Zelamir

Sejanus

Chapters 28-30

Chapter 28

A naked boy was kneeling on a stool looking out of the window. Marius eyes travelled down the boy's body, taking in his head of glistening black hair, the iron ring round his delicate neck, his slim shoulders, the line of his back gently rising to the sweetly curved rump with it two deep dimples on either side and the imperial eagle seared into the smooth flesh of his left flank, the firm rounded thighs and shins and the bare vulnerable little boy's feet. Marius saw with a jump in his heart that the boy had had his big toes removed.

"Helios," he cried.

"You're awake Mariullus," Helios said turning round his face lit by a broad grin.

"Well," Helios said clambering down from the window and settling himself on the edge of the couch. Marius felt the mattress sink under the other boy's weight as he wriggled his bottom back to get himself comfortably settled. "You didn't come back out of the prison for ages and ages and I was getting really worried. I was running out of things to do with that guardsman. I'd done the peeled carrot twice and the rutting peacock and I was just about to try the rhinoceros's horn in desperation when the earth quake began. I told him that my father must have missed me and was throwing his thunder bolts about in a temper and that was what was causing the problem. I said if he prayed hard and I slipped away my father wouldn't find out what we'd been up to and he'd be all right."

"So he kneeled down and started to moan and wave his arms about and I got away. There were lots of guardsmen about and slaves but they were all frightened and rushing about and they didn't take any notice of me so I just went back to the palace. It was really frightening going through the hall with all the wild animals because they were all mad with fear roaring and trumpeting and throwing themselves about but I got back all right."

"Next day when you still weren't about I didn't know what to do so I told Sisyphus what had happened and he sort of sat for a moment with his head in his hands moaning like as if he was upset - I can't think why. But I went on and on a bit and he said he'd better try to find out what had happened to you. He was gone a long time and when he came back he said no one had seen you and the roof of the tunnel into the rocks going down to the dungeons had fallen in during the quake so he thought you must be still down there and so I said I was going to get a pick and go and look for you and he said not to be stupid."

"And then the news came that Tiberius had died right at the time of the earthquake [Author's note: there is historical evidence for this, the earthquake was said to have been so severe that the light house at Capri was destroyed] and all the freedmen and the Praetorian Guards were too busy worrying and plotting who was to be the next Emperor to bother about anything else so I found a pick and started to try to clear the tunnel but it was very hard work and the stones were some very big rocks."

"I wasn't getting very far when Sisyphus turned up because he'd missed me and he wanted me to stop but I said I wouldn't and if he took me away I'd only wait till his back was turned and come back again. So he shouted at me a bit but I wouldn't stop so he said all right he'd help me because he didn't want me squashed when the rest of the roof came down."

"I thought that was really nice of him and he worked very hard too but it took us a long time and we worked and worked for ages and we were just getting somewhere when a whole lot of soldiers and slaves suddenly appeared. They grabbed us and we were taken up to the Praetorian Barracks to be questioned. They started on Sisyphus first and he's very brave Mariullus he really is. They stripped him and they started to hit him about and he screamed a bit- well I would scream if they hit me there too anyone would wouldn't they?" and finally Helios stopped for breath.

"Yes they would," Marius replied to this plea for understanding, "I screamed an awful lot too."

"And they worked on him a lot but still he didn't say anything and then a soldier turned up and said it was the Emperor's orders they were to stop. And they asked him what they were to do with us and the soldier said he didn't know because the Emperor hadn't said anything. So they threw Sisyphus and me in a cell and I tried to help Sisyphus but I couldn't do much except hold his head on my knees while he lay on the floor and groaned"

"He's quite big too you know not as big as that guardsman but big enough Mariullus. You wouldn't think it when he's got his clothes on. I hope they haven't hurt him permanently down there."

Helios paused a moment in though and then continued.

"Well they left us there for some time alone but I could hear them talking and shouting in the guardroom outside the cell and they were drinking and they began saying it was waste to have a pretty little slave boy sitting in a cell without making use of him and they should have me out and fuck me while they had the chance. And then they came in and grabbed me and Sisyphus tried to stop them which was very brave of him because he could hardly stand and there was five of them anyway so they knocked him about a bit more. And they just had me bent over the table and were throwing dice to decide who was to be the first to fuck me when a really high ranking soldier came in and shouted at them to stop. And they all stood to attention and called him Sir and Tribune and then he ordered them to take Sisyphus off and have him looked after and told them they'd all be on charges if he died. And he told me to come with him and he brought me here and told me to wait till you woke up and that I could be company for you."

"Oh and he gave me this for you. I think he might give you something a bit better a high ranking officer like him if he fancies you - gold or something with a stone in it," and Helios held out to Marius a plain silver ring. "And he said to tell you he knew now you weren't a thief and he was sorry he said you were which is funny thing for a soldier to say to a slave boy."

Marius took the ring and slipped it on his index finger. It was the only thing he had to remember his lord by.

Then it was Marius's turn to tell his story to Helios. Afterwards the two boys dosed intermittently through the day. They were woken as the afternoon light began to fade by a maid carrying a tray on which stood a large bowl, a ewer of water and a loaf of bread. She placed it on a table and left the room without speaking

Helios was off the couch in a second with Marius following more slowly for he was still stiff and very sore from his whipping and other mistreatment.

"There's meat in this stew Mariullus," Helios said excitedly "and wheaten bread," he added between munches. "Come on before I eat it all. I don't know when I last had white bread."

There was silence for the time being as the two boys squatted opposite each other and shovelled food into their mouths. At last the bowl of stew was empty and the last crumb of white bread was eaten.

"That was good," Helios said licking his fingers clean, "it's the first time for ages and ages that I haven't felt hungry 3; I wonder what's going to happen to us now 3;"

"I don't know," Mariullus replied. "I suppose we belong to the new emperor now and we'll just have to wait till he makes up his mind what he wants to do with us. Maybe he won't want to keep us minnows and we'll all be sold 3; 3;"

"What's all the noise out there?" he continued changing the subject for there was no point spending time discussing their future over which as slaves they naturally had no control.

"Oh they're building the pyre to cremate Lord Drusus body at dusk this evening on the point at the end of the palace terrace. The Tribune told me and said to tell you but I forgot," Helios replied a little guiltily. "There was so much more to talk about."

"I would like to be there," Marius said wistfully for he knew that a mere slave boy like him could not attend such an important and dignified a ceremony.

"We could sneak out onto the terrace and watch the procession," Helios suggested. "You could see the body being carried past. "Nobody would mind that - it isn't as if we will be in the way."

As dusk was falling the two boys crept from their room and hid themselves in a door way leading out on to the terrace a short way away from the place where the pyre had been built. The shadows lengthened and there was the sound of tramping feet. A contingent of the Praetorian Guard in full ceremonial uniform marching in slow time with arms reversed appeared, behind them followed a simple litter bearing a figure shrouded in white cotton carried on the shoulders of further guardsman. The two slave boys sank to their knees as the litter passed them and remained there as a crowd of splendidly uniformed senior soldiers and white robed patricians walked slowly by. This group was headed by the Emperor Gaius, dressed in a glittering steel corselet chased in gold and a flowing purple cloak, carrying a massive silver goblet. Walking close behind him on his left hand side dressed in the rather shabby uniform of a senior legionary officer, his hand on his sword hilt, was a figure that both boys recognised, the tribune Junius.

The Emperor's gazed steadily ahead of him at the shrouded figure of his dead brother. Junius's eyes shifted constantly, they rested for a moment on the two boys crouched in the shadow of the doorway, paused, seeing them only as a potential threat to the man he gaurded, and moved on having decided they were harmless.

The procession arrived at the pyre. The body was lifted from the litter and placed on the heaped timbers. A slave stood by with a burning torch ready to light the fire that would begin the Lord Drusus's journey to the after world. Marius crept a little out of the sheltering door way to watch. Gaius stepped forward to the base of the pyre and raised the silver goblet above his head. He glanced round demanding silence. His gaze fell on Marius slight figure.

"Boy," he ordered, "come here."

Junius moved forward and whispered urgently in his ear. Gaius shrugged him off and repeated his command in a louder voice. A murmur of surprise and a snigger or two rose from the group of soldiers and patricians about the Emperor as they saw a naked slave boy, his body still bearing the marks the marks of a recent whipping and other and worse abuse, stumbling terrified towards them. A guardsman thinking to curry favour aimed a kick at Marius as he passed and sent him stumbling forward. With his left arm strapped to his chest the boy was unable to recover his balance and tumbled forward on his face. The sniggers rose to a roar of cruel laughter.

The most dangerous moment in a tyranny for a courtier or minister is when the old ruler dies and the new one succeeds. Many in the crowd were aware that they had sort to curry favour with Tiberius up to the moment of his death and that they had done nothing to help Drusus when he was sent to starve to death in the dungeons below the palace. They knew nothing of Marius and saw his presence merely as a welcome diversion from a ceremony that could raise embarrassing questions about their past behaviour.

Gaius said nothing but stepping forward bent and helped Marius to his feet. He turned the boy to face the pyre and signalled to the slave to set the timbers alight. He placed the silver goblet in Marius's hands.

"Boy," he commanded in a loud voice, "you will say the libation."

"Sir," Junius whispered urgently, "it is unfitting 3; A slave boy 3;"

"There is no person more fitting here," Gaius replied loudly. "The boy risked his life to bring food to my brother when he was starving, he warmed his body and comforted him when he was dying. He remained faithful when all others deserted him."

"A slave boy Sir," Junius urged again.

"He is no slave."

"But Sir he is but a boy and a slave cannot be manumitted until he is twenty-four and any way Sir a freedman would not be suitable either."

"Marius Fideles (Marius the faithful) was never a slave. I am the supreme law giver and if I wished I could make my horse a consul. I certainly can declare a boy not and never to have been a slave. Has his acts been the acts of a slave?"

Gaius's voice had begun to grow angry and his face was white with restrained rage. Junius shrugged and fell silent.

"Boy pour the libation," Gaius commanded once again.

Marius felt sick with fear. His hands trembled so much that the wine was in danger of slopping over the rim of the goblet as he raised it and then he began to speak. Once again he remembered his father's voice and the words of the ancient invocation came back to him and his voice gathered strength and power.

"To You Oh Drusus 3; ," the boy's voice rang out high and clear as he stood taught as a bow string and the grey smoke rose into the darkening sky and blew out over the slowly moving wine dark sea. As he said the words and watched the flames curl round the shrouded body of his dead lord he remembered another time and another place. Two naked slave boys determined their friend should not die unremembered pouring pilfered wine from a clay pot in a dark cellar in a surreptitious act of defiance. He remembered too his undischarged debt to the maid Pannychis who had succoured him when he was left to starve and had suffered for it.

Then the words were said and the magic left him and he was alone and terror gripped his soul.

He felt a cloak thrown round him and hands gripped him by the shoulders steadying him and stilling the trembling that racked his body.

"Well Marius Fideles what ever he is, slave or free, has done enough for today Sir," he heard Junius's voice say above his head. "What do you wish to do with him Sir."

"Take him away. Cloth him according to his rank, and remove that ridiculous collar from about his neck. I will decided late what his future will be. No doubt one of my loyal senators would be glad to adopt as a son so worthy a boy." There was more than a hint of mockery in Gaius's voice.

"It would be an honour Sir," one of the very patricians who a few minutes before was ready to join in humiliating and mocking Marius pushed himself forward bowing and smiling ingratiatingly.

"Sir do not overlook my claims I beg you Sir 3;" another courtier intervened. Three or four others followed him.

"I knew I could rely on the support of the Senate," Gaius remarked with an audible sneer, "now that I am in power."

Junius glanced round and caught the eye of a legionnaire standing in the background. The man, Paullus, Junius's soldier servant, came forward and took Marius from his master. Even before he had led the boy off the terrace a blacksmith had appeared and removed the metal collar from about Marius's neck.

Chapter 29

"He'll be all right boy," he said with rough kindness ruffling the child's hair, "you just climb in beside the young Master and keep him warm."

Laughing, for he saw from Helios's erect little prick that he was very willing to undertake this duty, he encouraged the boy with a sharp slap on his bare rump. If he had not had other tasks to perform he might well have spent some further time with Helios himself for an experienced soldier makes the most of the opportunities that come his way. However duty called, so casting a final regretful glance at Helios as the boy scrambled onto the couch and cuddled up close to the sleeping Marius, he left the two boys alone.

Marius woke briefly just as the first grey light of dawn was beginning to creep into the room. He lay there for a moment listening to Helios's soft breathing and enjoying the feel of his warm body pressed tight against his own before drifting quietly off to sleep again. When next he woke it was broad daylight. He was still sore but this time he had a raging hard on. He reached out for Helios but the boy was no longer there. He sat up and looked round.

"Oh you're awake Marius," Helios said turning to face him from where he had been bending over a pile of clothing on one of the tables. "You've been sent all sort of things but I wouldn't let them wake you up. Tunics and sandals and jewellery and stuff. I don't know what you'll want to wear today. I thought perhaps this plain white tunic with the red ribbing, the white would show up your brown skin, but this one with the red stripes would look good too and show off your legs, while the dark blue would go with your colouring especially if your hair hadn't been cropped. You'll have to choose Sir and the sandals there's 3;"

"Helios," Marius swinging his legs off the couch and placing his feet on the floor interrupted the boy's excited chatter, "shut up do please. The tunics and sandals and all the rest of it are very nice and we'll decide what both of us are to wear in a minute but first listen to me. We're friends. I'm Mariullus to you still and you're not to call me Marius nor Sir either. You've been just as brave as me and you'll be freed as soon as the Emperor gets round to it I'm sure."

Helios put down the tunic that he had been holding. He shifted uneasily from foot to foot.

"I don't know," he muttered awkwardly.

"What don't you know. I'm sure the Emperor will free you. He freed me."

"Not that 3; Mariullus 3; Sir," Helios replied hesitantly playing safe by using both the familiar name and the formal term of respect, "I mean I'm not sure if I want to be freed. I think it's more fun sometimes being a slave than a free boy."

"More fun," Marius exclaimed in amazement, "What about being branded and having your big toes cut off. That wasn't fun."

"No it wasn't," admitted Helios but then brightening continued, "but they can't cut them off again can they?"

"And being beaten and bossed around 3;"

"Well I was beaten awfully often when I was free. For not learning my lessons and not being punctual and clean and all sorts of silly things. I don't see much difference anyway. And as for being bossed around people were always telling me what to do my father, my mother, my teachers, grown ups, everybody. At least if you're a slave you've only got your Master to please. A free boy seems to have hundreds and hundreds and there are so many things a free boy has to do and think about. Lessons 3; who wants to spend their time mucking about with rhetoric and law and philosophy 3; whole lot of dumbos sitting in a cave looking at shadows and all 3; I couldn't understand that at all 3; 3; why caves why shadows 3; I think Plato's an ass 3; he only won all his arguments because he was arguing against himself. And having to work hard and behave yourself because you've got to do well when you've grown up. You don't have to learn philosophy if you're a slave and no one goes onto you about what you're going to be when you grow up."

"Well," Marius said interrupting this tirade with difficulty, "how about being liable to be fucked any old time by your Master or his friends."

Helios rubbed the sole of one bare foot against the inside of his opposite legs shin. Marius saw the boy's little prick spring to attention.

"I 3; I quite like the sex really Marius," he said in a rush, "and that's another thing. If you're free there are certain things you're not meant to do. If you're a free boy you're not meant to let yourself be fucked or to suck anyone or anything but I like being fucked and sucking too. What I would like is a nice kind Master who would only beat me when I deserved and then not very hard but took me to bed with him every night and other times as well."

Marius realised that Helios eyes were fastened on his own swollen cock clearly visible as he sat naked on the edge of the couch.

"I'm too sore to fuck anyone," he said reaching forward and taking hold of Helios's wrists.

He pulled downwards forcing the boy to his knees between his spread legs. He felt Helios run his tongue along the full length of his penis from its base in his balls to its pink helmeted top. The tip of the boy's tongue teased his slit for a moment before he took the whole length of his rod into his mouth. Being only a boy's tool it was not long enough to reach far down Helios's throat but it filled his mouth nicely. Marius grabbed Helios by the ears, the most delicious sensations transfused his body as the other boy used his lips and nimble tongue to work him to a climax.

The moment was just upon him, the blood roaring in his head and blackness beginning to fill his mind when Junius walked into the room. Helios was too deeply engrossed in his task even to notice while Marius was too far gone to react. The Tribune took in the situation at a glance. He laughed good naturedly.

"Get a move on boy," he ordered prodding Helios' bare bottom with his foot, "the Emperor wants to see the pair of you."

A few seconds later Helios was scrambling to his feet wiping the cum dribbling down his chin from his face with the back of his hand grinning cheerfully. Apparently not the slightest embarrassed by being found with another boy's cock in his mouth.

"I'm afraid you'll have to find another boy." Junius remarked to Marius as he hastily pulled a tunic on over his head, "The Emperor has made arrangements for this one's future. Shame really it clearly comes naturally to him."

"He was just as brave as me Sir," Marius protested.

"He followed your lead boy. That's his nature - to follow and serve - pity he won't be allowed to fulfil it. Now come on the pair of you Emperors do not like being kept waiting."

They found Gaius Ceasar sitting on an ornate stool in an open arcade looking out over the sea. A fat bald man with a knight's silver ring glittering on his index finger was standing near him chatting deferentially. Helios seeing the fat man gasped audibly and tried to hide himself behind Junius. Marius noticed Sisyphus sitting at desk littered with scrolls in the back ground. He raised his hand in greeting to the imperial slave to whose kindness he and Helios owed so much but was ignored. In fact Sisyphus looked utterly miserable.

"Welcome Uncle," Gaius said earning a furious glare from the Tribune, "I see you've got the two boys."

"Now you two I am selling the minnows off as I have no use for them but you distinguished yourselves in trying to save my brother Drusus and I am therefore making special arrangements for you. Marius I am not sure what I will do with you as yet and you will have to stay with me for a little time at least until I can make a decision. Helios I have had the records searched and your father traced and I am restoring you to him."

The fat man smiling unctuously advanced on Helios his arms spread wide to embrace him.

"He's not my father," the boy suddenly screamed. "He's not I won't go with him 3; I won't 3; 3;," he stumbled away and threw himself on his knees beside Sisyphus.

"Don't let him take me please Sir," he begged tearfully 3; "Tell them he isn't my father."

"Well Sisyphus you just assured me with the aid of your excellent records that this gentleman is Helios's father. What have you to say now?"

Sisyphus, who had slipped his hand round the kneeling boy's shoulders, looked both confused and obscurely pleased.

"The records Sir 3;" He began but was interrupted by Helios.

"He's not my father any more Sir he gave me to the Emperor Tiberius in return for his favour. I don't want to go back to him Sir I want to stay with Sisyphus."

"You prefer an imperial freedman to a rich merchant and knight?"

"Not a freedman Sir," Sisyphus ventured, "I have not been freed."

"Freedman I said," Gaius snapped impatience sounding in his voice and Sisyphus wisely did not argue further but contented himself with bowing his thanks.

"He doesn't care for me Sir," the boy said stoutly, "he was willing to give me away to be a boy whore to gain Tiberius's favour and he just wants me back now to help his business plans. Sisyphus helped me and looked after me when he had nothing to gain."

"He is my son Sir," the fat man interjected, "and I claim a father's rights. He is a minor and under the law must live under my command."

Sisyphus cleared his throat.

"With all due respect Sir the records do show that your Uncle the Emperor Tiberius acquired the boy Helios from his father but not as a gift. The father was paid a sum of twenty sesterces for the boy. I have here a copy of the receipt signed both by this gentleman and the late Emperor's agent in these matters Titus Priscus. It was his practice in such cases to have a formal contract of purchase and sale and to have a real exchange of value take place to avoid possible recriminations later. There was also no doubt an informal understanding about the vendor enjoying the late Emperor's favour "

"You say," Gaius Caesar smiled wolfishly, " that the records show that this boy was bought as a slave from his father and that the father signed a receipt evidencing this transaction?"

"Yes Sir."

"So 3; The boy became the property of my uncle and his father lost all rights and authority over him and on my Uncles death I inherited the boy along with all my Uncle's other possessions."

"Yes that is the position Sir."

"Well, well. It is customary to give a newly manumitted slave a small gift on granting him his freedom. So Sisyphus I give you this boy Helios as your slave."

Sisyphus began to speak but the Emperor held up his hand for silence.

"We have another point we have to deal with before we can consider this matter closed. This man," he said indicating the fat man who had gone scarlet with rage, "has knowingly engaged in a plot to purloin imperial property. That is one slave boy; a small and unimportant object in itself but the offence is a serious one."

The knight paled, began to protest but catching Gaius's eye fell silent.

"Sisyphus you are knowledgeable about accounts. Do you think you could establish what this gentleman's total wealth was immediately before he sold his son to my Uncle and what it is now today."

"Yes Sir certainly."

"Very well the difference is the amount of the fine I impose on him for his attempt to steal imperial property and to encourage you Sisyphus to be thorough in your investigations you can take half of the sum for your fee. After that I appoint you chief of customs at Veii."

"But it's not a harbour or anything Sir. It's miles inland."

"The duties are not indeed onerous but I think you will find the remuneration generous and the climate pleasant. You will have plenty of leisure to enjoy the small cheap but I suspect very lively present that I have given you."

The last Marius saw of Helios, the boy was walking beside his new master carrying his tablet and stylus looking up into his face and chattering away happily.

It was some three weeks after he had been brought to Rome that Marius decided he could not delay any longer. He had sworn he would find the maid Pannychis who had smuggled food to him when he was imprisoned after his father's arrest and execution and who had suffered for it. He owed too a debt to Dictys who had been so kind to him while he was a slave in the house of Scyrax. He was dead now killed as a jest by Maccius but perhaps Sulis the slave boy that he had loved still lived.

He had been waiting for the Emperor Gaius to decide his own fate before beginning his search but nothing had been done. Indeed he had not seen the Emperor since they had arrived at Rome. Perhaps he thought Gaius had forgotten him and he would be left to spend the rest of his life mooning round the palace with nothing to do. It was quite likely that the Emperor would not even notice if he did runaway.

The important thing was to have a plan. It would be easiest to start with Sulis. If he lived he might well still be in the house of Scyrax. That at least was the place to start. He would go there and simply offer to buy the boy. Scyrax traded in slaves so that it seemed to Marius should be perfectly straight forward. He would need money of course and he had none but that was no particular problem. The Emperor's praise of Marius after he had poured the libation for Drusus and his suggestion that Marius himself should have some say in deciding who should have the privilege of adopting him had unleashed a flood of gifts from courtiers eager to win his favour.

He selected a heavy gold chain that had been given him by a Senator whose name he had already forgotten and slipped it in his pouch. That should yield enough to purchase a boy like Sulis and to feed the pair of them for a year while they found Pannychis. Marius was a little vague in his own mind as how he was going to do that but he was sure something would turn up. After that no doubt they would manage somehow. As for turning the chain into money he would go to Balbinus. That was the man to whom Crastus sold the silver goblets stolen from his father's house. He had no idea where Balbinus's shop was but he would ask once he was outside the palace. Someone he was sure would tell him the way.

Apart from the gold chain and the clothes he stood up in he would take only one other thing with him. The three quarter size legionnaire's sword that Junius had given him. It might come in useful and anyway he liked Junius and also his man Paullus who had found time to put him through some sword drill.

Wrapping a light cloak about the sword to hide it Marius slipped out of the palace by a side door. He had been worried that someone might spot him leaving but the only person he saw was a slave slowly sweeping the door step clear of dust and who almost dropped his broom as he scuttled to one side to let the boy pass. After that all went smoothly although Marius was annoyed by the beggar who pushed up close to him when he enquired the way to Balbinus's shop at the food stall by the entrance to the Circus Maximus and was glad that the man did not pursue him but stayed behind to talk to the owner of the stall.

His meeting with Balbinus also went well. The shop keeper greeted him politely, did not ask awkward questions about where he had obtained the chain, and gave him directions to the house of Scyrax without demure. Marius was a little disappointed by the amount of money Balbinus offered him for the gold chain but it was still more than enough to buy a slave boy.

Soon he was standing before the blank wall of Scyrax's house. He felt a wave of fear sweep over him as he remembered how he had been dragged through the streets, filthy and naked to the place and the pain and humiliation he had suffered there. But he squared his shoulder, reminded himself that he was now free and had money to spend and marched boldly up to the heavy wooden door. Taking hold of the massive knocker in the form of a man's penis he hammered loudly on the door.

There was a pause. He heard heavy footsteps and the sound of the shutter in the small grated window being draw back. Another pause and then the deep voice of Alseus, Scyrax's Negro porter, asked him his business.

"I have come to buy a slave," Marius replied struggling to keep the quaver out of his voice.

"Do you have money Young Sir?" Marius sensed a hunt of laughter in the voice and this angered him.

"I would not be here if I had not." He answered striving for a tone of haughtiness and then added with what he felt was a stroke of genius "Come on my good man I have come all the way from the Palace and I am not accustomed to be kept waiting."

"From the palace you say. Then I must let you in."

There was a sound of bolts being drawn and the doors swung open. Marius walked into the vast pillared hall with it's brilliantly coloured mosaics and wall paintings of scenes where extreme licentiousness and cruelty mingled. The enormous Negro bowed respectfully and gestured to a waiting serving boy to step forward. Although the man's face was expressionless Marius had an uneasy feeling that he was being laughed at.

The boy led the way towards the central courtyard with it's fountains and pools and cages of singing birds. Marius heard the sound of the beating long before they arrived there, shrill screams punctuated with the rich hiss of the descending cane and the sharp crack as wood sliced down on tightly stretched naked flesh. He stepped out into the courtyard and for a moment he was blinded by the glare of sunlight. Then he saw the fat bulk of Scyrax lounging on his couch in the shade of the pergola and beyond him the slim and all too familiar figure of Maccius who was engaged in thrashing a small slave boy.

Maccius was putting all his strength into the operation lifting the cane well back over his shoulder and before bringing it whistling down to curl round the squirming boy's and already well bloodied rump. Marius could not see the child's face for he was bent face down over a marble table held in place by the eunuch Felix who looked, from the grin on his face, to be thoroughly enjoying his work. There was though something familiar about the shape of the brat's bottom and the tone of his yells. With a feeling of sick rage he realised that it was whose bottom was being flayed by Maccius.

"Well young man," Scyrax rasing his voice to be heard above Sulis's howls, "what can so poor a man as I do for you?"

Maccius turned to stare long and hard at Marius and Sulis's screams now the rod had ceased for the moment to tear his rump fell to a low sobbing.

"I have come to buy the boy there that is being beaten," Marius said with as much self confidence as he could muster.

"Oh my dear little Sulis. I value him greatly. I fear you will not be able to afford him young Sir 3; One of the most valuable items that I have in stock 3; That was why I was having him beaten 3; I value him so much that I take great care to correct any faults that I detect in him. I would not take less than one hundred sesterces for him and the amount of time and effort I've spent training and the money on feeding him up that will hardly cover my costs."

Marius knew that the price was extortionate. It was more than three times the sum that Scyrax had paid for him.

"The boy's not worth it," he said firmly. "I won't pay more than fifty for him and that's a good price for such a weak little thing."

"Fifty sesterces a good price for a prime piece of boy's flesh like that," Scyrax exclaimed. "Felix get the brat over here and let the young Master have a look at him properly. He can't judge the boy's value properly when all he can see is his bottom."

Felix pulled Sulis up from the table and dragged him by the arm towards Marius.

Sulis who up to then had been sunk in his own dark pool of pain and humiliation dared to glance upwards to see who was negotiating to buy him. Marius saw recognition, surprise and puzzlement chase themselves fleetingly across the younger boy's face. Maccius who was watching closely saw the same and edged imperceptibly closer to Marius.

"Look at him Sir. Look at him," Scyrax begged gustily. "Have you ever seen a boy in better condition. A real bloom to his skin and so clear. A real beauty Sir and so well broken. The spirit beaten out of him. I couldn't take less than ninety Sir. It wouldn't be fair on myself."

"Seventy," said Marius. He knew that was too much but he had to get Sulis away from the place and he was fearful that if he didn't get nearer Scyrax's price the man would simply refuse to sell.

"Very well 3; Very well 3;" Scyrax exclaimed with exaggerated resignation. "You drive a hard bargain Young Sir. I can see you are intent on reducing me to a pauper but still 3; I'll let you have him for eighty Sir."

"All right," Marius said pulling out his purse and beginning to count the money hampered by the fact that he was still carrying his sword hidden by the cloak wrapped around it stuck under his left arm.

"Why," Maccius asked silkily, "why are you so keen on buying that particular boy?"

Marius started. He was surprised to find Maccius standing so close to him.

"Oh that boy," he said airily, "I just fancied him. Looks a sexy little brat."

He reached out to hand the money to Scyrax. Just at the moment that the man's fat fingers closed about the coins Maccius caught hold of Marius by his tunic's neck ripping it from his body while, with the other hand, he tore his loin cloth from around his waste. Snatching his sword from it's hiding place Marius leapt to one side and crouched naked ready to defend himself.

"Look Scyrax," Maccius crowed, "our little friend Mariullus come back to play with us. I thought I recognised him but I'm afraid he's been a bad boy and run away from his Master. Look there it is his owners brand on the side of his pretty little bottom."

Marius heard a movement to one side of him and whirling round saw Felix just about to grab him. He slashed at the man's face with his sword it's point splitting open the eunuch's cheek. Felix screamed and staggered backwards, clasping his hands to his wounded face, blood streaming from between his fingers down his arms. He collapsed whimpering to the floor.

"What a rough boy you have become Mariullus," Maccius simpered. "I do look forward to taming you child."

A dagger had appeared in his hand and he began circling Marius while Scyrax shouted loudly for Alseus the Negro porter.

Marius knew he was in a desperate trouble. True he had a sword against Maccius's dagger but he was only a boy. Maccius was a man with a man's reach and that more than neutralised the advantage that his longer sword gave him. And there was Scyrax. He was fat and slow but he was up on his feet now, the money he had been paid for Sulis abandoned for the moment on the marble table, leaving his hands free to grab Marius if he could be manoeuvred within his reach by Maccius. But worst of all was Alseus the gigantic Negro porter. Once he arrived Marius knew he was all but done for.

Then Alseus was there, dressed only in a loincloth, his massive body oiled and glistening, a heavy whip curled ready for use in his right hand. He hesitated looking around him, sizing the situation up.

"Take his balls off," screamed Scyrax urgently.

Alseus grinned, white teeth flashing in his ebony face. He sent the whip snaking viciously towards Marius's crutch. The boy leapt backwards and the whip cracked sharply only inches away from him. Marius crouched his eyes darting about him. This could not go on. He had evaded the whip the first time but he was being driven closer and closer towards Maccius. Soon he would have the choice of either facing the Negro and having the tip of the lash rip his testicles from his body, he had no illusions so far as that was concerned for he had seen before what damage Alseus could wreak with the whip, or being cut to pieces by Maccius's dagger.

Alseus drew his hand back again ready to strike for a second time. Shouts and thundering crashes came from the inside of the house. Alseus hesitated and in that moment Sulis launched himself at the porter and grabbing him by the right arm. Alseus tried to throw the boy off but he clung tight. The Negro turned and swinging his arm smashed the boy against a marble pillar. Sulis dropped senseless to the floor.

Marius seeing Alseus at least momentarily distracted turned to face Maccius. If luck was with him perhaps he would at least be able to wound the youth before he was himself killed.

Chapter 30 - Final Chapter

He had therefore fallen into the habit of spending a great deal of time with Marius. He enjoyed teaching him sword drill and the boy had that attitude of uncritical wonder that is so comforting to an old soldier recalling past adventures. Paullus when he found Marius not to be in his room did not immediately raise the alarm. He noted though that the scaled down centurion sword given to the boy by Junius was not in it's usual place of honour on the chest by his couch.

Marius might he thought be with in the yard where his two game cocks, Castor and Pollux, only slightly less valued than his sword, were kept carefully apart in two separate runs. The boy might have taken his sword down there to practice the thrusts and parries that he had been teaching him over the past few days. He was an enthusiastic pupil and one or two things had got broken; a statue by some Greek called Praxiteles had an arm lopped off and a rather ornate vase, with a whole lot of maidens and fawns and things painted on it, smashed. Nothing really important so far as Paullus could see but the chamberlain had made rather a fuss about them so Marius might have decided it was best to practice where there weren't so many things to knock over.

But when Paullus got to the yard Marius was not there and he decided that he had better seek help. You did not wander around an Imperial Palace carrying a sword unless it was part of your duties to do so. There had been too many attempted assassinations to allow that. He went in search of Junius.

It did not take him long to find the Tribune. He was in attendance on the Emperor. When Paullus slipped into the room he saw both his master and the Emperor were red in the face.

"How often Sir," Junius was saying fiercely, "have I asked you not to call me Uncle. You must not 3;"

"Must not is something a wise man does not say to an Emperor 3;" Gaius replied dangerously.

Paullus snapped noisily to attention and the two men fell suddenly silent. Quickly he told them of the reasons for his presence.

"It is my fault," Gaius said once he had finished. "I said I would sort out a future for the lad and I have not got round to doing so. He is not the boy to remain idle for long and now he's set out on some adventure of his own which will no doubt from past form be dangerous and fool hardy. Unc 3; rather Tribune would you find him and bring him back here?"

Marius may have thought that he escaped from the palace unobserved. If so he had not allowed for the efficiency of the ubiquitous Imperial Spies. The road sweeper who observed him leaving the side door of the palace had already made his report and was once again engaged in his seemingly endless task. It would seem that that side street was as difficult to clean as the Augean stables. When Junius and Paullus came out on to the main street near to the Circus Maximus the beggar who had jostled Marius as he enquired the way to Balbinus's shop sidled up to them. Junius asked a series of sharp questions to which the beggar replied briefly gesturing in the direction of the Emporium. It did not appear that he was asking for alms.

It took the two soldiers little time to persuade Balbinus to tell them about Marius's visit and his enquiries about the situation of the House of Scyrax. Junius and Paullus hurried away leaving the shop keeper sitting on the floor of the shop gingerly exploring the inside of his mouth for broken teeth with his tongue.

On the way to Scyrax's house they commandeered the assistance of a patrol of civiles [city police]. Arriving there Junius hammered on the door of the house but received no reply. He stood to one side signalling to the civiles to batter it down with their axes.

Hearing the sound of running footsteps approaching Maccius glanced round to see what was happening. Marius seeing his chance shortened his sword arm and leapt at him yelling defiance.

"If you mean to kill stab upwards into the guts," Paullus had told Marius many times. Marius meant to kill and he drove the sword upwards feeling a fierce joy as the blade sunk home and the youth doubled up with a scream of pain. "As he falls forward kick or knee him to knock him on his back. Then put a foot on his body and use both hands to pull the blade clear." Paullus had not mentioned how tightly the Maccius's stomach muscles would clamp about the blade nor the strange rattle that came from his throat as, two handed, Marius drew the sword clear. He swung round crouched and ready to strike again.

"One death," said Junius calmly, "can be explained as self defence but two would rather look like murder."

The blood lust drained from Marius. He bent forward and wiped the blade of the sword clean on Maccius's tunic. He looked down into the youth's painted face. White foam mixed with blood had formed about his mouth.

"For Dictys," he said and spat in Maccius's face. The youth's eyes gazed up at him blankly. Later Marius was to realise that probably Maccius did not even remember the name of the slave boy he had killed for sport.

" Paullus help me get the boy back to the Palace," Junius commanded.

"Sulis must come with me 3; I've paid for him 3; And I want a proper receipt before I go," Marius protested remembering Sisyphus's comments on correct business methods.

"Whose Sulis?" demanded Junius.

"My slave I bought him. Is he all right anyway? He grabbed hold of Alseus's arm and he threw him off."

They found Sulis sitting on the floor looking about himself groggily. Paullus pulled him roughly to his feet. "Nothing wrong with him apart from a bump on the head and his skulls not broken," he reported his fingers probing the back of the boy's head.

"Is it really you Mariullus?" Sulis asked faintly

"Show respect to your betters boy," Paullus ordered clipping the boy not very hard on the side of the head.

"Yes it is me Sulis," Marius replied gently.

"You want a receipt do you?" Junius asked sounding slightly amused. "We'll fix that. How much did you pay for him?"

"Eighty sesterces. Scyrax put the money on the table over there."

"Eighty for that?" Junius said, his voice rising in surprise, pointing at Sulis.

"I knew I was paying too much but 3;"

"Certainly you paid too much but we'll put that right."

Junius caught hold of Scyrax, who was kneeling on the floor weeping loudly beside the dyeing Maccius, by the collar of his tunic. He hauled him to his feet and slammed him down on a stool beside the marble table.

"Write out a receipt for fifty sesterces for a slave boy about nine years old known as Sulis."

"I agreed eighty 3;" Scyrax's protest was brought to an abrupt halt by Junius slamming his face down on the stone table top.

"That was then," Junius remarked pleasantly, "this is now and the price has fallen by a further twenty sesterces. The receipt now is thirty or do you want to continue these negotiations further?"

""No. No please Excellency I accept the price offered 3;" Scyrax blubbered, blood streaming from his crushed nose.

"Well write it then 3; Quickly 3;" Junius raised his hand threateningly.

"My secretary please he does 3;" Scyrax pleaded cowering away from him.

"That's him over there," Sulis volunteered gleefully paying off innumerable grudges against the eunuch by pointing to the corner where Felix had crawled leaving a trail of blood behind him on the white marble floor.

Three well placed kicks from Paullus got the secretary to his feet. Felix had to use his left hand to hold his tablet as he wrote out the receipt. It was apparent that the whole of his left cheek had been sliced open leaving his left eye hanging loose.

"I'll take charge of that for the moment young man," Junius said taking the sword from Marius. "You'll have it back when you're safely in the palace. You can wear the cloak it was wrapped in. We can't have you walking the streets of Rome naked like a whore. Come on, then, we're finished here. Let's go."

"Cold water," Paullus remarked helpfully to Scyrax, "that's the best thing to get blood stains off marble."

It was not long before they were back in the Palace and even Sulis fell silent awed by the enormous rooms and the richness of the decorations. Junius taking Marius with him set off to find the Emperor. They were just crossing a vast hall before entering the presence chamber itself when Marius saw two figures approaching, a burly roughly dressed man and, walking beside him, a dark curly haired youth of about fourteen. His stomach lurched as he recognised them and then blind rage seized him.

"Pulchellus," he screamed and casting off his cloak launched himself at the other boy.

Pulchellus was older, bigger and heavier than Marius but he was taken by surprise and Marius's anger gave him added strength. Pulchellus went down before the younger boy's assault and the two boys rolled wildly about on the floor in a flurry of naked limbs punching and kicking at each other oblivious to the dignity of their surroundings.

Crastus seeing his favourite attacked and getting the worse of things aimed a blow at Marius's head knocking for a moment the boy off his opponent. Junius would not have objected if the other man had pulled the two boys apart and restored order by banging their heads together but he did resent so blatant an interference in the fight in favour of Pulchellus. He showed his disapproval by smashing his sword pommel into Crastus's face. The man staggered backwards dazed and bleeding.

In that instant Marius was back on top of Pulchellus. Junius with some difficulty, for Marius's naked body was slippery with sweat, tore him away from Pulchellus. That youth staggered to his feet and ran off screaming, his hands clasped to his face, to Crastus who throwing an arm over his shoulders hurried him away.

Marius stood for a moment his chest heaving and then he spat.

"I don't think he's very beautiful any more," Marius remarked with grim satisfaction. [Pulchellus = very beautiful] Junius could only agree for lying on he marble floor was a lump of bleeding flesh that he recognised after an instance as Pulchellus's nose.

Gaius listened in silence to Junius's report.

"Marius," he said when all was told, "I do not blame you for setting out on your own for I have allowed you to be idle too long. I will make a decision on your future after I have had a nights rest to think on it. Meanwhile though there is a matter that I cannot allow to pass. Brawling in the Imperial Palace is a serious offence and you must be punished for it. Tomorrow morning you will be flogged. Junius you will see to the matter. Now you may go."

"Sir," Junius said sternly after Marius had left, "what were Crastus and that boy doing here?"

"Why Uncle," the Emperor replied obviously feeling guilty but trying to laugh it off, "I have need of such tools now. You warned me before we left Gaul that if I became Emperor I would always be threatened by plots and conspiracies. Such men as Crastus are expert at ferreting such things out. Every where there are enemies," he continued his voice rising near to hysteria, "everywhere."

"If you have need of tools like Crastus I think perhaps you have no need for me."

"So you desert me too," Caligula flared up and then quickly as it came the mood passed. "No Uncle I know you do not. You looked after me when I was small when my father was too busy commanding the legions to be bothered with a young boy. You taught me to be a soldier and the ways of the camps. You will not desert me ever, nor I you. But Uncle you are right the court is not the place for you and I wish it were not for me also. If you wish to return to the legions I will not stand in your way."

"Thank you Sir?" Junius replied quietly, "and what of the boy Marius?"

"I do not know. Crastus told me where he found him and who his father was. Sejanus who plotted against my Uncle to seize the Imperial thrown himself; the son of a proscribed traitor. A dangerous breeding 3;"

"Sir Marius is only a boy eleven or twelve years at the most. He was faithful to your brother and to his own friends. Remember you yourself called him Marius Fideles (Marius the faithful). He is a threat to no one."

"Not now - but in the future? There will be plenty to whisper to him of his father and of revenge 3; I shall think on it 3; There is one thing though that I can do for him now and that I shall do."

"And what Sir is that?"

"He and you perhaps will find out after he has been flogged tomorrow morning."

As he approached the room he heard the sound of sweeping. Sulis was on his hands and knees working away with a dustpan and brush. Marius saw that his room was unusually tidy. Clothes, sandals and other objects that normally cluttered the floor, apart from the half hour or so immediately after the maid had cleaned it, had been neatly folded and put away. At the sound of his footsteps Sulis looked up at him and smiled happily before returning to his work. The sight of the boy reminded Marius of the responsibilities he had assumed in purchasing a slave.

"Sulis come here," Marius ordered seating himself on his bed, "and turn round."

He saw the curve of the boy's bottom was scored with welts that etched jagged scarlet lines deepening to a reddish purple at their edges across the child's smooth brown skin. Here and there, especially where the strokes of the rod had intersected or where the cane's tip had flicked round the boy's rump to bite at his flanks the skin had been broken and there had been bleeding. It was clear though that someone had tended to the boy's bottom. Dried blood had been sponged away and ointment spread along the angry weals.

Marius ran a finger tip gently along one livid stripe and Sulis wriggled in excitement at his touch. He reached round the younger boy and found his cock. Tiny and hairless though it was hard and jutting eagerly upwards.

"Who looked after your bum for you Sulis?" he asked, gently playing with the child's rigid little rod.

"Paullus took me down to the kitchens and a maid there did it for me. And he told her to grease my hole too in case you wanted to fuck me," he added breathlessly leaning forward so that Marius could see the truth of his statement for himself.

Marius saw the slick of fresh oil along the lips of the boy's anus. He rested the tip of his index finger against them. He pressed. Sulis caught his breath. There was a little initial resistance and then he was inside Sulis's well greased hole feeling the warmth of the boy close about him.

Regretfully he pulled his finger clear. It emerged with a faint but distinct plop.

"Marius," Sulis pleaded pushing his bottom back invitingly.

"No you're too sore for it now and not big enough either," Marius said firmly. " Dictys was good to me and he loved you so I bought you in order that I could be a good Master to you. I owe it to Dictys that I should be."

"And I'll be a good boy for you Master," Sulis promised.

"I know you will," Marius said standing and kissing the boy on the back of his neck, "and when you are old enough and learnt a trade or something and I am rich so that I can give you a good present to start you off I will set you free."

Sulis twisted round and throwing his arms round Marius's neck reached up to kiss him on the lips. Marius tongue probed the child's mouth. He tasted honey and pulled away. Glancing round he saw the top was off the jar of honey and figs on the table beside his couch.

"You haven't changed Sulis," he remarked placing his hands on the boy's shoulders. Sulis responding to the downward pressure sank to his knees. His hands gripped Marius by his hips as he took the older boy's cock into his mouth. For a few brief seconds Marius forgot about his coming flogging.

"He's waiting for you," Paullus said quietly.

Marius rose to his feet. Sulis, loyalty to his master taking precedence over even his tummy, stopped eating and moved to follow him but Marius signalled to him to stay. Once they were outside the room Paullus slipped his hand under Marius's arm but the boy shrugged him off.

"I can manage all right Paullus," he said the quaver in his voice slightly belying the bravery of the words.

Indeed Marius wondered if he could see it through with out help. The walk seemed never ending. His knees felt weak and he found difficulty both in breathing and in co-ordinating his movements while his stomach churned in fear. Every now and again Paullus would turn his head and glance at him but he did not offer again to take his arm.

They walked silently along a series of corridors the only sound their footsteps on the marble floor.

Paullus stopped in front of a heavy wood door and swung it open He stood to one side. As Marius passed him he patted him encouragingly on the rump. Junius was standing waiting for them a thick leather, strap it's end split to give it extra bite, hanging from his right hand. Biting down on his lower lip to try to stop it quivering Marius stepped into the room.

"You choose to brawl in the Imperial Palace. That is strictly forbidden and I have been instructed to punish you," Junius's voice sounded strained and unnatural. "You will receive twelve strokes. Strip."

With fingers that seemed to have difficulty in obeying the instructions his mind was sending them Marius unbuckled his belt. He pulled his tunic over his head and removed his loincloth. Kicking off his shoes he stood naked, waiting, hoping that the two men would not notice that he had an erection.

"Get him up on your back Paullus," Junius ordered.

Paullus turned his back to Marius and bent forward placing his hands on his knees.

"Come on soldier," he said. It was the first time he had spoken to Marius since they had left his room.

Marius reflected that some things were easier if you were a slave boy. There would be none of this being taken to a special place and being required to strip and to present your naked back for the whip. It would be a simple matter of being thrown to the floor and lying pinned there howling and writhing as the lash ripped into your defenceless body. Junius shifted impatiently and Marius realising that he could delay no longer gritted his teeth and sprang up onto Paullus's back. The man grabbed hold of his wrists and straightened, lifting the boy well clear of the floor.

Marius heard Junius moving behind him. There was a pause and then a light touch on his bottom. He tensed himself in anticipation of the blows to come, accentuating the dimples on either side of his rump. He heard the sound of movement as Junius swung the strap back over his right shoulder and then the more urgent strident hiss as he brought it down to crack viciously across his bare bum creating an explosion of pain of such intensity that it that drove the breath from his body. The pain was at first centred in his bottom where the belt had struck but rapidly spread through his whole body, tearing at his nerve ends. As he dragged air down into his oxygen starved lungs he heard the lash begin it's descent for the second time. He bit desperately down on his lower lip, calling up every last ounce of will power to try to stop himself screaming. He couldn't prevent his body jerking convulsively as once more the strap cracked down across his naked bottom. Gasping for breath he fought back the scream that almost burst from his chest, panting and grunting in his effort to control himself.

Junius knew very well the agonies that the lad was experiencing and the great efforts that he was making to control himself. He hoped desperately that Marius would survive the beating with his pride intact but he was not the man to shirk his duty for that reason or any other. The boy had misbehaved and must be disciplined. Stripe after stripe he laid across Marius's bottom while the boy's naked body writhed under the lash. On and on the flogging went, the only sound sounds were the hiss of strap as it rose and fell, the sharp crack of leather striking bare flesh, the moans and gasps of the boy and Junius's own laboured breathing as he devoted all his strength to the task in hand.

Not once did Marius cry out or plead for mercy.

At last the flogging was over. Junius stood a moment panting from effort looking at the livid welts he had scored across Marius's smooth brown skin. He noticed at their edges scarlet was deepening into reddish purple as the bruising began to come out came out. He noticed too the beads of dark blood welling from the places where the stripes had overlapped or the tip of the strap had split the boy' skin. He knew that by next morning the deeper bruising would have taken on a yellow or even a greenish hue.

"All right," he ordered, "you can put him down now."

Paullus released his grip on the boy's wrists and Marius slid down his back to the ground. He staggered slightly as his feet touched the ground but quickly recovered himself.

Junius caught sight of his face, mucous running from his nose down his cheeks and chin mixing with the blood that flowed from his under lip where he had bitten into it.

"Thank you Sir and you too Paullus," Marius said trying to stop his lips from trembling. He grabbed at his clothes and holding them to him walked quickly to the door. He closed it carefully behind him and did not break into a run until he thought he was out of earshot of the men in the room.

"A good boy that one," Paullus remarked and then catching sight of Junius's drawn face fell silent.

"You might almost have thought that it was he who had been flogged," Paullus said to himself.

"Sulis 3; go away," he ordered between sobs.

He felt the mattress on which he was lying sink as someone sat beside him.

"Sulis I told you go away 3; I'll give you a taste of what I've got if you don't."

Fingers gently smoothed ointment onto his burning rump.

"I don't want you here 3; I told you 3;"

"Just lie still young Master." It was a woman's voice, a voice with the broad rough tones of a peasant.

"Pannychis," Marius shouted rolling in one movement onto his front and sitting upright, only to howl loudly as his full weight pressed down on his raw bum. He shot up onto his knees and threw his arms about the girl's neck hugging her tight.

"How glad I am that you are here Pannychis 3; Are you all right 3;? Where have you come from 3;? I am so glad you're here 3; I was going to come and look for you but I didn't know where to start."

"I'm fine Sir 3; now get back down on your tummy again like a good boy so I can put the ointment on that poor sore bottom of yours."

"As for where I come from 3; yesterday evening my old Master, who was not a bad sort of man at all, called for me and I found him with that horrible Crastus and that nasty little brute Pulchellus. I didn't recognise that one at first 3; he was always such a pretty thing but something horrible has happened to him 3; there's a big black hole in the middle of his face where his nose was."

"Good," Marius said, "I bit it off."

"No more than he deserves I'm sure," Pannychis said loyally, "Anyway the Master said he had no choice to hand me over to Crastus because it was the Emperor's order 3; I didn't want to go as you can imagine, not with Crastus, but I had no choice and he was very careful and polite with me, though Pulchellus was muttering and swearing to himself all the time. And Crastus brought me here to the Palace and then I saw a young man who told me he was the Emperor and that I was a present from him to you 3; so here I am. It's all very simple and straightforward."

"You're the best present I ever have had Pannychis and I'm giving you your freedom straight away 3; But you will stay with me won't you."

"Ah Marius Fideles how did you like my present young man?" The Emperor asked jovially.

"It is the best present I've ever received Sir." Marius replied gratefully.

"Good 3; I'm glad your pleased with it. Now I promised to think about your future and find something for you to do that will keep you out of trouble – a task to tax the wisest I would think. However before I do that I have to give Junius here his new command for he has asked to leave the court."

"I think you have had enough Tribune of the wet and cold and the dark forests of Gaul Tribune. So the Fifth Legion 3; guarding the limes of North Africa 3; a prosperous region and important. Keeping the border tribesmen in order will stop you getting bored and the hunting is excellent there as well."

"Very good Sir and thank you. I wish you well Sir and Marius you too 3; You're a goodish sort of lad."

"Before you finally leave us Tribune perhaps you could help us in our second task. Deciding on Marius's future 3; you and your soldier servant Paullus have had much to do with him since he joined my court."

"Sir," Marius interrupted blushing crimson.

"Well what is it boy?" Caligula did not sound at all pleased at being interrupted.

"You said before I could have a say in what was to happen to me."

"I did say that 3; well what do you want? What rich senator or wealthy knight has bribed you to get into my favour? Come on boy, name him."

"Sir no one's bribed me 3; though I've been given lots of presents 3; And I don't want to be adopted by a rich knight nor a senator either 3; I thought maybe I could be a soldier Sir 3; Maybe in North Africa 3;"

The End