by P J Mann
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 Fl
avius 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 e
yes...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.