Aquila Et Noctua

by P J Mann

  “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.