He felt sorry he had to leave Marcus Tiberius, but at the same time, he felt anger at his betrayal. He had served him loyally, and as a token of gratitude, he gave him away as a wedding gift for his son.
Who am I going to fool? Have I ever thanked a horse for being a good one? Of course not, and if I had a good horse and someone made a reasonable offer to buy it, I would consider the deal. If my son wanted that horse as a wedding gift, I would give it to him without even thinking about it. Maybe I should start to think of myself as a horse, a good one, and soon this horse will have a new owner.
A lump grew in his throat, and tears welled.
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, hoping no one saw. He shook his head and exhaled deeply to compose himself and follow what the teacher was saying.
Something hit him on his shoulder. He turned his face and saw Caius smirked at him. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. Saul smirked bitterly back at him and told himself he should not complain so much. His life was still better than that of many other slaves in Rome.
At the end of the lessons, Saul and Flavius were ready to go when Caius called him. “I don’t know why you were crying today. I… well… Whatever is your sorrow, I honestly feel sorry for it. If it helps, we can go to the Thermae together when you have time.”
“Thanks, Caius, that’s kind of you. It was just a foolish moment. For the Thermae, I have no idea if I will ever have time to come with you, but don’t be upset about it. I’m just a slave,” he shrugged, trying to smile.
Caius leaned closer. “I’ve never told anybody because I feel ashamed, my father is a Liberto, so theoretically, I am the son of a slave. Take care, slave.”
Saul remained open-mouthed as he watched him walk away.
“Saul, what are you waiting for? Let’s go home,” called Flavius.
He turned and caught up to with his Master.
“What did Caius have to say?”
“I don’t have the slightest idea, Master. It sounded like an apology, but I can’t fathom the reason why,” Saul replied, confused.
“Well, no matter. Let’s return home. We have to study, and I need to talk to my father. This time, I wish you to be present, as I am going to speak with him about my wedding, and this concerns you as well.”
“Yes, Master.”
Chapter 7.
August arrived, and with it, the day of departure approached sooner than Saul had expected. It came with a great sense of relief.
“So, Saul, are we set to leave?” Marcus Tiberius asked kindly.
“Yes, Master, everything is set,” he replied.
Marcus Tiberius ruffled Saul’s hair and smiled at him. “Then let’s go.”
As they left Rome, Saul’s heart became lighter. All his worries were left at home, and for one entire month, they wouldn't bother him. He hoped that by the time he returned, they would have disappeared, and he could live peacefully until the engagement ceremony. There he would meet his mistress for the first time. At the moment, he preferred not to think about it. He wanted to focus on his duties and enjoy this exclusive time with Marcus Tiberius’ company.
The days passed hectically one after another, allowing him to spend the evenings exchanging a few words with his Master in private.
As Marcus Tiberius owned a conspicuous number of country estates in different parts of the Empire, he hired locals to manage the works. Nevertheless, he needed to travel occasionally to oversee their management. That time, Marcus Tiberius and Saul traveled to the territories of Etruria. The travel distance wasn’t long but visiting the estates, getting updated with the issues raised by the harvest and season, was an extensive work.
The countryside looked to Saul very different than the city of Rome. The vast valleys of the Etrurian inland, contrasting with the reliefs of the mountain belt delimiting it on the east side reminded Saul of his home. Yet, the rich green of the fields and woods was something that marveled him. The summer sun, shining on the afternoon tuned by the song of the birds and the chirping sound of the grasshoppers left him open-mouthed. He wished he had more time to inhale the smell of the meadows, enjoy the singing of birds and the sun on his skin.
“It is one year since I bought you. How do you feel about your life in my house?” he asked, during one evening before going to sleep.
I feel less confused and serving you has become more a pleasure than a duty.”
“Does my son have any problems with your service?”
“No, Master. What do you mean by that?” Saul asked, surprised.
“I noticed that after I bought you, the relationship between you and my son was warmer, then recently got cold. What happened? Did you disappoint him?”
“No, Master. Lately, there have been a lot of events. When I was told I would be given away as a wedding gift, my world was turned upside down.” He wasn’t sure he should tell him about the deal he had with Flavius.
Marcus Tiberius looked at him as if he could not comprehend why it was such a big deal, but he was determined to understand. “Can you be more specific?”
“The day you bought me, Master Flavius offered me his friendship. However, his offer of an egalitarian relationship disoriented me. I could not be his friend; he is my Master. After a while, I asked him not to behave like a friend, but as a Master,” he tossed his arms out. “Recently, I became a close friend of one of the other students, Caius. I am afraid Master Flavius got jealous of how well we related to each other.”
“Saul, my son is a mild-mannered person, and you are very young. For this reason, I won’t punish you.” Marcus Tiberius locked his eyes on Saul’s. “Your Master decides how to behave with you, and you are not to assert your opinion. A slave accepts whatever comes from his Master, whether it is a punishment or a reward.”
Saul bowed his head. “I’m sorry, Master, you are right. I shouldn’t have objected to his behavior… I behaved stupidly.” Looking up, he met Marcus’ eyes. “I need the steady hand of a Master to lead me into slavery.”
Marcus Tiberius turned his shoulder to him and thought about it as Saul patiently waited for his final decision. Then he turned to look at Saul. He still was not sure what he should do, but he knew he had to help his slave in one way or another.
I don’t want to punish him, but perhaps there isn’t any other way…
“Saul, I think I understand what is going on in your heart and, trust me, my decision is hurting my heart more than you can possibly imagine. I will punish your misbehavior toward my son with twenty lashes as soon as we get back home, in front of Flavius, to whom you owe an apology.”
Saul’s heart stuttered. He felt as if someone had stabbed him, but he understood this would be more useful than thousands of words. He turned his gaze downward and smiled. “Thank you, Master. I am sorry I disappointed you; this will never happen again. I am grateful for your understanding.”
Marcus Tiberius caressed his slave’s face and raised his chin to force him to meet his eyes, then he kissed his forehead. Saul’s eyes filled with an inner glow as that was the most soul-stirring gesture he’d ever received since the beginning of his slavery. His heart beat faster and faster.
“Master…” he whispered, breathlessly. Then Marcus Tiberius drew closer and kissed his lips.
Saul felt his body melting, intoxicated by his passionate kisses. He held Marcus Tiberius, who hugged him tightly against his chest.
“You are a good youth, Saul; you just need guidance.” He lay him on his bed, cuddling together.
Their journey continued smoothly, and soon, the incident was left behind but lived on their memories. On a fair September morning, Marcus Tiberius and Saul returned home, welcomed at the door by the entire family.