He couldn’t finish, and Clavius held his arm. “Let my good wife deal with this. Come, let’s sit and talk.”
Tertullia smiled and walked upstairs. The men sat in the garden; this garden Kyle had built with his bare hands. He was not here to feed the fish, and they plopped noisily, their bulging eyes searching for him. Marius collapsed on a bench, his eyes staring into emptiness.
Clavius sat facing him, trying to catch his eyes. “Tertullia will pick his pieces up, don’t worry...”
His voice swam in sadness. “How did you find such a great wife?”
Clavius shrugged. “You know how it is... nobody wanted her... too plump, too dimpled, too loud and funny... Me? I saw her and I couldn’t give a shit that she didn’t have the body of a goddess or the haughty, aristocratic prim face... She had life and her eyes... like velvet. She made me laugh... the rest is history.” He smiled mildly at his memories and Marius’ tears flew. Clavius grabbed his hand, searching his eyes. “I am sorry for you, I truly am, but you can’t give away how you feel, not with those vultures in the house. Marius, look at me. Pull yourself together, soldier. Onwards and upwards.”
His words reached the core of Marius’ being, his training kicking in, and he wiped at his tears, his face taut into a mask of military discipline.
Clavius smiled. “That’s my boy.”
In the meantime, Tertullia had found their room, and she stepped in cautiously, her eyes on the slave’s still form in the bed. Kyle’s eyes drifted to her, and he knew he should get up and kneel, but he couldn’t move. She rushed there, sitting next to him, gently stroking his hair. He closed his eyes, her soft hands making him well up. He cried silently, tears rolling down his cheeks, soaking the sheets.
Tertullia spoke softly, stroking him. “I know this must be very hard for you, pup... I know... but trust me, he wants the best for you, to protect you. We’ll take care of you; you know us by now? My silly husband and me.” She smiled, and he looked up at her, clinging to her kindness and warmth. “I like you, pup, a lot, but you know that. We’ll have fun, you’ll see. And then, you can come back in no time.”
She quieted, the conversations of the grandparents seeping in from the corridor, and he froze. She lay a hand on him. “We should go. Those vultures are here, circling. Gather your stuff? Can you manage?” He nodded, his stomach in such a knot that he thought he would throw up, and she knew, smiling down at him. “Come, pup, let’s get this over with.” She rose and held her hands out to help him sit. He steadied himself, drawing on the last bit of his mental strength, clinging to her, breathing in deep. “Good boy... nice and steady.”
Kyle straightened, smoothing down his tunic, standing. He let go of her hands and walked on shaky legs to the door, Tertullia following him downstairs where he went to his room. He didn’t have much to pack, just his clothes, shoes, and he shoved everything in a bag. Tertullia stroked his back, making him stop. “Say then goodbye to your friends. We need to be out of here fast, pup. Alright?”
He nodded, his voice soft. “Yes, domina...” Her eyes welled up and she stroke his face, leaving him.
Kyle packed in his bag, mindlessly, not thinking.
They met their parents in the atrium, Tertullia walking in and they stood, facing each other, Marius and Clavius on one side, the happy grandparents and Tertullia towards the kitchen. Polite smiles were exchanged and Tertullia looked at Marius, noticing his masklike face, his eyes cold.Good.They talked about the baby then, excited, all happiness and sunshine.
Kyle held Lis tight, the girl in a complete shock, and the children clung to him too, crying. He looked at Melissa, pained, his voice gone. “Take them off me...”
She pulled them off, and they cried in her arms, Lis going into a fit of rage. “Why? Why you? Why is he giving you away?!”
Kyle choked, unable to answer, and Sixtus stepped to him, grim. “Take care, son... I will miss you.”
He just nodded, gripping the old man’s hand. Shayla pulled him in an embrace, and he then looked at the children. “Don’t forget to feed the fish...”
Brandan faced him, his face white. “I won’t forget what you did for me, ever.”
He swayed, but then clutched his bag and left to join Tertullia, Melissa holding Lis back.
Gaius turned to his son, holding a letter. “I almost forgot, Marius. I have a message for you from my dear brother.”
Marius took it away, his eyes flying to Clavius, but he opened it, pulling on his discipline.
My dear nephew, I hope your return is full of joy and you are happy with your little family. I have also not forgotten your delicious little pet and much as I hate to do this to you, I’d like to request that you give ownership of him to me. You see, I would like to explore his talents...
His hands shook, but his lips curled up into a smile. “Dare I say you know what’s in this letter, father?”
Gaius smiled, glancing at Quintus. “Let’s just say that I just might...”
Kyle stepped into the atrium at this very moment, stopping short next to Tertullia, his face pale as a sheet. Their eyes locked with Marius for a brief moment, before Kyle lowered his head fast, kneeling next to his bag.
Marius swallowed, pushing his training to the front. He rolled the letter up and handed it back to his father, Gaius’ lips parted in shock. Marius looked him in the eyes. “As much as I would like to, I can’t honor my uncle’s noble request. You see, I no longer own that slave.”
Gaius scoffed, his anger rising. “Don’t play me, Marius!”
But his son just looked at him, his blue eyes like steel. “I’m not playing you, father. I gifted him away yesterday to Clavius.” He grinned and clasped Clavius on the back.
The centurion shrugged, embarrassed. “And I can’t thank you enough, my friend.”
