The Bow of Heaven - Book I: The Other Al - By Andrew Levkoff Page 0,80
prove my patriotism and my loyalty by disbanding my army unilaterally.”
“Marcus ...”
“I had to do it, love. And when we return to the city next week, I will make good on my promise.”
“No wonder you’ve seemed preoccupied ever since we arrived. I should have been more supportive.”
Crassus chuckled. “I can’t imagine how. Unless you can perform some kind of magic and cancel that picnic at Solfatara tomorrow.”
“I will if you wish it. But I think we should take the waters. The fumes will do you good. Relax you.”
“I have no doubt. It’s the noxious gases spewing from the likes of Cicero, Lucullus and the others we came here to escape that I would rather not inhale.”
“Don’t worry, my sweet,” Tertulla said, rising to stand before her husband. She took his hands and drew him to his feet. Crassus watched as the motion caused a pair of water drops to fall from the rapidly rising tips of her nipples. “I’ll protect you. Now come with me.”
“Where to, my pet?”
“To the anointment room.”
They walked naked to the small unctuarium, adjacent to the warm pool. I followed and found another wall. I would continue to do so until Crassus gave me permission to retire.
Livia was waiting for them. Her short, cream tunic was cinched tight about the waist, pulling its hem halfway up her thighs, the sight of which made my toes ache. As soon as she saw our masters, she began pouring the wine that she had fetched, having diluted it only slightly with spring water.
“Are you doing the honors this evening, Livia? What happened to Tranio?”
“I asked for Livia to attend us,” his wife said. “I’m certain you will approve of the substitution. But first, Alexander has earned his rest. May I dismiss him?”
“Why? I need him: he is the whetting stone upon which I sharpen my wit.”
“Now is not the time for rhetoric. Besides, I think you’ll find Livia’s tongue just as sharp. Please?”
Livia handed dominus a cup of wine. “Well,” Crassus said, taking the offered cup, “personally I think you’re working her too hard.” He sipped the wine. “Gods! This is ambrosia.”
“It’s the best we have,” Tertulla said. “Livia, join us.”
“Thank you, domina.” She poured herself half a cup and emptied it. “To the house of Crassus. May it’s strength multiply like the silver coins in its coffers.”
“Splendid,” Crassus said. “Well spoken.” He took a mouthful of wine and closed his eyes to savor it.
“Your impertinence is excusable,” Tertulla said, “But do not think it goes unnoticed.”
“Am I missing something?” Crassus asked.
“She mocks us, dear. You sent her mother to mine your silver in Greece.”
“An Alexander in female guise. Delightful!”
“Perform your best, Livia,” Tertulla said. “The past is set down in a thousand thousand indelible scrolls. But the future is a blank parchment forever in wait of a present.”
“Yes, domina.”
“Those were sad times for this house,” Crassus said. “Best we put them behind us.” His voice had turned as unyielding as concrete, his subtext clear: the judgment of Sabina was final.
I had been required to be in attendance during many forms of my masters’ copulations, from parties with over a hundred guests to the more frequent and private meetings of husband and wife. This was the first time Livia had ever been summoned to take part. I had not thought of Greece for years, but now I found myself longing desperately for home. My gaze rose to the cove ceiling, both to avert my eyes and to keep my self-pity from rolling down my cheeks.
“Come,” Tertulla said, wanting to regain a lighter mood, “let us use the new unguents we got in town today. You’re going to love these, Marcus. Livia, the rosaceum and the crocus-oil.”
“Crocus-oil?” Crassus asked. “How much did you pay for that? Never mind, I don’t want to know.” He put the cup down and raised his arms.
“With your permission, dominus?” Livia asked, her tone moderately strained, our master thoroughly oblivious. Crassus nodded, and she opened the two ampullae oleariae and handed one to her mistress. Wife and slave anointed dominus with the precious unguents and began in earnest to apply them.
“Dominus,” I said. “Please, may I be excused?”
“Let him go, love. Truly, we do not require an audience.”
“I see, so that’s where we’re headed. Well as it happens, I like an audience. Besides, Alexander may be master of all things ethereal and esoteric, but he is sorely lacking in the ways of the flesh. We do him a service by insisting that he stay.”