“Well, this means nothing. Flavius’ mother is a beautiful and sweet person; surely, Marcus Tiberius does not need a lover. However, Flavius will when he gets married to Claudia. You just be aware of that…slave,” he said, enjoying the frightened expression on Saul's face.
“Caius!” the teacher thundered as he overheard part of the discussion.
Caius jumped on his chair, becoming serious.
“How dare you tease Saul like that? Is this the education I am inspiring in you? I am not only your teacher, but I am also your educator, and I am not tolerating this kind of behavior from my pupils. Apologize immediately to him.” He pulled Caius’ ear.
“OW! Saul, please forgive me, OW! Let my ear go, please, I’m sorry,” he said, almost crying.
Saul cringed, “I forgive you, Caius. You just wanted to tease me.”
The teacher released Caius’ ear from his grip and slapped his head. “As usual, Antonius and Julius haven’t yet arrived. What should I do with them?” he asked as they both sauntered into the room.
“We are terribly sorry. Here are dates for everyone. On our way to school, we waited for the merchant to open his shop. We can’t resist the sweetness of his dates,” Antonius said, laying down on a table a large bag.
The teacher glared at them. “Then we should taste this delicacy and see if it is worth being late,” he said, almost making fun of them.
Julius and Antonius gazed each other, feeling confident about the result. “You are right; these are the sweetest dates I’ve ever tasted,” the teacher admitted.
“For today, you are forgiven but try not to be late anymore.”
After school, Saul hurried home to help his Master. During his journey, as he thought about what Caius had said, worry inched into his mind. He knew that, in Rome, as much as in Greek culture, homosexuality was part of everyday life, but he never thought about the possibility of becoming Flavius’ lover. He remembered the kisses exchanged with Marcus Tiberius, and the nights erotically shared with him during his trips. However,
he felt as if the eroticism they shared was completely different from complete sex.
He realized that if he thought about being used sexually, it would feel more natural having sex with Marcus Tiberius than with Flavius. He could not explain why.
Chapter 11.
Being far from home was a relief for Flavius. He saw things from a different perspective and continued to think about Saul’s words. In time, they made more sense. He understood his jealousy better, as a sweet feeling of desiring somebody for himself only, and that somebody was Saul. He needed to own him exclusively, needed to be his sole Master without the clause in the wedding contract. However, he was conscious that the clause was meant to protect Saul’s future.
As time passed, he realized that, with his uncle, he could develop the skills a husband, and particularly a good Master, should have.
His uncle Titus was a General of the Roman army; he was wise, strong, and determined. As soon as he spoke to Flavius, he understood that the boy needed the guidance of a strong man. He needed the guidance of a man who, unlike his brother, would be able to transform the spoiled youth into a man.
He agreed with Marcus Tiberius that he would teach Flavius how to rule over his slaves, governing them with justice, fairness and firmness, rewarding when deserved, and punishing when necessary.
The death of his beloved wife a long time ago, left him without any descendants, and with an unbridgeable sense of emptiness.
He preferred not to remarry. No woman would compare to her.
After the last campaign, he had decided to take time to think about his future.
He even entertained the idea of retiring from military service, living the time the gods allowed him in peace.
“What makes you so thoughtful?” Titus asked as he approached Flavius in the garden.
“Many things. Thank you for your hospitality and the effort you are putting into my education. If it hadn’t been for you and for Saul, I couldn’t understand how much I need to grow up. Without you, I would have continued to believe I was ready to face the world and that all the answers were in my hands. I was such a blind fool.”
“I see you care a lot for that slave.”
“What do you mean?”
“The name of your slave comes out at every sentence you speak. If what you say is true, he must be very wise. How old is he?”
“He is thirteen years old.
His uncle glared at him open-mouthed. “Are you telling me that a thirteen-year-old child can inspire so many weighty considerations in you? He is, indeed precious.”
“My father thinks Saul was sent to us by the gods. Perhaps it is so, or possibly he is himself one.”
His uncle shook his head, his forehead creased, and his eyes narrowed. “I don’t know anything about gods. What I can see has always been what I believe in, but your father might have a point. If this slave has been so important for you to see the path of your life, I’d like one day to meet him.”
“You are always welcome in our house,” Flavius said.
“Are you still concerned about getting married to Claudia?” Titus asked, teasing him.
“No. I was childish.”
“We all went through the same feelings. You are just a young boy who needs to grow into a man, and there are plenty of women to satisfy your curiosity before the wedding. Possibly your Saul will satisfy other curiosities after the wedding too,” Titus chuckled.
Flavius’ lips curled amused at the thought, but that was not in his plans. He would have a beautiful wife. He saw Saul as his best friend rather than a possible candidate for lonely nights.
“I know that you agreed to have me as a guest here for a month, but I would like to remain for a longer period. I think I need to be away from the privileged environment of my family, see the world from different perspectives before I can have my own opinions about it. As far as I can see, with you, I have this opportunity.”
Uncle Titus nodded and put his hand on his nephew’s shoulder. “You can stay as long as you think necessary, and I will make sure that you experience life under all the aspects. You could stay until your service in the army starts. I will train you for that as well. I know you are going to be a lawyer, but you must be able to defend yourself and the people you care about the most.”
“I will serve in the army in three years. Are you sure I can stay for such a long period?”
“I would never have proposed that to you if it hadn’t been my intention.”
Flavius smiled. He should have been under the tuition of his uncle a long time ago. He understood how different the brothers were and, in that difference, he could see his personal advantage one a man of the army, the other a man of business and politics.
Both were extremely important, but he realized that if he could learn good life lessons from both, he would have gained an almost perfect education.
School prepared him to become an expert lawyer. With the help of his uncle, he would learn the fine arts of war, learning those skills that make a man a hero. He would be able to become a good Master for his slaves. He would learn how to be a good husband for Claudia, capable of molding her character to resemble the one of a woman rather than the one of a cruel barbarian.
The extension of Flavius’ permanence at his uncle’s place was welcomed with relief by Marcus Tiberius.
He knew how much his son needed to be away from the family to become a responsible adult, ready to face life. He also saw the effect on Saul. He focused more on his duties rather than his worries for his future Master and for his life.