Skaia Read Online Free PDF Page A

together.”
    Paulinus shook his head. “I have not enjoyed the games for many years now. And I will meet this Greek later. I’m sure Antius has chosen wisely. I think I may spend some time with young Skaia tomorrow. I understand he had a very hard day.”
    Thaddeus grinned. “Not as hard as it might have been without your wise counsel. The boy will recover without scars. And I am confident now that he will be ready for Glaucus.”
    Paulinus smiled as well, trusting that Thaddeus had acted judiciously, and then he called for Lucius. When his slave appeared, he stood, preparing to retire for the night. “Thank you, my son, for listening to your old father.”
    Thaddeus waved away the words. “You are hardly old, Father.”
    Paulinus nodded, but he leaned on Lucius for support as they walked from the dining room.
    Flavius and Antius waited for him to leave before they both turned to Thaddeus for more information. “What happened?” Antius asked. “Did you really have to punish your new boy so soon?”
    Thaddeus laughed at their curiosity and explained that he’d had to discipline the young slave for his insolence. “I’m sure he’ll be fine, now. He was meek as a lamb by the time the whipping was done.”
    “ Did you make him kiss the whip?” Flavius asked. “I do it every time now, since you suggested it.”
    Thaddeus nodded. The subject of disciplining slaves had become all too common since word of new revolts in the north reached Rome. Most patricians had now built special cells to hold their slaves at night, greatly decreasing the chances of insurrections. Although, truth be told, Thaddeus seldom whipped slaves himself. He usually left such unpleasant tasks to Castor on the occasions they were required. But he knew most of his friends enjoyed performing such duties themselves.
    Flavius wanted Thaddeus to bring the young slave out, but he declined, saying the child needed more training before he would be fit to be seen in public. Antius laughed at the remark. “Excuses, excuses,” he teased. “Can you at least tell us about him?  Is he pretty?”
    “ Certainly not the day I bought him,” Thaddeus smiled. “He was a bag of bones when I got him home.” He hesitated as he thought of the changes five weeks had wrought. “He’s filling out now with decent food. I’m not really sure why I chose him in the first place,” Thaddeus admitted. “Except that his eyes are such a beautiful blue. At least for now, he will not be an embarrassment to Glaucus. And that’s all that really matters.”
    “ You should have bought an older one,” Flavius remarked. “Then you wouldn’t have to worry so much about training. A slave with a few years of service on him would already have learned to obey immediately. Without insolence, as you call it.”
    “ Father and I discussed it. Father thought it would be best for Glaucus to grow up with a boy, like Thane and I did.”
    “ I hope Glaucus doesn’t become too fond of him,” Flavius said. “Like you did with Thane.”
    “ I wasn’t too fond of Thane,” Thaddeus objected. “He was a good slave. I didn’t need to punish him because he always behaved.”
    Flavius laughed and shook his head. “Whatever you say, Thaddeus. Whatever you say.”
    “ There are many positives about young ones, too,” Antius added. “Have you fucked him yet?”
    Thaddeus was well aware that he was in the minority of Romans on this issue. He did not begrudge his friends their pleasures, but his own tastes differed. “He’s just a boy, Antius, only a little older than Glaucus.”
    “ The best kind, Thaddeus,” Antius grinned. “Sweet, tender asses. Soft smooth thighs. Pliant and anxious to please.”
    Thaddeus frowned at the comments. “Would you take a girl so young?”
    Antius shrugged. “I have on occasion, but a nine or ten year old girl has few womanly charms.”
    “ Well, a ten year old boy holds no appeal for me.” Thaddeus found himself growing unexpectedly angry