They settled on the soft couches, the light dim in the carpeted room, the walls covered in green velvet with golden flowers. “Rent upfront for a week. And a tenth of your earnings.”
Kyle squeezed Clavius’ hand to signal it was alright, so he paid with some of the money they had left, sick to his stomach.
The eunuch led them to their flat then and opened the door, his long hand sweeping around in the bottom room, addressing Kyle. “Here’s where you work, and your master can live upstairs. You stay as long as you pay the rent.”
They nodded, and he left them.
Clavius collapsed on the red velvet bed, his face a picture of misery. “I can’t do this...”
Kyle smiled, eyeing the room, the red carpeted walls, the small stand with a golden-framed mirror. It was a bit tattered, the red carpet frayed at the edges, the gold peeling off the mirror’s and bed’s frames, but at least it was clean.
“That’s right...you can’t... but I can.” Kyle grinned and pulled him up. “Let’s go shopping with what we have left. I need clothes and make-up.”
Clavius followed, sick, and they asked for directions to a small shop where Kyle found what he wanted. They then went back, and he sent Clavius upstairs to get settled.
Kyle changed into the skimpy tunic he had purchased, the blue material almost see-through, and applied kohl around his eyes, his body lightly dusted with bronze flakes, his lips red.
He knocked them on the ceiling with a pole and Clavius walked down, floored. “What the actual fuck...”
Kyle smiled. “So, I got to get to work. Make sure you sort of pay attention to what’s happening... I might need your fighting skills if a customer doesn’t behave.”
“Fucking perfect...” Clavius moaned and their eyes locked, Kyle’s grey eyes burning.
“We’ll have that money in no time. Just think happy thoughts. I’m good at this, trust me?”
Clavius swallowed hard, his thoughts on Marius.Man, he will kill us...
The following days went by with Kyle working almost from dusk till dawn and then sleeping, collapsed on the bed, for most of the day. They went to the bath every afternoon and then he got ready; the clients giving each other the door as his reputation spread, Clavius trying hard to ignore the sounds drifting up from the ground floor. He counted their money in disbelief. At this rate, they could buy the cart and the mule at the end of the week. Worry chewed at him though, despite Kyle reassuring him that he was fine.
The small mule cart arrived at the fort one chilly evening, one day before the planned raid of the settlement, and it stopped, the jovial peasant woman shouting up at the guards.
“Tell your general that we need shelter for the night!”
“Who are you?”
“I come from Rome. I am a simple peasant woman and need shelter. I have some excellent goods, so I can pay you.”
“The general doesn’t give a fuck about peasants. Fuck off!”
Tertullia’s lips pinched. “Just bring me to him. I have a great cook. I’m sure he can use some decent food.”
One of the guards chuckled. “He might be more interested in your boy there.” They laughed at Tertullia, who stayed calm, waiting. “Fine! Wait here.”
Julius went to talk to Marius, the only one who still dared to disturb him in his room.
“Come in, Julius... what do you want?”
He swallowed, looking at the sitting figure in the shadows. “Commander, there’s a peasant woman in front of the gates. She wants shelter. She said to tell you that she has a superb cook with her and that you might use a decent meal...”
Marius’ eyes gleamed, cold. “You come here to talk to me about a peasant woman?”
Julius shuffled his feet. “She also has a young boy with her...”
Marius stayed silent for a split second, then his laughter boomed through the room. “What the hell... let her in and bring her here... if she doesn’t deliver on her promises, I’ll cut her up alive...”
“Very well, Commander.”
He left, running, and the gates opened, the small cart trotting inside.
