cruel with the slave. For this reason, he has decided to become a lawyer to help whoever will ask for justice.”

“It has been incredibly rude from Publius Julius, to behave that way in front of a guest. I would have never imagined a person like him could behave in such a reprehensible way,” Flaminia stiffening her posture, shocked. “Flavius decision of becoming a lawyer is a noble one, and I am proud of him. So, this means we must meet again with Lucius Claudius Blasio to seal the engagement contract with his daughter, Claudia,” she concluded cocking her head and glance at the ceiling.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. Let’s hope that Lucius Claudius had a good impression of Flavius, and he agrees upon the wedding contract. Tomorrow I will talk with both Lucius Claudius and Publius Julius so that we can solve the situation in a clean way. I hope this incident won’t result in any consequences in Flavius’ life and career,” Marcus Tiberius slowly nodding.

Flaminia touched the back of his hand. “Now it is up to you to be persuasive enough to solve the situation, but I am confident that everything will go well. I trust you fully.”

“Thank you. You are a gift from the gods.”

She smiled and held him close. “I love you, Marcus.” Her lips brushed his.

“You are the dearest to me, darling,” he purred. “Flavius asked to be left alone. I know you would like to have a talk with him, but I think it will be wiser to put off any discussions until tomorrow. I spoke with him and decided he won’t go to school tomorrow. This way, he can clear his mind, and we can talk to him.”

“I believe it is a good idea. For a person like Flavius who can’t stand violence, it might have been rather a shock to see how some people mistreat their slaves.” Flaminia cringed, shrinking in her own shoulders.

“Publius Julius and I only knew each other professionally. Had I known him personally, I would never have proposed this deal to him. I have been naïve, and Flavius paid the price. I’m sorry.”

“Well, what is done is done. Now we have to look forward; we can’t change the past. I will leave you alone so you can work out the best solution for everybody.”

He watched Flaminia her gracefully walk out of the room and again thanked the gods for giving him such an understanding and loyal wife, and caring mother for the son he loved with all his strength.

They were his family, and he would do anything to protect them and make their lives serene. The more he thought about how Publius Julius behaved in front of his son and addressed Rufus, the more bitter he felt. Perhaps Publius Julius owed him an apology.

Early the next morning, while Flavius was still asleep, Marcus Tiberius left his house. He was determined to go have a talk with Lucius Claudius Blasio first, to make sure no false rumors about the previous day’s incident had reached his ears, and to discuss the eventual engagement of Flavius to his daughter Claudia.

He knew Lucius Claudius Blasio used to go at that same time to the Thermae. Without hesitation, he strode to the Thermae, happy to see Lucius walking fast as he entered the building.

He didn’t rush in behind him; he still needed a bit of time to find the right words.

As soon as they were formulated in his mind, he approached, “Good morning, Claudius.”

“Good morning. I didn’t know you enjoyed coming to the Thermae this early”

“I usually come in the afternoon; I came here at this time because I hoped to find you here. So how are you?” Marcus Tiberius asked kindly shaking Lucius Claudius’ right hand.

“Thank you, I am fine.”

“I haven’t had the opportunity to ask you for your impression about my son Flavius,” he started.

“He is a very smart youth. I'm sure he has all it takes to become a good lawyer. Did he come to a final decision regarding his career?” Lucius Claudius asked.

“Yes, he wishes so much to become just like you. He has barely spoken about anything else.”

“So, we can surely come to an agreement and start talking about the wedding of Flavius to Claudia, together with your son’s future career.”

“Yes, we can certainly do that. Flavius and Claudia met each other when they were very young. Last time I saw her, I was impressed by her grace and beauty. I do believe they will make a lovely couple.” Marcus Tiberius nodded.

Claudius smiled. “Thank you for the compliments. I can’t say anything wrong about your son, and I share your feelings. They will be a happy and wealthy couple.”

Marcus Tiberius’ expression frowned and pursed his lips. “There is something I have to tell you. As you know, Flavius was supposed to work with Publius Julius Fulvianus as well, to decide whether he’d rather become a lawyer or a diplomat. He was supposed to start yesterday, but Publius Julius offended one of my slaves and mistreated one of his in the presence of Flavius. I don’t much care if someone mistreats his own, but I’d prefer that he give respect to my property. Besides that, he disrespected my son, being extremely brutal with one of his slaves in his presence. Flavius has a mild and fair nature and can’t stand any form of injustice; he despises when someone is violent with people who can’t defend themselves. For this reason, he decided to become a lawyer,” Marcus Tiberius clarified.

They reached the room where they could have taken away their clothes before going to the bath, and Lucius Claudius started to undress.

Lucius Claudius looked at him thoughtfully rubbing his beard with one hand. “I like your son’s attitude; however, I will warn him, there is no justice for slaves. They are merely property with no rights. I do agree with him that something must be done to protect people who can’t defend themselves. I forecast interesting times ahead for him.”

“I hope this will be the first step toward manhood. I have to say. since I bought a new slave to help me with my work and be his companion, he has finally started to grow up.”

“Well, Marcus Tiberius, we will meet soon to seal the wedding contract and set a date for the engagement.”

“I was hoping to have the ceremony before the end of the year. Let’s see what we can arrange. Meanwhile, I will tell my son about his future bride. Like for each of us in the past, I believe the new will come as a surprise.”

“Have a pleasant day, and good luck with Publius Julius,” Lucius Claudius, smirked and turned his shoulders raising his hand to greet him.

“And to you too,” he replied, watching him walking toward the frigidarium.

Marcus Tiberius’ smile faded away at the thought of talking to Publius Julius.

Marcus Tiberius intended to go to Publius Julius’ office in the afternoon, at the same time his son’s appointment was scheduled. He walked away, focusing more on his duties, rather than his problems.

That evening, Marcus Tiberius arrived tardily at home. Feeling exhausted, he bypassed his wife’s room, going directly to his working room where he lighted oil lamps and lay on the couch to think and try to relax.

Flaminia noticed the light in his room and went to ask him about the news. “Marcus, you returned home quite late. Is anything wrong?” she asked, sitting beside him.

“It has been a long day, both for my work and for the business concerning the deal with Publius Julius. He was, of course, upset that Flavius decided to quit working with him. He found it childish, and maybe if I were him, I would have thought the same. On the other hand, we cannot force Flavius on this.

“I also spoke with Claudius about the engagement. We will meet again to stipulate the contract and discuss the details. I was thinking to celebrate it before the end of the year. What do you think?”

“There is not much time left if you want to make it something to be remembered. You should finalize the contract soon, then I will arrange the ceremony.”

“How is Flavius?” he asked.

“He feels better. It was wise to let him rest at home today; he needed time to think. At the moment, he is studying with Saul in his room.”

“I will invite Claudius here soon, maybe next week. Our son is becoming a man. It seems like only yesterday I held him in my arms for the first time, and now I am planning his engagement.”

Flaminia patted his arm. “I miss those times, he used to cry all day long and very little let us rest during the night. Yet, I would love to have that little puffy creature in my arms again. I can’t see the time when he has children of his own; then we can enjoy these moments again.” She stood up from the couch. “Soon dinner will be served; get ready and change your toga, you’ll be more comfortable with a tunic.”

Marcus Tiberius hesitated on the couch a bit longer, thinking about major events of his life, the wealth he was able to accumulate, and the blessing of having a woman like Flaminia at his side. Regardless his life has seen a few hurtful periods, particularly as he thought about the death of his parents, he considered himself privileged with the favor of the gods.

“I can still recall when my father announced me my imminent engagement party,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “I felt like I was going to be executed!”

He stood up and paced around the room, frowning and rubbing his hands together, thinking about a good way to introduce the topic to his son.

“I am afraid Flavius won’t greet the news with my same enthusiasm,” he feared.

Marcus Tiberius clenched his fists, “I am his father, he should just be grateful for my efforts in making his life as smooth as possible. The decision has already taken, and in a way or another, he will have to accept it.”

Chapter 6.

Flavius and Saul sat on the bed, talking casually when Marcus Tiberius entered. “Flavius, I need to talk to you — alone. Saul, you can go.”

“Yes, Master,” Saul complied and left.

Disconcerted, Flavius looked at his father, wondering if he was upset with him or if he had just had an awful day. He didn’t like the expression depicted on his face. From experience, he knew it preceded trouble. “Father, are you upset with me?”

“No, Flavius, not at all. I had a very long day, but I have terrific news for you. The deal you had with Publius Julius Fulvianus is off, and you don’t have to meet him anymore,” he said.

Flavius felt relieved at the news; he would rather die than see Publius Julius Fulvianus again. “That is great news, Father, but something tells me that is not the reason you called me.”

“You realize that now you’ve decided about your career, you have to steer your education in that direction. Another issue remains unsettled, but I believe I have the right solution for it. What I am trying to say is, it is time to think about your personal life. I am talking about finding a girl to become your wife,” he paused, turning his shoulders toward his son. “I know you might not have thought about it, but your mother and I did. We’ve arranged things so that you meet your future wife soon.”

Flavius glared at him with an open mouth. “A…wife?” “Who is she? Why have you never talked to me about your plans? Maybe I would have had something to say about it.”

“I’m not saying you will marry her now. At the moment, we are planning the engagement party, where the wedding contract will be sealed.” Marcus Tiberius reasoned. “It has always been this way. My father chose Flaminia for me, and she has been devoted and beloved by me. Now I have to think about your future too.”

“Who is she? May I know that, or should it be a surprise as well?” Flavius asked with sarcasm thick in his voice.

“Enough with that tone! You are disrespecting my authority, and I’m not going to tolerate it any further.”

“I’m sorry, Father. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful to you; it is just…it took me by surprise…”

“Never mind; I understand your concern. I had the same reaction when my father announced that he had found a wife for me. The girl is Claudia, Lucius Claudius’ daughter. Indeed, you might remember her. I'm confident she will be a loyal wife, not counting the fact that Claudius will guide you through your future career. This is an excellent opportunity for you.”

“A faithful wife? That despicable, selfish, arrogant creature? Father, please, it can’t be true; you can’t seriously mean that you want me to marry her,” Flavius protested, raising his voice.

“You might remember her as a little child, but she has grown up. She is beautiful and well educated. Be reasonable, Flavius, it will be an advantageous contract, particularly if you want to become a lawyer,” Marcus Tiberius tired of his refusals and his voice started to tremble with impatience.

“No, Father, please, anyone but her,” he pleaded.

“Stop behaving like a child. This has been decided, and you will do it,” Marcus Tiberius yelled.

Flavius thought about Saul. Maybe this is how a slave feels when he must obey orders. He was trapped and knew he had no choice but to submit to his father’s will.

Then, perhaps he might have still a chance to improve the deal.

“So it shall be, Father. I will marry Claudia but under one condition…”

“You are not in any position to give conditions, son, but I will listen to your request anyway.” Marcus Tiberius was curious to know what was in his mind.

“I know that, but I want your slave as a wedding gift. I want Saul to become my slave. He will help me in my work,” Flavius replied firmly.

His father glared at him with surprise. “You truly like him.” After a pause, he said, “Agreed, my son; the slave will be yours.”

“The point is not whether I like him or not. I do like him, but I will need a friend, an ally in that house if I have to deal with that woman every day,” Flavius replied victoriously.

Marcus Tiberius’ expression darkened. “Flavius, we are not talking about war, and you shall give all due respect to your wife. You have time to get to know her better and discover the other qualities she might have, of which you don’t have the slightest idea. At no time should she be overshadowed by the presence of a slave. He is just something you own for your convenience, not a tool to get revenge on your wife. Even if you use him to satisfy other pleasures, your wife should always come first, for she is the one you will share your life with.” Marcus grabbed Flavius by the shoulders, staring into his eyes.

“But” Flavius interrupted.

“No buts. If you like Saul, you should understand that a jealous wife could seek revenge on him, so he will suffer the consequences of being between you two. Do you think this is fair toward your slave?”

Flavius remained silent for a while, thinking about what his father said. He was right, and this made him feel even more trapped than before. More than trapped, he felt guilty for thinking something like that, and selfish for having considered bringing Saul into that situation.

His father was right on other matters as well. Even though he’d only known Saul for a short time, he felt like he’d known him forever, and felt affection for him. Moreover, he’d fallen in love with his voice.

“Father, I'm sorry,” Flavius said, trying to calm down.

Marcus Tiberius called for a slave, and Caleb came. “Yes, Master.”

“Get Saul. I have to talk to him.”

Caleb departed then returned with Saul.

Saul stood before Flavius and Marcus Tiberius, apprehension on his face. “Did you want to talk to me, Master?”

“Yes, there will be some changes in your life. Flavius will be fourteen years old next month. Soon after, he will attend his engagement ceremony where he will meet his future wife. As I expected, he didn’t take the news with enthusiasm, but he accepted it on one condition, which I granted him.

“The condition was an unusual gift. He wants you to be his slave and serve in his house when he marries his fiancée.”

Saul felt confused and started looking around, without anything to say. He didn’t know what would be expected of him in his new life. He recently realized that he was lucky to be in a home with fair Masters, and now he was supposed to leave it. Moreover, he liked Mistress Flaminia and he felt sorry he had to leave her.

Most of his disappointment came from the fact he would no longer serve Marcus Tiberius. He could almost say he felt attracted to him, and the ease with which he gave him away as a wedding gift slashed his heart like the clawed hand of a demon.

He knew Flavius was a kind and fair Master, but would his new Mistress be kind or cruel? Would his life be good or bad? What should he expect? The only positive thing was that Flavius would be with him.

He looked at Marcus Tiberius and then veered his gaze down to avoid his searching eyes. “I understand, Master,” Saul replied mumbling.

“I am expecting you to serve him and his wife with loyalty,” Marcus Tiberius added.

“Yes, Master,” Saul said, almost whispering. His mind fell into deeper consideration of what his life was about and what it would become.

As he was dismissed, he left without even looking up where he was walking trying to reach the slaves’ rooms, hoping sleep would rescue him from his tumbling thoughts.

Later, he arrived in the kitchen for dinner, still mulling over the news, trying to find peace of mind.

Cassandra’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Saul, you look upset. What happened? Did you disappoint our Master?” Her face reflected alarm.

“I am not in trouble, but it seems I won’t have much more time in this house. I am to be transferred to a new Master.”

“What do you mean? Are you being sold? Why…when?”

“The point is that soon Master Flavius is going to attend his engagement ceremony and he asked his father to give me to him as a wedding present. I presume this will happen in about six years, but still… I feel as if I can get used to living in this house and serving Master Marcus Tiberius. Maybe if I hadn’t known that, I wouldn’t have felt so confused.” he replied, He looked into her green eyes. “And I…I think I will miss you.”

Cassandra giggled. “That is sweet, Saul. I will miss you too, and don’t you worry, I will teach you how to take care of your hair. I will miss combing your locks, they are so soft.” She held Saul’s hand gently in her own. “This is how it happens to us. We are mere property. You have become a gift for Flavius. Be glad that you know your Master at least, and you like each other. I would not be too worried about the new mistress if I were you. Everything will be fine. I am confident Marcus Tiberius took scrupulous care in choosing the right match for his son, not only for her qualities as a wife but also as a mistress of the slaves who will serve in their house.”

He gasped as he sat on a chair, falling again into the depth of his thoughts.

It felt odd to think of himself as an object, but at that moment, he felt exactly like that. It was difficult to realize that the person who treated him the fairest was not Flavius or Flaminia, but Marcus Tiberius. He never tried to make Saul’s new condition milder with the fake appearance of friendship or a sort of motherly love. He gently, yet firmly, drew the boundaries of his life as a slave. He was the one who didn’t confuse him with useless, futile words to hide the truth.

Saul felt hollow, meaningless, and lonely.

Then he understood Caleb’s words. It would have been better for him to forget about his past. Memories felt like ghosts haunting his soul with their unattainability.

He felt his childhood depart.

He ate his meal listlessly, barely enjoying it.

Without saying a word, he trudged toward the dorm.

As soon as Saul’s head touched the pillow, the dam holding back his tears broke, somewhat relieving his soul, but the knowledge that he had a new reality to face refused to fade.

When he became a slave, he had thought it impossible to bend his will to another person, but he’d done it.

Feeling grateful for the fair treatment he’d received from his Master, he thought how lucky he had been… So far. A sob escaped.

Nana came in and sat on his bed. “Is there something I can do to make you feel better?”

He wiped his eyes. “Did Cassandra tell you why I am crying?”

“Yes.” She caressed his hair.

He sighed. “Nana, what are we? Are we just… things?”

“If we are not things, we are considered less than people; we are slaves,” she replied, trying to smile.

He could not recall when he quit being a person. His feelings were still the same. He felt pain the same, but this time, it dug deeper than any other pain he’d ever experienced, as it reached his soul.

“Nana, I am afraid my new Mistress won’t be as kind as Mistress Flaminia. What will happen if she doesn't like me? What could she do?” He grabbed desperately on Nana’s tunic

Nana didn’t know how to explain that cruelty against slaves was not so rare.

How am I supposed to explain this to a twelve-year-old boy?

“Saul, I don’t know your new mistress, but I know Master Flavius, and he won’t let anything awful happen to you. Of this, you can be sure. She can be mean or kind. No matter what her nature is, your duty won’t change. You’ll have to be loyal to her, regardless of the circumstances,” she said, holding him tightly to her.

His heartbeat started to grow faster, and he felt like he had no escape, but she was right. Flavius would stick by his side. His request to own Saul proved that he liked him and didn’t want to part from him. Holding onto those comforting thoughts, and soothed by Nana’s hands stroking his hair, he fell asleep.

The next morning, Flavius woke up in the same mood as when he went to bed. Awful. He wished the pending engagement to Claudia was just a nightmare. His bitterness grew.

On the way to school, Saul said, “Master, this time it is you who isn't speaking much.”

“Yes, I still feel bitter about my father’s decision,” Flavius said briefly.

“About getting married? I think it was thoughtful of him to take care of your future like that.”

“Taking care of my future, yes, but this is ruling my future, and besides, I know Claudia and I don’t like her. I could never love and respect her in the same way my father does my mother.” Flavius shook his head, slowing the pace of his steps. “I don’t want to marry Claudia. I’ve hated her since the first time I met her. She is a selfish, egocentric, cruel, superficial, egoist, and despicable creature, and I don’t want to live my life with her. We can’t hope for the same relationship my father and my mother have. Instead…”

“It seems you are in a trap, Master,” Saul replied, smiling sarcastically.

“And I realize that I am bringing you into the same trap, but I need somebody I can trust in that household. I need you, Saul, more than you can imagine. I will protect you whenever you need it, and I will not let you down.”

“Is she really that terrible, Master?” It seemed that his worries about her were not unfounded.

“My father said that she has changed since her childhood, but I don’t believe that. Evil people never change; they are born evil, and time just confirms their nature. The sole positive thing I can remember about her is her beauty; she is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen,” he recalled.

“When will I meet her?”

“At the party, after the engagement ceremony.”

Considering how odd it sounded even to his ears, it felt right, that even if he were taken as a possession, his owners would properly take care of him. He felt safe, and at that moment, it was enough.

“I think you worry too much, Master. After all, she is nothing but a woman. She is not a monster, and perhaps you are overreacting. Possibly, your father is correct, and she has changed.

“Maybe you’re right, Saul, but I still have this strange feeling. We’ll see,” he said, as they reached the school, and the sun started to light up the sky.

Saul laid the bag on the table and gave Flavius his waxed tablets. Soon, he would leave with Marcus Tiberius. He thought he should let the teacher know.

In the room, a strange silence fell over them. Caius, occupied with reading, barely greeted them as they entered. Antonius and Julius were late as usual. Flavius engaged in commiserating himself, and Saul considered what was so wrong in the lives of the Romans. They had everything, and still, they felt miserable as soon as the smallest thing wasn’t going the way they wanted it.

The teacher came from the back room and looked at his students. “Good morning,” he greeted. At that sudden interruption, the boys stood and greeted back.

“Teacher, I have something to say if I’m allowed,” Saul said.

“Of course, tell me,” he replied.

“In August, I have to undertake a trip with my Master, and I won’t be able to follow your lessons for an entire month. I hope I can make up for the lost time when I return.”

“That’s something we can agree on afterward. Don’t you worry. Just attend to your duties.” The teacher nodded, understanding that there wouldn’t have been anything to do for that, and the top priority for a slave was doing exactly as his Master ordered.

The teacher then started his lesson, but Saul was not able to follow it; his mind focused on the new direction his life was about to take. Just when he thought he found his place, all the cards were messed up on the table and he had no idea what to think.

He felt sorry he had to leave Marcus Tiberius, but at the same time, he felt anger at his betrayal. He had served him loyally, and as a token of gratitude, he gave him away as a wedding gift for his son.

Who am I going to fool? Have I ever thanked a horse for being a good one? Of course not, and if I had a good horse and someone made a reasonable offer to buy it, I would consider the deal. If my son wanted that horse as a wedding gift, I would give it to him without even thinking about it. Maybe I should start to think of myself as a horse, a good one, and soon this horse will have a new owner.

A lump grew in his throat, and tears welled.

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, hoping no one saw. He shook his head and exhaled deeply to compose himself and follow what the teacher was saying.

Something hit him on his shoulder. He turned his face and saw Caius smirked at him. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. Saul smirked bitterly back at him and told himself he should not complain so much. His life was still better than that of many other slaves in Rome.

At the end of the lessons, Saul and Flavius were ready to go when Caius called him. “I don’t know why you were crying today. I… well… Whatever is your sorrow, I honestly feel sorry for it. If it helps, we can go to the Thermae together when you have time.”

“Thanks, Caius, that’s kind of you. It was just a foolish moment. For the Thermae, I have no idea if I will ever have time to come with you, but don’t be upset about it. I’m just a slave,” he shrugged, trying to smile.

Caius leaned closer. “I’ve never told anybody because I feel ashamed, my father is a Liberto, so theoretically, I am the son of a slave. Take care, slave.”

Saul remained open-mouthed as he watched him walk away.

“Saul, what are you waiting for? Let’s go home,” called Flavius.

He turned and caught up to with his Master.

“What did Caius have to say?”

“I don’t have the slightest idea, Master. It sounded like an apology, but I can’t fathom the reason why,” Saul replied, confused.

“Well, no matter. Let’s return home. We have to study, and I need to talk to my father. This time, I wish you to be present, as I am going to speak with him about my wedding, and this concerns you as well.”

“Yes, Master.”

Chapter 7.

August arrived, and with it, the day of departure approached sooner than Saul had expected. It came with a great sense of relief.

“So, Saul, are we set to leave?” Marcus Tiberius asked kindly.

“Yes, Master, everything is set,” he replied.

Marcus Tiberius ruffled Saul’s hair and smiled at him. “Then let’s go.”

As they left Rome, Saul’s heart became lighter. All his worries were left at home, and for one entire month, they wouldn't bother him. He hoped that by the time he returned, they would have disappeared, and he could live peacefully until the engagement ceremony. There he would meet his mistress for the first time. At the moment, he preferred not to think about it. He wanted to focus on his duties and enjoy this exclusive time with Marcus Tiberius’ company.

The days passed hectically one after another, allowing him to spend the evenings exchanging a few words with his Master in private.

As Marcus Tiberius owned a conspicuous number of country estates in different parts of the Empire, he hired locals to manage the works. Nevertheless, he needed to travel occasionally to oversee their management. That time, Marcus Tiberius and Saul traveled to the territories of Etruria. The travel distance wasn’t long but visiting the estates, getting updated with the issues raised by the harvest and season, was an extensive work.

The countryside looked to Saul very different than the city of Rome. The vast valleys of the Etrurian inland, contrasting with the reliefs of the mountain belt delimiting it on the east side reminded Saul of his home. Yet, the rich green of the fields and woods was something that marveled him. The summer sun, shining on the afternoon tuned by the song of the birds and the chirping sound of the grasshoppers left him open-mouthed. He wished he had more time to inhale the smell of the meadows, enjoy the singing of birds and the sun on his skin.

“It is one year since I bought you. How do you feel about your life in my house?” he asked, during one evening before going to sleep.

I feel less confused and serving you has become more a pleasure than a duty.”

“Does my son have any problems with your service?”

“No, Master. What do you mean by that?” Saul asked, surprised.

“I noticed that after I bought you, the relationship between you and my son was warmer, then recently got cold. What happened? Did you disappoint him?”

“No, Master. Lately, there have been a lot of events. When I was told I would be given away as a wedding gift, my world was turned upside down.” He wasn’t sure he should tell him about the deal he had with Flavius.

Marcus Tiberius looked at him as if he could not comprehend why it was such a big deal, but he was determined to understand. “Can you be more specific?”

“The day you bought me, Master Flavius offered me his friendship. However, his offer of an egalitarian relationship disoriented me. I could not be his friend; he is my Master. After a while, I asked him not to behave like a friend, but as a Master,” he tossed his arms out. “Recently, I became a close friend of one of the other students, Caius. I am afraid Master Flavius got jealous of how well we related to each other.”

“Saul, my son is a mild-mannered person, and you are very young. For this reason, I won’t punish you.” Marcus Tiberius locked his eyes on Saul’s. “Your Master decides how to behave with you, and you are not to assert your opinion. A slave accepts whatever comes from his Master, whether it is a punishment or a reward.”

Saul bowed his head. “I’m sorry, Master, you are right. I shouldn’t have objected to his behavior… I behaved stupidly.” Looking up, he met Marcus’ eyes. “I need the steady hand of a Master to lead me into slavery.”

Marcus Tiberius turned his shoulder to him and thought about it as Saul patiently waited for his final decision. Then he turned to look at Saul. He still was not sure what he should do, but he knew he had to help his slave in one way or another.

I don’t want to punish him, but perhaps there isn’t any other way…

“Saul, I think I understand what is going on in your heart and, trust me, my decision is hurting my heart more than you can possibly imagine. I will punish your misbehavior toward my son with twenty lashes as soon as we get back home, in front of Flavius, to whom you owe an apology.”

Saul’s heart stuttered. He felt as if someone had stabbed him, but he understood this would be more useful than thousands of words. He turned his gaze downward and smiled. “Thank you, Master. I am sorry I disappointed you; this will never happen again. I am grateful for your understanding.”

Marcus Tiberius caressed his slave’s face and raised his chin to force him to meet his eyes, then he kissed his forehead. Saul’s eyes filled with an inner glow as that was the most soul-stirring gesture he’d ever received since the beginning of his slavery. His heart beat faster and faster.

“Master…” he whispered, breathlessly. Then Marcus Tiberius drew closer and kissed his lips.

Saul felt his body melting, intoxicated by his passionate kisses. He held Marcus Tiberius, who hugged him tightly against his chest.

“You are a good youth, Saul; you just need guidance.” He lay him on his bed, cuddling together.

Their journey continued smoothly, and soon, the incident was left behind but lived on their memories. On a fair September morning, Marcus Tiberius and Saul returned home, welcomed at the door by the entire family.

Marcus Tiberius dismissed Saul, ordering him to go to the slaves’ quarters until he called him.

He left, knowing that he would be punished soon. Strangely, he felt gratitude for what would be, for him, the most valuable lesson in his slavery.

Marcus Tiberius entertained himself, surrounded by his beloved ones. Flaminia’s eyes were brightened by the presence of her husband. It was a relief to have him back at home safe and sound and ordered the slaves to bring food and wine.

When he was settled in his chair, Flavius asked, “How was your trip, Father?”

“It went well, and I am fully satisfied with Saul’s job.”

He moved his arms about casually as he talked, “I had the opportunity to have an interesting discussion with him, from which emerged information that he disrespected you, refusing your friendship.”

“Yes, Father, but this is not something I consider disrespectful. I am rather pleased with his honesty. I understand he is a slave, but he is also a boy younger than I am, who had to learn what his position was. I am not disappointed…I understand.”

“What I understand is, instead, that he misbehaved. For this reason, I condemned him to be punished with twenty lashes today in front of you,” he said, his lips tightening into a grim line.

Flavius couldn’t find any words to save his friend and looked at his father, shocked. His mind searched for a way to make his father reconsider his decision.

Why did Saul tell him about our deal? “Please, Father, don’t do that. I’ve asked him to be entirely honest with me, and he obeyed. He was not ready to accept the friendship I wanted to give; not yet. I understood and accepted that. Please, Father, don’t punish him. I behaved in the wrong way in the first place, so I am the one who deserves to be punished,” Flavius pleaded.

“He is a slave, and he has to learn his place. If no one else will teach him, then I will. This will be a lesson for you as well. I hope you learn what it means to be a Master and how you should deal with a slave. Now, I want you to go back to your room and wait for my call.”

Flavius left his father with tears in his eyes and walked to his room. He felt guilty, but also disappointed in Saul. The deal between them should not have been shared with anyone else. Maybe he deserves to be punished, but for a different reason. Maybe he deserves a double punishment, one from my father and one from me. The longer he thought about it, the more desperation set in.

“Do you think it was the right decision?” Flaminia asked Marcus Tiberius.

“You don’t understand how much this decision is hurting me, but it is a necessary one. The slave is confused and needs steady guidance to be able to commit himself totally to his new life. Oddly, it seems that the only one who understands my point of view is Saul himself; he accepted my decision with a lighter heart than any of you.”

“I am not questioning your decision; I know you never act cruelly; however, Saul is a boy. We've never punished any of our slaves like that. I am surprised by it, and Flavius shares my concern.” She placed her hand over his. “Twenty is a lot.”

“Sure, but necessary.” Marcus Tiberius frowned as he left the room, having had enough of empty, useless discussions.

He called Caleb and explained the situation so he could arrange the details. An hour later, Saul was brought to the garden with his wrists tied together and his torso naked. Caleb secured his wrists over his head, locking the rope over a branch of a tree.

Marcus Tiberius arrived immediately after with his wife and Flavius, whose eyes filled again with bitter tears.

He drew nearer. “Saul…why? Why have you told my father about our deal?” he whispered.

“He asked me the reason for the sudden change between us. I could not deny him the truth, but he is right; I am not in the position to tell you how to behave toward me,” he replied in a low tone of voice.

Flavius caressed his face, then slapped him. “You could have lied…” he said dryly.

“Should I lie to my Master? What kind of consequences should I expect after that?”

Flavius lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry.”

Marcus Tiberius signaled to Caleb, who took the whip in his hand raised to the air and cringing, he stroke the first lash, cracking on Saul’s soft skin.

Saul’s eyes opened wide to the sudden burning pain, breaking his breath, making him unable to make any sound.

At each slash of his skin, Saul felt his flesh tear apart, along with his soul—and the final fragments of his freedom.

Hot tears flooded his eyes as he saw Flavius weeping.

After the fourth lash, the pain engulfed him, became unbearable. Unable to keep the pain, he screamed louder with each strike but refrained himself from begging his Master to stop.

Flaminia averted her face and tried to walk away, but Marcus Tiberius held her arm with a firm grasp.

“Don’t go. This is a lesson from which we all shall learn,” Marcus Tiberius said in a trembling voice.

“He is only a child,” she hissed.

“He is a slave,” he corrected.

The twentieth lash finally landed, leaving Saul’s back bleeding and aching to the deepest part of his soul. As Caleb freed his wrists, Saul fell to his hands and knees, unable to stand.

With the last fragment of his strength, he looked up at Flavius. “Please, Master. Forgive me.”

Flavius dropped to his knees and helped Saul to stand. “I am so sorry. I forgot to behave as a good Master, and this mistake brought you to be punished.”

Saul tried to smile.

Flavius looked at Rufus. “Take proper care of his wounds,” he said as Caleb took him in his arms.

“Yes, Master.”

Caleb carried Saul to the slaves’ room, and gently laid him on the bed, on his belly. Rufus would treat the wounds so that they would heal faster and without any visible scars.

After Caleb brought the necessary supplies, Rufus said, “Now, Saul, this will burn. After one week or so, your skin won’t show any signs of what happened today.”

His back already burned like the flames of eternal damnation. He thought he couldn’t feel any worse than he did, however, as Rufus started to spread the balsam, he flinched and cried out. His voice crescendoed to a scream as the balsam was spread all over his back.

Despite the pain, he felt like he finally reached the understanding of his place. That was his first real step toward acceptance of being a slave. In his heart, he found a new sense of peace—and he owed it to Marcus Tiberius.

Rufus finished bandaging his torso. “We will clean it regularly, so it won’t get infected. My son, everything will be fine.” He helped Saul to turn from his position. “Now sleep and rest for as long as you need. Tomorrow is another day, and you will already feel much better.”

Saul didn’t have any strength left to even listen to what he was saying, and after a couple of hours, he woke up. His wounds still hurt, but the pain was subsiding. He dressed and walked to Marcus Tiberius’ room, where he found him working. “Master.”

Marcus Tiberius raised his head and looked at Saul perplexed. “I haven’t called you…”

“I just wanted…needed to thank you again for your punishment. As odd as it might sound, it helped me. I know that Master Flavius and Mistress Flaminia can’t understand it, and I guess that nobody else, but you and I can.”

Marcus Tiberius nodded in agreement and stood, then walked over to Saul. He hugged him. “You are a good boy and the most loyal among my slaves. I'm glad you understood that my punishment was not for cruelty. Maybe one day, my son will learn a lesson from it and understand as well. How do you feel now?” he asked, gently caressing his tousled hair.

“It is still hurting a bit, but I will be fine. Thank you for asking, Master.”

“Go rest now. Tomorrow, you will go to school, but I’ll ask Rufus to carry your tablets. You won’t be able to carry anything on your shoulders for a while. I don’t want your skin marred by scars.”

“Yes, Master,” he replied blushing.

As Saul entered the main living room, he heard someone whispering from behind. He turned his head and saw Flavius peeking from the door of his room. “Come here. I need to talk to you.”

When they were both inside the room, Flavius looked around, searching for the right words and the courage to say what he wanted.

“Saul, I can’t understand what is going on… How do you feel?” Flavius tilted his head and glanced him with a worried expression, holding his arms.

“I am fine, Master. I have something to tell you, and I hope you will listen and understand what I mean.”

Flavius glanced at him. “I will try to at least understand.”

“At first, this punishment was a sort of agreement between your father and me. He didn’t do anything for cruelty.” Saul frowned, trying to find the right words to tell him how that punishment was necessary. “It hasn’t been easy for me to understand what it means to be a slave. I might be too young to perceive it in such a short time. An adult would have been able to give up his hopes more quickly than me.” He paused. “Now I know it sounds odd, but I honestly feel better about it already. I believe that if you continue to help me by behaving as a Master, I will reach full acceptance of my life. This punishment felt like the one a father would inflict on his own son, not for cruelty, but to correct a misbehavior.”

Flavius pondered carefully his words. It would have been difficult for him to understand, but maybe what he was saying made sense, and his father was right when he said that his punishment could be a valuable lesson for all.

“I, too, should be punished for being such a bad Master, but I will try to get better. I will put more efforts to become a good Master; however, I wish our deal to survive. I will wait until the day you feel comfortable enough with me to be my friend. I will learn from my father, to treat you as he does, if this makes things easier, but I will always be there for you.”

Saul exhaled and nodded. “Yes, Master, we all have a lot to learn. And who knows? One day I might be able to be your friend. I will also be there for you, Master. I’m not saying this because I have to, but because I feel you close to my heart, and… because I like you.”

Saul left Flavius’ room and strode slowly to the slaves’ room. Soon the sun would set ending day that had been painful in many respects.

Concern etched wrinkles across Rufus’ forehead. “Saul, we need to take care of your back before you go to sleep. Master Marcus Tiberius ordered me to carry the waxed tablets until you are fully recovered.”

“Thank you. I will need your help.” Saul smirked as they reached the kitchen for dinner.

Rufus was surprised by Saul’s mood. He suspected that, in the punishment, there was an untold story that would have explained the calm serenity with which Saul accepted the punishment. It seemed as if the bond had tightened between them.

Saul rushed to eat his dinner so he could have his back medicated, then go to sleep. Seeing that Rufus had also finished, he asked, “Would you take care of my wounds now?

“Sure, let’s go,” he said, standing up from his chair.

He retrieved the balsam while Saul preceded him to the dorm and laid on his belly on the bed.

Rufus didn’t want to be nosy in the matters between Marcus Tiberius and Saul, but curiosity ran too high. “It seems almost impossible to believe how fast you recovered,” he said.

“I guess I understand what my place is. I realize my position as a slave, and I am accepting it,” he replied. “I know it sounds strange, but this punishment helped. There are so many things I still can’t understand, but I am going to make a big effort to focus on them. What is clear to me, is that it doesn’t matter how old or young I am, as long as I am a slave, and Flavius needed to benefit from my punishment for him to become a good Master, like his father.”

Rufus listened with his head tilted. “I hope that Master Flavius and Mistress Claudia understand your value as a slave. Master Flavius is not enthusiastic about marrying her. The words he used to describe her do not instill hope for anything good, but maybe he is exaggerating, but it doesn’t matter. They are getting married for wealth and social status, not love.”

He wondered what would become of Saul. He liked him and was sorry to see him going away. The household would feel emptier without him, and surely Cassandra would miss him the most. He was almost sure that she liked him in a particular way even though she was a bit older.

“Do you have any idea when the wedding ceremony takes place?” Rufus asked.

“It should be after Master Flavius’ twentieth birthday. I think Claudia is about his age.”

“I knew that there was no age difference between them. How does it work in your country, Saul? Are women usually the same age as men when they get married?”

Saul remained silent, trying to remember something about the time he was still home.

“I don’t know, but my mother was much younger than my father. My memory is a fragment of what it was, and I was taken away before I thought of girls…”

Rufus stood from the bed and closed the jar with the balsam. “So, you don’t have any idea whether your family already had planned to find a wife for you?”

“No, it would have been too early for that, “he chuckled, then his expression darkened like some old memories reemerged from an unpleasant past.

“My sister had her engagement party just before we were taken. She was supposed to get married in seven years. I hope she was sold to a good Master like I was. Saul shook his head to cast away the bad thoughts. “I’m scared every time I think about it. She can even be…” His voice flickered, and his heart stuttered.

He knew she could be dead; however, this was an option he was not ready to accept.

He remembered the party celebrating her engagement to a twenty-year-old man, handsome and kind. She kept holding on me, grasping my hand, unwilling to let it go. He was glad that his father decided to give her to a virtuous man rather than to a richer one. He was sure the future husband would have treated her with respect and taken proper care of her. But, when we were taken from the house of my uncle, everything was lost, together with her hope for a better life.

Rufus pursed his mouth glancing at him and felt sorry that he made him remember painful memories. He knew girls were subjected to more mistreatment when they ended up in slavery. In some cases,

like Cassandra and Nana, girls were bought by a good Master.

“You’d better not think about it, Saul. She is probably fine, just as much as you are. She is very young, and there is the probability that she was sold together with your mother,” he tried to ease his friend’s worries.

“You’re right, and it is useless to think about it, trying to guess what cannot be guessed.”

At that moment, Caleb arrived. “How is he doing?” he asked, at Rufus.

“His skin will be better soon.”

“I tried not to hit in the same place, but with twenty lashes, it is difficult, especially in such a small space like your back. I’m sorry I couldn’t do better,” Caleb apologized, glancing at Saul as Rufus stood up from his bed.

“That’s alright, Caleb, you did what you were supposed to, and if I had behaved as I was supposed to, then I wouldn’t have deserved any punishment. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”

“Yes, let’s get some sleep now. Goodnight, Saul.”

Saul felt tired, but he could not fall asleep thinking of what Flavius told him about his new mistress, and all the advice his father gave during the trip to Rome in chains.

His father had reminded him how that this was all a design of God. “As God freed our people from slavery in Egypt, He decided we didn’t deserve the given freedom and made us a slave to Rome. The Master is another, but slavery does not change. We won’t be together anymore, so remember my words and accept your slavery as an order from God, and you shall be rewarded for your faith. Be loyal to your Master, whoever he might be. Be the man I have taught you to be, Saul. From this day on, you shall no more be a child; you shall be and behave like a man.” His father then hugged him in his arms, longer than ever before trying not to cry or to show any weakness. He needed to be strong to give strength to his son. His heart was breaking, as he parted from Saul and glanced into his questioning eyes.

Even with all the faith in God that Saul held in his heart, he could not avoid feeling scared as a lamb brought to the sacrificial altar.

“How can I be worth the Heavens if I even doubt my own God?” he whispered. There was nothing he could do that would change the course of his life. His no longer belonged to him.

So far in his short life, he found himself lucky. He was not free anymore, but at least he was treated well. His mind wandered to the time when Marcus Tiberius had carried him to his new home. Reliving that soothing image and the feelings it engendered, he fell into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter 8.

As each day passed, Saul’s understanding and acceptance of his slavery grew

Thoughts of his family decreased in frequency; the painful memories faded away, like nightmares. Saul found himself able to push them aside as soon as they emerged from the past.

He had a new life and was trying to find his identity, to live as if he’d never known any other condition as if he’d never known freedom.

The bond with Marcus Tiberius grew stronger. Saul felt his life belonged to him and that reality didn’t bother him like it used to. It was almost comforting, and Saul felt protected by his power.

In the beginning, he spent time with him only to help with the translations, at home, and during his trips, then Marcus Tiberius spent his free time with him, as well. Saul became very dear to him, and Marcus Tiberius opened his soul to him whenever he needed to talk to a trusted person, other than his wife.

It was undeniable that Marcus Tiberius fell under the spell of that mild, little and beautiful creature. His heart found in Saul a trusted and dear pet.

He wanted to take back his words and deny the slave to his son. He wanted to keep him for himself as he’d expected to do when he’d bought him, and he felt more affectionate toward him than any other slave.

* * *

He raised his head from his work and saw Saul standing in silence, waiting for his orders.

“Is there something that bothers you, Master?”

Marcus Tiberius nodded slightly, still half-immersed in his considerations, trying to find a solution to the thoughts that troubled his soul.

“Maybe, Saul… I need your help with this document,” he replied, moving the written paper toward him.

Saul walked to his desk and looked at the paper. He couldn’t understand why he asked for help with such an easy text, but he wrote a note on the translation.

“Here it is, Master.”

“Tomorrow is the engagement ceremony…” Marcus Tiberius started to say.

“So this is what bothers your mind, Master?”

“Yes… somehow it does, even though I know it shouldn’t. Do you think I made a mistake promising you to my son?”

Saul tried to find the right words to answer him. He understood that he didn’t want to leave Marcus Tiberius. Or that the house.

“Master, I am probably the last person you should ask this question, for I feel sad to leave this house. However, you gave your word, and this cannot be taken back. It seems that you would like to keep me here at your service. Am I really so useful that you can’t replace me with another slave?”

Marcus Tiberius thought a bit about the right answer, then he shook his head, relaxing his expression. “I might find slaves even more skilled than you are, but none of them could ever compare to you. I trust you fully, and the kind of relationship I have with you could never be replaced,” he explained, clenching his fist and bringing it to his chest. “I trust that you will try to find the answer to my worries. It sounds odd that I have these feelings for a twelve-year-old boy.

“Nevertheless, the gods gave you another gift besides beauty, your mild character, and intelligence—they gave wisdom beyond your years. I could never find another slave who incorporates all these qualities. You are the most valuable of my slaves.” he replied sadly, letting his hand falling opened on his lap.

Saul had no words.

“Master, why don’t you talk with Master Flavius? Better to tell him these worries. I have no solution this time.”

“You’re right again. You can go now. I need to cogitate on this. I will call when I need you.”

“Yes, Master, thank you,” he replied, and with a slight bow, he walked away from the room.

As he walked through the house toward the garden, Flavius called him.

“Saul.”

“Yes, Master,” he turned his face toward the direction of the voice.

“I need to talk to you concerning tomorrow.”

“Are you nervous about it?”

“I am, and I thought that you might help me out,” he replied, uncertainty in his tone.

“How can I help you?”

“Well, I know that tomorrow you will be busy serving our guests, but I would like to introduce you to Claudia. I wish you to be around when I need you.”

Saul was baffled. “If I have to serve your guests, how can I be around? The patio is large, and the guests are going to be numerous.

Flavius sighed. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he didn’t want to be with Claudia the whole time. Certainly, this was what was supposed to happen, but the idea scared him.

“Master, she is not a monster. She is just a woman. How can she possibly elicit such fear in you?”

“I don’t know, and I am not scared. I don’t like her, and I don’t want to spend the entire afternoon in her company.”

Saul shook his head, amused. From his point of view, his Master was overreacting to his engagement.

“Saul, I want you to meet your future mistress so that you can get a picture of the person you will have to serve. Moreover, I need your opinion about her. It is possible I am overreacting; therefore, I need another point of view. Yours,” he reformulated his request.

“Now it starts to make more sense, though I hope I can do that without leaving my other duties neglected. I wouldn’t like to be punished for having misbehaved with your guests at such an important event.”

“You don’t have to worry about this. I am sure the other slaves will be able to take care of them while you are being introduced to Claudia.”

Saul smirked, “I will do everything possible to satisfy your orders.”

“I knew I could count on you. Now you can go wherever you were before I called you, as I have to talk to my father.”

“Goodnight to you, Master.”

* * *

It was still dark when Saul woke up in a sweat. His heart beat fast, and his breathing was shallow. He could not recall the dream. Perhaps he was nervous about tomorrow when not only Flavius’ future would seal, but also his own.

Unable to go back to sleep, he sat on his bed and looked out the window, at the stars shining in the darkness of the night. A tomb-like quiet prevailed. It seemed he was the only one who could not sleep.

Am I now the one who is overreacting? Shaking his head at the silly idea, he stood and walked in the silence of the house, crossing the fancy decorated room that in a few hours would host the betrothal banquet.

Everything was silently waiting, the beds for the diners, the beautiful vases that would have carried brightly colored flowers.

He admired the decorations in the semidarkness of the night as he walked outside to the garden to breathe the fresh air.

“I thought I was the only one who could not sleep,” said a voice behind him.

Surprised, he turned and saw Marcus Tiberius coming out of the house. “What makes you sleepless, Saul?” he asked, walking toward him.

“I don’t know, maybe it’s just the excitement.”

“I have the same problem. I hope everything will go smoothly, but you don’t have anything to be worried about. Nana has already instructed you.”

Saul could not find any comfort in his words.

“I will follow her the entire day, but it is not serving your guests that worries me. Master Flavius asked me to cover duties I am not sure will be appropriate for tomorrow.”

“What did he order you to do?” Marcus Tiberius asked.

“He wants to introduce me to his fiancée, and I should entertain her, but if I need to serve the guests, I…”

“As she will be your mistress, I consider it appropriate. Don’t worry too much about the other guests.”

Marcus Tiberius raised his hand to stroke Saul’s hair and relaxed at that touch.

Immersed in his thoughts, Saul kept his gaze lowered until Marcus Tiberius’ hand brushing his skin as it moved the hair back to his shoulders.

Saul raised his head toward him with questioning eyes and met Marcus Tiberius’ gaze. In the light of the moon, Marcus Tiberius’ eyes looked sad and worried, and a tear seemed to reflect the light of the moon shining in the cloudless sky.

“Master?” he breathed

Marcus Tiberius continued to stroke his hair absentminded.

Saul turned his head away, savoring his master’s gentle touch. He would miss this. His eyes filled with tears and sadness overwhelmed his heart. It was as if he was, again, losing his home and the things dear to him.

In equal measure, he felt betrayed by the Master he had served loyally since the beginning, but hatred stood at bay.

“Are you crying?” Marcus Tiberius asked.

“No, Master. I’m just tired,” he replied, swallowing bitter tears.

“You are not a good liar, and besides, you shouldn’t lie to me…ever.” Marcus Tiberius hissed toughening his expression.

“Are you going to punish me?” he replied in a sarcastic tone laced with a challenge.

“How dare you speak to me like that?” Marcus Tiberius felt at first surprised by that statement.

Then surprise turned into anger, and his fists clenched, and his expression cringed, into an angry mask.

Nevertheless, as he glanced inside his feelings, he understood Saul’s state of mind and relaxed his body.

“Because I can’t understand why are you getting rid of me so fast. Did I disappoint you? Aren’t you satisfied with me?” His courage faltered into tears.

Saul’s tone surprised Marcus Tiberius.

He took his hand and guided him to sit on a bench with him. “Come, Saul, listen. For this time, and only this time, you are allowed to speak to me as openly and frankly as you wish. I won’t get upset, and you won’t be punished. On the contrary, I will be honest with you too…I am not disappointed, and neither I am dissatisfied. You are the most trusted of my slaves, the one I truly appreciate for many reasons; you are a real treasure, and I feel affection for you…but Flavius is my son. When I told him he was going to marry Claudia, I saw he was disappointed in me, and I didn’t want my own son to think of me as a tyrant. For this reason, when he asked for you to go with him, I agreed, thinking it would fix the rift between us. It seems now that things are not even between you and me, and your tears tell me more than all your words.”

“Master, why did you choose Claudia?”

“Her father is an influential lawyer, and with his help, Flavius will have the possibility of a brilliant career. Claudia’s family will have political advantages when they become members of my family. We are both getting a proficient deal out of this wedding.”

“Why me? Master, I want to stay with you. I understand that I have no rights, but the idea of being away from you… in my heart, I can’t imagine being any place other than here serving you. I want to be at your side, Master.” His voice trembled as tears overflowed.

Marcus Tiberius looked at him, speechless as an invisible hand clasped his heart. Loneliness grabbed his soul at the thought of life without his best slave. He held him tightly against his chest. In the same way, he would have said goodbye to a lover, he kissed Saul, allowing his feelings to permeate through his lips.

As they parted, Saul grabbed Marcus Tiberius’ sleeves and sobbed, feeling hopelessness, yet relief that he could tell his Master what was in his heart.

Saul felt intoxicated by Marcus Tiberius’ kiss, it was the ultimate confirmation that his master loved him the way he also did.

When his tears dried to tracks of salt on his cheeks, he maintained his grip on Marcus Tiberius, finding peace in his closeness He wanted to remain in the arms of the man who had taught him better than anyone else how to be a slave—the man who incarnated a Master, a fatherly figure and a lover. As Marcus Tiberius ran his fingers through Saul’s hair in slow, soothing motions like his father had done, he dozed off.

Marcus Tiberius felt Saul’s body relaxing, then surrender to sleep. He carried him into the guest room and laid him on the bed. As he watched him sleep, Saul’s forehead creased, then relaxed as soon as Marcus Tiberius touched his cheek.

The tenderness that washed over him for this slave overwhelmed him. He never cared about his slave’s emotional state; he took care of their physical health and treated them fairly.

Perhaps it was due to Saul only being twelve years old and looked so small and vulnerable. Perhaps it was that his arguments carried the wisdom of an adult. Perhaps it was his innocent beauty. Whatever the reason, Marcus Tiberius felt affection toward the boy.

He had to find a solution to make it even, not only to that little boy but also to his own heart, which could not accept being parted from him.

As he sat on the bed, stroking Saul’s hair, he thought he had found the right solution to all their problems and pursed his lips. “Let’s see, Saul. For now, goodnight, then tomorrow I might have good news for you,” he whispered, kissing his soft lips.

Chapter 9.

The engagement day arrived announced by a perfect sunny sky, despite the chilly weather. The house had been richly decorated with fresh flowers and fine fabrics for the event. Saul spent most of the time with Flavius, helping him to prepare for the ceremony, mostly to wear the toga and comb his hair.

“Saul, promise me you will always be at my side. I feel so nervous. I don’t want to…” He grasped Saul by the shoulders.

“Master, I will be with you as much as possible, but remember I am a slave, and my place won’t be at your side. That is reserved for your fiancée, but I will always be within your reach if this makes you feel better.”

“Thank you, this will be enough. I guess I need to see you, so I won't be alone. Why can’t I marry a woman of my choice?” he asked huffing.

“I don’t know, but you keep that in mind when you have to find a bride for your son,” Saul replied.

“… son?” Flavius repeated, confused.

“Well, at least in my country, if a man marries a woman, they have children afterward. Doesn’t it work like that in Rome? Do you buy your children in the same way you buy your slaves?” he asked, amused.

Flavius, not in the mood for jokes, slapped him. “Don’t be impertinent, Saul. Of course, it works like that, I just wasn’t thinking about it,”

Saul cast his gaze downward. “I’m sorry, Master. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Silently, Flavius looked out the window, thoughtfully, “I wish something would stop this madness.”

At that moment, his mother entered adorned with rich jewelry and full of smiles. “Flavius, your fiancée is coming,” she said, clapping her hands together, giving a final check at his appearance. “You are so handsome and growing up fast. I have been waiting for this moment. It fills my heart with pride to see you getting engaged to a very beautiful woman.”

“Mother, is all this really necessary? Do I have to marry Claudia? Do you honestly think we will be happy together? How did it go with you and Father? Did you always love each other?”

“Darling, everything will go well. I, too, was pretty scared when I met your father for the first time. I know that Claudia is not the sweetest creature, but this marriage will be advantageous for your career, and she might become a devoted wife. You must be a kind husband.

“But I don’t want to be her husband, not good or bad. I want to be as far as possible from that person. I so wish that Claudia was as good as Saul.”

She laughed heartily. “Then you have to marry him. Her brown eyes twinkled with mirth. “Saul, would you like to be Flavius’ wife?”

Bewildered, Saul looked at her and at Flavius, who seemed even more perplexed than he.

“Oh, please, that was a joke! Don’t make those faces; you should look at yourselves. Saul might be your lover, at most,” she added, dabbing at her tears of laughter.

At those words, Saul felt hurt. It wasn’t the fact of being the lover of his master, but because in his heart he felt like that position was already taken by Marcus Tiberius.

“But really, now we have to go, or they will arrive before we are ready.” She guided Flavius and Saul outside.

Flowers and the finest draperies to be found in the entire Empire decorated the main room, a statement to the wealth of the family. All of the slaves gave their best efforts to prepare the house for the ceremony, but the bitterness in Saul’s heart cast a pall over everything he did.

When he’d woken up in the guest room, the last thing he remembered was that he’d been crying, holding onto Marcus Tiberius. He hadn’t seen him since then.

Maybe it is better if, from this point on, just concentrate on Flavius. There is nothing I can do to avoid leaving this house, he thought as he took his place with the other slaves preparing for the banquet after the engagement ceremony.

“Where have you been all night?” Cassandra asked.

“I could not even close my eyes, so I went to the garden to take some fresh air. There I met Master Marcus Tiberius, and we had a talk. I guess I fell asleep, because when I was in the guest room with Rufus trying to wake me up,” he replied, omitting the nature of their talk. He was sure she would never understand. This was another reason he didn’t want to go away from Marcus Tiberius. They understood each other better than anybody else ever could.

“And he brought you there to sleep?” A hint of doubt colored her voice.

“Yes, why? Don’t you believe me?”

“Sure, it only sounds strange. Generally, Master Marcus Tiberius would have woken the slave and told him to go to sleep on his own bed. It seems he has a kind of affection for you,” she smirked, looking at him with the corner of her eyes.

“Well, not enough, it seems.”

She glanced at him trying to understand what had happened the night before.

“Let’s not talk about it anymore. Our Master’s guests will be here soon. We will have time tomorrow, maybe.”

Cassandra glanced at him. She knew it might have become dangerous for him to get sentimentally attached to his Master, however, as he was destined to leave the family, she decided not to brood on it and focused on the banquet.

Soon the ceremony was over, and the contracts signed. The celebration could begin, and the guests took their places.

Saul followed Nana, who showed him how to give comfort to the guests by removing their shoes, then washing their feet and hands so they could be served food and wine.

Flavius scanned the room for Saul as soon as he felt uncomfortable. When their eyes met his tension faded away, and he beckoned Saul to approach him and his betrothed.

As soon as possible, Saul walked toward them; Flavius looked scared, confused and resigned, and it crossed his mind that no one in the world is totally free; everybody has a Master they must obey. Saul had the entirety of Rome as his Master. Flavius had his father deciding his life. Eventually, there would be somebody else, in the form of his marriage with Claudia, to dictate his life.

As Saul approached, he noticed her stunning beauty and her ice-cold eyes that stabbed his soul with a single glance.

“Claudia, this is Saul, one of the gifts from my family. He will serve me in my work, as he is doing now with my father, however, for me, he is the most loyal friend I could ever find.”

Saul blushed, lowering his gaze.

She didn’t reply immediately, surveying him from head to feet with cold indifference. “You have strange tastes. How can a slave be considered a loyal friend? He just obeys you.”

“He surely has to obey, but I can trust that in every situation, he won’t let me down.”

At those words, she laughed. “I can tell you if he were free or had the opportunity to kill you, he wouldn’t hesitate to do so. Those animals are the most vicious creatures, and certainly not worth the trust of a Roman,” Claudia replied, staring at Saul, who continued to look down. He could not understand her hatred.

“Claudia, how can you say that? You don’t even know him.” Flavius’ voice was calm and kind.

“You are not the only one who’s owning slaves. I am aware that there is no loyalty in them,” Claudia grinned. “So, Saul, your Master thinks you are a loving pet. No matter how innocent you want people to believe you are, you won’t fool me.”

“I’m sorry, Mistress, but I am not claiming any innocence; rather, I claim that, by nature, I am not a deceitful person, nor an assassin. Most importantly, I would have no reason to harm my Master, for he has always been kind and fair to me. I am most grateful to him for the friendship he is offering me,” Saul defended himself, avoiding looking her in the eyes.

Claudia’s father strode up behind the couple. “Flavius, my son, come. I'd like to have a talk with you. Soon, you will be a member of my family too, and I'd like to know you better.”

“Sure. Claudia, you and Saul should take this opportunity to know one another. I'm confident that you will change your mind once you see what kind of person he is. You will find him pleasant company as much as I do,” Flavius said, leaving them alone.

She sighed and turned her gaze to Saul. “So, what are your duties in this house at the moment? In which ways have you become useful to everybody?”

“I am Master Marcus Tiberius' translator and interpreter. I was allowed to continue my education, so I will be useful to Master Flavius as well, once he starts his career,”

“So, you are a sort of educated animal. How cute. And what else do you do in the house?” she asked with amusement in her tone.

The thought of living under her orders made Saul want to die.

“I am Master Flavius' companion. He likes to talk to me when he is troubled. Sometimes, he asks me to sing for him. He believes I have a pleasant voice.”

“We have a singer! Entertain us, then.” Claudia spoke louder to gather the attention of nearby guests, clapping her hands.

“I… I don’t think I…” Saul mumbled, looking around, feeling frightened unsure about his ability as a singer. He glanced around to the people who started to turn their glances toward him.

“I haven’t asked you anything. This is an order. Sing for us…slave.”

Saul's heart started running like it wanted to hide somewhere far away. He looked around, searching for a friendly face; Marcus Tiberius glanced kindly at him, and suddenly, his heart found peace. Focusing on his Master, he sang, his voice wavering slightly as he began.

As the sweet melody filled the air, the guests were mesmerized by the siren song of the little boy standing in the middle of the room.

It was as if the gods had silenced everyone except Saul. A group of people surrounded him, oblivious to everyone else.

She stood and barged between people, forging a path to Saul. Her hand struck his cheek with the speed of a viper, the slap resounding like a Smack! in the shocked hush.

“Enough,” Claudia yelled in rage. “You shall not sing anymore, slave.”

Saul tasted his blood and waves of fear seared through his body. His frightened eyes locked onto hers.

He didn’t know what he was supposed to say or do, he looked around trying to find an explanation to what happened.

“Mistress… I…” he mumbled

“Not a single word, I warn you,” she hissed coming closer to him, to return immediately to her seat.

The guests glanced surprised at the scene between Claudia and Saul. As the song stopped, its magic faded away, and they resumed their conversations. However, both Marcus Tiberius and Flavius noticed what happened. Meanwhile, the first one stormed off, Flavius ran to Saul and wiped his bleeding lip with the rim of his own toga. “What happened? Your lip is bleeding. Please go back to Nana and see how you can help other guests. I will take it from here,”

“I’m sorry, Master,” he whispered, mumbling.

“You haven’t done anything to be regretful for. Now go; we will talk later.”

Flavius returned to the table and hugged Claudia, then kissed her cheek, brushing her hair. “Do something like that again, and I am going to make you sorry you were ever born,” he whispered, grabbing the back of her hair and pulling it.

She looked at him, unable to speak a single word, but as soon as she wriggled from his arms, defiance flashed in her glance. “How pathetic; a Master defending his slave. He annoyed me. People with that kind of voice should never sing… I can’t understand how you can like it, or maybe he lied when he said you think he has a good voice.”

“I love his voice, and all the other guests appreciated it. What probably got on your nerves was that a slave was more attractive than you could possibly be.” He spoke into her ear. “You are the pathetic one, Claudia. Let’s not attract attention. Behave like we are a happy couple since this is what the people expect of us.”

She averted her eyes and walked over to her father.

Flavius turned his head to find his father standing beside him. “I hope you are satisfied,” he said.

Marcus Tiberius guided him to an isolated spot in the garden. “What do you mean by that?” He crossed his arms to his chest, frowning.

“Is this the fine woman you chose for me? I’d rather marry Cassandra or be alone for the rest of my life. I told you she was a despicable person,” Flavius hissed.

“And you are taking Saul into the same trap,” Marcus Tiberius pointed a finger against Flavius shoulder pushing him. “Actually, into a worse trap. It is good that thought to add that condition in the contract.”

“Yes, you thought better to protect Saul, but what about me? How are you going to keep me safe from that trap? Who is the person you love as your son, is it me or Saul?” Flavius grinned trembling in his body and voice and clenching his fists.

“Don’t speak like that. You know perfectly well that this marriage will benefit your career. You are my son; that's why I think of your future. I know she is unkind with the slaves, but you can change her attitude. Remember you are the husband, and in whatever situation, the last word is yours,” Marcus Tiberius reminded him.

“Don’t accuse me now, hadn’t you arranged this marriage, this would have never happened,” Flavius rebuked.

“Let’s talk later,” Marcus Tiberius said glancing around noticing guests being interested in their argument. “This is not the time and place.”

Flavius grinned, remaining for a moment in silence. Am I really overreacting? Is it really so that I can fix this wedding and her attitude? Can we really…?

He glanced his father, feeling his stomach-churning. “I'm sorry I talked to you like that. The incident overwhelmed me, and I might have spoken in haste.”

“I know. Let’s go back to the banquet. Tomorrow is another day, and everything will look different. Then we will have the time to see things under a different perspective, and we shall talk again with clearer minds.” Marcus Tiberius placed his hand on Flavius’ shoulder.

Flavius saw that Saul was serving the guests with Nana, while Claudia sat at the table. He pasted a smile on his face and returned to her.

“I hope your father’s words made you more reasonable. Don't ever talk to me like that again,” Claudia warned as he settled into the chair next to her.

“Keep your mouth shut. I do not intend to listen to your stupid complaint. You are going to be my wife as planned, but don’t expect anything more than what is written in the contract.” Flavius whispered toughly.

She grimaced as she tried to smile at him and grabbed a cup of wine from a slave, trying to hide her embarrassment and wounded pride. Aside from the love she had for herself, she truly liked Flavius. What disturbed her was not that he didn’t like her; since she was obtaining what she wanted; becoming Flavius’ wife. He liked his slave better than her. This was something she could not understand nor accept.

Her jealousy grew. Considering that he would serve their family once they were married, meant one simple thing: Flavius would spend more time with him than her. She knew their marriage was a way for him to increase his social status. For her, it meant more; she was already in love with him.

Claudia felt desperate to reach his heart, to wipe away that annoying slave from their lives, in one way or another. Perhaps, the clause inserted by Flavius’ father in the wedding contract can help me. I am not going to share my place at Flavius’ side with anyone else, whether another woman or a slave.

“I am sorry, Flavius. I didn't think the slave was so dear to you.” She gently brushed his hand. “I want things could be better between us.”

Flavius looked at her, not quite understanding what she meant to say. He studied her face, then his expression softened. “Never mind, unless it ever happens again.”

The evening continued without any other incidents.

After the guests retired to their homes, the tired slaves restored the house to its pristine order before daylight.

“Saul, come. I have to talk to you,” Flavius motioned Saul with his hand to follow him.

Saul followed him to the patio, fearful he had disappointed Claudia, which might lead to punishment.

Flavius stopped, avoiding looking into his eyes. “I’m really sorry about the incident this evening. I can promise you it will never happen again.”

“Master, I have no idea what happened. I tried to please her, but she doesn’t like me. Please tell me if I did something wrong. What pleases you does not please her. Since she will be my Mistress, I need to know.”

Flavius looked at him and smiled. “I told you; you haven’t misbehaved. She is just like that. Perhaps she has been raised to treat her slaves with hatred, but this is not my way, not in my family and not with you. Don’t bother your mind with it. I am your Master, and I decide whether your behavior has been irreverent or appropriate. I choose whether to punish or reward you. Me, not her. Remember this.”

“Yes, thank you, Master,” Saul replied, keeping his gaze down, afraid to meet Flavius’ eyes.

They stood in silence. The sour taste in Flavius’ mouth thickened.

It was true that Flavius had put Saul in that situation. Had he accepted marrying Claudia without any conditions, his father wouldn’t have needed to take measures to protect his own slave from her. Yet, he was his own son, and he should have taken more care to protect him, rather than a slave.

He turned his face to Saul, and for a second, an uncontrollable rage sprang up from a hidden part of his soul, blinding him. Taken by surprise. He clenched his fist and punched Saul’s face, making him fall to the ground.

Saul looked up at him, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. His hand touched his nose.

“Get out of my sight. I can’t stand to see you anymore,” Flavius yelled and started to cry, feeling childish and guilty.

Saul stood, but instead of going away, he placed a hesitant hand on Flavius’ shoulder. “Master, what’s wrong?”

“I am an idiot…I hit you, and you haven’t done anything to deserve it. I feel betrayed. My father found a way to save you from Claudia, but he refused to find a way to save me from that marriage. You are nothing but a slave. I am his son, and he is protecting you rather than me…” Flavius cried.

“How can you feel threatened by a woman who will become your wife? Will she be entitled to beat you to death, sell you away, or humiliate you for the rest of your life, as she would do with me? How can you feel miserable if you are the Master and not a slave?” Saul felt annoyed by Flavius' weeping like a baby about a stupid wedding.

Flavius looked at Saul. In the first light of day, he saw his slave’s nose bleeding and his eyes…those black eyes. They raged with Orcus’ anger.

Flavius backed up, almost scared of that fire. He no longer recognized a child in those eyes; a godly creature lived there, blazing for revenge.

“Saul…” Flavius mumbled.

“What, Master?” Saul hissed between his teeth.

“You are scaring me.”

“Are you afraid of a slave you own? Are you afraid of confronting your cowardice, discovering that you are nothing more than a little child with no clue about the world outside his castle? Are you afraid to realize that you are still a child who continues to cry, hoping for someone to come to his rescue? What scares you, Master? Is it only me or is it everything else? You are almost a man. Next year, you will be considered an adult, and look at yourself; still crying for help from your father, beating up a slave to make yourself feel good. I hope it does.” Saul stood. “I understood that you considered me a friend. No, Master. I will just be your slave. Now you can beat me up again for my insolence—because I dared to talk back to you because I offended your pride. Go on.” He opened his arms, breathing heavily.

Flavius looked at him. Yes, a part of him wanted to beat Saul, but he had spoken the truth. It was as if Saul had propped a mirror in front of him, a mirror that exposed his soul. He was behaving like a child, and the god that spoke through Saul’s mouth, was right. He was not ready to be a man or to become a Master. He fell to his knees. “Please, Saul, leave me alone,” he cried.

Saul walked away toward the slaves’ quarters. Even though the sun was already high over the horizon, the previous twenty-four hours had drained all the energy from him, leaving him as an empty shell.

He collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter 10.

Three hours later, Saul awoke. He tried to stand up, but sudden dizziness made his head feeling light.

He shook his head, wiping his face with his hands, and tried again to stand up, walking to the main room. Everything was in place, no signs that there had been a party last night. For a moment, he thought he had been dreaming. The dried blood on his tunic and the pain he felt on his nose reminded him that it wasn’t a dream.

Nevertheless, the worst was over; his life would go back to the regular routine.

“Saul,” a voice called. He turned his head and saw Marcus Tiberius.

“Master,” he muttered weakly.

“I am going to the Thermae. Join me.”

He followed him, with no strength left to even think.

When Marcus Tiberius faced him at the front door, he asked, “What happened? Is that blood on your tunic?”

Saul looked down at himself. “An accident…”

“Can you change into something clean and wash your face?” Marcus Tiberius ordered with an annoyed expression darkening his features.

“Yes, Master.” He ran to clean up and rushed back out of breath. “Here I am, Master. Sorry I made you wait for me.”

“Don’t you worry. You must be dead tired.”

Saul nodded, grateful that his Master wasn’t angry.

They walked in silence until Marcus Tiberius suddenly asked, “Tell me, what do you think of Claudia?”

Saul back stiffened at that unexpected question. “She will be my Mistress, and I’m going to serve her as loyally as I serve you, Master.”

Marcus Tiberius smiled, amused at his clumsy diplomacy. “I know you will be loyal to her, but that was not my question. Do you understand what I am asking?”

“I’m afraid not.”

Marcus Tiberius groaned. “Do you like Claudia? Do you think you can serve her with the same serenity you do Flaminia? Do you think you will be able to feel the same affection for her?”

Saul could not figure out a diplomatic way of saying he was afraid of her.

Flaminia was a kind person, and her orders mostly sounded like requests. She never treated her slaves as inferior creatures, differently Saul feared it would have been the situation with Claudia.

“No, Master, I could never have the same feelings for Claudia as I do for Mistress Flaminia. I have no right to question whether my Master is someone I like or not. I have only one duty: obey my master’s orders, and that is what I am going to do.” He inhaled deeply and released his breath in a rush. “Master, I fear her more than I fear God.”

Marcus Tiberius took time pondering Saul’s words. “I saw what happened yesterday and I didn’t like it. I didn’t like her to hit you the way she did, but I am afraid this will continue to happen. For this reason, I added a clause to the marriage contract that offered you as a wedding gift to my son. It stated that if I need you during my trips, I have the right to use your services.

“Moreover, if I understand that your life in that household is threatened, I will take you back to serve me full time. I sincerely hope that this second option will never happen. Even if you are just something I own, I don’t like useless violence.”

“I-I think I understand what you mean, Master,” he replied, not quite sure about it.

“Saul, I don’t like giving you away, but a promise is a promise, and I…” Marcus Tiberius tried to justify himself.

“Master, you don’t need to explain; you did what you thought was better for your son. I… I’m nothing. Master Flavius has been terribly upset. He thinks you care more about me than him because you found a way to protect me from Mistress Claudia.” Saul looked down. “Maybe you should have a serious talk with him; he needs you. He is growing up, but becoming a man takes more than age, and now he needs to become one. He is almost fifteen. In two years, he will serve in the army. Time is running fast.”

Marcus Tiberius hadn’t understood the situation with Flavius and felt grateful to Saul for his insight. Again, he realized how valuable he was as a slave. In one year, he had grown from that scared little thing he bought from the market to the wise boy standing in front of him, giving precious advice. He wished his son could have grown up like that as well. Maybe he needed to make more of an effort to mentor Flavius.

“I will talk to him; he is wrong if he thinks I prefer you to him. I decided to insert those clauses because you have been brought into the middle of something which doesn’t belong to you, and that can lead to punishments you don’t deserve. Saul, sure I care more about you than all my slaves, but never more than my own son. He might have misunderstood. He put a hand on his forehead, “did he have anything to do with the accident?”

“N-no, Master.” He gazed in the direction of a man carrying a cart full of hay.

Marcus Tiberius’ voice harshened. “Saul…”

“Yes, Master, he got upset and hit me.”

Marcus Tiberius nodded. “He is overreacting, acting as if this wedding is the end of the world. Something I learned last night is that, for some reason, Claudia sees you as a rival. Maybe we should talk to Flaminia. Being a woman, she might understand better what went on in Claudia’s mind for her to hit you.

Saul could not stop thinking about his future Mistress. She had been hostile to him since the beginning.

Marcus Tiberius and Saul soon arrived at the Baths of Trajan. As they entered, Saul thought he felt other people’s eyes on him, or maybe it was just his impression. This was his second time in a Thermae.

“What are you looking around for? Help me undress,” Marcus Tiberius ordered.

Saul turned to him as if woken up from a dream. “Oh yes, Master,” he replied, hurrying up to help him shed his clothes.

He had never seen him naked in the light of the day. A warmth spread from his chest to his face.

“Saul, what’s wrong with you today? You have to undress too. Take off your clothes,”

“Forgive me, Master. I’ve been here only once with Caius,” he said as he complied.

Marcus Tiberius chuckled. After he had put their clothes away, they walked through the halls toward the caldarium.

“This is where all Roman citizens, as well as slaves, come to relax. It is considered very beneficial for health. Where do you go when you are not serving us?”

“The other slaves usually take me to a tavern. Some of them are looking for girls.”

“A tavern is not a place for children,” Marcus Tiberius objected as he sat down on a bench.

“I know, but nobody objects, and we enjoy the tasty food and wine. Sometimes I don’t like going there, but sometimes, it turns out really funny,” Saul recalled, amused.

Marcus Tiberius shook his head, smiling as well.

He looked at Saul. He’d never seen the boy naked in the daylight, except for the day he bought him at the market. The boy’s physique, though immature, showed promise of becoming an adult who would resemble a god. His dark hair, now unbound from the ribbon that usually gathered it on his head, flowed over his smooth shoulders. Fine beads of sweat glistened, enhancing his body’s form.

Saul glanced at Marcus Tiberius. He looked so much bigger than him; he suddenly felt extremely small in front of his Master.

That’s maybe why he is my Master, he thought, unable to take his eyes away from his master’s body.

“Marcus Tiberius, what a surprise to see you here. Are you relaxing after yesterday’s party?” a man asked, coming in their direction. Saul recognized Claudia’s father.

Lucius Claudius observed, “This is the slave who offended my daughter. He should be punished rather than brought to enjoy himself,”

“He didn’t offend your daughter in any way, and I can testify because I saw the incident,” Marcus Tiberius protested.

“We’ll see about that. Let’s move to the frigidarium.”

“Did you notice what happened?” Marcus Tiberius asked Lucius Claudius as they walked into another room.

Saul followed them, goosebumps forming on his flesh as the temperature rapidly decreased.

“I didn’t see, but Claudia told me that he offended her by garnering all the attention to himself.”

“She asked him to sing, and he obeyed. If he has a charming voice, it should be taken as good entertainment, not as a way of offending,” Marcus Tiberius suggested.

The man addressed Saul, spite evident in his tone, “What do you have to say?”

“I am truly sorry if I offended Mistress Claudia. I just obeyed her orders. Please forgive me if I displeased her,” Saul replied, keeping his eyes down.

“Well, no matter. You will learn how to respect your Masters once you serve in Claudia’s family,” Lucius Claudius said.

“I am not defending my slave, and generally, I am the first to punish them if they misbehave, but this time there were no reasons,” Saul’s Master said, with a slightly altered tone.

“You are too kind to your slaves, or perhaps this one is special to you…” A sly smile twisted the attorney’s lips.

“Maybe yes, or maybe not. I have experienced that if you treat your slaves fairly, they serve you better and will never find any reason to grow anger against you. Saul is surely a special one, but not the way you think.”

Lucius Claudius glanced at Saul, wondering about that little slave.

“Yesterday it was an important day for everybody, perhaps we all overreacted, and need still time to see things from the right perspective. Since I was not there at the moment of the incident, I cannot express any opinion.”

“I understand, and maybe Claudia was too stressed about the engagement. I believe it is a big step and I have underestimated the toll it takes on the mood of a person,” Marcus Tiberius admitted, inhaling deeply, enjoying the cold water of the pool.

Lucius Claudius nodded, “Marcus Tiberius, we’ll meet again for the ceremony in the future.”

“Of course, have a good day, please greet Claudia and your wife. It has been a pleasure to have you in our home.”

“Certainly, and greet your wife and Flavius too,” Lucius Claudius replied as he started to walk away.

“Let’s go, Saul, I feel a bit tired.”

Saul was glad they were leaving that cold pool and getting back into their clothes.

The walk back home was quieter than the journey there. Tiredness overwhelmed their minds and bodies after the bath.

“Are you hungry?” Marcus Tiberius asked.

“Yes,” Saul said.

“Here is a tavern. Come,” Marcus Tiberius pointed with a finger.

The place looked clean and well-kept, and a pleasant smell of food came from the kitchen. Saul looked around. This was not the kind of place he used to go with the others in his free time. That one was constantly filled with smoke coming from braziers; the tables and floor were seldom cleaned, and the old wood was patched or burned, although the food was not bad and the host was kind.

From behind the desk, a corpulent man with thinning hair walked with energic steps to greet them. “Welcome to my tavern. How may I serve you?”

“I’d like something to eat. This is my slave; feed him too. Treat him right. I need him in good shape today.”

“But, of course. Please take a seat.” He gestured to Saul. “You, come with me.”

The man led Saul to a room in the back of the tavern.

“Sit there, and I’ll bring you something.” He gestured at a wooden bench in front of a table covered with remains of bones and decaying food, surrounded by flies and bugs.

“I am sorry, but I can’t sit there. It is too dirty, and my clothes will be unacceptable to accompany my Master.”

“You can stand for all I care,” said the host, disappearing into another room.

Saul looked around. The vile odor of something he could not identify assaulted his nostrils, forcing him to clench them. He approached the table, then clamped his hand across his mouth and nose. The stench emanated from there. It smelled like a decaying animal. With a grimace, he thought about the quality of the food, not for his Master, but for himself.

After several minutes, the host and another servant emerged from the kitchen. The host went to give food to his Master, and the servant placed a bowl full of unidentifiable muck on the table. Without saying anything or looking at him, he disappeared back from where whence he came.

Saul picked up the bowl and examined the contents, but he could not recognize for sure any of the ingredients. He decided to eat standing up, so at least he wouldn’t dirty the tunic.

The host returned from the restaurant side, toughened his expression into a despising grin as he glanced Saul.

Saul didn’t react.

He considered throwing away the gruel rather than to eat it, but hunger won out. He picked up the spoon and took a tentative bite.

The food was not nearly as awful as it looked; it was far worse. He fought the urge to gag, then forced himself to try another spoonful. His Master wanted him to eat. The reaction to his second bite was predictable, if not what he’d hoped for. He vomited behind the bench, realizing that other slaves might have had the same misfortune

The host reappeared chuckling as he watched Saul puking. “Didn’t like your food, Slave?”

Saul looked at him. “What do you think? What did you give me?”

“That was slave’s food. If you didn’t like it, you should not have eaten it. Anyway, your Master is ready to go.”

Saul followed him in silence. He knew complaining was useless, and he felt weary.

He wanted to return home and be with his Master, to forget that tavern.

“Saul, are you sick?” Marcus Tiberius glanced at him with questioning eyes.

“I… no. I just feel tired, I guess.”

Marcus Tiberius glared at the host. “What you have given him to eat? I told you to treat him right,” and glanced at him.

Saul’s tired expression, together with the ill facial features given by the food he ate, made him look miserable.

“I gave him the same food as you.”

“You are lucky we are both dead tired and not in the mood for discussions.” Marcus Tiberius turned his back to the host and guided Saul out of the restaurant.

The last thing Marcus Tiberius wanted was to argue with a host about food, and he knew it was generally no use. They always have a way to turn the facts to their advantage. He looked at Saul as they trudged home, side by side.

He put his arm around Saul’s shoulders to console him. He knew it was a lousy meal, that it was one intended for slaves.

Saul was not just a slave; he was the most graceful creature Marcus Tiberius had ever seen, and his mildness made him even more precious. He wondered if he was sent by the gods as a gift, or if he were a god in disguise. Whatever the truth, would they be displeased by the fact that I gave him to my son?

When they reached their house in the late afternoon. Marcus Tiberius dismissed Saul and went to his room to rest and to think. He sat on a couch and closed his eyes. The rustling of a garment alerted him to someone entering his room. He opened his eyes and saw his wife.

She smoothed his brow with cool fingers. “Are you tired?”

“Yes. It has been a long party, and not the easiest one, I am afraid.” he gently held her hand and kissed her graceful fingers.

“Indeed, and poor Saul. I saw him going to the slaves’ room looking so sad. For him, it must have been a terribly difficult evening.” she said, sitting near Marcus Tiberius.

“I don’t know what I should do anymore. My son thinks I am favoring Saul, and this morning, he became violent toward him out of pure jealousy. Where have I gone wrong? Please, Flaminia, I need your advice.” Desperation laced his voice.

She held his hand and smiled. “Flavius needs time to understand it. Remember how you felt when your father announced to you your engagement? I was terrified. I was fourteen when I met you for the first time, and I didn’t know what to expect. I was lucky to find such a devoted husband as you. We thought of his career more than his possible relationship with Claudia, but I think she likes him. She needs time.” Her fingers worried a crease in her dress. “I find her behavior inappropriate, but she is still young and perhaps also nervous.” She ran her fingers through his hair and stood. “I will try to talk to Flavius. Maybe I can ease the bitterness in his heart.”

“I hope he won’t hate me,” he said, kissing her hand.

“He won’t. I will go talk to him right away.” Flaminia stood walked to the door.

He closed his eyes, hoping to find relief in sleep.

Flavius was in his room, trying to rest when his mother came in.

“How do you feel?” she asked.

“Fine, I guess. Mother, I misbehaved with both my father and our guests. Maybe also with Claudia.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Of course not. I know I have been unfair toward Saul as well,” Flavius admitted, averting his gaze away from her.

“Flavius, what makes you so full of anger?”

“I think I am jealous of Saul. Since he arrived in this house, it seemed that everything revolved around him. Father was always with Saul, and he thought to protect his precious slave from Claudia, but not his son.”

Flaminia took his hand in both of hers. “Do you seriously think your father is more affectionate to Saul than to you? They are always together because he needs him for his work, and concerning Claudia, aren’t you overreacting? I know you don’t like her, but you don’t need to be saved. She is not a monster. I saw how she looked at you when you behaved coldly. Her expression was that of a woman who loves someone who doesn’t feel the same for her.

“She behaved badly toward Saul, but this could be a result of her frustration. Please, be courteous and try to understand that there is no conspiracy against you. What we do is only for your own good, and Saul is not stealing your father's attention. It couldn't be that you are jealous because Saul is spending more time with your father than with you?” she dared.

Flavius glanced at her but didn’t reply immediately. He thought about what she said. Maybe she was right. Maybe he wanted Saul for himself. It could be that I am overreacting and, indeed, my behavior was childish. I should feel ashamed for crying like that at the first difficulty.

He glanced at her. “You might be right, and I am sorry I hit Saul. I owe an apology to him as well. I am envious that he is younger, and not only better educated than I am, but also wiser and more mature. Beside his perfection, I see how imperfect I am. Father thinks he might be sent by the gods to teach us a lesson. What do you think?”

She relaxed her expression and shook her head. “He is a boy, not a god. He is wise, but nothing more than a boy, and soon he will be your slave among the others. You will have to learn to rule over each of them with rightness and justice. You have a long way until you become a man, but maybe understanding your immaturity was the first step. From this point, you have to build your way up to manhood, and everything will be granted to you. If you want respect, you have to give it in the first place.”

He lowered his gaze and nodded; “Mother, I need time to think on this, away from this house, somewhere I can concentrate and think clearly.”

“We can arrange for you to stay at your uncle’s place. I will talk to your father about it. Meanwhile, you don’t have to spend time with your father or Saul. This house is large enough to be on your own.”

“Maybe this house, but I go to school with Saul. I guess the best option is staying with my uncle, as you proposed. Thank you and forgive me if I have behaved stupidly,” he said.

“That’s all right, darling. I understand. Now try to rest. Things will be better tomorrow.” She released his hand, then kissed his forehead and left the room.

She was right in many respects, Flavius thought.

Saul lay on his bed, looking at the sky, and thinking about almost everything. It seemed he was constantly in the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless of the fact that Flavius insisted that it was not his fault; the way he hit him told a different story. Perhaps it was for a totally different reason. Saul was sure Flavius didn’t tell him exactly what compelled him to punch him violently, or the reason for his crying. Maybe he was tired. Pondering the true case, he fell asleep.

He opened his eyes in the morning, slightly later than usual, as Rufus didn’t come to wake him. He felt relaxed and in a better mood. A bright sunlight beaming from the window in a perfect blue sky invited him to stand up from the bed. His rumbling stomach forced him to direct himself to reach the kitchen for breakfast.

“Good morning,” greeted Cassandra. “Our Masters left the house early to visit Master Marcus Tiberius’ brother. I guess they will be back this evening or maybe tomorrow morning,”

“Oh…I didn’t know they were going anywhere,” he replied, surprised that none of them had told him about this trip.

“It was a hasty decision. I suppose they decided this morning because none of us knew about it either.”

That sounded strange to Saul, but he felt glad about it too.

He hoped that by the time his Masters returned, his mind would be clearer, and everything would be back to normal, even if he weren’t sure he knew what normal meant anymore.

On that day, he helped the other slaves with their errands and on their way back, they went once more to the Thermae. As he returned home, he didn’t even question whether his Masters were back and walked toward the garden, where he studied in solitude. In his soul, everything was as it always had been.

The morning after, as usual, Rufus awakened him.

“Wake up, Saul. Time to go to school. Master Flavius won’t come today. He went to visit his uncle, but before you go, Master Marcus Tiberius would like to talk to you, so hurry up.”

Saul got out of bed and tried to understand what Rufus had said.

“How come Master Flavius is not here? I mean, why?” he asked, entering the kitchen.

“Perhaps this is the reason Master Marcus Tiberius wants to speak to you,” Rufus replied.

Saul gave Rufus a perplexed glance, trying to figure out whether Flavius went away because of Claudia or because of him. He remembered how scared and confused he looked at the ceremony and how defeated and bitter, jealous, and betrayed he looked after it.

After he ate, he went to Marcus Tiberius’ room. “You asked to see me, Master?”

Marcus Tiberius raised his eyes from the papers in front of him. “Yes, Saul. Rufus has probably already told you that Flavius will be away, as he is going to live for about a month with his uncle. You are still my slave, and that is not going to change over the next six years; therefore, you will continue to go to school and, in the afternoon, you will serve me.”

Saul, not sure what to say, lowered his gaze. “Yes, Master.”

After a contemplative silence, Marcus Tiberius beckoned. “Come closer,” he ordered. When they were near each other, Marcus Tiberius raised Saul’s head with his finger under his chin and looked into his eyes.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“Master, it seems like, willing or not, I am always involved in a situation that disappoints you or your son, and I am truly sorry about it.”

“Nothing and everything has been because of you, but the fact Flavius felt betrayed by me would have happened even if you hadn’t been in this household. I think he took the jealousy he feels toward you as an excuse; he had to cover his immaturity behind a more feasible reason. He is going to grow up, but he needs me to be firm with him.

“You see, Saul, my fault has been I never taught him that, in life, he won’t have things handed to him as he has so far. When he realized at the engagement ceremony that life wouldn’t always go his way, his world collapsed. He felt the weight of being a man, and his childhood fading away. I should have better prepared him.” Marcus Tiberius paused. “The first time I saw you, I felt mercy for you and carried you home in my arms. When I did so, I felt good. When I saw you cleaned up, I was stunned by your beauty and still I am. I was amazed by your honesty and loyalty toward my family and me. During those years, I was impressed by the progress in your education as you have become an indispensable tool in my work. Your advice made you important in my everyday life, but I should have made it clear that Flavius is still the dearest one to me, despite what I think about you.

“This makes me the main person responsible; you are only brought into the middle and have no responsibility,” he said, brushing Saul’s cheek.

Saul turned his gaze down. His Master’s words flattered him; he felt a flush warm his skin where his Marcus Tiberius had touched him. “Thank you, Master. You are probably right.”

The power exuding from Marcus Tiberius intrigued him. He wanted to be protected by him, be at his side, ruled by his justice and strength. He wanted to feel his gaze upon him. He felt almost sad as his Master dismissed him, but he had to attend his lectures.

It felt odd to walk into the teacher’s home by himself; he wondered if Flavius were missing that too, and what he pondered about his life.

He arrived and sat at a table, not even noticing who was there until a voice said, “So, you feel that you are so far above everybody that you can’t even greet us?”

“I’m sorry, Caius. I have been so immersed in my thoughts that I barely noticed I arrived. Good morning.”

Caius sat at his table, avoiding replying to him, and soon the room was still.

“Where is your Master?” Caius asked, breaking the grave silence in the room.

Saul turned to look at him, feeling grateful, for his consideration started to haunt his mind. “I have been told that he will spend some time with his uncle. You know he met his future bride two days ago at his engagement party. Are you also engaged, Caius?”

Caius shook his head. “I am not yet engaged, but I heard my parents talking about it, so I am waiting for my doomsday. Who is the lucky bride?”

“She is Claudia, Lucius Claudius Blasio’s daughter. Do you know her?”

“For all the gods, thanks for giving her to Flavius and not to me.”

“She is a beautiful woman. Why do you say that?”

Caius looked at him and smirked teasingly as if he was making fun of what he was saying.

“My dear Saul, she is indeed very beautiful, but she is also full of herself. Nothing and nobody is more important than her,” Caius said, chuckling.

“Well, this is not relevant. I will go to serve in their household once they get married.”

“How come?”

“Flavius asked his father to include me among the gifts for the wedding. This was the only condition under which he would accept the wedding.”

“I understand; at least, there will be someone beautiful to please his lonely nights.”

Saul goggled at him, shocked. “What do you mean?” he asked with a trembling voice.

“Oh, please. Don’t tell me you are so naïve. A slave’s duty also includes pleasing his Master’s sexual desires, and this goes for both boys and girls. Don’t tell me that no one ever used you in that way,” he said, his tone cruel.

Saul stared at him, feeling scared. He could not believe what he said because nothing like that had ever happened.

“Master Marcus Tiberius would never do such a thing. Flavius never did anything like it either, with any of us,” he replied, offended, almost trying to ignore the nights he spent in his Master’s company.

“Well, this means nothing. Flavius’ mother is a beautiful and sweet person; surely, Marcus Tiberius does not need a lover. However, Flavius will when he gets married to Claudia. You just be aware of that…slave,” he said, enjoying the frightened expression on Saul's face.

“Caius!” the teacher thundered as he overheard part of the discussion.

Caius jumped on his chair, becoming serious.

“How dare you tease Saul like that? Is this the education I am inspiring in you? I am not only your teacher, but I am also your educator, and I am not tolerating this kind of behavior from my pupils. Apologize immediately to him.” He pulled Caius’ ear.

“OW! Saul, please forgive me, OW! Let my ear go, please, I’m sorry,” he said, almost crying.

Saul cringed, “I forgive you, Caius. You just wanted to tease me.”

The teacher released Caius’ ear from his grip and slapped his head. “As usual, Antonius and Julius haven’t yet arrived. What should I do with them?” he asked as they both sauntered into the room.

“We are terribly sorry. Here are dates for everyone. On our way to school, we waited for the merchant to open his shop. We can’t resist the sweetness of his dates,” Antonius said, laying down on a table a large bag.

The teacher glared at them. “Then we should taste this delicacy and see if it is worth being late,” he said, almost making fun of them.

Julius and Antonius gazed each other, feeling confident about the result. “You are right; these are the sweetest dates I’ve ever tasted,” the teacher admitted.

“For today, you are forgiven but try not to be late anymore.”

After school, Saul hurried home to help his Master. During his journey, as he thought about what Caius had said, worry inched into his mind. He knew that, in Rome, as much as in Greek culture, homosexuality was part of everyday life, but he never thought about the possibility of becoming Flavius’ lover. He remembered the kisses exchanged with Marcus Tiberius, and the nights erotically shared with him during his trips. However,

he felt as if the eroticism they shared was completely different from complete sex.

He realized that if he thought about being used sexually, it would feel more natural having sex with Marcus Tiberius than with Flavius. He could not explain why.

Chapter 11.

Being far from home was a relief for Flavius. He saw things from a different perspective and continued to think about Saul’s words. In time, they made more sense. He understood his jealousy better, as a sweet feeling of desiring somebody for himself only, and that somebody was Saul. He needed to own him exclusively, needed to be his sole Master without the clause in the wedding contract. However, he was conscious that the clause was meant to protect Saul’s future.

As time passed, he realized that, with his uncle, he could develop the skills a husband, and particularly a good Master, should have.

His uncle Titus was a General of the Roman army; he was wise, strong, and determined. As soon as he spoke to Flavius, he understood that the boy needed the guidance of a strong man. He needed the guidance of a man who, unlike his brother, would be able to transform the spoiled youth into a man.

He agreed with Marcus Tiberius that he would teach Flavius how to rule over his slaves, governing them with justice, fairness and firmness, rewarding when deserved, and punishing when necessary.

The death of his beloved wife a long time ago, left him without any descendants, and with an unbridgeable sense of emptiness.

He preferred not to remarry. No woman would compare to her.

After the last campaign, he had decided to take time to think about his future.

He even entertained the idea of retiring from military service, living the time the gods allowed him in peace.

“What makes you so thoughtful?” Titus asked as he approached Flavius in the garden.

“Many things. Thank you for your hospitality and the effort you are putting into my education. If it hadn’t been for you and for Saul, I couldn’t understand how much I need to grow up. Without you, I would have continued to believe I was ready to face the world and that all the answers were in my hands. I was such a blind fool.”

“I see you care a lot for that slave.”

“What do you mean?”

“The name of your slave comes out at every sentence you speak. If what you say is true, he must be very wise. How old is he?”

“He is thirteen years old.

His uncle glared at him open-mouthed. “Are you telling me that a thirteen-year-old child can inspire so many weighty considerations in you? He is, indeed precious.”

“My father thinks Saul was sent to us by the gods. Perhaps it is so, or possibly he is himself one.”

His uncle shook his head, his forehead creased, and his eyes narrowed. “I don’t know anything about gods. What I can see has always been what I believe in, but your father might have a point. If this slave has been so important for you to see the path of your life, I’d like one day to meet him.”

“You are always welcome in our house,” Flavius said.

“Are you still concerned about getting married to Claudia?” Titus asked, teasing him.

“No. I was childish.”

“We all went through the same feelings. You are just a young boy who needs to grow into a man, and there are plenty of women to satisfy your curiosity before the wedding. Possibly your Saul will satisfy other curiosities after the wedding too,” Titus chuckled.

Flavius’ lips curled amused at the thought, but that was not in his plans. He would have a beautiful wife. He saw Saul as his best friend rather than a possible candidate for lonely nights.

“I know that you agreed to have me as a guest here for a month, but I would like to remain for a longer period. I think I need to be away from the privileged environment of my family, see the world from different perspectives before I can have my own opinions about it. As far as I can see, with you, I have this opportunity.”

Uncle Titus nodded and put his hand on his nephew’s shoulder. “You can stay as long as you think necessary, and I will make sure that you experience life under all the aspects. You could stay until your service in the army starts. I will train you for that as well. I know you are going to be a lawyer, but you must be able to defend yourself and the people you care about the most.”

“I will serve in the army in three years. Are you sure I can stay for such a long period?”

“I would never have proposed that to you if it hadn’t been my intention.”

Flavius smiled. He should have been under the tuition of his uncle a long time ago. He understood how different the brothers were and, in that difference, he could see his personal advantage one a man of the army, the other a man of business and politics.

Both were extremely important, but he realized that if he could learn good life lessons from both, he would have gained an almost perfect education.

School prepared him to become an expert lawyer. With the help of his uncle, he would learn the fine arts of war, learning those skills that make a man a hero. He would be able to become a good Master for his slaves. He would learn how to be a good husband for Claudia, capable of molding her character to resemble the one of a woman rather than the one of a cruel barbarian.

The extension of Flavius’ permanence at his uncle’s place was welcomed with relief by Marcus Tiberius.

He knew how much his son needed to be away from the family to become a responsible adult, ready to face life. He also saw the effect on Saul. He focused more on his duties rather than his worries for his future Master and for his life.

Watching Saul, busy with the translation and transcription of documents, moved him and smiled at the serene image of dedication.

Saul felt Marcus Tiberius’ eyes on him. He raised his own and smiled back at him.

He felt he needed his life to be just like that, working with and for his Master, feeling his presence near him, and forgetting about anything else.

“What gives you that happy mood, Master?” he asked.

Marcus Tiberius stood and walked to Saul, then gently laid his hands on his shoulders.

“I was just looking at you, so taken by your duties. It was a lovely image I wish to keep it in my mind forever.”

Saul felt flattered by his Master’s appreciation. “Then we wish for the same thing, Master.” He handed a sheaf of papers to him. “Here is your translation. I hope you will be satisfied with it.”

Marcus Tiberius perused it, going through the entire text. “You did an excellent job.” He felt an inexplicable need to stop the marching of time and tried to add that day to his memories of other moments he felt good to be in Saul’s company. Only his presence could heal the sadness in his soul, and his smile was the cure for every pain in his heart.

Needing to try to concentrate on other duties, he dismissed Saul, knowing that even with his slave out of the room, he would not stop thinking about it.

Saul walked to the garden and sat on the grass in the shade of a mulberry tree, the same one, which had given him his first and only punishment, and soothed his soul on many occasions.

It now offered him shade from the hot sun and reminded him of his home in Jerusalem. There, he would have laid down, watching the leaves gently moved by the wind, whispering a lullaby- the same one he kept in his soul to never forget his past, his roots, his life.

He closed his eyes to get it back, and his expression relaxed.

“Whatever image you see behind your closed eyes, it must be a most charming one,” a voice said. Saul turned his gaze to Cassandra.

“I was thinking about my home. Do you still remember yours?” he asked as he stood.

“I do, and I miss it, but I know it doesn't help to think about it.”

“You're right, but sometimes I feel as if it’s the only thing that keeps me alive.”

“I feel so sad when I think about you going away. I remember the day you arrived.” A flush colored her cheeks. “I think I feel…an affection for you.”

Saul exhaled. “There have been many times when I felt confused about everything, particularly at the beginning. The one thing that, for some strange reason, didn’t baffle me was being Marcus Tiberius’ slave. To me, he is not a person who took everything away from my life; on the contrary, he is the father I’d lost and the Master I’ve gained. He has been the only one who understood my feelings and made me accept my new life. Since then, he has been a guide and parting from him will be the most difficult thing I will ever have to adapt to,” he said, trying to explain his feelings. “It is not that I don't feel comfortable with Flavius; he behaved more like a friend than a Master. Perhaps this is why I feel uncomfortable about becoming his slave. He won’t represent to me the same as Marcus Tiberius does. You might think I am crazy, but I don’t need friendship from my Master. I need him to guide me steadily, and as far as I know, Flavius is not ready for that role yet.”

Cassandra had never thought of her life as a slave in those terms and considered odd to hear him speaking like that. Maybe he had a point.

What made her sad was that he didn’t mention her. He was fond of his Master more than he was of anyone else.

“Maybe you’re right. Will you miss me?” Cassandra dared to ask.

He turned his eyes to her, raising his eyebrows “Of course, I will miss you. I think I will miss everything and everybody in this house.”

She averted her gaze from him and glanced at one of the doors of the house. “I’ve got to go now. Mistress Flaminia will need me.” She kissed his cheek before running away.

Her heart raced in her chest. It was a lie. Flaminia didn’t need her, but she ran to her anyway, hoping to soon be busy, forgetting about the kiss she dared to give to Saul.

Saul found himself surprised by that kiss, but the feeling it left was pleasant. Until now, he hadn't thought about girls.

He never looked out for them the way Caleb and the other slaves did when they went to the tavern.

His hand touched his cheek. The kiss had awakened new feelings that brought a smile to his face. It was as if he could touch her lips.

He lay back in the grass and closed his eyes.

* * *

The seasons followed one another, and as the fair Summer led into fall, so the Winter let Spring take its place. As the years passed, Saul settled into his life. For him, slavery meant loyalty, and in time, he got used to it, underestimating the strength and the duality of the feelings that bound him to his Master, Marcus Tiberius.

At the same time, Flavius grew into manhood with a strong body and personality. The spoiled boy had given way to a man able to reach whatever goal he set, a man self-confident in his public life, strict but fair with his slaves, and charming with any woman.

Marcus Tiberius watched the progress of the two young men from a due distance. His worries for the futures of both faded away. Saul would find in his son a Master like he had always been, or possibly even better.

He thought Flavius would be able to soften her character, and hoped she would become the virtuous wife he had found in Flaminia.

On a fair spring day, a young man walked in into Marcus Tiberius’ house. His face bore a well-cured, dark beard, and his erect strong body had the bearing of a warrior, but he wore civilian clothes.

Marcus Tiberius looked at him and recognized his son’s crooked smile. With tears of pride in his eyes, he went to hug his son.

“Welcome home, Flavius. This house and everyone in it perceived your absence. Why didn't you let me know in advance about your return? I would have ordered the best banquet in your honor. You left a boy of fifteen and return a man of nineteen, ready to take charge of your life. You have no idea how proud I am.”

“I missed you too. It has not been easy to admit I knew nothing about life, but now I know how wrong I have been. I apologize to you for my childish behavior.”

“No need to apologize for anything. You behaved as what you were, a child. Come greet your mother. She will be beside herself with joy; she has longed for you. Meanwhile, I will order Nana to set up a special dinner for you.”

“How about Saul?” Flavius asked.

Marcus Tiberius looked at him, puzzled. “What about him?”

“Later, I need to see him, too. I owe him explanations. He needs to know that he will have a Master who can act as such. I have behaved unfairly on many occasions toward him as well. In one way or another, I have to make it up to him, but never mind… now I am going to see my mother. Is she in the garden?”

“Yes, you will find her there.” He watched his son, a grown man, stride through the house.

Flaminia sat on her usual bench, working on her embroidery as she talked to her slaves. At the sound of the vigorous steps of the sandals on the stone floor as he neared the garden, she dropped the needlework to the ground and ran to him.

She hugged him and reached up to kiss his face. “Flavius, you are a grown-up man now. So handsome. You resemble your father when I married him. She tightened her hold. “For all the gods, I have missed you so much.”

Flavius parted from her. “So have I, but it was for the best. To grow up, I needed a person who would behave severely and firmly toward me. Uncle Titus trained me for the military service, so I didn’t go there totally clueless like the majority of the others. I hope that my absence didn’t offend you.”

“Of course not; that was precisely the reason I suggested you leave in the first place. Sending you away was the right thing to do, and now I can see we were right.”

Being apart was difficult on all of them, but it was time to look to the future, within one year, Flavius’ real journey would start with the marriage to Claudia and responsibility for his family.

“If I think about my stupid behavior with Claudia and with everyone else in this family, I feel so ashamed. I should have been grateful that you bothered to find me a good wife. No matter how difficult Claudia’s character might be, she is beautiful, and I should have thanked the gods rather than yelled and put conditions on my wedding with her. Moreover, I showed myself unfit for the role of Master, for Saul, and anyone else. Now I see it clearly.”

“Flavius, you were only a child. I am proud of the man you have become. She drew a deep breath observing him from head to feet. Are you going to see Saul?”

“Yes. Next year, he will come to serve in my house, and I want him to know that I will be able to fulfill my duties as his Master.”

She smiled and ordered a slave to bring Saul. The young girl ran happily to get him, but she could not find him. She thought that maybe he was out running some errands or off on his free time when she heard noises coming from the kitchen.

She peeked through the door and found Saul, but he was not alone. He and Cassandra were tenderly kissing each other. Unsure of what to do, she waited for some time, watching. She hadn’t known they liked each other in that way.

Out of the corner of his eye, Saul noticed the girl. “What are you looking at?” he asked, almost laughing.

“Sorry, Mistress Flaminia asked for you, Saul. I didn’t want to disturb you,” she replied blushing.

“Don’t you worry, but don’t tell anyone, please,” Cassandra asked.

“Of course, I won’t.” She took Saul by the hand, pulling him to her mistress.

Saul’s heart bumped in his chest as he approached Flavius. His head felt light, and his legs trembled. “Master, it is really you?”

“You look as if you saw a ghost.”

“I was just taken aback. I wasn’t expecting to see you. It’s been… four years?”

Flavius hugged him. “You have become a man, and still as beautiful as I remembered.”

Saul felt good in that embrace, but he sensed that something didn’t fit. His young master’s hold became too tight, not like an embrace to greet a friend, but as if to hold an enemy.

“I can see the boy I used to know has become a strong man,” Saul said, parting from him.

“I had time to understand my mistakes. You were right in many ways. I needed your help to see the facts.” Flavius knew he should apologize to Saul for having been unfair to him, but he had learned that a Master should never openly apologize to a slave.

Saul understood that. Marcus Tiberius never apologized. He only admitted when Saul was right.

“So, you have finished your education? How has school been without me?”

“Mostly boring, but I got better acquainted with Caius. He is a person who prefers to keep a distance from the slaves, but I appreciated his honesty and the time we spent together. He had his engagement party, but different than yours; he was satisfied with the choice. Do you still feel bitter about being engaged to Claudia?”

“I feel better, and I don't think there is a plot against me anymore. So, Caius has become a sort of friend to you?” Flavius tilted his head on a side, surprised.

“I wouldn’t call it a friendship as he rarely called me by name. It all started with a teasing comment by him, but you were right, he is not a bad person once you get to know him,” Saul admitted.

Flavius chuckled, thinking about such a strange couple walking the streets of Rome.

He caressed Saul’s long hair, falling gently on his shoulders. “Aren’t you gathering your hair anymore?”

“I do, but today I hadn’t much time for it, and then it slipped my mind.” He lowered his gaze.

Flavius’ hand slipped down Saul’s neck to his collar, and felt his good mood darkening. “I’ll have to change this.”

Saul noticed the change of tone in his voice but didn’t say anything. The man before him was no more the Master who once asked to be his friend. He was a man determined to get back his properties, of which Saul was one.

They remained silent until Flavius gently put his hand on Saul’s shoulder as the features in his face relaxed.

“I’ll order another one when you serve in my house. Don’t be so serious Saul, I’m not upset with you.”

“Yes, Master. Sorry,” Saul tried to smile.

“Are you busy today?” Flavius asked.

“Not that I know of, but you should ask your father to be sure.”

“Come with me,” he said, taking his hand. As they entered his father’s room, Flavius asked, “Father, may I disturb you?”

Marcus Tiberius raised his head to look at his son. “You never disturb me. What’s the matter?”

“I am taking Saul for a ride if you don’t need him.” His voice carried a hint of challenge.

“Sure. You may go, Saul,” he replied with a strange tone in his voice.

Saul kept his eyes down, wondering if they realized the subtleties of how they were talking to each other. Flavius was obviously challenging his father on Saul’s ownership. It seemed like he didn’t just come back from a journey, but he came back to claim what was his own. He wasn’t the child asking his father for a favor to be granted; he came to conquer, to win over something he could not define.

It was easy to recognize the influence of Titus on Flavius’ behavior. In him, Saul saw a leader, a guide, a Master - his Master.

Marcus Tiberius wasn’t very impressed, and by his tone of voice, it was obvious he expected something like that to happen. He felt confident Saul would be his property for another year, and he had a weapon against Flavius—the clause in the wedding contract.

Saul was not sure if they were fighting over his ownership, or if there was something else behind that veiled hostility. Maybe Marcus Tiberius was fighting vicariously against his brother, rather than his son.

“Come, Saul, if we hesitate too long, we will be late,” Flavius said, pushing him out of the room.

“You are very quiet. Is something worrying you?” Flavius asked as they walked to the farm.

“No, not at all. Maybe I am still surprised about seeing you back; you have changed so much,” Saul confessed.

“Yes, indeed. Is this bothering you?” he asked, and in that question, Saul recognized the old Flavius.

“You have changed for the better, Master. Forgive me for daring to ask, but what happened between you and your father? I couldn’t help noticing that the tone between you two is not the same as it used to be.”

Flavius smiled at him. “Nothing in particular. I suppose we both began to see each other from a different perspective. Yes, everything has changed.”

Saul remained silent.

“Do I really scare you so much now?” Flavius asked suddenly.

“No, you just…After four years, I don’t know who you are. The only sure thing is that you are my Master,” he replied, turning his eyes to him.

“Then you know everything you need to, Saul. Next year, on that plate on your neck, there will be my name.”

“So, this is all about my ownership…”

“You are only an excuse. Don’t think you are so important,” he raged annoyed.

“Sorry, Master.”

Yes, Flavius had changed; actually, he didn’t exist anymore. In his place stood a strong leader, a person who would have been wiser to fear, rather than to think of as a friend.

They started the ride until Flavius stopped to rest.

As they both sat on the grass, Flavius glanced at Saul and beamed. “Have you ever been with a woman?”

Saul didn’t know what to say.

He exchanged kisses with Cassandra, but he wasn’t certain this would have counted the way Flavius meant. “Sorry?” he replied as if taken by surprise.

“I asked you if you have been with a woman, surely you know what I mean by that,” he chuckled.

“I…no, Master,” he admitted.

Flavius remained silent for a moment, then burst into a loud laugh. “You’re telling me you are still virgin? Don’t you like girls? I know that at least Caleb is going to a particular tavern, whenever he has the chance to do so. I thought you were going with them.”

“Yes, sometimes. Though, well sure, I like girls, I just…” He hesitated. Of course, he could have access to some of the girls in the tavern, but he felt too attached to Cassandra to do that.

“Look at you. You are blushing. Are you in love with someone? Is there some girl in your heart?” he chuckled, hitting Saul with his elbow.

“Master? No, I’m not…I just…well…” he tried to say.

“Well? Just what?”

“I’ve never thought about it,” Saul said, turning crimson.

Flavius came nearer to him and kissed his cheek. “I love it when you blush. I think you should have frequented the girls of that tavern.”

“You mean prostitutes?”

“Who else?” Flavius replied, laughing. “Or maybe not. I love your innocence, your purity, your sincerity.”

“Have you been with many women, Master?” he asked.

“Definitely more than you have, but not as many as most of the people I know. I just needed to get experience for my future bride.”

“What is it like?” Saul asked shyly.

“Being with a woman?”

“Yes, he almost whispered. Saul felt embarrassed about his question, but since Flavius had brought up the topic, he would like to understand what he had missed. In his heart, Cassandra’s kisses were all he desired. Having her body against his already felt as good as he thought having sex with her would. He was possibly in love with Cassandra, even though he knew he shouldn’t be since, in one year, he wouldn’t see her anymore.

“You should experience it for yourself. I can’t tell you what I feel; it would be different from what you might feel,” Flavius said.

Saul thought Flavius was probably right; perhaps he should find out with Cassandra before he would have to leave the house before it would be too late.

Chapter 12.

As time passed, the relationship between Saul and Flavius stabilized. As the wedding day drew near, Saul felt more comfortable about leaving Marcus Tiberius’ house and going to serve Flavius and Claudia.

“It breaks my heart to know you won't be here anymore, Saul,” Cassandra said as she laid her head on his chest.

“I will miss you, too, but we don’t have any choice I am glad I could share my life with you, even if it were for such a short period.” He caressed her hair.

“Are you still afraid about Claudia?”

“I am not sure, but I know Flavius won’t allow anything wrong happen to me, and I can still count on Marcus Tiberius taking me back if I am mistreated as part of the clause of the wedding contract; it is a consolation.”

“He is really fond of you, but I hope this won’t be the reason for you to come back,”

“I am affectionate to him as well, and I feel sorry to go away. He has been more than the man who owned me. I can’t explain it, but there is a deeper bond that makes me feel attached to him,” he said.

“I don’t understand how you can feel a bond with a person who treated you like a property, giving you away as a wedding gift.” She searched his eyes.

“I know it is difficult to understand. Perhaps I am crazy, but since he took me as his own, I felt more than owned; I felt protected. In the way he looked at me, talked to me, or punished me, there was a deep understanding between us. It was like he could read my heart, and I could read his own.” He placed his hand on his chest. “With Flavius, the relationship is different, and I am afraid it will never be the same as I share with Marcus Tiberius. Flavius will be a good Master, but he is not Marcus Tiberius.”

She shook her head, smiling, and kissed him. “I love you, Saul.”

“I love you too, Cassandra.” He really meant it. She was the first and only woman he would have in his life. She understood him and his feelings about his slavery.

Slavery under Marcus Tiberius was not an unbearable burden to carry, but he could not be sure about Flavius. Caius’ warning about being used as a sexual object echoed his soul.

He could have accepted it from Marcus Tiberius but felt scared about being used like that by Flavius. Of course, he could not avoid it if this was his master’s desire.

Why can I accept being used for sex by Marcus Tiberius and not by Flavius? Am I in love with him? We shared moments of tenderness, but despite our kisses, we never reached the complete sexual act. Do I wish it had happened?

He had no answers to his questions; he just wanted to be able to choose for his future.

Too quickly, the day dawned when Saul became Flavius’ property.

Claudia’s family provided the house and the other slaves for the new family, as Flavius’ parents bore the responsibilities of the ceremony, the furniture for the house, textiles, and Saul, as promised.

The celebrations lasted for days, keeping the slaves busy preparing and cleaning up into the early hours of each morning. Saul didn’t have time to be worried about his future life as he concentrated on his duties, alongside the other slaves with whom he would be living. He barely saw Claudia for the whole length of the celebration. He was assigned to the preparations of the new house for the young couple. That was a decision taken by Flavius to avoid any sort of conflict between Claudia and Saul, at least during the celebrations and banquets.

Nara, a twenty-year-old slave from Greece, had a particular way of looking at people as if trying to penetrate the inner part of their souls to understand their thoughts and their true nature. His former Master had died, and he was sold, together with the other possessions, by the sons.

He was born a slave, so he knew nothing about freedom and considered his status natural. Nara never dreamt of being free, and because of this, Saul thought he would understand him better.

“What would I ever do with freedom? Why should I need that? If I were free, I probably wouldn’t be able to take care of myself,” Nara said as they sat down together during a break. You can’t imagine what I felt when my Master died in my arms as I was begging the gods to take my life instead of his.”

His voice trembled.

“Was he old?”

“Forty-five when a severe fever took his life. I felt terrible.”

Saul thought about Marcus Tiberius. Will I feel the same way when my old Master dies?

“Do you already know our Masters?” Nara asked.

Saul glanced down at his hands and started to explain briefly something about Flavius and the complicated relationship that bonded them and to his old master, Marcus Tiberius.

“Were you his lover?”

“Whose?” Saul asked, surprised.

“His father’s or Flavius’; well, no matter whose lover you were, but were you?”

“No, of course not. I was bought by his father to help him with translations and during his trips.”

“Well, maybe Flavius wanted you as his lover,” Nara explained.

Saul stared at him with big eyes, not understanding what Nara was saying or how he could come to this conclusion.

“No, I don’t think my Masters are interested in me in that way,” he replied, not honestly sure of what he was saying.

“I was my master’s lover. After his wife died, I shared his lonely nights. I cannot say if he loved me, but I did love him. My mother was one of his slaves, and I was his own since I was born. I am not expecting you to understand what I mean; you have been brought to slavery, maybe you see things differently. A slave can be used in many ways, and if you think it is offensive to become a lover, you are wrong. That is a privilege recognized by the other slaves,” Nara said with a grave expression in his eyes, as his hand grabbed Saul’s.

“I can’t see any privilege.”

“First of all, you are treated better, and slaves take care of your health and beauty.” Nara started to enunciate, counting with the fingers on his hand.

“You don’t have to work hard, as your duty is that of being at your master’s side, something like a wife. The bad point is that other slaves can become jealous, but your Master will always defend you. So, think twice; if your Master wants you, feel honored.”

Saul considered his new friend’s words. Maybe he was right, but he felt he would only accept being Marcus Tiberius’ lover. He was not sure he could trust Flavius as a Master or a friend.

“Flavius almost scares me. He has become more authoritarian, maybe too much, since I last saw him. In the beginning, I hoped he would become a strong Master like his father, but not that much, and I still find myself in the middle of their fights.”

“You are in the middle because at least one Master wants you for himself. If you are sure it is not the father, for sure it is the son.” Nara said with the tone of a person who knows exactly what he is talking about.

Saul shook his head. “Let’s not talk about it anymore, please. You were asking about our Masters. As for Flavius, I think that as long as we follow his orders, there won’t be any problem, nor will there be any unfair treatment. However, Claudia is a very difficult mistress. It seems that she enjoys humiliating and mistreating the slaves. I have known this aspect of her, and God knows that I have been praying not to be given away.”

“What is your belief?” Nara asked.

“I am a Jew. Well, I don’t know if there is a God for me anymore, but in principle I am,” he replied, baffled by the simple yet complicated question.

“I supposed so when you mentioned only one God. There is a God for everyone. Isn’t yours saying that you need to suffer to reach the heavens?”

Saul shrugged. “Sort of. My father said we might not have deserved the freedom my people gained, and we were paying our dues for our pride. I know nothing about pride. I was just eleven years old when the Roman militia irrupted in our house. During the trek to Rome, I thought the Romans were the cruelest and most selfish people in the world until Marcus Tiberius bought me. He showed me even a Roman can have mercy and be fair; even though he enslaved me, I felt cared about. He let me go to school, and he guided me as a father would. I owe him everything.”

“I am glad I met you. I really like you, Saul,” Nara said.

Saul put his hand on Nara’s shoulder. “I don’t know how our lives will be once everything settles down, but it is comforting to I have a person like you at my side.”

After the celebrations ended, everything settled into a routine entirely different from the one in Marcus Tiberius’ house. The tension between the supposedly happy new weds was palpable. Flavius never had any tenderness toward the bride. Also, his smiles resembled the grins of a wild beast, rather than the one belonging to a man. Claudia could not hide her hurt feelings and constantly seemed under pressure. At times, she almost seemed on the verge of a nervous breakdown, which she could barely control.

Despite the efforts spent by them to keep a harmonious relationship, peace seemed something hard to achieve. Raised voices and sharp tones rang through the halls of the house. The slaves paid the price for the disharmony. The punishment meted out by Flavius was rare and justified, but Claudia beat the slaves to discharge her frustration— frustration at being second to Flavius’ work, and frustration at being second to Saul, who spent almost every day with her husband, and sometimes the nights as well.

One night, on his way to bed, Saul saw candlelight dancing on the walls of Flavius’ working room. He stood in the doorway. “Master, aren’t you going to sleep?”

Flavius grabbed his face between his hands and stood from his chair. “I am trying my best with Claudia, but it never seems to be enough. What should I do?”

Saul walked toward him. “I guess you weren’t meant to be together as your parents were, but perhaps you should ask her this question. It seems to me that you are keeping her in the background. If you let her be more in your life, possibly things would work better.”

“I don’t know, Saul, maybe you’re right. We are totally different. I don’t like the way she rages against her slaves. She seems to enjoy seeing the fear in their eyes; I prefer the calm I always see in yours,” he said, caressing Saul’s face with the back of his hand.

Saul thought of Caius’ words about being used as a lover, and Nara’s words about it being a privileged position. Among all the slaves, Saul was treated better and felt safer from Claudia’s storms. Flavius’ constant presence protected him.

The touch of Flavius’ lips on his returned him to the present, and his senses melted into that tenderness. He thought about the many times Cassandra had kissed him. Flavius was as tender as she was.

Flavius entwined his fingers with Saul’s and led him to the bedroom. The Master became a lover, and the slave had the illusion of being equal to him. When both lay sated, they cuddled in each other’s arms, returning to the roles of the Master and slave.

“Saul, I want to spend the entire night holding someone I love in my arms. I want to sleep with you by my side. I need to feel the warmth of your body and soul against me,” he whispered.

To Saul’s surprise, the words “I love you, Master” passed his lips without thought.

Was he in love with his Master? Was it possible for a slave to love his Master as Nara claimed, or was love something different? He had no answers.

He was sure he loved Cassandra because he didn’t want to look around for a girl when he went to the tavern with Caleb. Was that what he felt for Flavius? It was maybe the same kind of affection a pet feels for the Master who takes care of it, for the hand which feeds him and gives shelter, protection, and love. Was that love, he wondered as he returned his master’s kisses.

Perhaps that’s what it was: love.

Nara was again right, and the reason for the arguments between Flavius and his father was jealousy.

As he had him to himself, his soul regained serenity; the one he experienced before the wedding, and with those thoughts, he slowly fell asleep in Flavius’ arms.

The morning after, they both woke before sunrise, and Saul helped his Master to dress.

“Next month, I need you to accompany me on one trip. It won’t last long, but I have to take care of a business matter, and I don’t trust anybody else. Also, I will need your services.”

“Yes, Master; it will be a pleasure to travel with you,” he said, adjusting his master’s toga.

“You are so beautiful,” said Flavius, tracing the lines of Saul’s naked body with his eyes. He reached for him and kissed his cheek before leaving to breakfast with Claudia.

“I see you prefer to stay far from your wife even at night,” Claudia spat as she met him at the table.

“Claudia, I am sorry about our argument. I needed time to think about what is going so wrong and why we constantly argue about the same old issues.” He struggled to hide his frustration.

Surprise registered in her brown eyes. “I am sorry too, but I can’t understand why you prefer a slave to me. You put me second in your life; I am never a priority. I understand you don’t love me, and I don’t expect that, but I would appreciate your respect.” Tears glistened.

“As I told you before our wedding, Saul is not just a slave to me; he is the most valuable tool for my job. He has always been a trusted friend.”

“…And the person you prefer to spend your nights with,” she snapped.

“Why do you take it so seriously? I am not the only one who has sex with a slave. I bet you are no stranger to this practice either.”

“Flavius, I am not talking about a Master having sex with his slaves; I am talking about a man ignoring his wife to give attention to his slave. Can’t you understand?” her voice trembled as her hands reached the mid-air.

Flavius remained for a moment to consider her words, That’s true, but if it’s not love and respect that bounds us, what can I do? Should I just pretend? Can I pretend for the rest of our lives?

A slave arrived to bring more food and drink to them. “Disappear!” Claudia snapped as the slave remained waiting for orders at the side of a room.

“Why do you need to be so sour toward them? if you would treat your slaves in a fairer way, they will be loyal to you.”

“They are nothing but animals. They don’t deserve anything; even your Saul would slaughter you given a chance.”

Thoughts of time away with Saul lightened his mood. “Well, he will have the opportunity next month. I am going on a business trip, and he is coming with me.”

“Then I will need to arrange your funeral.” Bitterness and sarcasm marred her voice.

“Not so fast, my beloved wife. I will be back home, safe and sound.” He hugged her, then nuzzled her neck. “If you were less negative, we could have a peaceful life. Think about it.”

He left the house to go to the Forum, where he attended to his working duties, while Claudia remained leaned on the couch at the breakfast table, thinking about what he said.

Claudia still felt sour about Flavius’ behavior and decided to spend some time at the Thermae, and maybe visit Flaminia.

Standing, she called a slave to accompany her, then left the house.

Not paying attention to where she was walking, she startled when a male voice called, “Claudia.”

She turned in its direction and recognized Caius, Flavius’ old friend. “Caius, this is a surprise.”

“Enjoying the nice weather?” he asked casually.

“I am not enjoying anything recently,” she replied melancholically.

“A beautiful woman like you should never frown. What is it that makes you so sad?”

She blushed at the compliment and scrutinized him from beneath lowered eyelids. He was a handsome man. If she wasn’t in love with Flavius and Caius wasn’t already married, she would have considered flirting with him.

She shook her head. “Thank you, Caius, you are always very kind. I wish Flavius were as kind as you.”

He smiled sorely. “I am sorry to know that he cannot see your beauty. I would have never set aside a woman like you.”

“You are flattering me. Aren’t you happy with your wife?”

“She died one year ago…” His voice trembled, recalling the illness that took her away from him.

Claudia lowered her gaze. She almost felt ashamed for having reminded him about her death. “I didn’t know. I am so sorry,” she whispered.

“Never mind, I am slowly going through it. We didn’t get married because of political or economic advantage. Our engagement wasn’t set up by our families, and I really loved her.”

“Why don’t you visit us one of these days? Flavius would be pleased to have you as a guest.”

“What about you?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, unsure of what he meant.

He took her hand. “Would you be pleased if I visited you?”

She retracted her hand and shifted her gaze away from him. It was the first time a man showed interest in her since her marriage.

“I… I would,” she blushed, then turned around and rushed her steps away, followed by the slave who accompanied her.

“I don’t feel like I want to go to the Thermae anymore; we’re going home.”

She walked faster toward her house, her heart thumping, and she could not shake the memory of his hand holding hers. What am I thinking? I should not allow this to happen; I am already married, and I love Flavius. Although, if only Flavius…No, I cannot think about Caius.

Upon reaching home, she went to her bedroom, asking to be disturbed only in case of an emergency. She remained on the bed all day trying to make sense of the confusion in her mind.

When Saul entered the kitchen seeking something to eat, he met Nara, held by Julius, who was taking care of the young slave’s bleeding nose.

“What happened to you?” Saul asked.

“It seems like our mistress didn’t appreciate Nara disturbing her in the bedroom,” replied Julius. He didn’t even look at Saul, he just kept Nara’s face upwards, cleaning the nose with a wet tissue.

“There you go. This evening, you won’t even remember she hit you. I'll take a look at you before going to sleep.”

“Thank you, Julius, I already feel better,” Nara replied as Julius left the room.

“I am sorry for what happened. I feel like somehow it is my fault,” Saul said.

“But it isn’t. You are just one of the many excuses for her to hit the girls who take care of her hair and beauty, and me. Besides, I feel good to have proven to you that being the lover of your Master is a privileged position.”

Saul chuckled. “Yes, you were correct on many issues. I don’t think he loves me, and I don’t know whether I love him. For me, it is mostly gratitude for taking care of me. Maybe Claudia is right when she associates a slave to an animal. Eventually, we do feel the same gratitude a pet would feel for the Master that feeds and cares for it.”

“I never felt like an animal with my previous Master. I loved him with all my heart. Possibly, I felt like he was a father, or as the person without whom I would have been nothing at all,” Nara replied.

“That is even worse than being compared to an animal. Here in Rome, we are nothing, and thinking about it doesn’t help at all. We should continue our life, serving our Master loyally, hoping never to raise their anger.

“Let’s not talk about it anymore. Maybe we can just talk about other issues, like how not to get punished in a more severe way than a bleeding nose by our mistress,” Nara grimaced.

Rather than foolish feelings, they’d best focus on how to avoid painful punishments, which was probable any time Master Flavius wasn’t the house. He thought how lucky he should have felt for being chosen to travel with his Master, away from Claudia’s bad temper.

It was almost the sixth hour of the day when a slave arrived in Claudia’s presence in the garden.

“Mistress, you have a visitor,” she announced, hesitating.

Claudia wasn’t expecting any visitors. “Who is it?”

“He said his name is Caius…”

Claudia’s heart beat faster. “Welcome him in the exedra, and bring us wine,” she interrupted.

When the slave escorted Caius to the exedra, Claudia was already seated, waiting for him.

“I see you came, at last, but unfortunately Flavius is not here. He won’t be back before the eleventh hour of the day.” Claudia gestured to take a seat on the bench.

“I came to see you,” he said, moving closer to her. “I wanted to know if you were serious when you said that my visit would please you.”

“I am always serious when I invite people to my house, and you are one of the most welcome guests.” Her low voice was soft and gentle.

“I wasn’t sure it would be a good idea to come for a visit, but I could not stop thinking about you, Claudia.” He clasped her hand from her lap.

“Caius, I am married—”

He held her gently and pressed his lips against hers.

The lonely woman inside her melted, and she returned his passionate kisses, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

Caius embraced her, holding her tightly against his body, careless of being seen by any slave; he could not part from Claudia and the sweet taste of her lips. “Flavius is a fool if he doesn’t appreciate his luck,” he uttered as he kissed her cheek.

“Our marriage is just a contract granting political advantages to our families; there isn’t any love that binds him to me,” she moaned, hugging herself to Caius.

“What about you? What binds you to him?” Caius asked, trying to understand her feelings. Since he saw her by chance on the street, he could not stop thinking about her and wondered if the rumors of a possible divorce were true. When he was younger, he would have never considered falling in love with that selfish person like she was.

Yet, as he met her after a long time, he saw a strong and fragile woman, hurt and humiliated by a wrong marriage.

He felt like his heart belonged to her, and never in his life desired a woman like he desired Claudia.

Claudia parted from him. “I love him, but in his heart, there is place only for that slave. He hates me.”

“Saul has been in Flavius’ heart since he met him, but I would never prefer him to a woman like you,” Caius smirked.

He held her by the shoulders to look into her eyes. “I can’t promise you the same wealth, but I can give you my love…”

Nobody had ever talked to her that way, and she felt blushing under the adulatory words of a lover.

“What are you proposing?” she asked, frightened.

“Forget about Flavius, come with me.”

“Caius, you don’t know what you are saying. I can’t just leave him. My father will never forgive me for taking away from him the privileges my family obtained with my marriage.”

He turned his gaze away from her, distracted by a slave passing by. “Allow me to see you, then.”

“Every day?”

“Every day, Claudia, but in my house or your slaves might tell your husband about us.”

“Every day, at the sixth hour of the day, I will come to you where we can entertain each other for our own pleasure,” she murmured, wanting to feel their hearts beat as one. Her heart wanted to leave her body to beat together with Caius’ heart.

“My life will be a constant wait until we meet tomorrow.”

He stood, and with a brief bow, departed, knowing that the following day they would be free from spying eyes and ears.

Claudia remained seated on the bench after Caius left. She felt fought between the love she felt for Flavius and the new feelings she was experiencing with Caius.

If only Flavius could treat me half as kind as Caius, I would never even listened. To his adulatory words.

What am I supposed to do? Should I really give up on Flavius and leave with Caius? What my life will look like when my family turns their shoulders to me? I will be forced to leave Rome…

She shook her head, terrified by the sole thought of losing her family and her home.

I might just live my life this way. Certainly, Flavius won’t even notice or care.

She raised her hands to cover her mouth, trying to find a solution to the turmoil in her soul.

Her eyes lingered on the marble statues, in the garden, and her soul seemed to ease at that beauty, as a smile appeared on her lips.

Chapter 13.

From that day on, Claudia left the house without any slave, to reach Caius’ house at the sixth hour of each day.

In his arms, she found not only the love she thought was denied to her, but also a friend who listened to her frustrations without complaining and tried to give the support she needed.

For Saul, it was as if everything had changed with the season, as his life shifted, like a flag subject to the whims of the wind.

The best thing for him to do was adjust to each change in direction as fast as possible, according to his master’s design. However, there was something which his Master also had to bend to, and that was the will of the gods, those fickle divinities resembling human nature, and far from divine behavior.

Saul considered the Roman Gods as if they were powerful beings able to enslave even the Romans.

He thought of Flavius and Claudia as his gods, as they had the power of life or death over him; however, they had other gods to obey. It was the rule of the strongest.

From his point of view, there was no supernatural force, but a stronger population which governed over the Romans.

Those gods decided that now was the time to change the cards on the table, for Saul, whether he belonged to them or not. The day before he and Flavius were to depart, they gave him a high fever.

Julius took good care of him, but it was no use. Saul was too weak to join Flavius on his trip the next day.

Fever made his body shake with cold shivers, and he could barely stand on his feet.

Saul’s plea that he would rather die during the trip with Flavius than be at the mercy of Claudia for a couple of weeks fell on deaf ears.

“Saul, my dear, I can’t find the words to tell you how much I’d like to bring you with me, but I can’t risk worsening your sickness. I’ll be back in two weeks; I have assigned you to follow the accounting of the house during my absence as soon as your condition improves. You will be left in Julius’ hands, and I expect you to do whatever he says to get better. I will miss you in many ways,” he said, kissing his forehead.

“Master, please…I”

“Shh! Don’t question my orders, slave,” he said with a wry smile. Flavius’ expression became serious for a moment.

Saul beamed weakly at him. “Yes, Master.” As his strength abandoned his body, he closed his eyes.

When he awoke, stars twinkled in the black sky and Flavius had left without him.

Loneliness, hopelessness, and a sense of betrayal filled his heart. Flavius promised to protect him, but how can he do that if he is not even here?

He tried to sit up, but the room spun, and his body collapsed back on the bed.

Why are the Roman Gods so angry with me? Could it be his own God was disappointed by his behavior? But how much did he deserve to be punished for something he wasn’t even sure he did?

Maybe it was true there was no God, no heaven or hell. Perhaps Roman Gods were the only ones that existed, and they were angry at him for worshipping the wrong god.

“What am I supposed to do?” He tried to yell but only managed a pathetic whisper. He wept, cursing his father, his God and the Roman gods, for none of them were there to have mercy on him.

Nara spoke from the doorway, “It seems like you are angry with everyone. May I safely come in?”

Saul waved him in with a feeble hand. “Of course, you can come in. I feel so hopeless. I feel like I have been betrayed by everyone in this world: my father, my Master, the Gods, everybody.”

Nara smiled. “I am not going to let you down, nor will I ever betray you.”

“Just wait…” he replied bitterly, turning his head away.

Nara caressed his cheek. “I will pretend I didn’t hear that, only because you are delirious with the fever. I warn you, say it another time, and I will make you swallow those words.”

Saul faced him again. He was right; he had been unfair. “I’m sorry, Nara. I don’t know why I said that. I am so upset because I could not join Flavius on his trip, and I feel scared.”

“Scared of what?” Nara asked. He sat on the bed.

“Of Claudia. Aren’t you?”

“No. She is our mistress. Why in this world should she do anything bad to us? If we serve her loyally, she won’t have any reason to be disappointed and punish us.”

“Maybe you are right, but when I met her for the first time, I felt as if she is the kind of person who cannot resist a chance to be cruel to us. I am scared of the pleasure she takes in mistreating us.”

“Are you speaking of Hades or of Claudia?” Nara chuckled. “Sure, she is not an easy mistress, and her punishments can reach pure sadistic cruelty, but she would never put a serious threat to our lives.”

“This is because, so far, Flavius has been here, and he could supervise her behavior,” Saul reminded him.

“Please, now you are exaggerating, and I will prove it to you. In two weeks, when Flavius is back, you will realize that Claudia, even without her husband, is not going to kill anyone.” He brushed a stray hair off Saul’s forehead. “Julius sent me to check your health status, but it seems like you need more than the medicine he is treating you with. Are you hungry?”

“A bit, yes. Please help me reach the kitchen so I can eat.”

“I’ll do better. I'll bring you something; it is better if you remain in bed and rest. I’ll be back soon,” Nara said, standing up from the bed.

Saul didn’t reply. Maybe Nara was right. Maybe he was overreacting in regard to Claudia’s character.

With a deep sigh, he closed his eyes.

A few days after Flavius left, an idea took form in Claudia’s soul, one that she considered being the solution to all her problems. She needed to be sure Caius would help her. During the walk to Caius’ residence, she practiced her words to him.

“What!” Caius exclaimed, surprised. “Can you please repeat that? I think I misunderstood.”

Claudia exhaled, raising her glance and hands to the sky. “Don’t you understand that this is the only chance I have to save my marriage?”

Caius grabbed her by the shoulders, looking deep into her eyes, trying to understand whether she was just joking, or if she was seriously thinking about getting rid of Saul before Flavius’ return. “Claudia, it is not a question of Saul. Flavius never wanted you and never will. You will never win him over, and nothing you do can change it. Even if you kill Saul, Flavius will never love you.”

“That slave has been a curse for me since he came into my life. It is like I need to compete against him every day for the attention of my husband, my guests, and my friends.”

“Nobody else, but you will ever gather my attention,” he whispered. “You are the center of my world, Claudia. Forget about revenge and about Flavius, forget about the bitterness. We can have each other.”

Her face relaxed into a tender smile. “Caius, you are the only one in this world who can make me feel happy. I wish I could just leave everything and run away with you.”

He placed a gentle finger to her lips. “I know. I understand you cannot leave, and I am happy to have you the way I am having you now. It is far better than losing you forever.”

Their lips fused into a tender kiss, and he knew he could not resist her pleas. He felt her pain and could not understand how Flavius could be indifferent to her frustration.

“I will help you, Claudia. I would do anything to make you happy,” he assured, parting from her. “What do you have in mind?”

“I just need you to make sure that Flavius will be late until I can find a way to get rid of Saul,” she replied slyly.

“Do you mean I should find a way to pretend a kidnapping?” he suggested.

“That might be a good solution. The roads outside the city are dangerous when you meet the wrong people.” She narrowed her eyes, glancing him with a cunning smirk.

He stroked his chin in thought. “Give me a couple of days to find the right man to help me, then we will come back to you with an answer.”

“I will be waiting. Meanwhile, I will find the right people to take care of the other problem.” Claudia opened her arms to him and licked the lobe of his ear the way he liked it.

For the entire week, Saul was forced to remain in his bed resting and following the orders of Julius. He didn’t have any news about what was happening inside the house without Flavius, but he noticed the change in Nara’s behavior. When his friend became less talkative than usual, Saul suspected that something was not going as expected. On Friday afternoon, when Nara came to check on his status, a black and purple bruise marred his face under his left eye.

“What happened to you?” Saul asked.

Nara averted his gaze. “It is nothing. How do you feel?”

“Good enough to start work on the accounting of the house as Flavius ordered, but please—what happened to your eye?”

“Julius said that it is better for you to wait until Monday, and I am in agreement; you still need to rest.”

Impatience sharpened Saul’s tone. “Nara, tell me why you have a nasty bruise on your face.”

Nara’s gaze flitted about the room as if he was searching for a good answer. “Claudia got upset with me this morning because I came too late to wake her up.”

“Were you late?” he asked.

Nara shook his head no.

“I noticed your mood change this week. I was right about Claudia, and now you too are scared. Am I wrong?” Saul asked.

“Take all the time you need to stay away from her. She has been terrorizing all the slaves. She is impossible to please. Julius and the few others who work outside the house are the luckiest since they rarely encounter her, but for us, it is hard. Luckily, in seven days, Flavius will return and our lives will be back to normal.” He stood. “I will bring you something to eat.”

As Saul watched him walk out of the room, waves of fear overwhelmed him. If Claudia was that cruel with the other slaves, then she would be pure evil against the one who stole her husband from her for many nights.

“What should I do? Please, God, if you are there, help me,” he whimpered and waited.

Saul waited for some time—for something to happen, for help to come from the skies for Flavius to appear in the doorway, smiling at him.

Flavius needed to return. Dread shuddered up his spine at the thought of what it could be like, being alone with a vengeful Claudia.

Saul sat on his bed and then stood, uneasy in the semi-darkness of the room. He needed to see the light of the day, but at the same time, he was afraid to meet his mistress and unleash her wrath.

Fear or cowardice won, and he returned to his sickbed, deciding it was better to follow Julius’ orders—and avoid trouble.

Early Monday morning, Nara shook Saul’s shoulder. “Wake up.”

“What?” he asked, confused.

“Time to get up. Claudia ordered that you will be with me to help her dress so you can focus on the accounting during the rest of the day. Don’t waste time and dress quickly.” He pulled him out of bed.

Saul sprang to his feet and complied, with his heart racing in his chest, and glanced puzzled at Nara.

He thought that perhaps he missed something. Nara had spoken as fast as he could.

When they reached Claudia’s room, Nara assigned Saul to wait at the entrance as he lit the oil lamp to illuminate the room. After that, he went to wake his Mistress gently caressing her shoulder with a light shake.

“Oh, Nara. Is it already time to get up?” she asked sleepily.

“Yes, Mistress, and as you ordered, Saul is here to help me.”

Claudia stood up from the bed and looked at Saul. “So, you finally decided to make yourself useful?” she glanced at Saul with a stare of pure hate in her eyes. “From now on, until Flavius returns, you are going to help Nara and wake me up every morning. Is that clear enough to you?”

“Forgive me, Mistress. I am sorry I have failed in serving you. I will not fail anymore in the future,” he said with bowed head as he went to get her sandals.

“Let’s see about that,” Claudia said, haughty as he eased her feet into the shoes. “Nara, leave us alone, I need to talk to Saul.”

Nara glanced at her, and then at Saul. “Are you deaf? Go away!”

When they were alone, she scrutinized him from head to feet, then slowly stood up, walking toward him as he kept his gaze down.

She grabbed his face by the chin and raised it, forcing him to look into her eyes. “Sure, you are cute. My husband seems to enjoy your beauty more than he enjoys mine. You can’t fool me with your innocent small, defenseless puppy expression. You are a slave, and I will put you back in your place where you belong. I admonished you during the engagement ceremony; don’t make me renew my warnings. My patience has a limit. Do you think that the world revolves around you?”

He looked at her, not sure if he had to say something or not. “Please Mistress, I don’t understand—”

“Don’t play that game with me. Your behavior is unacceptable. Do you have the slightest idea of the rumors around my marriage? My husband prefers to spend his nights in the company of a slave rather than with his wife. He is with you constantly, or more accurately, you are always around.

“Do we then want to speak of the times when Flaminia is coming to see me? She is actually coming to see you. I feel set aside by your annoying presence. Either you learn to stay in your place”—her face closed in to his, and he felt her breath stir his eyelashes— “slave or I will make you, one way or another.” Claudia warned, feeling her frustration growing.

Saul struggled not to avert his eyes from hers. “Mistress, I am not doing anything that a slave is not supposed to do. Your husband is my Master, and if he comes to me looking for enjoyment, I can’t refuse,” he hesitated.

“Don’t talk back to me!” she slapped his face, almost throwing him off balance. “Are you going to blame your Master?”

Her hand flew to his cheek, stinging from the blow. “No, Mistress. I…I am sorry.”

“Disappear from my sight, slave,” Claudia hissed.

He left her room as two girls came in to comb her hair and take care of her morning toilette.

“Got her rage?” Nara asked as he saw the crimson mark of Claudia’s hand on Saul’s cheek.

“I feel trapped, Nara.”

“Six days to go and Flavius will be back. Let’s try to keep strong until then.” Saul moaned. It would be a long six days.

In the working room, he dug into the bookkeeping tasks, knowing they would keep him busy and out of Claudia’s sight. He understood her frustration and felt sorry for it. He had no power to do anything about it, but he feared that, even if Flavius weren’t his lover, she would have sought another reason, any reason, to discharge her rage against him.

Saul’s work time in the office soared by while the other hours crawled. Everybody sensed that, apart from Claudia’s sadistic behavior, something else was going on.

All the rest of the week, she spent her evenings with guests behind closed doors. The slaves grew wary when she ordered them not to disturb her for any reason and to never appear in the presence of her visitors. Not even the slaves who helped her to bed were allowed to appear again until the morning. She received them every night after dark, and they left at the first hour of the night.

Saturday night, Caius and the man he chose to help him reached Claudia’s house.

Claudia looked at her guests with a warm smile. “Do we have a deal then?” she asked.

Caius asked, “Claudia, for us it is fine, but are you sure you want to put yourself into such a difficult situation?”

“I have already explained my problem. I just need time to arrange everything in detail. If you do what I’ve asked, there won’t be any trouble. Please do it for me and my marriage. I need to have my husband back.”

“The way I see it, you never had him,” the other guest said, setting the cup of wine on a table.

Tears filled her eyes as she felt she was losing her grip on everything. Hopelessness and jealousy warred within her. She turned her shoulder to them and tried to reclaim her calm, swallowing the tears of frustration she wanted so much to shed.

Caius hugged her. “Please, Claudia, don’t cry.”

She turned her head and hugged him as the tears overflowed. “Don't let me down, please,” she said sobbing.

Caressing her hair, Caius tried to soothe her. “I’m not going to let you down. You know I love you and I would do anything to see you happy. We will help you; don’t worry. We will provide you with the time you need to settle down.”

As he parted from her, Caius caressed her cheek, then focused on his companion. “It’s time to go. We must leave tomorrow if we are to have any chance of success.”

The other man looked at him and said nothing.

She escorted them to the door and bid them farewell. “Thank you for your help. Take the path that runs along the back of the house so nobody will notice you,” she muttered, and they left.

Claudia eased the door of the house shut, then walked toward her room.

They were right; she might get in serious trouble. Not for the task she asked them, but for another, which was on hold, and for which she would have to wait until the following night.

A sense of power and anticipation of the sweet taste of revenge silenced the ripples of fear propagating on her skin.

She walked through the patio and scanned the surroundings. The light of the moon seemed to give life to the shadows of the garden and enhanced the brightness of the pale marble statues. Their empty eyes seemed to accuse her, disapproving of her thoughts and plans, judging her dark soul.

The fingers of the shadows reached out to her, and she ran to her room. Far from the spirits of the night, she smiled, finding her fears ridiculous, like the ones she had as a child.

She disrobed, trying not to think about the shadows in the garden and the gleaming likenesses of the gods. A hush of voices surrounded her, growing in volume, begging her to forgive…

“Enough!” she yelled in the silence of the room. “Instead of judging me, why don’t you tell me what I have to do to obtain the love and respect of my husband?” tears chocked her breath.

None of the voices replied. She fell onto her bed and wept.

As the tears dried on her cheeks, a troubled sleep claimed her.

For the last few days Saul could not find the proper focus to follow his duties. His thoughts converged on the counting of the days that divided him from the return of his Master. His nights were a constant turning and tossing in his empty bed. It was Sunday, and Saul felt like the day would last forever, keeping him far from the return of his Master. He tried to avoid distractions, including eating.

“May I come in?” Nara asked, peeking through the closed curtains that divided the room from the other parts of the house.

Saul raised his head and relaxed his frowned expression. “Of course. I feel so nervous about tomorrow. Flavius should be on his way home, and soon everything will be back to normal.” Saul stood and stretched. “I am glad to still be alive.”

“I heard that Claudia will dismiss us all again tonight. More guests.”

“It sounds more than fine to me. I can’t wait to go to sleep and see the end of these two weeks.”

Nara caressed the surface of the table. “I don’t know. There is something strange about it, but maybe you’re right, and we should take it as good news.”

“Did you have something in particular to say to me, or did you just come to tell me about Claudia?” Saul asked.

“Yes, I came to inform you about her, and to check that you are still alive and well for our Master. You should get some rest; you don’t want to be worn out for him,” Nara chuckled.

Saul looked at him, puzzled. “Do I look that terrible?”

Nara came nearer and smoothed his hair back to his shoulders. “Look at you; you aren’t even gathering your hair anymore, and your eyes are red for the lack of sleep and excessive work. If I were your Master, I would punish you for your shabbiness… ten lashes,” Nara ordered in a solemn tone.

“No, Master. Please, I beg you, don’t punish me!”

They glared at each other and burst out laughing. “Now relax, and I will comb your hair. You can close your eyes so they will rest for a while, then I order you to take a bath before going to sleep.”

“Yes…Master,” Saul said with an impish grin.

Nara combed Saul’s hair massage his scalp to relax him until Saul fell asleep.

He didn’t stop. He liked to touch his soft hair; it reminded him of the times he took care of his previous master’s toilette. He had loved him; he wasn’t sure when he was still alive, but now he knew it.

Nara exhaled melancholically; he knew that his heart would never feel anything like it for the rest of his life, for any other man or woman. He shook his head at how foolish he might sound to other people, a slave who loves the man who owns his life. He was sure they didn’t know what it meant to be born a slave to a Master who treated him more like a son.

His former Master had kept well-defined boundaries of their roles, but still raised him with tenderness and care; he never beat him. It was sufficient to see his master’s frown for him to understand he disappointed him and to feel guilty about it.

Why didn’t my master’s sons know what I was feeling? They Why didn’t they understand that I would rather have been buried with my Master than sold.

Saul woke up. “Do you feel better?”

Saul glanced at him. “Yes, thank you; I really needed some rest.”

“You already look better. You will see…after this evening’s bath, you will be the most shining jewel of the world tomorrow. Your Master will be pleased to see you.”

“I will just be happy to have him back.”

Chapter 14.

Despite Saul's perception of time, finally, the darkness enclosed the world within its wings. After sunset, all the slaves were dismissed and forbidden to enter the wing of the house where Claudia waited in the semi-darkness for her new guests.

Two knocks on the back door and she went to open it. In the obscurity, she could not discern who they were, but she wasn’t expecting anybody else.

Without saying a word, she led them to the room where she had arranged the wine and set the money they asked for.

The two men were covered with dark cloaks made of a rough textile. Their long and uncured beard told about their endless wanderings, in search of new adventures, people to rob or even kill.

“Yours is a strange request. I might suspect that it is a trap,” said the taller one of the two men.

The shorter one remained silently at a corner of the room closer to the door.

Feeling nervous, she smoothed the soft textile of her garment between her thumb and fingers. “I understand it might sound unusual, but there is no trap; at least not for you. I have my reasons for this, and it is not something that concerns either of you. The only thing you are to do is comply with the plan, take the money, and disappear. You will forget that we ever met.”

“You know things will go better if you kill that slave,” he said.

“It would be too difficult to explain.”

“It is your choice. I personally don’t care what you do. You will deal with your problems and we will deal with ours. Concerning us, we are not going to stay in Rome, as we have other businesses elsewhere.”

The man standing behind him listened to the discussion between the woman and his friend. He didn’t seem convinced about the entire story and wished, to leave Rome as soon as possible. He knew that if the truth ever came out, it would be difficult to justify their positions. It would especially be difficult for Claudia, and her situation was going to get, day after day, more dangerous since she was not supposed to leave. She would remain there to face her conscience. If a person like her even has one.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked puzzled.

He didn’t reply, and eyes shifted away from her to look at his friend.

“He does not speak much, and he doesn’t particularly like to speak to people he doesn’t know. He will do the job as you ask, and then we will leave without turning back,” said the other man.

She felt uncomfortable in front of the quiet man who looked strangely at her as if he had something else on his mind. His blue eyes seemed to pierce her soul, judging her plan.

“Whatever,” she said, taking a leather bag from a wooden chest. “This is the money for both of you.”

“That’s what we came here for. Now all that is missing is the time. When should we act?”

“I need to wait for a reply from another person; then I will inform you of the day and the details of the plan. Meanwhile, remain in my sight and wait for new instructions.”

“You know where to find us; we will be every evening at the same tavern where we met the first time. Until then, goodbye,” he said, guiding his silent friend out of the room to the back door.

She walked them to the exit and stood in the darkness glancing at the starry sky from the impluvium. She wondered if she had been wrong all along, trying to see if there could be another solution to her problems. Her mind caressed the idea of the kill, as suggested by her guest.

Why deprive myself of the sweet pleasure of full revenge?

She tiptoed into the room where Saul slept.

Silently came inside, and in the candlelight, he looked beautiful— too beautiful, too smart, and too skilled.

Too much of everything that irritated her so much.

Not for long, my sweet Saul. You will learn to keep your place as a slave.

Flavius and the slaves who traveled with him were on the road that would have brought them to Rome by the following afternoon. He felt tired and nervous. Everything during the journey went well, but he yearned to be home.

It was already dark. His internal clock told him that it couldn’t be more than the first hour of the night.

As he spotted the light of a lonely tavern in the distance, he decided to seize the chance to rest and get something to eat. “We will rest at that tavern, and tomorrow we will reach home,” he said to Lukos, who traveled at his side.

“Yes, Master. I suppose you missed your wife.”

Flavius frowned. He thought about his own house, the place where he felt safe from everything; where all was familiar and where Saul waited for him.

The lights guided them, but at the halfway point, he heard the horses of the slaves who were traveling behind him whining restlessly.

The horses’ ears perked, and they snorted, stomping nervously on their hooves. He about-faced, all senses on alert. His two slaves were nowhere in sight, and the frenzied sound of their horses’ hooves receded.

The fine hairs on the back of his neck rose. His slaves would not flee. If that was their intention, they could have waited after he had gone to sleep at the tavern. Moreover, they’d had many occasions to escape during the journey.

He dismounted and walked back along the trail. As he neared the bend, he saw them. He noticed the two slaves lying dead on the ground. His heart galloped with fear at the sight of his two slaves on the ground, arrows on their hearts. He waved Lukos toward him.

“Master, what’s going on?” he asked in a low voice, peering around as if a ghost would jump out of the bushes at him.

“I don’t know.” Flavius drew his sword and yelled, “Who’s there?”

“No matter who we are, you are coming with us,” said a voice from behind.

He turned to see a shining blade poised at the throat of his slave.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Flavius asked.

“Master, run. Don’t bother about me,” Lukos yelled with a broken voice.

“Yes…why to bother?” the man replied, cutting the slave’s throat.

Flavius stood shock-still, unable to move a single muscle as Lukos’ body fell to the ground, lifeless. His blood pooled around him.

Someone seized Flavius from behind. “Be quiet, now; no one can hear you. I wouldn’t like to cut your throat too, but I don’t have any problem with it,” he said, pressing the cold blade to his skin.

Flavius feared he was going to die soon and felt glad that it wasn’t Saul instead of Lukos, Dionysius or Leandros lying on the ground.

“What do you want from me? I don’t have anything valuable,” Flavius said.

“We are not simple robbers; your life is very precious, not only to you, but to us as well,” he replied in his ear as he fastened his hands behind his back.

They lifted him onto one of their horses and left in the opposite direction of the tavern, riding until they reached an isolated old shack that was used by hunters as an occasional shelter. They walked him inside and secured his neck to the wall with a heavy chain long enough to allow him some movements.

“Make yourself comfortable” a male voice rumbled, as he untied Flavius’ hands. You will be here a while.” The man spoke to his sidekick, “Go now. I will wait for you.”

Walking toward the door, the dismissed man said, “The sooner we’re done with this, the better.”

Flavius looked at his captor in the semi-darkness. He could not recognize anything about Caius, not even the voice, which was muffled through the scarf.

“What do you want from me?” he repeated his question.

“I want you to remain silent. Soon everything will be over. Surely, your family will pay a good sum to have you back home safe and sound. As soon as we have the money, you will be free to go.”

After a few seconds, Flavius asked: “What if they don't pay?”

“Then we might kill you, or maybe we could sell you as a slave.” Caius enjoyed the fear in his eyes and voice.

Flavius shivered as he remembered how easily they killed all his slaves, but he had never thought about the possibility of being sold as a slave. At that moment, he saw how destiny could change the course of his life— from a Master to a slave.

From the tone of his kidnapper’s voice, he felt sure the intent was to scare him, to tease him as a cat would do to a mouse until a ransom was paid. As it surely would be.

Shivering on the cold, rough floor, he pondered his situation, who could his kidnappers be? What was their real goal? Was it truly for money, or was it something more?

His mind ricocheted, not finding any answers.

Caius kept his face covered and lighted an oil lamp to illuminate the room revealing the details. The only pieces of furniture were a small bed, a chair, and a fireplace. The walls were darkened by the smoke, and the rough floor made of uneven wooden logs bent further with the time. He then took dried meat from a leather bag.

“Are you hungry?”

Flavius scrutinized him, trying to identify him. “I just want to go home.”

The man glanced at him and chortled behind his mask. “Not going to happen. Food and water. Take it or leave it. As for the rest, forget about it.” He handed him a bowl with dry meat bread and fruit.

“Then I don’t want anything from you.”

“You will when you feel hungry. I’m not in any hurry,” The man settled on the only chair and ate the meat while Flavius watched.

A rumbling in his stomach betrayed him, but he refused to accept anything from the person who had killed three of his best slaves and threatened to do the same to him.

He scanned the surrounding to search for a way to escape. The first obstacle was the chain that tied him to a hook on the wall. Something tickled his leg and, as he turned his glance from the chain, he noticed a large spider crawling on his calf.

He cringed, and with a fast move, he pushed it away.

There is no way out. What I can do is to keep an eye on them trying to understand their real intentions.

He tried to set himself into a more comfortable position to go to sleep.

Caius walked over and covered him with a blanket. “You will sleep more comfortably with this.

“Thank you,” Flavius said, feeling weak, then succumbed to sleep.

Caius didn’t want to harm him, and though the situation didn’t feel right, there was no going back. He wanted things done in the cleanest way possible, then continue his life and keep himself far from Flavius. He hoped everything could be solved. He would prefer to have Claudia accepting his proposal and leave Rome, but he knew she might have not that choice at her availability. Things are getting more complicated when your marriage is founded on the political advantage and not on love.

I know I could never live far from Claudia, but I could never give her the same life she has with Flavius.

He glanced at Flavius, who was trying to fall asleep.

You have the love of a charming woman, but you are so much in love with Saul that you became blind also to the pain you are causing to her.

Flavius’ sleep was cursed with nightmares about being sold on a market as a slave. He dreamt about the yelling of the merchant, and his vain cries about being a Roman, a free man. He felt the gaze of potential buyers, on his naked body; those he would have addressed as Masters.

He woke up drenched in sweat and looked around. His captor was sleeping on the bed, confident that he would have never been able to break the chain that imprisoned him. His breath was steady, and it seemed as if he had no nightmares or worries to keep him from a night of peaceful sleep.

Meanwhile, the other man rode as fast as possible to Rome.

The next afternoon, he arrived, and waiting at a tavern, he sent a slave to deliver a message to Claudia to let her know that everything was going according to the plans. The boy returned a few hours later with her answer; she would receive him that evening.

He went to relax at the Thermae and waited for the night to meet Claudia. He knew he shouldn’t show his face around, but, nothing untoward had happened so far, and that gave him a comforting feeling.

Hours went by, and nothing had happened, the wait was for Flavius, excruciating; it was evening again, and the other man hadn’t returned. He wondered if Claudia decided to cleanly get rid of him without paying for his release, or if she was collecting the necessary sum, involving his father as well.

“Why hasn't your friend returned? What is going on?” Flavius asked, out of patience and afraid of their intentions.

“He will be back sooner or later, and we’ll know if your family will pay or not. Either way, you have no choice but to wait. Maybe you should enjoy the fact that he has not returned yet. At least you stay alive until then.”

“What do you mean? Of course, my family will pay!” he said, stifling the niggle of doubt that peered at the edge of his mind.

“If you’re sure they will pay, maybe you should stop bothering me with stupid questions. I might lose my patience and kill you. Your family will never know if you are still alive or not. They will pay anyway, whether we will deliver you dead or alive.”

“Are you going to kill me in any case? Is that your plan?”

“It is not my plan to kill you, but I strongly suggest you not give me a reason to change my mind. Stop annoying me with your useless questions.”

Flavius bowed his head and hoped Claudia would pay whatever they requested. He wished he could trust her as much as he did Saul. He knew that if it were him, he would do everything possible to set him free.

He tried not to think about it and reached for the food in a bowl beside him. It was nothing fancy, just dry meat, bread, and fruit, but his stomach ached from not having eaten anything since the previous day. He felt out of strength and scared about the moment when the other man would return.

He eagerly ate all the food, without noticing the taste; thoughts of his destiny plagued him.

I would never have thought that something like this could happen to me. The roads outside Rome can be dangerous, but…

Then one question popped into in his mind: How could these two men have known he had a family able to pay for his release or even for his life?

What do they know about me? “Why me?” he asked.

The man looked at him, startling on his chair, wondering whether he was figuring out everything. “What?”

“Why did you take me? How do you know my family can afford to pay? How do you know there is a family? How do you know who am I?”

Caius stood from the chair, walking to the window, turning his shoulders at Flavius. He knew that if he said too much, Flavius would understand the entire plot.

“That is none of your concern,” he replied.

“This is exactly my business. How could you possibly know where to ask for the ransom, and from whom?” Flavius challenged.

Caius stood up from the chair, hit Flavius at the temple, knocking him unconscious, and tied his hands behind his back.

He decided the best thing would be to gag him so he could not ask any further questions. Anyway, his friend would return soon with further instructions. Until then, it would be more prudent to have Flavius unable to speak.

He looked outside the door, hoping to see his friend. He could not stand the wait and started feeling uncomfortable about being there alone with Flavius, afraid he would lose control over his actions. I can’t harm or kill Flavius. That is not in the plans.

After night fell, Claudia received her guest the same way she did some days before, but Caius wasn’t with him this time.

“I guess you are coming with good news for me,” she started, keeping her voice low.

“Yes, he is in our custody. He didn’t suspect anything, but your husband is not a stupid man. It won’t take much time for him to guess what is going on. Let’s do things quickly,” he urged.

“Not so fast. You will have to keep Flavius long enough for me to handle other issues I need to take care of. Where are you keeping him?”

“He is in an old house, a half day’s trip from here. There isn’t much around, so I can’t give you the exact location. How long do we have to keep him there?”

“About two weeks.”

“Two weeks is a long time,” he considered, worried about how they could manage to keep Flavius that long.

“Please, I thought we had an agreement. We all knew the reason for the kidnapping was to give me more time to take care of other…things.”

“We thought this was going to be about three days, maybe one week, but two weeks is going to be difficult.”

“I understand, and if there were another way, I would have avoided this, but there isn’t…” she replied uncertainly.

He sighed. “Fine, in two weeks we will deliver your husband safe and sound, but how are we going to explain to him that his family needs so much time to collect the money? It seems like you don’t have any problems with it.”

“You don’t need to tell Flavius anything; you don’t need to talk to him at all, but don’t you dare harm him in any way. Treat him the best you can,” she warned.

“You don’t have to worry about that. The only thing is, you might need to replace the three slaves who were traveling with him; we had to kill them all.” He grinned.

“I don’t care about them. Slaves are easily replaced; my husband is not. Take these food supplies; if you need more, come back.” She handed him a bag filled with everything she could collect. “We will meet once more in two weeks, and you will bring Flavius to be released.”

“So it shall be. See you again, hopefully for the last time.” He turned his back to Claudia.

She closed the door behind him and thought about how to contact the other men she’d spoken with. She didn’t want to waste any precious time enacting her plan, so she covered her head and walked to the tavern where she knew she could find them.

The smell of food and wine, mixed with the bodily odors of the people frequenting the tavern reached her nose as she entered.

She tried to cover it with her scarf and felt curious eyes on her, but she didn’t let this bother her and walked confidently toward their table.

“We need to talk,” she said sharply without removing the scarf that covered her hair and part of her face.

Annoyed, the man turned to see who dared to disturb him. As soon as he recognized her, he stood and, without saying a word, signaled her to follow him to the back of the tavern.

“You have guts coming here, I thought you would have sent a slave,” he snarled.

She cut him short. “I have my reasons. I received the news I was waiting for, so we can go on with the plan.”

“Tell me when.” Interest gleamed in his eyes.

“Next Thursday at the second hour of the night. I will open the door for you, so you don’t have to knock. Nobody will see you coming if you approach the house from the back and walk along the dark side. We will execute the plan without any words said. Is that clear?”

“So it shall be, for none of us wants to be connected to this,” he replied.

“See you next week then,” she said, turning her back as she traced her steps through the tavern, past the patrons watching her with puzzled expressions.

None of them could recall a noblewoman ever stepped into that tavern. When that happened, there were certainly troubles to be expected.

They just kept following her with their eyes until she closed the door behind her.

Flavius came back to his senses and realized he had been gagged. “Hmmm!” he struggled to speak.

“Sorry, my friend, you have been too annoying. I warned you. There is nothing else you can do if your life is dear to you,” Caius warned.

Fuming, Flavius exerted control he had learned in the army and shifted his focus. It was feasible that someone who knew him, someone close to his family, had decided to kidnap him, but why—aside from the money? Those two men could have followed him for some time. Maybe there was no plot against him, but rather the bad luck of having attracted the attention of the wrong people.

He didn’t know what to think anymore. He hoped his family would pay them and they would release him. Unfortunately, he could not recognize them; even if they were his neighbors, he couldn’t see enough of their faces, and their bodies were covered by long robes.

Saul started to worry about his Master. He was supposed to return two days ago, and we haven’t received any news about him. He raised his eyes from the papers. Then stood and looked out at the porch. Claudia sat in the garden, working on a needlepoint with her slaves. She showed no sign of concern. Could it be she knew something about him? He wanted to ask her but was too afraid of making her angry.

When Nara walked from the porch back to the house, he called him in a low voice, trying not to attract Claudia’s attention, “Nara, come here.”

Nara smiled and walked toward him. “Do you need anything?”

“Well, I’m beginning to be afraid. Don’t tell me that you haven’t been thinking about Master Flavius. He should have returned two days ago. Why he is late? Does Claudia know anything?

“I don’t know. If she is calm, maybe we should follow her example. These trips can be longer than forecasted, and two days are not any reason for concern. I know you wish to have him back for many reasons, but maybe you should calm down as well.”

Saul didn’t feel reassured by his words. He looked again at Claudia and felt frightened of her. As if feeling his gaze on her, she raised her eyes and met Saul’s, then smiled with a strange expression on her face.

He felt confused and smiled back, unsure whether that was the right thing to do. With her, it depended on her mood at the moment.

He closed the curtain of the room and sighed.

“Saul, please don’t take it like that. Master Flavius will be back, maybe tomorrow,” Nara said, trying to console him, knowing the only thing that could have consoled him was to be held in his master’s arms.

Nara almost recognized himself in the relationship between Saul and Flavius, except for the jealous wife watching. A dangerous position for a slave to be in. Having experienced the moods of his Mistress, he thought he had good reason to be worried about his friend.

Saul sighed, trying to quell his rising anxiety. “Nara, what should I do? Why was I given to Flavius? I just want to go home. I want to get back with my family, my mother, my father, my sister. What happened to them? I want to go home.” Tears broke his voice.

Nara looked at him, with a lump in his throat at seeing his friend crying so desperately. He hugged him. “Please, Saul. This is your home now,” Nara swallowed. “Who am I to give you good advice? I don’t even have a family. My Master was everything to me, but I would love to know how it feels to be free,” he said, finishing the sentence in a whisper.

He parted from Saul and smiled. “Look at us. How stupid we must look. What are we crying for? Come on, Saul, wipe those tears. You are not thinking of running away. You know you won’t be able to go far. That collar on your neck tells the whole world where you belong. You would eventually be brought back home, and I can tell you, no matter if you are your Master’s lover, you would be severely punished,” he said, wiping the tears from Saul’s eyes.

Saul glanced at Nara but couldn’t find any reason to even try to smile. He shook his head and lowered his gaze. “I’m not thinking to run away. I know I can’t do that.”

Chapter 15.

Someone knocked at the main door. Saul became excited as he heard the running footsteps of the slave who went to open it.

Someone came in, but he could not see who it was, so he peeked from the room to the entrance, hoping to see Flavius coming in.

He smiled when Flaminia, accompanied by a slave, entered and asked for Claudia.

She saw him and beamed with pleasure. “Saul! Come here. What you are doing there?”

Shyly, he walked toward her. Then he recognized the slave–Cassandra.

His heart beat faster and faster. He’d been sure he would never see her again. He smiled at her. She opened up into a broad smile, the one he loved so much.

“I see you are pleased to see each other,” Flaminia said.

Cassandra averted her eyes from Saul, becoming serious. “Forgive us, Mistress.”

“Why should you feel sorry? I know you two like each other. It brings back old memories. Well, this is not the time for me to reminisce. How are you, Saul? I heard you had been ill.”

“Thank you, Mistress. I feel better now. I regret that I could not join my Master on his trip.” He tried to inconspicuously touch Cassandra’s hand.

“Flaminia, it is a great pleasure to have you here. To what do I owe the honor?” Claudia said, followed by her slave. Her smile darkened as soon as she saw Saul. “Go. No time for being lazy. Get back to what you were doing.”

Saul lowered his gaze after casting one last look at Cassandra. “Yes, Mistress. Goodbye Mistress Flaminia, it was a pleasure to see you again.”

“No, Saul. Stay and entertain us,” Flaminia said, smiling.

Claudia expression contorted into a rageful grin, annoyed by her request, but made a feeble effort to hide it.

“So it shall be, Saul. Your duties will wait. Come with us,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Yes, Mistress,” he replied, almost scared as Flaminia and Claudia walked to the porch.

Behind their backs, Cassandra grabbed his hand and kissed his cheek. He looked at her as if he’d woken up from a nightmare. Holding hands, they looked into each other’s eyes, almost forgetting about everything else, then followed their mistresses.

As they reached the garden, Flaminia and Claudia sat on a bench as Saul and Cassandra sat on the ground, their hands touching under their clothing. He felt such intense happiness he was afraid he would burst into laughter. He wanted to grab and kiss her to make up for all the times he missed her, without even realizing it.

Flaminia smiled at them. She had visited knowing that Cassandra was missing Saul. She wanted to check whether her feelings were requited.

She considered them both dearly.

“Claudia, where is Flavius? I thought he would have returned already,” Flaminia asked, noticing the disappointment on her daughter-in-law’s face.

“Oh… I thought that when he said two weeks, he meant approximately. Only sixteen days have passed. Do you think I should be worried?”

“No, I didn’t mean that. Of course, you cannot put an exact date on coming back if you are on a journey, I was just wondering. You'll excuse my apprehension. He is still my boy in my eyes. One day you will be a mother, and you will understand what I mean.”

Claudia looked at her and smiled. “I just hope to have Flavius back as soon as possible; it is not easy to deal with the house and the slaves all alone.”

“Well, it seems as if you are perfectly able to take care of everything; there is no riot, and your house looks in perfect order, my dear. Maybe you are worrying too much. However, you know you can count on your family and us.”

“Thank you, Flaminia. Your words are a great relief for me, as I miss him very much.” Claudia held Flaminia’s hand gently.

“Saul, Cassandra, leave us. I need to talk to Claudia in private,” Flaminia winked.

Saul stood immediately, taking Cassandra’s hand and leading her away. They ran out the back door, and they kissed, finding in each other’s lips the right words, from one heart to the other.

They kissed for a long time, reacquainting themselves with each other’s body. “Saul,” she whispered.

“I missed you so much, Cassandra, and only now I realize how much. I needed to see you again to understand how much I have been missing you,” he panted breathlessly, kissing her face.

“I was afraid you were no longer thinking about me. I thought you forgot about the time we’d spent together,” Cassandra purred, caressing his chest.

“How could I forget anything about the best period of my slavery? How could I ever forget about you?”

She asked, “Has someone else been in your life?”

“What do you mean?” He wasn’t quite sure if he could include his Master in his answer.

“I mean, if there has been someone else close to your heart,” Cassandra clarified, glancing at him.

“Not really. This is sort of a difficult question, you know?” Saul parted from her.

“What do you mean difficult?”

“Well, many of my nights have been shared with Flavius. His marriage with Claudia is not one of the happiest; it is nothing like the feelings between Marcus Tiberius and Flaminia. They don’t belong together, but I think they are trying their best to make things work.” He kissed her fingers.

She smiled relieved. She had been afraid there was another woman in his life.

“So, you have become your master’s lover? It’s difficult for me to imagine Flavius searching for love in your bed. What kind of person is your new mistress?”

“Impossible to please, full of herself, and extremely jealous. It does not look so good, does it?”

“I’m sorry to hear that, and no, it doesn’t. Are you punished often?” Cassandra caressed his face.

“She loves to punish all of us. I can’t say whether she hates me more than the others; I have cold chills when she looks or speaks to me. With Flavius away, I fear her wrath even when she is not around.”

“Maybe this can change your mood.” She smiled and kissed him.

Her kisses were more than he needed to feel like he did in old times when punishments were something fully deserved and rare, when he felt protected by his Masters, and his life wasn’t hell on Earth.

They kissed for a long time, not thinking about anything other than what they felt in their hearts, forgetting slavery, pain, humiliation, and submission. The two of them were in a world made only for them.

He parted from her and smiled bitterly, knowing that the time reserved for them would end soon. “I am wondering whether our mistresses can forget about us, and we can remain here for a longer time,” he wished.

“Maybe we should return to the garden. Will I see you again?”

“I don’t know, I wish I could return to living with you,” Saul admitted, walking hand in hand to the porch.

When they saw that Flaminia and Claudia were still talking, they sat in a far corner of the garden to remain in sight, and continued to talk in low voices as people in love do.

Caius looked out the window twisting his fingers from under the robe. Finally, he saw his friend in the distance. He was disappointed his associate’s return had been delayed. He worried that something might have gone bad.

He met the man outside so Flavius couldn’t overhear what they said.

“What took so long? I was worried,” he yelled.

“Calm down. Everything is fine.”

“So, what is the news? Can we release him?”

“No. She asked us to keep him here for two weeks, then bring him back. She still needs some time, she said.”

Caius looked at him, surprised. “Are you crazy? We can’t keep him for such a long time.” He lowered his voice. “He is already suspicious. We can’t risk him figuring out the entire plot.” He raised his hands to his head, wondering what was going on with Claudia.

“We don’t have to answer his questions.”

Peeking through the window, he said, “It seems you found an effective way to make him shut up.”

“Why don’t you go to Rome, go to a tavern, get some decent food, a girl, and then come back? I know how to take care of our guest,” he placed his hand on his shoulder.

Caius decided to take advantage of the offer.

“Fine. I’ll be back in a couple of days,” Caius replied, walking to the horses.

The other man smiled and walked inside the house where Flavius waited, gagged and tied to the wall. He took a seat in a chair near the window. “I see you have been quite noisy in my absence. I won’t remove your gag except to feed you. You are going to be our guest for as long as it takes for your family to pay the ransom. The time depends exclusively on them. That is all you need to know for now.”

Flavius looked at him. “Hmmm!”

“I don’t like your tone. Off with that attitude. Nothing is going to change your situation.”

The man chuckled.

Flavius thought about his slaves; they were all dead, and he was alone in a strange place, far from home.

He knew he was kidnapped by cold-blooded assassins and, if he cared to see his family again, he should do what they said, hoping that Claudia would pay them.

He tried to calm down, to sleep a bit as his nights hadn’t been the quietest ones, with nightmares cursing his sleep and nocturnal animals breaking the silence.

After a long silence, his jailer stood up. “Are you hungry?”

Flavius nodded.

“Good. If you promise not to say a word, I will remove the gag and let you eat something.”

Flavius nodded again.

“It seems like you are coming back to reason.” He handed him bread and dried meat releasing his hands.

Flavius eagerly consumed all that was offered to him. He felt as if he hadn’t eaten for days rather than hours. The dry meat tasted better than he could remember.

Flavius wanted to ask what his family had said and get hints as to who his captors were, and why did they kidnap him. Nothing was making any sense, but he learned not to ask too much. As a matter of fact, he learned not to speak at all, if not so requested. Maybe this is how a slave feels.

“When will you release me?” Flavius mumbled.

“As soon as we get the money.”

“With whom did you speak about the ransom?” he dared to ask.

“With your family. Now stop asking questions, or I’ll gag you again.”

“Who in my family?”

The man glared at him. “Now I know why my mate gagged you. You are as annoying as a flea.”

“Who did you deal with?” he insisted, but his requests were destined to be short-lived as the man came close, then gagged him and tied his hands behind his back.

“Shh.”

Flavius again felt completely hopeless. It seemed impossible to do as they told him to, and he couldn’t avoid asking questions to work through his situation,

His thoughts returned to his home, and to Saul; he wondered how he was dealing with his delayed return.

Flavius wasn’t afraid of what could have happened to Claudia, for she was a strong woman and could count on their families' support during his absence.

He wasn’t certain whether she missed him at all, or perhaps he underestimated her feelings. She had been jealous of his nights spent with Saul. He felt confused about her jealousy and desired nothing more but to go back home or wake up to realize that he had been dreaming.

Flaminia left Claudia’s house, pleased to see everything was going well. Also, she was happy to see Cassandra reunited with Saul, even though it as only for a few hours.

She pondered the delayed return of her son. It was true that a couple of days were to be considered a normal delay, but still, something did not quite fit in the entire situation, and Saul looked as if something was worrying him.

“Cassandra, what do you think about Saul? Did you sense there was something strange?” Flaminia asked as they arrived home.

“I do not know, Mistress. What do you mean?” She tried to hide what she knew about Saul’s feelings toward both Flavius and Claudia.

“Saul seemed concerned as if he was worried or afraid. Did he tell you anything I should know.?

“He was concerned that his Master had not yet returned. I suppose this was what bothered him the most. I understood he is very affectionate with your son, Mistress.”

Flaminia didn’t seem convinced. “And nothing else? What did you talk about when you left Claudia and me?” she asked.

At that question, Cassandra blushed. They didn’t talk much of the time. “We talked about general things. He asked me about you and Master Marcus Tiberius, and we talked about Master Flavius and his wife, but in very general terms,” she said, looking down.

Flaminia smiled. “I see. Maybe I am wrong. I just hope Flavius will be home soon.”

Claudia walked nervously to the room where Saul was still working. “You can’t keep your place, slave, can you?” she hissed.

Saul looked at her, trying to understand what she meant. “Mistress, I don’t…” he mumbled.

“Don’t even dare. Again, you forgot your place, overshadowing me with Flaminia. It looked like she only came to see you instead of me. You left your duties to intrude between my guest and me,” she yelled.

“I haven’t, Mistress,” he tried to justify himself.

“Don’t talk back to me. You mean that it wasn’t you who came there to see who arrived? Unless I say so, nothing in this house concerns you. You mean nothing. You are nothing, you worthless little beast,” she said as the rage rose up in her heart.

Saul looked down, scared. Somehow, she was right; if he hadn’t peeked to see who had knocked at the door, Flaminia wouldn’t have asked him to come with them. On the other hand, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see Cassandra again.

He felt fought by the happiness of having seen Cassandra again and the guilt. He was thinking more about himself than being focused on serving his mistress.

“You are right, Mistress. I have misbehaved. I didn’t mean to, though. Please forgive me,” he said, avoiding her eyes.

“I am losing my patience with you. First, my husband, then my guest. Who do you think you are?”

“Nothing, Mistress. Please tell me how I should behave to please you, and I will,” he pleaded.

“I just wish you didn’t exist,” she said bitterly.

“But I do.”

“Indeed, if I weren’t sure that I would engage the rage of my husband, I would kill you right away to fix that small detail,” she said dryly.

Saul’s heartbeat seemed to stop for a long second leaving him breathless. Then, suddenly, it started racing like it wanted to leave Saul’s chest.

If Flavius didn’t return, it would mean his possible death.

“Mistress, forgive me, please.” His voice flickered in fright. She enjoyed the fright clear in his eyes, but it was true. If it were not for her husband, she would have rid herself of him.

She raised her hand to his face and caressed him. “You are beautiful, slave. At least I know why my husband prefers you to me.”

“Is this the reason for your rage? Is it jealousy?”

“And many other things.” Claudia sighed.

“I am nothing but a slave, Mistress. How can you be jealous of something as worthless as I am?”

“You do not get it, do you? No wonder. But soon you will, slave,” she said, turning her back to him and striding out of the room.

Tears of frustration and anger filled her eyes. Saul was considered more highly than her, not only by her husband, but by her guests as well, and what was worse— they were right.

She realized how beautiful and charismatic that little slave was. She could not avoid seeing him as a competitor to her beauty and to her place beside Flavius.

A dark pleasure pervaded her soul, in the wait for revenge, which will destroy him.

Chapter 16.

That night, Saul could not fall asleep. He thought about Flavius, Claudia, and Cassandra; he felt nervous and befuddled. He was not the only one.

Flavius also lay awake, thinking about home and his abduction. He heard the regular sound of his guard’s breathing, but Flavius knew he couldn’t escape. The heavy chain that tethered him to the wall clanked with every move he made. His kidnapping seemed absurd; something didn’t fit. Something bigger must be behind it. Not having enough pieces to complete the puzzle drove him crazy. He thought about being with Saul, caressing his soft hair, kissing his trembling lips, assuring him that he was only for him. He was his, and nobody else could have him. He realized he was crying; he was missing his freedom, and he was missing Saul.

Cassandra couldn’t sleep that night either. She wasn’t sure she did the right thing hiding Saul’s worries from her mistress. Remembering the evil light in Claudia’s eyes, she understood her love’s fear.

She was aware of the relationship that bonded Saul to his Master, and obviously, it made Claudia jealous.

If jealousy was the reason for Saul’s fear, she could become very dangerous, particularly as Flavius was away, late on his scheduled return.

She tossed in her bed, trying in vain to cast away those thoughts. Perhaps the gods wanted to warn her. Maybe they wanted her to warn her Master since he was also fond of Saul. “What should I do?” Cassandra whispered.

“About what?” Nana yawned from the bed near her.

“I am so sorry, Nana; did I wake you up?”

“Well, it is not difficult when you are sighing and turning around on your bed the entire night. Is something bothering you? Did something happen to you and Saul when you were there with Mistress Flaminia?”

Cassandra didn’t know what to say; she felt confused. “I don’t know, Nana. He was very strange; not toward me, but in general, like he was constantly afraid of something or someone.”

“Is this concerning Flavius?” Nana asked.

“No, it is about his new mistress. He is terrified of her, and I believe his fears are founded. Do you think I am overreacting?”

“I am afraid I can’t be of any consolation. If things really are so bad, Saul is in danger.”

“Flaminia asked me if I thought that Saul was somewhat strange. I didn’t tell her about his real fear. Did I do the right thing? Do you think I should talk to Marcus Tiberius about it? He holds Saul very dear, and if I can make him suspicious, maybe he would keep an eye on them. What do you think?”

“Maybe it is not the best idea. Think about it. If it is not so, you will face punishments. We are slaves. We can’t do anything.” Nana yawned.

Cassandra pondered what Nana had said. “Maybe you’re right. We all should be less suspicious and see what happens next. Goodnight, and thank you,” Cassandra sighed, turning onto her other side, fearing that she wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.

“Goodnight.”

The rest of the night and the following days went on without any particular event. Saul almost forgot his troubles, keeping out of Claudia’s sight and reach. His only concern was that Flavius was still away, and no news of him had come.

It was as if he’d faded into the night.

As Claudia’s mood became more unstable, Nara thought she seemed more restless than worried.

Nara entered Saul’s working room. “You have been closed in here for too long. I was supposed to take care of you, and I’m afraid I’ve let my duty slip to the side,” Nara apologized. “Mistress Claudia didn't allow me much free time to take care of you. Please don't tell Master Flavius.”

Saul smiled at him. “Well then, I think that there is nothing to do but take care of me.”

“I guess so. You look terrible. Come now, you are going to have a bath, then I will massage your body with oils. I will comb your hair and make you look like the god you are,” Nara proposed.

“I am not a god, particularly not a Roman one. Actually, the gods of the Romans hate me for some reason I can’t understand,” he replied, standing up.

“I tell you why they are angry; they are all jealous of your beauty. You can easily overshadow the beauty of Ganymede. It might be that Zeus is thinking to take you away,” Nara joked.

“There are no gods for slaves like us. We are worthless things, and no one cares, not even them. Not my God, not yours, and not the Roman’s gods,” Saul replied hopelessly.

Nara came closer and smoothed his hair behind his shoulder. “Don’t say that; there is always a god for each of us. Perhaps your God wants you to be more faithful.”

Saul thought about what he said and what his father had told him about God; maybe Nara had a point. Maybe it was really so that everything was going bad because he lost his faith.

He turned his gaze to his friend. “Well, let’s not think about it. Let’s go. I think I need to rest a bit and have you take care of me.” He changed the topic. “Don’t you find it strange that Flavius hasn’t returned yet? What if something happened to him?”

“I’ve begun to be afraid as well. We are all worried. I don’t understand why Claudia didn’t talk about Flavius with his family. I think they have the right to know what is going on. Perhaps they can search for him. Instead, she is keeping everything to herself,” Nara said as he started to undress Saul.

“Maybe she doesn’t want to stress them. I would try all by myself before going to his father and mother, telling them that something happened to Master Flavius.”.

Nara didn’t reply as he started to wash Saul’s body, careful to massage him at the same time. Saul closed his eyes and let the pleasant sensations cast all the evil thoughts from his head. He needed to think clearly and to rest after the stress of the past week. He desired nothing more than coming back to the regular routine. What he wanted the most was to wake up one morning to realize that he hadn’t been given away, and that he still served in Marcus Tiberius’ house.

Nara watched Saul as he almost fell asleep under his soothing massage. He knew it was all he needed and felt sorry that, even though he was supposed to take care of him every day, he could not always accomplish the task. Claudia kept him busy with duties that didn’t even belong to him.

It was as if she was purposely keeping him from taking care of Saul. He shook his head as he knew perfectly well that thinking about it wouldn’t help. She was his mistress and her orders, no matter if they were in contrast with the ones of her husband, were to be obeyed, particularly if Flavius were away. Moreover, the mistress enjoyed punishing the slaves, so he thought it better not to provoke her wrath.

“Nara, do you think Flavius is still…I mean, do you think he is fine?”

“I don’t know. Since he hasn’t sent any of the slaves to let us know that he is fine, and just needed to stay longer, it seems ominous,” he replied honestly. “Maybe he did send one of the slaves, and something happened to him,” he said, standing up and getting out of the pool.

Nara looked at him, puzzled, as he offered him the towel to dry his body. “Would this make you feel better?”

“No, it wouldn’t,” he replied, lowering his head.

“Do you hold Flavius so dear?” he asked, placing the towel away.

“I do, but I am also afraid that, without him, Claudia will get rid of me, the most painful way, the better. I guess she believes she would give a valuable lesson, not just to me, but to her husband and to all the slaves. She doesn’t need much more to terrify us all; she is doing a superb job at that, even without me,” Saul admitted.

Nara smiled, trying to hide his bitterness, for he was telling the truth, and the threat from Claudia was real.

“Well, if she truly wanted to harm you, she had all the opportunities during his absence; maybe you are losing your grip a little bit,” Nara tried to reassure him.

After one hour of grooming Saul, Nara looked at him, satisfied. “Now, you really look stunning. We’d better keep you inside if we don’t want the gods to get jealous.” Nara chuckled.

“I don’t think it could get worse than it is now, so let them be jealous as much as they want,” Saul replied as he dressed.

Flavius woke up early in the morning. His guards were already awake, and one was preparing to leave.

“When are you thinking to let me go?”

“None of your business,” Caius grunted. The other gave him a quick glance but remained silent.

When he was ready, he looked at his mate. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. I am just glad to be far from that annoying pest. If we didn’t need to treat him well, I would have shut his mouth my way.”

“But we can’t, so get out of here. I will take care of him,” Caius said.

Flavius wanted to yell all the rage in his soul, but he was afraid. He had never felt himself to be in so much danger, so helpless, and so vulnerable. The unpredictability of the future felt unbearable. Did his family, his father and mother, know about him? Was Claudia getting the ransom money? Guilt overwhelmed him for leaving her alone to deal with this. He wondered whether he had really tried to live in harmony with her. Perhaps Saul is right, and I have neglected her.

He felt like a failure, but he didn’t like her, and probably never would.

Time crawled, and he wasn’t sure they intended to free him. Alone with the guard, he asked, “What is going on? Please, why you are still keeping me here? It has been already ten days since you are keeping me prisoner. I have to know what your intentions are, please.”

“I would keep my mouth shut if I were you. It won’t help asking the same questions continuously, as you won’t get any answers. The only thing you need to know is that you won’t be our guest much longer; at least, that is my hope. If you get on my nerves, I might prefer to kill you and forget about the money. The satisfaction would be greater,” Caius replied, handing him food.

Flavius silently ate. He thought the guard was serious when he spoke of killing him, and he couldn’t defend himself. However, he couldn’t be quiet.

During the entire day, the house felt strangely silent. Claudia remained in her room most of the time and asked to not be disturbed unless there was a plausible reason. With the time passing by, she became more and more restless, pacing her room. She didn’t want her slaves to see her like that. Nobody was supposed to see her that agitated.

Even if she could have masked her frustration with her husband still missing, she preferred to keep herself far from everyone.

She knew that if her intentions became obvious from her behavior, it could mean the end of everything, and she would have to suffer the consequences.

If the truth had emerged, Flavius would be the major threat to her. Yet, to finally reach peace of mind, there weren’t other options opened in front of her.

Saul took a break from his duties and went to enjoy the sunny weather in the garden. He lay down and looked at the sky. He loved the intense blue of the midday sky turning darker at sunset. It reminded him of Jerusalem when he was still free and used to lie under the shade of the trees.

His eyes could lose themselves on the horizon when the silver-green color of olive trees and the light brown of the dried earth melted together in a dusty cloud under the shining sun.

In the far fields, dust rose from the herds of goats roaming the pasture, led by the shepherds. Then there was the sky, that deep-blue sky of his homeland and the fragrances drifting to him on the light breeze blowing from the east. He could spend hours like that if it weren't for school.

He smiled and thought about Flavius, hoping he would be back the next day. Every day, he had the same hope, but every time his hopes were destined to meet disappointment. Flavius seemed to have vanished without leaving a trace. Saul wondered if Claudia had any news about him and refused to talk about it with anyone. She never talked about Flavius with any of her slaves. It was like he had never existed.

The night arrived. In the kitchen, all the slaves kept an unnatural silence.

“Why is everyone so silent?” Saul asked as he finished his meal.

“I guess we are confused because Claudia dismissed all of us today. She hasn’t even left her room. I think she felt ill but, if so, why didn’t she order Julius to take care of her?” Nara asked.

“She is probably worried about her husband, and I am too,” another slave said. “Saul, you are quiet too.”

“Yes, I am worried about Master Flavius, and I feel even worse thinking that I should have been with him on this trip. Perhaps things would have gone differently.”

“You really can’t say. If something happened to our Master, we have to think that the slaves who were traveling with him are already dead,” said Julius.

Nara looked at him, his spoon dropping on the floor. “How you can say something like that?”

“I’m just stating the possibilities, and you know that a slave is not worth keeping alive,” Julius pondered, continuing to eat.

Saul shook his head, not wanting to think about Dionysius, Lukos, and Leandros laying dead. He stood and went to bed.

Nara followed him to his room. “Saul, don’t take what Julius says seriously. He always lacks diplomacy when he has something to say. As a physician, I guess he became kind of insensitive to human feelings, but he feels the stress as well.” Nara said, sitting on his bed beside him.

Saul sighed. “I’m truly starting to miss him. I am not sure I can say I love him. As you know, I love Cassandra, but there is something about the way he kisses me that soothes my soul and makes me feel safe. I thought this feeling of safety was possible only with Marcus Tiberius. I have never been his lover, regardless of the erotic pleasures he allowed himself with me. He never took me as Flavius did. He has been a guide, a father, a god. I would have followed him blindly, certain he would lead me safely.

“Flavius is caring and gentle, but something in his tenderness reminds me of my place. I fear, respect, and love him, but he will never be the guide Marcus Tiberius represents to me,” Saul said.

“Wouldn’t you follow Flavius blindly?”

Saul smiled. “I would do anything to have him back.”

Nara hugged him. “Keep your faith; he'll return soon.”

“Thanks. Goodnight,” Saul replied as Nara left the room.

Soon silence and darkness lay over the house like a shroud. Masters and slaves slept, waiting for a new day to come, a new day which would bring better news and joy to the household.

However, not everybody was sleeping.

Dark, evil shadows moved soundlessly through the rooms. Quiet as ghosts and dangerous as demons, they sought their prey, led by a white-dressed figure with a dark purpose in her soul.

Three of them, night creatures, walked across the garden and reached their target.

He was peacefully sleeping.

The first ghost tied his legs; the other, his wrists; and the third lighted up an oil lamp.

“Wake up, slave,” she said, whispering, covering his mouth to prevent him from screaming.

Saul opened his eyes still half-asleep. Of the three figures, he recognized only one; the others had their faces covered.

“Mmmh,” he tried to say, realizing he could almost predict what was going to happen to him. “You don’t make a sound, slave, or it will be the last this world will hear from you,” Claudia hissed.

He tried to calm down and nodded, hoping that whatever was her intention, he could make her reconsider.

“Please, don’t harm me. What did I do?” Saul whimpered.

“You simply exist, slave, and your existence disturbs me. It is always about you; everything is about you, and I can’t stand it. You are always intruding in my life: in the relationship with my husband, with my guests, and the entire world. Now it is time for radical lessons; now you will learn your place. You are nothing but a tool.” A grim smile crossed her face.” And what happens when a tool becomes useless?”

He looked up her and began to whimper, unable to say anything anymore. Between choking sobs, he pleaded, “Please…don’t…”

She remained silent for a while, enjoying his cries. “So? Answer me. “What happens when a tool becomes useless?”

“It is thrown away…” he replied, fearing the direction of that topic.

“Right, slave. This is exactly what will happen when I am finished with you. Keep your mouth shut, if you don’t want to face worse consequences. And, believe me, I can find a way to make it worse. You’re going to become totally useless, and even Flavius won’t have anything to say about getting rid of you,” she said.

“Please, Mistress, please don’t. I beg you.”

She shook her head and grabbed his face. The last thing he saw was the shining blade of a knife.

Then an excruciating pain exploded on his face as the blade sliced cutting through his eyes and nose. A searing heat blazed through his body, and he screamed.

Instantly, the pain came, as sharp as the blade that blinded him. The three ghosts dissolved into the darkness before the other slaves, startled from their slumber, jumped out of their beds.

His voice ripped the thin curtain of the night's sleep of the other inhabitants of the house. The slaves gathered in Saul’s room, but none of them dared to touch him. They remained at the door, shocked at what they saw.

Nara made his way through the crowd and ran to Saul, who held his hands to his bleeding eyes.

“Please, Saul, let me see,” he said, prying his hands from his face. Nara’s blood froze in his veins.

He shouted, desperation clear in his voice, “Julius, where is Julius? Get him here NOW!”

“Saul, calm down. Everything will be fine. Julius will take care of you,” he said, holding him in his arms.

“Marcus…Marcus,” he tried to call through the pain.

Julius charged into the room and took from the arms of Nara. Saul’s cries turned to whimpers, and he trembled as shock took control of his body.

“Now, calm down, boy. I need your full cooperation,” Julius said. With these words, he pressed Saul’s neck, and he fell unconscious. Julius covered his head with a cloth and carried him out as the shocked slaves parted to make way for them.

Julius ordered Nara, “Come with me. We need to bring him to my ambulatory. Only there will I have the right tools to take proper care of him.”

They walked through the garden to the back door.

“Where are you going, and what is this commotion?” Claudia yelled.

“Mistress, something happened to Saul. We are bringing him to my ambulatory so I can take care of him.”

“What happened to him?”

“I don’t know. I hope he can tell us once he comes back to his senses.”

Claudia begged, “Please, Julius, take good care of him. Flavius will be terribly upset if something happens to him.” Turning to the throng of slaves, she said in a harsh tone, “And all of you, return to sleep. There is nothing to see.”

Chapter 17.

Julius and Nara walked through the dark streets in silence, hoping not to encounter any criminals on their way. Nara could not believe what had happened, and nothing made any sense. Were the gods angry with Saul? Why? He shook his head to rid it of the foolish thoughts.

When they arrived at Julius’ ambulatory, Julius placed Saul on a wooden table. “I know it’s not comfortable, but I need you in the best position to check on you, son

“Nara, light the fire and heat water. When it boils, put some of these bandages in the pot. We need to make them really clean.”

Without a word, Nara ran out of the room happy to be told what to do, His mind, numb with shock, needed something to focus on.”

In that same moment, Saul started to come back to his senses. “M-Mar-cus.”

“Not yet, son,” Julius replied, pressing on the lower part of his neck to render him unconscious again.

When the water was ready, Nara brought the entire pot of water and the clean bandages. Julius cleaned the blood from Saul’s face. “Keep his head steady. I need to check the eyes.”

Without saying any word, Nara walked to the head of the table and clasped his face between his hands. Julius opened one eye to the damage. He sighed sadly. Who could have done something like that, and if it were a man, how did he come into the house without being heard? If it wasn’t a man, then what else could have done something like that?

He cleansed the wounds and tried to fix as much as possible. After a couple of hours, he covered Saul’s eyes with clean bandages.

“He will rest for the night. I can manage on my own, but tell me something. Who is Marcus? He called his name.” Julius said.

“Marcus Tiberius is Master Flavius’ father and Saul’s previous Master. I prefer to remain here to help you with him if you don’t mind. Tomorrow morning, I might go talk to Marcus Tiberius to let him know what happened tonight and find out if he knows his son is missing. Someone has to do something. If nobody else wants to, then it is my turn to risk the punishment.” Nara gazed at Saul’s pale face.

“Don’t take any initiative without my consent. You can stay with him until he wakes up. Tomorrow, we will think about what is to be done,” Julius said frowning and raising the index finger in front of his face.

“What is his condition?”

“At the moment, stable. His life is not at risk. The wounds on his face won’t leave any visible marks, as they were superficial, so his beauty will be untouched.”

“What about his eyes?”

“I'm not sure he will be able to see again.”

“You mean he might be blind?” Nara asked, terrified.

“Possibly.”

“Don’t you have a more comfortable place where he can rest?” Nara asked.

“Let’s bring him into the back room. I have a small bed there” Julius took Saul in his arms. “Rest a bit with him. It has been a long night. Call me if he wakes up.”

“Thank you, Julius.”

“It’s my job.”

Nara fell asleep beside Saul and soon a new day dawned on lit Rome and its inhabitants. As the streets became busy with vendors setting up their stalls and people running their daily errands, Julius’ ambulatory received a couple customers.

Nara woke before Saul and watched him sleep. From there, he could hear if some patients were still in the room or not.

Saul stirred. “M-Marcus,” he whispered. He tried to open his eyes, trying to recall the memories from the fog on his mind. His hands flew to his face and touched the bandages. He tried to pull them off.

Nara gently stopped him. “You can’t take them off yet.”

“Nara…” Saul whispered.

“Yes, it’s me. How do you feel?”

“Where am I? What happened? Why are my eyes… Oh my God, it wasn’t a nightmare… was it?”

Nara took his hands. “It wasn’t a dream. Whatever happened to you last night was real. You are in Julius’ ambulatory; he took care of your eyes and wounds. I know it is maybe too early to ask, but what happened yesterday? Who or what harmed you like that? Why?”

Saul tried to recollect his memories. Everything was blurred in his mind, and he was not sure if he was remembering the truth or not. He couldn’t focus on anything from the previous night’s events, and the bandages befogged his mind even more.

“I don’t know what I remember. My head hurts, and I feel confused. Reality and dreams are racing against each other, and I can’t discern one from the other.”

“Don’t you worry, but whenever you feel like it, please tell me.”

“I need to see Marcus Tiberius. He has to know. Go him, tell him what happened,” Saul pleaded, grabbing Nara’s hands tightly.

“I was thinking to go, but Julius ordered me to remain with you and tell him when you get up.”

“Well, I’m awake now. Inform Julius, then tell Marcus Tiberius about me. Tell him about Flavius as well. He needs to know what is going on with his son’s family.”

Nara didn’t reply, and neither did he move from the bed, unsure whether he had to comply or not. He couldn’t see any use in rushing to let his former Master know.

“Nara, why are you still here?”

“Because there are other patients in the room, and I can’t interrupt Julius. I don’t know what I am supposed to do. Perhaps the best thing is to wait and see what Julius says.

“I can’t wait. I am begging you, take me to Marcus Tiberius’ house. I will tell him everything myself. Help me to walk there. At this point, I am no more worried about any punishment, if you have to tell Julius about me. From that point on, I will be exactly where I need to be,” Saul insisted.

Nara glanced at him and bit his lower lip. “Let’s see what Julius has to say. I can’t take you there without his permission.”

Saul grabbed his hand. “He is not your Master and definitely not mine. Take me to Marcus Tiberius’ place.”

“And neither are you my Master. Off with that attitude. I’m trying to help you,” Nara protested.

“It doesn’t seem like it.”

Nara sighed. “Take my hand. I'll lead you to your former Master.”

Saul smiled. “I knew I could count on you. Thank you.”

“You are bringing me to trouble. I hope you appreciate my efforts,” Nara sighed as they walked out onto the streets.

Saul couldn’t wait to be in the only place where he could find protection and safety, the place where his slavery began.

“When can I take away the bandages from my eyes? I can’t stand not to see where I am going.”

Nara glanced at him, unable to tell him that he might never see again.

“I don’t know. You have to ask Julius.”

“Didn’t he tell you anything? Haven’t you asked him?” Saul insisted.

“We didn’t have time to talk about anything. You were bleeding and needed immediate care. When Julius stabilized your condition, we were both so tired we went to bed.”

“Is there something you are not telling me? Your voice is trembling,”

Nara didn’t know what to say, or how to tell Saul the truth.

He wondered how he would explain to Julius his bringing Saul away without having consulted him first; he felt trapped. “Last night, Julius and I slept very few. We couldn’t understand what happened to you, and why, in the dead of night, you were wounded like that, and now you tell me that my voice is trembling. What do you expect? I can’t tell… forget it.”

At the desperation in Nara’s voice, needles of guilt pricked Saul. “I am sorry, Nara, forgive me. You’re right. Take me back to Julius. I have no right asking you to do this and I don’t want you up in trouble.”

“No, let’s go to Marcus Tiberius, then when he is aware of the situation, we will go back.” He hoped his former Master would help him.

They walked in silence until they arrived at the house of Marcus Tiberius. Nara knocked on the heavy door, waiting for someone to appear.

A slave opened the door looking suspiciously at both. Saul kept his head lowered. He felt humiliated to show his eyes covered by a bandage and scared, thinking of what Marcus Tiberius’ reaction might be.

“What are you looking for here?” the slave asked.

“We need to see your Master, Marcus Tiberius. It is a very important issue.”

“You can tell me, and I will forward your message,” he replied, unwilling to disturb his master.

Saul raised his head. “Caleb, I really need to see Marcus Tiberius, please. I know I am not serving this house anymore, but what I have to say is really important.”

Caleb barely recognized Saul. His tunic was dirty with blood and dust, his hair wasn't combed, and that bandage startled him.

“Saul, is that really you? For all the gods, what happened?” He guided him inside.

“It is a long story, and I will tell you when you bring me to Marcus Tiberius.”

Caleb looked at Nara, then back to Saul. “I will tell him you arrived.”

Hesitating in front of the door of his master’s room, Caleb didn’t know how he should introduce the visit to his Master. He took a deep breath and entered the room.

“Master, forgive my intrusion. Saul arrived with another of your son’s slaves. He asks to see you about something very important. I barely recognized him.”

Marcus Tiberius raised his gaze to him. Why would Saul come here? He thought.

“Bring them in. What could be so important for Saul to come here?” Marcus Tiberius ordered.

Caleb to escort the visitors into the presence of his Master. When Marcus Tiberius saw Saul, he realized something very serious had happened in his son’s household.

He walked toward him and held him by the shoulders, taking a good look at him. His eyes getting wet, and his heart aching in his chest.

“Saul, who did this to you?” he said with trembling voice.

As soon as he felt Marcus’ hands on him, Saul could not contain his grief anymore and held himself tightly to his former Master, barely able to breathe through his cries.

“Caleb, you can go. As for you, slave,” Marcus Tiberius glanced at Nara. “You can stay with us.”

As Caleb left, Marcus Tiberius parted from Saul and took a careful look at him. He had given a flawless slave to his son’s household, and what stood before him resembled the dirty creature he had bought from the Forum.

“Master, I…I need protection, and no one can grant it to me but you. I beg you not to reject me, under the clause of the wedding contract,” Saul cried.

“One thing at a time. How could Flavius allow something like this happens to you?” he asked.

“Your son is missing. No one knows what happened to him. He hasn’t returned home yet, and neither have any of the slaves who traveled with him. I am worried.”

“He hasn’t returned yet? Why hasn’t Claudia told me? That woman has some explaining to do, including your condition.” With a hint of sarcasm, Marcus Tiberius said, “Don’t tell me she is missing too.”

“No, Master, she is at home; she doesn’t know I’m here, and it is better if she doesn’t.”

“This is something we will solve later. Now, tell me what happened to you,” Marcus Tiberius asked anxiously.

“I…I can’t remember everything.” Saul knew he couldn’t tell the truth. Claudia’s cruelty had no boundaries.

He began, “It happened last night. I was sleeping like all the others when I heard noises coming from the garden. I stood up from my bed, and someone grabbed me. They held me down. I can’t recall what they said.” His voice rose in anguish. “I thought they were thieves and I got scared. I tried to get free, but in the commotion, one of them wounded my eyes.

“Julius came almost immediately. After that, everything is blank. I woke up this morning in Julius’ ambulatory and needed to see you; I felt in danger and scared.”

Marcus Tiberius remained silent, thinking about what Saul said. He could not believe or put things together. Thieves broke into his son’s house during the night while he was gone. His son was possibly missing, and Saul was probably ruined permanently. Yet, Claudia didn’t tell him. Maybe Saul was lying, but his body said more than his words, and the bitterness in his tears told a more terrifying story.

“Saul, when can Julius take off your bandages? When will you be able to open your eyes to look into mine?” he asked, his tone gentle.

“I don’t know, Master. I need to ask him.”

Marcus Tiberius looked with questioning eyes at Nara, who shook his head, indicating the gravity of Saul’s condition. Silence became a heavy curtain between the three.

Saul could hear the slight sigh, escaping Marcus Tiberius’ mouth, and started to fear that his condition was more serious than he could have ever imagined.

“Master… Nara, please… you don’t mean that I…, please, don’t say…” he tried to say, but his tears choked the words in his throat.

Marcus Tiberius held Saul tightly to his chest, allowing him to shed all his tears, dampening the tissue of Marcus Tiberius’ tunic.

The sobs became cries, and the cries became screams that resounded through the walls of the room. In his own language, Saul cursed everything he knew as liable for his fate. First of all, his God, the one that was supposed to guide and protect him. He cursed his father and his mother for bringing him to that life. He cursed Rome and the militia, which tore him away from the comfort of his home.

He wanted to curse Marcus Tiberius, but his affection for him stilled his tongue. Neither could he curse Flavius, who perhaps had found a crueler destiny.

Soon the screams subsided, becoming cries, then sobs.

Marcus Tiberius whispered in his ear.

“Saul, calm down. I can’t accept this behavior from the best of my slaves.”

“Master, I am the most worthless of your slaves. I just want to die,” Saul breathed, slumped within his former master’s arms.

Marcus Tiberius kissed his forehead, knowing that bringing Saul to his duties would be a hard task, and worst of all, he understood his feelings. His heart cried in tandem with Saul’s cries. Frustrated by his feelings and his inability to be the guide he was expected to be, he parted from Saul, grabbed his face with one hand, and slapped him.

Shock registered on Nara’s face. Saul’s former Master had seemed to be a man who wouldn’t harm his slaves without justification.

Saul was obviously a victim, and Marcus Tiberius, without any apparent reason, had hit him.

Marcus Tiberius tenderly looked at Saul, caressing his mussed hair.

“Master,” Saul whispered, “forgive me, please.”

“You know how hard it is for me to punish you…”

“I deserve it, and I will accept any punishment you find appropriate.”

Marcus Tiberius smiled at him. “Not this time, but beware, the next time I won’t forgive you,” he replied, caressing Saul’s wet cheeks.

“I sounded like a fool to you, didn’t I?” Saul asked.

“Not at all, but now that you have discharged your grief, it would be appropriate to behave like the slave I've raised up. It doesn't matter if you won't be able to see again. I am the only one who can decide if you are worthless or not, and I still find your services useful. You are a wise youth, and can still work as an interpreter, at least in my household. Perhaps my son will find you useful for other tasks. It is never up to you to decide your usefulness, so stop crying and feel grateful you have a Master who is willing to find a way to make you useful,” he said.

“Of course, Master. I didn't mean to be ungrateful.”

Nara watched the scene incredulous as it unfolded before him; he could not understand their relationship. Nara asked, “Marcus Tiberius, should we return to Julius’ ambulatory? He will get upset if he knows I took Saul away without asking his permission. Claudia made him responsible for Saul’s health and my behavior.

“I will come with you to inform him that I’m taking Saul back. Flavius got my slave on the condition that nothing would ever happen to him, that he wouldn’t be mistreated nor damaged. He wasn't able to keep his promise, so I will take him back to serve me.”

“But this wasn't Flavius’ responsibility.”

Marcus Tiberius’ tone harshened. “I haven’t asked for your opinion. Whatever happens to a slave is his Master's responsibility. Claudia should have known it and has to explain to me why she hasn't informed me of Saul's accident or that Flavius is missing.”

Nara bowed his head in submission. Marcus Tiberius held Saul's arm and guided him back to Julius’ ambulatory, with Nara in their wake.

Inside, there were no patients. As Julius saw Nara come in, anger colored his puce.

“Who gave you permission to leave this place, and who gave you permission to take Saul away?” he yelled.

Nara knew he had disobeyed, and he hadn't any good excuse. “Saul wanted to see his previous Master. I thought that I should—”

Julius didn't let him finish his sentence. He hit him across his cheek.

Nara lost his equilibrium and fell on the floor, knowing that this was only the beginning of his punishment. He was sure Julius would report to Claudia what happened, and she would vent her rage on him.

“You hadn't any right to act on your own. I told you to ask me before taking any action that came to your mind.” Julius raised his hand to strike the slave again.

Saul pleaded, “Julius, please. I am responsible. I insisted that he would take me to Marcus Tiberius. I needed to talk to him. Please understand. Can't you just forgive him?”

Julius turned his flushed face to him and poised his hand to hit Saul.

“Don’t you dare touch my slave,” hissed Marcus Tiberius, grabbing Julius’ wrist.

“He is not your slave, Marcus Tiberius. He is Flavius’ slave,” he challenged.

“Don't question me. If I say that Saul is my slave, so it is,” he replied, holding Saul tightly.

Saul couldn't remember the last time he felt protected like that. It was like going back in time to when Marcus Tiberius had lifted him in his arms from the dirt road. Even when he punished him, he felt protected, as every punishment felt in his heart like the one a father imposes on a child when he is making the same mistakes. There was no hatred in those punishments, rather a sort of care.

Held tightly to Marcus Tiberius’ chest, Saul felt embedded in the warmth of Marcus Tiberius’ body, and instinctively his arms encircled his Master’s waist.

Julius knew he couldn’t contradict a free Roman citizen, particularly when he had no arguments to oppose; therefore, he turned his gaze down to look at Nara.

“Of course, Marcus Tiberius,” Julius replied with a lower voice.

He offered his hand to help Nara stand up. “Assist me to take care of Saul's eyes.”

Marcus Tiberius parted from Saul so that Nara could guide him to the examining table. Nara held him tight as Julius firmly pressed the base of his neck, rendering Saul unconscious.

Marcus Tiberius watched with wondering eyes as they lifted him onto the table. “How? What did you do to him?” he asked, amazed.

“Better for him not to be awake. He won't be able to lie still. Don't worry; I'm not harming him,” Julius replied as he gently removed the bandages from Saul’s eyes.

“Retrieve clean bandages, Nara,” Julius ordered as he took some jars from the closet.

Nara came back and held Saul's head firmly so that Julius could apply the medication.

“Won't he be able to see anymore?” Marcus Tiberius asked as he observed Julius at work.

“I am afraid not, Marcus Tiberius. The knife caused irreversible damage. What I can do is prevent infection as they heal.”

He changed the bandages. “Within a week or ten days, they can be safely removed. What will you do with him then?” Julius asked.

“I haven't thought about it, but he has always been a very useful slave, and I believe he can continue to serve me,” Marcus Tiberius replied thoughtfully.

“But shouldn’t we consult Master Flavius?” Nara said.

Marcus Tiberius snapped, “My son is missing and, at least until he returns, Saul stays with me.”

“Of course, I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought that Master Flavius… Well, nothing. I'm sorry,” Nara replied, lowering his gaze.

Julius pointed at Nara. “That is your problem. You think even when nobody gave you permission to do so, and you speak without permission. Mistress Claudia won't be happy when she finds out what you did.” The physician carried Saul into the back room.

Marcus Tiberius looked at Nara, observing him carefully. He was a handsome youth. Perhaps his previous Master treated him more like a companion than as a slave, which was possibly the reason he could not keep from telling what was in his heart.

In the young slave’s eyes, he saw fear, something he never saw in any of his. “Nara, this is your name, right?”

“Yes.”

“What scares you so much?”

“I don't understand. What do you mean?” Nara graciously bent his head to the side.

“As soon as Julius mentioned Claudia, your expression changed.”

“I'll be punished later, as soon as Julius tells her that I disobeyed him. I am afraid that I will also be punished because I brought Saul to see you.”

“Maybe I should talk to her. You disobeyed, and you deserve to be punished, but in this case, I would consider making an exception. She hadn't told me about my son, and I felt disappointed to find out such important news from a slave, rather than from my daughter-in-law.”

Nara smiled at him. “I appreciate your words, but this won't change my situation. It wouldn't have cost me much effort to ask Julius’ permission, and probably he would have granted it. I am not afraid of being punished. It is the kind of punishment that scares me,” he said, shaking his head.

“I'll see what I can do for you.”

Nara observed, “You seem to hold Saul truly dear, and he is deeply affectionate toward you as well.” In the same moment, Julius came back.

“I understand Claudia does not have the same philosophy of treating slaves as I do. Julius, couldn't you punish Nara by yourself? From my point of view, he does not deserve to be punished this time, as he gave me a considerable service. Would you reconsider?” Marcus Tiberius asked.

Julius looked at Marcus Tiberius and at Nara's pleading eyes and knew he could not resist.

Julius smiled. “This might be your lucky day, Nara. Thank Marcus Tiberius for having mercy on a slave like you.”

Nara's expression lit up with hope. He knew that whatever Julius would do to punish him would be ten times less painful than what Claudia would have planned. The vivid memory of her tying him up in an empty room without food for days and lashing him still haunted him.

He turned to Marcus Tiberius. “Master, I… Thank you,” he whispered, his gratitude genuine.

Marcus Tiberius smiled as Julius guided Nara to the same table where, minutes before, he had taken care of Saul's eyes. He tied Nara firmly and exposed his upper body. Then walked to the back room and came back with a horsewhip.

He sighed, raising his hand, he swung the whip in the air and started to administer the lashes. Nara's screams grew louder and louder with each strike. After ten lashes, blood dripped on his trembling back as he cried in pain, his sobs filling the room even after the whip no longer slashed through the air.

Julius whispered in his ear in a gentle voice, “It's over, son. Now try to behave like a good slave for a change, will you?”

“Yes, Julius,” he wept.

The physician pulled clean bandages and a jar from the closet. “Nara, I know this will burn, so clench your teeth and be prepared,” he said as he started to spread the thick fluid on his back. “I will take care of your wounds tomorrow morning,” he added as he covered the slave’s back with his tunic.

“I'd like to bring Saul back home right now if you think it convenient,” said Marcus Tiberius, looking at Julius.

“As a physician, I'd prefer to keep him here another day. As a slave, I obey at your will, Marcus Tiberius,” he replied diplomatically.

“I will listen to the doctor, and I will, in the meantime, talk to Claudia. I want to know all the details regarding my son missing,” he added, turning his back to the two slaves.

Chapter 18.

Marcus Tiberius left Julius’ ambulatory at the sixth hour of the day. Immersed in his thoughts, he walked to his son's house, afraid that the only son the gods had given him was dead.

Flavius was the most precious thing in his life. They’d had arguments and divergences, but he was proud of the man he had become.

As he passed the Temple of Minerva, he stood still, looking at the building and feeling thankful for the gift of Flavius. He felt hopeless to know that the gods who gave him such a great gift, could also take it away.

He raised his eyes to the sky and pleaded.

“Bring my son back; he is still so young and dear to me.”

The gods remained silent, so he shook his head and continued his journey. At his son’s house, he hesitated at the big wooden door before knocking.

“Bring me to your mistress,” he ordered the slave who opened the door.

“Who should I announce?” he asked, confusion etched on his young face.

“Bring me to her. I am Marcus Tiberius Numida, and your Master is my son,” he thundered.

“Of course, Master,” he said, guiding him to Claudia in the garden. “Mistress, please forgive me…” the slave apologized as Marcus Tiberius came in front of her.

“Disappear, slave. Leave us alone,” she said.

“You don’t need this aggressive intrusion into my house to see me. You know you are the most welcome person.”

“I’m sorry. I need to talk to Flavius. Where is he?” He pretended he didn’t know anything about him and Saul.

“I-Marcus, your son hasn’t returned from his journey. I am worried, too.” She feigned desperation and brought her hands to her mouth.

Marcus Tiberius regretted barging into her house. Maybe she didn’t want anyone to worry before she was sure of what happened to Flavius.

“Claudia, why haven’t you told us anything? We would have helped you.”

“Marcus, believe me, I wanted to, but how could I tell you that your son is missing? I know I should have. I felt like if I told you…I don’t know, I am so frightened.” She turned her shoulders to him. “Moreover, I was threatened. A few days ago, I received a message that Flavius had been kidnapped and a ransom was asked for his release. I paid for it, and they assured me that, by tomorrow, Flavius will be back home. I had to wait until then to alert you and Flaminia.” She dabbed her eyes. “I didn’t want to scare you as well. I know I might have acted foolishly, but it was the only way I could see to get Flavius back. I’m sorry.”

Marcus Tiberius remained standing, unable to speak. Flavius was traveling with three slaves, and he knew to keep a low profile. How could this happen?

“Claudia, this sounds impossible. Who are those people, and what was the real reason for them to kidnap Flavius? I don’t believe the story of the ransom. To ask for it, they would have known beforehand who he was. Those people should have known him very well to know of his family, his wealth, and his social position. They must have followed him since the beginning of his trip. I can’t believe they picked a random person for money. There must have been another reason,” he said, trying to make sense of the story.

Claudia looked at him, afraid. She should have led him to a different conclusion, or her plan would miserably fail. She would have a hard time explaining that everything was set up to get revenge on Saul.

She tried to explain, “A Roman citizen traveling with three slaves is not a plebeian. Besides, his slaves wore collars bearing his name; it would have been easy for them to know about his family. I don’t know if he had enemies in Rome who had an interest in keeping him away. Marcus Tiberius, this sounds much too elaborate, and besides, he has no enemies; he is not a politician. He is just a lawyer. It doesn’t make any sense.”

“How about Saul? Is he with my son?” he asked.

“No, he was sick when Flavius left, so Dionysius went instead of him.”

“Can I see him? I might need him for some translations.”

“He…well, he had an accident last night, and now he is in Julius’ ambulatory to recover. It seems the gods are against us all,” she replied, hiding her face in her hands.

Marcus Tiberius tested her. “I’m going there, then I will bring him home with me,” he said as he stalked toward the entrance.

“But…you can’t.”

“I need it; I take it. This is the deal between Flavius and me,” he replied, opening the door.

Flavius looked around his prison. His captors stood outside, arguing. He could not hear what they were discussing, but he would have given anything to understand what was going on, who these men were, and what they wanted from him.

He couldn’t say whether they had kept him prisoner for one day, one week, or one month. The only certainty was that they could kill him as they had his slaves.

The door opened abruptly, and the two men came inside the house wearing scarves to hide their faces.

“Tomorrow, you are going to join your family. They paid the ransom, and we don’t have any interest in keeping you. Your presence has annoyed us enough,” one of them said, closing the door behind him.

Flavius remained speechless. He was going to be free again, returned to his family, and loved ones. It seemed like a dream from which he didn’t want to wake up.

One man offered dried meat and water to Flavius.

“This is going to be your last meal here, so enjoy it,” he said, chuckling.

Flavius couldn’t believe that, soon, he would be eating a proper meal with his family. He wanted to reject that lousy food, but he knew he might have regretted that decision, so in silence, he started to eat.

That night, sleep evaded Marcus Tiberius. He thought about the story of the kidnapping of his son, Saul’s accident, and all the details that didn’t fit one with the other. He wanted to tell Flaminia, but he would cause her unnecessary pain.

Needing someone to talk to, he called for Rufus.

“What’s bothering you, Master?” he asked.

“Many things about what happened today do not make sense. My son is missing, kidnapped by strangers who have been threatening Claudia over the past two weeks. She kept everything for herself. Meanwhile, someone intruded in their house and blinded Saul, injuring him irreversibly. If it weren't for his insistence and the slave’s disobedience to Claudia, I would still be in the dark. I can’t understand her behavior. Why did she act like that? Do you know something? I think that the two events are connected somehow, and the same people who kidnapped my son injured Saul. Do you think it is an absurd thought?” he asked.

Rufus remained silent for several moments, then said, “I have to say that it sounds like a bizarre coincidence. At the same time as your son was kidnapped, Saul, his favorite slave, the one he cares about over anything else, was attacked. Are you suspecting a conspiracy? What do you intend to do?”

Marcus Tiberius shook his head, pacing the room.

“I don’t know what to think, but I would give anything to know who injured Saul. I am not going to let this slip away like nothing ever happened. I will get justice for my slave, of that you can be sure, but I need more details from Saul. I am afraid he is hiding something. He must remember more than he declares, and I am going to get the truth out of his mouth in one way or another.”

“Master, don’t get upset with Saul. He is the one who asked for your protection,” Rufus said, trying to calm his Master.

Marcus Tiberius sighed. “Maybe I am tired. Come with me; we’re going to get Saul from Julius’ ambulatory. I know I won’t find any peace until he is safe in my house.” You can take care of him.”

Rufus followed him. After the recent events, he feared that Saul’s life could be in danger.

In the middle of the night, at the light of their oil lamps, they walked to Julius’ ambulatory. The lights that filtered through the curtains on the windows and door revealed that Julius was still there, together with Saul.

As they entered the ambulatory, Julius greeted him, “Marcus Tiberius, I wasn't expecting to see you at this time of the night. I thought I would see you again tomorrow morning.”

“This is Rufus. He is a physician as well. Please instruct him about Saul’s condition, then we are taking my slave home,” Marcus Tiberius ordered.

“Of course. Come, Rufus. I'll show you your new patient,” Julius said, guiding him to the backroom, where Saul slept.

“According to him, the pain is subsiding, and I am sure there is not much more to do. I could forestall the risk for infection, and by keeping his wounds clean, we can hope in a fast recovery. However, concerning his sight, I suspect it is entirely lost. You can remove the bandages whenever you consider appropriate, but the treatment to heal the wounds should be continued for seven to ten days.”

“Of course,” Rufus nodded thoughtfully, as he glanced Saul sleeping. “Let’s wake him up so we can get our rest. It is late.”

Julius sat on the bed beside Saul and gently shook him. “Wake up, Saul.”

“What? Is it already morning?” Saul whispered groggily.

“No, but Marcus Tiberius came to take you home.”

“Marcus?” He tried to sit up on the bed.

Rufus helped Saul. “Grab my hand. I'll guide you to him.”

Marcus Tiberius waited in the ambulatory, unable to get his mind off the events of the previous days, when the three slaves returned from the back room.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

Julius said, “Yes, your slave is ready. Take care of Saul, Marcus Tiberius,”

“I will, Julius,” Marcus Tiberius assured him, holding the still sleepy Saul by the shoulders. Without another word, they left for home.

It was the second hour of the night when they reached the working room of Marcus Tiberius.

“Rufus, you are dismissed to go to your bed. I will remain here with Saul. I need to talk to him,”

“Master, why did you need to talk to me so urgently?” Saul asked.

“Because maybe you lied to me, or perhaps you told me only part of the truth. In any case, I am ready to remain here until I am satisfied with your version of what happened the night you were assaulted,” Marcus Tiberius replied, parting from him.

“I don’t understand. I haven’t lied to you,” Saul hesitated.

“So, won’t you tell me again from the beginning, what happened?”

“I don’t know what you mean. It was nighttime, and everybody was sleeping. Your son assigned me the room beside the one where he sleeps with Claudia. I heard noises coming from the patio,” he said, lowering his head. “I stood up, trying to understand what it could be, and suddenly, I was grabbed by someone. I tried to get free, but there was more than one person, and in the commotion, my eyes were wounded.”

Marcus Tiberius looked at him with skepticism. “Why just you?”

“I-I don’t know,” Saul mumbled as his voice shook.

“If you were sleeping in the room next to Claudia, why didn’t she wake up? There must have been enough commotion to awaken Claudia and alert the other slaves. Why didn’t anyone hear anything?” Marcus Tiberius pursued.

“I don’t know, Master. Maybe she heard, and she felt scared, so she remained hidden. She was alone in the house, without her husband to protect her,” Saul tried to reason.

Marcus Tiberius was not convinced. “This was a detail the intruders might not have known; however, she wasn’t alone. All the slaves could have protected her, and this would not have happened to you.” He held Saul by the shoulders. “How many people attacked you? Do you remember anything in particular about them?”

“I think there were three. However, I can’t be sure. It was too dark to see them,” his voice quavered.

Marcus Tiberius observed Saul. He looked nervous, too nervous for someone who had nothing to hide. Obviously, Saul was making up the entire story to cover the real events, but why?

Losing his patience, Marcus Tiberius walked closer to Saul and slapped him hard across the cheek.

“Again, you are lying to me,” he thundered.

Saul shook his head. “Master…” he tried to say, but Marcus Tiberius struck him with more violence. “I am tired of hearing the same lies. Who did this to you?”

“It will not bring my sight back!” Saul yelled, crying.

Marcus Tiberius backed up for a second; he’d never heard Saul yell at anyone.

“How dare you shout at me?” Marcus Tiberius hissed, his face inches from his slave’s.

“Forgive me, Master,” Saul whimpered. “I don’t know why I did that. Please forgive me.”

“Your behavior is unacceptable. Not only are you evidently lying to me, but you are yelling as well. Who do you think you are? You are nothing! Remember that, slave!” Marcus Tiberius shouted.

Saul remained silent, bowing his head and covering his face with his hands. He regretted his actions and hoped he could find a way to be forgiven.

“Master…you are right. If I could take back my actions, I would, but I can’t, so I can only accept your punishment.”

“At the moment, the only relief from my bitterness would be the truth, but you will be punished for your behavior. I don’t tolerate disrespect from any of my slaves, and this includes you. I’m going to sleep. In the meantime, you are going to remain here until I return tomorrow. You will have all the time you need to think about what happened that night, and then I want to find you on your knees ready to tell me the truth.”

Saul fell to his knees. “Yes, Master.”

“Goodnight, slave,” he said, exiting the room.

It would be a long night, probably the longest in his entire life. He could not tell the truth to Marcus Tiberius, but he could not continue to be punished for not doing so. It was a question of who scared him the most: Claudia or Marcus Tiberius. Then, what Flavius’ reaction would be when he finally returned.

Time inched by, and he felt tired, aching, and guilty. He couldn’t understand how it happened that he shouted at his Master. He thought he was screaming only in his heart, but somehow, his voice reached his mouth. Anguish filled his soul at the thought of having disappointed one of the few people he deeply respected.

Silently he cried, then heard a squishing sound as if someone walked barefooted not to be heard. He remained to listen and was certain it was coming in his direction from the main room beyond the garden. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled. He was not alone.

“Master?” he whispered, fear hitching his breath. He heard someone sit nearby, and a hand caressed his shoulder.

“Saul, what happened to you?” a voice asked; the one he could recognize among a thousand others.

“Cassandra,” Saul said, reaching for her hand. “I do not know anymore. I hope to wake up tomorrow to realize that everything was a nightmare.”

“I talked to Rufus. He told me what happened, but I could not wait. I had to see you… Why are you kneeling in Marcus Tiberius’ room?”

“Master Marcus Tiberius punished me because he thinks I am lying to him about how I became blind, and because I yelled at him. I have no idea why I did that.”

“I had to tell Marcus Tiberius about the day I met you in Flavius’ house,” she cried.

“You are responsible for nothing but my happiness at this moment.”

“Did you lie to him?”

Saul didn’t want to tell her about what happened either, but she might have already figured out everything. Perhaps she could help him, advise him about the best decision to make.

“Yes, I did…I lied to him. I do know who did this to me,” Saul admitted.

“You don't need to tell me. I knew something like this could happen since I visited with Mistress Flaminia. Claudia hates you. I feel guilty because I could have done something.” Tears welled in Cassandra’s eyes.

Saul held her hand and brought it to his lips. “It would have happened anyway. If not now, next month, the following year, or whenever she would have had the chance. Nothing could have saved me from this. Maybe it is better that it happened now. Later, it might have been even worse.”

She kissed his hands. “I’m sorry.”

“At least I am safe under Marcus Tiberius’ roof until Master Flavius returns to claim me.”

“How do you know he will come back?” she asked.

“Because I feel so. The heart of a lover cannot be wrong,” he replied, smiling. “He is going to be back.”

Cassandra smiled at that. She didn’t feel jealous that he called his Master a lover. On the contrary, she thought he could count on his protection in that household. The gods were not in his favor when they made him sick, impeding him from leaving on the journey with his Master. Maybe everything was a revenge of the gods rather than that of Claudia, she thought.

She held him in her arms as the first light of the day shyly appeared in the sky.

“Did Claudia tell you why she did this to you?” she asked.

“Yes, it was to punish me for being between her and Flavius, and for attracting too much attention from her guests. She was sure that once Flavius understood that I am no longer useful, he would get rid of me.”

“Do you think she planned it for a long time?”

“I don’t know. When she realized Flavius was missing, she found the opportunity she’d been waiting for.”

“How are you going to tell Marcus Tiberius and Flavius the truth about Claudia?”

“I have no idea. I don’t know who I fear the most. She warned me that if I didn’t keep my mouth shut, she would shut it for good.”

“It won’t be necessary,” said Marcus Tiberius as he entered the room.

Saul turned his head toward the direction of the voice as Cassandra stood and ran away, afraid that she shouldn’t have been there.

“Master, I…Please forgive my misbehavior. I can’t understand how I could ever yell at you. I feel terrible about it,” Saul apologized, with a quivering chin as remorse and shame evident in his tone.

“I forgive you, Saul, but only because I think you were upset after what happened. I know Claudia has a difficult character, but I find it hard to believe that she would do something like that,” Marcus Tiberius helped Saul up. “Your behavior puts me in an awkward situation. Should I or should I not believe you? Are you still telling lies, or is this the truth?”

“It is the truth, Master, but I understand that you find it difficult to trust me,” Saul said.

Marcus Tiberius sighed, unsure of what to believe. Claudia was his son’s wife, while Saul was nothing but a slave.

Indeed, Saul was a special one, and he knew that, in normal conditions, his loyalty wasn’t to be doubted. He always could trust Saul, but recent events cast a shadow over his credibility.

Claudia had already lied to him on many occasions, giving him the impression she had more to hide. Marcus Tiberius remained silent for a long time, pondering what to do. Then, he decided to at least listen carefully to Saul, this time trying to sense any sign of lies. If he found a hint of lying, he wouldn’t trust Saul anymore, and he would send him back to his son’s house, not caring about his fate nor the deal.

“Start from the beginning. I will listen to you, and then I will decide whether I will believe what you say or not. Be sure you tell me the truth because this is your last chance. There won’t be another one.” He asked, what is going on between Flavius, Claudia and you?”

“He is my Master. I obey his orders, and if sometimes he wants to spend the night with me, I have no way to deny him.”

“So, you are your Master’s lover? Do you have feelings for him?”

“I…don’t know exactly what I feel for him,” Saul whispered. “I…maybe, I love him too. I don’t even know what love is anymore. Can a slave love his Master, as Nara says?”

Marcus Tiberius smiled at the clumsy explanation. He found it cute, and maybe Saul was, in a strange way, in love with Flavius. “Did you know this was upsetting Claudia?”

“She was upset with me since the beginning, since before your son shared his nights with me. I tried to advise him to treat her in a more considerate way. The problem is that they are not meant to be together. He will never be able to love her the way she wants,” Saul shook his head.

“I know that. I was more focused on securing my son a social position without considering his compatibility with the future bride. Is it in any way true that you overshadowed her with her guests?”

“I tried my best not to, but then Mistress Flaminia asked for me during her visits, or her guests asked me to sing. I obeyed the orders given; I swear to God. I've never tried to overshadow her. If I did so, it wasn't something I meant to do,” Saul pleaded.

“I know how charming you might be, but this gives just pride to your Master. Have you ever apologized for your behavior to Claudia?”

“I tried everything to please her, to not cause her wrath, but I failed, Master. That’s why she punished me. Please, Master, don’t tell her anything about this confession, and don’t take any action against her.”

“What exactly happened that night?” Marcus Tiberius pursued.

Saul sighed, trying to recollect his memories, then blurted it out. “I was sleeping, and everything was quiet when she woke me up. As I opened my eyes, I realized the presence of two other men. Their faces were covered, so I could not recognize them. They kept me held down to my bed, unable to move. She said I was an annoying presence in her life, that I was stealing everything that belonged to her: the attention and love of her husband; that I intruded between her guests and her. Afterward, she said that the time had come to bring me to the place where I belonged and asked me if I knew what happened when a tool becomes useless. It was then I realized she had in mind more than lashing me. I replied that it would be thrown away. She replied that it was exactly what would happen to me, warning me not to say a word to anybody or the consequences would be much worse. The last thing I saw was the shining blade of the knife that blinded me. The rest you know already.”

Marcus Tiberius thought about what he should do. He was sure about Saul’s sincerity; he could feel that he was telling him the truth.

He was again the trustworthy slave he used to know, however, his sincerity made things more complicated because he must bring Claudia to justice for ruining something that didn’t belong to her. It was a shared property between Marcus Tiberius and Flavius. At that moment, telling the truth to his son when he returns wasn’t a good idea.

What to do?

“Saul, you understand that even though she did something wrong, she won’t find any punishment by law, as you are nothing but property. I know that when Claudia forbade you to talk about what happened, she meant with Flavius, as I can imagine he would be furious with her. He is fond of you.

“I am as well, and I believe that she should be punished, but Flavius has a more impulsive temper, and I fear his reaction when he finds out. As you wisely said, the knowledge or the revenge won’t give your sight back, so I suggest never telling Flavius what happened. I will find a way to keep you with me, as far as possible from Claudia. More, I can’t possibly do. I hope you understand,” Marcus Tiberius said, holding his shoulders.

Chapter 19.

Bitterness gnawed on Saul’s guts—bitterness that he could be subjected to cruel treatment without any boundaries, without any law to protect him. A lowly slave, a nobody.

Until now, he had accepted his slavery far from the life promised to him since his birth, as his Masters were fair and treated him with care. Now that he had experienced both sides of the medal, he found himself trapped in a dream that had become a nightmare, one from which there was no escape. His eyes filled up with tears, as hopeless loneliness overwhelmed him.

Marcus Tiberius held him in his arms as soon as he saw the tears dripping through the bandages. He couldn’t find the right words, so kept him to his chest, caressing his hair as tears fell from his own eyes.

As Marcus Tiberius held him like that, Saul felt like he was back in his childhood when his father had held him. He sensed his Master’s hug coming from the heart. He could not see his face, but he knew what was in his heart.

Saul hugged Marcus Tiberius, letting the warmth of his body and the slow movement of his hand on his hair soothe his senses and soul. The nightmare turned back into the dream it used to be, a quiet slumber, where he was still a property, but his owner took good care of his body and soul. There was no hate or disdain, just appreciation.

Marcus Tiberius cradled him to his chest. He needed Saul to understand that even if there wouldn’t be any justice for a slave like him, his master was at his side, and would be for the rest of his life. Marcus Tiberius was confident that his son, Flavius, would have taken good care of him, regardless of Claudia’s threat.

“I’m not letting you down, Saul,” he whispered his breathing uneven.

“I know that, Master. I should have trusted you as I always did.”

“Don’t think about it anymore. It's over. You're safe, and I am your only Master, as it should have been since the beginning.”

Marcus Tiberius parted from him and kissed his forehead. “This will be a new beginning. I won’t make the same mistake again.” He caressed his hair. “And you never lie to me again.”

“Yes, Master,” Saul assured him.

Marcus Tiberius smiled at him. “Well, it is time to take these bandages off. Let’s go see Rufus; he will take care of you. After that, you are not going to rest, as I will find a way to use your services. Consider it a way to remind you not to misbehave in the future.”

The two men arrived at Flavius’ house in the early morning. As soon as they dropped Flavius off the horse, they galloped away.

Flavius lay in the dirt, blindfolded and bound. He did not know where he was. From the voices of the merchants who had their stalls on the same road where he lived, the paved ground and the smell of food coming from the bakery, he knew he was in Rome.

He heard slow footsteps approaching, then run in his direction. Dust salted his skin as someone knelt beside him.

“Master, is that you?” Julius asked. He was returning home after spending the night in his ambulatory.

“Julius, untie my hands and take off this blindfold.”

Julius obeyed. “What happened to you, Master? Are you hurt?” He helped Flavius to stand.

“I am fine.” Flavius ran to open the heavy door of his house.

Julius looked around. “Master, where are Dionysius, Lukos, and Leandros? Why aren’t they with you?” he asked.

Flavius hesitated at the door and slowly turned his head to look into Julius’ eyes.

“I’m sorry; they won’t return.” He lowered his gaze.

“Welcome home, Master. We all missed you,” Julius replied in a lower tone of voice.

Flavius nodded as he walked inside the house. He looked around to greet all the familiar things of his life, that made him feel home, safe.

He walked absentmindedly with thousands of thoughts bouncing in his mind until he reached the garden. There Claudia sat on a bench; her head bent over her embroidery. He smiled at the image and walked toward her.

She raised her eyes and dropped her work on the grass, then ran to him, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.

“Flavius!” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. “The gods listened to my prayers. I was so worried about you.”

He remained immobile for a few seconds then felt warm drops on his cheeks. He was free, back to his family, safe and alive. He clutched Claudia to him. She was part of the dear freedom he had missed so much. He wanted to fuse his heart to hers, to be one.

“I missed you so much. I was so scared I wasn’t going to return home.” he cried between the tears.

“You’re back now, everything will be better.” She parted from him to gaze into his eyes, happy to see the emotion she had wanted from him for so long. Once he was rid of his useless slave, her life would be perfect.

He smiled at her, feeling foolish for crying like a child, then took control of himself. He was ready to pick up his life from where he’d left it.

Claudia’s hand stroked the growth of beard on his cheek. “I was afraid they wouldn’t keep their word and bring you back. Well, let’s not think about it anymore. It is over. What happened to the slaves traveling with you?”

He shook his head. “They were killed, he said sourly.

“Never mind them, Flavius. What is important is that you are back unharmed. A slave can be replaced. You are the only person I care for.”

He smiled bitterly, remembering her attitude toward the slaves and shook his head. “How did my father and my mother take the news of me missing?” he asked.

“Your mother probably does not know anything about it. I told only your father. I would have rather avoided that too; I wanted to take care of the situation by myself without involving anyone. I was afraid and couldn’t find the right way to tell it, but the gods were of the opposite idea and after the accident…I had to tell your father,” she said.

He looked at her, puzzled, then shook his head as if to cast away a thought. “I should let him know I am back.”. He looked around. “Where is Saul? Is he in my room working on the accounting?”

She started to feel nervous, clenching the soft tissue of her clothing in her fists. “Saul is not here. He is at your father’s house,” she replied. She wasn’t sure whether she should say what happened to him or not.

“Oh, did he need his services?”

“I…Flavius, there is something you need to know, but I really don’t know how to say it,” she murmured.

Flavius grabbed her by the shoulders. “What do you mean? What happened to Saul?”

She struggled and pulled out of his grip. “You are hurting me!” she yelled. “Saul was assaulted by intruders that got into this house at nighttime. I had no time to understand from him what happened, and your father took him to his house, claiming that the deal between you two was over. I don’t know anymore,” she said, turning her back to him.

He turned her, forcing her to meet his eyes. “What are you saying? What did they do to him? Why does my father claim that the deal is off? The deal clearly stipulated that if Saul was mistreated, he would be given back to him. If he wasn’t mistreated, why would my father take him away? What have you done?” He shook her, all tenderness gone.

“Let me go. You're hurting me!” Claudia cried disconsolate.

He let her go, hoping for a reasonable explanation.

“I haven’t done anything to him. I don’t know why your father said that. I don’t even remember the deal, and moreover, I had something more important to take care of than wasting my time on a slave. Why don’t you go get it back if you need him that much?”

He looked at her flushed face, and the hurt reflected there. Realizing he had been too tough on her, he apologized. After all, he owed her his freedom. “I'm sorry. I still feel bewildered about everything. I shouldn’t have yelled at you, and I unfairly accused you of something you haven’t even done. Please, Claudia, forgive me.”

She visibly relaxed. “I was unsure of how to tell you what happened during your absence. Things have not been easy. I am really sorry for Saul. I know what you think and partly it is true; I have been jealous of his relationship with you; however, I would never do anything to hurt him, just like I haven't harmed any of the other slaves. My opinions about them are unchanged, but this does not mean that I would be able to harm any of them,” she said, trying to justify her behavior.

Flavius hugged her. He wanted to know about Saul’s accident, but he was sure that by asking his father, he might obtain more information.

“Please let’s forget this. I will go to see my father. He needs to know that I’ve returned, and I'm alive and well. At the same time, I will get Saul and bring him back. I need him to help me over the next days, so if my father insists on keeping him, I will need at least to borrow his services.”

“Why don’t you rest for today and go to your father tomorrow? One day won’t make any difference. Moreover, you might want to relax taking a bath.” She caressed his face.

“No, I'll go now. I won’t be there for long. I'll be back soon,” Flavius assured her before heading for the door.

As he walked to his parents’ house, he didn’t know what to expect; he had no details of what happened to Saul. The accident, as Claudia called it, must have been serious if his father had taken Saul back. Why would he think Saul was mistreated if he had been assaulted by strangers?

He hesitated at his father’s door before knocking. His heart raced in his chest. He couldn’t wait to embrace his family again.

When a slave answered the door, he smiled at her. “Good to see you, Nana. Is my father home?”

“He will be glad to see you, Master. He is in his room with Saul,” she said, guiding him to her Marcus Tiberius’ working room.

She opened the heavy curtain which divided the room from the rest of the house.

Marcus Tiberius sat at a table, focused on a document while Saul stood in front of him, with his head lowered as if he had disappointed Marcus Tiberius and awaited punishment.

Saul’s beauty was more stunning than Flavius remembered. His hair was gathered by ribbons, but something in his posture seemed odd.

His father looked as if he was worried, his eyebrows wrinkled.

From the entry, he said, “Good morning, Father.”

Marcus Tiberius’ eyebrows rose, and his eyes widened.

He slowly stood. “Flavius, you are…” he strode to hug him. “I was worried. When Saul told me you were missing, I thought my life was ending. What happened to you?”

“Everything happened so fast, I grasp all of it. What I can recall is that it was late evening and I decided to spend the night in a tavern. Suddenly, I heard the horses of my slaves traveling behind me get nervous. As I turned to check what happened, I saw two of them on the ground dead, killed by arrows. I turned to Lukos and saw a man pointing a knife at his throat. Lukos shouted for me to run away, but I was grabbed by another man. I was held hostage for two weeks. They told me they were going to ask for ransom money from my family, and if they did not pay, they would have killed me.”

“Who were they? How did they know who you were?” Marcus Tiberius asked.

“That is something I couldn’t understand. I tried to ask but got no answer. It was impossible to recognize them as they were covered by scarves and long coats all the time. Maybe they were following me since the beginning, waiting for the right moment…

“What I do not understand is why? I really can’t believe that they followed me only for the sake of money. Were they following me since I left Rome? How could they know about my departure? Too many things don’t fit. I know I should not think about it and try to forget what happened, but I want to know who did it and why.”

Saul didn’t move from his position. He kept his head down and wept silently for the death of the three slaves. At the same time, joy filled him at the sound of Flavius’ voice. He also felt terrified about what his Master’s reaction would be to his blindness.

Flavius turned his eyes to Saul, wondering about his behavior. He was sure he would have run to him.

He was sure he had been missing him.

As he walked to him, he realized Saul was crying. “Saul, what’s wrong?” he asked, but his lover didn’t reply.

Flavius caressed his cheek and gently raised his head.

When he saw the brightness of his slave’s eyes was replaced by a misty shade, he realized that something more frightening than he ever could have imagined had happened.

“Your eyes?” he asked.

“Master…I,” he broke into a desperate cry.

Marcus Tiberius touched his son’s arm. “Flavius, this is another issue. Saul was assaulted by strangers intruding during the nighttime into your house. He has been blinded, and there’s nothing we can do about it. The reason I brought him here is that if a Master cannot protect his belonging, it is tantamount to mistreating it,” he said.

Flavius quit listening after the words that Saul would be blind forever. He enfolded Saul in his arms,

“Master, I'm sorry,” he wept in his ear.

“I’m not going to let you down, remember? You are more than a slave to me. Since we were children, I considered you a friend. Did you forget our deal?”

“I haven’t forgotten that…Flavius,” he muttered.

Flavius parted from him, then cradled Saul’s face between his hands and kissed his lips.

“I shall die searching for the hand which blinded you, and I won’t find peace until I have ripped it away from its body. This is an offense, not just to you but also to my father and me. I’ll have my revenge.” he said, turning to glare at Marcus Tiberius.

“Flavius, revenge won’t bring Saul’s sight back. What kind of justice will we ever find? You are a man of law; you know better than me that, for a property like a slave, there isn’t any justice that will quench your thirst of revenge. Don’t seek for troubles from which you won’t easily find a way out,” Marcus Tiberius warned.

“So, you are suggesting I forget what has happened to my slave? I needed him in many ways, and now that he is ruined, some of his services are no longer available to me. He is also the most trusted friend I have. He is the only person who has ever understood me, the one who has always been by my side.” Flavius raised his voice. “No, Father, I am not going to turn my back on the one who never turned his back on me.”

“Master, please, listen to your father. It’s not worth it,” Saul urged.

Flavius looked at them, not understanding why neither of them was interested in knowing the truth, or in having justice. “Is there something I should know?”

“Why do you say that?” Marcus Tiberius asked,

“Because it sounds as if you are trying to protect someone. Am I wrong?”

“Yes, Flavius. There is no conspiracy. Before you make any decisions, you might consider taking the time to think about it,” Marcus Tiberius suggested. “If you cannot think clearly and calmly, you might lose touch with reality. You might find justice only when you start to think without rage or hatred. Do you understand what I mean?”

Flavius thought carefully. He was right, even if what happened to Saul deserved justice. “I’ll do what you suggest. Maybe I do not see things clearly. Explain something to me; our deal stated that you would take Saul back only if he were mistreated. Why did you take him? What happened to Saul was a terrible accident beyond mine or Claudia’s will.”

“Flavius, I took him away for two reasons. If a Master cannot ensure protection to his belongings, it means that he does not care enough, and from my point of view, this is also a way of mistreating a slave. Moreover, Claudia had hard times, and taking care of a blind slave would have been too much.”

“I see. Well, I was not home at that time, and I think you are unfair to me when you say that I wasn’t able to protect Saul. That was beyond my control. I agree that Claudia hadn’t the ability to take care of him in that particular situation. What I want now is to take Saul back with me,” Flavius pursued.

Marcus Tiberius looked at Saul, not sure if he should agree to that, but the emptiness in Saul’s eyes could not express what was in his mind. “Let him stay here for a few days while he is still under Rufus’ care, then you will have him back.”

Marcus Tiberius needed time to talk in private with Saul, to think about what to do. He thought that once again, Saul’s wisdom would help him to make the right decision.

“So it shall be. I will come to see Saul every day, if you agree.”

“You are always welcome in my house. This is your house too, Flavius. Remember that,” Marcus Tiberius said.

Flavius walked to Saul and took his hands in his own. “I shall return tomorrow, Saul. I don’t mind that you can’t see. I need your advice, your loyalty, and friendship.”

Saul smiled weakly. “Thank you, Master.”

As he walked the streets, Flavius realized he needed more time alone to think. The fresh air would help him to think clearly.

He had never asked Saul for a specific task in his household, but because he wanted his friend always at his side. At least, that had been the original plan.

The period spent with his uncle had changed his points of view, and Saul became more a lover, rather than just a friend. The wife at his side was not the one he wished to have, and yes, sex with a slave was better than with her.

The kidnapping didn’t change my feelings for her; nothing can change that.

He thought then about the strange behavior exhibited by his father and Saul. Well, he understood Saul’s attitude. Yet, since Marcus Tiberius had tried by all means necessary to protect Saul, he should have sought for revenge.

By nature, Flavius was not the kind of person to give up on something without having everything set clear. He needed the truth and, in his profession, he needed to search for justice, if not for Saul, then for himself as someone damaged something he owned, something he considered highly valuable.

His father was right in urging him to take a measured approach, but this wouldn’t stop him from searching for the truth. Who broke into his home and damaged his property; who his kidnappers were, what they really wanted, and how did they know who he was, where he lived, and that he had a wife?

He could not take his mind off those swirling thoughts. Those men knew him very well. Maybe they personally knew him, or perhaps they had been paid by someone who knew him.

Who could they be? The more he pondered it, the more frustrated he became. Answers evaded him.

He needed someone to talk to.

His uncle’s house was far away, but Flavius thought he would listen to him and give good advice. It was the eleventh hour of the day when he arrived at his uncle’s door, hoping not to be rejected.

Titus opened the door.

“Flavius, what brings you here?” he asked, inviting him in.

“I need to talk to you. I am in the middle of a huge problem, and I don’t know how to solve it. I thought maybe you could help me.”

“Of course, please follow me. I'll order something to eat and some wine; we will talk more comfortably.” Titus called someone. “What happened to you? You look like a beggar.”

“It’s a long story. May I stay for the night? We might be late talking, and I’d rather not return home too late. You might send one of your slaves to inform my wife,” he proposed.

“You are welcome to spend the night, and I will send someone to tell your wife. Please, make yourself comfortable and tell me what your problem is.”

Flavius started to tell the entire story from the beginning; from his departure to his kidnapping and to Saul’s accident, trying not to leave any detail untold.

Titus listened to him as to a fairy tale; he could not believe something like that could happen to a person like his nephew. He wasn’t a politician or someone who would have many enemies. He couldn’t see any reason for someone to plot against him.

“That is the strangest story I’ve ever heard. If you weren’t the one telling me, I would have thought it was a lie. I'm sorry for your slave, but if you used him mostly for your pleasure, his blindness shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Saul is not just a slave I use for my pleasure. He is a trusted friend and a wise advisor. In his eyes, once the flame of life burned bright, but now they are lifeless. I loved them, and I loved the way he looked at me. I can’t tell you my bitterness, but this accident is something I will think about later. I need your advice about my kidnapping” Flavius let himself comfortable on a couch.

Titus sipped his wine, taking time to think about it. “Maybe the two events are connected.”

“What?”

“What if someone wanted to hit you right where it hurts most? If I were someone who wanted revenge against you, for whatever reason, I would choose the way to hurt you deep in your heart.” Titus said standing up from the couch and pacing the room. “Certainly, I could kill your entire family, but in that situation, if I were caught, I would probably be exiled or worse, which would not be my goal. My goal would be to hit you in your heart without any consequences.”

Flavius listened to him open-mouthed and didn’t dare interrupting his uncle.

“Now, if I knew you as well as I do,” Titus continued, “the best way would be to permanently damage your precious slave, the one you love, making him useless. In that way, I would make you understand that I know where to hit you; therefore, next time you won’t cross my road again.”

Flavius gasped.

Titus grabbed the cup with wine, and walked to the door, opened to the garden.

“To do this, I would need you to be away from Rome long enough to arrange everything. During one of your trips, I would set up a kidnapping to keep you from home; in the meantime, I would take care of your slave. How does that sound?” he asked.

Flavius listened, terrified by what Titus said. His hypothesis made sense. Too much, maybe.

“I haven’t thought about that possibility, but still, something doesn’t fit. Who could hate me so much? I have no enemies. I've never crossed anyone’s path,” he said, trying to think of all the people he knew, to identify any who might have something against him.

“On this, I can’t much help, but it might be someone you crossed without knowing it. It might be somebody who thought you hadn't done a good job. Does someone come into your mind in this sense?” Titus wondered.

Flavius shook his head. “No, nothing comes to mind, but if the person responsible is someone I didn’t realize I wronged…”

“Some old friend who might have been jealous of you? Someone who wanted Saul, but since it was your slave, he decided to get revenge by ruining him? Could it be someone who wanted instead to hurt Saul and needed you to be away? Does your slave have enemies?”

“No, that is impossible. Saul can’t possibly have enemies, and what’s more, he said that he couldn’t recognize any of the intruders.”

Titus remained silent, steepling his fingers. “Do you trust him as a sincere person? Did he ever lie to you?”

“No, Saul is not a liar, and my father also believes what he said,” Flavius said firmly as he took another sip of the wine offered.

“That does not prove anything. Saul might have lied to your father as well.”

“No, you don’t know him like I do. If you saw them, you would understand how strong the bond is which binds them together. They are connected, and there is no way Saul can tell him a lie without him knowing it. He tried once and was punished. From that day on, Saul never lied to him about anything. Even when the truth led him to other punishments, he has been totally sincere with my father,” Flavius said.

“Remarkable slave you have, indeed. However, what if your father knows the truth, and he prefers to keep it to himself?” he dared ask.

“Why should he do that?”

“I do not know. Maybe it is better you don’t know the truth; remember that not everything needs to be told.”

Flavius smiled as he heard that. “Uncle Titus, that does not work for me. Do you remember I am a lawyer? I have to seek the truth always.”

“You have to, but what about your father? He is not a lawyer; maybe he thinks that hiding the truth is a way to protect you. I am trying to analyze every possibility, even the stupid ones.”

“I feel like we are spinning around the solution without grabbing it… This is hopeless,” Flavius huffed as a slave came to fill up his cup.

“Bring more food,” Titus ordered.

To Flavius, he said, “You might be right, but I won’t leave the idea that the two events relate to one another. Saul's accident is the reason for your kidnapping, and even if the same people didn’t do it, they were following the orders of a single one. This is my theory, and nothing can take it out of my head,” he said, pointing his finger at his temple.

“What is left to understand is who and why? I believe it will be a long search, but I’m not going to give up. Someone killed three of my best slaves, damaged my favorite one, and kidnapped me. I won’t let this slip away, and when I find the responsible person, he has to hope for the favor of the gods because I will have my revenge,” Flavius hissed.

Titus laughed heartily. “I wish I could be there. I wouldn’t miss your anger for anything in the world. It is something I’ve taught you, and of which I’m proud.”

“Thank you for everything. I feel tired. Maybe it is better if I take a bath and go to sleep.”

“Do you need one of my slaves for the night?” Titus winked.

“Thanks, I can manage without.” Flavius smiled.

“As you please. I just think that a warm bed is far better than a cold one. Oh, sorry, you prefer your Saul, don’t you?”

“Show me your slaves,” Flavius chuckled.

He chose a young girl with the skin like ivory and silky dark hair. Flavius grabbed her hand and guided her to have a bath.

“What's your name?” he asked her.

“My name is Layla, Master,” she replied blushing. She couldn’t have been older than fifteen years, with a face and form comparable to the goddess of flowers and Spring, Flora.

He didn’t think about having sex as he removed her clothes. He needed to hold her warm body against his to find peace of mind from the questions tumbling in his head.

As they reached the bedroom, and she lay beside him, caressing his body, kissing his chest, he could not avoid caressing her body.

Her shallow breathing as passion grew within her aroused him. He took her body for his own pleasure until sated, he lay by her side.

As he closed his eyes, she thought he wanted to sleep the rest of the night by himself, and eased away, trying not to wake him.

He held her gently by the waist. “Where are you going?”.

“I thought you wanted to rest, Master.”

“Rest with me. You pleased my body; now please my soul. Lay with me.”

“Thank you, Master,” she replied, lying down, her body pressed against his as slumber claimed him.

The following morning, after an abundant breakfast, he departed.

“Flavius, keep the details of our discussion secret, as, at the moment, you don’t know who you can trust,” Titus warned.

“I won’t. Thank you again for the hospitality and for the excellent advice,” Flavius waved and walked toward home, determined to pursue the truth— at any cost.

Chapter 20.

That morning, Marcus Tiberius asked that Saul be brought to him.

“You need me, Master?” he asked.

“Saul, I don’t know what to do. I still feel incredibly guilty.”

“Are you talking about Master Flavius?”

“Yes. I hated lying to him. He deserves the truth, but how do I tell him?”

“He will probably find out by himself and I will be punished for having lied to him, but that would be fine; I deserve it. As a slave, I should have told the truth. As a friend and lover, I am not so sure. He trusts me, and it hurts me not being honest with him, as much as it hurts me lying to you. I was just scared of the consequences, and I still am.”

“You don’t need to justify yourself. I gave you an order, and your duty was to obey. As for Flavius, he was no more your Master, so you have nothing to worry about. If he finds out, we should expect his reaction. It won’t be as calm as mine. He spent too much time with my brother, who trained him for the military service, but I am afraid he didn’t teach him the qualities of patience and calm.” Marcus Tiberius combed his fingers through his hair.

“Is your brother a soldier, Master?”

“Not just a soldier, he is a General, one of the most successful in the entire Empire. If he understands that Claudia did this to you with her own hands, I can’t imagine Flavius’ reaction.”

“What do you think would happen if I tell Flavius the truth?” Saul asked.

“Are you going to?”

“I don’t know. Should I be more afraid of Claudia’s threat, or should I fail the Master who protects and takes care of me? Should I disappoint Claudia or me? I am nothing, but Master Flavius is not to be disappointed.”

“He is not your Master,” Marcus Tiberius corrected.

“He claimed me back three years ago; he would do it again. I am only a property, so I am wondering if you are going to have me back as your exclusive property? Will you have good arguments for keeping me? Will Flavius have me back?” Saul asked, looking straight in front of his face.

“I am glad I bought you; you are wise, and the gods speak through your mouth. So it shall be, that if I can have you as my property, then you will do what I order you. If not, your Master will be Flavius, and you will be loyal to him. Saul, you are a gift from the gods, or maybe you are a god yourself.”

Saul blushed and lowered his gaze. “I’m nothing but a slave, and Claudia took away from me any possibility of being freed one day. I'm no god, but I can recognize the people to whom I should be grateful, and the first of these is you, Master,” he said with a sweet smile.

“Rufus mentioned that you might learn to use the other senses to compensate for the lack of sight.”

Saul sighed.

Marcus Tiberius proposed, “I will make sure Cassandra takes care of your needs; I understand she has sympathy for you. She won’t leave you for a second until Rufus affirms you have enough autonomy. If you don’t reach it, Cassandra will be your eyes. I think it makes a good solution to one part of the problem.”

Saul tried to hide the intoxicating happiness he felt at the opportunity to always be with her, “thank you, Master.”

Marcus Tiberius noticed the secret smile he tried to hide and called Cassandra.

She arrived in a hurry, fearing that since she had been with Saul during his punishment, it was her turn.

“Cassandra, Saul will need someone to assist him night and day, someone who can act as his eyes,” he commenced. “You will be that person since I understand that you get along well together. Whatever he needs, you will provide. Do I make myself clear?”

She smiled. “Of course, Master.”

“Very well, you are dismissed. Saul, soon Rufus will be back, and he will take care of you. Follow his instructions and keep yourself within reach, as I might need you,” Marcus Tiberius ordered.

“Yes, Master.”

As they walked toward the garden, Cassandra asked, “so, what’s your need now?”

He smiled. “I need your lips on mine.”

She glanced around to be sure that nobody else was watching and guided Saul to his room, where she complied with his request.

Saul’s accident was the most horrifying thing she could conceive, but it had brought him back to her arms, and she knew he would be safe with Marcus Tiberius. She thanked the gods for that he was in the same house, and by order of her Master, she was to be always at his side, day and night. Cassandra thought that she couldn’t be happier. There was nothing else in the world she could desire, not even her freedom.

As he kissed Cassandra, searching her skin with his hands, something incredible happened, and he understood what his Master said about replacing his sight with other senses. He could not see Cassandra, but somehow, he could read her heart. He could hear her thoughts, the voice of her soul, and he was sure that as he could hear her, he could read the hearts of others. The thoughts dissipated as he concentrated on the softness of her body under his fingertips, seeing it through the touch of her skin.

When Flavius reached home, he felt exhausted by the long walk and the thoughts which would never be revealed until the case was closed. The discussion with Titus was surely enlightening, but at the same time, it opened his mind to many possibilities which needed to be considered.

If it were true that the two events were connected, then he had to pursue the lead of jealousy. This brought to his mind a lot of people, including those who he could not suspect of having a reason to act like that.

He shook his head as rage germinated again from his soul, “whoever did such a cruel thing will pay for that,” he whispered to himself.

He reached his house at the fourth hour of the day. Claudia greeted him at the door, creases of displeasure lining her perfect face, “I thought you were going to get your slave from your father’s house. You told me you would return soon, but only now you come home. What happened?”

“I decided to see Uncle Titus. It has been a long time since I saw him, and I needed to ask him a few questions. He lives far from here, so I had to spend the night there. Didn’t a slave deliver the message to you?”

“Yes. I just wondered why.” She tried to smile. “So, where is your slave? Is he still in your father’s house?”

“He will remain there until his full recovery, and then we will consider whether he will return here or not. It might take some time, but I am not going to give up. I am not responsible for what happened to him, so I can’t understand why he considers our deal over,” Flavius said thoughtfully.

“It sounded strange to me, but I could not oppose him. The deal was between the two of you; I had nothing to do with it.”

“I am going to find out who did that to Saul.”

A scowl marred her features. “Why do you care so much about him? He is only a slave. You can get a better one; one who is useful.”

“Are you suggesting that I give him away now that he is blind, and get a new slave to replace him? Don’t you understand that I want to get the people that ruined him because they damaged my property? And besides, I will not give Saul away; he is my confidant and advisor, not to mention my friend.”

“I always told you that you had a strange taste in friends. You don’t realize that a slave cannot be a friend. It is like pretending to be the friend of a horse. He is there because he has to be, not because he wants to, and he does what you order because if he doesn’t, you will punish him. A slave would do anything.”

“I never punished him, and I still consider him the only one I can trust with my life.”

“Whatever, but I doubt you will ever find out who did this. Those people could already be far from Rome. How could you possibly think to find them? We don’t have any kind of lead on them. None of us saw whoever did this to Saul. Julius and Nara confirmed that he couldn’t see their faces and could not recognize anyone.” she said, caressing the surface of a table.

“But maybe I do have a lead…” he replied.

Her head bolted upward, and she eyed him suspiciously, feeling certain that Saul would never reveal the truth to anyone.

The fear of crueler punishments would have been enough to convince him to keep the secret. However, Flavius’ words aroused fear that he might know something, harbor more than a suspicion.

“What do you mean you have a lead? Is there something I don’t know?” she asked, trying to hide the turmoil swirling inside her.

Flavius’ mouth tightened, and his nostrils flared. “No, but I have some ideas, and I will find out who did that you can be sure of it.”

Claudia’s heart pounded like the hooves of galloping horses. If Flavius found out… everything would be lost. She had to know all his moves, but it was clear he didn’t trust her as much as his worthless slave.

She called for Nara to come to her room.

“You need me, Mistress?” he asked.

“Of course, I need you, idiot. I wouldn’t call you for the pleasure of your annoying presence. I need to know…what do you know about what happened to Saul?” she hissed.

Nara backed up, scared. He had started to have a few suspicions as well. “Mistress, I have absolutely no idea. Saul didn’t remember much of anything about that night, and since he left, I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to him. I am sure that if he remembers something, he will tell us.”

“Well, it seems like I am the one in this house who doesn’t know anything at all. My husband seems to have some ideas about who did it,” she said, biting on her fingernails.

“Having ideas does not mean knowing the truth. Maybe Master Flavius is thinking about who might have had a valid reason.”

“But what has Saul told you? He surely told you something about it,” Claudia insisted.

“He said that he was awakened by some noises. He stood up from the bed to understand what it was, when some people, of whom he could not see their faces, grabbed him. He tried to break free, but in the fight, they managed to harm him,” he replied.

She smiled; he was keeping his silence.

She’d managed to scare him to death. “They should have killed him; it would have been better for everybody,” she said, her pulse settling down to a regular pace.

“A dead bird can’t sing, can he, Mistress?” he asked cunningly.

She turned her gaze on him, and grabbed a vase, then hit him on the top of his head as fragments of the vase fell on the floor. “What do you mean, miserable beast? How dare you use that tone to speak to your Mistress?”

Nara fell to the floor unconscious, just as Flavius came in, attracted by the commotion. “What happened here? What have you done to him?” he yelled, kneeling beside the slave. “Nara, can you hear me? Please wake up.”

She looked at the scene, speechless. That was something she hadn’t meant to do. She stood with the fragment of the vase in her hand, incapable of moving, saying, or thinking; her mind was suddenly blank.

In her heart, she hoped Nara would move from his immobile position. She would have given everything to rewind the past few minutes, to not hit him so badly.

Is he dead? No matter how much Flavius tried to shake him to reanimate him, the boy didn’t move,

The room spun around Claudia until it blurred into darkness. It was like being in a trance, and Nara was there as well.

He was crying.

“I’m sorry,” Claudia whispered.

“Was it you?” Nara asked between sobs.

“What?”

“You did that to Saul. That's why you got so angry when I said that, but I really meant to say something else. I didn’t mean I knew it was you.”

“Yes, it was me. I don’t expect you to understand, but I had to. What I didn’t mean was hurting you the way I did,” she said.

He wiped his eyes and tried to smile. “I know, Mistress. Don’t you worry, everything will be fine. I’m not dead. Master Flavius is calling me, but I can’t open my eyes.”

She looked at him. “I can’t hear him.”

“Please, Mistress, tell me why you did that to him.”

“Am I the only one who could see what he was doing? He took everything from me. My husband prefers to spend his days and nights with him, my guests ignore me when he is around. Even Flaminia asks for him when she visits me. It feels as if I am the slave and he is the Master of this house. I needed to do something to make Flavius get rid of him. The best option was making him useless.”

Nara’s brow furrowed, “Why didn’t you kill him? It would have been easier, and he would not have bothered you anymore, and you wouldn’t fear him telling the truth.”

“Because I wanted him to suffer as much as possible. I’ve hated him since the first time I saw him at the engagement party. You are right, I should have killed him.”

“I know Saul, and he hasn’t tried to do anything against you.”

Claudia shook her head, nobody seemed to understand her frustration. There was nothing she could say that could make things change.

“Are you going to tell the truth to Flavius?”

“No, Mistress. You will. Now, forgive me. I have to go. Julius has arrived.” He disappeared then a shroud of darkness surrounded her.

“Nara.”

“Julius… what…?” he said, opening his eyes.

“What happened? How do you feel, son?”

“I-I…my head is exploding,” Nara replied, trying to rise to a sitting position on the floor.

“Come, I will bring you to your bed and take a look at you.” Julius helped Nara to stand. “Can you walk?”

“I guess so,” Nara took a few hesitant steps. “Master, it was an accident, really. She didn’t mean to hurt me.”

Flavius pursed his mouth as he knelt beside Claudia. “We’ll see about that. These things should never happen.”

“Claudia, please open your eyes.” Flavius patted her cheek.

When she opened her eyes and looked at him, she blurted, “I’m sorry.”

“It's fine now. Nara is with Julius. I don’t think there will be serious consequences.” He said, trying to talk with a gentle tone. “You must treat your slaves more fairly, or one day they won’t serve you anymore, and then what will you do if you have rebellious slaves in your house? Will you kill them all? Why spend money to buy good slaves if you have to kill them?”

“I-I don’t know.” she wept.

He sighed and held her to his chest. Maybe Saul was right, and the reason for her cruel behavior was because he didn’t care about her.

What can I do? I can’t stand her selfishness and ill-temper.

She was always cruel to her slaves; therefore, his behavior couldn’t be the reason for her attitude. There must be more to it that, something deep in her nature. He was forced into a marriage he didn’t ask for. Sure, the advantages for his career were not to be underestimated, but he would rather accept a more modest life, with a wife he would have liked at his side.

Flavius parted from her. “Let’s not talk about it. Promise me you won’t mistreat your slaves anymore.”

She nodded, and he kissed her forehead, then stood, extending a hand to help her up. He returned to his working room while she strolled to the garden, where she sat alone in silence. She thought again about the strange dream while she was unconscious.

Was it actually a dream, or was it true that she confessed everything to Nara? What did he mean when he said that she would tell Flavius everything?

That is impossible. I will never confess. I will do whatever is in my power to prevent Flavius from finding out the truth, even if I have to kill Saul.

Being ignored because of Flavius’ job was easier to accept than being put aside because of a slave. Nights without him, because he worked over his desk, was acceptable; wrapped in Saul’s arms was not.

She walked to the slaves’ rooms, where she found Julius and Nara.

“How is he?” she asked with concern in her voice.

“I think he will be fine soon. He just needs rest now,” Julius replied, standing up.

Claudia ordered, “Leave us alone,” and sat on Nara’s bed, caressing his hair. She spoke to the sleeping slave, “I don’t know what happened; I don’t even know if I really spoke to you when I was unconscious but, trust me, I won’t ever say anything. I am sorry for what I did to you. I hope you will feel better after a good sleep.”

She touched his face and kissed his lips. “You are truly beautiful, Nara. More than Saul.”

The sun was setting, and a golden light shone upon the trees, statues, and the water of the fountains, before disappearing into the darkness. Soon it would be time for dinner, so she went to Flavius’ room.

“Are we dining together?” She asked from the doorway, hesitant.

He looked up. “Of course. Have you ordered it to be served?”

“First, I wanted to know if you were ready to come.”

Flavius nodded and stood up from the chair, offering her his arm as he approached her.

As the days passed, Saul realized what Rufus meant by using the other senses to see. His hands became the most trustful tool to recognize faces and surfaces.

From touch, he saw in his mind the exact shape and characteristics of objects. His ears perceived the state of mind of the person speaking as if he could see their expression. From the subtle nuances in the tone of voice, he detected when someone was lying or was suppressing agitation, anger, excitement, happiness or sorrow,

He learned to use a stick to decide which direction to move in, and he memorized every corner of the house.

Cassandra’s help was needed for many things: taking care of his toilette, eating, or the food by himself. For the rest, he was satisfied and amazed with the small achievements he made every day in his new life.

He missed that he could not read or write, nor work as a translator for his Master.

As his role of confidant and advisor to Marcus Tiberius grew, new tasks were created.

Saul’s Master trusted his capability of reading the soul of people and brought him to every meeting to discern if they were in the presence of a liar.

The person who benefitted the most from this new condition of life was Saul himself. After the initial depression and hopelessness passed, he realized that his lack of sight meant not being distracted by the bias of the public face that people show. He could focus solely on the vision of the speaker’s soul. Claudia had given him not a punishment but a gift.

Early one afternoon, as Saul and Cassandra sat on the grass in the garden, he said, “I hope these days in Marcus Tiberius’ house won’t ever end. It would be painful to leave you, Cassandra.”

She held his hand in hers. “I know. Do you think Flavius will be able to take you away?”

“No idea, but he won’t give up without a fight.”

“It seems that you are the most desired of the slaves, at least for Marcus Tiberius and Flavius.”

“In totally different ways, though. What about you?”

“I don’t desire you; I love you,” Cassandra corrected.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Marcus Tiberius wants me for the services I can give to him and because no other person in this world feels the same connection with his soul. Flavius wants me as a friend and lover. The needs are different, but they converge to the same result. They both want me for themselves, unwilling to share, and this isn’t good. A slave needs only one Master.”

“You talk too much,” she complained and reached his lips with hers.

Everybody in the household knew they liked each other. Marcus Tiberius and Flaminia encouraged them as their relationship helped Saul to accept his condition and focus again on serving his Masters.

Life stabilized until one spring morning when Flavius came, as usual, to check on his slave’s condition.

Watching Saul and Cassandra in the garden, he said, “I can see that Saul is making great progress, Father.”

“Yes, he has managed the situation in a superb way.”

“So, it is time to get him back where he belongs, to serve me.” Flavius’ expression darkened ready to fight for his precious slave.

“Try not to be so hasty in your decision, son. From my point of view, Saul has been mistreated in your house, so no deal anymore,” Marcus Tiberius replied, trying to buy more time.

“I wasn’t mistreating him, nor was Claudia. If there is something I should know, then tell me. Stop saying that he had been mistreated,” Flavius said, raising the tone of his voice to overwhelm the one of his father.

His father’s jaw clenched, then he spoke in low, measured words, “I am not going to tolerate this tone from you. I am still your father; don’t forget that. If a Master cannot provide the necessary safety for his properties, it means he does not care about them.” His voice rose an octave. “You were not caring for your family when you left without ensuring that no one could enter the house uninvited. You were not a responsible Master when you left your slaves undefended, and you were not a conscientious husband, either. What if, instead of Saul, they had harmed Claudia?” Marcus Tiberius hissed.

Flavius lowered his gaze. His father was right about that. But how could I ever imagine that something like that would happen?

“Father, forgive me, please, but I hadn’t meant for anything like that to happen. Not to my wife or to any of my slaves, or any other property in that house. I was sure I had taken all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the people living in my household. I need Saul.”

“Who’s going to take care of him? Here, Cassandra is following his every step because he cannot manage everything on his own. He still, and forever, will need assistance with bathing, eating, and a few other issues. Who is going to do this?”

“Nara will. He has always been there whenever Saul needed something,” Flavius reassured.

“Can he be as good as Cassandra from your point of view? It might be that I am becoming old, but seeing Saul with Cassandra opens my heart. They like each other. If you mean the best for Saul and you are his friend as you always claimed, then behave as such and leave him here with her,” he said, playing his last card.

“I want him for me. Can’t you understand how my life with Claudia is? I hate her. I need someone at my side. I need Saul.” His plea escalated to anger. “If this means that I have to take Cassandra too, then she is coming with us, but Saul comes with me today!”

Marcus Tiberius toughened his expression. He strode to his son, and slapped him, the smack resounding in the room. “Get out of my house and don’t come back until you have learned to respect me. Go!”

“I am not leaving without Saul.” He stood firm.

Marcus Tiberius left the room and called for Saul, who came quickly, having foreseen the storm between father and son.

“You called me, Master?” Saul asked.

Flavius looked at Saul then his father; he didn’t want to give up his slave, especially because he couldn’t understand the reason his father had claimed him back.

“I haven’t mistreated my slave. I haven’t done anything wrong to him. On the contrary, I am going to find out who dared to ruin him,” Flavius insisted.

“Your voice is trembling, Master. Is there something you fear? Are you sure I have been ruined? I can now see better into the hearts of men. I don’t consider myself ruined,” Saul replied, turning his head in the direction of Flavius’ voice.

Marcus Tiberius’ heart thumped harder. Saul’s calm confidence made him uncomfortable.

Flavius exhaled and the creases on his forehead relaxed as he smiled.

“There is something you are hiding from me, and I will find it out. You cannot claim that I have mistreated Saul. I indeed left my house undefended, but this doesn’t mean that I intentionally harmed any of the people in my household. Why can’t I get Saul back? What is the real reason?” Flavius pursued.

“Master, there is nothing we are hiding from you, but you do not see things in perspective. You are blinded by anger. Try not to fall into easy revenge. It won’t lead where you want to go.”

Flavius looked down and nodded. “Are you trying to tell me something? Father, why do I have the impression there is something I should know, but you don’t want to say?”

“Why do you think that?” Marcus Tiberius asked, fearing that Flavius had begun to suspect something.

“I don’t know. Saul, are you sure you told me everything about your accident?”

Marcus Tiberius, calmer now, said, “Seems like you already have your own idea, so tell me what it is because I really can’t say.”

With a nod, Flavius presented his theory. “It is true. I talked to Uncle Titus. He thinks that whoever ruined Saul wanted revenge for something I did. In this optic, my kidnapping would make more sense than the mere money request. Whoever is behind the accident is also behind my kidnapping. He needed more time than the period I was supposed to spend on my journey. He would have been someone who knew that Saul couldn’t join me.”

Saul struggled to keep calm as he thought about Dionysius, Lukos, and Leandros. What was their fault? Why did they have to kill them? She knew Flavius’ kidnapping would also make Marcus Tiberius suffer. Despite all his efforts, he could not prevent his eyes from filling with tears of pure pain.

“Is something wrong, Saul?” Flavius asked.

“I can’t believe that someone is willing to do anything t to teach you a lesson. I can’t believe there is someone eager to kill anyone who crossed his path…” Saul cried.

“Flavius, I was not ready for such a possibility, but what you are saying makes sense. Yet, you can’t be sure that this is what happened. If you want to find the truth, you have to consider and investigate all the possibilities,” Marcus Tiberius said. It was difficult to believe that Claudia could contrive such a cruel yet elaborate plot—for the thirst of revenge, for jealousy of a slave. How could she plan the kidnapping of her own husband, the man who granted her a safe and comfortable life?

This is insane. Marcus Tiberius wiped his forehead with his hand.

Now, more than ever, he could not let Saul return to that house. His life would be in danger, and he wasn’t certain whether Flavius would be able to protect himself or Saul from such a cold-blooded assassin.

He wasn’t sure he wanted his son to go back, but how could he tell him the truth? How could he warn him about the danger sleeping beside him every night without raising his suspicion or telling him the truth?

Saul asked, “Master, may I be dismissed? I suppose you would like to talk in private.”

“Of course, Saul, you may go,” Marcus Tiberius replied absentmindedly.

Flavius hugged him, then guided him out of the room.

Chapter 21.

Cassandra led Saul away. “What happened in there?”

“Flavius came to claim me back. I am not sure if he wants me because he needs my services, or if he misses me in his bed. He looked confused.”

“I expect it is normal to feel baffled after being kidnapped without any apparent reason, then coming home to find his favorite slave ruined by intruders. Maybe he also feels guilty; if he hadn’t been away, none of this would have happened. Don’t be too severe in judging him,” Cassandra tried to reason.

Saul considered the entire situation. “You might be right, but I am expecting my Master to be a strong leader. Well, he will have time to regain himself before Marcus Tiberius allows me to go back to him.”

“There is something more, isn’t there?” Cassandra asked.

“Yes. Flavius figured out an interesting theory, and if it turns out to be true, then Claudia could be more dangerous than we imagined, and her threats are even scarier.” Saul updated her on the theory Flavius had proposed.

Concerned, Cassandra said, “Who knew better than Claudia? She knew when Flavius was due back. She was jealous. This was a way to warn him that he should have given more importance to his wife than to a slave. Great Juno! This means that not only are you in danger if you go back to that house, Flavius is too.”

“Exactly what I thought, and I believe Marcus Tiberius has the same fear. I asked to be dismissed because I was thinking about the three slaves who had been assassinated during his kidnapping. They were young, strong, educated, and highly valued. Slaughtered like animals, left to rot in the dirt… I knew them all.” His breath caught as tears choked him.

Cassandra held him to her as she wept with him. She had no words to console his grief, nothing to say that would bring back those slaves, nothing that would help.

Saul parted from her. “What should I do? I can’t just tell him everything. I fear her threat.”

“She can’t reach you while you are here. Now you have the opportunity to do the right thing, but no one would blame you for defending yourself. I won't, and I am going to be with you forever, whether you are with Flavius or not.” She tried to smile.

He relaxed his expression. “I know and will think about it. There is no reason that can convince me to leave this house, and I know I have time before Flavius will take me back to his home.”

“Meanwhile, I will do my best to make you happy.” She pulled him toward her.

“Then we should move to a more private place.” He held her body against his. “I don’t think our Masters will need us. Marcus Tiberius is busy with Flavius, and Flaminia is out with a couple of friends at the Thermae. And you definitely need to be taken care of,” she giggled, guiding him to the bedroom.

Marcus Tiberius sighed and looked at his son.

“Father, how do we solve the situation?” Flavius asked,

breaking the grave-like silence between them since Saul left.

“I understand that you want to have him back. If the two events are connected, then whoever is responsible might take further actions against you or Saul,” Marcus Tiberius warned his son.

“So, you are suggesting that I should solve who was behind it before bringing Saul back? That might make sense, but I am still far from solving the entire mystery. I can’t even be sure this theory is the right one.”

“No matter whether it is true or not, why take the risk?”

“So it shall be, but please. If Saul remembers something, whatever it might be, don’t keep it to yourself. Please help me solve this case. I probably won’t do it on my own.”

Marcus Tiberius touched his son’s shoulder and smiled cordially. “You are my son, the most precious gift the gods allowed me, and I would do anything to help you; you should know that. I will try to reconstruct with Saul what happened that night or on previous days that might help. Be careful, though, sometimes, finding what you are searching for is not a solution to the problem.”

Flavius looked at him, puzzled. “I am not sure I understand what you mean, but thank you for your help, or at least for trying to help.

“It’s time for me to return to my wife. She does not like me being away. I think she missed me,” he said as he exited the room.

Flaminia arrived at the same moment as he was leaving. “Flavius, I didn’t know you were coming. I would have remained home to spend time with you.”

“Tomorrow, mother. I shall return every day until I can bring Saul home with me.”

“Why can’t you have him right away?” she asked.

Flavius looked at his father; he thought she knew everything about what had happened.

“Well, sweetheart, I believe that a Master should be able to avoid any accident to his properties, so I am keeping him until I know what happened that night,” Marcus Tiberius replied.

“You will always fight over Saul, won’t you?” she said, shaking her head.

Flavius laughed as he waved goodbye. “Maybe this is what the gods want for us.”

“Marcus Tiberius, I have a strange feeling that there is something more than a simple deal that keeps you from giving Saul back to Flavius. What is it?”

“It is a long story. Maybe it is better if you know what transpired. I’m sorry I have kept the truth from you, but it was for the best,” Marcus commenced as he mulled over how much he would tell her of what had happened. “Come sit with me in the garden and I will tell you.”

Once ensconced side by side on the bench, Marcus Tiberius took her hand in his. “The day after the accident, Saul came here escorted by another slave. He told me about people intruding in the night. When they realized that a slave saw them, they wounded him and disappeared. Saul also told me that Flavius had been missing for weeks. I was upset with Claudia for not telling me. Had I known, I could have done something to find him. When I talked to Claudia, determined to know the truth, what I got from her was more gruesome than the fact that Flavius was missing. He was kidnapped, and strangers had come to the house demanding money for his release.”

Alarm widened her eyes. “Flavius was kidnapped? What do you mean? Why wasn’t I informed?”

“Because you would have gone insane from the pain. I wanted first to see if we could solve the situation. Now that Flavius is back unharmed, I can tell you. Unfortunately, that is not all. Flavius believes Saul’s accident was not an accident, and that his kidnapping was related, He believes someone wanted revenge for something and decided to attack the person dearest to him—Saul.”

“We are dearer to him than Saul,” Flaminia replied, nervously shaking her head.

“Yes, but the assassination of a Roman citizen like us would bring more severe consequences than ruining a slave if he was discovered. This person wanted to play it safe. Under the law, there aren’t real penalties for a person who damages someone else’s property, besides a fine. Think about it.”

She realized that whoever was responsible had planned every detail. “But who would have anything against Flavius?” she asked, not convinced about the hypothesis.

Marcus Tiberius was not sure whether he should tell her about Claudia. Maybe it was too early, and Flaminia first needed to digest the news about their son.

“Why didn’t Claudia tell us anything? What was her excuse?”

“She claimed she was scared about it and couldn’t find the courage to bring such news to us. Somehow, I understand her, even if I am not totally convinced about it. Until the full story comes to light, I prefer to keep Saul here. If someone still wants revenge on Flavius, he might become dangerous for both Flavius and Saul.”

“So, Saul will remain with us forever?”

“Well, at least until Flavius finds out who is behind the plot.”

“Are there any leads?”

Marcus Tiberius tightened his hold of her hand. “Not yet, but I am sure that sooner or later he will find one.”

Skeptical of the version of Marcus Tiberius, her eyes narrowed, and she tilted her head. “Is there something you are not telling me?”

“No.” He hesitated. “Why?”

“Because you can’t lie to me. You can hide things, but you are a terrible liar. If there is something else, please tell me. Anyway, no one is in danger anymore,” she replied, crossing her arms across her chest.

He smiled at how well she knew him, then his eyebrows tightened together as he exhaled. “I know who did it. Saul told me. He did not want to say anything because he was afraid. I had to punish him, promising further punishments to get the truth from him.”

“You know? So why do you not tell Flavius?”

“Because it will make everything more difficult. Promise me that you will not tell him.”

“I do not know…” She hesitated.

“Promise!” he said, raising his voice and grabbing her by her shoulders.

“Let me go! Fine, I will not tell anybody.”

“It was Claudia who blinded Saul. She did so because she was jealous. Saul is Flavius’ lover, and they were spending most of their time together, not only by day but also during the night. Flavius will never love her, regardless of whether she loves him or not. Unfortunately, Saul finds himself in the middle, and Claudia took the chance offered by Flavius’ absence.” He scrubbed his chin with his hand. “If it is true that Saul’s accident and Flavius’ kidnapping are connected, then she needed to postpone his return to give her time to secure help to put her plan into action.”

Flaminia glanced at him, as the corners of her mouth twitched in a desperate effort not to cry. “That can’t be real… That can’t be true!” she cried out, “She got revenge by damaging Saul. That is cruel.”

He sighed and held her. Saul was, to everybody, more than a slave. She had loved him at first sight when Marcus Tiberius presented him to her. It was like having another son. He was her treasured one. She loved it when he sang, and told stories told about his land so far away, and she had suffered when she realized the dire consequences of the accident.

Her husband kissed her forehead and wiped the tears from her eyes with his knuckles. “Flaminia, I knew I shouldn’t say that to you. We all hold Saul dear, all of us in different ways. Unfortunately, Claudia is not of the same opinion. She is cruel to all her slaves.”

“Why shouldn’t we tell Flavius?”

“He has a hotter temper than I, and I am afraid he would do something he might regret forever. He is not able to act with calm. If you had seen the way he spoke about finding the man who did that to Saul…” he sighed.

“Are you worried that he might…”

Marcus Tiberius combed his fingers through his hair and grimaced in pain. “I am afraid of everything when we talk about Flavius. I don’t want to hide this from him forever; I was just thinking to give him more time to calm his spirits.”

“Maybe you’re right, but don’t you think that if he finds out, he will be upset with you?”

“I do not know what I should do. I do not want Flavius to act too impulsively. I am upset as well about what she did to him, but before getting blind revenge, we have to be level-headed and seek justice. I am wondering if Flavius is in danger living with her. Soon she will realize that it is not because of Saul that he does not love her; it is just so.”

“I still think that you should let Saul tell the truth to Flavius. He is a wise youth and has always been able to talk to his Master with the right words. He can reach where other people, including you, cannot. Let him speak to Flavius,” she proposed.

He had to admit that this time she was right. Saul could speak directly to people’s hearts. He was able to keep calm, except for one single time in his life.

“Maybe I should try…I will speak to Saul before Flavius arrives tomorrow.”

Flavius retired to his working room to think. He needed solitude to focus on all the happenings in his mind, to fit the pieces together, but no matter how much he tried, something didn’t fit. He could not name anyone who had any reason to seek revenge on him, and at the same time, have such a profound knowledge of him to know how dear Saul was to him. He recalled the names of the people he knew, all the people he had as customers, those who worked with him, and even those he’d met just once. Yet, he could not find a reason for anyone to be so upset with him that they would want revenge of that nature. But then, why Saul?

He propped his elbows on the desk and cradled his head with his hands. The more he tried to make sense of it, the less he could find any reason; everything sounded surreal.

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Nara in the doorway.

“Forgive me, Master. Mistress Claudia ordered me to tell you that dinner will be served soon, and she requests your presence,” he said in a low tone of voice.

Flavius turned his eyes up toward him. “What happened to you?” he asked. Nara’s face showed a trace of blood from his nose.

Nara tried to wipe it away. “Nothing, Master, just a small accident,” he said, lowering his gaze.

Flavius stood and walked to him, gently held his chin, and forced him to meet his gaze. His eyes opened wide and his breath became shallow. Fear was evident on the slave’s face. Barely controlled by anger, Flavius caressed his cheek. “Claudia?” he casually asked.

Nara’s brow furrowed as if he did not understand.

“Did you upset her?” Flavius asked calmly.

Nara was unsure about how to answer. He didn’t want to get into bigger trouble by talking to Flavius.

“No, Master. I…I hit myself.” Nara stuttered as Flavius held his chin firmly in his hand to keep his eyes steadily on his own.

“Are you lying to me?” he asked, his tone still calm.

“I beg you, Master, let me go,” he said as his eyes welled again with tears.

Flavius let him go and Nara ran away from the room. He grinned, clenching his teeth. Many times, he had warned his wife to be less violent with the slaves, but it was in vain.

Anger flamed from his soul and spurred him to barge into the dining room where he was sure he would find her. She lay on the couch with a serene smile and observed the table in front of her filled with all sort of delicacies.

“How many times have I told you that I wouldn't tolerate any unnecessary violence with the slaves?” he snapped, entering like fury in the room.

“What are you talking about?” she wondered.

He ran out of patience and strode from the room, his sandals thumping on the mosaic floor. He went to get Nara and brought him in front of her. “This is what I mean. Look at his face!”

She averted her eyes. Flavius dragged Nara in front of her. Through gritted teeth, he repeated, “Look at his fucking face, NOW!”

“Stop screaming at me!”

“Why did you hurt him like that?”

“You little…” she said in disgust, her eyes shooting daggers at the slave.

Flavius slapped her violently, causing her to fall to the floor.

“Now you know how it feels to be hit. I don’t want you to take this as an offense, rather as a way to see both sides of the medal,” he growled.

Claudia, humiliated at being struck by her husband in front of a slave, started to sob.

Flavius hated to see a woman cry, regardless of whether she was a cruel person, and offered her his hand to stand up.

She slapped his hand away, stood, and ran off. She didn’t want him to see her crying.

“Why can’t you love me?” she wept as she arrived in her room. “Everybody is more important than me, including slaves. What should I do?” she sobbed, collapsing onto the bed.

Flavius walked in behind her and sat next to her on the bed.

“Claudia, please don’t make me look like the monster I am not,” he said gently. “You are right; our union is not based on love. I was practically forced into this marriage, as were you. I do not hate you, but you cannot ask for my love.”

“You love only Saul. A miserable slave is better than your wife. Am I really that ugly in your eyes?”

“I have practically grown up with Saul. He has been my best friend when I was alone, and not, as you said, because he was forced to. Surely, he is a slave, but you can recognize whether a slave is just obeying you or he is by your side. Sometimes I spend my nights with him, but I would never say you are ugly. You are amazingly beautiful, Claudia, and I like your beauty. But you won’t listen to me. Don’t beat the slaves because you are annoyed. Nara is one of our best, and I hate to see the terror in his eyes as I did a few minutes ago when he came to call me for dinner.”

Flavius understood that Claudia’s actions were mostly driven by the dissatisfaction and frustration of a wrongly arranged marriage.

“I’m sorry, let’s forget this and share a peaceful dinner,” he proposed.

She forced a contorted smile on her face and stood up from the bed, then walked into the dining room. Flavius followed in her wake, avoiding saying anything else that could upset her further. After dinner, he retired in his working room, and Claudia went out to the garden.

The effect she’d obtained from blinding Saul was not what she had anticipated. He was not living with them anymore, and Flavius was not spending his nights with him, nor with her. Evidently, he did not enjoy spending time, night or day, in her company. Her frustration grew as the days passed, mostly because she knew that he engaged in a hopeless, yet frantic search for the person who ruined his slave. What was she supposed to do to get Saul out of Flavius’ thoughts, and out of her life forever?

Would it really have been best if she’d killed him? She had gone to all that trouble of plotting the kidnapping and, paying two men to help her with Saul, when all she had to do was kill him.

She shook her head and held herself with her arms. She was sure that if she had killed Saul, her husband would have gotten depressed and maybe killed himself from the pain of losing his precious Saul.

Disgust and hate fueled her rage. She was the only one Flavius should have loved and desired, and yet he admitted that he would never be able to love her. What were all her efforts for? Should she have killed her husband instead? Should she ask for a divorce?

What am I supposed to do? Everything I did was wrong.

They should never have gotten married; however, she had been in love with Flavius since childhood. Nevertheless, what she did must remain a secret from everybody.

She was glad that Saul kept his mouth shut and hadn’t revealed the real nature of his accident. He was able, at least, to obey. Maybe he’d finally learned to keep his place as a slave should, but she preferred to have him far from her life. No matter whether Flavius was still ignoring her, the most important thing was that there wasn’t anybody between them.

She stood up from the garden bench as the sun started to set. In a couple of hours, there wouldn’t be any useful light. She collected her work and dismissed all the slaves who were with her, then, exhausted by the long day, she walked to the bedroom. Her eyes turned for the last time to the room where Flavius worked. She would have liked to go in and spend time with him, but she knew that only she would have enjoyed it. She shook her head and walked away, followed by the slaves who would prepare her for the night.

She lay down on the bed, looking at the empty place beside her and, with a sorrowful sigh, closed her eyes.

Chapter 22.

It took several days for Marcus Tiberius to decide to speak with Saul about what to do with his son, so early one morning, he entered Saul’s room. He watched him sleeping and smiled as he realized how dear that peacefully sleeping youth was to him.

“Saul,” he called softly, shaking him lightly.

“Who…Master?” He opened his blind eyes.

“Yes, come with me. I need to talk to you,” Marcus Tiberius ordered, forgetting that Saul needed assistance dressing.

“Master…” His face flushed.

“Of course. I’ll call Cassandra to help you. When you are ready, come to my room.”

“What time is it?”

“A few hours before sunrise, but I could not wait for the day. I need to discuss a very important matter that is bothering my soul,” he replied, then left the room.

After Saul was dressed, Cassandra guided him into Marcus Tiberius’ room.

“What's bothering you, Master?”

“It is about Flavius. I told Flaminia the entire story. She will keep the secret, but she had the right to know it; she is your mistress and my wife. I don’t like to hide things from her.” He settled comfortably on the couch.

Saul nodded, wanting to know what the point of the entire story was.

“She believes that Flavius should know the truth about your accident. I am not yet convinced, but it seems that he won’t find any peace until he has a culprit in his hands. I still fear his reaction, but as Flaminia said, you are the only one who can reach his soul, bringing him to reason.”

Saul mused. “So you want me to tell him the truth about the accident and try to make him understand that revenge should be out of the question?”

“Precisely.”

“He will get upset with me about this lie.” Saul already feared Flavius’ reaction.

“You were following my orders, as you are doing now.”

In a lower voice, Saul said, “Of course, Master.” He was sure Flavius would become angry, but Saul could not disobey Marcus Tiberius’ orders. I am supposed to be by Flavius’ side as a lover and most of all, as a friend.

He knew his young Master trusted him more than any other person in the world and might view his withholding of information as a betrayal. He didn’t want to disappoint the Master he loved.

Saul straightened his shoulders. “He will never forgive me, and I can’t forgive myself for hiding something like that from him, but I will talk to him as you order.”

Marcus Tiberius nodded, satisfied. “Nothing bad will happen to you, Saul. Let me take care of it. You just do what I order and talk to Flavius.”

“Yes, Master.”

Because of Claudia’s threat, he agreed not to reveal the truth to Flavius, but now he realized how foolish that fear was. He should have told him without fearing anything or anybody, more than the disappointment of his Master.

As they walked out of the room, Cassandra said, “So, the time has come for you to be totally honest with Flavius,”

“I am terrified of his reaction,” he confessed, holding her hand.

“Saul, you had good reasons to hide from him what Claudia did to you. I know Flavius, and he will understand. Your only concern is to ensure he won’t take drastic actions. You know he might be impulsive and act in a way that he would regret for the rest of his life.”

Saul knew Cassandra spoke the truth. Claudia was the person to fear, not Flavius.

“I am afraid that you all expect too much from me. I am not sure I can do much of anything if Flavius loses his temper. When he is ready to listen, I can help but will he be ready after he knows the truth?”

She kissed his cheek and flashed a reassuring smile. “You will do what you can. This is what Marcus Tiberius expects from you. He knows it won’t be an easy task.”

“What time is it?” he asked as he waited for his doom.

Standing, she said, “It is soon the seventh hour of the day. We can eat if this will help you. Our Masters have already started their meal; there is no reason we shouldn’t have ours as well.”

“I guess you are right. It will distract me for a bit.”

As they walked through the garden toward the kitchen, he pulled her aside into his bedroom. “I have a better idea. No one can see us now, and our Masters are busy, “he whispered, then brushed her neck with his lips.

“I think I prefer your idea.” She kissed him, and they sank onto the bed.

Saul could not say what Flavius’ reaction would be. Perhaps he would take him back to his house to confront him with Claudia present. Eventually, he would kill him for his disloyalty, hiding the most important truth, or maybe Flavius would take him away from Rome to live somewhere else together. His imagination caressed the idea of going to live far away with his Master, but his love for Cassandra dimmed the vision to sepia tones.

He would miss her, body and her sweet kisses. Nothing compared with lying naked by her side, caressing her soft skin, feeling the warmth of her body, and her breath getting shallow.

Nothing compared with feeling the excitement growing with her until both of them were won over by the pleasure, and they lay in each other’s arms. Saul would have missed her too much, and wasn’t sure his Master would be enough to make up for the missing of his Cassandra.

Her words pulled him from his thoughts. “We don’t have much time until Flavius arrives. You’d better dress up. I will comb your hair, and then we will have something to eat.”

Saul stood and complied.

He had a task on which to focus. During the night, he would think about Cassandra.

During three hours of waiting, Saul helped Marcus Tiberius as much as possible.

Suddenly, Flavius appeared between the heavy curtains that divided the working room from the rest of the house.

“Good day, Father. Saul,” greeted Flavius as he came in.

“You sound tired, Master. Didn’t you sleep properly last night?” Saul asked.

Flavius hadn’t slept at all. “Something like that, Saul. I can’t remember the last time I had a good sleep. While I was kept prisoner, I barely slept; since I returned home, I have been obsessed with finding the hand that hurt you.

“Master, I need to talk to you alone, if possible,” Saul said to Flavius, keeping his voice as steady as possible against the heartbeat chocking his breath.

Marcus Tiberius asked, “Is there something you are hiding from me or something I should know?”

“Father, I am sure Saul has a good reason if he asks to talk to me. I need to speak with him in private as well.” Flavius beseeched him. “Please, let’s not make it a personal issue.”

Marcus Tiberius smiled. “So it shall be. I will leave you alone, so you will have all the privacy you will need.”

When his father’s footsteps receded, Flavius moved closer and put his hand on Saul’s shoulder. “So, what do you need to talk to me about?”

Saul wondered how long his young Master’s voice would remain soft and gentle after he told him the truth. However, he was going to do that.

Inhaling, he closed his eyes to gain strength. “I asked to talk to you because I am going to disobey an order for the first time in my life.”

Flavius narrowed his eyes. “Did my father order you not to tell me something?”

“Everything at its time. I have been feeling badly about it, and I prefer to face a punishment rather than go through with what your father wants me to do. I care very much about you, and Marcus Tiberius could not take this into account. How could he ever understand what I feel?” Saul started to talk, almost to himself.

Flavius shifted and caressed his face from the temple to the chin. He raised Saul’s head to look into his absent eyes and softly kissed his lips.

“Master, I don’t know how I am going to say it. Please remain calm and carefully consider my words from the start to the end. I want you to keep any impulsiveness at bay and listen to everything I have to say.”

“I will try to do my best.” Apprehension rose in Flavius.

“I hope you won’t be upset with me, as I am nothing but a slave and whatever my Master orders, I have to obey.”

“I know, Saul. That's the reason we have slaves.”

“I…” A big lump formed in his throat and his words could not slide around it.

“Saul, I’m here; I am going to protect you.”

He swallowed and spoke in a rush, “I know who blinded me, but I’m not sure it was the same person who planned your kidnapping.” Saul inhaled deeply and exhaled. His pulse pounded in his ears.

Flavius felt like a blade had stabbed him in the chest, piercing his heart. His breathing became shallow, and his legs wobbled, unable to support his weight. He slumped onto the sofa.

Silence reigned as he struggled to control his body and thoughts. “What do you mean, you know who did it?”

“When your father brought me here, he didn’t know either; I was determined to keep it secret. I will explain the reason later. Marcus Tiberius recognized I was lying. When he realized it, he ordered me to remain on my knees for the entire night to think about whether protecting myself was worth more than being honest with him. Cassandra came to talk to me. She also thought that I knew more than I told, and in the end, I confessed the truth to her. Marcus Tiberius overheard us.” He continued, “He forbade me to tell anyone the truth. Being here, considering the deal broken, he was my only Master, and I had to obey him. I thought it would be easy, but I was wrong.” He glanced in Flavius’ direction. “I didn’t want to lie to you.”

Harnessing his impatience with difficulty, Flavius said, “Fine, but I want a name. Who blinded you, Saul?”

The slave gulped. “It was Mistress Claudia, helped by two other men. She came by night into my room. As I woke up, I found myself tied to the bed. Two men held me steady by the legs and wrists as she sat beside me. She said how disappointed she was that I took your attention away from her. She believed I overshadowed her in front of her guests when they asked me to sing for them. Sometimes your mother asked for my presence when she visited. For being too beautiful, smart, too much of everything, for not keeping my place as a slave, she was going to punish me,” Saul said, immobile where he stood. He waited for Flavius to rage.

A tense silence followed, then he burst into loud, hysterical laughter which grew in volume until it transformed into a scream.

As tears flowed from his eyes, Flavius lost all strength, and his cries turned into painful sobs as his body fell to the floor. He felt unable to stop crying, to move, or to speak, frozen by the horror of Claudia’s cruelty for the purpose of her sadistic pleasure masked as punishment for crimes never committed.

No matter how she would justify her hatred for Saul to herself or to others, he knew she enjoyed being cruel to all her slaves. Nara was another example. What kind of excuse could she have had for beating him as she had? Was he too beautiful to compete with as well? All the slaves feared her. What would have been their fault?

He tried to regain control of himself and stood up from the floor. The kidnapping flashed into his mind. “Was everything organized just to hurt you?” he whispered. He thought about Dionysius, Lukos, and Leandros, killed without any reservation, like animals. He thought of the threat of his kidnappers. Was she really so blinded by hatred to order his kidnapping?

With his strength regained, Flavius screamed, hoping that the gods would hear him and feel shaken by his request for justice.

He closed his eyes and let heavy silence fall between Saul and him; he could almost feel his questioning, absent eyes. He could hear his breath and found it consoling.

Comforted by the presence of the only person he trusted, the one who remained silent while his rage unleashed, undisturbed.

Flavius opened his eyes and turned, looking at Saul; he was still there waiting for him.

“I’m sorry, Saul,” he uttered, knowing that nothing he could say would fix anything; the words in his mind sounded empty and useless.

“I should have told you about it. Forgive me.” Saul raised a hand in the direction of Flavius.

“I will make her pay for this, and for all she has done to me as well,” Flavius vowed.

“Are you going to tell her I told you?” Saul’s heart started beating fast as veins pulsed on his neck.

“She will confess. You are coming back to my house. I won’t leave you alone for a single moment. She will not do anything to harm you now that I know what she is capable of.”

“Master…” Saul hesitated.

“Do you trust me, slave?”

“With my life, Master.” Saul smiled weakly.

“I will order Nara to be at your side as Cassandra has been so far. Answer me, though, do you love Cassandra?”

Saul wasn’t prepared for this question and wondered how he was supposed to answer. “I…Yes, Master, I love her,” Saul admitted, willing to be totally honest with him.

Flavius thought about it, then asked, “Do you love me?”

“Yes, Master. I love you too, but in a different way.”

Flavius chuckled. “How can you love us both? Do you know what love is?” he asked with a wide grin.

Raising his Master’s hand to his lips kissed it tenderly. The love for his Master was different from the love that bound him to Cassandra, but it moved his soul toward him. How could he explain in words what was in his heart? The only way was showing him, and in that kiss, he explained it fully.

“I think you do,” Flavius said. “I know I haven’t taken care of you as I promised in the beginning. Give me a second chance. This time, I won’t fail you. You are the dearest one to me.”

“Master, please, don’t promise something you aren’t sure you can keep. Promise me you won’t leave me; you won’t let me down. Giving you a second chance is not up to me; I am only a property. Marcus Tiberius shall decide about me and the deal between you two. I… please.

Saul’s words allowed Flavius to focus on the best way to seek revenge; finding a way to make her confess would probably be the sweetest.

“I’m going to talk to my father. I'll call Cassandra so she can take you back to wherever you want to go.”

Saul shook his head. “I can manage on my own, too, Master. Rufus trained me to use my other senses to see, and I have learned this house’s space.”

Amazed, Flavius watched him leave the room, treading with care, but without help.

Rufus did wonders teaching him the almost impossible.

Reaching the garden where his father sat on a bench enjoying the day, Flavius said, “Father, I-I think we need to talk.”

Marcus Tiberius approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go to my room; I owe you an explanation. Considering the screams, I think I know the nature of the discussion between you and Saul,” he said, guiding him.

Marcus Tiberius called a slave and ordered her to bring wine, then settled in his chair.

“I know it was Claudia, and Saul probably told you I forbade him to tell you the truth.

“Yes, but first, why did you hide the truth from me?”

“It was because I feared your reaction, but it seems that Saul knows you better than I do. I was wrong, and I hope you understand that my actions were intended to protect you, not to harm you. I’m sorry, Flavius.”

Flavius eased back in his chair, “I understand, and maybe you were right. Please don’t be disappointed with Saul for disobeying your order.” He leaned forward. “Now that I know from whom I should protect him and me, he will be safe in my house. I wish to have him back.”

“Are you sure? What is in your mind?”

“My plan is to get Claudia to confess what she did, without telling her that I know, then I will bring her to justice. I want to be rid of her. I also want to know if she had something to do with my kidnapping.”

“Let’s not jump to hasty conclusions; even if it makes sense. It doesn’t prove anything yet. I don’t want you to act rashly. Maybe having Saul with you will calm your reactions.”

The slave arrived with the wine. She silently poured two cups, then left the men alone.

“So, I can have him back?”

“Marcus Tiberius sipped his wine and rolled it around in his mouth, then swallowed it. “Yes, but our deal is still on, and this is your last chance. You won’t have another one. Take care of Saul. Do I make myself clear?”

Flavius had thought it would be more difficult to convince his father. He was sure he would have stipulated more conditions.

“I understand. I failed to protect my slaves from Claudia’s mistreatment. It will not happen again.”

“Flavius, I don’t want you to use violence against her. You must understand the consequences of such an action. Don’t ruin your life for revenge.”

“I have to take my part of the responsibility. Had I treated her with more consideration, perhaps she would have never resorted to this cruelty…Who knows?” He lowered his gaze averting his gaze from Marcus Tiberius’. “Father, I think I love Saul. I love him as much as he claims to love me. I do not please my senses with his body. I have feelings which are satisfied only when we lay together; when our lips touch in a tender kiss… I cannot better explain. Do you think I am crazy?”

“No, Flavius, you’re not. And I guess you are not the first; we all feel the attraction Saul can exert on people. To me, it was clear when I saw him at the market. There were better-looking slaves on the auction, yet something in this dirty child barely covered by rags attracted me, something in his posture, his eyes. Keep your lover safe. Keep him away from the anger of your wife, as she will not accept any other in your bed.” Marcus Tiberius warned.

“Thank you, Father. It is time for me to go,” he said, standing.

At that moment, the same slave brought more wine.

“There is no need; Flavius is leaving. Get Saul. He is leaving with him,” he ordered.

“Yes, Master.” The slave hurried out of the room.

After a short while, the same slave returned with Saul. “Master, are you going to bring me back?” he asked, facing Flavius. Surprise colored his voice.

He had expected to have more time to tell Cassandra goodbye.

“Yes, we are going right away. I told you I would bring you back,” said Flavius, guiding him out of the room.

Flaminia arrived as she heard that he was departing. Cassandra accompanied her.

“Saul, I hope this is not a goodbye,” Flaminia said, smiling.

“I hope not, Mistress. I don’t believe in farewells.”

Cassandra stood at Flaminia’s side, not sure what she should say.

“Saul,” Cassandra’s voice trembled as her eyes welled with tears.

“This is not a goodbye,” he said, holding her hands.

“Promise,” Cassandra begged.

Saul smiled and clasped her hands tighter. “I promise you.”

He was confident he would be under the care of Nara, and with him, he hoped to find a way to see her frequently. He then tried to turn toward Marcus Tiberius, guessing his position. “Master, I… Thanks for everything. You gave me an education, a place in your world, a safe shelter when I needed one; I won’t forget how much I owe you.”

Marcus Tiberius hugged him. “Take care of yourself and of my son; he needs you more than you need him.”

“I know that, and I won’t disappoint you or him.”

“No doubt about it, Saul,” Marcus Tiberius said, releasing him.

Flavius and Saul left the house in silence; neither had anything else to say. Saul wondered how Claudia would react, doubting the wisdom of going back sharing the same roof with Claudia.

Flavius could not stop thinking about Saul and Cassandra and wondered whether it was a good idea to bring him back. He was afraid he couldn’t protect him the way he must and considered what the consequences could be.

At the same time, he felt an uncontrollable rage rising from his soul, a rage mixed with disgust and hatred for Claudia. He’d rather kill himself than live under the same roof with her. In his eyes, she was a demon capable of the most despicable and darkest actions just to satisfy her sadistic, selfish nature.

“Master, you should better control yourself, rather than let the hatred take over,” Saul said, breaking the silence between them. Flavius looked at him, wondering how he knew what he was thinking.

“It is not difficult to guess your feelings. Your breath got shallow, and you are squeezing my arm rather than guiding me,” Saul explained.

Flavius looked at his hand; he was indeed squeezing his arm. He let him go and wondered about Saul’s capability to understand his thoughts through the observation of his gestures.

“I know it is not easy going back to live in the same house, pretending I don’t know anything about what happened. I must find a way to make her confess.” He clenched his fist and brought it to his chest. “She will never harm you again, Saul. Concerning your duties, since you can’t see, I will have to figure out a way to make you useful. The first thing that comes to mind is that you serve as my advisor. It seems like you gained an amazing ability to read other people’s hearts. This will be helpful in my work as a lawyer. And…” he caressed Saul’s cheek. “As Titus once said, sleeping in a warm bed is more comfortable than sleeping in a cold one.”

Saul exhaled with a contorted grin. “Yes, Master.”

Chapter 23.

When they arrived at Flavius’ house, a grave-like silence fell between them, thickening as they opened the heavy wooden door. Flavius held Saul by the shoulders and guided him through the house. The sun was setting as they reached the living room where Claudia sat; she looked up but did not welcome them home. She had been sure that she would never see Saul again. She’d hoped that Flavius was convinced of his uselessness.

“You brought him back, I see.” She tried to hide her disappointment.

“Yes, I thought he would still be useful for my work as a personal advisor, and as you already know, I will not give up the pleasure of enjoying his body.”

“Of course not,” she replied indifferently, exiting the room.

When called to present himself in the working room, Nara arrived as quickly as possible, surprised to see Saul back home. Fear of the consequences sparked by Claudia’s wrath overshadowed his joy at seeing his friend.

“Nara, Saul is back to stay, to work as my advisor. He will need some assistance in his everyday life. For this reason, you are assigned to take care of whatever his needs might be, to always be within his reach.”

“Master, I… Does this mean I don’t have to take care of Mistress Claudia as I did previously?”

“Exactly. She can count on a considerable number of slaves, and I suppose you are not really needed. Saul is your new duty, immediately.”

“Yes, Master,” Nara replied briefly.

“Fine, you both are dismissed. I need Saul to come with me tomorrow morning; be sure he is ready the first hour of the day,” Flavius ordered.

“So it shall be, Master.”

Saul sensed the tension in Flavius’ voice and was afraid to leave him alone with his thoughts and feelings. He didn’t fear for himself. He knew Claudia wouldn’t have any chance to harm him as long as he was with Nara or as long as Flavius was in the same house, but he feared for his Master.

“Have you become mute as well?” Nara asked, chuckling.

“No, I am just afraid for Flavius,” he replied absentmindedly.

“What for?” he asked, surprised.

“He knows…I told him who blinded me.”

“I thought…” Nara said, confused.

“The less you know, the safer it will be, Nara. Don’t ask anything further. Let’s change the subject, shall we? I’ve had sort of a rough day. Please help me to take a bath,” Saul asked.

Nara smiled. “Of course, Saul. Come, I’ll help prepare you for the night. Tomorrow you have to wake up early.” Nara guided him to the lavatory where he helped him to undress and folded his tunic on a bench beside the pool.

“Here you are; sit down and relax.”

Saul did as he said. Soon, Nara’s hands caressed his entire body in a relaxing massage. Nara wasn’t sure why, but as others did, he felt an attraction toward Saul. It had nothing to do with sexual or sensual attraction. He felt as if he was taking care of himself’ each caress, every massage, felt as if he was doing it to himself.

Nara paused in his ministrations. “If you were given a choice, would you like to be free and build a new life with Cassandra, go back to your homeland, or remain with Flavius?”

“Why this kind of question; I will never have a choice.”

“What if you had?” he pursued.

“I don’t know. All the prospective choices have good points and bad points; I would like to get them all. I wish to be with Cassandra and Flavius in my own country,” he replied, laughing.

“I am asking seriously,” Nara said, a bit upset.

“Well, I am serious too. I love Cassandra, and I love Flavius. I would like to be able to love them as a free person, and I miss my homeland.”

“You have impossible requests,” Nara said, chuckling.

“And you pose impossible questions. What would be your wish?”

“Mine? I have no such wish. I was born a slave, and I will die a slave. If I could get a favor from the gods, I would like to get my Master back and live with him forever. However, this will never happen, so my hope is to have a good Master who will treat me fairly. Perhaps a Master who will have me as a lover and with whom I would fall in love,” Nara replied, continuing massaging him.

“That’s pure romance,” Saul chuckled.

“You know, I thought we should shorten your hair a bit; not too much. What do you think?” Nara asked, caressing it.

“You should ask Flavius; he decides these kinds of issues. So far, he likes me having long hair, but maybe you will be granted the privilege to shorten it.”

“It’s time to eat and go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.”. Nara helped Saul to stand and dress.

When Saul was finally in his bed, sleeping beside Nara, he realized how his attitude had changed. Perhaps it was true, and Claudia could not harm him, now that Flavius was aware of having to protect him and the other slaves from her. Nevertheless, Flavius also had to watch his back if it were true that Claudia was behind his kidnapping.

He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

In his bed, Flavius could not find peace. As Claudia slept by his side, he tried to understand what was wrong with her heart to plot against so many people out of revenge.

He felt hopeless.

What should I do to make her confess about Saul? How can I prove it was her who ordered my kidnapping and the cold-blooded assassination of the slaves traveling with me? How can you hide such a dark soul behind your beauty and look so innocent when you sleep beside me?

On the other hand, he recalled how she used to beat up Nara, particularly the time when he found him unconscious after she hit him. She was a cruel person hiding behind her innocent beauty. He changed position and closed his eyes.

Days, weeks, months… How much time had passed since Saul returned to his house? Flavius couldn’t recall anymore; it felt too long a time, and his mind wearied of the wait.

The longer he waited, the more his frustration grew. Saul was not enough to calm his restless soul, and he realized he had been unfairly angry toward him, but even so, Saul’s behavior didn’t change. He was still there to be sure that he wouldn’t do something stupid.

Flavius was, in fact, unfair to everybody coming his way: colleagues, friends, acquaintances; only Titus could instill fear in his heart. He couldn’t talk to him with the same cockiness as he did with the others.

He decided to tease Claudia. Maybe if she realized that he knew about her plot, she would confess.

“Saul, when did I bring you from my father’s house?”

“More or less, four weeks, Master.”

“Are you sure?” He felt exhausted as if a longer period had passed.

“Yes, Master, I am. Why?”

Flavius didn’t reply; he stood up from the chair, blinded by rage, and stomped off. Saul sat still, listening.

Claudia and Flavius shouted at each other, then their voices grew louder until he knew they both were in the room with him.

He continued to keep quiet, aware that something was going to happen very soon. He was afraid his blindness would prevent him from stopping any violence.

Flavius let go of Claudia’s hair and shoved her to the floor in front of Saul.

“What is wrong with you?” she screamed, struggling to stand.

“Stay where you are.” He said, pushed her with his foot. “It’s time for the truth; the truth I kept inside for a long time; the bitterness I’ve carried with me since I was kidnapped; the truth behind Saul’s blind eyes. I want the truth you hide behind your pretty face, behind the lies when you claim to love me. You are incapable of love. You are incapable of human feelings. It is time for the truth. It is time for justice!”

Saul opened his mouth to say something, but no sound came out. He no air left in his body, no voice, and no strength to oppose his Master’s rage.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. You are getting crazy with your ideas that someone has plotted against you. No one conspired in this house, and probably not even in the entire city of Rome. You are your only enemy,” she spat.

“Am I going insane?” he asked, immobile as if thinking about it. “Perhaps I am going crazy, but if this is so, then I can do something like this.” He jumped and grabbed Saul by his hair and forced him to his knees in front of Claudia. “Here it is, slave, your Master is going to show his madness to both of you. Do you also think I am insane?” He glared at Saul without releasing his grasp on his hair.

“No, Master,” Saul cried.

Flavius let him go and leaned over to gently caress his face. In a calm voice, he said to Claudia, “You see? I’m not crazy. My slave still believes I am not.”

“A slave does whatever you order him to do because otherwise he gets punished.” She grinned.

Flavius’ patience and rationality faded. He grabbed both Claudia’s and Saul’s hair, dragging them closer to each other. “Look at my slave, Claudia. Look into his eyes carefully.”

“Let me go, you maniac!”

“Look at his eyes, Claudia!”

She looked into Saul’s absent foggy eyes, unable to see or ever express anything again, constantly reminded her of that night when they were blinded.

“What do you see?” he asked in a serene tone.

“What should I see?” she asked, fearing for her life.

Tears flooded Flavius’ eyes. “I used to see the rage of the underworld in his eyes, the darkest of nights, the most intense eyes I’d ever seen. They are gone, never to return.” A lump in his throat choked his breath.

“That was an accident, Flavius.”

Flavius pushed Saul violently away and grabbed her by the shoulders, pinning her to the ground.

“LIAR! Was my kidnapping an accident too? Was the assassination of Dionysius Lukos and Leandros an accident? Were all the slaves you beat up without reason an accident? How many accidents do I have to accept?”

She looked at him, gasping for air as terror pervaded his soul. Does he know what happened, or is he trying to make me confess? Did Saul tell?

She dismissed the thought. Saul would never have said a word about it. Then the strange dream she had when she was unconscious came to mind. She remembered Nara telling her that she would confess to Flavius. But was it really Nara? She started to doubt it.

“I have no idea who kidnapped you. It was a shock for me, too. Do you think it was fun for me to have these men threatening to kill you?”

He glanced at her and burst into laughter. “Or maybe it was you threatening them,” he said. “Not even Orcus can threaten you. I am sick and tired of you. I hate you; I despise you. I'd rather die than kiss you, and the reason is your cruelty, Claudia.” He stood, straightening to his full height. “Can’t you be honest for at least once in your miserable life?”

She cried silently, fearing that the end of her secret loomed closer, but how, if she hadn’t said anything? How, if not by the mouth of that filthy slave, she thought.

She turned her face to look at Saul. He kneeled on the floor trembling unable to see, or to predict what was coming, incapable to run away.

She thought she should have killed him.

Disgusted, she stood up.

“You are not leaving,” Flavius said, deadly calm.

She glared at him. “What do you want from me?”

“I thought it was clear, or maybe I have behaved too crazily for you to understand. I want the truth,” Flavius replied, struggling to keep the same tone.

His soul was still in turmoil; he felt exhausted and out of strength.

Claudia tilted her head, failing to understand what he was saying.

“What kind of truth are you seeking?”

“The truth you are hiding from me. I don’t believe someone intruded that night just to hurt a worthless slave like Saul. Why would they do that?”

A glimmer of hope that he didn’t know the truth sparked. “I have no idea who, or why they did it.”

“They? How many? According to all our slaves, no one had seen anyone in the house that night.”

“I…I haven’t seen anything, I just thought…”

“What have you thought? Did you think that to blind a slave you needed more than one man?” he asked provocatively.

“Shut up!” She raised her hands to cover her ears.

Flavius came nearer and grabbed her wrists. “What happened that night?” he asked between clenched teeth.

“I don’t know. I was sleeping,”

Flavius let her go and slapped her. The SMACK resounded in the morgue-like silence of the room. “What happened to Saul?”

“I have no idea. You should ask him!” Her hand cradled her stinging cheek.

Flavius looked back at Saul, who still cringed on the floor. “You know? That is a great idea.” He grabbed the slave by the hair and pulled him to face Claudia.

“Come on, slave, now it is your turn. Your mistress just called you into this story, and I order you to tell me what happened to your eyes.”

Saul tried to free himself from Flavius’ grip, but his Master’s hold tightened, pulling more of his hair. “I gave you an order, slave.”

“Master, I…” Saul protested.

“OBEY MY ORDER!”

“And I am the one who is cruel to the slaves?” Claudia said sarcastically.

“Master, I told you already what happened that night. Why do I have to repeat it?” Saul said in a trembling voice.

“Because your mistress seems to have forgotten, and needs her memory refreshed,” he said softly at his ear without releasing his hair.

“It was Mistress Claudia who blinded me as a punishment for having been between you two,” he replied, closing his eyes.

Claudia felt her heart was going to explode. She slapped Saul. “Liar,” she hissed.

Flavius released Saul’s hair, pushing him away, and snatched Claudia’s wrists. “You are right, Claudia. Slaves obey their Master’s orders…blindly,” he said. “And, when there is a choice who to obey, they are like pets; they obey the Master who cares for them the most. Therefore, I can always rely on Saul’s honesty, but I can’t rely on yours. Of course, you are not a worthless beast like a slave is, are you?”

“Let me go. You can’t really believe him,” Claudia whimpered.

“Why? Isn’t it so that he will obey whatever order I wish?” Flavius asked, tightening his grip. “ISN’T IT SO?”

“Let me go, you are hurting me,” she pleaded.

He complied and slapped her again. “Now that it is clear who did that to Saul, I wish to understand something I don’t know yet. I am confident you will tell me, considering your loyalty to your husband,” he said sneering, grabbing her shoulders.

“I have nothing to say,” she taunted.

“Let’s see, was it also you who organized my kidnapping just to buy time to hurt Saul?”

A chill coursed through her veins as her blood froze. Her body shook.

“What?”

“You heard me. No need to answer. Your body is answering for you. Lukos was slaughtered like a beast trying to save my life. Dionysius and Leandros probably didn’t even have the time to realize they were in danger when they were killed. Aside from Saul, they were the best slaves I had. Then I was kept a prisoner for two weeks, not knowing if they intended to kill me or release me.” His voice rose to a crescendo. “Chained to a wall like an animal—all for your desire to punish a slave?”

She remained silent, wondering how he could have connected the two facts. How do I survive this? She assumed an indignant attitude.

“Flavius, I could never plan something like that. How could I?”

“I have no idea, but if it wasn’t you, why did you freeze in fear?” He could not be sure of that, but it would have matched perfectly.

“I am shocked that you thought me capable of that,” she replied, trying to get out of his grip. He let her go, ready to grab her if she tried to flee; he wasn’t done with her. A burning thirst for revenge blazed. Justice was no longer sufficient. Nothing was enough anymore.

Flavius held his head between his hands and tried to rationalize, recalling the warnings of his father.

“Explain how the two men who kidnapped me knew about my family and my life.”

Her gaze flitted around the room as if searching for the answer, her eyes avoiding his. “How I am supposed to know something like that? No plebeian is traveling with three slaves. Moreover, they could get your identity by the plate on the slave’s collar.”

“And how did they know I was going on a business trip? How did they know the day I was coming back, or where I was going?” he pursued.

Striding to Saul, he helped him up and onto the couch.

He whispered in his ear, “Determine if she is lying,”

Saul just smiled.

Claudia pinched the fabric of her skirt between her fingers. “Flavius, I know it doesn’t make sense, but it doesn’t make me guilty either.”

“Hmm, maybe I should ask around. Perhaps someone saw something, possibly suspicious visits at night, by, from the people who kidnapped me.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said, losing her composure.

“Who were those visitors you had? Were they connected to Saul?” he asked as his voice trembled with impatience.

“I told you; I don’t know what you are talking about!”

Flavius hit her again.

She hit him back, taking him by surprise.

“Didn’t anyone teach you not to hit women?” she yelled.

“Women, I will never hit, but you are not a woman; you are a cold-blooded monster.”

“Conspiring against your own husband is a serious offense, Mistress,” said Saul, breaking his silence.

Both Flavius and Claudia turned to him in surprise.

Claudia stepped closer to Saul. “Accusing a Roman without any proof can lead you to crucifixion, slave,” she said between clenched teeth, grabbing his face by the chin.

“I have nothing to lose, but maybe I have the proof. How about a dark night, two strangers knocking at the door, being received by you alone with no slaves around? One is speaking, the other is silent… Do I have to go on?”

She wobbled as her legs couldn’t stand her anymore, glancing at Saul petrified.

Saul knew he was lying, and he risked paying for it with his life, but he trusted his instincts. Her heart had spoken to him and revealed all the details.

Her heart raced, and Saul perceived it.

Claudia couldn’t believe it! She had made sure that no one ever saw or heard what was going on, on that side of the house.

“You, liar…” she whispered. “LIAR!” she screamed, hitting him as hard as she could.

Flavius grabbed her by her hair and pulled her closer. “You are a liar. You plotted everything to get revenge. To get what you want, you would slaughter your entire family, and feel no regret as you wipe their blood from your hands. These men were unpredictable; they were ready to kill me. You don’t know what they did to me,” he yelled, lying about the way they treated him.

“They didn’t hurt you at all!” she shouted.

“And how do you know? Because these were your orders?”

“No, because you returned safe and sound without a scratch,” she replied bitterly.

“But how can Saul know about these two men?” Flavius asked. He was sure Saul got it right.

“I told you he was lying.” She tried to wriggle from his grip.

“Still, you got nervous,” Flavius muttered in her ears.

“Flavius, you are accusing me of things I haven’t done.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“So, it is a lie that you blinded Saul?”

She looked at Saul with narrowed eyes, planning how to get revenge for this as well.

Flavius pulled her hair more, his cheek touching hers. “Answer me.”

Claudia felt breathless for the terror.

“ANSWER ME.” His self-control failed him, and he didn’t care. He wanted to lose control, to be able to act as he should have.

She parted from him reaching the middle of the room. Her arms spread and her face contorted into a rageful mask. “Yes! I should have killed him instead. He cursed my marriage with you and my entire social life. He poisoned my air. I hate you, Saul. I HATE YOU!”

“Why do you hate me so much, Mistress? I tried to please you. Nothing is enough for you. Nara and all the other slaves fear you rather than respect you. Why do you do this to us?” Saul asked in a low voice.

“Because you are too beautiful, smart, and skilled, too good. I am jealous that a worthless slave can be considered better than me and take my place in my husband’s bed and heart. You don’t understand, Saul,” she said, tears streaming from her eyes.

Saul felt her pain and somehow felt mercy. His eyebrows drew in.

Flavius watched them, not sure he understood what was going on, but he trusted Saul. He wasn’t a liar, and the gods had given him a merciful spirit.

“You harmed Saul just because he was better than you?” Flavius asked. “You should kill the entire world then because there is no one worse than you.”

Bitter tears filled her eyes, but not for what she did to Saul. The only thing she regretted was that she hadn’t killed him. If she had listened to the advice of the man she commissioned with the job, she would never have been in that situation; she wouldn’t have needed to plan a fake kidnapping of her husband either. She fell to her knees, out of strength, hoping she could cover up enough to make him think it wasn’t her behind the kidnapping too.

Flavius looked at her with disgust and drew closer to Saul. “I guess I can take it from here; you can leave now. Do you need any assistance to leave the room?” he asked. Kindness warmed his tone.

“Master, are you sure you want me to go?”

“I don’t know, but I think it is better if Claudia and I start to understand what happened between us. If you are worried I might lose control, I am afraid that your being here won’t make a difference. I don’t want you hurt, and besides, this is a question between my wife and me; you have nothing more to do with it. The question of your accident has been solved. I’ll call Nara,” he said as he exited the room.

Chapter 24.

The silence in the room was broken only by Claudia’s non-stop sobs. She looked at her tears falling on the floor. Saul did not have anything left to say. He knew she’d ordered him to keep his mouth shut, but he could not lie to Flavius. It was not just a question of loyalty between a slave and his Master; it was more a question of loyalty between two friends.

A short while later, Flavius returned with Nara, who guided Saul out of the room.

Alone now, Flavius sat on the couch, waiting for Claudia to regain her composure.

She began, “It is not my fault our parents arranged our marriage, and you knew from the beginning that I didn’t like Saul. Why did you have to bring him to live with us?” she asked, standing up.

“Do you mean it is entirely my fault that you hurt Saul? Should I blame myself for your despicable actions?” he asked, almost amused.

“I mean that you are responsible for my cursed life, Flavius, but despite everything, I continued to love you. For some foolish reason, I can’t hate you.”

“You don’t have the slightest idea of what love means. From your lips, it is a useless, foul, dirty word; almost a curse when you pronounce it.”

“You know nothing.”

“When my father announced to me that you would become my wife, I thought the entire world was collapsing around me. I asked for Saul because I needed to have somebody I could trust in my house; I have never liked you. I always considered you an empty, soulless person. Extremely beautiful, finely educated, smart, tasteful; however, an evil, cruel, selfish, and egocentric person. I couldn't love you, but, despite it all, I tried to make our lives a peaceful existence, but I failed. Achieving that target was impossible. Nothing was enough for you.”

She tilted her head back and laughed with a hint of hysteria. “You tried everything? How did you try that? Spending every night in Saul’s bed, searching for pleasure in his body, when you should have spent your nights with me? How do you think I feel?” She spat, pounding her fist against her chest. “Don’t answer, I’ll tell you—humiliated and rejected.” She glared at him. “I felt like less than a slave, but of course, what do you care about a monster like me? I treat slaves the way they deserve, like beasts. They have been our enemies; we fought against them, and we won. We are superior, and that’s the reason they are our slaves. You…you treat them almost as equals.” Her anger morphed into a mirthless chuckle. “How silly that seems to me.”

“Don’t you feel anything for what you did to Saul?” he asked.

“Of course, I do. I regret that I didn’t kill him,” she replied casually.

“When did you decide you would punish Saul that way? Was it when you realized that, it would have been easier to get advantage of my absence? Was this the reason for my kidnapping?” he asked quietly, barely able to tolerate the bad taste in his mouth.

“I told you I had nothing to do with that.” Her voice harshened, but she couldn’t hide a quivering timbre in it.

“Who were those men? Do I know them?” he pursued.

“STOP IT!”

Flavius came closer and clutched her hands. “Stop lying to me; I don’t believe you!” His flashing eyes locked on hers.

“I don’t know anything about it!” she replied, flames burning in her eyes.

Grasping her by the shoulders, he shook her. “I don’t believe you.”

She freed herself from his grip and ran toward the door. In two swift steps, Flavius caught her. They both fell on the floor.

Flavius pinned her beneath him. “You are not going anywhere until you tell me what happened, because I don’t believe you. Saul knows something about it, so I will give you the chance to tell it yourself. Or maybe I should ask Nara.”

She didn’t know how he could possibly know of the dream she had while unconscious. Fingers of fear encircled her soul and squeezed. She realized that no matter what, the truth would come out and she couldn’t stop it.

He hit her head against the floor as he shook her.

“Please, Flavius, let me go,” she cried.

“The truth, Claudia.”,

“It doesn’t matter anymore. Caius was right. I never had you, and I never will,” she said, crawling farther away from him.

“What does Caius have to do with this?”

“He helped me put my plan into action. You don’t get it, do you? He is the man who offered me the human warmth I couldn’t get from you. He is the man who rescued me from the endless loneliness you condemned me to, and he is the man who kidnapped you. But it wasn’t him who killed the slaves traveling with you; he got help from someone else. I didn't order their deaths. I just asked the men to keep you away while I took care of Saul,” Claudia said, relaxing her body as strength abandoned her.

Flavius tried to understand something about the entire story, and then burst into hysterical laughter.

“Is that funny?”

“No, it's pathetic. I thought Caius was a friend, but maybe you have better incentives than I to make him do what you want. If you think I would be jealous that you shared a bed with him, you are wrong; I don’t give a damn. What bothers me is your selfishness. Certainly, Caius wouldn’t hurt me, but you knew nothing about the other man, the one who coldly killed my slaves and threatened to do the same to me. You didn’t consider the probability that something like that could happen to me as well.” His voice rose again. “Or did you consider ordering them to kill me too?” He raised his fist.

“NO! I would have never order anyone to harm you in any way.” wondering if it was time to leave that house and Flavius.

His hand unclenched and lowered to his side. “You disgust me. How can you say you love me? How could you lie to me the way you did? How could you lie to my father?”

Her eyes avoided his. Silence was her answer, as her hands went limp.

Flavius came closer to her, and she feared that he would hurt her. She turned unexpectedly against him and hit him on his face, trying to give herself time to run away.

His mind went blank, then burned with rage. He didn’t have any intention of hurting her but his hands, of their own volition, wrapped around her neck. As if hovering overhead, he watched his grip tighten. Through a pinkish haze, he watched her arms flail on either side of his legs as she struggled to breathe. Watched her face blush. Watched the last feeble flutter of life as it left her.

It was then he realized it was over. Claudia lay dead beneath him on the floor. He could do nothing but cry for himself. He was no better than the woman he killed; the cold-blooded assassin able to take life away from anyone who dared to cross her path. He had become an assassin, just like her.

Useless were his tears over her cold body. She wouldn’t come back to life. She won. She won again, leaving him to live forever with the grief of knowing he had killed another human being. He tried to call her name, but no sound emerged.

He shifted his body and cradled her head against his, rocking her body as if she were a hurt child. After all the tears he had inside were shed, he screamed so loud that even the gods could hear his pain. He prayed they would have mercy on him and give him another chance.

In a nearby room, Nara and Saul hugged each other. Nara had never heard such a desperate scream. Was it the same scream that had escaped from his mouth when his Master, his lover, had died? Was Claudia, dead? He didn’t dare to move a muscle, or to leave Saul. He feared for his fate, as he would have cared for the fate of his brother.

They cried silently, holding each other in their arms. After what seemed a lifetime, they heard the sound of Flavius’ sandals on the floor outside the room, but then the steps stopped.

Flavius fell on his knees. He felt hopeless like there was no more life in his body.

“Saul…” he said, almost whispering.

Saul walked toward him, guided by the sound of his voice, and let himself fall on the floor to hold Flavius.

“Master, I'm here,” he said, holding his hand.

“It is my fault. Forgive me. You are free. There is no longer any slavery that binds you to me or to anyone else. You are released to go wherever your heart belongs, whether in Rome with Cassandra or in Jerusalem to find your roots,” he said with a broken voice, releasing the collar around Saul’s neck. “I give you Nara as your slave, and I will give you one of my farms to sustain your life.”

Saul didn’t know whether to be indescribably happy or deeply sad; both warred within his heart.

“Flavius, I am grateful for the freedom you offer me, but I know that my place is where my heart is. I am not going to leave you alone, my friend, in the hour you need me the most. I am going to be by your side for as long as you need, and for as long as we both please.”

Raising his eyes to Saul, Flavius tried to smile. “That’s why my father ordered you not to tell me the truth; he knew I would do something like this. You should have obeyed him. I am going to be exiled from Rome.”

“We could not forecast what would happen. Marcus Tiberius had his reasons for asking me not to tell you, and I had my reasons to tell you. I don’t know whether I was wrong or right. This was what your gods wanted for you, and there was nothing you could do to avoid it. Maybe your gods wanted me to tell you the truth. From now on, we need to rebuild our lives. Concerning punishment for the murder of your wife, perhaps you will face only temporary exile. You have to stand on your feet and walk your path, but you won’t be alone. I will always be by your side if you let me,” he said, holding his hand tightly in his.

“What are you going to do with Caius?” Saul wondered.

“I don’t want to think about it anymore. He will meet the destiny the gods have reserved to him, and I hope our roads will never meet again, Flavius replied mumbling exhausted.

A long path strewn with obstacles stretched ahead for Flavius. —to forgive himself for what he did and to explain it to the world—His strength lies in the blind youth next to him—his friend, sent by the gods to light his way.

Acknowledgment

I would like to thank all the people who accepted to read my novel, giving me precious suggestions on how to improve it, and those who reviewed it. A special thank goes anyway to author Glory Wade. Her mentorship has been essential, not only for this novel but for my growth as an author. Glory Wade is a brilliant wordsmith, with a keen eye for detail, and I am honored to have her on my list of friends.

You can follow her here:

https://glorywade.com/about/

One Last Thing…

If you enjoyed this book or if you found it useful, I’d be very grateful if you’d post a short review on Amazon. Your support really does make a difference.

Thanks again for your support!

About the Author

Hello! This is the end of the book, and I hope you enjoyed it.

I was born in 1973 in a small town in Italy. In my career, I’ve edited and wrote several scientific papers on geology and engineering, with emphasis on final disposal for spent nuclear waste. However, I come from a very complex background. I graduated from the Art Institute of Perugia (Italy) but pursued further studies in geosciences and environmental geosciences. I am passionate about photography, and I love observing nature and human’s societies from every perspective.

Through my novels, I aim to propose a new way to look at human relationships, cultures, and beliefs.

You can find me also on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/paperpenandinkwell

https://www.facebook.com/PJ.Mann.paperpenandinkwell

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/PjMann2016

And of course, my website:

https://pjmann2016.wixsite.com/pjmann

Other Books

A Tale of a Rough Diamond:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XQ3CH9Z

The Ghosts of Morgan Street:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C9RJVK6

Deadly Deception (trilogy):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M6T64MF

Copyright

Copyrights © 2019 by P. J. Mann. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 978-952-69159-9-9

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Content

P. J. Mann
AQUILA ET NOCTUA

Foreword

Glossary.

Chapter 1.

Chapter 2.

Chapter 3.

Chapter 4.

Chapter 5.

Chapter 6.

Chapter 7.

Chapter 8.

Chapter 9.

Chapter 10.

Chapter 11.

Chapter 12.

Chapter 13.

Chapter 14.

Chapter 15.

Chapter 16.

Chapter 17.

Chapter 18.

Chapter 19.

Chapter 20.

Chapter 21.

Chapter 22.

Chapter 23.

Chapter 24.

Acknowledgment

One Last Thing…

About the Author

Other Books

Copyright