Skaia (5 page)

Thaddeus grinned. “Not as hard as it might have been without your wise counsel. The boy will recover without scars. And I am confident now that he will be ready for Glaucus.”

Paulinus smiled as well, trusting that Thaddeus had acted judiciously, and then he called for Lucius. When his slave appeared, he stood, preparing to retire for the night. “Thank you, my son, for listening to your old father.”

Thaddeus waved away the words. “You are hardly old, Father.”

Paulinus nodded, but he leaned on Lucius for support as they walked from the dining room.

Flavius and Antius waited for him to leave before they both turned to Thaddeus for more information. “What happened?” Antius asked. “Did you really have to punish your new boy so soon?”

Thaddeus laughed at their curiosity and explained that he’d had to discipline the young slave for his insolence. “I’m sure he’ll be fine, now. He was meek as a lamb by the time the whipping was done.”

“
Did you make him kiss the whip?” Flavius asked. “I do it every time now, since you suggested it.”

Thaddeus nodded. The subject of disciplining slaves had become all too common since word of new revolts in the north reached Rome. Most patricians had now built special cells to hold their slaves at night, greatly decreasing the chances of insurrections. Although, truth be told, Thaddeus seldom whipped slaves himself. He usually left such unpleasant tasks to Castor on the occasions they were required. But he knew most of his friends enjoyed performing such duties themselves.

Flavius wanted Thaddeus to bring the young slave out, but he declined, saying the child needed more training before he would be fit to be seen in public. Antius laughed at the remark. “Excuses, excuses,” he teased. “Can you at least tell us about him?  Is he pretty?”

“
Certainly not the day I bought him,” Thaddeus smiled. “He was a bag of bones when I got him home.” He hesitated as he thought of the changes five weeks had wrought. “He’s filling out now with decent food. I’m not really sure why I chose him in the first place,” Thaddeus admitted. “Except that his eyes are such a beautiful blue. At least for now, he will not be an embarrassment to Glaucus. And that’s all that really matters.”

“
You should have bought an older one,” Flavius remarked. “Then you wouldn’t have to worry so much about training. A slave with a few years of service on him would already have learned to obey immediately. Without insolence, as you call it.”

“
Father and I discussed it. Father thought it would be best for Glaucus to grow up with a boy, like Thane and I did.”

“
I hope Glaucus doesn’t become too fond of him,” Flavius said. “Like you did with Thane.”

“
I wasn’t too fond of Thane,” Thaddeus objected. “He was a good slave. I didn’t need to punish him because he always behaved.”

Flavius laughed and shook his head. “Whatever you say, Thaddeus. Whatever you say.”

“
There are many positives about young ones, too,” Antius added. “Have you fucked him yet?”

Thaddeus was well aware that he was in the minority of Romans on this issue. He did not begrudge his friends their pleasures, but his own tastes differed. “He’s just a boy, Antius, only a little older than Glaucus.”

“
The best kind, Thaddeus,” Antius grinned. “Sweet, tender asses. Soft smooth thighs. Pliant and anxious to please.”

Thaddeus frowned at the comments. “Would you take a girl so young?”

Antius shrugged. “I have on occasion, but a nine or ten year old girl has few womanly charms.”

“
Well, a ten year old boy holds no appeal for me.” Thaddeus found himself growing unexpectedly angry with his friend. Which was foolish… There were few Romans who held back their lusts with slaves, even with slave children. Sexual services were as much a part of the duties of young, attractive slaves as scrubbing floors or assisting in the kitchens. A well run house-hold was expected to have them on duty at all times, to serve their masters and their guests.

Antius only smiled indulgently, having long ago accepted his friend’s peculiar sensibilities. “I have a new boy you may find more satisfactory, Thaddeus. He’s fourteen. When you and Flavius come tomorrow, you are welcome to try him. I’ll warn you he has more than a few scars, but I can also assure you he’s very eager to please.”

The tension passed as all three men laughed. In time, the conversation returned to their children, and when Antius pulled the serving girl into his lap Thaddeus only watched impassively. To this he had no objection and leaned back on his couch, watching as Antius exposed her breasts and tugged roughly on her nipples.

Flavius was more intrigued with the area beneath her waist and leaned forward to run his hand beneath the girl’s skirt and to feel between her legs. The young woman maintained a passive expression on her face, and made no objection to anything the men did to her.

Thaddeus smiled at the scene and sipped from his cup, pleased that she maintained her training so well.
A good slave.

Skaia knelt stiffly at first, thinking Thaddeus would be back at any moment, but as time went by he began to shift and relaxed his posture. The pain in his back was just a dull fire now, much as he remembered the pain on his buttocks to be when he’d been whipped by his father for misbehaviors at home.
Though father never made me bleed.

He waited patiently for as long as he could, but finally his childish curiosity overcame his fear and he got up to explore the bedroom to the extent the chain would allow. He discovered that Master Thaddeus had fine rings on his dresser, and he examined them with interest. Then he saw a piece of polished metal and realized he could see his reflection. In wonder he touched it and marveled at the reflected light.

Looking around to be sure he was still alone, Skaia lifted it to study the bruises on his cheeks and the cut on his lip. And then the collar, which he handled cautiously. He did not know its material, but it was black and very smooth. Not all the slaves in the household wore collars. Castor had told him that when he was trusted, his own would be removed. He wasn’t sure what
being trusted
meant, but he hoped it would happen soon. He hated the weight on his neck.

He shifted the mirror again to see his hair better, and caught sight of Thaddeus, standing directly behind him. Turning quickly in panic, he fell to his knees, still clutching the piece of metal. “Sorry, sorry, sorry.” His heart raced, sure he would be punished again for getting up and for touching the master’s belongings. But Thaddeus’ hand, when it took the metal away, was not hurtful. Still, Skaia looked only at the floor, remembering the man’s words from the morning.

He breathed easier when Thaddeus stepped away from him and he looked up just enough to see the man begin to undress, first removing the ring he wore, then starting on his belt.

“
Get up, Skaia, help me.”

Skaia stood and spoke hesitantly. “Not know… how.”

Thaddeus eyed him thoughtfully. “Come.” Skaia walked to him, eyes still downcast. “Remove the belt.” Thaddeus lifted his arms and Skaia began to work at the buckle, finally getting it undone, and holding it in his hands.

“
What do… it?”

“
Put it in the cabinet. That one,” Thaddeus pointed. Skaia walked to the tall, narrow chest, opened the door, and saw the many tunics and belts hanging inside. He put the one he held among them, and went back to the master. Thaddeus talked and motioned to the boy, to show him what else needed to be done, and after Skaia had performed to his satisfaction, he said, “I will bathe now.”

Skaia hesitated. He knew he wasn’t supposed to talk unless he was spoken to, but he was so unsure and he had no idea what was required of him. “What I do, Master?” he asked very softly.

“
Whatever I tell you.” Thaddeus reached to the boy’s collar, and released the chain. “Follow me.”

Skaia was confused. He had no idea what
follow
meant. “Come?” he asked uncertainly.

“
Yes, come.” Thaddeus was already walking down a narrow hallway Skaia had not seen before. The child took a deep breath, and went after him, though he kept his eyes down to avoid seeing the master’s naked body.

They came to yet another chamber that contained a small pool, with a built up ledge. Thaddeus stepped inside and sank down into the water. He pointed to shelves at the side of the pool. “Get sponges and oil.”

Skaia walked to the shelves and handled the items he found uncertainly. He held up one of them. “Spoonge?” he asked, meeting Thaddeus’ eyes.

Thaddeus smiled, finding himself charmed by the little slave’s strange pronunciation. “Sponge,” he agreed.

Picking out a bottle, Skaia unstopped it and smelled. “Oil?”

Thaddeus actually laughed. “Yes, oil. Bring them.” He was surprised at his own patience. He held up the sponge when the boy handed it over. “Sponge. Now, you say it.” Skaia watched Thaddeus’ mouth as it formed the word, repeating it back several times until Thaddeus was satisfied. When he looked down, Thaddeus touched his hand until Skaia met his eyes again. “Very good.”

Skaia was unsure what to do. He was afraid of this man, but he dared to smile, and Thaddeus nodded approval, saying, “Wash me.” Skaia understood the command if not exactly how to accomplish it. He sat on the ledge and put the sponge in the water, dribbling it on Thaddeus’ shoulders. To his surprise, the water was hot. Thaddeus spoke again. “Undress and get in with me.”

Unsure what all the words meant, Skaia certainly understood
undress
now and took off his tunic, immediately this time, folding it neatly. Then he stood nervously, his hands falling to cover his groin. “Not understand rest, Master.”

Thaddeus took the child’s arm and pulled him toward the pool. “Get in.” Skaia stepped over the ledge and into the water. “Good,” Thaddeus said before pulling the boy down to sit next to him on the step. He handed Skaia the sponge again. “Wash me,” he repeated. Skaia obeyed, rubbing the sponge over the man’s chest, arms and legs. Thaddeus shifted the boy’s small hand to his groin, and moved it with the sponge. Soon enough, Skaia was doing it without Thaddeus’ help, though the young slave turned a bright shade of red when he encountered the Roman’s erection, and tried to pull his hand away. But Thaddeus stopped him, holding his wrist in an almost brutal grip until the boy started to work again.

When Thaddeus turned over, Skaia sighed silently in relief and washed his master’s back and buttocks. When it was done, Thaddeus stood and stepped from the water, Skaia staring at the man’s bobbing organ only a moment, before leaving the pool as well and joining him.

“
Now, oil me,” Thaddeus ordered, amused at the youngster’s embarrassment. Skaia did as best he could, having only seen the process once before in the auction house. He poured oil from the bottle into his hands, and rubbed it into the skin of Thaddeus’ legs and buttocks. When Skaia was reaching for his back, Thaddeus turned and directed the boy to his phallus. He noticed that Skaia hesitated, and suddenly the unbidden thought that he would like to have the boy’s sweet mouth surround his throbbing length ran through his mind.