Skaia (89 page)

Skaia remembered his own summer spent with Paulinus and Lucius, at the farm. Working hard every day, and enjoying almost every moment. “Yes,” he murmured quietly. “I can see.” He looked more closely now, studying the visible changes in Nicea. Better muscle definition of the boy’s arms and legs were clear, and Skaia suspected the same sorts of changes existed beneath his tunic. And the blond slave laughed much more freely, and openly.

“
We usually stay here at least a week at a time,” Nicea was saying, unaware of his friend’s scrutiny. “We’ll go back to Rome the day after tomorrow. Come, let me show you where we stay.”

He led Skaia to a tented area at the other side of the barn, away from the stalls. Inside, it was spacious and colorful, containing a desk, a table, several chairs, a standing chest, and in another part, a great bed. On the floor in the main section, there were many splendid and colorful cushions surrounding a large brazier.

Skaia looked around in awe. “It’s very beautiful, Nicea. Is it decorated in a Jewish style?”

Nicea laughed softly. “Everyone thinks so, but Master Abrahm told me it is a combination of styles from many Eastern countries. Persia and Assyria, and other places I don’t remember.” His voice was filled with obvious pride. “My master has traveled everywhere with his horses and racing.”

“
Where do you stay?” Skaia asked, as he looked around again, even more impressed

“
Here, of course,” Nicea grinned. “Did you think Master Abrahm made me sleep with the horses?”

Skaia met his eyes. “In his bed? I didn’t see a pallet.”

Nicea lowered his voice. “Yes, my master lets me sleep in his bed.”

With no other option,
Skaia thought, though Nicea did not seem upset about it… Noticing a shining silver bauble in Nicea’s ear, Skaia reached out to touch it. There was a small black stone embedded in the metal. “Master Abrahm bought this for you?” he asked.

Nicea smiled again. “I thought at first he bought it just because he liked yours. But it may be more than that.” Nicea’s voice became more serious, sounding almost worried. “He is always asking me what I want.”

“
What do you ask for?”

“
Melons,” Nicea answered quickly, his smile reappearing. “They are Master Abrahm’s favorite.”

Skaia nodded, thinking how typical that sounded for the Greek boy. To ask for what he knew
his master
wanted. “Are you happy, Nicea?”

Nicea’s smile disappeared, and he shook his head. “I’m still afraid to expect happiness, Skaia. Masters can change in an instant.”
Thaddeus gave me away…
He looked toward the tent flaps. “But, for now, Master Abrahm is very good to me.” He refused to say any more on the subject, shifting his attention instead to the small bandage on Skaia’s neck. “What happened?” he asked.

Explaining the events of earlier that morning, Skaia told of how Thaddeus had made Glaucus and his bride apologize. “What of Abrahm?” he enquired suddenly. “Does he have any children?”

Nicea shook his head again. “No. His wife and last remaining son died in Alexandria before he came to Rome. He says… he says he is too old to have more children.”

Skaia wondered what age had to do with that, but he didn’t ask, just offered his sympathy. “I’m sorry. It must be lonely for him. Thaddeus would be devastated if anything happened to his children.”

Nicea thought of Abrahm’s nephew… but that story was not to be shared with anyone, and so he simply nodded at what Skaia had said. “It is why he spends so much time with his horses. And with me,” he added brazenly, before leading the way outside to where Abrahm and Thaddeus were talking.

As soon as Abrahm saw Nicea, he called him to approach. “Arrange lunch for us,” he ordered. Nicea bowed, and left the others to return inside the barn, while Skaia moved to stand behind Thaddeus, listening as the two men talked of the horses, and of the upcoming races. When one of the horses gently nudged his arm, Skaia turned, and began to pet the animal’s nose.

Noticing, Abrahm turned to him. “Her name is Aleia. She likes to have her ears scratched,” he said, reaching out and demonstrating before he and Thaddeus walked off a little way, leaving Skaia alone with the mare.

Soon, other horses walked up, and Skaia quickly became surrounded. He looked around, more than a little frightened and intimidated by the powerful beasts. And when Thaddeus noticed, he wandered back and rescued him.

Abrahm smiled. “The horses can tell that this boy has a kind soul. They don’t come to many people so easily. They do it with Nicea also.”

The men began to talk again, but Thaddeus kept Skaia safely with him after that, until Nicea reappeared to tell them that the food was ready. Abrahm led the way inside the barn and to a table with a large bowl of water and soap, and once they had all washed their hands, he entered the tented area and held back the fabric for Thaddeus.

The table Skaia had seen before was set, and Abrahm took one of the benches as Nicea poured wine. Thaddeus joined him, while Skaia went quickly to Nicea’s side to assist him in serving. There were several kinds of cheeses, fresh baked bread—and melon slices.

When all the food had been served, Abrahm motioned for Nicea to take a seat at the table beside him. He looked to Thaddeus. “Your boy may sit as well, if you wish.” Thaddeus murmured his assent, and called Skaia, smiling as he took the remaining bench. Neither of the slaves spoke, but Nicea was obviously at ease, helping himself to the food without waiting for permission.

Skaia’s concentration wandered, thinking about what Nicea had said earlier.
He still doesn’t realize how lovely he is,
Skaia thought.
Abrahm keeps him close because he likes him, as much as because he is lonely.

Thaddeus’ hand on his arm brought his mind back in a rush. “You’re daydreaming,” he scolded. “And you’re not listening. Our host has invited us to sit in his box with him at the next races in Arcaia. What do you think?”

Skaia blushed. “I am sorry, sir,” he said to Abrahm. “That is very kind of you. But… but how can you allow slaves to attend the races? Isn‘t it forbidden, sir?”

“
I own my own box,” Abraham grinned. “Wealth has its advantages. I can invite whoever I want to join me.”

Skaia looked to Thaddeus for confirmation before he could believe the offer was true. “Then I would love to see your beautiful horses run, sir. Thank you,” he smiled.

Thaddeus laughed softly. “I was certain he’d be excited, as soon as he realized what you’d said.” He patted Skaia’s knee.

“
Your master mentioned to me before, that he hated having to leave you behind,” Abrahm said, smiling broadly. “We will have a wonderful day.”

The conversation turned to how the horses were trained, and Skaia made sure to pay closer attention this time to what was being said. And it seemed like only a short time later when Thaddeus announced that he and Skaia had to return home. “Our next visit will be longer,” he promised. “I look forward to seeing the young horses on the track.”

Nicea fetched their horses, and met his master and his guests at the entrance to the enclosure where they waited.

Abrahm embraced Thaddeus warmly before he would let him mount and then, putting his arm around Nicea’s shoulder, he looked up to his friend. “Thank you again, for… for introducing me to this boy.” He squeezed Nicea affectionately, looking down now at his slave. “He serves me well. And brings me much happiness.”

Thaddeus only nodded, smiling, and turned his horse away. Skaia faithfully followed, glancing back once briefly to see Abrahm still smiling down at Nicea.

Thaddeus did not speak as they rode on the Via Appia, keeping his thoughts to himself. When they began to reach the huge sepulchers, he turned his horse off the road, and went to the one bearing his family name. He led the way to a set of heavy wooden doors, barred with several large locks and, jumping down off his horse, he pulled a bundle of keys from a bag attached to the saddle, and set about working open the entrance.

Skaia took the horses and tethered their reins to a low post, before entering the tomb behind his master, looking as Thaddeus pointed out the shelf where Paulinus’ urn was set. He watched curiously as Thaddeus turned to the small alter, and made offerings with fire in his father’s name. Then, silently kneeling beside him, Skaia fed a small sheath of grain to the flame.

“
I’m sure my father would approve,” Thaddeus said warmly.

Standing up, he pointed out the urns of his wife, Paulinus’ wife, and two of his brothers, who had died in childhood. There were many other even older urns, and Thaddeus was not sure whose they were when Skaia asked. “I fear that information died with my father.”
Or is lost somewhere in father’s papers.

“
It is a very magnificent place, Thaddeus,” Skaia said, as he looked around the tomb at all the elaborately decorated urns set on marble shelves, thinking how his people would simply bury their dead in the woods. But, in its own way, he supposed, this place was lovely. Then he thought of Lucius. “Master, were Lucius’ ashes sent to Thrace?” he asked quietly.

“
Most of them. But I saved some, and added them to my father’s urn, as well as some of my mother’s,” Thaddeus replied.

“
Master Paulinus would like that, sir.”

“
I know. He never wanted to be parted from Lucius.” Thaddeus looked around the tomb again. “I will be here someday as well,” he said pensively.

Skaia looked up, his eyes misting at the thought. “I hope that will not be for a very long time, Master.”

Thaddeus put his arm around Skaia, and pulled the slave to him in a close embrace. “I hope not as well,” he said, kissing the boy’s brow. “But remember—everyone dies.”

Once they were back in the sun, and Thaddeus had relocked the massive doors, they remounted their horses and returned to the road. Thaddeus looked once more at the rows of tombs, keeping his eyes there as long as he could. And when Skaia started to ask him questions, he shook his head and held up his hand to quiet him.

They rode the rest of the way in silence.

The first few weeks of the marriage passed quietly as the young couple adjusted to one another, and a life together. Glaucus still went to the curia before dawn each morning, though he made sure he left the baths early to be with Gallia each afternoon. And Gallia continued with some of her own prior routine, meeting her mother at the baths in the morning several days a week.

Skaia carried on serving at breakfast and dinner. Occasionally, Gallia would stare at him, but she no longer made any vocal objections to his presence. Perhaps because Glaucus studiously ignored him.

Since Gallia’s arrival, there had only been a few changes made to the household. She had insisted on having her weaving frame set up in the atrium, where she could work in the early afternoon sun. And she had also begun planning meals with Phaelas. But, other than that, she did not interfere in household matters. Nor did she seem the least interested in taking over any duties normally associated with the household matriarch.