Skaia (53 page)

Paulinus required more help than just having his food placed on his plate. In the end, Skaia knelt before him and held food to his lips so he could eat.

“
You’ve grown up now,” Paulinus whispered. “But you still remind me of the little boy you were… back when Glaucus just turned eight.” Paulinus’ eyes filled with tears—and Skaia gently wiped them away.

Gotus took over the filling of cups and the washing of hands, so Skaia never had to leave Paulinus during the course of the meal. And when Paulinus said he was ready to retire, Gotus rushed to help him. But Paulinus insisted that Skaia take his arm, refusing Gotus’ assistance.

Later that night, after Thaddeus had climbed into his own bed, and Skaia had come to him to make sure he was settled, he looked at the boy with pleading in his eyes. “Will you stay with me?”

Skaia nodded, and slept in Thaddeus’ bed, holding his master throughout the night.

The following weeks were even more difficult, as Paulinus would no longer take meals with the family. Instead, he stayed in his rooms, and reluctantly accepted Gotus’ service.

In spite of Thaddeus’ cajoling, he would not even hear of going to the baths. Usually, he had Gotus wash him in his room, occasionally asking to go to Thaddeus’ bathing chamber. Initially he seemed satisfied with Gotus’ service there but, soon enough, he dismissed him and insisted that Skaia attend him.

At first, Skaia refused to remove his own tunic. But when Paulinus slipped in the deeper water, he went to the old man’s aid, soaking himself, and had to remove his clothing to dry it off.

Paulinus stared at him almost in horror. “Skaia, what is this? Surely Thaddeus did not beat you so severely that time… just because you told him you thought I was dying?”

Skaia shook his head. “I did not lie to him, sir.”

“
Little fool,” Paulinus hissed.

Skaia accepted the old master’s judgment. He knew he was a fool, now. For so very many things. “Yes, Master,” he answered submissively.

“
He punished you so severely just for what you said?” Paulinus pressed.

“
No, Master.” Skaia hesitated, somehow feeling he had to protect Thaddeus. He knew his master was ashamed of what he’d done, as well as angry. He didn’t want to upset this old man whom he cared for so deeply. But, neither could he lie to him. “I… I ran from him,” he finally admitted. “He was very angry, sir.”

“
You did what?” Paulinus demanded.

Skaia cringed at the distressed tone from Paulinus. Though he thought he should have expected it. Thaddeus had tried to tell him. “I… I left my master without his permission, sir. And tried to hide from him.”

Paulinus waited until Skaia had finished washing his hair before speaking again. His tone was soothing now, though his words were harsh. “You should be dead, Skaia. My son… I can hardly believe Thaddeus treated you so gently.”

Gently?
Skaia looked up sharply, his lips thinning, and his anger returning. “That was no gentle whipping! He almost killed me, Master Paulinus,” he protested.

“
Silly boy,” Paulinus chastised him. “There are protocols for such things, set up by the government since the last slave revolts. At the very least, you should have been whipped before the entire household,” he explained. “And Thaddeus might very well have chosen to collar you again, and brand your face, since he didn’t just beat you to death.”

Even in the warmth of the bathing chamber, Skaia shivered at the words. He had thought his punishment very harsh. This entire time, regardless of being so well cared for by Aulus and Gotus, regardless of Thaddeus’ assurances, he had thought his master very cruel, and his punishment unjust. And he had not forgiven Thaddeus for it.

But now, Paulinus’ words confirmed his master had indeed been merciful towards him.

Some small part of Skaia’s anger dissipated as he realized it. And almost reluctantly, he gave up his remaining resentment.

Thaddeus had begun taking dinner with his father in his rooms, leaving Thaddia and Crassus on their own. On this occasion, Gotus was sitting by Paulinus’ side, and trying to feed him. But the old man continuously refused or slapped his hands away. He would not even drink the honeyed water Skaia offered him.

Watching silently for some while, Thaddeus then took out the letter he’d received from Glaucus. Something that might catch his father’s interest. He read it aloud, omitting only the parts about Skaia.

Paulinus seemed to perk up at the mention of weddings. “How are negotiations going with the Galliani?”

“
Well enough. As you thought, they are concerned that I hold no public office. But they are pleased that Glaucus will be an emissary for the Senate. I think their Gallia is a good choice. The marriage would ally our family to Caesar’s, but not so closely that we could not stand off if he comes to trouble,” Thaddeus answered.

“
Is Caesar still in power?” Paulinus asked. “The last I heard, he was in Egypt.”

“
Pompey is dead, Father.”
And Paulinus knew that—or had known…
“Caesar is consolidating his power. When he returns to Rome, he will be named dictator for life.”

Paulinus ignored this information. “The Galliani girl—what is she like?”

Thaddeus forced himself to laugh. “I could tell only a little, meeting her in the presence of her father. But I think she will suit Glaucus. She’s not so thin as many of the other young girls. At least she has breasts and hips. She should bear children well.”

Skaia listened to them talk as he cleared the remnants of dinner, and realized the thought of Glaucus’ marriage was no longer so foreign. And that it no longer upset him as it once had.

After Paulinus declined to play a game, Thaddeus began to speak of the chariot races he’d attended. He seemed particularly fond of a new Jewish team. Paulinus listened and asked the occasional question, but Thaddeus did most of the talking.

By this time, Skaia was kneeling beside Thaddeus. He had stopped paying attention to what the men were saying, and was dozing. And when Thaddeus encouraged him, by pressing his head to rest against his thigh, Skaia relaxed into the position.

Paulinus looked first at the boy, and then to Thaddeus. “He told me he had tried to hide from you. You treated him very gently.”

Skaia had roused at the words, and attempted to sit up. But Thaddeus held his head in place. “He was sorry, Father. It was enough.”

Paulinus stared at the young slave resting so comfortably on his son. It brought back old memories of Lucius. He looked at Thaddeus again. “We both know it was not enough. The boy should have died. But… but I’m glad you showed mercy.”

Shortly after this exchange, Paulinus said he was tired and ready to sleep. Gotus helped rearrange the old master to lie down in the bed, and put on another blanket when he said he was cold.

Thaddeus leaned forward to kiss his father’s forehead. “I will see you in the morning. Hopefully, the weather will be nice and we can eat outside next to the garden.”

Paulinus nodded, but only closed his eyes and said nothing.
I will never see Glaucus’ children in my gardens…

Reluctantly, Thaddeus took his leave, and Skaia followed, looking back to see Gotus lie on the pallet beside Paulinus’ bed.

Morning had come. Crassus had already left for school, accompanied by Kaleel and Aulus, and the first rays of sunlight were beginning to enter Thaddeus’ bedroom when Castor came to wake him.

“
I’m sorry, sir. Penitents are arriving to seek your favor.”

“
Tell them to wait,” Thaddeus replied impatiently. “I will see if my father is up to eating this morning, before dealing with anything else.”

Castor, of course, simply bowed and left.

When Skaia heard the door shut, he reached to Thaddeus’ groin and found his already swollen erection. “Shall I take care of this, first, sir?” he questioned impishly.

“
By all the gods, I am tempted to say yes,” Thaddeus said with a smile, stroking Skaia’s buttocks provocatively. He was pleased that lately the boy seemed to want him again. “But, I promised father we would eat outside. Go see if he’s up to it. If not, have Castor send breakfast to his chambers and let me know.”

As Skaia started to get up, Thaddeus saw the slave’s own morning erection. “Regardless,” he grinned, “I think you and I will be returning to bed, before I face the morning’s beggars.”

Skaia smiled at the prospect, and then hurried to dress.

Thaddeus turned to watch him leisurely, and got up to wash only when Skaia had gone from the room.

As usual, Skaia knocked at Paulinus’ door before entering. As was to be expected these days, he was not up, and Skaia made his way to the bedroom, hoping Paulinus felt well enough to go outside.

But the world fell apart…

Gotus was hovering uncertainly over Paulinus’ bed. His eyes were red, and tears fell down his face. Skaia felt frozen, unable to believe what he saw before him… Paulinus laying perfectly still, his jaw dropped open.