Kyle sighed, trying to wall up his feelings. “When our village was raided, we fought, even us, young boys... but there was not much we could do... I was raped, like all the others, by the soldiers...”
Of course.“And Lucius?”
Kyle licked his lips, wishing he would stop. “Lucius bought me for his own personal pleasures, dominus.”
“Tell me what happened.”
Kyle’s hands stilled again, but he steeled himself and continued, trying to sound neutral, but his voice was dull, dead, as he recounted his first year on the estate. “Master Lucius brought me home. I was quite wild, not accepting my fate or anything that had happened to me. I could not speak or understand Latin. He kept me tied down on a stand and spent days just taking me or giving me to his bodyguards, soldiers... I got beaten too. I gave in after a couple of days, there was nothing left to do... He kept me chained to the bed and we spent another couple of days, just him and me... I had to learn the rules, but it was difficult at first as I still couldn’t understand anything. He sent me then to a training house in a city close by...” Marius stayed silent, and Kyle continued, drained. “The training house was essentially a brothel, but they also taught me basic Latin, reading and writing, household chores... And of course, training me to be a bed slave...”
“How?”
“I had to learn with the trainers and then practice on the clients. It took a while, as I was still not surrendering fully. Beatings and starving got me where they wanted me, eventually. And rows of clients... I gave up for good and just tried my best...”
“How long did you stay?”
“A year, I think, maybe more...” Kyle stopped, fearing that he might hate him now, after having had all those men, and more at Lucius’ estate...
Marius turned a bit and pulled him down next to him in the water, lacing his arm around his shoulders. Kyle fought his tears, his throat clutched, the memories tearing at him. Remembering his old self didn’t help either... those times when he could still do what he wanted, being the clan leader’s eldest son... He shut his eyes, wishing his thoughts away, vaguely aware of Marius’ hand tracing his shoulder. He opened his eyes and looked at the Roman, but Marius just rose with a sigh and took his hand.
“Come... let’s dress, my mighty father will be here soon...”
He let Kyle bring him his clothes and when he was done; he grabbed the young slave by the shoulder and tipped his chin up.
This time, Kyle held his gaze and his blue eyes bore into his. “I know what you were when Lucius gave you to me. I also sort of guessed what you’ve been through, and it doesn’t matter to me at all.” Kyle’s eyes welled with tears, but he held Marius’ gaze, tight, not letting them flow out. Marius pulled him into a hug, his voice soft. “As long as I live, you’re safe with me. I won’t sell you.”
Kyle’s legs gave way, and he went to the floor, his hands wrapping around Marius’ calves, his head pressed to his feet. “Thank you, dominus.”
Marius watched, wide eyed, and pulled him up, his voice choked. “Go and change. They will be here soon.”
Kyle left, his tears flowing, and changed into his festive tunic, rushing to the kitchen to check with Sixtus if all was in order. The new slave had adjusted well, and she was still silently tearful but doing her job.
He found the child sitting there and extended his hand to her, smiling. “Come with me, Brianna?”
Her mother looked up and nodded, and the little girl took his hand. She had been bathed and changed into a light blue gown, matching her eyes, her blonde hair clean, flowing down her back.
Kyle showed her to the dining room. “Tonight, you can help me here. Make sure you keep an eye on the lamps and candles and if one of them goes out, light it.” She nodded, still not talking, and Kyle showed her the way to the kitchen. “I might need you to go and get some more food and plates. Can you help?” The little girl nodded, and he scooted down to her level, his hands holding her hands. “I’m Kyle. A slave like you. And you shouldn’t be afraid of me.”
She looked at him, her voice soft. “My best friend was called Kyle.”
He smiled. “Wonderful!”
Her eyes went into his. “He’s dead now.”
Kyle shuddered, but squeezed her hands. “But we’re not. I can be your friend if you’ll have me?” She smiled timidly, and they left for the kitchen to prepare the dishes.
Clavius arrived first, knowing he should be early to ease Marius’ nervousness, and he had been right; his friend was already pacing the entrance.
“Come, come... these are only your parents...”, but Marius’ tortured look made him shut up, and he stepped to him, grabbing his shoulders, making him stop. “Hey... you’re a grown man... what could go wrong?”
He sighed. “Everything...”
They waited when there was a loud knock on the door. Marius opened it and his father stepped in, followed by his mother who straight away hugged him. “My boy! I’m so glad to see you!”
His father greeted Clavius and then turned to his son. “Marius, thank you for having us. How are you managing?”
They walked towards the dining room on the top floor. “I’m doing fine, father.”
They lay on the couches, Kyle and Lisandra immediately coming to serve them. The young woman had calmed down, mainly due to Sixtus’ endless scolding, and she also listened to Kyle, who helped her adjust.
