“I feel like we are spinning around the solution without grabbing it… This is hopeless,” Flavius huffed as a slave came to fill up his cup.
“Bring more food,” Titus ordered.
To Flavius, he said, “You might be right, but I won’t leave the idea that the two events relate to one another. Saul's accident is the reason for your kidnapping, and even if the same people didn’t do it, they were following the orders of a single one. This is my theory, and nothing can take it out of my head,” he said, pointing his finger at his temple.
“What is left to understand is who and why? I believe it will be a long search, but I’m not going to give up. Someone killed three of my best slaves, damaged my favorite one, and kidnapped me. I won’t let this slip away, and when I find the responsible person, he has to hope for the favor of the gods because I will have my revenge,” Flavius hissed.
Titus laughed heartily. “I wish I could be there. I wouldn’t miss your anger for anything in the world. It is something I’ve taught you, and of which I’m proud.”
“Thank you for everything. I feel tired. Maybe it is better if I take a bath and go to sleep.”
“Do you need one of my slaves for the night?” Titus winked.
“Thanks, I can manage without.” Flavius smiled.
“As you please. I just think that a warm bed is far better than a cold one. Oh, sorry, you prefer your Saul, don’t you?”
“Show me your slaves,” Flavius chuckled.
He chose a young girl with the skin like ivory and silky dark hair. Flavius grabbed her hand and guided her to have a bath.
“What's your name?” he asked her.
“My name is Layla, Master,” she replied blushing. She couldn’t have been older than fifteen years, with a face and form comparable to the goddess of flowers and Spring, Flora.
He didn’t think about having sex as he removed her clothes. He needed to hold her warm body against his to find peace of mind from the questions tumbling in his head.
As they reached the bedroom, and she lay beside him, caressing his body, kissing his chest, he could not avoid caressing her body.
Her shallow breathing as passion grew within her aroused him. He took her body for his own pleasure until sated, he lay by her side.
As he closed his eyes, she thought he wanted to sleep the rest of the night by himself, and eased away, trying not to wake him.
He held her gently by the waist. “Where are you going?”.
“I thought you wanted to rest, Master.”
“Rest with me. You pleased my body; now please my soul. Lay with me.”
“Thank you, Master,” she replied, lying down, her body pressed against his as slumber claimed him.
The following morning, after an abundant breakfast, he departed.
“Flavius, keep the details of our discussion secret, as, at the moment, you don’t know who you can trust,” Titus warned.
“I won’t. Thank you again for the hospitality and for the excellent advice,” Flavius waved and walked toward home, determined to pursue the truth— at any cost.
Chapter 20.
That morning, Marcus Tiberius asked that Saul be brought to him.
“You need me, Master?” he asked.
“Saul, I don’t know what to do. I still feel incredibly guilty.”
“Are you talking about Master Flavius?”
“Yes. I hated lying to him. He deserves the truth, but how do I tell him?”
“He will probably find out by himself and I will be punished for having lied to him, but that would be fine; I deserve it. As a slave, I should have told the truth. As a friend and lover, I am not so sure. He trusts me, and it hurts me not being honest with him, as much as it hurts me lying to you. I was just scared of the consequences, and I still am.”
“You don’t need to justify yourself. I gave you an order, and your duty was to obey. As for Flavius, he was no more your Master, so you have nothing to worry about. If he finds out, we should expect his reaction. It won’t be as calm as mine. He spent too much time with my brother, who trained him for the military service, but I am afraid he didn’t teach him the qualities of patience and calm.” Marcus Tiberius combed his fingers through his hair.
“Is your brother a soldier, Master?”
“Not just a soldier, he is a General, one of the most successful in the entire Empire. If he understands that Claudia did this to you with her own hands, I can’t imagine Flavius’ reaction.”
“What do you think would happen if I tell Flavius the truth?” Saul asked.
“Are you going to?”
“I don’t know. Should I be more afraid of Claudia’s threat, or should I fail the Master who protects and takes care of me? Should I disappoint Claudia or me? I am nothing, but Master Flavius is not to be disappointed.”
“He is not your Master,” Marcus Tiberius corrected.
“He claimed me back three years ago; he would do it again. I am only a property, so I am wondering if you are going to have me back as your exclusive property? Will you have good arguments for keeping me? Will Flavius have me back?” Saul asked, looking straight in front of his face.
“I am glad I bought you; you are wise, and the gods speak through your mouth. So it shall be, that if I can have you as my property, then you will do what I order you. If not, your Master will be Flavius, and you will be loyal to him. Saul, you are a gift from the gods, or maybe you are a god yourself.”
Saul blushed and lowered his gaze. “I’m nothing but a slave, and Claudia took away from me any possibility of being freed one day. I'm no god, but I can recognize the people to whom I should be grateful, and the first of these is you, Master,” he said with a sweet smile.
“Rufus mentioned that you might learn to use the other senses to compensate for the lack of sight.”
Saul sighed.
Marcus Tiberius proposed, “I will make sure Cassandra takes care of your needs; I understand she has sympathy for you. She won’t leave you for a second until Rufus affirms you have enough autonomy. If you don’t reach it, Cassandra will be your eyes. I think it makes a good solution to one part of the problem.”
Saul tried to hide the intoxicating happiness he felt at the opportunity to always be with her, “thank you, Master.”
Marcus Tiberius noticed the secret smile he tried to hide and called Cassandra.
She arrived in a hurry, fearing that since she had been with Saul during his punishment, it was her turn.
“Cassandra, Saul will need someone to assist him night and day, someone who can act as his eyes,” he commenced. “You will be that person since I understand that you get along well together. Whatever he needs, you will provide. Do I make myself clear?”
She smiled. “Of course, Master.”
“Very well, you are dismissed. Saul, soon Rufus will be back, and he will take care of you. Follow his instructions and keep yourself within reach, as I might need you,” Marcus Tiberius ordered.
“Yes, Master.”
As they walked toward the garden, Cassandra asked, “so, what’s your need now?”
He smiled. “I need your lips on mine.”
She glanced around to be sure that nobody else was watching and guided Saul to his room, where she complied with his request.
Saul’s accident was the most horrifying thing she could conceive, but it had brought him back to her arms, and she knew he would be safe with Marcus Tiberius. She thanked the gods for that he was in the same house, and by order of her Master, she was to be always at his side, day and night. Cassandra thought that she couldn’t be happier. There was nothing else in the world she could desire, not even her freedom.