Gaius turned to Quintus. “So, you see, rumors are not true.”
The senator nodded, toasting him. “Indeed...”
They talked about politics then and Gaius sent Kyle away, the young man’s soul burning, and Tertullia noticed his pale face and miserable eyes. She waved him over, the other women thankfully busy with some gossip.
Her chubby face gleamed with mischief and joy. “Come here, Kyle, and fill my cup. I’ve heard a lot about you from Clavius.” Kyle looked at her, silently kneeling near her couch, and she ruffled his hair. “Poor puppy... you must be lonely without that handsome devil...” Kyle’s heart clenched, and his eyes welled up, wishing she would stop talking about him. “You are very pretty, Clavius was right. He likes you a lot, you know? Says you’ve changed his friend to the better... He loves you, right? He has never loved anybody before.” Kyle’s eyes widened at her words, and she stroked his hair. “That’s right, precious. Cherish this in the moments when you miss him. He’ll come back to you. Just keep this in your mind and you can endure anything...”
She quieted, and Kyle just kneeled, his heart racing.
Weeks later, Marius and Clavius had arrived at the fort, and they quickly took their quarters.
There was a small bath fortunately, and they were soaking in it, Marius brooding as usual, and Clavius splashed him. “Quit brooding, you big twat... I am sure your fuck boy is doing fine.” Marius shot him a toxic look, and he raised his hands. “Ok, ok... so what is the news from home?”
He shrugged. “Nothing... Seraphina is late, just my fucking luck...”
Clavius grinned. “Hey, you’re a potent man, scoring on the first shot, maybe? That’s good blood and seed.” Marius pursed his lips, but Clavius insisted. “Look, this is good news. I mean, if she’s pregnant... you did your duty, secured your lineage and she will have her hands full with the child.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “You’ll have more time for your fuck boy.” Marius smiled, but it was empty and Clavius sighed. “You’re awful company... a child is not a tragedy, Marius. I wish I could have one, you know, but hey, the gods are tricky.”
Marius regretted his behavior and looked mildly at his friend. “You and Tertullia could be his uncle and aunt, you know, if you accept...”
Clavius looked at him, floored. “Are you serious...?”
“Yes.”
“Son of a bitch! I love you!” They laughed and hugged, Clavius clasping his back. “You have no idea what this means... I have to write to my wife.”
“Yes, yes... do so. I won’t change my mind.”
Clavius beamed, but the shadows on Marius’ face lingered, and he asked. “How’s Kyle?”
Marius looked away. “Seraphina refuses to let me know... I’ve asked, though, I even wrote to him...”
They silenced, their eyes on the grey sky. Fall was near, and their mission was stretching endlessly ahead.
In Rome, weeks were dragging along too towards fall, in fear, Seraphina’s temper setting a rhythm to their days. She had become restless with her bleeding being late, but there was no way of knowing yet if she was pregnant, and she lashed out at the slaves, her impatience searing her.
In the early days, Marius’ lingering presence had kept her in check, but she had realized that he was too far, and she made sure that they knew who was in charge, walking around the house with a small whip. Her hand was quick and unpredictable, so much so, that the children preferred to dwell in the far corners of the villa, making sure to run and hide when they heard her. She sent Kyle to look for them and he always came back empty-handed, pretending he could not find them. He got five lashes then to his back, but he didn’t care anymore. Kyle had endured far worse at Lucius’ house, so he just stood still, braced against the wall until she beat him, out of anger and hatred, large red welts forming on his skin where the whip had landed. Kyle had taken beatings for them all, and she laughed, howling that she didn’t care as long as one of them got it, but still, single lashes landed on all of them, streaking their arms, legs, and backs, whatever she could hit in the spur of the moment.
One night, she called Kyle to her room, pushing him against the wall, the whip inches from his face, her face full of hatred as she hissed. “Get the doctor. I need to know if I’m pregnant!”
“Yes, domina.”
He ran to the doctor’s house and the old man followed him, watching the slave’s streaked shoulders.
He stopped him gently in the entrance. “Let me have a look, son.” Kyle swallowed and lowered his tunic from his back. The old man hissed, gently running his hand on the welts. “Have you seen a doctor?”
“No, dominus.”
The old man shook his head and handed him a pot of cream from his bag. “You need to have this rubbed on them. It will disinfect, and help with the healing. Just come to my house when you run out.”
Kyle nodded, his throat clutched, and led him to Seraphina’s room. He waited then, leaning against the cool wall, his back burning.
It took a long while, but eventually the old family doctor came out, and he smiled at him, walking down the stairs. “Your domina is with child.”
Kyle swayed, dizzy, his thoughts on Marius.He’s going to be a father...
Seraphina’s and Marius’ parents came over the next day, and she raved about the news, sitting in the garden, with her whip across her lap.
They were nibbling fruits and drinking a light wine, chatting, when Seraphina waved Kyle over. “Where are those useless children? My guests would like to have a look at them.”
