After
Vesuvius
by
UrsusMajr
1 April ,
82 AD
“Maximus?”
The big man turned at the sound of a
familiar voice. “Domi... Lucius Hirtuleius!” A grin split the
big man's bearded face as the two embraced, then stood back to look
at each other.
“Quid agis, Maximus? You look well.
It seems like you've been eating regularly... it suits you.”
“Too well! I'm getting fat. To tell
you the truth, we've found out that neither of us can cook. We eat
all our meals at the tavern. I don't think the cook knows what a
vegetable is. You look well... Lucius.” Maximus still had to
remind himself to use his former owner's name instead of 'Dominus',
even after three years.
Lucius patted his tummy. “Yes,
between Antonia insisting that I eat three full meals, and Sabina
cooking way too much food for each of those, I am gaining back some
of what I lost... after...” His voice trailed off. “Well, you
know. Now, come, tell me, is Rufus with you?”
To the casual observer, the two men
looked like old friends who had met by chance, asking after each
other's families, instead of what they actually were: former owner
and manumitted slave, one talking about his wife, and the other
mentioning his lover, not his son or brother.
“Yes, he's just up the street at the
iron mongers shop, says he 'must get something to make amends'. I've
no idea what he's up to. We were going to stop in briefly at the
farm to say hello and beg a favor.”
“Now, you know you don't have to beg,
Maximus. What can we do?”
“I think I'll let Rufus explain, he's
coming up behind you now.” Maximus pointed his beard over Lucius'
shoulder. Lucius turned and greeted the red-headed man trotting
towards him. “Salve, Rufus! Well met!” The two clasped
forearms, then embraced.
“Where did you find him, Maximus?”
Rufus asked, releasing Lucius from the brief hug.
“Oh, he found me, just a moment ago.
He says he's eating better, and I told him I was getting fat. Did
you find what you needed?”
“Oh, yes, it will be ready in an
hour. But our visit won't be a surprise now.” Rufus sounded
disappointed, for he did love surprises.
“Oh, Antonia will be surprised, I
promise you, and she likes surprises as much as you do. But listen,
I've finished with my business here and was going to have a bath
before returning home. Why don't you both join me? I gather you
have an hour to kill, no? Then we can pick up what you have purchased
and return to the farm together.”
“I didn't know Nuceria had a public
bath?”
“It didn't until early this year.
This place is growing. There's even talk of the army improving the
road south from Rome to bypass... well, to make it easier to
travel...”
“...now that the main road to the
coast no longer exists,” Rufus finished Lucius' sentence for him.
A great many Campanian Romans had fallen into the habit of not
referring directly to the catastrophe of late 79 AD that so altered
their lives and their landscape. Few had survived, and those that
did were often the only ones of their family left. Virtually
everyone in the surrounding region of Campania had relatives, knew
people, or had business contacts with victims of the massive
eruption; people who had been buried under layers of ash and mud,
cooked alive and incinerated if they hadn't been killed first by lava
bombs or falling walls and roofs. Even after nearly three years, the
horror was still fresh.
“Yes. Well, what do you say to a
bath? It's not grand like the ones in Rome and elsewhere, but it's
new and clean and quite comfortable, if on the small side.” Lucius
looked expectantly at the two men.
Rufus nodded his assent, but Maximus
seemed hesitant. “Well, I'm not sure...” Correctly divining the
reason behind Maximus' reluctance, Lucius put his hand on Maximus'
shoulder. “Maximus, no one will mind. This is the country, not
Rome, we're used to a more rural sort of citizen. This is a market
town, it's not just city folk who use the baths. We see all sorts,
smooth, rough, and in between. It will be fine.”
“All right, then. A good soak sounds
wonderful,” Maximus said, somewhat reassured.
As they walked to the new baths, Lucius
leaned over to Rufus and said in a low voice, so as not to be
overheard by any passers-by, “I've seen him, you know, when you
were washing each other off after we all made it to the farm. It
must be like sleeping with some kind of bear.” He winked at Rufus,
who turned his usual fiery red. “The bear is right here, you
know,” Maximus growled, but secretly pleased that their former
dominus was comfortable enough with what he and Rufus were to each
other that he could make a teasing comment about it.
After paying their fee and collecting
towels, they proceeded to the changing room off of the caldarium. As
they stooped to untie their caligas, Rufus whispered to Maximus,
“Relax, my Beast. I'll drown anyone who makes rude comments.”
Maximus snorted. “More likely they'd comment about you. You look
like you're covered with spun gold and copper.” It was true that
Rufus was blessed with a fine pelt of fur, covering chest and belly,
arms and legs; but he lacked the shoulder, back, and butt fur that
Maximus sported. Where Rufus' crotch shrubbery narrowed a bit before
spreading over his belly, Maximus was evenly covered from toes to
head, over his shoulders, and down his backside with thick black
hair.
The three stepped into the steamy
caldarium and eased themselves into the hot water. All three
'aaah'-ed together. Sitting on the tiled step that ran all the way
around the pool, Maximus' fur floated all around him, moving this way
and that as the water in the steaming pool rippled with each person's
movement. Stretching out his legs, Lucius sighed and said, “I have
missed this.”
“This is very nice,” Rufus said.
“I could get used to this,” Maximus added.
“You can, you know,” Lucius said,
eyes closed in relaxation. “There is no restriction on your using
public baths now. One of the blessings of Roman citizenship.” He
opened his eyes and said to Rufus, “Now, what's this about a
favor? Maximus, here, said he'd let you fill in the details.” But
just as he was about to start, a pair of bathers walked in and
started lowering themselves into the pool.
“Avete, gentlemen,” the taller of
the two said. “A beautiful day, is it not?” They all nodded,
and the conversation veered to introductions, small talk about the
weather, the blessed lack of earthquakes, the new baths and proposed
road; and then the tragic death of the Emperor Titus from a fever,
and speculation on what kind of ruler his brother Domitian was likely
to be.
“Such a shame, to die so early. I
mean, look at what he accomplished in just those two years: put down
that rebellion in Judea, finished the Colosseum, and let's not forget
his great generosity to the people here after the catastrophe, and in
Rome, after that awful fire. What more might he have done had he
lived?” The shorter one shook his head sadly.
“Well, to be fair, he put down that
rebellion a few years before he became Emperor. But I agree, he was
a good man and an able ruler. Of course, he had an excellent example
in his father,” Lucius said.
“Yes,” the taller one said,
“Vespasian was an exceptional leader. And I say that not just
because he contrasted so well with the three other cretins that sat
on the throne that year.” The shorter one chimed in, “Yes, this
Flavian dynasty bodes well for Rome. Thank the gods there are no
more Julians pretending.”
“You might want to watch your tongue,
Petro,” the taller one said softly to his companion. “You never
know who's listening.” The small talk continued for a while longer
before Lucius made to get up.
“You know, I believe it is time we
dipped ourselves in the tepidarium, and then a quick plunge in the
cold pool. We need to stop and pick up whatever Rufus here has
bought at the iron mongers and then hustle home. Antonia will be
expecting me, and won't she be surprised at what I bring home!”
Lucius chuckled in anticipation.
The three men raised themselves out of
the hot pool, water streaming from their naked bodies and making
climped strands of Maximus' and Rufus' fur. They said their goodbyes
and padded down the hall to the temperate pool. Petro turned to his
friend and raised his eyebrows, nodding towards Maximus' backside.
“Hard to tell if he's coming or going,” he muttered, getting a
snort of agreement from the other. “If he had a short tail, you
really couldn't tell!”
After picking up Rufus' parcel at the
iron mongers and one other small package, the trio headed out of town
in Lucius' cart. “And before you ask, none of the slaves are sick.
I just like to drive every once in a while. And my back doesn't seem
to appreciate the gait of a horse so much these days.” Maximus
noticed that Lucius was sitting on what looked like a plump pillow.
“Age does none of us any favors, it seems.”
There was not much talk on the ride
back, all three of the men enjoying the pleasant spring weather, for
it was indeed a beautiful day; but Lucius did comment, “You know,
it was just such a spring day that Antonia and I came here in this
very wagon. She was checking up on the progress of putting the house
in order, and I was checking up on you, Maximus. And I do believe
that is when you two first met, is it not?”
“Yes, it was, and I made a comment on
your name,” Rufus said, nudging Maximus.
“Yes, and I paid you back with a
comment on that fiery head of yours!" Maximus chuckled and
nudged back. It was nice to be able to relax and not be on guard
when talking about their shared pasts.
“I am truly glad it all worked out
well for you both. Now, when will you tell me what this favor you
wish is?”
Rufus and Maximus looked at each other.
Maximus nodded to Rufus, indicating that he should start. “Well,
we've taken some time to decide on what we wanted to do with our
lives, as you suggested. We are pretty well settled on what we plan
on doing with ourselves, but there are some details we are uncertain
about and could use your business wisdom.”
“And we are going to take the advice
you gave us when we traveled to Neopolis for the manumission,”
Maximus added.
“Ah, so you are going into business
together,” Lucius said with a smile.
“Well, sort of; I mean, not exactly.”
Rufus turned to Maximus. “You tell him this part.”
“We thought about a farm, but nothing
large enough to make economic sense could be managed by the two of us
alone.”
“Alone? But surely you would
have...” Maximus cut Lucius off.
“No. No slaves. Neither of us could
do that. No.” Both Lucius and Maximus looked vaguely offended.
Rufus stepped in. “What Maximus is
trying to say is that we have no complaints in any way about how you
and the lady Antonia treated either of us when we were your slaves.
You always treat your slaves well. It's just that, well, it's... we
value the freedom you granted us, and... and...”
“I think I understand. And some
manumitted slaves go on to eventually own slaves themselves, for
economic reasons if nothing else. But, you know, most masters do
treat their slaves decently, and I am sure you both would. Oh, I
know there those who are cruel and vindictive. But it doesn't make
sense to mistreat your property. A resentful slave or a fearful one
will not work as well. A slave is an investment. And I remember
what I overheard a recently manumitted slave say in the marketplace
one day, 'You can't eat freedom.' He's right, you know.”
“Perfectly true, Lucius. But freedom
makes us fully human. Property isn't 'human', not fully. And no
matter how well-fed a slave is, he's still a slave. I mean no
disrespect, and we are both fully aware that our situation is
different from most freed slaves, we have the cushion of funds that
you so very generously bestowed on us. We will be forever grateful
for that. Always.” Maximus waited for Lucius' reply.
Lucius harrumphed and scratched his
nose. “Do not worry, gentlemen. I am not really offended. What you
say has merit. You should know that there is a faction in Rome, and
elsewhere too, I believe, that takes the view that people should
never be regarded as property. I understand there is even a cult
that started in Judea and has spread to several cities in the Empire
that promotes that idea, among some other frankly far more bizarre
ideas... raising the dead, and even cannibalism, if you can believe
it. Well, it's a cult. There are always cults. Besides, slavery
has been the norm throughout all our history, even in the early days
of the Republic. With other cultures, too. Perhaps one day that may
change, but I don't see it coming soon.” Lucius pointed ahead.
“Look, we are nearly there. Perhaps you two might get out here and
stay out of sight until I announce you to Antonia? Surprise her?
Yes?”
“Yes, we should!”
Lucius pulled the wagon up in front of
the large farm house. Maximus and Rufus had already alighted, Rufus
carrying his two parcels, and he and Maximus were standing out of
sight of the front door where Antonia was standing. Two slaves led
the wagon away and unloaded the goods Lucius had picked up earlier in
the day.
“Husband, you are come home. Was the
trip a good one? How is your back?” Antonia stepped forward and
Lucius kissed his wife on both cheeks. “Yes dear, very good. My
back is fine, and a good soak at the baths helped, too. And it was a
lovely ride in the Spring weather. But look, I have a surprise for
you. See what I found in the town!” At this, Rufus and Maximus
stepped forward so Antonia could see them.
Antonia's hands flew to her face. “Oh,
Vesta be praised! What a surprise! I was just thinking of you
yesterday and wondering how you both were doing!” Although she had
regained her usual cheerful demeanor, and retained her slim figure,
she had far more gray hair and more lines in her face than before the
eruption and the frantic flight from the doomed city they had once
lived happily in. That experience had left it's indelible marks on
her, as it had on so many. Rufus and Maximus both bowed their heads
politely. “Lady, it is good to see you looking so well,” Rufus
said.
“And you, Rufus. Your beard...
it's... it suits you! Now, come in and sit with us. You will stay
for your evening meal. No, I won't hear of it.. you will stay.”
Antonia turned and called out inside. “Anna, please tell Sabina
that there will be two more for dinner.” Turning back to the two
men, she insisted, “And you will stay the night. And you must tell
us everything that is going on with you both. Shall I have Anna or
one of the others take those for you?” sh.e said, eyeing Rufus' two
parcels.
“Lady, I thank you, but I really need
to see Anna and Sabina myself, if it pleases you. I have something
for them.”
“Of course, Let us go in, and you can
see them now if you like, Rufus.” She turned to Lucius with
genuine pleasure. “Thank you for bringing them along, it is good
to see them again, it seems ages.” She had always had a soft spot
in her heart for Rufus; but since their escape, due entirely to the
efforts of the two men working together as one, she now looked on
both as deserving of her special regard, nearly equal to the other
members of her family.
Rufus walked ahead and went though the
rooms and hall to the kitchen. His feet moved of their own accord...
this was familiar territory to him. Entering the kitchen, he found
Sabina standing in front of the oven, her back to him.
Still standing in the atrium, Antonia
nodded at the doorway Rufus had just walked through. “Do you know
what that is about, Maximus?”
“Lady, I confess I know nothing of
it. He's been rather secretive about it all.”
“Well then, you should follow him and
see what he has in those packages, don't you think?” Antonia said
with a smile.
“Lady,” Maximus nodded politely and
quickly followed his mate to the kitchen.
Antonia turned to Lucius. “I'd not
say this to his face, but for one who had never been a house slave,
he is well-spoken and has very good manners.”
Lucius smiled. “He does. People
look at him and think, 'brute'; but Rufus has filed off some of the
rougher edges, and he always had a very sharp mind and steady
character. He will do well in business, or anything he puts his hand
to, I think.”
Rufus cleared his throat and Sabina
turned and nearly dropped the dish she was holding. “Oh! My!
Rufus.. I mean, Rufus Hirtuleius! Of all people....”
“Ave, Sabina; and 'Rufus' is still
appropriate.” He smiled at the cook, who rather hesitantly smiled
back.
“Sabina, I trust you are well. It is
good to see you again.” He paused for a long moment, not knowing
exactly what to say next, then forged ahead in a rush. “I have
wanted to make amends for the very harsh way I spoke to you when we
fled the house in Pompeii. You were very good at avoiding me in the
weeks after so I didn't have the chance to do that. And I know that
you probably never forgave me for making you abandon your cooking
pans. So I have brought you this.” Rufus handed Sabina the larger
of the two parcels. “Open it, please. It's for you.”
Sabina unwrapped the coarse cloth and
revealed a large, heavy, well-made iron pan with a long graceful
handle. “Oh. OH!” A huge smile lit Sabina's face “Gratius
tibi ago!” She reached out and touched Rufus' hand, something she
never would have done in earlier days. “Sum valde gratus!”
“You were always an excellent cook,
and an excellent cook deserves the best equipment.” Rufus smiled
at Sabina's obvious delight. Maximus stood quietly in the doorway,
watching with pleasure his lover's success at winning over the cook
after such a long time. Just at that moment Anna called out as she
entered the kitchen from an adjoining room. “Sabina, domina says
to tell you that there will be tw...” She stopped cold, staring at
the smiling Rufus, and at Maximus, standing in the other doorway.
“Quid es hoc?” She blinked, as if
unable to believe her eyes. “You've returned?!” Anna started to
back up, plainly still uncomfortable around Rufus.
“Wait, Anna, please don't go.”
Rufus spoke rapidly before Anna had a chance to escape. “I know I
have apologized before, and tried to explain my rough treatment back
in Pompeii. We were all more than a bit crazy that day, and I know
you've not really trusted me since. I'd like you to accept this as a
sort of peace offering. I am sorry, truly.” He handed the smaller
package to Anna, who stood still, staring at it.
“Well, go on, girl, open it!”
Sabina said to Anna, who had not made a move toward opening the
package.
Anna reached out and slowly began to
unwrap it. Inside was a small neat box, and inside the box was a
soft, silken scarf, dyed a deep blue, edged with gold thread. She
pulled it out and held it up. “For me?” she asked in a quiet
voice.
“Yes, Anna, for you. Please accept
my apology now for the slap and the harsh words.” Rufus had noted
over the years that Anna was rather taken with soft fabrics and
jewelry. A gift of a pin or broach would have been too intimate and
not appropriate at all, so Rufus had settled on the scarf he'd seen
in the tradesman's shop earlier in the day.
“Say something, girl!” a slightly
exasperated Sabina said. “If you don't want it, I'll take it!”
Anna immediately clutched the scarf to her and moved back from
Sabina's reach. “No!” She put the scarf to her face and smiled
at the soft touch. She turned to Rufus. “Thank you, Rufus
Hirtuleius. It's... it's beautiful.” She touched the scarf to her
face again and smiled. “Gratius tibi ago.”
Maximus leaned forward and whispered in
Rufus' ear. “Success, I think. Well done.”
Rufus stood, rooted to the spot, not
quite knowing what to do next. He looked at Maximus with a 'get me
out of this' look. Maximus spoke up. “Rufus, Lucius Hirtuleius
wishes to speak with us, I think we should attend to that.
He turned to the two women. “Valete.”
He gave a friendly nod and tugged Rufus towards the door.
*
Later, after the evening meal was
concluded and the four of them were enjoying more wine, Lucius patted
his belly and said, “I do believe Sabina has outdone herself this
evening. I wonder if it's our special company that has spurred her
to her best efforts?”
“Now, my husband, you know Sabina
always does her best for guests.” Antonia patted her mouth with a
napkin and then settled to sharing news of the family. “We are
grandparents now, twice over, since we last saw each other. Lucius
Tertius and his wife Claudia have given us a beautiful grandson, and
our Cornelia has just birthed a lovely granddaughter! Both families
are to visit us here later this summer. And Marcus and Livia are
expecting, too!” Antonia was obviously pleased at the prospect of
having grandchildren to spoil. More talk about various personal and
local events followed for a pleasant quarter hour.
“Now, really... we've been
sidetracked too often. You asked for advice but we never got the the
details. Tell me now.” Lucius drained his cup and refilled it
from the wine jug on the low table in front of the dinner couches.
“Wait, husband. It's late and I am
tired; and you obviously have more business to discuss this night. I
will retire, if you don't mind.” She rose from the couch and
kissed her husband, then turned to Rufus and Maximus. “This has
been a very pleasant evening. We shall see each other before you
leave in the morning. Rufus knows the way to your rooms. Bonum
nocte, and may Somnus send you both good sleep.” She smiled and
nodded to then both in turn and left the triclinum to the men.
“That was very graceful of her,”
Rufus said. Both Maximus and Lucius nodded agreement. Rufus looked
directly at Lucius and said, “You have been very lucky in your
choice of a wife.”
Lucius sighed and nodded again. “I
truly have.” Settling himself more comfortably on his couch,
Lucius continued. “Now, finally, tell me your plans,” Lucius
said as he refilled each of their wine cups.
Rufus went first. “As we said, we
have decided to take your advice. We will miss you and this area,
we've spent a good part of our lives here. But there is sadness
here, too. And your advice about going someplace rural, for privacy
and where no one knows us and we can start fresh... well, that is
what we've decided.” Rufus nudged Maximus. “Now, go on, tell
him the rest.”
“You know I like horses, I understand
them and they seem to like me. I much preferred working with them
than other farm work. I would like to raise and breed them, as a
business. And Rufus has his own plan in mind.”
Rufus took another sip of wine. “I
am literate, and I have a good hand, my script is quite readable.
And I am very good with numbers, as you know. I would keep the
accounts for Maximus, and take in some work from any local merchants
who needed a scribe or accountant. Not every merchant has the time
to do that, and even some of the best are not literate themselves.”
“That sounds well thought out. What
will you do for living arrangements?”
“We are looking at a piece of land
with good pasture and a small house, with room enough to build a
decent stable. Close to a town but far enough away so that...”
“So that you can make all the noise
you want!” Lucius said, grinning. Then, more quietly, “Trust me,
I know all about stifling your voice when all you want to do is shout
in triumph.” He swallowed more wine. “But seriously, I think it
wise to move away, much as I would miss seeing you; it would have
been nice for my grandchildren to have two additional uncles to dote
on them! And, you have found such a place, you say?”
“We think so, in a small town to the
north of here, not far from Clusium. It's called Rocca.”
“Ah... I don't know it. I was in
Clusium once, I think. River town, no?”
“Yes, on the Tiber.”
“How did you find this place? It's
plainly not local.”
“Here's the lucky part, for us at
least. The half-brother of the tavern owner and his wife died within
a half year of each other, over a year ago now. They had no children
and the property fell to our inn-keeper. Since we've been staying
there for some time now, he's become friendly, after a fashion. He
has no desire to farm at all, and no interest in moving north. The
place was neglected, but when he heard we were looking for property,
he mentioned it to us, at what sounds like a good price. I'm sure he
thought to unload the property on two unsuspecting investors. Long
story short, we expressed interest and made a tentative offer, and he
agreed to not accept other offers for a short period. He had papers
drawn up, we have them with us. Would you look them over, Lucius?”
Lucius' face betrayed the deep
misgivings that had grown in his mind over the last couple of
minutes. “I would seriously advise, no, insist, that you
personally inspect the property first before doing any....”
Slow smiles spread across both Rufus
and Maximus' faces. “Oh, we've seen the place. We saw it before
we considered making an offer.”
“But...”
“Tell him, Rufus,” Maximus
chuckled.
“We told him that we were both
heading to Rome to finish tying up the last details of our lost
property and businesses from the recent catastrophe. We grumbled a
lot about how long and drawn out these things had become. Instead,
we took a boat up the Tiber to Clusium. Rocca is only an hour's ride
from there. We found the property, looked it over, and discovered
why the tavern owner was willing to accept a lower price than other
land in the area”
“So... what's wrong with it?”
“From our standpoint, almost
nothing. There is a large, lush pasture, plenty of rainfall, a house
in fairly decent shape, a small spring and a good well. But
from a farmer's standpoint, it's not a good choice. At least half
the land lies on a rather rocky slope. You might raise grapes there,
but there are too many rocks for much else, and I'm no vintner... and
we saw no other vineyards in the area in any case.”
Maximus drained his wine cup. “So,
when we got back to the tavern, we knew exactly what we were dealing
with. He'd said nothing about how half the land was basically
useless for farming and that the house needed many new tiles on the
roof. And that's why we want you to look over the contract. I don't
fully trust him. It might be that he just wants to get rid of land
he'll never use, but he does seem a bit too eager, and maybe less
than truthful.”
“Well, leave it with me and I will go
over it in the morning, when I am fresh.” Lucius stretched and
yawned. “I am for bed now. There's more wine if you wish.” He
stood and looked fondly on his two former slaves. “You have new
lives ahead of you, and you've made a good start. I am truly pleased
for you both. Bonum nocte.” He took his leave, and Rufus and
Maximus, both tired themselves, followed soon after.
*
The farm house was quiet now that
everyone had retired. The house was, in fact, rather large, though
not as large as the house in Pompeii had been; and contained a wing
of three guest bedrooms that Antonia had furnished for her and
Lucius' children and their families when they visited. Antonia had
thoughtfully placed Maximus in one and Rufus in the adjoining one
that had a doorway to the first, allowing them to sleep together and
still maintain the fiction of their 'good friends and business
partners' relationship for the rest of the household. Rufus
sometimes wondered if either Anna or Sabina had tumbled to their
secret. They had always been careful and discrete, but neither of
the women were blind or stupid.
“Wolfpup...” Maximus whispered as
he poked Rufus in the side. Rousing sleepily, Rufus mumbled, “What?
What is it?”
“Does it bother you that I'm so
hairy?” Rufus struggled to full wakefulness and raised himself up
on an elbow.
“Oh, Beast, what brought this on?
Was it Lucius' remark about sleeping with a bear?”
“I guess... yes, that. And the looks
those two men cast towards me today at the baths. Don't say
anything, Wolfpup, I saw them, I know it.”
Rufus gently took hold of Maximus'
bushy black beard, turning his head. “Beast, look at me. I love
you, above anything. I would love you as much if you were smooth as
a baby, but I love your fur. I love sleeping with a bear!”
“The divine Julius had all his
plucked out, every hair.”
“Don't even think it, Beast. Just...
don't. It would be a crime against nature and the gods. I would miss
it terribly.” Rufus smiled. “Besides, with you, it would take
days; and by the time it was done, half would have grown back!”
Rufus leaned forward and lightly kissed a nipple, just peaking out of
the thicket of black hair. Maximus gathered Rufus up and held him
tightly to his chest. “Gods, I love you so!”
Rufus tapped his Beast urgently on his
side. “I can't breathe!”
“Oh, sorry, love. It's just,
sometimes I...” Maximus stopped and swallowed. “I'd be lost
without you, you know.” Rufus nodded mutely. They spent a good
deal of time caressing each other's beards and bellies and chests,
and kissing fondly in the dark. The familiar comforting smell of
his lover, the feel of his warm hairy bulk against his own chest and
belly and crotch had it's usual effect on Rufus of producing a raging
erection.
Maximus felt the stirring and reached
down to cradle his Wolfpup's hefty balls. “Oooo, someone's ready!
Do you think we can?” Maximus whispered quietly in Rufus' ear
while shifting his bulk to allow room for his Wolfpup's hard meat.
“Yes, but we need to be very quiet,
no growling, no screaming in ecstasy, no....” This earned Rufus
what he had come to call 'The Look' from Maximus, a sort of 'I'm not
an idiot, you know, I can behave when I need to, I'm house-trained
and everything' message, delivered wordlessly. Rufus grinned.
“Fuck my belly, Wolfpup!” Maximus
whispered urgently in Rufus' ear. Rufus happily complied, rolling on
top of Maximus and beginning to plow his lover's thick pelt with his
cock, creating a wet furrow of precum. The slick drool eased the
passage of Rufus' fuckpole, but still allowed enough scratchiness of
the Beast's belly fur to provide stimulus and help Rufus drive
towards his climax. Their relative differences in height meant that
Rufus could be prodding his Beast's navel while at the same time
lapping at and sucking on a Beast nipple.
The happy work continued, with Rufus
backing off twice to avoid cumming too soon; but finally, Maximus
gripped Rufus' butt and pulled him tight against his own belly.
Rufus moaned quietly, then grunted softly as he shot, pumping pulse
after pulse of hot seed, filling the Beast's navel and cementing
their copious belly fur together. “Oh! My love! My life!”
“Shhhh.... shhhhh. I'm here. Rest
on me.” Rufus had been unaware that he was arching his back and
supporting himself with his arms as he came, and now relaxed so he
was fully plastered against Maximus. Both sighed together.
After a short rest, Rufus whispered,
“Feed me, Beast,” and Maximus mutely nodded. Dismounting to one
side, Rufus lifted himself off of Maximus' sticky belly, fortunately
before the cum had dried, and moved back, bumping into his Beast's
rigid meat. He turned his head slightly and gazed lovingly at the
upright flesh he desired so much. He opened his mouth wide and
engulfed it completely, his copper beard meshing with Maximus' coal
black bush. Maximus gasped at the sudden moist heat and then reached
forward with both hands to caress Rufus' head and pull him down
firmly.
Rufus ran his tongue all around the
shrouded tip, then used his lips to tug the foreskin down to
completely reveal the sensitive tip. Maximus shivered as his cock
reacted to the increased heat and sensation. Rufus continued to run
his tongue all over and around the thick shaft, down to the base and
then back up to the tip. He used his hands to support himself,
working solely with his mouth. Maximus moaned and whispered
urgently, “Wolfpup, I won't las... I can't....” and then gave up
and let loose, pumping Rufus' mouth and throat full of his seed.
Rufus, used to the flood his lover produced, swallowed rapidly,
losing not a drop. He milked the last of the fluid from his Beast's
slowly shrinking cock with his tongue and lips. When he was sure he
had it all, he released Maximus' meat and rolled to his side, cuddled
in close to his Beast's body. “Thank you, love. You fed me well.”
Maximus pulled him in close, and they fell asleep, both of them
content and drained.
The following morning, Rufus woke early
and carefully got out of bed so as not to disturb the still-sleeping
Maximus, or anyone else in the household. He scratched the thicket
of fur on his belly and pulled on his tunic. He pushed aside the
large curtain that covered the door to the adjoining room and ducked
through, replacing the curtain. He yawned and stretched, and then
roughed up the bed and moved the small oil lamp and dish and beaker,
to make the room look 'used'. 'No sense in giving the house slaves
more to gossip about,' he thought to himself as he exited the room.
Just at that moment, one of those
slaves was coming up the hall with two towels and a steaming jug of
water. Rufus silently blessed his foresight in exiting from the room
assigned to him instead of the one he had spent the night in; the
slave certainly had seen him. “Sir, I was just bringing water,
would you like to refresh yourself before the morning meal?” The
slave politely ducked his head.
“Yes, I would, I thank you. Come.”
Rufus turned and went back into 'his' room, followed by the slave
who laid a towel on the back of the lone chair in the room, and
poured the water into the basin that stood on a small table by the
window. “I do not recognize you, are you new here?”
“Yes, sir. The lady Antonia bought
me a few months ago to help Anna.”
“And how are you called?”
“Decimus, sir.”
“Well, Decimus, I'm sure Anna or
Sabina will have told you that I and my business partner, Maximus,
were once their slaves, and that we were manumitted not long after
the recent catastrophe. So you may call us by our given names. I am
Rufus.”
Decimus nodded. “Thank you, Rufus.
Will there be anything else you need?”
“No, thank you. But you might wait a
bit for Maximus' wash-up. He sounds like he is sleeping late.”
“Thank you, Rufus. I will come back
later.” Decimus ducked his head again, and left the room.
Rufus made quick work of his wash,
splashing his face, and drying his hair and patting his short thick
beard dry. Finished, he laid the towel next to the basin and headed
toward the kitchen. On his way, he noticed Lucius at his desk
through the open door to his study. He looked up and motioned Rufus
in.
“You're up early, Rufus.”
“And you, Lucius.”
“Well, I seem to need less sleep
these days. Old age, I guess.” He motioned at one of the chairs
along the wall. “Bring that over here.” Rufus had never seen
Lucius blush in all the years that had lived in their household, but
he looked truly embarrassed now. “Oh, I am sorry. Old habits must
die harder than I thought.” He paused. “Will you sit, Rufus
Hirtuleius?”
“Oh, I am not offended... dominus.”
Rufus grinned, and Lucius smiled too at the implied humor in the use
of the now inaccurate form of address. He pulled the chair towards
the desk. “What do you think of the document?”
“Well, I've read it through twice.
It's a bit crude, but I see no legal errors. The wording is correct,
a bit archaic. I do have a couple of points, though.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Shall we wait for Maximus?”
“He was sleeping soundly and snoring
a while ago,” Rufus said softly. “I can fill him in later, if it
pleases,” in a louder tone, in case there were any slaves nearby.
“Certainly. First of all, the owner
stipulates payment within ten days of signing. Insist on thirty,
that gives you time you may need to revisit the property. I'll
explain. The description of the property is very cursory. You two
should put your heads together and write up a more complete
description. Go back again if you need to, get measurements and such.
You were always honest, Rufus, so I don't need to tell you, but be
complete. Don't exaggerate, but don't honey-coat things either.
Make sure boundaries are clearly noted, and don't forget the
condition of the house. This will establish a basis for my second
point.”
“Which is?”
“The price seems mostly fair, given
what you've told me, perhaps a bit high. The house sounds like it
will take some work, though. Offer five hundred sestertius less.”
Rufus' sandy eyebrows shot up. “Yes, I know, it's a steep
reduction. But it gives you room to bargain, He comes down some,
you come up some, back and forth, and eventually you agree. Done
right, both sides feel they have won. Here, I've written up a clean
copy of the agreement with the changes I think you should include.
You can add your description of the property and make a copy to
present to the landlord. Oh, and Rufus...”
Yes, Lucius?”
“Let Maximus do the bargaining.”
“Oh... why, Lucius?
Lucius gave a slightly evil smile.
“I've seen him bidding on horse stock!”
Just at this moment, Maximus came into
the room, his hair still a bit wet from his wash up. “Salvete! I
hope everyone slept well.” Lucius chuckled and winked. “I
imagine so.” Both Maximus and Rufus smiled and ducked their heads
a bit.
Anna appeared at the doorway. “Sabina
has breakfast ready early, dominus. Would you and your guests like
it in here?”
“No, Anna, let's have it out in the
garden, I want to show them what we've been doing there.” They
adjourned to the garden and Decimus and Anna brought the food to them
and then withdrew. The cool early morning mist had not yet cleared
off completely. Lucius pointed out the new plantings. “And I want
to have a covered walkway around those two sides of the garden, and
an arbor, just there. There's too little shade here now in the
summer months. I think we will live out our days here, and we might
as well be comfortable.” The three sat and ate their light meal
and were joined by Antonia as they were finishing.
“Ah, everyone is up early it seems;
and I thought I might beat you both,” she said, nodding toward
Rufus and Maximus. “What are your plans for today... are you
leaving soon?”
“Antonia! They will think we want to
be rid of them!” Antonia looked a bit abashed.
Rufus interrupted. “Oh, no...
please, Lady, we don't think that at all, you have made us feel very
welcome, and we have fond memories of Sabina's excellent meal from
last night. Please thank her again for us. But we do need to be
making a start fairly soon.” Turning to Lucius, he asked, “Does
your offer of the cart and Decimus to ride with us still stand?”
“Of course. I'll have him bring the
cart around now so it will be ready. Antonia needs him to pick up a
few things in town anyway.”
They finished the last of their meal,
and gathered their few things and then stood together on the porch at
the front of the farmhouse. Antonia took Rufus' hand, then Maximus'.
“Good luck to you both, and do please write to us and tell us how
things progress. And you must visit us once you are settled.”
Lucius embraced them both, and there was a slightly awkward silence
as all four cast their minds back to those several days that had
changed their lives so utterly, and the fact that it might be years
before they saw each other again. Lucius again embraced the two men.
“Valete, and may the gods always watch kindly over you both.”
Decimus was in the cart, waiting.
Maximus got in to his left and Rufus to his right. Sabina ran out of
the house, carrying a square parcel, wrapped in cloth. “Here,
something for you to eat on your way.” She handed the parcel up to
Rufus and then backed off shyly. “Thank you for the lovely pan,
Rufus... and Anna loves the scarf, even if she is too much of a goose
to come out and tell you herself.”
Decimus touched the whip to the horses
flanks and they moved off. Both freedmen looked back and saw Lucius
with his arm around Antonia's waist. Both waved for a good while,
and then re-entered the house.
Decimus turned to each of his
passengers. “Sabina has told me of how the two of you saved the
household, and others as well. Your manumission seems truly
deserved. If it please you, can you tell me if what everyone says is
true, that there is nothing left of Pompeii? Nothing at all?”
Rufus turned to Decimus. “You are
not from here, then?”
“No, my former master lived in a
small villa outside of Rome.”
“How did you come to be here, then?”
“My former master lost greatly in bad
investments, and sold most of his slaves as well as the villa. I was
sold to a slave broker, who sold me to another broker. Somehow, I
ended up with a trader in Nuceria, where Lady Antonia bought me. So,
we heard rumors and stories of the destruction, but just that...
stories, and people tend to exaggerate. Anna cautioned me against
asking either the domina or dominus about the eruption, and neither
Anna or Sabina will talk very much about it.”
Maximus spoke up. “I can tell you
there is nothing left. The mountain is nearly gone, blasted into
nothingness. The entire city, and the lands and villages around it
for miles, are covered with lava that has hardened to rock. Almost
nothing grows there, and all you see above ground are the tops of a
few broken columns, sticking up like rotted teeth.” He took a deep
breath. “We saw it happen. It was like a great rolling wave of
ash and mud and heat and death. I have never seen anything move as
fast as that wave. No one has, ever. Nothing could escape it. It
nearly reached us, even as far away as we had managed. I still have
nightmares about it.”
“So do I,” Rufus said. “It was
like Hades had been brought above ground, and then snuffed out in an
instant.”
“Would you ever go back? To see, I
mean...”
“Gods, NO! I hope never to see it
again.” The trio rode on towards Nuceria in silence.
They arrived in the crossroads on the
outskirts of Nuceria at mid-morning. “You can let us off here,
it's not a long walk for us, and it's a nice day. Thank your for the
ride, Decimus.” Maximus climbed down from the cart. Rufus
followed on the other side and added, “I know you will have a good
life with Lucius and Antonia. They are good people, and you will be
well treated.” They both stepped back.
“Fare well, gentlemen, may the gods
go with you.” Decimus touched the whipstock to the horses flanks
and they moved off.
Rufus and Maximus headed up the road
that lead to the village where they were staying, about a two hour
walk away. The day was sunny and bright, with a light breeze. While
they walked, they discussed what they had seen at the property in
Rocca. “Once we get back, I'll write all this down, then we can go
over it together again before I make a clean copy. I'll need more
parchment, though.” Rufus checked his purse for funds. “Beast,
how are we with the landlord?” “We are good to the Kalends, no
worries.” “Excellent. We should have enough time to get to Rome
and back, assuming he accepts the revised terms. I still think five
hundred is a steep discount...”
“I think I can manage to get most of
that. We'll have a nice chat over his best wine,” Maximus said.
“Lucius said I should let you do the
talking.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, he said you drive a hard
bargain.” Maximus chuckled. “Yes, I do.” He put an arm
around Rufus' shoulders and hugged. “We're really going to do
this, aren't we.”
“Gods willing, yes. Yes, we are!.
Are you happy, my Beast?”
“Yes. Nervous. But yes, happy.”
He squeezed Rufus again.
After an hour of walking, Maximus
suggested a break. They sat on a large flat rock at the roadside,
and opened Sabina's parcel. The faint aroma of pork sausage rose
from the contents. “Look, she's given us bread and sausage and
cheese and olives, and.... a small jug?” Maximus broke the clay
seal and sniffed. “Well, it's wine, so we won't go thirsty!”
Rufus took a taste. “Oh, my! This
is more than just 'wine'. It's Falernian.” Rufus took another
swig, then offered the small container to Maximus.
“Well, it does taste good, not sharp
at all. But... what's the difference?”
“Oh, Beast... Falernian is the best!
It has a soft flavor, like flowers and sun. You drink this and you
don't wake with a headache the next day, even if it isn't watered.
Not that you should ever water this. Hand it here.” Maximus did,
and Rufus took another long pull. “Gods, that's good. Thank you,
Sabina! I hope she doesn't get in trouble with Lucius. This isn't
the everyday stuff, you know. It's special.”
“Well, it was very nice of her to
pack it for us. I think this was your gift at work! But I'm used to
'everyday'. I imagine you are, too, Wolfpup. How come you know
about Faller... Fallerrian?”
“Falernian. It's 'Falernian'.
When they would have special guests, it was served; and sometimes,
the amphora would not be completely emptied by the time the guests
left, if you know what I mean.”
“You mean it somehow got emptied into
the wine cups in the kitchen?”
“I'll never tell,” Rufus smiled.
They finished their meal and brushed away the crumbs, and were
immediately surrounded by noisy birds. Stretching, they looked over
the valley spread out before them. “I'll miss this a bit, I
think.”
“But it's too close to the past for
me. Too many memories, they plague me sometimes. It will be good to
start fresh, no?” Maximus looked at his Wolfpup.
“Yes, it will.” They were quiet
for a time, both enjoying the warmth of the sun and the light breeze.
Rufus' cock stirred as he remembered their quiet love-making in the
early hours. “Beast, look down there, that clump of trees. I bet
it would screen us from the road...”
“Ah, my insatiable Wolfpup. Come
here!” Maximus embraced the red bearded man he loved so much,
picked him up, and carried him down to the trees. As Maximus walked,
Rufus turned his head, nosing Maximus' tunic to one side, and
latched on to the soft pink disc of a Beast nipple. Maximus moaned
in pleasure as Rufus sucked and tongued the now erecting flesh. “Oh,
gods, don't stop! Never stop!” With one arm firmly around Rufus'
thick waist, he moved his other arm up to gently press Rufus' head to
his chest, cradling it with his large hand. Rufus eagerly lapped at
the hard pink nub, stopping at times to nuzzle it with his thick,
coppery beard.
Maximus' cock thickened and extended,
surging upright, jerking with the quickening pulse of his heart. Each
time Rufus chewed lightly, large blobs of precum would ooze out.
“Fuck me, Beast. Now. I need you in me again, I need to feel you
inside me.” Maximus nodded mutely, and set Rufus down. Both men
hurriedly pulled off their tunics and loosened the strings of their
sublinaculums, letting them drop to the ground. “Holy Priapus, is
there any more beautiful sight in all the world?” Rufus gazed with
love at his naked, hard lover. Maximus' foreskin was now fully
retracted, the blunt tip glistening and coated with slippery clear
fluid, as was more and more of the shaft.
Maximus reached out a hand and touched
Rufus on the shoulder. “You glow in the sunlight, you know that?”
He then leaned back against the largest of the trees and motioned
with both hands to Rufus. Rufus thought that his Beast wanted a hug
before they lay down, but Maximus had another plan in mind. “Reach
up and lock your hands behind my neck.” The Wolfpup did so, and
Maximus cupped his hands under Rufus' ass cheeks, boosting him
higher, level with his waist. “Now, raise your legs some. That's
it. Hold that now.” Although Rufus was smaller than Maximus, he
was no lightweight; but years of outdoor work had made Maximus very
strong, and the easier life he'd had on Lucius' farm had not cost him
any of that strength. He raised his Wolfpup up a bit higher,
spreading his cheeks, and flexed his cock, searched for the entry
into his lover. Both gasped when the tip found it's target. Maximus
slowly and carefully lowered Rufus onto his slick erection.
Rufus reveled in the force of the
thick, blunt shaft making it's way into his body. His Beast was
being careful, and the slight initial twinge of discomfort quickly
faded to bliss. Maximus' cock was the same width and thickness base
to tip, making it look and feel like a sausage rather than a mushroom
or a wedge. He could feel the flex and pull of his lover's neck and
shoulder muscles and the firmness of his hands supporting him safely
as he was fucked. They had never coupled this way before and Rufus
found himself liking it a lot. He could hug and hold his Beast, bury
his face in the Beast's thick chest fur, even lick a nipple, which
brought a gasp and a deeper thrust. In spite of his strength, this
position was not made for prolonged mating, and Maximus's penis began
arrowing in and out more and more rapidly as he drove towards his
climax. “Beast, you are in so fucking deep!” Sensing that the
Beast was about to cum, the Wolfpup began to growl louder, in time
with the powerful thrusts. “Now, Beast... yes!... fill me... now!”
With a shout of joy, the Beast did so. Rufus reveled in the hot
flood of his lover's seed, deep in his guts, never tiring of that
feeling. “Oh, my fuckbeast!”
Exhausted, they both clung to each
other for a while before Maximus lifted Rufus off his now-softened
shaft. His cock slid out with an audible 'plop' and sagged
downwards, it's happy work finished for now.
“Beast, I hate to do it but I must
get rid of some of your seed. Futuo, but you filled me full!” He
kissed his love and then moved off to squat briefly in the bushes.
“It's too bad there's no stream
nearby. I'm all wet, too.” He laughed. “You leaked all over my
legs when I pulled you off!”
“Once we get to the inn, we can
sluice each other off in the yard behind the stable." Thinking
of the property they were going to buy, Rufus mused, "I wonder
if Rocca will have a public bath?”
“I doubt it. Clusium certainly does,
but that would be a long walk just to clean up!” Maximus handed
Rufus his tunic and then put on his own. The two climbed back up the
slope and onto the road, to continue their trudge to the inn and the
inn keeper with land to sell.
*
After a rinse off in the stable yard
and an early evening meal, Maximus joined Rufus in his room and they
amplified the description of the house at Rocca. Rufus made notes in
the margin of the original contract. “We're lucky that the
landlord had some pieces of clean parchment.” Rufus scratched at
the parchment. “Here, hand me that quill, this one is split.”
More scratching. “I wish I had a calamus, much neater result.”
Maximus snorted. “Perfectionist.”
He leaned over and kissed Rufus on the head to take the sting out of
the comment. Rufus worked for another hour, making a careful, clean
copy of the revised contract, leaving only the final price blank.
“There. That's done. Tomorrow,
after the morning meal, you can work your bargaining magic on the
landlord. I'll start off, because he will expect that. Then I'll
hand him over to your tender mercies.” He hugged, then kissed,
Maximus.
“I wish we could sleep together
tonight, Wolfpup,” Maximus whispered.
“Best not tempt the fates. We've
been lucky so far, and...” Rufus stopped as he heard footsteps in
the hallway outside the room. They stepped apart.
Maximus opened the door and said
loudly, “Well, I think we have made good progress on the contract,
those were good ideas of yours. We can discuss any last minute
changes in the morning. I am too tired now. I'll see you tomorrow.
Bonum nocte.” He smiled inwardly, the little charade had certainly
been heard by older man just entering his room at the end of the
hall. Maximus had the room next to that. More and more, as the
possibility of living together inched towards reality, he resented
the need to dissemble, to hide and lie. More so here in a rural area
than in a city or in Rome, but still... 'Why should anyone fucking
care?' he thought to himself before drifting off to sleep.
Unknown to him, Rufus was having a very
similar thought as he lay in his bed in his room down the hall from
Maximus. 'What's 'normal' anyway? No two people are exactly alike.
I suppose someone who is really different scares people. Beast can
look really scary, but he's so good and kindhearted inside. We
shouldn't judge people just by what we see. But I guess that's too
hard for most people.' He sighed. “So we put on a show and wear a
mask, like in the theater, if we want to survive together,” he
whispered to himself, a rare bitterness surfacing.
*
The next morning, after the pot boy had
cleaned the tables and the landlord had time, the three sat down
together to discuss business. A jug of watered wine was accompanied
by three cups at the table. “Well, you said you wanted to think
about it and make some plans. Have you decided?” The landlord
looked first at Rufus, then at Maximus, but mostly at Rufus. Maximus
poured wine for the three of them.
Rufus cleared his throat. “Yes, we
have, but with a couple of changes. First, we need thirty days for
payment, not ten. Both of us will need to go to Rome to get our
funds, Maximus can leave soon, but I can't leave immediately.
Second, the description of the house is incomplete. We've written up
a more complete description. Read it, please; you will find it quite
accurate. It will require a good sum of money and time to put
right.” Rufus pushed the contract over to the landlord.
“Now, as to price.” Maximus leaned
forward and smiled as he said this, noting the surprised look on the
landlord's face. “We feel a fairly substantial reduction in your
asking price is in order, given the state of the house, and the fact
that half the property is not suitable for field crops.”
The landlord spluttered, “I made you
a price that was more than fair. You won't find land that cheap,
house or no,” ignoring for the moment the unsuitability of half the
land for farming. He looked at Rufus when he said this, but Rufus
remained silent.
Maximus continued. “Oh, hardly fair,
given the fact that the house was in worse condition than presented,
and not all the land is useable. But, since you need to get rid of
the land... land you are paying taxes on and that is bringing in no
income at all... we're prepared to offer four thousand, four hundred
sisterces.”
“WHAT? That's six hundred less than
the price we discussed.” He looked again at Rufus as he gestured
towards Maximus. “Is this man insane? I can't accept that! Surely
you and I can come to a sensible agreement.” He had played
his outrage well, but had made the mistake of excluding and
under-estimating Maximus.
Maximus smiled thinly. “Rufus and I
are partners in this enterprise, and you are dealing with us both...
together.” Rufus locked eyes with the landlord and nodded once.
Maximus continued. “And we are sure that we can come to a
sensible agreement, one that is fair to you... and to us.” He
refilled the landlord's wine cup. “Here, have some more wine.
Make me another offer and we'll talk. Or we can leave. Your land,
your choice. Oh, and those taxes are due in two months time, I
believe. A shame it doesn't generate any income for you.” Maximus
smiled, but there was little humor in it.
The negotiations progressed throughout
the morning: fifty sisterces here, twenty-five there, a further
fifteen, with Maximus wearing the landlord's resistance down.
Unknown to the landlord, when they had visited Rocca, the two had
inquired about taxes and learned just how much the landlord was
likely to be paying on land that was fallow and unoccupied, and when.
Maximus used those figures to the greatest advantage. “You know,
no real business man, such as yourself, can continue to absorb that
steady drain on your income, supporting unproductive land. You must
be losing, oh, close to..." and he named a figure that was
exactly the amount of tax owed. "O course, you would know
better than I. And of course, business here hasn't been as good as I
am sure you hoped last year. And it seems to me that you won't be
just 'cutting your losses', you'll be making more in the sale than
you would pay in taxes over some time.” In his deceptive way,
Maximus lead the landlord to gradually accepting a lower price, while
leaving him with the impression that he was actually the one coercing
the pair into accepting a higher price than what they were asking.
Finally, sensing he had pushed as far
as he could, Maximus folded his hands and said, “So, I guess you
have worn us down. Very clever, for land you don't want. Four
thousand, six hundred sisterces... agreed?” Maximus looked at
Rufus who nodded, then looked at the landlord, who nodded with a
smile. He pushed the contract towards the two, and Rufus inked in
the agreed amount. All three stood and gripped each other's
forearms. Rufus asked, “Do you have a clerk in the village who can
notarize this?”
“We do... shall we go now? It's not
far.” The landlord was plainly worried that the two might change
their minds. He was also beginning to feel the tiniest of doubts
that he had not made quite as good a bargain as he had earlier
thought. Once the contract was signed and notarized, four copies
were made, one for the landlord, one for Rufus and Maximus, one to be
kept in the court there, and one to be ultimately deposited at the
court in Clusium, Rocca not having an administrative building or
official. “You will have the deed for us in thirty days.”
Maximus said it as a statement.
“Yes, when you hand over the money.”
“Before the ides of next month then.
Agreed.”
Later in the afternoon, Rufus and
Maximus were sitting on a bench outside the inn, their legs stretched
out, hands crossed over their bellies, eyes closed against the late
afternoon sun. Without opening his eyes, Rufus said, “Lucius was
right.” Maximus did not open his eyes, but smiled.
Later in the evening, Rufus asked
Maximus, “I'm curious. Lucius said to ask for a five hundred
sisterces reduction, which I thought was very high. That's a lot of
money. And you asked for six hundred!”
“Yes, because I needed more
bargaining room. And I ended saving us four hundred sisterces off
his asking price. Not bad for a morning's work!”
4 April,
82 AD
Two days later, they had settled their
bill at the tavern, collected their belongings from their two rooms,
and were headed back towards Nuceria. Their chances of catching a
ride to Rome were better there.
“You know, I did have a moment, back
there when we were negotiating. I was afraid that he would ask me to
point out the new description or worse, read it to him.” He
paused, and Rufus did not interrupt. Very quietly, Maximus said,
“Wolfpup, will you teach me to read?”
“Of course, my Beast! But you know
you will always have me to tend to things that need literacy. Not
everyone is literate. Some very successful businessmen...”
“Yes, I know, and I am grateful. But
I want to do this, I want to be able to be truly free. Oh, not of
you love, never that. To be independent, I guess. My own man.”
Rufus reached out and hugged the big
man. A passing man on a donkey looked at them with a rather odd
expression, but the moment, and the travelers, passed on.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, and
both men were glad to rest for a bit in the shade of a roadside tree.
“Should we stop at Lucius' place?” Maximus asked.
“Much as I'd like to, I think not.
We need to get our money from the banker. We are running low, even
with the funds Lucius kept back for us when he made the deposit in
Rome. And who knows how long it will take us. If we end up walking,
that's at least five or six days each way, plus however long it
actually takes us in Rome.”
Having reached the town, the two were
walking down the main street towards the largest inn in Nuceria.
Just at that moment, Lucius and Decimus rounded the corner.
“Gentlemen! Ah, well met!
Gods be praised, I am glad to find you. Oh, thank the gods!
Come, join us and tell us your news quickly, and then I must tell you
things.” Lucius was obviously pleased at finding his two former
slaves. Maximus and Rufus looked at each other and nodded and
followed Lucius and Decimus into the taverna across from the inn.
“Is everything settled? Contracts
signed? What did you end up agreeing on?” Wine, olives and bread
were brought to the table.
“We ended up agreeing to four
thousand, six hundred. We are heading to Rome to the bankers as soon
as we can. And we do have the thirty days you suggested.” Maximus
was obviously pleased with himself.
Lucius turned to Rufus and smiled
broadly. "Did I not tell you?!"
“You did, and you were right.”
Rufus chewed on some olives. “But you seemed anxious, Lucius, when
we met just now. Why?”
“Because I have had some very
disturbing news, and I was greatly afraid that I would not be able to
get it to you before you left for Rome. As I very nearly didn't.”
He took a gulp of wine. “You know I deposited your settlement
money with my banker. I have known him for years, a most honest and
upright man. Truly, a Roman of the old tradition. Caius Calvus, my
former business partner, you never met him, Maximus, but Rufus has, I
believe.” Rufus nodded. “Caius wrote to me with news that our
banker, Marcus Lucellus, has died suddenly, and the bank has been
taken over by a sort of syndicate. They have ties to some apparently
corrupt officials, I don't know all the details. I have already sent
a letter authorizing Caius to withdraw my funds, and put them in a
holding with the Vestals. It will be safe there. But I couldn't do
that for your monies. They are in your names only. You say you are
going to Rome now?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Make all haste, I have a very
bad feeling about this, and when I had one of the local priests take
the auspices, they were not good.”
“What should we do? What can
we do?”
“Get all your money out and take it
with you. Dangerous, I know, but you will have to think of
something, some way to transport it. And I have made out two letters
introducing each of you to the bank, describing your, ah, distinctive
looks.”
“Could we not do as you did, leave it
with the Vestals?” Maximus asked.
“No. My uncle is a Senator, and his
niece is a Vestal, that's why I was able to work that. That wouldn't
be available to you. It really isn't supposed to be available to me,
but.... Anyway, that's my news. I wish I had better, or at least
more details. But Caius was quite worried, more so than I had ever
known him to be. So treat this seriously. That money is your
future.”
They all gulped their wine. Lucius
turned to Decimus. “Decimus, go across the way to the inn and ask
if anyone is heading to Rome and could take two passengers for pay.
Stress that the passengers have need of haste, there's a good boy.”
Decimus left.
“How is he working out? Rufus was
naturally curious about the young man who appeared to have inherited
his old position in the household.
“He is doing well. I like him, he is
quiet and well-spoken. Antonia likes him, and what's more important,
Anna likes him. There is peace in my house.” He smiled ruefully.
“Ah, here comes Decimus now. That was fast. What news, Decimus?”
“If you move quickly, you are in
luck. There is a merchant, on his way to deliver a shipment of wool
to a ship in the port of Ostia. He will leave as soon as he finishes
his meal. He will take two passengers... for six silver asses*
each.” (* four as were equal to one sestercius)
“Why, that's highway rob...”
“We've really no choice. It's nearly
100 miles, too long to walk, and we can't depend on finding a ride
along the way.”
“Wait.” Lucius reached into his
purse and brought out a handful of coins. “This will cover your
costs, with some left over for food. Just until you get your money
from the bank.”
“Lucius, we can't. You've already
done so much...”
“Rufus. Maximus. I can never fully
repay my... our debt to you. You saved our lives, and others as
well. Take this now, and hurry. Jupiter speed you on your way.
Now, go!” Embracing Lucius quickly, Rufus and Maximus shook
Decimus' hand and hurried across the street to the taverna.
Late in the afternoon, heading
southwards in the goods wagon along the Via Appia, they found their
driver a dour, taciturn man, not given to conversation; which
actually suited the two. The fewer details they had to invent about
themselves, the better.
10 April,
82 AD
On the morning of the sixth day, they
had reached the outskirts of Rome. “Let us off here, and we won't
have to walk back from Ostia,” Maximus said. The driver did so,
and moved off towards the port, as silent as he had been all along.
“My backside is telling me we might
have been better off walking,” Rufus said, stretching and rubbing
his back. The small inns they had stayed in along the way had not
helped matters... hard, lumpy pads on equally hard wooden boards. “I
slept on better as a slave,” Maximus said. Rufus nodded.
They stood at the Porta Appia, the main
southern entrance to the city. “What now?” Maximus did not know
Rome at all, and was suitably awed at it's shear size and bustle.
“Lucius wrote down the location of
the bank on my letter. Yes, here: 'On the west side of the square
directly in front of the temple of Juno Moneta'. I have a vague
memory of where that is, but we can ask. I'm hungry, shall we get
something for lunch?”
“Yes. How are we for money?”
“We should be OK, Lucius was very
generous. Look, there's a taverna over there, and there's a line.
That's usually a good sign.”
Maximus' belly growled. “Then let's
eat!”
After a decent meal, the two set out to
follow the taverna owner's directions to the temple square. “I was
here once with Lucius, but I doubt I could have found the place
again. The streets are so crowded, it's hard to know what direction
we are traveling in. And there seems to be building everywhere.”
“Where did Lucius and Antonia have
their house?”
“Ah, not here. It was over on the
Quirinal.”
“Was it large?”
“Oh, yes, quite large. The place in
Pompeii was maybe a third it's size. There were twelve house slaves.
Of course, there was no stable, so just two outdoor slaves to
maintain the garden.” Rufus stopped at an intersection of three
streets. “We're to go that way, on the other side of the
fountain.” They walked on.
“When Lucius and Antonia decided to
leave the city and sold the house here, they only took four of us
with them. They bought you and the others in Pompeii for the farm.”
“Bless them for that, or we wouldn't
have met.”
“True.” Rufus edged bit closer to
Maximus and said in a low voice. “I still remember our first kiss,
in the stable.” “Me, too,” Maximus whispered.
In fairly short order, the two reached
the crowded square in front of the temple. “Ooo, it's large, isn't
it,” Maximus said.
“Actually rather small,” Rufus
replied. “Well, it's one of the older ones in Rome, dates back to
the early Republic. You should see the Capitoline precinct and the
Forum. Maybe, if we have time...” A centurion leading a troop
barked at them for being in the way, interrupting Rufus' thought.
“Now, Lucius said the bank was on the
west side, so probably somewhere along that arcade.” Rufus was
pointing to a covered combination walkway and porch that stretched
along one entire side of the square, filled with a motley collection
of wooden stalls, selling what appeared to be anything at all that
would be needed in a house. Furniture, cooking utensils, cloth,
lamps, braziers; all crowded together with shoppers, loudly
bargaining. “Look, I think that's it.” They dodged two slaves
lugging a large couch destined for someone's triclinium, then stood
in front of a sturdy door with impressive iron hinges, studded with
iron nails, with a carved lintel that bore the inscription “Bank”.
The entered the cooler and suddenly quieter interior.
The older slave at the desk looked up.
“P-p-please close the door, sirs.” Rufus did so. “Ah, much
better. T-t-too much dust and noise out there. What can I d-do for
you?”
Rufus spoke up. “We are here to
claim our deposits, both of us.” Maximus nodded.
“Ah, I see.” He paused, looking
closely at both of them. “I k-k-know all of our clients, but I
d-do not recognize either of you.” The slave sniffed and lay down
his stylus. “I'm s-sure I would remember you. C-c-could you....”
Rufus stepped forward and handed him
Lucius's letter of introduction. Maximus did the same. Rufus cleared
his throat. “You don't know us because it was Lucius Hirtuleius
who opened the accounts with you shortly after he manumitted us.
After the catastrophe, you know.” The slave nodded.
The slave broke the seals on both
notes and read each carefully, looking up at each of the men before
him as he did so. “Yes. Well, this s-s-seems to be in order. I
kn-kn-know Lucius Hirtuleius well, he is a valued client of ours, or
at least, was.” The slave seemed to be suddenly nervous, glancing
over his shoulder. “I am b-b-bound to ask, though, why you wish to
withdraw all of your funds? This is r-r-rather unusual, you know.”
“We are going in together on a
business venture, one which will require each of us to contribute a
good portion of the capital needed. I trust there will be no problem
with this?” Rufus was braced for some complication, perhaps with
their manumitted status, in spite of Lucius' letters. Maximus stayed
silent, but moved forward, his intimidating bulk casting a shadow
across the slave's desk.
“No, it's j-j-just that... you see,
we don't keep those sums here in the office. They are secure, no
problem there, but I d-do not have access to the building where we
keep them. My master is away just now, but will be b-b-back by
opening tomorrow. He will attend to obtaining your f-funds. If you
would care to return tomorrow? I know it is inconvenient, but there
is a nice taverna just a-a-across the square that rents rooms, if you
care to....” The slave gestured out the door, but was plainly
nervous and ill at ease. Maximus was doing his best not to scare the
poor man, but Rufus noticed sweat forming on the man's brow.
“For my part, I would rather have the
money now, but if you can't do that, we will just wait until your
dominus returns. If my partner here has no objection, we'll look
around outside, perhaps visit the temple, and be back tomorrow
morning... first thing.”
“I've no objection,” Maximus said.
Something, perhaps his physically imposing presence, had obviously
make the poor slave very uncomfortable.
“Very good, then, tomorrow. And now
I must c-c-close the office briefly while I g-get my noon meal.
Valete, gentlemen.” The slave ushered them out with almost
indecent haste and closed the door behind them.
“Well, that was odd. More than odd.”
Rufus was plainly puzzled and vaguely troubled. Maximus nodded.
“I think I scared him. That office
was small and I'm big...”
“I don't think it was you at all,
Beast. He was extremely nervous, and I don't mean his stutter. Did
you see how he kept looking over his shoulder? Like he was being
watched?” Maximus nodded. “Let's go over there, there are
benches by the temple steps. We can keep an eye on the door to the
bank for a while from there. I don't much like the delay, but
maybe...” The two proceeded to the temple steps, dodging the busy
shoppers crossing from sales booth to booth.
They entertained themselves by watching
the busy commerce in front of them. They were discussing the slave's
odd behavior when they heard a soft hiss from behind the bench they
were sitting on.
“Gentlemen, if you please, follow me
to the other side of the temple. No, don't get up just yet, wait a
bit, then follow,” the voice whispered softly. Before they could
get a good look at the person who had spoken, he had vanished in the
crowd. Maximus looked at Rufus. “Futuo, Rome is a strange place.
Should we?” Rufus shrugged. “This seems off. I don't really
feel comfortable with it, and I don't like losing sight of that
bank's door. And I can't be sure, but I think...”
“Wolfpup, you're safe enough with me
around. And there's probably a back door to the bank, anyway.”
Suddenly deciding, Rufus got up. “All
right, let's go.” The two walked around the front steps of the
temple to Moneta, getting occasional whiffs of incense from within.
They circled around to the opposite side of the small temple, and
found a much quieter, less crowded area.
“Not here.” The same whispering
voice came again from behind them. “Over there, you s-s-see the
stairs? Meet me at the base.” Again the figure was too quick for
them to identify, moving quickly across the open space and vanishing
down the steps.
“Now I really don't like this,”
Rufus said. “That has to be the slave from the bank.”
Maximus moved off towards the steps, and Rufus followed, trusting in
his mate's size and strength as a deterrent to any street thuggery.
They walked down the steps and found themselves in what looked like a
small garden, probably part of the original temple precinct. They
were alone. A figure stepped out from behind a tree and approached
them.
“Ave, gentlemen.” Rufus was
confirmed in his suspicion that the voice belonged to the stuttering
slave from the bank. “I ap-p-pologize for the secrecy. I
kn-kn-know I am being watched., but I think we are s-s-s...” The
slave slapped his thigh. “...safe here.” In spite of this, the
slave seemed just as nervous as before.
“Listen. All of this is very strange
and worrying to us. And I don't like being worried.” Maximus
stood in front of the slave with his hands on his hips. “So. What
is going on?”
“Can I trust you? Lucius Hirtuleius
c-c-commends you highly to the bank and says your are good, honest
men. Can I trust you?”
Rufus tried to calm the man. “Yes,
you can trust us, but we need to know what is going on. You must see
that this is all very... unusual. Here, sit, and tell us.” They
all sat on a low wall. The slave looked around carefully, seemed to
make a decision, and forged ahead.
“You know that the former owner of
the bank has died. He was getting on in years, it's true, but his
health was excellent. It was a great surprise when he took ill so
suddenly. I think Lucius Hirtuleius must have told you that, and
that a syndicate has taken over the bank and it's affairs. The three
other slaves were all sold off; but I was kept on, as I was the one
who knew all the clients by sight. I do hope Lucius Hirtuleius is in
good health? He was always polite and well-spoken, never hasty with
me, unlike some others of our clients.”
Rufus nodded and said, “He is, I
assure you. Please... go on.”
“How much do you know about our new
Emperor?” The slave looked at the two men.
“Uh... very little, other than he is
the younger brother of Titus, and son of Vespasian. He seems to be
continuing their good policies.”
“Yes, he has. But he is much more
rigid in his moral outlook than Titus or Vespasian were. They say
that Vespasian's long-time mistress welcomed the two sons to the
palace offering a motherly kiss to each. Titus accepted, Domitian
turned his head and refused, 'on moral grounds'. Given that he sees
many things as black or white, I quite believe it." Rufus and
Maximus looked at each other and shrugged.
"And how much do you know of
money?” the slave continued.
“I can count and do sums, I am good
at it. And I...”
The slave interrupted Maximus. “No,
I mean about money itself. The coins.”
“I don't understand.”
“Roman coins have value for two
reasons. First is the silver contained in them. The amount of
silver equals it's value. The problem is that ever since Augustus,
that amount of silver has declined... not in the actual weight of the
coin, but in the purity. Before Augustus it was 98% pure. Oh, there
is other metal in the coins as well, so that they are durable and can
be stamped with the Emperor's image and whatever else is needed. But
over time, the purity of the silver has declined. The weight is made
up with other base metals, so the coins generally look the same and
weigh the same. Recently, the purity has declined to just over 80%.”
“So the money is worth less? I don't
like where this is going,” Maximus growled.
“Technically, yes. But you remember
I said there were two reasons for the value. The second is people's
faith in the coinage. As long as people believe the coins are worth
what they are supposed to be...”
“Then they are worth what people
believe they are,” Rufus finished for him.
“Exactly. And people were beginning
to hear and believe rumors of the dilution of the currency. This
caused some serious unrest, here in Rome and elsewhere. People
sometimes forget that Roman coins are used in trade far and wide, and
if their value was questioned... So, Domitian responded promptly to
the unrest, declared that the coinage would be returned to Augustan
levels, and began minting new coins and exchanging them for old. As
you can imagine, that is a Herculean task. He has authorized new
mints, and added new nummularii, the officials tasked with minting
and testing coinage. It's become a kind of holy mission for the
Emperor. Some of the older nummularii, ones who had their positions
because they were relatives of Senators, had become lax in their
duties. Domitian removed them from their posts and banished them.”
“Thank you for the lesson in finance,
but what does this have to do with us, or you, for that matter?”
Rufus was plainly puzzled and becoming a bit impatient.
“Because I think there is something
very wrong going on at the bank, and because in his letters, Lucius
Hirtuleius commends you both highly. Ever since my new masters took
over, I have been told exactly what to say to anyone desiring their
funds. It's always the same story, and it's not true. There is
always a delay, and then the finds are brought to me in the office.
But the thing is, we used to keep those funds on the premises, there
should be no need for a delay. Last month, one of our oldest clients
came in, in desperate need of funds. The delay was longer than
usual, and I tried to intercede with my masters on his behalf. My
masters were very rude to me, threatened me! After that, I did some
investigating on my own. I don't like having to lie to our clients.
I am an honest man.” He stopped and gulped. “Ever since then,
I get the feeling I am being watched.”
“Why?”
“Because of what I found out. You
see, the coin that is brought to me to give to a client looks exactly
like all the new coinage … shiny, sharply stamped. I carefully
removed one and replaced it with one of my own. A fellow slave works
in one of the mints controlled by the temple priests here. He had
that new coin tested.” The slave paused. “It has much less
silver than it is supposed to have, just over 70% instead of the 98%
the Emperor decreed. I think that, somehow, my new masters are
minting so-called new coins themselves, and substituting them for the
actual new coins. They turn in the older coins on deposit with us
and melt down the new ones they are given in exchange. They use that
silver, or some of it at least, to mint 'new' coins to give to a
depositor and keep nearly 30% of the silver for themselves. It could
be years before anyone notices.” The slave seemed to suddenly run
out of energy, and visibly sagged. “And I said all of that without
st-st-st...” The slave smacked his thigh with an open palm.
“...stuttering once!” He looked amazed.
“If you are right in this, you must
go to one of the city magistrates. This is not right, and it must be
stopped.”
“Oh, sirs! I'm afraid! I just...”
“Really, you must. It's not just us,
you know. It's all the clients that have trusted you, personally,
and the bank over the years. Think of them. I'm sure the
magistrates will offer some form of protection for you, in view of
the situation.”
The slave plainly still had his doubts,
but the appeal to his sense of duty to the bank's long time clients,
many of them aged, seemed to give him a sense of resolve.
“All right. I know I c-can't do this
any longer, I'm an honest man and I hate the deception. It makes me
sick. I will g-g-o to the magistrate if I must, and then I will
leave here and g-g-o to Marcus Lucellus' brother and throw myself on
his mercy.”
Maximus spoke up. “You know what they
do to runaway slaves.”
“I do, but if I stay, it's only a
matter of t-t-time before they decide to get rid of me. I am sure
they think I know too much. Oh, I wish Marcus Lucellus had never
d-d-died!” The slave was sweating again along with the stuttering.
“And I must return to the bank, I have s-s-stayed out too long..”
The nervous slave made to go but Maximus stopped him.
“What are we to do? That money is
necessary for my future, as well as my partner's.”
“You must f-f-find a way to get your
money, and soon.”
“Yes, I see that, but where is it
kept?” Rufus asked.
“Every depositor's f-f-funds are kept
in locked boxes, with their names on a lead seal attached to the
lock. Do you know the old market, the one built before T-Tiberius?”
“I think so,” Rufus said.
“Part of it was b-burned in the fire
we had here, so it's abandoned now. There is a large cellar under
that b-b-building, what's left of it, and I believe that is where the
syndicate has moved the money, and perhaps where they are minting the
substitute coins. I've heard them t-talking about the place when
they thought I couldn't hear. And now I have to go!” The
slave scuttled off like a scared rabbit.
Maximus scratched his beard. “Well,
I'll be buggered.” Rufus couldn't help but grin. “Yes, yes... I
know,” the big man said, reaching over and for a quick squeeze of
Rufus' knee. “But could all this get any stranger? And what are
we supposed to do? Break into that cellar and steal our money?”
“Well, it wouldn't be stealing, as
such... it IS our money, after all. But I haven't a clue as to what
our next steps should be. What if that slave doesn't go to the
magistrates?”
The two continued to discuss the
situation, back and forth. Unnoticed by either of them, a silent
figure on the temple's rear porch quietly moved back deeper into the
shadows and stole away.
*
A few hours later, Felix Carbo was in
his study, deep in thought, when his wife, Livia, stormed in.
“Husband! What mess have you gotten yourself into this time?”
She stood, angry, her hands on her hips, glaring at him.
“Now, what is troubling you... dear?”
Not for the first time, Felix reflected on the fact that he didn't
much like his wife, less and less of late, in fact. She had the
irritating habit of letting him know that she felt she was far more
competent than he was, at just about anything.
“That stupid little enterprise of
yours at the bank. The enterprise that apparently that old slave
knows all about now. I told you to get rid of him, when you got rid
of the others.” She advanced towards Felix's desk.
“You've been listening at doors
again, haven't you? I kept that old slave because I needed him. He
knows all the clients, and he's honest to a fault. The clients trust
him. He's the trustworthy public face of the bank.”
“The 'public face' that now
apparently knows enough about your stupid scheme to get you banished,
according to Julius. AND two of the bank's clients know now, as
well.” Felix raised an eyebrow at that. “Oh, I know all about
your tame busybody Julius. He was just here. There is nothing that
happens in this house that I don't know about. At least Julius knows
enough to keep tabs on things, And you know how Domitian deals with
public maleficence. If you are banished, what will happen to me, I
ask? Have you thought of that... husband?”
“Livia, you need to have a bit more
confidence in your husband's abilities. And you'd do well to
remember,” he said, through gritted teeth, “that it's my 'stupid
little enterprise' that provides you with all the money to pay for
those ridiculous baubles you are so fond of displaying in front of
all your clucking women friends.”
Livia simply ignored her husband's
remark and pivoted to a different tact. “You need to silence that
stammering old fool, and those other two as well. You remember what
Julius overheard... the clients encouraging that old codger to go the
magistrates, and him promising to do so! And don't forget, he has
that coin he filtched, or at least one of the nummularii do. And I
will wager it's not one of the ones you've bribed, either.”
“I will deal with all three...”
Livia interrupted him. “And not with
half-measures, either. I know you.”
“I said I would deal with them, but
not yet. I need to...”
“If you are too squeamish to do it
yourself, get Aulus or Lupus to do it. Or that cretin, Coro. Why
you keep him around escapes me, but in this case, he'd be
useful. He, at least, has no compunction about doing what's
necessary.”
“I said 'NO', Livia! I need to talk
to these three and find out just how much they know... if they know
anything about the other banks.”
“What other banks?” Livia blurted
out.
“Ah... so you don't actually know
everything that goes on, now, do you, Livia?” Felix leaned back in
his chair and stared hard at his wife. “I think it's best that you
leave these affairs to me. And I really think it's best that you go
busy yourself with something else, and right now. Go torment one of
the house slaves, or make one of your friends miserable with your
presence, and leave me in peace.” The last five words were said
with increasing anger. Livia turned on her heels and stalked out.
When her presence had dissipated, Felix got up and walked through the
house and into the garden to the stable beyond.
“Ah, Aulus. I may have a job for you
and Lupus. Perhaps Coro, too.”
*
Throughout the afternoon, Rufus and
Maximus had batted ideas back and forth as to what to do about their
deposits. Each plan in turn was examined and discarded. Rufus was
particularly vexed. “Really, what can we do but accept what they
give us? If we melt it down ourselves, we will lose part of it's
value, besides breaking the law. And we can't take it to the
nummularii or another bank, because they would just say that we've
already been given new coins for old. I just don't know...” In
fact, Rufus had confessed not knowing what to do several times
already during the afternoon.
“Oh, Hades, Wolfpup. Fuck all this
dilly-dallying. We know what we have to do, we've known it all along
if we're honest.”
“And that is?”
“We have to go and get our money
before they have a chance to melt it and pass off those rancidius
fakes on us. What other choice do we have?”
“No other that I can see, Beast,”
Rufus sighed and reluctantly agreed.
“I say we go now, and keep an eye on
the place until nightfall. Then, if we haven't seen anyone going in
or out, we go in and find our boxes and get out.” Maximus stood
up. “I'd feel better if I had a club or a knife, but maybe we
won't need weapons, if we're quiet and quick about it.”
“Agreed.” Rufus seems to pause for
a moment, considering. He took a deep breath. “Let's do this.”
The pair found their way to the old
market. The building had obviously been damaged in the fire, and not
yet repaired or torn down, as Domitian's reconstruction program had
done to many other building in the part of Rome affected by the great
fire of 80 AD. That effort was in full swing. Piles of construction
materials were everywhere in this part of the city.
By an hour after sunset, there had been
no traffic in or out of the partially ruined building. I think it's
safe, don't you?” Rufus said to Maximus, who nodded. They very
quietly approached the portico, searching for stairs that would lead
down to the cellars. At first, they had no luck, but then Maximus
spied a doorway in a still-intact wall towards the rear of the
building. “Worth a try!” Maximus put his large hand on the
latch and moved it slowly, in case it made noise. It did not. The
door swung open quietly on hinges that were obviously greased. “Can
it be this easy?”
“I don't like it, Beast. Be careful”
They began to descend the stone stairs, moving slowly. “Hades,
it's dark. I wish we had a torch or something...”
“Well, there is a torch at the
bottom, just there.” There was just enough light for Maximus to
make out the torch in a holder on the wall. “Now to see if....
yes!” Maximus took a tinder box that was in a niche in the wall
next to the torch. “Once I get this lit, you go close that door,
but don't let it latch, we may need to get out in a hurry.” Rufus
moved back to the top of the stairs and waited while Maximus struck
the flint. The pitch-soaked torch lit quickly, flaring and smoking.
Rufus closed the door just to but not latched and went back down next
to Maximus.
The light revealed a dank hall, with
brick columns on either side. Dust and mold and soot were
everywhere. As they moved forward, doors on the opposite side became
visible. The hall was otherwise empty, but there was a smell of
something like burned metal in the close air. “Let's try that one,
the big one,” Rufus whispered. Maximus nodded silently as they
moved across the hall. A soft noise behind them caught their
attention, but they were not quick enough. Each was hit from behind,
hard, with a cudgel. Rufus hit the ground and did not move. Maximus
sank to his knees, but a second heavy blow knocked him down to the
ground as well. He was equally still, and bleeding heavily from the
wounds to his head.
“Coro, you idiot! If you've killed
this one too, we're ALL for it!” Coro just growled. “Quick now,
the boss will be here soon. Drag that one into the small room there.
Lupus, help me with this one.”
Coro grunted as he lifted Maximus'
heavy legs. “Fucker's heavy.”
“Just hurry it up!” The two men
were dragged into the room, and a smoky torch lit. Each was placed
on a stool and tied with ropes. “Make it tight.” Aulus was
getting nervous, knowing that their boss would not be pleased at
another death of his prime sources of information. “Lupus, go back
upstairs and wait for the boss. Let us know when he gets here.”
“What about the others?”
“The boss gave them the night off,
remember? Fewer witnesses.” Lupus turned and left the room.
“When's the boss coming?” Coro
asked, chewing a hang nail.
“Not sure, he said 'soon'. Here,
toss that bucket of water on yours there. I'll see if I can wake
mine... if you haven't killed him.” A bucket of filthy water was
dumped on Maximus, and another on Rufus. “Wakey, wakey,” Aulus
said. Maximus didn't move, but Rufus stirred and raised his head.
“What is this? Who are you? What's
going on?” Rufus started to struggle against the ropes that bound
him.
“Well, you've been meddling in things
that aren't your concern... and we're here to correct that.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a
body, unmoving and slumped against the wall opposite. He recognized
the slave from the bank. Turning his head, he winced as a bolt of
pain shot through his head. “What have you done...” Then he saw
Maximus, tied up just as he was, slumped over, unmoving. “Tu foedus
nothi! I'll kill you!” Rufus followed his threat with a stream
of profanities that would have done a legionary proud while he
struggled to loosen his bonds.
“Keep a civil tongue in your head,
scum,” Aulus said, slapping Rufus hard across his face, splitting
his lip open. Lupus came back down the stairs and entered the room
and started to speak, just as Maximus surged awake, lurching this way
and that, trying to break the bonds that held him.
“UNTIE ME!” he roared.
“No chance, asswipe.” Coro stuck
his face directly in front of Maximus.
“Pedicabo ego,” Maximus growled,
then spat twice, the first hitting Coro in his left eye, and the
second landing on his mouth.
“Why, you mother fucking piece of...”
Coro raised his fist and smashed Maximus in the face. The crunch of
cartilage was audible to everyone in the room. A wave of pain washed
over Maximus, radiating from his nose; and his vision was clouded
with red mist. Coro raised his fist again, to finish the work he had
started.
“Coro, stop! CORO!!” Aulus
screamed at the out-of-control man. “The boss hired us to take
them and soften them up, not kill them.” Coro hesitated. “You've
already done for the old slave, and the boss won't like not having
living sources to question.” Both Aulus and Lupus breathed a sigh
of relief when Coro finally lowered his fists.
“Ah, fuck it. I need to take a piss
anyway.” Coro stomped out of the room. Moments later there was
the sound of his powerful stream hitting the basement wall at the end
of the hall.
Aulus turned to Lupus. “I don't like
this. We weren't supposed to kill any of them yet. Coro is getting
harder to control. He enjoys this way too much, more and more. Mark
my words, Lupus, one day.... one day he's not going to stop when I
tell him to. And he'll kill one or both of us. Just for fun.”
Coro reappeared and kicked the
now-empty bucket. “Where's the boss? When he's done, I want to
take care of that one once and for all,” glaring at Maximus, who's
breathing sounds were mixed with bubbling sounds from the copious
blood clotting his nose and beard.
“Is he coming?” Aulus asked Lupus,
unhappy with the absence of his boss. Lupus could finally relay his
news.
“No, not yet. But I could hear men
marching, sounds like they are getting close. I don't like it.”
“Oh, relax, its probably just the
city guard, fanning out to keep an eye on all those heaps of building
material scattered about.” Aulus turned back to the two men, still
tied on the stools. “I think we....”
He was interrupted by the sound of
splintering wood from the top of the stairs. Two legionaries had
smashed into the door, expecting it to be locked. A troop of
legionaries and a centurion, accompanied by two magistrates, hustled
down the stairs, spreading out in the room. Several carried torches.
Seeing light from one of the rooms, a smaller group of legionaries
made to enter it, while the others searched the other part of the
cellar and it's rooms, along with a second centurion.
Entering,
they saw the three men they had been told to arrest. Aulus and Lupus
surrendered rather quickly, but it took three legionaries to subdue
Coro. They were not gentle. One of the magistrates, a tall man
named Gaius Aquillius Gallus, spoke to Rufus. “We will get you out
of here. Centurion, have some of your men make a litter and carry
these men back to camp. Have the camp doctor tend to them and find a
place for them in camp. I will want to speak with them when we all
return. Oh, and remove the dead one. See to it.” The centurion
saluted and left, taking four legionaries with him. He turned to
Rufus and Maximus. “Well, you are safe now.”
“Sir! Over here, look at this!”
One of the other legionaries had discovered a large number of strong
boxes, each with a lead seal on the lock. “And here, sir!” Not
to be outdone, another legionary had opened a door that revealed what
looked like a smelter, complete with crucibles and small ingots of
silver and other metals. The second centurion and the second
magistrate inspected the finds and had one of the legionaries hurry
back to the barracks and bring more men to transport the evidence
back to the camp.
*
Meanwhile, Felix Carbo was stuffing two
leather bags with silver ingots, some clothes, and a fist full of his
wife's 'baubles'. “These'll fetch a nice amount,” he muttered
aloud. An hour earlier, on a street close to the old market, he had
been late in getting to the cellar he used for his enterprise and
where his hired thugs and the objects of their kidnapping would be
waiting for him. Just as he was turning the corner, he saw the troop
of legionaries and the two magistrates descending the stairs. He
faded back into the shadows, turned and walked quietly away, and then
ran. 'Lucky for me,' he thought. 'Livia was right, I should have
sold or killed the stuttering old fool. But who'd have thought the
magistrates would believe him, or have acted so fast!' Carbo wasn't
stupid and believed in the power of planning ahead. He had suspected
this day would eventually come; and he had a plan in place to deal
with it. A quick trip to Ostia, a bribe to a captain of a small
merchant vessel, and a clean escape to someplace far away. 'Spain,
maybe, or maybe Alexandria, depends of what's leaving quickest and
where it's going,' still thinking to himself as he continued shoving
valuables into the bags. He briefly thought of warning his wife.
“Why bother?” he said aloud, with a satisfied smile.
11 April,
82 AD
Very early the following morning, once
the legionaries carrying Maximus and Rufus were back at the barracks,
the camp doctor was summoned. Seeing the pair, he said, “Ye gods,
what is all this? You look like shit. Street fight?”
Rufus shook his head carefully, wincing
in pain. “Not exactly. It's a long story.”
“It usually is.” He summoned an
assistant to bring hot water and towels, and began to deftly wash the
blood from Maximus' face and head so he could assess the injuries.
“Friend of yours?” he said, looking at Rufus.
“Business partner.”
“Rough business you're in.” He
probed gently at Maximus' head wounds. “Well, the skull is intact,
that's good. Scalps bleed like stuck pigs, I find.” He turned to
his assistant. “Luca, another basin of hot water. And more
towels.” He turned back to Maximus but spoke to Rufus. “This
will need more attention. Has he vomited at all?”
“No.”
“Good. I need to give him some poppy
juice, and while that is doing it's job, I shall attend to your head.
You seem to have gotten away with rather less than your partner,
here.”
The doctor continued skillfully
cleaning the wounds and spreading a sharp-smelling slave on them.
For the first time, Maximus spoke.
“Hades, that stinks! What is it?”
“It's my own invention. I know it
isn't most pleasant of smells, but it will keep infection at bay. I
make it up myself. My teacher swore by it, and I've added a few
ingredients of my own. The men here swear by it... when they aren't
swearing at me." He turned to his assistant. "Luca, I'll
need the finest thread, and that strong wine, and the small basin.”
Once the objects had been brought, he spoke directly to Maximus.
“Now, hold still.” The doctor continued for another thirty
minutes, finally finishing with the last of the stitching and
bandaging.
“There. That should do it.” He
turned to Rufus. “Your injuries should heal fairly fast. This
one's” he said gesturing to Maximus, “will take longer. That
flap of skin that was torn... I've drawn the edges together as close
as I can with some thread, soaked in strong wine.” He tapped
Maximus on the shoulder. “Keep it dry. Are you married? Have
your wife change...” Maximus slowly shook his head. “Well, get
one of your slaves to replace the bandage every few days. If it
feels hot, or starts to smell, get to a doctor. But I think it will
be all right. Get some rest, avoid strong wine, watered wine only
for a week. Same for you.” He looked at Rufus. “You are both
very lucky, you know.” He rinsed his hands and dried them on the
last of the towels. “I'll check on you tomorrow. Now, both of you
need sleep.” The doctor motioned for his assistant Luca to follow,
and exited the room.
Rufus could hear the doctor speaking
with one of the soldiers out in the hallway. “Is there a spare
room? Good. Have a second bed brought in, largest you have. And
let them sleep as long as they may. Simple food only, egg posset
with honey for now, if the cook can manage that. And mind you,
watered wine only.”
“Sir.” The soldier nodded and left
to do the doctor's bidding.
Both men slept much of that day, only
rousing to piss and eat a simple meal. The camp doctor checked up on
his patients in the late afternoon of the following day.
“How are you feeling? Stupid
question, I know. You feel awful. You look awful. But better than
yesterday, actually. Here, let me see your bandages... Marcus,
isn't it?”
“No, Maximus Hirtuleius.” Maximus'
reply was especially nasal in tone, like he had a very bad cold. He
would have a badly broken nose for the rest of his life, increasing
his forbidding looks. Right now, the nose was swathed in bandages,
spotted with red.
“All right, Maximus, now look at me.
Follow my finger with your eyes. Again. Good. Blurred vision? No?
Excellent.” He looked at both men. “Headache, right?” Both
nodded. “To be expected for both of you. Any problem knowing who
you are or where you are?” Both Maximus and Rufus carefully shook
their heads. “Excellent. Well, you've both had some pretty rough
treatment, but I don't see any lingering effects likely. Except your
nose, Maximus. Nothing for that. I'll have one of my assistants
change those bandages for you now.” He next examined Rufus, and,
generally pleased with what he saw, nodded and patted Rufus'
shoulder. “I believe the magistrates want to see you both
tomorrow. As far as I am concerned, you are free to leave whenever.
Just give yourselves time to heal. Rest as much as you can, keep
exertion to a minimum for at least a week, more if you can.” He
strode to the door, turned, and wished them well. “May Aesculapius
watch over you both.”
When the doctor had left, Maximus
looked at Rufus. "At least he didn't say we looked like shit."
13 April,
82 AD
The following morning the pair stood
before the same two magistrates that had been present at the raid on
the old market. They spent an hour relating everything that had
happened since they had arrived in Rome, and were closely questioned
about exactly what the slave had told them. Once finished, the two
magistrates put their heads together and spent a good few minutes
whispering to each other, nodding heads.
“Well, You two were fortunate to have
that camp doctor attend you. I'm told he trained with a Greek, and
you know how good Greeks are with injuries and medicine, and... that
sort of thing. I must say this has been a most curious affair. And
a clever scheme of Felix Carbo's, if I do say it myself. Given the
slave's evidence, we had to act fast, and a good thing, too. If it
hadn't been for you two attempting to get your money before the
syndicate disposed of it we might not have caught up with them for
many more months.” The taller of the two magistrates took a sip
from the cup of watered wine at his elbow. “You two have done Rome
and the Emperor a great service in this, even if we can't officially
approve of your methods.”
Both Rufus and Maximus interrupted the
magistrate. “We were only going for our own money. It was the
slave who did the service, sir, not us". "Yes, he was the
one who brought the evidence to you.”
“At your suggestion, I believe. It's
regrettable that he is no longer with us, the Emperor would certainly
want to thank him as well. The Emperor has had his eye on that
syndicate for a while now. He takes a personal interest in these
cases, you know. Or maybe you don't. Anyway, we will take matters
from here. You needn't concern yourselves with this any further.
And don't worry... those scum will be tried and executed for the two
murders they committed, and the two they attempted. Though, sadly,
Felix Carbo seems to have given us the slip... for now. The taller
magistrate cleared his throat. “The centurion here will escort you
out. And take it easy for a few days... you both look like shit.”
“But what about our money?”
"Oh, all in good time. These things
do take time, you know. That money is evidence now. But you'll get
it back. Eventually.” The magistrate turned to the centurion and
motioned them out the door.
“May I ask a question?” Rufus
wasn't budging until he had the answer to a question that had been
bothering him for the last two days.
“What is it?” the shorter
magistrate, Gaius Cassius Longinus, said.
“How did the slave come to be dead in
the cellar?”
“Oh, apparently one of the thugs
hired by Felix Carbo followed him when he came to us. We took his
evidence and then sent him on his way. I believe they took him off
the street after he left here and brought him to the old market so
Carbo could question him about what he might know about the other
banks. Oh, we know there are at least three banks involved in his
scheme. Any road, he must have clammed up, or they got too eager in
their questioning. Which made getting you, and silencing you, all
the more necessary for them. You are very lucky we all showed up in
time.”
“Couldn't you have provided him with
some protection, at least until you raided the place? He knew he was
being watched.”
“Why? After all, we had what
evidence we needed, and he was just a slave, after all. And as a
slave, any testimony he might give would be suspect in court without
his being tortured first.”
Rufus was livid, and almost said
something regrettable, but Maximus's touch stopped him. “It would
do no good,” the Beast whispered in his Wolfpup's ear. The two
then exited the office, accompanied by the centurion.
The three men, two of them looking the
worse for wear, walked through the cool rooms that made up the
magistrate's offices. The centurion was one of the two that had led
the raiding party at the old market two days prior. He had seen the
surreptitious gesture of a squeezed hand that Rufus had given Maximus
while they were waiting for the legionaries to return with litters.
“I know what you two are, you know,”
the centurion said quietly, in a seeming aside as they walked out of
the magistrate's offices and through the barracks courtyard. Rufus'
and Maximus' immediately went into survival mode, a habit long
ingrained. “What are you implying?” Maximus growled with low
menace in his voice.
“Oh, no worries, mate. I've buggered
a few recruits myself.” The soldier's eyes took on a distant look.
“More than a few. It's great fun when they wiggle around on my
cock. I love it. Ha! Used to be, no one really minded, as long as
you married and made more Roman brats. But our new Emperor, well...”
He looked appraisingly at Rufus. “Fuck me running, but you must
shine like a beacon's fire, when you're naked, with all that red
hair.” He all but licked his lips like a wolf eyeing his prey.
Maximus stepped closer to the centurion
and brought his battered face close. “Careful, mate. Lay a
hand on him and I'll break you in two and not raise a sweat doing
it.” Maximus grinned with slowly increasing menace and seemed to
grow larger. Both hands formed very large fists.
The soldier raised both his hands in
front of him, palms out. “Pace, friend. I mean no harm. Just
want to give you a friendly warning... from one friend of Priapus to
another. Our new emperor is quite the moralist. He has issued any
number of public morality decrees promoting the mos maiorum, and he
especially disproves of 'activities' that run counter to the increase
of numbers of natural-born Roman citizens. And he's not just talking
about mistresses kept on the side.”
“Point taken,” Rufus hastily said,
anxious to get away.
“Just watch yourselves, is all.”
They had reached the compound gate. “Here we are, then. Go well,
and... Priapus watch over you!” The centurion winked.
Left outside the gate, Rufus and
Maximus turned to each other. “Whew! Now what?” they said
together. “I think..,” again together. They started to laugh
and then stopped, heads throbbing. Rufus said, “You first.”
“OK. Well, I hesitate to say this,
because you know these people and I don't. But what about the man
Lucius sold his share of the business to? I forget his name, but
they knew each other for many years. Do you think he might be able
to help us? Lucius, at least, was well known in the metals trade,
and must have had dealings with the magistrates now and again. I'm
guessing here, I know.”
“No, Beast, it's a good idea. His
name is Caius Calvus, and I think I know where to find him.”
“Do you think they will catch up with
Carbo, Wolfpup?”
“Well, he had a head start, but I
don't doubt they will try. I hope they do find him. Those others shouldn't take all the blame while he gets away.”
Unknown to any of them, Felix Carbo was at that moment reclining on the bottom of the Mediterranean, having been knifed and smothered and then relieved of his two bulging leather sacks by the ship's captain he had bribed for passage to Alexandria. His weighted body had been pushed overboard in the early morning hours. At first, his body didn't attract much attention from passing fish, but then the bottom feeders began to gather.
*
Two hours and a long walk later found
them standing in front of Lucius' old metals business. Rufus knocked
on the wooden door beside the large closed opening for what was
likely the main entrance and exit.
“WHAT?” came a shout from within,
and then the door was opened by a grime-covered young man wearing a
leather apron. “What do you want, we're closed, can't you see?”
gesturing towards the shuttered opening.
“We're looking for Caius Calvus. I
am Rufus Hirtuleius, I once was a slave of one of the owners here.”
“Oh. He's in back, through there,”
the young man nodded over his shoulder, looked closely at Maximus'
bandaging, and then abruptly walked off. Rufus and Maximus walked to
the back of the shop and found Caius, hunched over a piece of metal
filigree, most likely part of a hanging lamp. He looked up, and
recognized Rufus' fiery red beard and hair.
“Rufus! As I live and breathe! It
has been years since I've seen you. How are you? How is Lucius?”
“He is well. I am as you see me.
And you?”
“The business prospers, so I am well!
And who is this wounded hulk? No, wait, Lucius mentioned him. It
will come to me... Marius? Marcus?”
Maximus said, “No, Maxi...”
“Maximus! I knew I'd remember it.
By the gods, you look like shit. What happened? No, wait... we've
heard something about this I think. First, I know Lucius took my
advice about the bank, so I assume that is the reason you both are
here in Rome?” The pair nodded. “And did the magistrates raid a
counterfeiting scheme involving that bank?” Again, they nodded.
“Ah, so the rumors are true. And that must mean that you two were
the ones we heard were rescued from certain death! There must have
been quite a fight by the looks of you. The rumors have you two
fighting hordes of counterfeiters, and legionaries swooping in at the
very last minute. They are supposed to have carried off heaps of
silver and coins!”
Rufus finally got a word in edgewise.
“Hardly all of that! It's a long story and it's partly why we are
here, but not entirely. Might we sit somewhere? It's been a long
walk.”
“Oh! Oh, of course. Yes. Come
with me, my house is at the back, just through here.. come.” They
followed Caius across a yard with a blacksmiths furnace and several
carts and into a surprisingly spacious house, comfortably furnished.
Caius called for one of his house slaves to bring refreshments. All
three sat on cushioned chairs with a low table between them.
“My wife died three years ago, so the
slaves keep all this in trim for me now. She chose the furniture,
and I've kept it all.” In spite of the sad topic, Caius seemed
relatively cheerful. “Now, tell me all about this.”
For the next half hour, Rufus related
the story of their adventures, with Maximus adding details here and
there. “So, really, that is why we are here. We both would like
to ask for your help. We came to you since you and Lucius had been
in business together for so long, and we know of no one else who
might be able to help.”
“Well and good, but you haven't told
me what it is you need help with?”
“The magistrates tell us that our
money is evidence and that we cannot have it now. We will get it
'eventually', but they don't say when, just that it 'takes time'.”
“Yes. Well, Roman justice sometimes
works slowly, I admit. I imagine you would like your money sooner?
Am I right? I bet I am!”
“Yes, and as soon as possible.
Maximus and I are going into business together, and that money was to
pay for the purchase of land. For horse raising. Maximus is
excellent with horses, and I will keep the books and handle the
finances and help arrange the sales. But the contract we have with
the owner specifies that we pay him by the end of this month.”
This was the story he and Maximus had agreed upon to use with the
bank if needed, and it would work as well here, too. “We just
don't know what to do at this point, and thought you might have an
idea.”
“Who are the magistrates involved, do
you know?”
“ Yes. They interviewed us today.
Gaius Cassius Longinus and Gaius Aquillius Gallus.”
“Ah, the two Gaiuses. I know
Longinus. Helped him get elected last year. He owes me a favor or
two for that. Let me see what I can do. It may take a day or two,
the Emperor's new currency issue has made extra work for just about
everybody, it seems. But I'll do what I can. Are you staying
nearby?”
“We don't actually have a pla...”
“Stay here, then; I've plenty of
room, and would be glad of the company. Besides, it looks like both
of you could use some rest. You look like shit. Agreed?”
“We would be most grateful.”
Maximus was suddenly feeling extremely tired and a bit unsteady, and
the thought of a good lie-down appealed greatly.
“Then it's settled.” He called for
one of the house slaves and gave orders for two rooms to be made
ready, and for extra places for the evening meal. Shortly after,
Rufus and Maximus were led to their rooms and provided with pitchers
of hot water and towels.
Later, after a rest and wash-up, at the
evening meal in the triclinium Caius said, “I'd thought of
suggesting a visit to the baths, but seeing your bandages... what
exactly did happen in that basement? You say the rumors are
exaggerated, but by the look of you... And what happened to that
poor slave? The rumors are quite extravagant, and no two are the
same. But you know how gossips are! Ha! Can't resist adding more
and more lurid information!” Rufus and Maximus filled in details
they had left out earlier.
“It seems as if the gods were truly
watching over you both. You could have easily ended up like that
slave, poor fellow.” Caius reached for a handful of grapes. “I
will get in touch with Longinus tomorrow and see what can be done.
He's apt to forget who he owes favors to.” Rufus raised an eyebrow
at this. “Oh, politics don't really change all that much, Emperor
to Emperor. It's much the same as it always has been, in spite of
Domitian's morality campaign.” He paused. “Yes. Gaius will
want to run for a second year as magistrate, before moving further up
the cursus honorum. His term is almost up, so he'll be 'receptive'
to offers of help. I think we can work something out. In fact, I'm
sure of it!”
“We would be most grateful for any
help, Caius Calvus.” Both Rufus and Maximus yawned at the same
time. Maximus smiled sheepishly.
“You are both tired. Perhaps you
should make an early night of it. I think I will go to the
baths, though. If you need anything, just ask the slaves. And I
will send Marcus to you in the morning to help with changing the
bandages. Calpurnia always said he had the gentlest hands.” Rufus
thanked their benefactor and he and Maximus returned to their
separate rooms and fell into deep sleep.
14 April,
82 AD
The following morning, Marcus appeared
with fresh bandaging at Rufus' door. “I can handle this, I think,
but if you would see to Maximus? And thank you.”
“Certainly, honored sir.” Marcus
bowed himself out and went down the hall to Maximus' room and
knocked.
“Come in.” Marcus opened the door.
His eyes took in the sight of a nearly naked man, surely the
hairiest one he had ever seen. Being a modest and discrete slave, he
did not betray his surprise.
“I'm here to help with the bandages,
if it please you.”
“Well... yes, I could use some help I
think.”
Marcus began unwinding the bandage
covering Maximus' skull wound. “Oh, my. I've seen a few injuries,
mostly burns around here. Obviously, this was serious. But it looks
very clean, no infection. And someone did a fine job with the
thread.” He dabbed at the healing wound with a cloth soaked in
strong wine. Maximus winced. “I apologize, honored sir. Let me
get some salve the dominus keeps for burns, it will help.” He
returned a few minutes later to find Maximus combing his beard,
tangled from sleeping. “I can do that for you if you wish. Your
bandages first, though.” Marcus skillfully applied the salve and
fresh bandage. Almost immediately, the pain eased.
“Ah, that is good, Marcus. Where did
you learn to tend wounds?”
“Mostly by experience. Men working
with hot metals get an amazing number of injuries, so it was
necessary to learn. Here, let me.” Marcus gently combed the
snarls out of Maximus' bushy beard. “There. Will you want
something to eat?”
Maximus' belly grumbled. “Yes,
please! And see if Rufus Hirtuleius will have some, too.”
“I will let the cook know.” Marcus
helped Maximus with his tunic, silently marveled at the thick fur on
the man's shoulders and back, and then bowed his way out.
They were eating their morning meal
when Caius Calvus hurried in. “Ah, you are up. Good. Busy day.
Did you sleep well?” Not waiting for an answer, Caius grabbed a
hunk of bread and some cheese. “I have to be out for most of the
day. Take your ease, ask Marcus or any of the slaves if you need
anything. Much to do. I should be back by late afternoon.” With
a cheerful wave, Caius hustled out.
“I get tired, just watching him. I
remember Lucius saying it was like working next to a spinning top.”
“How's your head?” Maximus asked.
Rufus thought for a moment. “You
know, it doesn't hurt much at all. Wrists are sore. Lip is still
tender. But all in all, not too bad. How about you?”
“Whatever salve Marcus smeared on my
skull has taken that pain away completely. My nose still hurts like
Hades, though.”
“My poor Beast,” Rufus whispered.
Aloud, he said, “Well that is good. We'll have to see if we can
get some of it to take with us.”
Finishing their meal they walked into
the small garden and sat in the morning sun. “Ah, that feels
good.” Maximus sighed, then looked carefully around. They were
alone. He turned to Rufus and in a quiet voice said, “I ache for
you Wolfpup. I miss holding you. I need you next to me.”
“Oh, I know, Beast. I feel that,
too. But soon we can, as much as we want.” Rufus sighed and
closed his eyes against the sun for a while.
“Beast? If you are up to it, I may
have a quicker solution to our need. But only if you feel rested
enough.”
“Go on, Wolfpup.”
“Well, there is a lupanar I know of,
a rather notorious one...”
“Um... Wolfpup, I don't want to pay a
slave to... I need you.”
“I didn't mean that. This place also
rents rooms. The decorations are... arousing. We could tell Caius
that we are in need of some time out and about this evening. Several
hours in each other arms would do us both a world of good, I think.”
“You interest me! Will this place
mind two men...”
“You forget, I grew up in Rome.
Attitudes here are more relaxed than in the countryside. As long as
they get their money, the brothel owners don't much care what goes on
behind the curtains... as long as their property isn't damaged in the
process.”
“It sounds wonderful, Wolfpup. Let's
go!”
“My sex-crazed Beast! I didn't mean
right now!” Rufus said with a laugh. “ Let's spend a quiet day,
and then go in the early evening. Besides, you know what the doctor
said.”
“I know, I know, no exertion, lots of
rest, and all the rest of it. I'm not an invalid, and I'm not at
death's door. Time and sex with my Wolfpup is the best thing for my
health right now, doctor be damned. Yours too, I'll wager.” Rufus
smiled and nodded in response.
They passed the rest of the morning
watching the craftsmen at work in the shop, followed with a simple
but filling noon meal and a long nap.
In the late afternoon, Caius returned
home, bustling in the door while giving orders to one of the
craftsmen from the shop. “We'll need twenty of them, the hammered
copper ones. Can that be done by, oh, say, the day after tomorrow?”
The craftsman nodded and returned to the shop, and Caius went
looking for Rufus or Maximus. He found Maximus walking in the
garden.
“Ah, there you are. Have a good day?
Got some rest? You look better. Where is Rufus? I need to talk
with you both.” All this in rapid fire.
“He was just relieving himself, he
should be here in a little bit. And thank you again for the
hospitality. I am feeling better, and I think Rufus is too, but
you'll have to ask him. Ah, here he comes.” Rufus walked into the
garden, not expecting to see Caius as well as Maximus.
“Ah, excellent. Maximus tells me he
is feeling better. How are you doing? I trust you got some rest
today, you are looking more like the Rufus I remember. Now I have
news, why don't we all sit, it's still pleasant out.” He gestured
to the long bench at the side of the house.
“Now, I did get to see Gaius Cassius
Longinus this morning. He was busy as usual, but when I mentioned my
name, the slave brought me to him immediately.” Caius smiled. “We
chatted for a bit, we discussed the upcoming elections, I offered my
help again, reminded him of my previous help... and then indicated I
needed some help with a problem.”
“Was he receptive?” Rufus asked.
“He didn't seem all that interesting in moving things along when we
were with him.”
“Ha! Well, you see, you didn't help
get him elected!” Caius gave a great belly laugh. “It's all
quid pro quo, gentleman... it's politics!”
“And?” Maximus was anxious for
Caius to relate the results of his conversation with the magistrate.
“Oh, it was quite satisfactory. Your
money will be here tomorrow, all of it, and already exchanged for new
coins... real ones!" Caius smiled. "You see, Gaius
really wants to be re-elected.”
“That is indeed good news! Thank you
so much!” Rufus was smiling carefully, his lip still tender; and
Maximus clapped Caius on the back, thanking him as well.
Caius gave another belly laugh and
smiled broadly. “I am a very good businessman, and I know how to
collect on debts owed.” Suddenly serious, he looked at both men.
“That money means a lot, doesn't it?”
“Yes, it does. It means the future,
for each of us. Lucius was very generous to us when he manumitted
us, but we have to make our own ways now.”
“As I understand it from Lucius, very
much deserved on both your parts. Well, what are your plans?”
“We are going into business,
together, at least initially. We have found some land and will be
raising horses for sale. Maximus here does very well with horses.
I'm good with figures and such, so I will keep the books for the
business, perhaps do some record-keeping for local businesses. We
will see how it goes. The urgent need was because we have contracted
for that land and have thirty days to pay. And that was fourteen,
no, fifteen days ago. We were on our way here when Lucius caught up
with us and gave us your news about the bank.”
“That was fortunate, and I am glad my
news prevented you, or Lucius, from being cheated.” Caius got up
from the bench. “And now, I need to freshen up and go meet some
prospective clients. This could be a big contract for us here. I am
giving them a nice soak in our baths, and then a tour of the
workshop, then dinner. Will you two be all right on your own? I
know it's remiss of my host duties, but it will be just business
talk...”
“Do not worry, Caius, you have
already helped us greatly. Actually, we thought we might go out for
a bit this evening, we are both feeling better, and it's been a
stressful few days.”
“In need of some recreation? Ha!
Best thing! There are two very nice tavernas not far from here,
excellent wine. And a quite good lupanar, just down the road. Very
good company, if you take my meaning!” Caius positively leered.
“Just follow the phalluses on the cobblestones, can't miss it!”
“Thank you, we'll watch for it!”
Maximus smiled and nudged Rufus, playing the part of two gentlemen
looking for an evening's entertainment. Caius hustled into the
house, leaving Rufus and Maximus looking at each other and smiling.
“Looks like we are in luck. Caius won't wonder why we are gone.
Still, we shouldn't stay out too late. We're still 'recovering', you
know!” Maximus leaned over and whispered to Rufus. “You're the
medicine I need right now, and I intend on making you feel much
better very soon.”
An hour later, just as the sun was
going down, the pair were out, walking down the narrow streets
leading away from Caius Calvus' house and workshop. Rufus was
muttering to himself, recalling the way to Acca Laurentia's, which
was not the brothel Caius has mentioned. “Phalluses in the
cobblestones... who would have thought it?” Maximus chuckled. “How
do you know of this place, Wolfpup?” Maximus was curious. Slaves
were not usually taken along when gentlemen visited brothels.
They stopped walking. “Maximus,
listen to me. I know you've had experiences with women as well as
men. I did, too, before we met. For me, it was necessary to give
truth to the 'illusion'. None of that makes any difference now. I
love you Beast. Nothing else interests me.”
“I know that, Wolfpup. I didn't
mean... I was just...” He sighed. “The past is past. It does
not affect us at all. But I was just curious how you came to know of
the place. Did Lucius frequent it?”
“Jove's balls, no!” Rufus
chuckled, imagining Lucius' reaction to some of the antics he had
seen there, years ago. “But always at Saturnalia, we slaves were
given a whole day and night free from all duties. Did you ever have
that, Beast? I mean before Lucius bought you?” Maximus shook his
head. “It was complete liberty, and in some households, it was
chaos. Very large households would even elect ones of themselves to
be the dominus and domina for the day. Lucius and Antonia gave each
of us a small sum to go out and do as we wished. The staff was
larger then, and some of us men went to brothels. One year, we found
our way to Acca Laurentia's, having heard rumors of its reputation.
Turns out it was fully deserved.”
“Are you sure they won't mind people
like us?” Maximus was clearly still worried how two adult men of
the same age taking a room together would be viewed. Oddly, an older
man and a younger one were less likely to be looked askance at.
“I tell you, Beast, this place is
notorious. They raise an eyebrow at nothing, and wink at everything.
It's like Rome the way it used to be before the Flavians. Well, in
private, at least.”
“All right, I will take your word for
it.” They turned a corner and stood in front of the door to Acca
Laurentia's. In the doorway there was a slave, tasked with admitting
or turning away potential customers. He looked over the pair and
then, shaking his head, said, “Sorry gentlemen. Move along.”
Rufus, not about to be frustrated in
his quest for his Beast's seed, spoke up with an edge to his voice,
“What? Are we inconveniens? Not good enough for you?”
“Well, you both look like...”
Maximus gave a deep growl and took a
step towards the door man. Startled, the door man stepped back,
considered a moment, and then stepped aside. The pair entered the
atrium, and Rufus gave Maximus'shand a squeeze. “Well done,
Beast.” Maximus smiled.
The atrium, open to the sky, was
generously proportioned The impluvium featured a fountain with an
impressively endowed satyr enthusiastically raping a young faun. The
sun was down now, and a number of hanging oil lamps gave off a
pleasant flickering light. Incense, smelling of Oriental spices,
wafted gently from a censer in the corner. On the right wall, there
was a large fresco of three nymphs pleasuring a reclining senator,
his robe with it's purple stripe discarded beside him. Sounds of
people talking and laughing and splashing came from the baths,
through an archway to their left. The two approached the counter,
behind which the brothel's lena was sitting, gazing in a polished
silver mirror, plucking her eyebrows.
“And what would you two fine.... oh,
my! No. No, no. Not here. I am sorry, but I really can't have...”
“What's wrong with us?” Maximus
growled, getting tired of being looked down upon.
“Well, I'm sure you are very
respectable-looking gentlemen under normal circumstances, but,
looking as you now do...” She gestured at them. “It would be bad
for my business. I run a very popular and respectable establishment
and there's an image to keep up, you know. Fighting is frowned upon
in polite company. My customers come here for a good time, not a
street fight. You two look like shi...”
“We know, we've heard it before. We
only want a room, we wouldn't be taking advantage of your more...
public facilities.”
“Ah.” A pause. “I see.”
Another pause. “Well, then...” The lena thought for a moment
further. “How long would you be wanting the room for?”
“Two... no, three hours.”
The lena made a quick calculation.
Looking Maximus up and down, she said, “Number ten is my largest
room, though the frescoes might not be to your taste. Bucket, oil,
water, and sponge provided. Towels included. It has a fresh
mattress. Twelve silver asses, new ones, mind.” Maximus started
to object, but Rufus interjected.
“We'll take it. How much for an
extra mattress?” Rufus asked.
“Two silver asses.” Again, Maximus
started to object, but Rufus nudged him, shook his head, and handed
over the coins.
The lena handed Rufus one of two copper
discs with the number '10' carved on it. The other she hung on the
largest of the water clocks on a shelf behind her. “Number ten is
down that corridor on the right. Hang that disk on the hook beside
the curtain, no one will bother you. I will let you know when your
time is up,” she said, nodding at the now dripping water clock.
“Will you two be wanting some company this evening?”
“NO!” the pair said together. The
lena sniffed and returned to her eyebrows.
Maximus gave the lena a disdainful
look, leaned over and slowly and deeply kissed Rufus, took his hand,
and they walked down the hallway towards number ten. A slave popped
out of a door at the end of the hall, carrying the extra mattress for
the room.
Maximus drew the curtain aside, and
they stepped inside the room. It was larger than they expected, and
quite clean. It was obvious that some money had been spent on the
furnishings. Three hanging bronze oil lamps provided subdued light.
The stone shelf against the far wall held the two plump mattresses,
covered with a soft muslin cloth. A pretty table with a brass statue
of Venus caressing a satyr stood against one wall. A low upholstered
stool and a chair with an unusual shape completed the furniture. The
fresco on one wall indeed did not fit their tastes, showing an older
man ravishing a younger woman, barely a woman, in fact. The scent of
the incense hung in the air.
Maximus pulled the heavy, woven curtain
back across the doorway, and they fell into each other's arms,
hugging tightly. “Oh, don't let go, Wolfpup. Hold me tight.”
Rufus, who had no intention of letting go, squeezed tighter.
They kissed repeatedly, letting their
passion rise with their cocks. They slowly undressed each other,
reveling in the sight of each other's hairy bodies. “Gods, you are
beautiful!” Maximus said, gently stroking Rufus' beard and chest.
He reached down and cupped his lover's ball sack and leaned in and
kissed him. Rufus, knowing how very much his Beast liked it, tilted
his head a bit and searched for a nipple among the thick fur.
Finding it after a couple of misses, he latched on and sucked gently,
then licked all around, and then flicked the erect nubbin with his
tongue. “Holy Priapus!” the Beast gasped, and raised both hands
to cradle Rufus' head against his chest. Rufus kept lapping and
sucking, eventually switching to the other nipple. Maximus growled
with rising pleasure. “Come lay down with me.” Maximus led Rufus
to the cushioned stone ledge and lay down, gently pulling his Wolfpup
after.
They lay on their sides, facing each
other and stroking and caressing each other's bodies and fur, the
tips of their cocks touching. They leaned in and began kissing
again, gently and lovingly at first, and then with more fierceness,
but with Maximus being careful of Rufus' lip. Maximus' hand circled
around behind Rufus' head and pulled him in close, tongues touched
and probed, then wrestled. Their passion flared brightly and they
hugged each other, furred chests and bellies pressed tight, cocks
grinding into each others' crotches. They stroked each other's
bodies, hands lingering over pleasingly soft bellies, and then
reaching down to fondle rigid cocks and furred ball sacks.
Maximus pushed Rufus over on his back,
nuzzled in his beard, and then moved down to his chest, caressing one
nipple then the other with his tongue, sucking, flicking, biting
gently. Rufus writhed under the treatment. He raised his hands and
pushed Maximus' head down towards his straining cock.
Maximus moved further down, kissing and
nibbling Rufus' furred belly as he did so. Rufus's thick cock was
straining upwards, foreskin fully stretched back, the tip glistening
with precum. Maximus slowly swallowed it, working his way down the
shaft with his lips, a bit at a time.
“Oh, Beast,” Rufus breathed.
Maximus pulled partway off and gripped
the now slick shaft with his hand, moving it up and down slowly,
along with his mouth. Every few strokes, he would use his tongue to
trace the underside of his Wolfpup's shaft. Unable to hold back any
longer, Rufus began thrusting upwards with ever-increasing urgency.
Maximus kept pace, and with a loud groan, Rufus flooded his Beast's
mouth with copious load of red wolf pup seed. Maximus swallowed
greedily, sucking to stimulate more flow. When the flow finally
stopped, Maximus released the slowly softening meat he had feasted on
and looked at Rufus. “Good?”
“Ye gods... good? Optimus maximus!”
Still a bit winded, Rufus saw the rope of precum dripping from the
Beast's cock, riding high and tight against his belly. “My turn!”
The exchanged positions, and Rufus made love to his Beast's pole.
While he was working the shaft, he worked an oil covered finger, then
two, into his Beast's ass. On the first entry, Maximus gasped aloud.
Rufus continued working at bringing Maximus very close to exploding,
and then backing off, the prostate massage eventually turning his
Beast into a whimpering fur-covered mass.
“Let me fill you, Wolfpup! Please, I
need to...” With that, Rufus pushed two fingers in Maximus' hole
and at the same time, swallowed his cock down to the root. Maximus
exploded in Rufus' mouth, filling it with hot salty fluid. The more
Rufus swallowed, the more Maximus pumped. Finally, Rufus sank down
onto Maximus' belly, the last spurts of the Beast's seed running down
on his beard.
They both were panting with exertion.
Rufus rolled on his back next to Maximus, and they lay together as
their breathing and pulses returned to normal. Neither said
anything, each savoring the experience. But nature would not be
denied, and their lusts and cocks both rose again as they fondled
each other. They took turns humping each other's asses, penetrating
and teasing, pulling out almost all the way then plunging back in,
moving very slow then faster and faster, edging closer and closer to
climax, then backing off to prolong the pleasure.
“That's it, Wolfpup, take me! Breed
me... OH! Deeper, deeper. Yes! Oh, gods, YES! You feel so good.
Don't stop, don't hold back. Flood me with your seed!” On all
fours, Maximus looked like a thick, heavy draft horse. Rufus's eyes
were closed in ecstacy, focused intently on the exquisite feelings
traveling up and down his cock as he plunged in and out of his
lover's tight, warm ass. When he shot off, he was surprised at the
quantity of his seed, having just recently emptied a large amount to
Maximus' belly. Maximus eased himself down on the compressed
mattresses. Rufus lay, temporarily spent, on Maximus' backside.
When his cock shrank and slipped out of his lover's ass, he rose up
and silently nudged Maximus.
Maximus scrambled up and moved aside so
Rufus could assume the classic position of animals mating. Maximus
positioned himself and oiled his cock and Rufus' hole. He centered
his cock, and gripped Rufus' hips with both hands, and pressed in
without stopping until he bottomed out, buried a deep as he could go.
He began a steady fuck rhythm, pulling back until he was nearly out,
and then pressing firmly all the way back in. He gave Rufus no
chance to rest or catch his breath, urgent need rising higher and
higher.
“Oh, FUTUO, Beast! Bite me, take
me!” Rufus growled and thrashed as Maximus leaned down and took
his lover's neck in his mouth, biting, sucking, and licking. Rufus
bucked back, and that drove Maximus over the edge for the second
time. He reared up, grabbed Rufus' hips more tightly and hauled him
back, hard, onto his rigid cock as he shot blast after blast of his
seed deep inside. They were both shaking as Maximus eased Rufus
down on the bedding and then rolled him over against his own body.
Spent, they spent the remainder of
their time in each other's arms, kissing gently and stroking each
other's bodies, warm hands tracing outlines of bellies and chests and
beards. “Why do you think we like fucking so much, Beast?”
Rufus' backside was tucked tightly against Maximus' front, the small
of his back perfectly fitting the Beast's belly.
“Because it feels good,” Maximus
replied, pulling Rufus in closer, his hand holding the red-furred
man's chest. His cock tip was still lodged in just inside his
lover's warm ass. He avoided moving his hips to keep himself in as
long as possible.
“Yes, but we have hands to relieve
ourselves when we need to, or want to, and that feels good. What
makes it better when someone else is involved?”
Maximus raised himself on an elbow.
The tip of his cock slipped out of Rufus' ass with the movement. “I
think it's because when we relieve ourselves, we know exactly what
will happen next, with each move we make, because we're making it.
There's no mystery, no surprise. Now when someone else is in
control...” Maximus lightly pinched the Wolfpup's nipple that his
hand was covering.
“Stop that!” Rufus giggled.
“Really? You want me to stop?”
“No.... you know I don't!” Rufus
gave Maximus'shand a squeeze with his own. Maximus nuzzled his
lover's neck, beard and lips brushing skin still wet with their
sweat.
“Time, gentlemen,” the lena said.
She stood outside number ten, but did not move the curtain that
covered the doorway. Long practice had taught her that clients
usually did not like the curtain moved aside before they were ready,
and she had no curiosity about what had or was transpiring on the
other side. Besides, she thought to herself, 'I've see it all before
anyway'. Human lust and sexual appetites held no surprises for her.
She walked back down the hall. If the men had not emerged in a few
minutes, she'd send Macro in to roust them out.
Maximus and Rufus rose from the
comfortable mattresses, embraced and kissed one last time before
returning to the real world outside. They used the sponge and water
bucket, donned their tunics and outer cloaks, and walked down the
hallway to the atrium. As they passed by the counter, Rufus wished
the lena 'bonum nocte', but got only a faint grunt in response.
Outside, they both took deep breaths, for the first time in three
hours not laden with the incense that seemed to have seeped into
their very pores.
“I love you, Beast,” Rufus, taking
Maximus' hand and squeezing. “And I, you,” Maximus replied with
a squeeze of his own. The night had taken on a chill, and the pair
walked quickly on their way back to Caius Calvus' house. On the way,
two street thugs started to approach, and then veered off after
sizing up Maximus.
“Told you you'd be safe with me!”
Maximus chuckled. Rufus laughed, and gave Maximus a quick hug on the
now deserted street.
When they reached Caius Calvus' house,
they found him standing in a reception room just off the atrium,
weaving slightly. “Ah! You made it back safely. Good!” He
looked the pair over carefully. “You two both look much more
relaxed and happy! Excellent! I take it a good time was had? I
knew it! Didn't I tell you it was a good place? Yes?! And by the
looks of your neck, Rufus, you had Messalina! She's a hungry one!”
Caius seemed just as pleased with his 'recommendation' as he was
with their appearance. Rufus smiled and said, “A gentleman, even
if he's a former slave, never tells.” Maximus just smiled and
nodded, saying nothing.
“Yes, that's proper, don't give me
details... best left unsaid. It's obvious that the visits did both
of you good! Best thing to buck up a man's spirits, attention from
the ladies. Am I right?!” Caius almost leered at the two. “I'll
wager you had more fun than I, but I had the better financial luck!
The clients are greatly impressed and will be signing a contract that
will make me a decent amount of money.” He grinned. “I'm a very
good businessman, you know!” He very nearly lost his footing, and
put a hand out to steady himself.
“And now, bed for me. It's been
quite a night for all of us! Bonum nocte!” Caius padded off to
his bedroom, more than a bit unsteady from wine. Marcus appeared at
the doorway. “Will either of the honored gentlemen require
anything?”
“No, Marcus, thank you. We are good
for the night.”
“Then I shall attend to dominus and
then retire myself. Bonum nocte.” He hurried off to help Caius
navigate his way to bed.
15 April,
82 AD
The next morning, they met a perfectly
sober Caius Calvus in the room he used as his office. “Well, well,
you both look the best I've seen you! Too bad about your nose,
Maximus, but it does sort of give you an 'air', if you take my
meaning. No offense, of course!” Neither man had renewed their
bandages, refusing the help of Marcus, but accepting his offer of
pots of the salve that Maximus had found comforting. After nearly a
week, the bruising was fading for both of them, too.
“Gaius Cassius said he would send
your funds here after the quarta hora, so it should be soon now.
Here, sit” He pushed the dish of cheeses, olives, and bread
towards them. “I know you were concerned about how you might
transport the money back with you. I have a suggestion, if you
like.” The two nodded as they tore hunks of bread and dipped them
into the dish of garum. “I have a shipment of iron goods going
north. It's stowed in the wagons and ready to go, but I've stopped
the drovers for a bit. We could easily place your funds, once they
get here, in with the crates so they would not be noticed. I always
send guards with these shipments, but really... things have gotten a
lot quieter since the Emperor's public executions of highway thieves.
Amazing what a few flayed corpses will do to encourage respect for
the law!” Caius munched on some olives.
One of the workmen from the shop
appeared at the door, along with Marcus. “Two men from the
magistrate's office to see you, dominus.”
“Ah, excellent. Show them in.” In
short order, the two largish deposit boxes, with fresh seals, were
set on the table and the messengers withdrew. Caius disappeared for
a moment and then re-appeared with a cutting tool from the shop. “I
know Gaius will be scrupulous in this matter, but we have a saying
here... 'trust, but verify'.” With that, he cut the seals and
opened the boxes. “Gentlemen, please count and be sure all your
funds are there. I have some business to attend to while you do
that.” Caius discretely left the room and busied himself elsewhere
in the house.
“I guess we should count. These
coins are really all new issue, it seems.” Rufus held several up,
scrutinizing them in the light. “We'll have to take the
magistrate's word they are the real thing. They certainly look it.”
Rufus and Maximus set to counting. It took rather longer than they
thought, but once done, it was apparent that their funds were there
down to the last silver as.
“I'll find Caius,” Maximus said.
“Nice of him to give us some privacy.” He left Rufus putting the
last of the bags of coins back in the boxes.
Caius and Maximus returned quickly.
“All in order I trust?”
“Very much so, and thank you again
for all of your help in this, Caius Calvus. Truly, you have been a
godsend to us.” Rufus, followed by Maximus, grasped Caius' forearm
and then embraced briefly.
“One of the workmen will be here to
set fresh seals on the chests, and then I think you can be off. You
should be back in plenty of time to make your payment for the land.”
Caius nodded approvingly as the workman hot sealed each box with
molten lead. “There. All done! Gentlemen, it's been a
pleasure... and don't forget to give my very best wishes to Lucius
and that lovely wife of his! May Fortuna always watch over you, and
Moneta over your money! And Jove speed you on your way!” He
embraced each of the men again and then bustled off with the workman
talking rapidly as he walked. “Now, don't forget we need those
copper fittings today, tomorrow at the latest....” His voice faded
as he crossed the courtyard and entered the shop.
Rufus and Maximus looked at each other.
“I guess that is it. We really are on our way.” They walked to
the wagon that was being loaded with their funds, the boxes placed in
a wooden crate, cushioned with straw. Tucked amongst the wooden
crates, they were unremarkable. Rufus and Maximus climbed up on the
front of the wagon with the drover. “Do you mind company?”
“No, not at all,” the drover said. “Helps pass the time.”
The oxen lurched forward, and they were off.
Later in the afternoon, Maximus,
gesturing to the guards riding in the other wagon, asked the drover,
“It seems pretty quiet. Do you always have the guards?”
“Yes... boss likes the security.
Though there has been much less trouble on the roads of late.” He
shifted the straw in his mouth to the other side. “Say what you
will, but our new Emperor's pursuit of criminals has made a
difference.” He flicked his whip against one of the oxen's flanks.
“Move on.”
21 April,
82 AD
Six days later, Maximus and Rufus,
along with some of their money, were back at the inn. The inn-keeper
greeted them at the door, hands on his hips. “I wondered if you
would return, seems like a long time.”
Rufus spoke up. “We had thirty days,
this is actually a week ahead of time. We have your money.”
“Good. We'll go inside.” The
inn-keeper turned and went in. Maximus and Rufus followed, Maximus
holding the leather sack that contained the price of their future.
The remaining funds they had buried in a well-concealed location in a
copse of trees along one of several minor roads leading out of town.
They would pick it up later. Rufus especially was uncomfortable
traveling with so much money, but they had little choice. This was a
good compromise.
Maximus set the bag down with a heavy
'clunk' on one of the tables in the dining area. “I assume that
you have the deed for us?” Maximus leaned on the table, both arms
planted, one on each side of the bag.
“Yes, as promised.” He unrolled
the deed and pushed it towards Rufus, and then, remembering, moved it
to Maximus.
“No, my partner can go over it. You
and I can count the money.” Maximus untied the leather thongs and
spilled the coins out on the table. The landlord's eye's glittered.
“You'll notice that it's all in the Emperor's new coinage.”
The landlord held one up to the light.
“Handsome,” he said. “You won't mind if I check this.” It
was a statement, not a question. “Servius!” he called out over
his shoulder. A small, neat man emerged from the kitchen area,
carrying a leather wrap, which he unrolled on the table. He selected
two coins at random. He set them on a scale, one at a time, and then
placed another coin on the other pan. Each balanced. “Good,”
the man said. He then took a small vial and unstoppered it, spilling
a small drop of the liquid on each coin. The liquid rolled off the
coins and on to the table, where it fizzed and ate a shallow pit on
the table top, leaving the coins unscathed. “Good,” he said
again, stoppered the vial, and nodded to the inn-keeper, holding out
his hand. The inn-keeper handed over a coin from the pile. The
small man rolled up his equipment, nodded his thanks, nodded to
Maximus and Rufus, and exited the inn via the front door.
“Are we good?” Maximus said to
Rufus, who had finished reading the deed. Rufus nodded. "It's
all in order."
“Will you require rooms for the
night?” the inn-keeper asked as he swept the coins back into the
bag.
“No, I think not. We have much work
to do. We will be on our way. Vale. May the gods watch over you and
your family.”
“Valete.” The inn-keeper clutched
the bag in his hand, turned, and walked away.
Maximus turned to Rufus. “Notice he
kept the bag?” Rufus chuckled. “Let him have it. Let us go.”
That afternoon, they made their first
purchase for their new lives, a stout wooden cart with iron-shod
wheels, and a pair of oxen. “I thought you would look for horses,
Beast.” Rufus said with a smile.
“Horses are good for general work and
personal transport. Oxen are better for the heavy jobs.” They
climbed up on the cart. Maximus touched the oxen's flanks with the
tip of the whip, and they lurched into motion, and headed off to
collect the rest of their money that they had hidden earlier. With
that safely stowed in their new cart, they headed off towards Rocca.
The two looked at each other and smiled, and then started to laugh
out loud with joy, thinking of their new life... together.
27 April,
95 AD
“I've been thinking...” Maximus
said, laying aside the scroll he had been reading as he and Rufus
sat, naked, at the table in their kitchen. It was a special pleasure
to be able to be naked now, whenever they wished.
"What, again? I thought I had
thoroughly drained you this morning...” Rufus, with practiced
speed, dodged Maximus' attempted swat.
“I think of other things than sex
with you, Wolfpup.”
Rufus grinned. “You shouldn't, I'll
think I am losing my skills. All right, all right, I am listening.
What thoughts other than sex with your Wolfpup have you been
thinking? Something in that scroll?”
Maximus gave Rufus 'The Look' before
continuing. “No, not in the scroll. You know how we always stop
at the baths in Clusium when we are there.” Rufus nodded. It was
a special treat, a long hot soak to ease aching muscles, along with
the slight touch of arthritis that he would never admit to. “Well,
I was thinking it would be nice to do something like that at home.”
“What, a public bath in Rocca?”
“Of course not.” 'The Look',
again. “No, I mean a kind to hot bath or pool at the house. Well,
outside the house. To soak in.”
“How would that work,” Rufus asked,
intrigued in spite of himself.
“You know where the rocky slope
behind the pasture curves around towards the barn?”
“Yeeesss...”
“Now, hear me out. We make a kind of
terrace, a couple of big stair steps. We dig out a hole, line it
with stones and cement. On the stair step above it, we build a kind
of oven with a flat top, only large. We put a big iron pot on that.
We have a lead pipe running from the pot to the pool below. We fill
the pot, heat the water, then run it through the pipe to the pool,
and soak!” Maximus looked proudly at his lover. “What do you
think?”
“I think is sounds like a lot of
work.” Before Maximus could speak, Rufus continued. “You are
big and strong, but all that digging and cementing, and toting
water... when will you have the time? When will I have the time to
help?”
“We sold two prize horses last week.
We could hire some of the work.”
Rufus thought for a minute. “I
admit, the idea of a good hot soak sounds like heaven some days. But
I see a problem... two, really.”
“What?”
“First, how would you drain the bath
when the water cools?”
“Oh, that's easy. We build in a
drain at the bottom, and....”
“But there's no public cloaca to
drain into!”
“True, but we'd have a trench or pipe
to take the water and channel it into the vegetable garden. You're
always saying 'waste not want not', you know.” Maximus couldn't
resist teasing his sometimes over-cautious Wolfpup at times. “What's
the other problem?”
“That's a lot of water to tote up to
the top of this contraption. How is that to be done?”
“Ah. Well. I haven't quite figured
that out yet. But I will!”
Rufus looked fondly at his Beast. “I
can see how it might be a very nice thing. We can both think on it
for a bit, shall we? Meantime, I'm hungry. Do we have any of the
pork sausage left from lunch?” They worked together, preparing
their supper, the smaller and larger men comfortable with each other
and their lives, as the sun sank lower behind the hills.
Later, after they had finished their
evening meal, Rufus reached for a wax tablet and stylus. “Beast,
I've been thinking.” He started drawing a crude diagram of a
device.
“Uh oh.”
“Just listen. When I said it would
be a lot of water to carry up to the bath you are proposing,
something tickled in the back of my mind. I've finally remembered
it. It's something I saw in one of Lucius' scrolls, a treatise on
engineering, by a Greek. It uses a tube, with a kind of screw inside
it. You have one end submerged in water, and a crank on the other
end of the screw. The spiral of the screw raises the water up the
tube as you crank. We already have the pond you dug by the well for
the horses to drink from. We could use that as the source for the
screw device.” Rufus looked at Maximus. “Of course, we'd need a
blacksmith to make the screw. Or maybe have it carved out of
wood....”
The Beast scratched his beard, working
to imagine how it would work. “I confess I can't see it in my
mind, but if you think it might work, I'm willing.”
“Good. There's nothing pressing we
have to do tomorrow. We could take a close look and do some
measuring.”
“Sounds good, but there's no rush.
And I think it's going to rain tomorrow, so we might have to wait
anyway. I'm for bed right now. Shall we?” Maximus patted Rufus'
furry thigh and stood up. Rufus nodded. Maximus leaned over and
blew out the oil lamps on the table and took Rufus' hand as they
walked to their bedroom, naked, lit by pale moonlight through the
window.
*
The rain fell gently, making soothing
sounds on the roof tiles. Spooned together, the two men were
enjoying the luxury of a late morning in bed and lazy love-making.
“Wolfpup...”
“Hmmm?”
“Did you ever think we could have
ended up like this?”
“You mean free and together? Dreamed
of it, yes, often. Though it might really happen? No, never.
We have been so very, very lucky.” Rufus pushed his erect penis
into his Beast's ass. The oozing slide was a familiar, quiet comfort
for them both. The slow, steady motion of Rufus's meat between
Maximus' warm cheeks was deeply satisfying. Neither of them ever
tired of the physical sensation of penetration, or the emotional
connection that act re-enforced. There were still times of urgent
need and pounding triumph on both their parts, but more often now, it
was this gentle, loving mating that made up their mornings or
evenings. “Oh, Beast,” Rufus gasped softly as he pumped his life
into his mate. When he sensed that Rufus had finished, Maximus
tightened his muscle ring around the thick piece of his lover that
was lodged inside him, holding on. “My love,” he exhaled slowly.
They both relaxed, still spooned and coupled, and listened to the
rain.
Historical
Notes
This is a work of fiction, but many
aspects are solidly based in fact. The historical characters
mentioned did exist, and in the time and places depicted. Although
Rufus, Maximus, Lucius and his family and slaves are all fiction, the
events surrounding them are real, as they were in the previous story.
Forms of address, descriptions of buildings and social customs are
based on documented fact as well. The town of Rocca is entirely
fictional, but Clusium and Nuceria are real enough, and still exist
today. Acca Laurentia's is fictional, but the meretrix I've named it
after figures largely in the legends of the founding of Rome. The
bulk of the action takes place early in the Emperor Domitian's reign,
81-96 AD. It is very helpful if you have read the prequel to this
tale, 79 AD, but it is not absolutely necessary.
Banking was well-established and
wide-spread in the Roman world. A uniform currency used throughout
the Empire made it possible to transfer funds readily. Regulated
banking officials included 'nummularii', who were directly
responsible for minting and assaying the coinage; 'argentarii',
official money changers; and 'mensarii', bankers who dealt
exclusively with loans. Many temples served as a kind of safe
deposit box, accepting money or valuables for storage for a fee. In
those cases, interest was never offered. The Roman temple to Moneta
(goddess of memory and protectoress of funds, and the source of our
words 'money' and 'monetize') was one of the earliest examples.
Archimedes' Screw was used by the
Romans, but in fact the principle predates the Greeks, as the
Egyptians used such devices to raise irrigation water from the Nile
to their fields after the annual floods receded.
Prostitution was legal, licensed, and
taxed in Roman society. Brothels were common in Roman towns and
cities; and prostitutes were frequently mentioned in Roman
literature, often favorably. Lower class prostitutes of either sex
were called 'scortum' or 'prostibulae'; a higher class female
prostitute was called a 'meretrix'. Female prostitutes outnumbered
males; and most, of either sex, were slaves or poorer free people.
More than a few were daughters of high-born families that had fallen
on hard times. Successful meretrixes moved about freely in the upper
levels of Roman society. Prices ranged from quite low for a simple
coupling with a prostibulae to 'the sky's the limit' for a meretrix
who caught the eye of an emperor or senator. Visiting prostitutes
and brothels was not frowned upon in Roman society, being considered
a legitimate form of entertainment for males of any class, as long as
one demonstrated self-control and moderation in frequency.
Domitian is an interesting character.
He was the younger son of Vespasian, the first of the Flavian
emperors; and the younger brother of Vespasian's successor, Titus.
Both boys were well educated, Titus at court, Domitian with private
tutors. As youths, they apparently got on well together, only
disagreeing in early manhood over Titus' long affair with Berenice,
the Judean Queen, an early sign of his later development of a rigid
sense of morality. The anecdote in the story of Vespasian's
mistress, Antonia
Caenis, is considered truthful by
several sources.
Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars is
primarily responsible for Domitian's negative historical reputation.
Suetonius, though never a senator himself, nearly always sided with
the Senate in the historic back and forth between Imperial and
Senatorial power. He wrote the twelve 'books' in sequence, and,
critically, he lost access to the Imperial archives partway through
the writing of the first of these, on Julius. From that point on,
except for a few letters of Augustus' he had handled prior to losing
access, he had to rely on third party accounts, gossip, and hearsay
for the rest of his magnum opus. The final book, the one on
Domitian, seriously betrays Suetonius' Senatorial bias. Domitian
loathed the Senate, and the feeling was returned tenfold. Domitian
stripped the Senate of the last vestiges of it's legislative power,
turning it into a purely administrative body. Small wonder, then,
that Suetonius paints Domitian as an epic tyrant, greedy, vain,
corrupt in the extreme; and totally unfit as a human being, let alone
as an Emperor. One relatively minor example would be Suetonius'
portrayal of Domitian as a cultural Philistine, with no knowledge of
or love for literature. Yet, it was Domitian who restored the
library of Rome at great expense, and out of his own purse. Domitian
was a steady source of patronage for historians and poets during his
reign as well, facts which Suetonius simply ignores.
The reality is, as usual, much more
nuanced. Particularly early on in his fifteen year reign, Domitian
continued many of the sound policies instituted by Vespasian and
Titus. He restored the public banquets at holidays, which Caligula
had stopped. This alone endeared him to the general populace of Rome
and the provinces. He instituted a comprehensive public works
program, rebuilding many of the public buildings and facilities
damaged or destroyed in the great fire of 80 AD in Rome, thus
providing work for the many left unemployed by the fire's
destruction. He extended the aqueduct system that brought fresh
water into Rome, a move which was both popular and enabled the city
of Rome itself to expand. In particular, he instituted a reform of
Roman currency, restoring and standardizing the silver content of the
coinage, which had gradually declined; and more firmly regulating the
nummularii, the officials tasked with minting and testing coinage.
He vigorously prosecuted fraud and malfeasance among government
officials, many of whom were relatives of Senators. This had the
effect of restoring and increasing public confidence in both the
currency and in banking, as well as turning the Senate more firmly
against him. His strengthening of the Empire's border defenses made
him very popular with the Army. Interestingly, he ceased the
persecution of Jews and Christians. But much of this was
accomplished by decree, not through the Senate. Domitian did not
take opposition kindly.
From the beginning, Domitian exhibited
a strong authoritarian streak, which only increased as his reign
continued. He declared himself the executor of the office of Censor,
the official in charge of public morality, in perpetuity. He seemed
bent on limiting or eliminating all public expression of frivolity or
exuberance. Sober, formal behavior and traditional Roman values were
the ideals he rigorously promoted and enforced. This was in contrast
to the earlier, more easy-going public attitudes, especially when it
came to sex.
He involved himself in every facet of
Roman government, as an efficient if ruthless supervisor. Crimes of
libel or theft were to be punished with exile or death. Indeed, the
death penalty was extended to a number of crimes previously punished
by imprisonment or exile. Public speech was restricted. Towards the
end of his reign, he increasingly accepted information from informers
to bring false charges of libel and treason as a way of discouraging
opposition to his edicts. He saw himself as the second Augustus,
divinely ordained to return Rome to it's former glory, by whatever
means necessary.
But the good he did should not be
overlooked, and it needs to be remembered that much of the negative
reputation is the result of writers with very definite axes to grind.
Modern scholarship has at least partially redressed the historical
balance. The historian Theodore Mommsen described his reign as “a
somber but intelligent despotism”. For the majority of his reign,
there was no widespread dissatisfaction with his policies. His
harshness was limited to a highly vocal minority, who exaggerated his
despotism in attempts to curry favor with the dynasty that followed.
Domitian was assassinated by court
officials on September 18, 96 AD. Suetonius offers a highly detailed
(and highly fanciful) account of the deed, filled with astrology,
soothsayers, and appearances by the goddess Minerva. What is factual
is that only a few hours after the assassination, members of the
Senate rushed to the Senate House and did two things. First, they
appointed Marcus Cocceius Nerva as Emperor; and second, voted to
officially condemn Domitian's memory to oblivion, 'damnatio
memoriae'. His name was to be removed from all public
buildings and public records, the uttering of his name made
punishable by death, and his coins to be removed from official
circulation. All this proved hard to enforce in Rome itself, and was
almost entirely ignored in the provinces.
Nerva was a very odd choice for
Emperor. He was old and childless, and had apparently taken no part
in the assassination plot. Suetonius does not mention him at all.
He was not known to have spoken against Domitian in public, and in
his writings, was favorable to the Flavians. He lacked both
experience and support in Rome or the provinces. Why the Senate
chose him remains unclear... but that is perhaps a tale for another
time.
Note that I have included a glossary of
Latin words and concepts that might not be familiar to the casual
reader.
UrsusMajr December, 2023
This story was written by a real
person, not a robot. Please respect the work that goes into these
stories and do not post them elsewhere without the author attribution
at the top of the story. The author may be contacted at:
ursusmajr@gmail.com
Glossary
of Latin Terms used in 79
AD and After
Vesuvius
Aesculapius - The Roman god
of medicine and healing.
Atrium - The large entrance
room in a Roman dwelling, sometimes open to the sky.
Ave - Typical greeting,
used in addressing one person.
Avete - Typical greeting,
used when addressing two or more as a group.
Bonum nocte - Good night.
Basilica - In
Roman times, a large public building used as law court or assembly
hall.
Caldarium - The hot pool in
a Roman bath house.
Caligas - Literally,
'boot'; descriptive of Roman footwear in general. The Emperor
Caligula got his name (actually a nickname) from the soldiers
serving in his father Germanicus' legion on the Rhine. 'Caligula'
means 'little boot'.
Calimus - An ink pen with a
wooden handle and metal tip
Cloaca - Literally, sewer.
The main public drain in a Roman city or settlement.
Domina - Form of address
for the wife of the head of a Roman household. Also used for an
unmarried female owner of slaves.
Dominus - Form of address
for the male head of a household, owner of slaves.
Ex
Jure Quiritium vindicavit in libertatem - Literally,
'by the law governing citizenship rights, you are declared free'.
Falernian - the very best
Roman wine. Most Roman wine was rather harsh because it was drunk
young, rarely aged for more than a few months at best. Falernian
was prized for it's gentle and flavorful character, and therefore
treated better (and aged longer) than run-of-the-mill drink.
Frigidarium - The cold, or
source-temperature pool in a Roman bath house.
Fundus - Literally,
'farm', and later, 'bottom'. In Roman times, a privately owned farm
of any size, though usually smaller.
Futuo - Literally, 'fuck',
used as both a verb and as an all-purpose exclamation, but not in
polite company. Used in much the same way as it is today.
Garum -
Fermented fish fat sauce, used everywhere in the Roman empire as a
condiment.
Gratius tibi ago -
Literally, 'thanks to you', a formal way of thanking someone other
than a close friend for a favor or gift.
Hades - Roman version of
Hell, the underworld.
Ides - The 13th day of the
month, except in March, May, July, and October, when it was the
15th. (The notorious 'Ides of March' is known for Julius Caesar's
assassination, but was also the deadline for settling debts in Roman
commerce.)
Impluvium - A small square
pool located in the atrium, often fed by a fountain.
Inconveniens - Literally,
'inappropriate'. Anything unacceptable or uncouth.
Jove - Another name for
Jupiter, head of the Roman pantheon
Juno Moneta - Roman goddess
of money and protectoress of bankers and funds.
Kalends - The first day of
the following month.
Lena - The madam of a Roman
brothel.
Lupanar - A Roman brothel.
Macellum -
Literally, 'market'. One of
the main markets in Pompeii, located at the Forum. It was partially
destroyed in the earthquake of 62 AD, and not yet completely rebuilt
by the time of Vesuvius' eruption in 79AD.
Manumission -
Roman legal proceeding by which a slave owner frees the slave. The
slave was then considered a 'libertas', a free person. Manumitted
slaves automatically became Roman citizens. Manumissions were
taxed.
Maximus - Literally,
'great' or 'greatest', also large or imposing.
Nones - The 7th or 8th day
before the Ides.
Nummularii - Roman
officials tasked with the minting of coins and supervision and
distribution of money and indirectly, banks.
Optimus Maximus -
Literally, 'Best and Greatest', often used in conjunction with
Jupiter, head of the Roman pantheon, or to describe a person or an
event. It implies very high praise.
Pace - Peace
Paterfamilias -
Literally, 'father of the
family', head of a household. See: 'dominus'
Pedicabo ego - Go fuck
yourself.
Peristyle - In
Roman architecture, a series of columns surrounding a courtyard or
garden, or an indoor space such as an atrium.
Pileus -
a conical felt hat, worn only by freedmen in Roman times.
Pluto - The
Roman god of the dead and ruler of the underworld (Hades).
Pontifex Maximus -
Literally, 'supreme pontiff'. The high priest of of the Roman
College of Pontiffs, a powerful figure both in religion and in
politics.
Priapus - A Greek and Roman
fertility god, protector of livestock, bees, plants, gardens, and
male genitals. Clothed or naked, he was always depicted with an
erect penis. He was a central character in much of Greek and Roman
erotica.
Pyroclastic flow -
a fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic mud that flows along
the ground away from a volcano at speeds up to 500 mph. Temperature
can reach 1800 degrees F.
Quarta hora - Literally,
the 'fourth hour' after sunrise.
Quid es hoc - Literally,
'what is this', a general expression of surprise.
Rufus - Literally, 'red'.
Salvete - Another form of
greeting, especially in the morning, used when addressing two or
more persons.
Sarno - A
small river that ran along the border of Pompeii's city wall.
Obliterated by the eruption.
Saturnalia - A winter Roman
holiday celebrated in honor of Saturn. It was marked by modest
gift-giving, public feasts, and a general over-turning of social
customs. Slaves and freedmen switched roles with masters.
Originally celebrated on December 17th, it was later expanded to a
six-day festival.
Satyr - An example of one
of many Greek mythological characters imported intact into the Roman
mythology. Satyrs had ears and tails of a horse or ass, and were
originally depicted with a animal's legs. They were always depicted
naked, with permanent, enlarged erections.
Somnos - The
Roman personification of sleep. According to Ovid, he was the
brother of death.
Sublinaculum - Worn
under a tunic or toga, it was the functional equivalent of 'tighty
whities'.
Sum valde gratus - Less
formal form of thanks, 'thank you VERY much!'.
Tepidarium - The warm pool
in a Roman bath house, using a mixture of heated and
source-temperature water.
Triclinium - In
a Roman house, the dining room. It had a central low table, with at
least three low couches arranged horizontally around it.
Tu foedus nothi - You
filthy bastards.
Tunic - basic
form of dress for all Roman males. Simple in design, they could be
belted at the waist, and were of varying lengths. Middle and upper
classes could add a toga of various types over a tunic. Togas were
expensive, and awkwardly voluminous to wear. As time went on, they
were increasingly relegated to only the most formal occasions.
Vale - Typical form of
farewell or good-bye, used when addressing one person.
Valete - Typical form of
farewell or good-bye, used when addressing multiple people
Vesta - Roman goddess of
the hearth and home, especially the sacred fire of Rome's hearth.
Vestals - Priestesses of
the temple of Vesta, tasked with continual tending of the sacred
fire in her temple in Rome. They sere selected by the Pontifex
Maximus before puberty, served for 30 years, and were required to be
chaste for that time. If they broke their vows of chastity, their
lover(s) were publicly beaten to death, and the Vestal herself was
buried alive. Once retired, they were free to marry (few did), and
held an exceptionally high place in Roman society, with rights and
privileges accorded to almost no other Roman citizen.