Part
Three
Hesperos
was carried into the great villa; a place he
recalled all too well. He shivered with fear;
too sore and battered too struggle even if he
dared. Some ghost of a memory crossed his
mind, and he looked around, expecting to see
Cyrek, though he knew him to be dead.
"Your
hero is not here, slut," said Augustus,
guessing the thought that crossed Hesperos'
mind. "Word has reached me that he is
dead, and that you came here for your sons.
Well, you are in luck. I am going to let you
have them. And you and Cyrek and your bastard
offspring shall all live together in the
underworld. Are you not pleased?"
Hesperos
tried to struggle, but was suddenly and
violently struck by one of Augustus'
companions. He flinched, feeling his lip tear
on his teeth, and his hot blood began to flow
down his chin. He was carried downstairs,
past the slaves' quarters, to the deepest
part of the villa. There he was thrown into a
tiny room that stunk of human waste and
death, too small for him to stand in or lie
down. The door was slammed, and he was
suddenly encased in hopeless blackness. A few
minutes later the door opened again, and in
were shoved a pair of toddlers, hardly more
than a year old, their skin the same shade of
gold as Hesperos'. The children were crying
and frightened as they were thrown into the
stinking dark chamber. Hesperos threw his
arms around them and pulled them close,
comforting them as best as he was able,
cuddling them to ward away the fear. He felt
tears come to his eyes as he heard the door
locked, and two iron bars were sealed into
place. They were in the deepest part of the
house, where none could hear them scream,
left to die and rot here in this cell.
"Well
there you are, all together again," said
Augustus. "And together you shall all
remain, forever."
Hesperos
held his crying children, shivering in silent
fear, watching the bobbing lights of the
torches depart through the cracks in the
door, leaving them in blackness.
***---***
Atoninn
spoke to the tax collectors working on the
dock - large slaves owned by the city who
ensured that nothing was being smuggled into
or out of the port, and all proper taxes had
been paid. He described Hesperos, making
certain to emphasis his slave was lost, not a
runaway. The punishments inflicted upon
runaways were harsh indeed, and Atoninn did
not wish to see his beloved scribe put to
death. He gave the men a hefty bribe, with
promise of a greater reward when Hesperos was
returned to him. He had already made similar
bribes and promises to the local magistrate,
as well as the small senate that oversaw the
matters of the little port metropolis, and
left word in the local forum that anyone who
found his slave would be rewarded. Then,
reluctantly, he permitted Anibal to take him
to his villa just outside the town.
Anibal's
villa was beautiful, and his gardens glorious
sanctuaries of flowering plants and peaceful
green pools filled with fish, blessed by
Venus herself no doubt. Indeed there were
none who could claim that his hospitality was
wanting in any manner, but Atoninn was in no
mood to appreciate it. His heart told him
that his Beauty needed him, and he was not at
peace. He paid his respects to his host,
voiced his regrets, then promised he would
discuss Darith's sale in the morning before
retiring to his room. Anibal watched his
friend leave the dining room, dispirited and
grieved, then turned to look at Darith.
"I
have business I must attend to before I may
come to bed. You have the run of my Villa. I
will seek you out when I wish to
retire."
Darith
smiled, and watched as his soon-to-be Master
departed, feeling his heart do strange things
in his chest. He was suddenly aware of a
large presence beside him. He glanced over to
see Lion, surprise showing in his eyes.
"Lion.
I did not hear you approach."
"I
know. You were... distracted."
Darith
raised an eyebrow. "I do not care for
your tone."
"I
do not care to see you replaced in our
Villa."
"A
little late for that," said Darith.
"As Master always says, if you throw
something away, you cannot take issue with
the man who finds it. And you threw me away.
Repeatedly. Anibal is a good man, and he
desires my company. You, on the other hand,
have made it very clear that you do
not."
Darith
turned and began walking away, heading deeper
into the grand house. Anibal had given him
permission to explore, and he planned to do
just that. With luck he would one day be a
free man living here. Likely he would have to
tolerate the presence of a wife also, should
Anibal marry, but that was all right. Many
lovers had to put up with such irritants.
And
speaking of irritants...
Lion
followed Darith, catching up to walk beside
him. "I thought I did not care for you.
I was mistaken."
Darith
ground his teeth. "Minerva grant him
wisdom, he sees not how thick his skull
is."
"Darith
I am telling you I love you."
Darith
turned sharply to face the large, powerful
man, staring into his dark brown eyes.
"It is too little, too late, Lion. Had
you said that earlier, things might have been
different. As it is now, I am due to be sold
in the morning, and my Master cannot insult
our host by going back on a promise."
"No,"
said Lion quietly. "He cannot."
The two
stood in the hall, gazing at each other.
There was nothing more to say. Lion had come
to realize his feelings too late. Darith was
to be sold, and they would never be together.
They stared at each other in helplessness.
Then without uttering a word, Lion walked
away. Darith lowered his head and closed his
eyes, and did not move for a long time.
***---***
The
night passed slowly and horribly, Hesperos
keeping his children close, not daring to
fall asleep for fear the rats would get them.
He was ravenously hungry and desperately
needed to urinate, but was determined to
avoid soiling the cell any more than he had
to. Finally however he had no choice. He felt
the earthen floor to determine which way it
sloped, and relieved himself at the lowest
point to keep the waste away from them.
It was
while he was doing this that he noticed
something; the tiniest hint of light. He
stared at it, not sure he was really seeing
it; he had been hallucinating tiny dots of
light all night. But as he looked closer, he
saw this was no delusion. It was light.
He
reached out and touched the wall, feeling
stonework. The light was coming in near the
ceiling of the tiny chamber, and he began
scratching at the wall, pawing at it like a
wild animal, tearing the tips of his
fingertips. A few small flakes of mortar fell
aside, and the light grew brighter.
He
glanced over his shoulder at his babies. They
were on their father's khiton, the cleanest
thing in the room. He had taken it off to
give them a place to rest, and they were
still asleep, exhausted by a long night of
fear and hunger. Hesperos looked back towards
the wall, touching it, feeling for any more
weakness. He began searching around the room
for anything he could use to dig with,
finding nothing other than the rat-chewed
remains of the last person to be locked into
the chamber.
Hesperos
reached out and took hold of a thighbone,
silently apologizing to the unlucky owner. He
then turned once more to the tiny crack of
daylight, and began chipping at the wall with
the bone. The mortar was beginning to decay,
but it still had some strength to it, and it
was an hour before he dragged one small stone
from its place in the wall. He dropped it to
the floor and peered out of hole, trying to
determine where he was. He found himself
staring at a short stretch of scrubby grass
leading to the sea, only a hundred feet or so
above the tide line, and too sandy to be of
use for gardening or grazing. With luck, no
one came back there for any reason. He might
just be able to escape.
He
heard a soft noise behind him, and glanced
over his shoulder to see one of his sons
sitting up, rubbing his eyes with one tiny
fist, looking scared as he saw he was still
in the horrid little room. Hesperos began
once more attacking the wall, praying to Zeus
to show mercy and let him dig his way free
and escape with his sons, and he would
sacrifice for him three bulls. Hesperos had
no idea how he would afford such an offering
for the God, but at this point he was not
thinking past getting the next stone out of
the wall. The little dungeon was isolated and
nearly soundproof, to keep Augustus from
being disturbed by the dying despair of those
locked into it. With luck, he would be long
gone before anyone noticed.
His
baby came to watch what his father was doing,
and pointed to the light. Hesperos could tell
the child wanted out as much as he did, and
when he pulled out the second rock and more
light poured in, the toddler reached up as if
to touch the sun. Hesperos grabbed a third
rock and pulled, and it came out easily. He
hoped perhaps the weakness had spread
throughout the wall, but no such luck. The
rest of the wall was much stronger. Closing
his eyes briefly to beg for strength, he
resumed digging.
***---***
The
contract for Darith's sale was drawn up in
the morning. Anibal purchased him for 1000
drachma and a slave of lesser worth, and the
only person who seemed unhappy with the
entire transaction was Lion, but he had no
say in the matter. As a free man he could
have purchased Darith himself, but he did not
earn enough to pay for him. Besides, he had
never considered it until last night.
"You
shall regret this, my friend," said
Atoninn. "He will eat every meal you are
served, and his snores will shake your house
so badly it will fall down around your
ears."
Anibal
smiled, pulling Darith onto his lap. "I
shall survive. It is still not to late for
you to take my catamite as part of the
bargain."
Atoninn
looked at Endre. "No, thank you. I think
I have suffered enough. And now, with my
windfall, I shall go to the villa of Augustus
and see if I can negotiate for the purchase
of the twins. I may not be able to find
Hesperos, but I shall at least keep my word
in regards to his children."
"Do
not expect Augustus to be reasonable,"
said Anibal. "He is not a reasonable
man. He is proud and arrogant, and a very
skilled fighter. And if things do not please
him, he is not above taking his rage out on
the first being he sees. He treats his slaves
horribly. Not that I am one to tell another
man how he may treat his property, but rumor
has it he has small rooms in his villa, deep
in the cellar, where he locks those he is
displeased with, and leaves them to die of
thirst and hunger. It is likely these babies
you seek long ago found their way to the
bottom of a well. If he does still have them,
he will want more than their worth."
"It
matters not. I made a promise and I am a man
of my word, and the longer I sit here the
more anxious I become. Come, our business
here is done, let us ride to Augustus' villa
and see if he has the children."
Anibal
nodded. Darith rose off of his lap, stepping
aside to let his new master depart, watching
as Atoninn and Anibal made their way to the
stable. Horses were made ready for them, and
they set out on the road that would lead to
the great villa belonging to Augustus.
"What
do you know of this man, other than his
cruelty?" asked Atoninn as they made
their way down the road, the hooves of their
horses kicking up small dust clouds.
"Very
little. He shrouds himself in secrecy, and
many suspect he earns his wealth in less than
honorable ways. But he is very rich, and
powerful, and few in this area would dare
raise a hand against him. If we wish to
obtain your Beauty's babes, we had best be
willing to leave our pride outside the
door."
Atoninn
nodded. "Then so be it. I am in no mood
for posturing and teeth-barring. I want the
children, and I then wish to resume my search
for Hesperos. He cannot be far. If he is
alive I will find him."
"If
he is alive," said Anibal.
"I
do not wish to think of him as dead. I love
him."
"I
will help you look, my friend. If he draws
breath, we will find him." He glanced at
his friend. "Speaking of slaves, do I
detect a hint of displeasure from Lion over
the sale of Darith?"
"More
than a hint, I daresay. Darith let it be
known he fancied him for almost a year, and
only now does Lion realize he fancied him
back. But Darith I think will be happier with
you."
Anibal
laughed. "I hope so! It shall be his
duty to amuse me on nights when my wife has
no use for me."
"So
you have found a lady you wish to
marry?"
Anibal
nodded. "Yes, and a more fair and sweet
maid never walked the land. She arrives in
nine weeks with her family. I hope you will
come to the wedding?"
"I
shall indeed! What sort of a friend would I
be if I were not on hand to toast your union,
and to advise you on what chair to permit
your new bride to sit, so as to avoid having
her bottom pierced by pins placed in a
cushion by an uppity slave?"
"He
would do no such thing!"
"He
would and has, but I let him get away with
much because it amuses me. You may find
yourself having to shorten his lead."
Anibal
raised an eyebrow. "Well if he causes
too much strife I shall send him back to you,
and ask for my slave back."
"Done.
Now let us make haste. How far is it to
Augustus' villa?"
"Not
greatly far, we shall be there before
lunch."
They
arrived at the great villa just after noon,
and walked up to the huge slave guarding the
door. He greeted them formally, but made no
move to get out of their way and let them
enter the villa.
"Could
you tell your master he has guests?"
said Anibal.
"May
I ask your names, esteemed gentlemen?"
"Anibal,
and this is my friend Atoninn."
The
slave bowed, and called into the house for a
second slave. The man that came was thin and
nervous, with the demeanor of an animal who
has been beaten far too often. He took the
information, then scuttled into the house to
tell his master he had guests. The large
guard at the door crossed his arms and
awaited word from his master. Atoninn glanced
at Anibal.
"I
like not how this man keeps his house
slaves."
"Nor
do I," said Anibal, "but it is not
for us to tell a man how to treat his own
property."
"My
father had a saying," said Atoninn.
"Show me a man who mistreats his slaves,
and I will show you his grave."
"Nonsense,"
said Anibal. "Slaves are put to death
for such a thing."
"Aye,
and a fat lot of good it does you after you
have been poisoned and stabbed in the
back."
Anibal
conceded the point, then nudged Atoninn as he
saw someone approaching the door. The man was
large, well built and handsome, dressed in
fine cloth. He was followed by a slender
young man wearing a blue khiton, hemmed in
gold, and Atoninn suddenly recalled that he
was on the isle of Shalva - an island
renowned for its warriors. Atoninn was well
versed in the ways of combat himself. But as
he stared at the flaming winged horse
tattooed on the shoulder of his host, he knew
that he would be better off being humble and
polite than he would starting any sort of
physical confrontation.
"Greetings,
good guests! I am Augustus. I have heard of
you, you train great fighters. Welcome to my
humble villa. Come join me for lunch, and be
welcome!"
Atoninn
and Anibal followed him into the villa,
followed by the beautiful young catamite.
Atoninn could hear his soft tread behind him,
and he could almost feel the pointed tip of a
poisoned dagger in his back, and he forced
himself not to look at him. He and Anibal
exchanged glances, each seeing fear in the
other's eyes.
"Come
sit at my table, here we can see the gardens
and pools, are they not lovely? There you see
my peacocks, imported from the end of the
world. I enjoy their beauty as much as their
haunting calls. They are quite savage, did
you know that? If my slave is the least bit
late feeding them, they begin attacking and
killing the other birds."
Atoninn
looked at the beautiful birds, symbols of
Hera, beloved by her. Then he looked towards
the catamite.
"I
see you have more than one variety of peacock
gracing your home."
Augustus
looked towards his catamite, and laughed.
"Yes I see what you mean, strange I
never noticed the similarity. There it is,
the beautiful plumage, the elegant stance,
the bloodlust in the cold eyes. This is
Myles."
Atoninn
looked him over with a practiced eye.
"Very fine."
"Is
he not? He is as lovely as he is lethal. I
have only had one other finer than he, but I
think you know that."
Atoninn
felt his gut clench, though he showed no
outward reaction. "Nonsense, I doubt
there ever breathed one finer than he."
Augustus
smiled, and motioned for his guests to sit.
Myles positioned himself behind his Master's
chair, keeping a cool eye on the two men
seated at his table. Augustus reached for his
glass, and a skinny and very subdued slave
filled it.
"You
need not hide your knowledge of Cyrek,"
said Augustus. "Merdine told me that you
purchased him. If I had any sense I would
have him killed. Merdine was supposed to have
disposed of Cyrek personally, not let him be
purchased by you."
"Well
there was the flaw in your plan," said
Anibal. "Clearly you momentarily forgot
that Merdine cannot break wind without two
learned men to tell him how."
Augustus
laughed. "Well if the Gods willed that I
should have such an oversight, then I have no
choice but to obey. But I do not think you
sailed all the way from Icaria to talk about
how I dispose of my property."
"As
you say," said Atoninn, "he was
your property, and you as his master may
dispose of him as you see fit."
He
watched Augustus carefully. The man seemed
relaxed, and in good humour, but then why
shouldn't he be? He had broken no law, and
while inflicting unspeakable cruelty upon
one's slaves was distasteful, it was not a
crime. Cyrek, according to edicts of their
land, had stolen a slave, and was himself a
slave. His master had every right to beat him
and sell him. Hesperos had also been his
property, and it was his business if he sold
him. It mattered not what vows Atoninn had
made to Cyrek; if Augustus chose not to sell
the twins, there was little Atoninn could do
about it.
"So
what brings you to my little cottage?"
asked Augustus, signaling for more wine.
There
was no point in words games and ruses;
Augustus had been informed of their coming,
and likely the reason for their journey.
Atoninn decided to pretend this was just
another business transaction.
"I
have come to discuss the purchase of
Hesperos' twin sons, if you will hear
me."
"Who?"
asked Augustus. Myles whispered into his ear.
"Ah! The slut. The bitch's whelps were
sold months ago. You do not think I kept
them, do you? I am not a wet nurse. They are
on their way to Macedonia, for what purpose I
neither know nor care."
"Macedonia?"
exclaimed Atoninn. "To whom did you sell
them?"
"A
slave dealer, who else? If you wish to seek
him out, his name is Zenas, he should be back
here in a month, he makes regular
trips."
Atoninn
felt his stomach churn. Macedonia? How would
he find them there? Assuming this Zenas even
recalled the name of the man he had sold the
twins to, it was a long journey, and who was
to say they had not in turn been sold to
someone else? And he could not leave without
Hesperos. Atoninn's heart sank He had made a
promise to Cyrek, and now he would never be
able to fulfill it. He had even failed to
keep Beauty safe. What would the Gods think
of such a man?
"I
am sorry, have I caused you grief?"
purred Augustus.
Atoninn
steeled himself. He would not let this man
see what anguish he felt in his heart.
"Nay, not at all, I was merely trying to
think now where I might find twin sons."
"A
difficult thing to find, I agree," said
Augustus. "May your quest prove
fruitful. Here, try the lamb, I insist! My
cooks prepare the finest lamb on
Shalva!"
Atoninn
and Anibal stayed and dined with Augustus,
playing the part of the perfect guests, while
Augustus played perfect host. Then, after
lunch, they made their polite excuses and
departed. It was not until they were out of
sight of the villa that Atoninn began to
swear quietly.
"How
could I have been so foolish as to come all
this way? Now I have to wait a month for a
slave dealer named Zenas to arrive to ask him
to whom he sold the babies! For all we know
Augustus could have thrown them into the sea.
I could end up searching the world and never
find them!"
"Calm
yourself my friend," said Anibal.
"We have done all we can. Now we must
wait for Zenas, and hope we find your
Beauty."
Atoninn
nodded, willing himself to stop feeling so
overwhelmed and despondent. He could only do
one thing at a time.
"It
will be late when we reach your villa,"
said Atoninn. "It will be hard to wait
until tomorrow to learn if any have found my
Hesperos."
"They
know my villa well," said Anibal.
"If he has been found, a messenger will
be sent there."
"Then
let us hurry," said Atoninn. "And
may the Gods grant I shall have one thing go
right this day."
***---***
It was
early evening, and all was still when
Hesperos finally dug a hole large enough to
squeeze through. He pushed his babies through
the hole first, then dressed in his soiled
khiton before squeezing out of the hole.
There was still a hint of daylight light, and
Hesperos took advantage of it to disguise the
hole as best as he was able with some rotted
wood and a few bushes he uprooted. It was not
perfect, but it would buy him a little time.
His
children were weak and listless, and he knew
their small bodies could not endure much
longer without food and water. He gathered
them up and made his way to the beach,
skulking along as best as he was able,
avoiding being seen. He spied some fishing
huts ahead, and stashed his weak and weary
children in the bushes before approaching one
of the huts. He did not wish to get caught
stealing, knowing what his fate as a thief
would be. He had no money, but he had a
simple silver bracelet, and he traded it for
some goat's milk and dried fish. He took the
milk and fish back to his sons, and let them
gorge themselves on the milk while he ate
some of the fish, saving the finest fish for
a friend.
Hesperos
watched his babies drink the milk greedily;
too hungry to fuss and play with their food.
Their bellies full, they now wished only to
sleep, but Hesperos knew they had no time to
linger. He carried his children down to the
surf, washing them in the clean ocean water,
desperately hoping to see a familiar finned
back. He would have sobbed with relief when
he saw her break water had he been able to
make a sound. He ran over to the hippocampus
mare, embracing her around her long graceful
neck. He gave her the fish, then, while she
ate, he gathered up his twins once more.
Returning to the mare, he got onto her back,
and pointed her in the direction of the
Shalva port, hoping beyond hope that he would
find Atoninn there.
***---***
The
mare carried them to the port, letting
Hesperos off near the docks, but far enough
away that he could remain hidden from
unfriendly eyes. His twins were wet and
miserable, and crying. He would have liked to
do a little crying himself, but he knew he
would not be safe until he found Atoninn,
assuming Atoninn had survived the shipwreck.
There was every chance Atoninn was nothing
more than hydra droppings at the bottom of
the sea, but he had to look. He had to try.
Hesperos
wearily hoisted his unhappy sons and began
plodding towards the small building where the
magistrate would be, body shaking, his joints
afire. He was ill and cold, and he did not
know how much further he could go before he
simply collapsed.
"You!"
said a voice.
Hesperos
turned in dread, eyes huge, terrified he
would find one of Augustus' men coming for
him. He saw a huge, burly man, balding,
dressed as a slaver, carrying a whip and
coming towards him. Hesperos felt himself
drop to his knees, eyes welling with tears as
the slave dealer halted before him.
"Is
your name Hesperos?"
Hesperos
opened his mouth, trying to speak, praying
that Zeus would grant him the ability to talk
to this man, if only for a moment. The slaver
looked him over.
"You
must be Hesperos, you certainly fit his
description. I am Cenon. Your master Atoninn
is searching high and low for you."
Hesperos
closed his eyes and promised Zeus another
bull as the huge man took his arm and helped
him up.
"Come
along, come with me. I will take you to my
home and have your master alerted. I'll give
you something to eat as well; you looked as
though you could use it. Come along, make
haste, I don't want to be standing here all
evening!"
Hesperos
followed along after the man, feeling safe at
last. Cenon led him to a little house behind
the warehouse where the new slaves were kept.
Once there, Cenon put Hesperos and his twins
in a back room, asking his wife to bring them
food, water to wash with, a new khiton for
Hesperos, and fresh cloth diapers for the
babies. Washed, fed and safer than they had
been for days, Hesperos collapsed on the
simple bed with his twin sons to sleep, while
Cenon set out for the villa of Anibal to let
Atoninn know his slave had been found.
***---***
Augustus
thought long and hard upon Atoninn's offer as
he whiled away the day, shadowed wherever he
went by Myles. If the fool was willing to
offer money for the infants, then why not let
him have them? It was coin in his pocket, and
he was just going to let them die anyway.
Finally, as he was sitting down to his
supper, he barked the name of one of his
slaves.
"Daphnis!"
The
slave appeared. He was thin and nervous, and
badly scarred from repeated beatings.
"Yes
Master?"
"Go
to the cupboards in the cellar and bring me
the twins, if they are still alive. Leave the
bitch, though. I have no use for him"
The
slave scuttled off to do as he was bid, while
Augustus eyed his beautiful catamite,
ignoring the angry looks given him by his
wife, Adara. She, like his slaves, had long
ago learned to keep her thoughts to herself,
and she said nothing as Augustus began
running his strong hands over Myles' body
right before her. He was still pawing him
when the slave came running back.
"Master
they have escaped."
Augustus
snapped his attention to Daphnis.
"What?! How?"
"He
dug his way out, Master. The wall must have
been weak."
Augustus
screamed in rage and threw his laden silver
plate at the slave. The slave instantly began
scrambling to clean the mess, while Augustus
raved in a fury.
"Myles!
Come with me. I know where this bitch is
heading. We will teach him to steal from
me!"
Augustus
stormed out of the villa, screaming for his
horse to be brought to him. Adara sighed and
looked at the slave picking up the spilled
food and wine.
"Take
heart, Daphnis. We can always poison him
tomorrow."
"Yes
Mistress. Perhaps we can throw his body into
the paddock with the new stallion, and make
it look as if the horse did it?"
"Oh
I like that idea. Here's a better one. We'll
use one of the poisoned daggers his little
tart is so fond of and blame it on him."
Daphnis
grinned. "Far be it from me to question
your wisdom, Mistress."
***---***
It was
late, and Atoninn was drinking with Anibal in
the villa garden. Both were well into their
cups, dabbling their feet in a huge fountain
that featured a truly obscene marble statue
of Pan making love to a goat. Lion had gone
to bed, and Darith was passed out on one of
the elaborate couches.
"Can't
hold his wine," remarked Anibal.
Atoninn
gave his friend a bleary look. "Well I
never let him have four bottles before."
Anibal
raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of
wine, considering he already had all of his
dinner and most of mine."
"I
told you he's a pain. You'll be sending him
back to me ere the year is up."
"Never!"
Anibal grinned. "I love him. And he is
so cute when he is tempting the fates."
"Cute,
aye, he is that. And a pain. You'll be
beseeching the goddess Cybele to call him to
her service."
"Cybele..."
said Anibal slowly, thoughtfully.
"She
is the one who demands self castration as a
sacrifice."
Anibal
spat wine. "Nay I will be doing no such
thing! I'll have no cymbal-clashing
cross-dressing nutless wonder in MY villa! If
he is an irritant I will give him his papers
and coin for travel and send him home to you,
and you can do the same for
what's-his-name."
"Farris."
"Farris,
aye. Remind me why I sold you him?"
"He
can read."
"Oh,
yes, that would be it. He has the wit of a
goat, you know."
"So
long as he can read."
Anibal
laughed quietly, and poured his friend more
wine. He sighed heavily, seeing the sadness
in Atoninn's eyes.
"Do
not despair, my friend. We shall find your
Beauty, and his sons. This I promise you. If
a trip to Macedonia is called for, then I
shall go in your stead, and leave you to keep
an eye on my holdings. I have been there
before, and am somewhat familiar with the
place."
"Let
us hope it does not come to that," said
Atoninn.
The
attention of the two men was abruptly caught
as there was a commotion in the villa, and
one of Anibal's slaves came running to the
garden.
"Master,
Augustus is here, and he is shouting that he
has been robbed!"
"Robbed?"
said Anibal, doing his best to stand.
"Rubbish! I've not robbed him!"
"Begging
your pardon, Master, but he is not claiming
that it was you who robbed him. He is
claiming it was your friend Atoninn."
"Bull
pizzels!" said Atoninn. "I've not
robbed him either!"
Augustus
himself came storming into the garden,
clearly enraged. "Atoninn! You have
stolen from me!"
"I
have stolen nothing!" Atoninn hotly
retorted.
"You
did! You stole the twins! Admit it!"
"The
twins? How could I have stolen the twins when
they are on their way to Macedonia?!"
Augustus
planted himself directly before the drunken
man. "I only said as such because I did
not wish to be parted from them! But when I,
out of the generosity and kindness of my
heart, changed my mind and decided to sell
them to you, at a fair price of course, I am
told they are gone!"
"Gone?
But...?" Atoninn paused, a thought
coming to mind. He narrowed his eyes.
"Then you must have had Hesperos in your
clutches! None other would have taken them!
You dare call me a thief?! Clearly sir it is
YOU who are a thief! A thief and a
liar!"
Augustus
gasped as though he were a man of impeccable
virtue. "I merely gave room to a man
traveling alone! He was wet and hungry, and I
offered him a place to sleep, and this is how
he paid me back! By stealing! Oh how the Gods
will curse such a man!"
Atoninn
growled. If Augustus did have Hesperos in his
clutches at one time, there was no proof of
it, and none to say he did more than offer
him a bed. The local magistrate and senate
would not look kindly upon accusations
leveled at one of their most wealthy and
powerful citizens.
"Very
well then," growled Atoninn. "I
will help you seek this thief out, then
purchase these twins."
"Nay.
I have changed my mind. They are far too
valuable, and besides I have grown most fond
of them. I could not possibly part with them!
You WILL help me find them, Atoninn, since it
was YOUR slave who robbed me!"
Atoninn
sighed. "Very well. But not
tonight!"
"We
shall search in the morning," said
Anibal. "In the meantime, good sir, let
me make the hospitality of my villa available
to you."
"I
am in your debt, sir."
Anibal
left the garden to take his unwanted guests
to their rooms for the night, leaving Atoninn
to sit in the garden and ruminate upon the
current situation, frustrated. At least it
seemed likely that Hesperos was alive. Now to
find him and the twins, and, unfortunately,
if Augustus insisted, return the babies to
him. He sipped his wine and tried to think
what to do.
The
slave reappeared in the garden. "My
Lord, you have a visitor. He claims he has
most urgent news, and desires to speak with
you at once."
Atoninn
sighed heavily. "Bring him to me, then.
Let us hope it is at least good news."
The
slave bowed, then ran to do as he was bid. A
brief time later, Cenon appeared. Atoninn
felt his heart leap.
"Cenon?
Have you news?"
Cenon
nodded. "I have. Your slave turned up at
the docks. He seems to have washed ashore
with the tide."
"Tell
me he is well!"
"He
is, well and safe at my home. He was
exhausted and half-starved, and so were the
two babes he carried."
Atoninn
silently thanked the Gods. "He had the
children! Oh this is better than I could have
hoped. Take me to him."
Cenon
nodded, and waited while Atoninn gave
instructions to the slave to tell his master
that he had gone to the home of Cenon the
Slave Dealer to pick up Hesperos. Atoninn
went to the stable to borrow a horse, and
then he and Cenon rode off for the town.
***---***
Hesperos
raised his head, feeling a light touch on his
shoulder. He blinked, realizing it was just
past dawn; he had slept straight through the
night. A gentle hand stroked his hair, and as
he turned to look at who was touching him, he
saw Atoninn seated on the bed. Hesperos sat
up and threw his arms around him, holding him
close, shivering, weeping silently, relishing
the soothing feeling of his master's hand
gently stroking his back.
"Cenon,
have you a wax tablet and stylus?" asked
Atoninn.
Cenon
nodded and went to get the things he was
asked for, returning quickly with the
requested items. Atoninn passed them to
Hesperos.
"Where
have you been? What happened?"
Hesperos
took the stylus in his bandaged hand and told
his master about ending up on the sand bar,
his near-rape at the hands of sailors, ending
up on the shores of Shalva, his capture by
Augustus, and lastly ending up in the
cupboard in the cellar, left in to die with
his twins. He left out the part about the
hippocampus for fear his master would think
him mad.
"But
I was just at his home yesterday!" said
Atoninn. "Do you mean to tell me you
were digging your way out of his cellar while
I was there, and he said nothing?"
Hesperos
nodded, and unraveled the bandages to show
Atoninn his torn and bleeding hands, the
ragged flesh still oozing. Atoninn looked at
Cenon.
"Augustus
knew full well Hesperos is now my slave! He
had no right!"
"Men
as powerful as Augustus oft do as they
please," said Cenon. "Had your
slave not escaped none of us would be the
wiser!"
"Well
I am the wiser!" said Atoninn, grinding
his teeth in anger. "Perhaps one crime
will even out another." He looked down
at the twins, then at Hesperos, hating what
he had to say. "He wants the twins
back."
Hesperos
eyes widened, and he shook his head, and
scrawled, "He will kill them!"
"I
know," said Atoninn softly, "but if
he will not sell them there is naught we can
do."
Hesperos
pointed repeatedly at his last message.
"He will kill them! He will kill
them!"
"I
know," said Atoninn softly.
"Hesperos I am so sorry."
Hesperos
stared at Atoninn, large dark eyes full of
fear and helplessness. Then he looked up
sharply as he heard Augustus' voice booming
through Cenon's humble house. "Atoninn!
You have my property, and I have brought the
magistrate with me! Return them to me
now!"
Atoninn
sighed. "He must have seen us leaving
Anibal's villa." He looked at Hesperos,
feeling his stomach clench. "We must
return the twins to him, Hesperos."
Hesperos
shook his head. Atoninn sighed. "Let me
speak to him."
He left
the room, finding Augustus in the yard before
the little house, his anger growing. He
marched up to the larger man, and before
Augustus could utter a word, said; "You
dog, you knew I was looking for Hesperos and
you had him locked in your cellar the whole
time! You dare call me thief?"
Augustus
gaped. Clearly he had not expected Atoninn to
know what he had done. He backed up a step,
then recovered his composure.
"I
did no such thing!"
"You
did do this and Hesperos told me!"
"It
matters not, you have your slave back but I
do not have mine back!"
The
magistrate, a fat, puffing red-faced man
named Nestor, stepped between the two.
"Now
calm yourselves, esteemed gentlemen, there is
no need to talk of theft. I am certain we can
work this out as civilized men. Atoninn, you
have your slave back, do you not?"
"I
do," said Atoninn, staring at Augustus,
eyes fixed and cold.
"And
he is in good condition?"
"Save
for the grievous injuries to his hands,
yes."
"And
he has these twins Augustus speaks of? And
they are in good condition?"
"Yes."
"Then
return the twins to their rightful owner and
we shall call the matter even. Unless
Augustus is inclined to sell them?"
"I
am not," growled Augustus.
By now
a crowd had gathered, drawn by the shouts,
and stood, watching in curiosity. Included
were a few of the local senators, come to
watch the excitement before resuming their
morning stroll to the local senate house.
The
magistrate looked towards Cenon. "Be so
good as to bring the twins to their rightful
owner, my fine man."
Cenon
nodded and went to do as he was bid, while
Augustus and Atoninn faced off in raging
silence. Suddenly a man in the crowd shouted
and pointed.
"Look!
Heading for the sea!"
Atoninn
knew what the man was looking at before he
turned his head, and seeing it only confirmed
his fears. It was Hesperos, heading as fast
as he could to the water, and he had the
twins.
"Oh
what is he up to?" growled Atoninn.
"Thief!"
bellowed Augustus.
Atoninn
ran after Hesperos, followed hotly by
Augustus and the crowd. The magistrate and
senators did not run, however. They were too
important. Atoninn chased after his slave.
"Hesperos!
Stop this instant!"
Hesperos
had absolutely no intention of stopping. He
kept going fast as he could, but his long
lead was shortening. He could not run as fast
as those chasing him with the weight of the
twins. But he managed to stay ahead long
enough to get into the water. Clutching his
sons as best as he was able, he pulled a
dried fish out of his belt pouch and began
slapping the water with it, looking around
franticly. Atoninn reached the edge of the
water and watched his slave, head cocked to
one side.
Anibal
was suddenly at Atoninn's side, taking his
arm. "Atoninn what is that man
doing?"
Atoninn
watched his slave beat the water with a fish.
"I confess I have not a clue."
"He's
trying to make us think he is mad and so save
his hide," said Augustus. "Call him
out!"
"Hesperos!"
called Atoninn. "Come to your master
right now!"
Hesperos
shook his head adamantly. A few in the crowd
tittered. Naughty misbehaving slaves were
great fun, so long as they belonged to
another. Atoninn sighed.
"Hesperos!
What are you doing?"
Hesperos
showed him the fish, then hit the water with
it.
"As
you suspected," said Anibal. "He is
beating the sea with a fish. You are lucky he
is so beautiful, he is clearly mad."
"He's
not," said Atoninn. "I just do not
yet know his purpose..."
His
last words trailed off as he saw a beautiful
silvery back break through the waves. The
creature approached fast, reaching Hesperos.
Then a small, delicate head came up from the
water, set elegantly upon a long graceful
neck. The creature was silver with fine black
stripes, her filmy mane glittering in the
sunlight as she extended her head to daintily
take the fish. Hesperos stroked her neck,
smiling as she nuzzled him. He set his twins
upon her back, and then looked over at the
shore.
The
entire crowd stared in utter silence,
stunned. Some went down to their knees in
reverence at the sight of the steed of
Poseidon. The hippocampus shook her head and
made an almost dolphin-like sound, pawing the
waves with a foreleg that ended not in a
hoof, but a flared fin. Hesperos put his arms
around her neck, watching those gathered on
the beach.
It was
Nestor the magistrate who stepped forward at
last. He looked rather shaken by the
unexpected turn of events, but was determined
to show his worth.
"My
friends, clearly this slave, for whatever
reason pleasing to the god Poseidon, has
gained the protection of the sea-god. As this
town owes its prosperity to the sea, we will
not incur the wrath of mighty Poseidon by
pursuing this slave any farther. Indeed so
long as he stands in the safety of the sea,
no man may touch him."
"But
what of my property?" groused Augustus.
Atoninn
turned and said in a magnanimous tone;
"Augustus, it is not fair you should be
robbed of a good price for these twins.
Permit me to pay you one thousand drachmas
for them, so that you may be compensated.
Surely you are far too wise to risk your
ships to the ire of Poseidon by trying to
take these children back from their
father?"
Augustus
stared at Atoninn, hate in his eyes. But his
words were polite. "Such a generous gift
you offer me. I graciously accept."
"Then
the matter is settled!" declared Nestor.
"Let all slaves have this day to rest,
and let no work be done! This is a day of
feast and celebration in honour of the
generosity of these two fine men, and to show
our gratitude for the gracious kindness of
Poseidon!"
The
crowd cheered loudly, especially the slaves.
Their masters were less excited, but it was
still an excuse to have a day off. Anibal
patted Atoninn on the back.
"Well
done my friend. I shall get my boat and we
will go pick your slave out of the sea. I do
not think we wish to risk him coming back to
the shore. He may stay there until you are
ready to depart."
Atoninn
and Anibal sailed the pleasure craft to where
Hesperos now stood, chest deep in the water,
supporting his sons on the back of the
hippocampus. He was plucked from the sea
along with his children, and Atoninn threw
his arms around him, holding him tightly, not
minding how wet he was.
"I
feared I would never see you again," he
whispered.
Hesperos
closed his eyes, relieved to be safe at last.
Then the entire boat shuddered as something
hit it, and he looked to see his hippocampus
sitting on the deck, looking smug. She showed
Anibal her teeth, and he fled to the far end
of the boat. Atoninn sighed.
"I
believe your friend has made it clear that
she is coming home with us and that is that.
Well, far be it from me to argue with a lady.
But you did not tell me about her. Seems
there is more to this story than I was led to
believe."
Hesperos
smiled and kissed him. Anibal dropped anchor,
then hopped overboard to get away from the
mare's teeth, and to give his friend some
privacy.
***---***
Atoninn,
Hesperos, Lion, the children, and the
hippocampus arrived home two weeks later.
Atoninn had sent word that a great pool was
to be built and filled with seawater on the
grounds of his villa, and he was pleased to
see the work underway when he arrived. The
mare supervised construction from inside a
great tub, hardly large enough to contain her
but suitable for keeping her delicate skin
wet, and she was fed fresh kelp and fish from
the sea three times daily. Atoninn also kept
his word to free Hesperos and award him his
title, as well as adopt the children as his
lawful heirs. He was less delighted to pay
for four bulls to be sacrificed to Zeus, but
a promise to the supreme ruler of the gods
must be kept. All in all, Atoninn considered
himself to be most blessed. Indeed the only
person who did not seem delighted with the
way things had turned out was Lion, but he
did not complain. He settled back into his
duties, and tried not to think about Darith.
Atoninn
missed Darith as well. His new slave was
quiet and efficient, but nowhere near as
entertaining, and Atoninn missed Darith's
friendship as well as his antics. The villa
seemed far too quiet without him, but he
contented himself that his former slave was
happy and well looked after. Still, he could
not help but think about him.
It was
about eight weeks later that Atoninn awoke to
a strange sound. He lay in bed, trying to
place the noise. It was a crunching, or a
chewing, and far too large to be a rat.
Atoninn lay with the covers over his head,
hoping the noise would stop, then finally
flung back the blankets. His eyes grew large
at the sight before him.
"Darith!"
"Good
morning master. Breakfast is exceptional this
morning. You really should try some."
Atoninn
sat up, staring in astonishment at the man
helping himself to his breakfast.
"Darith what in the name of Hades are
you doing here?"
"Anibal
made good on his promise to send me home
should I prove to be too much trouble."
Atoninn
sighed. "You put pins in his wife's
seat, didn't you?"
"I
did no such thing! I put them in her
gown."
"Darith..."
"I
shall take myself out and have myself flogged
forthwith, master."
"See
that you do. Then fetch me something you
haven't eaten and arrange to send Anibal's
slave back to him."
"With
pleasure, master. And may I say it is good to
be home."
Atoninn
smiled. "It is good to have you back.
Now shoo. Do as you are told for once."
Darith
smiled. "As you wish master."
Darith
rose from the bed and left the room. Atoninn
sighed heavily and rolled over to put his arm
around Hesperos' small frame.
"The
family is whole once again," he said
quietly.
Hesperos
smiled and rolled towards Atoninn, putting
his slender arms around his neck, closing his
eyes in silent pleasure as he kissed him. He
felt his Atoninn's hands move over his body,
carefully avoiding the joints that were
already deteriorating and painful from
Hesperos' life as a skinny slave boy, hauling
sand for the stables. Hesperos reached for a
wax tablet and stylus.
"Will
you still think me beautiful when I am old
and crippled?"
Atoninn
grinned. "Of course I do."
Hesperos
stuck his tongue out at him, and Atoninn drew
him close, moving him onto his back, and
lying over top of him. He kissed him,
stroking his hands over his body, then
reaching for the oil in the silver container
on the small table beside the bed.
"Hesperos,"
Atoninn said quietly, "I shall think you
beautiful if you become the oldest, fattest,
and slowest man on Icaria, with a beard you
could use as a toga. My only wish is I never
know another day without you."
Hesperos
smiled, and kissed him, relaxing as he felt
his lover's gentle hands sooth and caress his
pained joints, and begin softly preparing him
for lovemaking.
***---***
The
research vessel 'Sunfire' sat on the calm
sea, the sunlight shining softly on her as
she bobbed gently on the water just a few
miles off the coast of Cephalonia. There were
two men standing on board, looking down into
the water. They had come to investigate a
reef here, said to have once been a trio of
islands. They watched as a female scuba diver
broke the surface of the water.
"I
am sure this is the place!" she called
to the men on the boat, looking delighted.
"But
our research proved that one of the islands
was called Icaria," said one of the men.
"And Icaria is all the way over in the
Aegean! This is the Ionian sea!"
"Must
be a coincidence, a second island with the
same name!" she cried. "Toss me a
ladder, I found something."
The men
rolled the ladder down to let her ascend onto
the vessel. She climbed up, then walked over
to a table to empty the little mesh bag she
had with her.
"The
whole place is completely intact, the islands
must have sunk very fast when they finally
did. No one had a chance to do any serious
looting before the place vanished. But look
at this. I know the ancients were fond of
puns, but I can't make this out."
She
showed her two friends a gold plate that had
once been attached to something, possibly a
slab of marble. They cleaned it off, and
studied the words engraved on it. All were
well versed in Latin and ancient Greek, but
there was something odd about this.
"It's
a joke," said one of the men.
"Trouble is I think it's an 'in' joke,
and we're a few thousand years too late to
get it."
They
laid the plate on the table, reading and
re-reading it, the sun warm on their
shoulders as they studied the object before
them. One of the men slowly read it aloud.
"Know
you, friends, that here lies Hesperos, whom
the Gods named Beauty, who did with great
strain, as well as the aid of Poseidon and
four bulls, bear for his master twin sons in
his 20th year. He departed for the underworld
four days after his beloved companion
Atoninn, in his 53rd year. I, Darith, wrote
this. Lion made this plate."
They
were too busy studying the plate to notice
the slender, elegant head that poked out of
the water. The nostrils snuffled the strange
scents of the ship, then the head dipped back
into the water. A black stripped body arched
down into the water, diving deep to the kelp
forests that now surrounded what had once
been a villa with a swimming pool, keeping
watch over the silent ruins as she had for
over two thousand years.
