by P J Mann
“I have no idea. I don’t know who I fear the most. She warned me that if I didn’t keep my mouth shut, she would shut it for good.”
“It won’t be necessary,” said Marcus Tiberius as he entered the room.
Saul turned his head toward the direction of the voice as Cassandra stood and ran away, afraid that she shouldn’t have been there.
“Master, I…Please forgive my misbehavior. I can’t understand how I could ever yell at you. I feel terrible about it,” Saul apologized, with a quivering chin as remorse and shame evident in his tone.
“I forgive you, Saul, but only because I think you were upset after what happened. I know Claudia has a difficult character, but I find it hard to believe that she would do something like that,” Marcus Tiberius helped Saul up. “Your behavior puts me in an awkward situation. Should I or should I not believe you? Are you still telling lies, or is this the truth?”
“It is the truth, Master, but I understand that you find it difficult to trust me,” Saul said.
Marcus Tiberius sighed, unsure of what to believe. Claudia was his son’s wife, while Saul was nothing but a slave.
Indeed, Saul was a special one, and he knew that, in normal conditions, his loyalty wasn’t to be doubted. He always could trust Saul, but recent events cast a shadow over his credibility.
Claudia had already lied to him on many occasions, giving him the impression she had more to hide. Marcus Tiberius remained silent for a long time, pondering what to do. Then, he decided to at least listen carefully to Saul, this time trying to sense any sign of lies. If he found a hint of lying, he wouldn’t trust Saul anymore, and he would send him back to his son’s house, not caring about his fate nor the deal.
“Start from the beginning. I will listen to you, and then I will decide whether I will believe what you say or not. Be sure you tell me the truth because this is your last chance. There won’t be another one.” He asked, what is going on between Flavius, Claudia and you?”
“He is my Master. I obey his orders, and if sometimes he wants to spend the night with me, I have no way to deny him.”
“So, you are your Master’s lover? Do you have feelings for him?”
“I…don’t know exactly what I feel for him,” Saul whispered. “I…maybe, I love him too. I don’t even know what love is anymore. Can a slave love his Master, as Nara says?”
Marcus Tiberius smiled at the clumsy explanation. He found it cute, and maybe Saul was, in a strange way, in love with Flavius. “Did you know this was upsetting Claudia?”
“She was upset with me since the beginning, since before your son shared his nights with me. I tried to advise him to treat her in a more considerate way. The problem is that they are not meant to be together. He will never be able to love her the way she wants,” Saul shook his head.
“I know that. I was more focused on securing my son a social position without considering his compatibility with the future bride. Is it in any way true that you overshadowed her with her guests?”
“I tried my best not to, but then Mistress Flaminia asked for me during her visits, or her guests asked me to sing. I obeyed the orders given; I swear to God. I've never tried to overshadow her. If I did so, it wasn't something I meant to do,” Saul pleaded.
“I know how charming you might be, but this gives just pride to your Master. Have you ever apologized for your behavior to Claudia?”
“I tried everything to please her, to not cause her wrath, but I failed, Master. That’s why she punished me. Please, Master, don’t tell her anything about this confession, and don’t take any action against her.”
“What exactly happened that night?” Marcus Tiberius pursued.
Saul sighed, trying to recollect his memories, then blurted it out. “I was sleeping, and everything was quiet when she woke me up. As I opened my eyes, I realized the presence of two other men. Their faces were covered, so I could not recognize them. They kept me held down to my bed, unable to move. She said I was an annoying presence in her life, that I was stealing everything that belonged to her: the attention and love of her husband; that I intruded between her guests and her. Afterward, she said that the time had come to bring me to the place where I belonged and asked me if I knew what happened when a tool becomes useless. It was then I realized she had in mind more than lashing me. I replied that it would be thrown away. She replied that it was exactly what would happen to me, warning me not to say a word to anybody or the consequences would be much worse. The last thing I saw was the shining blade of the knife that blinded me. The rest you know already.”
Marcus Tiberius thought about what he should do. He was sure about Saul’s sincerity; he could feel that he was telling him the truth.
He was again the trustworthy slave he used to know, however, his sincerity made things more complicated because he must bring Claudia to justice for ruining something that didn’t belong to her. It was a shared property between Marcus Tiberius and Flavius. At that moment, telling the truth to his son when he returns wasn’t a good idea.
What to do?
“Saul, you understand that even though she did something wrong, she won’t find any punishment by law, as you are nothing but property. I know that when Claudia forbade you to talk about what happened, she meant with Flavius, as I can imagine he would be furious with her. He is fond of you.
“I am as well, and I believe that she should be punished, but Flavius has a more impulsive temper, and I fear his reaction when he finds out. As you wisely said, the knowledge or the revenge won’t give your sight back, so I suggest never telling Flavius what happened. I will find a way to keep you with me, as far as possible from Claudia. More, I can’t possibly do. I hope you understand,” Marcus Tiberius said, holding his shoulders.
Chapter 19.
Bitterness gnawed on Saul’s guts—bitterness that he could be subjected to cruel treatment without any boundaries, without any law to protect him. A lowly slave, a nobody.
Until now, he had accepted his slavery far from the life promised to him since his birth, as his Masters were fair and treated him with care. Now that he had experienced both sides of the medal, he found himself trapped in a dream that had become a nightmare, one from which there was no escape. His eyes filled up with tears, as hopeless loneliness overwhelmed him.
Marcus Tiberius held him in his arms as soon as he saw the tears dripping through the bandages. He couldn’t find the right words, so kept him to his chest, caressing his hair as tears fell from his own eyes.
As Marcus Tiberius held him like that, Saul felt like he was back in his childhood when his father had held him. He sensed his Master’s hug coming from the heart. He could not see his face, but he knew what was in his heart.
Saul hugged Marcus Tiberius, letting the warmth of his body and the slow movement of his hand on his hair soothe his senses and soul. The nightmare turned back into the dream it used to be, a quiet slumber, where he was still a property, but his owner took good care of his body and soul. There was no hate or disdain, just appreciation.
Marcus Tiberius cradled him to his chest. He needed Saul to understand that even if there wouldn’t be any justice for a slave like him, his master was at his side, and would be for the rest of his life. Marcus Tiberius was confident that his son, Flavius, would have taken good care of him, regardless of Claudia’s threat.
“I’m not letting you down, Saul,” he whispered his breathing uneven.
“I know that, Master. I should have trusted you as I always did.”
“Don’t think about it anymore. It's over. You're safe, and I am your only Master, as it should have been since the beginning.”
Marcus Tiberius parted from him and kissed his forehead. “This will be a new beginning. I won’t make the same mistake again.” He caressed his hair. “And you never lie to me again.”
“Yes, Master,” Saul assured him.
Marcus Tiberius smiled at him. “Well, it is time to take these bandages off. Let’s go see Rufus; he will take care of you. After that, you
are not going to rest, as I will find a way to use your services. Consider it a way to remind you not to misbehave in the future.”
The two men arrived at Flavius’ house in the early morning. As soon as they dropped Flavius off the horse, they galloped away.
Flavius lay in the dirt, blindfolded and bound. He did not know where he was. From the voices of the merchants who had their stalls on the same road where he lived, the paved ground and the smell of food coming from the bakery, he knew he was in Rome.
He heard slow footsteps approaching, then run in his direction. Dust salted his skin as someone knelt beside him.
“Master, is that you?” Julius asked. He was returning home after spending the night in his ambulatory.
“Julius, untie my hands and take off this blindfold.”
Julius obeyed. “What happened to you, Master? Are you hurt?” He helped Flavius to stand.
“I am fine.” Flavius ran to open the heavy door of his house.
Julius looked around. “Master, where are Dionysius, Lukos, and Leandros? Why aren’t they with you?” he asked.
Flavius hesitated at the door and slowly turned his head to look into Julius’ eyes.
“I’m sorry; they won’t return.” He lowered his gaze.
“Welcome home, Master. We all missed you,” Julius replied in a lower tone of voice.
Flavius nodded as he walked inside the house. He looked around to greet all the familiar things of his life, that made him feel home, safe.
He walked absentmindedly with thousands of thoughts bouncing in his mind until he reached the garden. There Claudia sat on a bench; her head bent over her embroidery. He smiled at the image and walked toward her.
She raised her eyes and dropped her work on the grass, then ran to him, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.
“Flavius!” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. “The gods listened to my prayers. I was so worried about you.”
He remained immobile for a few seconds then felt warm drops on his cheeks. He was free, back to his family, safe and alive. He clutched Claudia to him. She was part of the dear freedom he had missed so much. He wanted to fuse his heart to hers, to be one.
“I missed you so much. I was so scared I wasn’t going to return home.” he cried between the tears.
“You’re back now, everything will be better.” She parted from him to gaze into his eyes, happy to see the emotion she had wanted from him for so long. Once he was rid of his useless slave, her life would be perfect.
He smiled at her, feeling foolish for crying like a child, then took control of himself. He was ready to pick up his life from where he’d left it.
Claudia’s hand stroked the growth of beard on his cheek. “I was afraid they wouldn’t keep their word and bring you back. Well, let’s not think about it anymore. It is over. What happened to the slaves traveling with you?”
He shook his head. “They were killed, he said sourly.
“Never mind them, Flavius. What is important is that you are back unharmed. A slave can be replaced. You are the only person I care for.”
He smiled bitterly, remembering her attitude toward the slaves and shook his head. “How did my father and my mother take the news of me missing?” he asked.
“Your mother probably does not know anything about it. I told only your father. I would have rather avoided that too; I wanted to take care of the situation by myself without involving anyone. I was afraid and couldn’t find the right way to tell it, but the gods were of the opposite idea and after the accident…I had to tell your father,” she said.
He looked at her, puzzled, then shook his head as if to cast away a thought. “I should let him know I am back.”. He looked around. “Where is Saul? Is he in my room working on the accounting?”
She started to feel nervous, clenching the soft tissue of her clothing in her fists. “Saul is not here. He is at your father’s house,” she replied. She wasn’t sure whether she should say what happened to him or not.
“Oh, did he need his services?”
“I…Flavius, there is something you need to know, but I really don’t know how to say it,” she murmured.
Flavius grabbed her by the shoulders. “What do you mean? What happened to Saul?”
She struggled and pulled out of his grip. “You are hurting me!” she yelled. “Saul was assaulted by intruders that got into this house at nighttime. I had no time to understand from him what happened, and your father took him to his house, claiming that the deal between you two was over. I don’t know anymore,” she said, turning her back to him.
He turned her, forcing her to meet his eyes. “What are you saying? What did they do to him? Why does my father claim that the deal is off? The deal clearly stipulated that if Saul was mistreated, he would be given back to him. If he wasn’t mistreated, why would my father take him away? What have you done?” He shook her, all tenderness gone.
“Let me go. You're hurting me!” Claudia cried disconsolate.
He let her go, hoping for a reasonable explanation.
“I haven’t done anything to him. I don’t know why your father said that. I don’t even remember the deal, and moreover, I had something more important to take care of than wasting my time on a slave. Why don’t you go get it back if you need him that much?”
He looked at her flushed face, and the hurt reflected there. Realizing he had been too tough on her, he apologized. After all, he owed her his freedom. “I'm sorry. I still feel bewildered about everything. I shouldn’t have yelled at you, and I unfairly accused you of something you haven’t even done. Please, Claudia, forgive me.”
She visibly relaxed. “I was unsure of how to tell you what happened during your absence. Things have not been easy. I am really sorry for Saul. I know what you think and partly it is true; I have been jealous of his relationship with you; however, I would never do anything to hurt him, just like I haven't harmed any of the other slaves. My opinions about them are unchanged, but this does not mean that I would be able to harm any of them,” she said, trying to justify her behavior.
Flavius hugged her. He wanted to know about Saul’s accident, but he was sure that by asking his father, he might obtain more information.
“Please let’s forget this. I will go to see my father. He needs to know that I’ve returned, and I'm alive and well. At the same time, I will get Saul and bring him back. I need him to help me over the next days, so if my father insists on keeping him, I will need at least to borrow his services.”
“Why don’t you rest for today and go to your father tomorrow? One day won’t make any difference. Moreover, you might want to relax taking a bath.” She caressed his face.
“No, I'll go now. I won’t be there for long. I'll be back soon,” Flavius assured her before heading for the door.
As he walked to his parents’ house, he didn’t know what to expect; he had no details of what happened to Saul. The accident, as Claudia called it, must have been serious if his father had taken Saul back. Why would he think Saul was mistreated if he had been assaulted by strangers?
He hesitated at his father’s door before knocking. His heart raced in his chest. He couldn’t wait to embrace his family again.
When a slave answered the door, he smiled at her. “Good to see you, Nana. Is my father home?”
“He will be glad to see you, Master. He is in his room with Saul,” she said, guiding him to her Marcus Tiberius’ working room.
She opened the heavy curtain which divided the room from the rest of the house.
Marcus Tiberius sat at a table, focused on a document while Saul stood in front of him, with his head lowered as if he had disappointed Marcus Tiberius and awaited punishment.
Saul’s beauty was more stunning than Flavius remembered. His hair was gathered by ribbons, but something in his posture seemed odd.
His father looked as if he was worried, his eyebrows wrinkled.
From the entry, he said, “Good morning, Father.”
; Marcus Tiberius’ eyebrows rose, and his eyes widened.
He slowly stood. “Flavius, you are…” he strode to hug him. “I was worried. When Saul told me you were missing, I thought my life was ending. What happened to you?”
“Everything happened so fast, I grasp all of it. What I can recall is that it was late evening and I decided to spend the night in a tavern. Suddenly, I heard the horses of my slaves traveling behind me get nervous. As I turned to check what happened, I saw two of them on the ground dead, killed by arrows. I turned to Lukos and saw a man pointing a knife at his throat. Lukos shouted for me to run away, but I was grabbed by another man. I was held hostage for two weeks. They told me they were going to ask for ransom money from my family, and if they did not pay, they would have killed me.”
“Who were they? How did they know who you were?” Marcus Tiberius asked.
“That is something I couldn’t understand. I tried to ask but got no answer. It was impossible to recognize them as they were covered by scarves and long coats all the time. Maybe they were following me since the beginning, waiting for the right moment...
“What I do not understand is why? I really can’t believe that they followed me only for the sake of money. Were they following me since I left Rome? How could they know about my departure? Too many things don’t fit. I know I should not think about it and try to forget what happened, but I want to know who did it and why.”
Saul didn’t move from his position. He kept his head down and wept silently for the death of the three slaves. At the same time, joy filled him at the sound of Flavius’ voice. He also felt terrified about what his Master’s reaction would be to his blindness.
Flavius turned his eyes to Saul, wondering about his behavior. He was sure he would have run to him.
He was sure he had been missing him.
As he walked to him, he realized Saul was crying. “Saul, what’s wrong?” he asked, but his lover didn’t reply.
Flavius caressed his cheek and gently raised his head.
When he saw the brightness of his slave’s eyes was replaced by a misty shade, he realized that something more frightening than he ever could have imagined had happened.